Captain Picard on Psychological Projection & Abuse

In this scene from the 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' episode "Man of the People," Captain Jean-Luc Picard confronts a man who 'channels' and psychologically 'projects' all of his negative attributes onto & into specific others -- including Counselor Deanna Troi -- which often results in the psychological abuse, or even the death, of his victims.

[@Krystalmyth]

I REALLY hope people understand the greater message in this video. People like this man exist. Narcissists, malignant sociopaths and a variety of other disordered individuals find great success in business and social networks through this very process. Narcissistic supply, being the receptacle in which they often project whatever they need to keep their idealist self in existence, with the rest done through smearing of a person's reputation, sowing discord, misunderstanding, gaslighting... all while being the backbone that holds it all together. The one who truly understands. Easy enough being at the center of it. They won't publicly admit to such things like the show did here. This was basically the closest you'll get to a confession in such an open manner, but it's happening, all the time.

[@wj11jam78]

I'm sure most of us understand the correlation, but you worded it very elegantly. Nice

[@Krystalmyth]

@@wj11jam78I myself had no clue only a handful of years ago. If I had run into a post like this. I'd hope it'd have helped me. But I liked keeping an open mind, and an open heart. I learned through experience... Some things shouldn't be.

[@wj11jam78]

@@Krystalmyth Well, it's a good thing your comment is out there to educate others, then. And like I said, it was very well worded. It's a really good comment.

[@davidjackson393]

Nicely worded. We have to stop playing their game. Their "lexicon" of allowed discussion. I've been taking an unconventional approach to recovery, but I feel if something is unconventional then it is up to you what you want to do to deal with it. Through my recovery, I have found many things. 1. They are fake protestors. You think they stand for things, and even when you see through them, they still "fight for the good" or whatever. You don't know that the very blueprint of who you think of as a human, is from copying someone who is a real person, but it is very much disconnected to that real persons actual life experiences. They allude to going through these lie experiences, but as if it is a Holocaust. I've been believing for a pretty long time that my parents grew up in concentration camps and I was Hitler presiding over the whole thing, before I was born (!) and in the future where it has all happened (?). They're taking away our freedom of expression. When I was in my mid 20s I entered my second term of narcissistic abuse, not realising what I had half escaped. I stopped socialising and started spending my evenings with my father "trying to reconnect the fractures in our relationship" which I had shot down for years, but after years of it I started thinking "maybe I really amnt seeing how great they are?" "Maybe I'm more of an ass than I think?" I spent about a year socialising less and trying to reconnect, through which time the super important things at play where me seeing him do impressions of me doing Marlon Brando impressions. I was going to make more points but I'm tired, and it's probably annoying to read, but hopefully it's helpful, that's my intent. I was watching that man I thought was someone else doing impressions of me doing "I coulda been a contenda" Marlon Brando stuff. I needed to revolve my evenings around "reconnecting" so I could see things like this. He was pretending to be what he wanted me to be like in the future. It's fucking bizarre and I'm gonna stop talking lol. I hope I've been helpful. I'm confronting the relationships every day.

[@wj11jam78]

@@davidjackson393 I'm very intrigued. So was the hitler part literal? Did they literally accuse you of being Hitler? It all sounds awful, and I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm just curious.

[@sherpajones]

"Receptacle?!?" I've never seen Picard so disgusted with a person.

[@lander77477]

i get that look on my face every time trump speaks

[@lander77477]

it gets me funny comment replies on youtube

[@yellowblanka6058]

@@lander77477 on a related note, that's his pet term for his female staff members.

[@UPRailRoad-xg8cb]

@John Dana Actually no Star Trek isn't really that liberal (it's not really conservative either but does share qualities with both sides). It actually has morals and the Federation and it's members don't just get upset when someone disagree's with them (and yes, some conservatives do this too). Also regarding Trump. I will say that I hate the guy because there are cases where he went back on his word. However, the case of refering to him as a pedophile doesn't just apply to him because you can make the same case about Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. They've both been accused of pedophilia. It doesn't stop there either, how about Hillary Clinton and the email scandal, or Robert Francis O'rourke (Beto) who committed burglaries and has a criminal record.

[@topocane67]

...maybe only another time face to the borg queen.

[@brav0wing]

No, he wouldn't win the argument because Picard pointed the essential thing: this guy could not bare his dark emotions, so he projected them onto others. The most important thing was that he KNEW about his dark emotions and was never willing to face them and this made him a coward.

[@michaeldoliveira720]

"Melor's death could not have been more untimely." Yeah, especially for Melor.

[@deusexaethera]

I think I finally understand what really happened to Jeffery Epstein.

