185: Grandmaster of Space Invaders

Earl Grey: A Star Trek The Next Generation Podcast

Peak Performance.

Games have a tendency to bring out the best or worst behaviors in players. Competition is innate to human nature and challenges are difficult to resist. Riker challenges Kolrami, a grandmaster of Strategema, knowing he has no chance of winning. We see the USS Hathaway's hand picked crew led by Commander Riker take on the seasoned Captain Picard in a battle simulation to prepare them for the Borg. The strategies used range from predicable to unexpected, especially when they encounter the Ferengi. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Lee Hutchison and Amy Nelson with special guest Zachary Fruhling discuss "Peak Performance," a season two fan favorite episode. We relate different components of competition, challenge, reputation and failure to the game of life. It is possible to make no mistakes and still lose; that is life! Chapters Into (00:01:19) TNG Love (00:02:39) Peak Performance (00:03:28) War Games (00:06:57) Alternate Season Finale? (00:09:23) Dealing with Crisis (00:11:45) Big Scary Ferengi (00:15:40) Strategema (00:20:12) Meta Treks (00:25:40) Competition (00:32:38) Final thoughts (00:47:07) Closing (00:51:12) Hosts Lee Hutchison and Amy Nelson Guests Zachary Fruhling Production Richard Marquez (Editor and Producer) Lee Hutchison (Producer) Amy Nelson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)