Booby Trap, Gallifrey Gals Get Warped! S3Ep6
Added 2020-12-08 18:01:00 +0000 UTCThis may not be Katrina's favorite of the season so far. But bonus points for the show double meaning about a Booby trap... Geordi struggling with his loneliness and fantasizing about his ideal woman while the crew are ensnared in a deadly trap!
https://vimeo.com/807588486/3e9531ac8a
PAULA DEMING
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KATRINA ALYSHA
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Intro Song by: Pixel Pig by Di Young https://youtu.be/TiC7_167hQ0
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Comments
I've been dreading this episode. Poor Geordi, people call him a creep for this ep but I just see how lonely he is. People accuse Geordi of things he absolutely did not do.
Ashley
2023-12-03 05:01:29 +0000 UTCThe awkwardness (creepiness?) I read as being a major intended element of the episode. Geordi acknowledges this with his own reactions to the simulation and with his hesitant explanations of the simulation
Pirateman
2020-12-16 12:30:04 +0000 UTCI pretty much agree, the gal-gals had a slightly off take here. Geordi was thinking/saying 'why don't i get things that i want (what am i doing wrong)'. He is trying to find romantic fulfilment, a life partner. He's not trying to make new friends - so why would that satisfy him? I think perhaps they needed to try a little harder to put themselves in his shoes (perhaps considering what if he was the opposite sex?).
Pirateman
2020-12-16 12:22:00 +0000 UTCI definitely felt Geordi was wondering what HE was doing wrong. Frustrated his romantic overtures weren't working but recognizing that it was his failing, not hers. It was just poorly written. There's only so much Levar Burton can do with how Geordi was written. Definitely one of the weaker episodes of this season.
John
2020-12-13 23:05:23 +0000 UTCI agree with you that this doesn't quite feel like the Geordi we know and in that sense it's bad writing. the info on the writer is interesting and like you said could explain that. But i don't agree that way he acted in itself was bad writing. Like what was said in other comments. He was written on purpose as bad at social skills around dating. So getting frustrated in front of his date was exactly what they intended. And in 10 forward they show us that Geordi wasn't frustrated with his date because he felt entitled but because he felt that he was at fault. He was looking for advice about what he did wrong and not about the one date but that he doesn't know how to date in general. That he is lacking in those social skills.
Shawn Young
2020-12-10 07:11:12 +0000 UTCYes. I agree. I never saw Geordi as being frustrated with his date but with himself. In 10 forward he talks about HIS skills as an engineer. Basically saying how can HE be so good at being an engineer and so bad at dating. Then he ask for help at improving his skills at dating. I did not once see hem say anything bad about his date or complain about her. He feels he is failing and doing things wrong.
Shawn Young
2020-12-10 06:42:19 +0000 UTCMajel and Gene were dating (while he was still married) when they filmed the pilot. The network didn't like the look of the director casting his girlfriend in a major role.
Matthew Baur
2020-12-10 06:22:37 +0000 UTCI agree with you for the most part, I wanted to write more, but I got frustrated trying to translate my german thoughts into english words. I'm just to tired. I just think they could have ended the episode better. Let him learn a better lesson. I've deffo felt like Geordi a few times. But like him, I was never angry, just confused or frustrated.
Crow T. German Robot
2020-12-09 19:18:46 +0000 UTCWell thought out response. For what most have said is a boring episode it’s certainly garnered some interesting responses. I would also like to add that we have the luxury of 30 years of looking closer at this type of behavior. As you mentioned and discussed briefly, the creepy guy used to be somewhat harmless back in the day because quite honestly his creepiness was limited in a lot of ways. With the advent of the internet, like everything else, it’s sent these topics into warp drive and we’re trying to catch our breath and assess where we are as a society. It’s funny watching their reactions to these holodeck episodes considering what happens in the rest of the other shows. One other thing that I found interesting about this topic is when Geordi is talking with Guinan, he says it’s different because he’s not trying, which makes a huge difference in your romantic skills. Geordi had no intentions towards Guinan, so he’s not worried about ruining a potential interlude, he may as well be having the discussion with Data. Anyone who’s been in love, or lust, knows when you have feelings for someone, most people tend to act out of character for fear of ruining a potentially happy outcome. Also, in my estimation, most men that become friendly with women, are doing so with romantic intentions. Some are better at expressing that upfront. I say this because when a woman excepts a man’s company, most tend to interpret that as potentially equal interest. Very rarely do men seek out women as friends, it’s just mostly always been that way. Perhaps trends are changing, but when one’s life is measured in evolutionary quantities, to expect everyone to change just like that is a little presumptuous.
