20 Years Of Star Trek The Next Generation

Star Trek TNG: "Contagion" Review

2009-06-21T16:43:00.003+10:00

Contagion (Series Two Episode 11)

This is an example of an episode that has a lot of quality, from plot through characterisation and dialogue and even arguably for effects, which at the time of release seemed a little less than the sum of its parts. Looking back on it now "Contagion" is a classic episode from the cast and crew of the "Next Generation" franchise and in fact should be ranked in the top 10% of all "Star Trek" ever produced.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

This is one of the few early series episodes where a credible and destructive threat to the USS Enterprise and her crew has real dramatic intensity. Unlike (for example) "the Arsenal of Freedoom" when Picard's crew had to outwit a long-dead civilisations' weapons here we have in "Contagion" the dual threat from another long-dead civilisation combined with characteristic Romulan intransigence. Adding another layer is the plot device of potential self-destructive failure of the NCC-1701D itself. Okay, it is logical that the USS Enterprise will survive this episode's threat but for as long as the inevitable is put off the tension is high, the creativity also exceptional and the performances resonate in harmony with the extraordinary story. How the Iconians almost kill off Data and in due course the remainder of the TNG cast is one of the best stories of any series, let alone the second.
The depth of back story/additional characters. "Contagion" can't be faulted in the manner in which it introduces extra detail to our understanding of TNG's universe and the relevant characters and their history. We get a bit more of an insight into Picard's character thanks to his expositionary scene discussing the Iconians (as well as a replicator order...more on that later). The opening sequence with Captain Varley's USS Yamato is not just a nod to Trek continuity but also a neat reference to history. The Romulans are given a female commander (the ubiquitous Carolyn McCormack) which is again a nod to past Trek history. Michael Dorn's Worf is comfortable growling out his anti-Romulan attitude, and this is a constant that is rarely if ever challenged throughout the character's development in both TNG and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". The Iconians themsleves, long dead but an important part of the story have a rich heritage that is well used in future frnachises of Trek (i.e. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") No one can be disappointed with the in-depth details of this episodes.
Almost all the main cast deliver strong performances with varying shades of seriousness, tension and even comedy. Stewart's Picard is forthright, commanding, intelligent, curious and even slightly ironic as he guides the NCC-1701D through the perils of Romulan threats and Iconian probes. There are scenes when he notes with wisdom the manner in which history is often written by the victors, counsels a young Wesley on mortality and how command deals with it, engages Data in linguistic detective work and then pulls off a humorous farewell to the Romulans just before they can take him prisoner. It's a great performance from Stewart. Frakes' Riker chimes in with some effective moments on the bridge whilst Picard is down on Iconia, and his line about '...throwing rocks' is just right. Dorn growls a lot as Worf, Sirtis' Troi actually does well with her minimal input, Wheaton's Wes isn't too annoying (for a change) and finally Spiner's Data and Burton's La Forge provide a strng round out to the ensemble performances. The scene where Data rescues La Forge from a power surge is priceless, showing how well comedy can assist the dramatic tension. This is followed on by Data's 'resurrection' in engineering; one of the very few moments when laughter and seriousness are juxtaposed together and form a more impressive scene than could be expected from just one element's predominance. "Contagion" is the first episode of the second series where none of the main cast fail to deliver.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I can only really think of two reasons that would make you not wnat to watch this episode. The first is the plot resolution. As other critics have noted the resolution is a little too fast and convenient, and it does seem a little fortuitious that an Iconian gateway turns up just at the right time for both the NCC-1701D and the Romulan Haakona to serve as destinations for Worf, Data and Picard. But I can easily forgive the writers for these aspects.
The other reason not to watch this episode is the manner in which Wesley and Picard have some expositionary dialogue about the Iconians and then some pseudo-counselling (where's Troi?) over the destruction of the USS Yamato. I can't really fault the performances, but the actual structure of that scene, its raison d'etre and resolution are all weaker than the overwhelming balance of the show. Perhaps if the episode was a two parter (which could have happened if the story was in a latter series) the emotional impact of the deaths of all the Yamato's crew could have been given due diligence. Whatever; these are minor quibbles.

Best Moment:

The scenes cited above involving Data and Geordi in engineering are wonderful, combining sci-fi technobabble action and solid comic mugging. Honourable mentions must go to the destruction of the USS Yamato and Picard's escape from the Romulans.

Worst Moment:

As cited above, Picard goes into archaeologist/counsellor mode with Wes. It's the only weak scene for the whole of "Contagion".

Blink & You'll Miss It

Actually this is a moment almost every TNG authority has commented on; in the scene where Wes and Picard discuss the Iconians and the Yamato's immolation the captain finally gets to issue an order he would continue to give again and again in later shows. "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot." The uncooperative replicator doesn't deliver, but from now on we know that Jean Luc Picard enjoys bergamot-spiced tea.

"Data, if you can make the ball drop we'll sing Aulds Lang Syne and kiss okay?"

Star Trek TNG: "The Dauphin" Review

2009-06-15T07:26:00.006+10:00

The Dauphin (Series Two, Episode 10)

Wes meets girl, Girl isn't really a girl. Wes and not-really-a-girl kiss, break up and then....well, need I say more? I know, it is somewhat unfair to take such a simplistic negative approach to both this specific episode as well as almost all stories focused on the NCC-1701D Wunderkind, but this is such a slight, inherently ordinary episode it can justify such a critique. As this introduction and the rating above indicates I am not a big fan of this episode from Series Two.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

