This is the first ever episode of Star Trek to introduce the Ferengi, a race of greed-ruled creatures, who at this point in the series, were shaping up to be the lead villains of Next Gen. It would be all to easy to hate the Ferengi, but I always enjoyed their appearances, and this is no exception. Making an appearance is Armin Shimmerman, the actor who would go on to brilliantly play Quark in Deep Space Nine. This is a unique appearance for the Ferengi, as they are more threatening here than their usual mild annoyance, this is shown by the fact they have purple whip things which prove rather hazardous with the Enterprise crew. Seeing a Ferengi vessel is always a treat as well. The overall episode is so-so, there is a nice bit where Riker and Portal 63 have a pleasant chat once the Ferengi are dealt with, but the novelty of this episode lies with those big eared orange dwarfs themselves.
24 Reviews
Great episode until about the half way point
snoozejonc14 May 2021
Enterprise pursues a Ferengi ship.
There is half a decent episode in 'The Last Outpost', but it's problems are what will probably be remembered.
The plot is good, with a number of decent concepts and themes. I love the idea of reflecting of human capitalism and nationalism by introducing the Ferengi species and in theory what transpires on the planet. Unfortunately, how it's portrayed on screen doesn't always work.
The early scenes, before the appearance of the Ferengi, are the strongest. I enjoyed the discussions on the bridge comparing the Ferengi to the worst aspects of the Earth capitalism and the historical reflections on when Earth was organised into nation states. The tactical discussions are a bit exposition heavy but still enjoyable. Seeing Picard working to avoid conflict as others advise fighting is always enjoyable, likewise his negotiations with the Ferengi. It's not perfect, such as Geordie going into an OTT nerdgasm and Data having some rather silly moments, but generally, there is an excellent set up for what happens on the planet surface.
It's when the story moves to the planet that everything starts to go downhill. As other reviewers have stated the Ferengi are hideously annoying in their verbal and physical performances. Likewise the scenes on board the Enterprise as life support starts to fail are pretty uninspired, with many bland dialogues involving Picard and Dr Crusher. How it's all resolved is morally very sound, but not particularly cinematic.
I enjoyed most of the visuals. The sets used for the planet have an old fashioned feel to them reminiscent of the original series. I like Data's map projection sequence. The Ferengi make-up design is excellent. The less said about the laser-whips and TNG era hand-phasers the better.
Performances are a mixed bag for me. Patrick Stewart is great as always, Jonathan Frakes cuts a fine heroic shape and the remaining cast, aside from the Ferengi actors, are mostly solid. Gates McFadden for me struggles with some poorly written dialogue and LeVar Burton strays dangerously close to the line of annoyance.
Overall, for me this episode has slightly more good than bad in it, so I rate it as a 5.5/10, but I round upwards.
There is half a decent episode in 'The Last Outpost', but it's problems are what will probably be remembered.
The plot is good, with a number of decent concepts and themes. I love the idea of reflecting of human capitalism and nationalism by introducing the Ferengi species and in theory what transpires on the planet. Unfortunately, how it's portrayed on screen doesn't always work.
The early scenes, before the appearance of the Ferengi, are the strongest. I enjoyed the discussions on the bridge comparing the Ferengi to the worst aspects of the Earth capitalism and the historical reflections on when Earth was organised into nation states. The tactical discussions are a bit exposition heavy but still enjoyable. Seeing Picard working to avoid conflict as others advise fighting is always enjoyable, likewise his negotiations with the Ferengi. It's not perfect, such as Geordie going into an OTT nerdgasm and Data having some rather silly moments, but generally, there is an excellent set up for what happens on the planet surface.
It's when the story moves to the planet that everything starts to go downhill. As other reviewers have stated the Ferengi are hideously annoying in their verbal and physical performances. Likewise the scenes on board the Enterprise as life support starts to fail are pretty uninspired, with many bland dialogues involving Picard and Dr Crusher. How it's all resolved is morally very sound, but not particularly cinematic.
I enjoyed most of the visuals. The sets used for the planet have an old fashioned feel to them reminiscent of the original series. I like Data's map projection sequence. The Ferengi make-up design is excellent. The less said about the laser-whips and TNG era hand-phasers the better.
Performances are a mixed bag for me. Patrick Stewart is great as always, Jonathan Frakes cuts a fine heroic shape and the remaining cast, aside from the Ferengi actors, are mostly solid. Gates McFadden for me struggles with some poorly written dialogue and LeVar Burton strays dangerously close to the line of annoyance.
Overall, for me this episode has slightly more good than bad in it, so I rate it as a 5.5/10, but I round upwards.
An interesting episode with a rushed ending
ThunderingTim28 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The Last outpost is where things get a little more interesting. Here we see a decent script, decent acting, a distinctly weird planet, the Enterprise immobilized and the introduction of the Ferengi. It's the first time TNG taking a peek from behind TOS' back and attempting to stand alone.
Plot
The Eterprise is in high pursuit of a Ferengi vessel that stole some technology and is then immobilized near a planet. After some mistaken contact and deliberations it turns out the planet is the culprit and the hitherto never before seen Ferengi's are equally stuck. Picard and Taar work out an agreement of joint exploration and the two teams meet up whilst both ships lose power and life systems are in serious jeopardy. The Ferengi attack them but before the fight gets good a Guardian of a long lost Empire appears and challenges them for entering their space. Riker remains calm and convinces the Guardian that his intentions are pure. The Guardian releases both ships and both crews survive.
Good Stuff
The Ferengi ship is fascinating, as are their energy sticks/weapons. The planet looks great. You have to see the fight between the two away teams to believe it. Despite being presented in a ridiculous way the Ferengi already give us some insights into their culture (the greed and misogyny). Armin Shimmerman is always a delight. The Guardian looks great. The idea of a long gone empire with still active outposts defending the entrances to a extinct culture is worth a whole novel. I like the talk between Picard and Dr Bev on the acceptability of her sedating Wesley so he won't feel death coming for him.
Things I disliked
The Ferengi move and screech like howler monkey's and it's a damn shame we had to wait until Quark to get a acceptable version of a Ferengi. How you can be stranded near a planet and completely ignore it seems like a mistake befitting a raw cadet, not an experienced crew. The fact that Troi points this out only strengthens my view of how little use she is at this point in the series. The Guardian is more or less calmed down by thoughts of Sun Tzu and we get no explanation why it drains the ships' energy or why the Ferengi weapons work at first and then don't. The ending feels so rushed because they juggle the introduction of the Ferengi, the dire situation on board of the ship, and the whole T'kon empire history and outpost, making it seem too much for 40 minutes of television and calling for a rushed ending. The cast does seem a little more at ease in their roles now.
