OK, so what time was it when they first got there? Well, things in the movie aren't quite right. When we see the sphere firing at the surface, the level of light would indicate twilight in Montana. When we look from the surface, we can see every star in the sky. OK, so how about human schedules as an approximation? Cochrane looks like an alcoholic, so let's at very earliest assume he felt like staying out till 12 midnight, probably more considering what a party animal he was (which he alludes to later in reference to naked women). There is a problem with this though. Everyone was out in the middle of the woods, and many were not exactly asleep in their beds yet (are they all party animals?) But, still, 12 mindnight seems reasonable to me (unless anyone has another good approximation, in which case, say it!)
So, here we are to the effect of alcohol. Troi had three tequilas she said she had before Riker found her (in order to get his identity), plus the one we saw her have. It is extremely likely she had more to drink, since she also said she had to have a drink to talk with him. How many before the three shots is unknown: we'll get to that later. So here's where she should have stood...
1 shot = 1.5 ounces = 45 milliliters
Tequila (typical 80 proof) contains 40% ETOH by volume
40% ETOH X 45 ml tequila = 18 ml ETOH per shot of tequila
4 drinks = 72 ml ETOH in her, plus the amount undetermined before she got his identity
Human liver can dispose of 10 ml per hour of ETOH, making at least seven hours before she's her regular empathetic self again. For every drink of tequila more she had, add another 1.8 hours recovery.
So how did they come out so sober? Does Starfleet carry vials of alcohol dehydrogenase to speed up getting sober? (Can I get a few of those vials for myself for when I need a Foster's before class?) Are the writers paying attention to something so obvious on the set (or in the editing room?)
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"Warfare is the greatest affair of state, the basis of life and death, the Tao to survivial or extinction. It must be thoroughly pondered and analyzed."
"...attaining one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the pinnacle of excellence. Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence."
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War, 6th century B.C.E.
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Doctor: "Run along. I'll reattach any severed limbs. Just don't misplace them." (Voyager: "The Killing Game")
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I can resist anything.......
Except Temptation
What bothered me a lot more was that the Borg fired several torps. into the area, and did little damage. With the tech the Borg have, you would think they could have wasted the whole area in a couple of shots. First Contact is low on my list of trek movies.
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WHO ARE YOU
[This message has been edited by Kosh (edited July 01, 1999).]
Normally I just overlook these small inconsistencies, if I keep paying attention to them they tend to spoil the movie.
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"But, it was so artistically done."
-Grand Admiral Thrawn
book spoiler
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He is supposed to have a chemical imbalance, and has not been able to get the meds for a cew years. Drinking kept him going at times. Dr. Crusher provided a permenent cure after the flight. I liked this explanation. For those of you who know, his behaveior was consistant with that idea.
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WHO ARE YOU
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Pierce: "We're back!"
Winchester: "Yes, like a burp from a bad onion..."
-some episode of M*A*S*H that I happened to see
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I was right in the middle of a f*cking reptile zoo. And somebody was giving booze to these goddam things."
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas