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"Where No One Has Gone Before"
Topic Started: Jun 23 2005, 10:27 AM (482 Views)
Fesarius
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Admiral
[I watched this episode last evening, which is slightly out of production order--106/105. I chose to watch this one because the TOS episode with the similar name was still fresh in my mind. The next production order episode would have been Haven, which I will watch next week.]

Where No One Has Gone Before - June 22, 2005

Stardate 41263.1. The Enterprise has scheduled a rendezvous with the U. S. S. Fearless. On the Fearless are Kosinski and his assistant, known as the Traveler. Kosinski has been experimenting with different ways to enter warp speed as well as various intermix formulas. He is said to be a propulsion expert, and is being welcomed aboard the Enterprise in order to test some of his propulsion theories on the ship. (Previous tests were carried out on three ships, one of which was the U. S. S. Ajax.)

Kosinski is arrogant, condescending, and rude. Once beamed aboard, he wants to see the Captain, virtually ignoring the presence of Riker, who was gracious enough to have welcomed him aboard in the transporter room. Riker, after having looked over the work of Kosinski at a rudimentary level, believes that Kosinski's specs are gibberish. When Data is asked to comment on the specs and the results of tests on the other ships, he mentions that there were no noticeable improvements in engine performance.

We learn in this episode that Lieutenant Commander Argyle is the current Chief of Engineering. (I wonder what happened to McDougall?)

Tau Alpha C is the homeworld of Kosinski's assistant. His assistant is triple-digited, and is a being of few words. Riker notes that Tau Alpha C is very distant from their current position.

Riker asks Counselor Troi her feelings and impressions concerning the assistant. She mentions that she is quite concerned, and notices that there is an absence of emotion, almost as if he weren't even there.

Wesley alters (or adds to) some of the information input by the Traveler, and the Traveler knows at this point that Wesley is something special. It is possible that the Traveler 'allowed' (or perhaps encouraged) Wesley to make the changes as some sort of test.

Right after the Traveler phases out, the Enterprise disappears before going to warp. It's a neat effect, and it does bring to mind the need for an object to disappear before it exists when traveling at speeds faster than are possible for normal space.

Data informs the Captain that they are a billion light years from home.

I noticed that the soundtrack was quite good in this episode. Parts of it reminded me of ST: TMP; our eldest son said that segments reminded him of the second Star Wars film.

During the oddities that the crew was experiencing, we see 1) a Klingon targ; 2) Yar's cat; 3) Picard walking out of a door which leads to open space; 4) the rape gangs that pursued Yar years ago; 5) one crewmember participating in a string quartet (performing Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik); 6) two crewmembers being followed by an unknown entity; 7) a crewman participating as a ballerina; 8) Picard's Maman; and 9) a huge fire that is entrapping a crewman. (N.B.: Once Picard et al. have realized that thought is part of the equation, the Captain is able to inform the crewman that he has the power to put out the fire in his mind, which he does.)

We are eventually informed that physical realities and ideas are somehow mixed.

The Traveler phases in and out of time three times in the episode. During the initial phasing, only Wesley sees it. He tries to explain this to Riker, who will not listen to him at that moment. The second time the Traveler phases out, Riker sees it.

When the Traveler phases (the third time) out of their existence after the crew has returned to their space, no one seems to know where he has gone.

Stardate 41263.4. Wesley Crusher is made Acting Ensign. This is a very nice touch. Picard asks Wesley to sit in the big chair, noting the efforts he has contributed with regard to their safe journey back home. Riker reminds Picard that he (the Captain) gave orders that Wesley not be allowed to sit in chairs on the Bridge. Realizing this, Picard sees he has but two choices. He can have him removed, or make him a commissioned officer so that he may remain. He chooses the latter, makes Wesley an Acting Ensign, and Wesley's smile says it all.

Notable lines:

