First Time Watching ALL of Star Trek - Episode 130: Conspiracy (TNG S1E25)

‼️ Watch our discussion on Conspiracy - • Remmick’s Explosive Fa...
The Target Audience are watching Star Trek: The Next Generation for the first time! This time we watch and discuss season 1 episode 25 - Conspiracy
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[@targetaudience]

Watch our discussion on Conspiracy - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6infndjaKqFq8ksi=RrMVdGaQbUMUHVOF

[@mwooldridge9155]

Fun fact. Jonathan Frakes said he went home with the thing still on his neck. Told his wife something felt wrong and freaked her out with it.

[@Gunnar001]

The most random graphically violent death scene in Star Trek. The awesome head pop really came out of nowhere.

[@jamesalexander5623]

Several European Countries Banned or heavily Edited this Episode!

[@excalibur2024guy]

And his head went everywhere.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

​@@jamesalexander5623I wonder how the writers could have redone that scene so it would have been less gory?

[@Z1gguratVert1go]

"Explode head" should be a standard phaser setting.

[@kuribayashi84]

@@jamesalexander5623 In Germany, everything after Remmick was intitally hit by the Phaser Bolts was edited out. Imagine my shock when the Head Explosion still showed up in _Shades of Grey._

[@Andyground11]

TARGET AUDIENCE: 😦😦 Everyone else who knew what was coming: 😄😄😄😄😄

[@tinkinc85]

Seriously that's been the best part of this journey.

[@christopherleodaniels7203]

You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you guys to react to this one - and I’m beyond glad no one spoiled it for you. Your faces were me in 1988.

[@greenbrown7776]

Same here. I'm totally amazed some of those jacklegs didn't give this away. They're already dropping spoilers below. I hope they wait several days to read comments and wait for the moderator to clean out the spoilers.

[@royroblox]

Agreed, their reaction was just priceless, jaws on the floor

[@mattparsons433]

Same! And it was well worth it

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Thomas Paine was one of the US founding fathers.

[@ucfsab]

as a history teacher watching this in my classroom during my lunch break i just SMH when they said "its probably someone we should know"

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

​@@caveatlector2671 History marches on. Nobody can know everything, so some things have to be overlooked. Sab's students are only Highschoolers, so maybe they were not yet taught about such historical figures from that time.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Besides, Both "Thomas" and "Payne" are common enough names, maybe the ship was named for another "Thomas Payne" who gained popularity between then and now.

[@blacbraun]

@@TheNoiseySpectator It's Paine not Payne by the way

[@rhaedas9085]

Sort of. He wasn't a direct American colonist involved with the "founding" itself, but he was in a sense the single person who helped push the colonists to actually consider a revolution. Prior to 1775 they were very upset at years of abuse by British rule, but were still not ready to fight for independence. Then Paine released "Common Sense", it got printed like wildfire in the colonies, and the rest is history.

[@jasoncaldwell5627]

Remmick: "We seek peaceful coexistence." Picard: "Yeah, fuck that!" (Starts blasting)

[@Majima_Nowhere]

"Starfleet was founded to seek out new life, well THERE. IT. SITS." "....It disgusts me, phasers to maximum kill."

[@SengirIndustries]

The best thing is if you guys are enjoying season 1 this much you'll be blown away by season 3 and beyond 😊

[@JoeCensored]

Season 2 as well, which has several diamonds in the rough.

[@racookster]

@@JoeCensored- Season 2 is better than Season 1, but it has one big problem that Alex in particular is NOT going to like. 'Nuff said.

[@BurritoVampire]

Yeah, I'm getting a little disheartened by the Season 3 love. Poor Season 2 gets overshadowed which is weird cause it has one of the best episodes of the show, nay, franchise in it. Haven't seen the whole season in a while so I can't remember a ton of specific good episodes, but I think there are the majority.

[@SengirIndustries]

@@BurritoVampire don't get me wrong season 2 is still ok but just not on the same level as 3-7 (for me at least)

[@JohnCameron624]

@@SengirIndustries Ah... and there's the rub. "... for me" There are many of us who can let go of the imperfections... suspend belief when necessary and not sweat the small stuff... It's TV after all. I view the first season or two as introductory for the crew, the ship, and of course ... us to them. I didn't mind the first couple of seasons... enjoyed each and every episode.... warts and all.

