Is This When TNG Got Good?
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- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- #startrek #tng #lore
Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most popular sci-fi shows of all time. Its first two seasons have garnered the unfortunate reputation of being subpar, but how much better is the writing in season 3?
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- CHAPTERS -
00:00 Intro
01:17 Background
03:31 Season Recap
27:46 Outro 
Кино
I know some of you may be disappointed that I didn't go into as much detail about every single episode of season 3, but it's not just because this was originally filmed in combination with my thoughts on season 4. In my opinion, season 3 more effectively tackles mature themes and dramatic storytelling than TNG's first two seasons (hence why there's less humor in this video). I want to reiterate that this recap series has never been about reviewing the episodes per se, but cataloging and commenting on each season's contributions to the broader lore of the franchise. Thanks for your understanding. LLAP! 🖖
All The Way Gang reporting in 🤠
Hey Tyler, guys here.
make the video you want, ignore haters. 30 minutes is plenty.
You could still do a longer version later. And while I'd prefer longer, this is swell, I'm sure you have your reasons and thanks!
💕
"Eat any good books lately?" Such a good line.
Ironically, John de Lancie would play another Q-like character years later who would eat pages from books.
My brain noticed the change in cinematography in S3, but somehow I didn't ever verbalize it. I love the popping primary colors in S3 onward, it like, defines trek for me
Go back and rewatch seasons 1-2. Due to the quick production schedule and lighting, they had to resort to taping black cardboard pieces on the back panels of the bridge, otherwise the set lighting would reflect. That's finally GONE for season 3 onward.
Yes, for me as well. I could never figure out how to describe it. S3 and onwards is very bright and slick feeling (though it kinda makes the Enterprise feel like a well-lit office building). S1 and 2 are warmer, more dramatic, and sort off…gritty feeling? They feel kinda like TOS in a way.
@@Argon314 Kinda noirish. I actually prefer how they lit the conference room in the early seasons, dark and moody. Anything to distract from the carpeting.
If only Picard could do this too...
@@Argon314 I always felt like how bright and slick the Enterprise looked was a PERFECT fit for the future, because it would be slick, clean, and bright. It's equal parts a backdrop for the show, and the Enterprise itself feels like a character of its own
Season 3 really takes The Next Generation to better writing, and maybe one of the best season finales/cliffhangers in tv history (Locutus of Borg!)
It's a great cliffhanger for sure ... bit of a stretch to say best in tv history
It's certainly my favorite.
@@democrrrracymanifest lol I forgot about who shot Mr burns.... that was a massive cliffhanger
A lot of people forget the context of the time as well. There was no internet and it was unclear if Patrick Stewart was going to continue on as Picard. I think he signed on for 4 more seasons like a few weeks after best of both worlds aired but if you missed that missive on the news you frankly didn't know and couldn't look it up. A lot of us were excited at the prospect of captain riker and commander shelby as his first officer. I would actually like to visit the timeline where this happened.
The single largest cliffhanger in tv history is, hands down, “Who shot JR”.
Season 3 was one of the best seasons of TNG. The Survivors, The Defector, Deja Q, Yesterdays Enterprise etc. Just great episodes.
Sins of The Father, The Enemy... my favorite season.
"Ménage à trois" .... I cant help but chuckle every time I hear it.
I still remember the chills I got the first time I heard Riker give the command to fire on the borg ship that Capt. Picard was on.
I was in boarding-school and all I knew about TNG was that it was mostly bad, seasons 1-2. I'd heard talk that season 3 was getting good so, when I came home, I started watching some. What episodes I'd glimpsed were... all right, I guess. None of it wowed me (probably I'd seen 1-2 reruns).
June 1990, I'd just finished the GCSE, this is the one I caught.
I had no idea what just hit me.
Thank God i watchted this in a Time many Seasons was availabe. Waiting 6 Months to Season 4 would my Head explode
@@DasKame Mine did explode
I'm always a little surprised The Defector isn't a more well-known/well-remembered episode. It has all of the elements I love about TNG, including a fantastic guest star performance. That scene between him and Picard in the Ready Room is one I'll occasionally pull up and watch on its own on RUclips. There's a decent mystery element, a sense of stakes/danger for the Enterprise, some great Picard moments, and an ending I still remember watching as a child. Outside of the obvious elite-tier episodes (Best of Both Worlds, Yesterday's Enterprise, Inner Light, etc), it's one of my favorites of the entire series.
