UNCUT REACTION - Star Trek TNG S3E10 - The Defector

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Greetings from Youngstown! I started watching your reactions with Star Trek 3 and have really been enjoying watching you do TNG. The Defector is on my top episodes 10 list. I remember watching it when it originally aired. Kirk and Picard are obviously both brilliant strategists, but Picard's handling of the situation at the end IMO really contrasted his style from Captain Kirk more than any previous episode.

One of my favourites. The character of Admiral Jarok is one of the standout guest stars, and the plot is is *chefs kiss*. And the best is yet to come...

This is my favourite non-two part episode of Star Trek....ALL of Star Trek

I'm so glad I watched the full-length reaction of this! It's awesome to see you guys getting so swept up in the story! I KNEW you'd love this episode!

Watching this again, I caught the fantastic setup for the Klingons throughout the episode that you only get from repeat viewings. 1. After listening to the Admiral's transmission, Picard calls Worf into his ready room, but we don't see their conversation. That's when the plan is hatched. 2. The Klingon transmission that Picard sends Worf to take care of. 3. When the Romulans attack, Worf asks permission to do something. He's asking permission to have the Klingons engage. However, on first viewing, we assume he wants to return fire. Genius. 4. Then, the final reveal. Just a masterclass by Ron Moore.

So this reaction now has 102 likes. I did a look through all the Star Trek episode and movie reactions, as well as Firefly, both incarnations of BSG, everything in the various collections. Unless I missed something, this is now the most liked reaction on the patreon, and the first to pass 100 likes.

The Defector is definitely one of my favorite episodes of TNG Andreas Katsulas is a favorite of mine, both as Tomolak and as Ambassador G'Kar in Babylon 5. If you've ever seen The Fugitive with Harrison ford, he is the one-armed man in that as well.

This has always been one of my favorites, especially as a Romulan episode. It just shows off how devious and sneaky they are in such a great way. It's a shame this episode never gets talked about much, it never makes best of lists, doesn't get brought up on youtube channels a lot...but I think it's super solid. And it's a great example of what Ronald D Moore does well. EVERY SCENE is important. No fat. Every scene leads into the next and refers back to the previous ones and everything has a purpose. I think this is where Moore really starts to take off as a writer (and he has plenty of bangers to come!)

"I'm ready for a BANGER" You mad prophet you...

Maybe this has already been mentioned, but a fun fact about this episode is that at one point when they were breaking the story, there was a subplot with a romance between Jarok and Dr. Crusher. Very glad they dropped that idea.

I just remembered, James Sloyan is in one of the very best and most dramatic episodes... of Quantum Leap.

Moore is great it’s only when he got tangled with Brannon Braga that we got less than spectacular scripts

I watched this whole reaction again

What a banger of an episode! Definitely one of my favourites. A plot that keeps you guessing, great guest performances, and a genuine fist-pump moment for Picard with the Klingons reveal. And Shakespeare, lol! After being constantly ahead of the characters last episode, I'm guessing you guys appreciate this one even more for not being like that.

14:00 Worf was right, though. Again.

This is a hint of the type of storytelling you will get on DS9

What really strikes me about the best episodes of season 3 is just how much Picard is fleshed out. He's pushed and pulled in directions we didn't see much of in the first 2 seasons. Turns out he's every bit the confident badass that Kirk was, it's just that it isn't his first choice of response.

Top 5 of the season for me. Top drawer episode.

love the reaction. great episode if you are into 'the lore' . a Story with War, Betrayal, double cross, and true love. banger for sure

I appreciate the kind of acting we get from Andreas Katsulas. He gives a memorable and intimidating performance while in reality the actor is sitting in front of a partial set backdrop, no other actors in sight, looking right at the camera with nothing to react to but a script supervisor reading Picard's lines to him to respond to.

Ahh The Defector is a 10/10 episode for me. It’s easily one of the best episodes of season 3 if not the show. Yet I often feel it was overlooked. This and a couple of there in s3 is what made me sub for the uncut reactions

You're only 10 episodes in to a 26 episode season. The second half is even better than the first half. Prepare yourselves.

