UNCUT - Future Imperfect (TNG S4E8) | Star Trek Journey 189

This is clearly an s

The internet existed but it wasn't what it was today. that said, star trek was a popular topic of discussion on the old usenet forums back then and there was a "cult" fanbase who recorded and analyzed every episode, there were trekkie clubs and conventions where people dressed up,as a kid i went to one that was all adults. So yes, if you wanted to you could find old episodes back then, but not easily and casually like today.

One oft-overlooked moment I love from this episode is when Riker and Jean Luc are talking about “Mrs. Riker” and Jean Luc says “she was really great”. There’s a genuine underlying sadness in that statement and it seems that it’s Borash’s true self showing through and he’s referring to his real mother. Some layers in that moment that not many child actors could pull off.

I always found this episode really awkward. This was the first time I've watched it in years. Also, Picard can't give Riker a day off on his birthday? Lol

1991-ish was when Tim Burners Lee and crew created protocols for the WWW: html, text, photos, hyperlinks, etc. We had text based bulletin boards and Discord like threads. And TV Guides.

It might be hard to fathom in this day and age of being able to binge watch whatever we want, but remember, there are a lot of Star Trek fans who, like myself, first experienced these episodes in random order via reruns. Many people's "favorite" episodes are episodes they would stop to watch if it randomly came on tv even if they had seen the episode many times. The first episodes of TNG I ever saw were an episode from the middle of season 7, the series finale, Remember Me, and Code of Honor. Also, I'm pretty sure I saw Reunion before any other Klingon episode. When you see an episode like this out of order, it's really no big deal. You just assume that something like Minuet was explained in an earlier episode that you haven't seen yet, and it makes sense. Watching the shows as random reruns gives a unique experience to the show that leads to you drawing some pretty wild conclusions as a kid trying to piece the while thing together. It also makes you very forgiving of continuity errors because you assume any error was just explained in an episode you haven't seen yet. It was so nice finally being able to see everything in order as intended.

Frakes is good actor, man, I love this episode just because he gets a chance to shine...

Damn Dianna is smoking in this episode.

This episode gives us Nurse Alyssa Ogawa as a new addition to the TNG family. The actress that played her, Patti Yasutake, passed away recently.

Okay, watched it now. Great reaction. Perhaps the reason you guys loved this so much more than me was that you seemed fully bought in to the idea that this was all really happening to Riker. I.e. you immediately started predicting some kind of time travel explanation for the ending, meaning this really was his son, he really was the captain, etc. I don't remember ever thinking that. Time travel is rare enough in Trek that I wouldn't expect it to just pop up like that without being the whole point of the episode. So that means I would have just assumed we were seeing a dream or a trick, or some other explanation that didn't involve it ever having been real.

yeah to answer your question Patrick Stewart has played villain roles, movies like Conspiracy Theory,Masterminds, come to mind

If you're looking for a movie where Patrick Stewart plays a more traditional villain role, 1997's Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts is probably what you're looking for. Like others, I'd probably give this a A- or B+. It's good, but never quite as good after that first time once you know all the twists and turns. It did however give us one of the best Riker memes. Also I never made the Beyond Belief connection before. It's also interesting to look back at some of the "predictions" this episode made once you're deeper into the Star Trek timeline to see what stuck and what didn't. As for Troi, it's not the first time we saw her in a starfleet uniform, as she did wear the skant version in Farpoint, but it's a good look for her. One thing I like is that even though that future and Riker's family were an illusion, it gives us a glimpse at Riker as a family man, and he certainly seems to do a better job than his own father. I mean, except for that one bit after he makes the Minuet connection and gives Jean Luc that "wait here son, I'm getting my belt" look😄. Seriously though, I appreciate that he wasn't even mad about it once he realized this was just a lonely alien kid who missed his parents. Riker passed the dad vibe check. Great episode

when i saw this episode i had not yet seen the season 1 episode. fortunately each week we got a new episode and a rerun of the earlier seasons so i saw it probably that same year later

That’s a trombone mute. It gives the trombone a mellow sound.

Enterprise E or G .....huh interesting speculation gentlemen

'What ifs' are fun, but there are better. The difference for me is that this example is entirely fiction unlike Yesterday's Enterprise (and others) where the potential present/future/whatever is actually technically 'real'.

I liked this one! Wasn't a Top tier, but a nice fun B+ for me.

We used to tape the episodes on VHS that's how we can go back an rewatch that episode with min

I thought this was a good episode but the twist AND then the actual twist made it seem more convoluted than it needed to be. Glad the guys enjoyed it but like others have commented I was surprised by the S tier rating from the two of them.

