Star Trek The Next Generation All Good Things Suite

I totally agree that there are some major inconsistencies in Star Trek's scripting, but the acting was decent, or better, and they did employ some thought provoking physics. It is my understanding that the heavy phaser cannons are able to create an electromagnetic pulse effect, as well as being a directed energy weapon. Maybe the cannon caused the Klingon shield systems to light up like a Christmas tree? We could either ask the writers, or we could build one and test it. Which is easier?

To qualify the lighting up like a Christmas tree, I refer you to the Ion Cannon on The Empire Strikes Back when it finds it's mark on the Star Destroyer in orbit around Hoth.

Shields were given on a ad-hoc basis on Star Trek (gazillion examples of this) with no consistency whatsoever. Except the ship with the main characters on board always had shields. As the plot OR budget dictated.

Interesting that the warbird had no shields. =)

Lol, that'd be bad guys for you.

star trek never seems to give klingons shields. like they never bother to turn them on whenever they're actually in danger.

SHIELDS ARE FOR WUSSIES!

no, the beam cannon (its actually called that) on the front penetrates any shields.

Well they were just shooting up a hospital ship, and then they were TOTALLY taken by surprise by Enterprise attacking from below, just as if... I don't know... three-dimensional movement was possible in space or something...

Those are warbirds belonging to Klingons who want to cheat the system and get an easy "die in battle" death :P