UNCUT - Time's Arrow (TNG S5E26) | Star Trek Journey 233
Added 2025-03-06 13:55:09 +0000 UTCWe will review this episode along with the season 6 premiere on March 16th
Comments
These guys don't know who Mark Twain is?
Rj Simas
2025-03-26 03:24:52 +0000 UTCUNcut watch alongs require you to sync your own copy, otherwise Paramount might come after them if they show the entire show for copyright violation.
Nathan Cline
2025-03-25 06:31:45 +0000 UTCI think Jack London holds up. What's probably changed is that people have become so urban that there is simply no interest in outdoorsy type stuff like he tended to write. In any case, that's encouraging that you're finding young people somewhere who actually read... anything at all. In my experience, they don't read anything longer than a tweet. They start getting panicky if some article they're reading goes on for more than a couple paragraphs. Where are all these 20-year-olds sitting around reading Dante and Lovecraft? Are they actually reading it? Or are they reading summaries and posing with the books for Instagram photos?
Aaron Wells
2025-03-24 16:01:51 +0000 UTCRick Berman probably had a heart attack when he read over the script and saw how many scenes he would have to pay Academy Award winning Whoppie Goldberg for. Usually, she's only in the cold open or one scene in Act 2. In this episode she was in three scenes and had a TON of dialogue
Comrade of Chaos
2025-03-22 20:48:05 +0000 UTCIs there something I am not getting? Why is the vast majority of the video all blanked out by numbers? You said to join your Patreon for full uncut reactions, if I'm not mistaken. Unless I was mistaken about what you meant by full and uncut.
Ryan Elton
2025-03-22 18:32:00 +0000 UTCAnother A from me. I think i'm in the minority once again. I don't like Darmok, i don't like The Inner Light, i don't like Ethics, but this and The Game i grade A.😂. I admit my first watch of this i hated it, but on rewatches it has grown on me, like warts.
jon bolton
2025-03-15 03:39:47 +0000 UTCJust found the video though Ihave been looking for this episode since Tuesday and finally it showed up in my feed tonight, P:Patreon sucks at self refreshing the video list. They could take a little time and clean up this apps functionality The best part of this is I like this episode more than you I personally rate it S, but that is my opinion and fortunately I value apposing view points We should not like exactly the same things and that debate spurs growth to which I enjoy growing and see different reactions Thank you for keeping this real and giving your real opinions it’s all part of the ever spiraling universe of stars. I’ll be back in few earth rotations to watch the Part 2 follow up after all as you said this is only half an episode. Keep up the fun/good work.
Thicketdweller
2025-03-12 01:28:07 +0000 UTCYeah a solid D, it's got some nice moments with Data but you could condense it into about 10 minutes and wedge it into the 2nd part pretty easily... I love how sedate the pacing of the episode is then your season 6 music comes screaming in at like 400 bpm
Worf and Riker Ride Again
2025-03-11 15:37:16 +0000 UTCIt has some nice moments. But in the end it is one of the worst two parters of the entire franchise for me.
ThorE
2025-03-10 18:53:24 +0000 UTCya I really dont get Lower decks love for him
Derek Orr
2025-03-10 18:19:58 +0000 UTCYa a lot trek fans of this era get really enthralled with the Klingon stuff a bit too much I think. This was a more interesting sci fi adventure
Derek Orr
2025-03-10 18:17:42 +0000 UTCAgreed, this was a pretty cool adventure sci fi story
Derek Orr
2025-03-10 18:16:35 +0000 UTCNot surprised you didn't like it. I didn't like it either when it first came out. Now many years later it has grown on me a bit. Probably because it's different stylistically to the rest of the series. But still only so-so to ok for me.
Gerald Conde
2025-03-10 17:14:35 +0000 UTCTrue, though I don't think they say his name until Part 2.
Joe Concepts
2025-03-10 17:11:59 +0000 UTCAn E idk about that it's a C for all the data stuff in 19th century. I remember watching it when it came out, I found it fascinating but not a favorite.
Josef Nitervol
2025-03-10 16:38:03 +0000 UTCThe young guy who works at the hotel and helps Data is a real historical person too.
Boston_Mike
2025-03-10 12:58:24 +0000 UTCSame. Time travel stuff is my favourite as well.
Ryan Caulfield
2025-03-09 21:18:29 +0000 UTCPaul, understanding his scenes, yes. Enjoying them, no. That actor was annoying and terrible. Did not like the Mark Twain scenes, though I get where the writers were coming from.
Sainjl
2025-03-08 16:32:40 +0000 UTCAgreed. I expected them to not like part 2 and be a little ok with part 1. If part 1 got an E, part 2 will get an E for sure.
Sainjl
2025-03-08 16:19:07 +0000 UTCI forgot to say this the other day: I was so happy you guys remembered Fizzbin. I know people who were fans their whole lives who don't remember that hilarious card game.
tyranusfan
2025-03-08 04:09:06 +0000 UTCI guess when they do that they’re just seeking personal validation or just love to kick the dirt up and argue.
Smear Campaign
2025-03-08 04:08:53 +0000 UTCNo, that was Jimmy Carter.
tyranusfan
2025-03-08 04:05:42 +0000 UTCMy only problem here is there's no discussion to explain the grade and how they felt. Even then, I'm not worked up. More like anticipating their thoughts.
Paul
2025-03-08 03:54:38 +0000 UTCI don't understand this. The grades dominate the discussion because they're the initial impression of how they feel about the episode. The grade is a reflection of their emotional state after watching it, and what they talk about isn't a letter, it's about how the episode worked for them or not. The grades are awesome.
Paul
2025-03-08 03:53:17 +0000 UTCI'd be fine with this approach, though their main concern I think is on Youtube where people just skip to wherever the grade is. Silly people.
Paul
2025-03-08 03:51:49 +0000 UTCYeah, this is the weakest 2 parter (that I can remember right now).
mistabaka
2025-03-08 03:44:09 +0000 UTCThis is true. I mean, in the case of the Cold War thing, it was straight up the stated goal of the writers. This was just for fun. I mean I think it's kind of fun, tossing Jack London in with data. But yeah, point taken.
Aaron Wells
2025-03-08 03:23:27 +0000 UTCBased on the "Just because it references the Cold War doesn't make it good" take from The Undiscovered Country, I wouldn't count on them caring much about historical figures or such figures changing their opinions.
Justin B
2025-03-08 02:52:00 +0000 UTCHang in there guys. There's gold in them thar hills...
Michael Metrick
2025-03-07 22:13:29 +0000 UTCNo one reads Zane Gray anymore. I still have my dad's collection of the original Tarzan series.
Michael Metrick
2025-03-07 22:12:10 +0000 UTCI am good with the letter grades but perhaps don't grade two parters until the second half has been viewed. Yes this was slow but the writers knew they had about 1.5 hours to develop the story. Either way, it's all fun. 😁
Mullinsky
2025-03-07 22:11:46 +0000 UTCAnother vote to keep the grading. If it's dominating the discussion, they could write them down after the episode, have the discussion, and at the end of the discussion they could reveal their scores to each other. I would like them as a benchmark to compare different trek series not just seasons or episodes. Maybe some series will never get an S or A or maybe several will eclipse TNG. As for this episode, I've not seen it for years and it's far worse than I remember. Dialogue is painful eg "A type R relay?" or whatever it was. Guinan messing with that drink as if she's going to say something profound but all she's got is "go on the away mission". The crew all climbing through that portal, mostly unarmed even though the aliens are killing large numbers of humans, without the equipment that got them there and to Earth which is nowhere near where the Enterprise is nor did they tell anyone on the ship they were going through a portal, Crusher went with no medical kit despite knowing humans are being attacked, and they make more effort with period dress on the holodeck than travelling to the actual 19th century, seemingly with no reference to making sure they don't screw up the timeline... it all looks a total mess with 2025 eyes. I wouldn't kick that bell boy out of bed for a wet fart though.
Smear Campaign
2025-03-07 21:49:19 +0000 UTCI agree with others to stop with the grading EXCEPT if you feel it is S tier, which you should still see some in the future.
Michael Rhine
2025-03-07 21:01:39 +0000 UTCI still like letter grades to be honest. It’s an easy shortcut for where you stand on an episode. Otherwise it’s just like or dislike, like Rotten Tomatoes.
