WATCH THIS to SAVE Patron Takes

I wonder if the solution, if not abandoning reading takes at all, may be mods who have seen the entire thing already, who know what you guys would see as spoilers/hints/teases, and have them firewall all comments prior to them being viewable by you.

It’s a shame but I think get rid of Patreon takes it’s just not enjoyable and not really a benefit to being a member at this point. I’d rather have the opportunity to rate but have comments switched off.

You guys have already watched and read the Patron takes for the DS9 pilot. I think that there was a LOT of generic and minor stuff revealed in those takes, most of it probably by people who didn't even realize they were revealing anything. I think it's got to do with the kind of series DS9 is. I think that with everything said in those DS9 pilot takes that commentary on future episodes will have much, much lower potential for things being said "which Alex and Josh could not say themselves after watching the episode" because of how much was put out there in the pilot. I think with DS9 there is always going to be potential for some small generic spoiler to slip through in the comments even from someone who is trying to avoid it, but the potential concern here is much, much, much less now that the pilot has already been watched. In other words, people were so excited for the series that so much of the stuff there is danger with has already come out with the pilot takes.

No matter what happens I will enjoy the long takes of yall discussing the episode in the same video as the reaction. It's become a ritual in my life that I look forward to.

I'm cool with whatever happens as long as you guys don't cut the discussion. The Patron takes aren't really a highlight of the videos to me personally. If they become too much to manage then I would understand if you had to get rid of them.

If you decide to cut out Patron Takes, that's fine. It's a fun thing but tertiary imo behind the actual reaction and after-viewing thoughts.

Just find someone in your lives who is impartial to wade through the noise and hand select worthy takes for you to read. You’re not going to be able to tailor everyone’s behavior. I doubt the worst offenders even watched this video and are going to tweak their behaviors.

Polls might be an alternative option that allow for interactivity but let you set firmer boundaries. Getting people's general impression of the quality of a season before and/or after getting into it; whether the community agrees with a particular take; even revisiting things: "The Way To Eden": Great Episode or Greatest Episode? (jk).

Happy Easter, fellas!

I'd say get rid of it and find another way to interact with the audience. I'd rather you not be spoiled or have random thinly veiled semi-spoilers fed to you etc. Even things where you go "Oh! I remember a comment about this!" It'd be better to just get a genuine reaction imo.

Since Patreon won't set a character limits, then maybe link out to a form that does set character limits and read them from there.

I don't get much out of the Patron Takes personally, but obviously some people do enjoy the segment still. However, I think its ultimately more important for Josh and Alex to not have to read a bunch of spoilers or vague comments that are basically spoilers. The patron takes for the pilot of DS9 still has multiple spoilers and certainly couldn't have been written by Alex or Josh where they currently are in the journey. Its time to sunset this segment or to have a moderation team to look at these things for the guys. Alternatively, just Josh looks at the takes and at least Alex is less spoiled than Josh? I just don't have faith in people to be chill and even worse, some people actively enjoy spoiling stuff.

I was thinking about this a lot yesterday and I think there is a very specific reason why this has been a bigger problem with DS9 but I can't think of a way to try to explain it without offering a spoiler. The best I can do is to say that if you think about TOS and TNG, there are ways they are the same and there are ways they are different. Obviously any series is going to have ways that it is different from others, and one of the ways DS9 is different from other series is, at least for the first couple of seasons until you have a feel for DS9, going to make it very difficult for people to say almost anything at all about some basic elements of the show without giving certain kinds of vague or general things away. It's not that it can't be done, but it's that especially with the definition of "don't say anything a first time viewer couldn't say" it's very, very, very easy to inadvertently and entirely without intending to or even realizing it reveal certain kinds of things.

Now there are people going through the takes tagging people's posts as spoilers, but the problem is that not only are the original posts frequently not spoilers, and not only are the original posts almost identical to one of the examples Josh gives in this video of an appropriate comment, but often the people tagging things as spoilers are actually taking posts that were not spoilers and now MAKING them spoilers because they are either explicitly saying the thing that they're accusing the post of revealing (but which the post doesn't actually reveal) or because they're saying "spoiler" on things which Alex, Josh, or anyone else who has never seen the series before would not understand gives anything away but now because it says "spoiler" they will realize it does and start thinking deeper about. what it means. Honestly, having read through the comments I would say that the original top level comments either contain no spoilers or very, very, generic and vague spoilers but the responses are starting to have some spoilers because of this. Read through the top level comments and don't open the responses and I think you'll be okay.

But my essay is the most original essay of any patron here. I say the most amazing things and really look at the episodes in ways that no one else has seen. (delusional average Patron take)

I think the patron takes are great, and I think it's a good bit of audience interaction, but understandable if people are getting spoilery. I try to self edit, and double go through mine and keep at most 2-3 sentences, but sometimes you realize you've written a essay without thinking about it.

