🖖Star Trek: The Next Generation 5x20 Cost of Living REACTION

[@jenmurrayxo]

FYI we're going to start watching DS9 very soon on Patreon! TNG Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLQHhQlj8i5dqskzLNqeSNyMGa1rBWe3h1 Original Series: kzbin.info/aero/PLQHhQlj8i5drsrCtQd-FDuZZ99vKlPTyZ

[@karlwest437]

Was hoping you'd be watching DS9, personally I think it's the best Star Trek show of all 😃

[@jerrychouinard9005]

Thank you Jen. Also, missed you last weekend. I hope you had a fantastic Merry Christmas and wish you all the best in the New Year.

[@3DJapan]

Only on Patreon?

[@desmondd1984]

Can't wait, DS9 is my fave. Do you have a thing that tells you what to watch in release order?

[@nicholascross3557]

Lewis Carroll had a sort of riddle in one of his books, it ran "Why is a raven like a writing desk? The higher, the fewer." and is sheer nonsense, naturally.

[@glenncabacungan9269]

I still get a kick out of the fact that when Luxwana talks to the computer, she’s essentially talking to herself.

[@quwykxz]

Majelception! 😄

[@ldkinbote]

Ha! I JUST said that while watching this reaction.

[@smadaf]

Ha! I've known it for more than thirty years, and yet never noticed it before I read your comment.

[@aaronstone8147]

Probably why she is so grateful? Qltm!

[@aaronstone8147]

That's not a word, in any language.

[@InterdimensionalCowlick]

Not only is Majel Lwaxanna Troi but she's also the voice of the Enterprise computer so when she's at the holodeck door ordering up the program she is actually talking to herself.

[@allengray5748]

And nurse Chapel as well as Mrs. Gene Roddenberry! Busy lady! ☮️

[@follow_the_money_trail]

​@@allengray5748 Busty lady

[@jeeenyus4385]

@@allengray5748 and the original Number 1.

[@allengray5748]

@jeeenyus4385 YES!!! Awesome stuff! ☮️

[@daniellanctot6548]

*Not only that but Lwaxana’s speech to Alexandre about “being alone” must have resonated with Majel, who was married to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, enormously given that by that time: He had died **_less than 6 months prior to the air date of this episode!_*

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

"Dear" is an inside joke. Lwaxanna's talking to herself when she talks to the computer. Same actress. Roddenberry's wife.

[@texanjoecoffeehouse8141]

Hearing Majel talk about marrying young and being lucky then also about being alone - really hits knowing this was after Gene had passed away.

[@MainframeMilitia]

He spent most of their marriage cheating on her after cheating on his first wife with Majel. Matter of fact, he slept with several women a week after their honeymoon. Gene Roddenberry was a pig. A visionary pig, but still a pig.

[@kingleech16]

Tony Jay, who played the would-be groom, is one of my favorite voice actors, such an incredible voice.

[@Geodatan]

Lwaxana Troi, played by actress Majel Barrett, has those moments of feeling “alone” because the actress recently lost her husband. Series director Gene Rodemberry. Knowing this fact, this episode gains several points.

[@Swordsfor200Alex]

Umm not the series director! HE WAS THE FREAKING CREATOR OF STAR TREK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ErikLarson-l9k]

The groom is played by Tony Jay, whose distinctive voice can be heard in numerous cartoons, most notably as Frollo in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. I knew him best as Shere Khan in Tale Spin :)

[@samtaholo]

10:15 I love the way Jen perks up whenever dilithium crystals are mentioned.

[@STOCKHOLM07]

ooh Tony Jay. The man with the deepest, coolest voice ever.

[@CaesiusX]

*The higher, the fewer.* I admit, I had to look it up: _It means the higher one reaches for success, the fewer peers one will have._

[@Tigermania]

Luxwana the mother in law everyone suffers, the Grandmother the kids all love.

[@corvus1970]

Indeed. I suspect that she was a good mom when Deanna was young, and part of their friction now is due to them being such different people and the fact that she still sees Deanna as her "little girl." She's exasperating at times, but she has a good heart and she is indeed a superb grandmother.

[@DaveBukowski]

The phrase of "The higher the fewer" is the phrase the philosopher said when they first went into the holodeck when Lwaxana Troi said, well thats a conversation stopper.

[@timmooney7528]

In the context of the episode, as Troi's mother's age gets higher, the opportunities to find a perfect partner get fewer

[@nicholascross3557]

It originates with Lewis Carroll, a riddle of sorts that goes, "Why is a raven like a writing desk? The higher, the fewer." Sheer nonsense.