Joe Concepts
2025-03-07 20:56:32 +0000 UTCI can't call it an E. I just have fun with the Data "fish out of water" in 1890s stuff. And yes, it's the weakest finale just because it's not a "finale." It's just part 1 of what could easily be an in-season two parter. Mark Twain is, yeah, maybe too much of an over the top character. I think he's somewhat entertaining in the second part.
Joe Concepts
2025-03-07 20:05:55 +0000 UTCDamn illiterate kids these days don't know Samuel Clemens! Another reactor to this one didn't get who it was supposed to be. I would guess you WOULD be extra annoyed if this episode seemed like you were supposed to care about this completely invented character from the past.
Joe Concepts
2025-03-07 19:57:04 +0000 UTCYeah this episode sucks. Some weird eldritch horror stuff with the cave, thats the only reason it bumps up to D for me, its legitimately creepy for about 2 minutes
TivAcrid
2025-03-07 17:20:54 +0000 UTCLove the content guys! Keep up the good work. I love your fresh takes on ST TNG!!
Luke
2025-03-07 16:28:09 +0000 UTCI don't see how that waisted your time, genuine mystery, that had you guys speculating, character moments with the crew, which you guys seemed to like, creepy stuff with the alien's, which from watching your reactions you also thought was creepy, spent time with Data back in time which you all always say you love taking your time, you seem to hate when good character moments are stopped by plot, then the whole Guinan in the past with Mark Twain stuff which for the life of me I don't get your reaction to that, plus I knew when first watching and you knew cause you said so during that this was going to be a 2 parter so why be mad at that??? On the point about Mark Twain I think you and other reactors didn't grow up in these character actors as we older folks did and it rubs you the wrong way, so far the am guest stars you have hated the most have been classic 70 thru 90s staple tv actors that a lot of us grew up with whether we knew it or not. Will defend your right to your opinion all day long but I still am baffled by this one, a C would have made sense would not even felt the need to keep posting on this ..but an E.....come on y'all, lol still love you guys and no threat of me cancelling my membership, this one just hurt my heart I hope you like part 2 more.
John Rose
2025-03-07 15:42:52 +0000 UTCPost literate? You think? I dunno. I think tastes have certainly changed. I don't feel London's work hits now the way it would years ago. I have noticed kids at work are all into Stephen King, rediscovered HP Lovecraft who got INSANELY popular as of late, and things like Tolken's work, Dragonlance, Harry Potter is still going strong, etc. I know 20-somethings that are obsessed with Dante, even. Yeah, basically horror and fantasy lol. I think we have to be honest that not all classics stand the test of time, really.
River Acheron
2025-03-07 14:38:35 +0000 UTCI was just thinking: An inventive and fun way to rate this would have been an "I" as Imcomplete. I think most people would probably agree. I will say I am also in the "I can do without letter grades" camp, but that may have been a creative way to approach this episode now that I think of it. A rare and special letter for circumstances like this maybe?
River Acheron
2025-03-07 14:33:14 +0000 UTCI am also against letter grades. It absolutely dominates the discussion, doesn't tell the full story, and distracts from discussion about the episode itself. I know tier ratings are trending on YouTube lately but I never could get into them. The biggest reason though? Letter grades can, by nature, be deceptive. I may rate something as an E, objectively....but absolutely love it in a "so bad its good" kinda way. I would be happier with a more conventional review and discussion to be honest.
River Acheron
2025-03-07 14:28:36 +0000 UTCI would personally vote for retiring the letter grades at the end of the reaction. As Josh said, it does tend to dominate the discussion over the actual commentary. In this case, I strongly disagree with the E, even though I basically agree with what appears to be your opinion (slow episode, all setup, kinda drags, etc...)
Guillaume Bergeron
2025-03-07 11:54:01 +0000 UTCI love the Data, Riker & Troi exchange in the turbolift when Data is asking about people stopping conversations abruptly when he appears.. Data asks 'is that an accurate observation?' Troi & Riker speaking over each other reply 'yes' & 'not at all' Troi & Riker exchange a look, Troi raises her eyebrows and Riker replies 'yes'. Which is very much like a few couples I know... & I'd vote to lose the post episode grades... For all the reasons Josh stated in the video from earlier in the week.
nigel valentine
2025-03-07 09:59:51 +0000 UTCYeah...I can feel that reaction. It is also not one of my most beloved ones and more like...okayish. It has some very cool ideas, with the aliens and the way they farm human souls if you will, the Data has to cope with 19th century stuff etc. but the Clemens guy has such an annoying voice and the old folks make-up in that show really is not on par with their very good alien masks they can create.
Loki San
2025-03-07 09:59:43 +0000 UTC@Jovet I actually very much enjoy this episode. High B, even without the second half. I'm just pointing out that, unlike the other two season transitioning stories, this one wasn't originally conceptualized in that frame. The stretching does show around the edges a bit, but that doesn't keep me from grabbing popcorn and having a good time with it.
Avaria
2025-03-07 08:35:50 +0000 UTCThat Voyager episode in question does NOT exist lol. Nothing can change my mind on that. It may be the only 'F' episode in all of Trek.
River Acheron
2025-03-07 07:15:42 +0000 UTCDo you consider developing characters to be wasted time? There's a lot of scenes exclusively meant to either get to know our beloved characters more, or introduce and expand on the new characters for the whole two-parter. It'd be rushed otherwise, imo.
Paul
2025-03-07 07:03:08 +0000 UTCx-files is a natural pivot down the road after Star Trek Supernatural too
Paul
2025-03-07 07:01:50 +0000 UTCS5 had a few of the best episodes of the show, or up there, but a lot of middle of the road stuff too. The highs are what people remember. Meanwhile, S6 is just great across the board.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:58:30 +0000 UTCI wish I knew. I love his over-the-top verbose presentation.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:57:10 +0000 UTCYep! I guess it all comes down to execution, which I think was done pretty well here, but they must not feel it? Maybe the Twain performance brought it down and made them forget all of the good moments? Kind of a Captain's Holiday thing, not how it starts but how it finishes.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:56:37 +0000 UTCI do agree with Jovet, knowing who Twain is helps a lot in enjoying his scenes, but for this first part, he's not in it much. Not required to know who he is to appreciate everything else.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:55:11 +0000 UTCIt surprises me because Josh and Alex are more character focused than plot focused, I figured they'd love this first part just from the Data scenes alone, they're so much fun.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:53:41 +0000 UTCThe "filler" scenes are where the fun is though... this isn't a super deep episode, but it's entertaining especially prancing around with Data in such a strange out of place setting for him.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:51:18 +0000 UTCReally impossible to rate an episode that's only half of the intended story, so a grade isn't really appropriate in the case of two parters imo, just rate them as one (as I believe you're still intending to do moving forward but in a "looser" format for the initial whiteboard reaction - fair enough). Surprised it didn't click with you though, even just as the first half of the story, it had a great performance, excellent eerie mystery, Guinan, etc... the vibe was excellent. Definitely a B+ for me, but again, hard to adequately quantify half of an episode.
Paul
2025-03-07 06:45:25 +0000 UTCI agree but I have a feeling they won't like the second half much more
Greg Quinn
2025-03-07 06:24:37 +0000 UTCI mean...the student needs to be on the hook a little bit as well, in terms of impetus to learn. It can't all come from external stimuli. I don't think I learned about either Jack London or Mark Twain from my parents or my teachers. I came across them both in my own reading when I was a kid. *Letters from the Earth* is something I was reading in what must've been 6th grade. I would have come across White Fang and Call of the Wild simply from hearing of them from adaptations and following the thread. Jack London is an extremely readable writer for young people. At some point kids have to have some kind of basic curiosity and will to find out something for themselves instead of needing everything curated and spoon-fed/forced into their heads. They need to be a little responsible for learning on their own as well. The vast bulk of my learning was done on my own. THAT is the key thing, I think. But hey, I'm not an educator. I'm talking out of my ass.
Aaron Wells
2025-03-07 06:10:29 +0000 UTCWow....this reaction...yikes. I mean, I'd call this one a weak C at worst...Maybe you were unaware of Clemens (Mark Twain, in an over the top obvious costume and makeup) and London's identities? The fun of throwing in some historical figures should be worth some small bit of credit...
