Ups & Downs From Star Trek: Prodigy 1.17 - Ghost In The Machine

It's on... for the 87th time. Here's Sean with the Ups & Downs!
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[@ScrybeSG]

It's just not a Star Trek series nowadays without at least one "malfunctioning holodeck with the safeties off" episode. 🖖🤣

[@Trelane574]

Even SNW, sorta - I once described "The Elysian Kingdom" as a holodeck accident without the benefit of a holodeck.

[@jonathanmoore3130]

"nowadays" 😂

[@PetarNNenkovski]

Except of Discovery. Which doesn't seem to have any Holodeck upgrades even in the future.

[@mastere6115]

@@PetarNNenkovski frankly, the Discovery holos and such have frankly gotten worse... Like, how is it the 32nd century and all of their holograms always have that stupid flickering thing that happens occasionally, like, not even the holo doc had that problem unless something was very wrong, like jeez...

[@nobodyimportant2470]

@@mastere6115 The reason is that the holograms have gotten so realistic in the 32nd century that they have all caught STDs that are making them glitch out. Also there are a lot of paternity suits being filed by the female model holograms in "those" types of programs.

[@tristanxxxx]

It's actually become part of my Star Trek routine now, to queue up Ups & Downs and then watch the week's episode first, and go right into Sean.

[@starhawke380]

Im doing it the other way round. I watch Sean first, then the episode. I enjoy it a little more knowing some of whats coming. Lets me look around the screen and enjoy the tidbits.

[@rickgreer7203]

I actually look at the numbers (paused so no spoilers) before watching Trek episodes now. If I know there are issues, I enjoy the episode more coming into it with lowered expectations for some reason...

[@Hando316]

same here.

[@JohnnyWednesday]

I watch Prodigy the moment I can then sit around all day trying to guess what parts Sean will love the most

[@starhawke380]

@@JohnnyWednesday the answer seems to be.. . All of them!

[@Dolbin]

I loved the video game references in Dal's command code with nods to the Gameboy, Nintendo 64, and even the Sega Genesis 32X 😂

[@lovipoekimo176]

Rok Tak trying to explain how Holodecks work was actually amazing to me, like nerdy and fun kind of amazing

[@catherineelmore2004]

I loved that! Rok nerding out and explaining the computer tech was great!

[@JohnnyWednesday]

Agreed - it's a great way to sell the characters intelligence - and it's a great easter egg for older fans :P

[@HLR4th]

I liked the juxtaposition of last week’s episode having Admiral Janeway understanding the kids and starting to get on their side with Hologram Janeway, always on their side, found to have been compromised. It also pays off the ample seeding since the start of Hologram Janeway’s corrupted memory files, not knowing of the sub deck on the Protostar where the Living Construct was, not recalling anything in the past, etc. My prediction is the two Janeway’s will join forces to help each other, and the kids.

[@Jakyre1983]

As an additional Cetacean Observation I thought Murph's holo bar was a call back to Vic from DS9!

[@pettyofficerdan1807]

This was confirmed by Aaron Waltke in a tweet to Ryan Husk and Cirroc Lofton.

[@bjorn00000]

One Cetacean Observation that you might have missed - saying that they might have gotten it the "87th time" has to be a call-out to TNG's premiere in 1987.

[@wearwolf2500]

I really enjoyed that it started out as a normal holodeck malfunction episode "Something went wrong, we need to finish the story to get out" and then it was revealed that it wasn't a malfunction and the way to get out was to not finish he story. Very nice challenging of expectations there.

[@TheRyissShow]

The crew trying to use Morse code with phaser fire was actually quite smart. It also reminded me of BSG when they tried using flashing lights to communicate ship to ship

[@KentuckyKaiju]

I have to say, seeing Jakom Pog throwing a Hadoken made my day. I'm not saying that I've often thought of using the Holodeck to perform a Kamehameha from DragonBall, but I'm not not saying it.

[@MrMann0123]

I love that your video is the same length as the episode!

[@veggiet2009]

My latinum up goes to the intelligent weapon construct, because this was devious and out of the blue, and exactly the sort of behavior that a greater than human level intelligence should be like. This most definitely wasn't a filler episode, it set the stakes up for what we should expect moving forward, and to top it all off it was a darn great "stuck on the holodeck" episode, it somehow made that genre of episode surprising again!