Defector is one of my faves as well, mainly because I just really like the way the Romulan general was acted (James Sloyan). I don't know that actor from anything else, but he carries the episode.
As someone who's been plunging my way through TNG this summer I concur
The Defector hit damn hard and is certainly a Top 5 episode thus far for me as I'm entering season 6 just now 🖖
@@jasonredwine5270 He’s incredible in this episode. The way you can hear his voice slightly break when he says “I- will never see my child’s smile again …” immediately breaks my heart for his character. It broke my heart decades ago as a child, but now as a parent myself, it hits me even harder.
I agree. I always found the defector himself quite gut wrenching, because his reasoning was entirely honourable. He had so much heart. Was this actor also in the episode whose name escapes me right now, where Troi, Data, Geordi and Picard were away and came to find time frozen with the Enterprise mid-core breach?
I don't think Roddenberry would have objected to Wesley's lashing out because he's not been through Starfleet Academy yet. He's not a fully trained professional.
Haha, good point
This is always the thing that bugs me about the character of Wesley. As Dan and Neil of “Nitpicking TNG” point out, the kid saves the ship multiple times, creates sentient life as a school project, and winds up in Season 5 going “Roga Danar” and outsmarting the entire crew of “the best of Starfleet” in “The Game”.
If he can’t make it into Starfleet Academy, no one can!
But frankly, what they should’ve done is gone more the direction of the “Sharpe” series with Sean Bean, or embrace more of the “Horatio Hornblower” source material.
Make Wesley a “mustang”: a crewman that’s promoted up the ranks through field promotions and achievement outside of the traditional military academy route.
You could have Wes build a reputation across Starfleet, both good and bad (by those who encounter him as a firebrand in the Shelby style, that knows how to get things done, and those junior officers fresh out of the Academy as ensigns all snubbing him for bypassing what they went through).
Seeing Wes become more of a troubleshooter, promoted to Lieutenant JG, and bounced around as a rear admiral’s atache or aide de camp to Shelby in Starfleet Tactical would be awesome.
You could even kick up the later dealings with the Maquis a notch, and have Wes finally have his disillusionment resort to joining the Maquis and working directly beside Ro Laren.
@@chrisbullard5901 chief O’Brien’s character took that route. He’s a chief petty officer, which is the highest one can get as a noncommissioned officer. Yet he is so experienced and knowledgeable that DS9 basically make him the chief engineer of the station.
“Yesterday’s Enterprise” isn’t just a great episode of TNG, it’s one of the best episodes of television ever made.
Ah, the good old days, when I was an electrician by day, and a Trekkie by night, back when these episodes first aired. Just as with TOS as a kid, I took all the TNG episodes in stride. "It's all Star Trek," I told myself. "The good, the bad, and the ugly." I still feel that way today. Watching these episodes over and over again helps give me hope in a world that seems sometimes hopeless. It's all good to me, except the first couple seasons of TNG when Worf's hair was shaped like a light bulb. Later he went to the William Shakespeare look, which was at least halfway tolerable.
18:38 - that scene would later go on become a famous internet meme.
Iconic
“Order a man to turn his child over to the state… not while I’m his captain”. ~Jean Luc Picard
That summer between The Best of Both Worlds 1 & 2 was the longest of my life.
I remember that cliffhanger and being so bummed we had to wait another year to see where the story would go
It was in the third season, the show found its footing in terms of storytelling, character devt, lighting, sets, costumes…
Omg, didn't realize but I can't even watch a RECAP of The Offspring without tears forming in my eyes. "He was remarkable." My heart!
Excellent work as always. You have such a calm and clear way of communicating (did you learn it watching Trek growing up? I did, lol), love the format.
Thank you so much!
I hold that TNG season 3 was one of the best seasons of Trek period. Yesterdays Enterprise and Best of Both Worlds just being the highlights
Theres a lot of great single character moments, Data in the planet, Picard and Geordi in the booby trap...Always loved the Hunted as well
Even episodes I consider its weakest are pleasant to rewatch compared to say season 7, such as The Bonding, The Price, Transfigurations. Ron Jones had some of his best musical scores, which elevated some meh episodes like A Matter of Perspective.
Lal was good. If you (not you rub, some other reader) didn't shed a tear you might be an android yourself.