Aaron Wells
2025-03-07 06:04:28 +0000 UTCI guess I always loved this two-parter more than Redemption I & II because it was more "sci-fi"-ish, with the time travel and the soul-sucking aliens and Mark Twain and the Guinan timey-wimey stuff, whereas the Klingon geo-politics in Redemption was cool, but less "out there" (hence, I think, why they added the Sela/Tasha Yar element to that story in the first place). It's interesting to see that part one seemed to drag on for Alex & Josh. I never remembered it feeling that way. That's okay, I guess it kind of does, but if you're vibing with it, that stuff comes across more like fun world-building. They're clearly having their fun in a period setting with costumes and the Paramount backlot streets. Jerry Hardin (X-Files' Deep Throat!) is really chewing the scenery with his performance, but that's also kind of the general cultural memory we have of Mark Twain: those mannerisms and that voice. It can be a little grating, haha. Anyway, can't wait for Season 6, still very much prime TNG in my mind!
ScotchBeard78
2025-03-07 06:00:01 +0000 UTCYep. Even a famous name like Jack London...completely missed. We truly are living in a post-literate age.
Aaron Wells
2025-03-07 05:59:51 +0000 UTCOh... there's a couple of worse ones, for sure. ;)
ScotchBeard78
2025-03-07 05:53:40 +0000 UTCThey sure gasped and were shocked a lot for an E. Maybe a D?
Fishing Trip
2025-03-07 05:36:04 +0000 UTCFirst hand knowledge from a former high school teacher. We absolutely do teach history. Problem is parents send their kids to school with cell phones, the greatest distraction in all history. Would be like my parents allowing me to bring a Nintendo to school. And when the kid fails, the teachers get the blame because parents would rather blame teachers instead of holding their kids accountable. So, yes, we teach history. The kids refuse to learn, and their parents refuse to make them.
Column Meanie
2025-03-07 05:26:25 +0000 UTCplenty of Es to be had on voyager but DS9 has a much higher quality baseline than TNG; there would only be a very few episodes that merit an E
Jonathon Tsagris
2025-03-07 05:19:36 +0000 UTCJust my $0.02. Keep the post episode grading.
Mark
2025-03-07 05:04:45 +0000 UTCI love Mark Twain but he becomes kind of an annoying caricature..
Philbot
2025-03-07 04:45:04 +0000 UTCOther reactors I've watched watch this episode didn't know who Samuel Clemens was or connect some of the historical references, like the 49er. But perhaps neither is necessary to like or dislike the episode.
Stevtrek
2025-03-07 04:39:32 +0000 UTCJustify that position. All of you are saying they are wrong, but I dare you to outline how this is: A) An objectively good episode B) Comparable to any degree to other episodes with the same grade
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-07 04:35:50 +0000 UTCPerhaps a part 1 shouldn't be judged with the same lens as a stand alone episode. Maybe the question should be does it work as part 1? And what I mean by that is... does it set the stage... does it entice you to want to see part 2? If it doesn't accomplish that then it deserves a low grade. That being said I like this episode and I think it does do the job required of a part 1. It is like stopping an episode at the mid break and giving the first half a grade. I think you've had a few of those episodes where the first half did not appeal to you... Silicon Avatar for one.
Stevtrek
2025-03-07 04:34:59 +0000 UTCTotally I think this is a great part 1. I hate cliffhangers.. unification could have been a 30 minute episode..
Philbot
2025-03-07 04:34:01 +0000 UTCCome on it may be a part 1, but it’s a great part 1! I love Mark Twain’s introduction! I erroneously remember part 1 ending with Data waking up in the past, but we actually get a lot of story in before the episodes end.
Philbot
2025-03-07 04:25:03 +0000 UTCFor me, this is the weakest of all the 2-parters of TNG. That being said, I'd still give it a C-. This reminds me of a movie from the mid-80's: Lifeforce. Interestingly enough, Patrick Stewart was in it.
Collin Freeman
2025-03-07 04:11:32 +0000 UTCI would say D, not E. I feel there is worse. Its a pretty slow episode, but i can watch it once in a blue moon.
SonicHiggs
2025-03-07 04:04:54 +0000 UTCI've never been too terribly in love with this two-parter, so it doesn't break my heart that y'all don't like it. After Best of Both Worlds, the TNG producers apparently felt it was necessary to try to one-up themselves with two parters for just about every season finale ever. A lot of them... aren't all that snazzy. If it's any consolation, Trek in general got into the flow of doing multi-parters a lot more regularly--especially mid-season--and THOSE are generally better than the finales... at least in my opinion.
Shortskirtsandexplosions
2025-03-07 04:00:34 +0000 UTCLol I don't understand everyone getting worked up. The ratings aren't permanent fact carved into stone, they're just opinions! I enjoy hearing what you guys have to say and how you felt about an episode you just watched, whether or not I agree. It's interesting and part of the fun is hearing different takes and perspectives on a show that I love and have been watching for most of my life :D
John Deadcorn
2025-03-07 03:48:07 +0000 UTCI have been disappointed with some of their letter grades, but I don't want them to pretend to like things that they don't. Not everything hits the same. I remember liking this two parter much more a child, but can admit that it lacks certain things that they tend to enjoy.
DustmanNorochj
2025-03-07 03:25:33 +0000 UTCGlad The Inner Light got a bump up after this one, but I feel like the dislike for this one might be a generational thing. I look forward to seeing if the next one changes your opinion after certain things become more obvious.
DustmanNorochj
2025-03-07 03:18:59 +0000 UTCE grade is way too harsh. I dont get the whining about leaving it on a cliffhanger. Not the best finale ever, but not the worst either imo. I feel like you guys will appreciate this one more after you've seen part 2.
Clyde Frog
2025-03-07 03:04:52 +0000 UTCHahahaha! I am gonna die laughing when they get to that one 3 years from now.
Clyde Frog
2025-03-07 03:04:05 +0000 UTCI removed my reply because I’m trying to keep conversation in the comments related to the show and I felt this was more focused on our content, so I didn’t want to go back and forth. What you’re saying still sounds like we should alter what we say about the show (or implement a “grading curve”) because of our audience. If I think the episode is bad I am going to say so, and if that makes someone not want to watch us that’s their choice. Apologies if I’m not interpreting your point in the way you’re intending. I appreciate your feedback.
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-07 02:45:14 +0000 UTCI read your reply (email notification) which for some reason isn't posted here. But if clarity is required - no, I am not saying, "you should say the show is good because we pay you and we love the show". I am saying that our intensity of fandom creates skewed expectations, so it follows that harsher reviews go down like a lead balloon. Like giving this an E. I went on to say that maybe the grading curve should reflect that. "Know your audience". I don't know how much clearer I can state it.
Gavin Scott
2025-03-07 02:15:45 +0000 UTCLove the season 6 song!
Nathan Walker
2025-03-07 01:58:30 +0000 UTC44 hearts, 194 comments........... xD
James Knight
2025-03-07 01:50:39 +0000 UTCE is a bit harsh and I get and respect it, but maybe you guys should wait to do grades for 2-parters after the second part (though that might get a little hairy and grey in area at times in DS9). I mean, that is how you did it for Unification. I say keep doing grades right after for your first impressions on stand-alone eps though. I feel like it's important to know exactly how you feel in the moment and one of my favorite parts of the channel, even if I disagree. It's especially great if you end up changing it later because some episodes need time and rewatching. This episode is nowhere near my favorites and every time Clemons is on screen, I wish we were watching s1 of X-Files instead, where the actor is used appropriately. Looking forward to giving takes for s6.
THE LORE!!!
2025-03-07 01:32:28 +0000 UTCCome on guys I'm pretty sure he was the guy who made peanut butter
Doug
2025-03-07 01:19:11 +0000 UTCAka Deep Throat in The X-Files
Scarpad’s Domain
2025-03-07 01:15:16 +0000 UTCand they won't know it anyhow
Scarpad’s Domain
2025-03-07 01:14:18 +0000 UTCNo it brings about how piss poor our educational system is not the generation gap
Scarpad’s Domain
2025-03-07 01:13:51 +0000 UTCAn E grading seems deeply unserious as a critique, particularly as the episode had you gasp more than once at shocking moments. I don't care for this two parter, but its no E. We are essentially an amassed group of TNG super fans paying to observe you love the show as much as we do. That ultimately creates a stacked deck for our expectations - but as you often say - "it is what it is". Naturally you can't be made to love what someone else loves, but I feel like the grades should at least nod towards the paradigm we exist in. Besides, there's plenty of time to drop Es on Voyager and DS9.
