Of all TNG episodes, 'The Wounded' feels like the one which firmly leads to the creation of Deep Space Nine. Chief O'Brien, having been given more and more screen time over the past couple of seasons, is finally given something of a leading role and a huge amount of character development. I would think that it's this episode that brought his character over to DS9. I really love the dinner scenes with Keiko, and of course the fantastic talk in Ten-Forward.
Additionally, we get to meet the Cardassians for the first time. These guys are just incredible, and I think one of the most developed alien races in popular science fiction. A big part of their success is down to the casting here, with Marc Alaimo playing Gul Macet. It's no coincidence he was later cast as Gul Dukat throughout DS9 (and for me, by far and away the best Trek villain ever). He brings a great deal of menace and intellect to the role, but we also get depth when you look at all 3 of the Cardassian actors together as they each display very different personalities. If they hadn't all worked so well I'm not sure that the Cardassians would have become some an important part of the franchise. There are wonderful scenes on the bridge as Picard has to deal with events while Macet watches on, tense stuff.
The weaker parts of the episode for me come in the form of Captain Maddox. Maybe it's because we've gotten so used to Picard as an example of a leader, but this guy just crumbles in comparison to him. It's also odd that we never see any of Maddox's crew and have to assume that they are just blindly following his bizarre orders.
Another episode I seem to have no memory of! But again, not too surprising because it's nothing special. Geordi episodes just seem to fall so flat for me, and I can't help but think that it's because LeVar Burton's performance is crippled by that damn visor on his eyes. The most interesting parts of the episode involve the Klingons, and there are two pretty great actors playing the guest roles here.
We also get our first glimpse of a shadowy Romulan female who will emerge soon. The ending highlights the limitations of episodic television as Deanna emphasises to Geordi that it will take him a "very long time" to resolve and accept what has happened to him; nope, he's fine by the next episode.
That whole thing between Raj and Anu is not working. It feels forced and unnatural and they have no chemistry. But the writers seem determined to have everyone married by the end of the show.
That Fortnite B story was just terrible. Bernadette is the WORST!!!
Very intriguing episode! I'm excited to see the conclusion.
Is it just me or does the cave that Picard and Data are lead to by the Romulan guards look at lot like the cave from 3 episodes ago (Silicon Avatar), where Riker and co. where hiding from the Crystalline Entity?
I was prepared to be irritated after watching yet another episode about Riker finding a playmate, but this was a very good, very intense episode.
Aw, I would've liked to see more of the Bozeman crew adjusting to the present time.
The success of this episode relies almost entirely on the perfect casting of Famke Janssen as Kamala. Star Trek doesn't have a great history of guest stars, but it's so clear from this episode that she's above the usual guest talent and was destined for a big acting career. True to her character, she manages to create excellent chemistry with everyone she interacts with.
It's also a strong episode due to how much it exposes of Captain Picard. It's clear that he always keeps a tight reign on his own personal feelings and those walls come down here. I particularly loved the casual scenes with Beverley, and I'd wish we'd seen more like that through the series.
For all that, there's no denying it's a fairly offensive story in regards to women. It also assumes that all men are attracted to Kamala, forgetting that some people have different sexuality, and doesn't even attempt to show how she interacts with other women.
The Ferengi are both fun (another Max Grodenchik performance) and it's amusing to see a pre-X-Men Stewart and Janssen together, especially as she introduces herself as a "mutant".
I had to laugh at Riker resisting the come-on from Kamala. As he leaves he says, "I'll be on the holodeck" ... is that the Star Trek equivalent of, "I'll be in my bunk?"
I don't think this episode had much impact on me as a kid, but watching it now I realised what a wonderful piece of work it is. I've often had a problem with the Borg, in that they just aren't very interesting. Certainly they've managed to give them a cold sort of sense of dread, but mostly they are incredibly bland. 'I, Borg' finally gives them a new angle and it was much needed.
It's also surprising just how little they featured in the show, with this only being their third appearance. We get a brilliant character piece here for Picard, but also for Guinan and even Geordi. It's especially unnerving to Guinan, usually the poster child for serenity and good sense, to clearly be angry and unwilling to let go of her hate. Picard's responses are more expected and the episode allows us to go on a wonderful journey with him. I was particularly impressed by his mental transition back to being Locutus.
The real reason the episode works as a whole though is because the great performance by the young actor playing Hugh. He presents vulnerability and confusion well, without breaking into anything overly emotional or melodramatic.
It does seem that this episode would be completely ignored by the time of the First Contact movie, notably in regard to Picard's state of mind, and there are inconsistencies which aren't really addressed. I think at this point the idea was that Borg were still born and grown instead of being made up of all the species that they had assimilated.