Conclusion
It's not a bad episode nor a great one. I would call it decent but in season 1's ups and mostly downs that is not a bad thing. The Ferengi are introduced as the new nemesis of Starfleet but are so laughably pathetic this idea was quickly canned and instead we got the return of the Romulans and introduction of the Borg (so thank God the Ferengi idea ended in the trash can). Interesting premise with a failed introduction and a rushed ending, but not bad at all. 6/10.
Plot
The Eterprise is in high pursuit of a Ferengi vessel that stole some technology and is then immobilized near a planet. After some mistaken contact and deliberations it turns out the planet is the culprit and the hitherto never before seen Ferengi's are equally stuck. Picard and Taar work out an agreement of joint exploration and the two teams meet up whilst both ships lose power and life systems are in serious jeopardy. The Ferengi attack them but before the fight gets good a Guardian of a long lost Empire appears and challenges them for entering their space. Riker remains calm and convinces the Guardian that his intentions are pure. The Guardian releases both ships and both crews survive.
Good Stuff
The Ferengi ship is fascinating, as are their energy sticks/weapons. The planet looks great. You have to see the fight between the two away teams to believe it. Despite being presented in a ridiculous way the Ferengi already give us some insights into their culture (the greed and misogyny). Armin Shimmerman is always a delight. The Guardian looks great. The idea of a long gone empire with still active outposts defending the entrances to a extinct culture is worth a whole novel. I like the talk between Picard and Dr Bev on the acceptability of her sedating Wesley so he won't feel death coming for him.
Things I disliked
The Ferengi move and screech like howler monkey's and it's a damn shame we had to wait until Quark to get a acceptable version of a Ferengi. How you can be stranded near a planet and completely ignore it seems like a mistake befitting a raw cadet, not an experienced crew. The fact that Troi points this out only strengthens my view of how little use she is at this point in the series. The Guardian is more or less calmed down by thoughts of Sun Tzu and we get no explanation why it drains the ships' energy or why the Ferengi weapons work at first and then don't. The ending feels so rushed because they juggle the introduction of the Ferengi, the dire situation on board of the ship, and the whole T'kon empire history and outpost, making it seem too much for 40 minutes of television and calling for a rushed ending. The cast does seem a little more at ease in their roles now.
Conclusion
It's not a bad episode nor a great one. I would call it decent but in season 1's ups and mostly downs that is not a bad thing. The Ferengi are introduced as the new nemesis of Starfleet but are so laughably pathetic this idea was quickly canned and instead we got the return of the Romulans and introduction of the Borg (so thank God the Ferengi idea ended in the trash can). Interesting premise with a failed introduction and a rushed ending, but not bad at all. 6/10.
Introducing a new race
russem318 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:07 - "The Last Outpost" (Stardate: 41386.4) - this is the 7th episode to go into production though the 5th one to be aired on TV. This episode introduces another of the major races in the Star Trek universe - that of the Ferengi, including the actor who will play the most known of Ferengis - Armin Shimmerman (the future Quark of the Deep Space Nine sequel series, though in this episode as another Ferengi known as Letek). Their sleek looking vessel is also introduced here. While the mannerisms of the Ferengis in this episode are a bit exaggerated as compared to future episodes as well as introduction to a powerful whip weapon (that won't be used after this), their inclination to trade, unclothing of females, and their pronunciation of "humon" instead of "human" is all introduced here. A very interesting episode if only because it introduces the Ferengis.
Deus ex machina (once again)
robert_s0116 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
"The last outpost" is at least for the first half one of the better episodes of the first season (whatever that means). The introduction of the Ferengi, the first real away mission and the prototype of the conference meeting which will gain importance in further episodes. Also there really is a lot of suspense on the bridge in the beginning, something TNG had big trouble to create in its beginning. The comic relief is not overly great but Data's trouble with the Chinese finger puzzle surely is an all time classic as also is his experimenting with human slang ("Something to write home about").
The script in general is one of the many "Deus ex machina" - scenarios which will set up a conflict finally revealed as the work of some kind of super power and solved by it, too. The Enterprise crew has to undergo a test and thereby defeating a one dimensional rival by using the superior ways of modern mankind.
The Ferengi, originally planned as a new opponent for a new generation (replacing the Klingons of TOS) are introduced as a violent race, striving for commercial success. They are a caricature of neo capitalists, who put profit above all. Their appearance (at least their first one) always troubled me a bit. They are introduced as traders who really are successful (although they're methods aren't always sound). Their statue and behavior wondrously doesn't support this. Is such a Ferengi someone you would accept as a negotiating partner, especially in trading business. Are those goblins with their wild gestures and obviously deceitful intentions to be taken seriously? Surely not, at least for me. So how could they establish a trade empire?
The overacting on behalf of the Ferengi as well as the final solution with the T'Kon guard leave a slightly bitter taste to that episode, so once again to point out the better moments one has to search elsewhere, below the surface of the storyline. The conference for example, which takes the relation of Picard and Riker to a higher level is definitely a breaking point. The founding stone of a more liberal way of solving conflicts. The Captain is interested in the opinions of his officers, especially his Number One's. Data also adds some depth to his character gaining experience in using Data as a comic relief. Geordi on the other hand gets himself into some trouble by over-stressing his gestures in the engineering scene with Riker. He is still searching for a substitute to compensate his eyes as an acting instrument, which will need some time. Worf and Tasha are still reduced to sidekicks only used to stress the Captain's dislike for military solutions. Troi and Crusher aren't able to add much because of their rather short parts but Crusher definitely can do with Picard (as seen in the "waking scene" after the ship's energy is restored). The chemistry between those tow characters (and actors as well) just works and even their smallest scenes together create a certain feeling of trust and friendship and even a bit more (warmth would be an accurate description). It's a relieve (thanks Dr. Crusher!!) that we aren't troubled by Wesley once more for he is given a sedative by his mother...
Special effects (except the Ferengi ship) are really bad (the graphic in the conference room is just... you'll know, what I mean). So all in all a typically TNG first season's episode with some small highlights but at least as many discussable scenes. It's still nothing to write home about and much too hesitant to really get there where no man has been before. Roddenberry's conservatism and refusal to extend his concept will be a problem for some time to come...
The script in general is one of the many "Deus ex machina" - scenarios which will set up a conflict finally revealed as the work of some kind of super power and solved by it, too. The Enterprise crew has to undergo a test and thereby defeating a one dimensional rival by using the superior ways of modern mankind.
The Ferengi, originally planned as a new opponent for a new generation (replacing the Klingons of TOS) are introduced as a violent race, striving for commercial success. They are a caricature of neo capitalists, who put profit above all. Their appearance (at least their first one) always troubled me a bit. They are introduced as traders who really are successful (although they're methods aren't always sound). Their statue and behavior wondrously doesn't support this. Is such a Ferengi someone you would accept as a negotiating partner, especially in trading business. Are those goblins with their wild gestures and obviously deceitful intentions to be taken seriously? Surely not, at least for me. So how could they establish a trade empire?
