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Which episode do you like better and why?
Chain of Command 4 (66.7%)
Birthright 2 (33.3%)
Total Votes: 6
Head-to-Head Challenge VII; From Season Six
Topic Started: Sep 27 2005, 01:02 PM (189 Views)
HistoryDude
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Shaken, not stirred...
Episodes: Chain of Command and Birthright
Connection: Both "double eps"
Synopsis:

Chain of Command -- After resigning his command to participate in a dangerous secret mission to investigate a metagenic weapon rumoured to be in development at a secret base deep in enemy territory, Captain Picard is taken hostage by the Cardassians. While under the command of an unfeeling new captain, the Enterprise attempts to rescue Picard from the Cardassians. Meantime Picard is tortured by the Cardassians in the belief that he knows the Starfleet plans for defending a star system near the Federation border that they intend to invade.

Birthright -- On a visit to Deep Space Nine, Worf is accosted on the promenade by a trader who claims his father, Mogh, is still alive. Worf is angry at the prospect that his father might be alive and thus bring dishonour upon his whole family, and goes with the trader. Meanwhile, a freak acident causes Data to embark on a journey of self-discovery after an alien probe gives him a vision of his father, Dr Noonian Soon. Later, imprisoned in a society of peaceful Klingons and Romulans, Worf risks his life to show the younger Klingons their lost heritage and inspire them to claim their honor.
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Franko
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Shower Moderator


While I liked both of these double episodes, I suppose that "Chain Of Command" was a little more vivid. Picard being captured and then humiliated through torture by the Cardassians (and the brilliant guest appearance of Warner) kind of makes this one a bit of a later classic.

*There are how many lights?*

I thought some of the quiet dialogue between Picard and (Warner) was actually pretty good; a well-scripted story. Then we have Riker being taken down a notch by the no-nonsense (can't remember his name) captain of the Enterprise.

Data's trip-out and self exploration in the other ep is pretty neat, though. I kind of enjoyed all that; Worf's tale is kind of interesting too.

Just as a side note, I always have been critical of the way the Federation (more specifically Starfleet Command) handled the Cardassians from TNG through to DS9. And their anticipation and handling of the the Dominion insurgence into the Alpha Quadrant right from the beginning was a disaster. I'm prepared to hear arguments pertaining to these issues, however ;)

At any rate, it's been a while since I've seen "Birthright" ; TNG reruns in my area tend to keep cycling through the first few seasons. Anyhow, I thought "Chain" strikes me as a very ambitious episode that comes off pretty good.


Kapla.

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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
The focus was tighter on "Chains of Command." Both parts worked pretty well for me, especially since you did not have a rush in to the rescue type of ending.

"Birthright" was also enjoyable, but the part of it that I enjoyed most was Data's development. The imagery involved was just fun to follow.
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Deleted User
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I liked chain of Command better as well, but like Franko I thought it was better only by a small margin.

The scenes between Picard and te Cardassian were great (I forget his name) "You are a little boy of six years old" or something like that. Great stuff.

As for Jellico, he got right on my nerves, but I guess he was supposed to, you could see the good side of him though and although he rubbed people up the wrong way, he got the job done.

I loved the scene where Riker was speaking freely with him in his quarters "I don't think you are a particularly good captain, you don't inspire confidence".

As for Birthright, good episode, like all Niners I got a kick out of seeing the Enterprise at DS9, and Bashir on the ship.

i preferred Data's story though, and it has been a while since I have watched it so I don't remember much! :D
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captain_proton_au
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A Robot in Disguise

I'll go for Birthright.

C.o.C is good, but Birthright is probably my favourite Worf story after IC / DiC.

I really liked the analysis of Klingons in a post war internment camp in that story

and Birthright gave us Jag (alom Sherek)!
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HistoryDude
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Shaken, not stirred...
Great comments, all. I too liked both, but I'll give the edge actually to Birthright. Chain of Command dealt with two interesting concepts. One the torture issue and treatment of prisoners (which is certainly relevant to events going on today... :whistle: ). And two, it dealt with a new captain in charge of the Enterprise, which I thought a nice concept and change of venue...as well as a slight to Riker. Yes, he came off annoying and "unispiring," but is that only because we were all so used to Picard and his style? Jellico certainly was a capable commander, his style was just different. I like him for two main reasons: one, he tacked up pictures that his kids drew him...I can easily relate to that, just take one look at my office wall! And two, he made Troi finally wear a uniform! :D

But the tipper for me between these two is what Capt. AU alluded to. The idea of Klingons not only living peaceful, uneventful lives without honor but also in cooperation with the Romulans! I thought that was a fascinating storyline and proof to me that the writers continued to explore all kinds of possibilities and unique plots. As an aside, that's why I didn't have a problem with the "I, Borg" episode and the development of Hugh's humanity. Followed up, perhaps, by the numbered species in Voyager that the Borg could not assimilate. Again, no garuantees in this life, at least... ;)
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Deleted User
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That's a fair point, I know it wouldn't have made for an interesting story, but why not give the Enterprise to Riker?
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Swidden
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HistoryDude
Sep 28 2005, 07:33 AM
Great comments, all. I too liked both, but I'll give the edge actually to Birthright. Chain of Command dealt with two interesting concepts. One the torture issue and treatment of prisoners (which is certainly relevant to events going on today... :whistle: ). And two, it dealt with a new captain in charge of the Enterprise, which I thought a nice concept and change of venue...as well as a slight to Riker. Yes, he came off annoying and "unispiring," but is that only because we were all so used to Picard and his style? Jellico certainly was a capable commander, his style was just different. I like him for two main reasons: one, he tacked up pictures that his kids drew him...I can easily relate to that, just take one look at my office wall! And two, he made Troi finally wear a uniform! :D

You make one very interesting point here that distinguishes TNG: Character development. Here we have a replacement Captain and in two episodes they accomplish a fair amount of character development.
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gdog243
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Chain of command was the better episode. It dealt with command styles so well and the issue of torture, which is timely today in terms of what is happening with the England story. While I liked Birthright, I think the first part was a whole lot better. I didn't care for the second part all that much.
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