The 8 Most Shamefully Stupid Star Trek: TNG Episodes

[Lazar]

I'm still waiting for a gay human character.

[Bryan Moore]

I'm still waiting for a gay human character.

Read the books. We get Ranul Keru in Titan, who was Hawk's (from FC) partner before the latter's borgification. It is also noted, though in backstage notes, not in canon, that the crewman played by Brian Singer (also gay) during his brief cameo role, was also intended to be gay.

We also see some androgynous/dual sexual species, such as the s/he in New Frontier.

My only reasoning behind why we haven't seen it is because it's simply not a big deal by then. I mean there are numerous characters we hadn't seen much of any love life for, heterosexual, homosexual, or others.

Now, had Dr. Soong created Gayta, I would give my right arm, right leg, and perhaps even right testicle, to watch a few episodes of that.

[Mikey]

I always figured Guinan was.

[Sionnach Glic]

Thing is, the books obviously get less views than the episodes. For a show that liked to claim it was ground-breaking, dodging the whole homosexuality issue was a pretty big thing.

[Teaos]

I would imagin mental retardation is mostly cured in a few years (ok maybe more than a few) let alone a few hundred.

[Mikey]

I would imagin mental retardation is mostly cured in a few years (ok maybe more than a few) let alone a few hundred.

That was my take as well. Gene therapy or somesuch would have eliminated most if not all congenital conditions by TNG.

As to the homosexuality issue - I'm glad it wasn't played up. By the time we reach the 24th century, I'd hope sexual orientation is a complete non-issue.

[Sonic Glitch]

As to the homosexuality issue - I'm glad it wasn't played up. By the time we reach the 24th century, I'd hope sexual orientation is a complete non-issue.

That's what I figure. The most they did for the issue was ignoring it, implying it is not a big issue by the 24th century. I doubt that was their reason for not covering the issue, but we can claim it is to make the writers seem even more intelligent (and let's face it, they need all the help the can get.)

[Sionnach Glic]

I think it's quite clear that the reason the writers never once mentioned it wasn't because it was so accepted in the 24the century (if it was, then why is there not a single gay character in any Trek series?), but because they were afraid of getting into a controversial issue.

[Sonic Glitch]

I think it's quite clear that the reason the writers never once mentioned it wasn't because it was so accepted in the 24the century (if it was, then why is there not a single gay character in any Trek series?), but because they were afraid of getting into a controversial issue.

Shhh.....

Like I said, they need the help.

[Sionnach Glic]

I'm not in the habit of bailing the writers out of their own cowardice.

[nighthawk]

I don't think all the blame for the lack of homosexuality in Trek can be laid at the writers' feet; they have to answer to the directors, showrunners, who also have to answer to network execs, etc. It's a serious omission, but society's been pretty slow at accepting the full scope of human sexuality.

[Sionnach Glic]

Oh, indeed. There's plenty of blame to go around. Primarily I'd say the TV executives would be ultimately to blame.

[nighthawk]

As to the 8 stupid episodes - I didn't mind "Rascals", its humour saved it from being a terrible episode. I'd be inclined to bump "The Naked Now" up to the #2 slot; it's just painful to watch. Although without it, we wouldn't be able to belt out "The Sexy Data Tango".

[Mikey]

I think it's quite clear that the reason the writers never once mentioned it wasn't because it was so accepted in the 24the century (if it was, then why is there not a single gay character in any Trek series?), but because they were afraid of getting into a controversial issue.

You know, it's not as easy to stubbornly and blindly stick to my fake conceptions when you keep bringing the real world into the matter. But yes, I'd say pandering to advertisers was probably the reason for avoidance of the issue.

As to the 8 stupid episodes - I didn't mind "Rascals", its humour saved it from being a terrible episode. I'd be inclined to bump "The Naked Now" up to the #2 slot; it's just painful to watch. Although without it, we wouldn't be able to belt out "The Sexy Data Tango".

See, I appreciated the humor in "Rascals" but the ep's faults still shine through. Welcome, BTW.

[nighthawk]

See, I appreciated the humor in "Rascals" but the ep's faults still shine through. Welcome, BTW.

You probably have a point; I haven't watched the episode closely in years. Thank you for the welcome.