Shields of the Scimitar

[The Silence and I]

Well, back when the ramming scene in Nemesis was a hot topic I formed a hasty theory in an attempt to rationalise the lack of shield effects seen during the ram. I proposed that non-federation races used shields that were far more effective against energy weapons than K.E. and that that explained how the E-E overcame the Scimitar's shields without even a flicker. I had some evidence, but I nothing really conclusive and I had to let the matter drop. Well, I re-watched Nemesis yesterday and I noticed a very small detail:

Just before the ram Geordie's screen showed 70% shields for the Scimitar.
Just after the ram Geordie's screen showed 70% shields, and the shield bubble indicator was blinking rather than a steady band.
When Picard beamed over, and so just before Data "flew" over, Geordie's screen showed 70% shields, still with that blinking band.

This means the truth is even further out there than I thought! The Scimitar's shields never dropped! They were in-effectual in hindering the movement of mass--they could not stop K.E. !!
This certainly explains the lack of shield interactions during the ramming scene, and explains why shuttles were not dispatched to take out the deployment arms (as the shields remained up until the darn thing blew up). The blinking may have indicated instabilities in the shield--the ship's nose was just caved in, and the shields were hull-conforming, problemmatic, no?--and may explain how Picard could beam over without comment on how... everone could see the instable shield on Geordie's display.

Now, Dark Star has noticed this as well, and has a new page on his site, although he feels the screen must have been faulty due to damages to the sensors. I think not, however, as on another screen you can plainly see the continuation of the sensor sweeps!

The strange new shield system likely was developed in order to function while the cloak was running, and there is probably some system to detonate incoming torpedoes, or the torpedoes' shields were expected to interact with the main shielding system.
Therefore: any fire-power conclusions based from the ramming scene are out the window, and I can enjoy Nemesis all the more.

[Master of Ossus]

Incidentally, Anderson's analysis of the incident was messed up, anyway, because it required the sensors to be malfunctioning. The thing about that is, Picard was able to beam over.

This is also a serious problem for your theory. If the shields were still functional, then the Scimitar's shields must be incapable of stopping BOTH KE and transporters. Neither has any precedent in Star Trek.

[Laird]

Hope that helps.

[Coaan]

I can't remember all that clearly...was Picard beamed out during the ramming was taking place or after they had both pulled away?