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Star Trek: The Next Generation: Descent (1993)
Data is going to the darkside.
What is the range of this carrier wave that Lore is using to control data?
I have to be in a special mood to enjoy Lore heavy episodes --- that mood where one enjoys campy comic book super villains and I just wasn't feeling it today.
Would you believe that the entire command staff went down to the planet and (a clearly drunk) Picard decided to leave command of the ship to Doctor Crusher. Why not the cook or the barber? Lucky for the Enterprise it would appear that starfleet has a robust medical school that teaches command level strategy and procedure and she manages to destroy a Borg ship with the help of green ensign. That's impressive and all but it really kneecaps the threat level of the borg.
I do not like this two part episode.
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SEASON 6 scores an average of 7.07 out of 10.
Overall, a very solid season of star trek but we are experience a slow gradual decline from the heights of S3.
This season had 3 terrific episodes: Chain of command, tapestry and Lessons. I gave all three of those episodes 9/10. We had a few stinkers in this season but there was a good episode with Troi being on a Romulan Ship, Quality of life and Ship In A Bottle.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: In the Hands of the Prophets (1993)
Have you considered poisoning?
The idea that a couple of hundred years from now spirituality will vanish into thin air is simply not realistic --- so, I enjoy the conflicts with a deeply religious bajorian people.
This is a solid episode to end a solid season. Winn is straight up savage in this episode with a complex plot to kill a moderate competitor ----- You could just get an acolyte to poison his tea? I mean geez, shooting him on a space station is a real heat score.
A solid finish to a solid first season for deep space nine.
I don't personally have a problem with spirituality being explored in star trek ----- I think in one episode it was referenced that humanity has done away with antiquated belief structures but if we can be real ---- spirituality is going to follow us into space. It's a big scary world out there and for many spirituality is a way to make sense of it all.
Winn is full on crazy in this episode ---- I would have personally sent an acolyte to poison bariel's tea instead of assassinating him in front of hundreds of people on a space station ---- man, talk about a heat score.
The real meat of the episode is in the story of Winn's unquenchable thirst for power. There are a ton of Winn's in the world but hopefully not quite crazy enough to go to the extremes she does. Religion often gets used as a shield and sword ---- people are real dicks sometimes.
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SEASON 1 OVERALL:
7.2 out 10 as an average score.
A marked improvement over TNG's bumpy season 1. This show hit the ground running with a impressive set, fertile drama, mystery boxes and even managed to have a 10/10 episode with 'Duet'.
Every now and then star trek needs to shakes things up. I am in the camp that likes each star trek series to have it's own flavor and not be a tos/tng tribute band.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Starship Mine (1993)
Get off my plane err ship.
It's one of those fun action episodes. I feel they could have leaned a bit more into Picard using his knowledge of the enterprise to thwart the thieves.
Some hilarious physical acting from Stewart in this episode with his dread of small talk and his quick exit into the wall while on route to get his saddle.
Normally, I would not be into an episode like this ---- I like star trek to make me feel uncomfortable, be crazy creative or present high drama but I just get a real kick out of watching Patrick Stewart behaving like a member of seal team six.
The pivotal question here ----- who the hell is in charge of vetting workers who board the enterprise? I mean --- We are dealing with those slippery cardassians now it's time to step up the security game.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Lessons (1993)
How about a long distance relationship?
Why not a long distance relationship?
Darren is in my mind the best love interest that Picard has had (it's not even close) and it saddens me that this love was just tossed into the wind to die.
The shared passion for music, love of tasteless bland hot water, a strong will ---- it's just perfect! But NO, they cannot continue the relationship and instead Picard gets to experience the friend zone sexual frustration long game with Crusher.
To the episodes credit it does provide a strong argument against them continuing a relationship onboard the enterprise ---- Picard's fear that he will never enjoy music again if something should happen to here.
The chemistry really works for me here in this episode and it feels real.
It my star trek alternate universe they are together and exploring ancient ruins and making out with one another after playing classic music in historical sites.
