TNG - The Emissary

[Fianna]

I imagine the Klingons were put in cryosleep because the Klingons were planning on total war against the Federation. They assumed that, in 75 years, either they would have wiped out/conquered the Federation, or the Federation would have wiped out/conquered them. If the former, the Empire could easily order the awakened warriors to stand down. If the latter, the awakened warriors can take revenge on the Federation.

Think of it as an intimidation tactic. The Klingons set up these deep freeze fanatics, then tell the Federation, "Even if you defeat us, Klingon warriors will continue battling you for generations to come. You may as well surrender."

They just didn't account for a future where they've made peace with the Federation.

[Taurian Patriot]

Think of it as an intimidation tactic. The Klingons set up these deep freeze fanatics, then tell the Federation, "Even if you defeat us, Klingon warriors will continue battling you for generations to come. You may as well surrender."

They just didn't account for a future where they've made peace with the Federation.

And now I'm imagining Star Trek doing its own take on Dr. Strangelove. The Klingons set up a doomsday scenario to force the Federation into capitulation, then forget to mention it to anybody. Also, they forget to retrieve their frozen dudes.

It's not impossible... there were at least a couple writers who seemed to think the Klingons were that dumb.

You know, given the outfit that she wore from episode 2 until season 6, and given that they retconned her empathic ability to just sense emotion and not experience it, I figured they had also retconned her rank or even the fact that she was a Starfleet officer. Until Ensign Ro pointed out in season 5 "Disaster" that Troi held the rank of Lt Commander, I had completely forgotten that Troi was an actual commissioned officer. And if I recall the reactions to Ro's statement, even those remaining on the Bridge had no knowledge that Troi was even an officer.

It sure doesn't help that officers in the science and services divisions generally don't use their rank except on their direct subordinates, of which Troi has zero. She's a lieutenant commander of a department that consists entirely of herself.

[tvindy]

They just didn't account for a future where they've made peace with the Federation.

They also didn't account for how obsolete their ships would be after 75 years.

[Rocketboy1313]

It was competent... But boring.

How many season 2 episodes does that assessment fit?

Compared to the big umbrella for season 1, "Boring and embarrassing".

[Marveryn]

It was competent... But boring.

How many season 2 episodes does that assessment fit?

Compared to the big umbrella for season 1, "Boring and embarrassing".

I wouldn't go so far as call it boring. or it be a tougher sit through to watch. Like linkara mention its mostly can be view as a set up episode for a character that would eventually die. since TNG tended to be episodic much like the original series it does make one wonder if there was someone in the writing staff already pushing for more soap opera type of episode. I think the original point was to give Worf some character build by introducing a past love interest. i am glad they didn't make her a one and done character but its just too bad it was a 3 and done

[Rocketboy1313]

This character (Troi) was very much a mistake in execution. She would have been a yeoman in TOS AKA the Captain's Bit of Totty.

Agreed.

I point to her as a science fiction trope in the wrong era.
The high born daughter of a heroic Starfleet officer and foreign dignitary who is the love interest of the Ace Pilot turned second in command with the ability to read emotions and also she dresses all sexy... That is like something from an old pulp magazine or the John Carter books. It did not work at all in the 80's and 90's.

I point to Wesley the Boy Genius (also hero father) as another holdover from a different era. He feels like a character from a elementary school textbook meant to show kids the wonders of science.

A lot of early Data was out of place. Word and Tasha felt like they were in the right place, and Gene did not know how to write for them, with Tasha leaving and Worf having to wait seasons to truly shine.

[Rocketboy1313]

It was competent... But boring.

How many season 2 episodes does that assessment fit?

Compared to the big umbrella for season 1, "Boring and embarrassing".

I wouldn't go so far as call it boring. or it be a tougher sit through to watch. Like linkara mention its mostly can be view as a set up episode for a character that would eventually die. since TNG tended to be episodic much like the original series it does make one wonder if there was someone in the writing staff already pushing for more soap opera type of episode. I think the original point was to give Worf some character build by introducing a past love interest. i am glad they didn't make her a one and done character but its just too bad it was a 3 and done

It is boring to me because it is not all that challenging.
It feels easy.
The conflict between Worf and her is just not enough.
Worf is always a grumpy asshole, now he is just being a grumpy asshole because his ex is in town. I wish he acted overjoyed or out of character seeing her. You know... give him dimension of performance, not just more paragraphs in his character timeline bio.

