I loved the short music you played every time you mentioned the Prime Directive. I laughed every time. You should always do this. It really emphasizes the ridiculousness of how they treat the Prime Directive not just in this episode, but throughout the show.
The one good thing about this episode is Beverly's uniform was for some reason really tight in this one. Some assistant must have left it in the dryer too long.
We were talking at home about this episode with my wife... If this small nation was transported to another planet, wouldn't they be surprised by the different terrain? By the totally different trees, flowers, etc? Not to mention that the animals they always have seen are gone, instead of really strange animals showing up in their lives. Even if they are like 1000 years behind in technologies, they would notice if they start seeing monstrous-animals and they would realize that something is off... :D
Season 7 reminds me of popular sitcoms in the 80s that were near the end of their run where they pull out a bunch of random new family members to appear or some other crazy shit that was completely contradictory to the characters in past seasons. It seemed like apart from a few episodes in season 7, the writers just stopped trying to world-build and add to the lore in any meaningful way.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Riker is the only member of the main cast who doesn't get a long lost family member story this season (though he does get a "figure from his past" story in The Pegasus.)
That and romance teases. It was an alternative universe but you had Worf X Troi. The Picard X Crusher thing was teased early in the first season and basically dropped until the brain meld episode. If TNG had more female regulars you'd see even more pairings and teases.
@@davidjamessheets Never heard of it. Pretty sure that episode doesn't actually exist and everyone's Mandela-Effect hallucinated it. I will not be convinced otherwise.
According to the wikia, Although the existence of Worf's adoptive brother was first established in "Heart of Glory," his name was never given until "Homeward."
Just saw this episode. I want to say that I’ve been following you guys since I started watching Star Trek TNG. For every episode I watch, I come on here and watch the review after. You guys are great and your humor makes it 10x better. Unlike other reviewers who are boring. Keep it up.
One of the worst moments for Picard in the original series, if not THE absolute worst moment. He just stands there as a whole species is wiped out of existence, and he has the power to stop it or save them and just....doesnt. And we are supposed to be like what, be upset at Nikolai for saving the lives of the people? Worf thinks letting them all die for his honor was the right thing to do? This also is straight up the opposite of what he did in the same situation earlier on "Pen Pals" when he saved a species who was about to be wiped out by their planets natural disasters too. It just makes our main characters look like cold-hearted sociopaths who hide behind the line "Just following orders" Ugh Ugh. On a positive note the stuff like "THE LINES OF LAFORGE" and the Worfs D&D quest shenanigans were funny to watch.
Voyager has a lot of character inconsistencies thanks to so many writers having weird takes on what Janeway et al were about, and what the prime directive really meant. I doubt anyone writing for broadcast television, especially syndicated television, cared about what has been done in previous episodes unless it worked with the story they wanted to tell. It seemed that Worf’s brother’s plan should have been standard procedure for Starfleet when faced with the extinction of a prewarp civilization due to a natural disaster. But instead standard protocol is to let everyone die because they were a few centuries behind in technology.
@@daylanjones4770Yeah, he would thinly slice the space garlic with a space razor so that it would liquefy in the space pan with just a little bit of space olive oil.
As for your questions "up the long ladder" the ship cleans itself which may explain the lack of restrooms lol. "Encounter at farpoint" we see water persist even after leaving the holodeck. Any food items can be made permanent. It effectly acts as a replicator in that regard.
@@BTScriviner Yah, but the Holideck is also simular to a replicator so it can also destroy material as needed too. Probably as soon as it leave the grid.
@@matthewfitzpatrick4290 I agree. It was a weekly TV Show and I too still find it highly entertaining despite some silly stories or mistakes in direction. I love it for its triumphs and the good episodes far outweigh the bad ones. Still, it is ok if somebody sort of grows out of it or has changed since childhood.
That's the thing. TNG slaloms in quality over its last three years. But RA's reviews of the reviews remain consistently good or better. Homeward is one of their best yet! 👍
I am not sure if this episode is similar to one before it. However it is odd that there are striking resemblances between this episode and the third film "Insurrection".
