First-Time Watch – Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episodes 7-9
Welcome to another episode of the To Baldly Go Podcast, in which I – a newbie to the Star Trek universe – am watching through Star Trek from the beginning, in release order, and discussing with some of my long-time Trekkie friends.
This week, we get:
The ethics of genetic engineering
Loyalties are tested
Is Data human?
We covered:
Unnatural Selection
A Matter of Honor
The Measure of a Man
“Unnatural Selection” – Restart at last checkpoint
The Enterprise investigates a distress call from a Federation genetic research station where the scientists studying genetically engineered children have begun aging at an alarming rate.
Dr. Pulaski becomes infected while investigating the station, forcing the crew to race against time to understand the mysterious disease.
Things we discussed:
Establishing characters as series progress
Is there a Starfleet doctor who likes the transporter?
Reminding us of other episodes
Pulaski
Age dynamics
Pulaski’s development regarding Data
Transporter discussion
Isolating problem molecules vs. video game checkpoints
An exploration of medical research and its inherent risks. A sad, though appropriate ending to the episode.
“A Matter of Honor” – Peak Riker
As part of an officer exchange program between the Federation and Klingon Empire, Commander Riker is assigned to serve aboard a Klingon bird of prey.
Riker must navigate Klingon customs, honor codes, and constant tests while proving he belongs with the warrior crew.
Loyalties are tested when both ships are affected by subatomic bacteria and the Klingons view it as an attack from the Enterprise.
Things we discussed:
An exploration of Klingon culture
Riker’s a badass
Sexy indifference
A new level of Klingon worldbuilding
Subatomic bacteria
No old warriors
Picard surrendered the Enterprise again
Following the proper chain of command
Riker really shines in this fun episode.
“The Measure of a Man” – The struggle to define consciousness
When a Starfleet cyberneticist seeks to dismantle Data in order to replicate his design, Picard challenges the order, arguing that Data is sentient, and as such, has rights.
Riker is forced to argue against Picard for a court to determine if Data is an individual or nothing more than Starfleet equipment.
Things we discussed:
Visceral reactions to the episode
A top-10 episode of all of Star Trek?
Nate threatens to quit the podcast
Reasonable doubt
Star Trek: JAG
Guinan vs. Troi
Comparing Data to modern computing power
Data’s Dr. Pulaski moment
Star Trek in spite of Gene Roddenberry
Context matters
Another great exploration of Artificial Intelligence and what it means to be alive.
We also discussed:
Star Trek puzzles and memorabilia
How I tend to remember actors from the first role I saw, and how hard it is to see them in any other way – O’Brien will forever be the FBI agent from Con-Air
Final Thoughts
This week, we learned:
Maybe the transporter is essentially a checkpoint in a video game
Picard surrendered the Enterprise again
Questions of AI, individuality, and consciousness are not easy to define or answer
We had a solid episode this week followed by two of the best we’ve seen yet. Like I thought, this series is on the rise.
As always, remember – Never give up! Never surrender!
Listen to this episode of the To Baldly Go Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Where we are on our Trek:
Last week we covered:
Next week we will continue with:
If you want to see my journey from the very beginning, start here:
Also, be sure to check out Nate’s and my other podcast – The In Lap with Aaron and Nate – to listen to us discuss all things Formula 1 on race weekends, wherever you listen to your podcasts.