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-09 19:08:36 +0000 UTCMST3000 fan?
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-09 18:40:57 +0000 UTCI was trying to avoid this topic, thinking that this would be a potential landmine conversation that could go off the rails very quickly, but it seems I’m not the only guy who felt this way. I’m 38, so I guess I’m the last of the old school when it comes to these types of conversations, but I agree with everything you stated. Everyone has their perspective, but it strikes me in a time in which people don’t want to be labeled, there seems to be a lot of labeling going on. It’s a very intricate and complicated subject to be sure, so I guess we can all just chalk it up to the old Men are from Mars, Women from Venus discussion.
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-09 18:38:43 +0000 UTCI was really enjoying this..... until I realized Katrina and Paula had suddenly grown about 3 or 4 inches.... that's about how tall soapboxes are, right? I saw nothing from Geordi in this episode that would put him in the group of men that the most modern vernacular has coined "nice guys." This term has become FAR too much of a catchall phrase for anytime a man expresses frustration at a romantic failure, which is, for ANYONE, absolutely and unquestionably frustrating. I get what you're saying but I would challenge you to go back and really take a close look at his behavior. No one can deny that he was frustrated, though I would argue that he was primarily frustrated with himself. He felt that there must have been a fundamental flaw in him (see his conversation in 10 forward). I didn't hear him once say anything that would suggest that the girl he was out with was wrong or behaved badly. And, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it a sort of defining characteristic of a "nice guy" that they belittle, insult and generally blame the woman in question for their slighted advances? Did he do any of that and I just missed it? It's possible. I am certainly not above missing things but I didn't see it. I know I'm probably going to get hate over this but it truly isn't my intent to be confrontational. My position is simply that I have watched that term be transformed from its original meaning (which had very little to do with romantic relationships and, when it did, was applied to much less toxic, much more passive situations) to being assigned to very toxic and overtly aggressive, and even delusional men. And now it's become a default position to take whenever any man expresses any frustrations at repeated romantic disappointments. There are men out there who are truly in need of serious help because of the expectations they place on others. Who feel that they are "owed" something. Those men, as I said, need help, education, even compassion (if not a swift smack upside the back of the head). But just because a man, as Geordi did here, expresses disappointment doesn't mean he deserves to be lumped in with all those men who, intentionally or not, put their wants and needs above and before those of the women with whom they interact. (again I will never understand why people have decided to label this behavior as being a "nice guy." That is the ultimate in allowing the perpetrator to title themselves and then take ownership of a phrase that, in 90 percent of cases, simply means exactly what it means. There are still nice guys out there [real ones] and when this "phenomenon" is continually manifested, discussed and given validity, those men are left with yet another stereotype to overcome). The "patriarchy" for lack of a better word, ino more affects only woman than it was created or is propagated by only men. Like most things worth discussing, it is a deep and complicated issue that sooo often today gets blanketed over even the most benign and even HUMAN behaviors. This is going on too long. I'll end it here and wait for the inevitable in the reply section.
Brandon Scott
2020-12-09 12:51:25 +0000 UTCGeordi..... Always falling for the wrong person
GreyIrohNee
2020-12-09 06:31:42 +0000 UTC"Geordie's lovelife" episodes are probably the most dated thing out of TNG and kinda hard to talk about. As a shy, awkward guy with a visual impairment, I related to Geordi A LOT. His difficulties with dating too. But since there's been growing awareness around the way men and women interact, I am able to see some of his actions a bit more objectively. There's one thing I can't even comprehend how I ever agreed with it... I do think "Nice Guy-ism" is a very complicated issue, I have a hard time thinking that the majority it of it isn't done with any intent or malice, just cluelessness and misunderstanding from those that act that way. I even kinda understand some guys getting a little (not a lot, total flip outs are never okay) frustrated because it sucks to constantly fail at something and not know why, though I don't condone it. There's a lot of miscommunication, poor understanding, hurt feelings and mis-directed frustration toward rejection and a societal hegemonic ideal of manhood tied up in being a "Nice Guy" and its super unfair for a woman to be caught up or have to deal with that. I feel for everyone in that kind of situation because it's awful for everyone in it. As for what the episode WAS going for, I think it was pretty good. Starts with a good whole team has to tackle the problem plot where we get nice character work and everyone being competent at their jobs, which is always a plus, especially since so many modern narratives are the unlikely heroes stumbling into adventure and lucky solutions. Then the episode forms itself around Geordi, but doesn't lose sight of the Picard sub-plot, as he faces a