[@thegreatcanadianweasel9928]

I really like how Zero's program is just her nerding out trying to solve mysteries. It fits her character and sets up how she always comes up with answers, especially in this episode. Like the programs fit the characters so great, even Murf's singing that was just out of the blue (I fell over laughing at that). It shows their desires so much, and Gwyn not having one is so telling too (but I am hoping in the future she sneaks away to have the proper father daughter life with the diviner in the holodeck). This series is just getting better and better.

[@kaishaman7144]

Some of the references/parallels that came to my mind while watching the episode: 1) playing detective stories on the holodeck (the Sherlock Holmes stories and the Dixon Hill stories in TNG); 2) the bar reminded me of the Vic Fontaine's establishment; 3) the black-and-white holodeck stories were used in Voayger (Captain Proton); 4) Dal's fantasy about being a sea captain reminded me of Tom Paris, as this was his dream, too.

[@needfuldoer4531]

The whole premise reminds me of the DS9 episode where they get trapped in a board game and Quark has to play them out.

[@chasethevioletsun9996]

Jankom's street fight program was basically Worf's numerous fighting programs (If he ever invites a companion in, expect a relationship to develop!). The club was both Vic Fontaine's and Picard's Dixon Hill programs. The ship was a pretty direct reference to the sailing ship program at the beginning of Generations. The ice cream was a pretty clear reference to Troi's passion for desserts, and Jankom's ample helping to Q's excessive order in "Deja Q" . The whole premise of Holo Janeway tricking them into believing they left the Holodeck in the first place was Moriarty's trick. Honestly was a bit disappointed Cetacean Observations didn't dive into that a bit more, it was a smorgasboard of Star Trek meta-references. Addendum: I particularly loved the ice cream scene, with the kids completely organically participating in an effective therapy and team-building practice. They are becoming a cohesive crew, and will make exceptional Starfleet officers.

[@eumario30]

@@chasethevioletsun9996 I agree with ya, all of these markers for Meta commentary that they included in this episode, were all missed by Cetacean Observations. And the whole filler episode thing, I felt that way about the last episode more, then this episode, as the last episode was more or less Fix the ship, and deal with each of their troubled pasts, where as this episode, was more of we need to find a way to contact Starfleet, without directly contacting them, and Janeway being the prodder to move them and the story along, cause they know they don't have that many episodes left to resolve the plot of the season.

[@woogha]

What if Dal is cloned from the DNA of EVERY Voyager crew member? Given that Janeway had Q "blood" on her from the Q and the Grey, the doctor might have kept a sample.

[@chasethevioletsun9996]

@@woogha Well, I think that's a pretty interesting theory, but when I went to check the list of species, Memory Alpha points to an interview with one of the writers who clarifies: "The DNA profiles on [Dr. Jago's] consoles were samples in her database she was checking Dal’s DNA against - you’ll notice she only called out a few in the episode as possible matches." Dal visibly exhibits the traits of a Klingon, Vulcan, Tellarite, and Andorian on-screen. While Tellarite and Andorian genomes were very likely in the EMH's database, they are never depicted as Voyager crewmembers. Given the rather remarkable attention to detail already shown by the writers of Prodigy, I think Dal's story is likely a bit deeper.

[@lamartherevenger]

The "who whips cream" crack had me rolling. Silly, but coming from one of the most serious characters had me laughing.

[@RickyLeong]

I love that she treats herself to a decent shot of the stuff later on! Too bad it's coming out of a can though, haha

[@SSGranor]

@@RickyLeong Looked more like a whipped cream dispenser than a can to me.

[@lamartherevenger]

@@RickyLeong and when she did, I thought, who DOESN'T do that?

[@canis2020]

I don't know how they caught Kate's expressive eyes like they did. One look we got, confusion, realization, fear, sadness, betrayal, and sorrow.

[@MalikBarrow16]

She needs some live action love

[@canis2020]

@@MalikBarrow16 word

[@jpxenovore]

The reason none of their holodeck attempts to explain to the Dauntless worked is because the weapon doesn't want them to actually try anything.

[@Zero86Sk]

i love this theory

[@JeanLucPicard85]

I felt like the phaser Morse Code trick definitely would've worked so this makes sense.

