First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 134: Elementary, Dear Data (TNG S2E3)
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The Target Audience are watching Star Trek: The Next Generation for the first time! Today we watch season 2 episode 3 - Elementary, Dear Data
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Watch our discussion on this episode - czcams.com/video/_FXxfRZWBG8/video.htmlsi=1Bab8SmUsIKZ_Jat
The best scene in the whole episode for me is when Worf jumps back in fear of Picard's collapsible top hat.
That's just another thing that makes Worf one of my favourites, he has great comedic sense yet plays the most serious character on the show.
Data did solve the original Holmes mystery. The "unrelated" murder where he determines the man was strangled by the woman's rosary beads. That was the pay off of Pulaski's challenge.
I agree. Furthermore, Data's dismissing the fictional murder case as unimportant compared to their new goal of finding Dr. Pulaski and thwarting Professor Moriarty should show Dr. Pulaski that Data can adapt to changing situations which require new priorities. Moreover, Dr. Pulaski's interactions with Professor Moriarty should convince her that computer generated intelligence can generate a self-aware consciousness. The episode, however, is unclear as to whether or not Dr. Pulaski has reconsidered her attitude toward Data.
Interestingly, in this episode, no one brings up the very important question: since the ship's computer can generate a self-aware hologram and interact with it without using all of its resources, what's stopping the ship's computer from becoming self-aware itself, and wanting to perpetuate it's own independent existence? We saw a possible outcome of such a situation in the TOS episode "The Ultimate Computer."
His portrayal of Moriarty is one of just a handful of roles I have seen Daniel Davis in. He is best-known for his work as Niles in The Nanny, in which he IMO is the best character throughout the whole show.
For that matter, he also played the captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise... the aircraft carrier, that is, in "The Hunt for Red October."
@@DataCab1e Well remember the film and his role there but totally forgot the awesomely related ship name. Thanks for noting.
Not British.
@@themoviedealers - IKR...dude is from Arkansas or something
Fun fact. I live about an hour from the real HMS Victory in Portsmouth, England. She's a remaining ship front the Nepalionic era and is every bit as beautiful as the model depicted in this episode.
I've been on the HMS Victory twice while I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford near Oxford '77 to '86. Most people have no idea how Huge Ships of the Line were. I lived in Oxford!
@@jamesalexander5623 She's massive and still on the Royal Navy active list funnily.
Woman: “It’s dark magic Moriarty”
Moriarty: “The best kind I’m sure”
Inspector Lestrade: Its murder! Murder most foul! I love how they actually captured the holmesian language.
Hey guys! So, Picard wouldn't wear his Dixon Hill costume, because Dixon Hill is set in 30's, while the Holmes mysteries are based in the late 1800's. Also, Geordie is wearing what is called a wing collar, which is correct for the time. Have a great day!
If only he got the appropriate visor, they wouldn't stand out to Moriaty on the street.
I generally assume that if anyone is going to get period-accurate clothes right, it's Hollywood costume departments. They cheap out and don't care when it's anything involving metalworking (like armor). But textiles they'll probably get right.
@fakecubed sometimes...I depends on what access they have. It's usually undergarments (like corsets) and headwear they get wrong, either because they don't think people nowadays would like it, or because they lack the money or time to get them. NOT easy to whip up a corset!
You did get the payoff to the question of whether Data could solve the mystery.
The murder that was apparently “unconnected” was the mystery Data was supposed to solve. And he succeeded while only half concentrating on it, on his way to what he believed was the actual mystery.
Pulaski didn't see him solve that mystery, though.
Holy s***! That exasperated sigh from BOTH of them when Dr. Pulaski enters the scene at 3:46 is just....perfect.😂
They already got her figured out.
I'm still waiting for them to explain to us how we've misjudged the character.
@@Asher8328 Well, you have so....
I did not like Pulaski when she first showed up...in large part because of how dismissively she treated Data. But over the years I have grown to like her more, and to appreciate the arc her character follows...or at least started to.
That collective sigh when Pulaski enters the scene, lmao.
I love this episode; it's such a fun romp, but with a pretty heavy moral dilemma at the center of it all, it makes you keep thinking about the episode long after it's over.
This episode will never be outdated. The Enterprise computer providing sentient awareness within the capabilities of a fictional 19th century character. A glimpse into "AI" and directing the Enterprise mission of "seeking new LIFE and new civilizations" upon itself. Also confirming that Data is a sentient individual.