It's not a big part of the episode, but when Wes decides he needs to do some empirical research on how to go a-courting, he takes up the issue with those Trek lotharios, Worf and Riker. In the former case Michael Dorn makes great comic play with the Klingon male's desire to have furniture thrown at him by a prospective mate whilst quoting love poetry. When he responds to Wes's query as what happens Worf's one word reply ("Duck") is pure comic mastery. Frakes' way-way-way over the top Riker has a fun moment with Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan, but the impact is lessened a little because the scene is just a little too long. Perhaps it would have worked better if Guinan was genuinely intrigued by Riker's smarmy come-on lines. these two scenes make "The Dauphin" far more bearable than it deserves.
In itself this isn't a great recommendation however you have to watch "The Dauphin" because if you don't then you'll never see the complete schedule of episodes. I know; that is a cop-out but for the completist the bad episodes need just as much attention as the good ones.
I'm struggling for a third; perhaps the manner in which the concept of duty is tackled by the writers is worthy. There's Salia's duty to becoming the leader of a planet torn by civil strife. There's Wes struggling with his duty to the ship and his position of acting ensign whilst mooning over Salia, and then there's Anya's sense of duty to protecting Salia (with a neat little interplay between her and Worf). But when it comes to examinations of duty look to those episodes where Picard gets the focus of attention.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Oh dear, the romance plot between Salia and Wes is awful. It's terribly cliched whilst at the same time has a deus ex machina element which makes it utterly ridiculous. Jamie Lee Hubbard is reasonable as Salia but Wil Wheaton's Wes makes you just want to smack him around. There was always a danger that when Wesley Crusher becomes the central character for an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" the tendency will be to go into "look how smart he is" or "look how childish he is". It took until Third Season before Wil Wheaton grew into his role. Perhaps the WC Field's maxim should be adapted; "Never act with children, dogs, or teenager geniuses in a Star Trek series".
The whole 'alllasomorph" construct is a weak plot contrivance, and in retrospect jars too much withhow other changeling races in the Trek universe are presented. Salia and Anya get to do everything from growling alien bears to light beings to Madchen Amick and cute widdle aliens. Now I do like seeing Madchen Amick (more on her later) but the effects are very ordinary. Give me Odo's Founders or Martia from "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" anyday.
The whole focus of the episode is on Wes, and with really only the one 'A' plot there is little else for anyone to do in "The Dauphin". Worf gets some nice vignettes, and Riker has his scene with Guinan. But almost all the interplay is based upon what the crew think or do as a result of the interplay between Salia, Anya and Wes. In my opinion a better result would have come from using Wes's first love as a B plot device, with more emphasis on Anya's fierce protectiveness of Salia being the A plot. Then again this would have darkened the mood and changed the episode entirely.

Best Moment

Work explaining Klingon mating rituals. As discussed above Dorn delivers his lines with a howlingly funny mix of comedy and erotic excitement.

Worst Moment

Virtually everytime Salia and Wes play handies or make eyes at each other. And the ending...oh my, how sentimental is that!

Blink & You'll Miss It

Well this isn't a blink moment, as there is a good two or three minutes with her featuring. Mädchen Amick makes her first cameo in a cult TV show in "The Dauphin" and whilst her performance is unremarkable she is (a) reasonably easy to look at as far as attractive female guest stars on TNG go and (b) she was one of the first "Twin Peaks" stars to also be cast in an episode of "Star Trek". Apparently she was the runner up to Jamie Lee Hubbard as Salia; shame she didn't get the role (Wes' eyes would have really popped if it was Mädchen who caught his attention).

"Why am I laughing Wes? Well I don't think anyone's ever offered to play 'put the shuttlecraft in the landing dock' like you have just suggested to me before"

Star Trek TNG: "The Measure of a Man" Review

2009-06-11T23:21:00.000+10:00

The Measure of a Man (Series Two, Episode 9)
Rating: 8/10

The second series of "Star Trek: the Next Generation" gave us some incredible lows and same damn fine highs. I've already made reference to "A Matter of Honour" which immediately preceded "The Measure of a Man", and just as that episode set the bar incredibly high when it came to Klingon stories, this show takes Data's narrative into new ground, finally giving his character and in fact the vast majority of the ensemble an opening into exploring the unique position of the android senior officer on the NCC-1701D. Whilst the premise is truly a Trek invention, the convention of a courtroom drama gets taken to a new level of sci-fi excellence thanks to the characters and their respective actors.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

This is the first best story to take Data and give him a deep and satisfying focal point as a character in 'TNG'. Yes, we have caught some insights into Data thanks to episodes such as "Datalore" and "Elementary Dear Data". However whereas they show something about Data's development and history (his interest in Sherlock Holmes, the role of Noonian Soong in his creation, his search for human meaning to his 'life'), they only paint shadows. In "A Measure of a Man" we get Data's full measure. This isn't just an automaton or robot who Commander Maddox believes is the property of Starfleet. Data is both legally and more importantly for the viewer emotionally 'alive' by the end of this episode. Brent Spiner portrays Data with the same polished ease that Nimoy brought to Spock, but whilst for the original series star there were broader strokes to make his half-Vulcan come alive with in some ways Spiner creates a far more rounded android character rounded, real and human. And yet there is just enough of a gap between Data's growing self-awareness and his robotic nature to still give you a sense of 'the other'. Just as the Klingons were given the just treatment they deserved in the episode before this one, in "The Measure of a Man" Data finally receives his dues as a Star Trek legend.
Picard also shows more in this episode than could nominally be expected in a show that is at heart about Data's rights. We get to see the Enterprise's captain off the bridge and meeting with a woman (aside from the absent Beverley Crusher) who had an important role in his life pre NCC1701-D. His backstory with Captain Phillipa Louvois (his prosecutor when the USS Stargazer was lost) is both interesting for what is revealed and what is not revealed, as well as drawing out Picard's portrayal by Patrick Stewart as a sex symbol. For a captain of a Federation starship with such a cool, almost arrogant manner to see him smoulder and flirt with the JAG officer is quite the change. Then to add to this new dimension there is an incredibly important moment between his character and Guinan's as they discuss the underlying meaing of Data's potential dismemberment, and of course to top things off Jean Luc becomes Perry Mason, artfully winning Data's case with a legal argument that combines skill, wisdom and humanity. The growth of these two leading figures in the TNG universe is taken forward by a quantum thanks to the great plot and fantastic acting by the two actors behind Data and Picard.
Character, character and more character. Whilst the two leads make the most of their camera time and story, almost everyone who comes on screen with more than a couple of lines contribute to this episode. There's the 'bad guy' Commander Bruce Maddox who thinks he knows best for Data and in the process of trying to satisfy his own supposedly good intentions undermines not just Data's rights but those things that the Federation nominally stands for. Captain Louvois is one minute the saucy counterpoint to Picard's flirtation, the next a judicial officer struggling with legal and philosophical problems she finds herself barely able to decide upon. And yet she makes what the viewer at least would be considered good law. Importantly Jonathon Frakes' Riker has to straddle his own sense of friendship and duty when called upon to prosecute Maddox's case against Data, and the manner in which this plotline is written by the scriptwriters, and then portrayed by Frakes is excellent. Worf and Pulaski have their moments too, whilst we get Levar Burton's Geordi showing great emotion as he considers the potential loss of his best friend. Thankfully Deanna and Wesley hardly get a showing in "A Measure of a Man" so I can't complain about their usually negative influences on a TNG story.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