You should create "Patron Essays" 😂

I would be totally fine with eliminating whatever could expose you to spoilers, at any cost. Genuine reaction is too important. To quote your favorite movie “let [the spoilers] die”.

Some people get really defensive when we point out spoilers, thinking that we're trying to be heroes and only doing it for Josh and Alex's benefit but its not just about them, as paying customers for these reactions, we don't want them spoiled for OUR OWN benefit, in order to get a proper reaction that we are paying good money for. As for the Patron takes, I've always looked at is as not a device to have a discussion about the episode with them, but just to provide a topic of discussion for them to discuss themselves, that's why it should be brief.

Long and short: quit being morons, everyone

I've all ready seen little spoilers in the takes for ds9, its hard to make a comment after seeing all the star trek and not use that in a comment , just focus on that one episode and nothing to come , but then its not that hard just take a moment to think about your comment . I watch them to see there reaction and there talk about the episode , to get a fresh look at the show, people need to relax and enjoy the reactions . I don't make a comment to get read on a video I enjoy more watching them. I hope you guys get help looking at the patron takes just in case. because I like listening to them

I'm going to be short and blunt: herding cats is impossible and there's always bad actors. You need a 3rd party volunteer to gather good takes right after a fixed deadline.

I don't think I've ever made a spoiler but 2ill be sure to double check

When you read long takes, you can maybe just summarize and not read the entire thing?

Thanks for this video 🙏. I like to think he read my comment on the “Huge News” video requesting exactly this.

Absolutely! Here’s a 12-paragraph argument in support of why a pair of YouTube reaction creators should read multi-paragraph long audience comments at the end of their videos: Reading long, thoughtful audience comments at the end of YouTube reaction videos is more than just a kind gesture—it’s a smart, community-driven strategy that can deepen engagement, improve content quality, and build a loyal viewer base. For a pair of creators who rely on the emotional and intellectual investment of their audience, incorporating these kinds of comments into their videos could be a natural and impactful next step. When viewers take the time to write multi-paragraph responses, they’re not just reacting—they’re contributing meaningfully to the conversation. Acknowledging these efforts on-screen validates their participation and strengthens the relationship between creator and audience. This sense of mutual respect encourages return visits and a stronger sense of belonging. People want to feel heard, especially when they’ve put genuine thought into their words, and showcasing those comments sends a clear message that deep interaction is valued. As this practice becomes more visible, it sets a new tone for the comment section as a whole. Viewers are more likely to offer thoughtful reflections themselves if they see that kind of content getting recognized. Over time, this raises the bar for discussion, transforming the space from a casual drop-in zone to a more engaged and insightful community forum. The overall culture of the channel shifts toward quality over quantity—something most creators aim for but often struggle to achieve. Including comment reading at the end of videos also provides a natural transition point in the content flow. It allows the creators to wind down from the main reaction while still maintaining the viewer’s attention. This post-video “cool down” can serve as a reflection space, where creators and audience members collectively process what they just watched. It gives viewers who are emotionally or intellectually moved by the content a more complete experience, allowing them to digest and consider different perspectives before the video ends. From a production standpoint, it’s a low-effort, high-reward move. It doesn’t require extra filming locations, editing tricks, or costly graphics—just time and attention. And yet, it meaningfully enriches the final product. Even a few minutes spent reading and responding to a long comment can add depth and variety to a video without disrupting the core format. Moreover, it puts a spotlight on the intelligence and diversity of the audience itself. Many viewers are insightful, articulate, and passionate, and their voices can add tremendous value. Highlighting their comments shows new viewers the kind of discourse that lives beneath the surface of the channel, and it encourages others to step up and join the conversation. It sends the message that this is a space where thinking, learning, and honest reflection are welcome. Long comments also give the creators a new angle for discussion. They become springboards for creator commentary—an opportunity to clarify a moment from the video, dive deeper into a specific reaction, or share an anecdote that didn’t fit into the main reaction. It lets the creators react to their audience in the same way the audience reacts to them, forming a complete conversational loop. This strategy also helps on a practical level. Watch time is a key metric for YouTube’s algorithm, and holding viewer attention past the reaction segment can improve video performance. A compelling comment-reading segment keeps people watching longer and prompts more viewers to write their own detailed comments, which boosts engagement and visibility even further. Perhaps most importantly, this practice nurtures a culture of listening—something increasingly rare in fast-paced online spaces. In an internet landscape that often rewards brevity, hot takes, and outrage, taking the time to thoughtfully respond to a viewer’s full opinion is a radical act of patience and respect. It slows things down and encourages depth over speed. In time, this approach could even evolve into a recurring mini-segment with its own personality or branding. It becomes something viewers anticipate and look forward to, helping to establish consistency and identity within the channel. Returning viewers might begin to recognize familiar names or ideas, contributing to a sense of continuity and shared history. For creators who react to emotionally heavy or culturally significant content, this kind of thoughtful response is especially important. Audience members often share personal stories or unique analyses in response to powerful moments. Reading those comments aloud invites collective reflection and emotional growth—it turns the comment section into a living archive of experiences and insight. Ultimately, reading long comments at the end of a video honors the two-way nature of platforms like YouTube. This isn’t traditional media; it’s an interactive, community-driven space. Elevating the voices of viewers reminds everyone that the channel thrives not just on the content the creators make, but on the conversation that content inspires. It completes the circle and affirms what YouTube is meant to be: a shared experience, not just a show.

