TEARS!!! Only one more TNG video left before I get to the movies!!! This episode was one of the best episodes of TV I have seen in a long time and I have been listening to that flute song all day everyday since watching this episode. Thanks for watching! Have a great day! :)
"Imagine if they did this twist, where all of TNG is a dream!" Well, Star Trek DS9 actually flirted with that theme. If you get through its first 5 seasons, Season 6 has its own fan favorite, "Far Beyond the Stars." But I won't tell you what it's about, or where it lands on the Dream/Reality scale.
Yeah, this episode is VERY, incredibly bittersweet, very dignified. Believe it or not, Seth MacFarlane- the creator of 'Family Guy' even CREATED 'The Orville' BASED CLOSELY off TNG in most ways. MacFarlane EVEN wrote a scene in one of the very early episodes of 'Family Guy' THAT included a detail FROM the episode 'The Inner Light'- Peter literally says "Picard's flute." as a NOD to this really good, very philosophical episode that I'm certain made even ME break down a little sometimes. Those human-like aliens NEVER saw the asteroid coming! To had your WHOLE or nearly 100% of your OWN SPECIES GONE due to something NOBODY saw coming!? It makes my eyes well up the least bit typing this DOWN. lol. Also, come to think of it- well, at least I FINALLY get to repeat my thoughts ONLINE further here- that civilization that Picard was largely innocently, momentarily sucked into- the episode reveals that the people MADE the thing that sucked in Picard did NOT suck him in to harm him- ...but as a MEANS of a MEMORIAL of their civilization. ...its an incredibly WRITTEN episode! NOT all aliens (if hopefully other than us humans exist in the entire galaxy,) would in probability would want our destruction! ...its heartwarming to consider that- they JUST want to be REMEMBERED! 🥲
And this was before the Hugo for Drama was divided into short-form (TV) and long-form (features, etc). It beat out Aladdin, Coppola's Dracula, Batman Returns, and Alien 3. The fans loved this one.
So this was Patrick Stewart's favourite episode. Both for the story and the fact he got to work with his real son who played the grown up version of Kamen's son, Batai.
I’m so stoked to see Roly watch this episode. It’s absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking, and one of my favourite episodes from the series - especially knowing how Picard wanted kids but never had them. I’ll second The Offspring too, Daniel. That’s also incredible and broke me at the end too.
One thing I love about the ending that no one ever mentions is how he clutches the flute to his chest. It's the most precious thing in the world to him because of the life it represents.
Generations had forgotten this episode. Especially when Picard went into the Nexus. The wife and family should have been Eleen, Meribor and Batai, along with Rene of course.
Fun fact, in the leadup to the series finale of Star Trek the Next Generation, they made a whole day of it. Like, a ten hour block of stuff. Encounter at Farpoint 1 and 2, a special called Journey's End, the Saga of Star Trek, commercials for various Star Trek merch ( a communicator pin from Generations, which was just announced, a transporter pen, the Conversational Klingon learning set, and the Star Trek Encyclopedia) as well as teasers for the newly announced Star Trek: Voyager show...then they followed up with the 5 biggest fan favorite episodes, which were, I believe in this order: Relics, Yesterday's Enterprise, The Inner Light, and then both parts of The Best of Both Worlds...which was then followed by All Good Things. And that is how TNG ended. And it was amazing. Jonathon Frakes hosted the whole day.
The inner light I think to a casual Trekie is important to show the change in Picard he starts as a cold man prim and proper but he comes to find he should have not blocked himself off and why friends and family is so important. The inner light hits this home in a way few other episodes do
Well thats why Seasom 3 of Picard was so much better than the two before. If you havent watched it. Watch. Its not awesome Trek like this. Butits good Trek.
I was a mess after this episode, even the next day at school(hs sophomore) kids who i didnt even know were TNG fans were talking about it. Relationships formed, a couple continue to this day.
What this episode does for me that no one talks about; this Galaxy, the Milky Way that we live in, bar and empty and mysterious. One planet, Kataan, reaches out to Picard to adopt him and share their story, and the whole Milky Way opens up to us and becomes beloved and intimate. And then the past of the story that everyone talks about, that Kataan teaches him human life and community that he didn't learn on earth. But it's tied into the nurturing warmth of the whole galaxy.