Next, the prime directive drinking game. "Synthehol right?" "Sure, let's go with that." I found myself mentally changing your prime directive music with "dun dun dun!" from the Croods 2. Seems to fit much better for me at least.
reason why season 7 is a drag sometimes is that they reused rejected plots from the other seasons to make filler episodes in this one. My guess is whoever was pitching personal family drama in star trek tng always got no as an answer until season 7 which was partially rushed and had a lot of improvisation. (the original contracts for everyone involved was just 6 seasons so everyone only prepared for 6 seasons) Season 7 does have good episodes though but it is clear those episodes were specifically written for it rather than generic plots that could have happened any time in the other seasons.
6:08 This was around the time of Honey I shrunk the kids. I thought Nikolai was going to say Worf, I shrunk the Vidalians, and put them in this small diorama.
@@___-yy8ud The snooze cruise show. OH LOOK THE WORMHOLE IS DOING STUFF AGAIN. Odo fighting quark and his kooky club antics. It's like the Big Bang Theory. Every episode is the same.
@@AquarianNomadic Watch past Season 2. The first 2 seasons are entirely about setting up the characters and giving out little bits of their backstories in preparation for the rest of the show's significantly more story arc heavy narrative... Though it is frustrating esp with how little some season 1 eps give you in terms of plot... But it is easily the best Star Trek show once the overarcing plot actually gets going.
I think what shows to do in their last season, especially shows like Star Trek, is look back over there first three or four seasons and make a bunch of callback / follow-up episodes.
While the holodeck is not consistent in the show, you specifically mentioned getting wet. I think in the very first episode of the show, and several other times, they show people wet after falling into water in the holodeck, and stay wet after leaving the holodeck.
Water should be easy to replicate on the fly if people chose to stick their hand into holographic water. After it’s replicated it’s just water on the person and stays until it evaporates. So I guess sticking your hand in holographic acid won’t cause replicated acid to be formed unless the safety protocols were turned off.
Those Baraalan's only managed to save a few of those scrolls. The Baraalan took one onto the Enterprise and died, so that was one missing, then, as if it wasn't bad enough, Worf nicked another! Bloody arrogant Klingons. 😆
I loved the prime directive jingle - sums up the stupidity in the thinking of Gene Roddenberry when he created it and then later lived to regret ever inventing it.
This episode was odd but I kind of remember enjoying it. The sign of LaForge was corny but it made me crack a little smirk😏. My only real gripe is that Worf’s brother is larping as a different species and we’re supposed to believe he can do that forever-how long is that prosthetic nose gonna hold up? Won’t his child prob look half human?
This episode ruined Picard's whole moral standing for me. After violating the Prime Directive so many times in the past, to now suddenly enforce it as a planet dies was a crime against humanity, only replace humanity with Boraalan. To say he was just following orders doesn't cut it, the SOB stood on his bridge and refused to lift a finger to help any of the poor sods who were dying through lack of O2, on the planet below. Troi was also a let down in this episode. Assuming she could feel the emotions of the dying, and again, refusing to even suggest to Picard to help was a total disgrace. The only characters to come out of this episode looking like they had a heart were Nikolai and Crusher, who also wanted to help the unfortunate Boraalans; the rest of the crew were total scumbags. The only saving grace for them was the fact they didn't stop Nikolai in his actions; do you think that deep down they knew letting those people die was wrong and their consciences were troubling them? Good video! I might not agree with some of your thoughts, but I really did enjoy watching it. Oh and I rate this episode Z-!!! 🤣
Yeah, this episode. D for me and for much of the same reasons Robert points out. I don't have a problem with them introducing new family or friends so late in the series, as they have done this extensively throughout all the seasons, but this one feels odd. However, having a brother that's a pain in the arse, I can relate to it. Beverly's Romulan cousin and Picard's twin sisters certainly would be interesting episodes. I like where those might lead. Perhaps they could have shot both of those concepts in the same episode, and called the episode "Paradoxal Tri-Hijinks". Maybe they could throw in Lwaxana for some comedy relief and make it an even four. Good review, question though; did that episode really include that many mentions of the "Prime Directive"?
