PATRON TAKES - TNG S6E8
Added 2025-03-07 12:56:44 +0000 UTCTAKES WILL BE READ 4/3
Comments
As someone who hates holodeck episodes (with the exception of Barclay using it to hijack the Enterprise), this one is actually fun. Great to see them let Spiner off the leash as usual. Anyone else feel like the holodecks need more redundancy in their safety systems? Maybe a No Bullet rule? Asking for a friend (Mr. Whalen).
JohnAofDoom
2025-04-23 17:13:47 +0000 UTCI feel like now that we've gotten to season 6 you can just tell Marina Sirtis has been saying "Can I please do more fun things?"
Joe Concepts
2025-04-03 15:24:17 +0000 UTCProbably one of my least favorite holodeck episodes, though I liked the scenes from the ship, especially Picard with the return of the flute (recorder). Not into westerns so maybe that's it. A skip for me, even with the masterful Brent Spiner playing multiple roles once again—his saloon girl definitely leaves an impression!
thesocialshift
2025-04-02 02:33:04 +0000 UTCThey can't go through one Holodeck episode without the safety features being inactive. That aside, I love this. Worf as a reluctant sheriff is too good, and the many Datas is pure meme fodder. Solid A
cricketlenny
2025-04-01 19:05:37 +0000 UTCAh, the Ancient West! Utterly enjoyable, though the Spiner of it all gets a little tiresome by the end. It's always one I watch when I'm doing a revisit of TNG, just for the fun factor.
North
2025-03-27 07:18:14 +0000 UTCThe original title was The Good, the Bad and the Klingon. When playing Durango, Marina Sirtis tried to blow smoke rings but Michael Dorn cut her off and said "Stop it! Don't be funnier than me, this is my show!" That may explain why Deanna blows smoke in his face instead. Westerns were really popular back in 60's. At least Worf is spending time with Alexander 😊
empirejeff
2025-03-24 19:32:03 +0000 UTCSilly Stuff on the Holodeck with all Data's arround? I'm in for it. Troy as the lonely Stranger going all in at the entrance. Love it all and especially Sheriff Worf. S for me.
ComMix
2025-03-21 12:52:36 +0000 UTCAn A for me most days, or maybe a B+ on a bad day. This episode is not a deep episode, but as an example of a fun, more lighthearted episode it has a lot of things going for it. Obviously, anytime Brent Spiner gets to play multiple characters you have a win. We also have here yet another holodeck malfunction story, something which became a bit of a meme for being overdone, BUT as far as the holodeck malfunction episodes go it's one of the better ones and it also gives us a malfunction which seems more realistic or makes more sense than most, so it almost doesn't feel like it's part of that trope. It lets us see a Batman vs. Superman type situation for the ship's two strongest characters but doesn't resort to anything that is too extreme or outlandish to make it happen, something that would have ruined it. It also makes good use of Troi, something that we don't always see, and it gives us quite a few good moments poking fun at Worf's seriousness, something I always enjoy.
Shane Coombs
2025-03-20 01:56:57 +0000 UTCI understand what they were going for here. You two might well love it much more than me. I'm bordering between a B and C.
jon bolton
2025-03-15 05:29:43 +0000 UTCRed Dorf Redemption? Wild Wild Worf? The Good, The Borg, and The Ugly? 3:10 To Risa? If I had to choose between this and Time's Arrow for watching our crew in the 19th century, I think I'd prefer this one, silly though it may be. Easy to appreciate Brent Spiner's acting in this one, even though it gets pretty absurd. I have fun watching this one.
Forbidden Donut
2025-03-13 19:04:10 +0000 UTCI go back and forth with this one. On some level it gets a little too silly. But if you can buy in, it's kind of fun. And one of Alexander's best episodes because he's having fun with dad, and it isn't another "Worf and Dorf's family problems" episode. Even as a kid actor he must have been happy he didn't have to whine and argue through it all.
Joe Concepts
2025-03-13 16:03:32 +0000 UTCTrue. There should be now possible way you can create a working, lethal firearm inside the holodeck. Yes, I know, you could use it for training purposes, but come on...