[@goldenshark3182]

One thing you guys got to remember, TOS, TNG, DS9 and VOY were all broadcast in SD on fuzzy CRT Standard Definition Tube TVs, they had horrible resolution and clarity, so the stunt double’s face was rarely hidden by the director because it was never clearly seen until the High Definition blu-rays were released!

[@bunnygrill]

The computer shutting up Data is one of my favorite payoffs in the first season

[@EF-fc4du]

😂 And I love how taken aback he is by it.

[@LeutnantJoker]

⚠ NO SPOILERS PLEASE ⚠ I am one of the moderators of this channel. Alex and Josh have not yet watched Star Trek beyond this point and they would like to remain spoiler free. So as they define it: "If it is information regarding anything THAT DOES OR DOES NOT HAPPEN after this season, don't include it in your comment." Any comment violating that request will be deleted. But please make my job a little bit easier so Josh and Alex can read the comments and interact with their community without worry. Thank you

[@patsk8872]

Sweet! Definitely need some good moderation on these ST/BSG channels. Honestly from many comments I've seen, I don't know how most reactors could possibly avoid spoilers. I was going to make a very minimal joke about S2, now I won't, looking forward to seeing their reactions to everything!

[@TheRealVolk]

Thanks fam. 🐾

[@TheElderBlotch]

Remmick: We seek peaceful co-existence! Picard and Riker: So anyways we started blasting. Excellent episode, easily my favourite from Season 1. A gripping, suspenseful thrill ride with creepy bugs, body horror and I can't think of another episode that matched this level of brutal gore. Love seeing more of Starfleet Command and the continuity tie-ins from Coming Of Age. Wesley's absence is just a bonus.

[@nicerdycer7872]

Nooo, (shut up) Wesley's absence is a scandal 😭

[@reactions5783]

Riker: "I went for the head."

[@jediyakare]

the big goodbye is still my favorite episode, great ending to season 1

[@sithlordzach8418]

Remmick: "We seek peaceful co-existence!" Picard: "Computer, play 'The Only Thing They Fear Is You'"

[@ianmckenzie2168]

The ship named Thomas Paine is named for the English political pamphleteer whose writings were highly influential in the colonies at the outset of the American Revolution.

[@themoviedealers]

Naming United States ships after influential figures from the founding of the nation is a well established historical fact. In Trek lore they expanded that to historical political figures from across Earth. I recall there was a ship named after U Thant, the first Secretary General of the United Nations.

[@Jim-Mc]

And I think these guys are from Massachusetts too!

[@mtpugh]

Thomas Paine wrote “Common Sense”, which argued for American independence - basic American history.

[@brettg274]

Still the top-selling piece of American literature of all time.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Hold it, McKenzie! Thomas Payne was an *American,* not a Britt! If you made that mistake to his face, he would be sure you were clear on it by the time you parted company! 😡👊

[@keithbk]

Yeah, this was an out-of-the-box shocker from season 1... didn't expect it (when it originally aired) and it twisted along at a rapid pace. Hard to believe they squeezed so much into this one episode.

[@timboxall8936]

Out-of-the-box....and straight down the gullet!

[@gregoryfloriolli9031]

Just when the not knowing Spock was blind furor was dying down, now the guys are like “Who the heck is this Thomas Paine guy? Was he in TOS?” I will give you some ship name trivia. The Enterprise was named after the USS Enterprise, the most storied aircraft carrier of WW II. It was one of the few that survived the whole war and fought in major engagements from Pearl Harbor to Midway through the end of the war.

[@greenbrown7776]

Welcome to your first "Season 3" quality episode, which arrived in Season 1! I've been dying for this day to arrive and hoping it would not be spoiled for you. Your reaction didn't disappoint, to say the least. Looking forward to your discussion follow-up when you compose yourselves!

[@MatthewBluefox]

I learned more about Robert Schenkkan (Dexter Remmick's actor) and found out he's a very well educated man with political engagements. I've had the honor to get to know him over e-mail, because he wasn't even aware of the HD version of TNG and the shiny new HD pictures of his character (including the special effects for the head explosion etc). When I shared a few screenshots, he wanted to see more, so we kept in touch up to this day and wish each other a happy birthday every year. Only Star Trek can do this, I'm sure of it. :) Greetings from Switzerland!