Sins of the Father set up an excellent arc.
And LOL that ep with Geordi and holodeck science woman. I forgot that was in season 3. Even the "mid" episodes in this season were, if not golden, at least fine sterling silver.
@@zimriel oh definitely. I didn’t want to make a huge post with every episode and it’s highlights but there were bangers all the way through
I love you to do the rest of TNG, because I would like to see your opinions on the whole show.
Ahhhhhhhh YEAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!
hell yeah don't worry about the length we enjoy the recap as it is!
I'm a Star Trek fan from long before the presenter was born, and watched the original series when it was first aired in the 60's as a young kid. I still enjoy re-watching both TOS and TNG periodically. I've watched TNG multiple times through starting with it's original airing in 1987 and yes, seasons 1 and 2 were not as good but the show was getting it's footing so it didn't really mature until season 3. That seems universally agreed upon by fans. Now we have RUclips so fans who like to make video's and can make commentary. I think you did a good job with your analysis. Cheers.
Thanks for mentioning the cinematography. Making the future literally brighter made a world of difference in the tone of the show. And for what it's worth, as a subscriber, I think you are VERY good at what you do.
Season 3- Probably the strongest season. Classic episodes up and down the list. Strong character stories. Good sci fi concepts. Michael Piller proved to be just as important to the franchise as Meyer.
I'm currently watching through TNG for the first time (I have seen episodes here and there on TV throughout the years).
Still currently on season 1, and because I heard the first two seasons aren't great, I initially used an episode guide to watch the essential episodes, skipping the rest, but after a handful of episodes, I just decided to watch it all going forward... and honestly, It's not that bad! Sure, some episodes are weaker than others, but so far I've not disliked an episode yet. Maybe the episodes I skipped were the truly poor episodes, idk, but I've enjoyed most of the ones I've seen.
If season 3 is where it "gets good" for a lot of people, then I'm looking forward to it
Edit: I typed all this before I got a minute into the video, and since there are spoilers in this video, Imma head out. I'll be back one day
You're in for a nice long journey. Have fun!
The first few episodes after the pilot are really the worst, so I’d say you did skip the most egregious stinkers. I do like how Starfleet feels a bit more like a real military in the first season, with all the admirals, visits to dock for upgrades, and inspections. The galaxy feels bigger and more mysterious too, just by virtue of having less of it defined.
Enjoy the ride!
ENJOY! ☺️
I really enjoyed the entire first season. It's more cheesy, theatric and had this "fast and loose" mentality to the entire season. It feels like the detractors of the 1st and 2nd seasons tend be more well read, have a strong Sci-Fi background or just are TV/Movie buffs who tend to be more critical of any content that isn't at least a 9/10. The way I see it, we wouldn't have the "good seasons" of TNG without season 1 and 2 setting the stage. Also, S1 established a lot of the nuances and idioscracies of the main cast that (if i remember right) carried through most of the series, which you'll miss if you just disregard S1.
good luck, soldier. see you... OUT THERE....
That exchange between Worf and Q is just priceless 😂
Dude straight up said "You should kill yourself NOW!!" *Lightning strikes in background*
I love these! "Eat any good books lately" is one of my favorite Q quips.
''Microbrain!'' Q to Worf, lol
What I like is Worf's deadpan "die" beforehand. Q's quip here was lame in comparison. Whole scene feels like Worf won that one
I had no idea that James Cromwell was in Series 3. Thanks for pointing this out. His part in First Contact is much easier not to miss.
24:01 had me laughing way harder than I think I'd shoud🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Dang, thanks for waiting to drop this until my lunch break.
These season recaps are so good. I really hope you will do the same for the rest of 90's Trek.
Sins of the Father and that little arc involving Worf, Kurn, Duras and the Klingon High Command are some of my favorite episodes. I just love Klingon culture and political conflict.
Me too, at one point I would have loved too see a series set on the Klingon home world.
...thankfully, a box set of Klingon episodes was released. Beats buying every Season & cherry-picking them out.
😊
it has been so fun getting to recap all the episodes (good and bad) through these videos :3 i do like more detailed reviews but i get why it wasnt the case this time around.
This video is so much better than your previous one Tyler.
Taking out all of the dumb comedy bloopers you left in the Season 2 video makes this flow so much better and minimizes the cringe attempts at humor you were doing.
