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Picard 2x03 - 'Assimilation' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** }

  • 17-03-2022 10:08am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭


    Picard 2x03 - 'Assimilation' ~~ { ** Spoilers Within ** }

    Warning: This thread will contain spoilers for the episode. Spoiler tags will not be used, so if you don't want to be spoiled read no further.



«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭ilovesmybrick


    A lot slower this week. Felt like it could have been longer. I liked the Rios part of the story, felt like a very traditional 'lost bit of tech in time' storyline. The Jurati/Queen stuff was a bit annoying, they seem to have forgotten how assimilation works, or they're rebooting it a bit. A lot of scene setting but not massive amounts of substance. I'm guessing (hoping) it's an episode that needs to be watched as a two parter to get a sense of it.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭liamtech


    I actually thought it was excellent myself - A few weak points for sure - Id say Picard has a high bar this season - I think this episode ties with episode 1 on score - episode 2 was stunning to me - (compare to unmentionable 'other' star trek season - chalk and cheese)

    On Assimilation, we should remember Uni-matrix Zero, where Tuvok was taken over, despite 'anti assimilation tech' being utilized. I view assimilation as being both Mental and Technological - Yes its a subtle retcon but im fine with it personally.

    Also the creepy Borg threat - 'you've impressed me' - nice (we will add your biological distinctiveness to our own)

    I think my general opinion of Picard is that despite plot holes - it works - Im not as Canon-centric as i used to be (exposure to discovery may have played a hand) -

    I plan on re-watching Ep1-3 over the weekend - REALLY cant wait for the next episode (is there a trailer BTW)

    Yea bring it on! Treks Back!

    Sic semper tyrannis - thus always to Tyrants



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭ilovesmybrick


    Yeah, the queen was suitably creepy, and I'm not saying it was a bad episode at all, it's setting up the next few episodes. But as you said, the first two episodes set a very high bar!

    I did feel though that the character of Raffi took a step back to Raffi in early season 1, which I'm not a fan of, though obviously justifiable what with Elnor going to the great big lost cause in the sky.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,928 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Just watched it there and thought it was very good again myself. Whatever has changed behind the scenes this season is working!

    Can't say I'm sorry to lose Elnor, and Jurati didn't annoy me for the first time. Rios's storyline with the doctor and her son was good too.

    Raffi is another one I wouldn't miss though. That whole selfie scene was just poor.

    Overall though, this season continues to be far better than the last.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭liamtech


    I probably sound annoyingly emotional but i would be happy to see Rios do a 'kirk' and bring the mother and her boy back to the future! lol

    Sic semper tyrannis - thus always to Tyrants



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,297 ✭✭✭✭AMKC
    Ms


    That was good. I enjoyed that episode. Elnor gone good. No lose there. The kid was funny and smart. Rios not so. Also what the hell with the beaming all in 3 different spots like why. I certainly would not trust her transporting me anywhere. Feck that.

    Juriti and her going into the Borg Queens mind was freakish but cool.

    I liked the background display of the Europa landing.

    I do wonder why they picked Los Angeles 2024 do? Surely something like 2034 or even 2044 might have made more sense. They could have even had flying cars by then but I guess that would mean a bigger budget needed.

    Live long and Prosper

    Peace and long life.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,991 ✭✭✭Johnny Storm


    It was slightly drawn out in one or two places but WTF 3 good eps in a row!!!

    Also where did they land? "Home"? Is that Chateau Picard? Will JL be interacting with his ancestors?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,143 ✭✭✭ilovesmybrick


    Just after watching the teaser for the next episode, just a brief scene with Jurati and the Queen. It may be a bit early in the season to say for certain, but they have definitely brought back the creepiness of the Borg, and thinking about it a bit more it's great that they're also bringing in the more manipulative nature of the Queen in Picard.

    Also I never mentioned it in my earlier post, but I really liked the Borg graphics when she was taking control of the ship. It was recognisably the interface we have seen previously, but nicely updated. A lesson not learned by Discovery.