I really like this episode.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Tapestry (1993)
Could I get a revelation that doesn't requiring a knife to the heart?
Picard would rather die then be a run of a mill starfleet officer doing mundane but needed starfleet stuff ---- ouch! Maybe the run of the mill officer has other pursuits? Ever think of that? Maybe they have passions outside of a career on a luxury space cruise liner? Oh, sorry ---- I like my middle management rat hole existence.
It's a damn solid episode. Maybe the crippling depression and anger during my teenage years were critical to developing me into the spectacular specimen that I am today ... but ... I would certainly like another shot at it.
Another episode where every scene and piece of dialogue counts and a brisk pace to match.
Maybe the best Q episode thus far?
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Dax (1993)
Friends with benefits?
"Honestly honey! It was this worm inside me that slept with that woman, it wasn't me!"
Who knows, right? Maybe the symbiote is actually responsible but it would still be unjust to punish a host who did not commit the 'crime'?
Sometimes you will find news stories presenting the argument for/against current generations paying the price for the sins of previous generations. It's a whole giant can of worms because if we go back far enough, it gets crazy! We got genocide, barbaric burning of 'possessed' mentally ill people, who knows what they did to the LBGT community.
Is it loyalty or shame or a sense of protector ship that motivates Jadzia? Not sure.
Oh, attempting a seal team 6 extraction on foreign soil without a consult is not exactly the best way to ingratiate yourself to the Bajorans.
I like this one.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Past Prologue (1993)
Make bajor great again.
So, I got friends who have been sliding further and further into extreme views and this episodes does a good job of exploring my feelings about that.
I feel confident that extremism has been around since we developed agriculture but the internet/24 hour news is like a giant megaphone. Just look at the debates regarding the middle east never ending debacle.
So, what do you ultimately do when a perceived ally has gone over to the dark side and lost it? Well, turns out you seek the wisdom of a grumpy shapeshifter and have him infer your decision.
Extremism is going to kill us all one day ---- unless of course we have a mysterious cardassian tailor on our side (?).
I am picking Odo for political office. I like my political leaders and doctors to be straightforward and extremely grumpy.
Hats off to Sisko for turning the other cheek on the whole insubordination thing that Kira did. I aspire to have that ability to forgive but I have a long way to go.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Emissary (1993)
Worm hole space counsolers.
Well, that escalated quickly.
You think you are going to take over a space station and do some light dusting but instead you discover that you have a destiny to make contact with space gods and embark upon a personal journey of reflection to help deal with a life changing trauma thus providing you with new found focus in life.
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This is a rock solid pilot to DS9. Our ensemble cast are firmly established with a clear spotlight being presented upon Kira the feisty Bajoran officer. We have a looming threat of Cardassians at the doorstep, a mystery involving Sisko and the space aliens, a mystery about Odo the changeling, and heck --- they even brought over a TNG character to sooth the fragile minds of those afraid of something completely new.
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Sisko comes off successfully as a regular guy and provides a good contrast against the stiff but pleasant Captain Picard.
The acting is a bit rough and raw in parts but that is completely understandable since it is a pilot.
It's a big swing and I respect star trek that takes chances.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Chain of Command, Part I (1992)
Great guest performances and a wonderful twist.
Another wonderfully written episode that is elevated by the wonderful performances of the prickly Ronnie Cox and calculated evil of david warner.
I always wonder if Jellico is really such a ball breaker or if he was putting on a spectacle to keep the Cardassians off balance ---- probably just amplified his hard ass qualities? It takes you back doesn't it? You get the feeling that Captain Kirk would personally execute anyone who committed true mutiny aboard the enterprise while life of TNG seems like a space adventure aboard a luxury cruise liner ---- well, not so with Jellico at the helm.
