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PATRON TIER LIST TNG S5E7

🕑 Added 2024-12-16 14:24:57 +0000 UTC

Comments

Kevin Is Sexy

They wanted people to watch it, and, back then, if you missed it it was much harder to rewatch somewhere.

Dark Kronis

you must admit this is quite a palate cleanser after the last episode

Crankygrandma

I wish this had been a surprise but the advertising spoiled that. I was eager to watch it. Sarah, Spock… what more can you say. S

Thicketdweller

Two of my favorite moments are when the Klingon Captain tells Data a Romulan woman will lick the paint off of his ears, And when Piccard tells Data, he’s moving about in a very android way Oh yeah, and there was this really old Vulcan guy who showed up at the end

Boggle

I mean look, this is master-class ST goodness. I mean SPOOOCK! And Sarek and Picard are amazing together. But honestly, TNG in this period did more to build ST canon than anything before or after really. The way they turned the Ferengi, Cardassians, Romulans, Klingons, and even Federation into such amazingly fleshed out groups, all with their own believable goals and actions added so much depth and investment into the whole franchise for me. AND we got to see something like a Federation ship boneyard, and I love little bits of world-building like that. S-Tier.

Keith S

Could hardly recognize Data as a romulan. Picard still looked like picard as a romulan.

Column Meanie

I think we’re all looking forward to what promises to be an explosive reaction to Spock’s picture in the teaser! Sadly for us that saw this in 1991, it was advertised all over the place (TV Guide, billboards, a week-worth of episode teasers) so we were spoiled. Thoroughly enjoy this episode. The idea of Spock being on Romulus is compelling. A good example of why Data would make a terrible bunk mate. Love the guest characters. Shout out to Steven Root from Office Space fame (red stapler) as K’vada and of course to Malachi Throne (Commodore Mendez from Menagerie) as Pardek. It was sad to see Sarek in his diminished state, and his death marks the first time we lost a major TOS character.

Raphael Gaytan

The Next Generation had already paved its own path by then, but having Spock on the show really legitimized the series and removed all doubt that this was Star Trek. “Unification” came to also mean the bringing together of fans of The Original Series with those of The Next Generation!

Raphael Gaytan

In November 1991, I worked at a restaurant/sports bar called Bennigan’s in Houston. Normally reserved for sports, their big screens were all tuned in on this particular night to Star Trek: The Next Generation. When the words, “Indeed? You have found him, Captain Picard.” were uttered and Spock appeared, there was CHEERING from all over the restaurant!! What a moment in time. That memory is indelibly imprinted on my soul! 🖖

John Pierce

Best ever use of “computer, enhance”.

wildhunt1973

I liked this episode. Seeing Spock again was awesome and unexpected, but overall, the story was just an A for me. It didn't really hit that specialness that I was hoping for. Still a good episode, and the Klingons razzing Picard and Data was hilarious, but it could have just been a little...more. Not bad in any regard, just missing that...spark.

cricketlenny

If your mics peak when Spock comes on screen, then you’re definitively Trek fans for sure. Great intrigue and setup for this episode, easy S.

Tim b

In the first season there were a few references to TOS that felt unearned, today one could call them member berries. When Sarek was in the show they were pretty careful not to constantly reference anything from TOS, treating the character mostly like any other guest star. By now TNG is established enough that having the possibly most iconic Star Trek character of all time in the show feels special yet not desperate.

rear adm. crackbiscuit

Was it a surprise? I hope it was a surprise! Two or three surprises hopefully!

Sam Langanke

In those days the term 'fan service' didn't exist.

Shanelle

Never made that connection. Thanks.

Keith S

I read somewhere, I'm not sure it's correct. Even though they posted an in memory announcement for Gene Rodenbery on part 1 and 2. He actually passed when they were filming episode 11.

Collin Freeman

"Indeed, you have found him, Captain Picard." A somewhat eerie timing of the original airing of this episode in that it occurred just after Gene Roddenberry had passed away. Circle of life in a way for Leonard Nimoy as Spock, who had been the only remaining cast member to make it into the original series from Roddenberry's very first Star Trek pilot, The Cage; also, Malachi Throne (Pardek), who provided the original voice of the Keeper in that pilot and later played Commodore Mendez in The Menagerie, the TOS 2-parter that featured most of The Cage. You can still hear his voice as the Keeper in the remastered Cage in the couple of scenes from the Cage that were not in The Menagerie.