The part of your reaction I was looking forward to were the two hints of Klingons. Was it super obvious? The episode nails the setup as it moves on so quickly, you don't have time to dwell on it. The second reference made you guys pause, but it didn't spoil the payoff at the end.

This episode is why I'm kinda meh on The Enemy. This one hits a lot of similar notes (including some literal notes), but does it WAY better.

Also, I love the Klingon Theme (originally from TMP) when the Klingons appear. It's my favorite theme in all of ST.

Ron Fucking Jones. That is all.

It was so much fun watching this episode with you two gentlemen! Life is good today! I love the Henry V references throughout this episode. Star Trek has a long tradition of Shakespeare references. TOS is full of them.

I've been waiting for your reaction to this episode. You wanted a banger? You have it! Can't wait for the rest of them that are waiting inline!!

Great reaction guys. I knew you'd love it. One of my favs and the scout ship is one of my favorite models, as you saw in the chats.

I love Picard and Tomalak facing off across a viewscreen. Reminds me of Kirk and Khan in STII.

OK, well good to know you liked THIS defector. :)

My favorite episode of TNG, the first time I saw it and the Klingons decloaked I jumped out of my seat.

I knew you guys would love this one! 😁

man what an episode! such a ride with twists and turns along the way

For my money this is the best episode since measure of a man. It's not the best episode of this season.

This is probably my 7th highest episode of the season. We'll get to my first "Best of the Best" ranked episode soon. I think the accent Patrick Stewart was using during the Henry V scene was pretty close to his native Yorkshire accent, before he went to acting school and learned to get rid of it. He didn't get rid of it entirely., since sometimes a little bit still creeps in. He does use it a little bit while narrating the audio book of his "Making It So" memoir. He doesn't always sound like Picard during that book. I highly recommend the book, but there's some TNG and movie spoilers.

39:00 Oh the looks on your faces! 😂

Wow what an episode not seen it in a long time and it just had everything

James Sloyan kills it in this episode. His performance is so good, especially his scenes with Picard. Sloyan is a Star Trek guest character legend, appearing in basically every Star Trek series. This episode really reminds me of Duet for DS9, and man I cannot wait until you guys start diving into DS9.

Also, James Sloyan is a great actor, Trek always excels when their one episode guest characters are top tier

One cool little touch is making all the Romulan ship hulls green in color. From the Romulan perspective, it's the same as making all their ships blood red.

When they were doing the whole swearing in Klingon and Romulan, the romulan called Worf a "PetaQ" which literally translates to "weirdo" although, in Klingon culture it's considered a much more serious insult than that literal translation might suggest. He then calls Worf a "ToDSah" which has no direct translation, but is generally considered a pretty strong insult. From some googling it seems it's derived from the idea that the target of this insult is looking to be rescued, in other words, it's a stab at the targets honor and courage, I'm sure you realize how serious THAT is to a Klingon.... Riker then called the Romulan a Veruul, which literally means fool, but again, like petaQ it's a more serious insult than the literal translation may suggest.

James Sloyan is the GOAT! He’s done comedy, drama, sci-fi, soaps, you name it. And unlike Matt McCoy (The Price) he brings a different characterization to each performance. Yeah, this is one of my top 20 TNG eps, which tells you how many great eps are to come 😃

"The Defector" is my jam! The Klingon reveal is *chef's kiss* and the performances by Stewart and Sloyan are also excellent. I think Jarok did the right thing. He really though his people were in danger and did what he thought best for their future. It's absolutely not his fault his totalitarian government fed him all this BS.