[@timmooney7528]

@@nicholascross3557 It's origin might be nonsensical, but it appears the writers gave it a meaning, with regards to Troi's mother getting older and her marriage prospects becoming fewer. It's like the sayings, "Less is more," or "Slow is fast."

[@SSand4]

@@nicholascross3557 It might be a Lewis Carroll reference, but it's not from Alice and it's not the raven riddle. The secret answer to the raven riddle goes: Q: "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" A: "Because a raven is nevar backwards and a writing desk is always for words."

[@humanvideosponge4529]

Worf swatting the face bubble is probably one of the funniest Worf moments of all time! I probably would have hated this episode back in the day but these days, I appreciate the ones with more humor.

[@entropygizmo2880]

“Mr. Woof” 😂😂😂

[@kevinlewallen4778]

At 09:01, Jen sees right through Lwaxana's facade. Yes, it's a defense mechanism. You'd make a fine therapist, Jen!

[@ammaleslie509]

Lwaxana does say it straight out, so it isn't unusual for Jen or anyone else to pick it up

[@tofton1977]

"Evil space dust" i laugh when i heard that!

[@matthewcollins4773]

"Is that debris evil?" 😂

[@johnsensebe3153]

Well, Kirk had to fight evil space smoke once.

[@MUYEMORK]

Right on the money with your post viewing comments as always, Jen. The episode’s B-plot (metal parasites) kind of felt like unnecessary filler for the A-plot(Lwaxana / Alexander) like there wasn’t enough story to fill out one hour so they tacked on the metal parasites. The poignant part of this episode is the episode was that Majel Barett lost her husband, Gene Roddenberry 4 months prior to the filming of the episode so her “lonliness’ speech is touching in this context.

[@James_Ford4815]

mr.woof interactions with everyone is what makes this episode lol and watchable

[@existentialgamer9206]

The fact that he’s still very polite to her is even funnier. “It is Worf, madam” 😅

[@DocMicrowave]

"I AM NOT ...... yelling."

[@jamespfp]

LMAO, so yeah Full Disclosure, I love the scene in this episode where Troi goes "Ha!" and then Alexander, having been instructed in how to go "Ha!" by Troi's Mom, goes "Ha!". Such elegance belongs on a stage.

[@PaperbackWizard]

I think this episode is great. Lwaxana, for all that she seems to have no filter most of the time, hides a great deal of personal insecurity. It was wonderful to see this side of her, to have her demonstrate what some people are willing to sacrifice to not be lonely, and to see her ultimately be happy by staying true to herself. Showing up naked to her wedding is one of the best scenes in all of Star Trek. This episode really changed how I see her character, and it resonates even more with me now that I'm in the midst of my own "midlife crisis". So, yes, there's plenty to admire about it, depending on one's perspective.

[@IsoscelesKramer]

Completely agree, that's what I love about it!

[@gwenthor]

I'm happy to see you back. Sunday TNG with Jen (and with quoting and singing along to the intro)!!!! Commercial break!

[@jamesaugust7498]

Lwaxanna will always have a place. Remember, she was Nurse Chapel in the 5-year mission. So as Roddenberry's wife, she has a special place.

[@vincegamer]

And she was the original #1

[@MainframeMilitia]

If only Gene had felt that way about her.

[@alexulrich9890]

"You're just supposed to sit here?!"

[@SkuubaSteve]

me, in a hot tub xD

[@Daniel-kx3xs]

Jen, it's nice to have you back after your holiday vacation. I was jonzing for my Star Trek Sunday last week.😊

[@MrDeathpilot]

This episode originally aired while I was visiting my parents, I told them what a great show it was, so they watched it with me. They were not impressed.

[@ericstarkey551]

Mr. Homm was also lurch in the Adams family movie, plus Alexander was the youngest son on the show family ties.

[@kerry-j4m]

I really like Mr Homm and I have the Adams Family movie on dvd,but,have never watched it tho.

[@StefanLoferer]

Mr. Woof super "relaxed" in a mudbath. And I thought I've seen it all in Star Trek😂 Another great reaction, Jen. Thanks ❤

[@RoamingAstro]

FYI, you probably already know this. But Majel Barrett Rodenbery was the voice of all the Star Fleet computers until she passed away. She even voiced the original ST series computer.