Gavin Scott
2025-03-07 01:13:33 +0000 UTCMy god our educational system Blows in this country. I mean C'mon do they teach fricken history in school anymore??? That being Said this was definitely not my favorite finale or two parter, theres some interesting stuff in it but I would definitely rate this a c-.
Scarpad’s Domain
2025-03-07 01:09:47 +0000 UTCI’m not dumb, I know Mark Twain aka inventor of the lightbulb 😎
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-07 01:03:17 +0000 UTCIt was released as a movie-length episode in the UK, and worked better than as a 2-parter. We were still behind the US at that point but the show was picked up by a different broadcaster for Season 6 which managed to catch up with the US by the end of the season. DS9 however was only available on VHS tapes so it was tricky watching everything in order here.
Paul Rymer
2025-03-07 00:54:53 +0000 UTCI fear telling them that Samuel Clemens is Mark Twain will only result in a "Who is Mark Twain?"
Edweirdo
2025-03-07 00:51:45 +0000 UTC***NEWFLASH NEWSFLASH**** Jovet makes a contrary post..... World Shocked and Confused
Prof Moff
2025-03-07 00:46:23 +0000 UTCI highly recommend the 2001 Ken Burns documentary about Twain. As for when I learned about Twain and his personality - I wanna say 5th grade in US History? It would have been a short single day lesson in,1989-1990, so no doubt this ST 2-parter reinforced it not too long after.
captveg
2025-03-07 00:36:54 +0000 UTCAnyone who is interested in 19th century America should watch the 2001 Ken Burns documentary on Mark Twain. Fascinating man who was far ahead of his contemporaries in seeing the flaws of the society around them. He was blustery in his manner and self-important, but he was also a brilliant mind and writer who wasn't shy about telling it straight.
captveg
2025-03-07 00:26:43 +0000 UTCIt was closer to 3 months (mid-June to mid-September 1992)
captveg
2025-03-07 00:21:45 +0000 UTCPart of their negative reaction might have been due to having just watched one of the best acted and most moving pieces of science fiction ever created. I'm talking, of course, about Flash Gordon.
KevinH
2025-03-07 00:21:06 +0000 UTCCharacter actor Jack Murdock. All kinds of random credits in the 70s-90s.
captveg
2025-03-07 00:18:54 +0000 UTCYeah, they can't give out their Es too early. There is a Voyager episode out there that exemplifies the e that I wont describe at all to give no spoilers, but you STILL know exactly which episode. Lol
Eric Wilson
2025-03-07 00:11:25 +0000 UTCI totally get the reaction, but I actually like the first episode of this two-parter precisely because it's a slower burn. Now, that's fully in context of having seen the second part and usually rewatching them together as a mini-movie, where the pacing makes proper sense. Without that it absolutely comes across as meandering. I also really like the Guinan/Clemons scene. No spoilers for the second half, but this scene is actually one the better uses of such a large 19th century personality than what is to come. In short, I like the general set up and the mystery; as for the conclusion... well, that bridge we'll cross soon. As for a grade - B- for this half only, not considering Part 2.
captveg
2025-03-07 00:11:10 +0000 UTCI doubt it matters, if they didnt recognize Sam Clemmens they probably aren't gonna recognize Jack L.
Tristan Rose
2025-03-07 00:01:32 +0000 UTCIts trek tradition to say the non human is from another country, Spock was usually from South America iirc lol
Tristan Rose
2025-03-06 23:57:35 +0000 UTCFor me this is almost a S, strong A. But I happen to disproportionately like time travel stuff. I happen to really like Samuel Clemens, and I it's probably impossible for me to separate my appraisal of this episode from the enjoyment of what's going to be in the next. So having said all that, I can understand it being a lower grade for many people, and as a stand alone episode without part two there isn't much story progress. But....I still think it's a hell of a lot better than E or D.
Greg Quinn
2025-03-06 23:41:43 +0000 UTCActual footage of Clemons / Twain - https://youtu.be/EIeNnDee-Ok?si=YBWCKRWExcgumVPi
Paul Rymer
2025-03-06 23:36:02 +0000 UTCYeah, I don't think it's the absolute worst, but this doesn't have the "I gotta see what happens next" factor of a lot of finales. I think part 2, while not spectacular, is better than this. Season 5 is really a mixed bag for me, but Season 6 is my absolute favorite for TNG. Even the lesser episodes for the most part are "good". I can't wait. I think you guys will be more on board for it.
Matt Hansen
2025-03-06 23:35:30 +0000 UTCWrong. But okay
Greg Quinn
2025-03-06 23:35:23 +0000 UTCAgreed 100%
Greg Quinn
2025-03-06 23:34:48 +0000 UTCMost wrong you guys have been. Great job
Greg Quinn
2025-03-06 23:33:49 +0000 UTCI think the Mark Twain is great
Paul Rymer
2025-03-06 23:32:14 +0000 UTCI agree, he’s a great character
Paul Rymer
2025-03-06 23:30:27 +0000 UTCMy dad was an English Literature teacher so I was treated to a lengthy talk about Mark Twain after this aired; he loved it.
Paul Rymer
2025-03-06 23:29:51 +0000 UTCSeems like a funny reference to the old SNL Conehead sketches with Data telling everyone he is from France.
Rory O'Toole
2025-03-06 23:25:37 +0000 UTCGood grief I love this two-parter. It’s got so many great character moments, an intriguing plot and a new life form that’s pretty unusual.
Paul Rymer
2025-03-06 23:25:08 +0000 UTCIt has his name in the opening credits played by the great Jerry Hardin. Most people who are familiar with Mark Twain know that his real name was Samuel Clemens. Also there were many plays and movies about him in the '70s and '80s so by the mid-90s most people were very familiar with both his look his name and of course his nom de plume.
Rory O'Toole
2025-03-06 23:24:17 +0000 UTCI feel like the E grade is a little harsh. That’s putting it on par with Imaginary Friend 💀 I feel like this has to at least be a C.
Jack Molitor
2025-03-06 23:21:14 +0000 UTCHere's the thing, you won't understand the episode unless you know Mr. Clemens is a symbol of the Vietnam War.... please don't stop rating episodes at the end of each. Oh, and the bell boy "Jack" is a symbol of the Cold War.
THE Fans
2025-03-06 23:20:43 +0000 UTCInteresting fact for history nerds like myself: Samuel Clemens 'Mark Twain' pen name originates from his time as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River. The phrase “mark twain” is a riverboat term that means “two fathoms” (12 feet), which was the minimum depth needed for a steamboat to navigate safely. The term was commonly called out by leadsmen measuring the river’s depth. The more you know! I can't, um, 'fathom' the excitement from learning that. 🤯 Thanks ChatGPT!
River Acheron
2025-03-06 23:15:09 +0000 UTCTime's Arrow is weak. Not recognizing Samuel Clemens, also weak.
Michael Nemo
2025-03-06 23:07:00 +0000 UTC@Kiel Coopeland Though his and Data's French sounded overdubbed.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:55:58 +0000 UTCTo me, it lessens her point in that she messed up the drink so it could imply she is messing up what she's telling him, too.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:54:19 +0000 UTCLouder for those in the back that gave this an A
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:53:09 +0000 UTC@Narnman His shaky and repetitive movements would be induced by alcohol withdrawal. Very real phenomenon that as portrayed excellently.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:52:27 +0000 UTCCard shark Marc Alaimo did nothing wrong
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:50:52 +0000 UTC10 outta 10, would not stand near him on the set. Legit afraid I'd catch something from him.
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:49:14 +0000 UTCNot this Sunday....
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:48:36 +0000 UTC(o_o )' '( o_o) . . .
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:48:01 +0000 UTCI don't hate "Shades of Grey" but I understand why it's disappointing to many fans of the show. For what it is, I think it's well done. Television isn't produced by hopium and love, it's produced by money, time, and hard work. So they worked with what they had.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:46:47 +0000 UTCI can think of a few! Still not to the level of Season 7 klunkers, but still "D" grade.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:45:08 +0000 UTCI disagree with "consistent". It has highs, but oh boy does it have lows
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:43:43 +0000 UTCI enjoyed this one. Keep doing the immediate letter grades! You can revise them later.
