PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG Season 3 Episode 20

Fun fact - the sounds of the interior of Gomtuu (the tin man) were the recordings of Dan Curry's (FX Supervisor) stomach after eating a burrito.

This is the one with the space croissant, right? Yeah no thanks. Hard pass.

I really like this episode. The concept ( in 1990 ) was very fresh in my opinion. It’s not S tier but I’d rate it at least B tier.

Hey I’m new here and have really enjoyed your Star Trek journey on YouTube and finally joined your Patreon.

Tin Man is one of my least episodes. The plot is…..fine but the overacting acing by the guest star is insufferable. Also, why does civilian clothing this season have to have pleats?? Everyone looks like an armadillo.

I think you guys have good taste and will like this episode, but a lot of it is built on the strength of the guest star, who I think does a great job, but I'm not sure if you'll like him. (I never hated Stubbs, don't notice most of the other guest stars) So who knows?

This is an episode that I consider one of the better episodes of Star Trek. Certainly more up than down and definitely a very "Science Fiction" sort of episode. I enjoy the guest star's performance (who I now recognize as Mayor Wilkins) and I like the plot. It feels very Star Trek to me. Also, it's a Troi episode that's actually good. (Maybe some of that strength comes from the fact that it's also a Data episode, but it feels like Troi serves a purpose in this one, which she doesn't often do, since her empath powers fail her on any occasion when they would be useful. ("I don't know what I sense," or more often she just says and does nothing.) They only succeed when someone says "I'm going to kill you!" and she says, "I sense great hostility from them." No shit, Sherlock. So it's nice to see her be useful for once. That said, YMMV dramatically, because apparently a lot of people on here really don't like the episode, which surprises me. I usually see one or two people not liking an episode that I really like... I do see people liking episodes I dislike (one episode I particularly hate that is well-loved, I will point out when we get to it) but in this case opinion seems split equally between Good, Bad, and Meh.

It has its moments, but in the end, this an episode.

Alex and Josh, this a perfect blend of scientific exploration and adventure thriller. Fun fact: This is Jay Chattaway’s first Trek episode and its fantastic. He was told to tone down the military overtones from then on. But it rocks!

I like this episode. It’s not perfect, but after the past several episodes being so heavily character focused, this one is a nice palate cleanser. It’s a fun little adventure with an interesting concept. Nothing less, nothing more.

Interesting concept but ultimately meh. Some Romulan action, the one-sided argument where Riker got told his fortune was novel but Farscape explored the living ship concept much better.

I neither like nor hate this episode. Nice having the Romulans return, but even they're involvement was limited. I will say dealing with an actual alien in space is definitely Star Trek quality.

This weirdly feels like an earlier-season episode, like something that belongs in seasons 1 or 2 to me. I like it though, and I think you guys will think it's fine, if not great. Fun fact, Tin Man's internal sounds were created by taping a microphone to a sound crew member's stomach after they ate a large pizza.

This is one of those one and done episodes that could be removed from the show and you wouldn't notice it was missing. The guest character for this one can be very unlikable, however I've never minded this one. He acts like such a douche sometimes but when you think about what he goes through and gone through his whole life, unable to turn his ability off, constantly bombarded with everyone's thoughts, it makes perfect sense. Will you like this one? Who knows with you guys.

I’ve always liked this one..another “slow burn” TNG episode. I’ll be curious to see your reaction to the guest actor, as he’s one of those “love him or hate him” types. No middle lol

"..being first is not always the point" aaaand another Picard quote that supplies the brass of his balls.

The first great Troi episode, and the writers are finally giving some real thought to what it might mean to have empathic abilities like hers, with the emotions of everyone around you constantly intruding on your thoughts. Troi often got the short end of the stick from the writers, but when they gave her something real to do she always hit it out of the park.

The interior sounds of Gomtuu were made by feeding a guy some pepperoni pizza and recording the digestion through a stethoscope. I've had a chance to see the Gomtuu model in person and it's surprisingly small and crappy looking. It's amazing what good photography can do in visual effects!

A solid season 3 episode keeping the streak alive.

I think the people who don't enjoy this episode or its guest star character don't put themselves into his life. What a torture of a life that must be!

I think this one is most memorable for introducing Jay Chattaway to the show. The episode itself is ok, it’s not bad by any means but it’s disappointing compared to the Romulan stuff that came before.

This is definitely NOT my favorite episode. Josh hated Stubbs, and for me, it’s Tam. Who would’ve thought the Mayor from Buffy the Vampire Slayer could be so dull and annoying. It’s an episode I normally skip when rewatching the show. But this is the first time you hear of the big Romulan warbird being referred to as a D’deridex class vessel. The name D’deridex supposedly comes from a former Romulan Praetor (pray-tor) according to a Star Trek novel.

I thought this episode was an interesting take on people who are handicapped in society due to a birth defect. How do they try to adapt to the world? What struggles do those people endue that most don't? What would that look like for an alien race? And then how some people can't adapt and just want to escape.

Cool sfx, but not that good of an episode. Watch how Picard and Riker spin counter to each other, very silly.

