PATRON TAKES - Star Trek TNG - Season 2 Episode 7
Comment on this post your ‘takes’ on this episode and we will read a few in our discussion!
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- A fun fact about the episode
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Comments (61)
The only stand-out memory I have from this episode is the Quarantine Mode that Picard enables on the Lantree, warning ships to steer clear due to a biohazard. Expands upon the known remote command abilities between ships (akin to using the Prefix to override Reliant's shields, ST:II).
It’s the return of the killer “old makeup”! Some interesting ideas here, but ultimately one of those ones that’s kinda forgettable. Diana Muldaur carries this one rather nicely, but she still doesn’t quite feel like she meshes with the main cast. Fun Fact: This is the first time the Miranda Class Starship model (USS Lantree” is used since “The Voyage Home”!
It's an episode that exists. You can watch it or skip it, and afterwards feel no better or worse for having done so.
Totally awkward. The Federation has a zero tolerance policy towards human genetic enhancement (KHAAAAAAN!) and not a single eyebrow raised on the news of Darwin station producing superhumans in their perverted test tubes. Also we got conformation of Dr. Pulaski being a complete sociopath smiling off the transporter, feeling no crushing guilt for her zealous yapping trying to bring the Terminator kids onto the Enterprise, killing everyone onboard. Let's move on.
Who said they have a zero tolerance? Don’t recall seeing that. Was it in season 1?
Star Trek does this sort of thing a lot. They have this incredible discovery (in this case, the fountain of youth transporter) and gloss over it to easily resolve the episode, then completely ignore the larger implications. In Plato's Stepchildren, I can understand keeping the telekinesis power very hush-hush, but the medical applications of age reversal should be far more important than they treat it.
I like the premise, I like the middle, but I'm not a fan of "wave the magic technology wand" solutions. The biggest issue with that is you can think of previous problems that could have been solved in the transporter this way, and clearly the writers wanted to ignore this episode, since there are problems in the future that this magic tech could probably solve. It falls under the category of "technobabble that is too powerful, such that it limits your ability to write interesting problems to be solved in the future." That sort of thing is a prime candidate for general writer amnesia. Also, couldn't this basically make you immortal? She remembered everything, but old age was basically scrubbed out of her tissues. Why is this not done all the time? There are plenty of people who wouldn't care about the moral implications.
What this episode shows is that it's not difficult to tweak anyone's genetic code at will. It is another example of technologically revolutionary, societal-changing applications going nowhere.
The first episode to really focus on Pulaski. The reveal that she doesn’t like transporters is an homage to Bones. Obviously the plot is similar to TOS “The Deadly Years” as well. Some different ideas here but everything goes back to status quo by the end of the episode.
This isn't the first episode to show (or imply) she doesn't like transporters. Review her first episode again!
Fun Fact: They actually aged DOWN Pulaski for this episode... I'm sorry that was rude, I just don't like that she was racist against Data by disrespecting the pronunciation of his name in that first episode and have been bitterly holding onto that for 30 years.
No.
Cheap transporter solution episode. I can't find the quote somewhere, but I was fairly certain a writer or producer later admitted they kind of cheated using the transporter to fix things and decided they should avoid that in the future.
Yet another (prominent!) example of new or existing technology being used in a "new" way that should dramatically alter things forevermore but which is cast aside ...
The first episode to reveal that Colm Meaney’s recurring transporter operator is “O’Brien.” When Meaney received the script for the episode, he had to ask the producers who “O’Brien” was before learning it was his character.
That's hilarious! xD
There’s mixed feelings among fandom, but most fans dont seem to like this one, and I’m in that camp. This is a very “TOS” feeling episode. TNG’s “The Deadly Years. Sort of. While Diana Muldar is a great actress, as demonstrated in TOS. But I never liked the character much. She rubbed the crew the wrong way a couple of times, and honestly, I think she was miscast. I’m not sure who would have been a better choice, but a more charming “likeable” actress might have helped?
Christina Pickles from "St. Elsewhere" was the first runner-up.