I found myself contemplating David Warner's performance as Gul Madred ---- a broken man due to the traumatic events of his childhood now lashing out and delivering the pain he experienced in his youth. I am not a criminologist but I do believe there is a correlation between teasing/trauma experienced at an early age and mental health deterioration that can in extreme cases lead to horror / mass shootings / taking delight in torture/dominating others. It's just a great performance that is all the more menacing due to Warner's understated professional affluent delivery throughout his scenes.
I like a good villain ---- Nazi's are a great villain and the cardassians are clearly the spiritual successors ----- a society bankrupt and impoverished by war who is lifted up through military control and conscription.
This one is neck and neck with Best of Both Worlds for the best 2 part episode thus far.
A big pat on the back to our man Jellico for swallowing his pride and getting Riker to pilot the shuttle..... I would have gone with Geordi and let Riker blow his horn!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Time's Arrow (1992)
Just enjoy the ride and try to think about why they have to do this.
Star Trek can be hit and miss with 'traveling back in time' episodes but this one is carried by the memorable eccentric performance of Mark Twain.
The wheels come off a bit if you actually think about the episode. Can we get an explanation for why these aliens have to feed on humans? That just can't be an evolutionary thing, right?
The sets/costumes and 'feel' of the episode help to sooth any logical questions that come up.
I feel that the Guinan/Picard reveal was not as impactful as I was expecting based on her previously description of the tight bond they had. I mean --- Any starfleet officer would have done what Picard did, right? Wait a second. Is this even the situation that Guinan is referring to? It can't be, right? Picard would have remember that? I guess they had another climactic situation happen in the past in addition to this one.
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S5 overall:
An average score of 7.15 over 26 episodes.
This season was actually setting a high bar in terms of 'generally pretty good' episode quality but it hit a snag from episode 7 to 10 that I scored 5/10's.
I was really let down by the glacially paced Spock episode. We got Moore, Bragga, Menosky, Pillar and this is the best they can come up with? I know it's sacrilege to disparage Nimoy .... but this was such a dreadfully boring episode to me.
'Ensign Ro' or 'The Game' are my favorite episodes of the season. Both are tightly written quality episodes. Oh, almost forgot about Darmok --- Darmok is a great one too.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Perfect Mate (1992)
Staggering beauty.
Famke Janssen is one of those women who is staggeringly beautiful and the episode leans into that inarguable fact by having her actually be a piece of property .... or 'trophy' that is sought after by men of influence and power.
It's an internal struggle for me here ---- I am not a machine and I remained dumbfounded by the aura of beauty and class she projects outward like the bursting of a supernova only to be appreciated from afar from a mere lowly mortal such as I. The episode itself is making several commentaries but a major one is about the objectifying of women as a prize of trophy to adorn the house hold.
We get a Shakespearean ending of Famke Janssen being bonded to Picard but duty bound to love another. Despite Jean Luc's best efforts to restrain himself he really mucks the whole thing up for Famke.
Damn the prime directive Jean Luc! Are you a damn mad man? What are you thinking?! Oh sorry --- My inner voice got out for a second.
I can tell you this much ---- If I was captain of the enterprise, I would be resigning my commission and living in a pastoral setting in short order.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ethics (1992)
Turns out the ends do justify the means in this case.
This has happened a few times in star trek ---- the presentation of the debate over 'ends justifying the means' and often the resolution is a positive one. I like star trek to be murky from time to time and we are left being thankful for the questionable ethics of the doctor with this episode.
Was this episode trying to say something about 'right to die'? No, right? Because if it was ---- It seems to be suggesting that your friends hold the power over whether you live or die by initiating a powerful speech about how your existence enriches their lives. Maybe he should have went with Data? Well, it all worked out anyways. Who is Worfs BFF? Picard? Riker? I don't even know anymore.
Star Trek leans into the idea that Doctors are paragons of altruistic virtue who are guided by oaths/principles. Well, while I am sure there is a large majority who are decent human beings at heart there is also a minority who view people as a resource to mine for money. I enjoyed a little peak behind the curtain.