[@theblackwidower]

Well, if it was the construct, then why wouldn't it just make the gang think something would work, when it actually wouldn't. Run the simulation so it thinks opening hails is actually quite harmless, and instead it's actually the vector it would use to spread.

[@Janoha17]

10:30 There was actually one instance where the holodeck malfunctioned and the safeties did remain on: When Tom Paris' Captain Proton program ended up getting them visited by photonic beings from the anomaly Voyager was trapped in.

[@MalikBarrow16]

Voyager is awesome

[@JohnnyWednesday]

That wasn't a malfunction, it was a design flaw. Nothing was broken, the photonic beings were doing what photonic beings do and the holodeck wasn't designed for it.

[@LydiaSalem]

those are my favorite star trek aliens

[@williambell3304]

Pretty sure the amorphous shape-changing one lip-syncing us a reference to Odo faking the Piano in Vic's too.

[@petepanteraman]

You sir get an UP! for noticing the music and the rest of cast in your videos

[@susansokoloski2233]

Additional Cetation Observations... Holoprograms The mystery is a nod to TNG and Data The bar is a nod to Vic Fontaine in DS9 The Ship is a nod to TNG Fun episode and another great Review. Thanks Sean! 🖖

[@veggiet2009]

UPS and downs for prodigy 1.18: Up: awesome swap body, neatly explains the truth to the admiral. Down: you're telling me the construct might be learning through Janeway so it's dangerous for her to stay online, but a simple reprogramming and she's "fixed" Down: outside of the ship in a warp bubble!? Up: Dal Janeway, hilarious, I wish I could have been in the recording booth with Kate Mulgrew.

[@The_Real_Kyrros]

Lighthouse scene honestly made me think of the game 'Myst'... the scene was very detailed, yet extremely minimal in any other details except the lighthouse itself.

[@AzureIV]

I really, really liked this episode. Not only does it cement Prodigy as a Star Trek show by having a malfunctioning holodeck episode. But the big twist and stakes at the end of the episode were amazing!

[@shailathunderbird5319]

the part where they said "maybe 87th time is the charm" sounded like tom paris and kim when they were testing the slipstream drive in the holodeck and they were bout to give up and kim wanted to do another and paris was like (i dont remember the number) 23 simulations, 23 catastrophes, this is no sensor glitch, we gotta tellt hem

[@IndyF1FanMarquis]

I'm completely surprised that they missed Dal's command code was GBN6432X! Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Sega 32X.

[@SuprSBG1]

I love watching these after each episode with my dad

[@darylpriest4567]

This episode made me think about Star Trek Next Generation episode Fists Full Of Datas solve a mystery with hollowdeck emerges with Data but here it with the tellerites ....plus I love part where the crew sas surprise that Merf can sing or lip sing

[@jo.sevigny]

At this point, it is clear that Murf is intelligent and sentient (he is much more than a space version of a dog or a cat). Are there any reasons why the universal translator doesn't translate his speech ?

[@vegeta50024]

I think it mostly has something to do with the fact that maybe the slime worms are a stage of some kind of special development that eventually WILL result in him being able to speak. Right now, Murf is able to understand for the most part the others. Think about the development of humans (and maybe most humanoids in Star Trek). There's a point in which the development of a humanoid where they cannot effectively communicate. I doubt a universal translator could pick up a baby's babbling & turn it into actual speech. Murf's vocalizations could be just that, baby sounds that can't be translated.

[@catherineelmore2004]

@@vegeta50024 Agreed - I definitely think that Murf is using baby talk. He's very young so still learning to talk.

[@anlumo1]

@@catherineelmore2004 Yes, but due to the earlier stage of development, Murf already has a ton of experience, unlike a human baby.

[@catherineelmore2004]

@@anlumo1 That... Is totally fair... I'm honestly not sure then...

[@SuprSBG1]

He is like toddler right now I think so. The computer is kind of like “ hey, he can talk kinda but like also no” so when he’s grown up, then then I think it will

[@zackvannarsdall6186]

Here are two observations I'm surprised you didn't include: Zero's detective program is a clear and to Data's Sherlock Holmes episodes. Tellerite noir is clearly a shout out to Picard's Dixon Hill noir stories.

