Star Trek: The Next Generation

Datalore - S1-E13

Character mistake: At the end of the episode, after Lore has been defeated, Picard asks Data if he is O.K. Data replies, "I'm fine." One of the plot points of this episode is that Data cannot use contractions.

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Suggested correction: That characteristic was not added to the character until season two. In the first season, Data uses contractions on a number of occasions.

It's still a possible mistake, even if it wasn't part of season 1 scripting. Just because we only learn later that Data doesn't use contractions, doesn't make this mistake invalid. We learn Data was specifically constructed that way and hadn't been able to use contraction since being created, which means all of season 1 he shouldn't be using contractions. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

It would only be a mistake if he used the contraction after the trait was established for the character.

Possibly, but that's not how mistakes on this site work seem to work. It could still be a valid mistake in the context of the entire show since the character trait had in fact been established. It's the same way for when shows do something like establish a character's birth-date in later seasons, but when episodes from earlier season have the character at the wrong age. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

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Suggested correction: This is only a mistake if the series is taken as a whole. At this point in the series, that particular trait wasn't part of the character. Data uses contractions multiple times in the first season, as the trait was added later.

While it was explicitly expressed in season 2 that Data can not use contractions, the fact that they did established this character trait means it could be a valid mistake since the trait is meant to show Data could never use contractions since his creation, not that he suddenly developed it some 30-odd years later. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established or at least make one character mistake for "all of season 1" than list every individual time it happened.

Bishop73

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Suggested correction: It is true that in later seasons he is unable to use contractions. However, since that characteristic was not introduced in the first season, this is not a mistake. His behavior is consistent with the character's behavior throughout the first season.

It's still a possible mistake, even if it wasn't part of season 1 scripting. Just because we only learn later that Data doesn't use contractions, doesn't make this mistake invalid. We learn Data was specifically constructed that way and hadn't been able to use contraction since being created, which means all of season 1 he shouldn't be using contractions. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established.

Bishop73

Incorrect. It would be a mistake if he used a contraction after the trait was added to his character, but the mistake can't be retroactive as it wasn't a mistake for him to use it at that point in the show.

We'll Always Have Paris - S1-E24

Character mistake: When Data is on the planet, about to drop the material into the temporal rift, one of the three Datas asks which one of them should do it. The middle Data replies, "Me. It's me." Data is meant to be incapable of using a contraction.

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Suggested correction: That character trait was not established until season 2. Data uses contractions multiple times in the first season.

While it was explicitly expressed in season 2 that Data can not use contractions, the fact that they did established this character trait means it could be a valid mistake since the trait is meant to show Data could never use contractions since his creation, not that he suddenly developed it some 30-odd years later. Although it would probably be best to submit it as a mistake in season 2 when it's mentioned that it contradicts what was established or at least make one character mistake for "all of season 1" than list every individual time it happened.

Bishop73

Q Who? - S2-E16

Other mistake: Worf says the Borg have locked on a tractor beam, but in the next exterior shot there is no tractor beam visible between the two ships. Later there is.

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Suggested correction: Stating that it is locked on is not the same as stating it is engaged. For example, there are numerous occasions where they detect that phasers have been locked but have not yet been engaged/fired.

garok89

In regards to a tractor beam, locked on has always meant engaged and holding the target. Phasers are different as they need to be targeted. The tractor beam just has to hit the ship. I think this is a valid error.

oldbaldyone

Timescape - S6-E25

Factual error: Picard reaches for the bowl of rotten fruit, winces in pain, and suddenly his fingernails have grown about an inch. This was due to the fruit bowl being inside an area where time was moving much faster. The problem is, in order for his fingernails to grow, blood would have to supply the needed nutrients to his fingers at the accelerated rate. Since his heart is in normal time, being away from the bowl of fruit, there is no way his fingernails could have grown like that - his heart is only supplying a normal-time-continuum's worth of blood.

Matty Blast

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Suggested correction: This entry conflates rapid growth with sped up time.

Rightful Heir - S6-E23

Plot hole: During a private conversation with Worf, (the not yet revealed to be clone of) Kahless recounts a time during Worf's childhood when the actual Kahless appeared to Worf in a vision and told him he would do something no other Klingon had ever done. However, it would be impossible for a clone to have such a memory, as his creators would have no knowledge that such a memory even existed, let alone the circumstances and specific content of that vision.

Michael Albert

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Suggested correction: The implication is that Koroth or one of the other priests knew of Worf's vision. Given the purpose of the temple, and the fact Worf had discussions with Koroth prior to the clone appearing, it is obvious that Worf told either Koroth or one of the other priests the specifics of his vision and that his purpose for being there was he wished to see Kahless again.

BaconIsMyBFF

Identity Crisis - S4-E18

Stupidity: When Riker and Worf are searching for Geordi on the holodeck, why don't they just terminate the program, instead of looking for him in the simulated jungle? Would have made it a heck of a lot easier to find him in the relatively small empty holodeck, invisible or not.

wizard_of_gore

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Suggested correction: Geordi had already mutated and since one of the abilities of the mutation is invisibility, shutting off the holodeck wouldn't have helped as, without being able to see Geordi, it would be impossible to know where or if he was still in the holodeck.