I would have gone for the surgery and I am only one quarter klingon! If you see Dr Toby at the medicentre ---- I recommend running but it might work out if your going into emerg.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: A Matter of Time (1991)
It's like a really bad tribute to back to the future part 2.
Rassmussen is an annoying character and I would wager he was designed to be that way. I really don't like this character ---- I don't like the quirks, the quips, the commentaries ---- Maybe that's my problem and not the episode itself?
There is a brief hint that this windbag could potentially have a relationship with that golden age beauty --- beverly crusher? Come on? I know this is science fiction but there is no way that a seasoned doctor is having a relationship with this giant dork/knob.
Why the enterprise? How? He's from the 22nd century, right? How did he gain knowledge of the enterprise? Did he just push the 'go' button and somehow ended up in the 24th century and then just adapted as needed?
Why not replicate the goods? Why not use a flash drive to gain information instead of questionnaires?
That's the problem with time travel episodes ---- You can really get bogged down in details if the writers do not find a tricky way to side step such questions.
I say that you should have designed the character to be likeable and have the reveal be a bit of a punch to the face for the viewer. You could even go another complete direction and have the time traveler act like a star trek superfan and make a hilarious meta commentary on the absolute insanity of the true trek diehards.
Typically, TNG episodes are elevated by the guest stars but this is one of the rare cases where the performance / character design completely kills the episode for me.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Unification I (1991)
Fitting --- As boring and drawn out as the classic TOS episodes.
You go in prepared for an edge of your seat enthralling experience full of drama and impassioned acting performance .... ... and we end up with ---
A glacial paced episode about Spock mentoring an underground group of Romulans who dream of unification with Vulcan.
Break out the smelling salts because this episode pays tribute to the horrendously padded scene structure of TOS and will have you practically begging for the scenes on the Klingon ship to move forward.
Come on guys ---- You got the A-TEAM of writers/producers available and the star trek creative engine is firing on all cyclinders. THIS? This is what we get?
A few thousands Romulan soliders are going to infiltrated Vulcan? A world of billions? What is the timeline for takeover here? 10,000 years?
Spock's friend betrayed him despite knowing him for 80 years? Why? Gun to his head? Dramatic effect?
Maybe they didn't want to overshadow the vastly superior 'Undiscovered Country' movie ----- Well, mission accomplished.
A text book example of a poorly paced episode and a true waste of potential.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Game (1991)
Have the tried the new iphone?
I always really enjoyed this episode. With the smart phone revolution of everyone having access to one another every second of our waking lives it continues to be relevant.
This is another textbook example of how to proper pace and execute an episode of television. From the initial tease hook to the gradually revealed threat and resolution the episode itself flows seamlessly together.
Wesley has excellent on screen chemistry with Robin and she is extremely likeable in the few scenes she has. Wait... Wait a second... Molly looks like her father? I.... um... what? I suppose in the 24th century open relationships are not considered to be taboo (or greedy) anymore.
Now, if you want to control a society ---- this is how it's done. You don't go to war --- You invent a smart phone and design it in a way to inject a dopamine booster every 5 minutes you use it.
There's a few solid Wesley episodes coming up but I maintain that this is the best one and it is probably in the top 25 TNG episodes of all time for me.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Disaster (1991)
That's using your head.
Would you believe that a TNG episode that has three (!) child actors in it could actually be pretty darn good? Yes.
Normally, it is true disaster when you attempt to shoehorn in 5 sub plots within an episode of TNG but it works for this episode. It's been a long time since Troi got some good material to work with and it was fun seeing her put on the hot seat. I just assumed everyone including the barber had to go through starfleet school to get a spot on the enterprise but --- guess that's not the case.
Worf steals the show with his deadpan delivery and despite my unwavering affection for Ro, I will not be accepting command level input from her aboard my ship for a while.
Picard is true captain material ---- he drafts small children into a cohesive problem solving unit.
This is a good time and a nice change of pace from the political/social/sci fi delicious standard fare we normally get.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ensign Ro (1991)
Manipulation.