Another favorite of mine. A good Pulaski episode with a sad ending. Transporter chief O’Brien finally gets a name here. The Lantree is a reuse of the Reliant model from Star Trek 2, without the rollbar on top.
I guess the show writers & producers wanted to introduce a character that was more representative of pre-TNG. More pronounced personality, more opinionated, more distinct from the established crew dynamic. Muldaur is a capable actress, but the writing of the character isn't as skilled as it needed to be to make this work. McFadden's warmth and likeabilty didn't help either by throwing Pulaski into greater contrast to Crusher.
USS Lantree is a Miranda-class ship, they're a true Toyota Hilux of space. The less prominent and more "go get shit done" type of vessel. USS Reliant was one of these, they design was used for over 2 centuries.
Hey, nice. I like your analysis. A “get shit done” lean and mean ship. I like it.
Finally we learn something about Dr. Pulaski. She's a Picard groupie!
O'brien gets a name. Pulaski gets even older. The transporters are a secret fountain of youth? Also, genetic exoeriments, did we learn nothing from KHHHHAAAAANNNNN!?
"Also, genetic exoeriments, did we learn nothing from KHHHHAAAAANNNNN!?" Then we also shouldn't develop new medications or treatments because in the past some turned out to do more harm than good? Science having the potential to go wrong and do harm does not mean we should stop entirely.
Really appreciate Pulaski's warming to Data in this episode, her initial character trait really wasn't sustainable or fair and this helps make up for a significantly poor writing choice.
She's portrayed as a dedicated, competent, and renowned doctor of medicine who has never had to spend one iota thinking about or treating a computer, let alone an artificial life form like Data. It's called character growth, and they portrayed her character exactly as they intended. (And she, the actress, sold it!)
I'm sure this episode sounded much better in the one page story proposal than it turned out. It was an interesting idea, but I remember being mostly bored watching this.
I find it really interesting how the episode solves a medical problem with technology (the transporter), so Pulaski doesn't get to use her expertise to find a solution at all. I do appreciate the crew members all teaming up to try and save her though. Also, I think the episode kind of lets the geneticists off the hook a bit too easily.
Well, Dr. Pulaski does identify the problem, which for some reason the scientists were totally incompetent to do themselves...
Picard’s leadership continues to impress me! He doesn’t give up easily when it comes to saving a crew member. It’s no wonder why Pulaski put in a transfer to serve on the Enterprise!
I'm sure you guys will like this one a lot...maybe because your thinking Polaski might die from Old Age. However...no such luck. A great Ep. for her and Picard Knowing each other much better. 😀🖖
So, I watched the episode twice in a row for this. I always skipped this episode because I couldn't be bothered to watch a Pulaski-centered episode, no thank you. But I wanted to go into this neutral minded and give her a chance after reading all of the comments of people who actually like her. I still don't like her. But I appreciate the development she's gone through in this episode. Her interactions with Data are much better, even making me grin a little here and there. It's still nowhere near the banter quality of Spock/Bones and will never get there but I appreciate the improvement. She clearly has a passion to help, she is persistent which is a good thing even if it means butting heads with the Captain. One thing that touched me more than anything is the level of emotion that came from Data of all people towars her. When she's left on the station to most likely die at that point and he is about to get beamed back, he apologizes that he couldn't help her and the REGRET that shows on his face just punched me in the gut. The android had more compassion than I had right now. Lol. That was when I thought I should watch this a second time right away and look at her a little bit more neutral as I already tried to be and it actually did something. So, yeah. Still not a fan of hers but I have some appreciation for her in this episode.
The styrolyte containing the hot guy fascinated me as a kid. Superb make-up on Pulaski but the contrived spotlight on her medical credentials was cringeworthy. This episode was nominated for an Emmy for hair (presumably not Patrick Stewart’s).
That last bit made me laugh 😂
The episode makes me like Pulaski more, especially since she seems to gain respect for Data. But Pulaski's hatred of transporters brings the "female McCoy" criticisms back into light. I get a chuckle out of seeing a whole console of CRT tube screens at the station. And... the transporter chief gets his name and some dialog. I predict you'll be lukewarm on it.