[@shawbros]

3:18 Lwaxanna: "And if he does not perform his contractual duties, I assume he will be chastised?" Worf: "He will be.....sanctioned, By Rite of Ascension."

[@trekker3382]

jen. you are a lovely young lady and this trekker enjoys watching your reactions to the next generation. i wish you a very happy new year

[@neutrino78x]

Jen speaking of mudbaths, that's something to do on a visit to my area, the San Francisco Bay Area....in a city called Callistoga, in the North Bay, they have geothermal mud baths and spas....underground, the water is heated naturally by a large blob of magma. We use the same process to generate energy with no pollution, 24 hours a day, it's called geothermal power...currently 730 MW, the largest geothermal power plant in the world. They are working on expanding it by another 600 MW over the next ten years. 🙂

[@shexec32]

Everyone references this episode to prove that Worf is a bad parent. Yet, in this episode, Worf is doing the one thing, a single thing only, a simple act edthat makes him better than all the bad parents of the irl 21st century. He seeks family therapy to help with his parenting.

[@ChrisReise]

5:49 I like the little fact that the computer (voiced by Majel Barrett) says "Alexander Rozhenko is with Lwaxanna Troi" (played by Majel Barrett)

[@MsAlexisPiazza]

While for most, Worf in the mud bath is the best part of the episode, I always get a rise out of him popping the wind dancer.

[@Sinocthehodgeheg]

Great to see Tony Jay, especially with the recent rerelease of soul reaver

[@vincegamer]

When she is excited about marrying royalty, I wonder if that's a reference to zsa zsa gabor's famous line: "Mary the first time for love, the second time for money and the third time for a title"

[@davidfrederick1971]

I like when Lwaxanna notices the holodeck walls malfunction, she quickly got Alexander out of possible harms way. Like you said Jen "like a "grandmother protecting her grandson"

[@Chris_Marrero]

Definitely one of my favorite episodes. Such a great and touching Mrs Troi episode. The Worf moments were hilarious, especially in the mud bath!

[@Tiffinki]

Love how you had a great time with this one, Jen. Lwaxana is so fun!!😀

[@ripley_hicks_newt_86]

If "fun" means "annoying", then yes. 😅

[@MvrckOkie007]

Im sure this episode was written so that Majel Barrett (lwaxana troi) had an episode to star in. Barrett was Gene Roddenberry’s wife, and also the voice of the computer in Star Trek TOS.

[@kevindwyer639]

I just like watching Geordi and Data solving mysteries together. Everything else I could do without.

[@sebastianwittmeier1274]

Jen knows the whole plot by one note at the end of the teaser opening.

[@radwolf76]

RIP Tony Jay. One of the best baritones in the business.

[@jodytierney9474]

I like this episode for the subplot with Alexander, and Worf's, "you're just supposed to sit here," moment.

[@jeremymlad]

“The higher, the fewer,” is a joke cats tell among themselves. That line is the punchline. The setup is, “Why is a mouse when it spins?” The joke has an interesting history if you want to google it. It can also be used to defeat an intruding sphinx if necessary.

[@IAmTheAce5]

I think "the higher the fewer" is like a mental brake- it's not supposed to mean anything but it resets someone from their runaway-train-of-thought and stops them to think 'what is actually going on'

[@tofersiefken]

Lwaxana Troi having a conversation with the Enterprise's computer. The (4th wall breaking) humor isn't lost on me.

[@JusBidniss]

4:37 Calling herself 'Dear' here.... lol

[@johnsensebe3153]

Got to love Majel Barrett talking to herself.

[@a35362]

"Is that debris, like, 'evil'?" 😄

[@DrummingWriterTrekfan84]

"I knew that dust was evil!" 😂 Funniest thing I've heard you say all year Jen!! 🤣

[@karter95]

So Starfleet Headquarters is set in San Francisco. Headquarters is supposed to be up in the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge right below the current overlook. Starfleet Academy is supposed to be next to Golden Gate Park in the Presidio.

[@Dillpicks95]

Worf just relaxing in the mud bath was definitely the best part about this episode 😂🖖

[@DocMicrowave]

Discovered another Worf'ism. "You're just supposed to sit here?"

[@Octopussy31st]

I really loved this because Alexander and Lwaxana were often irritating characters, but seeing them find one another and working through their separate issues was a great way of making me bond with characters I hadn't previously enjoyed. And it really set up Lwaxana's future story lines in the 7th season and on DS9.