[@Dracattack]

Zeros sims also seem to be for Young adults which is fitting

[@AzraelThanatos]

The Tellerite Noir also seems to be a shout out to Vic Fontain's lounge

[@jasoncarman7801]

The bar scene reflected The Shining in the deck plating and the creepy bartender dialogue

[@theroguegeneralhunter2206]

I was thinking the same thing! I was wondering if the episode was going to turn a different direction at that point.

[@E6ajc]

Yes, thought the same thing!

[@gwenever7286]

I was amazed that Cetacean Obs didnt reference Star Trek Generations for the pirate boat scene, such a blatant tribute and replacing a reluctant Worf with a sailor enthusiastic to go over the side was hilarious.

[@bruceboa6384]

I don't watch trailers for TV episodes. But I'll watch Prodigy next week and check in with you Sean.

[@NediSafa]

I liked the music too.

[@alancole7457]

The first thought I had when the holodeck programs started merging, was that this was a call back to the TNG episode "Emergence".

[@DeeViningUK]

Sean.....where are you this week? I miss you making me chuckle 😕

[@ianfinnigan264]

I'm glad this episode satisfactorily answered the question of "Now that the protodrive is working why don't they just jump out of there" by saying they're trying to find some way to safely communicate with the dauntless. However now I'm wondering why they cant just track down someone like Okana and have them act as a messenger to safely communicate with the dauntless

[@wearwolf2500]

My thought is why can't they just use a probe or a buoy or something. Write a note on a bit of paper and stick it in a box and eject it. Of course the reason is so that the rest of the season can happen.

[@ianfinnigan264]

@@wearwolf2500 I think if they use a probe or a buoy those things still have software and whatnot that the Living Construct has most likely infected. There'd be too much risk of the Dauntless interfacing with it and getting infected because they didn't see the note or something happened to the note. What i originally thought they'd do, other than hire a messenger, is have someone jump out of the ship in an EV suit (it might attract more attention than just beaming them down to a planet). The Dauntless would obviously pick up whoever jumped out, and then they could explain the issue while the rest of the crew stayed on the Protostar ready to protowarp out just in case.

[@Wraiths_and_Wreckage]

There's holes if you really want to find them. Could they take a shuttle? Is a new shuttle infected? Etc....

[@wearwolf2500]

@@ianfinnigan264 it's not entirely clear what the powers of the construct are. Ir didn't take over the station until the guy tried to connect to it that might have been a necessity or the constrct waiting for the best moment

[@UATU.]

Lloyd the Diviner tending bar at The Overlook ❤

[@Chr0mate]

For a filler episode, that was one HELL of great one!

[@lampy5490]

The cast: "Murph can sing!" Zero: "Or just lip synch really well." Brilliant!

[@williambell3304]

A little CetObs thing: All of the programs shown are basically programs we've seen elsewhere: Sherlock Holmes, Fightin/exercise programs, Dixon Hill/Vic's lounge, Age of Sail ship.

[@GrooveHillStudio]

Wow... that was a bit of time before the first up or down... But I loved it! Time well spent! As always thanks for the content Team!!

[@Tilly850]

So, I thought the clipper ship was a call-out to Generations...just wondering why it wasn't in cetacean ops...it reminded me right away. And the B&W segment reminded me of Vic in the lounge in DS9. Just a couple I saw. It was a fun episode for sure, with a good UH-OH at the end. And I lost it when the guy dove overboard to "see what it was". Hilarious.

[@alanwest5788]

Did anyone else recognize Dal's command code? It was GB64N32X. Classic game console reference! 😀

[@BurningFlamesofDivineDragon]

That's really cool I like it.

[@quwykxz]

As an old school gamer myself, I got it immediately, and it was great! 😄👍🏼 But it wasn't just consoles, but also a couple of other types of game systems: GB = Game Boy (Nintendo's portable gaming system) 64N = Nintendo's N64 console, with the switched alpha-numeric name 32X = Sega's plug-in/add-on 32-bit system upgrade for the Sega Genesis (which was a 16-bit system originally, and was known outside of North America as the Mega Drive.)

[@thod8820]

What game is that a reference too? That sounds neat!

[@Janoha17]

Yes! That was one of the first things I noticed.

[@quwykxz]

@@thod8820 It wasn't a reference to a game, but to three gaming systems; I listed those systems in my own reply to this comment, if you're interested in knowing which systems. 🙂

[@johnringwald955]

I subscribed on all my devices Sean! Me wee bairns canna take much more!