Is it just me, or have I never seen this episode? Seemed unimportant, except the concept was used in the STNG movie later, of doing a pretend holodeck, to move a civilization without them knowing.
I have never understood the prime directive in cases where following it would cause the extinction of a sapient species. I feel that being extinct is far more damaging to a culture than mere cultural contamination.
In the extreme interpretation it could be a "This dying guy could be the next Hitler!" type of thing. Like what if that civilization in a few thousand years starts enslaving the whole quadrant and maybe even somebody notices then that it was that the Federation who saved them earlier. Or much more trivial, the appearance of them on that uninhabited planet might cause that an animal that could bring forth a sentient species on that planet will loose against them now that they arrived. And in full generality, this all is just an instance of the trolley problem.
This episode always felt dumb to me especially because "The Prime Directives" does actually allow the saving of civilizations from natural disasters as long as you don't make yourself known.
You guys were unfair. I liked the actor who played Nikolai, as well as the holodeck simulation. Although... The suicide was very rushed and a bit sad for this kind of episode and there was definitely a bunch of recycling. Didn't they move people from a planet before and didn't Data save a little alien girl?
2:49 "I am not a merry man."
Part Deux
As soon as I seen what he was wearing I remembered that older line.
I loved the short music you played every time you mentioned the Prime Directive. I laughed every time. You should always do this. It really emphasizes the ridiculousness of how they treat the Prime Directive not just in this episode, but throughout the show.
The one good thing about this episode is Beverly's uniform was for some reason really tight in this one. Some assistant must have left it in the dryer too long.
somebody splash this guy
Hadn't realized that Sisko's girlfriend and eventual wife was, in fact, an alien from a backwater planet before she became a freighter captain 😂
We were talking at home about this episode with my wife... If this small nation was transported to another planet, wouldn't they be surprised by the different terrain? By the totally different trees, flowers, etc? Not to mention that the animals they always have seen are gone, instead of really strange animals showing up in their lives. Even if they are like 1000 years behind in technologies, they would notice if they start seeing monstrous-animals and they would realize that something is off... :D
Given that they were, apparently, willing to believe that the stars would be different ... they'll pretty much believe anything!?
Season 7 reminds me of popular sitcoms in the 80s that were near the end of their run where they pull out a bunch of random new family members to appear or some other crazy shit that was completely contradictory to the characters in past seasons. It seemed like apart from a few episodes in season 7, the writers just stopped trying to world-build and add to the lore in any meaningful way.
I mean, i think even modern long running sitcoms do that these days
Yeah, I'm pretty sure Riker is the only member of the main cast who doesn't get a long lost family member story this season (though he does get a "figure from his past" story in The Pegasus.)
That and romance teases. It was an alternative universe but you had Worf X Troi. The Picard X Crusher thing was teased early in the first season and basically dropped until the brain meld episode. If TNG had more female regulars you'd see even more pairings and teases.
It's a massive worldbuilding waste considering they already had DS9 in its second season and a movie planned.cluld have had some big DS9 tie ins
I'm so sad this will be over soon! This has been years of entertainment! Thanks for keeping it up!
That’s why we have DS9.
😁
@@patrickstewart3446god yes
@@patrickstewart3446 Make it so. 👍
All good things...
I think Worf's half brother is briefly mentioned in an earlier episode, but it's a throwaway line.
Code of Honor.
@@davidjamessheets Never heard of it. Pretty sure that episode doesn't actually exist and everyone's Mandela-Effect hallucinated it. I will not be convinced otherwise.
According to the wikia, Although the existence of Worf's adoptive brother was first established in "Heart of Glory," his name was never given until "Homeward."
Words cannot express how much I want to see the next episode.
That "Prime Directive, do, do do" horse is well tenderized.
8:21 It was at this moment Vorin decided to pursue his Cellular regeneration and entertainment chamber concept.
Just saw this episode. I want to say that I’ve been following you guys since I started watching Star Trek TNG. For every episode I watch, I come on here and watch the review after. You guys are great and your humor makes it 10x better. Unlike other reviewers who are boring. Keep it up.
