UNCUT - The Nth Degree (TNG S4E19) | Star Trek Journey 200
200 down, over 600 more to go. How long can you put up with us?
Comments (86)
TNG does The Lawnmower Man. If you want to see a weird underseen horror movie with Dwight Schultz check out Alone in the Dark from 1982, it also star Jack Palance, Donald Pleasence and Martin Landau from the director of The Hidden and Nightmare on Elm st 2...it also was the first movie produced by New Line Cinema...
Schultz is such a baller actor and he absolutely owned this episode. Barclay is one of the most interesting characters in the franchise and this is one of his great moments. This has always been S tier for me.
Time for Nicks to Organize! Take Control!
This has always been a favorite for me. I'd put this as an A
600? There's over 930 episodes of Star Trek and continuing to count, you've got 732 to go! Don't forget about Picard, SNW, DSC, and Prodigy! Starfleet Academy comes out soon, and we're in the fifth season of Lower Decks right now too. Can't wait to see it all again with you dudes!
Should definitely forget SNW, Discovery, LD.
You guys know The Chippa?!?! A picture of him and me is hung up on my wall at home. I knew I liked you guys for a reason (other than your dedication to ST)....
I'm sorry, but how do you give this episode a C!? This is one of the best episodes of TNG, and one of the best Barclay episodes. Also, if nothing else, this episode proves what an amazing actor Dwight Shultz is. That scene where he recites to Crusher, almost making her cry, is a master class in acting. If this ain't an S, I don't know what is. smh
53:02 I was NOT prepared for that jump scare
when troi says he made a pass, riker does say something like "did you take him up on it?" and she doesnt answer but smiles and he gives her a look, so you guys must have just missed that.
And he almost gives himself whiplash when she mentions it in the room. Riker's subtle jealousy is a great thread through the series.
His full name is Reginald Barclay.
There was a reaction from Riker about Barclay making a pass at Troi. You guys were chatting and missed it. It happened as they all were leaving the Ready Room.
I love that you guys are seeing the magic of season 4 and just how good it is. And you know what? It’s not even my favorite season.
Do you think Barclay will return again?
Best part of the episode is Shultz's performance.
Absolutely. I can't quite fathom Josh's indifferent reaction to it. He plays awkward Barclay far better than I actually am awkward!
S tier TA moment? Off the top of my head, just how pissed that BoBW cliffhanger made you. Those "now you know how we felt" moments are always fun. Also I think real Alex has been abducted and replaced with mirror universe Alex. Bro deserves the agony booth for even suggesting 2 TNG a month🤣. I'm actually torn between A- and B+ on this one. I like Barclay getting his moment in the spotlight as well as a chance to redefine the character beyond "the guy who recreates his coworkers for fantasy scenarios on the holodeck". Bit of a redemption arc. Barclay is still really introverted/shy, but he's a functional introvert, and that hint of him keeping just a bit of his upgrades at the end was a nice touch. And of course the story with the Cytherians was Star Trek to it's core. It seems so threatening when Barclay takes over the ship and flings them halfway across the galaxy, then this giant floating head appears on the bridge and is basically like "howdy". Interesting idea basically inverting Starfleet's mission of exploration. I don't entirely disagree that the episode can get a bit boring at times though, and the ending is a little abrupt. I just wouldn't ding it as much for that. It's a solid episode.
I have suspected that Barclay was discussing String Theory with Einstein because of the reference to ten dimensions.
I think it was a discussion on the grand unified theory (sometimes also called the grand unification theory or the grand unified field theory or the theory of everything). It attempts to unify the fundamental forces within the universe: the strong and weak nuclear forces and electromagnetism. Thus, scientists researching GUTs are trying to reconcile the evolving principles of quantum theory with the principles of general relativity.
It makes sense that this episode first aired on April Fool's Day.
so now we have the introvert alien race, kinda wonder how this would have played out on say a klingon ship
Seems like their technology is so advanced that the klingons wouldn't be able to do anything. The aliens would just watch the klingons freak out...say "oh that's interesting, it's amazing they have survived this long" and the aliens would then send them back. The klingon who had been made super smart would then be killed even though it wasn't his fault.
You guys may have to react to an episode of the A-Team. Unfortunately, there isn’t a horror one.