Wow. After 2 years of being red herrings, the Romulans have really stepped up their villain game this season

Jay Chattaway steals the show in his debut as a Trek composer! His name eventually became synonymous with less-than-memorable music, but episodes like this show the guy could tear it up when the producers gave him a free hand.

So I never liked this episode much. To me it always felt like a season one episode, and a mid episode for season one. I still don't love it...but on a recent watch I found I appreciated the Tam Elbrun character much more than I had in the past.. Now I almost enjoy his character... Best I can figure it is because I have worked with people in recent years with various types of neurodivergency and Tam's character, exceptional ability but also difficulty fitting in to society reminds me of some of the people I've worked with.

This is some excellent sci-fi in general. This one makes me cry, Harry Groener is awesome as Tam, and his connection to Gumtuu and Data's connection to him, well, it's kinda another Data story.

The Overacting is strong with this episode

Actually screw it. This episode rocks. Fight me.

Surely it’s over-powered to have a living creature one shot a warbird? It’s situation reminds me of the TOS Horta. Ending was done before when Decker married VGER. Good 24th century exploration of male mental health for 1989 though.

One of my favorites. Great music score. We finally get to meet Captain DeSoto of the Hood. The idea of a living starship is cool, and having it be suicidal was a nice twist. This is my favorite kind of ST story: the ship sent off alone, far from help, to accomplish something, and all the roadblocks and dangers along the way.

Definitely a low point for the season, and the hot-streak-breaker you've been dreading. But who knows, I could be totally wrong and you guys love it.

As a causal TNG fan, I can find a lot of reasons to pass on this episode, but strangely somehow I still love it. The Betazed guy can be annoying but also very relatable. Also, great moments from the whole crew. I’d watch it again. Hope you guys like it!

Maybe being able to hear everyone's thoughts & exact emotions can be more of a curse than a blessing. Kinda explains why Troi's mother is so eccentric, but she at least has a filter, this guy, due to his powers developing too early, appears not to

Bad episode with a boring and predictable plot. Episodes like this are why I think arguments about 26 episodes being a tad too many have merit.

Hate episode, skip it in most rewatches, I wonder what the take is from you guys on a first viewing though

One of the more unique music scores in this one.

This was an Emmy Nominated episode (for special effects)

(Star-Trek-Eye-Borg) Meh

The guest star will annoy you both I feel. This episode is lower 1/3 of the episodes for this season. My 2 cents worth

Harry Groener is an absolutely incredible actor. A true maestro and those who know him from his other work will understand that lofty praise. I'm not sure this episode does him justice but I just get a kick out of seeing him in Trek.

The score is this episode is amazing and gets me every time. This is a personal favorite of mine. I can relate to Tam a lot since I am autistic, easily overly stimulated, and feel like other people are just way too much.

An episode with an incredibly interesting premise, but it falls a little short for me. People disliking the neurodivergent Betazoid is taken a little too far in order to show that the alien is the only one who understands him. Most of the hate towards Tam early on is due to word of mouth rather than the truth, which feels weird for a crew that is normally more open minded. I'm curious to see how you will both view this one, I feel it could go either way.

I felt this episode telegraphed its ending far too early. Waiting to see it play out made it feel to me like not much actually happened.

This is one of the most Star Trek episodes of Star Trek (all Star Trek). Everything about it was just wonderful, from the creature, to Tam, to the Enterprise Crew, the Romulans. Everything just WORKED. And it had a great character plot for Tam, too, who was a really good guest character. Just love this episode!

Recently watched this one remembering it as a mid episode. It is actually very good and has a satisfying end.

My feeling is that you will dislike the episode. The plot is predictable from the beginning, and the Romulans are only there as a plot device to add urgency

Tam is a challenging guest star, but that adds to the tense, moody atmosphere, as does the unique score. Very entertaining.

Apparently, the sound effects of being inside Tin Man were produced by having a stage crew member eat a shit load of pizza and then recording his stomach and intestines while he digested it. I wish I was making that up. Also, I feel like you guys will compare Tam to Dr. Stubbs and I'm here for it.

This is a weird one. Honestly, its put me to sleep a time or two. And I've never connected with the guest character. It's a Troi episode, but it's not about her, it's more about this rando guest star.

Quirky but amazingly profound guest appearance by Harry Groener. Great use of Troi and Data as his opposite foils. Cool sci-fi space operatic concept. Romulan battles. What’s not to like here? This is a personal favorite even though many just call it average-good.

Ive always felt that “Tin Man” is an under-appreciated gem of Season 3. Aside from being a unique Troi/Data episode, we are introduced to a character who is essentially an allegory for a person with a mental disability or mental illness. Tam Elbrun was born with his condition and it made him “socially awkward”. Yet he was also brilliant. Kudos to Harry Groener for his performance. I feel like people turned off by this character just don’t get it. Score was a great introduction for first time Trek composer Jay Chattaway, brought in as an unofficial warning to Ron Jones who was constantly warned to make his music less noticeable.