Jovet

This episode has a bonafide Go-ron in it. 🤦

Matthew McKinnon-Gray

He also played Jimmy James, macho business donkey wrestler, on the TV show Newsradio.

Jovet

I think this episode is pretty good. As "A" as it gets.

Jovet

I wonder which you two will react to stronger: the appearance of Spock, or a mid-season two-parter.

Jovet

Masterful direction, masterful performance!

Jovet

Did not know that! 🤯

Jovet

R.I.P. Sarek

Jovet

They will recognize him immediately, even by his voice which we hear first.

Jovet

I think the level of fan service or fan fic is minimal.

barry vanwieringen

Ah yes, the episode with the eel pick up line (a 14 foot eel proving that size does in fact matter)! Picard and Data go undercover - Riker doesn't probably because he would hookup with a female Romulan and compromise the mission. A great hook, superb guest performances including another TOS crossover. What's not to love about it? I rated it S tier.

Greg Quinn

Hard to separate how much is the effect but fan service and how much is the fact that it's a very good episode. Still very good episode. Between a S and A. I went S.

GamingHour2018

what can i saw about seven, Great Episode, Sarek, Romulans, Spock what more do you need its for sure an S tier.

Ian Westcott

Absolutely great episode. A lot of wonderful little things that get touched on -- Sarek, the Klingon representative for Gowron, the teasing of Spock, Data watching Picard sleep.

tyranusfan

Mark Lenard did a convention in my home town one summer. At a Radisson hotel right on Main Street. I regret that we couldn’t go. 😥

tyranusfan

I love the fact that they are the Federation’s OCD people. They manage grand strategy and organize fleet junkyards. 😁

THE Fans

My 3rd wife was somehow a bigger TREK fan than I was, at least the "newer" series, she hated TOS. She would come home from work and binge watch TNG, though I introduced her to DS9, VOY and ENT, which she worked into her binging rotation. I lost count of how many time we'd decide which series to watch next. So, our 9 years together, plus any binge watching I did (my original VHS purchases of full price movies were Star Trek 2 and 3 in the gold sleeve, in early 80s) ... I probably have seen Unification 1 and 2 dozens of times ... The hype of the guest stars returning has worn down for them. They are good episodes, but not great. However, since the guys will be seeing these for the first time, I predict solid S votes from both, for both episodes.

KatWithAttitude

I think there just might be a bigger "pop" later this season, but maybe it's just me.

Nolan

I would say this episode is why people shouldn't watch TNG before TOS, as it dulls the stakes of movies 2 & 3. But you guys were more ambivelant on 2 anyways.

KevinH

I'll bet the under for the hook. I think there will be a lot of head shaking and, "Wait, is that Spock?" I think the bigger pop might come in the opening credits when they see that both Spock and Sarek are in the same episode.

The Ninth Doctor

One word from Riker - "Understood..." - speaking volumes here

tyranusfan

I think it'll be bigger for them than it was for us back in the day, as we had the previews the week before to alert us.

The Ninth Doctor

Zakdorn - the same race as the wargame strategist Kolrami in "Peak Performance" 👍🏼

The Ninth Doctor

Biggest opening hook pop since "Yesterday's Enterprise" - gotta be. Bigger hook pop *than* "Yesterday's Enterprise", though? Discuss...

tyranusfan

Predict you will love this one. This was intended as a way to amp up excitement for the upcoming 6th movie.

Frank Tagader

So much to love in this episode: Spock, Sarek, Picard, Data, Romulans ...

Steven Linden

I love the supply depot guy.

Sam Langanke

I remember watching Spock in TNG was a total shock for me. He seemed to come out of nowhere. With marketing, dubbing and all that Star Trek VI arrived much later to Central Europe, so I didn't experience the hype for the original crew at the time yet.

The Ninth Doctor

He was 203 years old, with a degenerative terminal condition back in Season 3, to be fair...