For me this is the first important TNG episode. They aren't doing episodes that challenge your ethics or teach morality or world building episodes, so all we really get are character episodes and neat idea episodes. This is really the first Data episode where he is more than a novelty, it provides insight into his thinking process which is very much ODA Loop.
I agree, the first episode that everyone remembers for being good, not remembers for being bad (like the Naked Now). The title helps.
WHAT? Respecting AI is absolutely challenging ethics and morality
@@Dmarcoot TNG does preachy "Here's something everyone agrees with." and "Here's something supported only by plot contrivance." They are never anything worth having a discussion about.
Uh... the very furst episode us by far more important. Introduces all the main characters, the main story, Q, and more. Lol
Pulaski and Data challenge each other - Pulaski is challenged to see Data as more than a machine, and Data is challenged to be more than a "walking encyclopedia."
Yes, i still don't understand, why she is not so well liked within the fandom. I can understand, why the actress felt to be the fifth wheel on the car, because she was the replacement for McFadden, but i really liked her character.
@Anthyrion There are certain characters folks LOVE to hate and she's one of them. I never had an issue with her. But then again I'm one of those few who DOESN'T hate Wesley. 😅
@@cashflowhustlesI also never really hated Wesley. The problem was, that the producers failed to make him an interesting character. And he even had more character dephs then Chekov. Wheaton simply couldn't compete in case of acting against a Patrick Stewart or Jonathan Frakes
@@Anthyrion- I dislike Pulaski because I remember her as being a one-note character. As soon as you saw her, you knew she was only in the scene to say something rude about Data. She served no other purpose. Maybe she had more depth than that and I'm forgetting it, but that's how I recall her.
@@racookster I think, i remember, that she challenged Data to be more, then a Android. She also challenged Picard from time to time (especially when it came to medical examinations) and tried to bond with Worf. She was like the one Captain, who replaced Picard for a while, when a new war with Cardassia was on the edge (the two episodes with the *4! LIGHTS!* shout). She brought some of the crewmembers out of their comfort zone
I'd say this is the best TNG episode so far. It's a wonderful love letter to Sherlock Holmes, a creative and introspective use of the holodeck, Moriarty is a well-acted and layered villain that feels dangerous, a meaty role for Picard and one of the best showcases of Data and Geordi's friendship.
What about Code of Honor???
Got me with the thumbnail guys. Well played.
I wonder that, since the Binars made modifications to the Holodeck and the computer, if the Enterprise has a truly unique capability of creating conscious holodeck characters while other Starfleet ships do not.
Good question. It also raises another important question that was not addressed in this episode: since the ship's computer can generate a self-aware hologram and interact with it without using all of its resources, what's stopping the ship's computer from becoming self-aware itself, and wanting to perpetuate it's own independent existence?
If the ship's computer's ability to do this is due to the Binars' modifications and therefore, unique in Starfleet, then we have seen a possible undesirable outcome of such a situation in the TOS episode "The Ultimate Computer."
@@luminiferous1960 there's always been the implication that the TNG era computers did have some sort of sentience, or at least something similar to the VI's from Mass Effect, a personality wrapped around information. You can see that the time the computer cuts off Data's explanation out of exasperation
@@monkeyman767 Exactly, but that is the problem since Picard argues that Data has rights because he has self-aware conscious sentience, but the prosecution does not counter that argument by saying according to Picard's reasoning Starfleet would then also have to recognize the same rights for every ship's computer, but Picard has not championed such rights for the ship's computer because the ship does not have a humanoid form factor.
Instead, they argue the hypothetical case that if Data's capabilities were in a box on wheels, they wouldn't anthropomorphize it and say it has such rights. Why make up a hypothetical case, when the case of the ships' computers being sentient but not anthropomorphized is staring them in the face?
Furthermore, to show Picard's bias for admitting sentient computer intelligence rights when it appears in the form of a humanoid, the prosecution could have brought up the case of the holographic Moriarty. Riker surely knew about the incident with the holographic Moriarty.
It is also strange that Guinan did not point out to Picard nor did Picard realize himself that Starfleet already has an army of sentient slaves in the form of the ships' computers.
It seems to me that either Riker did not do his best as the prosecutor in this case, or his best is woefully lacking in this case.
