John Mc

We clearly share good taste.

I’d be really pleased with that personally. It really is superb.

Book 1 please

A

You did as usual. Can I thank you for hosting and the research as always. I really wanted to make this one and despite being a little late this weekend I really enjoyed it. Thank you.

I totally agree. A book called Federation by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Steven’s. It’s one I can read again and again. I also love the Destiny trilogy by David Mack. There are many.

I second that - thank you. A nice anecdote about Peter contacting you. Not sure about the best CetiAlphaNeil as there are so many (and my favourite is written by someone else 😉) but he’s right up there. This was a great choice though & one of the earliest I owned.

Ultimately for me they were very different. Riker had everything stone didn’t. Family, stability & trust. They both however have a keen strategic mind. It was their methodology that was like chalk & cheese. Well written characters. #TrekBookClub

He saw the challenge of conquering his environment as something to help him bury his past. He had already found respect in the eyes of the wild thing and maybe was looking to find that again. He also realised Starfleet just wasn’t for him. He wasn’t Riker and never would be. #TrekBookClub

Because he saw himself perhaps in his adversary. The battle was over.

I imagine Stone’s actions caused Riker to literally fear for his life. It just was unsettling but very good at the same time.

It was different and quite inspired from Peter. I quite liked it. You were left with the perception that you feared for all their lives (despite knowing Riker clearly couldn’t die). I enjoyed it. #TrekBookClub

I really liked what Peter David did here. It would have been easy to just have a one dimensional savage creature. He didn’t do that. He somehow created depth and interest. He was the villain but it was nuanced as like most creatures it was about survival. #TrekBookClub

Personally family comes first. That said I work hard at my career to provide for my family and teach my children valuable life lessons. Different for Riker obviously but he is a role model and leader. Great traits am sure he will later pass on to Kestra and Thad (😢RIP).

Because nature is simply unpredictable and in some circumstances and undefeatable foe. At least with a person/beast you can match them and learn. #TrekBookClub

That he oozes trust and loyalty. He is someone no matter what you can rely on. Despite the risk to himself. We saw this throughout TNG and no more so than in Picard. He left Nepenthe to rescue Picard & in the finale was willing to die to try save him. #TrekBookClub

He resented what Riker had/has. A place, a family and people who truly trust and respect him. Stone however has never settled, has unresolved issues and no one who trusts him despite (like Will) a keen strategic mind. #TrekBookClub

In a word - no. He’s too damaged and she would be less of a partner and more of a therapist. Stone is too enigmatic. She also has too many (at this point) unresolved issues with Riker. As we later saw they were destined to be together. #TrekBookClub

He is disarming, witty & charming which masks someone who is loyal to a tee & a fantastic leader. As Picard said in Peak Performance ‘don’t misunderstand substance for style’ or similar. He’s also a superb strategist as we saw with the Borg, the simulation, the Sona & the Shrike. A great character.

That’s he’s thoughtful and strategic in his thinking. Sadly though I didn’t like this scene as much. I just couldn’t comprehend Starfleet accepting this kind of behaviour ever. I like the character though and development so somewhat contradictory I know. #TrekBookClub

Btw I always thought it was set before season 3. Only really because of the art work and Riker’s uniform. That said when I think about it Beverley is back (post Pulaski) so must be season 3.

Other seasons were good but it was consistency for me. BOBW Pt2 (& family) were excellent though.

Season 3 was in my opinion the single best season of ST ever. It absolutely smashed it week in & out. Very few mediocre episodes & many classics - Defector/Yesterdays Ent/Offspring/Sarek/Sins of the Father etc culminating in one of the best cliffhangers in history with BOBW Pt1.

It was an isolationist attitude. We have seen this on occasion in Star Trek. Reminds me a little of the episode Home Soul (albeit they’re hiding something very different). He represented an attitude of oversight that maybe they didn’t like.

Totally agree, it was certainly emotional. Took me back decades in an instant. It just hit all the right notes. They smashed what the fans wanted in that moment. Loved some of the Riker scenes in the Last Generation too as was convinced he was going to die. I was gutted and then so pleased.

Absolutely. I loved that moment. I know this book was set many years before that. Crikey I’ve had it since the 90s 😂…it does maybe foreshadow some good bits. Maybe a sign of how good a writer Peter was.

Totally, you’re right. I’d go slightly further. They were family.

It’s a game of strategy and patience. Where you have to think carefully and understand your opponent. Move and counter move. How often does that apply to the story? #TrekBookClub

It’s always been about Guinan’s perception. She sees beyond what others do. She does the same here. She sees beyond Stone and see Beverley in his sights so speaks up. She does this throughout the series when it matters the most. #TrekBookClub

I think this was in keeping with the Wesley storyline. People had an opinion then when they worked with him/spoke with him/saw him in action then they changed their view. #TrekBookClub