[@nicerdycer7872]

And what does he say looking back about the scene and of course the shiny HD version of the explosion? 😂 Grüße aus DE

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

What other parts has Shenkkan played?

[@MatthewBluefox]

@@nicerdycer7872 He was very impressed in general and he speficially said that he looked so handsome back then with so much hair (lol). Nowadays, for those who haven't seen a recent picture of him, he's balding with a white short trimmed beard and mustache. He actually looks almost like Tobin Bell (Stargate SG-1 / Twenty-Four). He's turning 71 years old on March 19th.

[@MatthewBluefox]

@@TheNoiseySpectator In fact, he hasn't acted a lot, but he's been mainly a writer for movies and TV shows.

[@CaminoAir]

Please relay to him my enjoyment of his performances in both of the episodes. Remmick made a real impression on me. I was genuinely hoping Remmick would turn out to be uninvolved in the alien threat. Still feel saddened it was him who got assimilated and then the full phaser treatment.

[@alberttaylor2754]

Hello Alex and Josh, I stumbled over your channel a few months ago while you were completing Star Trek TOS. I am a 63 years old PROUD Star Trek/Star Wars NERD and I really enjoy your 'young peoles' look at TOS. When Next Generation first released in 1987 I tried REALLY hard NOT to like it because of course 'how could it even think about being Star Trek' without Kirk and Spock? After season 1 of TNG I decided to give it a chance and I am glad I did. TNG really begins to 'find' itself and starts to hit it's stride. Your reactions to this episode were priceless. There are quite a few great episodes in season 2. One of my favorite episodes of the entire series is in season 2, called 'Measure of a Man'. I won't tell you any thing about it cause I don't want to give any spoilers. So ENJOY TNG young folks. I hope it give you as much fun as I has given me. ENGAGE!

[@donkfail1]

Whoever did the special effects for the boss kill was probably a fan of both Raiders of the Lost Ark *and* Scanners. First a face melt and then full head explosion. Nice!

[@Wolf_Dominic]

I don’t think any of us expected such a surprisingly gruesome thing to happen in this show.

[@harrypothead42024]

The only spoiler-ish thing I will ever say is, you guys are going to love the rest of this show❤

[@Drawkcabi]

Yeah, normally I'd be worried about raising their expectations too high, but I know what's to come is going to deliver no matter what.

[@jamesgoss1860]

Maybe not season 7

[@motorcycleboy9000]

This episode's probably my favorite in season one. It's like Cronenberg swooped in and took over Star Trek for a week. 😂

[@motorcycleboy9000]

@@sdfried4877 Anyone's reaction to the body horror shit is why I love this episode. Star Trek doesn't usually go full torso shredding brain explosion gore.

[@karlsmith2570]

4:13 "I Forget His Name, But, He Was In 'The Hills Have Eyes' " That actor's Name is Michael Berryman, and Captain Rixx was his 2nd appearance in Star Trek. His first appearance was in Star Trek IV, as an officer at Starfleet Headquarters

[@clearsmashdrop5829]

I usually can't remember my first reactions to TNG episodes. This one however was a shock to see an exploding head on broadcast TV. I was watching at a friends house and we both went 'whoah' out loud. It was both cool and horrifying to my high school mind.

[@wyrmshadow4374]

Dude I was 7 and it scared me to my core.

[@JamesC1981]

this was unknowingly for me at the time the first star trek episode i watched and for years after i was wondering what horror movie this was until eventually saw this epic episode as an adult

[@zerofocus9383]

Haven't watched your channel for ages lads. This is without doubt one of my favs and a good point to swing back in. This episode is almost like a Cronenberg fillm on its own. These parasites had real potential 🤘

[@valcoren]

The USS Thomas Paine (American History not Starfleet) he wrote the book Common Sense, and is an American Founding Father.

[@HammerJammer81]

This is the one I was waiting for them to see. What an over the top yet good episode.

[@alucard624]

Same. The reactions were on point.