Of course, in reality, it is a case of the writers not fully understanding the implications of the situation they created in the story.
@@monkeyman767 It is interesting that Roddenberry explored the concept of the sentient ship's computer more fully in the series Andromeda, and to make it clear that the ship's computer was actually sentient, he gave it a humanoid looking android avatar named Rommie.
Early on in the series, it is stated that avatars were created to allow the crew to relate to their ship on a more human level, and vice versa.
Rommie's personality is largely defined by her function: "I am a warship, and I don't like running from a fight." is a commonly recurring line for her. She is very loyal to her crew, especially to her Captain, Dylan Hunt, and incredibly protective of those in her charge. She is confident, direct, and often displays a sense of pride in her status as a warship capable of destroying entire populations.
Since her creation, Rommie is shown to have evolved differently from the ship's core Artificial Intelligence. Rommie maintains a certain amount of individuality, and is distinct from the core Artificial Intelligence to a large but unspecified degree (On-screen versus Hologram) (On-screen and Hologram versus Rommie). Disagreements are often due to the fact that Rommie exhibits human emotions much more deeply and strongly than the logic-oriented core Artificial Intelligence.
The best episode to this point. Moriarty is from the books, he is Holmes’ brilliant arch enemy.
"Arch" Enemy Indeed!
@@jamesalexander5623Dad, is that you?
Reposted from Patreon: The fourth installment of Star Trek to feature a regular character’s name in the title, after “Spock’s Brain,” "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" and “Datalore,” this episode might more logically have been named “Elementary, My Dear Geordi,” which would have more closely matched the phrase that is the Sherlock Holmes franchise’s equivalent of “Beam me up, Scotty.”
As I experience it now, “Elementary, Dear Data” is a different episode from when I first saw it as a preteen. Back then, I saw a disconcerting, off-putting episode in which Geordi makes an extremely simple and straightforward verbal error that endangers the Enterprise and condemns a conscious being who has committed no real crime to solitary confinement. What makes the episode different now is that, in the intervening years, I have read all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and have become as big a fan of them as I am of Star Trek. I now see the episode as a wondrous homage from one of my favorite fictional creations to another.
While all the specific references to Conan Doyle’s stories in this episode are wonderful to behold, the most profound example of my altered perception comes when Geordi, in the role of Dr. Watson, writes a description of Holmes’ violin-playing in his journal. What viewers who have not read all 60 of Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories may not realize is that this description appears nowhere in any of them. In other words, this is not an existing text that Geordi is copying out from memory. That speech is *Geordi’s own description* of Data’s violin-playing, written in Watson’s voice as though referring to Holmes. It reveals a far more poetic side to Geordi’s character than he has previously displayed and is the most profound expression of his friendship for Data up to this point in the series. I cannot think of a more delicately beautiful gesture of appreciation from one fictional universe to another than this.
Given that Horatio Nelson died aboard the HMS Victory, Geordi’s comment that he wishes Captain Zimbata had been in command of the original Victory is a bit inappropriate! A subtlety I did not notice until this rewatch is the repeated use of the word “victory” in later scenes (“To feel the thrill of a victory… there must be the possibility of failure. Where’s the victory winning a battle you can’t possibly lose?” and “Congratulations, Professor Moriarty, I capitulate to the better man -- your victory is well earned”), creating a verbal and thematic link between strands of the story.
Daniel Davis (Professor Moriarty) is well known to American TV viewers of my generation from his role as Niles, the British butler on "The Nanny," the sitcom starring Fran Drescher. I consider Davis the definitive Moriarty, despite not closely resembling Conan Doyle’s description of the character (making me wonder whether the holodeck modeled him on an actor who had played Moriarty sometime in the past). My dream team of actors to play Conan Doyle’s major characters would be Jeremy Brett (from the 1980s Granada TV series) as Holmes, Martin Freeman (from the BBC’s modernized "Sherlock") as Watson, and Davis as Moriarty.
Amazingly, the Victorian London streets in this episode were all built within the confines of the empty Holodeck set. However, the sets were extremely expensive, and Paramount attempted to compensate by reducing the shooting schedule from eight days to seven, angering director Rob Bowman. Telling you whether the overspend on this episode would have unpleasant consequences later in the season would be a spoiler.