You didn't mention that this season 4 episode also is about family, although Riker's 'wife and son' are fake. At least he has to deal with having a family.

With the next week preview in this episode, Frakes pronounced "charade" as "Cher-rod" it stuck out to me and I thought "bet this will be dubbed to Cher-raid by the time it airs" and I won my bet... with myself.

This one's a B+ for me. Glad you liked it so much though. Surprising.

The thing on the end of the trombone is called a mute. There are several different kinds. Some that stick in the opening of the instrument, and others you hold there and move it to create effect. It's used to change the sound of the instrument to what the musician wants. Most iconic is the wah-wah like sound you can make with one.

How did he immediately catch Min = Minuet? And then recognize the actress?? they pay too much attention. I’m sure I’ll forget this plot point all over again if I ever get to another rewatch.

The guys calculated Riker took 7 yrs to become captain. That’s interesting considering TNG lasted 7 yrs. Coincidence or a nod to 7 yr tv contracts?

It’s called a “mute” on the trombone.

"Masterminds" & "Conspiracy Theory" Patrick Stewart plays the villian.

this was an A+ but not an S and definitely not better than Reunion

The kid is able to predict future Starfleet uniforms because Riker gets 'Starfleet Fashion Weekly'. So it's all in Rikers head. Also the thing in the trombone is a real thing. I forget the name of it, but when I was in high school jazz band, the horn section would use those. I don't remember the name of them because I'm a drummer. I just hit things when I'm told to "go" and then do loud and crazy solo's when the band stops. :P

Josh says, "Alex, you've been in a coma for sixteen years. We have a YouTube channel now." Alex replies, "Do they still make Fireball?"

As others have said, it was a mute that Riker used on the trombone, most often used when playing jazz and especially by trumpets and trombones. There are several kinds of mutes, from straight mutes to cup mutes to Harmon mutes to plungers, which give effects ranging from muffling the sound or making it more buzzy to "waah-waah" effects. There are even mutes for French horns and tubas, though they are more rarely used. Horn players often mute their instruments by sticking their hand in the bell, called "stopping." Jonathan Frakes played trombone in the Liberty High School Grenadier Band, Bethlehem, PA. Liberty is the older high school in Bethlehem (opened 1922) and they have a British theme including red coats, a piper corps, and bearskin hats. A good friend of mine played bagpipes in their corps back in the day and tried to teach me how to "strike in" to get the drones going, but it's surprisingly difficult. Another also played trombone for Liberty and is a public school music teacher in the area to this day. I went to Freedom High School, the newer high school in town (opened 1967) where our band had a colonial American theme, including a fife corps and tricorner hats. I played trumpet there in the band and jazz ensemble, though it's been a long time since I picked up my instrument. Jonathan Frakes is surely Liberty's most famous grad, while Duane Johnson is our best-known alum. Both school's bands will be appearing in an upcoming football film called The Hail Mary, written and directed by Daniel Roebuck (from Matlock, Lost, and The Fugitive) who went to the third high school in town, Bethlehem Catholic. It's a bit surreal having three notable actors and directors from our relatively small town, but I'm glad to see that all three seem to be genuinely good guys.

I can well appreciate this would be S-tier on first viewing, Over time/many rewatches over the years, I would now give it an A but watching it with you really made me remember how my mind was blown as kid by the double-fake out/deception within a deception storyline. It was novel to me at that time. I’d totally bought into the secret Romulan base on this planet given the seeds planted from The Defector. A really well constructed and entertaining episode - building on quite a few previous episodes/stories. I think you got it right with the S

"Why is Troi the only one not in a standard uniform?" Guys, it's in your channel name: Tn'A.

Some point in like 10 years when you finish going through star trek, you need to rewatch all your reactions and see what you incidentally got right and what you missed Its like every reaction you say something that is either way way off, or right on the money for a future episode.

Another “River Yells at People” episode. Gotta love it!

MY "S Tier" episode is one that I see is being rerun on TV and I think "Oh, it's that one, great!"

Great reaction guys. Unrelated to it, I noticed how fast Alex can grow a beard. Being a half breed Native American (not really half, I'm 1/3) I'm pretty hairless body wise and it takes me a couple of weeks just to grow a little stubble under my nose and on my chin. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, I only have to shave maybe once a week, saves a lot of time and money and aggravation.

