PATRON TAKES - TNG S6E5

The scene in the Holodeck is scary - it's stayed with me for decades, since I first saw the episode. It terrified me back then. I still appreciate it now. Ode to Spot - iconic!

This one genuinely terrified me as a kid, and as an adult I think it's just generally very well done. The holodeck scene in particular is the best and most interesting part of the episode -it's a bit like Geordi's reconstruction of the recording in Identity Crisis but done better and more interestingly. The ending is not awful, but I do think we needed just a little bit more room to breath in the alien's area. It feels a bit rushed. The other issue I have with it is that I think the actual lab equipment just looks to different from what was done in the holodeck and it takes me out of the episode a bit. I understand they didn't want the characters to recreate the whole setup *perfectly*, which would not be believable, but I just think it's *too* different. Overall, though, very good.

I don’t care what anyone says, I think Data’s poems were great.

I love this one, especially the scene in the holodeck. It borders between S and A for me.

S Tier. THIS is the episode I always confused with night terrors. The ending doesn't quite stick the landing for me, but the atmosphere and tension through most of this episode is the kind of horror I live for.

I've always liked how creepy and spooky this one was. Good timing by having it air on October 19, 1992.

Given you guys' love of horror stuff, I predict you'll appreciate it. And as you complain about the audience knowing more than he characters, you'll appreciate that it keeps you guessing almost the whole time!

S tier. Probably the creepiest TNG episode of all time, and Frakes really gets to flex his acting chops. Out of all the episodes of tv that do the "you're really living in a mental institution" trope, this one is easily the best. And I believe the first to do it? (correct me if I'm wrong)

Solid A for me. The holodeck scene is amazing (although I think experts would dismiss it as being all very leading questions. The mystery behind what is going on had good lead up (the whole "someone severed and then reattached your arm" totally blew my mind). Reminds me a little of Season 4's "Clues".

Creepy episode, don't need and prior context to watch this episode. A-B tier.

This creeped me out big time upon first watch. I literally got goose bumps as they built the table in the holodeck. A solid "A".

One of the creepier episodes of the entire show, especially the holodeck reenactment. Then again, we do get Data's poem “Ode to Spot”. I like it. My ranking is “Excellent”.

Ah yes the creepy alien abduction support group session episode. The way it still gives me chills though. One of my personal favorites.

"Ode to Spot" "Felis catus" is your taxonomic nomenclature. An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature, Your visual, olfactory, and auditory senses Contribute to your hunting skills and natural defenses. I find myself intrigued by your sub-vocal oscillations— A singular development of cat communications That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection. A tail is quite essential for your acrobatic talents; You would not be so agile if you lacked its counterbalance. And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion, It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion. O Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array. And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend, I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.

"Louder (Harder). Faster. More of them." is something I am wont to say to this day. Especially while getting my back scratched.

One of the genuinely creepiest episodes of TNG, perhaps all of Star Trek. I really like this one, even if it's not the best episode ever written. I love how awful Riker looks during Data's poetry reading, and his premature clapping is wonderfully awkward. The writing of Data's poetry, especially "Ode to Spot", is pretty hilarious. The holodeck scene is simple and effective, even freakier than the bodies sitting up on Dr. Crusher in "Night Terrors". Worf's fixation on the cutting device he saw is very cliché. The payoff for actually seeing this alternate "dimension" works really well. What will happen to the thing that came through the rupture? "A" grade

Love the use of the holodeck! One of my favorite holo-scenes, gives me chills every time.

Of all the kind of creepy episodes of tng so far, I would say this is the crispiest one for me! It’s a banger !

While I like this episode overall, it completely falls apart near the end due to awful special effects and lame aliens. I really dig the holodeck scene though.

Not my favorite episode but I suspect Josh and Alex will love it.

As a kid, that clicking f'ed me up. What the hell Trek?? Disheveled and baggy eyed Riker is how I feel after watching this I can not give the episode a grade because I can not view it objectively

An 'A' if you haven't been spoiled by the previews and still a solid 'B' if you have. Creepy imagery, solid mystery where we're not far ahead of the crew, and decent pay off.

Terrified me as a kid... still unsettles me as an adult... that holodeck scene!