[@MrFearDubh]

Seán, love the PRIDE shirt!!!

[@micah06v8]

I'm surprised that incitation observations you didn't say that the Noir portion of the show wasn't a call back to all of Picard's adventures with Dixon Hill.

[@1leggeddog]

I'm surprised you didn't see the correlation between the Noir section and the episode "The Royale" from TNG Season 2 episode 12

[@Janoha17]

Or Lower Decks having T'Ana and Shaxs' holodeck date in a black-and-white bank robbery.

[@andystark8940]

It’s become a routine now to watch this and follow it immediately by watching Seán’s Ups and Downs (to the point where I’ve gone back and watched them all from the beginning along with Lower Decks and SNW…so far). Got a question this week though: why were (nearly) all the holodeck characters Tellarites? No other alien humanoid species shown that I can recall. Is this some kind of foreshadowing? Or just because Jankom Pog programmed the holodeck(?). Had me wondering…

[@surrealkit4843]

I'm betting the last episode of this season will end with the Prodigy going into the wormhole to set up the search for Chakotay for next season.

[@anvalisok]

I want the Rok-Tahk Delta Heart Magical Veterinarian spin off.

[@Chiscringle]

Yes, I want to see her enjoying herself as she cures cute animals of relatively harmless problems and conditions. I also think this is a lead-up to her also becoming Chief Medical Officer since they don't have one.

[@DerArvel]

Additional Cetacean Observation: when the crew entered the cafe keyhole in the middle of the episode the singing Tellarite uttered „look who got the cat dragged in“. Since this whole bit reminded of Picards Dixon Hill holodeck simulations, this quote is taken from Nicky the Nose in Star Trek First Contact.

[@jpwphoenix1701]

I totally get how you felt about the majority of this episode being more like filler than properly continuing the gripping cliffhanger from last week. Still, I did like that this show's finally tackling the old Trek staple of malfunctioning holodecks. Quick extra Cetacean Observation: I got big TNG: Emergence vibes with this episode. Both episodes dealt with a malfunctioning Holodeck, but "Emergence" also had various characters/elements from multiple Holodeck programs merging into one. Also, it dealt with searching for a "key" as well at some point. Finally, I know you've probably seen it mentioned on Twitter by now, but apparently the wine bottles in the bar were Chateau Picard bottles with Federation insignias on.

[@LancetFencing]

they never left the holodeck is a callback to the Moriarty Episode of TNG how could you miss that observation

[@terrywest111]

Starfleet Officers DO NOT GIVE UP! Lol. I liked the theme in this episode. You've got to keep trying.

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@reneelorraine]

I’m so enjoying the show wish it would be longer ,Also I wait for your post here,Thank You

[@jonathanmoore3130]

Tellarite noir and snake jazz!

[@justheart1956]

Love all Star Trek. Love the channel. One thing that confuses me... Why don't the kids try to communicate using a system outside of the Protostar? Seems obvious. They could virtually send a message from any other ship or communications network.

[@boydmerriman]

You got the Federation logos on the bottles, but somehow they could have slipped in a Picard Wineries bottle back there as well! That would have been awesome!

[@JeffinIC]

Sean...I ❤️ you. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again. You're silly and awesome!!

[@MrPlasticrobot]

Prodigy is cool i just wish the episodes were longer. I just finished watching the intro and it feels like I’m watching the end credits right after.

[@quwykxz]

Yeah, but that's really because the intro is waaay too long for a show that's only about 20 minutes long; Prodigy's intro is about 1 minute and 35 seconds long, which is only about 10 seconds shorter than Star Trek:TNG's intro, which was a show that was twice as long as Prodigy. Prodigy's intro should ideally be somewhere between 20 and 30 seconds long, and, to be honest, I personally feel that 30 seconds may be too generous. Basically, the intro for Prodigy should be kept as short as possible, and we should get into the actual episode as fast as possible.

[@JohnnyWednesday]

@@quwykxz - Don't worry about it - prodigy is a massive hit! they'll have more money for season 2 and all the experience and feedback from Season 1 :)

[@KayleighBourquin]

This episode is the quiet breath before the plunge

[@gregorybatz7297]

Looking at -20 in Fairbanks Alaska this weekend.

