First-Time Watch – Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 02, Episodes 16-18
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:
A new big bad
Federation road trip
“I think I’m a clone now”
We covered:
Q, Who?
Samaritan Snare
Up the Long Ladder
“Q, Who?” – The universe is dark and full of terrors
The Enterprise is flung across the galaxy by the mischievous Q, forcing Picard and crew into a terrifying first encounter with the Borg. What begins as another of Q’s tests quickly becomes a fight for survival, as the Borg prove unlike any enemy the Federation has faced—relentless, unknowable, and utterly indifferent.
As the Enterprise suffers devastating losses, Picard is forced to confront the limits of Federation confidence and his own assumptions about exploration. The crew escapes only through Q’s intervention, leaving behind a chilling realization: the galaxy is far more dangerous than they imagined.
Things we discussed:
I was able to enjoy this episode not knowing the Borg were coming in now
Was Q misused?
Saying "Thank you" to smart devices
What do cold opens add to a story?
Consensus
Star Trek's Doug Judy
What is Q's relationship with Picard?
A very different feel than other antagonists or villains to this point.
“Samaritan Snare” – Picard and Wesley go on a trip
While Captain Picard travels to undergo a risky medical procedure, Geordi La Forge and Wesley Crusher are stranded with a group of deceptively simple aliens known as the Pakled. Initially appearing harmless, the Pakleds reveal a cunning and dangerous side as they manipulate Geordi into helping them acquire advanced technology.
Meanwhile, Picard opens up to Wesley in a rare moment of vulnerability, sharing the story of his artificial heart and the reckless youth that led to it. The parallel storylines explore themes of perception—how easily intelligence and capability can be misunderstood.
Things we discussed:
Wesley drawing out a great performance from Patrick Stewart
Nate defending Wesley
MST3K and RiffTrax
Samaritan story
Seriously – how great is Patrick Stewart?
“Up the Long Ladder” – Clones and autonomy
The Enterprise encounters two lost human colonies with drastically different ways of life—one a group of Irish settlers living simply, the other a sterile, highly controlled society dependent on cloning to survive. When the cloning colony begins abducting crew members to sustain themselves, tensions escalate quickly.
Caught between preserving life and respecting autonomy, Picard must navigate a moral dilemma involving identity, reproduction, and what it means to be human. The resolution forces both colonies to confront uncomfortable truths about survival and change.
Things we discussed:
Problematical elements
Clones
Original Series feel, but not as well-executed
HIPAA in the 24th century
Getting onto a spaceship in anti-technology protest
As the great Weird Al said, “Isn’t it strange? Feels like I’m lookin’ in the mirror.”
Final Thoughts
This week, we learned:
A new, constantly looming threat
Picard was wild in his youth
There is an irony in leaving your society in an anti-technology protest, and doing so by getting onto a spaceship
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:
TBG Episode 047 - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
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.