One of the worst moments for Picard in the original series, if not THE absolute worst moment. He just stands there as a whole species is wiped out of existence, and he has the power to stop it or save them and just....doesnt. And we are supposed to be like what, be upset at Nikolai for saving the lives of the people? Worf thinks letting them all die for his honor was the right thing to do?
This also is straight up the opposite of what he did in the same situation earlier on "Pen Pals" when he saved a species who was about to be wiped out by their planets natural disasters too.
It just makes our main characters look like cold-hearted sociopaths who hide behind the line "Just following orders" Ugh Ugh.
On a positive note the stuff like "THE LINES OF LAFORGE" and the Worfs D&D quest shenanigans were funny to watch.
Voyager has a lot of character inconsistencies thanks to so many writers having weird takes on what Janeway et al were about, and what the prime directive really meant. I doubt anyone writing for broadcast television, especially syndicated television, cared about what has been done in previous episodes unless it worked with the story they wanted to tell.
It seemed that Worf’s brother’s plan should have been standard procedure for Starfleet when faced with the extinction of a prewarp civilization due to a natural disaster. But instead standard protocol is to let everyone die because they were a few centuries behind in technology.
Nikolai might have moved slow to send that distress call, but it was only because Nikolai didn't have to move for anybody.
😆 I heard he didn't like to use communicators, people had to run back and forward to relay messages by word.
He was in charge of making the sauce too. Had a very good system.
@@daylanjones4770Yeah, he would thinly slice the space garlic with a space razor so that it would liquefy in the space pan with just a little bit of space olive oil.
As for your questions "up the long ladder" the ship cleans itself which may explain the lack of restrooms lol. "Encounter at farpoint" we see water persist even after leaving the holodeck. Any food items can be made permanent. It effectly acts as a replicator in that regard.
So people just relieve themselves wherever they want and the ship cleans it up? 🤣🤣
@@BTScriviner Yah, but the Holideck is also simular to a replicator so it can also destroy material as needed too. Probably as soon as it leave the grid.
Yes, with Nicholai's attitude, he might make a better captain than Picard.
Just a FYI "the atmosphere is being destroyed" and the "atmosphere is dissipating" mean the same thing.
When I was younger, Star Trek TNG was my favorite TV show. Thanks to your videos, I now realize I was wrong. Thank you, Reverse Angle! ;-)
Still one of my favourite shows despite the flaws, then again I like Voyager.
But best will always be DS9
@@matthewfitzpatrick4290 I agree. It was a weekly TV Show and I too still find it highly entertaining despite some silly stories or mistakes in direction. I love it for its triumphs and the good episodes far outweigh the bad ones. Still, it is ok if somebody sort of grows out of it or has changed since childhood.
If the next gen wasn't your favor show in the early 90s. What's your second option? Clarissa explains it all !! Lol
Babylon 5 was great. Still love tng
Like all shows it has some poor seasons and poor episodes within good seasosn its still one of the greatest TV series off all time.
Oh boy… next video you’re doing the ghost episode right!?
That's the thing. TNG slaloms in quality over its last three years. But RA's reviews of the reviews remain consistently good or better. Homeward is one of their best yet! 👍
DINNAE LIGHT THAT CANDLE!!!!
@ 17:45 It's the fact that it was Space Paulie ..He had the Space Mob behind him, so he could get away with anything!!
I am not sure if this episode is similar to one before it. However it is odd that there are striking resemblances between this episode and the third film "Insurrection".
Next, the prime directive drinking game.
"Synthehol right?"
"Sure, let's go with that."
I found myself mentally changing your prime directive music with "dun dun dun!" from the Croods 2.
Seems to fit much better for me at least.
reason why season 7 is a drag sometimes is that they reused rejected plots from the other seasons to make filler episodes in this one.
My guess is whoever was pitching personal family drama in star trek tng always got no as an answer until season 7 which was partially rushed and had a lot of improvisation. (the original contracts for everyone involved was just 6 seasons so everyone only prepared for 6 seasons)
Season 7 does have good episodes though but it is clear those episodes were specifically written for it rather than generic plots that could have happened any time in the other seasons.
