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"Code of Honor"
Topic Started: Jun 16 2005, 11:40 AM (433 Views)
Fesarius
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Admiral
Code of Honor - June 15, 2005

Stardate 41235.25. I can't recall any stardates having more than one numeral of measurement to the right of the decimal before this episode. Picard hesitates slightly before voicing the final digit, which leads me to believe he (at the bequest of the director or writer?) was trying to emphasize this oddity for some reason.

The Enterprise is orbiting Ligon II, in the hopes of acquiring a vaccine which is desperately needed on Stryris IV.

We learn that the inhabitants (Ligonians) are a highly-structured society. They value land highly, and they insist on using their own transporter device to come aboard the Enterprise.

Data walks into the briefing room with what appears to be a valuable artifact (a statue of a horse). It is to be given to the Ligonians as a token of their gratitude and friendship. Picard mentions that the artifact (from the Sung dynasty) is from the 13th century. Data corrects Picard, saying it is from the 14th century. My wife pointed out how odd it was for Picard to make such a mistake, given his archaeological background.

Yar asks for 'Akido 1' for her demonstration. She remarks on how she could conjure up two, even three more holographic fighters--and that the level of difficulty can be increased accordingly. She mentions that doing so forces crewmembers always to improve. One of the more memorable scenes is when Lutan's assistant (Hagon?) doesn't believe that a holographic projection can be felt. Then, he is promptly thrown to the mat rather emphatically.

We first hear of the Heglenian Shift in this episode (from Data). He is rather long-winded at this point, so we do not get an explanation of what this entails. Apparently this is used somehow in Ligonian transporters.

We learn that Lutan has much avarice and ambition.

Stardate 41235.32. After Yar is kidnapped, the Enterprise waits for a full day without any contact from the Ligonians.

We learn from Crusher that the vaccine becomes ineffective when replicated.

Picard allows Wesley to sit at the helm, next to Geordi. A few of the senior officers--including Geordi--are surprised by this move. I was surprised with the degree of levity shown by Picard given the situation with Yar on Ligon II.

We learn that the Ligonians have a strict code of honor, and that they are a very patient race. This may account for why they did not attempt to contact the Enterprise after having kidnapped Yar.

Ligon Code of Honor. Some of the qualities mentioned in association with this code are boldness and having achieved the ability to be daring.

Troi makes a formal request of Commander Riker. She believes (feels) that the Captain ought to lead the away team. Riker objects initially, but after some convincing, understands the need for the Captain to be there. He also says that if there is a hint of danger to Picard's life, that he will put Picard on report. Interestingly, this is only the third episode of TNG, and Riker is showing a degree of levity toward his Captain, who doesn't seem to disapprove.

The percussive music for the fight scene of Yar and Yareena was reminiscent of that heard in Amok Time. It is not identical, but similar in some ways. This episode to me has the 'feel' of a TOS episode in other ways as well (colors, movement, pacing, and sets).

Worf did not appear to be in this episode. What with Yar being the center of attention and fighting throughout, this was probably intentional.

We learn that the poison on the tip of the weapons is alkaloid-based, and that it is deadly.

The fight scene had some moments of intensity. When one of the Ligonian onlookers is accidentally wounded (and dies), it's almost humorous how quickly the remainder of the entourage reconvenes their (percussion sticks) music.

Years ago, I recall having read or heard that this episode was the result of The Gamesters of Triskelion not having been able to be properly fleshed out as the writers would have liked for it to have been in its original incarnation. I recall that The Gamesters of Pentathlon was the original working title for the TOS episode, and that Code of Honor somehow fit into this mix.

Notable lines:

