The Nitpicker's Guide for Next Generation Trekkers

Nitpickers Guide Series

by Phil Farrand

Six seasons of bloopers, flubs, technical screw-ups, and picayune plot discrepancies for discriminating fans of Star The Next Generation

Stardate 41153.7-46999.9 Starship Enterprise ,
Registry NCC-1701D
We’re watching you. . .

Is there a control panel inside the turbo lift? (No . . . except in the episode “Brothers”)
Do or don’t personnel have to tap their badge to access their communicator? (Only when the writers feel like it)

Yes, we’re fans. But we’re not unobservant. Some of us even have Vulcanlike logic. Author Phil Farrand figures that even if you love somebody, you can tell them about that dab of mustard on their upper lip. So here’s a compendium for Trekkers who are unafraid of pointing the finger at oversights, and who know it’s great fun to find the sloppy mistakes (or cost-cutting cheating) in a show that takes itself very seriously. So get your VCR ready and your mind set for hours of enjoyment and mental stimulation

• Plot oversights
• Production problems
• Changed premises
• Equipment oddities
• Trivia questions
• Fun facts
• Covers every show for the first six seasons of Star The Next Generation
• And more!

Genres: Star Trek, Nonfiction, Reference, Tv, Humor, Star Trek The Next Generation, Trivia

433 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Geoffery Crescent · Rating 3 out of 5]

In today's Wikistuffed internet age, you might question the need for a book that exists purely to pick at the plot-holes and gaffes in a popular nineties TV show, but there are plenty of reasons to pick up a copy of the Nitpickers Guide, rather than heading straight for Memory Alpha. Firstly, it's pretty funny. The writing style is relaxed and full of wry humour while it gently pokes fun at the writers and actors on the Next Generation. It never assumes prior Trek knowledge on behalf of the reader, but neither does it shy away from the fact that this is a book written by Trekkers, for Trekkers (or Trekkies, to use my preferred term.) Not once does it take you to task for caring so much about the minutiae of errors in a sci-fi TV show and applauds your efforts if you score highly in any of its interactive quizzes, which are peppered throughout.

It's main fault is, naturally, that it's dated; one quiz aims to determine how "Trekked" you are by what sort of VHS you own. It's also occasionally sexist, especially where Councillor Troi is concerned, and in places un-PC (it refers to American actress Patti Yasutake as "oriental"). Furthermore it only covers the first six of the seven TNG series, exceedingly irritating especially when you consider the final episode the book covers ends in a cliffhanger. Was the public really so desperate for a nitpickers guide that the book couldn't wait another year to be published? There is a second part available, which covers the last season alongside the TNG movies, although to judge by its Amazon reviews this is a far inferior product, written in a very different style. It's a pity, because even with a wealth of TRek information available at your fingertips via the web, the Nitpicker's Guide is still a witty and valuable source of information

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this book (updated to include TNG's seven year run & the film "Generations"). It points out some fascinating inconsistencies, goofs, and outrageous mistakes with great humour...and occasionally made me laugh until I cried. A book to give to those who think that "Star Trek" fans can be too po-faced and straight-laced for their own good. Some of them DO have a sense of humour...and this work of love proves it.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am indeed nit-pickey. My parents aren't Trekkers, but I'd consider myself a second-gen nerd haha. This book has my seal of approval.

[A.J. Blanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. Not in any profound or meaningful way, but it showed me that nitpicking can be a lot of fun while not make you a 'hater'. That's right, you can love a show/movie/book etc. and still be critical of them, whether it's significant, plot-related issues or tiny technical flubs (such as the stormtrooper bumping his head in Star Wars). I went through most of these guides years ago but wanted to give them their due credit.

This first volume covers seasons 1-4 of TNG, but it's only the tip of the iceberg. This guide isn't the first of its type, so there was a format followed, and it wasn't just one guy who did it all. This was a culmination of multiple sources, methodically organized by Phil Farrand. There's a total of six of these guides I believe, but he unfortunately doesn't do anymore out of fear of legal consequences. There is however a website that's still going strong, and covers probably over a hundred topics.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really a fan of nit-picking shows. I was when I was younger, but as I've gotten older an error has to be really egregious for me to take umbrage with it and want to point it out. And there's a lot of things in this book in which I have little interest, particularly continuity errors, where an arm or cup moves from scene to scene. That being said, there's an obvious love of Star Trek here, and it is great fun to revisit episodes of this fantastic series. I also enjoyed seeing how things changed throughout the run of Next Gen (for example, how the Trill developed). I also appreciate that the author gives props to the creators for the many, many things they do well. If you love Next Gen, I can't imagine you wouldn't enjoy this book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phil Farrand wrote a series of these books, and they are quite entertaining little synopses and analyses of the episodes, the trends, pictures, changed premises, damage tote boards - and Phils' sense of humor.
These are worth picking up if you are a Star Trek fan - he did the original series, the Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. He also wrote some books about the X Files, and some other things I believe.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book, but it's not the type to sit down and read through, because the format gets repetitive. It's more like a fun watchalong guide. I'm amazed at the detail that the author was able to collect with only VCR recordings and TV reruns. Unfortunately my copy ends at Descent Part 1.

[Rachel Dickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great companion for watching your favorite episodes of TNG in a new and unique way. It is fun to try to find the different gaffes and also read the highlights of each episode. A great read for any hard-core trekker.

[Coleman Wigger · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're not afraid to read about, or get angry about, things wrong with Trek then this would be a great read.

[Cat.]

I give up--this has been sitting her for 8 months with zero attention. Time to quit.