[@sergioaccioly5219]

What I want to know is: do holographic ice cream taste good? Does it expand your waist line? Also, couldn't they just, you know, print it on paper a report and launch it towards the Dauntless? Slowly and not in any way that looks like they are firing a torpedo at them? Of course, Murph singing is the highlight of the episode. Now, if he can sing "a salarian scientist"?

[@dare2liv_nlove]

Liked for that Mass Effect reference! 😊

[@andyzib]

You’re complaining about -1°C and last weekend I was out having a blast on the ski hill at -14°C. Your at temps where I just make sure I have proper cold weather gear in the car just in case. 😂 Acclimatization is a hell of biological process. Thanks for the great content I enjoy while relaxing and thawing out after enjoying the fun winter has to offer.

[@bthsr7113]

Now I want a "Stuck in t he Holodeck" episode where they are super careful and quickly respond with overwhelming force to any threat.... only to find out the safety protocols were working.... aside from the being stuck part. Oh, Lower Decks..... We need you.

[@ianmcdougall2898]

Given the theme of the episode was about playing games, did anyone else think that there are references to 3 classic games consoles / accessories in Dal's command code: GB64N32X referencing the Game Boy and N64 from Nintendo and the Sega 32X?

[@s.hagens5389]

I binged 3 Prodigy episodes tonight, followed immediately by the accompanying ups and downs. I wouldn’t want to call this episode filler. Now with disco season 4, that was the prime example of having too much filler. This show already has better character development and more intriguing stories than the last 2 seasons of Disco. The one thing I really want after seeing this season of Prodigy is more Janeway! Come on Kate, we want some new live action stuff!

[@Hando316]

Ha! I laugh at your -1c with it was -8c yesterday morning in Göteborg, Sweden. I heard sometime next week it will be -12c. Anyway, keep up the good work.

[@saravossler4559]

I'm surprised that Dal's high seas program didn't make it into Cetacean Observations--it totally felt like a callback to the pirate ship scene from Generations.

[@Pandapeep]

The carpet and the whole vibe of the bartender scene was very The Shining.

[@todd-bomb9853]

When will the federation start issuing their captains specific command codes to prevent the accidental password leak? There should be a command code set specifically to shut off power to all hologram emitters for these holodeck trap scenarios.

[@ianfinnigan264]

While we're at it there also need to be command codes to almost immediately change the air composition of certain decks. So many ship takeovers could've been avoided if if the Captain had just been able to say "Modify life support to start pumping out chloroform gas on the affected decks. Just enough to knock 'em out."

[@ehenyor]

Sean: "I'm not much of a gamer." Also Sean (a few minutes later): References Street Fighter.

[@grahamcann1761]

"Here's Sean with Ups & Downs!" Really? Sean? Don't you mean Seán? That said, I was thinking you have such a wonderful cast of Trek Hosts, and contributors... maybe you could have a live-stream Q&A with the full panel? Or maybe just an episode/video of the TrekFolks talking about earliest memories and favorite characters episodes? As always thank you so very much for the video. And it's [ALT]-0225 for "á".

[@brandonjoseph4495]

Totally disagree about it being filler. It served two purposes. It overall gave the audience a little bit of a fun adventuring episode given the more heavier episodes that are to follow ending the season. And it helped show that the weapon has been programmed to actively work against them to fulfill its mission to kill Starfleet. Both things important to the overall story. It also allowed the audience a little window into the emotional states of the characters given what they each do in the holodeck: Pog is clearly still dealing with the comments from the doctor, Rok is still feeling a bit lonely, Dal is still dealing with confidence issues, etc. This is Star Trek storytelling at its best.

[@PreparedWolf34]

When GWYN entered the bar, looking at the carpet pattern, I thought she was going to have a “The Shining,” type moment.

[@krys1888]

I think this episode is in the right place! It's filler, yes, but filler at the right time (same as the way In the Cards in DS9 was) and ultimately the whole point of the episode is for it to be filler while holo-Janeway does her thing! I would say another cetacean observation should probably be the return of the monochrome holodeck filter which affects even the real people and not just the holograms - a nod to Captain Proton if ever I saw one!

[@penguinmaster7]

it's always been my theory that "old Dal" as you call it is just how he copes with stress.

