PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG - Season 3 Episode 15

When fondly reflecting upon the TNG series, "Yesterday's Enterprise" is among the top episodes that leap to mind. Alternate timeline plots often make for compelling "what if" discussions. 🙂

You can tell war has hardened Picard. He treats Riker the way he usually treats Worf. Just shuts down all his ideas. “This is a briefing. I am not seeking your consent.” I was like damn!! Just verbally bitch slapped Riker!!

One of the best opening hooks, not just in TNG but all of Star Trek. Great score, set design and more backstory/context. This ep makes sure that history never forgets the name Enterprise...

GUESS WHO'S BACK!!

Great episode made even more great by the fact that a fan wrote part of the story! (Trent Christopher Ganino) Star Trek TNG was one of the very few TV shows to ever have open script policy and would review scripts sent in by aspiring writers and fans.

The return of Yar! The music! The stakes! The other excellent guest stars! The difficult decisions! The cinematography! The sets! This episode hits a gravitas and importance not previously seen in this series. One of the best hours of TV ever, on a par with City on the Edge of Forever.

One of my favorites. Denise Crosby coming back was genius and nearly worth the pain of killing her off in the first season. Also. Guinan is a character vital to this episode. I kept thinking "Come on Guinan put the clues together and get them out of this!" Top 5 episode for me.

To think, even after this episode, S3 still hasn't peaked.

They probably already watched it...but some other cool things. Picard as a war time commander. Calls everyone into his office. Basically tells everyone what he is going to do. This isn't the slow deliberative Picard we have gotten to know. And within that context he and Riker seem to have a more antagonistic dynamic.

One of the best Trek episodes ever. Great use of Guinan and basis for one of the great plots/twists later. And of course a every time goosbumps line: Let‘s make sure… Love your reactions and even as a Trekkie since the seventies i discovered some new perspectives. 🖖🏼😎👍🏼

Two predictions: Josh and Alex like the episode and it's one of the three most watched episodes on the channel. It's consistently in fans' top five lists (and my top ten, mostly behind episodes yet to come). Also, the Enterprise-C technically debuted already. There's been a model of it on the wall of the Conference Room since the start of the season.

I’m so afraid their reaction will be “eh it was okay”, they’ll make a Wrath of Khan reference, and they’ll bring up those pesky things like “all plot and no character” and every subscriber (except Kevin) will have a meltdown bigger than Chernobyl.

The moment Denise Crosby re-appears on the bridge like she's been there the whole time may be the coolest meta-twist in the history of television. I just wish the ending had revealed what happens to Tasha so we can get closure once and for all.

Damn you Romulans go back to your shanties!!!!

FUN FACT: Just after the 3-minute mark, when Guinan is clearing a table in Ten Forward, you can hear a Dr Joshua Campbell being paged to go to "Cetacean Ops". During the early planning for TNG, Gene Roddenberry wanted the ship's crew to include some dolphins. His reasoning was that dolphins would be better than humans at navigating in a 3D environment.

So...the obvious thing that could have been but wasn't was Worf being on one of Klingon ships. Maybe the one offering the surrender. Enterprise C was destroyed in 2344 and Khitomer Massacre happened in 2346. And had Federation Klingon relations fallen apart in 2344 the Romulans may not have even bothered to attack Khitomer (they may havr calcuated it was better to just let the Federation and Klingons fight each other).

Another small goof in the episode, at least on my version: In the beginning in Ten Forward, after the anomaly appears and Worf gets up and leaves, the top of his glass disappears into the spacefield behind it.

0:57 (approx) in the episode. I almost forgot to ask: Worf's laugh! When do you recall last seeing him laugh like that?!?

Does anyone else wish there were just a "LOAD ALL COMMENTS" button??

Was there dead silence during the opening credits? Story, acting, direction, production values. When this aired I thought it was a movie. My favorite Star Trek episode of all time and three of my top five for the season start now! Are we at a point where you can say, the best has finally arrived?