[@MainframeMilitia]

You gotta remember that in the time of Star Trek, where sentient bodies come in all shapes and, sizes and species, humans being publicly naked sometimes is not a big deal anymore.

[@KEVMAN7987]

"The higher, the fewer" makes me think of "If at first you don't know the candlelight is fire, the meal was cooked long ago."

[@tofersiefken]

The good thing about any episodes focusing on Worf's (poor) parenting is that there are enough of them to demonstrate whether it's just an unfortunate "one-off" thing, or an uncomfortable flaw in an otherwise noble and honor-bound character.

[@Thegonagle]

Stay tuned...

[@andreannmichot3095]

I always took it to mean the higher you get (like wealthy or maybe even brains, I guess) the more you realize who your true friends are, the fewer actual friends you have.

[@jeffrey_live1748]

I actually really enjoy Lwaxana if for no other reason than Picard has no idea how to handle her. A rare trait in TNG other than Vash. Majel Barrett, in addition to other ST things, is the computer voice for Federation Starships which I love.

[@cam70ds]

Love the TNG reactions Jen! My Dad and I watched them. Great memories

[@CosmicTimesTV]

While watching the show during its first run - I always enjoyed the Lwaxanna episodes ... while not my favorites, they always provided a comedic tone shift that the show sometimes needed.

[@MichaelCoffman-w6o]

Greetings Admiral Murray 😊. Missed not seeing you last Sunday. Love your reactions as always. I love how in the previous episode Wesley stepped up and told the truth about what happened. Hope you have a good night. Live long and prosper 🖖 😊.

[@plainsimpledav946]

"I am Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. Who are you?"

[@existentialgamer9206]

“There’s more to her” absolutely. She’s in one of my favorite episodes of season 7 and guest stars on DS9 to great effect. No spoilers but you see her depth come out

[@xzonia1]

I love this episode. Worf in a mudbath is worth it. X) But seriously, I loved the conversation about aging and we see how Lwaxanna struggles. It's always been one of my favorites, but I get why it's not for everyone. :)

[@The_Kiosk]

The groom, José Ferrer, also played The Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV in the 1984 David Lynch Dune film. Lynch also wrote and directed Twin Peaks, which contains a dream sequence involving Lwaxana's valet, Mr Hom. Ferrer's son Miguel was in Disney's Blank Check starring Brian Bonsall, who played Alexander. Miguel Ferrer also played the man who created RoboCop in the original 80s film.

[@ripley_hicks_newt_86]

What? That's not José Ferrer.

[@The_Kiosk]

@ripley_hicks_newt_86 well, shit. Face blindness strikes again.

[@jsharp3165]

No, this actor is Tony Jay. He was the voice of Dom Frollo in Disney's animated Hunchback movie and in tons of other voiceover work.

[@CvSp22]

Lawxanna is awesome! Maybe the most incredible person in all of Star Trek. She has so much deepth and this episode is great, dealing with a lot of important topics like parent-child-dynamics, growing up, gettin' older, being lonely, confimity vs. individuality and mental freedom. This colony of free spirits may look childish at the first glance, but over time it grows as a space for (self) reflection. And the fact, that not only Alexander learned from Lawxanna, but she from him as well makes that so worthy and solid. And even Deanna and Worf progressed at least a little cause of that. For all that, it's a great episode, with a much lighter tone than the previous one, but not less important content and with deep thoughtful moments.

[@jonbolton3376]

Great reaction! This is actually my favourite Lwaxana episode.

[@ImperialAtlantis]

Agreed, I love this episode

[@JordyJayHomer]

"sausage tea": ha 😸

[@brom00]

A plus for this episode is that iy won two Emmys for Costume Design and Make-up. There is also a goof in it. In the turbolift with Data, Picard wears only the three rank pips of Commander rather than the four of a Captain. It's even possible to see the hole in his collar where the missing pip should be.

[@tigerbread78]

Yes, to most of us it was a so-so episode, but Deanna looking glamorous in the mudbath, along with the punchline of Worf being there too, was worth it

[@thomholbrook7286]

It's kinda funky that this episode features two actors who went on to appear in Twin Peaks. Mr. Homn of course is The Giant. And Lwaxana's groom played Dougie Milford whose entire plot was, ironically, getting married and then, uh, dying on his wedding night. Lol.

[@pauld6967]

@4:08 One of Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens' great quotes. A shame that many will wrongly attribute it to Mrs. Troi.