As I have outlined in previous reviews, and as cana be guessed from my high rating and fullsome praise of this episode, I can't give three reasons why you shouldn't watch "A Measure of a Man". I do have a small quibble with some of the effects (i.e. when Data's arm is removed in the trial sequence) and I also have some issues with the logic (how come the same Data who won all those Starfleet awards hasn't had the issue of his sentience come up before, or why was he so basic in understanding a mere season and a half before this show?). But when all is said and done to not watch this episode of TNG will reduce your appreciation and understanding of this sci-fi phenomenon significantly.

Best Moment

There are so many highlights in this episode and I find it hard to discriminate against any in favour of another. Data's solitary contemplation of his possessions including a hologrammatic picture of Tasha, the resignation party (played with great comic timing and yet also some emotion by the actors, specifically Spiner and Burton), Riker's research work, the prosecution case, Guinan and Picard in Ten-Forward discussing the case, Data's defence made by the eloquent and strident Picard, closing the story with a great one-on-one between Spiner's Data and Frakes' Riker...every one of these scenes would do immense benefit if their spirit were passed into another TNG episode. Just watch it.

Worst Moment

A tough one to pick as just as there are so many highlights there are really no lowlights in "A Measure of a Man". During Riker's legal argument we see a fairly dumb arm removal, bad visual effects when a so called steel bar is bent with ridiculous ease by Data, followed by Data being shutdown fairly dramatically by Riker. These three minor moments mar a generally sound sequence in the show.

Blink & You'll Miss It

This is the very first episode where we see the NCC-1701D officer's engaged in a poker game. It's not much per se however considering how many future shows have some rather fun moments with the likes of Data, Riker, Worf etc betting and bluffing this is a neat addition to the TNG universe. Oh...the model used for Starbase 173 is the same used as the research station for the Genesis Project in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"

"And with it's unique positronic engineering the Data Food Processor slices, dices and makes the kitchen duties of a female Starfleet officer just that much easier!"

Star Trek TNG: "A Matter of Honour" Review

2009-06-11T23:19:00.001+10:00

A Matter of Honour (Series Two, Episode 8) Rating: 9/10

This is almost the perfect episode, and without a doubt one of the top five from the first two series of "Star Trek: the Next Generation". I will admit that a Klingon-centric episode will always have a far more favourable reception from me. Yet having said that the construct of two dissimilar, almost antagonistic societies or cultures coming to some kind of understanding is a situation seen again and again in Star Trek let alone TV or other narrative forms of entertainment. we get in this show Riker finally showing some character depth, some pithy comments from Worf, Picard struggling with an unfamiliar situation and lots and lots of kool Klingon krew quotes.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The first and obvious point is "A Matter of Honor" is a Klingon episode. The crew of the IKS Pagh teach us more about Klingon life, culture, humour, diet, sex, command hierarchy and most importantly honor than the whole of The Original Series episodes as well as most shows from TNG's first series (perhaps excluding "Heart of Glory"). Admittedly I'm not 100% enthused about Captain Kargan's character, but the rest of the Klingons as shown here are incredibly well-rounded considering their brief time on screen.
Riker comes alive! No, this isn't some kind of 24th century Star Trek take on an old Peter Frampton album. "A Matter of Honor" finally delivers Jonathon Frakes some great lines and detailed character development in the second series (and follows up nicely from "11001001"). There is a minor moment of obtuseness from Will as he tries to understand Kargan's command style on the Pagh, but overall Riker is smart, funny, sexy, empathic and close to 3D as a character. Frakes makes an admirable comic straight man during the mess hall scene, and then without losing a beat becomes the voice of humanity isolated in a culture that isn't his own. His line reconciling eating gagh with Klingon's honor rituals is a classic epigram that has both wit and poignancy.
Worf the Boss. Michael Dorn's Klingon security chief has some prize moments in this show and there are a couple of scenes where you almost feel sorry for the Benzite Mendon. Almost... As Worf quotes go "You may impress me Ensign" is way way up there. Picard's disciplinary method seems very reliant on the implied threat of displeasure at incorrect behaviour. With Worf he almost picks up a verbal bat'leth to cut down the bumbling Benzite exchange officer. Thankfully this series brings us more great Worf moments.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

There are really only two. The first is the whole Mendon arc, where we have another member of the gas-harmonica breathing being appearing beside Wesley and instantly becoming the blandest guest alien of the series. His character and the storyline isn't really enough to suffice as a true B story and whilst he is mildly annoying ultimately Ensign Mendon is a plot device or catalyst. I guess it could be argued that anyone who takes some of the irriation factor away from Wesley deserves some credit. However this role could have been given to a human crew member and no one would have noticed the difference. And okay, it may be a lesser version of the 'fish out of water' concept as seen also by Riker on the Pagh, but we don't get any of the nuances of the latter cross-cultural meeting.
My second less than happy moment with "A Matter of Honor" is the space bacteria dilemma. Invariably there has to be a plot device such as the "threat of the week" to create dramatic tension and give something for our brave lads and lasses of the USS Enterprise D to beat. I'm not convinced that some gunge that eats spaceships slowly is the way to go. Thankfully there is minimal technobabble when the material is detected and then neutralised. However the concept in itself is silly. I mean, why not just cut away the damaged section of both the Enterprise and the Pagh and then get full repairs? Then, to top it all off Kargan goes ballistic and decides he will wage war against the NCC-1701D with bugger all reason other than he can. That bit of illogical plot development gets a reasonable resolution thanks to the cunning Riker, yet there's something just not quite kosher about this whole line of the story.

Best Moment

Whilst I love the scene in ten-forward as Riker chows down on gagh, rokeg blood pie, bregit lung and heart of targ, the mess hall scene on the IKS Pagh is superlative. This is one of the richest scenes in all of TNG, with broad humour bordering on smut, sensitive observations on family and social norms, good natured sci-fi silliness and believable barracks-room style dialogue. truly brilliant!

