Time's Arrow - An Underrated Classic

[Jedi Marso]

It was okay but I never loved this two-parter too much. It's part of the double-edged sword of TNG being purely episodic, I guess. Same as with discovering an actual Dyson Sphere in Relics. These should be momentous events, and have a resonance (if not even major ones, but at least rating mention later on) that go beyond the actual episodes. Even a filler 'blurb' or b-plot in future episodes calling back to meeting Marking effing Twain (!) in the 19th Century!

But, like every other episode, the whole thing is treated as a 'throwaway,' never to be mentioned or referred to again. It cheapens the impact of what should be major life events for characters who are already living fantastic lives.

 

[at Quark's]

It was okay but I never loved this two-parter too much. It's part of the double-edged sword of TNG being purely episodic, I guess. Same as with discovering an actual Dyson Sphere in Relics. These should be momentous events, and have a resonance (if not even major ones, but at least rating mention later on) that go beyond the actual episodes. Even a filler 'blurb' or b-plot in future episodes calling back to meeting Marking effing Twain (!) in the 19th Century!

But, like every other episode, the whole thing is treated as a 'throwaway,' never to be mentioned or referred to again. It cheapens the impact of what should be major life events for characters who are already living fantastic lives.

Data: "Remember that time when dr. Pulaski almost died of old age, and we almost casually invented effective rejuvenation and immortality by using original DNA and the transporter, only to never mention that great breakthrough again?"
Riker: "No. If we did, I'd have forgotten about that by next week. Who is this dr. Pulaski you speak of, anyway?"

 

[Mojochi]

It was okay but I never loved this two-parter too much. It's part of the double-edged sword of TNG being purely episodic, I guess. Same as with discovering an actual Dyson Sphere in Relics. These should be momentous events, and have a resonance (if not even major ones, but at least rating mention later on) that go beyond the actual episodes. Even a filler 'blurb' or b-plot in future episodes calling back to meeting Marking effing Twain (!) in the 19th Century!

But, like every other episode, the whole thing is treated as a 'throwaway,' never to be mentioned or referred to again. It cheapens the impact of what should be major life events for characters who are already living fantastic lives.

The subspace forcefield used on Devidia II was mentioned again by Picard in Timescape when they needed to go aboard the Enterprise.

This episode was coincidentally playing on Pluto yesterday. I always forget how many faces show up in it, like Alexander Enberg (AKA Taurik & Vorik) as Twain's young reported friend.

 

[DonIago]

Data: "Remember that time when dr. Pulaski almost died of old age, and we almost casually invented effective rejuvenation and immortality by using original DNA and the transporter, only to never mention that great breakthrough again?"
Riker: "No. If we did, I'd have forgotten about that by next week. Who is this dr. Pulaski you speak of, anyway?"

TNG did Pulaski dirty. :| I can accept that they never brought Diane Muldaur back (though a guest apperance would have been nice), but to barely even acknowledge that she'd been a part of the crew just feels harsh.

 

[JesterFace]

TNG did Pulaski dirty. :| I can accept that they never brought Diane Muldaur back (though a guest apperance would have been nice), but to barely even acknowledge that she'd been a part of the crew just feels harsh.

They mention Pulaski in season 3 episode 'Who Watches The Watchers' when Picard and Crusher are talking about wiping Liko's memory. That must have something to do with 'Pen Pals'.

 

[Mojochi]

^Beverly seemed so indignant at that remark from Picard like yeah... I heard about what that other doctor did.

And then it didn't work & Picard had to take an arrow to the chest cuz everything got so screwed up. I'd have rubbed it in a little lol

Like... "Oh yeah... you're really familiar with her technique alright"

 

[JesterFace]

^Beverly seemed so indignant at that remark from Picard like yeah... I heard about what that other doctor did.

And then it didn't work & Picard had to take an arrow to the chest cuz everything got so screwed up. I'd have rubbed it in a little lol

Like... "Oh yeah... you're really familiar with her technique alright"

After he got shot I wonder did Picard hope that Pulaski had been there to do the procedure....

 

[DonIago]

They mention Pulaski in season 3 episode 'Who Watches The Watchers' when Picard and Crusher are talking about wiping Liko's memory. That must have something to do with 'Pen Pals'.

Hence "barely even acknowledge".

 

[JesterFace]

Hence "barely even acknowledge".

Might that one episode be the only one?

 

[Mojochi]

After he got shot I wonder did Picard hope that Pulaski had been there to do the procedure....

I doubt it. Dude would probably rather have a hole in his chest than deal with either doctor lol

 

[Oddish]

TA was a pretty strong episode, making three good season ender 2-parters (a streak which was snapped by "Descent"). Its "nah, just kidding" about Data's not-really death was better than BoBW's similar action with Riker's emergence as a great captain.

It's my head canon that those two card sharks had just managed to rebuild their bankrolls when the other cast showed up, and Riker took them to the cleaners this time. Hence why the crew had period appropriate clothes in Part 2. Not sure how Riker got that cop outfit, though...

 

[Phoenix219]

I don't believe in predestination paradoxes. Something had to have happened to kick off the loop from the outside first.

Don't think I've watched this one since it originally aired, and my rewatch stalled in Season 4.

 

[ThankQ]

They had some bullshit Explanation for why it didn't matter that Times Arrow never happened

Wha??? What is this fuckery?

I smell a class action.

Smells like no fuckin' class to me, the fuckin' mooks.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Wha??? What is this fuckery?


Smells like no fuckin' class to me, the fuckin' mooks.

There's a darkest timeline in Picard where everyone was evil, so old Picard goes back in time to save 2024. There in the medium past he meets Young 2024 Guinin, who does not know who any version of PIcard is, because she never met Picard in 1893 during the course of Times Arrow, because the future of this Timeline is evil Admiral Picard who never went back in time to lose Data's head... But that should mean that those glowing vampire Aliens with ate most of all life on the planet, if good Picard never stopped them.

 

[Keith1701]

A great episode.