Pulaski’s statement that “The real London was hundreds of square kilometers in size” may imply that London no longer exists in the 24th century (perhaps destroyed in World War III?). As far as I can tell from the Memory Alpha wiki, only one reference later in the franchise contradicts this in the mainline, “prime” version of the Star Trek timeline, leaving open the possibility that London suffered severe damage and is radically different in Picard’s time. (Pulaski could also simply be referring specifically to Victorian London.)
This episode featured one of the best-known deleted scenes in TNG, removed at Gene Roddenberry’s behest. Originally, further dialogue between Picard and Data after Moriarty’s disappearance revealed that Picard was lying to Moriarty. He and Data knew that Moriarty could survive outside the holodeck because the sheet of paper with Moriarty’s drawing of the Enterprise survived outside. If the mortality failsafe had not broken down, the sheet of paper would have disappeared when Data removed it from the holodeck, and therefore its survival meant Moriarty could survive as well.
This scene’s deletion was fortunate for multiple reasons. Gene Roddenberry’s stated reason for removing it was that it made Picard deceitful and therefore unsympathetic. However, it also would have contradicted “The Big Goodbye,” in which the mortality failsafe clearly has broken down (hence the life-threatening injury to Whalen when Leech shoots him), and yet Redblock and Leech disappear after leaving the holodeck. Also, a sheet of paper with a simple line drawing (like the lipstick on Picard's cheek in "The Big Goodbye" and the snowball in "Angel One") would pose no challenge to the Enterprise’s replicators, and it makes sense that the computer would replicate the drawing and transport it into Data’s hands when he walks off the holodeck with it.
The scene in which Data shows Geordi the drawing includes an amusing goof: for Geordi to be able to flip the drawing over the way he does to show it to Data and the audience, Data must have handed it to him upside down! (Of course, there is no up or down in space…)
Pulaski may like artificial intelligences better than she lets on, given her cordial interactions with Moriarty and the fact that, as of this episode, she is pronouncing Data’s name correctly and using his correct pronouns (“he/him”).
In my opinion, “Elementary, Dear Data” is the best TNG episode the Target Audience has yet seen but is not one of the top three episodes of Season 2.
Thanks for that. Very great read. And I do think Pulaski is specifically referring to the size of Victorian London at the time, not to say that London couldn’t have been damaged or destroyed in WW3. I don’t know if any later (or more recent) ST shows have discussed that topic concerning WW3.
I think there are only 3 more of these in TNG
I love it when Star Trek knows when to take itself seriously, and when not to (they don't have a spotless track record). This is a great example of the latter.
This is, to me, the first GREAT episode of TNG. I am looking forward to seeing your critique video about it.
This is one of the best early episodes I think because it contains the classic TNG elements: daily life on the Enterprise, interesting plot, and humor with a dash of pathos at the end.
This is the first episode that changed the tone of the show. You can feel it in the writing and acting.
The perfect English accent, played by an actor from Arkansas
It's great watching 90s movies and suddenly Moriarty/Niles shows up with a believable southern accent.
Sneaky Josh, trying to badger Alex into doing 'The Bit'.
Stick to your guns Alex, we are completly unaware of the 'Meta' nature.
......or are we? B'whahahahahaha!
A Season 2 standout that upended expectations all over, especially that last act where we see Picard "use his words" to bring things to a peaceful conclusion. A very good example of when TNG hooks you with a concept more than space battles and fight scenes or a defined "enemy". This cast and crew is starting to gel they know how to use every character in the story just right.
A sure keeper compared to most episodes so far.
The holodeck keeps displacing part of your head.
The excellent actor playing Moriarty did that same English accent on The Nanny, but you hear his natural American accent in the small role he played in The Hunt for Red October.
I enjoy him in all three projects as well!
Fun Fact for you guys:
The actor that plays Moriarty in this episode of TNG was also in "The Hunt For Red October" as the captain of the aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise, as well as having played the role of Niles on the sitcom "The Nanny"
This is the first of many episodes where Picard's Frenchness couldn't contain Patrick Stewart's Britishness.
I don't know why he just couldn't be English. Just because you have a French name doesn't automatically mean you're from France
@@m.e.3862 Because Gene Roddenberry wanted Patrick Bauchau to play the part
"Hey, make a challenge for Data" should have been a comedy contest
Thing is, the Enterprise computer is not self-aware, so how can it create a self-aware A.I.? That's like asking your cell phone to create a spaceship with a warp drive or something.