Creepy. I enjoyed this more on rewatch then I did originally.

This is an amazingly creepy episode.

This is the creepiest episode in the entire show IMO. Absolutely love the scene in the holodeck.

This one is top tier, creepy AF, and Star Trek horror at its best. Plus, no Troi floating in space.

Super creepy alien abduction episode. This episode really creeped me out when I first saw it, but it definitely delivers. This is a banger. B+

Okay, I love this episode. Humorous, innocent hook leading into the creepiest of episodes. That holodeck scene alone is A-tier. Even if the episode is literally "alien abductions, in spaaaaace."

Ah, TNG's "abducted by UFO aliens" episode! I still remember er being super creeped out qhen they're in the holodeck recreating the abduction table. But somehow it doesn't hit as heard watching it as a man in my 40s as it did when I was a young teenager. B-tier I guess.

Love that the big, exciting hook for this episode is Riker falling asleep to Data's poetry. But then it becomes this super creepy Alien Abduction story. Really like this one.

Predict you'll really like the use of the holodeck in this one. Also, I really like Data's poem and don't see why everybody's so hard on him - though Brent Spiner did read it wrong, thinking that the first two lines were a question.

Based on your reaction to Night Terrors, I suspect you’ll like this one. Somewhere between creepy and hokey for me. B.

Another well done TNG horror story.

This episode is deliciously creepy. The holodeck sequence back in Identity Crisis was good, but it was just a warmup for this one. And how freaked out would you be if your doctor told you "someone cut your arm off and reattached it" and you had no memory of it? Also Data's poetry cracks me up

The whole "your arm has been severed and then reattached" line absolutely sends up the hair on my spine every time, SO CREEPY

Probably the creepiest TNG. I’d forgotten how damn good season 6 is. Some fresh crew on board as some writers / staff were making DS9 by this point. TNG just keeps getting better.

This almost has an X-Files vibe to it. Strange Aliens kidnapping people then returning them, very sci-fi. A grade.

Great episode for you guys to get your teeth into here for discussion, I’ve commented in the past I don’t do horror elements in Star Trek well but this one I actually enjoy, maybe because the horror elements are balanced out by an ode to spot 😂

While I love the creepiness of this episode.... The devil's advocate in me has to point out some absurdities in this episode that make me laugh if i don't turn off my brain. Explosion in Cargo bay 4?! Send Emergency Teams! Hard cut to said emergency team 'casually slowly walking to the crisis area that should be on fire.' later- Picard: "So you're saying, if this space hole gets any bigger, the ship blows up? Keep an eye on it. Joking aside, i give this episode a B or A.

Spooks aside, am I the only one who is impressed with Data’s poem? I never understood how everyone else thought it was bland.

I think you two will love this episode. I don’t like horror so it doesn’t do much for me. Other than the Ode to Spot

The scene with the holodeck recreation is one of the creepiest in all of Star Trek and never ceases to give me chills. Instead of the monster creeping up on you, it’s the memory of the horror creeping back to reality, that finally pounces when the recreation is complete. Absolutely phenomenal.

B+ for (really) Bloody Creepy, and I have a feeling you guys will like the horror aspect to this one. Really wish you guys reacted to the episode trailers though, the teaser for this one is *terrible* for giving the plot away 🤣

A solid B, a bit of a creepy episode though, and it works.

Love this one, the scene on the Holodeck is one of my fave “creepy” trek scenes. It’s great :)

A great episode with aliens that have a click fetish & no safeword. It’s got all your Trek favorites, eerie horror vibe, a holodeck mystery-solving session, and Riker waking up like he partied with the Borg. Actually, do the Borg ever party? Maybe with Hugh rejoined... Solid A-tier stuff

I never really liked this one, but I can easily see this being a favourite for Josh. It's just weird and creepy with horror elements. People are most excited for you guys to watch DS9, but I think you'll vibe most with Voyager because Brannon Braga's style is much more present in that series and you get more of this vibe.

The recreation scene in the Holodeck is so damn creepy and a great use of a technology that's underutilized. "I've been in this room before." "We've all been here before." (Crescendo of music with clicking). Really well done.