Will also say this is a very good worf episode, yes you only get the first 2mins with him and his prune juice but this story gives you more into worfs backstory as he was from that planet the ent-c went to help and he was a survivor

It’s about 6:15 or so eastern time Monday evening, and I swear I just heard Josh and Alex pop all the way in Texas.

This episode is absolutely amazing, not only for what it is but for its...unforseen consequences. Muhhahahaha. Seriously guys, you'll like the episode and I'm just teasing you ;)

(Star-Trek-Eye-Borg) I can’t wait for the explosion when they see Tasha. Come on!! Of course you’re going to like, if not love, this episode. Always listed as part of a top ten list. Awesome way to bring Tasha back. But, do you think they’ll do anything with this story line, and if so, what?

When are they watching episode 15? Are they still planning a live stream reaction to it?

Lets make sure that history never forgets the name... Enterprise.

After all the insane hyping both here and on the Discord I think it'll be the funniest thing ever if you guys hate it 😂

I wonder if the after episode discussion will have the guys drinking prune juice, instead of fireballs. (It is a warrior's drink, after all)

OK guys, pick your jaws up off the floor, wipe your eyes, and just proclaim this the best episodes so far in series. This is one episode on a shortlist of television episodes of any series that I can remember where and when I was the first time I saw it. Hell, I can even remember the Fritos commercial after the cold opening.

Can you imagine Data's reaction if he walked in on Tasha and Castillo in the holodeck? Would he be asked to join? No wait. This is Star Trek. We will just say, "What happens in the holodeck stays in the holodeck."

Love these alternate universe episodes. Do you think star trek missed an opportunity by not doing a season long story arc involving either the mirror universe or this alt one with the Klingon war?

The ultimate fan favorite episode. If i were a betting man, Alex and Josh are sure to be unimpressed.

This episode raises the bar for what TNG and Star Trek greatness is. IMO it does not hold it up for long.

And now, We can finally truly say. " Welcome to Star Trek: The Next Generation! "

Great score, great lighting, great acting, great direction, great story. Shooter Mc Fucking Gavin! Tasha FUCKING Yar! Time travel and alt history! This Trek at its absolute finest.

You guys made it here I can’t for the POP you two are gonna have for the returning Tasha Yar since she appears before the opening credits. My question is what do you guys think happened to her once she went back with the other enterprise crew?

Picard hopping over the banister to get to Tactical, is low-key one of my favorite moments.

Although I usually love it when your takes are not 'within the mainstream' of the fanbase, there is no 'matter of perspective' in this one. Just praise it guys if you don't want a shit storm of epic proportions.

"That'll be the day."

I adore this episode, I also think it’s a much better and more interesting take on an alternate “bad” timeline than the mirror universe.

Why was "The Bonding" a "baseline" TNG episode? This is why.

Guinan can feel the flapping of the wings in a butterfly effect. Truly one of the best episodes, yet. I love how everyone is subtly different. I have a feeling one of your favorite scenes will be in the Ready Room, when all the subtle differences come to light. "I think I know your opinion."

Prune juice. That is all.

I'm not crying, you are.

Castillo: "I eat Romulan pieces of shit like you for breakfast" Lieutenant Tomalok: "You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?!" Castillo: "... no.." Enterprise C explodes

It's subtly implied that the Enterprise D's warp core breach causes the temporal anomaly.

If you guys aren't crazy about this one, I will question my sanity. I have waited since season 1 ( especially after Skin of Evil) for you to see this one. For the pop at the amazing choice to have a move where Picard turns to Worf to talk to him. Then after the time shift, the move is repeated to reveal Tasha Yar. Got to love the subtle things in this episode too. Like how it seems that in the alternate timeline, Picard and Riker seem to conceal a dislike of each other. As originally written, we were supposed to see all the deaths of the main crew, not just Riker. Wesley was to be beheaded, Data was to be electrocuted, etc. Many seem disappointed that it was not Worf, on the attacking ships but only those that realize that young Worf would have been killed without the Enterprise C's contribution.

“Not good enough, dammit! NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!”

Question: What did you two think about Captain Rachel Garrett? Could she be up there with Kirk? Or Picard?