Working title: “A Question of Trust.” Ronald D. Moore’s second TNG episode, an event which Alex and Josh may have been eagerly awaiting, was also the occasion when the copyright issue involving Sherlock Holmes arose. The "Henry V" scene in the cold open was a late rewrite; the episode originally opened by revisiting the Sherlock Holmes simulation from “Elementary, Dear Data.” When the Conan Doyle estate objected, Patrick Stewart (who else?) suggested "Henry V" as a substitute only two days before filming the scene. The "Henry V" excerpt comes from Act IV, Scene One of Shakespeare’s play. There are various trims in the dialogue, and the original version features three English soldiers rather than two, with “The Defector” retaining John Bates and Michael Williams but omitting the character of Alexander Court, who should have been the one to speak the episode’s opening line, “Brother John Bates, is not that the morning which breaks yonder?” Later in the episode, when Picard says, “Now if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it,” he is quoting a line from the Michael Williams character that the cold open skips. On this rewatch, I laughed aloud at Picard mouthing King Henry’s lines along with Data. It is fascinating that, even though the holodeck program is reenacting a scene from a Shakespeare play, the computer allows Bates and Williams to react to Picard’s presence, with Williams even pointing a spear at him. The Shakespeare scene contains an interesting exception that proves the rule (which has never been a fixed requirement, but an instinctive tendency on the writers’ part) concerning Star Trek’s avoidance of pop culture references from later than 1966. In the context of discussing "Henry V," a pop culture artifact from the year 1600, Data mentions that he has studied Kenneth Branagh’s performance in the play’s title role. The 1989 film version of "Henry V," directed by and starring Branagh, was still in theaters when “The Defector” aired. I do not know of any other instance of Star Trek providing free and unsolicited advertising for a non-Star Trek, non-Paramount movie, but it was well deserved: Branagh’s "Henry V" is one of my ten favorite films of all time, although I have not yet gotten around to recommending it for a Target Audience reaction. (In one of the most deeply satisfying and hilarious casting choices of all time, Branagh’s film features the acclaimed English actor Michael Williams, who was the husband of Dame Judi Dench, in a superb performance as the character of Michael Williams.) Although Ronald D. Moore receives sole screen credit for “The Defector,” the final script was a collaborative effort of TNG’s entire writing staff. Moore rewrote the cold open and Act One, with the other writers working on the rest of the episode. The name of planet Nelvana III is a homage to the Canadian animation studio Nelvana, founded in 1971. (There is also a planet named “Nelvaan” in the 2D-animated "Star Wars: Clone Wars" series.) “The Defector” marks the first time viewers have seen the surface of the planet Romulus, albeit as a holodeck simulation. This is also the first Star Trek episode to establish words other than proper nouns from the Romulan language: veruul (an untranslated insult) and onkian (a unit of temperature). The two Klingon words Jarok uses, petaQ (transcribed as pahtk) and toDSaH (transcribed as tohzah), are insulting epithets of unknown meaning. Although the closed captions keep up well with the defector’s false and real identities as Setal and Jarok, they mistakenly claim that the unnamed transporter operator is O’Brien, who does not appear in the episode. James Sloyan (Admiral Jarok) also appeared in the "Wonder Woman" episode “The Girl with a Gift for Disaster” and in “Roland,” a first-season episode of "The X-Files." Prior to his death from a heart attack, John Hancock (Admiral Haden) appeared in the first half-season of the sitcom "Love & War," which also featured Suzie Plakson; he previously had recurring roles on "Cheers" (featuring Kirstie Alley) and "L.A. Law" (featuring Diana Muldaur). Andreas Katsulas reprises the role of Commander Tomalak, reappearing only three episodes after his debut in “The Enemy.” The multiple references to that episode in this one emphasize TNG’s increasing use of continuity between episodes, although, of course, this goes back to the “Coming of Age” — “Conspiracy” mini-arc in Season 1, and even the reference in “11001001” to the holodeck malfunction in “The Big Goodbye.” Simon Templeman (English soldier John Bates in the opening "Henry V" scene) is married to actress [SPOILER REDACTED], who would have an important recurring role beginning in TNG Season 4. With the clarity of Blu-ray, viewers are more likely to share Josh’s recognition of the actor playing Michael Williams (the other English soldier in the cold open), who wore heavy makeup and adopted a different accent than usual for the role. Note how Ron Jones brings in his version of the Klingon theme (which he modeled on Jerry Goldsmith’s Klingon motif from TMP) a moment *before* the Klingon ships decloak, a thrilling musical moment. At this point in TNG’s run, it is possible to predict Alex and Josh’s reaction to the score from the episode number, since Dennis McCarthy and Ron Jones were alternating episodes: they will praise the score during even-numbered episodes (Jones) but pay little attention to it in odd-numbered ones (McCarthy). Whether intentionally or not, the final words of the episode fall into the rhythm of a line and a half of Shakespearean iambic pentameter: “…there is hope for a day / of peace when we can take his letter home.” As of this episode, we have not yet seen any of my six top-ranked episodes of TNG Season 3.