....I only woke up during the scenes with O'Brien....
You won't go many Miles with that attitude...
What I don't understand is why Dr. Pulaski deals with the boy without any protection whatsoever although there's the possibility that he's the carrier of a deadly virus. That is so blatantly ignorant.
Because there had to be proof they were not the cause. The entire exercise was to prove they weren't carriers. Protection would defeat the purpose.
Another scene that is also great is when Dr. Pulaski comes to Picard's ready room and asks him for permission to use a shuttle, putting herself at risk. Clearly, Picard does not like the idea and they had discussions the whole episode already up to that point, but instead of using his authority and sticking to his opinion he has another wonderful moment giving in to her wishes: "I recognize that you're trying to satisfy my conditions." Good stuff!
Picard has such a great scene in this episode. When they decide to beam Dr. Pulaski back to the Enterprise O'Brien at the transporter informs him that it only goes one way. If the transport doesn't work for some reason, they can't return her to the station but essentially it means the doctor will die. And Picard goes ahead and takes over for O'Brien taking the burden and responsibility away from him to himself if the beaming procedure should go wrong and the doctor gets killed. That is so considerate and selfless, I love that.
Question: Name two things that Dr. McCoy and Dr. Pulaski have in common?
Has this episode changed your mind at all about it Dr. Pulaski?
Honestly I don't remember much from this one. Which means it bored me to death. I'll rewatch Wednesday just to see why.
Serious question: how much do you believe Pulaski's respect for Data has grown by the end of this episode?
This one seems to acknowledge that Pulaski is not an audience favorite. I really like that she shows some warmth at the end by giving Picard a hug... I think that's the point where I thought well, okay, I guess I can stand her if she has to stay.
I really enjoy this episode. The story is interesting (if a bit sci-fi cliché). Up until this point, Dr. Pulaski has demonstrated impeccable professional integrity and judgement. She blows that a bit here, which I consider a not-insignificant character point. Some of the eye candy is nice too. hahaha
Especially Diana Muldaur.
Wait....is the transporter like, stupidly OP?? It just might be! I may not like her character that much, but I do appreciate Pulaski getting a focus episode like this.
The supertransporter can make anyone live forever, don'ja know?
Isn't it amazing how easy it is to cancel old age in Trek? Once in TOS with that episode you don't like, once in The Lorelai Signal in TAS, and now this!
Again, good use of Troi at the start of this episode, for me her characterisation and role is now better defined.
Speaking of old age, I think its time for my nap.
This is one of my favorites from this season as it is very much a CMO episode. Also loved the scene at the end, can't say why without spoiling it. I think TA will find it moving.
SO Admiral Jameson basically died for nothing in "Too Short a Season"? All you gotta do is keep a good backup of young DNA and you can keep getting rebooted as a younger person every time you transport. We just found the Fountain of Youth, boys!!! 😆
Yes. Transporters can be made to do all sorts of unnatural things, as long as you have the moral guts to use it.
See this is why we don’t play with genetics in the Federation, you either get a Khan, or you create a virus that ages you way too fast.
I think you will generally find this episode boring, but with some good character moments and lore for Pulaski. I think you will like seeing more of Chief O'Brien in thi episode. Also, the comparisons to The Deadly Years from TOS will likely come up, but I expect you will like this episode better.
You’re definitely going to have an “Oh, no, it’s The Deadly Years!” moment. But did you recognize the trick from “The Lorelei Signal” (TAS) where they use the transporter to restore Pulaski’s former pattern? Fun fact: The DNA technology in this episode is already outdated, because it’s now possible to get a good sample from a hair without an attached follicle.
Judging from your past feelings about “The Deadly Years” and your lukewarm feelings about Dr. Pulaski I'm guessing you won't care much for this one. For me it's...OK. I have it listed on my rankings as “Time Filler With Good Moments”.