17:45 in the episode (approx). Dialogue goof: Tasha states that the Enterprise is the first Galaxy class warship built by the Federation. But the first should have been the USS Galaxy. She also states it could transport 6000 troops, but that number seems small to me.

If I don’t hear “WHOOOOO!!! WHAT?!?!” during the intro, I don’t know what to believe anymore

9:30 in the episode. I am always a little amused that there's all that fire and smoke and nobody is coughing.

Top tier Hall of Fame Star Trek. I personally loved Tasha's senseless death back in S1 giving the series a much needed shot of real life spontaneity, but it also plants the seeds for this incredible redemption. You've been super positive about some of Season 3. Do you believe it possible that later shows this season will be even better?

7:35 in the episode (approx). Picard's hesitation at not wanting to state the name of his ship is interesting. He's always so publicly confident through this whole episode, except here.

At a Trek convention long ago, a quiet red-haired man with glasses sat next to me, and we exchanged pleasantries. They introduced the writer for this episode, Eric Stillwell to applause, waiting for this unknown writer to take the podium to discuss the episode. The man sitting next to me gets up, walks up to the stage, and takes the podium! I was sitting next to the writer of one of the great TNG episodes of all time!

This is one of the best episodes of the entire show. Its riveting plot gives way for the excellent return of Tasha Yar and the greatly missed interactions between her and the other cast members. The story also touches on what is known as the Lost Era in Star Trek continuity. An overall amazing and unforgettable episode.

This is my favorite demonstration of Guinen's abilities. We see that her perspective of space and time is clearly different from ours and I love that even though she can't explain the situation in detail she still has the certainty that something is wrong of someone who can see something the rest of us can't

This is the episode we've been waiting for you to react to. If you don't love it, then the comments riot.

We've switched Alex & Josh's regular episode of TNG with an alternative timeline. Let's see if they notice the difference... *patiently sips some Folgers*

This is one of the best episodes of the season! Superb writing and performances. Do you think you could do what Picard does here? If one of you told the other what Guinan tells Picard, would you believe them?

I wonder why Troi wasn’t in the alternate timeline. Surely her skills would still be useful to Picard or at the very least, necessary for a crew dealing with the mental strain of war.

Oh look .. your new favorite Episode.. Tasha MFing Yar and Shooter McGavin.. 'Im not supposed to know you" boom. love it

This in my opinion is TNG’s first great banger of an episode. Sure, there are great episodes that come before it, but this is one truly a triumph of writing, production and acting. Everyone involved is firing on all cylinders.

Prediction: Josh and Alex will think this episode is mid, and as a result be forced to delete their online presence, change their names and go into hiding.

It looks like nobody mentioned this yet, but Captain Garrett was pretty awesome (and in those days a female captain wasn't an everyday occurrence). I always wished they had done a prequel spinoff of the Enterprise C crew with her & Castille and a full crew.

THE HOOK OF ALL HOOKS ? "Let's make sure history never forgets.. the name.. Enterprise" ABSOLUTE CHILLS! One of the most iconic moments of all Trek in my opinion. This episode was my favorite TNG episode for a long time. Hope you enjoyed it. And yes, this was indeed the first of those top 6 absolute banger bests of this season that were foretold. 🧙🏼‍♂️ Fun Fact: the Enterprise-C is an Ambassador-class vessel. It represents the best of Starfleet during the "Lost Era" as it is called in the lore. It is the time between the movie Undiscovered Country and the pilot of TNG. Enterprise D is Ambassador's future counterpart: a Galaxy-class vessel and the Excelsior-class Enterprise B was its predecessor.

There are a few episodes that are “comfort trek” to me. Whenever I need something to inspire me or just charge my battery to keep moving, I’ll watch this. (Measure of a Man is another such episode for me, along with one more in season 3.) What would you consider your “comfort trek” episodes so far?

"Jesus Christ, Guinan, if we stop the ship every time the bartender has an existential crisis, we'll never get anywhere."

we all have been awaiting this reaction

While this episode is a masterpiece and it deserves to be ranked amoung the best in the series, it's because it's cinematic, epic, and builds on its lore, not because it's the core of what Star Trek does best which is exploring ideas. I think the mid tier episodes actually do that best, as you saw with A Matter of Perspective.