potential failure in his duties and responsibilities as Captain, in the form of the Prommelion Captain as his counter-part. He steps up to the plate and pilots the Enterprise out of danger not just to save his crew, but to reject what the other captain represents. Particularly since it was his own enthusiasm that allowed them to be snared. All this while we get a bit of good character work from him. As for Geordi. Geordi Geordi Geordi... He's an engineer that can solve any problem, but he can't figure out women. Guinan tells him he's overthinking things in that regard and relying on programs, steps, computers and no intuition. Then he's faced with a seemingly impossible engineering problem and his solution is to dive right into the technological solution when the real answer is to not overthink, not rely on programs, steps, computers, but to use human intuition. And it solves his problems. And then, with Leah Brahms, he gets an avatar for him to realize the solution to BOTH his problems, and a clear example of how to interact with a woman that he hadn't had before. So, growth, in a way. (Though still a bit sketchy, we're working with 1980's/90's views on dating here) This episode also, unintentionally explores parasocial relationships. Consider, Geordi asked the computer to base Brahms personality off of two things. A psych profile, which may be who knows how long out of date and doesn't account for any changes and life events Brahms may have had; and a collection of her speaking appearances. The personality he got was based off of her PERFORMANCE persona. When you give a speech, you don't present your full self, just that which will allow you to engage with an audience and have a good back and forth during a Q and A session. Watching this again, I picked up on those cues where Brahms mannerisms would fit into a lecture hall. Her personability, and witticisms, the way she banters. Even the way she might argue against an opposing point or draw an emotional connection with her audience about what her designs mean to her. But is. It. Her? Who knows. Geordi in this situation is no different than anyone whose ever had a celebrity crush that he's fantasized about. Only he gets to live it out. Streamers, influencers and internet personalities, encounter this all the time too. People get to watch some many others, and feel like they know them. But do they? In Comms we talk about the frontstage/backstage, how there is a public persona everyone sees, and a backstage one only you or a few others get to see. And consider, you may read a person's social media, but people usually only post what they want others to see. That person might have a flashy new car, but their not gonna talk about loan they took out to pay for it, for example. Despite some sketchiness from Geordi, this episode does remain relevant for showing how easy it is for a parasocial relationship to develop. All the while maintaining a tense situation with some decent stakes. So, I still like this episode personally, despite the shaky parts of it. And finally, to continue with the theme of "Escaping Over-Reliance on Escapism" this season: Literally escaping a booby trap. But also, Geordi, dealing with how he uses technology to create a safe space for himself when he puts himself out there that ultimately hinders him, as well as his escape into a safe, parasocial relationship. Picard also deals with potentially escaping nostalgia which lead him astray, as well as he over-reliance on delegation. His crew is always there to help him, but when it comes to his responsibilities as Captain, he's the one that has to step up.
Nolan
2020-12-09 05:53:45 +0000 UTCIn addition to the many fans, LeVar Burton wasn't happy with the way Geordi's "love life" was written either. It's especially cringe by today's sensibilities. Susan Gibney who played Dr. Brahms was also in the early running for Captain Janeway. Finally, Majel Barrett is Star Trek royalty. Before she was Lawaxana Troi and the computer voices, she was the original First Officer in the Pilot, Nurse Chapel in the original series and numerous voices on the animated series.
Darien Sills-Evans
2020-12-09 03:05:35 +0000 UTCShe also played the 1st officer "Number one" in the original series unaired pilot "The Cage" That episode would be used as a flashback in the episodes The Menagerie parts 1 and 2
EricH86
2020-12-09 02:37:55 +0000 UTCYes this episode did have some cringe dialogue and the premise is creepy, but I think they wanted to show that holodeck "romance" can take people out of their normal sensibilities. Honestly it could have been done a LOT worse. Geordi still feels rather innocent overall.
Chris Lane- Venturi 3D
2020-12-09 01:02:59 +0000 UTCOops almost forgot I was thirteen when this episode was aired and I’m shocked Paula I thought you were a lot younger than me than eight years .
Steven morgan
2020-12-09 00:58:36 +0000 UTCYeah I’m gonna defend Geordie here, he’s not being entitled at all, he’s lonely and frustrated, if he was entitled he would have brought it up to his date, he does not. He simply asks a friend afterwards what he is doing wrong. Majel Barrett also played the commander in the pilot episode of Star Trek
Steven morgan
2020-12-09 00:56:24 +0000 UTCY'all had me rolling with this reaction! As usual, even my least favorites are made better through y'all's thoughtful and hilarious commentary. For my money, this is my second least favorite of the season. However, if you filled a graduated cylinder of subjective quality with all 26 episodes of the season, about 20 of them float in a cluster at the top. And, especially thanks to ace pilot Jean-Luc "Red Baron" Picard, this episode would only be slightly below the halfway mark. Thanks as always!