[@mygaffer]

This is also a great example of a false dichotomy. He tries to make the argument that either Deanna takes his psychic waste and die or else the war continues, people die and children starve. Yet there are likely multiple negotiators who could resolve the conflict, especially if both sides were reeling from years of conflict. Star Trek taught its viewers so much.

[@FanboyFilms]

True, a negotiator who can't negotiate peace without committing murder in the process doesn't seem like much of a negotiator.

[@wikieditspam]

@@FanboyFilms I think Alkar might be an example of a true megalomaniac or narcissist.

[@AgentExeider]

Riva was a boss negotiator, deaf as a post but boss level.

[@deusexaethera]

@@FanboyFilms: Tell that to Bruce Willis in "The Fifth Element". 😁

[@builder396]

@@wikieditspam Definitely a narcissist. He thinks his "boo-boo" of being burdened by negative emotions, something everyone has to deal with to some degree, even Vulcans, somehow outweighs the literal LIVES of his numerable "recepticles", all rationalized by how great of a negotiator he is...as if there was noone else who could do these negotiations.

[@MerpSquirrel]

Also I bet Picard would have that negotiation wrapped up in 15 minutes without having to project his dark emotions, in fact he might even do some yelling during the talks.

[@EMSpdx]

Lat to your comment, but so true!

[@edmis90]

hahaha xD

[@NitpickingNerd]

He would absorb other people's negative emotions for the sake of negotiations. Like he did with Sarek

[@55Quirll]

What about Vulcans, I bet there are better negotiators on Vulcan then this fraud, Archer was a better Negotiator then Arkon and he dealt with the Andorians and Vulcans to mediate them.

[@girlgarde]

@@55Quirll I can imagine Archer having some nasty words for Arkon and wanting to kick his ass for his antics.

[@OneEyedKeys]

''You cannot explain away a wantonly amoral act because you think it is connected to some higher purpose.' - Picard. There are many people who need to heed such a message nowadays...

[@marsneedstowels]

Elaborate for the folks at home.

[@Baron_Blue_Max]

@@marsneedstowels well burning down small businesses and randomly assaulting strangers leaps to mind.

[@marsneedstowels]

@@Baron_Blue_Max Who?

[@Baron_Blue_Max]

@@marsneedstowels ....um Anfifa and blm?

[@marsneedstowels]

@@Baron_Blue_Max Meh, talk to me once they're burning wealthy white neighbourhoods.

[@Artisan1979]

I think the worst part of this is him saying that he has no intention of releasing Deanna now or ever. It’s not in the wording, but rather how he delivers it. Completely nonchalant and absolved of any guilt or shame.

[@rocketpowered5920]

I bet guilt and shame are two of those darker emotions he shunts onto others.

[@thewewguy8t88]

He is really convinced he is justified in what he does.

[@Artisan1979]

@@thewewguy8t88 men who reach a level of prestige usually do

[@danieldickson8591]

@@Artisan1979 People lead do have to be, to be able to make hard decisions; but Alkar has made his decision supremely easy on himself, so he gives the cost of it no weight.

[@potaterjim]

He's NOT willing to risk his own life to help others, he's risking OTHER's lives. And the best part is, he has the opportunity to do to himself what he does to others every day: All he has to do is face his emotions himself instead of shunting them onto others. But shame, guilt, and empathy are likely part of the emotions he's sending into his "receptacles"

[@girlgarde]

Agreed on all counts. Arkon was a selfish piece of crap who only cared about himself and tried to justify his selfish actions with "I'm doing it for the greater good".

[@code.name.sasquatch]

Hmmm...you think if he wanted to, he could of done the opposite of what he does for the people he's negotiating with? If he had been willing to take their negative emotions, even for a short time, he probably would've been able to settle any dispute just by showing up

[@citizenkaneVII]

"If I came to these peace talks, hindered by unwanted emotions-" Dude, that's what Vulcans are for.

[@deusexaethera]

There was another episode in which Picard handles Sarek's emotions for him so Sarek could concentrate on a delicate negotiation without his emotional dementia interfering.

[@alvideos2145]

@@deusexaethera Oh yeah! holy smokes, picard was willing to be a receptacle.... what a hypocrite XD

[@skyem123]

@@alvideos2145 There is a difference between forcing unwilling people to suffer your emotional burdens indefinitely and someone willing to temporarily handle your emotional burdens for a specific reason that you both agree on.

[@alvideos2145]

@@skyem123 True. And don't get me wrong, Picard is my captain! until he got all lame in his new series.

[@CFSworks]

@@alvideos2145 Interesting, most of the disdain I've seen for Star Trek: Picard was because of people not liking how much the setting had changed. I'd always liked how they handled Picard's character in spite of the circumstances. I'd be curious to know more about your perspective. :D

[@jaywilson4520]

"You cannot explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think it is connected to some higher purpose."