The overacting on behalf of the Ferengi as well as the final solution with the T'Kon guard leave a slightly bitter taste to that episode, so once again to point out the better moments one has to search elsewhere, below the surface of the storyline. The conference for example, which takes the relation of Picard and Riker to a higher level is definitely a breaking point. The founding stone of a more liberal way of solving conflicts. The Captain is interested in the opinions of his officers, especially his Number One's. Data also adds some depth to his character gaining experience in using Data as a comic relief. Geordi on the other hand gets himself into some trouble by over-stressing his gestures in the engineering scene with Riker. He is still searching for a substitute to compensate his eyes as an acting instrument, which will need some time. Worf and Tasha are still reduced to sidekicks only used to stress the Captain's dislike for military solutions. Troi and Crusher aren't able to add much because of their rather short parts but Crusher definitely can do with Picard (as seen in the "waking scene" after the ship's energy is restored). The chemistry between those tow characters (and actors as well) just works and even their smallest scenes together create a certain feeling of trust and friendship and even a bit more (warmth would be an accurate description). It's a relieve (thanks Dr. Crusher!!) that we aren't troubled by Wesley once more for he is given a sedative by his mother...
Special effects (except the Ferengi ship) are really bad (the graphic in the conference room is just... you'll know, what I mean). So all in all a typically TNG first season's episode with some small highlights but at least as many discussable scenes. It's still nothing to write home about and much too hesitant to really get there where no man has been before. Roddenberry's conservatism and refusal to extend his concept will be a problem for some time to come...
ST TNG: The Last Outpost; Confident Then Shaky
WhiteFerrari25 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is the first so far to provide what feels like the typical TNG dilemma and story structure. Therefore, it has a very steady, logical and plodding rhythm to it which makes it comforting and easy to watch. I found the set-up of this episode to be the most technically sound, writing and pacing-wise which gave it tension and atmosphere.
On what is likely a very subjective level, I take issue with Michael Dorn and Marini Sirtis' line delivery, as well as some of Frakes' acting choices. On the other hand, Picard, Data and Geordi have been quite strong, although the 'woo-hoo' line from Geordi was over-the-top. I personally enjoyed his "my hero" remark to Data as he is unstuck by Picard from the Chinese finger trap very much, as well as "oh, you had to ask" towards Data not understanding a rhetorical question.
Is this the first appearance of the crew's conference room scene? I was pleased to see it by episode 4 of season 1.
I find the presentation of the Ferengi's visual hails underwhelming, as well as their weapons, their physicality and much of the planet's surface. The dilemma which takes place on the planet is confusing and silly and is reminiscent of the sensibilities of TOS.
The coda was nicely done, although there is something slightly unsettling about the way Frakes' portrays amusement.
Final note: Data's wonderful "nothing to write home about" is a redeeming quality of the latter half.
On what is likely a very subjective level, I take issue with Michael Dorn and Marini Sirtis' line delivery, as well as some of Frakes' acting choices. On the other hand, Picard, Data and Geordi have been quite strong, although the 'woo-hoo' line from Geordi was over-the-top. I personally enjoyed his "my hero" remark to Data as he is unstuck by Picard from the Chinese finger trap very much, as well as "oh, you had to ask" towards Data not understanding a rhetorical question.
Is this the first appearance of the crew's conference room scene? I was pleased to see it by episode 4 of season 1.
I find the presentation of the Ferengi's visual hails underwhelming, as well as their weapons, their physicality and much of the planet's surface. The dilemma which takes place on the planet is confusing and silly and is reminiscent of the sensibilities of TOS.
The coda was nicely done, although there is something slightly unsettling about the way Frakes' portrays amusement.
Final note: Data's wonderful "nothing to write home about" is a redeeming quality of the latter half.
The Portal
bkoganbing19 March 2020
This TNG story introduces us to that humanoid race called the Ferengi who later
on writers saw comic possibilities with their latinum grubbing ways. Among the
three encountered were future DS9 regular Armin Shimerman.
Nothing comic here, the Enterprise and a Ferengi vessel are trapped and power draining from both. The Ferengi landing party attack the human landing party led by Jonathan Frakes.
Frakes and the Ferengi both have to deal with the Guardian, still on duty at the Portal after the civilization was destroyed centuries ago. He's played with the combination of menace and wariness by Darryl Henriques.
Commander Riker proves to be both warrior and diplomat.
Nothing comic here, the Enterprise and a Ferengi vessel are trapped and power draining from both. The Ferengi landing party attack the human landing party led by Jonathan Frakes.
Frakes and the Ferengi both have to deal with the Guardian, still on duty at the Portal after the civilization was destroyed centuries ago. He's played with the combination of menace and wariness by Darryl Henriques.
Commander Riker proves to be both warrior and diplomat.
Ferengi Version 1.0
thevacinstaller28 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If you dig deep enough you can stitch together a theme of solving puzzles into this episode. The Chinese finger puzzles and the puzzle of figuring out what caused the two ships to become immobile.
Riker did drop a few wisdom starfleet bombs in this one, "Fear is the true enemy" and "We can hardly hate what we once were...." Profound Riker, profound.
Armin Shimerman gets a role as a one dimension Ferengi in this one. The Ferengi definitely needed some work ---- In this episode they are insufferable in a way that is not compelling. For a villian/antagonist I need something to hook me. There is no hook here.
The visual effects on the planet surface when Riker is yelling out on top of the rock was laughably bad. I only point this out because TOS managed to do far better in the 60's, so it's a bit of a head scratcher how they managed to do worse 20 years later.
Beverly Crushers hair is still spectacular but not as bouncy as I prefer. We get some more sexual tension between her and Picard towards the end of the episode when she calls him Jean Luc.
I give this episode a 6 because Geordi LaForge did manage to make me belly laugh with his over exuberant dialogue in the engine room with Riker. WHOO WEEEEE and a thumbs up. I get a real kick out of boyscout/girl guide moments on star trek and Geordi makes an amazing boy scout.
Riker did drop a few wisdom starfleet bombs in this one, "Fear is the true enemy" and "We can hardly hate what we once were...." Profound Riker, profound.
Armin Shimerman gets a role as a one dimension Ferengi in this one. The Ferengi definitely needed some work ---- In this episode they are insufferable in a way that is not compelling. For a villian/antagonist I need something to hook me. There is no hook here.
The visual effects on the planet surface when Riker is yelling out on top of the rock was laughably bad. I only point this out because TOS managed to do far better in the 60's, so it's a bit of a head scratcher how they managed to do worse 20 years later.
Beverly Crushers hair is still spectacular but not as bouncy as I prefer. We get some more sexual tension between her and Picard towards the end of the episode when she calls him Jean Luc.
I give this episode a 6 because Geordi LaForge did manage to make me belly laugh with his over exuberant dialogue in the engine room with Riker. WHOO WEEEEE and a thumbs up. I get a real kick out of boyscout/girl guide moments on star trek and Geordi makes an amazing boy scout.
