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| "The Last Outpost" | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 9 2005, 12:31 PM (223 Views) | |
| Fesarius | Jul 9 2005, 12:31 PM Post #1 |
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Admiral
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The Last Outpost - July 7, 2005 Stardate 41386.4. The Enterprise is pursuing a Ferengi ship in order to recover a T-9 energy converter which was stolen on Gamma Tauri IV. An unmanned monitor post recorded the act of piracy. This episode marks the second appearance of Armin Shimerman in Trek (the first being Haven). The Enterprise and its weapons are completely immobilized, and Picard et al. believe that the Ferengi are responsible for it. They also believe that they have considerably underestimated the capabilities of the Ferengi. There were some elements of this episode that reminded me of Arena from TOS. It was not a rewrite of course, but you had the two aliens at odds with one another, and a third, much more powerful being (similar to the Metron) who was responsible for their respective immobilizations. The Ferengi are compared to the eighteenth and nineteenth century Yankee traders. This episode mentions the works of the military strategist Sun Tzu. After Riker responds to Picard using Sun Tzu's words, the Captain realizes that Sun Tzu's teachings are still taught at the Academy, which pleases him no end. Troi informs Picard that with their attention being focused solely on the Ferengi vessel, the crew has neglected the planet. Picard then calls for a conference evaluation. Yar wants a combined phaser and photon torpedo salvo fired at the Ferengi vessel. Thus far, both Yar and Worf have agreed that fighting the Ferengi is the first best option. After the others have left the conference room, Picard mentions (to Riker) that there is only one option left, and that this option is the one that needs no conversation--that of self-destruct. Picard doesn't use this phrase, but he does say that the final option will result in 'total annihilation." Stardate 41386.5. The ship's power drain continues, and Yar mentions that in order to have any power at all for the weapons, she must borrow from every system. Life support is now at a bare minimum. The planet is scanned, and we are informed that it is Class M, and that there is no indication of any life forms on it. The four Ferengi who appear in the episode are Daimon Tarr (on the Ferengi vessel), Letek, Mordoc, and Kayron. We learn of the Tkon Empire, which have been extinct for over 600,000 years. The Tkon Empire is said to be able to move entire stars. It is believed that they became extinct when their sun went supernova. Data is intrigued by a puzzle, which turns out to be a Chinese finger puzzle. He finds it quite challenging as well. Picard suggests that they team up with the Ferengi in order to determine what the power supply on the planet consists of, but it takes some convincing before the Ferengi are willing to beam down and join them in this quest. The landing party (away team) consists of Riker, Data, Worf, Yar, and LaForge. When they beam down, the team is dispersed all over the area. We see only Riker initially. Geordi is suspended upside down from what looks like a tree; Data appears to be sitting in a tree-like figure as well; and Worf and Yar are nowhere to be found. We are informed that the away team is on the planet for at least six hours. The power drain on the ship has now made life support systems inoperative. The temperatures begin to drop rapidly, and Picard remarks that it could get as low as 200 degrees (-200) below zero. Dr. Crusher insists that anything lower than 70 degrees (-70) below zero will render the crew unconscious and probably dead. When the Ferengi show up on the planet, they use energy whips to incapacitate Riker and Geordi. Data is shown holding one of the Ferengi up above his head with one hand, while simultaneously informing the remainder of the away team that despite their size, the Ferengi are stronger than they appear. Yar draws her phaser, and is happy to see that the Ferengi have heard of phasers. This seems to get their attention. However, when she fires the weapon, the path of the phaser fire goes awry, not hitting its intended target. We learn that the crystalline (tree-like) rock figures are somehow responsible for this. When I heard them described, I could not help but think that perhaps the writers used them as the seed for another story later in the series (e.g., Silicon Avatar). The Guardian of the Tkon Empire (Portal) appears first as a god-like figure similar to what we see in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. He then appears to them in a form resembling a human, except that his face is somewhat wrinkled and scarred in places. His arrival signals the end of the fight between the Ferengi and the away team. The Ferengi inform Portal that they would be willing to serve him at no profit for themselves. When Riker responds to Portal using the words of Sun Tzu, the Ferengi hear this and see that Portal is impressed. They claim that it was they who gave Riker the words to speak. Riker and Portal begin to discuss the Ferengi in the third person, despite the Ferengi being only a few feet from them. Riker tells Portal that he sees in the Ferengi what humans were like some 600 years ago. Portal asks Riker if he would like for him to destroy the Ferengi, to which Riker responds in the negative, stating that to do so would only result in the Ferengi learning nothing. This is another aspect of the episode that reminded me somewhat of Arena, as the Metron also asked Kirk if he would like for the Gorn to be destroyed. Riker requests that Portal restore the ship's power, which he does without lifting a finger. We see the lights and engines turn back on, and the crew, most of whom were unconscious, begin to wake up one-by-one, beginning with Captain Picard. Riker asks Picard's permission to send a box of the Chinese finger puzzles over to the Ferengi's vessel as a 'thank you' for all they tried to do. Picard grants him permission to do so. We are informed that the Enterprise retrieves the T-9 energy converter. At first, the Ferengi were reluctant to return it. However, according to Riker, 'one final roar from Portal' convinced them that they ought to comply. Notable lines: "If we succeed in this chase, it will be Starfleet's first look at a lifeform, which, discounting rumor, we know almost