Crankygrandma
2025-03-06 22:41:49 +0000 UTCI LOVE the Mark Twain character. He's played perfectly! There are some flaws with this story and its setting, but Twain isn't one of them.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:41:24 +0000 UTCYeah, but it's not trying to be a Best of Both Worlds either. The stakes are just not that high. But it's still a compelling mystery!
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:40:05 +0000 UTCApologies. It has been a LONG time since I've watched this. I didn't remember that they actually identified him by name in the next episode. I guess it was because I knew who he was immediately just by his character traits.
StealthMomo
2025-03-06 22:38:58 +0000 UTCThe deliberate pacing allows us to get to know important characters better, namely Jack and Samuel.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:38:22 +0000 UTCJerry Hardin is FANTASTIC in this story!!
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:37:18 +0000 UTCHis personality comes through in his many writings.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:36:43 +0000 UTCAlso, It would be very boring if everyone had the same opinions on things. Seeing something from someone else's perspective makes watching with them so interesting.
Matt Duborg
2025-03-06 22:36:27 +0000 UTC💯
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:35:44 +0000 UTCI personally would be very disappointed if they scrapped the letter grades. It brings up a good discussion point for both us as a viewer (our own rankings) and comparing that with someone who hasn't watched the series before. There are certain episodes, like Darmock, that I personally love and have watched countless times. It's interesting to see someone having a clearly opposite view on that and is part of what makes this channel interesting.
Matt Duborg
2025-03-06 22:35:13 +0000 UTCAbsolutely!
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:34:48 +0000 UTCThat's def true. I would give this episode an 'A' but...thinking about it, I always (including the first time) binged these on Paramount+, so my 'A' is for the entire two-parter. I must admit I forgot how much of a set-up this episode was and it was a little jarring not watching part 2 soon after.
River Acheron
2025-03-06 22:34:28 +0000 UTCKnowing who Mark Twain was is not required to enjoy this episode.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:33:32 +0000 UTC@Avaria This episode (all parts accounted for) works just fine. It's a bit predictable sometimes, but that isn't always a bad thing.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:31:52 +0000 UTCThis is one of my favorite episodes. Mostly because I love time travel episodes even though for some reason others don’t. And I’ve always been a Mark Twain fan, so I knew who he was from the start (and the opening credits label him as Samuel Clemons, his real name which I thought most people knew). Did I consider ending my subscription because you disagree? Sure. But I’m also self aware enough to know it’s okay to disagree and I still enjoy you two dorks for some reason lol. So, keep up the honest reviews and we’ll make sure to let you know when we disagree. Obviously.
Brian Moore
2025-03-06 22:31:44 +0000 UTCI dunno if it's a generational thing. I'm in my late 20s and I noticed Mark Twain instantly, but I was always a big reader and my school was really big on him. I am sure it depends on what school you attended etc
River Acheron
2025-03-06 22:31:09 +0000 UTCGood job: London's identity isn't revealed until part 2.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:29:37 +0000 UTCNo
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:27:53 +0000 UTCNah.
Jovet
2025-03-06 22:27:44 +0000 UTC100% Setup 0% Payoff Best of Both Worlds pt1 was overflowing in internal story and moments, you didn't have to wait until the 'conclusion' for things to happen. Redemption front loaded more setup, but the story genuinely begins in the first minute and gradually ramps up the stakes as it puts the pieces in play. But now we have Time's Arrow, where they'll get around to doing the story next season. The entire 45 minutes we got was spent just getting the players where they needed to be. It's a waste. 35 minutes of 'filler' scenes. By comparison, Data winning at poker was told in 60 seconds, and that's how they should have approached the crew being sent back in time. I'm with the TA on this one: GET ON WITH IT
#MaxwellDidNothingWrong
2025-03-06 22:22:51 +0000 UTCHave you already started Season 6?
The_Truth
2025-03-06 22:22:14 +0000 UTCIt’s slower than I remember. And strangely bereft of music but it’s probably a C minus Never been blown away by it but there are enough fun moments in it. I’d rather watch this than The Masterpiece society 😂🖖
Jon1701
2025-03-06 22:12:24 +0000 UTCI loved how Whoopi played a younger pre-Borg Guinan. Small details, but she’s different. I also love how nonchalant El’Aurians are about time travel. Great subtle world building. “I’m from the future where we know each other!” “And…” This was a missed opportunity to do cool a full on Guinan ep.
Chris
2025-03-06 22:10:24 +0000 UTCAlmost the best part of the story for me.
Avaria
2025-03-06 22:04:38 +0000 UTCI have a high tolerance for hammy overacting so I enjoy him. But I completely understand why people wouldn't like it. Like my mother hates him lol. While I've never read any of his work I do love that part in the Adventures of Mark Twain where they meet Satan.
Deep Red
2025-03-06 22:04:32 +0000 UTCAt the time this was released I'm pretty sure Twain was still on the required reading list for most K-12 schools in the US (not sure about now, as I've heard some troubling things about the current role of literature in education 😔). If nothing else, I remember having excerpts from Twain as typing exercises, since the more naturalistic dialog style of things like Tom Sawyer provided a different level of challenge to type without error. Connecticut Yankee is still my personal favorite. (Better than Steinbeck anyway. Oof.)
Avaria
2025-03-06 21:59:00 +0000 UTCPart of the reason Time's Arrow struggles to work as a two-parter is that it was originally a stand alone episode. However, by spring of 92 pre-production buzz was circulating around DS9. Up until this point there had never been multiple Trek series running simultaneously and there was concern that fans would interpret Time's Arrow as a Series Finale rather than just a season capstone, so they puffed and stretched it to cover the 90 minutes needed for a two-parter.
Avaria
2025-03-06 21:41:29 +0000 UTCWe’re only like 5 more E’s away from Dr. Stubbs and Vash getting appreciated!
EnigmaticPenguin
2025-03-06 21:21:01 +0000 UTCI was kind of disappointed that neither of you recognized Samuel Clemens. Maybe you know him by his pen name? Mark Twain? I mean, when this first aired and I saw Samuel Clemens I was like "ohm god that its so cool". Your blank faces when you saw the same scene informed me that you had absolutely no idea who he was supposed to be. You would be forgiven for not recognizing who the bellhop was supposed to be, but Sam Clemens and Mark Twain are names synonymous with great literary works of the 19th century. Writer, satirist, essayist... William Falkner called him "The father of American literature" And this actor captures his famously flamboyant personality to a "T". He is also a dead ringer for the real thing. Look at his photograph on Wikipedia, taken in 1907. They could be twins. Edit: This, along with your not really knowing about The OK Corral in the TOS episode Spectre of the Gun, really brings home the generational gap when it comes to general common knowledge. I know how old Alex is (again, Happy Birthday Alex) so I can see there is a 34 year span of time between us. And apparently that is the amount of time it takes for once-common cultural touch-points to fade away. Kinda fascinating, really. Edit Edit: Removed bellhop's real name. Unintended spoiler. @Jovet, thanks for the catch.
StealthMomo
2025-03-06 21:19:39 +0000 UTCYeah I didn't originally watch this series on TV, I watched it all the way through on Netflix with very little downtime so that colors my opinion on it
Doug
2025-03-06 20:51:55 +0000 UTCBecause it’s the end of the season.
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 20:51:13 +0000 UTCI agree about the grading, which is why we didn’t grade Unification part 1. With this being the season finale though it somewhat forced our hands. Appreciate your reference at the end 😏
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 20:49:59 +0000 UTCThat's gonna be interesting when DS9 hits...
Nolan
2025-03-06 20:45:09 +0000 UTCI think of all TNG season finale/opening two parters this is the weakest one. At first watch I was quite disappointed in it because I love time travel, 19th century history, Mark Twain - and Guinan. But these perfect ingrediences sadly dont add up to the perfect cocktail. Nevertheless: This first part is a C, all together it's a B. An E is ridiculous. But Josh's gradings often are. Yes, I will not forgive Darmok.
Sam Langanke
2025-03-06 20:42:44 +0000 UTCMan lives in my head rent free. "Care to help a 49er?"