A slight improvement on the first two episodes of the series proper.
Prichards1234525 February 2022
This is the episode that introduced the Ferenghi; billed as the new threat, they come across as silly and stupid in the main, although the episode itself is a watchable one.
Unfortunately the T'Kon Empire is not sufficiently developed, and the thing seems to be borrowing its basic story from Arena.
But overall it's okay, and the regular cast are beginning to improve and get a handle on their characters.
Unfortunately the T'Kon Empire is not sufficiently developed, and the thing seems to be borrowing its basic story from Arena.
But overall it's okay, and the regular cast are beginning to improve and get a handle on their characters.
"We will accuse the humans of preparing to ambush us."
classicsoncall16 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In a way, I'm glad I started watching this series now in 2023, otherwise I might have given up in 1987 after episode #1.3 'Code of Honor' and this one, with it's newly introduced and less than formidable alien antagonists called the Ferengi. Mentioned by Groppler Zorn in the pilot episode, I thought I might have missed something during the run of the original 'Star Trek' series, but I knew I hadn't when they first appeared on screen. Unlike the Klingons and Romulans, the Ferengi were depicted almost like comical yet vicious goons, with a goofy looking whip like weapon that operated like a taser. In any event, both the Ferengi and the Enterprise-D crew found themselves at the mercy of an energy draining planet once inhabited by the Tkon Empire, extinct now for six hundred thousand years, but guarded by a portal being who missed that memo while he slept for all those centuries. I couldn't help thinking that the Portal (Darryl Henriques) was based on the character of Emperor Palpatine, who first turned up in "Return of the Jedi". He had the same stance, cloak and aged visage of the evil emperor. Nevertheless, the away team that beams down to the unnamed planet holding the Federation and Ferengi vessels immobilized, led by Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes), is eventually able to reason with the Portal and gets the Enterprise released from the Portal's grip. And he didn't even have to snap his fingers, he just made it happen by thinking about it! The Ferengi get to slink away, and once aboard the Enterprise-D, Commander Data (Brent Spiner) gets to contemplate his Chinese finger puzzle one more time.
Ah yes, the magical empire destroying Supernova.
amusinghandle23 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The tKon empire that at it's height had trillions of people is apparently wiped out by a 'Supernova' ---- was this same magical nova that took down the Romulans? Well, moving right along.
We get our first glimpse of the Ferengi and it's not the best first impression. These goblins are the new big baddie? Really?! That gets smoothed out with all the following episodes but there is not much to chew on with this initial viewing.
We get a slapped together B-Plot of the enterprise freezing due to the energy drain and this provides some Bev/Picard moments but I am not exactly on the edge of my seat in fear for the safety of the crew.
The climax involves Riker using human guile to infer that Portal 63 loves righteous famous quotes and he ultimately gains his respect for providing an honest explanation on what humans are all about. Was the portal 63 actor dubbed? He sounded weird.
I know that Roddenberry was adamant that TNG not ride on TOS's coat tails ---- so, it's a bit baffling that we have an episode of TNG that feels like it belongs in TOS's plodding 3rd season.
I laughed at Geordi's over exuberance scene in engineering with riker but that's about all the joy I found in this one.
We get our first glimpse of the Ferengi and it's not the best first impression. These goblins are the new big baddie? Really?! That gets smoothed out with all the following episodes but there is not much to chew on with this initial viewing.
We get a slapped together B-Plot of the enterprise freezing due to the energy drain and this provides some Bev/Picard moments but I am not exactly on the edge of my seat in fear for the safety of the crew.
The climax involves Riker using human guile to infer that Portal 63 loves righteous famous quotes and he ultimately gains his respect for providing an honest explanation on what humans are all about. Was the portal 63 actor dubbed? He sounded weird.
I know that Roddenberry was adamant that TNG not ride on TOS's coat tails ---- so, it's a bit baffling that we have an episode of TNG that feels like it belongs in TOS's plodding 3rd season.
I laughed at Geordi's over exuberance scene in engineering with riker but that's about all the joy I found in this one.
Loved this episode, not cos of the Ferengi...
XweAponX31 July 2013
...But due to this last outpost of the tKon Empire. It was simply, a cool 50's type Science Fiction story stuck in the midst of Trek.
The Ferengi steal a "Worthless T-9 Energy Converter" and The Enterprise D gives chase. They pass a planet and it seems that the Ferengi have got the D in some kind of energy suppressor beam. "We push, they push back" as Geordi tells Riker. This is also a hint that Geordi will eventually be on charge of Engineering, any time we had a 1st season engineering conundrum, Geordi solved it. But here, it's a hint of things to come.
My favorite part of this episode was when they had finally turned their attention on the planet, Data pulls up a rotating stellar map in an ancient language. We can all ask, "If the tKon Empire is out of business, how did Starfleet ever find out about it?" - Well, we forget the United Federation of Planets, of which there are over 150 member worlds. So we can assume one of them had this information that Data pulls up before he gets stuck in an odd "functional Impasse" due to misuse of a Chinese finger-puzzle.
In fact we never saw that same Stellar map ever again, it was used in this episode and only here.
When it becomes plain that The Ferengi are not the cause of the power drain, Picard suggest both ships send away teams down to the Planet. I just loved this planet, it was an image of something truly "alien".
And this is our first view of The Ferengi, Armin Shimmerman who would become Quark is there, but we forget Tracy Walter, who was in an early 80's movie called "Repo Man" - And too bad Tracy only had about 2 lines. Now these original Ferengi, these must have been the "Ferengi Shock Troops" - In Deep Space 9, Quark refers to these original Ferengi as "Marauder Moe" - Adorned in animal skins with cool Phaser-Whips. We never saw the whips, or the uniforms, ever again. Maybe the Uniforms in "The Battle". I see one and only one continuity error- These Original Ferengi show interest in the Gold which encases the Comm badges. Ferengi have no use for worthless gold except for Gold Dust to make bars of latimum which is their main currency. "Gold Pressed Latinum".
But the problem was, these scrodsuckers were just too danged FUNNY for us to believe they were any kind of serious threat to the Federation! Hold that thought, the humor aspect was greatly enlarged, until delved into in Deep Space Nine, where we finally got to see their home planet, and their rules of acquisition, and their leader, Grand Nagus Zek.
And so these buffoons confront the Enterprise away team on this eerie planet, it is a comedy of caricatures.
But mostly I liked this guy named "Portal" who is the guardian of the planet. He swings a mean Axe on Riker! I thought his makeup not up to Westmore's par.
I guess it was just the idea of a forgotten planet, and a sleeping guardian with unmeasurable power that was the attraction for me. If not for Riker's composure, Portal would have obliterated both ships and that would have been the end of the show right there. But Riker's solution to facing Portal was similar to the Chinese finger puzzle, the less effort used, the quicker the release from the dilemma.