Worst Moment

I'd have to go for Wesley and Mendon's tete-a-tete after the Benzite stuffs up his analysis of the space gunge on the two starships. as touchy-feely moments even Troi's character would have a hard time making it come across less interesting.

Blink & You'll Miss It

Brian Thompson who plays Lieutenant Klag also had a background role as a Klingon bridge officer in "Star Trek: generations", aboard Lursa and Betor's bird of prey. I wonder if somewhere in the mythic back story behind the Trek universe this great Klingon character from "A Matter of Honor" lost his way and joined the Duras house.

"On this week's episode of 'Dancing With The Stars'..."

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Unnatural Selection' Review

2009-06-11T23:15:00.002+10:00

Unnatural Selection (Series Two, Episode 7)
Rating: 2/10

By this stage of the second series of "Star Trek: the Next Generation" it was time for a Dr Pulaski story. This naturally meant that there had to be "weird illness of the week" wheeled out by the authors, and without any embarrassment some plundering by writers of the original series episode "The Deadly Years". Transpose some crusty doctor versus cool logic versus the captain and you almost get a McCoy/Spock/Kirk triumvirate showing up as Pulaski/Data/Picard. Plenty of other reviewers hate this episode...my opinion? Well, it's not one of the best; by a long shot!

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Gee this is tough. I guess you have to watch "Unnatural Selection" on the simple grounds of not watching it means you'll not see the complete series. I wish I could say something more positive as a first recommendation point, but I can't.
Okay, perhaps the tension between Picard and Pulaski finally gets a decent airing in this episode and it only took about 38 minutes and an aging disease to get them hugging. In some ways treading the same path with Pulaski's character as seen by the curmudgeonly, patient's health at all costs, transporter-phobic Bones McCoy with Kate Pulaski is an unimaginative path to tread but until her appearance on the show (and perhaps unfortunately no longer after her character left) conflict between the lead members of the NCC-1701D's crew was hardly noticeable. as much as Bev Crusher was a far more likeable foil to Picard, the 'will she/won't she' potential romance story between her and Picard was in my opinion moribund by the end of the first series. It's easier to enjoy the character clashes of Pulaski and Picard at this stage of 'TNG' then it was to watch Bev and Jean Luc make goo-goo eyes at each other.
Colm Meaney as 'Chief O'Brien' (no first name) finally gets a decent shot at on-screen camera time. Admittedly he doesn't have a vitally important role aside from throwing in some serious technobabble when Picard tries to reason out how they can use the transporter to save Pulaski. On the other hand he gets to sit at the conference table, contributes some fairly significant skill to all the tasks he is alloted by the command staff and shows the barest of glimmers as to how cluey he is when appearing four years later on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine".

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

It's a boring rehash of an earlier TOS show which has a silly premise and an even sillier resolution. Genetically superior children with telepathic skills make everyone they come into contact with prematurely die from old age? Sorry, give me the Babel virus from DS9 anyday. On top of that we have the transporter used as a deus ex machina to bring everything back to normal by show's end. This is just another example of some technical B-S with no internal logic curing all character ills as well as the plot failures of the writers.
The make up for the aged Pulaski is pretty ordinary. Okay, so 21 years after the filming I guess it's not quite fair to criticise a show for having unimpressive make up on one character. Yet it has to be said and as Pulaski's aging is a focal point of the episode it should have been done far better.
Technobabble goes flying left right and centre here. as mentioned above Chief o'Brien goes at it hammer and tongs with some rubbish about transporter traces and buffers and stuff, whilst Pulaski and the Darwin Lab scientists get all excited over DNA self-replication. The worst of Trek always happens when we leave the character's personalities, their internal and external flaws, their conflicts and their friendships. Meaningless jargon spruiked by faux-experienced actors just loses any internal suspended disbelief in Trek's basic premise.

Best Moment

Remarkably it comes as the coda to the episode. As the Enterprise-D comes to the quarantined USS Lantree whose crew were the initial victims of the super-aging syndrome we get Muldaur's Pulaski giving the narration. It's not that special as a piece of voice over, but what is meritorious is that it's not Picard or another higher up narrating the closing of the show. It would have to be one of the rare instances where someone outside the higher command ranks of the USS Enterprise D (i.e. Picard, Riker and Data) get the chance to voice their own logs. Plus it's a rather sobering scene as the Lantree is blown to smithereens by a photon torpedo.

Worst Moment

Hard to pick one alone as this is such a humdrum and lame episode. My choice is between the great hair hunt carried out by Riker and Data, and O'Brien going the technobabbler down in the transporter room.

Blink and You'll Miss It

In an homage to then leading Soviet dissident and Nobel winning physicist Andrei Sahkarov, the shuttlecraft used by Pulaski and Data to diagnose one of the super-kids from the Darwin station is named after the Russian.

"You'd think for all the brilliant scientists here we could have scored a Nintendo Wii and not this lame chess game. But noooooo!!"

Star Trek TNG: "Loud as a Whisper" Review

2009-06-11T23:09:00.002+10:00

"Loud As A Whisper" (Series Two, Episode Six)
Rating: 2/10

One of the more positive aspects of "Star Trek" in all its various franchises is that it addresses social, emotional, intellectual, psychological, political and even sexual issues all within the framework of a sci-fi TV show. In several cases the tone of the preaching is effectively masked beneath a seductive storyline (for example the ramifications of politics, xenophobia and political opportunism mixing in the 'Circle...' trilogy in Star Trek Deep Space Nine.