Joe Concepts
2025-03-13 16:01:31 +0000 UTCBrent: "How many roles am I playing this episode?" Director: "Yes" Great holodeck episode.
Sequiro
2025-03-13 04:58:26 +0000 UTCBesides Data's accent and some cute Worf banter, I would rate this rather low on the list of goofy-ahh star trek eps. and I'm a Qpid defender!
kevin coleman
2025-03-12 21:58:04 +0000 UTCIt's absolutely silly, but it's a sort of silliness that I like and can roll with. But at this point, one has to ask, after ALL THESE HOLODECK PROBLEMS, why does the Holodeck have safety functions that can even be disabled? That setup is just stupid by this late in the run of TNG, it's now a running joke. Other than that, I like it.
Ian Westcott
2025-03-11 22:58:06 +0000 UTCThis is the best non-serious Holodeck episode. Also Brent really gets to go wild in this episode. 10/10 A or S tier, unless you don't like silly things and are a massive salty puss.
SetsunaYuki
2025-03-10 19:38:48 +0000 UTCA fun holodeck romp! Love the labeling of “the ancient west” and Sheriff Worf ranks right up there with Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper. While I love Deanna in the role of Durango, I wish it had been Beverly, but only because by this point in the series I was desperate for them to do SOMETHING with her character. Shoutout for bringing back the flute! Rated A for “awesome ride into the sunset”.
Column Meanie
2025-03-10 01:49:13 +0000 UTCSplitting hairs here. It wasn't just the hollodeck that malfunctioned the whole computer system got corrupted when they hooked Data up to it.
Keith S
2025-03-10 01:36:51 +0000 UTCAnother fun one for me and another Very Spiner Episode. I'm not sure which is more disturbing, Menacing Evil Data or Miss Annie Data trying to kiss Worf. And the Ressikan Flute makes another appearance. I rank it as "Excellent".
KatWithAttitude
2025-03-09 21:12:11 +0000 UTCAn accent over an accent over an accent if you count her real one.
KatWithAttitude
2025-03-09 21:06:38 +0000 UTCMy favorite line from this episode is Worf saying "So, we are in law enforcement!" Just love the way Dorn delivers it.
Keith S
2025-03-08 16:14:16 +0000 UTCI remember enjoying this when it came out, but not being blown away by it. At this point in the show they know Spiner can handle different roles. But I think they went a bit overboard with it here. Too much of a good thing. One thing I liked was Troi wanting to be the mysterious stranger. Originally they had her as a dancing girl. She fought against it, saying no little girl would want to be a dancing girl in a western. So she became the mysterious stranger. I’m very grateful she stood up for that. I was a little girl in the sixties and when played “man from uncle” we’d take on the male roles. Not because of gender confusion but because gender didn’t matter- they were the good roles. Overall this gets a B from me, but without Sirtis it would be a high C. I expect you will rate it higher.
Crankygrandma
2025-03-08 12:59:40 +0000 UTCMillions of hours of safe, trouble-free operation. We just get to see the disastrous malfunctions because there's a TV show about it all.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:53:56 +0000 UTCYou have a point about the contrast of "ham" and "straight" there.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:53:16 +0000 UTCThey'll love this one. Many Datas on the holodeck, clear winner for them.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:51:46 +0000 UTCThey love holodeck episodes. They'll love this one, especially with the fist full of Datas.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:50:10 +0000 UTCTroi with an accent over an accent should be funny but I find it lacking. 🤦 This is definitely a "turn your brain off" episode.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:49:28 +0000 UTCWell, it's surely like airplanes. We see a lot of the failures for TV drama, but not the millions of hours of perfectly good and safe running.
