A Look at Violations (TNG)

[@wdcain1]

I like Troi being a psychic detective but TNG was insistent on her always being so vulnerable.

[@marcherwitch9811]

at the risk of sounding like an ass feminist not a positive one... if troi had mind powers and wasn't, she'd be powerful... same as 7 being made to be childlike and tentative... does data have to be bashful? did tom paris have to be constantly throwing his dick at aliens and falling in love? powerful women in trek, mate...

[@scockery]

If she can't take it, maybe she should've tried a transport ship. There's a lot less pressure there.

[@HilaryPea]

At a convention the actress voiced an observation she made through the years. The more breasts that showed (according to her outfits) the more vulnerable she was to predators and the more useless she was as a counselor. The more covered up she was the smarter she got, even solving somewhat intellectual quandaries. And being able to be a valued member of the crew. In the later seasons she was less vulnerable and even had an episode or two centered around her (or where she was important to the plot). But, they still didn't flesh out her character enough or use her to her full potential. A Fist Full of Datas and Eye of the Beholder were examples of where she was important to the story.

[@HilaryPea]

She could take it, if the writers allowed it.

[@Wolf3685]

I wonder if Star Trek Nemesis took inspiration from this episode... because same violation happened, but Troi took back her agency and used the telepathic connection to track the cloaked ship

[@BobSentell]

I like Worf subduing the guy. Barely changes his stance.

[@Thraim.]

The way this usually goes, I fully expected Worf to be mind probed into knocking out the other two security guys and then giving himself nutshots. It's really nice to see Worf win easily for once.

[@MerelyAFan]

This episode feels like the definition of the Eric Andre meme of "Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?" in its message of rape being violent and a dark impulse that people in societies must grow beyond. The sad thing is that the Captain Obvious lesson here still puts it above the likes of Enterprise's Unexpected or even TNG's the Child in that at least this epsiode acknowledges it as an actual assault.

[@Scaash]

Would have been better if the audiance didnt know it was Jev from the first attack. Been better if the attacker was faceless or stayed the other person with only a hint it was the aliens. Like the person was still them but had that head design on them.

[@thecynicaloptimist1884]

That would have been a much more effective reveal. It also would have carried the implication too that (and to be clear, I think Jev's father is an asshole and a pig) it's not always the stereotypically oily greasy guy one would normally think of when asked to picture a rapist; sometimes it's the attractive, charming, meek, unassuming guy. At least then it would have been saying something about rape beyond the obvious message that the show carries.

[@Nyst2]

I always like that, in a story about telepaths, memory manipulations and abuse, it was Geordi who figured out the truth. Not the victims themselves, not Troi using her telepathy, not some technobabble solution. Just Geordi working his way down through every logical solution until he found the inconsistencies that gave the culprit away. Fine detective work done by him.

[@kw7378a1]

You know, TNG aired when I was a kid, and catching this episode (or part of it) left me with the impression for years that Riker had assaulted Troi at some point in their relationship. The relief when at some point I rewatched it and learned that it was actually some alien of the week.

[@Aileil]

"Coma Chameleon" is a fantastic joke, thank you. :)

[@baerdred]

🎶Coma, coma, coma, coma, coma, chameleon!!!🎶🤣 You come and go... You coma and go! to the tune of Karma Chameleon by Culture Club😁

[@planescaped]

Sweet a non-reupload TNG.

[@digitaljanus]

It was always interesting to me, that for all his reputation as a philanderer, Riker's pretty much the only one who never fraternizes with other crew members. (The only exceptions were with Troi, a previous relationship immediately disclosed to Picard, and Ro Laren, when they both had amnesia and didn't know who they were.) You could say as XO he's in a special position but that didn't stop Picard from having relationships with subordinates!

[@DanteCorwyn]

I'm sure there's an episode where Crusher is pulling thorns out of him cause he went for a walk/date/whatever with another crew member and tripped. Or he got beaten up by Data's cat.

[@danielyeshe]

​@@DanteCorwyn Yep. And in another episode, I forget which, he is seen on a date in Ten Forward. I think it was Pen Pals where Wesley interrupts. I am fairly sure there are other examples too.

[@John12494]

That episode with Geordie striking out on a date, was that girl he was with from Engineering? If so, Yikes, considering Geordie is head of that department.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

With Picard I always got the impression that there weren't actually any Starfleet rules against him dating his subordinates, he just personally thought it would be inappropriate and normally refused to do that (except for that one time).

[@KasumiKenshirou]

Worf, on the other hand...

[@marshallhuffer4713]

11:42 - Troi has been taught the ways of Kirk-Fu.

[@dupersuper1938]

No double fist hits, no flying kicks, no wrapping her legs around any one's neck, no ripped shoulder in her uniform...

[@femalesupremacistoverlord6800]

I was so proud of her for picking up that pad(book?) and walloping him with it!