[Nealithi]

This character (Troi) was very much a mistake in execution. She would have been a yeoman in TOS AKA the Captain's Bit of Totty.

Agreed.

I point to her as a science fiction trope in the wrong era.
The high born daughter of a heroic Starfleet officer and foreign dignitary who is the love interest of the Ace Pilot turned second in command with the ability to read emotions and also she dresses all sexy... That is like something from an old pulp magazine or the John Carter books. It did not work at all in the 80's and 90's.

I point to Wesley the Boy Genius (also hero father) as another holdover from a different era. He feels like a character from a elementary school textbook meant to show kids the wonders of science.

A lot of early Data was out of place. Word and Tasha felt like they were in the right place, and Gene did not know how to write for them, with Tasha leaving and Worf having to wait seasons to truly shine.

I disagree on Troi being used as a yeoman Rand like character. I think she should have had basically Guinan's job. Seen only semi-frequently and gives out pertinent advice. The rest of her background, yea she fits better in a pulp novel. Wesley I think could have been done well. Look at Reid from Criminal Minds. I look at him and say, that is what Wesley should have been. The only issue is he would have made Data redundant. Also his background was nearly identical to a character from Tom Corbett Space Cadet.

[CaptainCalvinCat]

This character (Troi) was very much a mistake in execution. She would have been a yeoman in TOS AKA the Captain's Bit of Totty.

Agreed.

I point to her as a science fiction trope in the wrong era.
The high born daughter of a heroic Starfleet officer and foreign dignitary who is the love interest of the Ace Pilot turned second in command with the ability to read emotions and also she dresses all sexy... That is like something from an old pulp magazine or the John Carter books. It did not work at all in the 80's and 90's.

I point to Wesley the Boy Genius (also hero father) as another holdover from a different era. He feels like a character from a elementary school textbook meant to show kids the wonders of science.

A lot of early Data was out of place. Word and Tasha felt like they were in the right place, and Gene did not know how to write for them, with Tasha leaving and Worf having to wait seasons to truly shine.

I disagree on Troi being used as a yeoman Rand like character. I think she should have had basically Guinan's job. Seen only semi-frequently and gives out pertinent advice. The rest of her background, yea she fits better in a pulp novel. Wesley I think could have been done well. Look at Reid from Criminal Minds. I look at him and say, that is what Wesley should have been. The only issue is he would have made Data redundant. Also his background was nearly identical to a character from Tom Corbett Space Cadet.

I don't know, maybe it's because I was a kid at the time, when TNG came around, but I watch the show and don't have as many problems with it, as y'all do.
Gotta say, if they would've used Deannas and Datas potential to the fullest, they would've been the ultimate overpowered characters, which would've made for little to no suspense and character drama.

[CMDR_Bob]

I liked the setup for what was basically a contrast in ideology between Worf and K'Ehleyr, but it never really gets resolved. They part ways more/less promised to each other, but we don't get any payoff until Worf has been effectively ex-communicated from Klingon society and he needs motivation to go Klingon on a certain political rival. I should also note that Worf without the aid of others or a starship has the second highest on-screen body count of any post-TOS character, with Odo in first place. Granted, it was a future version of Odo who erased the descendants of the Defiant crew, but still.

What bothered me was as Chuck said. it's a disjointed tale that tends to reflect early TNG in terms of where the narrative is weakest being what brings the episode down. The pod retrieval was an unnecessary part of the story. Where it worked was the dynamic and the build into a "happy ending" scene, which was immediately brought down by Worf basically going full r/niceguy on K'Ehlyer. The subplot about Klingons who were about 75 years late to the party was a good narrative device to bring them together and ultimately display the strengths of both parties, but basically resolved as little more than a footnote for the episode.

Also, that tongue-in-cheek comment to Riker basically solidified a Worf-focused spin-off as something we all need, but will never get.