Nolan
2025-03-06 20:35:02 +0000 UTCI do think this episode speaks to what you guys found off putting about BSG. This episode and that show are more content to let the plot take a back seat and let the character beats take over and stretch out, rather than fitting in where the plot's pacing allows. The fun of the episode is Data wandering around old San Francisco. But that can also be ponderous and meandering if you're expecting the credits to pop up. And given Josh's dislike for "Fish out of water stories" no surprise on the low grade. And I won't begrudge any annoyance of Clemens/Twain, cause the episode doesn't spell out that he's a historical figure, thus doesn't justify his existence like it should.
Nolan
2025-03-06 20:33:39 +0000 UTCPersonally, I like the instant grades even when I disagree with them, like this time. I'm surprised you guys didn't give it a C for the character moments in the first half alone but I also don't blame you for your grades and no one should either. First, it's your opinion and you're entitled to it. Second, it's tough to grade these two part episodes on just part 1. It's like grading half a movie when it's just starting to come together. Your grades might be different if you'd watched both parts as a movie but at the same time, that's not how it aired so if anything your reactions at least have the same circumstances to the experience of when it came out. I've always loved both parts for the character moments and data's fish out of water story. I also love the Clements character performance but he's definitely either a you love him or hate him character for most fans. And if you're in the latter it'll definitely affect how much you like the episode. I think you guys will like part 2 better but we'll see. Fun reaction though. It reminds me of the time that I spent 30 years...
Wrestling With Gaming
2025-03-06 20:29:25 +0000 UTCmaybe he had parkinson's for real
Narnman
2025-03-06 20:27:06 +0000 UTCSome 2 parters are absolutely one story split up for time. This is clearly the case for this one, even if they didn't write part 2 yet. Others are more distinct in their parts. BoBWs are fairly cohesive, but one can the seperation in the parts if they look. Part 2 lacks some of the tension of part 1. Same with Redemption. Part 2 has an entire plot about the blockade, and Data being in command..
Nolan
2025-03-06 20:26:46 +0000 UTCI COMPLETELY understand your reactions. It never dawned on me until this, how much this episode relies on people knowing Mark Twain and his views on things, his connection to San Fran, and his stories that deal with someone being "out of place". Not knowing that really destroys the underlying flow of the story in San Fran and the "comic" nature of his introduction. I had to know Twain. We read 2+ stories in school and had to report about them but I doubt that is true now a days.
Prof Moff
2025-03-06 20:26:42 +0000 UTCI freaking love Twain in these episodes
Wrestling With Gaming
2025-03-06 20:20:36 +0000 UTCWow, an E! So much fun stuff here, just in Part 1. Clemens is obnoxious, and it does drag in places, but I always enjoy the Data and Guinan stuff. After this rewatch, I'd go with a B-/C+.
Lovok
2025-03-06 20:20:29 +0000 UTCMaybe I’m weird for this but it feels strange to me to evaluate multi part episodes separately. It’s all the one story really, there’s no reason I can think of to split them.
Zanforian
2025-03-06 20:07:52 +0000 UTCSamuel Clemens' connections with San Francisco, time travel science fiction and the tall tale make his inclusion as a character in these episodes particularly fitting I think, especially given the other literary references.
DG
2025-03-06 20:05:47 +0000 UTCI’m guessing that’s how most people think of it
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 20:03:20 +0000 UTCPer wiki : "In 2017, Variety listed the two-part episode as the seventh best episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation" I liked this one, think I gave it an A or B.
Ken R
2025-03-06 20:01:59 +0000 UTCHal Holbrook!
Ken R
2025-03-06 19:58:51 +0000 UTCReally surprised you guys hated the episode, I really like this one, though I tend to think of it as a being together with part 2 and not just standalone
Doug
2025-03-06 19:58:35 +0000 UTCMost of the clip shows episodes I was watching as a kid in the 2000s were reruns of the 80s & 90s TGIF shows
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 19:55:55 +0000 UTCYes, this makes sense. No point in grading the first part of a two-part. Like asking how the whole meal was when Im only half way through the 2nd course and haven't touched desert yet. I think the first-impression grading is good, but might need the reminder that its a First Impression, not a Siskel and Ebert critique. Up to you guys, its your show and I'll still watch it all regardless, lol.
Chris Mickelson
2025-03-06 19:55:23 +0000 UTCI mean what's not to love about this episode, a mystery, funny crew interactions, creepy aliens, time travel, Guinan!
John Rose
2025-03-06 19:45:37 +0000 UTCThis one is basically 'meh' dusted with some interesting ideas and nice character moments that don't really amount to too much, and even though I like the 19th century San Francisco setting, and found it kind of cozy, it's still light on plot. I don't think Part 2 saves it, unfortunately. Never much cared for this 2-parter.
Forbidden Donut
2025-03-06 19:43:39 +0000 UTCI don't even remember being taught in school. Maybe I just watched more educational television than other people did I did enjoy PBS and History channel(back when it actually wasnt just the ancient aliens channel)and stuff like that growing up.
John Rose
2025-03-06 19:42:56 +0000 UTCWhere did everyone learn about Mark Twain’s personality? (Genuine question) I feel like I missed a day of school or something.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 19:32:48 +0000 UTCI guess i should have looked up the spelling. He was also one of the Selay delegets in Lonely Among Us. Of course with all the lizard make up you can only tell by his voice.
Keith S
2025-03-06 19:31:14 +0000 UTCWhile I of course have no issues with your opinion on episodes, and you are not the first reactor to have this opinion, but why does everyone hate Mark Twain? Maybe cause you didn't recognize him and didn't realize how much of an eccentric person he was but damn! I was like 12 when this came out and I loved it and his portrayal.
John Rose
2025-03-06 19:28:35 +0000 UTCI understand your reaction to this episode. I never really thought of it as a particularly good one, for me it is somewhere in the C category (a mark that for me isn't really good), but there are some fun moments overall, so I gave it a B. However I can't think of it as a one part/2 part and grade them separately, I see it as a whole. That being said, the Mark Twain addition always seemed goofy to me and a little off-putting, but there are some redeemable moments in the whole story in my opinion. Meh, it's fine, a low B for me (both parts).
Marko
2025-03-06 19:24:57 +0000 UTCI quite like this episode, although I'll fully admit I'm very positively biased toward anything with time travel in it. Plus, maybe I'm coloured a bit by nostalgia: younger me was completely onboard when I first saw this episode. I will say the pace is a bit slow for sure, but I do like that that gives time for people to express their feelings for Data, and for Picard and Guinan to have a nice scene; I would not have wanted to skip over that purely for plot machinations. And seeing Data slowly getting more and more comfortable adapting to his situation was also good, I thought. And the final cave scene with the aliens has lived rent-free in my brain all these years, lol. I wish this had worked better for you guys, but perhaps you will find the next one more enjoyable. Looking forward to that reaction and the discussion.
Ryan Caulfield
2025-03-06 19:22:36 +0000 UTCBut everyone has to know who Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Twain is the one writer he created them. He also wrote a book about a time traveler going back to the days of King Arthur. That time travel aspect is why they probably threw him in here. He would be more likely to understand what was going on, and feel threatened.
Scott Reeves
2025-03-06 19:22:00 +0000 UTCI always like this episode quite a bit. Still do.
Tom Occhipinti
2025-03-06 18:58:31 +0000 UTCHaha. I've never had the experience of "Oh I hate this one" and then you hate it too. Can't remember what happens in 1 vs. 2 so won't mention the specifics of what I hate, but yes E for sure. Not because there's nothing of worth in it, but because the bad stuff is grating.
John M.
2025-03-06 18:58:27 +0000 UTCI like the instant grade.
froggeh
2025-03-06 18:53:55 +0000 UTCFinally we can move on to a season that is actually worthy of the hype (IMO at least). For me it's not so much that I hate the episode. I just really soured on it over time. In my younger years I would have given this an S without question. These days it's more like a B or a C.
Spencer Loften
2025-03-06 18:53:52 +0000 UTCThis English teacher is very upset with you 2 guys. : ) You fail 19th Century Lit.
Tom Occhipinti
2025-03-06 18:53:18 +0000 UTCWhen the Bough Breaks was season one, when the cloaked planet with the infertile people kidnapped Wesley and the other kids.
tyranusfan
2025-03-06 18:52:34 +0000 UTCI like the grades too even when I disagree (like here) or totally agree (the next phase).
