Harry Potter chapters ranked.

I like this kid.  We agree on a lot of stuff.

Star Trek TNG Darmok

Season five had at least two of the most popular all time episodes ever and this is one of them. I'd categorize it as a Roddenberry classic.  Definitely his style, but updated and more applicable to a modern world.

The Enterprise is being sent to try to establish communications with a race known as the Children of Tama. Their territory is by an uninhabited system and they're parked near a life supporting planet. The biggest obstacle is that nobody has ever been able to figure out how to communicate with them. Picard is confident in his ability to start a dialogue; after all, he's the great diplomat. Until he gets on the bridge and discovers the captain of the Tamarian ship to be speaking in something worse than utter gibberish - he's simply noting names and locations that are meaningless to the Federation crew.  Troi can sense their good intentions, but nothing else. I think this episode is popular mostly because of the beautiful story being told, but it also resonates with language lovers and literary nerds, making it one of the most quoted even if it's only in jest most of the time. This is also the first episode where we see Picard's casual look with the grey undershirt and jacket. Very fetching. Picard politely listens but can't conceal his confusion.  He then tries to offer a trading agreement such as is appropriate to the situation.  At that point you can see the Tamarians are completely bewildered. The first officer of the ship laughs, but the captain stays his rude behavior. He then appears to come to a decision which the first officer does not approve of.  He stands, displays two knives, utters the phrase, "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra," and transports himself and Picard down to a nearby planet.  Riker, of course tries to beam the captain back, but the Tamarians have projecting a scattering field into the atmosphere of the planet making it impossible for either to be transported back.

The captain's name is Dathon.  If his soothing voice seems familiar, it's because he is played by Paul Winfield who played Captain Terrell in Star Trek II.  He repeats the phrase to Captain Picard who assumes the worst, and rightfully so since he's just been effectively kidnapped.  Dathon throws a knife to Picard and he thinks Dathon is trying to challenge him to a man-to-man battle.  He refuses and throws the knife back.  Instead of attacking, Dathon's body language droops in a manner of defeat and he throws out another metaphorical phrase and retreats to a position some ways away from the captain.  Personally, I think at this point Picard should've suspected that there was more to this than a challenge since he is supposed to be a great communicator, but it's important to note that he's not aggressive either after this blatant violation of an attempt at peaceful communications.

Meanwhile Riker is getting nowhere by just yelling at the first officer of the Tamarian ship. However, they monitor the life signs on the planet and can tell they're both in good health.  I love the part where Worf expresses his confidence that Picard would prevail in a battle because he believes in his prowess as a warrior. Riker arranges for Worf to take a shuttle down there to get him back but the Tamarian ship fires a surgically precise blow to the shuttle disabling it only and forcing it to return to the Enterprise.

As night falls, Picard can't start his own fire so Dathon lends him a torch. He offers it with another confusing phrase and Picard is grateful and watches him preform a ritual by his campfire before he lies down to sleep with his back to him which was significant to me because it seemed like an outward display of trust. On the ship, Riker still wants a peaceful solution and asks Data and Troi to try to research the Tamarian's language. They conclude that the phrases they use are metaphors based on their own experiences and mythologies making it nearly impossible to learn independently in the same way that we learn what individual words mean.  This episode has been used by linguistics teachers to aid students in the understanding of how languages evolve.

The next morning Dathon has wandered off and Picard decides to look over his campfire to see if he can find anything that will help him to understand him. Dathon comes running back shouting about Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra and trying to get Picard to take one of the knives. This is where it becomes almost too much to think that after a peaceful night of what clearly seems like a forced attempt at communication (and that demonstration of trust) that Picard would still assume that this is an attempt at a fight. I have to guess that it's because Dathon came running up to him out of nowhere brandishing the knives and the fact that his phrases are still meaningless to Picard. As he's refusing the knive again, forcibly this time, they hear a growling off in the distance that sounds like a wild beast of some kind.

Picard begins to understand that Dathon brought them down there to fight the beast together and starts to slowly connect the phrases as he'd been hearing them since the previous day. Temba for sharing. Shaka for defeat. Darmok and Jalad for fighting a shared enemy. He accepts the knife. Dathon is delighted and Picard, although he's still struggling, follows his lead to find the best defensive positions.

On the Enterprise they're understandably freaked out because they can tell there's a large creature down there.  They know that the Tamarians are aware of it as well and can't understand why they've stranded their own captain down there and are stopping all attempts to save either of them. So, Riker decides to use Geordi's genius to force the transporter's way through the atmosphere even though they know it may start a war with the Tamarians.  But it doesn't work.  They begin to transport Picard but can't finish. Picard finally understands the Tamarian captain and is prepared to fight by his side.  The audience can fully share in his alarm and frustration when the Enterprise attempts to beam him back and he becomes temporarily immobilized in the transporter beam, able to do nothing but watch helplessly as Dathon falls to the strange electrical beast attacking them. This episode doesn't have a lot of dialogue in it, but it absolutely ropes you in and tugs at your heart.

