FULL DISCUSSION - Star Trek TNG S2E14 - The Icarus Factor

I think you guys are right with Riker and Worf. Though I wouldn't say they are on the same level of Gordi and Data yet. I would say its a blossoming friendship while also having a lot of mutual respect and understanding.

I don't think you need to worry about taking the piss out of ambojitsu, everybody pretty much agrees that Star Trek martial arts are kind of ridiculous they at least try so I don't call it completely ridiculous

Something I've been meaning to mention for a while: strictly speaking, the two of you shouldn't know O'Brien's first name yet, since it hasn't been mentioned on the show. Of course, a complete spoiler quarantine is impossible, but I thought I should point out that viewers in 1989 only knew him as "Transporter Chief O'Brien."

Liked this episode better than when I first saw it because I watched it with you guys.

Riker is like a Ken doll they loved to dress up. Lol

I think this is the first episode they refer to each other as family. I think that's a subtle but important building block.

Anbo-jytsu is basically a blind version of SpongeBob and Sandy hitting each other with giant ear cleaners.

I think Alex is right about the Worf and Ryker relationship, and in that scene, that was the main reason Worf wanted to leave and go with Ryker to the Ares. The Rite of Ascension thing was not playing into that reaction so much, in my mind.

You can make fun of those suits. You will be joining the chorus. :)

You are quite right about the Sci-Fi part being incidental to the main appeal the great shows have great characters first otherwise they don't work. BSG Remake, TNG, The Expanse etc are great because of the people you care about the rest is a bonus.

Good episode. Bringing in a parent character is kind of the ultimate ticket to backstory. I particularly liked the scene between Riker and Troi. Glad you guys enjoyed this one too. Alex's note on Riker tying staying on the Enterprise to finishing what he started and throwing that back at his dad for not doing the same, is bang on

Might just be me, but does anyone else think they cast Kyle Riker to kind of resemble Gene Roddenberry (which, if so, has some interesting subtextual implications)?

This is one episode I do not care about at all, completely forgettable.

Imagine if Spock had the Holodeck for Pon Farr!

0:51 Yes they did. Cringe, for me! "It just never came up" ...