Darren Seal
2025-03-06 18:47:04 +0000 UTCI’ve always been quite fond of this two parter and like a lot of the character moments scattered through I have often thought it isn’t strong enough to be the season finale compared to the last two and the cliffhanger is a bit weak but I find it charming. Marc Alaimos forth Trek appearance too and second season finale After playing a Selay, a Romulan and a Cardiassian previously. Looking forward to s6, one of my fave Trek seasons
Darren Seal
2025-03-06 18:46:14 +0000 UTCErase from Canon is HARSH for an episode that does have some genuinely good character stuff and lots of intrigue (Guinan/Picard, as others have mentioned). I know everyone hates the Mark Twain character but I've always found that performance excellent (annoying, yes - but feels VERY "Twain-ish") - I could do with less of him but I did anticipate him really annoying the shit out of you guys, haha
Darin Starr
2025-03-06 18:45:55 +0000 UTC100% agree yep!
Darin Starr
2025-03-06 18:44:03 +0000 UTCAnd it's interesting, I would have thought clip shows had died out by the time the TA dudes were around. I thought they had mostly died out by the 1990s, and with their last gasp in that decade. Then again, we were watching a lot of reruns, and clip shows being a rerun of a rerun, well.. I always changed the channel. Clip shows always frustrated me because I would get slightly into part of a plot, and just as my interest was getting going, it'd switch to something unrelated, so my interest was reset as well. It's like channel surfing, but not sticking with a program when you find something you're interested in.
Ian Westcott
2025-03-06 18:35:22 +0000 UTCI did read a retrospective once of Shades of Gray from a reviewer who graded all TNG episodes, and Shades of Gray was the only 0. He did mention that clip shows had been done in a number of shows, but that Shades of Gray gets extra low marks due to the poor selection of clips -- Data, Geordi, Picard, Tasha... they're all more INTERESTING than Riker was, so having clips that all focused on him made for a fairly boring affair. Other shows did clip shows that arranged them in interesting ways, I just never found anything interesting about Shades of Gray. The clips never chose the important interpersonal moments or ideas, it was more things like... Ferengi attack Riker with a whip. Riker gets frozen by the robot in Arsenal of Freedom. Riker gets paralyzed by David from Star Trek II (Riker got paralyzed a lot...) The original scenes with Pulaski were kindof interesting, though it sucked this was the last time we saw Pulaski. And Troi's "anguished" faces that sometimes looked like "O-faces" for unintended humor value...
Ian Westcott
2025-03-06 18:30:39 +0000 UTCExactly
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:24:11 +0000 UTCDon’t know if you guys realized this yet but there were no Q or Barclay appearances in Season Five.
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:23:28 +0000 UTCThat was season two
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:19:14 +0000 UTCGul Macet
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:18:37 +0000 UTCGreat song!
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:17:53 +0000 UTCTwo to three meters is actually very tall, about 6 1/2 feet to just under 10 feet.
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 18:17:38 +0000 UTCYeah, I like this one a lot, but admittedly it's difficult for me to separate my feelings about the two halves of a two-parter. E does seem extremely harsh to me, though, given all the nice character stuff with Data in the first half of the episode. (Note, lest there's any confusion, this is NOT an angry comment about you not liking the episode.)
Steven Linden
2025-03-06 18:17:17 +0000 UTCThe grades are fun, guys. Don't let it get to your head if you're against the grain or not. But I do think you should Google "Mark Twain" 😂 . I'm assuming you didn't catch the other writer in the episode either lol
Ricky
2025-03-06 18:16:14 +0000 UTCI have had many patients exactly like him. Perfect performance for that character.
Ricky
2025-03-06 18:11:09 +0000 UTC*Macet. And one of the Romulans in The Neutral Zone
Ee'char
2025-03-06 17:40:18 +0000 UTCE seems really harsh to me, but then I suppose I'm used to thinking of the 2 parters as one big episode. If I'm judging this one on it's own merits alone, probably a C. Data in the past provides some fun moments, knowing Guinan was on Earth and hinting at some unknown history with Picard raises some questions, and of course finding Data's head is such a WTF moment, so all that considered even though I understand it's a very incomplete product and it definitely stretches out the runtime, I can't hate on it much. Still, I generally found this to be a fairly middle of the road 2 parter. Not amazing, but enjoyable as a finished product. Your mileage may vary. Also, the aliens being 2-3 metres are by no means short. That's 6 and a half to 10 feet in American. I'm sure others have said, but the French card shark was played by Marc Alaimo(Gul Macet in The Wounded), and Samuel Clemens was played by Jerry Hardin, who played the leader of the Aldeans back in S1's When the Bough Breaks.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2025-03-06 17:37:01 +0000 UTCI enjoyed clip shows as a kid, but that was probably because I was watching reruns of whatever was on, not sitting down at a certain time for a new episode. I can see how that’d be annoying.
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 17:31:14 +0000 UTCI give The Menagerie a pass because nobody would have seen The Cage when it aired.
Jonathon Tsagris
2025-03-06 17:27:15 +0000 UTCIt could be argued TOS started it with The Menagerie. The audience just didn’t know it was a clip show.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 17:22:54 +0000 UTCSG-1 did several clip shows, but generally they actually made them good and contribute to the overall story.
Timothy Nikiforovs
2025-03-06 17:19:42 +0000 UTCit has a couple
Timothy Nikiforovs
2025-03-06 17:16:24 +0000 UTCSome clip shows are fun. The Simpsons had a clever one, if I remember correctly. It’s all about the setup.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 17:14:57 +0000 UTCOn the plus side... now we have season 6 to look forward to, which I think is the strongest overall Season. 5 has Darmok and Inner Light, but 6 is just such a consistently good season, I don't think it has a single bad episode
Jonathon Tsagris
2025-03-06 17:07:39 +0000 UTCNo they didn’t recognize him, per a conversation on Discord. But regardless they didn’t seem thrilled with the performance, and I was just giving a little backstory.
Column Meanie
2025-03-06 17:07:13 +0000 UTCYes they used to be common, but that doesn't make them ok. They're still an offensive waste of the Audience's time. It's less impactful in the age of binge watching whatever you want whenever you want, but back in the day sitting down to an episode of your favourite show was a big deal, you waited all week for it, you made yourself available at the appointed time... and then you got a clip show and your whole night was just ruined. Up the long ladder is definitely one of the other Es though. Along with the racist episode early in season 1, and a certain universally reviled season 7 episode (if you thought shades of grey hate was bad...)
Jonathon Tsagris
2025-03-06 17:03:22 +0000 UTCGiven what is to come (TNG S6/7, movies and DS9 etc), without hyping or spoiling it'd be a huge shame to lose the reaction grades 👍🏼
The Ninth Doctor
2025-03-06 17:01:01 +0000 UTClol i knew you guys were going to get annoyed by this one.
penoyer79
2025-03-06 17:01:00 +0000 UTCme and TA were writing the same thing at the same time. 😂 I was confused for a sec, wondering how Jonathan’s response appeared above not below me. Anywho
Shanelle
2025-03-06 17:00:24 +0000 UTCI actually disagreed with your takes on the previous part 1 episodes being boring or too much setup. But this is the first time I totally get it. I remember being lukewarm on this two parter, but rewatching this with you guys, wow. I disliked this a lot more than I remember. I was genuinely bored. Even watching Data be a fish out of water felt dull and by-the-numbers.
Deep Red
2025-03-06 17:00:21 +0000 UTCThe hate for Shades of Grey always baffles me. It’s a clip show. Lots of series had them. Once you know what it is, enjoy it or ignore it and move on. IMO a clip show shouldn’t be ranked against regular episodes.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 16:59:38 +0000 UTCI don't think they realized he was supposed to be Mark Twain 😆
Deep Red
2025-03-06 16:55:17 +0000 UTCThe hatred of Shades of Gray is so wild. It’s a clip show, shows do them all the time lmao. Now if you said Up The Long Ladder I could hear you out
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:53:59 +0000 UTCI've always thought it was weird to grade what is effectively half an episode. IMO you guys should grade 2 parters as a whole. I've always liked Time's arrow; it's a fun episode that personally I give maybe a high B to low A. Giving it an E is ridiculous in a series where Shades of Grey exists. There are maybe 3-4 episodes tops in the series that deserve a rating that low.