[@HammerJammer81]

@@alucard624 the shocked faces were good haha

[@Tuning_Spork]

A story I read some years ago (details may be fuzzy): While the episode was banned by the BBC (and probably some other international markets) and, since TNG aired in syndication in the US, it was up to the various station managers whether or not to make the same call. One station manager, worried that it might be too gory for younger viewers, decided to show the episode to his son (aged, maybe, between 8 and 10) to gauge his reaction. After the climactic scene, the guy's son said, "WwwOW, that was grrrreAT!!!". 😃 The episode aired as scheduled.

[@RandomNPC001]

this episode was actually banned in a lot of countries, the UK being one! I also love how Riker went straight to the phaser in the face at the end!! 🤠👽💀👻

[@paul1979uk2000]

From what I recall, it wasn't banned in the UK because I watched this episode as a kid and remember all that, but it was banned from the BBC, many other channels did their own thing. It was the same about another episode where they mention something about the IRA, it wasn't banned in the UK but was on the BBC and if I recall, I don't think the BBC outright banned it, but they did edit it with some parts being cut out of the episode. Either way, when I watched these when I was young and these episodes were relevantly new, I remember all these bits, but I never watched Star Trek on the BBC so that's probably why.

[@silikon2]

The obvious stunt double is one hilarious artifact of releasing these in HD. On a 25" sd tv in 1988, it wasn't nearly as noticeable.

[@hafor2846]

There's Pacifica and Atlantica, which are ocean planets. And Indica, which is a weed planet.

[@RangerChris61]

Makes you wonder if this episode was partially what inspired the design on the Goa'uld on SG1. This was one of the best season 1 episodes and as a kid freaked the ever living crap out me.

[@duncanward6226]

Indeed

[@richardb6260]

@@duncanward6226 I see what you did there.

[@prospero7867]

The "Thomas Paine" was named after the American revolutionary writer of "Common Sense"

[@alucard624]

Both of your reactions to Remmick's demise was EXACTLY how I felt watching this for the first time when it originally aired. It was a huge WTF moment in Star Trek at that point.

[@jsharp3165]

A bunch of parents were totally pissed about it, too. That type of stuff was only seen in horror movies back then.

[@n.d.m.515]

As a kid I was torn between "I think they went too far" and "that was really cool!"

[@alucard624]

@@jsharp3165 Yeah my parents weren't too thrilled about it but I thought it was badass. I was only around 6 or 7 when I first saw it and already loved horror flicks and such.

[@timothyserabian5103]

It’s really awesome how much you’ve been enjoying Season 1. I will say that Season 1 gets a bad reputation (sometimes deservedly), but it’s easy to forget that to a newcomer, Season 1 isn’t that bad.

[@peadarruane6582]

One of the most iconic episodes of the entire series. I loved this episode actually

[@MattApple_]

Here is a fun fact, Conspiracy was actually banned from being aired in some places because of that exploding head scene

[@joestacey6185]

First time I saw it on tv (original UK airing) it was heavily edited. I didn't see the full episode for quite a while.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

I was going to say the same thing, too. I can understand why. This was a gory, disturbing episode. 😨🤢😱

[@n.d.m.515]

I could have a blurred memory, but I think it might have had a viewer discretion warning.

[@timboxall8936]

It did, ​@@n.d.m.515- in various regions and to date, the only ST episode to have had one. Gloopy fun!

[@Jeremytorgersonofficial]

I remember seeing an interview with the special effects guys about this episode. They used a Paul Newman mask if I remember, and stuffed the head full of hamburger with the explosive. When they blew it up, the explosion was so severe that they were still finding chunks of hamburger all over the sound stage and other sets for days.

[@ProtusMose]

Thomas Paine "A star trek reference we should know." Nay! American History! Paine was instrumental in setting the stage for the revolution.

