From: am001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Shark)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Rascals--can they make anything worse? <Spoilers!>
Date: 8 Nov 92 01:37:38 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York

Insert the normal spoiler warnings here.  If you go on, I refuse to accept
any responsibility for anything, especially what you have for breakfast
tomorrow.

<beginning of posting>
Until now I thought Geraldo was about as low as television gets.  Kudos to
STTNG for breaking this myth.  Rascals was THE WORST* STTNG episode ever,
including "Cost of Living." HA!

* although next weeks episode may change this.

I guess the producers felt that "Inner Light" was so popular because Picard
had hair and decided to try it again.  Rascals is to Inner Light as Dining
Center food (at the university of Rochester) is to a gourmet meal.

1) yet another transporter malfunction.... yeah, I think we have already
filled the quota for one season, get some new ideas!

2) Picard's initial trip to the bridge was pathetic, even Data hesitated to
follow orders.  For a star fleet captain he should know better.  (It takes a
doctor to smack him around a little first).

3) Guinan's perfect lip-synching reminded me of some classic Bruce Lee films
I've seen (you know, "Ha Ha, now you die!" is the only line, repeated over
and over again).  Her scene with Ro induced regurgatory processes.

4) Riker's slow response to the attack.  When he commanded the Enterprise in
BOBW, he performed flawlessly.  Here, against only two Klingon war-birds, he
did not respond until after the first dozen shots.  He only got one phaser
shot against the ships before the Enterprise was taken.

5) The shields had not yet failed before the Ferengi took over.  What
happened to the last 13% of the shields that were remaining?

6) Initially, the Ferengi were intelligent enough (read: lucky) to secure
the ship.  BUT...after that, they were the most imbiclic creatures to have
ever discovered space travel.  The Ferengi learning the controls from Riker
had no idea that Riker was snowing him the whole time.

7) Another question:  why can't Picard simply regain computer access? 
Doesn't that imply a lack of authority on the ship if the captain can't even
get control of command functions?

8) The complete act at the end of the Picard/Riker meeting.  I was moved to
tears...of laughter.  There was no way that the Ferengi watching this
"reunion" could not help but see that something was up.  (see number 6)

9) A car that comes in, hits you, and leaves.  Do you report that there was
a car moving by remote control, implying there is somebody free?  No, you
leave your post and follow it.

10) Why didn't Riker take out the lone Ferengi on the bridge?  After all the
others were captured, Picard (or somebody) said that there were only two
left...one of which was in the ready room.  The Ferengi "learning" was
totally lost.  It would have been simple.

Now for the "good" points.

1) the commercials showed more imagination and creativity.

2) the scene between Miles and Keiko was well done, in my opinion.  I
personally felt the same way he did, mainly that intellectually Miles knew
it was his wife, but emotionally couldn't accept that fact.

3) Alexander finally had a good show.

That's it for the good points.  Overall here are the scores:

Vogon Poet gives it 1/10.
Shark gives it 3/10.

Hope the next one gets better...(shouldn't be too difficult).

Vogon Poet (da003b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu)
Shark (am001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu)
-- 
"My doctor says that I have a malformed public duty gland and a natural
deficiency in moral fiber," he muttered to himself, "and that I am therefore
excused from saving Universes."		--Ford Prefect
Shark (aka Adam Mackenroth)		am001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current