[Timothy Matas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome companion to watching or re-watching one of the now-classic Trek series!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give 3 stars for the first half of the book because it covers the remaining episodes and the first movie of STNG. Very funny and very astute. But the rest of the book was tiresome where he reviewed all the episodes from the beginning of the show, which were already nit-picked in his first book commendably. I guess he felt he had to fine comb the nits. But most of it was a rehash and continuity errors - such as in one shot he’s holding the glass in the left hand and in the other shot he is holding the glass in the right. Yes, that’s because it’s a TV show and not reality. He was also rather picky about the uniform pips and whether someone should be addressed as ensign, lieutenant, or commander depending on the pips. Best of all, if you haven’t had enough math problems in school, you can relish in his wonderment of how the ship can travel a light year in a couple of hours and another ship traveling at impulse can get to the same spot faster. That’s just too much detail for me to ponder.

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Nitpicker's guide is very good as far as it goes - it gives a plot synopsis of each episode from seasons 1-6, lists plot, technology and continuity errors and has super-geek quiz questions, for each episode and a few very challenging! quizzes for TNG as a whole.

What it does not have is meta info about the episodes - cast & crew listing, behind the scenes, pictures, quotes. It also doesn't delve into the themes and stories of the episodes. Plus season 7 is missing.

Now I know that in this internet age you can look up all the information listed as missing above. That's not the point - it would be nice to have it all in one place. I guess however such a tome would be huge! still I don't see why a season by season series couldn't be done.

As it stands the nitpicker's guide is very text heavy, and selective in what information it offers, but will still appeal to Trek geeks and is a whole lot of fun despite its limitations.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been a companion on my journey (like time!) as I did my TNG rewatch. It only goes through Generations, so here endeth this book's mission. I know some fans don't care for nitpicks, but I think this book does it with fan-ish love. We all have to be open to recognizing when mistakes are made! Sometimes we just have to shrug our shoulders or else come up with some fan reason. This book (2nd ed) has submissions from fans as well as the author covering all seven seasons (and a movie) of The Next Gen. It's a great companion for any TNG rewatch ... sometimes you catch the errors, and sometimes you don't! It encourages you to watch closely.

[Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the books in this series. When you've seen every ST episode for the umpteenth time, take out these books and comb over your favorite episodes one last time. It's like a treasure hunt. The book will lead you to the tiniest details in each episode, completely hidden to the casual viewer.

Is it trivial and unimportant to the outside world?

Maybe.

Is it totally mind-blowing to every dyed in the Andorian-wool Trekkie.

You bettcha!

So if you're fond of Andorian-wool, read this book :)

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh man, I recently revisited this... I wrote a somewhat scathing note on the page where it describes Farrand as an "author," because basically, he just bitches about continuity errors in ST:TNG and I don't believe that elevates one to "author" status. Anyway, if you're a stickler for details and enjoy quibbling about ST:TNG, I imagine you'll get SOMEthing out of it. Oh and visit his Wikipedia page (!) for a chuckle or two.

[J.W. Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite of Phil's Nitpicker's Guides. Phil listened to his fans when he put this together and used their contributions, and that effort pays off. And, unlike the Volume 1 book, this one covers the complete series as well as the first film (which is sort of the end of TNG the tv show in a way, since the movie was filmed right after series and features the Enterprise D). Overall, this far surpasses the first nitpicker's guide.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it - I do myself what this book does - watch something and then pick at the plot failures. Or the strange glasses that keep refilling themselves when we're not watching them. But this book does it in a funny way, skewering the problems and making lots of jokes on the way. If you can't stand someone finding fault with a beloved show, then avoid this like the plague - otherwise, sit back, enjoy and have a good chuckle.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

You are watching Star Trek The Next Generation when suddenly you find an error. "I can't believe you missed that!" you scream at the television set. If you have ever experienced this, then this book is for you. A collection of errors (and also some of the great special effects that they pulled off) from seasons 1-6..

[André · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books by Phil Farrand are great. This one as well, I never thought that even in the newer TNG series there were so many more or less obvious flaws. It's fun to watch the episodes, looking for the mistakes.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next time you're watching a rerun of Star Trek TNG, follow along with this handy book, and you too can know how many times Data uses a contraction throughout a given episode! Four! Or, how Geordi knows when a bomb is planted by the Romulans! It used a molecular decay detonator!

Boner!

[J.W. Braun · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy Phil's nitpicker guides, but this is the worst of the bunch, probably because it was first. Phil got much better at nitpicking after he wrote this, and when fans began to write in, it really helped him.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved hearing the storylines of each episode reviewed, So many episodes, so many memories, This is a book for the fans of Star Trek mixed with the fans of Wheres Waldo. Makes me want to watch the entire series over again for the first time, This was a good read.

[jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough, well-written and detailed, the reader will probably come to the conclusion, long before the book ends, that all the production errors, oversights and logical inconsistencies the author faithfully points out don't mean a whit in detracting from the viewers' enjoyment of the show.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both the Nitpickers Guides. I can't watch an episode now without remembering all the funny little insights I that I read about in these books, years ago.

[André · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoot! Another nitpicker's guide! And just as the others, it's great fun. Who would've thought that one could find so many errors in Star Trek? =)

[Troy Beals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, very very funny. Also informative look at the issues with the next generation episodes. Like why does the transporter's range extend farther one episode but is shorter in another, etc.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

good episodic book for star trek.

[Howard]

8

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a similar format to the first volume, this book explores the errors found in Star Trek The Next Generation. This book covers errors that were missed in the first volume and adds season 7.