Joshua Gosdin
2020-12-09 00:50:48 +0000 UTCThe thing I really liked is the way that Jean Luc's character is being evolved by series 3. The way he enjoyed exploring the battecruiser, and the inner child when he returned taking centre stage showing the delight he felt when he recounted the excursion. The "excellent" flying skill he showed as he glided the Enterprise through the debris to safety. This Jean-Luc Picard is not Picard we encountered at Farpoint station
Colin 3of5
2020-12-08 22:40:15 +0000 UTCIt was more like he was clueless. Not that he felt he was owed affection for being nice, but like he expected the affection because he was doing what he thought he was supposed to do and didn't understand why it didn't work. Standard engineering mindset - Input A is supposed to result in output B, but it didn't and he didn't know why. Cue Guinan for the reality check.
John
2020-12-08 22:14:22 +0000 UTCOne of the weaker episodes of season 3. The whole B plot following Geordi and the holodeck character talking technobabble gets boring after 2 minutes.
Geordie Joe
2020-12-08 21:54:33 +0000 UTCmajel roddenberry was also the cast in the original series as nurse chapel and with the first pilot as number 1.
Discgear
2020-12-08 21:46:58 +0000 UTCI love every time Paula's like "What is our channel called again?". Cracks me up.
Travis Starnes
2020-12-08 21:46:37 +0000 UTCGeordi may have been frustrated at this lack of success with women, but I don't think he ever acted entitled or resentful.
Neil McRae
2020-12-08 21:31:47 +0000 UTCAn interview with Majel Barrett from 1993. It's about the roles of women in Star Trek, and you can hear how Majel pronounces her name. https://youtu.be/oaRpOLy9j4A
John
2020-12-08 21:08:18 +0000 UTCI love how Patrick Stewart plays the scene where he finds Geordie on the holodeck. He has a look that says so much. Not the best episode, not the worst either. Much better to come.
Jared Abrahamson
2020-12-08 21:00:22 +0000 UTCI might have an explanation for why this episode feels out of place in the way Geordi is written. I looked at the writing credits for it and discovered that Ron Roman -- the only person in the writing credits for this episode who worked on both the story and the teleplay -- was only involved with this one TNG episode. Additionally, his only other writing credit on IMDb is one episode of 'Gimme a Break!' in 1983. Anyway, about Geordi... Yeah, he was written pretty badly in this episode. Remember the part in the opening scene when Geordi had just been rejected and he took out his frustration on the holographic violinist RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS DATE? Not cool, man. Even if you are ticked off at being rejected, you don't just let it all hang out for your date to see.
Jeff Seely
2020-12-08 20:47:08 +0000 UTCYes,it's "May-Jell". The whole hologram thing is a bit westworld-ish (at least,the 1973 movie). In season one,Riker specifically created a hologram that he could be sexually attracted to;and openly questioned how far he could go. Geordi didn't intend to do such a thing;but,like Riker before him,he succumbed.
Ian Smith
2020-12-08 20:10:26 +0000 UTCI think it was more than just the network against a woman as second in command. I remember hearing somewhere that the primary response from women in the pilot's test audience was "Well who does she think SHE is??"
Firefly24601
2020-12-08 20:05:50 +0000 UTCSo Paula was born in 1984. *sigh* I feel old. I graduated from High School in '83. I played trumpet all through school from 6th grade until I graduated. Also played baritone and tuba a couple of years. Looking forward to the blooper reel for this season. There's a fantastic blooper during the "ships in bottles" converstation. Yes, Majel Barret (pronounced May-jill, as in the month of May and the name Jill), was Gene Roddenberry's wife. She was in the original series as well, even as the ship's Number 1 in the first Star Trek pilot. It was a big deal having a female second in command on TV, and she was the only female on the cast who wore pants instead of a skirt. Progressive for the times. This episode is one of the few times a holodeck was used for practical engineering purposes, until it went into creep mode. It's funny how the Doctor has his love affair with the TARDIS and it's cool, but when that hologram says the ship is her, it comes across as really creepy. Geordi's portrayal as the creepy engineer is based in reality. Having been and worked around engineers most of my career, many are brilliant at their studies and have NO social skills whatsoever. So it could be seen as Geordi figuring that out and learning how to not be that guy. It wasn't very well written to get that across, though. It was straight up, "let's have Geordi fall in love on the holodeck" and give him a Minuet moment. It was cringeworthy when I first saw it back in the day, and it's still cringeworthy today.