I am so glad you chose to cover this episode. It is my favorite of all TNG episodes and I am one of many who suggested it to you. I really connect with Picard on this one. It was after seeing this episode that I bought a small recorder (flute) to carry around on family hikes and outings. My children grew up in a home filled with music and my son even followed in my footsteps becoming a musician.
Thanks for showing your true emotional reaction and vulnerability. I think you know we’re crying along with you. The mind-blowing gut-punches are overwhelming. I cried the most when Batay comes back, followed by his wife. It’s a one-two hit that makes the tears pour out. It’s a masterpiece of sci-fi.
Definitely my favorite episode of the series. Was lucky enough to be old enough to catch it when it first aired and it has stuck with me now for 30+ years.
if you want more of picard's greatest performance. check these: S5 E2, Darmok S6 E10 , 11. Chain of Command Pt 1, and 2 S2 E9, Measure of a man S6 E15 , Tapestry
Yes, VERY MUCH tapestry A close friend of mine was in a VERY bleak and dark place in their mind and emotions, lamenting the issues he has to live with as a result of the traumas his mother inflicting on him as a young child, claiming profusely that he’d be so much better off if he’d never met her Short version - I got him to watch that episode, he was in tears and thanked me with a big hug…he’s not a hugger… He’s a lot happier in life now
That moment at the end, where Picard takes the flute and clutches it to his heart like it's the most precious thing in the whole universe, just gets me every time... then he plays that haunting, sad piece... and the episode ends on that. SO powerful, and such a brilliant performance by Stewart.
At the end of the episode, there’s always a grand orchestral piece playing over the “outro”. But it was decided that Picard should be playing the flute (a brass Ressikan flute) with only the hum of the ship.
"Imagine if all of TNG was just a dream" *Laughs in Benny Russell I wouldn't say The Inner Light has nothing to do with the movies... I would say it does add to Picard's state of mind in one moment in Generations, as well as most of Insurrection.
I don’t know if it was covered in the nearly 200 comments yet, but the song he plays on the flute at the end of the episode is used in part as theme for Star Trek: Picard.
I was lucky enough to catch this episode on a re-run. Almost randomly, I stumbled across this episode while channel surfing. Having been a Trekkie since adolescence, but having only seen a handful of TNG, I decided to stick around and watch the episode. Suffice it to say, I was deeply moved by the experience. _The Inner Light_ is a profound work of science fiction and a definitive episode of the greater Star Trek canon. I have a particular soft spot for strong uses of musical motifs. Needless to say, this one carries one of the most potent. That which can move grown men to tears.
I seen every episode, movies many times. Since 1966. Like your reviews. To see a young person evaluate what is highly meaningful to my life for decades.
The flute an the weight of this episode get HEAVILY referenced in a future episode, (sadly forget the title), where Picard begins to form a romantic relationship with a female officer on board, and she helps crack even more of his shell, jointly participating in p,aging of music, Picard sits her down and details the story for her about the events of this episode, explaining why his music is so personal to him and why it was difficult to open himself up like that to ANYONE.
just a sidenote it wasn't picards' family it was that person's life (i forget the mans name) and family and picard got to see through his eyes and their world and what happened to to them and their culture etc. also Patrick Stewart's son directed and starred in this episode if i remember correctly.
Your reaction was my reaction when I rewatched this episode in 1999 as a 14 year old ha when it aired in 1990 or so ? I was too young to cry about it but it was always good !
For five years, I did not partake in TNG. People tried telling me to watch. I was not interested. I was bored on night and flipped the channel and this episode has just started. I said WTH. Boy howdy was I taken by surprise. By midway, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Not knowing anything about the show, I fell right in step with the flow and dynamics of the characters. The idea behind this, a Time Capsule Implant that shows Picard the life and death of an extinct civilization, was executed with finesse. Simply great story telling. From this point on, I started watching re-runs and backtracking my opinions about TNG. I later found out, The Inner Light is listed in Top 5 Best Ranked episode list's for TNG and won SciFi awards. Kudos to your review.