The original stupidity still holds though. As the original poster said, it would be easier to find Geordi in the smaller holodeck, without the simulated jungle, "invisible or not."

wizard_of_gore

No, it wouldn't. Before going to the holodeck, the computer was asked where Geordi was with the response he was no longer on board. This would indicate that any type of scanner would not be able to find him. Plus, how would shutting off the holodeck help? Geordi was now invisible, being invisible would have no shadow and shortly after Worf and Riker had even got to the holodeck, a partially mutated Geordi had already got to the transporter room and beamed himself down to the planet.

I have to agree. How would shutting down the holodeck be useful in finding Geordi since he was now invisible and the scanners on the Enterprise couldn't detect him?

Because of how the Holodeck works, turning off the program would leave him in a small room and standing on the floor, so they could at least try to physically sweep the room. Leaving the program running, he's still invisible, but now a physical sweep would be nearly impossible since he could be in trees above them or hiding below them and not on the same ground level.

Bishop73

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Suggested correction: This scene is set in the past (as you said). At this time Data was a Lt. JG.

No, Data was not Lt. Junior Grade at this point in the past. This was when they were going on the Far Point mission and Data already had the rank of Lt. Commander.

Bishop73

Justice - S1-E8

Plot hole: The entire premise of the episode is contradictory; the franchise makes abundantly clear through the so called Prime Directive that the Federation abides to a code (often creating moral dilemmas that may require to stretch the rules) that says that their staff is not supposed to interfere in world that haven't reached warp capabilities, nor involve themselves in their internal matters. In the first half of the episode, Riker and the others just go 'mingle' with the frisky natives without a care in the world, and yet in the second half the Prime Directive itself is referenced explicitly and it is part of the plot.

Sammo

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Suggested correction: They are just enjoying the hospitality of the planet's inhabitants. They are not interfering in their internal affairs or the development of their species. It's only when Wesley gets into trouble that the Prime Directive comes into play. The entire mission of The Enterprise is to make contact with other planets.

wizard_of_gore

Even though they are supposed to make contact with other planets, it's pretty clear in the rest of the series after the first few episodes of Season 1 that they do not (intentionally) contact people that have no warp capability.

11001001 - S1-E15

Plot hole: The binars needed two people to upload the data back to their world but they only intended on keeping Riker in the holodeck. Riker is just one person. Picard came into the holodeck purely by accident - even Minuet said this was true. If Picard hadn't been there, Riker could not have uploaded the data on his own and the binars' plan would have failed.

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Suggested correction: The Binars only trapped Riker because they thought they might need someone to restore the computer for them, which wouldn't have taken 2 Enterprise crew members. It was the fact that the Binars got to their planet too late that required Picard and Riker to work together. However, the Binars already knew Picard was on the Holodeck before they initiated their plan because when Picard exits his ready room he says he's going to join Riker. Had Picard not done this, certainly the Binars could have kept a 2nd crew member on-board somehow, if needed.

Bishop73

The Pegasus - S7-E12

Continuity mistake: In the opening log entry of the first episode, Picard says that "I have been informed that a highly experienced man, one Commander William Riker..." He sounds as though he has been assigned a First Officer without knowing him. However, in this episode he tells Pressman that he read Riker's file, and wanted him, based on Riker's adamant refusal to obey an order that went against his safety protocol.

Movie Nut

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Suggested correction: There's no error here. Picard likely read the files of many officers and requested the ones he preferred, and Star Fleet informed him which one he would get.

Darmok - S5-E2

Deliberate mistake: To fix the error of the Enterprise firing phasers from the torpedo bay, the Blu-ray version uses footage from "The Best of Both Worlds" to show phasers firing from the dorsal emitter. In doing so, they created a new goof; the planet El Adrel is not visible in the background during these shots.

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Suggested correction: I rewatched the original version on the old DVDs. El Adrel wasn't visible in the original either, so this is not a new error.

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Suggested correction: Which episode is this for?

Jon Sandys

Q Who? - S2-E16

Continuity mistake: In the Shuttle, Q's hair is arranged in bangs on his forehead. A split second later in Ten Forward, his hair is up and back from his forehead in the familiar style.

Movie Nut

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Suggested correction: Q's powers has shown in the past that he can change his looks in an instance, as well as his location and anyone else he chooses. This is precisely what happens here.

Bishop73

The Best of Both Worlds (2) - S4-E1

Factual error: Shelby announces the Borg have entered Sector 001, and we get an exterior shot of the Borg ship flying past Saturn. The problem is that the Borg are approaching from the side of the planet illuminated by the sun, meaning they would actually be moving AWAY from Earth rather than toward it.

More mistakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Deja Q - S3-E13

Picard: Return that moon to its orbit.
Q: I have no powers! Q, the ordinary!
Picard: Q, the liar! Q, the misanthrope!
Q: Q, the miserable! Q, the desperate! What must I do to convince you people?
Worf: Die.

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Trivia: Another joke from the set designers: whenever someone is in the Jeffries Tubes, you will see several pipes on the walls labeled "GNDN" this stands for "Goes Nowhere, Does Nothing."

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Skin of Evil - S1-E23

Question: Near the end when they are in the holodeck for the memorial ceremony for Lt. Yar, Dr. Crusher's uniform is green and seconds later it is blue. After watching it several times, it does not appear to be a trick of the light. What happened here? Why would she have on a green uniform in the first place?

con8iv

Chosen answer: The uniform does indeed change colour. It may be due to the need for a green screen in part, or perhaps some lighting altering our perception. That being said, it certainly looks green at the start, blue thereafter.

The show has been done in HD now and not sure if they fix this problem.

Dan23

More questions & answers from Star Trek: The Next Generation

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