"This doesn't work. Kosinksi's a fraud." (Kosinski). These words are spoken by Kosinski as a preemptive measure. He knows he isn't what he appears to be, so he attempts to use reverse psychology on those present.
"Something troubles you with the way this is configured?" (Traveler). It is possible that the Traveler is testing Wesley at this point. The expression on the face of the Traveler intimates that he is genuinely interested in what Wesley is thinking.
"Captain, we're passing Warp 10!" (Geordi). The effects during the Warp 10 segment are quite nice at this point.
"The galaxy known as M-33." (Geordi).
"2,700,000 light years, sir." (Data). This is the distance that the Enterprise has traveled relative to its previous position.
"And I calculate that at the maximum warp sir, it would take over ... 300 years to get home." (Geordi).
"Captain's log, stardate 41263.2. This will be a rather unusual log entry, assuming Starfleet ever receives it." (Picard).
"The truth is, Captain, I made a mistake." (Kosinski).
"Can I do something to help?" (Wesley). Apparently, Wesley notices that the Traveler could use some encouragement or aid at this point.
"That space ... and time ... and thought ... aren't the separate things they appear to be?" (Wesley). This is a profound line, and it's interesting to see the reaction of the Traveler to these words. His emotions become relatively agitated, and for one brief moment, he appears to be on the verge of becoming angry. He is quick to suggest that Wesley never repeat this idea to anyone.
"In three centuries of space travel we've charted just 11% of our galaxy ... and then ... we accomplish this." (Kosinski).
"If this guy can't get us back, who will?" (Geordi). Geordi is speaking of the Traveler here, not Kosinski.
"But as they say sir, you're the Captain." (Riker). It is ultimately the Captain's decision whether they try a similar procedure again in order hopefully to get back home.
"He's too tired. Why don't you do it by yourself?" (Wesley). Somehow Wesley knows that Kosinski cannot do this by himself. Kosinski is ready to proceed, and he could have had his bluff called, but we cut quickly to another segment before this could have occurred.
"Stardate 41263.3. Instead of returning to our own galaxy, the Enterprise has gone forward to a place in the universe which is uncharted and unknown." (Picard). I really appreciate this line. I could not help but think that we were somehow nearing Borg space (near system J-25); however, I know that this is nearly impossible. Still, thoughts of Q Who were mulling about in my mind when I saw this.
"Maman, can you tell me where my ship is?" (Picard). This is a particularly poignant moment. Picard is speaking to his mother, and when Riker interrupts him (he sees only the Captain here), the Captain, who is down on one knee in the corridor, responds brashly to his First Officer. Maman Picard has been deceased for quite some time, and her son is obviously savoring the moment to speak with her.
"General Quarters red alert!" (Picard).
"I should have realized it wasn't Kosinski." (Argyle).
"... who's generally humanoid, but with a physiology sufficiently different from our own to create medical problems in caring for him." (Picard). This line refers to the Traveler, who is in Sickbay being cared for by Dr. Crusher. He is weak, and he may not live. They need him well in order to get back home again.
"My name's Wesley, Commander." (Wesley). Wesley is somewhat miffed that a number of people (Picard, Riker, and Worf in various episodes) continue to refer to him as simply 'the boy.'
"There's no specific place I wish to go." (Traveler). I thought this line quite ironic considering who was speaking it.
"I don't know if I can put this in terms you'll understand." (Traveler). Interestingly, I did not think the Traveler to be arrogant when he uttered this line. But when Kosinski voices lines like these, one's blood can often curdle.
"You do understand, don't you, that thought is the basis of all reality?" (Traveler).
"Thought is the essence of where you are now." (Traveler).
"It's only now that your life form merits serious attention." (Traveler). Riker asked why his (the Traveler's) species had not yet contacted Terrans, and he received a rather humbling answer.
"He and a few like him are why I travel." (Traveler). The Traveler is speaking of Wesley, with whom he makes a comparison to Mozart (yet in the arenas of time, energy, and propulsion, as opposed to music). (N.B.: It would have been a pleasant surprise if TPTB had chosen another composer to be used for the comparison. All too often Mozart seems to be the 'waste basket' composer of choice that writers use for genius-like comparisons in their stories.)
"Captain's log. Any time entry would be meaningless." (Picard). The entry denotes the severity of their current situation.
"You need me?" "Yes." (Kosinski and the Traveler). This line refers to the Traveler needing the assistance of Kosinski at some level for the return trip. The viewer doesn't know what Kosinski will contribute; however, the need to be needed (Kosinski) is a nice touch, and it makes up in part for the arrogance he displayed initially.
"He has now left us. Wherever he has gone ... we wish him well." (Picard).
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gdog243
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After a shaky start, we have our first great episode of the season. Beautiful Sci-fi concept, and interesting character the traveler was.
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Fesarius
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^^^
Gdog,

I liked the Traveler quite a lot. I thought he was both a sympathetic and a compassionate character, but at the same time, managed to remain detached when he had to be.
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Dr. Noah
Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
This IMHO is one of the best first season episodes. I liked the special effects and the idea that physics and reality operate differently elsewhere in the galaxy. The Traveller was an interesting character, and he served to forshadow Wesley's supposed great destiny that was never followed up on.
It was especially spooky when a redshirt somehow transported halfway into the bulkhead, and Picard ran into his dead mother.
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Fesarius
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Quote:
 
It was especially spooky when a redshirt somehow transported halfway into the bulkhead....

Noah,

I don't recall this scene. Can you elaborate a bit?
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Dr. Noah
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I think someone heard a scream, they were searching for something or someone and when they came running, they saw a woman halfway phased into the floor. This might be another episode I am thinking of though. :shrug:
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Fesarius
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^^^
I think it is, but since I am often writing when the episode is on, I might have missed it. Who are our TNG experts on the Board?
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Dr. Noah
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:lol: I thought that was you! ;)
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Fesarius
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^^^
Noah,

No, not I. I like the show, but I haven't yet seen every episode--almost, but not quite. :)
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gdog243
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Fesarius
Jun 23 2005, 01:46 PM
^^^
Noah,

No, not I. I like the show, but I haven't yet seen every episode--almost, but not quite. :)

I could be one. I watch TNG quite a bit, even though not as much with getting the ENT discs.
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gdog243
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Dr. Noah
Jun 23 2005, 12:02 PM
I think someone heard a scream, they were searching for something or someone and when they came running, they saw a woman halfway phased into the floor. This might be another episode I am thinking of though. :shrug:

I remember that scene from "In Theory."
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Deleted User
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As do I! Does this make us both experts?

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gdog243
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Mike Welsby
Jun 23 2005, 03:54 PM
As do I! Does this make us both experts?

I wouldn't go that far. ;)
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Deleted User
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:lol: I'll stick to Ds9 then...
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Franko
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gdog243
Jun 23 2005, 10:10 AM
After a shaky start, we have our first great episode of the season.  Beautiful Sci-fi concept, and interesting character the traveler was.



Yeah. Many fans at the start of the series mention this one as the early pivotal episode that sold them. If I were to start watching season one I'd probably start here.


BTW Fes, shouldn't "The Last Outpost" be next ? :news:



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