[@HilaryPea]

You said you wondered why Jev went after Riker, when his preference was clearly attractive women. You also wondered why he did all that work to be so careful with how he did things and made sure to cover his tracks just to attack Troi anyway and get himself caught. Those are reasonable questions. It is also something that the TNG writers should have explained. But, I think I have a good theory for both. Sort of criminal psychology. It is apparent that Jev Troi's connection with Riker. They weren't dating anymore, but the connection never fully left - a by-product of working so very closely with each other on a day-to-day basis. Perhaps that is why he used Riker as a avatar in the dream. He was seeing how strong the connection was and to see if Riker would be a danger to his plan. When he saw that she only resisted because they worked together, he decided that it wasn't worth the risk to keep Riker concious and aware of everything. Also, he could have seen that Riker was getting close to finding out the answer. I bet there wwere boufriends and detectives that ended up in comas, in the past, that got too close to the answer or became a danger to the success of his game. He removed Riker from the equation with a pre-emptive strike. As for why he showed his hand with Troi and got himself caught ... From what I understand, people with severe psychological issues (like rapist, molesters, murderers, for example) start off simple. That works, but it becomes too easy and they don't get the same trill they once did. They no longer get the same level of euphoria, something they are constantly striving for. So their games gets more and more complicated. Until it gets too complicated and they can't keep up with it, or they lose the ability to control all elements. This causes impatience and frustration. Until one day they unravel and go too far, which possibly causes them to get caught. It is possible he could have been unraveling before he met Troi. It is also possible that Troi was the "perfect girl", the one they never know they are searching for until they find her. And his obsession with her caught him off guard so he couldn't stay away from her, thus, preventing getting caught. I know, I watch too much forensic dramas. But, what I stated does have roots in truth. Anyway, just a couple of theories. You are right that the TNG writers didn't do enough with the episode. I think what was missing was the psychological side of it. Why, Troi? Why HER? And was he already starting to unravel or was she the catalyst that threw him off his game.

[@bradwolf07]

A bold episode that has nothing new or daring to say about a sensitive topic...Bold in the White Swiss Cheese Robes the Telepathic Aliens where

[@fredrikcarlstedt393]

Jev must really hate his father if he is willing to frame his own father in such a vile way .

[@HilaryPea]

True, it isn't about hate or anything his father did (although his father wasn't the best). His father got in the way of the game. The ability to get the euphoria that a rapist, murderer, or molester (for example) gets when they get their prey. Just like he put Riker down (my theory) because Riker got too close to solving it and getting in the way of his getting to Troi and getting that euphoric high.

[@myuphrid]

I can't help but wonder how often the Ullians try to put on those outfits full of decorative holes and end up ripping them open when their fingers end up in the wrong holes. Alien fashions are one thing, but that just looks inconvenient.

[@JoeChillton]

they look like hippie Flintstones characters with those coats.

[@YourCapyFrenBigly_3DPipes1999]

Yeah those were some groovy cutouts to be sure... Reminded me of those fun cutout things you did as a kid with folded construction paper. One wonders if all their clothes are like that or just these ones

[@BronzeBoy520]

Ahh I remember this episode. It always was one I put on when I needed background noise for when I wrote a report… and I don’t care to remember the plot beyond ‘guy destroys lives cause his dad is cooler than him.’

[@simplegarak]

I do feel like this episode should have an award for Worf getting to win in a fist fight against an alien.

[@MKDumas1981]

Worftama, the One-Punch Klingon.

[@myriadmediamusings]

The title Violations and that thumbnail of Picard and Crusher is just so hilarious in light of recent developments.

[@travis7294]

It's kinda Jacked up if you think about it.

[@sargon6000]

@@travis7294 Jev is the one behind the Red Door.

[@tarvoc746]

What recent developments?

[@dahken417]

​@@tarvoc746 Something on Picard, probably, but I haven't watched any of it.

[@tarvoc746]

@@dahken417 I've watched the first two seasons. Must be on the third, then.

[@toccataforte]

Coma chameleon * gif of picard clapping. * excellent.

[@AzguardMike]

they did another rape episode when Riker was wrongly accused. Troi even did the whole mind read and said "i can tell you THINK you are telling the truth Will. But i also sense that she KNOWS she is telling the truth." And it ends ambiguous, we never learn if Riker did rape the girl. Again, Troi says "I know how...forward you can be at times Will. You dont take no for an answer." Compared to the Voyager episode where Seven wrongly accuses a guy pf rape and he ends up killing himself over it. And it turned out Seven was just having rape fantasies. The message of that episode, as said by Janeway? "You did nothing wrong Seven. Men like him COULD take advantage. He was in the wrong."

[@JoeChillton]

I just watched this and was surprised how violent the telepathic scenes were yet at the end despite the villain getting owned by Troi and Worf that it feels hollow, he got off really easily. Highly unsatisfying.

[@dupersuper1938]

He got knocked out and arrested; what more do you want?