Always like how the universal translator doesn't know how to translate swear words in other languages.

Another great episode. I've been looking forward to this episode in particular for a while. I thought you might like it.

I think you guys missed that Jarok initially gave a different name, Setel, a low level logistics clerk…the big reveal was of course that he was a high ranking well known Admiral Data is the 2nd officer…which is 3rd in command. Essentially like how Scotty was third in command after Kirk and Spock Many people on first watch completely missed the brief reference from Picard to get Worf to chat with Klingon warship. You guys caught it, nice job:) The Klingon theme music from The Motion Picture was perfect for the reveal scene and it wont be the last time you hear it:) This episode should be a lesson in tension and drama for todays trek and other shows, today they would have gone with a pew pew pew battle scene with poor CGI shots of the ships at a huge distance and tiny on the screen and lots of quick cuts and editing and silly lens flare. What we saw in this episode is 100 times superior. Having said that it would have beed amazing to see the battle unfold…I’m not convinced it was going to be an even situation where both sides get destroyed…one large capital ship and 3 escorts against 2 large capital ships…I think the good guys would have won :) The starfleet admiral was not actually super helpful…he basically played the political angle and said hey Picard however this unfolds its all going to be on your shoulders…you can be the hero and keep the peace….or the fallguy if its a big fuck up and war etc. There is an irony to using Shakespeare lines in a story where the Klingon’s assist the federation….an irony you will see a little bit further down the road :) The bit about Custer….Picard talking to Riker, it wasn’t about Riker being a first officer…. he meant “a countrymen of yours” as in a fellow American, reiterating Riker’s heritage from back when earth was still divided into sovereign nations.

9:55 I forgot to mention the "beam directly aboard" line in the Patron Takes. Big hiccup in writing there! LOL!

Oh, so another story with a defecting high-value officer attempting to head off a surprise attack in a cold war, undetectable craft, and an ending depending on clever ploys and you LIKE this one? PICK A LANE, GUYS.

2:45 Looking at your faces... some MIND BLOWN

Your tastes and mine don't always coincide(see Red October), which made me nervous going into this one because it's my #1 episode of TNG, and I _really_ wanted you guys to like it. I'm deeply relieved to see we're on the same page here. Ron Moore hit a home run with this one, which he wrote as essentially the Cuban missile crisis in space. This episode does pretty much everything right. The score is fantastic, the pacing superb, the performances flawless. There's this perfect ratio of action, suspense, drama, and political intrigue that never lets you get bored. I also love how the Shakespeare scene in the opener wasn't just filler, but echoed throughout the episode as Picard finds himself considering the wellbeing of his crew on the eve of war. I do chuckle when he tells Data that he can't disguise himself and walk among his men, because I just picture Picard dressing up as and talking like Michael Williams from the holodeck program and walking around the ship like that. Obviously a lot of actors come from a theatre background and were trained as Shakespearean actors. James Sloyan commented that he felt Star Trek was the last place you could really be a Shakespearean actor and make it work on TV. He remains in my opinion one of the most talented guest stars in all of Trek. I also like how much we get of Data in this episode. It's especially evident how much he strives to be human in this episode. First we have his exploration of Shakespeare, then his whole exchange with Geordi where he's concerned that he has no "gut feelings", and finally the way he almost seems hurt when Jarok says "the cold reaction of an android" and immediately attempts to make amends by creating the simulation of Romulus for Jarok. On that note I'll suggest Jarok likely brought some mementos knowing he'd never return, and he likely had a photo album, which the computer could scan and recreate on the holodeck. Stewart and Sloyan steal the show, but Spiner isn't slacking either. I'll also point out that Data was about the only person who tried to interact with Jarok without prejudging him. Geordi seemed to believe him, but didn't really interact with him. Everyone else who spoke to him basically called him a liar to his face. Not sure how I'd feel if I left my family and home behind and the only person to give me the benefit of the doubt is an emotionless android. And yes, there are some decent admirals throughout TNG. There will always be "badmirals", and occasionally a "chadmiral", but it's nice once in a while to have the higher ups say "it's your call, but we got your back". Like in The Enemy, we have another case of the saucer section being under utilized. Granted if a war had broken out, it would be a sitting duck without warp just across the neutral zone, but were I Picard I'd still be putting the civilians and any non essential crew on the saucer and going in the stardrive. Regarding the ambush, Picard didn't need to do this with the klingons around to help, but if he were alone out there and Tomalak is making all these ridiculous demands(after the romulans have twice violated the neutral zone AND entered federation space in just a few episodes), I'd just ask Worf which warbird he's transmitting from and tell helm to set a collision course at warp speed. Tell him "if we're not leaving the neutral zone, neither are you". It's a very bittersweet ending. It's not a surprise Jarok killed himself after finding out he'd thrown his whole life away for nothing. Sloyan really sold just how much he was in denial when Picard suggested this was all to test him. On the other hand, if someone who spent so much time serving Romulus as a soldier can see that war is not the answer, and sacrifice everything to prevent it for the sake of his family, then there's hope that peace can be achieved one day. What a great way to kick off 90s Trek.