The Ninth Doctor

Perfect S - not a Spock episode to me, but more a Sarek episode - concluding his fatherhood themes started back in "Journey to Babel", continued in "Yesteryear" and the movies, concluding so powerfully in "Sarek" and here. And what a hook... How do you guys feel about Sareks ending, and what are your predictions for Part 2? Is Spock defecting..?

Thomas Cole

This Episode is ok, but is mainly putting things in place for part 2, so is really acts 1-1.5 of story so really isn't much of an episode in of itself, so really only a B for me. Mark Leonard as Sarek for his scene is amazing though.

Ally Roth

Everyone's gonna want to talk about Sarek and Spock. But let's throw some respect behind this episode's real hero: the guy running the depot who's honest enough to say, "I'll help you, but only because I'm lonely and Troi is hot".

Timothy Nikiforovs

IIRC you both expressed concern in the discussion for Sarek that he would be brought back just to kill off, which unfortunately ended up being the case. Malachi Throne (Pardek) is another TOS connection as he had previously played Commodore Mendez in The Menagerie, and also voice one of the Talosians. I have a question. Outside of Star Trek 6, did either of you ever expect to see Leonard Nimoy play Spock again?

harrypothead42024

S tier. It seems like important thing are happening, because that's the plot

Sixto

The hook! S for Spock, S for Sarek, S for Superior episode, S for Star Trek Super two parter !

Turtleboy

I hope no one spoils or has spoiled Spock for you. Looking forward to the holy shit reaction.

Nolan

Surprise! You thought you had to wait till "6" to see OGs again. But RIP to the GOAT. I predict this will be quite a rollercoaster of an episode for you. Spock is BACK. The Romulan homeworld. Crew dress up. Data being, well, Data. But they did exactly what Josh feared was gonna happen in "Sarek."

KatWithAttitude

We begin with a memorial to Gene Roddenberry. And has Spock turned into a traitor? He's around, but where is he and what's he up to? And sadly, Sarek dies without once again making peace with his son. It's fun to see Picard and Data made up with detachable Romulan parts. Mark Lenard's last scenes are heartbreaking. Another Season 5 “Best of the Best” for me.

Shanelle

Sarek absolutely steals this episode for me. Mark Lenard’s performance in his one and only scene is a master class. Honorable mentions- pixelated Spock hook, creepy watch-you-while-you-sleep Data, and Spock’s closing line giving all the chills.

Phil Ken Sebben

Second TNG/King of the hill actor to appear

Andreas Schmitt

I mean.. that hook.. common :D Also... Riker understanding when Picard talks about "Fathers and sons" is a nice callback to his own relationship to his dad from "The Icarus Factor" :)

Mister Hope

Picard helping his "old friend" make the salute one last time...heartbreaking. RIP Sarek of Vulcan - and Mark Lenard. The GOAT of all GOATS.

Jon1701

Now that’s a hook!

Darren Seal

There is a lot of scenes I love in this one, the Sarek one, the scenes on the Bird of Prey, but Romulus looks a little dreary in comparison to the Klingon home world. The very definition of set up but it does hold my interest.

#MaxwellDidNothingWrong

Worf: 'I serve the Federation, but I am still a Klingon' Ro: 'I serve the Federation, but I'm still a Bajoran' Spock: 'I serve the Federation, but I'm still a Vulcan' Whose 'conflicting culture' character moments are best?

Kristina Weber

I'm the odd one out on this one. I don't care for either pt 1 or pt 2 of unification. I know people love it because of the cameos, but to me the overall plot doesn't make a lot of sense and is disappointing. I wanted a meatier story of what was going on with the Romulans and Spock, and it was always sad to me that Spock and Sarek didn't resolve their differences before his death. Love TNG cast and they get some fun moments but it's not enough to raise this above a B for me.

Sainjl

I think you guys will like this one. When I watched this the first time, I didn’t really know about TOS and had not seen Sarek. So a lot of this went over my head. I probably would have rated it a B at the time.

TomEmilioDavies

That Data scene with Picard trying to sleep is S tier on its own.