Dathon doesn't die immediately. Picard sits with him through the night telling him the Sumarian tale of Gilgamesh and Enkidu which the script for this episode is loosely based on.  He uses more words as is the nature of our language, but he makes sure to note the names and places with special attention and even though Dathon most likely can't understand the human mythological references any more that Picard can understand the Tamarian ones, he understands the underlying meaning and is simply thrilled that they can now communicate before he finally dies.

The next day the beast attacks again, but this time the Enterprise's transporter works.  They beam Picard back, incurring the hostility of the Tamarian vessel. They fire upon the Enterprise and do severe damage.  Riker has no choice but to try to take them out in self defence, but Picard races to the bridge in time and they calm down instantly when he begins to address them in Tamarian metaphor. The first officer is stunned and happy that he understands.  Picard tells him that Dathon was killed by the beast and they are grieved.  He offers them Dathon's log book which they accept but they allow him to keep the knife and move away. He reflects on the situation with Riker, wondering if they were more familiar with their own mythologies that they would be able to better relate to the Tamarians. They note Dathon's sacrifice for the sake of learning to communicate and then Picard privately honors him by repeating the possibly religious gesture he saw him make at the campfire.
It's a one-off episode, but it is also a five star episode. Of course, it's always a disappointing reality that stories like this end with no evidence that there will be or ever is any follow up since following up would be vital to any new alliance of this kind, but it's completely forgivable and easy to overlook in such a heart-felt episode that showcases Picard at his best and the content offers points for reflection without pushing one ideology to indicate what people "should"think. That shows a lot of growth in Star Trek and probably one of the reasons it's such a popular episode because it's inclusive to all fans, not just those who are in step with Star Trek's political leanings. It's one of my favorites too.

Vacation. You've been warned!

I'll be posting Star Trek TNG Darmok tomorrow, but next week I'm taking vacation and for the week after that my husband is on another week of vacation, so I'll probably not post the regular two episodes a week for a couple weeks.  I may get one or two in, but I'll be busy and having fun and if I get a chance to get online I'll probably just be posting a lot of interviews or Mojo Top 10 videos, like this one. Time for a well earned break!

47 Reference

So, apparently the Star Trek universe is obsessed with the number 47.  To be honest it's something I never really even noticed until the last year or so; that's how out of touch with numbers I am. But the number 47 appears in most episodes in many ways.  Sometimes as the number 47or sometimes the numbers 4 and 7 said together... as in a log entry. Much of the time it's reversed to 74, sometimes it's simply a visual, as the DS9 weapons locker above, or sometimes it's hidden, like in an episode of Voyager that uses 4G (G being the 7th letter of the alphabet.) Every time I look up tidbits and trivia on the Star Trek episodes I'm reviewing, I usually see a note on where the number 47 reference is in the episode if there is one.  So I decided to find out what it's all about.

One of the writers of TNG, Joe Menosky, went to a university called Pomona College in California. A mathematics professor, Donald Bentley created a mathematical proof that all numbers lead to the number 47.  It was a humorous example and not valid in any way.  He could've used any number for the base line to make the same points. But he used the method to introduce his students to the concept of mathematical proofs. The effect, as with most popular teachers, was that his students latched onto the joke and would join in on any real or imaginary "47" sightings in their research for fun.  Menosky took that fascination with the number 47 and integrated it into many Star Trek scripts. Other writers latched onto it as well continuing into DS9 and Voyager.



This is the formula:

”Why all numbers are equal to 47” (as recalled by David Hart, Pomona ’92)

”Draw an isosceles triangle, with points ABC, with line AC representing the "base" of the triangle. By definition, side AB and side BC are equal length, and angle BAC and angle BCA are equal to each other.”

”Assign the smaller of whatever two numbers you intend to prove to the base, line AC. Let's choose...oh, I don't know, maybe 47. Assign the larger number (let's say 74) to the pathway A-B-C. In other words, divide the larger number by 2 and assign that (37 in our example) to line AB; by definition, line BC is then also 37. So, the distance along line AC is 47. The distance along the path from A to B to C equals 74.