It was wonderful to watch a young person experience this episode for the first time, just as I did so long ago! I enjoyed your heartfelt and honest reactions. BTW, "Holy chicken nuggets" may be my new favorite line!
To me the saddest part of this story is that except for occasionally playing that whistle it is never shown that he ever recorded anything about his experience.
There is an episode in Season 6 I think where Picard finds a love interest with another StarFleet officer, one of there intersts turns out to be music..she plays piano I believe, anyway they get together sometime and Picard plays that flute while she plays piano..I forget the episode title
Wow Oliver! You just took me back 30 years to when I first saw this episode. I cried as you did and was moved so deeply by the story, acting, and music. Thanks for triggering a walk down melancholy lane. Great review!!
It didn't happen for me for this episode... but I can generally SO relate to crying to a long-time re-watch; for me, that was "The Land Before Time" about 20 years after I had watched it bunches of times as a child. As an adult, having been so long since I'd last seen it AND still remembering pretty much everything (and of course it's an extremely sad movie)... it just hit MUCH more strongly upon my recent re-watch.
Other viewers likely have mentioned the following already but in case not; if you'd like to see the Ressikan flute make a follow-up appearance, please watch "Lessons" of ST:TNG season 6 episode 19
To me the thing that always made the flute at the end so brilliant is that him having it and knowing how to play it at the end proves that it was all real and worthwhile, such a satisfying resolve for the viewer after all the questions during the episode about what was real and if any of this would matter.
I've always been someone who has had their mind on the future. When I was a kid, I was thinking about adulthood. When I was in High School I was planning for College. When I was in College I was thinking about graduating and finding a job, etc. Planning ahead isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but I realized one day that I was doing it at the expense of enjoying the here and now. I realized I was always chasing a horizon, and ignoring the wonderful things around me. One of the reasons for coming to this self-realization was catching this episode on TV one random day. I truly credit this episode for helping me to learn to take in life a little bit more than I used to. So whenever I feel myself slipping back into old habits; becoming completely wrapped up in the destinations and forgetting to enjoy the journeys, I think back to this line: "Seize the day. Live for now. Make now ... always the most precious. Now will never come again."
This has always been my favorite TNG episode. Amazing concept for a story. Imagine being torn away from a very fulfilling life to be forced to except living such a different type of existence, and doing it all in the span of twenty minutes. Incredible. ✌🏼😎
I’ve been waiting to witness your reaction about this episode. I came here for the emotions and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m happy you enjoyed this episode, one of the best in any TV shows ever. The way Picard clings to the flute, the music in the end with only the background noise of the Enterprise's engines… Patrick Stewart should have won an Emmy for his interpretation. I’m glad this story touched you heart and soul. How does it feel to be human ?
Except for a last season nomination for best series, TNG received, and won, only technical awards. None of the actors were ever nominated, and when you consider how good Stewart is in this and so many other episodes, plus great performances by other cast members, it's pretty clear evidence of the snobbery against science fiction.
This is his list. --------------- TNG- Season 1 episode 1 "Encounter at Farpoint" Season 2 episode 16 "Q-Who" Season 3 episode 26 "The Best of Both Worlds part 1" Season 4 episode 1 "The Best of Both Worlds part 2" Season 4 episode 2 "Family" Season 4 episode 26 "Redemption part 1" Season 5 episode 1 "Redemption part 2" Season 5 episode 7 "Unification part 1" Season 5 episode 8 "Unification part 2" Season 5 episode 25 "The Inner Light" Season 7 episodes 26 "All Good Things" ================================
Best episode in the Star Trek Universe. I cry every time Picard holds the flute to his chest and then plays it perfectly for the first time as the ship drifts away.
It has been such a joy to watch you watching my favorites...it's so good! The next best thing to what I wish for: the ability to rewatch as if it were the first tine. thank you!
It’s great that you’re doing these limited number of reactions but I really recommend that you watch the whole TNG series on your own time. You seem to appreciate these stories, and there are so many more that you will love.
Just a note about the musical instrument Picard plays - the prop flute is based on the tin whistle, also called a penny whistle or an Irish whistle. Patrick Stewart wasn't actually playing it, but learned how to move his fingers to simulate how a tin whistle would be played. The instrument you hear is a tin whistle being played by a musician.