    While I had some issues with what seemed like a regression with Raffis character, they do seem to have put quite a bit of thought in doing a soft reset of the characters more annoying aspects in season 1. I really hoping that they keep going with the Rios we've seen in the past few episodes. The actor is great (and I did really enjoy him in season 1 too), and I could definitely get hyped up about a Rios spin off show. They're laying some good ground work on Seven, and the obvious issues that she would have encountered as a former Borg when Voyager returned to the alpha quadrant, and I do believe that they are doing the same with Jurati. I wasn't as down on the character as some, but she definitely needed to be fleshed out and more rounded.

    I'm really looking forward to the next episode, and it has been too long since I've been able to say that about a (live action) Trek show, especially since Discovery is no longer out on the same day. I think knowing that Discovery was also there to be watched had me primed for irritation and disappointment. Thinking back on this morning I think I was a bit more down on this episode because it just seemed to end out of no where, I honestly thought there were another ten minutes or so to go, because unlike Discovery I wasn't flicking through my phone or waiting for whatever eye rolling decision that was made.

    Also the Rios transporter accident, I won't lie, I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and the type of accident I always wondered why it didn't happen more often. @AKMC pointed out that you wouldn't trust the beaming, but they did mention that for power reasons the had lost the sensors so there would be issues in being precise. Better than the cop out transporter issue in Discovery today. It's not a scientific comparison at all, but the past three weeks I've been watching the activity on the threads for both Discovery and Picard here and on Reddit, and either people aren't bothering as much discussing Discovery, which I would be surprised about since Trek fans and all that, or the viewership/interest for Discovery isn't as strong. And the excuse I've seen elsewhere about international distribution doesn't really fly for me. From the Trek fans I know personally I was one of the only ones watching week to week, everyone else decided to just wait until the end of the season.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭liamtech


    hey! do u have a link for the teaser! dying for more picard!

    Sic semper tyrannis - thus always to Tyrants



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,670 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly


    Quite enjoyed that - not much pushing the story forward but I was still entertained (maybe I had a low bar after just watching the season finale of Discovery)



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  • Registered Users Posts: 354 ✭✭eadrom


    Pretty good!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,284 ✭✭✭✭CastorTroy


    Thought this was a really good episode.

    The Jurati/Borg Queen bit made me think of this scene from Fringe, without the trick with the eyes

    Have noticed how the crew are doing all the active work and Picard is more stationary. Like when he was bending over to talk to Elnor. Really showing his age.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭liamtech



    Lot more easter eggs in these episodes than we realize

    Above shows several things

    • General Miles O Brien leading the fight against the Dominion Alliance
    • Tuvok Leads Vulcan Rebellion
    • Tasha Yar is putting down the Andorrian Rebellion

    Sic semper tyrannis - thus always to Tyrants



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭Slydice


    hrmmmm.. the Borg Queen feels wierd here and no nanoprobes in sight..


    anyway.. here's 2024 and I guess it's off to MacArthur Park.. which I can only really say I know from googling just now:


    That communicator is gonna nag at me if they don't get it back..


    Elnor died.. guessing then the timeline will reset at the end.. maybe.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,843 ✭✭✭GSPfan


    Can i offer a theory on the Watcher character. Not sure if there is any news on who that character is but…..


    Is it going to be Wesley Crusher?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭liamtech




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 474 ✭✭cassette50


    Another good episode.

    I enjoyed the contrast between Discovery and Picard in the handling of a major character event.

    Discovery had the usual over emotional bridge crew and Picard was just stoic and let's get on with the mission.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,027 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,027 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Liked the episode overall but had some annoying tiny little bits. Ships that DS9 style blow up after 1 shot and why did Elnor die slow when everyone else evaporated.

    I did love the sort of 4th wall break where 7s husband points out his character isn't important enough for a full name.

    Rios new friend is definitely gonna be the mandatory Trek girl who has to be let in on the future story.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,728 ✭✭✭✭TheValeyard


    Yeah another good episode for the most part. Just don't want the rest of the season spent in 2024.



    Needs more Q.

    All eyes on Kursk. Slava Ukraini.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,081 ✭✭✭Rawr


    I’m surprised to find that the 2024 elements of the show were actually pretty watchable. The opening of 2024 with an interesting cover of “California Dreaming” was pretty good, as was the Rios transporter pratt fall.