[@julianaylor4351]

A man who calls other people receptacles is heading for a disaster of some kind.

[@jacobkosh]

this may be the wisest thing I've read in a youtube comment

[@ljesus67]

Julia Naylor like others that call their followers “pets”...

[@tbotalpha8133]

Don't trust anyone who talks about "making the hard decisions" like it's the easiest thing in the world.

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

Trump and his blue Nazis have been calling black people a lot worse than receptacles and none of you f****** a****** seem to notice Picard be disgusted by all of you goddess knows I am

[@KFlorent13]

@@plaguedoctormasque8089 Not everybody on YT is american. And even if it was the case, who cares about this poorly worded political statement under a star trek clip? It's funny that you are projecting your political opinions onto others under a video about projection. And nobody cares if you are disgusted, your opinion has very little value. You are an arse for calling people A-hole for no good reason.

[@ReaverLordTonus]

If someone without emotions is so essential to this negotiation, then send a Vulcan.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Captain Picard is such a great character. A moral man who knows right and wrong.

[@1300l]

Good job in the security departament Mr.Worf :P

[@josephmassaro]

Yeah, what the F. Was he napping?

[@compmanio36]

Not for the first time. Worf was painted as a buffoon in many episodes of TNG, which was a real disservice.

[@Omega4Productions]

Good thing they made up for it in DS9 by literally having his first introduction be him kicking ass.

[@edmis90]

Kicking ass is easier than staying alert though.

[@stitcha123]

Oh Worf was fucking useless. Was beaten up constantly, yet had a badass reputation.

[@emdee7744]

Seriously, Worf? Asleep at the switch, dude.

[@LordsofMedia]

He was daydreaming about Diana being a receptacle.

[@MasterTaters]

@@LordsofMedia Too fragile

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

But that was Worf. Supposedly the best warrior among them. Constantly getting his butt handed to him.

[@winsomehax]

my thoughts exactly. wtf... he's going to get a bollocking in his next performance review.

[@heathersmith7130]

I know and he's always the first to get shot down for wanting to fire the phasers or raise the shields too early and he basically got jacked by these 2

[@samsoofi9588]

It’s so fun to see Picard put together the puzzle in 3 minutes. Through questions and discussion - he totally broke it down to its core.

[@zd4w9]

I really wanna see this episode again. Rewatching TNG as an adult has been a lot of fun.

[@jasonmiles2819]

zd4w9 The series is on Hulu and Netflix

[@yvesnyfelerph.d.8297]

It's also on tpb

[@Winterheart786]

The best part is as a teen, i missed quite a few episodes via cable tv. Now I am discovering so many more!

[@Jake_statefarm420]

It's also on CBS all access

[@ashtonpeterson4618]

It hits very different as an adult. I love it

[@stephenmeier4658]

Season 6, episode 3, "Man of the People". This show excelled at exploring ethics and morality...we need more of this today.

[@jcdcsc]

Now that I know about narcissists. This episode is 1000% more powerful in my eyes.

[@Exodianecross1978]

This episode was interesting because it was to me a "dark version" of "Sarek" in which Picard became a receptacle. Sarek mindmelded with the Captain to get rid of the Bendii Syndrome long enough to finish his last negotiations!

[@LordsofMedia]

Exactly true. That Sarek episode was kind of dark also. Depressing.

[@Exodianecross1978]

@@LordsofMedia But this one was worse! Picard was only temporarily affected by Sarek's emotions and there were no sideeffects like the one Troi had in this case.

[@LordsofMedia]

@@Exodianecross1978 Well yeah it was worse because Picard volunteered for his friend. I may be misremembering but weren't there something like 3 episodes where someone raped Troi's mind?

[@Exodianecross1978]

@@LordsofMedia In "Violations" there was a telepath who assaulted Troi in her mind, in "Nemesis" Shinzon invaded her thoughts as well. And in the episode "The Survivors" a Q-like entity disabled Trois telepathic abilities to hide his true nature! That's all I recall what could be called an assault!

[@girlgarde]

@@LordsofMedia Yeah, there were actually that many episodes where Troi's mind got raped. I guess they saw it as a way to build up certain people as bad guys, to have them hurt Troi and it worked well.

[@NDHFilms]

"I'm sorry, Picard, but the needs of the many-" Picard: "Don't even go there, sir..."

[@Keys879]

Take note here, while Humans do not have some psychic ability to project their emotions; they certainly have a verbal ability to do so and that they do. Be careful of people who accuse you of outrageous things they themselves seem guilty of. They intend to use you as a vessel for their irrationality.