A firm fan favourite and the first of my personal top 4 TNG episodes in release order. Tasha aside, I personally love all of the changes in the alternate timeline, large and small. So many you're bound to have missed some! They feel believable too rather than crowbarred in. Worf gone, Dianna gone, Guinan's clothes change colour, Picard and Riker both war hardened, the TOS door sound effects, even some TOS era Kirk-facial-lighting on Picard at one point... The list goes on and on.

I have always loved this episode. I predict TA will wet themselves over this one. So great! "History will always remember the name ENTERPRISE"

I think you will enjoy this episode, the question is were you surprised? For me the most remembered TOS episode is The Trouble with Tribbles. The most remembered episode of TNG is Yesterday's Enterprise.

The final script for this episode combines two previously pitched ideas. One is that an Enterprise from the past comes to the future, and Picard has to decide what to do with it. The second was about the founder of Vulcan philosophy being killed too early, leading to a war with the Vulcans and the return of Tasha Yar via an alternate timeline. Would you have wanted to see one of the other episodes instead?

This! Is why you don't skip seasons 1 & 2. There is only one other episode this season with this level of quality IMO, but I'm predicting this one will be your favorite.

Another question: Is this pique hook? You'll both be dead silent stunned or talking up a storm over each other during the opening credits.

This is my favorite episode of Star Trek in the entire franchise. DS9 had the best character development and overall plot arc, but TNG had the best individual one-off episodes. This one is basically perfect.

2:15 in the episode: Every time I watch this, I wish Data would have said "I do not have sufficient data to..." Yes you do, Brent. Yes you do.

I love most everything about this episode - the premise, the alternate universe shenanigans, the intro with Worf and Guinan. The *only* thing that rubs me the wrong way is the stilted and overdramatic delivery of the line revealing the name and registry of the mystery ship. Dunno why, it bothers me.

I don't often make note of Dennis McCarthy scores (I'm a Ron Jones stan), but he did a phenomenal job in this episode.

Obviously this is a big one. I will say though that I actually prefer Tasha Yar's Season 1 death -- it's way more fitting for a security officer to die a "meaningless" death; that's how life is. Instead, she gets a big telegraphed death in this episode where we can see all the strings being pulled. Only real critique of an excellent episode.

Aw man, you guys are gonna lose your shit!

This is my favorite episode of TNG. I've often debated with myself if it makes Tasha's death worth it. Would it have been better to have this episode or Tasha still on the show? Thoughts?

Question: Just how shocked at seeing Tasha at her post again were you both?

As many good details as there are packed into this episode, there is still room for improvement. In "our" reality, the Federation agreed to not develop cloaking technology, but that doesn't seem likely to me to have happened if they've been at war with the Klingons for so long. I'd totally expect the Enterprise D to be able to cloak. Wouldn't you?

Nothing to add that hasn’t been said, but I’m glad Denise gets to show she can actually act. Like most of the cast, she was pretty green during the first season, but here she shows that..given the chance and material..she can hang with the best.

Do you like this end for Tasha better? When I saw the preview for this back in 1990, I thought that quick shot of the older Enterprise coming through the rift was the movie Enterprise, and wondered if the TOS crew was finally going to meet the TNG crew. Alas, it was not to be!

This episode is such a mind fvck. Most people seem to need to watch it 2-3 times to really grasp what all is going on. So, don't feel bad if you don't "get it" at first. But it's a masterpiece. There are so many little details put into it that you can watch it over and over and still pick out new things you didn't notice before. And I'm sure you will be flabbergasted by it. This is top-5 of the series, but there is some stiff competition for top 3—I'm just not sure.

Long-time listener, first-time caller: Production of this episode was moved up one month in order to accommodate Denise Crosby's and Whoopi Goldberg's schedules, forcing the teleplay to be written over Thanksgiving weekend 1989. The episode was divided up among the four writers with an uncredited polish from Michael Piller, and due to the rushed timeline the staff were unhappy with the script. Against the odds the writing staff delivered not just one of the finest hours of TNG, but of all of Star Trek.