The sex scoreboard Riker 7 I am giving a +1 here. kinda a combo from S1 when I didn't with Min. Troi 3 Data 1 Picard 1 Worf 1 Jordy 1 + 1 I Broccoli 2 i Honorary this Ep Ensign Kanker +1 Clearly Alex and the Ensign had a mouthy connection

1:14:10 So, practical effects 👍, but practical audience 👎. Got it.

We didn’t have the internet but we did have VHS to record episodes and we also had magazines and published episode guides that gave details for each episode.

51:56 Yeah, they literally brought back Minuet's actress Carolyn McCormick just for that part.

Wow, a double S! Glad you guys liked this one (as do I), but I think it's A for me, which is still really good, mind you. I've always thought of this episode as being Riker's "Remember Me", though not quite as strong. Both eps deal with an event that shapes alternate realities that give you great character development, a sweet ending, and a surprise cameo from a Season one guest character. Given that Riker was celebrating his birthday, it totally makes sense that he would be taking stock of his life (family, career, relationships) and thinking about what the future might hold, and then, we get to see a possible version of that. The reveal is also great because if you have been watching the entire show up to this point, reality breaks for both us and Riker at the same time, which is very satisfying. (Good job Josh for going from Min to Minuette so quickly!) My only criticism is that I would have liked a few more scenes like where Riker talks to Jean-Luc about his fear of fatherhood in the turbolift, and a little less of the all Outpost 23 talk. Also, Riker doesn't really get to interact with "future" Worf all that much, which is kind of a shame. But overall, good ep and the irony of a simulation being discovered through a reference to another simulation is quite humourous.

This is not a bad episode. Certainly not an "S" one, but... its main flaw is it's not very re-watchable. It's good for a few times and then that's it. I was bored re-watching it about halfway through, because I've seen it several times over the past 30 years. The fun parts of the reaction were the key moments, of course, such as when Troi drop's Min's name, when Riker figures out the first deception from her photo, and the confrontation on the bridge.

This is going to be a "come back and watch for the commentary" episode after Nemesis.

39:18 A little bored there, Alex?

36:20 His name is Borf, obviously.

35:10 Oooo, Josh!! ⚡🙇

31:18 “Like you tracked down that faulty processing accelerator?” "Accelerator" is wrong, Frakes borked that line. It should be "attenuator" like it was earlier in the episode.

Dudes clocked the Min hint straight away. Nice xD

Notice that almost every time Riker starts getting suspicious, he gets a call or something interrupts the scene.

Very enjoyable episode!

18:25 Glad you picked that up, Josh! 😇

Seen this obviously loads of times and I swear this is the first time I've noticed in the fake future noone had any command pips.. Possibly because the alien didn't understand the significance of them? Just another clue not all was what it seemed lol.

The object in the end of Riker's trumpet is called a mute. It softens the sound of the instrument.

4:31 That would have been hilarious, Josh, if you made Alex really spit-take.

To use your spectrum, S-tier episodes would logically be the most exceptional episodes that aren’t just flawless in terms of the script…. but those that are also top-level innovative, resonant, and truly impactful. (I know those descriptors are themselves vague.) The way most people see “City on the Edge of Forever,” “Amok Time,” and “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” That’s S-tier for me. I don’t even think “Sarek” is S-tier, but rather, A-tier. (Ask yourself, would it be S-tier if the Vulcan was some character other than Sarek? It’s the CONTEXT of knowing Sarek that makes many people consider it S-tier, IMO.) In all of TNG, I only regard 9 to 11 episodes S-tier… and maybe a few of those are A+ or S- . … Just to spilt hairs.

In 1995, I heard of the internet, also called the “Information Superhighway” back then, but didn’t quite know what it was. I finally went online in late 1995 or early 1996. When this episode aired, mainstream society didn’t have the means to connect online to discuss these episodes.

At that time the shows weren't available to buy, though you could record them yourself. Years later when you could buy them, they were $25 per episode.

I always have liked this one a lot. Is it an S? Maybe. I would probably give it an A but I can see why someone would put it up higher.

Good catch on Min, but yea, you're wrong. It's not an S. It could've been, but thanks to the writers, it isn't. I could explain further, but....spoilers.