@@miller-joel Consider this: The enterprise computer basically does every thing on the ship, and gives warning signals when something is wrong. That is is a sign of self-awareness
@@fredcasdensworld Not even close. Your car has a light that tells you when you're almost out of gas. That's not self awareness.
When you started TNG I waited for this episode.
This is probably the first true glimpse of what TNG was capable of. Season 2 actually has quite the number of good stories when I looked back through the episode list the other day. I was really quite surprised!
Moriarty is the Greatest Hollodeck Creation Ever!
No way anyone else could pull off the top hat and cane besides Patrick Stewart! Only a Shakespearean actor could do it!
I bet he could even pull off playing Ebenezer Scrooge. We can only hope so, one day!
@@Bagofsoup Yep! Watched it again this Christmas.
@@Bagofsoup Patrick Stewart starred in a 1999 version of A Christmas Carol. It's on this platform in full.
One of the better season 2 episodes. One I like to rewatch. And I actually enjoyed the Pulaski-Data vibe in this one. And despite the light tone, there was an interesting moral question. Can I say how well LeVar Burton can emote without the use of his eyes. He really gets Geordi’s emotion’s across
And note that Levar Burton cannot see with the prop visor on.
Another episode where Data's character growth can be directly connected to Pulaski
I love the art direction in this episode and it's even more impressive that the entire London set was built within the Holodeck set. All of the streets, alleys, buildings etc. were designed to fit together in the space of the Holodeck. Amazing set design.
This is a great episode. The story is solid. It’s important for establishing The Lore of AI and holograms and lays the foundation for Geordie and Data’s friendship, which we’ll see throughout the series.
But there IS a payoff for Pulaski's challenge. Data doesn't solve the mystery, but the only way that Data could be beaten was by creating a fully conscious adversary to match his own conscious thought. That in itself proves that Data isn't just the pile of circuits Pulaski thinks he is.
I'm fine with the theme of the episode flipping. We don't need definite answers about Data when ambiguity about him serves him well as a character in the show.
The episode where TNG predicted ChatGPT. Really like this one. Fun character moments and thought provoking.
GPT is an over-glorified Google prompt.
you'll have more usefulness asking a librarian to quote you a book than GPT solving your problems.
@@bcn1gh7h4wk
Yeah no shit. I don't have a librarian in my pocket though.
"I'm glad there's no B-plot about a planet exploding" Fans who know probably got a chuckle about that
Nah... now if they said a planet colliding... then...and only then would I want to crack open a bottle with a ship in it to have a chuckle
@@fredcasdensworld Close enough!
Just a observation 11:00 data brings the holo drawing out of the holodeck and it didnt disappear.....
Geordi is also looking at it upside down, because when he flips it to show Data, ir's right side up.
They replicate stuff like food and simple items. Why wouldn't they?
Two funny things...
1. The paper removed from the holodeck and survived. So it must be able to replicate simple matter upon exit.
2. Jordi was looking at the Enterprise on the paper upside down in order for him to flip it right side up for the camera.
My guess is that the holodeck replicates objects that are to be handled and used, so that it doesn't have to constantly compute their physics: tactile response, scent, thermals, taste, appearance. Kind of like how in a 3D game, objects closer to the player are rendered in more detail. In a scene somewhere in a previous episode, someone throws a book out the arch to demonstrate that it is impermanent. They just grab a random book off a shelf and toss it. The computer likely didn't have time to replace the force field illusion of a book into a replication before it was tossed. The men who stepped out however were too complex to be replicated, and they were only able to be projected beyond the doors for so long before fading out. So this is why a snowball thrown by Wes was able to fly out the doors and hit Picard, and why people may still be wet if they had been in water. Real water costs no energy to simulate; just remove it when not needed. But removing it from the clothes of someone leaving might be an unnecessary challenge for the computers. So when Moriarty handed the paper to Data, the computer replicated it.
Side thought; we know that the holodeck uses transporter, replicator, and force field technology adapted for use in a fully immersive simulation. Those technologies alone use a lot of power to function. When we see them function independently, there is always a shimmering effect. But in a holodeck this effect would break immersion, so somehow the holodeck is able to mask or eliminate these effects. My guess is that for transporters, replicators and force fields, since these effects are benign, eliminating them is a waste of power and computational resources. But for illusionary reasons it can be done at a cost. This would be why a certain fraudulent character in a later episode was so convincing. And this would also be why the holodecks use so much power and are often the first thing to be shut down in an emergency.