[@bowweezzell]

Every time I hear the name Jev I think of the "My name is Jeff" memes 😂

[@mr51406]

Troi as damsel in distress, another episode of many more. Groan. The nadir of that trope in Nemesis. Troi is the female equivalent of a redshirt: she’s put in danger to show it’s important. And it then permits white knight Riker to be a hero and save her.

[@MrGranten]

So does anyone stop to think that casually giving someone permission to enter the memories of senior officers on a warship is a bad idea? I mean, even before anything actually happened, the crew had no guarantees it wouldn't turn out these people were planning on stealing codes or plans.

[@bthsr7113]

Well the Federation is a utopia so clearly this ship with massive firepower isn't a warship and no real consequences can happen. In actual logic, that is a VERY astute point. The officers aboard this ship have invaluable knowledge not just about the Federation flagship, but the class, Star Fleet protocols, codes, hot button issues, classified materials, tech knowledge, etc.

[@JWK1101]

@@bthsr7113 Hell, this has even been a plot point in TNG, consider the advantage the Borg gained by assimilating Picard in Best of Both Worlds.

[@johnpotts8308]

Not only could happen, but did happen only a few episodes earlier, where the entire crew was mind wiped in order to hijack the Enterprise (Conundrum)!

[@tbeller80]

"The greatest minds behind every covert and military operation in the galaxy and you put them in a room with a psychic."

[@MrGranten]

@@tbeller80 Welp, time for someone to fall on their sword. I'm sure Worf would be delighted to provide one.

[@blackfire3744]

I could use these aliens. I have a memory from when I was a kid watching an unusual music video. The only thing I can remember is that it's a female artist and a specific scene in the music video. Can't remember the name of the song, artist, or any lyrics. Just this scene in the video that's very distinct.

[@scockery]

Toni Basil "Mickey" SOLVED IT!

[@blackfire3744]

@@scockery if you want to help me figure it out, I'm all for it.

[@scockery]

I sometimes get this one confused with Lwaxana helping the telepathic people and then she has that past trauma resurface. Too many telepaths. When we look back on TNG as being great, we ignore episodes like MOVING VIOLATIONS. I mean, Riker and Worf getting their shuttle licenses revoked and having to take a driving course. And Stacey Keach and Bill Murray's younger brothers are there. I might be getting confused again.

[@ethanpoints8735]

Because of the implication...

[@bowweezzell]

How exactly does one quarantine people with psychic powers, Mr Worf?

[@Thraim.]

1:38 Holy shit

[@andrewklang809]

The episode came out in the 90s, and this dude is meant to appear as at least in his 60s, so he's meant to come off like a man of the 1950s and 1960s. That kind of talk was viewed as not only typical back then, but thought of as complimentary and even polite. By dudes. Women's opinions on the matter weren't taken seriously back then. This guy might as well have slapped Beverly on the ass and called her "Toots". He still would have acted confused and offended if anyone had objected to it.

[@MKDumas1981]

6:31 - That... Was... BAAAAAAAAD!

[@lipingrahman6648]

Anybody else think that Troy gets abused a lot in TNG. It’s just a little weird.

[@BTScriviner]

Her main story lines always do seem to involve her being violated in some way.

[@BTScriviner]

The idea that Picard sent Jack Crusher to his death because of he wanted Beverley for himself is never not funny.

[@jodieg6318]

If this episode, Voyager's Retrospect, and TOS's The Enemy Within have shown me anything, it's that Star Trek does not handle this topic well. In Voyager's case they completely missed the mark as the writers swear up and done it wasn't suppose to be an SA allegory but based on the Satanic Panic and pseudo science being used as legal evidence. Violations and Enemy Within mostly use SA as a trope not unlike Women In Refrigerators as it's a violent crime experienced a lot by women; are you an attractive female in Star Fleet? Then expect someone to try and force themselves on you eventually! The one thing that TNG did better over TOS is that they addressed SA as an act of violence motivated by wanting to hurt someone vs the 1960's view of SA's motivations laying in desire and finding someone attractive but unattainable. Best retire those Scants now or you'll give the men ideas.

[@lordmontymord8701]

I totally forgot we had telepathic rape before Nemesis ... Don't get this story: We know who the bad guy is from the beginning, the investigation is not very interesting, it doesn't do anything with the theme, so what's the point of this all? Oh yes, we need enough episodes per season ...

[@MaraudingManiac]

When it comes to sensitive topics like this, if you have something to say, it could be a very valuable episode. But when you have nothing to say, then it just comes off as exploiting vulnerable tragedies for cheap drama. Sexual Assault is a topic that you can't afford to miss the mark on. Especially since the episode basically showed Troi getting raped 3 times, which is just... excessive. Even if the episode did hit the mark, do you really need to show it more than once? This episode is not one I would show to other people.

[@hariman7727]

This episode really was forgettable and bad.

[@somedude2342]

I lik how worf just stands there for a sec