The Ferengi steal a "Worthless T-9 Energy Converter" and The Enterprise D gives chase. They pass a planet and it seems that the Ferengi have got the D in some kind of energy suppressor beam. "We push, they push back" as Geordi tells Riker. This is also a hint that Geordi will eventually be on charge of Engineering, any time we had a 1st season engineering conundrum, Geordi solved it. But here, it's a hint of things to come.
My favorite part of this episode was when they had finally turned their attention on the planet, Data pulls up a rotating stellar map in an ancient language. We can all ask, "If the tKon Empire is out of business, how did Starfleet ever find out about it?" - Well, we forget the United Federation of Planets, of which there are over 150 member worlds. So we can assume one of them had this information that Data pulls up before he gets stuck in an odd "functional Impasse" due to misuse of a Chinese finger-puzzle.
In fact we never saw that same Stellar map ever again, it was used in this episode and only here.
When it becomes plain that The Ferengi are not the cause of the power drain, Picard suggest both ships send away teams down to the Planet. I just loved this planet, it was an image of something truly "alien".
And this is our first view of The Ferengi, Armin Shimmerman who would become Quark is there, but we forget Tracy Walter, who was in an early 80's movie called "Repo Man" - And too bad Tracy only had about 2 lines. Now these original Ferengi, these must have been the "Ferengi Shock Troops" - In Deep Space 9, Quark refers to these original Ferengi as "Marauder Moe" - Adorned in animal skins with cool Phaser-Whips. We never saw the whips, or the uniforms, ever again. Maybe the Uniforms in "The Battle". I see one and only one continuity error- These Original Ferengi show interest in the Gold which encases the Comm badges. Ferengi have no use for worthless gold except for Gold Dust to make bars of latimum which is their main currency. "Gold Pressed Latinum".
But the problem was, these scrodsuckers were just too danged FUNNY for us to believe they were any kind of serious threat to the Federation! Hold that thought, the humor aspect was greatly enlarged, until delved into in Deep Space Nine, where we finally got to see their home planet, and their rules of acquisition, and their leader, Grand Nagus Zek.
And so these buffoons confront the Enterprise away team on this eerie planet, it is a comedy of caricatures.
But mostly I liked this guy named "Portal" who is the guardian of the planet. He swings a mean Axe on Riker! I thought his makeup not up to Westmore's par.
I guess it was just the idea of a forgotten planet, and a sleeping guardian with unmeasurable power that was the attraction for me. If not for Riker's composure, Portal would have obliterated both ships and that would have been the end of the show right there. But Riker's solution to facing Portal was similar to the Chinese finger puzzle, the less effort used, the quicker the release from the dilemma.
Ferengis' Cunning Entrance
makiefer-8712823 December 2023
Extreme alien makeup - untypical for Star Trek shows. Usually, a yellow skin means android, pointy ears means a Vulcan alien ... Ferengis have giant ears and huge bumps for heads. Their spirit changes dramatically in later episodes. In this episode, they are characterised as warmongers, permanently armed with whips. In later episides in TNG, Deep Space Nine and Voyager (!), they become greedy monsters. Their confusing, inconsistent entrance in this episode might be intentional: If you, as a race, have something to hide, you mischaracterise yourself. As warmongers, if you think you can retain that image. Else you'll get blown to pieces. The Ferengi possibly misjudged the Federation's potential to annihilate the Ferengi. After all, unlike Romulans and Klingons, the Federation don't have cloaking devices with their space vessels.
Ferengi Zoomies
anarchistica17 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's painful to see the Ferengi reduced to silly, stupid caricatures that hop around incessantly. The accompanying cheap social commentary is awful. Even worse is how once again the Federation's laissez-faire attitude towards letting the "weak" die when they could have prevented it is justified.
On the plus side the planet set is lovely and seeing a Captain consult his staff before making a decision is nice. Though not nice enough to compensate for close-ups of the awful Ferengi dentures and the bizarre way some characters act.
Oh god, and the story. Apparently they can't spare blankets for the most essential staff members so those just lie down on the bridge and prepare to die? Ugh.
On the plus side the planet set is lovely and seeing a Captain consult his staff before making a decision is nice. Though not nice enough to compensate for close-ups of the awful Ferengi dentures and the bizarre way some characters act.
Oh god, and the story. Apparently they can't spare blankets for the most essential staff members so those just lie down on the bridge and prepare to die? Ugh.
Do Humans Have Such Interesting Thoughts While the Ferengi are Mere Dim Wits (Lucky with High Advancement)?
Rizar12 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"The Last Outpost" (Episode 4, Season 1, Air Date 10/19/87, Stardate 41386.4) introduces the Ferengi, reflects on parts of human history, and praises human intellectual history with such examples as Sun Tzu ('The Art of War'). As I started to re-watch this episode I initially thought "ugh, this one." Though I actually found it more filled with imagination than I had remembered.
In the episode Enterprise pursues the Ferengi with hopes of reclaiming stolen technology and learning more about the Ferengi civilization. Enterprise and the Ferengi get suddenly immobilized by force fields extending from a nearby planet, which is the last remains of an extinct empire (called Tkon).
The Tkon empire had trillions in its population, spanned many planets and stars, had the power to move stars, and used planets as defensive outposts. It was completely wiped out by a supernova, though. The last planetary outpost of the empire gathers energy and acts as a power accumulator. It can also summon a sleeping guardian (referred to as Portal) from an older age of the empire to accept petitions to enter the empire and test applicants for their worthiness.
Throughout the episode the plot has other interesting gems that would not come across in a typical reporting of the plot:
(1) The Ferengi can somehow shield their thoughts and emotions from Deanna. They also distort their images from their ship (but we never find out how).
(2) Picard and his crew reflect on the meaning of flag colors. They comment on the competition between countries in the past, but Picard seems to still have some of that nationalism leftover from earlier periods of history. He thinks France has the flag color of red, white and blue in the proper order (blue, white, red). I thought we left such divisive thoughts behind us!
(3) Geordi uses a little Newtonian physics to explain the way the force field immobilizes Enterprise. It isn't a constant force, for as Enterprise tries to move, the force field pushes back with an equal push back.
(4) Data cannot get out of a simple Chinese finger puzzle (or finger trap). You'd think his advanced reasoning would try a few more possibilities. Data also works on his slang ('it's nothing to write home about') in his continuing quest to mimic human oddities.
I think science fiction should be as imaginative as this episode more often. As we imagine new cultures and new civilizations, we will no doubt find differences in values and in viewpoints about the definition of a civilization. The Ferengi find many human customs barbaric, and humans compare the Ferengi to the worst sort of capitalists in our own history; the sort of traders that stress the condition of 'let the buyer beware' in business dealings. But the Ferengi are at a similar level of technological advancement as the Federation (so they've done something expertly).