[@xposetruth5681]

The elite leftists do this day in and day out

[@thatguyfromcetialphaV]

I got with a girl (now wife) and sat down to watch TNG with her after she asked me to share a show I loved. It was this episode and she was in tears throughout it. It turned out that she had had a bad time with her ex and this story hit her hard.

[@danieldickson8591]

Picard is an example of the best that humanity is capable of becoming.

[@MsDragonbal776]

@gary jones he wasnt any of that nonsense you just said

[@ladyhm.6748]

@gary jones You're a complete idiot and a failure at judging character.

[@Ragitsu]

@gary jones You missed the point of Jean-Luc Picard.

[@highestsettings]

@andy jonnson "Look at that guy who holds himself to a higher standard unlike me, he's pompous and self important because he tries to actually be the best he can be rather than simply accepting his flaws, basically my name is andy jonnson and Picard makes me feel bad about myself." -andy jonnson 2019/2020

[@highestsettings]

@andy jonnson The amount of times Picard goes against his morals Vs how many times he breaks them is such an imbalanced ratio. Maybe 2 or 3 episodes on average per series. They had a team of writers and its seven series, of course there are inconsistencies. In general however, what I said is true.

[@Josh_Fredman]

PICARD: "Mr. Worf, for once we are going to Lay Down Some Smack. Have at these savages." * some mooks take away Worf's phaser * WORF: [Darth Vader NOOOO.wav]

[@233Deadman]

And this is why Picard should have brought Data. Good luck disarming an android who doesn't want you to disarm him.

[@code.name.sasquatch]

@@233Deadman except Data would have seen the logic in leaving to return from a place of tactical advantage... like just beaming Arkon up to the ship. I don't remember how the episode went, but that's probably what I would've done. And we don't give Worf enough credit; in TOS, the red shirt probably wouldn't have made it to getting disarmed... being shot to save the studio paying him for more scenes lol

[@jasoneffler9903]

Captain Picard was a very wise man.

[@srirapaka8404]

Best Star Trek captain as far as I am concerned

[@bryanx0317]

A ridiculous scene. Worf would have disemboweled those two men.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

He could have, but that would not have helped anything, and only made mattrs worse.

[@ogichi32]

I would have loved to see that

[@Victor.-.E]

He did, but years later. It's in a short story, written by me a few minutes ago.

[@wikieditspam]

@@davidwuhrer6704 Worf definitely suffered through years of having to be more than anything: a soldier and team player. There's entire KZbin montages full of him getting his ideas shot down or being forced to go along with plans he visibly disagrees with but I like to imagine that all of it was ultimately very important experience that by DS9 made him a fully realized character. By the end of DS9 he's become an exemplary warrior and leader who fought, not for his own glory or accumulation of power, but as a champion for his ideals.

[@nagihangot6133]

@@wikieditspam "A fully realized character"?! They turned Worf into a generic Klingon knucklehead in a few episodes of DS9 and old TNG Worf personality in the others. I suspect Ira Behr making those bad writing decisions.

[@AntaresReborn]

I loved TNG for going into such concepts. A strong reminder of what we are going through today. Especially when you realize how much fear etc is being projected onto people today.

[@deusexaethera]

False comparison. The emotional distress being generated by the news media isn't helping anyone else focus on important tasks. In that respect it's actually worse.

[@nucflashevent]

"Mr Worf!" --stops Worf. -"I'm needed." "Energize!"

[@Troubleshooter125]

What we have here are ends justifying means, and particularly egregious in that human life, in this case Deanna's, becomes an unwilling commodity in a supposedly greater good. Alkar can count himself lucky he still had his teeth after revealing his technique.

[@jordanreed3675]

HandyMan101 I’m pretty sure even Gene Roddenberry would find this matter appalling

[@saintsea-hat7891]

HandyMan101 “you cannot explain away a wontonly immoral act by connecting it with a higher purpose” could apply to the majority of conservative politics.

[@tarvoc746]

@@saintsea-hat7891 Huh. Higher purpose? It always seemed to me that the people you're speaking of see wantonly immoral acts as their own reward.

[@DaSquareful]

@HandyMan101 that is an incredibly uneducated interpretation of this scene.

[@saintsea-hat7891]

Tarvoc oh, I mean their use of religion to excuse bigotry.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

Picard: You may think you hold all the cards here, Alkar, but you've forgotten one thing. Alkar: And what is that? Picard: I have a starship with working transporters. Picard: *Beams back to Enterprise* O'Brien, lock onto Alkar, and transport him to the bottom of the ocean.

[@r0bw00d]

A Klingon never lowers his guard!

[@OganySupreme]

Not in battle do they, but before battle, they can stand down honorably.

