This week on The To Baldly Go Podcast, Aaron and Nate continue their release-order watchthrough with three more episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation: "The Most Toys," "Sarek," and "Ménage à Troi."
This week, we get:
Evil, terrifying characters
Allegory
Shakespeare
We covered:
The Most Toys
Sarek
Ménage à Troi
The Most Toys
"The Most Toys" gives us a Data-centered episode that feels like part of the well-oiled machine Season 3 has become. Data is left for dead, which creates an interesting tension problem because, as viewers, we know he is probably going to be safe. Even so, the episode finds its strength in the exploration of loss, adjustment, and the way real-life experience can shape how a story impacts us.
We also spend time discussing Kivas Fajo as a truly evil character, whether Data might be one of the most terrifying people on the Enterprise, and the uncomfortable question of what Data was prepared to do at the end of the episode. Also, Data lied.
Sarek
"Sarek" is a great episode and another reminder that The Next Generation is now clearly its own show while still remaining connected to The Original Series. Patrick Stewart delivers a remarkable performance as Sarek’s mind, and the episode gives us a lot to talk about when it comes to aging, dignity, emotional control, and how we respond when people we admire begin to decline.
We also discuss whether "Sarek" works as an allegory for Alzheimer’s or dementia, and the strange writing rule that apparently prevented the episode from directly referencing Spock.
Ménage à Troi
"Ménage à Troi" is one of those episodes where the title does not exactly inspire confidence. Still, Lwaxana Troi continues to grow on Aaron as a character, Shakespeare becomes a major part of the episode, and the Ferengi return to cause trouble in the way only the Ferengi can.
After the heavier conversations in "The Most Toys" and "Sarek," this episode gives us a very different kind of Star Trek discussion.
Final Thoughts
This set of episodes gives us evil collectors, aging Vulcans, emotional allegory, Shakespeare, Ferengi nonsense, and one very important question:
Do we talk about Spock?
Listen now to To Baldly Go Podcast Episode 056 as we continue our first-time journey through Star Trek: The Next Generation.
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.