John
2020-12-08 20:00:49 +0000 UTCWorth noting that this was the first episode of Star Trek directed by a woman, and Gabrielle Beaumont was already a seasoned director at the time when she was brought in.
Jarrod Wild
2020-12-08 19:51:20 +0000 UTCI'm Me-Luna LOOK AT ME! Majel Barrett was also the original Number One in the OG series pilot. The network protested that they didn't think a female second in command would go over well, so they ordered a second pilot without her in that role. That is when Gene created the role of Nurse Chapel for her.
Bruce Bromley
2020-12-08 19:37:25 +0000 UTCIt’s interesting, as an old guy at this point, Geordi represented the stereotypical nerdy awkward guy in those days, but not in an the same way creepy is thought of now. I guess maybe it’s the same psychologically, but with all of the availability of feeding that ‘creepiness’ it’s viewed a little more aggressively now.
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-08 19:30:43 +0000 UTCPlease be careful of spoilers! Katrina does look at Patreon quite a bit!
Time Lord
2020-12-08 19:30:09 +0000 UTCEhh star trek is about exploring real world themes through science fiction. This is not bad writing just because it makes people feel uncomfortable and is still relevant today. In a world where "involuntary celibates" become mass shooters or misogynists and angry at women out of frustration at their own social inabilities, this theme is still very relevant. I'm sure the writer's goal for this episode was to start a discussion about these topics. I was surprised to see you regard it as bad writing even if you didn't want it to be part of Geordi's character. There is a larger discussion to be had about the male vs female perspective of friendship. Males mostly despise being friend zoned by a female they are romantically interested in and you two seem to despise the males lack of ability to be friend zoned. In my experience it only works if there is legitimately 0% romantic interest by either party. A lot of times, guys "hang around" hoping they eventually get a chance and start getting frustrated and insecure. The theme of the episode is just as relevant today and just because it brings up an issue that makes everyone feel uncomfortable talking about doesn't mean it is a bad episode. It is definitely not the most exciting or interesting episode, that's for sure.
Andrew Ramos
2020-12-08 19:29:03 +0000 UTCI think it's pronounced like "major". But obviously with "el" at the end instead of "or." Majel Barrett also played the First Officer of the Enterprise in the original pilot, "The Cage." When the cast changed up for the second pilot, she put on a blonde wig and auditioned for Nurse Chapel. Roddenberry didn't recognize her from the first pilot, and she got cast again.
Firefly24601
2020-12-08 19:17:05 +0000 UTCMight want to remove this before Paula does
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-08 19:13:30 +0000 UTCPaula almost got her Star Trek card taken away this episode for not knowing Majel (May-gel) Barrett was married to Gene Roddenberry. She was also the first Number One in the pilot of Star Trek called The Cage which has been mentioned in previous threads. I love this episode, it’s a fun little episode mixed into a somewhat serious season. I’m not going to go into the whole Geordi is a little creepy topic, but I did expect this kind of reaction. I'm not a huge fan of the next episode, but it’s not bad.
Andrew Hogan
2020-12-08 19:12:04 +0000 UTCDude. Spoilers.
G0d_Ginrai
2020-12-08 19:08:37 +0000 UTCMajel Barret's name rhymes with Angel. So its May-gel. (I have watched behind the scenes interviews with the cast who mention her out loud :)
Jonny Moonsliver
2020-12-08 19:04:22 +0000 UTCAfter all these years I never caught the line Guinan says "a bald man was kind to her once when she was hurt" and what it means. Those little breadcrumbs.
Nick
2020-12-08 18:30:11 +0000 UTCGeordi makes a few iffy personal decisions in this episode. Kat should not worry too much though. Only a bit more to go until some of the best episodes of the series, let alone season. P.S. a scene in this episode is a highlight of the Season Three Blooper Reel.
Bruce Bromley
2020-12-08 18:28:26 +0000 UTCOh my, the start of that caption. I'm very intrigued to see the reaction since I doubt it's because she was bored, or maybe I'm wrong. Anyways, Galaxy Gals away!
fcast17
2020-12-08 18:10:48 +0000 UTCOh god, I forgot about this one...
Crow T. German Robot
2020-12-08 18:04:21 +0000 UTC