[@r0bw00d]

@@OganySupreme Worf = security = keep guard up during mission

[@OganySupreme]

@@r0bw00d During mission, but off mission they can do so honorably.

[@r0bw00d]

@@OganySupreme You seriously think that Worf is off duty in this scene?

[@OganySupreme]

@@r0bw00d No, but I'm saying generally.

[@mdredheadguy1979]

Interesting, there are a lot of parallels in this episode for what goes on in society today. I’m going to have to rewatch this show. Good thing I have all seven seasons on dvd.

[@Dragonrose36]

Ah yes, the Trek version of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

[@Ragitsu]

"Ah yes, the Trek version of The Picture of Dorian Gray." ...with the twist that this "Dorian" is rendering others into art and decaying *them* from the inside-out.

[@deusexaethera]

Except that Dorian Gray's portrait wasn't conscious and didn't suffer.

[@Dragonrose36]

@@deusexaethera I said it was a version, not an exact parallel.

[@Delilah.Elizabeth]

I watched this episode the other day, and it’s one of my favorites.

[@HasturYellowSign]

Up until recently Star Trek consisted of morality tales that taught us about life

[@maarekstele2998]

I think it still does but it kinda got fumbled and its a lot more heavy handed. Also have you see the yellow sign

[@AtheistExpert]

dont end the clip there, now I want revenge. and I forget what happens.

[@ResidentBob79]

Not to worry. This POS gets his at the end

[@thewewguy8t88]

I wanna know what happens to this guy at the end too I plan to watch this episode tonight actually.

[@ResidentBob79]

@@thewewguy8t88 Watch and enjoy!

[@AtheistExpert]

@@thewewguy8t88 They fool him into thinking his host was dead and he disintegrates! yeah fuck that guy!

[@hwhack]

This is back when writers actually wrote.

[@grast5150]

so much for Worf the security chief. I am glad they made him more proficient in DS9

[@frdrsch]

Worf being the best tactical officer of all times again.

[@abe6495]

Psychological projection humans are also capable of this through manipulation.

[@poseidon5003]

Not very "starfleet" of me but I would have fired on that building. Yup. Frig them.

[@EhvinnTee]

You'd be a great writer for Discovery then! haha

[@code.name.sasquatch]

Beam the son of a bitch to the brig. Let him negotiate from there

[@dij7878]

during the commercial break, picard was like, "really, worf!?...you're fucking useless."🤣

[@Kainlarsen]

I remember this episode well. Even as a kid, I understood how wrong this was.

[@YD-uq5fi]

All Alkar needed to do was find an el-Aurian. They don't age, so he can dump his aging into the el-Aurian forever. If a Hologram like The Doctor can be a suitable receptacle, even better.

[@Nisselak]

el-Aurian age like all humanoids, just at an extremely slower pace

[@potaterjim]

He's not dumping "age" into them, he's not Dorian Grey (though it seems a likely reference) He's using them as the ecto-containment grid for all of his bad vibes, which are worse than normal since he's never once dealt with them in a healthy way and just magics them away. It's extra effective against Deanna since she's an Empath and feels things much more strongly. It's likely that they would miraculously appear to age, unless they ALSO have the ability to withstand toxic thoughts literally coming from someone else. The Doctor, and other holograms, wouldn't be possible since they don't have brains or actual consciousness, he can't connect to the Doctor any more than Spock can mind-meld with the ship, even if the doctor is advanced to the point of having a personality.

[@FanboyFilms]

@@potaterjim But Star Trek Picard shows us that even an android can learn to mind-meld if they just study hard enough. Maybe a hologram could too.

[@code.name.sasquatch]

@@potaterjim interested point about AI... would that apply to someone like Data? Not technically "conscious" but still decidedly a living being (which they went great lengths to prove in a different episode) 🤔 Edit: I posted this before I saw @fanboyfilms post. I heard somewhere that STP doesn't count as cannon because it's so different stylistically/thematically from the rest of star trek...or something

[@brav0wing]

You have a valid point. And kudos to you for pointing it out. But you have to take into consideration his victims as well and that he did not face his dark emotions.

[@thecursor1]

I love how people presume Picard is the “nice captain” but he’s constantly ordering the arrest of the murderers and rapists and abusers who keep crossing his path.

[@thecursor1]

@@gregorygalmin9756 I'm saying he's a lot tougher than people give him credit for.

[@TheKa89]

It's the good is not soft trope and he does it well.

[@nagihangot6133]

@@gregorygalmin9756 im surprised this guy has more likes than your comment. His logic is errornous.

[@greenaum]

@@thecursor1 It's not particularly tough to want murderers and rapists arresting. Nobody likes those people. Winnie the Pooh wouldn't want rapists running round his wood.