I have a fondness for characters that don't exactly fit into the cookie cutter star fleet professional mold and Ensign Ro does a wonderful job joining my team of outliers.
Forbes has a ton of charismatic energy and I was (and am) heartbroken that I did not get to see her for 170 episodes on DS9.
These Cardassians are something else, right? They have a team for this right? The nefarious conspiracy department? I like it. I like having a villain with actual teeth and competency.
This is a great character building episode for Ro and a skillfully designed and executed script. I am not sure that being used by a starfleet admiral is going to do much for Ro's mixed feelings about starfleet but I guess Picard smoothed that over quite a bit.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Redemption (1991)
The commodity of honour.
I am always up for a political maneuvering episode with galactic consequences.
My one beef: Space is big. Are you telling me the Klingon boarder can successfully be monitored by 20 spaceships? Really? Bro? Really? Come on.
Ronny Moore goes dark in this episode with the traumatizing reveal that Tasha Yar had a child born of rape who betrayed her to her death when she was 4 years old. Yikes. Damn clever idea though and I love that the enterprises time travel shenanigans actually has real consequences.
We get another 'Data saves the day' climax. He's got to be hitting Spock levels at this point, right? I enjoyed the performance of the jerk commander --- what a wonderful jerk performance.
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Another hefty overall score of 7.46 out of 10 for this season. That puts it slightly behind S3 as the second best season of star trek to this point.
There was 4 x 9/10's and 1 X 10/10. My personal favorite episode was 'Family' followed closely by 'Half a life'.
I did not enjoy 'brother's' because I only take so much of the gimmick of Spiner playing multiple characters.
My biggest gripe with star trek is glacial pacing but when the show is firing on all cyclinders it manages to keep my interest with constant forward momentum.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Host (1991)
One of the better Bev episodes.
We get an episodes for Gates to flex her acting chops and she delivers a believable performance as a love struck doctor.
I was about to throw a hissy fit at the idea that Kalin did not tell Beverly that he had a being inside his tummy directing his life but the writers actually took the time to provide a reasonable explanation for that with the line, "This is who I am ---", works for me! I appreciate that.
Our beloved dignified snobby Picard even shows his perceptive human side in providing counsel to a conflicted Beverly. Stewart manages to deliver a performance where you feel his concern is genuine yet he is also a bit jealous that Bev is with another man. That's some solid physical acting right there.
As much as my personal fan fiction might have lesbian scenes involving Bev and Deanna ----- I find the resolution to this episode to be the correct way to go. Bev has spent her life being heterosexual and it's not realistic (to me) that she would toss aside her preferences to continue a relationship with a female version of Kalin.
Riker is pure balls to wall isn't he? He signs up to spend time aboard a klingon space ship, eagerly takes command of a run down ship in a training exercise against the mighty Enterprise and then he willingly gets an alien entity surgically installed in him. What a guy!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Qpid (1991)
Hand caught in the cookie jar
The scene of Picard getting his hand caught in the cookie jar by Beverly Crusher in his quarters was absolutely the best part of this episode. Jean Luc --- You dirty dog!
I own a small business and I have to say that I am on Jean Luc's side when it comes to keeping business and personal life separated (or as separated as possible).
A relationship is like a job ---- You have to put that time in to get something out of it. Displays of affection go a long, long way. Basically the episode is teaching Jean Luc a valuable lesson about expressing the feelings of love.
I look forward to a continuation of the Vash love arc in future seasons ---- You would have to absolutely crazy to let a beauty like that go ---- wouldn't you, jean luc?
It's kinda silly but a guilty pleasure for me.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Nth Degree (1991)
Are you up for a involuntary vacation?
Shultz delivers another memorable performance as the underdog who gains marvel like superpowers through an alien probe discharge.
It's interesting that in Barclays first episode, he is too awkward and socially inept in the view of the crew but in this episode he is way too advanced. The guy just can't win, right?