Nice ending with the chimes.
6:08 This was around the time of Honey I shrunk the kids. I thought Nikolai was going to say Worf, I shrunk the Vidalians, and put them in this small diorama.
I was surprised that Worf took the chronicle in the end. Maybe just make a ‘photocopy’ of it.
That "THE PRIME DIRECTIVE" jingle was so great
It was made in GarageBand wasn't it? I recognise that sound...
Simple Physics piano init?
Ah yes, the episode that made Picard an irredeemable bastard.
Who cares about this episode. The greatest episode of TNG is next!
OMG 😳
It's gonna be great! Sub Ross
Where Bev has sex with space ghosts?
I'm looking for to Genesis, where everyone devolved on the ship.
In Hindsight .. No... That episode sucks... Literally sums up as 'G-rape Crush' ....
Almost to the end!
Voyager next?
DEEP SPACE NIIIINEEEEE
@@___-yy8ud The snooze cruise show.
OH LOOK THE WORMHOLE IS DOING STUFF AGAIN.
Odo fighting quark and his kooky club antics.
It's like the Big Bang Theory.
Every episode is the same.
@@AquarianNomadic the first three seasons are a bit snoozey, especially the first two. I often skip the first two seasons when rewatching DS9.
@@AquarianNomadic Watch past Season 2. The first 2 seasons are entirely about setting up the characters and giving out little bits of their backstories in preparation for the rest of the show's significantly more story arc heavy narrative... Though it is frustrating esp with how little some season 1 eps give you in terms of plot... But it is easily the best Star Trek show once the overarcing plot actually gets going.
@@parrot998 I watched it weekly.
I recall my 20s fairly well even though it was a long....... long time ago.
If those bronze age Vulcans can accept learning the truth about advanced aliens, why can't these people?
When their options are learn the truth and accept it or your species DIES out forever, I'd think they would chose the former
At the rate they are going they may finsh reviewing every episode of tng at around the same time picard season 3 ends.
OK, I have to ask. What is up with the music following “the prime directive”?
Fab review as always. ♥ That Prime Directive sting. 😅
Always glad to see a reference to "the Stuff"
'Who's next?' Beverly's. Dead. Grandmother! Oh, it's finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F- for main characters preferring to see people die rather than see them change the way they live.
Then they ripped off this episode (including the malfunctioning holodeck) in Star Trek Insurrection.
I think what shows to do in their last season, especially shows like Star Trek, is look back over there first three or four seasons and make a bunch of callback / follow-up episodes.
Worf mentioned that he had a human brother, way back in Heart of Glory
I remember thinking this was a nonsensical episode, glad you agree!! I cracked up about the pee in the holadeck? Not sure how that's spelled?
While the holodeck is not consistent in the show, you specifically mentioned getting wet. I think in the very first episode of the show, and several other times, they show people wet after falling into water in the holodeck, and stay wet after leaving the holodeck.
Water should be easy to replicate on the fly if people chose to stick their hand into holographic water. After it’s replicated it’s just water on the person and stays until it evaporates. So I guess sticking your hand in holographic acid won’t cause replicated acid to be formed unless the safety protocols were turned off.
Holodeck matter cannot exist outside the holodeck. Except when it does.
Those Baraalan's only managed to save a few of those scrolls. The Baraalan took one onto the Enterprise and died, so that was one missing, then, as if it wasn't bad enough, Worf nicked another! Bloody arrogant Klingons. 😆
I loved the prime directive jingle - sums up the stupidity in the thinking of Gene Roddenberry when he created it and then later lived to regret ever inventing it.
Mom, Dad… Is it really only 7 sleeps til Sub Rosa..?!
This episode was odd but I kind of remember enjoying it. The sign of LaForge was corny but it made me crack a little smirk😏. My only real gripe is that Worf’s brother is larping as a different species and we’re supposed to believe he can do that forever-how long is that prosthetic nose gonna hold up? Won’t his child prob look half human?
LaForge was always NextGen's technobabbler-in-chief. I think "sign of LaForge" is a fitting tribute.