"A woman? Your chief of security?" (Lutan).
"How interesting. May we prove as surprising to you." (Lutan). This line is spoken right after Yar (using Akido?) flips one of the Ligonians over on to his back.
"We notice you're intrigued with her security responsibilities." (Riker). This line was spoken rather smugly by our esteemed Commander.
"You can create people ... without a soul?" (Lutan). This is in reference to Lutan having seen Yar call up a figure to fight in the Holodeck.
"That is from an obscure language known as French." (Data). A very funny line, and to see Picard's reaction to it is priceless.
"It is my duty to keep the Captain from danger." (Riker).
"This is my first, Yareena." (Lutan). I noted the similarity between the names 'Yar' and 'Yareena.'
"One can see the importance of honor here." (Troi).
"I am here in peace to ask for the return of Lieutenant Yar." (Picard).
"Your conduct in this matter has been beyond exemplary, Captain." (Lutan).
"Plague on Stryris IV has flared up. Out of control." (Message from Starbase 14). The death toll is at this point estimated in the millions.
"Betazoid blood is also practical, Captain." (Troi).
"I am in the grip of forces you do not understand." (Lutan).
"Shaving is a human art form, Data." (Geordi).
"Puzzling. How can anything be too efficient?" (Data). This remark comes on the heels of Geordi explaining why he has not chosen to use the device for shaving that Data gave him.
"How do you know when something is funny?" (Data).
"Could this be human joke number 663?" (Data). This line is quite funny (especially given the severity of the situation) and is almost up there with the 'petty bickering' statement we will hear in a future episode.
"I fight for the vaccine. That's the truth." (Yar).
"But what of Lieutenant Yar? She is to become my first." (Lutan).
"There will be no treaty ... no vaccine!" (Lutan).
"But this is witchcraft, Yareena!" (Lutan).
"Then I will have you as my number two. Take your place, accordingly." (Yareena). This was spoken after Yareena has chosen Hagon to be her first. Apparently, this was the plan from the beginning, and in the opinion of this writer, is another similarity to Amok Time.

Blooper alert: When Yareena and Yar are fighting, we see one of the weapons in Yar's left hand. Later, when she beams up to the Enterprise with Yareena after the latter has 'died,' we see the weapon in her right hand.
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DEFIANT
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I don't remember this one well, but according to tvtome Worf doesn't not appear in this episode....ironic....Worf did not appear in Code of HONOR.
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Deleted User
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I liked it too.

As Fes's wife mentioned though, it was odd for Picard to make a mistake like that. But, he was only an amature archeologist.
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Fesarius
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^^^
Welsby,

Or perhaps the mistake was because he was somewhat flustered at having to appease the Ligonians on his ship. Who knows?

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I don't remember this one well, but according to tvtome Worf doesn't not appear in this episode....ironic....Worf did not appear in Code of HONOR.

Defiant,

Corroboration is always good. I didn't see him in it, but you know how he sneaks around that Bridge at times.... ;)
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Fesarius
Jun 16 2005, 05:50 PM
^^^
Welsby,

Or perhaps the mistake was because he was somewhat flustered at having to appease the Ligonians on his ship.  Who knows?


Perhaps. Or he could have made an honest mistake! :lol:
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Fesarius
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^^^
Yes, that's possible. But having a writer put it in a script--interesting.
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Well, yeah. I suppose it is!
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Franko
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Sorry. Sorry. And again, Sorry. I've never liked this episode. Beat me, whip me, but I'll never convert. This episode is so bad that I'd like to remove it from canon. Nothing in particular; I know they wanted an episode featuring Yar and her abilities.

I hope we can all still be friends after this confession :cry: :cry: :cry:




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8247
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Apparently we look like this now
I agree. I think that episode was was one of the worst in Season One, next to Skin of Evil.
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TribbleMom
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Given that this was a season one episode (and thus still early in the production), perhaps the depth of Picard's interest in archaeology had not yet been worked out yet by the writers and directors. I think the show's developers had probably by this point just suggested that Picard have "an interest" in archaeology, but perhaps did not yet suggest that he could be considered an authority in the field.

Isn't it also interesting that they chose to use the "Sung Dynasty"? Pretty close to the name of Dr. Noonian Soong.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
I really liked this one. Riker is actually really good. We see the first references to gagh in this as well as how the line of command works on a Klingon ship.
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Fesarius
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^^^
Noah,

No Klingons or Gagh in Code of Honor. I think you may be thinking of the officer exchange episodes.

Quote:
 
Given that this was a season one episode (and thus still early in the production), perhaps the depth of Picard's interest in archaeology had not yet been worked out yet by the writers and directors.

TribbleMom,

I don't believe that there is a better explanation than that. :)
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
:doh: I was thinking of the one where Riker serves on a Klingon ship.

Oh, right, thats MATTER of Honor. :rolleyes:

Code of Honor is pretty weird. I do remember it, and I gotta tell you, I never considered Tasha a great character. I never bought she was in anyway tough and even less so after seeing Kira on DS9.
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Fesarius
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Noah,

Yes, I believe you and I had the "Tasha vs. Kira" argument going rather strongly a year or so ago. You conceded. 'Nuff said.
















:Fes:
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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
This was another episode from season one that worried me about whether TNG would last or not. It's been years since I have seen it and I can't quite put my ginfer on what bugged me most about it... It was one that just did not click for me.
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