# Worst TNG episode ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 17, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414 "2010-10-17T05:34:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/161 "2010-10-20T00:13:19Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Diplomatic Attache. Makes more sense for a flagship. Then you have Dramatic Tension with the Attache expousing one position and demanding certain actions on behalf of the Federation while the Captain has to consider his ship and his crew. You now what would _really_ make more sense aboard a flagship? A flag officer, i.e. Commodore/Rear Admiral or higher. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/162 "2010-10-20T00:28:45Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Lucy and Ethel, at the candy factory. Outstanding, Sir, outstanding! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/163 "2010-10-20T00:30:32Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > If it’s a big ship, the chief of medicine should rarely go either, for the same reason that the chief engineer should rarely go. And probably you’d never send your chief medical officer on the same mission as the XO anyway, because the CMO is going if it’s a huge crisis that requires your best doctor to be in charge and in which medicine is the primary point of the mission. > > I’d like the “chief of security” to be a Marine. Enterprise had the right idea in the (third?) season. And I can imagine it being explicitly against regulations for the captain, XO, chief engineer, CMO, and chief tactical officer to leave the ship if there were any reason to think the there was a possibility of ship-to-ship battle. > > ETA: Having written all that, I kind of like the idea of Troi, in a certain context. But she’d have made more sense in Kirk’s era, in which the ship clearly was expected to go long periods without going to a starbase. And Troi tended to act more as Picard’s aide more than anything else. I think having the ship’s Chief Medical Officer going on away missions was like having the chief surgeon at a big city hospital going in the ambulance with the paramedics. No, let them bring the sick and injured to _you_, Doctor. I also like the idea of having a Ship’s Counselor having equal or near-equal status with the CMO. I think it’s a good idea to have someone whose job it is to keep an eye on the mental and emotional health of the crew. Having the Counselor be an empath is just a perk of serving on the flagship. She _knows_ when you’re BSing her. But… did she _have_ to wear that bunny suit for six seasons? Really. We’re going to look at her no matter what she’s wearing. You don’t have to _present_ her to us. Having Jellico ask her to wear a regulation blue uniform was embarrassing, like she’d been caught goofing off all this time. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/164 "2010-10-20T02:28:16Z")
TNG had Nurse Ogawa as a smaller background character. Why did the Universal Translator work the way it did for the Klingon language? They could speak English or Klingon on the fly. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/165 "2010-10-20T02:34:27Z")
Quoth **Raguleader** : > [@](#): > > That reminds me, something I rather liked about B5, and I’m not sure if Star Trek ever did or not, was otherwise-redshirts as recurring characters. Basically not important enough to necessarily have a name right away (or sometimes ever, in the case of the lovely Tech #2), but not existing just to be killed to show that its dangerous. On the security team, they had Lou Welsh and Zack Allen, and Garibaldi’s #2 whose name I forget. On the bridge they had (eventually) Lieutenant Corwin and the aforementioned and lovely Tech #2. I don’t particularly remember Tech #2. Link? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/166 "2010-10-20T02:34:33Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > Why did the Universal Translator work the way it did for the Klingon language? They could speak English or Klingon on the fly. That would be the Poetic License ™ Chip ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/167 "2010-10-20T02:38:39Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Quoth **Raguleader** :I don’t particularly remember Tech #2. Link? That would be Elisa Beth Garver, who doesn’t show up on any search so far. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/168 "2010-10-20T02:39:43Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > TNG had Nurse Ogawa as a smaller background character. > > Why did the Universal Translator work the way it did for the Klingon language? They could speak English or Klingon on the fly. You mean Star Trek is – _gasp_ – not hard science fiction? It’s really just a schlocky Space Opera? Wait here while I inform the press! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/169 "2010-10-20T03:48:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Why would the Ship’s Counsellor (Psychiatrist) be a major character? Because the writers lived in California and a lot of them went to therapy? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/170 "2010-10-20T03:53:25Z")
> [@](#): > > You mean Star Trek is – _gasp_ – not hard science fiction? It’s really just a schlocky Space Opera? No, [this is schlocky space opera](http://www.schlockmercenary.com/). ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/171 "2010-10-20T03:56:49Z")
I’m surprised no one has mentioned the bad dinner theater version of Han Solo that was _The Outrageous Okona_ where a “loveable” rogue comes aboard the enterprise and tries to smooth talk the ladies. It’s got lines like “I am forced to add a measure of flamboyancy and zest to the doldrums of my existence!” What’s worse is that it tries to be a “funny” episode where Data learns about humor, but humor has apparently vanished from the universe by then because “you’re a droid, and I’m annoyed.” is what passes for a joke. But it gets worse. Data still wants to learn about humor so he goes down to the holodeck to learn from the funniest comedian in the database who turn out to be … wait for it… Joe Freaking Piscapo. I guess Sinbad was busy. The episode is Wesley heavy as he develops a man crush on Ham Solo, who apparently knocked up some chick. But no! He really didn’t! I don’t care! Then the episode ends with, I shit you not, Data doing a stand up comedy routine. Want to know how bad the comedy is in this episode? It contains the line “Take my Worf. Please!” ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/172 "2010-10-20T04:03:05Z")
Cut rate Han Solo, Joe Piscopo, Android doing comedy, homoerotic man crush. You win the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/173 "2010-10-20T04:22:57Z")
No, I’m telling you, I know people who know that guy. He’s cool. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/174 "2010-10-20T04:26:31Z")
He also got Ensign Teri Hatcher so he gets bonus points there. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/175 "2010-10-20T04:31:19Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > No, [this is schlocky space opera](http://www.schlockmercenary.com/). Bahaha, I stand corrected! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/176 "2010-10-20T04:36:39Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That would be Elisa Beth Garver, who doesn’t show up on any search so far. Good lord, you’ve found something that’s _not_ on the internet. Remember this day; we may not see its like again. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/177 "2010-10-20T04:50:42Z")
I should have put this in my earlier post. Here’s a clip from [The Outrageous Okana](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4hvMZlFEdE) that has it all. It starts with wisdom from Ham Solo, Wesley’s man crush is at the 1:30 mark, and Piscapo shows up at 3:45. Don’t miss 6:30 where Piscapo and Data do dueling Jerry Lewis impressions. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/178 "2010-10-20T04:58:44Z")
The saddest part about “The Outrageous Okona” is that the actor who played Okona, Billy Campbell, just barely missed out on landing the role of Riker. Instead of a career-making role, he had to settle for a one-shot on one of the least-respected episodes of the series. Thanks for nothing! I think I might have preferred Campbell to Frakes in the role. Maybe I can say that because I didn’t have seven years of Campbell to get tired of. But I never really liked Frakes. I kept hoping something bad would happen to him. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/179 "2010-10-20T05:32:47Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > You now what would _really_ make more sense aboard a flagship? A flag officer, i.e. Commodore/Rear Admiral or higher. One of the many great things about DS9. They actually had an [admiral](http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/William_Ross) show up from time to time who wasn’t a complete nitwit. ---
**Author:** ![Khan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3ab097/32.png) [@Khan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2010, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414/180 "2010-10-20T08:18:57Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Their manuals would suck, but the last page would have a pictogram of a guy on the phone with IKEA. Morbo, a Doper, his arms raised in victory. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-tng-episode-ever/557414.md?page=10)