[@DanielTomilson]

Still a lot of questions about what they did for 86 attempts. Did they drop or send some kind of communication pod, thrusters that burn out by the time they get to The Dauntless, metal cylinder, paper letters inside, (no advanced electronics)? Can they talk to someone who isn't Starfleet, show them the weapon, and get them to tell the Federation? The episode where Dal tried to do that test over and over and over, he was soooo close to being illogical enough to beat the logical mean scenario

[@LimeyOtoko]

Got what may be a cetacean observation you missed: Dal’s command code was GB 64N 32X That’s too close to Game Boy Nintendo 64 32X (all of which are 90’s game consoles) in this video games-y episode to be an accident!

[@RaindropWorksPDX]

I felt like delta heart hospital was more like a mobile game than a medical drama

[@kingdotsize86]

im surprised the protostar crew hasn't painted on the hull in big bright letters- computer virus make no computer contact

[@nikoals777]

Since it wasn't put in cetecean observation: Title is a reference to anime movie Ghost in the Shell, which also deals with "computer viruses". Compromised cyborg vs hologram

[@PhaaxGames]

Another cetacean observation! Dal's code is GB64N32X - This could be a reference to Game boy, Nintendo 64, and Sega 32X. Since "Street Fighter" is mentioned I don't think this is too far fetched. :)

[@andrewharris8479]

The whole episode kinda feels like an homage/easter egg for the broken holodeck episodes that have come before it

[@krumholzkonrad2823]

the basic question is: why do you have "bród" - on your sweater. Bród in Polish means - Ford (crossing) a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading, or inside a vehicle getting its wheels wet. 😋

[@leomonaghan3933]

How to communicate with the Dauntless.... 1. Replicate cans of Spray paint. 2. Put on EV suits. 3. Go out and paint a message on the primary hull of the Protostar. "Ship Sabotaged. Will Infect any Starfleet Tech that it communicates with directly with deadly virus. HELP!!" Park in front of the Dauntless and wait for them to EV over an away team.

[@Kels1701e]

As I don't mind spoilers I quite often watch these videos before the episode itself. I hope this one paves the way to an epic ending of season 1 and that the season properly ends without a cliffhanger.

[@Peregrine57]

Sean: "It's -1 Celsius here in Ireland" Me, A Canadian: "Oh, so a little on the warm side, is it?"

[@carlosponte2939]

Where's Sean this week?

[@GeekFilter]

There was also Tellarite writing on the cardboard boxes they crash into at the end of the street fighter scene.

[@HunhowsShadowStalker]

I just thought of something. They have a vehicle replicator on the Protostar, don't they? Why didn't they just replicate a shuttle, pilot it to the nearest class-M planet, wait for the Dauntless to show up, and then verbally explain the situation when the away team lands?

[@nickmccrite]

This is exactly what has been bugging me. Huge plot hole.

[@radbaron]

Heck, put on a spacesuit, walk out the nearest airlock, and DRIFT over to the Dauntless.

[@ElectricRoute66]

No Canon Watch... yay! With that out of the way, how about that command code? It seemed like video game system name-dropping via acronyms. As to this being a filler episode so late in the season: remember that The Ember Island Players - near 100% hilarious filler - was the very last episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender before the 4-part series finale.

[@DJParticle]

-1 degrees? That's a mild day in Minnesota! 😁

[@ceilisworld183]

-1 celsius is just under 32 F; practically a spring day in MN

[@Wraiths_and_Wreckage]

I wouldn't call it filler. Maybe a little rushed due to short runtime. But we just had a reframing of the entire show. Holo Janeway's been unwittingly working for the enemy the whole time. Couched in fun character stuff.

[@RickyLeong]

I reckon the kids' repeated failure at contacting Starfleet in their simulations may have been unknowingly/unwittingly programmed, too ...

[@KayleighBourquin]

The holo-Tellarites aren't just Tellarites, they're holographic representations of Dr Noum, from the Dauntless, the one who insulted Jankom. They're his creations, so he could beat them up.

[@SergioMartinez-rg6xr]

Another possible 'cetacean observation' could be holographic Diviner (being a holographic bartender this episode) saying his job is to listen: a nice connection to Guinan on TNG!

[@swordsman1979]

- 1 Celsius? Oh what a warm embrace. We had -7 Celsius the other day. :D

[@rslansky]

Vic Fontaine by Murph. I was expecting that in cetacean observations