Note to those of you in the States who are unaware- because our government doesn't want the situation with Northern Ireland to precipitate (although they do seem to make things worse a lot of the time) this episode of TNG has been banned from TV screenings in the UK.

Mark - the episode hasn't been banned by the government, just by the BBC!

They did come within a smidge of showing it, actually - I think it was the second time the series was shown, this episode was billed in all the TV magazines to be shown, but two days before it was due to go out, the IRA very inconsiderately bombed the City of London, and the episode was immediately withdrawn.

I didn't know that. (I perhaps could have worded my post better and said that the BBC banned it because of the delicate lines our government walks in dealing with the peace process.)

This is the one with the guys that do those space jumps and abduct Crusher and Picard correct?

This is another one that I don't get why the Enterprise is even there. I mean the planet does not seem to have warp capable ships. It would have been interesting if in this one when the guys put that bomb on the warp core if they could not get it off and they had to separate the sauser section like in generations (except this time save the sauser section at least)

Sauser section? Where's that?
The Technical Manual makes no mention of a "sauser" section on the Enterprise...

What kind of wuss was Picard? He knew the risks they were running by keeping the Away Team on the surface after the attack and he wimps out over beaming Crusher aboard as if he's actually afraid of what she'll do when she returns. So what? It's called a command decision. You make it and let Crusher protest all she likes.

Granted, it's best to keep your head in pressure situations. But could La Forge maybe have moved a little faster? As he says, another millisecond, it'd be a hunk of space dust orbiting instead of the Enterprise.

Terrorists have already created a casualty on Deck 12 and in Engineering. So when they jump onto the bridge, what does Worf do? He waits until after Finn shoots Conn and Ops consoles, and Picard knocks Finn down before firing at either of them. Of course, this lets the other terrorist fire at Worf, and Finn to jump off with Picard.

You know if you were a suicide bomber one of this dimensional shift transporters sure would be a handy thing to have! Strap on a backpack with a tactical nuke in it and shift to a ship in orbit, push the detonator and boom, ship goes bye bye in a flash!

As far as that goes, if you have this technology why fire a torpedo at anyone? Dimensionally shift it to a position inside the enemy ship and blam, no fuss no muss.

Did you notice this episode has Eerie similarities to the Conflict in the Middle East, The Alien Government represents the State of Israel (the good Guys)the Federation/Starfleet is like the United States and the terrorists are like the so called "Palestinians" PLO. And their leader who dies in the end is like the evil Yasir Arafat. I myself believe in the beliefs of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane who founded the JDL. He had the right answer to the Mideast Problem. He was NOT a fantatic or Extremist, he just believed in Israel Properly Defending Itself. The terrorists in this episode were willing to kill themselves by using the dimensional tranfort device

If you think about, it's similar to A LOT of similar conflicts. You could make the same correlation to the violence in Ireland.

(And were you thinking of Lake Erie when you capitalized "Eerie"?)

Chris Booton: Rutia does not seem to have warp capable ships.

Luigi Novi: Where is this established? Not showing such a thing is not evidence that they don't have them.

Phil, from his NextGen Guide vol. II; CPP#1: Is there some reason that sparks erupt every time someone is shot in this episode?
Sparks do not erupt every time someone is shot in this episode. Did Sparks fly out when the redheaded female Ansata was shot by Worf on the bridge? Or when Devos kills Finn at the end of the episode? No. Sparks fly out whenever someone is shot with an Ansata weapon, and that’s probably because their weapons are simply different.