But then there are those shows that grab the viewer by the endocrine system and literally shout down the nearest ear the message, effectively turning the story into a mere crutch for the 'issue of the week'. Sad to say 'Loud As A Whisper' is one of these episodes.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Um....the nasty way in which the wicked Solaisian renegade zaps Riva's chorus is highly reminiscent of 'Mars Attacks'. This isn't some neat and tidy 'phasers on stun' weapon's fire, this is zap and strip away the target's flesh, muscle and then skeleton in a slow flash.
The idea of the Riva's chorus is in itself intriguing, but that's about as far as I can go on that issue.
Sorry...no third reason why you should watch this episode. Unless you feel the need to watch every single TNG show so you can write a critical blog about the show.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

As stated above, this is an issues show with the handicapped/special theme of Riva's deafness plus Geordi's blindness being knocked into our sensibilities with all the subtlety of a flying mallet. according to 'The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion' by Larry Nemecek the actor who plays Riva (Howard Seago) took his idea of a guest star turn and plot built around his own deafness to the producers who during the 1988 writer's strike agreed to run with this central construct. Methinks that's where the lack of subtlety lies; the producers took an idea with a one dimensional construct and tried to build a story around it without looking for a story first and then integrating the issue. The whole 'we are special' message that Geordi shares with Riva is almost patronising, much like the way they used to call the Paralympics the 'Special Olympics'. Political correctness and ideological obfuscation has no place in a well constructed and delivered TNG plot.
Riva has the hots for Deanna. Oh dear, why does Troi always attract the most sychopantic guys between her trysts with Riker and Worf? The supposedly intensely romantic meeting of minds when Riva and Troi have dinner together is just godawful, weighed down with language a Mills and Boon writer would blush to use. There are some positives to be drawn by some pundits on Deanna's expansion beyond "I sense..." but unfortunately the writers have veered into new age foreplay. Ick!
Pulaski wants to give Geordi new eyes. Excuse me?! Isn't one of the coolest things about TNG is that the guy who keeps the NCC-1701D running is blind? Instead we get some dead-end dialogue where Pulaski holds out the holy grail and then effectively tells La Forge that it might be the surgical equivalent of tupperware instead. It's plot points like this that made Pulaski hard to appreciate during her series two sojourn.

Best Moment

See above for the Chorus-gets-zapped sequence. Cool as!

Worst Moment

Arguably every scene barring that mentioned above, both before and after the opening credits. Actually, I'd say the romantic dinner between Riva and Troi. Ugh!

Blink And You'll Miss It

This isn't quite one of those moments, but instead a reference to the actress who plays the female member of Riva's chorus. Marnie Mosiman is the wife of John de Lancie, famous for his work as 'Q' in Star Trek TNG, DS9 and Voyager.

"Sorry Captain Picard...we're not The Pretenders and I'm definitely not Chrissie Hynde"

Star Trek TNG: "The Schizoid Man" Review

2009-06-11T18:00:00.004+10:00

The Schizoid Man (Series Two, Episode 5)

In some ways this episode embodies all the frustrations from the second series of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". With a plot that wavers between silly and compelling, performances that make you smile and grimace, and an almost 'TOS' feel to it, "The Schizoid Man" is neither the best nor worst effort from the cast, crew and creative staff behind TNG. It's an episode one would watch from the desire to have the complete TNG experience, however if you came to it without more than a passing interest it would fail to satisfy on most criteria. And if that means I'm fence sitting on this episode, that is correct.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

It may be an incidental aspect of the overall show, but the involvement of Suzie Plakson (Lieutenant Selar) and W. Morgan Sheppard (Ira Graves) helps the fairly flabby story by adding a degree of character depth earlier series two episodes failed to achieve. Plakson's Selar is the first female Vulcan officer seen on TNG and she plays the role calmly and efficiently (dare I say logically). There was obvious inspiration provided by the likes of Nimoy's Spock, but what is most rewarding is just seeing the range of crew members expanded beyond the bridge staff via our favourite Trek alien race. As a character Ira Graves is unlikeable yet Sheppard's grumpy old man act fits the role perfectly. I've seen Sheppard in several Trek entries (ST: Voyager, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, the new Star Trek movie) and his character actor roles always add a little mroe shade to Trek backgrounds. So for the short sequence at the beginning of the episode where he plays off the NCC-1701D away team and particularly with Brent Spiner's Data you can't but enjoy his work. How often does a Star Trek episode from any franchise become just that bit more rewarding because of guest cast members?
Brent Spiner as Data: Yet again in the pivotal role of the Enterprise-D's android in search of humanity, Spiner gets to flex his muscles away from contrived, controlled robotic dialogue and misapprehensions. There's the short taste of Data as comic relief in the beginning of the episode, followed by his fascination with Graves as part of a family construct, then the meat of the show with Data/Graves emerging as the schizophrenic antagonist. There are echoes of Spiner as he played Lore in "Datalore" and in some of his dialogue we have "The Measure of A Man" foreshadowed. By this second series episode all doubts as to who are the key members of the main cast of TNG are dispelled. Stewart's Picard and Spiner's Data revive that same great synergy seen in the Original Series between Shatner's Kirk and Nimoy's Spock.
The comic moments. For what could be assumed to be a very serious plot the actual storyline for "The Schizoid Man" has plenty of comic scenes. Spiner is a past master of the silly (just check his work in "Night Court") and when he delivers the painfully contrived eulogy at Graves' funeral it is very hard not to giggle. The sly perve at a curvaceous female crew member's backside, the scene where Data gives Wes Crusher a few life lessons and of course the introductory beard scene all raise a smile.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Sad to say the whole 'human mind in a computer/split personality' idea has been done before in Trek and gets done again and again, and "The Schizoid Man" adds nothing new to the concept. Dealing with mortality and individuality is a noble issue in science fiction yet in this episode those two core foci get lost in the silliness of the robot/old man desire felt by Graves/Data for Kareen, and the domination of the show by Spiner's performance. These ideas need a better examination than that given in "The Schizoid Man".
Kareen the ditzy blonde. Oh dear, as eye candy goes Barbara Alyn Woods is not bad, as an actress she is barely adequate. The scene where she asks Dorn's Worf if he is a Romulan is just ridiculous, and her teary/doe-eyed moping during the on-board scenes are just tedious. I can understand why Graves was lusting for her when she was the only other human in his immediate area, but Woods plays a one dimensional character who evokes no desire, sympathy or interest for the viewer.
The crew of the NCC-1701D are yet again in the background. Pulaski hardly gets a decent go, Geordi plays with a blue laser lasso around Data, Riker looks bemused, Worf growls a little then impersonates the Original Series Uhura, and Troi does more facial exercises whilst claiming to sense an emotion from a robot. Ho-bloody-hum. Thank goodness for Stewart as Picard; as long as Spiner has him to play off the show has some energy. If neither of these actors are involved the show drags.