Usually new creations and inventive new aliens in SF and fantasy are only superficially different in manifest physical characteristics and then just reflect human values in fundamentals of cultural and moral beliefs.
The Ferengi succeed in being different in their ideas and values: their women wear no clothing and don't work, they don't like to communicate visually from ship to ship, they never adorn gold in wasteful ways, and they value commerce and modernization of lesser civilizations over the prime directive. But they don't have much curiosity in new ideas, and that hurts their image severely in this episode. How did they get so advanced then?
Riker and his team battle against the Ferengi and both sides try to convince the Portal to release their ships. We discover a bit about the Ferengi, but the Portal is impressed with human culture and thought. Apparently the Portal guardian studied human thought when it examined the computer library on Enterprise, but in any case it considers the Ferengi as closed minded compared to Riker's interesting thoughts about Sun Tzu ('Know your enemy and know your self, and you will always be victorious').
And to think that the intention of the Ferengi was to make them new bad guys! (1) Capitalists are the ultimate *adapters* to new frontiers, (2) commerce doesn't flow if a species is outright violent and constantly war-like (this reminds me of 'The Godfather'), (3) and to be successful in technology they require intelligence and innovation. Yes, they could still be unethical (by our standards) while being intelligent, but they could not be both unthoughtful and as advanced as the Federation on their own. (And the episode doesn't depict the Ferengi as forcing other intelligent beings to help them learn the technology they steal or design themselves.)
So to portray the Ferengi as completely closed minded is unconvincing in the extreme. Yes, perhaps they wouldn't dwell on Sun Tzu or any other philosopher but they would certainly have to dwell on science, technology, economics, and weaponry. You don't have to love Shakespeare to have interesting thoughts! They must be thoughtful to some extent (or have access to thoughtful beings). Even if they steal technology, they still have to learn how it works.
Riker compares the Ferengi to early capitalists in human history. He cannot bring himself to dismiss the Ferengi completely since they seem to him like they are at an earlier stage of human history, except they have greater power and so are more dangerous. But this breaks the typical reluctance of Star Trek to criticize other cultures. It treats Ferengi culture and values as lesser developed. Maybe its better just to call them dangerous and not compare moral conceits (since the Ferengi think it's the humans who are barbaric!).
I found the Ferengi a bit unconvincing as dim witted, advanced capitalists. But the Tkon empire was interesting and it's Portal is smart to appreciate the mind of humans (I do too)!
In the episode Enterprise pursues the Ferengi with hopes of reclaiming stolen technology and learning more about the Ferengi civilization. Enterprise and the Ferengi get suddenly immobilized by force fields extending from a nearby planet, which is the last remains of an extinct empire (called Tkon).
The Tkon empire had trillions in its population, spanned many planets and stars, had the power to move stars, and used planets as defensive outposts. It was completely wiped out by a supernova, though. The last planetary outpost of the empire gathers energy and acts as a power accumulator. It can also summon a sleeping guardian (referred to as Portal) from an older age of the empire to accept petitions to enter the empire and test applicants for their worthiness.
Throughout the episode the plot has other interesting gems that would not come across in a typical reporting of the plot:
(1) The Ferengi can somehow shield their thoughts and emotions from Deanna. They also distort their images from their ship (but we never find out how).
(2) Picard and his crew reflect on the meaning of flag colors. They comment on the competition between countries in the past, but Picard seems to still have some of that nationalism leftover from earlier periods of history. He thinks France has the flag color of red, white and blue in the proper order (blue, white, red). I thought we left such divisive thoughts behind us!
(3) Geordi uses a little Newtonian physics to explain the way the force field immobilizes Enterprise. It isn't a constant force, for as Enterprise tries to move, the force field pushes back with an equal push back.
(4) Data cannot get out of a simple Chinese finger puzzle (or finger trap). You'd think his advanced reasoning would try a few more possibilities. Data also works on his slang ('it's nothing to write home about') in his continuing quest to mimic human oddities.
I think science fiction should be as imaginative as this episode more often. As we imagine new cultures and new civilizations, we will no doubt find differences in values and in viewpoints about the definition of a civilization. The Ferengi find many human customs barbaric, and humans compare the Ferengi to the worst sort of capitalists in our own history; the sort of traders that stress the condition of 'let the buyer beware' in business dealings. But the Ferengi are at a similar level of technological advancement as the Federation (so they've done something expertly).
Usually new creations and inventive new aliens in SF and fantasy are only superficially different in manifest physical characteristics and then just reflect human values in fundamentals of cultural and moral beliefs.
The Ferengi succeed in being different in their ideas and values: their women wear no clothing and don't work, they don't like to communicate visually from ship to ship, they never adorn gold in wasteful ways, and they value commerce and modernization of lesser civilizations over the prime directive. But they don't have much curiosity in new ideas, and that hurts their image severely in this episode. How did they get so advanced then?
Riker and his team battle against the Ferengi and both sides try to convince the Portal to release their ships. We discover a bit about the Ferengi, but the Portal is impressed with human culture and thought. Apparently the Portal guardian studied human thought when it examined the computer library on Enterprise, but in any case it considers the Ferengi as closed minded compared to Riker's interesting thoughts about Sun Tzu ('Know your enemy and know your self, and you will always be victorious').
And to think that the intention of the Ferengi was to make them new bad guys! (1) Capitalists are the ultimate *adapters* to new frontiers, (2) commerce doesn't flow if a species is outright violent and constantly war-like (this reminds me of 'The Godfather'), (3) and to be successful in technology they require intelligence and innovation. Yes, they could still be unethical (by our standards) while being intelligent, but they could not be both unthoughtful and as advanced as the Federation on their own. (And the episode doesn't depict the Ferengi as forcing other intelligent beings to help them learn the technology they steal or design themselves.)
So to portray the Ferengi as completely closed minded is unconvincing in the extreme. Yes, perhaps they wouldn't dwell on Sun Tzu or any other philosopher but they would certainly have to dwell on science, technology, economics, and weaponry. You don't have to love Shakespeare to have interesting thoughts! They must be thoughtful to some extent (or have access to thoughtful beings). Even if they steal technology, they still have to learn how it works.
Riker compares the Ferengi to early capitalists in human history. He cannot bring himself to dismiss the Ferengi completely since they seem to him like they are at an earlier stage of human history, except they have greater power and so are more dangerous. But this breaks the typical reluctance of Star Trek to criticize other cultures. It treats Ferengi culture and values as lesser developed. Maybe its better just to call them dangerous and not compare moral conceits (since the Ferengi think it's the humans who are barbaric!).
I found the Ferengi a bit unconvincing as dim witted, advanced capitalists. But the Tkon empire was interesting and it's Portal is smart to appreciate the mind of humans (I do too)!