[@Delilah.Elizabeth]

I watched this episode the other, and it’s one of my favorites.

[@TheSilverPhoenix100]

Picard : Ok we will leave, Transporter three to beam up Seriously the transporters have to be the most underused peice of tech in Star Trek

[@code.name.sasquatch]

This was exactly what I thought lol

[@DinnerBells]

I never got how his delegation, after being chaperoned by the Enterprise, then just flat out goes "yeah, fuck off." You do know that's gonna ruffle some feathers, right??

[@longWriter]

So relevant to this day and age!

[@aggressiveattitudeera887]

"Captain, I get no payment. I have no power base, no agenda". Moments later: "Alkar, WE NEED YOU! Everything's falling apart! We can't do it, or ANYTHING without you! PLEASE, oh mighty Alkar! *SAVE US!!"* I exaggerated a little bit, but you can see what he gets out of this.

[@ryanarment5393]

Dammit worf, you had just one job to do.

[@Judgementxxx]

There always getting the drop on him 🤣

[@tornado713]

I refuse to believe Worf would be taken by surprise so easily.

[@thegeneralissimo470]

Picard is right in that you cannot “explain away an immoral act, because you believe it to be connected to a higher purpose” However, it is the duty of the peers to weigh that act against the higher purpose itself, not your duty.

[@robarans4866]

there should be a star trek series about a klingon captain who brutally executes dudes like this at the ends of episodes..

[@ShadowSonic2]

Don't worry, the guy an agonizing death at the end.

[@jayfox3628]

I would watch the S. out of that idea.

[@baronvonfaust]

Please oh please let it be about Gowron in his pre-Chancellor phase...

[@greenaum]

Klingon captains brutally execute 3 or 4 crew a day. It took them 90 years to put a man on their moon cos the crew never lasted long enough for anyone to man the lander.

[@josiahgoodman8875]

That’s Sisko lol

[@whizzytheelephantadventure1063]

Mr Worf is once again proving highly ineffective.

[@kght222]

chuckle, what they are doing is literally an act of war, it is hilarious how they don't seem to see this point. of course i'm pretty sure that is never mentioned in this episode, been a long time, but picard would have been within his rights to just transport the dude up and detain him.

[@tudorrenegade7052]

Beautiful !

[@kickass21ful]

What the fuck is this??? WORF!! You could've taken both of them!!

[@mjwilson14]

i don't think he could have, he's literally terrible at his job

[@ColdNorth0628]

@@mjwilson14 nah

[@MindstabThrull]

I don't remember having seen this episode, but: All Picard has to do is pass on the information of what the man has done to innocent lives to the people he's supposed to be negotiating with. And Picard, emotions and all, is a skilled diplomat himself. I'm sure he can find a way to broker to the peace between the two factions.

[@Lizfan2]

Well the way Picard & the crew ended up handling it was excellent as far as I'm concerned. That evil bastard who called himself an ambassador got exactly what was coming to him.

[@highestsettings]

I feel like having your darker emotions would actually lend to being a better diplomat. You'd understand where each side was coming from better then. If you can't understand the motivations for war, then how can you convince people to stop it? You don't even really know what they want, or why they want it.

[@Ragitsu]

I guess the logic was that Alkar couldn't get riled up or lose his patience.

[@TheKnightOfSmite]

@@Ragitsu Or Alkar was acting as a sort of emotion sponge for both sides so it's like absorbing their negative thoughts into himself then thinking them as dark emotions that then get funneled into his victims/volunteers. By alreading dumping his negative thoughts into someone at the start there's less "distractions" while doing the absorbing as it makes the difference between being overwhelmed (like if you think of it as his powers as a bottle, he would be going in with it full instead of empty) It makes sense with the ending that everything he had pent-up in others returned to bite him in the ass and overwhelm him that way

[@Ragitsu]

@@TheKnightOfSmite "Or Alkar was acting as a sort of emotion sponge for both sides so it's like absorbing their negative thoughts into himself then thinking them as dark emotions that then get funneled into his victims/volunteers." I had not considered that interpretation of his power. Would the negative emotions of the opposing parties eventually return...or are they gone forever? If they do make a reappearance at some point, those negotiated terms would fall apart once hostilities resume.

[@TheKnightOfSmite]

@@Ragitsu I'd imagine they return but they've already made agreements to bind themselves to the Federation and they can't do a 180 on that by then. Kind of like the Eidelons in Farscape. If they're asking the Federation to broker peace, then likely they've decided to integrate them in some way (otherwise they'd just come to an agreement by themselves without the Federation). Could they potentially 180? Sure, but they'd lose respect among the galactic community for doing so that could cause more harm than good in the long run. They might vent about how they were bamboozled but by then the Federation is in doing what it does best (and to the well known ire of other alien races). As other empires imply, getting rid of the Federation and its values is extremely hard once they're in, influencing a culture.