Stick with this formula going forward, great job!👍
Are you trying to get me to ban you or something? Lol
Yesterday's Enterprise is my favorite TNG episode. Too bad it wasn't a movie.
It feels like the first TNG "film" to me.
Happy Shamrock Shake Day!! 🍀💚☘️💚🍀💚
Well made video! Looking forward to Season 4 and beyond!
Thanks Pete!
Man, I enjoyed this video tremendously! Great summaries and awesome insights! Thank you!
Thank you so much!
23:43 "... Broccoli's antics... " 😂
These episodes are burned into my memory. Where has the time gone..
Time for a rewatch.
People need to subscribe. You're easily one of the best channels for Star Trek content.
This is the season in which TNG certainly found its groove, found its feet. My intro to TNG was the first-run airing (I think? It's been a while) of "Best of Both Worlds Pt 1" (as a college student) and I was absolutely HOOKED.
I missed Pulaski...
And I miss Tracey Sketchit, her equivalent on Pokemon.
I remember at the time feeling bad about it, because the show finally got into its stride and improved because it wasn’t constrained by Gene Roddenberry. I felt bad that he died for that to happen.
It's funny how season 3 of TNG is regarded as finally finding their feet and starting to make some memorable episodes. In the same way as season 3 of Picard, as it finally got a decent story and better direction in that season. Both needed two seasons to hit its stride.
I liked the run length and thoughts you shared in this video!
Great video. I'd LOVE to see more of these. Thanks for taking the time to create these videos!
Great video as always! Some real bangers in season 3. A few episodes were weak, but the ratio of "good to bad" did a 180 from the first two seasons. At least for me.
Picard spouting Shakespeare and performing for a Ferengi was weak.
Other captains would've disabled the criminal's ship before issuing their non-negotiable terms.
Phasers, torpedoes, and boarding parties are more direct than Shakespeare.
My wife and I are finishing up season three (her for the first time), and I've been having an excellent time lol. I forgot how good so many of the episodes are. Small side note: in The Best of Both Worlds, that music that plays when they first engage the Borg evokes such an epic blend of awe and dread. Thanks for another great episode! I'm looking forward to your walkthrough of season four!
God be with you out there everybody! ✝️ :)
I just got into the series because of The Lower Decks, been watching my way through older Trek and this is right where I am! I just started season 5 so I can't wait to see more Trek and then watching your vids.
14:28 How many boxes did Patrick Stewart have to stand on to be almost eye to eye with James Cromwell? 😅
This was the perfect combination. You nailed it! It did everything the past two ones did. Thanks for your content.
I like how it was concise but did go into detail that was important. U have the perfect format going. I can't wait to see more and maybe even more series being covered by this format.
Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you so much!
A great start of the weekend! I love your analysis. You keep me interested from the first second to the last. Thanks Tyler!
Season 3 is what kept me as a fan. After season 2, I was so unimpressed and ready to give up. The only episodes I personally like were Q Who, Contagion and Peak Performance. Then season 3 came in with great stories like The Defector, The Hunted, Sins of the Father and my personal favorite episode Tin Man, and I was so happy I gave it another chance.
16:23 There it is! The scene that, every once in a while resurfaces as a meme on, of all places, the Civ Battle Royale Discord!
Just enough detail IMO. Not every season review needs to be a deep, deep dive
The main export of the "Sheliac" is Natural Wood Sealer. 😆
Sorry, couldn't help it 😂😂😂😂
I'm Live tonight.... If you dropped by, it'd be awesome 😎 Just like when Tay Zonday showed up in your chat.😉😁😆
Have a great weekend Tyler. 💚 Remember to take time for yourself to have some rest and relaxation. 🖖🏻🤟🏼
I’d noticed the similarities in themes on some level between episodes like The High Ground and the Acamarian clan wars, but I really appreciate your putting-them together to bring that to the attention of other people
The lighting really makes the blue pop out as blue because as a kid I could have sworn it was green.
Nothing wrong with longer videos, IMO. Appreciate your re-cap, keep it up!
Definitely been anticipating this one and you didn't disappoint. Lobe your videos man!
Thanks Larry!
Damn I was waiting for this to drop! I just watched your video on Season 1 and 2 last week
Dude, this rocks. Please do this with DS9 and VOY too.
Booby Trap is a phenomenal episode. Along with The Enemy & The Defector.