Ivar is an idiot. lol
All hail Ivar the brainless
One of the best performances from Patrick Stewart. Great Star Trek
I fell asleep. I think it turns out that the dog did it. You're welcome, I just saved you from having to watch this one.
Quite possibly the only time TNG managed successfully to pull of a romantic episode. This is a gorgeous and emotional exploration of Picard's spirit, helped all the more by the focus on music as a way to another person's heart. The biggest issue for me is just how much Nella Daren resembles Beverley Crusher; she's literally like a body double or stand in for her, and given Picard's series-long attraction to the doctor this comes across a a bit amusing.
It's great that the story references events of 'The Inner Light' (an episode I criticised for never having any impact on the episodes that follow; this one proves me at least somewhat wrong), but it's also worth noting that something very similar happens here. Picard finds love and seemingly a new way of feeling comfortable with himself, but it's all over by the end of the episode and any effect it may have had on his character is forgotten from here on. It's such a shame that TNG couldn't have plot threads running through episodes.
It's also one of the very few episodes in which music was allowed to be more than bland background noise (I'll never understand why Trek was only ever allowed to use the musical equivalent of a beige carpet). There's some really beautiful pieces here, both played by characters and as a part of the soundtrack. The background story involving the storm and the rescue attempts don't feel very compelling for much of the running time, but it does enable the episode to build up to a tense ending. The good chemistry between the actors was also essential in this working (see the many Troi romance episodes in which there never is any).
What I have to commend this episode for is the depiction of real emotion. It captures the joy of playing music with another person (I know this, I do it for a living) and also heartbreak. The shot of Picard sitting alone in his quarters, coming to terms with the fact that Nella may be gone is really, really upsetting.
Best lines
I’m waiting for an old friend - Bran
You left me for dead - Hound
I also robbed you - Arya
I’ve always had blue eyes! - Tormund
Whatever they want - Dany
but
It had its moments - Sansa
They need wheelchair ramps in Winterfell. They left Bran in the courtyard overnight!
Parallelism between Season 1 Episode 1 and Season 8 Episode 1
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ S08E01 Jon: "Where's Arya?" Sansa: "Lurking somewhere."Foreshadowing (from different Seasons/Episodes.)
01. S03E05“ “Let’s not go back. Let’s stay here a while longer,” Ygritte tells Jon. “I don’t ever want to leave this cave, Jon Snow.” S08E01 “We could stay a thousand years. No one would find us,” Daenerys says to Jon.02. Sam is suggesting rebelling against the Targaryen because they burned his father and brother alive. Similar to when Robert's Rebellion, began when Rhaegar Targaryen, allegedly abducted Robert's betrothed, Lyanna Stark.
Shame, what this show became...soap f*ing opera
More entertainng than part 1, but a lot more stupid. Data's change is nonsensical and Lore is reduced to a James Bond villain. Picard and Geordi's method of re-enabling Data's ethics is a giant WTF moment. And while the return of Hugh is welcome, he isn't given anything interesting to do. I don't understand why the writers didn't team him back up with Geordi given their past friendship.
I really enjoy the stuff on board the Enterprise with Beverly in charge though, it just makes a pleasant change, and similarly it's great to see an untested bridge crew. But Lore deserved a better send off.
One of the more bizarre offerings of the show. The stuff with Picard and Ana down on the planet falls into some terrible TV tropes, but it turns out that it's all on purpose - and somehow, that doesn't make it any better. Far more entertaining is Worf's situation, but we don't really get to see much of it.
I honestly have no memory of seeing this episode before, it has almost zero substance. I wonder if upon reflection Picard feels okay about the ambassador kissing him so much!
Sure, let's take the one thing that makes Star Trek possible and demonize it. It's painfully obvious that the writer of this episode wanted to make a political point about the use of fossil fuels here on earth. Leave it to a liberal to pee on everyone's parade.
I thought it's impossible to beam stuff out of the holodeck.. Weird that it worked with the tents. ;)
The episode that turns our lovely Enterprise crew into little more than murderers, and seems to want us to be on their side. A ridiculous concept for an episode that shows the Prime Directive for the nonsense it is, and feels like it's completely against the spirit of what these characters have always stood for.
Redeemed a little by having Paul Sorvino as Worf's brother Nikolai and for a creative use of the holodeck (later recycled in Star Trek: Insurrection), but even that is contrived as it conveniently stops working for plot purposes. Plus, if they needed a way to fix it then why not just sedate all of the Boraalans while they're sleeping and carry out the reboot?
Correct order: Episode 1
It was nice to watch, I enjoyed it, given it was 2002 back then, so it is a 9/10 XD
I am watching the series in preferred order:
I have to be honest. I found the first two episodes to be rather boring with low production values (which I expected given ultra low budget) and weak performances from several cast members.