Love this one! One of my most rewatched episodes

OK, add an all-Shakespeare episode to the TA wishlist, right next to the all-poker episode.

Great episode. James Sloyan as Admiral Jarok is awesome. Great dialog; nice use of Shakespeare; good Data scenes ... and Ronald D. Moore is the man. Season 3 continues its rise.

Based on your reaction to this, you guys are going to eat up Deep Space Nine with a spoon.

petaQ is a Klingon curse word. It can mean a number of different curse words. Even the other Klingon curse word "toDSaH". Even that Romulan curse word "Veruul", too.

I absolutely LOVE this episode!! It is one of my all-time favorites of TNG. It is a perfect episode! There is terrific suspense around who this defector is and what his true motives are. And you feel Picard's dilemma: do nothing and if the defector is telling the truth, Picard failed to stop an all-out invasion by the Romulans. But if Picard believes the defector and strikes first, he could start an all-out war with the Romulans. Is it all a trick to give the Romulans a justification to go to war? The plot twists keep the audience engaged. The score is great. The writing is fantastic. But what really elevates this episode is James Sloan's fantastic portrayal of Jarok. You really feel his sincerity in wanting to prevent war, his sadness at never seeing his home again. The scenes between Jarok and Picard are fantastic. Just two great actors acting off each other. And then the climax with the brinkmanship between Picard and Tomalak with the plot twist of the Klingon ships showing up. WOW. And then the episode ends with that note of hope that someday they will be able to bring that letter home to Romulus. Just outstanding episode!

Speaking as a blind person. My view of romulans is was and will always be Fascists, an opinion strengthened by centurion Bakrah that romulans kill blind children. This fascist society would therefore have rigid punishments for treason which would likely include public execution of his immediate family as a message to other potential defectors thus this principal idea of doing all this for his family has always had an extreme dark twist in my opinion Which is that Admiral Jarroc (or however it is spelled) knew and is the reason he ingested a suicide chip. I only have to point at human history to show that this level of cruelty is a factor of such systems. From Ancient Rome to hitlers Germany.

"Are you prepared to die today, Commander?" Seconds before Picard reveals his hand of the hidden klingons - naturally, the Klingon battle mantra being 'today is a good day to die'

While the ending is very Shakespearean in its tragedy, part of me has always wished they had left him more open ended somehow. That's not even a complaint, it's an amazing episode. Like I said in the takes, a watershed moment for TNG.

Gentlemen - Welcome to the "golden era" of TNG. This episode originally aired on January 1st 1990 and what a way to usher Trek into the 90's. An exceptional episode with stellar performances all round, great score and a terrific script from Ronald D Moore who was all of 25 years of age at the time he wrote this which truly feels like it came from a seasoned tv writer. Amazing episode Glad you boys enjoyed it.

Henry V, Act IV, Scene 1. On the eve of the battle of Agincourt, King Henry visits his soldiers in disguise to understand their mood and morale.

Hold onto your butts

I can't even remember which episode I'm going to watch. All I know is that Target Audience had one waiting for me. Press Play.