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:48:09 +0000 UTCI don't like this one much either. Dorf and Worf are okay, and there are some funny moments, but I find "holodeck goes wrong" episodes boring and cliché. Spiner mocked up as Data dressed up as lady at the end is funny. Troi's involvement in this is the most shoehorned thing I can imagine. Nothing great or terrible in this one, though. "C" rating
Jovet
2025-03-08 06:45:08 +0000 UTCThe two Texans playing playing in a western ?! Hell yeah ! I am going to assume a lot of people don’t like this episode, but I like westerns and this is funny (admittedly sometimes I watch it and it’s BORING )
Sixto
2025-03-08 04:30:44 +0000 UTCI've always wanted to see Dorn and Spiner suck face
Loot Narsbaar
2025-03-08 03:39:29 +0000 UTCMore holodeck shenanigans. Decent-fun episode. Spiner flexing his acting chops again.
Collin Freeman
2025-03-08 03:19:40 +0000 UTCEverything has triple redundancies in the federation EXCEPT the holodeck safeties XD
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-08 02:40:07 +0000 UTCHonestly, the Troi-Worf-Dworf triangle is surprisingly solid
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-08 02:35:30 +0000 UTCDURANGO, her name is DURANGO!!
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-08 02:34:40 +0000 UTCOops! All Brent Spiner! B - This is the most Season 6 episode of all of Season 6 The writers love the show, love the characters, and damn it they are gonna write an episode from that love! And to hell with anyone that has anything to say about it! From Data spitting in the house plant to the 'D riding into the sunset, this episode has zero restraint, and from time to time damn it that's ok!
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-08 02:33:25 +0000 UTCSilly but good. Man that holodeck malfunctions a lot.
Greg Quinn
2025-03-08 02:27:50 +0000 UTCB-tier. Visiting the 'Ancient West' is a good use of the holodeck, and Brent Spiner does a good job juggling multiple roles. But as for the rest just meh
Cirk Bejnar
2025-03-08 01:06:18 +0000 UTCI enjoy this one. Troi with a Western accent is fun, as is Brent playing everyone.
tyranusfan
2025-03-07 22:26:59 +0000 UTCThats a great take - a sequencing change woukd have helped this one a lot...
The Ninth Doctor
2025-03-07 22:06:08 +0000 UTCLet Saloon Girl Data and Worf kiss at the end, you cowards!
Ally Roth
2025-03-07 21:36:56 +0000 UTCTrue, that is a bit of a pattern it seems
Evan Guthrie
2025-03-07 20:14:46 +0000 UTCOld-west Worf and Troi are fun.
Stevtrek
2025-03-07 19:53:49 +0000 UTCHOLODECK EPISODE! YEAH! I love this one. Damn, is there nothing that Brent Spiner cannot play and play brillantly? I love everything with Worf and Dorf - er, Alexander - in this one, and Troi is freaking great too.
Paul O'Neal
2025-03-07 19:36:41 +0000 UTCI think this is a fun B tier episode. Expect them to hate it unfortunately.
Spencer Loften
2025-03-07 19:34:17 +0000 UTCI really don't like westerns, but Brent Spiner just absolutely nailed it. Durango Troi is great and Worf as well. This is surprisingly good episode for Alexander. B
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-07 18:16:02 +0000 UTCAnother example of Trek's trope of going to the Old West without actually going to the Old West... or "Ancient West." Probably the best Worf/Alexander episode in TNG.
Darin Wagner
2025-03-07 18:11:10 +0000 UTCIt's Josh's favorite of all time, Westerns! So he'll be utterly checked out from this one. Alex may enjoy it though. Again, more fun seeing characters in period costunes, Worf grumpy and Deanna getting to stretch her legs. We also do get to see some after effects of Picard's 30 year experience as the flute reappears while he tries to practice in private, because would Picard really address that situation publicly? I think not.
Nolan
2025-03-07 18:07:12 +0000 UTCI love a good Western. This is a guilty pleasure episode for me. A TIER
Alexander McKechnie
2025-03-07 17:02:11 +0000 UTC*que The Good, the Bad and the Ugly theme* Who knew, spaghetti Star Trek! Personally, loved it all. Even the bad parts
Jason Lallathin
2025-03-07 15:58:27 +0000 UTCFunny as hell, great episode for Troi, Worf and Data. These kinds of episodes are what I put on at 3am if I’m stressed out about something. TNG is good for your mental health.
