Let's Watch - Star Trek: The Next Generation [115. Power Play - Ft. Modi Operandus]

[@alexandercrankshaft]

I always like to see O’Brien in episodes. I remember when it was said they were going to bring one of the characters from TnG to star in DS9. I said it has to be Data or Worf; when I found out it was O’Brien I said are they kidding? But looking back that was a great choice. He has a lead back normal demeanour, which contrasts with the larger than life character of the other human characters. You could put his character in a contemporary drama and wouldn’t have to change him at all. Whereas the rest would be ridiculous. 3.5/5. I like this.

[@peterrogers8706]

No message, no moral implication. Just a thrilling hostage crisis coupled with some great villainous performances. And I enjoyed it. Sirtis shined as the boss ghost and Spiner was terrifying. I wish this one got a sequel. The prisoners would only have to take over a Pakled ship and the Enterprise would have a group of vengeful ghosts after them.

[@randallburke3562]

This was the episode that got me into the show in the first place. The first episode i ever saw

[@Dustin-le1xh]

That shuttle crash was exciting. Loved the 360 camera spin of the cockpit and the hatch blowing off. Action packed. I'd give it a 4. Nice review.

[@TaxOwlbear]

Sweet. Modi is my favourite co-host. :) Regarding the rating: I personally like rating in three categories (basically good, neutral, bad) because I get inconsistent with everything more complex.

[@thepenskyfile]

+TaxOwlbear We do have a system: 1 is I don't need to watch again, 2 is an ok episode with some problems, 3 is average Trek, 4 is the tier that you'd show someone who's never seen Trek, and 5 is an all time great. That's how I try to rank them, anyway.

[@TaxOwlbear]

The Pensky File Oh, I remember that - it's just that I wouldn't be consistent if I were to rate those episodes. :)

[@unchainedsilver9702]

this one really showed what they could do on a low budget ..action packed and intense where the movies had a big budget and fell flat besides aside from First Contact , probably why the show hold up so well for the most part . on a shitty note i live in Canada and they just took TNG off Netflix here

[@thepenskyfile]

+Matt Guy :O

[@mattrossesq]

But take over the ship from the bar's drink computer? Talk about open source! THAT was the only thing I took issue with in this episode. I did also wish the Enterprise was able to pick up and/or show pieces of the Essex.

[@thepenskyfile]

It's a free information society, man.

[@unchainedsilver9702]

i think they choose Colm Meaney over other actors because of his experience and acting range plus to have O'Brians wife and kid in 10 forward added to the drama....

[@angelabadams]

We think alike, almost a 5 but still an awesome episode

[@tjcdesign8377]

Hey there, Thank you for the shout-out. I hadn't realized my comments got much real attention. Keeping that in mind, I'll do my best keep my comments as thoughtful and fair as possible :^) I think I fixed my privacy setting to receive replies. I'm not really sure if it will unlock normal reply functionality yet. Interesting discussion again. I keep expecting your like/view count to increase, given that almost no one else is examining TNG to the level you are, and that TNG was a very popular TV series which has a massive cult following. About this episode, I agree with both of you. This is about a 4 or 4.5 probably. I thought Modi made a great observation about Brent Spiner's versatility and the very subtle changes he makes to his behavior and body language to inform the viewer that he is definitely not being himself. A less subtle example of Spiner's versatility that I really enjoy is the Holodeck episode with Worf and his son, "Fistful of Datas" (TNG, Episode 6x08) So funny seeing Data swagger over to the plant in the conference room, and pretend to spit a wad into it like a cowboy hucking chew into a spittoon. memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/A_Fistful_of_Datas_%28episode%29 Colm Meaney is also very good in this episode. O'Brien's lightheartedness seems to serve to highlight how different, sinister, and creepy he was toward Keiko and Molly while he was forcibly possessed.

[@unchainedsilver9702]

Just watched this one again last night and it still holds up very well , besides a couple of kid episodes the show is crushing it in season 5 for the most part ...The show might look a bit dated now but the way it was acted and written was intense and way more interesting then anything i have seen in new trek ....Well except for Picard S3...lol

[@howardasternfan]

So the title is "Let's watch..." but all we can do is listen and to a podcast?

[@thepenskyfile]

This should be right up the alley of a Howard Stern fan?

[@howardasternfan]

@@meganknouff958 Speaking of insightful comments, thanks for yours Karen.