This a message from the Ansata. We claim responsibility for the bomb. Our demands are independence, amnesty for any crimes commited during our struggle, and 100 boxes of Hooked on Phonics tapes!
These Rutians don’t seem to know how to talk, or perhaps the universal translator isn’t as efficient with their language. First, After Crusher begins treating the second bomb victim during the teaser, Worf says it is not safe to stay, and she orders him to bring some rags and alchohol. A Rutian law enforcer crouches down next to her and says, "The Klingon’s right. These Ansata, They’re madness. There could be another bomb." "They’re madness"? Doesn’t he mean to say, "They’re madmen"? Second, the dialogue looks redubbed when he says this. The words don’t match up with the actor’s lips. Third, after the Ansatan waiter brings her a bottle, supposedly with some alchohol, she says, "Thank you," and he responds, "Not at all, Doctor." Not at all what?
No wonder the guy said "Not at all." He drank the booze!
And why does Crusher thank him? The bottle’s empty, for crying out loud! (And in case you’re thinking that maybe the liquid in the bottle is clear, it isn’t. Not only is there no movement in the bottle, but Picard brought the same bottle of liquor to the dinner with Lwaxana in Manhunt [it was the same-shaped bottle], and that liquor was blue in color.)
The patient hasn’t filled out his Blue Cross and Blue Shield forms yet…
Big argument in the teaser between Crusher and Picard over whether she should beam up or stay and treat the injured. Why not just beam her up with the injured, and treat them in the Enterprise’s sickbay? Couldn’t she treat them better in sickbay anyway?
Data: Man, did you SEE that punch Picard gave Finn? I’m not going anyone NEAR that guy!
What the hell is Data doing in Act 3 while Picard is struggling with Finn, and Worf is duking it out with the redhead after they materialize on the bridge? He helps neither one of them. By the time he finally tries to assist Picard, he and Finn disappear! Data’s threadbare reaction to Finn blowing out his console leaves A LOT to be desired.
Maybe there’s a five day waiting period for phasers?
After the power goes out in the Ansata base, Riker and Worf sneak up on some Ansata, and beat them up. Why not stun them with their phasers?

I believe there was mention of a Rutian archeaological vessel in a later episode.

When they locate the terrorist base, Riker asks if there are any tunnels to the surface and Data says there is no evidence of any. However, there must of been tunnels at one time, so shouldn't there be evidence of sealed tunnels?
(And if there were no tunnels ever, then how did the terrorists set up their base?)

Shouldn't the Away Team have some kind of infra-red goggles, so they can see after they destroy the generator? As it is they were just as blind as the terrorists.

At the end of the show a woman is sitting at Ops, then she gets up when Data goes to sit there. However, the woman walks forward toward the front of the Bridge and we never see her again. Unlike other seat warmers she does not go to the back of the Bridge. So did she leave by the Turbolift next to the Ready Room or did she go into the Ready Room for when Picard is ready?

KAM: If there were no tunnels ever, then how did the terrorists set up their base?

Luigi Novi: You asked the same question regarding the duckblind for Who Watches the Watches, and I guessed that large chunks of rock/dirt/whatever could've been beamed out until of cavern of sufficient size was created. The same could've happened here. (I guess you just didn't care for that explanation, didn't you, Keith? )

Just recently saw this episode ,it is very similar to the conflict in the Mideast between Israel and the Palestinians.

Luigi: 'Not at all' is an uncommon - and slightly snooty - but legitimate version of 'no problem' in response to 'thank you'. (i.e., don't bother thanking me, it really wasn't that much trouble at all.)

But why would the unitran choose such an uncommon-and slightly snooty way of translating an alien saying thank you?

Why didn't Troi convey the terrorist's message to Picard & the others? Isn't that what negotiations & diplomacy are all about, even though the demands may seem unfair?..And if they are, the point is to reach a reasonable settlement?

NANJAO: In "Evolution", Wesley was VERY ICE COLD towards his mother's return...in fact, he just about resented it. However, in this episode, Wesley suddenly realizes just how much he loves his mom and hugs her upon her safe return. That's good writing!

NANJAO: This is the first episode that has Beverly Crusher as the "primary focus" of the episode. Very nice.