[@harrypothead42024]

I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really like this episode of Star Trek so much, it is very different from almost everything else Star Trek has done at least up until this point

[@alucard624]

And not something they ever attempted again either thanks to the negative reaction at the time.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

I don't think I would be crossing the line if I said that it is unique among the seven years worth of total TNG episodes. ⭐

[@pauld6967]

My friends and I, who saw this during the original broadcast, have always referred to this as the 'Star Trek meets the horror genre' episode. Congratulations guys on making it to this point. I am looking forward to seeing how Alex and Josh react to the season finale.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

I am not. I find the season 1 finale to be underwhelming . I was told there was a writers strike going on at that time, and based on that episode, I just accept that claim at face value. 😐

[@alucard624]

@@TheNoiseySpectator There indeed was a strike going on, and that's why Season 2 was delayed and Paramount put out a TV special called The Star Trek Saga From One Generation to the Next to keep interest going. It was the first time The Cage was broadcast on TV in full and in color too.

[@larry6360]

From Make-up Man by Michael Westmore (Filming Conspiracy) He nearly hyperventilated trying to get those neck bladders to work right. Whole sequence filmed several times. He used a cast of Paul Newmans head for the phaser hit explosion. Considered so disturbing by some it was deemed never to be attempted again on the show. Episode won 3 Emmys that year, one for Best Make-Up. Incredible 😮

[@shinyagumon7015]

They went full on Alien at the end there. Jesus what a way to go.

[@Scotdod24]

This episide was banned on prime time TV for a few years after first showing here in the UK for being to graphic. Loved this episode when i first watched it 😊

[@julioverne579]

This one scene where even the Computer got enough of Data listing things 🤣

[@tychuk5802]

I was totally stoked to see this reaction. One of the best episodes of season 1. 80s practical monsters, yes please. There was one thing missing from the episode... You guessed it... The blue cardigan... it's not much to ask... I seek peaceful co-existence. Bring me the cardigan!

[@GregPrice-ep2dk]

Horatio and Thomas Paine are both names from real-life Earth History. The "guy at the trials" in the movies was the Federation President.

[@paulanerruhrpott6188]

I always hated that scene in The Voyage home. The President demotes Kirk which means there is no seperation of powers. So the executive branch has also judicial rights? Dear Lord, what a dystopia...

[@Harpadzo]

Epic will be the NEXT Season Finale! Oh My Gosh! Outstanding!!

[@JamesC1981]

i see for many of us this is hands down the best episode of season 1

[@Will-nn6ux]

I love how the episode randomly turns into an 80s horror movie. 😂

[@coulsonintahiti]

This could have been its own drama show. Parasites controlling the federation and everyone trying to figure out who's who.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Very true! This could have been its own series, or they could have even made it the main focus of the series for a few seasons. 😮

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

I kind of hoped it was going to be a return of these aliens in season 3 of picard. It would have been a great reveal. Not that I didn't like what the eventual reveal was.

[@reactions5783]

Without any spoilers, but the Changelings/Founders kind of continued a similar idea and story arc in later shows.

[@fakecubed]

A drama show starring Norah Satie?

[@coulsonintahiti]

@@fakecubed Point taken LOL

[@m41a]

LOL god I've been waiting for you guys to witness that moment. Thanks for letting me re-live it through you, loved it.

[@russellharrell2747]

The reaction at 19:22 (and the whole scene) was PRICELESS. This is why you guys are my favorite!

[@nicks.5552]

I COULDN’T WAIT FOR Y’ALL TO WATCH THIS EPISODE! Your shock was better than I expected. This was a very unusual episode for ST:TNG, and it blew my mind the first time I saw it. It was like Scanners meets Total Recall meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

[@captainbryce1]

With a little bit of "Alien" thrown in at the end.

[@KevinPSmith-fk5eb]

The best 1st season episode. In reruns some stations would put a parental warning up before airing and some would not air the episode and it was banned by the BBC for a while.

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

It wasn't banned by the BBC. It was just heavily censored. I remember watching it when it aired.

[@KevinPSmith-fk5eb]

@@Welsh_Dragon756 It was initially banned for a time by the BBC. It ran on BBC 2 in a censored version

[@timothypage252]

The first Bolian in Star Trek!

[@MoonjumperReviews]

I’ve always considered this the best episode of the first season-and my reaction in 1988 was pretty much the same as yours in 2023.