Best Moment

The Graves eulogy as delivered by Data is painfully funny. Okay, it absolutely screams "Look at me, I'm not really Data, I'm Graves" but that's part of the fun. "To know him was to love him..."; need I say more?

Worst Moment

Any scene with Kareen. I know, that's very broad but sad to say every time we have Woods' looking like a moping teenager the quality of the show drops quicker than Tasha Yar being killed by Armus.

Blink & You'll Miss It Moment

During Data's psych test we see several screenshots on his view screen, mostly of charcaters in the episode. However briefly there is a shot of Tasha Yar and I swear you see footage from "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" where the Genesis effect shows a planet-wide flare. I could be wrong though...

"Data, I think you're supposed to put your iPod headphones in your ears"

Star Trek TNG: "The Outrageous Okona" Review

2009-06-11T17:54:00.001+10:00

"The Outrageous Okona" (Series Two, Episode Four)
Rating: 5/10

I guess that no matter how much you want to believe an episode of "Star Trek: The Next generation" will always be good simply because it is TNG, there are times you have to admit that no, the quality isn't always there. Elements may strike a chord reminding you the viewer of why you like the show, the characters and the basic premise yet an individual story, a guest star, a plot contrivance or just a dull and hackneyed premise undercuts the pleasure. Unfortunately in the case of "The Outrageous Okona" we get just enough dissatisfaction to distract us from what could have been much better.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

It takes a long time to get there, but the culmination of Data's B-story in trying to learn what humour is has some resonance. Yes, it is a torturous road and I'm not a fan of the story process nor Joe Piscopo as the hologram comic. However (spoiler alert) when Data comes to understand that the unreality of the audience's responses to his comic performance mirrors his own unreal desire to be more human there is just enough meaning in that moment to make it all worthwhile. Plus I guess it could be considered post-modern to have a Saturday Night Live comedian perform as a generally unfunny hologram whilst the dramatic actor Brent Spiner actually generate a few giggles if not guffaws from his laboured stand-up routine.
Seeing William O. Campbell as Okona; putting aside the role (a paper thin carictature of Errol Flynn playing a space pirate) I like this actor for a couple of reasons. First off knowing he and Jonathon Frakes were rivals for Riker's role adds a small degree of 'what if' to the episode. In fact you almost get the feeling that at this stage of TNG's development Riker's character and Okona's are two sides of the same coin. That could be the result of lazy character development ("I know...let's bring on board a rakish Riker type who's just as much a lady's man") but I'll give the producers the benefit of the doubt. And my second reason? Campbell was the hero of one of my favourite action films ("The Rocketeer") and whilst he may not put in a stellar perfroamnce there's just enough charm and insouciance to make you smile.
Worf chimes in with a couple of moments that add more subtext or character to his still developing personality. When Picard and Riker jokingly talk about surrendering to the Atlec starship the very Klingon 'grrrrr' in a cutaway shot reinforces your perception that he ain't always going to play the happy Starfleet officer. Then there is the aside about 'globflies', a nice bit of Klingon cultural referencing, and finally the look he gives the obviously just-had-sex anonymous female USS Enterprise crewmember when he collects Okona for the episode's climax. It's the small moments that accumulate into something bigger down the track which I enjoy.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The two stories of Okona as a Casanovan go-between for two lovers and Data doing stand up are painfully thin. As other reviews have cited there isn't much substance for either story and it could be argued that Data's is the more interesting and important. Unfortunately trying to bring undertones of "Romeo and Juliet" to this episode of TNG is a failure, and there isn't enough drama or comedy in either storyline to take the episode further in the most appropriate direction. You could argue that dropping the Data story and making the threat from the two rival planets to the NCC-1701D would have made this episode more effective, or conversely forgoing the contrivance of Okona (a.k.a. Mr Space Pirate Riker) and turning this into another bottle show purely about the android's quest for humanity could have also had better results. Unfortunately the producers have followed that Hollywood maxim of nothing succeeds like excess, and we get an excess of mundane stories in this episode.
Almost all the regular cast are damned flat in "The Outrageous Okona". You get the feeling that the likes of Stewart, Sirtis, Burton and Wheaton just dial their performances in. Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan is asked to deliver some lines that are pretty ordinary (that "android/annoyed" joke isn't funny) and both the characters of Troi and Wesley return to type as one-note carictatures. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is always at its best when the ensemble are on song, and sad to say most are way off-tune here.
I'm sorry, but the whole Joe Piscopo as comic guru is wrong. Was he the best (or more likely the most affordable) SNL alumnus they could bring on TNG? Billy Crystal would have been far better, but hey...casting requirements and budget sometimes clash and the end result are significant patches of a TNG episode being neither compelling or amusing.

Best Moment

Data telling his jokes, both to Guinan in ten-forward then later on the bridge. Spiner continues to shine as the android with the Pinocchio complex and I like the way he makes Data deliver bad jokes badly yet still make you laugh at the unconscious humour of the moment. Only "Star Trek: The Next Generation" had the cojones to bring into TV sci-fi Catskills-type stand up comedy.

Worst moment

Probably one of the worst moments in "Trek" ever...Jerry Lewis impersonations in the holodeck. I guess this would have thrilled the French fans of TNG but it's awkward, unfunny and just annoying.

Blink And You'll Miss It

When Data scrolls through the potential hologram comedians to learn from the one he selects (played by Joe Piscopo) the name that comes up on the screen is 'Ronald D Moore'. Okay, this does require the pause button on the DVD player, but when you see the name it does raise a wry small considering this is also the name of major sci-fi scriptwrite Ronald D Moore. Responsible for some of the best episodes in TNG, "Star Trek Deep Space Nine" and the reinvention of "Battlestar Galactica" the real world Moore's material is far more darker than a stand up comedian's.