But my friends urged me to continue on, so here I am, watching the 3rd episode. Well, Bushwhacked wasn't boring, with Alien-like undertone. And some of the characters like Mal, Wash, and Jayne are starting to grow on me. I am still not entirely sure the series will live up to ultra high hype, but I am now looking forward to watching the next episode.
Correct order: Episode 5
Have fun!
"If you take sexual advantage of her, you're going to burn in a very special level of hell.
A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater."
Correct order: Episode 14 (last episode)
It was great, but many loose ends :( Not the show's fault, it is the damn stupid channel who messed the episodes' order and canceled the show!!!
Update: Check Serenity 2005, it is a movie that continue the actions after this episode, this movie almost wrap up all loose ends like a season 2 that never happened.
Someone is trying to start a war and it isn't Mars. Is it just the Belt? Or is someone on earth vying for control of it all?
Avarsarala is my favorite so far. Even while using her friend to get around the rules, she is not made out to be cold hearted, but rather determined and with strong convictions. These characteristics are usually placed with men, but it's so refreshing to see a clearly morally gray female character that isn't automatically demonized. Here we see her use her friend and ambassador to confirm if Mars is behind the attack, which ultimate leads to him being collateral damage in her search for evidence against the Red Planet. What she does find instead is that Mars isn't at fault. But the ambadassor does give us insight into her: she's a smart, cunning and bold woman who always gets what she wants and usually she wants to "win", even if that means she has to make up her own rules. (Note: out of all the cast so far, she is by far my fav. So much under the surface that I want to see more. Is she a good? a bad? or forever in the vastness of the gray?)
After beeing arrested by the Mars Federation, our small crew from the water carrier/Canterbury is placed under interrigation and everyone's secrets come out (Former Mars Military, a Possible OPA Member, and a privilged Earther). This crew is much more than they seem. No one really knows anyone and they might just turn on each other as they feel the flames of power. The crew survived space, but can they survive each other?
Loved the interrogation scenes. These remind me of what care the showrunner/directors take in showing us the differences in physiology between the three groups. Here we see the enhaced/altered abilities of the Mars people as the interrogator has enhanced vision, camera focusing on his eyes as he interrogates and notices nuances or small movements in the prisoners, almost as a lie detector. They use this to create the tension in the interrogation, having the viewer watch him what the prisoner, looking to see if he catches a lie or false info, revealing a possible culprit.
Back on Ceres things are getting really interesting. The shipment of water is VERY LATE, due to the destroyed Canterbury, which has everyone on high alert, tensions palpable. With Holden's "Mars Attacked Us" message, the OPA is ready to revolt and now they have a martyr for their cause.
Miller has finally connected Mao's disapperance to the Scopuli, and to the destroyed water carrier, but he has also connected her to the OPA, but they are dangerous territory.
The Martians do give us another piece of the puzzle. Now we have Phoebe research station, a restricted station. What was going on on Phoebe that had the Martians so interested in what the Canterbury crew could know?
The pace of the show is still slow. Revealing small pieces of the puzzle, just like a book. Feels more like a mini series than traditional series.
Solid all around. Rate the ep a 7.5.
As hell breaks loose on Eros, the Rocinante crew figure out something is not right. Miller and Holden find an infected group of Belters as they are dosed with lethal amount of radiation. Enough to assure their deaths. Their only salvation is getting to the Rocinante for some radiation treatment, that's if they can make it through a station that neither of them know, where Corporation people are at every turn making sure nobody makes it out alive.
It's interesting that Miller and Holden are paired up, the realist who has to fight at every turn, knowing that the system is against them, and the ever hopeful, who feels like all can be saved if only you try hard enough.... both men always finding trouble wherever they go.
The rest of the misfit crew is working their way through the tunnels trying to find a way to the ship, trying to save themselves and as many people they can convince that salvation is with them.
Again, Chrisjen is my favorite. She knows she is playing a chess game and she knows that manipulation is her only salvation, the only way to get at the truth when those in power are lying/hiding.
Finally Holden and Miller make it to the ship, just in time to get radiation treatment. And the Rocinante blast off, leaving the ProtoMolecule infested Eros Station, They live to fight another day.
The final scene is the UN spy being devoured by the almost sentient PM, as we see it has taken over the whole station. What is it? Why did Mao Corporation create it? What was the point in using Eros as a lab? Where will the Rocinante find refuge? Can Chrisjen win the politics game to find the truth? So many questions answered, so many more raised.