There is a follow-up episode to the "Inner Light" called "Lessons" (TNG S06 E19), which you could watch before the movie "Star Trek: Insurrection." Maybe watch a couple-few TV episodes before each movie, relevant to that movie? Before watching the first TNG movie "Star Trek: Generations," you definitely need to watch "Datalore" (TNG S01 E13) and maybe even "Brothers" (TNG S04 E03), although "Brothers" can wait until just before "Star Trek: Nemesis." "All Good Things" can certainly wait. Either way, I'm enjoying all your reactions!!
Paramount needed to clear space in their warehouses back in the 2000's so they put a lot of their Trek gear up for auction. The flute went for $40,000. It was sold again, in 2021, for $190,000. It doesn't even work. It's just a prop that makes no sound.
1:23 What lighting should you have? LOL... The "inner light" obviously, hahaha. I can't get enough of you saying "boop" when you switch on the light in yr vids. Thanks for making me smile when I watch yr reactions Ollie!
TEARS!!! Only one more TNG video left before I get to the movies!!! This episode was one of the best episodes of TV I have seen in a long time and I have been listening to that flute song all day everyday since watching this episode.
Thanks for watching! Have a great day! :)
Have you been listening to the Inner Light Suite with full orchestra? That melts the heart!
"Imagine if they did this twist, where all of TNG is a dream!" Well, Star Trek DS9 actually flirted with that theme. If you get through its first 5 seasons, Season 6 has its own fan favorite, "Far Beyond the Stars." But I won't tell you what it's about, or where it lands on the Dream/Reality scale.
After the movies you should watch Star Trek Picard.....Season 3 starts in February and the entire TNG cast reunites
Yeah, this episode is VERY, incredibly bittersweet, very dignified. Believe it or not, Seth MacFarlane- the creator of 'Family Guy' even CREATED 'The Orville' BASED CLOSELY off TNG in most ways. MacFarlane EVEN wrote a scene in one of the very early episodes of 'Family Guy' THAT included a detail FROM the episode 'The Inner Light'- Peter literally says "Picard's flute." as a NOD to this really good, very philosophical episode that I'm certain made even ME break down a little sometimes. Those human-like aliens NEVER saw the asteroid coming! To had your WHOLE or nearly 100% of your OWN SPECIES GONE due to something NOBODY saw coming!? It makes my eyes well up the least bit typing this DOWN. lol.
Also, come to think of it- well, at least I FINALLY get to repeat my thoughts ONLINE further here- that civilization that Picard was largely innocently, momentarily sucked into- the episode reveals that the people MADE the thing that sucked in Picard did NOT suck him in to harm him- ...but as a MEANS of a MEMORIAL of their civilization. ...its an incredibly WRITTEN episode! NOT all aliens (if hopefully other than us humans exist in the entire galaxy,) would in probability would want our destruction! ...its heartwarming to consider that- they JUST want to be REMEMBERED! 🥲
@@joshgellis3292 I hope he plays the flute in this upcoming season of Picard
This episode won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 1993.
It definitely deserved it!
Also his son in the episode is actually Patrick Stewart’s son in real life.
And this was before the Hugo for Drama was divided into short-form (TV) and long-form (features, etc). It beat out Aladdin, Coppola's Dracula, Batman Returns, and Alien 3. The fans loved this one.
@@RolyPolyOllieReactions and for the longest time "The Inner Light" was the biggest requested music theme to Paramount.
@@RolyPolyOllieReactions When awards actually meant something too. Great episode.
So this was Patrick Stewart's favourite episode. Both for the story and the fact he got to work with his real son who played the grown up version of Kamen's son, Batai.
Daniel Stewart, yes.
So glad you loved this! If you want to ugly cry......season 3 episode 16 The Offspring...Data-centric episode, gets me everytime.
Oh god…I almost can’t watch The Offspring anymore. It’s just too sad and reminds me of the most emotionally trying time of my life too.
I’m so stoked to see Roly watch this episode. It’s absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking, and one of my favourite episodes from the series - especially knowing how Picard wanted kids but never had them. I’ll second The Offspring too, Daniel. That’s also incredible and broke me at the end too.