"Lose the ponytail and not only will I let you sleep with me, I'll see if I can get you a guest role on next week's episode of "Desperate Housewives". "

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: "Elementary, Dear Data" Review

2008-07-09T22:33:00.006+10:00

"Elementary, Dear Data" (Series Two, Episode 3)
Rating: 7/10

After two earlier episodes which frankly didn't quite cut the mustard, Series Two of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" really gets going with "Elementary, Dear Data". Embodying much of what made TNG great viewing, this show grabs an implausible construct (i.e. the holodeck spawns a self-conscious hologram), throws in some character development for Data and even injects a little humour.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

How can anyone go past a Data-centric entry in the TNG franchise that lets him play around with one of his obsessions (i.e. Sherlock Holmes)? Just like the earlier original series where at times Spock was given mock-comic moments, so does "Elementary, Dear Data" do for Brent Spiner's character. On top of that we have contrasting relationship between Data and Geordie on one hand (one of the first times these two demonstrate a friendship that gets more powerful over the run of TNG), and Pulaski's cynicism about Data's abilities. Yes, there is a little mugging and I'm not sure why Brent Spiner has Data drop into and then out of with great rapidity a mock-Basil Rathbone voice. Yet overall this is Spiner having huge fun with Data, and you just enjoy the ride of his performance.
Moriarty: Daniel Davis works so well as Holme's/Data's nemesis who gradually becomes more and more self aware as the Enterprise D's computer develops a holoprogram to defeat Data. It would have been easy to make Moriarty the cardboard cut out villian with Davis' cameo role. Yet by the end of the show we have Moriarty questioning his own existence and expressing a desire for life which is not just revived in the series six episode "Ship In A Bottle", but is even reflected by Data's situation in "Measure of a Man".
A third reason to enjoy this episode has already been partly referred to, in that there is a warm sense of humour permeating the whole show. There is the mock solemn performance of Data as Holmes. Geordi as Watson makes a rather prolix yet ridiculous reporter of Data/Holmes in the first sequence at 221B Baker Street. Then there is the moment we see Worf in a formal suit, then that visual joke is topped by Picard popping his top hat. Whereas a lot of the so-called comic moments in the first series were broader, here there is a slightly toned downed feel that makes the humour more entertaining.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I feel a little uneasy about not recommending any part of this episode, or making too heavy a criticism of specific elements of the show. I do have some concern over the incongruities of the Enterprise's computer creating a sentient life form as part of a holodeck game. It's probably absurd to quibble the technical issues of the plot, but they do grate a little.
The 'thanks for showing up' performance from Marina Sirtis as Deanna. Okay, I know this is a Data show, and on top of that I've had a habit of knocking almost everything we see about Deanna Troi in TNG. But her "I feel...." moment is just so redundant here. Why didn't they just let her keep out of the whole episode and leave the fun and the meaningful dialogue to the likes of LeVar Burton and Brent Spiner.
The ending. I'm not that personally aggrieved by "Elementary, Dear Data"s ending, but it does seem a little tame. Picard uses reasonable argument with an errant hologram of Moriarty and the 'villian' turns out to be quite a decent chap. He resigns himself to being 'saved' for a later date and gives up the power that his newly developed sentience afforded him. Okay, no one would want such a fun episode to end with some great bloodletting etc, but I'm not all that wrapt with Picard's appeal to Moriarty's good graces.

Best Moment:

It's quite hard to pick out one specific moment, not because they are all that good but because there is an even tone to the episode. Perhaps if I was pushed it'd be the initial scene on the holodeck with Data as Holmes cataloguing the Holmesian knick-knacks, then playing the violin just as Conan Doyle would have written. But then again I like the moment when Pulaski argues against Data's ability to use intuition and independent thought as shown when she, Data and La Forge return to the holodeck. And finally, I do like the look of Geordi, Data, Worf and Picard in Victorian costume.

Worst Moment

I've already made mention of this...Deanna Troi's semi-regular "I feel..." moment. But to top it off we have Geordi spouting some technobabble about using a ray on the holodeck...blah blah blah.

Blink and You'll Miss It

There's a couple here. First off we see Assistant Engineer Clancy make an appearance, played by Anne Ramsay. For sitcom devotees you'll probably remember this actress for her role as Lisa Stemple in "Mad About You". Then, there is Alan Sherman as Lestrade; he and Diz White (the prostitute who talks to Moriarty on his entrance) were members of one of the funniest Handmade films of the 80s, "Bullshot". Finally, this is a tenuous link, but when Picard and Moriarty negotiate the hologram's future existence there is a reference to a "Long Goodbye". In turn, this could be seen as an homage to the first hologram program gone wrong episode, "The Big Goodbye" from series one.

"Please...please don't send me back to 'The Nanny'...I'd rather stay filed on a computer as a data file than listen to Fran Drescher!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: "Where Silence Has Lease" Review

2008-06-15T20:13:00.007+10:00

"Where Silence Has Lease (Series Two, Episode 2)
Rating: 3/10

How do you make a compelling episode of "Star Trek" which is ultimately about nothing? Hmmm, there's a good question. Unfortunately I'd have to say that the answer to this puzzle as provided by "Where Silence Has Lease" is a bit of a let down.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

I have to admit it is hard to tease out three specific reasons why both fan and nmon-fan alike should watch this episode. I'm assuming that the dedicated Trekker or Trekkie (me, I always prefer the former appellation) would watch it because it is part of the Trek universe. Anyway, I guess one reason to watch "Where Silence Has Lease" is we see Worf go feral. First off he lets the old Klingon blood lust get a little too intoxicating in the holodeck, and almost takes out Riker. Then he again almost loses it when on the faux USS Yamato. Any part of TNG with Worf a.k.a. Michael Dorn getting a little Klingon-esque is always worth a geek.
Reason No.2? Oh I guess we get another vignette of the evolving crustiness of Dr Pulaski when dealing with Data. It's a minor point I know, but sometimes the viewer needs to see not all Federation types love old Mr Shiny Skin. And in fact in a latter episode the idea of treating Data as an 'it' forms the basis of one of the best episodes of "TNG".
A red shirt cops it. In a small but significant way we get to see our first red shirt kark it on the bridge of the NCC1701-D, in this episode of "TNG". This is an important tribute to the heritage that was "Star Trek: The Original series" in that red shirts were almost always disposable for whatever baddy was smacking around Kirk, Spock and others on the old USS Enterprise. Whilst I'm not a fan of big bodycounts, at least in "Where Silence Has Lease" poor Mr Haskell dies in a pure Trekkian way. What a shame that Dr Pulaski couldn't come up with a "He's dead Jean Luc".