TomEmilioDavies

MOTHERFUCKING SPOCK

Jeffrey

I really hope you were 100% unspoiled for this

Paul Rymer

It coincided with the promotion of Star Trek VI and also the old network "sweeps" period where the ratings of episodes around October / November informed decisions companies made about advertising rates and future seasons of shows. It was a big deal to have the crossover episodes at that time. In Season 4 during the sweeps period you had 2 "big" episodes as well - "Reunion" and "Future Imperfect" - followed by Wesley's "Final Mission" before the break.

Forbidden Donut

It's hard to top the vibes of seeing Mr. Spock show up on TNG.

John

Y'all are gonna freak out/geek out for this episode and Part II, because there's really nothing as synonymous with Star Trek as Mr. Spock. Also, some Sarek sprinkled in, some sadness, a mystery to investigate, the Romulans.... I mean, there's really nothing to dislike about this episode or the next one.

Keith S

Okay half a decade, should have researched that. My bad.

Darin Starr

1000% 😂 Needs his own episode for sure

Ron Hubbard Jr

Nearly perfect S episode and it’s all just setup to get us to the last scene. Worf requesting Klingon opera is priceless as is Amarie’s response: “I don’t get a lot of requests for Klingon opera”. I loved Riker joining her on the keys. Always love when Frakes gets to bring some of his real-life musician personality to Riker.

Banes

He actually played Doctor Spock in the original program too

Banes

True! Stephen Root as a Klingon is a guest appearance for the ages!

Darin Wagner

Easy S. Heartbreaking performance by a returning guest star. The Klingon captain is also the red stapler guy from "Office Space."

Ron Hubbard Jr

Mark Lenard died five years after this in 1996.

EnigmaticPenguin

The "ENHANCE!" trope might bring you from the biggest flip from an eye roll to pop off ever. This two-parter is so hot it's kind of wild in retrospect they didn't make this a season finale/premiere. Man that last Sarek scene hits really hard for anyone who has dealt with a dying family member with their moments of lucidity. I never thought they could hit that note effectively again after "Sarek".

Keith S

Can't wait to see your reaction to this one. Also it's a great lead in to star trek 6. Yes Sarek dies. I seem to recall Mark Leonard passing away not too long after this aired.

Gregory

Sarek, Spock and Romulans oh my!!

Evan Guthrie

My prediction: biggest pop of the season. He may have been name-dropped at the beginning of the episode, but seeing the GOAT’s son for the first time since Star Trek 5 is really gonna send you.

James H

Pardek was Malachi Throne, who played Commodore Mendez in “The Menagerie” and also provided the voice of the principal Talosian.

LonghillAndy

Josh: I hope they don’t bring back Sarek to kill him off…… 👀

Sebastian_Frodo

What an episode to end the year on! Thats what I call good timing!. Even though I think you guys watch episode 8 and 9 right after this one. But still.

Eric Wilson

Surprise!

Joe Concepts

As we've been seeing, this show has started to not be afraid of going a bit dark and depressing. The last appearance of Sarek is heartbreaking, and I'm sure it must hit very hard for someone who has lost a parent in this way.

Alan F

This has the potential to be the biggest 'pop' in history. 🤯🤯

Connor Fallon

So i'm happy we get to see one last gasp of Sarek, he really delivers on these scenes of an old man with the Vulcan equivalent of dementia. The quick anger, the other emotions that fire through... similar to real dementia. It's crazy to see him affected so. And Spock is back! Also what do you think that soup on Romulus tasted of? Similar to plomeeK?

Joe Concepts

Only criticism maybe you could have for this is they save Spock for that very last scene, but what comes before it is good enough that it works fine.

Joe Concepts

So great you guys don't get know anything about these. It's understandable back in the day that they wanted to promote these episodes and "spoil" guest stars, but it must be interesting going in completely blind. But since they did it right away in the opening scene it wouldn't spoil much, really.

THE LORE!!!

Let's all take a second to pour one out for our boy, the GOAT, Sarek. IMO, this is Mark Lenard's best performance of the character. We see all those defenses broken down that we saw during his mindmeld with Picard, but now performed by the man himself.