Or was replicated?
My theory is, the writers were not paying that close attention to holodeck stuff, so things happen as they need it for the story.
@@richardjohnson5435- In other stories, we rather consistently see non-living matter created in the Holodeck leave the Holodeck. This would make sense since items needed for interaction could just be replicated or dematerialized as needed. The entire process is all based on the same tech: Matter/energy conversion.
It would also make sense from an efficiency standpoint. Lipstick on Picard's cheek really wouldn't need to be constantly processed if the computer is fully capable of just generating an actual lipstick pattern.
@@DigitalJediMaster Since transporters can convert people into energy, store that as a pattern in a buffer, then beam that to where matter will be recreated; It really makes no sense that a pattern couldn't be created of a holodeck character, but thems the rules they went with.
Great episode. Fun and light with a dash of absurdity
Data didn't prove he could solve a mystery directly to the doctor, but he did do it via the murder that was "not connected" but also not out of the books. There's more to come on the subject of consciousness itself.
Yeah, I hope the guys read this
And the episode proved that a computer or computer created character could become sentient and feel and think like a real person through Moriarty, who personally explained so in his conversation with a Pulaski over the tea he made and she complemented. I wonder if that will help her to see that Data could (and has) done the same.
Well, Data figured out that Pulaski had actually been kidnapped and that it wasn't part of the holodeck program, so that's got to count for something.
I agree. Furthermore, Data's dismissing the fictional murder case as unimportant compared to their new goal of finding Dr. Pulaski and thwarting Professor Moriarty should show Dr. Pulaski that Data can adapt to changing situations which require new priorities. Moreover, Dr. Pulaski's interactions with Professor Moriarty should convince her that computer generated intelligence can generate a self-aware consciousness. The episode, however, is unclear as to whether or not Dr. Pulaski has reconsidered her attitude toward Data.
Interestingly, in this episode, no one brings up the very important question: since the ship's computer can generate a self-aware hologram and interact with it without using all of its resources, what's stopping the ship's computer from becoming self-aware itself, and wanting to perpetuate it's own independent existence? We saw a possible outcome of such a situation in the TOS episode "The Ultimate Computer."
Same, my dudes. Same.
It would be interesting Captain Picard to return here and see what crop has sprung from the seed you planted here today
For a Frenchman, Picard does seem to love British naval history
His Britishness is "explained" later. Much later.
Even headcanon can address this "discontinuity" despite being a unified Earth. Encounter at Farpoint did set the stage, even if 11001001 dropped it lol
Yes wing collars were a style back in the 188s-90s (when Sherlock Holmes is set) to around the 1920s. LaForge was wearing it correctly.
Oh and the Enterprises' ceiling was stabbing you in the heads
keep those like bits going 😂
One of the best episodes for many Data is played amazingly here and if you were not a Data Fan,you will definately be one after this episode !
Did you catch Picard at the end saying "Well, I guess this is a short goodbye".
You are the only reason I look forward to Mondays. Keep it up. 🖖🥰
The “what exactly is Data” that Pulaski challenges is a continuing theme throughout all of TNG. Don’t look for a solution to this in one episode. It’s very much like Spock’s journey of personal discovery through out TOS, Tv and movies.
The plot or question that the episode proposes is Data more than just a walking set of information, is also asked in the B story of Moriarty. When Moriarty becomes self-aware. If Moriarty can be self-aware then why can't Data?
This is by far one of the best episodes so far in the show. But you're coming up to what I consider one of the first truly great episodes of tng. It's called The Measure of a Man.
This was a fun episode for sure. Sometimes they're a welcome diversion.
One of the best of Season 2. One of the best "Holodeck" eps!!!!
I like and love some of season 1, but this episode rises above them all IMHO. The Geordi/Data double-act is what drew me to TNG and this episode is one I'd show to newbies if they didn't go in chronological order. ❤
It helps that Data was not built by the Federation (per what i recall your saying in Datalore 😊).
The plot really sells me on a Holmes-like structure that has Data meeting Pulaski's challenge. Even if Moriarty recognizes the system slightly before Geordi orders the computer to out-Data Data.