Jonathon Tsagris
2025-03-06 16:46:35 +0000 UTCSo Mark Twain/Samuel Clemons. If you read any of his essays, he writes like he is the most important person in the room. Pretty sure everyone who has ever played Twain plays him as such. Looking forward to Part 2!
Column Meanie
2025-03-06 16:42:45 +0000 UTCBecause she is insinuating that if Picard didn’t go on the away mission, their future would disappear, like the drink.
Column Meanie
2025-03-06 16:38:07 +0000 UTCIf it’s not a season finale, we will
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:35:07 +0000 UTCyeah without the second half its meh. I get it. its like rating half a movie. imagine having to wait 6 months for the next season. :( Im ready for sunday now ...
Lt Dan I scream
2025-03-06 16:32:11 +0000 UTCKeep doing the grades, just do the 2 parters together.
Kevin B
2025-03-06 16:30:48 +0000 UTCWell, let’s hope you’re right about part 2
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:28:54 +0000 UTCYeah man, I never got the hype behind this one. It's simply okay...I haven't watched part two in years so maybe it redeems itself. Maybe it doesn't. I don't know. I don't care. 💀
Ian Meyers
2025-03-06 16:28:31 +0000 UTCIf it’s not a season finale then it will be 1 reaction
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:28:24 +0000 UTC🤝
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:27:45 +0000 UTCThis episode made me more appreciative 🤣💀
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:26:01 +0000 UTC"This made me bump Redemption 1 and Inner Light to an S" had me fucking dead
Ian Meyers
2025-03-06 16:23:10 +0000 UTCThis one of my favorite episodes of the series. A solid "A" grade. However, I don't base my enjoyment on whether someone else likes or dislikes what I enjoy. The most important thing is that you guys are honest in how you feel. It doesn't offend me, I mean, I didn't write the episode lol. Im fact, I do find it interesting when you go against the status quo of the fanbase. So you keep doing you. :)
River Acheron
2025-03-06 16:22:01 +0000 UTCOh I would SO be on board for an XFiles reaction series! Would def keep ME subscribed! :)
River Acheron
2025-03-06 16:17:18 +0000 UTCAt least they had a fun reaction to Data's lonely head.
Jovet
2025-03-06 16:17:07 +0000 UTCExcept I don't understand the "literary significance" of her messing up her drink.
Jovet
2025-03-06 16:14:50 +0000 UTCI think it's a sensible idea to delay the review until after the second part. Personally, I'd like to see all two-parters treated this way, and indeed maybe even reacted to as well in one go.
DG
2025-03-06 16:13:24 +0000 UTCYou two are crazy. This episode is fantastic! As are its next part(s)!
Jovet
2025-03-06 16:12:27 +0000 UTCPatrons overwhelmingly gave it an A, so you’re not alone
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:04:28 +0000 UTCThe reaction
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 16:04:02 +0000 UTCI knew you guys wouldn’t like this one, but now I can’t decide what was more irritating - the episode or the reaction.
Jonathan Llyr
2025-03-06 15:58:39 +0000 UTCMy favorite performance in this episode: the ‘49er. He’s so convincing I wondered for a moment if he was an actual drunk. He’s got the shakes and that cough down. Anyone agree? Just me? Ok.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 15:50:28 +0000 UTCI’m not sure that too many people realized who it was then. 😁
tyranusfan
2025-03-06 15:49:32 +0000 UTCPersonally I love this episode. But I often hear that most people don’t like it. Maybe I’m just a sucker for Data and old timey stuff :D
Dr. Soong
2025-03-06 15:47:42 +0000 UTCKeep doing the board grades guys!
The Ninth Doctor
2025-03-06 15:42:40 +0000 UTCThanks for bringing up The Menagerie. That’s actually a brilliant 2-part episode.
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 15:41:28 +0000 UTCGuinan’s talk with Picard in Ten-Forward is my favorite scene in this episode.
Ron Hubbard Jr
2025-03-06 15:35:35 +0000 UTCStar Trek tended to use 2part episodes as a way to do more expensive stories. They basically had double the budget for things like sets and special effects. All the location shooting, extras, and costumes could be spread across two weeks instead of one. Not defending or condemning this episode, just trying to give the context of why they even did them, when TOS only did it once.
tyranusfan
2025-03-06 15:35:29 +0000 UTCI probably gave this a B on patron takes (if I voted at all) but this episode isn’t great. I wanted to give it credit for its big ideas, the new sets, and all the time and work it required, esp as a 2-parter, but the episode just doesn’t come together. Feels bad to call a finale a contract filler but thats what this feels like. There are nice moments but the overall story is disjointed and hard to follow (across the two parts, i think) And that guest character Clemens is not it for me.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 15:33:26 +0000 UTCLaugh out loud ending on this one. Chef’s kiss.
Shanelle
2025-03-06 15:30:27 +0000 UTCWe know they don't really like one long episode that splits over 2 parts. They want 2 episodes that are connected. It's weird to me/us because that's just the way tv was. I also think they hate not getting an immediate pay off instead of a delayed payoff.They can be wrong about it, it's ok lol.
Saucy
2025-03-06 15:29:51 +0000 UTCI've learned that very few people under 30 know who Mark Twain was, whereas thirty years ago Twain's image and persona was common knowledge in popular culture. I'm not sure why he could be so prominent in our collective awareness for a hundred years and then just drop off, but hey, things change.
Jeff
2025-03-06 15:28:11 +0000 UTCThe one who gave Data 3 bucks for his badge. He was the one who played Gul Maset in The Wounded. First time he played a human.
Keith S
2025-03-06 15:18:05 +0000 UTC<-- starts plotting songs to make as birthday gifts ....
Mark Moran
2025-03-06 15:16:49 +0000 UTCHaven’t seen too much of it. High chance of eventually watching it on the channel
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 15:16:34 +0000 UTCNo, I gave it an E because it was a bad episode
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 15:15:19 +0000 UTCI made it using Suno AI
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 15:14:56 +0000 UTCwow .. that ending song is fire! Who made that?
Mark Moran
2025-03-06 15:14:15 +0000 UTCAre you guys XFiles fans? The man playing Samuel Clemons is the actor who played Mulder’s informant Deep Throat. After this aired he did a one man play as Clemons on stage for a while. (He was also on TNG in season one, When the Bough Breaks.)
tyranusfan
2025-03-06 15:11:26 +0000 UTCYou gave it an E just because it's part 1 of another season ending cliff hanger? Yeah, that tracks.
Keith S
2025-03-06 15:11:09 +0000 UTC“Beam me up” was a bumper sticker as early as the 1970s, so its use here was almost certainly intentional.
tyranusfan
2025-03-06 15:08:16 +0000 UTCI'm sure no one needs to know that Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. - Or what Picasso's real name was. - But I am also an unread ape. - On the other hand, being “well-read” doesn't automatically mean that one's brain is filled with meaningful information. Well, never mind. - BTW: Mark Twain is so nice here, I'd like to put him in a box with Isaac Newton.
Adam from Germany
2025-03-06 15:07:45 +0000 UTCWe dislike part 1 episodes in general, although BOBW & Redemption both had a far better part 1 and Unification wasn’t a season finale. A 2-part episode should be 2 parts because the story needs 90 minutes to be told. Not to waste 45 minutes of your time before getting to the actual episode. (This is somewhat hyperbolic)
Josh (Target Audience)
2025-03-06 15:07:31 +0000 UTCCurious to know if there is a two part episode of any show you have watched that was not half of a story or did not follow the setup/follow through formula? Isn't that the nature of a two part episode? or do you guys just really dislike two part episodes?
William Roberts
2025-03-06 15:01:18 +0000 UTCHey, this is the second best episode with Mark Twain. And of all the bad Mark Twain roles in the world, this Mark Twain looks the most real. Comon
Adam from Germany
2025-03-06 14:58:32 +0000 UTCYou two unread apes didn't recognize the character with the cigar was Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain?
Darin Wagner
2025-03-06 14:47:45 +0000 UTCJustice for Redemption Part 1!
EnigmaticPenguin
2025-03-06 14:31:09 +0000 UTCI love the cold open on this one ... both the episode and the TA!
Paul Hess
2025-03-06 13:55:53 +0000 UTC