Ostensibly the Introduction of a Big Villain
Samuel-Shovel11 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Last Outpost", the Enterprise is in pursuit of a Ferengi vessel after discovering it stole some equipment from an unmanned Federation station. The Federation and Ferengi have never been in direct conflict before so this is uncharted waters. Unsure of their technological prowess or even what they look like, the Enterprise finds itself caught in some kind of beam that is sucking the energy from the ship. They soon discover that the Ferengi ship is in a similar state. The energy is being sucked down to the nearest planet's surface. It appears to be a leftover outpost from an ancient empire.
The two ship's agree to beam down together in a co-op away mission to try to figure out how to get out of this predicament. The Ferengi quickly double cross the Enterprise's crew however. With their energy whips they attack the away team and steal their gold chevrons. They end up awakening an ancient guardian named Portal representing the empire. He threatens to destroy them all but changes his mind after having a philosophical discussion with Riker. He spares both ship's but makes the Ferengi give back the Federation's technology.
The Ferengi were intended to be the big bad of TNG but that never really worked out. Here is their first appearance and you can see why it wasn't meant to be. They're extremely annoying little goblin creatures who grate on the eyes and ears of the audience. They never seem like a huge threat, even after incapacitating the away team. They work a lot better as comedic relief.
This isn't a very good episode. It has all the makings of a TOS episode with a god-like being who the humans have to win over. The whole discussion between Portal and Riker is pretty lame and nonsensical. The Chinese fingertrap gag is also something I could do without.
I did enjoy the direction of this episode. We have a few really cool shots and I do enjoy the set design of the planet's surface. It's probably the best episode this far (which isn't saying too much). I think the director has a lot to do with that.
This episode is noteworthy since it introduces the Ferengi for the first time chronologically in the Star Trek universe (discounting that one episode of ST: Enterprise which is kind of a loophole). Beyond that though, this episode is fairly mediocre.
The two ship's agree to beam down together in a co-op away mission to try to figure out how to get out of this predicament. The Ferengi quickly double cross the Enterprise's crew however. With their energy whips they attack the away team and steal their gold chevrons. They end up awakening an ancient guardian named Portal representing the empire. He threatens to destroy them all but changes his mind after having a philosophical discussion with Riker. He spares both ship's but makes the Ferengi give back the Federation's technology.
The Ferengi were intended to be the big bad of TNG but that never really worked out. Here is their first appearance and you can see why it wasn't meant to be. They're extremely annoying little goblin creatures who grate on the eyes and ears of the audience. They never seem like a huge threat, even after incapacitating the away team. They work a lot better as comedic relief.
This isn't a very good episode. It has all the makings of a TOS episode with a god-like being who the humans have to win over. The whole discussion between Portal and Riker is pretty lame and nonsensical. The Chinese fingertrap gag is also something I could do without.
I did enjoy the direction of this episode. We have a few really cool shots and I do enjoy the set design of the planet's surface. It's probably the best episode this far (which isn't saying too much). I think the director has a lot to do with that.
This episode is noteworthy since it introduces the Ferengi for the first time chronologically in the Star Trek universe (discounting that one episode of ST: Enterprise which is kind of a loophole). Beyond that though, this episode is fairly mediocre.
Darryl Henriques steal the episode with 4-5 minutes!
etorch9 June 2019
This is the first of the Enterprises' run-in with the the one trick pony Ferengi, with their ruthlessly mercantile , misogynistic finagling: big deal.
What matters is the astounding presence of The Portal, played by Darryl Henriques, the last of the immortal guardians of a once unimaginably vast and superior empire inhabited by a race of nearly omniscient beings, who has stopped the Federation and Ferengi from functioning, leaving them dead in space and freezing as punishment for conflictual behavior in his space!
His ease of releasing the ships, in deciding who the aggressor was and questioning Riker is genius!
A poorly crafted piece of anti-Ferengi propaganda
snarky-trek-reviews6 February 2021
9:19 on Netflix, thank me later. WooWee!
Picard demands the return of stolen property before attempting to run away. Since he can't run away he remains true to his French roots and surrenders. WooWee!
Plot twist: the Ferengi want to surrender instead. WooWee!
Double plot twist: both Human's and Ferengi are snared by a third force emanating from the planet. WooWee!
Data gets his fingers stuck during a briefing. What seems like an on set joke becomes part of the plot. WooWee!
33:41 short lived Ferengi whip erection. WooWee!
The conversation between Riker and Portal at the end of the episode gives away the game. As a kid I was enthralled by Riker's answer to Portal's riddle and his fearlessness in the face of danger. As an adult, I understand what the writers are using him to say about all us "Yankee Traders". The noble Star Fleet progressives who work to better themselves and humanity must convert the evil Ferengi capitalists who work for money like the rest of us. The Ferengi are portrayed as sniveling and duplicitous trolls who need to adopt federation values in order to become less dangerous to the galaxy. I'll consider this the opening salvo in the Federation's culture war against my people.
Verdict: Nothing to write home about
Fun Fact: Worf denials number 2 AND 3 take place in this episode.
Picard demands the return of stolen property before attempting to run away. Since he can't run away he remains true to his French roots and surrenders. WooWee!
Plot twist: the Ferengi want to surrender instead. WooWee!
Double plot twist: both Human's and Ferengi are snared by a third force emanating from the planet. WooWee!
Data gets his fingers stuck during a briefing. What seems like an on set joke becomes part of the plot. WooWee!
33:41 short lived Ferengi whip erection. WooWee!
The conversation between Riker and Portal at the end of the episode gives away the game. As a kid I was enthralled by Riker's answer to Portal's riddle and his fearlessness in the face of danger. As an adult, I understand what the writers are using him to say about all us "Yankee Traders". The noble Star Fleet progressives who work to better themselves and humanity must convert the evil Ferengi capitalists who work for money like the rest of us. The Ferengi are portrayed as sniveling and duplicitous trolls who need to adopt federation values in order to become less dangerous to the galaxy. I'll consider this the opening salvo in the Federation's culture war against my people.
Verdict: Nothing to write home about
Fun Fact: Worf denials number 2 AND 3 take place in this episode.
A Senior Trekker writes...................
celineduchain15 December 2021
Writing in 2021, it is great to see that I am not the only person taking a retrospective look at Star Trek, the Next Generation. When this series was first released in 1987, a little less than twenty years after the end of the Original Series, many people thought that, without Captain Kirk and his crew, it couldn't really be Star Trek. However, original creator Gene Roddenberry, was fully invested in the casting, writing and overall look of the new series, so let's see how it shaped up:
This one gets off a little more lightly than its predecessor but the absurd depiction of the Ferengi, the Next Generation's "next generation" of adversaries really lets it down. They are depicted as being ridiculous, lecherous, and avaricious whilst simultaneously conveying the minimum amount of actual menace. Armin Shimerman makes his first of many appearances in Star Trek and we should be eternally grateful that this fine actor chose to put up with the bad script, the uncomfortable teeth and the latex ears and continued to entertain us in many better written episodes to come.