[@paulalexandredumasseauvan2357]

YUCK! space dust that leaves GOO! 😖 glad you got your wish about worf! 🤣 really enjoyed your reaction! 👍☺

[@arik_dev]

Lwaxanna has grown on me a lot as I've gotten older (34 as of last week). The wedding subplot isn't my favourite but seeing her raising Alex is inspiring honestly. I suppose being an empath really helps but she's very good with kids.

[@glennjpanting2081]

I see a lot of comments saying that "the higher, the fewer" doesn't make any sense, but I think it makes perfect sense. In any group of people, the more of a given attribute a person has -- education, wealth, intelligence, status, rank -- the fewer of those people there will be. It can be applied to just about anything or any walk of life. For instance, in the military, there are thousands of low-ranking foot soldiers, but only a comparative handful of generals and admirals. In any company, there are many factory workers, but only a few executives. In the general population in the US, there are millions of people living paycheck to paycheck, but only a few hundred billionaires. "The higher ..... the fewer." Get it? 😎

[@georgekellon2471]

Absolutely worth seeing Worf in a mud bath... also I'm sure someone explained but "The Higher the Fewer" means the "HIGHER" the rank, beauty, strength or anything that is rated, the "FEWER" there are in that class. At least that's the way I interpreted it. Edit: I just looked it up and the Google AI said: "The higher, the fewer" is the answer to the riddle, "What is a mouse when it spins?". The answer refers to the fact that the higher the mouse is adjusted on the shaft of a riverboat's steam engine, the fewer the engine's revolutions. The riddle became a nerd-knowledge question in the early 1970s episode of Doctor Who titled "Robot" I like my interpretation better.

[@josepha5885]

I thought this episode was way better than First Duty. I love the interaction between Alexander and Lwaxanna.

[@josiahhill4993]

4:40 she's talking to herself here. "Dear" i think is because of that.

[@DavidTheHypnotist]

Fun fact Roxanna Troi is the wife of Gene Roddenberry and is the voice of the computer as well as Nurse Chapel and the original number 1 on the Star Trek TOS “The Cage”

[@ArtisticMysticSoul]

I love Lwaxanna! This episode is good fun. Not one of my top, but I like it. It hits way different now that I'm older.

[@TheMsLourdes]

Lwaxana is honestly my spirit animal ;)

[@PorkHunt4sale]

Can't wait for the next episode

[@DouglasJohnson.]

Sunday Star Trek with Jen! Yessss! 😃

[@benisrood]

`this was the absolute peak of Trek.

[@Someinsanegenuis]

Happy New Year! 😀

[@xzonia1]

Oh right ... see you next year, Jen! Lol X)

[@MikeBrown7799B]

Hello Jen!😊 The red lipstick is a flattering look on you.💄😉

[@vermithax]

"Sausage tea!" Followed by making a face that fully expresses what we're all thinking: this is not a thing the universe needs. There's a lot of gross goopy stuff in this episode in general, it seems. Welcome back to Star Trek Sundays, Jen! I hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

[@Gunnbjorn-ph7uo]

I kind of lie the idea of "sausage tea".

[@robertritchie8829]

One of the things I like about Trek is even if you aren't invested in the people centric part of the episode theres always the mission/ dilema part to change things up.

[@DC_Prox]

Yeah, a lot of people really dislike the Lwaxana character, and I can understand the sentiment, but she had some great lines, and "you got all sorts of mixed messages when you were that age, you still turned put deadly dull" is an underrated gem.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Hi Jen hope you are having an great and awesome day ❤

[@alcor4670]

2:52 *_Any_* Star Trek episode with Lwaxana Troi in it will always be loved by Trekkies. Especially now, seeing how the 60s method of delivering comedic lines have vanished from all new shows.

[@Jawmax]

There is an episode ahead that I like with Worf and Alexander that I can't wait for you to see it.

[@randallwong7196]

That guy was risking it, being beamed aboard while the evil space dust was messing with things.

[@TallBob1962]

Eating the cups is like Willie Wonka!

[@allengray5748]

I share Worf's feeling on the mud bath and Hot tubs!! ☮️

[@MatthewBrown-bf5lz]

12:04 This guy needs to be Galactus' counselor lol

[@Suchega_Uber]

That ending was really cute though.

[@TheeYellowDart]

I love how you're so intuned with musical cues, I appreciate that aspect of your reactions. I also love that when Lwaxana talks to the computer...she is talking to herself as Majel Barrett is the voice :)