I predict Tasha’s return will be the biggest pop off this side of Conspiracy. I really can’t see you guys disliking this one. If you do, it will be one of your spiciest TNG takes.

RIP "Trust us, Season 3 gets better after this" (April 18, 2024 - June 10, 2024)

This is one of the reasons why TNG is seen by many as peak Trek. It’s building on its own lore now, with the confidence to pull off such an audacious episode. Denise Crosby is the best she’s ever been as Tasha.

Star Trek at its finest. Tasha at her finest and a worthy death. Do you feel this death made up for her previous death? Is that a choice you guys would make if you discovered you were dead in a timeline everyone is trying to restore?

GOATed episode. Enjoy the ride!

Wow look at that amazing ship enterprise-c …. And the most iconic line in startrek ( let’s make sure history never forgets the name enterprise) and o yeah Tasha is back …. Now we turn the show up to 11

At the end of the series, there was the Viewer's Choice Marathon which aired the top 5 episodes as voted by fans. This was one of them.

Been waiting for this one!!! Let’s go!! Banger!!

I predict all four hands up and a resounding 'OOOHHH' when Tasha first appears. Also, more Guinan loooore. So many bangers to go OMG!!!

you have to give Denise Crosby props for coming back, she left for two reasons, first she felt her character had nothing to do,was kinda irrelevant and she believed the show was gonna be one season and canceled so she left then the show exploded in popularity and became a massive hit, must have been hard coming back for a episode

I love this episode but it has one major problem. Once you realize that this is acurring in an alternat time line, you know that there is going to be a complete reset. Does knowing that it is going to be reversed, diminish the veiwing experience for you? Side note; we get to see a likable Shooter Mcgavin.

You’ve finally gotten to a season 3 masterpiece! It also contains a pretty major blunder at the end. When Geordi and Guinan are sitting at the table and she asks him to talk about Tasha, he’s still wearing the alternate timeline uniform with the black cuffs and bigger collar. Regardless this is still top tier Trek. And there’s still so much more to come!

They gave the entire crew new uniforms and redressed every set and changed all the lighting for just one episode. That's absolutely badass .... and probably gave the studio massive fits.

I have never had prune juice.

What did you think of the Enterprise-C? Did you like the design compared to the Galaxy Class Enterprise-D?

One of the writers for the final script of this episode is Ira Steven Behr. He was a writer, producer, and eventually the showrunner on Deep Space 9. You can really feel his writing style coming through in this episode. Great episode and in my personal top ten for the series.

Thi1s story brings us to a new plateau of Star Trek narratives which I suspect will be close to having you both say it's either your new favorite episode or within the top five favorites seen so far. Remember what is being said that you haven't yet seen the best of Season Three? Well, this is where TNG enters what I've said are "supernova" -like Star 1rek stories. Hang on tight - REAL tight - from here on out. The starting gate is now fully open, and the race is off - at full warp speed.

Have fun with the hundreds of comments you're bound to get. For most this is TNG's number 1 episode. If not, it is a top 3. It IS very good. It probably even deserves the high placement. I certainly like it. It has a great hook I'm sure you'll pop at. But it's also not the kind of episode I think of when I think about TNG, if that makes sense? (Also, Moore wanted a piece of debris to decapitate Wesley, he was already trying to push those boundaries)

THIS is real Trek. This episode has been rated as one of the top five of the entire series...some say #1. I think you are going to be blowed away.

When they find Castillo lying in the wreckage, you’ll probably wonder for just a second whether it’s Kirk.

Cinematic is how my wife described this one as she actually stopped what she was doing to sit down and watch it with me and, I would totally agree with her assessment. I predict you guys will not only like it (because it's a great episode) but will love it when you see Tasha's return.

I've been waiting so long to watch you watch this! I've rewatched this one more than any other episode. I particularly love that the alternate universe crew aren't "evil twins", they're just the same characters who have grown tired and bitter after years of war. Patrick Stewart portrays this perfectly, of course.