Oh my days!! I cry like a baby every time I see The Offspring!! Don't make him do that on camera!! LOL
Offspring still gets me.
Absolute gem of an episode.
One thing I love about the ending that no one ever mentions is how he clutches the flute to his chest. It's the most precious thing in the world to him because of the life it represents.
That's the most emotional part for me. I tear up every time.
Kills me every time. The actor who portrayed his wife did an incredible job in this.
No, the LIVES it represents.
Generations had forgotten this episode. Especially when Picard went into the Nexus. The wife and family should have been Eleen, Meribor and Batai, along with Rene of course.
Fun fact, in the leadup to the series finale of Star Trek the Next Generation, they made a whole day of it. Like, a ten hour block of stuff. Encounter at Farpoint 1 and 2, a special called Journey's End, the Saga of Star Trek, commercials for various Star Trek merch ( a communicator pin from Generations, which was just announced, a transporter pen, the Conversational Klingon learning set, and the Star Trek Encyclopedia) as well as teasers for the newly announced Star Trek: Voyager show...then they followed up with the 5 biggest fan favorite episodes, which were, I believe in this order: Relics, Yesterday's Enterprise, The Inner Light, and then both parts of The Best of Both Worlds...which was then followed by All Good Things. And that is how TNG ended. And it was amazing. Jonathon Frakes hosted the whole day.
The inner light I think to a casual Trekie is important to show the change in Picard he starts as a cold man prim and proper but he comes to find he should have not blocked himself off and why friends and family is so important. The inner light hits this home in a way few other episodes do
Also it will make Generations that much more of a loss
Well thats why Seasom 3 of Picard was so much better than the two before. If you havent watched it. Watch. Its not awesome Trek like this. Butits good Trek.
I was a mess after this episode, even the next day at school(hs sophomore) kids who i didnt even know were TNG fans were talking about it. Relationships formed, a couple continue to this day.
Aaaaaaaaw! ❤
Adult version of Picard's son was played by real life son of Patrick Stewart. :)
What this episode does for me that no one talks about; this Galaxy, the Milky Way that we live in, bar and empty and mysterious. One planet, Kataan, reaches out to Picard to adopt him and share their story, and the whole Milky Way opens up to us and becomes beloved and intimate. And then the past of the story that everyone talks about, that Kataan teaches him human life and community that he didn't learn on earth. But it's tied into the nurturing warmth of the whole galaxy.
I am so glad you chose to cover this episode. It is my favorite of all TNG episodes and I am one of many who suggested it to you. I really connect with Picard on this one. It was after seeing this episode that I bought a small recorder (flute) to carry around on family hikes and outings. My children grew up in a home filled with music and my son even followed in my footsteps becoming a musician.
that's kind of beautiful:)
That's a great story.
Fun fact: The flute tune his son plays is the theme tune from the Picard TV series.
McCoy in Wrath of Khan: "He's really not dead, as long as we remember him."
Thanks for showing your true emotional reaction and vulnerability. I think you know we’re crying along with you. The mind-blowing gut-punches are overwhelming. I cried the most when Batay comes back, followed by his wife. It’s a one-two hit that makes the tears pour out. It’s a masterpiece of sci-fi.
One of the TNG soundtrack albums has a full orchestral version of the flute song by Dennis McCarthy which is beautiful.
Definitely my favorite episode of the series. Was lucky enough to be old enough to catch it when it first aired and it has stuck with me now for 30+ years.
He still has the flute 40 years later as well...and we do hear that music again.
if you want more of picard's greatest performance. check these:
S5 E2, Darmok
S6 E10 , 11. Chain of Command Pt 1, and 2
S2 E9, Measure of a man
S6 E15 , Tapestry
You've got to get me out of here, they keep showing me lights!
Yes to all
Yes, VERY MUCH tapestry
A close friend of mine was in a VERY bleak and dark place in their mind and emotions, lamenting the issues he has to live with as a result of the traumas his mother inflicting on him as a young child, claiming profusely that he’d be so much better off if he’d never met her
Short version - I got him to watch that episode, he was in tears and thanked me with a big hug…he’s not a hugger…
He’s a lot happier in life now
Drumhead too
The actor who played Young Batai is Sir Patrick Stewart real life son Daniel.