It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling to watch Troi/Crusher/Riker all being a positive force in accepting Barclay into the enterprise family before the alien probe situation.
It's a cool concept ---- explore the galaxy by bringing others to see you. Maybe try a postcard first?
This is another textbook example of a wonderfully paced TNG episode. I am a fan of Shultz performance and that keeps me engaged in pretty much any episode he is in.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: First Contact (1991)
First contact? More like worst contact!
So, starfleet is a space sales person roaming about the galaxy pouncing on potential assets to the federation? Oh man, the resistance leaflets were right!
I always felt that the prime directive provides plenty of wonderful opportunities for storytelling. I like grim stories from time to time and the idea of an absolute catastrophe does intrigue me.
This episode actually made me ponder the embarrassing culture wars we are currently experiencing on the internet. It's always the enlightened few that have to drag the rest of us kicking and screaming into the future and this episode goes into detail about that.
I like the leader of the aliens ---- it takes wisdom to avoid the lure of starfleet and concentrate on breaking the chains of fear and dug in belief.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Data's Day (1991)
I am still aspiring to data level of forgiveness.
I think we need an episode like this for every character but it would probably be pretty boring.
Picard - Drinks tea. Reads some high society literature.
Geordi - Reads engineering manuals, works on perfect hairstyle.
Troi - Reads from psychology textbook, eats chocolate, attempts to mend onsie with weird collar design
Y'know --- If a guy wanted to dissemble me and treated me like a piece of property I would not maintain a correspondence with them. Data, you are leading the way in the art of forgiveness.
This is pretty light material but it was certainly entertaining to watch Data fumble around with the intricacies of human behavior. He probably should have had a chat with Picard about his intuition question about the Romulan spy ---- whoops!
His smile really creeps me out. I think I am going to have a nightmare tonight.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Loss (1990)
I'd be grumpy too -
I liked it. It shows a completely plausible and human reaction to losing one of your most valued senses. I guess the consensus is that you just 'man up' and take it in stride but that's simply not grounded in any realism.
I am also going to give this episode some major points for having the B-Plot of the 2 dimension aliens tie-in to Troi's arc ---- It drives me a bit crazy to have multiple plots that do not complement one another.
Riker let down the team in a second season episode called 'The Child' but he comes up big for team empathy in this episode by being there in Deanna's time of need. He even provided a bit of tough love to shake Deanna out of the pity party a bit.
How about that Picard? The man's intuition is off the charts in the episode with his belief that the solution to the perilous 2D life form situation can be solved by Deanna --- and he's right!
TNG is certainly a step up from go-go girls in mini skirts but we have not exactly been setting a high standard for quality female representation with the doctor/troi being used primarily as exposition tools to tell the men that there is a problem that needs solving ---- It's nice for Troi to get her moment in this one.
Oh hey ---- Trust your instincts and intuition. Every time I have gone against them it has bite me on the ass.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Final Mission (1990)
No seriousy, this drunkened haggard shuttle pilot is legit.
Now, if it was me ----- I would take the clean starfleet shuttle instead of hopping aboard Captain War Wagon's shuttle but I guess starfleet is not for the timid, right?
This is our good bye to what is universally accepted as star treks greatest character ---- Wesley Crusher. Not a dry eye in the house, right?
All it took for Picard to truly open up emotionally was a severe concussion from being bludgeoned with rocks. I am the same way.
It's nice for what it is ---- Wesley getting the official stamp of approval from his father figure. If I view it from that perspective, I can get something out of it. My dad is one of those guys who knows everything and can fix your car, do electrical, plumbing, heating, home renovations and it meant a lot to earn his respect.
The B-Plot happened to be where the dart landed on the b-plot board that week. It did the job, I guess. It's like a bus driver who has driven the same route for 15 years ---- there's just no passion in it and it's almost like an automated process. I am not a scientist but I am pondering how far can radiation travel in space --- maybe it's super alien radiation?