Next, bisect each of the three sides. Assign points D,E,F to the midpoints of lines AB, BC, and AC respectively. Draw lines DF and EF. Now, by definition, line AF and line FC are equal (both equal to 23.5, half of 47). Also by definition, line AD and line EC are equal (both half of 37, therefore 18.5). We already established that angles BAC and BCA are equal to each other, therefore by the geometry rule "side-angle-side", triangles ADF and FEC are congruent triangles. Therefore, line EF and line DF are also congruent, and both are equal to 18.5.

Now, step back and answer the question: What is the total length of the path along the line ADFEC? Well, it's four congruent lines, each equal to 18.5, for a total of 74. This is the same length as the original path along A to B to C.

Now, bisect lines AD, DF, FE, EC, AF, and FC. Label the midpoints as follows: midpoint of AD = G. AF = H. DF = I. FE = J. FC = K. EC = L. Now draw the lines GH, GI, JK, and KL. By the same geometric rules and problem solving, triangles AGH, HIF, FJK, and KLC are all congruent, and every line AG, GH, HI, IF, FJ, JK, KL, and LC is equal to 1/2 of 18.5 = 9.25. Now the total path along the line AGHIFJKLC is still 74.

If you continue this process, making infinitely smaller isosceles triangles, and still calculating the path along the line of these triangles from A to C, you still get 74. Now, here's the crux of the argument: In the *limit*, you arrive at two paths along the route from point A to point C. The original line AC is still 47. But, the path from point A to point C along the other route is always equal to 74. Therefore, 47 and 74 are equal to each other. By the same logic, any number can be shown to be equal to 47 (or any other number).”

This makes absolutely no sense to me, of course, since I still have trouble with long division, but those who have studied the higher maths may find it amusing.  The demonstration I find more useful is this video compilation of "47" references from Star Trek TNG. It's not all of them, by any means.  There's only one in here that gives the inverse (74).  But these are a lot of the solid 4-7 references from many seasons of the show.

Star Trek Redemption II

Redemption II welcomes in season 5 of Star Trek The Next Generation.  I forgot to mention that Redemption as a whole represents the 100th episode of the series.  I also didn't title it right on Friday - Redemption was not labeled "parts 1 and 2" but simply, I and II.

It starts out with a fast paced battle sequence to indicate that the Klingon civil war is proceeding as expected.  Worf is on board Kurn's ship at tactical and they're on the verge of losing when Kurn decides to warp towards the sun.  Not enough to send them back in time (wink, wink), but just enough to cause a solar flare and take the other two ships out. It had to start fast paced like that because a considerable amount of time would have to be devoted to setting up the Enterprise's role in the conflict.  Picard is at a star base to discuss the fact that the war is going badly for Gowron.  He convinces Admiral Shanthi and others that there is no doubt in his mind that the Romulans have instigated this in order to break the Federation and Klingon alliance. They agree but  since the Federation must remain neutral they can't see what is to be done.  Picard proposes a blockade on the Klingon-Romulan border to stop any supplies that the Romulans may be trying to pass to Duras' forces. He explains how Geordi has set up a detection grid that would expose any cloaked ships trying to get through the blockade.  If one is caught they would then have justification to help defend Gowron's forces.  That scene and the scenes that follow, although they're not action oriented, show a lot of depth in portraying a detailed organization of a fleet of 23 ships, getting them up to spec and fully staffed. It's a credit to the actors that none of this is boring and displays how the writing had matured since the early seasons and TOS in general. Finally, Data asks why he was not assigned to command a ship since he'd heard Picard lament the lack of experienced officers.  This is where we find out that Data has been in service for 26 years.  It was never one of my favorite scenes since Data almost comes off as whiny when he suggests that perhaps Picard doesn't think Starfleet is ready for an android captain. He's not crying discrimination because he has no feelings to hurt, but the writing is indicating it and I just don't like seeing anyone guilted into a situation because of those kinds of threats, even fictional characters.  Picard relents quickly however and gives Data command of the Sutherland.

 We then move to a scene that delves into the complex Klingon culture a little bit.  Kurn and Worf are back at the Klingon home world celebrating the war in the capital city which is neutral ground. Supporters of both Gowron and Duras are at this bar. The concept of drinking with the enemy is not easy for Worf to accept, but the situation is a little different when all participants are Klingons.  They'll battle to the death in their ships, but down here they drink like friends. Worf also aggravates Kurn by wanting to talk of nothing but the war and strategies, but he eventually has to yield to Kurn's lead on this issue and at least try to embrace his cultural traditions.  Lursa and B'Etor are in a corner taking note of how Worf is different from Kurn and are trying to figure out how they could take advantage of this. Meanwhile the Federation fleet prepares to move out and we see some of the real discrimination Data faces that, perhaps, Picard was trying to protect him from by denying him a commission to Captain. He meets the senior officer on board - Ellis De Wald!  No, I'm kidding, I just loved him as Ellis De Wald in Beverly Hills Cop III. Here he's Lt. Commander Chris Hobson and he's an ass. He doesn't have the confidence that Data is qualified to command a ship since he's a machine.  He doesn't say it, but I think the implication is that he lacks instincts.  At least I hope that's the implication because it's a valid fear. He asks for a transfer strait away, but Data denies it. It's a nice set up for tension between these two and the audience can see that Data's first command will not be an easy one.