[@ianmckenzie2168]

I recall a Star Trek TNG drinking game from my youth, and Captain Picard's "chest revealing bedwear" was a favorite cue for two drinks. [Edit. You can search: TNG drinking game "chest revealing"]

[@marcoatila]

This is unironically one of my favorite episodes (heavily colored by my reaction to it as a child). When this aired, I was very much into horror gore, and seeing the queen's reveal at the end was awesome to me. It had the same vibe as the practical effects of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, which had installments in '87 & '88 (this episode aired in '88). The queen's design and reveal also was in the same vein as Madballs and Garbage Pail Kids, which I was enjoying at the time. I was hoping they'd follow up on the homing beacon, but apparently that was reimagined for something different. Sadge.

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Riker's role is Devil's advocate. He needs to bring up alternatives to whatever thre captain proposes to do.

[@justsomebody-1665]

In 1988, my family used to sit down together in the evenings and watch Star Trek TNG. I was 7 years old. This episode always stayed with me.

[@Smeginator]

It was Goddamn horrifying

[@utterlee]

I was expecting a big reaction to *that* ending and you guys certainly delivered. Looking forward to the discussion.

[@patsk8872]

Perhaps my fav episode from S1, but definitely very shocking and jarring in its tone and effects! Your reactions were great! A bit sad you didn't show the creepy message sound at the end, man what an ending!

[@kaiwilliams4173]

It makes me so happy you guys got to this episode, it is one in my opinion one of the best episodes in season 1. Particularly for the shock value of the ending.

[@ldifalco2010]

This is the Star Trek episode that went all “Alien” (as in Ridley Scott Alien).

[@ryank5424]

I found it funny when he said the only wanted peaceful coexistence. Tell that to the crew of the horatio. Not to mention infiltrating the federation

[@TheBigTamale]

This episode completely explains the Discovery and Picard series.

[@welshlad691]

Well that took family viewing to a new level, oh and here's where his head explodes, also lets cut back to the body with half its parts missing. The Riker fake out, was one of the best bits.

[@eddiewinters7184]

I say... two hundred movie directors need to start making seven hundred different GOOD body horror movies and GOOD horror/sci-fi movies about "Men Transforming Into (Bulging Neck) Parasites", "Men Giving Birth From Their (Bulging Necks) Horrors", and many other different concepts about (men's bulging neck movements horror).

[@rburton76]

Your reaction to the end of this episode is exactly what we’ve all been waiting for.

[@sneeson]

I've been eagerly awaiting the reaction to Remmick's death. It did not disappoint 🤣

[@nelsonoberg9747]

I felt this infiltration and conspiracy needed more time. We go from the secret meeting to full blown confrontation at Starfleet HQ. It needed longer to sew mistrust.

[@talynstarburst2l2l2l]

Yup.. your reaction pretty much matched mine with those last ten minutes 😳

[@Cooper_Vision]

Hi dudes, I'm Cooper, I'm 50 and from the UK. I remember like it was yesterday this show launching in 87. There was little to no Sci fi on TV at the time and this was the most exciting thing that had happened in my 14 year old life! I see a lot of online chat saying S1 is bad, which it clearly isn't, there's magic in this season, it rebirthed trek and modern science fiction. I've really enjoyed watching you both discover this amazing show. I'm really excited for you both to see where it goes and what happens, enjoying both your insights and views and I'm glad to be here for the journey. =A=

[@n.d.m.515]

I always make the argument that no matter how disliked the first season was at the time, there wasn't anything on television like or to replace it. The first and second seasons were just good enough with no competition to keep it going until they really got the series moving.

[@russellharrell2747]

This was such a shocking episode for me when it first aired. Only the movies had come close to the body horror and brutal energy weapon deaths that was on display in this episode. And the atmosphere of this episode was so claustrophobic and paranoid, it was so suspenseful. I think the most disturbing thing was the beeping alien message at the end.

[@geminicricket4975]

(13:28) I never noticed this before, but I find it highly amusing that a room that clearly appears to be up against the hull of the ship -- note the shape of the room -- has such a fragile door. Ridiculously fragile, I might add. :D

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

The doors *were not* fragile! That was the point! 🙄

[@geminicricket4975]

You're more than welcome to believe that, my friend, but forgive me if I disagree. Those doors folded so easily because they didn't want to injure the stuntman, for the same reason Hollywood uses fake window, jars and chairs. So, how do you think Geordi would have faired if that had not been a fake door? Regardless, it would have been more believable if he'd bounced off it, not break through it...