Paul Rymer
2025-03-07 15:24:58 +0000 UTCI would simply turn off the holodeck forever (and probably Data too). Lots of Brent Spiners is fun, though. C.
John M.
2025-03-07 15:24:22 +0000 UTCGotta love the Enterprise riding off into the sunset.
James H
2025-03-07 15:23:29 +0000 UTCI don't care what anyone says, I love this episode. Worf being this fish out of water in a western, Troi getting to be a badass for once, Data acting like a yokel, and even decent use of Alexander. It's just a goofy, holodeck malfunction episode that knows how to have fun with it's concept. Solid A for me.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2025-03-07 15:23:09 +0000 UTCPredict you'll hate this, though I somewhat enjoy it (C or low B for me). I do think it suffers a bit from its placement in the season; with this one directly after "Rascals", it's too big a dose of children's silliness all at once.
Steven Linden
2025-03-07 15:12:45 +0000 UTCA thousand times no. Now I wait for you guys to enjoy this one and pull me along with you as you have done in the past, haha
Darin Starr
2025-03-07 14:43:50 +0000 UTCI always thought this one was stupid. D tier for me. I usually skip this one. Yeah, it's funny, but this is not why I watch Star Trek. I do like the idea of Worf being a sheriff in a western though, and learning how to bond with his son through that. If this episode focused solely on that without the wacky data malfunctions, I would have liked it a lot better.
BN13
2025-03-07 14:09:15 +0000 UTCSaddle up guys, by far one of the funniest Worf episodes. The Enterprise riding off in the sunset, chef's kiss.
Christopher Dorn
2025-03-07 14:09:03 +0000 UTCWorf vs Data but not in the way you hoped 😂
LonghillAndy
2025-03-07 14:09:03 +0000 UTCData's poem makes a return! Worf's award winning status as best dad comes to the forefront in this episode in the form of, "Please Captain, can you give me more work so I don't have to spend time with my motherless son?" Great continuity call back with Picard's flute. Great performances as usual from our cast. Solid B+ for me.
Nathan Walker
2025-03-07 14:02:02 +0000 UTCI love westerns and was a big fan of this episode when it aired. I still enjoy it but it has nothing to make me say ‘wow’
Jeffrey
2025-03-07 14:01:53 +0000 UTCS for Sheriff Worf! Dorf gets development, Troi tries (and fails) at a Texan drawl, and Data plays multiple characters again. What's not to love - especially that *stunning* last shot of the Enterprise flying into the sunset... Best "light-hearted" episode of the season 👍🏼
The Ninth Doctor
2025-03-07 14:01:12 +0000 UTCAnother episode where a holodeck malfunction is the plot, and I'm here for it. Pure fun. Nothing more, nothing less.
Wade MacKinnon
2025-03-07 13:59:14 +0000 UTCIf not, Vamoose ya varmits
Phil Ken Sebben
2025-03-07 13:44:47 +0000 UTCIf you give this episode anything other than an S tier, y’all must be mistaken.
Evan Guthrie
2025-03-07 13:43:16 +0000 UTCAh love the idea that a classical trained Shakespearean actor directed a western 🤷♂️ Gorgeous closing shot, great use of Troi and Brent Spiner, Spinering what more can one want? Tons of fun
Darren Seal
2025-03-07 13:42:32 +0000 UTCso, so dumb, but just fun, and they use Troi well for a change.
Thomas Cole
2025-03-07 13:33:23 +0000 UTCThis is my favorite TNG episode that isn’t important to the series. TNG’s best two comedic performances with Worf the ultimate straight man and Spiner getting to ham it up to the Max. Patrick Stewart had apparently never seen a western prior to directing this one and I think he knocked it out of the park. Even Dorf did a good job this time.
Phil Ken Sebben
2025-03-07 13:32:06 +0000 UTCYou've really got to wonder if these holodecks are worth the trouble.
Regan
2025-03-07 13:20:08 +0000 UTC