What a redemption for Tasha. She is the reason for peace with Klingons!

Picard jumping the bridge console to get to the weapons controls... Cheers

TNG: it's got its clunkers, but then it's got moments where it's hard to believe this was once a weekly show on free tv.

You're not gonna POP, You're Gonna EXPLODE when you see Tasha. The only reason why this isn't my best episode of the season is because Guinan asking Worf about his sex life makes me cringe. Also why wasn't this capped off with Guinan asking Worf about Tasha? With maybe even Data joining in. Jordi seemed kinda like a random choice. Also many think that Worf Should've been the Klingon captain, but I think it shows how much a darker reality this is by implying little Worf perished in the rubble without the Enterprise-C alerting the other Federation ship of the attack

I SO CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU GENTLEMEN TO REACT TO THIS EPISODE! 😃

Prune juice, nothing beats going into a battle properly cleansed. Wait till Worf learns about oatmeal and after dinner mints.

Say hello to the TNG Top 5!

Love this episode as much as Worf loves prune juice 🖖🏼 I look forward to this reaction, and predict I may have to turn down the volume from the screams this episode’s hook will draw out of you.

I was 13. BBC Two in the UK. I literally screamed when “the switch” happened. An amazing “what if” episode that I’ve rewatched more than any other in the series. I also cried like a baby but the less said about that the better…

The discussion video for this episode better be like, an hour long

Prune Juice: The official drink of Trekkies everywhere

One of the best of TNG and in the overall franchise. I’ve rewatched this more than any other TNG episode other than the season 3 finale. Middle school me loved this upon its premiere, and adult me still loves it. Peak Trek.

"Let's make sure history never forgets the name ..... Enterprise." 🔥🔥🔥

This is one of the best Star Trek episodes of all time. Interestingly, it actually came about from a fan submission, and was put together from the submission by the writing staff, as opposed to a single writer, which is why you see so many writing credits on it. I can't wait to hear you yell when you see Tasha Yar. I think you'll love it. Especially since I remember you were fond of her. How do you feel about having a Tasha episode again a season and a half after her death?

Castille and Yar sure had great chemistry https://youtu.be/C-vnZxtul3A?si=HYvDuJYgJehqXHDF

I predict the reaction thumbnail will be taken from the 2:55 mark and look like this: 🤯 😲

What a boon to have Patrick Stewart, who can convey how much more jaded and abrasive the altered timeline has made Picard. No explanation required. Dude has seen some shit.

Ooh, this is epic. This episode has the biggest lore drop of the season, perhaps the entire show so far: Worf's love of prune juice. TNG was never the same after this one.

Yar didn't get much time to shine in season 1. Shows you where the character could have gone if Denise Crosby had stayed.

This is my absolute favorite episode of the entire series! Not only from a “sci-fi” perspective, but also from a character expanding and lore perspective. I predict this will be in your top 5.

This episode has the granddaddy of continuity flubs. When Guinan sits down to ask Geordi about Tasha, he's wearing the alternate universe uniform, with the solid collar and black cuffs.

If they don't love it, we riot! :p

For all the incredibly brilliant things about this episode, I always felt Guinan’s vague, wishy-washy awareness of the timeline shift to be kind of weak. I think it’s a great idea to give her species this gut feeling that the timeline changed somehow, but she’s far too unsure to sell Picard going along with it to rewrite their own history, as he sees it, even to turn the course of a losing war. But don’t get me wrong, this episode is still one of my favorites.

One of my favorite episodes!!

So excited to see your reaction to this one. If the Tasha reveal doesn’t make you guys scream, then we’re all doomed. This was THE episode that cemented my status as a TNG fan and made the series must-see TV when I was 14. The scope is huge, the stakes are incredible. This could have been a TNG film. No longer was Star Trek just Kirk, Spock, and Bones. This episode showed what amazing stories the TNG crew could tell, and I imagine it extinguished any doubts as to the show’s standing as part of the Trek franchise. Only one complaint: the score is fine but if Ron Jones had done this one it would have been a whole other level.

Prediction: This will get more takes than any other episode so far