I cannot wait for you to do Genesis. That one is insane
If this is getting scores this low, I can’t wait to see what they rate “Masks” and “Sub Rosa”
😁
I think any normal person who can form thoughts in their brains knows that the "let people die" aspect of the Prime Directive is ridiculous.
I was hoping for that ending in the last few seconds 🤣
😅
This episode ruined Picard's whole moral standing for me. After violating the Prime Directive so many times in the past, to now suddenly enforce it as a planet dies was a crime against humanity, only replace humanity with Boraalan. To say he was just following orders doesn't cut it, the SOB stood on his bridge and refused to lift a finger to help any of the poor sods who were dying through lack of O2, on the planet below.
Troi was also a let down in this episode. Assuming she could feel the emotions of the dying, and again, refusing to even suggest to Picard to help was a total disgrace.
The only characters to come out of this episode looking like they had a heart were Nikolai and Crusher, who also wanted to help the unfortunate Boraalans; the rest of the crew were total scumbags.
The only saving grace for them was the fact they didn't stop Nikolai in his actions; do you think that deep down they knew letting those people die was wrong and their consciences were troubling them?
Good video! I might not agree with some of your thoughts, but I really did enjoy watching it. Oh and I rate this episode Z-!!! 🤣
Um actually they mentioned his brother in season 1 Heart of Glory
Next week, Sub Rosa ! I've been waiting a long time for this ! This one was horrible, too !
Yeah, this episode. D for me and for much of the same reasons Robert points out.
I don't have a problem with them introducing new family or friends so late in the series, as they have done this extensively throughout all the seasons, but this one feels odd. However, having a brother that's a pain in the arse, I can relate to it.
Beverly's Romulan cousin and Picard's twin sisters certainly would be interesting episodes. I like where those might lead. Perhaps they could have shot both of those concepts in the same episode, and called the episode "Paradoxal Tri-Hijinks". Maybe they could throw in Lwaxana for some comedy relief and make it an even four.
Good review, question though; did that episode really include that many mentions of the "Prime Directive"?
8:28 That's because it's not technology.🤣
The prime directive depends on the storyline.🤣
Is it just me, or have I never seen this episode? Seemed unimportant, except the concept was used in the STNG movie later, of doing a pretend holodeck, to move a civilization without them knowing.
I have never understood the prime directive in cases where following it would cause the extinction of a sapient species. I feel that being extinct is far more damaging to a culture than mere cultural contamination.
In the extreme interpretation it could be a "This dying guy could be the next Hitler!" type of thing. Like what if that civilization in a few thousand years starts enslaving the whole quadrant and maybe even somebody notices then that it was that the Federation who saved them earlier. Or much more trivial, the appearance of them on that uninhabited planet might cause that an animal that could bring forth a sentient species on that planet will loose against them now that they arrived. And in full generality, this all is just an instance of the trolley problem.
Loving the Prime Directive music. 👍
At this point you all have to at least cover Voyager so you can get some use out of that new Prime Directive Theme.
How are they going to start over a civilian with like a couple dozen people?
Lots and lots of being fully functional.
And then he went on to play Paulie in Goodfellas 😅
It's the PRIME directive because they only violate it on prime numbered star dates
I want to like the video but that would be interfering with the algorithm directive.
This episode always felt dumb to me especially because "The Prime Directives" does actually allow the saving of civilizations from natural disasters as long as you don't make yourself known.
You guys were unfair. I liked the actor who played Nikolai, as well as the holodeck simulation. Although... The suicide was very rushed and a bit sad for this kind of episode and there was definitely a bunch of recycling. Didn't they move people from a planet before and didn't Data save a little alien girl?
I dunno. Even though the points of critique are valid I thought this was an interesting episode that is worth watching.
I liked this episode for what it was, I enjoyed it while watching it but it feels like missed potential, I would give it a D
So is he just going to wear that makeup the rest of his life?
Bev surgically altered him.
It's Nikolaaaj.
They eud be walking over there shit and piss over and over again that the holodeck is only 20 or 40 sqft
LIL BWUDDER