[@Ragitsu]

@@TheKnightOfSmite That's certainly possible, sure. However, I wouldn't be surprised if - over the long term - Alkar's negotiation method ended up backfiring; he'll either run into a race immune to his psychic vampirism or far too many cultures that felt hoodwinked will team up to take him down (be it legally *or* extrajudicially).

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

Note how carefully Alkar’s dialogue is written. There is zero remorse in him, nothing pertaining to being apologetic. When he is not explaining himself or dismissing his victims so casually by calling them ‘receptacles’ almost as if he is not even acknowledging that they’re dead or how many there might have been, he’s justifying himself, explaining why - not projecting his negative emotions onto *Deanna Troi* - but only why he performed the act of projecting his negative emotions, period. He doesn’t even acknowledge the person, only naming her once throughout his lines, and even then he only used a name to point out Troi is just one ‘individual’. He didn’t even use the word ‘person’, but at least he didn’t say ‘councilor’, which makes it sound even more like he finds her ‘less important’.

[@rustyshackleford5665]

Too bad this guy didn't try pulling that shit on a Klingon ship.

[@XX-sp3tt]

Yeah, no one would have even noticed, as Klingons aren't known for caring much for having bad vibes.

[@dibaterman]

Picard: Mr. Worf... what the hell man!

[@rolandbujeiro6346]

Mr. Worf you are the worst security guard. Ever!!!

[@epicstyle1000]

I would like to know if his other 'Receptacles' were willing volunteers he had the fall knowledge of their sacrafice

[@zachzorn9930]

Piccard has the power and authority to wipe all life from that planet with but a word... hes got some patients that rivals that of time itself...

[@rontwentyone]

I appreciate the message in this episode. However, I do have a simple solution for Picard. Simply fly the Enterprise away from Alca, leaving him on the planet. I'm sure he couldn't maintain the channelling of dark thoughts over millions of kilometres let alone light years of space. Then come back to arrest him once Troi is healed, and protected with a telepathic, neurological block divided by Dr Crusher. Also do that to protect any other empaths on the ship. Or just fly back in a shuttle craft to arrest Alca.

[@Intrafacial86]

Funny how the guy is all like "b-but mah dArK EmOtIoNs!!" when there's literally a whole fucking species of humanoids that has essentially turned mental discipline into a religion.

[@calmexit6483]

Did Picards righteous indignation blast anyone else to the point of tears?

[@tperfect7241]

Always

[@brav0wing]

What you say is logical but not moral. To quote SFDebris:"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - that is logic, not morality. And to think otherwise would suggest that it's moral to take society's undesirables and harvest their organs to prevent the deaths of more worthy people...We would be aghast at such a thing and rightly so." I wasn't being sanctimonius, I was merely pointing to the fact that this guy is a coward since he won't face his own dark emotions.

[@DevinDTV]

It's strictly illogical if we're using the axiom that every individual should be treated equally under the law (or system of morality), which almost anyone would agree to in any political philosophy discussion -- no one is special, everyone is treated equally. Alkar abused Troy to his own benefit (and arguably to the benefit of the individuals on the planet). So somehow Troy's rights are less valuable than the rights of these other individuals? A very simple and clear violation of equal treatment under the law. Furthermore, the idea of collectivism is illogical in that it's founded on a reification and anthropomorphism of an abstract entity, which is called "society" or "the many". In reality, there is no "the many". Just individual people. Who you pick and choose to place into your "the many" category to benefit from your abuses is purely arbitrary. Nothing logical about it.

[@FiveFootFall]

And remember, too, while even other Vulcans may recognize Spock's or Data's logic they may not have seen it as the only way. And also, those were justifications for the sacrifice of *themselves,* not the sacrifice of others.

[@tarvoc746]

_The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few - that is logic, not morality._ - It's not even pure logic either. It's just a shoddy and questionable application of math.

[@Ragitsu]

"Cold calculus"

[@paulborst4724]

*Not the first time Deanna was referred to as a receptacle. Riker and Worf are Eskimo brothers.*

[@redpillfreedom6692]

1:58 A year from now Picard does just that in Homeward.

[@jimnorris9765]

So why didnt Picard bring Data down to that tense situation? Worf could guard Ten Forward or the ship's supply of prine juice.

[@batgurrl]

This an intense episode exploring ethics. Captain Picard at is best for being unafraid of eloquently calling out BS when he sees it. Yes that man was a coward

[@nagihangot6133]

Alkan is the same guy who played as the surrogate leader to the beings whom were beaten by the Kazon from Voyager

[@imofage3947]

Worf may be a great warrior, but this is not a great example of his warrior prowess. He let 2 men step inside his guard and take his weapon.