Is it possible to add a vote down or similar feature so that us here can spot inappropriate takes and basically self police to get them hidden from you guys?

Keep it pithy, Patron people!

You’ve now got someone calling out spoilers to a great degree, and it feels difficult to say anything meaningful.

Totally agree. I've noticed a real trend of Patron Takes becoming more and more novel like over time. I rarely write takes now because anything I ever feel like saying has already been mentioned dozens of times in other people's essays about an episode. A short paragraph at most should suffice. Save the in-depth analysis for the reaction videos themselves.

I was guilty of making too long of a take, but then I realized .. those takes almost never get read! I won't say I am the best at keeping them short, but I have tried to keep them shortER. And when it comes to spoilers, I just tried to put myself in the headspace of "what did I know then? Don't say anything you didn't say then!"

I also think all of us Patreon members need to accept that we should delete a comment if a fellow member says, "you should delete your comment because it's a spoiler." Any of us can accidentally spoil something in our excitement while commenting. No need to get mad about it. Just err on the side of caution and trust that the community here is looking out for TA

Come on everyone let’s switch on those 4 lights in our brains before posting 😂

I really hope patron takes stays because my kids think it’s really cool when my take is mentioned and “daddy is on the internet” 😂

I think we’ve all been a bit guilty for trying to shove every thought and interesting piece of trivia about an episode in a single take, when really it should just be one thought or tibit of information. Trekkies can be verbose and the patron takes are the first open forum to discuss these episodes in the community. As much as I enjoy the back and forth with other commenters, maybe for simplicity sake they could just be submitted in a form in to a document that we can’t see and most of the discussion becomes a part of the posted recording comments where it’s more appropriate.

As someone Guilty of long takes i try to keep them short from now on, it is hard though when i wanted to convey so much, i would be happy with you reading longer ones off-screen and paraphrasing what was said, but if not that fine, perhaps open second chat for post episode discussion, which you could check out every now and them to let us truly nerd out

I gotta be honest, and I don’t mean any disrespect. But I just don’t understand people joining a reaction channel, not realizing that ALL spoilers should be off-limits. Shhhhhh…

Maybe you can use a form, where you can set a character limit.

Partly related but partly not... Josh, you may want to pin some kind of comment about making sure the episodes are correct that people are giving their takes for. I usually use just do a quick glance on Google for it, but Eps 7&8 are both listed as Ep 7 there ,Eps 9&10 are both listed as episode 10, etc. It's pretty whacky. People (including myself) already got them mixed up while giving their takes.

Any guidance on approximate word count for a patron take?

Seems reasonable to me. Let the longer discussions happen in the comments under the video itself. And our intrepid reactors still do read those comments, too.

Not sure how much freedom is available to interact with other patrons .... is it possible to create somewhere we can share thoughts on future episodes with other patrons without worrying that you guys will read it?

One of those features that'd be awesome for patreon to include would be character limit settings on specific posts, almost like X. But until or if that's added, we'll have to self-regulate. Come on folks, we're elite Star Trek fans. We can do this.

People need to be more self aware as they write a comment. Spoiling even small details is DISRESPECTFUL to what Josh and Alex are trying to do, and to the amount of work they put into this channel. You may think it’s not a big deal, but their channel is based on them going in blind. Spoiling stuff compromises that for them and everyone who follows them because of the blind reactions And yes, I get the irony of this being three paragraphs lol

Short thoughts, good questions, brain rot buzz words for comedy. Got it!

Ditch the Patron takes I prefer people's comments after watching

I personally wish more people wouldn't take it personally if another Patron points out that something is a spoiler. I feel like too many people get defensive and have an attitude, and are too protective of their comment. (PS - Sorry about my name. It's an inside joke in another Patreon group.)

I wish people wouldn’t spoil you, but I watched all these shows completely out of order in the 80s and 90s and it rarely affected my enjoyment when I was spoiled (once or twice perhaps). Most of the time it was self inflicted. Just a different time I guess but in this day and age when you have stated AGAIN AND AGAIN please don’t spoil us, I can’t understand why people do it. 😩

I think the bit you said about "if we couldn't have the same take" is the most important bit. And don't write a novel of course. Hopefully it's just people being excited about a new series and they'll calm down, because I do look forward to seeing the contrast that the Patron Takes offer.

I'm guessing there's no way to set a character limit on comments within Patreon?