    I dislike Jurati, and although Alison Pill isn’t the worst actress they’ve ever hired, the whole scene with the Borg Queen felt kind of piss poor on the part of Pill’s performance. It felt like the better able cast members where given the location work for 2024 while Pill is only trusted to just sit with Steward and do some wierd speil about finding the Borg Queen in rooms. We’ve rarely seen anyone do this with the Borg Queen and it feels like they could have done something more ambitious, but instead played it safely within the acting range of Alison Pill, who inexplicably has second billing in the show. I’d love to learn what happened there.

    That’s a bit of a ranty nit-pick of an episode I did still enjoy. It was a weaker episode, but still far more Trek-like than the alternative that has a finale this week.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭Slydice


    There's a lot of results when I checked into the park.

    The big thing I got though was the Intro-To-LA shot early in the episode. There was a shot of a tree in front of water at a park.. I think that's the park.

    I dunno. Maybe they're doing more or less with it... or nothing more 😁



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,728 ✭✭✭✭TheValeyard


    I do like how they are making the Borg creepy again.

    All eyes on Kursk. Slava Ukraini.



  • Registered Users Posts: 354 ✭✭eadrom


    Mostly agree but the Borg Queen is slightly Hammer-horror so far, or dangerously close to it. Hope they pull it back.

    Though I tend to find all the new Trek prosthetics to be very rubber-foam looking so that doesn't help either.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,805 ✭✭✭Evade


    Decent enough episode with a few of the standard time travel plots. I wonder if the crew will returnt to the future as they are now or will they reset to as they were before. On the one hand Elnor would be revived on the other Seven (and Picard?) will be completely human again.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,144 ✭✭✭TheIrishGrover


    I thought that was pretty good. Slower-paced a bit than the first two but that's to be expected. Thought Raffi's rage was a bit over-done, after all, Picard knew Elnor since he was a kid. Although I did like her calling our Picard/Q's games as being far from harmless fun.

    Liked the bit with Jurati and The Borg Queen. Liked the whole "You sure about that? Computer, transcribe "Sh*t I stole from Borg Queen" File" and the creepiness of the merging (And the "Allow me" scene. Very creepy).

    The scenes with Rios were pretty good although I am allergic to American kids in Sci-Fi shows. The kid was actually OK but starting out I thought "Oh here we go, another little sh*t. What's with kids in Sci-Fi shows/movies? If I were Keanu Reeves in "The Day The Earth Stood Still" remake I would have left the Earth die purely because of the kid"

    But..... yeah, what was with that Europa mission?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,027 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    Picard is a synth here too. Q said it was something to do with Dukat. Assassination attempt maybe.



  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 25,504 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    The Europa mission was just there to highlight the disparity between those spending resources on reaching out to the stars, compared to the homeless struggling to survive. There's nothing more subtle there.

    Edit: I'm wrong, but I won't expand on why in case of spoilers.

    Post edited by Spear on


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Forget the Confederation, I'm living in an alternate timeline myself, one where I've watched 3 enjoyable episodes of latter-day live action Star Trek. Definite quibbles that gave me pause (how did they know to go to LA before Jurati had even touched the Borg? The Watcher could be anywhere), but can't complain about the overall experience. All the characters are working for me, bar maybe Raffi whose anger was a little overwrought, but... yeah. As you were Picard.

    Knowing there's already a season 3 in the can means I'm anticipating a cliffhanger ending, but it'll take a serious dropping of the ball at this point to mess things up.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,805 ✭✭✭Evade


    The Borg Queen told them the change occurred in Los Angeles in the second episode.



  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Ah, well there you go. May remove that quibble so.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,135 ✭✭✭✭odyssey06


    Deus ex machina Borg

    "To follow knowledge like a sinking star..." (Tennyson's Ulysses)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,144 ✭✭✭TheIrishGrover


    Oh, one eye-gougingly awful moment...... Funner! I HATE that idiot non-word. It's like something a 3 year-old would come up with before being told it's not a real word. I will happily take "Jay-Ell" over another use of the term (not word) "funner".