The flute stays with him throughout the rest of TNG and even throughout Picard the series
But is forgotten in the TNG movies
This episode gets me each and every time. How and why has TV stopped being like that?
There is more genuine emotion in a few seconds of Sir Patrick playing a flute than there is in the entire Marvel Universe.
That moment at the end, where Picard takes the flute and clutches it to his heart like it's the most precious thing in the whole universe, just gets me every time... then he plays that haunting, sad piece... and the episode ends on that. SO powerful, and such a brilliant performance by Stewart.
The music Picard learns is an excellent piece of music.
At the end of the episode, there’s always a grand orchestral piece playing over the “outro”. But it was decided that Picard should be playing the flute (a brass Ressikan flute) with only the hum of the ship.
"Imagine if all of TNG was just a dream"
*Laughs in Benny Russell
I wouldn't say The Inner Light has nothing to do with the movies... I would say it does add to Picard's state of mind in one moment in Generations, as well as most of Insurrection.
We don't compare The Inner Light to Insurrection though...
@@SBaby only I'm not comparing them. I clearly state that it adds to his state of mind, as in settling down, getting old, all that.
I don’t know if it was covered in the nearly 200 comments yet, but the song he plays on the flute at the end of the episode is used in part as theme for Star Trek: Picard.
For me, this is the best episode of the entire Star Trek series, any show. It resonates so strongly with me that it has stayed vibrant for decades.
I was lucky enough to catch this episode on a re-run. Almost randomly, I stumbled across this episode while channel surfing. Having been a Trekkie since adolescence, but having only seen a handful of TNG, I decided to stick around and watch the episode.
Suffice it to say, I was deeply moved by the experience. _The Inner Light_ is a profound work of science fiction and a definitive episode of the greater Star Trek canon. I have a particular soft spot for strong uses of musical motifs. Needless to say, this one carries one of the most potent. That which can move grown men to tears.
Darmok is also a good episode that takes place off ship mostly. And you'll learn to speak an alien language by the end of it.
I seen every episode, movies many times. Since 1966. Like your reviews. To see a young person evaluate what is highly meaningful to my life for decades.
And yes, the ending is so perfect; just the flute, no words.
This episode is actually referenced in one of the movies. Look out for it.
The flute an the weight of this episode get HEAVILY referenced in a future episode, (sadly forget the title), where Picard begins to form a romantic relationship with a female officer on board, and she helps crack even more of his shell, jointly participating in p,aging of music, Picard sits her down and details the story for her about the events of this episode, explaining why his music is so personal to him and why it was difficult to open himself up like that to ANYONE.
This episode...I cry every time. Every time. Now you really understand Star Trek. Welcome to the family.
just a sidenote it wasn't picards' family it was that person's life (i forget the mans name) and family and picard got to see through his eyes and their world and what happened to to them and their culture etc. also Patrick Stewart's son directed and starred in this episode if i remember correctly.
There’s a produced version of the flute song and that was the wedding song for my wife and I
3:22 that happens but not in this episode. That S. 6 Ep. 15 Tapestry Another great Q and Picard episode.
Your reaction was my reaction when I rewatched this episode in 1999 as a 14 year old ha when it aired in 1990 or so ? I was too young to cry about it but it was always good !
This episode, and The Offspring, gets me every time.
For five years, I did not partake in TNG. People tried telling me to watch. I was not interested. I was bored on night and flipped the channel and this episode has just started. I said WTH. Boy howdy was I taken by surprise. By midway, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Not knowing anything about the show, I fell right in step with the flow and dynamics of the characters. The idea behind this, a Time Capsule Implant that shows Picard the life and death of an extinct civilization, was executed with finesse. Simply great story telling. From this point on, I started watching re-runs and backtracking my opinions about TNG. I later found out, The Inner Light is listed in Top 5 Best Ranked episode list's for TNG and won SciFi awards. Kudos to your review.
I'm sure somebody already told you this but Picard's son is played by Patrick Stewart's son.