Gotta love it when an episode like THIS is one of the more disappointing ones of the season
For context: Gates McFadden was theatrically trained prior to TNG, working in theater groups. She was also a choreographer. The writers started capitalizing on her real-life experience in the creation of Dr. Crusher. We saw her skills as a choreographer... in Data's Day.... and in THIS episode, we see her running a theater group ... though we see only Barclay participate in it thus far. McFadden left Star Trek: TNG after the first season due to a clash with a director. Her theater background led her to bring a collaborative style to her scenes, which didn't align with the director's approach, leading to tensions. He felt she was just being difficult to direct. As a result, she was let go before Season 2. However, after that director left the show, the producers brought her back, and she returned to the cast in Season 3.
She has said that it was an adjustment transitioning from a collabrative environment at Jim Henson Productions to one where you're expected to perform strictly what's on the page.
I wish I’d been here at the start of your Star Trek journey, but I plan on being here for the rest of it! Congrats on 200 episodes!
They were wrapping TNG s2 when I joined up. Had to blitz through 150ish eps to catch up.
Did you guys ever think you would actually get paid for watching TV episodes? 😎
HIPAA probably exists in some form in the 24th century.
I agree with Josh's point about the episode getting weaker after Barclay sits in the chair, but it wouldn't drag it down to a C for me. I'd still give it an A. I love some of the cheesy B movie Sci Fi elements like the big holodeck chair and the disembodied alien head. That goofiness speaks to my heart
I really like episode discussions with the broad spread of rankings. Makes for a good jumping off point.
I wish we disagreed more but can’t force it!
You guys should add Fat Man and Little Boy to your movie wheel to see Dwight Schultz play Oppenheimer.
Such a great film. Oppenheimer, pre-Nolan and with Paul Newman, and an impressive supporting cast and story.
Riker doesn't hate Barclay, he hates his crew efficiency rating being ruined. That's his job, to make sure the ship is operating at its peak. Barclay (apparently) isn't skipping work in the holodeck anymore, so Barclay isn't a problem for Riker.
Noooooo! MOAR TNG! Happy 200th guys. XX
Happy 200th episode you guys, it has been one Hell of a wild ride & I appreciate you taking me on this journey! My Target Audience S-Tier moment was around Season 1 TOS... peaking at "City on the Edge of Forever" I hope you'll keep going for the foreseeable future. Warp speed, ENGAGE!
B for me. Dwight Schultz can carry an episode. He's fantastic. I'm with you all the way through voyager. not sure i'll be patreon the whole way, but i'll be with on youtube at the least.
57:00 you don’t think the episode would’ve gotten a bit redundant seeing the Barclay outrizz the crew beyond what we already saw? The chair scenes were important to show that he was growing in power exponentially.
Time is relative, resistance is futile, i will be there watching until you get bore, or too rich to care anymore 😂. Always. 🖖
I was too late to write this on the Patron Takes, but: this episode is a PRIME example of society-changing technology introduced during an episode that should CHANGE EVERYTHING and doesn't.
At least the writers were more careful about introducing game changing tech in the future, right?..............Right?
1:05:55 Do you two believe that Worf will be redeemed?
1:04:36 As others have already written, you both seemed to miss the exact scene/dialogue you're talking about. It played out while they were leaving the Ready Room. Riker hated incompetent tardy poor-officer Barclay. Barclay isn't like that anymore, so it's reasonable to believe that Riker is fine with him now.
It's an S tier for me. Favorite shot: the Barclay is a computer reveal. Also, this episode is essentially Carl Sagan's CONTACT. When you guys reacted to that movie, I immediately thought of Barclay.
1:03:03 I was thinking Doctor Beverly's thespianness was already established. hmmmmmmm
Episode is an easy A. Out of your mind with that C, Josh. But I'll let it slide because of your 'without missing a beat' TMP references during the slow mo scene 🎯..
Now I'm never gonna be able to watch that scene without thinking about "targeeetttttiiiiiinnnnnnngggggggg assstteroid!"
actually Dwight on the A-Team plays a crazy person .. very much out of his mind.
Barclay is my most-favorite TNG character. (And I still give this a B.)
I guess I won't be watching this tomorrow before/after work. Probably better for my schedule anyways. (And personally, my count for Trek stops at 735, maaaybe 738 if I feel generous)
You two should watch an A-Team episode. Dwight played "Mad Dog" Murdock and tended to play a different personality every single episode. I don't know them well enough to recommend one, but there are lists.
Alas, Riker's comedy bits got talked right through, including the "revelation" that he clearly didn't get to be a commander through the science/engineering track.