Anyone care to explain to me why Bashir couldn't simply replicate another dress uniform when he realized he'd misplaced his? It's not like they're forced to ration replicator usage like the crew of a certain ship lost in the Delta Quadrant…
so sherlock is over, and these are my thoughts on the finale in order of appearance:
since when the show is a horror movie and why was there a fucking clown.
the motion sensor was activated after the drone had landed and mycroft obviously knew enough about those explosives to realise that’s how they work, so why the hell did they wait for that to happen instead of immediately running away? oh wait. the drama.
they actually put that horrible cgi explosion from the trailer into the episode… why. later, in the very end, i will be reminded of it while watching sherlock and john run in slow mo.
why couldn’t mycroft, an important government figure and a relative of eurus, officially check up on her instead of the whole dress up game? and then he obviously shows us that he can fire or order around anyone in that prison which makes their shenanigans even less relevant. it’s really sad to see non-existent problems beings “solved” just to use screen time and mindlessly entertain the viewers. detective stories are supposed to be reasonable.
okay, i’m sorry but i’m not buying that “enslaving” bullshit. i want to know how she does it, because all we were given is some pieces of weird bullshit that wouldn’t faze anyone in their right mind. it reminds me of the cabbie from the pilot episode that supposedly talked his victims into killing themselves. but in the end we learned that he just threatened them with a fake gun. ah those good old times when the show had its wits and integrity still intact…
they sure like to deliberately make sherlock obtuse. i just don’t buy him missing that there’s no glass when he’s close to it and there’s still no reflexion. and shouldn’t the music sound muffled too or did the fiddle had its own voice modulator installed? interesting.
i know moriarty being alive would make no sense, but the show is guilty of occasionally doing that already, and he’s such a believably smart and psychotic character that’s interesting to watch that i would have gladly used my suspension of disbelief card.
i thought the girl on the plane was an idiot because she kept giving useless answers to important questions, but the reveal in the end explained it. 1-0, touche. then again, surely eurus would be imagining herself as the young version of herself and the sole reason they used another child actor is to keep the mystery up, which is a pretty cheap trick. 1-1.
now the real idiot (or more like a dumb plot device) here is undoubtedly molly. she fucking knows what sherlock does and in what kind of situations he sometime ends up being, and he obviously sounded nervous and agitated from the get go and eventually resorted to fucking begging, so why the hell couldn’t she trust him and just say what he asked her to? oh i know why. the drama. again. also her making sherlock “confess” his love for her she knows he doesn’t have literally came out of nowhere and had fanservice written all over it. and that conversation was so unrealistic and forced for the sake of plot progression it honestly made me cringe. god i wish they were more subtle with molly and her sad love for sherlock and all the irene adler mentions before it instead of jamming them into the storyline and reinforcing their awkward attempts to bring to life sherlock’s absent libido. they even made him destroy that coffin in a melodramatic fit, which was ridiculous because compared to the other experiments the molly incident surely warranted that kind of emotional outburst the least, no one had died after all. but wait, some fans are gonna love using that as proof for sherlock’s romantic feelings for molly, so that’s why it happened.
mycroft goading sherlock into killing him was painfully obvious, considering he’s the one who has been quite vocal about his brother not being a pragmatic automaton but a quite emotionally driven creature, and that he would never kill john, regardless of his intellectual capabilities.
so the lesson here is that you should pay more attention to your little sisters?..
you can’t just switch psychopathy on and off. but of course eurus was able to. in once instance she’s a cold blooded murderer that doesn’t understand the difference between killing someone innocent and someone guilty, in general she has a spontaneous child murder on her record, but oh no, the episode is almost over and we can’t possibly kill john watson (like we couldn't blow up molly or shoot mycroft, but had no problem axing mary, a character that no one gave two shits about, dead or alive, or moriarty, who had basically been the best character; good job on fucking up twice), the fans would rage, so let’s make our villain a crying scared little girl that longs for brotherly love and make her suddenly change her evil ways, so we could wrap this shit up and move on.
and why did they put her back in the place she can easily break out from? what even has changed? can’t she make the staff into her bitches again just by talking to them (eternal eyeroll) like she did before? yeah she’s not mad at sherlock anymore (because he gives her attention now! how cute), but she’s still a mentally disturbed person and the cage must get boring when you have a fiddle as your only source of entertainment.
so yeah, i basically wrote a fucking essay or more like a hateful ode to the show, but i don’t actually hate it, i still adore first two seasons, tolerate the third and i have been relatively entertained by the last one, this episode included, even if i undoubtedly think the show hasn't been clever for a long time and it's finale was less a detective and more a weird left-field saw tribute without everything that actually makes saw enjoyable. i'm writing this as a former fan that for the last few years has been mostly disappointed by the show they once loved, that’s all. i’m also bored and writing this kept my mind busy. that makes this otherwise useless “review” worth it, i guess.