What is wrong with Worf? A bomb goes off and he doesn't ask for reinforcements from the Enterprise. Not to mention, after he gets the alcohol, he goes away and chit-chats with Data. If he feels Crusher is in danger, wouldn't it be wiser to stand next to Crusher and have Data come to him?

I must say that Bev doesn't fare much better either. Finn releases her from her bondage and she doesn't take the opportunity to kick Finn in the groin, grab his weapon & make a break for it. I must add that I felt it was a mistake for Crusher to inform Finn that she had a son. What happened to the dicipline of "when captured, only give your name, rank & serial number" that's seen in today's military?

Some of the architecture in Finn's underground hideout is the same one used in "The Vengeance Factor"

(Hmm...An underground terrorist group? Kinda interesting)

but Finn points out that it would have cost much more to let Finn live and have his followers attempt a rescue than to simply kill him when the opportunity presented itself

So that would be Finn's ghost who pointed that out?

Since corrected by the Moderator

Awww... you spoiled all my fun! And I was winning, didn'tcha see? I was winning! I was winninnnnnnng....

ScottN fades out

When the terrorists attack the Bridge, one of them guns down Worf. He goes down. Suddenly, we see Troi scampering clockwise around the railing to Worf's side. The problem is, Troi was in her chair---on Picard's left hand side. Wouldn't it had made better sense for Troi to get up, and run counterclock-wise around the railing to Worf's side? My guess is, she wanted to take the "scenic route" to Worf's side. Or better yet...the camera guy wanted a camera shot of Sirtis' posterior (I'm leaning with that explanation)

Luigi Novi, about 17 years previously : These Rutians don’t seem to know how to talk, or perhaps the universal translator isn’t as efficient with their language. First, After Crusher begins treating the second bomb victim during the teaser, Worf says it is not safe to stay, and she orders him to bring some rags and alchohol. A Rutian law enforcer crouches down next to her and says, "The Klingon’s right. These Ansata, They’re madness. There could be another bomb." "They’re madness"? Doesn’t he mean to say, "They’re madmen"? Second, the dialogue looks redubbed when he says this. The words don’t match up with the actor’s lips. Third, after the Ansatan waiter brings her a bottle, supposedly with some alchohol, she says, "Thank you," and he responds, "Not at all, Doctor." Not at all what?

Me: Well, in the first and second cases I would guess it's just a misspeaking (or misdubbing) unless the Ansata really are all descended from a popular 80s band.

And in the second case...I don't mean to be rude, but haven't you ever heard the exchange "Thank you" / "Not at all" before? It's very common, at least on this side of the Atlantic. Pretty much equivalent to "Thank you" / "Don't mention it".

At the time, Thande, no I hadn't, but Kerrie informed me about that phrase in her August 29, 2001 post. I also learned the phrase "figurati" during my recent trip to Italy, which from the description explained to me, appears to be the equivalent.

Whoops - didn't see that post. Sorry.

When they finally Identify the Terrorist's method of transport as Dimensional shifting, Data Announces that the Federation actually studied this technology...and abandoned it! That just blows me away. So the Federation scientists could think of no other practical uses for a device that could transport non living items a near unlimited range and through shields?

Lead Scientist Darn, we cant seem to resolve the transdimensional warping of DNA.
Minor,unimportant assistant it would still be fine on inorganic items.
Lead Scientist there is no way we could safely beam a living target more then a few times before it killed them.
Minor,unimportant assistant it would be handy in a fight, the ship could beam photons right into the engineering section of the enemy ship.
Lead Scientist it would be too dangerous to pursue this technology further. if only we could figure out a way to avoid the damage to living tissue.
Minor,unimportant assistant we have an Android serving on the flagship, it wouldnt hurt him.
Lead Scientist It's a shame, if only we could overcome this obstacle , the applications would be tremendous.
Minor,unimportant assistant or we could target the bridge of an enemy ship and beam them off their ship... or for that matter it would be invaluable as an emergency transport device, in situations of life or death, one or two applications would not kill a person. could make all the difference for a rescue mission.
Lead Scientist I suppose I will contact the Federation council and tell them the technology is a total wash. absolutely no value.