[@rollerbladinggeek5507]

Wish I had that power. A lot of other people seem to.

[@user-lj2cb2pj8j]

Picard was best

[@heidibroadwell]

all done being a receptacle/"agent". In "real life" tho, the abuser tends to not realize she/he is projecting. And good luck with that conversation. Wear a helmet.

[@sherpajones]

heidi broadwell been there, done that.

[@Mountainmonths]

truu

[@jayjohn9680]

Picard: Receptacles… ok time to beam up “Mr Worf… oh touche… Mr geordi… Beams that fucker up Worf: “youll be transported to a naussican detention facility where they wont wait for you to drop the soap” Picard: Lets track down everyone like him and drop metagentic weapons

[@MadScientist512]

Lucky Alkar didn't know Starfleets' "The needs of the many..." argument. :)

[@difficultbastard]

I'm surprised they took Worf so easily.

[@code.name.sasquatch]

I think it's pretty well established that it's for plot development...and repeated unnecessarily throughout the series

[@Artisan1979]

This is tantamount to rape of the worst degree. It sickens me how ppl can justify themselves to such immoral acts.

[@CaptVelocity]

That doesn't excuse anything. Right to life isn't suspended just because people are dying.

[@0doublezero0]

Then I guess you never seen DS9. Star Fleet has done this multiple times during the dominion war.

[@Ragitsu]

@@0doublezero0 DS9 mostly spits on Star Trek.

[@TheRealGunfish]

back on the ship "Prepare to fire on the surface."

[@jasontalbert4164]

People who uphold the act of harm to others without regret and remorse do not get away with it. I assure you.

[@Superabound2]

No, because he makes2 completely unsubstantiated & faulty assumptions: A) that the presence of "dark thoughts" hinders ones ability to negotiate peace talks, when in fact familiarity with such thoughts would likely give one insight into the feelings and motivations that lead to the very conflicts in question (which is exactly why youd have a person negotiate rather than say, a computer), & B) that no one else present could do as good or better of a job than him. Picard is a skilled negotiator

[@girlgarde]

Diplomats like Sarek and Spock had darker emotions deep within their minds but they managed just fine in negotiations. Heck, Curzon Dax despite having visible darker emotions did well in negotiations and even used them to aid in dealing with unruly people in talks.

[@NeoAnguiano]

WORF you had one job, it was you moment to shine

[@shazanali692]

I alway got the feeling these sets are rented mansions on Beverly hills

[@catherinebland2717]

Hell hath no fury like an empath scorn.

[@Azrael__]

I do this all the time. It's for The Greater Good.

[@nagihangot6133]

Same actor on Voyager who tried to assassinate the Kazon Mahjs.

[@mirkopolyak3592]

“You can not explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think that it is connected to some higher purpose.” Hmm . . .don’t we, though? I believe those most reasonable people would feel that torturing animals by sticking them with needles and injecting them with drugs and chemicals just for your own entertainment is a wantonly evil act. However, if we believe that it is connected to a higher purpose, such as finding a cure for childhood diseases like leukemia, most people would accept it as an unpleasant but nevertheless good endeavor. Ultimately, the question here is this: Is it right to save the lives of thousands by taking the life of one innocent person. It’s a provocative question, worthy of real thought. On a related but different line of thought, when Picard defends the crew of the Enterprise during a battle, innocent people - non-combatants, maintenance workers, etc - on the enemy ship inevitably die. Is he evil for killing other innocent people when trying to defend his own innocent people?

[@thewewguy8t88]

those kids who dont have to go to bed in fear everyday may end up with a bit of guilt and may end up not very well devloped if they knew what the cost of going to bed "fearless" cost them.

[@PR--un4ub]

?

[@newdefsys]

Capt Picard: I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. Its the only way to be sure. Mr Worf: Fucking A

[@anthonyju6392]

It is interesting. Do the ends justify the means question. In this episode it is implied that the people whom he chooses are unwilling or unknowing subjects. But what if they were? What if he did say yes I will release Deanna after these talks are finished and I will find another of my own kind who is more compatible. That other people were willing to sacrifice themselves to be part of a greater good. Surly yes those sacrifices should be honored and he shouldn't take all the credit but then would it be OK? I think people would probably change their mind about his actions in this his moral justification could be centered on their sacrifices to him to make a better world. If this were the case I would consider he was using his ability in a righteous way. Now yes if could do it on his own that would be better but if greater peace is accomplished through willing subjects of sacrifice who are we to say that is wrong?

[@beckywalters2]

receptacles? JESUS