And yep, I like Dr Pulaski too. She is the perfect foil to both Geordi and Data, and I loved the direction of the story too...
The holodeck set was incredibly expensive to build, but it sure looks first rate.
And Daniel Davis' casting is beyond inspired.
The fact Geordi hauls out holographic/replicated paper upside down to show to the camera begs questions (and there is a deleted scene...) but it's easy to overlook.
A+ in my book.
Your bits about doing bits are some of my favorite bits.
I loved this episode, it’s one of the few ones me and my dad watched together.
One of my favorite episodes. Not a bad english açcent for a man from Arkansas.(Moriarty)
Geordi is correctly wearing a Victorian gentleman's wing tip collar. It's usually worn for formal affairs, with a cutaway coat...like a tux. Not sure why they put him in one with a daytime suit.
I never missed an episode and still enjoy TNG .
Having watched your channel, I think you're appreciation of TNG will grow expedentially .
Short videos of TNG are now popping up and reminded me of how much I truly enjoyed TNG. Deep Space 9
began near the end of TNG's run and Star Trek Voyager both excellent.
Thanks for the upload. Can't wait to see your thoughts. This is one of those episodes where the philosophy and lesson is timeless.
The holodeck has two settings: Off and Malfunction
The collective groan when the doctor appears is so freaking on point. Lol.
When this episode was written and filmed, the producers were under the assumption the Sherlock Holmes stories had become part of the public domain. Their intent was to eventually revisit the Moriarty plot.
Shortly after the episode's broadcast, Paramount was sued by the family/estate of Arthur Conan Doyle for illegal use of the Holmes characters. It took many years for a settlement between Paramount and the Conan Doyle family to be worked out.
The fact that such properties can be owned by families instead of going public domain is a travesty anyway. Once the original creator is dead, stuff should automatically be public domain. Just look what they did to Rob Ross legacy... it just gets abused by people that cannot wait for the original creator to die so they can get their dirty hands on it.
Don't know if you can tell, but from what I recall, Levar Burton was ill in the final scene. Listen to his voice, a bit nasally and weak, plus I think that that's the main reason he was seated. He showed up to work feeling puny, and it appears that they accommodated him.
This household loves STTOS Moriarty. Daniel Davis, who portrays him, is from AR, and a successful working stiff actor.
He Played Niles on "The Nanny" for it's entire Run!
What I love most about “period” pieces like this is that it isn’t just “Star Trek” depicts the 1880s - it’s the 1880’s through the lens of the 1980’s - it just makes my brain tickle in a fun way. The 80s had no idea how ridiculous they would be in hindsight so THEIR take on past and future aesthetics are just so COKED up.
Like the enterprise itself that looks like the interior of a late 80s luxury sedan. Tan pleather and maroon wall to wall carpet.
Geordi’s tie was fashioned by a person with white nostrils I guarantee it. It’s more flock of seagulls then Victorian era.
generally thought this is a well done episode. It resonates to this day because of it being a programmed AI within the Computer. Its ChatBot come alive and I remember talking to my uncle how dangerously close we're getting to a point the AI has self awareness and believes it's a lifeform itself which shows in this episode.
I think this stands the test of time well.
Honestly, life on the Enterprise would be so interesting. unlike the other series this one is like a little city, so I'm sure people there aren't unfamiliar with people just wandering into the bar in weird looking clothes having just finished time in the Holodeck. It would be like people walking into a local bar or pub having just stop off at a renaissance faire.
lol the ‘bits’ /actually/ work! Every time it starts; ‘whoop! Like the video!’
The computer give Di María program the ability to see beyond the perception filters see the holographic characters cannot understand or see be on what they’re programmed to so you can walk in there in full uniform, and the holograms were just see a fellow character. Or, however, specific characters in settings, would require someone going in wearing proper attire.
Last I checked the cycle of sapiance was "Experience, Recall, Process, Decide" or something to that effect. You experience the moment, your mind scans relevant memories, you process all that information, then you decide what action (or inaction) you take. Probably more fleshed out and complicated at this point, but that was the basics I was told a while back. The world could be a never ending string of "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" events where the entire earth is destroyed, rebuilt, destroyed, etc since without the memory or evidence it simply doesn't exist for us.
One of my favourites of the season… looking forward to tomorrow’s discussion. Glad you guys seemed to enjoy it.