LOL. Good point, and great illustration of it with the dialogue, Don. I'm gonna add your nit to my Nitpick Document, and use the dialogue as the funny heading (credited to you, of course).

Thank you Luigi, I am honored.

Another thought comes to mind: the "Homeward" thread we discussed how the Prime directive should be interpreted with regard to primitive cultures but I think this episode gives us an equally juicy quandary. Although This world is advanced and aware of the Federation, they are Unallied with the Federation thus the Federation must not interfere with the natural evolution of the civilization. Unfortunately that is exactly what Riker does in the course of rescuing his captain and Chief medical officer. By bringing the Rutian police along with them they succeed in shutting down an Ansada terrorist camp and crippling a major technical advantage. The Rutian police chief claimed earlier that since the Terrorists began using the Inverter the balance of power had begun to shift. so by shutting down this camp the balance naturally has shifted back towards the Rutians. not to mention by bringing the Rutians along you allowed for the Chief to murder Fin. All of these events will have a major impact of the Planets future. Yet this is never even a consideration for the crew.

"Powerful form of folded space transport, capable of penetrating all known shields and forcefields. Repeated use of the technology causes a fatal degradation of the subject's cellular chemistry."

There you have it, Dimensional Shifting in a nutshell, taken from it's card from the Star Trek CCG. This was one of my favorite examples on "lore" in the CCG's First Edition, as it explains the situation perfectly and succinctly.

I wonder, what did the Rutian police forces do with the surviving Ansata? Were there any other members of their group that their followers would try to free from prison, creating more violence in the process? Did they have a death penalty for all criminals? Because Devos had no problem with executing Finn as he is about to kill Picard. They will now probably execute all the Ansata terrorists (and their sympathizers) that they can find!

And did the planet EVER find peace? I mean, the Ansata had been denied autonomy 70 years prior to this episode, so I suppose that after the Enterprise left, there would just be more fighting, more attacks, and more casualities, just because the Ansata leader was killed doesn't mean that there won't be others that "are willing to fight and die for their beliefs".

I suppose some of the Federation's history that Finn refers to when he discusses the meaningfulness of terrorism with Crusher might possibly have been confirmed by some of what we saw on Enterprise. Meaning, the Earth-Romulan War, the Xindi attack on Earth, and other situations I am not familiar with, as I did not watch the series. But he sort of did have a point when he reminded Crusher about how good she had it as a Federation citizen in the 24th Century, as opposed to the way it was for Earth in the past. In a way, he was kind of right!

In any case, Finn's only redeeming quality was that he was an excellent artist. Too bad he chose a life of killing people. But he did say he had a son once, and after he died, that is what had made him the man he was in this episode.

Scary, isn't it?

Finn's only redeeming quality was that he was an excellent artist. Too bad he chose a life of killing people.
Reminds me of a certain individual. What I've seen of his art was pretty good, but sadly he went into politics, which eventually led to him being responsible for the deaths of millions. I think there's even an internet meme about him.

I know who you are talking about Keith, and coming from a German family, it's still a sensitive subject. For that reason, my mother refuses to watch "Schindler's List". I told her about it, and she was fine with the ending - where the surviving Jews and their families place stones on Schindler's grave. Even Steven Spielberg contributes, as he places a rose on the grave in the last scene. He doesn't show his face, but I'm pretty sure it's him.

I just saw the movie again, and it was actually two roses Spielberg places on Schindler's grave -right in the center, under his name.

Schindler was declared righteous in 1958, and passed away in 1974. His ex-wife was the woman in the wheelchair, one of the subtitles said their marriage failed and he never again had a successful business after the war.

Also, Itzhak Stern's widow is there as well, accompanyed by Ben Kingsley, who portrayed Stern in the film. That was a nice touch, I thought!