Booby trap was a reference to Geordi's pet name for the holodeck program he ran in the episode of the same name.
I’m really enjoying your content. You look at Star Trek in a different way than most creators on RUclips. It’s not something I can explain I. A couple sentences, but you have a way of humanizing everything. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Pat!
i just started re-watching TNG at season 3 and I was blown away how iconic almost every episode was
25:09 Geordi shows Wesley his Pokémon gym badges.
I really like what you're doing and your approach to doing it. It doesn't get too bogged down, but you still explore interesting plots and lore. I also appreciated how you went a little into the background, like the letter writing campaign etc. Keep up the good work and thank you.
Thanks Adrian! Yeah, I was kinda nervous that people would be upset that I didn't go into as much detail about every single episode, but that would be...kind of boring? Lol
I was looking forward to this! As usual, great summary and interesting insights!
Thank you!
I’ve been excited for this video!
Great video Tyler, really enjoyed it!
Thank you!
Please do a vid on the sheliak. I been interested in them since their first appearance especially since they were the few non humanoids on the show
For me, season 3 was a major improvement over season 2. Also, the strong start really helped to draw me into trek fandom as opposed to the casual watcher I was before that.
I would love a Sheliak video! Would be interesting to compare them with the Tholians
I think the reason this season is “where it gets good” has to be with the cinematography and lighting choice.
The future is supposed to be better than now, and giving those lighting/color details their own role in the storytelling makes it seem for the first time that we are there in that better place.
It’s definitely a jump I noted when I rewatched again as an adult the first time. I remember watching the first two seasons think I remember watching this show with my dad and it being… good. And then bang season 3 started and it was the show I remembered.
Really been liking this series so you should go ahead and make plans for the whole series
I certainly am gonna look towards the next volumes of this analysis c:
Bless you, chief.
Great video! Can't wait for more.
Thanks Max!
Look, all you need say is Gates McFadden was brought back. The most arousing female crewmember in the whole run of TNG. When a woman can be smart, decisive, and a quintessential piece of eye candy, you can never go wrong including her in the cast of any TV show....
Marina though.... ❤
I love TNG, its my favorite show. Please keep these videos coming.
25:57 a being of pure light, who still has a shadow lol
Right!!!??? Lmao
I really loved e2 of s3! :) Offspring is also great - and sad. The most toys is also great!
25:50 LOL HAHAHHAHAA i literally laughed out loud hard when you did a quick close up of the bulge LOL ROFL
Loved this! Great video! Bravo! I loved this season.
perfect timing, just finished s1&2 with a couple episodes into s3
I felt seasons 3 to 5 had the best concepts & stories. Plus little character details like Data spending all night trying to literally understand the phrase 'a watched pot never boils' by boiling a kettle multiple times & timing it. 🤣
I'm enjoying your analysis of the seasons of TNG I hope you examine the other seasons as well.
These videos are so relaxing as someone that's watched all of TOS to DS9 3+ times :p These series on TNG you did for each season along with RedLetterMedia's videos of Mike n Rich talking about TNG are in my list of top things to put on my earbuds while falling asleep to drown out the noise of my gf's snoring :p
New video! 🎉Love your content Tyler!!
Thanks Will Deez!
another great video, love you work
Thanks!
I don't know if it is when TNG got good, but it is when it got consistent. The worst episodes were nowhere near as bad as the worst episodes of season 1 and 2, and the better episodes were more frequent. I appreciated learning about the change in cinematography, but was surprised you didn't mention that The Bonding was the first script from Ronald Moore.
Ah, good catch about Moore!
The cliffhanger with Locutus was the best time I ever had shitting myself!🤓
Subscribed per your request. Cheers and thanks for the videos.
Idk if you've done a Fringe video or series like this one you definitely should, such an underated sci Fi gem with a super solid cast
I've made quite a few Fringe lore videos, though not necessarily reviewing the series. Go check 'em out in my catalog! There should be a playlist on my channel. Loved that show
Season 4 Episode 24... Mind controlled Jordi tries to help Data find that weed that he hid from him. LMAO
thanks for the video, I enjoyed it a lot - live long and prosper!
Thank you Isaac!
I liked and subbed. This was a solid review of season 3.
thanks for your efforts!
Thank you!
Always Thorough and Thoughtful 💯😎