With The First Link

With The First Link 2.13: Time Squared

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 13 The Enterprise encounters a derelict shuttle craft which appears to be from the future. But when the shuttle is determined to be one of the Enterprise’s own containing a second version of Picard, the crew fear the premonition of doom the craft contains. Ruthie and Matthew talk about how we…

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With The First Link 2.12: The Royale

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 12 Riker, Worf, and Data become trapped in a recreation of “The Royale” a hotel featured in an Earth novel of the same name written in the 21st century. But why is this novel, with its cliché setting and characters, being played out in the frozen layers of a gas giant…

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With The First Link 2.11: Contagion

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 11 The Enterprise responds to a call for help from Galaxy Class sister ship U.S.S. Yamato. But when the Yamato suddenly explodes the Enterprise crew must determine if the ship’s destruction is caused by Romulans or by the relics of a long lost civilization. Data gets to do some physical comedy,…

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With The First Link 2.10: The Dauphin

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 10 Wesley falls in love with a mysterious young woman named Salia who is destined to lead her world out of a civil conflict. But when Wesley gets too close, Salia’s guardian demonstrates a power that may threaten the safety of the whole ship. Will Wesley’s love threaten the Enterprise as…

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With the First Link 2.09: The Measure of a Man

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 9 Data’s sentience and freedom of choice is on trial when he refuses orders to undergo a dangerous procedure. Ruthie and Matthew talk about parallels from this episode to the present-day crisis of body autonomy and how society excludes some humans when considering human rights. With the First Link is excited…

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With The First Link 2.08: A Matter of Honor

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 8 Crew members are going on officer exchange! Riker eats Gagh in anticipation of serving aboard a Klingon Bird of Prey, Ensign Mendon almost starts an interstellar War by over-analyzing space bacteria, Matthew and Ruthie also swap roles while talking about how it feels to be out of place. Main cover…

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With The First Link 2.07: Unnatural Selection

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 7 In this episode, the scientists at a genetic research station all suffer from rapid onset geriatric phenomena. But when Pulaski tries to save their genetically created children, she finds out that they are, in fact, the cause of it! Matthew and Ruthie talk about aging and try to figure out…

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With The First Link 2.06: The Schizoid Man

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 6 In this episode Data meets Dr. Ira Graves, the grandfather of cybernetics whose plans for immortality place Data in…Graves Danger! Ruthie and Matthew talk about whether they would want to live forever, and Matthew questions why other starships in the Federation can’t patch leaks.

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With The First Link 2.05: Loud as a Whisper

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 5 The Enterprise transports Riva, a deaf mediator, to the Solais system to help negotiate an end to 1500 years of civil war. Troi helps Riva cope with failure, Data learns a new language, and Matthew and Ruthie talk about how much better our society could be if we acknowledged our…

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With The First Link 2.04: The Outrageous Okona

TNG: SEASON 2, EPISODE 4 A charming smuggler arrives on the Enterprise sparking an interplanetary conflict. Data tries stand-up comedy. Ruthie and Matthew talk about the importance of humour and who in society gets to decide what is funny. Matthew tells bad space jokes. Main cover art by Nathan Nun (www.nathannun.ca) Theme Music by Flame…

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