This episode was absolutely platinum. There's no proper adjective to describe the beauty of this work.
The inner light was seminal moment for TNG just like City on the edge of forever was for TOS.
and "Far Beyond The Stars" for DS9
I cry every time I see this episode.
The actor who plays his son is his real life son.
Best Star Trek episode ever - of all of the series.
The first two years of Picard were AWESOME. I havent seen the seasons after that
Actually they did the "Star Trek was all a dream" when William Shatner did a guest role on My Little Pony.
This is one of the best episodes of television ever created.
Glad you discovered... this is in the top ever.... The end makes me teary every time. I can play the folk song on my piano :)
It was wonderful to watch a young person experience this episode for the first time, just as I did so long ago! I enjoyed your heartfelt and honest reactions. BTW, "Holy chicken nuggets" may be my new favorite line!
To me the saddest part of this story is that except for occasionally playing that whistle it is never shown that he ever recorded anything about his experience.
Thank you for your thoughtful and articulate assessment of this episode. I’m going to try to find it and watch.
So wonderful! I didn't know it won the kind of prestige. 👍!
I like that in trying to guess what was going on you mentioned the plot of a famous Deep Space Nine episode and then the plot of a famous TNG episode.
The grown up son of Kamon was Patrick's real life son.
There is an episode in Season 6 I think where Picard finds a love interest with another StarFleet officer, one of there intersts turns out to be music..she plays piano I believe, anyway they get together sometime and Picard plays that flute while she plays piano..I forget the episode title
One of the best episodes of science fiction of any kind! It's simply good sci-fi and a beautiful personal story, both perfectly handled.
I was really hoping at the end of the intro song you did a super close up of your thumbs up when you said yeah
When I need to cry and process sadness, my go-to media is the ending of Iron Giant, the end of second season of Mandalorian, and this episode.
This episode along with DS9’s The Visitor are two of the most emotional episodes of any tv series I’ve ever seen. Simply superb…
Yeah, that one gets me every time. Possibly my favourite TNG episode of all time.
Tears...
Wow Oliver! You just took me back 30 years to when I first saw this episode. I cried as you did and was moved so deeply by the story, acting, and music. Thanks for triggering a walk down melancholy lane. Great review!!
It didn't happen for me for this episode... but I can generally SO relate to crying to a long-time re-watch; for me, that was "The Land Before Time" about 20 years after I had watched it bunches of times as a child. As an adult, having been so long since I'd last seen it AND still remembering pretty much everything (and of course it's an extremely sad movie)... it just hit MUCH more strongly upon my recent re-watch.
Everything Trek should be, right here
Other viewers likely have mentioned the following already but in case not; if you'd like to see the Ressikan flute make a follow-up appearance, please watch "Lessons" of ST:TNG season 6 episode 19
My wife walked down the aisle at our weedding to the orchestrated version of picards flute song.
To me the thing that always made the flute at the end so brilliant is that him having it and knowing how to play it at the end proves that it was all real and worthwhile, such a satisfying resolve for the viewer after all the questions during the episode about what was real and if any of this would matter.
Part of the song played by Kamin's son was later incorporated into Star Trek: Picard's theme tune.
this episode made me cry, when I saw it the first time. Im on my mission to watch all StarTrek episodes on timeline order. I'm now on TNG season 7.
100% need to watch Thine Own Self too.
Amazing Data Episode.
I've always been someone who has had their mind on the future. When I was a kid, I was thinking about adulthood. When I was in High School I was planning for College. When I was in College I was thinking about graduating and finding a job, etc. Planning ahead isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but I realized one day that I was doing it at the expense of enjoying the here and now. I realized I was always chasing a horizon, and ignoring the wonderful things around me. One of the reasons for coming to this self-realization was catching this episode on TV one random day. I truly credit this episode for helping me to learn to take in life a little bit more than I used to.
So whenever I feel myself slipping back into old habits; becoming completely wrapped up in the destinations and forgetting to enjoy the journeys, I think back to this line: "Seize the day. Live for now. Make now ... always the most precious. Now will never come again."