I have to say, I gave this episode a C. While I enjoy seeing Barclay again, and the alien race bringing others to them was a neat twist, it just felt kind of flat to me. Too much of Reg in a 90's sci fi chair. The ending was also too predictable - Reg turns back to his old self and everything is solved in 2 minutes, like Josh said. Maybe I should change my grade to a B, but I honestly can't go any higher.
It's a B. For Barclay.
34:10 I never noticed before that Burton flubbed that line. He said "our array" instead of "our computer"
Josh: "I give it a C" Data: "We are in danger" (lynch mob activated)
A "C"??? Did we watch the same episode? To say this is an average episode ... what?
It's pretty average until the end, which is pretty neat!
Wow there's a lot to unpack on this one. First off, just as a little note because you did want it to happen, Riker did react to Barclay's move on Dianna, just as they were leaving Picard's ready room. He asked if Barclay happened to be successful, in a typical Riker cheeky fashion. I don't mind that lines are missed sometimes, it happens, but it's important you know (in case you don't rewatch the episode on your own). Riker certainly cares. As for the rating split, it's hard for me to comprehend a C-tier rating, but if I gather properly from the discussion, Josh was less invested in part because he didn't connect with the performance of Dwight Schultz when acting as the shy and nervous version of himself, only when he performed with confidence was he bought in. Additionally, the last third where he's primarily the computer. I can understand that bit more, as part of Dwight Schultz's excellent style is facial acting, which you don't get much of when his mind is effectively fused with the computer. Personally, this episode is A+ for me, borderline S. I love, like most, Barclay's character, even though it is a bit hard to watch him when he's acting so nervous (more so due to my own issues with being shy in public settings). The heavy sci-fi theme adds on to the score, because I'm a nerd all the way and always will be.
Yeah I was surprised they missed that.
One of my favorite episodes
TA needs to watch at least a clip of The A-Team
15:50 Wait until next season. 😀
15:10 Geordi did shield his eyes (visor)...
I still think the Cytherians are the same race as the God entity in Star Trek V
GENTS! You were talking and missed Riker’s reaction to Troi’s “he made a pass” comment. Go back! His reaction is gold.
As is Crusher's reaction immediately on the heels of that.
Will there be a +1, -1, or nuttin'. Let's find out. The sex scoreboard Riker 9 Troi 3 Data 1 Picard 1 Worf 1 Geordi 1 Broccoli 2 i No change Chief 1 Keiko 1 Extras: There is a change but not to a crew member. Prof Moff +2. Now technically it is not this episode that chalks up the notches but it is the play Cyrano de Bergerac. I used that play (well really the movie) twice in my youth to pull. Now, I know what you are thinking, but NO! I did not put on a giant nose prop.
And by the way. Most of the time during this episode the computer voice is NOT nurse Chapel from TOS
A "C"?? It's an "A."
Riker totally gave a look when Diana mentioned the pass. I think you guys were talking and missed it. -__-;
You know who he means. Let's not be that way, man.
I like Barclay, and I like this episode. On a personal note, I'm glad they dropped the Broccoli nickname. All my way through school I was the class designated target, and I had more than my fill of cruel nicknames, no matter how funny some people might find them.
No need for a "Broccoli" nickname. He's come out of his shell. He's gotten more interactive and not reclusive. He's gotten a bit more confidence. Picard ordered it. And Wesley is gone! haha
zero reaction to the interplay between Riker Crusher and Troi at the door about Barcley hitting on her? edit: how the fuck is this a C?????
I think they completely missed that scene. Riker totally reacted to the asking out part.
Does anyone else skip right to the whiteboard grade before watching? Or just me?
No. I do skip the nonsense before the reaction, though.
OH HELL YES - this is one of my favorites in the entire ST universe... SSSSS+ From me - can't wait to watch this reaction RIGHT NOW. EDIT: Remember the face that (redacted) made when they found out what happened to (redacted) in the movie "Misery?" (IYKYK) - That's the face I made when the C came out. However, instead of putting Josh through (redacted) I calmed down and remembered why I'm here watching in the first place.
That's the face I make when they talk about soap-opera-y things I don't enjoy at all, like "pro" wrestling and the melodrama at the begging of some reactions.
Omg the boys are going to shit themselves for this episode. It's one of my all time faves. Dwight Schulz comes back to give a powerhouse performance. His acting scene after becoming a genius where he moves Beverly to tears is incredible.
Who would have guessed? Reginald’s acting skills are as good as Schultz’s! And that’s a high bar
Unfortunately he became a right wing nut job conspiracy theorist in real life