But they're not the only ones with tensions.  The Duras sisters don't trust Commander Sela and her assurances of Romulan supplies.  They know of Starfleet's movements but they don't think it's a Federation invasion.  Sela of course, knows she's got her identity as a card up her sleeve and rounds up her ships.  Meanwhile Gowron's authority is challenged since their side is losing the war.  Worf tries to stop the fight to the death.  I must point out that he was fine with this sort of thing when he avenged K'Ehleyr's death.  But the point being made is that even though Worf is with his people and fighting in a worthy cause, he's still quite out of place having been raised by humans.  Gowron kills his challenger anyway and things move on. 

The Federation arrives and sets up their blockade.  More friction between Data and Hobson.  I liked these scenes.  Even though Hobson's insubordination is over the top, it's a wonderful page in Data's character development to watch him handle the situation. Laughter and love are a small part of human development.  Data trying to apply learned behavior to assert authority is great. Sela and her general discover the detection grid and she decides to try to scare them away by revealing her face to a stunned Picard who inadvertently says, "Tasha?" when he sees her.  She tells them that Tasha Yar was her mother and Troi is convinced she's telling the truth.

As they scramble to understand how Sela could possibly be Tasha Yar's grown daughter, Guinan comes to Picard to explain exactly how, although she doesn't know why she knows it. Guinan's word has always been good enough for him so he arranges a meeting during which Sela confirms that Tasha was taken alive from Enterprise C while defending the Klingon outpost. The Romulan that captured her fell in love with her and told her she could live if she'd become his mistress; later she gave birth to Sela. But to leave the audience in no doubt that Sela is 100% a bad guy she explains how she was responsible for Tasha's death by crying for help when Tasha tried to escape with her. She is a loyal Romulan. Picard doesn't know whether to really believe it or not, but refuses to back off nonetheless.  While this was going on Worf was captured by Duras' men and the sisters try to seduce Worf into siding with them so they can rule the Empire together.  Talk about misreading his attitudes at the bar. Sela loses patience though and wants him properly interrogated.  Meanwhile Picard convinces Gowron to launch a full scale attack on the Duras forces in order to draw the Romulans through the blockade.  He even arranges a weakening in the detection grid for them to make use of, but Sela is too smart for that and chooses instead to try to cross at the weakest spot which she deems to be by the Sutherland which has the android captain.  I assume she knows that because of intelligence reports. But she's clearly counting on him not having any natural instincts either.

So begins the dynamite climax.  Gowron's attack works, but Sela disrupts the grid to the point that Picard has to order the ships pulled away.  Data complies but also double checks what the cause of the disruption could've been while Hobson questions this tactic. He figures it out and orders his ship back to its position. Hobson is fighting him all the way as he ignores Picard's hails and asks for torpedoes to be reconfigured to send out harmless energy bursts even though it puts the delicate ship in danger of radiation exposure. He turns out to be right when he exposes the cloaked Romulan vessels crossing into Klingon territory.  Sela immediately turns tail and runs leaving Duras' fleet to twist in the wind.  Hobson finally respects Data.  A little predictable and corny, but it worked well and it was a good Data moment.

Once defeat is imminent and they fail to kill Worf, the Duras sisters ditch Toral before they can be captured by Gowron's forces. Data submits himself for discipline for disobeying orders, but Picard was impressed with his results and explains that too many things go wrong because of officers that just follow orders.  After all, one can see that Data behaved that way after watching Picard routinely act on instinct for 4 years. He has no emotions so he can't appreciate it when Picard tells him, "Nicely done," but the audience can.  It's a great scene.  Picard goes to Gowron to give him a full report on the incident with the Romulan ships and stays while Gowron offers Worf Toral's life as revenge for his dishonor. He chooses to spare him and then officially chooses which side he on as far as his beliefs and values go. Kurn wants him to kill Toral because it is the Klingon way. But it's not Worf's personal "way." He asks to resume his Starfleet commission and leaves with Picard.
It's a better episode than the first part. Data's story somewhat overshadowed the Klingon aspect, but I didn't mind. I don't have too many complaints.  It's not my favorite two-parter as a whole, but this episode definitely gets five stars.