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Star Trek: The Next Generation 2x15 "Pen Pals" - Full Watch-along (Patreon)

Published:
2026-04-24 18:00:04
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Follow along with me using your own copy of the episode!

Files

Star Trek: The Next Generation 2x15 "Pen Pals" - Full Watch-along

Comments

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An Equestrian Elective in high school sure sounds deserving of Mister EDucational EDquestra Extra Credit!

Jack

SO much goodness in this episode! One of my favorites of the season, and the whole series. Quintessential Star Trek. First, we have an example of the A/B story structure done right (IMO). I'm not against A/B stories, but I think they always better when the two stories converge on the main plot. GREAT Prime Directive stuff here. We get a thoughtful debate about the Prime Directive, and our characters all get to shine. I was a little shaky on Dr. Pulaski until this point; this is what made me love her. Even more good stuff with Wesley and his first command. Maybe you're rubbing off on me, Bunny, but I'm not finding Wesley to be nearly as annoying as I have in the past. Some great moments with him finding his footing and seeking advice. It's so nice to see everyone acting like professionals, thinking rationally and working together to solve problems. Perfect Star Trek! The little alien girl was played by a very young Nikki Cox, who grew into an absolutely stunning woman who ended up on Babewatch, er, I mean, Baywatch. 😁 Some wonderful moments with her and Data. Data once again exemplifying the best of humanity in his quest to be human.

Mark

At this point the show really starts to take off and goes from good to great tv

Jim Jones

I love a good prime directive episode. The discussion about the morality of these types of decisions is great. And seeing Picard in an early iteration as the 'moral arbiter' is cool.

William Terry

Data and Riker are hands down superlative with consoling and helping children, yes Wheaton is older but Wesley is portrayed , for some reason, like a toddler. If I were a child in an epoch-ending event, I would want be around Data or Riker, not the weird-mean grownups.

Ron K

Any episode were Data reminds the crew what humanity is, it's automatically one of my favorites.

Desmond

Glad you're enjoying the subplots of what the crew does in their spare time. There will definitely be a lot more of that. And you're absolutely right that Picard is written differently from season 1. He's more sensitive, more thoughtful this season.

Matthew Graves (Graviton)

Cosplay yay! And this one... absolutely enchanting! It was hard to take my eyes of you and watch the episode. :) Definitely a fave! This one is a good example of why it's fun to watch your reactions Bunny. This had always been kind of a middle of the road, unremarkable episode to me. However, watching your watch it I gained a new appreciation and I think I'd move it upwards several notches on the scale of my personal estimation. Wesley's story is much better here than I remember giving it credit for. I was never an "anti-Wesley" guy, but you are clearly firmly entrenched in the "pro-Wesley" camp (if such a categorization even makes sense) and I think if one goes into it with that kind of positive mindset it's a very good episode. In fact watching it this time around, I think i actually see some pretty deft thematic writing here. There's a nice little thread running through three chaaracters all facing a test of their command decision making. Wes is the greenest of the green, just learning how to navigate the responsibility of being in charge. Data is the mid level officer, making tough decisions at the ground level, where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. And Picard it the supremely experienced leader grappling with decisions at the highest level. Wes's responsibility is serious but largely academic and procedural. Data's has the life a person on his hands. And Picard wrestles with the fate of an entire civilization and moral implications oo a grand scale. It's actually a pretty striking examination of the mental processes and emotional states (give or take an android limitation) of three different officers in three different stages of their careers. There's some nice emotional weight to the story that I have to say, watching you react to, Bunny, greatly enhanced the episode for me. Very cool. Glad to see you enjoying O'Brien's emergence as a significant character. He kinda slowly gained a following as sort of the "common working man" guy of the crew, that made him a low key favorite among many. Myself included. And yes, we are definitely getter a better perspective on Picard this season. I'd say it's not so much that he's different, just that we are getting shown greater depths to his character, even as he himself grows more comfortable with his crew and able to open up more.

Carlos Stevens

Most definitely one of the best episodes to date. BTW I used to go horseback riding a lot 20 years ago. Did a full gallop, but no jumping. Was Lots of fun.

Carlos Stevens

In the first season, Picard was supposed to be a "temporary" captain, and Riker was supposed to take over. However, Patrick Steward developed the character beyond what the writers and producers were thinking they decided to keep him in the captain's seat. That said... why can't they all be your favorite episodes?

Alexandre Santos

Was is ethical to "violate" the girl's mind just to fix a diplomatic mistake?