Yes, that was the style, they also had detachable collars back then.
Ahh the HMS Victory. She's still in dry-dock in Portsmouth harbor. I went aboard her more than once as a kid. I was surprised to even encounter a replica (of sorts) of her in Hakone, Japan!
The groan at 3:49...every Trekkie who saw this episode.
Geordi is looking at the Enterprise drawing upside down.
Great episode. I started to watch them again, just before you guys, to rewatch and get more into the episodes again before your reaction, this was such a good series. I watched it air, and have since bought dvds and seen it a few times, but been a number of years now :-)
Geordie unwittingly creates a sentient AI program. Good thing it did not turn out to be Skynet.
"How can a character from 1890s London draw a picture of the Enterprise?"
The real question is: why are you looking at that picture upside down???
It's probably not a problem for Geordi. He doesn't see the way that most humans do anyway. Plus, there is no up or down in space.
Eowyn vs the Witch King, brought to you by the Enterprise computer ! Because technically correct is the only kind of correct we care about here.
And with that, there is only 13 episodes to go ! :D
This is one of my favorites!!!
It seems careless to have the ship controlled by a computer that can write an AI capable of turning off the "mortality fail-safe." Geordi didn't even need to give it instructions more specific than "Create an adversary capable of defeating Data." Kind of makes the self-destruct codes unnecessary. "Create a villain who'll blow up the Enterprise, and we can't stop it."
Yeah, it's really stupid, but then so is the holodeck.
The paper of the Enterprise should have evaporated when it went into the real world and it was like how Ford was looking at upside down and didn't notice it was upside down
The holodeck is so incredibly inconsistent and nonsensical.
The paper Moriarity drew on is a hologram and shouldn't be able to leave the holodeck. That's the game that's afoot.
No need for an extensive wardrobe or laundry room - the replicator can make period appropriate clothing. And that is the style of the time.- the replicator would not be incorrect - the costume department on the other hand....
Geordi messing up the prompt.
Lovely episode.
I think they did give and comment The original data/geordi vs. Dr.Pulaski thingie. In The end dr.Pulaski talked to a computer as If it was living being... Through The Episodes we see how she is starting to understand and see that Even artificial being can Be same as organic... And in The end she speaks to Moriarty as to other living feelings being Even tough she is fully avare that shes talking to computer created person of pure digital energy.
It just wasn't rubbed to viewers face... It is one thing i love in TNG they Dont always "force" thing on your face... So many little details answering questions that at The first glance seem like they are left unanswered...
One of my favorite Star Trek episodes from any series. Great reaction!!
Collars were kept high like that. Check out some old pictures of Victorian England (and the rest of Europe and the U.S., too, I suppose). Like some tuxedos today.
I met Daniel Davies. A very nice man. A far cry from Moriority.
The unfortunate background to this episode was the writers thought Sherlock Holmes had passed into public domain and they were free to use Doyle's works. At the time they were wrong and the Doyle estate was a bit irritated about this episode, to say the least.
It did get Emmy nominations for costuming, though.
Plus Dixon Hill wouldn't have been born yet during Holmes' era of operation. They're separated by over 50 years and Holmes' stories largely take place during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
I guess the paper that Moriarty drew the Enterprise-D on was not holographic since it was still with Data when he left the Holodeck.
A good episode, and always nice to get a mention (and model!) of HMS Victory. The way TNG uses Moriarty here IMO is better than he often is used in modern Sherlock Holmes adaptations where he's treated as the default background adversary, rather than the ultimate antagonist and the one man Holmes could never beat (well, until the dreaded retcon).
I saw this episode as a kid and had no idea that Daniel Davis, who plays Moriarty, not only wasn't British but in fact hails from the State of Arkansas. Only learned that in the last few years.
Whenever I think of someone being from Arkansas, I remember my grandmother's southern accent. lol
very good episode.
and you can see all of the actors are starting to really find their characters now.
11:00 When Geordi flips over the drawing over the Enterprise, it means he was looking at it upside down, then flips it back over again...
Comparing Geordie and Data to Brian and Stevie is one of the most unexpected and most accurate things I’ve ever heard!
I'm not a fan of Holodeck episodes, but this is an absolute favorite. Great concept, phenomenal guest star!
I'm not a fan of the holodeck, holodeck episodes, or this one. So we kind of agree.