This has always been my favorite TNG episode. Amazing concept for a story. Imagine being torn away from a very fulfilling life to be forced to except living such a different type of existence, and doing it all in the span of twenty minutes. Incredible.
✌🏼😎
I’ve been waiting to witness your reaction about this episode. I came here for the emotions and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m happy you enjoyed this episode, one of the best in any TV shows ever. The way Picard clings to the flute, the music in the end with only the background noise of the Enterprise's engines… Patrick Stewart should have won an Emmy for his interpretation.
I’m glad this story touched you heart and soul. How does it feel to be human ?
Except for a last season nomination for best series, TNG received, and won, only technical awards. None of the actors were ever nominated, and when you consider how good Stewart is in this and so many other episodes, plus great performances by other cast members, it's pretty clear evidence of the snobbery against science fiction.
This is his list.
---------------
TNG-
Season 1 episode 1
"Encounter at Farpoint"
Season 2 episode 16 "Q-Who"
Season 3 episode 26 "The Best of Both Worlds part 1"
Season 4 episode 1 "The Best of Both Worlds part 2"
Season 4 episode 2 "Family"
Season 4 episode 26 "Redemption part 1"
Season 5 episode 1 "Redemption part 2"
Season 5 episode 7 "Unification part 1"
Season 5 episode 8 "Unification part 2"
Season 5 episode 25 "The Inner Light"
Season 7 episodes 26 "All Good Things"
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NOTE: Picard’s adult son was played by his real-life son
Best episode in the Star Trek Universe. I cry every time Picard holds the flute to his chest and then plays it perfectly for the first time as the ship drifts away.
Those simple notes carrying the memory of an entire civilization 😭
Season 3, Episode 16, “The Offspring" Is the one I can't watch without crying.
It has been such a joy to watch you watching my favorites...it's so good! The next best thing to what I wish for: the ability to rewatch as if it were the first tine. thank you!
One of the best hours of TV ever filmed.
What blew my mind is that he lived the rest of his life having children and all in his mind in 20 mins
It’s great that you’re doing these limited number of reactions but I really recommend that you watch the whole TNG series on your own time. You seem to appreciate these stories, and there are so many more that you will love.
Whoever told you to skip the Picard series is full of it. I loved every second of that show.
Like sooooo many others, this is my favorite episode. So glad you did this one. It will stick with you for a life time.
This is such a great episode. I honestly love your reaction. I tear up too. You rock.
To quote Uncle Roger - "EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!" Yeah, this one is a gut-punch. Right in the feels.
One of the best episodes of the entire franchise.
This episode always makes me cry, its well written that its hard to find another that matches it.
Amazing reaction as always!
Just a note about the musical instrument Picard plays - the prop flute is based on the tin whistle, also called a penny whistle or an Irish whistle. Patrick Stewart wasn't actually playing it, but learned how to move his fingers to simulate how a tin whistle would be played. The instrument you hear is a tin whistle being played by a musician.
There is a follow-up episode to the "Inner Light" called "Lessons" (TNG S06 E19), which you could watch before the movie "Star Trek: Insurrection." Maybe watch a couple-few TV episodes before each movie, relevant to that movie? Before watching the first TNG movie "Star Trek: Generations," you definitely need to watch "Datalore" (TNG S01 E13) and maybe even "Brothers" (TNG S04 E03), although "Brothers" can wait until just before "Star Trek: Nemesis." "All Good Things" can certainly wait. Either way, I'm enjoying all your reactions!!
I love your emotional intelligence, beautiful soul
By far my favorite episode of TNG.
"Lessons" s6 e19 is a good one to watch now that you've seen this one.
Season 3 of Star Trek Picard was freaking awesome!
The ending still does the same thing to me it did to you even 30 years after seeing it when it premiered.
This hits harder the older you get.
Paramount needed to clear space in their warehouses back in the 2000's so they put a lot of their Trek gear up for auction. The flute went for $40,000. It was sold again, in 2021, for $190,000.
It doesn't even work. It's just a prop that makes no sound.
1:23 What lighting should you have? LOL... The "inner light" obviously, hahaha. I can't get enough of you saying "boop" when you switch on the light in yr vids. Thanks for making me smile when I watch yr reactions Ollie!