Fortunately, the lesser known Darryl Henriques who played Portal, also got some further outings as different characters in later Star Trek productions. He certainly deserved some recompense for having to wear what must be the worst ageing make up ever seen on screen.
The misty blue sets had a classic Star Trek look to them, though; complete with polystyrene rocks and the type of crystal structures that completely defied the laws of physics.
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
This one gets off a little more lightly than its predecessor but the absurd depiction of the Ferengi, the Next Generation's "next generation" of adversaries really lets it down. They are depicted as being ridiculous, lecherous, and avaricious whilst simultaneously conveying the minimum amount of actual menace. Armin Shimerman makes his first of many appearances in Star Trek and we should be eternally grateful that this fine actor chose to put up with the bad script, the uncomfortable teeth and the latex ears and continued to entertain us in many better written episodes to come.
Fortunately, the lesser known Darryl Henriques who played Portal, also got some further outings as different characters in later Star Trek productions. He certainly deserved some recompense for having to wear what must be the worst ageing make up ever seen on screen.
The misty blue sets had a classic Star Trek look to them, though; complete with polystyrene rocks and the type of crystal structures that completely defied the laws of physics.
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
Fun and Ferengi
Hitchcoc26 July 2014
This episode gets things back on track. First of all, we are introduced to a new race, the ear-dominant businessmen of the universe, the Ferengi. As the crew of the Enterprise must deal with something on the surface of a strange planet that is drawing their energy, they encounter these anything-for-a-buck adversaries that will make their lives a problem for many episodes to come. These guys won't listen to reason, suspicious of anyone who gets in the way of their commerce. Unfortunately, they are experiencing the same drain of power as Picard and the crew but can't fess up about it. It requires an alliance but that is hard to negotiate. The true danger is on the planet and someone better do something. Of course, it's no secret for anyone that this marriage is not made in heaven but cooler heads prevail. For a while. Suffice it to say, the Ferengi are refreshing, unique characters with qualities unlike any others out there. They have cool speech patterns and an aggressive, self-centered being about them. Once again, they offer new challenges. This episode takes a critical situation and adds some humor. I remember that this began to revive my faith that this series was back on track.
Perhaps The Worst ST Episode of All Time
phlipside21 March 2021
This is astonishingly TOS had some pretty bad episodes but I don't remember anything this bad. The script is wretched and the actors can't do anything to help it. Clearly the new series hadn't found its feet yet. Data is odd, the Ferengi are cartoonish, and who thought those whips were a good idea?
For me, this the lowest moment in the franchise's history.
For me this is as a low a moment in the franchise history as any
For me, this the lowest moment in the franchise's history.
For me this is as a low a moment in the franchise history as any
Dawn of the Ferengi...
planktonrules9 November 2014
"The Last Outpost" marks the first appearance of the Ferengi in the Star Trek shows (though they were mentioned in an earlier one). The Ferengi steal Federation property and when the Enterprise gives chase, the Ferengi decide to fight and are FAR more aggressive than they'd be in future episodes. In this case, they begin fighting. However, the Enterprise soon is stuck in some sort of tractor beam...and so is the Ferengi ship. Who's behind this and how will they break free? And, is it even possible to work with the treacherous Ferengi to find a solution?
This was a very good episode. It was intelligently written and showed a different sort of Enterprise than you normally saw in the previous series. However, it also ushers in a LONG (and occasionally annoying) number of episodes where the Enterprise is amazingly passive and non- violent--as if the future human race has perfected itself. This represents the philosophy of the new series--one that seemed to be a bit too much at times (as I preferred Kirk's less philosophical way of dealing with aliens).
This was a very good episode. It was intelligently written and showed a different sort of Enterprise than you normally saw in the previous series. However, it also ushers in a LONG (and occasionally annoying) number of episodes where the Enterprise is amazingly passive and non- violent--as if the future human race has perfected itself. This represents the philosophy of the new series--one that seemed to be a bit too much at times (as I preferred Kirk's less philosophical way of dealing with aliens).
Immobilised by the damn Ferengi!
gritfrombray-127 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
We see the USS Enterprise pursuing a little known about Ferengi vessel because they have stolen some Federation property. Both ships are suddenly immobilised by an unknown force originating from a nearby planet. The Enterprise inexplicably loses power as does the Ferengi ship. An agreement is reached between both crews and both a Ferengi and Enterprise team beam to the planet to find a solution to both ships predicaments. The Ferengi are in this shown to be vicious and a lot more fearless than later in the series. Why the writers chose to change their nature in following episodes is a mystery. Their aggression in this was almost Klingon like! Less the out and out courage of course. The planet contains the remains of what used to be the T'kon empire. Gone ages since. When an agreement is eventually reached with the T'kon portal and they depart we get left wondering what part the Ferengi will play in coming adventures. Trivia fans should know the T'kon Portal was played by Darryl Henriques who player Nanclus, the Romulan Ambassador in Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country
S1E4 Discussion
iarbo7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Star Trek TNG S1E4 Discussion
Geordi was so excited about hitting warp 9. What a letdown. Is that the fastest a ship can go?
I feel like data could have figured that finger trip out. Seemed weird to me but they kept running with that gag.
All right Worf is getting involved! I know he's a Klingon and is a warrior but that's about it. Loved to see him stand up for Riker. Hopefully he can have some bigger roles in upcoming episodes.
The Enterprise crew has been coming across as so weak. Bowing to the orders or two different leaders in a row. Then Riker, Geordi, and Data all get smoked once they land on the planet. They sort of addressed it at the end when discussing with the empire leader about their philosophy.
The Ferengi were 200 years behind us in culture but their weapons are stronger than ours? Also more sexist aliens when it comes to Yar. Again already?
Also is that Star Wars reference intentional? A thing called the force appears and immediately makes a Palpatine face and is head of an empire lol are we allowed to mention Star Wars here?
Anyways fun episode. Certainly better than the last one.
Geordi was so excited about hitting warp 9. What a letdown. Is that the fastest a ship can go?
I feel like data could have figured that finger trip out. Seemed weird to me but they kept running with that gag.
All right Worf is getting involved! I know he's a Klingon and is a warrior but that's about it. Loved to see him stand up for Riker. Hopefully he can have some bigger roles in upcoming episodes.
The Enterprise crew has been coming across as so weak. Bowing to the orders or two different leaders in a row. Then Riker, Geordi, and Data all get smoked once they land on the planet. They sort of addressed it at the end when discussing with the empire leader about their philosophy.
The Ferengi were 200 years behind us in culture but their weapons are stronger than ours? Also more sexist aliens when it comes to Yar. Again already?
Also is that Star Wars reference intentional? A thing called the force appears and immediately makes a Palpatine face and is head of an empire lol are we allowed to mention Star Wars here?
Anyways fun episode. Certainly better than the last one.
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