[@scottjo63]

There was a show that followed ST: TNG called War Of The Worlds from 1988 for 2 seasons that had some grody special effects like the special effects at 19:00. I think that inspired the graphic ending. This was my #1 episode for a while. That beginning set up with Picard landing on a planet with that Riker concern of protecting the Pres...I mean Captain. Picard on the planet, the music, everything. Then, that ending, the maggots, the bulging neck, the "We seek peaceful coexistence" quote, head exploding and its aftermath. Top notch. I could skip the "Kung fu fighting" in the middle that was laughable. Not much to say, except to finish it with if only that writer's strike didn’t happen. I can't really say why I said that except it would be spoiling it.

[@MackerelCat]

Great reaction😂 loved seeing your faces when his head exploded 😂😂😂😂 personally like this episode a lot!

[@WEB_78O]

This reaction is another all-timer for TA 😂

[@gggooding]

*Excellent* reaction, guys. Remembering the first time I saw this is up there with D-Day and The Kennedy assassination. (Tbf, I don't remember those...)

[@JAYWALKER1000]

Pacifica - Whst did you want Fhloston Paradise??????

[@Lexi_Zone]

"OH MY GOD!!" It just comes out of nowhere, doesn't it?

[@carlosvergara4132]

Ah my favorite part is missing here: RIKER: Increase to warp 6! LA FORGE: Aye sir, full impulse! Huh?

[@RetroRobotRadio]

Babylon 5 did an episode that had a similar setup with parasites, but they used a different twist ending.

[@fakecubed]

This episode is the reason why I take vitamins.

[@jpotter2086]

I remember watchin gthis on a summer afternoon in middle school, around 1990. That ending ... perfect for 4pm viewing, after-school special LOL A cliffhanger that never paid off, tho many fans like to try to force retcon tie other storylines to it.

[@sarahgeraghty2124]

Oh it the episode that scarred me as a child .

[@DarkKnightAlpha]

A simple fyi in regards to your comment regarding the ship named after a person, the Thomas Payne is named after an American Revolution writer who wrote Common Sense and The Crisis, his most famous quote is “These are the times that try men’s souls.” British citizen who was in favor of American Independence.

[@jonbolton3376]

This is my second favourite episode of the season. I had a feeling that you guys would like it too. Remmick had previously said he'd like to serve on the Enterprise, i think he might have changed his mind after Picard and Riker made his head explode😂😂😂

[@Dragonangel426]

Fun Fact: Due to the Graphic nature of this episode Canada issued a warning before the episode aired and in the UK it was banned outright.

[@AlexandreMS71]

For a very, very long time, Season 1 was the only season of TNG I got, all in VHS and I didn't even knew that there was another season for years. I do not even remember when I was able to watch season 2.

[@rocco3381]

Congrats, guys. You will never forget that scene lol

[@tsktsk9569]

I remember watching this when it first aired. I was on the fence about the series but when I saw Remick blow up under sustained phaser fire I knew I was right to give this show a chance. This kept me tuning in through the rougher episodes until they were consistently better. There's some interesting behind the scenes stuff going on the first three seasons that explains so much but I wouldn't delve into that until you've seen at least until the 4th or 5th season.

[@caroltawil]

18:59 onward is pure gold 😂

[@Michael-id9bw]

Season one really did have some decent episodes. This being one of my favorites.

[@proximajoe]

I've been waiting for this reaction.. my patience was rewarded

[@mjbull5156]

"That was extremely satisfying, Captain. I never did like that Remmick guy." - Riker, perhaps.

[@eddiewinters7184]

Let's write letters to filmmakers and request filmmakers to make billions of weird special makeup effects horror/sci-fi movies about "Men with their (Bulging Neck) Mutation Horrors" right now.

[@johnsmith970]

I've been waiting for you guys to watch this one just for the gnarly creature effects. This episode scarred me as a child lmao

[@chrisdurham6517]

I dig all seasons - TNG was among the last of those shows that built a family and a following seemingly without trying. Great stuff; really glad you guys dig it.