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 873 ✭✭✭somuj


    This sums up my feelings upon watching to a T, t tee tea(not sure of the spelling).



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 873 ✭✭✭somuj




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,027 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    I dream that some day I will hear this critique in English



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 873 ✭✭✭somuj


    Curious though why federations Ricky Martins ship was industructable but he had bangers that blew up the other ships on impact.

    Am presuming space Legolas survives the Varon T disruptor cause of green blood.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,081 ✭✭✭Rawr


    "but it'll take a serious dropping of the ball at this point to mess things up."

    Ah Pixelburp! You've now gone and invoked what I'm now calling Kurtzman's Law. Himself and his people are seasoned experts at snatching failure from the jaws of victory. It is well within their gifts to not only drop the ball, but also leave a ball-shaped impression in the ground that leads to the Earth's molten core.

    I really REALLY hope they somehow learned their lessons and will do a good job this time...because I am enjoying this Trek show. I LIKE it...but there's this ever present dread underneath it all where he's just going to do something so stupid that it'll ruin all the good bits. I hope he won't...I really hope not...because I'm actually looking forward to my new dose of Trek on the weekends. I avoid the Trek boards like the plague to avoid spoilers on Thursdays, which is always a good sign.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,144 ✭✭✭TheIrishGrover


    In English so: "Funner" is not a word Andi gate is use and it should never be used.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,284 ✭✭✭✭CastorTroy


    So you're saying The Watcher is definitely Michael, Tilly or Georgiou?



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,805 ✭✭✭Evade


    Plot armour but you might be able to justify it with Rios' evasive manoeuvrers avoiding all but glancing hits but the other ships seemingly not having shields is a huge oversight.

    Elnor's just lucky that phaser wasn't set to overkill vaporise like the rest of them. Small things like this could easily be caught and accounted for if for example Elnor dodged and the phaser hit the bulkhead and caused a small explosion that injured him.

    Also there's something I noticed last season that's repeated in the battle in this episode the script and the CGI don't line up at all. Rios tells Seven to target the port nacelle of the lead ship and the CGI shot has the torpedo hit the deflector of the middle ship. There's an argument that could be made that the middle ship was the lead, as in leader, because it was the biggest but a deflector dish is not a nacelle.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,297 ✭✭✭✭AMKC
    Ms


    Elnor's just lucky that phaser wasn't set to overkill vaporise like the rest of them. Small things like this could easily be caught and accounted for if for example Elnor dodged and the phaser hit the bulkhead and caused a small explosion that injured 


    Or maybe he was unlucky and instead of dying a quick death he died a slow painful death.

    Live long and Prosper

    Peace and long life.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,081 ✭✭✭Rawr


    Ah crap….Georgiou

    Why didn’t I think of that?!….it could easily be Georgiou. She was thrown back in time to some unspecified time period. I would have assumed she was sent back to be in the damned Section 31 show…but what if she was sent back to 2024? What if the Earth Confederation was her idea?

    God I hope it’s not her…a big dollop of Discovery nonsense in this otherwise good Trek show is exactly the kind of stupid I fear from them.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,670 ✭✭✭✭fritzelly



    Last I read Section 31 hasn't been cancelled so wouldn't make sense



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,027 ✭✭✭✭breezy1985


    We have already seen them. It's in the ads and it's not a Disco person.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,034 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    Would make most sense for the Watcher to be Guinan (though try doing an in-universe explanation for Goldberg ageing this time round). I guess it could also be a member of The Traveller's race.



  • Registered Users Posts: 354 ✭✭eadrom


    Guinan should have said it was Picard's perception rather than reality. An Elorian mind-trick / "you see what makes sense to you" kind of thing.

    Would have given a little more wiggle room I think, and a little less ridiculous and more interesting.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭JayRoc


    That was more fun than previous episodes. More of the 21st century fish out of water stuff, less of the daft attempts to retcon an established character's backstory.

    Post edited by JayRoc on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,805 ✭✭✭Evade


    Depending on how long she's in the scenes they could de-age her like with Q's first appearance.



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