nothing about." (Picard). "Listed as Delphi Ardu, sir. Eleven planets unexplored." (Data). "As you know, Ferengi technology is estimated to be generally equal to our own." (Data). "Why are we gaining on them? Don't anticipate." (Picard). "Immobilized by the damn Ferengi." (Worf). This statement appears to convey a level of familiarity between the Klingons and the Ferengi. "None sir. Only hearsay and third-hand reports, most of which conflict." (Data). This line, taken in conjunction with what Picard says in the opening quoted line of this entry, seems to me to jive nicely with what is said with regard to this (albeit unknown) species in Acquisition (from ENT). "Uncle who?" (Worf). The line is in reference to Worf having heard Data mention Uncle Sam. "What have bright, primary colors got to do with it?" (Yar). The red, white, and blue reference is to the colors of the old U.S. flag. Picard mentions that the French use the same three colors, but arrange them in the proper order. "I wish I knew what they were thinking over there." (Picard). The Ferengi are perceived as a formidable opponent in the early episodes of TNG. "And nothing shameful in a strategic retreat, either." (Picard). This response is to Worf after he suggests that they fight the Ferengi. The remark reminded me somewhat of the words of Kahless that are uttered in the second half of The Way of the Warrior (from DS9). "Someone is reading every file, every bit of information stored in the Enterprise memory banks." (Data). The assimilation of this data (by Portal) reminded me somewhat of what occurred with the Keepers in The Cage. "Something has seized their ship, too. They're in the same predicament as us." (Picard). Although I am not certain specifically how Picard deduced this, it is nevertheless an accurate assessment. "Yes. The ugliness of the human was not an exaggeration." (Daimon Tarr). "Explain what means Yankee trader!" (Daimon Tarr). Tarr is not amused when he hears Data utter 'Yankee trader' under his breath. Geordi assures Data that Tarr heard the remark, and Picard must cover for Data having insulted Tarr. "The Ferengi are not uncivilized, human! Are you suggesting otherwise?" (Daimon Tarr). "I'm afraid not." (Data). Data most definitely uses a contraction in this episode. I listened to it repeatedly, and did not hear "I am" at all. "Nothing to write home about." (Data). This is Data's attempt at using slang, and he does so twice, using the line on the Bridge (when he is speaking to Riker) as well as near the conclusion of the episode. "I materialized upside down above the planet's surface." (LaForge). "Do you give yourself up for judgement?" (Portal). "Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will always be victorious." (Portal). According to Portal, Sun Tzu's philosophy is much like that of the Tkon Empire. |
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| captain_proton_au | Jul 9 2005, 01:58 PM Post #2 |
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A Robot in Disguise
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That scene with Riker and the Guardian always reminds me of the King and the BridgeKeeper in Pythons The Holy Grail |
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| Franko | Jul 9 2005, 07:04 PM Post #3 |
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Shower Moderator
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I actually like this episode, considering that it's still early in the going. I was hoping that they would use more 3d effects throughout the series when Data shows the planetary display to Picard and Geordi in the briefing room. Unfortunately we never quite see this kind of visual projection display (if at all) in any other episode. One of my favourite scenes is when the ship is getting really cold and is low on power. Picard is talking to Beverly and asks here whether she has sedated Wesley, since the situation is getting pretty grim. He makes a remark about how "Wesley should experience the end with his eyes open" or something, to which Dr. Crusher responds: "Is that a MALE perspective?" I always like that one. Some may say that the ending was a little corny, but the episode and the planet's surface had a good atmosphere. It actually reminds me a bit of "That Which Survives", but I really don't know why. A solid "B" episode. Quite a lot of good dialogue in this ep, actually. |
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| Dr. Noah | Jul 11 2005, 03:59 PM Post #4 |
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Sistertrek's Asian Correspondant
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This isn't nearly as bad as I remembered it. It actually kind of makes sense. However, the Ferengi still are comical rather than threatening. I know they were meant to be the TNG equivalent of Klingons, but they fell far short. The Cardassians, however, seem to be a better alternative to the TNG evil empire. |
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| Fesarius | Jul 11 2005, 04:17 PM Post #5 |
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Admiral
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^^^ Franko, As usual, a nice and meaningful perspective. That line (about meeting death with his eyes open) is quite unusual, isn't it? It was as if Picard just assumed that that was the way it had to be, without taking Dr. Crusher's feelings for her son into account. That 3D image is quite good, isn't it? It reminds me of the effects used when Daniels shows Archer the future (in Cold Front and other episodes). Very colorful, and a neat effect. Noah, I thought the Ferengi were too formidable in this one (in retrospect, of course). I did like how Shimerman sounded quite different in his role as Quark than he did in his role in The Last Outpost. N.B.: I have finished Q-Less (DS9), Eye of the Needle (VOY), Breaking the Ice (ENT), and (tonight) The Naked Time (TOS), and will be posting write-ups for those once they are finished (either tonight or tomorrow). I will expect keen analytical insights from you, especially on the DS9 episode. |
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| gdog243 | Jul 11 2005, 05:51 PM Post #6 |
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Rear Admiral
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This episode for me has gone from bad, to WTF. It was weird and after watching the Ferengi in DS9 for seven seasons, it really is WTF.
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