Atoz 77
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Post by Atoz 77 on Aug 27, 2009 7:50:13 GMT -6
While the Enterprise is about to begin a two week study of the Phoenix cluster, Riker returns from Risa with a simple headset game. It turns out to be not only psychotropically addictive, it somehow exerts a mind control influence over certain people who put it on.
Okay, this entire premise was completely unbelieveable to me. Any game which stimulated the pleasure centers would immediately rouse my alarm, and I can't believe that nobody on the Enterprise (especially Dr. Crusher) got suspicious. And it's even more unbelieveable (as in the similar case of "The Mind's Eye", where Geordi was brainwashed to assassinate a Klingon governor) that people could be conditioned so quickly. Yes, the story took place over the course of about 10 or 12 days I think, but Crusher and Riker disabled Data right at the beginning.
In fact the only reason this episode is not relegated to the Y files is the presence of Ensign Robin Lefler, and "Lefler's Laws". She and Wesley were the only things that kept the entire episode from being a complete waste of time.
1 -- "You can only count on yourself." 17 -- "When all else fails, do it yourself." 36 -- "Go with what works." 46 -- "Life isn't always fair." 91 -- "Always watch your back."
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Dax123
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Post by Dax123 on Aug 27, 2009 7:54:54 GMT -6
I found this episode a bit unbvelievable to and had the exact same thoughts as you. I do not believe that the Enterprise-D crew would be so stupid to let a thing like that happen!
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Post by andrewlee on Aug 27, 2009 9:05:16 GMT -6
I liked Robin Lefler's set of rules to live by. Westley being clever to figure it all out and repair Mr Data was good.
Most of the episode wasn't very good. I also thought it wasn't very believable about some simple game brainwashing the crew to handing over the ship to less advanced aliens. I don't see how a less advanced race could do something like this to the Enterprise!
I did like the part at the end when they tractor beam the alien ship, Captain Picard asks Mr Worf for a tactical analysis of the vessel threatening them. Worf says "They are not a threat!"
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Atoz 77
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Post by Atoz 77 on Aug 28, 2009 7:36:21 GMT -6
Even if we assumed that such mind control technology was possible, wouldn't it make sense to start with a smaller ship, a transport ship for example?
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Post by andrewlee on Aug 28, 2009 12:27:25 GMT -6
Even if we assumed that such mind control technology was possible, wouldn't it make sense to start with a smaller ship, a transport ship for example? Yes it would Atoz. I got the impression they never tried this! From their standpoint, they should have to see if this game would work and move on to bigger targets. Another thing is that if this alien race had some kind of psychic ability, it would have made the brainwashing game more likely to succeed. I don't recall anything like this being mentioned.
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Spock
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Post by Spock on Aug 29, 2009 15:04:58 GMT -6
seeing as how they were able to brainwash riker on Risa, it seemed fitting that he would be able to distribute it throughout the flagship of the federation. with that kind of control, they could of done so much damage.
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JADIS
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Post by JADIS on Sept 5, 2009 0:22:23 GMT -6
I remember this episode...and I always knew video/computer games were addicting, haha! Seriously though, I agree. The only thing is maybe the crew didn't believe a game could "addict" you with one or two plays - and that was what it did. Kind of like the thinking of drug addicts or smokers and drinkers who think they can never become addicted. The crew probably thought of it as just a game...but it was actually more due to the technical tampering.
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Post by andrewlee on Sept 7, 2009 9:59:41 GMT -6
What made the game so addicting was that if effected the pleasure centers in the brain making it very enjoyable!
The Game would not have gotten as far as it did if a Crewman or Jr officer and not Riker brought it aboard. It would have been stopped much sooner!
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Dax123
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Post by Dax123 on Oct 20, 2009 12:32:31 GMT -6
I was quite impressed with the animation on this episode especialy because it was made in the 80s I think
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Post by andrewlee on Oct 20, 2009 12:43:57 GMT -6
I was quite impressed with the animation on this episode especialy because it was made in the 80s I think 1991 is when it was made.
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Dax123
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Post by Dax123 on Oct 20, 2009 13:06:16 GMT -6
Oh....well still!
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Post by andrewlee on Oct 20, 2009 13:23:52 GMT -6
Oh....well still! I agree and was not trying to refute you by giving the year which I got out of my Star Trek encyclopedia. The CGI was good fro the time!
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Dax123
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Post by Dax123 on Oct 20, 2009 13:30:15 GMT -6
I know andrewlee, I found it very interesting how the animation progressed throught the different series
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Post by andrewlee on Oct 20, 2009 14:44:16 GMT -6
I know andrewlee, I found it very interesting how the animation progressed throught the different series I have found the rate of CGI progress interesting to. Before this it was special effects. TOS did a good job in it's day with their budget and the special effects of the later 60's!
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Dax123
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Post by Dax123 on Oct 20, 2009 15:20:53 GMT -6
Yes I agree TOS was very good animatino wise for the time as well
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