Yeah strong episode. I'm a bit surprised you guys both gave it an S, nothing wrong with that but I probably wouldn't have predicted that. I don't remember my first time impression of the episode back in the day but when I watch it now I do really like it, but I just feel the "second layer" also being fake is a bit too predictable if only because of how much time is left in the episode when the first layer being fake is revealed. Nice quick draw on the "Min" clue, Josh. Zero beats missed. btw, hopefully we get to it one day so no spoilers but this episode reminds me of my probably favorite X-Files episode

Other thoughts always forget it happens here but love Troi in the standard uniform

The nutso part of this is Carolyn McCormick was a partial NY based actress on Law & Order and to bring continunity she flew out before xmas to do a silent cameo for this. I love that I get to re-experience this show again with you guys.

I've long pondered what should be the privileged viewing of an episode when judging its worth or accessing the pleasure given. For me this TNG episode was an S the first time I saw it and then settled down to an A on repeated viewings over the years. So much depends on the novelty and shock value of the first time. Perhaps the best gauge ultimately though is that I must have watched the episode dozens of times since it first debuted.

🎶... DATA in Red.... Is Compute-ting with me, There's nobody there, just you and Ri-ker....🎶 Now hear it as LADY IN RED

I would be right up there with an S if this was my first viewing of it as well. But having seen it a million times, it does lose a little bit of magic on subsequent viewings, so I would say A-, B+. Still, it features some of my favorite quotes, especially when Riker is having his freakout on the bridge. I mean, can you beat "I said shut up as in close your mouth and stop talking?" NO YOU CAN'T DON'T EVEN TRY

Notice how in the episode, at 32:33 minutes in, Riker says, "Shall we end this charade," where "charade" rhymes with "made." But in the trailer, when they show that line being spoken, the last syllable of "charade" rhymes with "God." lol, for some reason, I picked up on this decades ago. Maybe because I'm a word person.

Loved the intro comments so people really message things like that?

That thing on the end of the trombone is a type of mute, used on brass instruments with open bells like trumpets and trombones. That particular one is used to make a more wah-wah sound.

Back when this origianlly aired, VHS was pretty common but you would've had to record it when it first aired (meaning you watched it at some time) unless you recorded and never watched it because I don't think TNG had been released on any recorded media like VHS yet.

Regarding the trombone. The item at the end of the bell is a mute. It augments the sound. Trumpets have mutes as well.

The circular thing on the end of Rikers trombone is called a mute, it's a real tool for trombones, trumpets, and other instruments. It muffles the sound and / or can give a more wah wah sound.

I only wish my broken shoulder would heal as fast as "Jean-Luc's" arm. I really thought you would both figure it out earlier considering you picked up on a couple of the Easter eggs. Glad you loved it!

This episode made me think of the old meme: [Picture of Admiral Picard] Riker: I prefer the real Jean-Luc. [Picture of Captain Picard] Riker: I said the real Jean-Luc. [Picture of the insectoid alien from the end of the episode] Riker: Perfection. As to the episode, I’ve always liked it a lot. I’m not sure why, but for some reason I thought you would both think this was more of a B tier episode. I wasn’t too surprised you recognized Minuet, since you notice little details and it hasn’t been three years for you guys since you’d seen her. I suppose the episode is a little ahead of its time in terms of its ‘Inception’ feel.

Josh called is both times and early. ('Min like Minuet?', "Is there another layer') Congratulations!

Definitely not an S for me. Maybe aa A- or a B+. Some fun scenes and ideas, and a mystery, but I think the alternate reality stuff isn't always the top of the Trek list. Or at least not without different stakes like Yesterday's Enterprise.

"Is there another layer going on?" You got it, Josh.

You’re not “wrong” about giving it an “S”. Lol. But I get it. Its frustrating to be “way off” from what the fans think. Lets remember, this the first watch. There were twists and turns, and you know its TNG and everything will be ok at the end of the episode. But its the journey GETTING THERE thats the fun part. Its not an S for me, but thats ok. Its still a fun entertaining episode that, ok guys, you got me again, is better than I remember. The Minuet twist is the part that gives me chills, and is like OH SHIT, here we go! And….gotta say it…. Colonel Sanders Picard. Lol!

I said shut up! As in close your mouth and stop talking.

If you want to see Patrick Stewart in a different role, you should check out Conspiracy Theory (1997) with Mel Gibson.

You broke a marsupial? LOL

Is your mouth ok?

I’ve always enjoyed this episode - it’s a solid B tier episode for me. I’ve always liked the double twist. Tomalok tho for me worked better when he is looming on the view screen.

"No, you CAN'T, don't even TRY!" one of the most infamously delivered lines from Frakes.

Man... for the first time ever, I considered not bothering to watch this one. I skipped ahead to glance at your tier rankings with my phone on mute while getting ready for church. Baffled. Now I have to watch.