Summer

I like this one it is simple but great

Christopher Lamont Harris

You do not look weird you look very nice and you reminded me that I got to get Castlevania on DVD

Summer

However while it is good to be careful of choices, Picard thinking everything will have major implications, you kind of want to tell him to take a breath

Summer

Seven more episodes of season two! They aren’t all great but season two has taken a good turn, a few duds coming but some are the best

Greg

I'm late in watching and reacting to this due to visiting the parents for a few days so going to keep this short. I already talked to Bunny a bit about this episode and I knew she really enjoyed this one -- and I had said it was 'meh' for me, which I am sorry about. Watching this again NOW for the first time in many years I think I was too harsh on this episode. It's still not great to me -- it feels too slow paced, unbalanced writing and character development, and we don't see enough of the alien girl and the world. However, there's a lot to like here -- good balance between the A and B plots of Data's pen pal and Wes getting his first major assignment; very good use of the characters with their screen time; we learn more about Picard; and some great debates about the ethics of the Prime Directive. I've always said the Prime Directive is a good rule, but like ANY rules, there are exceptions to it. Rules are there for a reason, but there are times when you need to bend it. This is one such case. Data should not have gotten involved with that alien girl as he did (another problem I have with this episode) but once he did, Picard and company realized they had no choice but to bend the Prime Directive since their hand was forced. Would Starfleet have approved? No, but Picard also gets credit for supporting his friends and officers, like he said. There's PLENTY of times Kirk violated the Prime Directive, after all. Picard is willing to do so as well should the cause be justified. Finally, nice that we see Riker on a date (an assumed date). He has a lot of charm and is popular with the ladies. :)

Greg

Great question. The way I looked at it was -- the Prime Directive was already violated. Picard was trying to contain the damage as much as possible. Wiping her memories of Data and what happened would allow her to lead a normal life -- as normal a life as one could. Now that life should have been cut short, cause strictly speaking, the planet should have been allowed to die, but then we're really getting into the weeds here.

Greg

You shared my thoughts almost totally. Sometimes it's good I can't post my thoughts right away, LOL

Greg

I never knew that was Nikki! I admit to having some Baywatch on when it aired due to needing some eye candy in the background, LOL

Matthew Graves (Graviton)

“ Wiping her memories of Data and what happened would allow her to lead a normal life -- as normal a life as one could.” Ah, but what value should we give to her personal bodily and mental integrity and right to seldf determination weighed against the idea of an alien soecies(humans) making judgements about what is “normal” or “best first her.” Just playing devils advocate here :) Another tough command decision for Picard. I’m starting to think this episode might have ALOT more depth than I’d previously given it credit for!

TJ

Pen Pals is one of my favs from Season 2! A great Data episode; a great Wesley episode; and a great Prime Directive episode. I loved the conference in the captain's quarters, which was the first time they ever did that in the series. It demonstrated that the Prime Directive is not as "absolute" as Worf would like to think. As with most things in life, there is a lot of gray area in between right and wrong. I like that Picard, who has given many a lecture on the Prime Directive, was willing to bend the rules a bit in this situation... As for the Wesley subplot, I liked Riker's advice to him, b/c it's good advice in everyday life. Wes may be brilliant, but leading a team isn't about tapping into your brilliance, it's about being confident and trusting your instincts... An underrated gem from Season 2!

WastedPo

I generally like the plotlines of this episode (Data's pen pal, and Wesley trying to deal with people who won't listen to him). But the whole discussion on the Prime Directive drove me bonkers. Riker arguing that they shouldn't do anything because it throws away what "fate" might have in mind. (And he says it angrily too. Suddenly Riker is a complete fatalist. Like, why do you even wake up, Riker, if you're so terrified that whatever you do could go against God's will?) Also, Picard suggesting that they shouldn't anonymously intervene to save an entire civilization from natural disaster because... and then he brings up an entirely irrelevant scenario. What if they intervened with people killing each other through war? Quite a sticky predicament that would be! ... Um, yeah, that would be a dilemma... if that was what was actually happening in this instance. But it's not.

Summer

Yeah good episode but the conversation could have been more coherent with out Picard sounding like an arrogant king. All for the drama of Data purposely having them hear her voice and Picard changing his mind. But go Pulaski, this is about where I began not minding her.

Matthew Graves (Graviton)

It does kinda come across as the writer wanted to throw this philosophical debate in there but just kinda dropped various viewpoints into characters mouths without necessarily considering if that particular viewpoint mapped well to that character. With the possible exception, id say, of Pulaski who pretty much rings true to me.

bunnytails

Happy you enjoyed it as much as I did!

bunnytails

First rule of Greg's posts: When he says he's going to keep something short, it ends up being just as long as ever. ;)

bunnytails

Awesome! You were much more confident than I!

bunnytails

Happy to hear watching with me is enhancing some of these episodes!

bunnytails

Yeesssssss! I am okay with rubbing off on people to be less negative about Wesley!

Greg

Heh, that WAS short!

Desmond

I'm not sure if Riker was ever "supposed" to take over...but clearly he was the backup plan in case viewers were not satisfied with the bald guy. Stewart is a great actor though, and did his best to keep the cast focused and on-point, despite a lot of fooling around in the early seasons. So he won the producers over, and was clearly the captain for that crew of actors.

Andrew Westcott

Have you heard of the "Riker Maneuver"? It is when Riker steps over the back of a chair in 10-forward. Many have said that this move was distasteful, including Jonathan Frakes.

bunnytails

Yup! It's been explained and referenced in comments quite a few times :)