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I'm sorry, but the whole story really does signify nothing. The monster of the void Nagillum is not exactly horrifying, and the whole allusion to the Enterprise D being in a kind of lab experiment is not really the stuff of great drama. Okay, there is the Escher-esque experience for Worf and Riker on the fake USS Yamato, which has a slightly surreal tension. But to be honest I don't really care for the A story (and there is no B or C story to add texture to this thin material).
The "let's self destruct" plot device. I don't get how blithely and easily everyone accepts the idea of blowing themselves and the NCC-1701D up sop readily and easily. Okay, the 50% casualty rate of Nagillum's experiments on death as cited by Worf may not be acceptable, but to then say let's do a Waco or Jonestown to deny the bad guy of even taking one life? And then to be so emotionally balanced about it all? Okay, so maybe 24th Century Starfleet personnel may be more in tune with their mortality, but even famous last stands like Masada had a survivor here and there. And by the way, if Nagillum could do so much to manipulate time and space, why couldn't he just disable the auto-destruct sequence.
This is a bottle show, i.e. one that relies on mostly on-ship dialogue scenes with almost no special effects where the dialogue is fairly uninteresting, and we don't see any development of the characters (although it could be argued that the Worf and Riker friendship really starts here). The best bottle shows rely on a good story told exceedingly well, with one or more ensemble cast members experiencing growth, or for that matter the environment of "TNG" expands. The worst are like this episode; simple, lacking much significance and generally failing to make you want more when the episode finishes.

Best Moment

It's a small one, but when Riker confirms the cessation of the auto-destruct sequence near the end of the episode we finally see a little truth in his performance. I guess a lot if not all people in the same situation would be liable to not being satisfied with a simple yes, and would blather on with at least half a dozen ways of agreeing to the idea of not wanting the ship to blow up. And when Patrick Stewart's Picard says "A simple yes would have sufficed No.1" you can't but smile.

Worst Moment

There is not utterly rubbish scene in "Where Silence Has Lease", just some very average to poor sequences. Perhaps when the faux Deanna tries to stop Picard from blowing up the Enterprise D; for some reason Marina Sirtis's acting is even more wooden.

Blink and You'll Miss It

This is a tenuous one, but I am sure when you watch Diana Muldaur as Pulaski get pulled around by the scanning of Nagillum, her acting is a straight rip-off of when V'ger scanned Ilea (Persis Khambatta) in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". They both do a kind of tortured twisting dance which is not quite satisfying. Wouldn't such an invasive process be far more painful?

"I told you about the Klingon monster eating spaceships...but did you listen? Noooooo!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Child" Review

2008-06-14T02:22:00.008+10:00

The Child (Series Two, Episode 1)
Rating: 3/10

So, the year is 1988 and the first series of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is done and dusted. Whilst not a total critical success, there is enough interest both from the TV viewers and the producers to come back with a second series. Most of the cast members reappear (although Gates McFadden was beamed out and replaced by Original Series guest star Diana Muldaur), and there are some changes in the creative processes that look good (e.g. the introduction of Ten Forward and Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan). The sophomore season looks to be a building up of success when...band, a writer's strike. Hence the rather weak opening of the second season with 'The Child'.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

I said it a hell of a lot when I was reviewing the previous season's episodes and I'll say it again here. Brent Spiner as Data is a constant positive influence on "TNG" and he and his character rarely put a foot wrong. Just like Nimoy's Spock, Spiner's Data looks at the human condition with one foot in the milieu and one foot out, with just enough understanding to be bewildered by the way his fellow crewmembers on the Enterprise behave. The interaction between Data and Troi during the birth scene is one example of this, played somewhere between laughs and dead earnestness. The same can be said for the way Data corrects Dr Pulaski (Muldaur) on how to pronounce his name. I know in this latter example the writers were trying to echo the old character conflicts between Spock and Bones McCoy, and it's not as successful. Yet it is intriguing to see someone perhaps look at Data and actually wonder what he really is, and not blithely accept him as an equal.
The set up of future standard devices in "TNG". In this second series opener we see some things that weren't shown in the first series, and from now on become part of the environment. Ten Forward, the crew's bar and recreation area debuts as does Guinan. In future episodes this is a place for key plot exposition and action, plus Guinan is at times an important character for other crew members of the NCC-1701D to bounce off. Jonathon Frakes brings Riker a beard, and he looks more rakish and dare I say handsome with it. There is a subtle change in his attitude as a character, and this can be seen in the way Riker sits in the chair opposite Picard in the captain's ready room. Deanna gets a more sensible outfit, Geordi becomes chief engineer (solving the somewhat redundant place for him on the bridge in the first series), Wesley grows up a little and O'Brien is again at the transporter controls. It could be argued this is the first episode to show "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as the Trek series which really revived the franchise.
For a show I don't really like, I struggle to find a third reason to watch this episode. I will say tha the opening sequence, before the credits is quite engaging. There is a different feel to "TNG" in this premier episode of the second series, and it makes a pleasant change from what was generally seen in the previous series.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

There is a definitive problem in this episode, and that is the weak plot of Deanna being impregnated by a benign alien presence. Taken from a script originaly sleighted for use on the unbroadcasted "Star Trek: Phase II" series from the late 1970s, "The Child" has a rather pointless presence. Not much really happens and no one can get really excited about this plot device. There are plenty of other, better episodes where alien lifeforms attempt to understand the crew of the Enterprise , and they don't need knocking up Deanna ("The Nth Degree" for example) to accomplish this.
Deanna and Will; oh dear, how come it's now the second series and we still have some bloody silly stuff between Deanna Troi and Will Riker. Admittedly Marina Sirtis provides some dignity to her performance (as seen in the conference held with her, Pulaski, Worf, Data, Picard and Riker when her pregnancy is confirmed), but most of the time you get some damned silly or soppy argy-bargy between her and Jonathon Frakes' Riker. When you watch this episode, and then look at how the two actors and their characters related in "Star Trek: First Contact" you have to wonder how cool it was the writers and the performers turned around this relationship from pure hokum.
The B and C stories. Okay, we have a plague threatening an entire planet as the secondary story in "The Child", with Wesley Crusher trying to resolve whether he will leave the USS Enterprise D to join his mother at Starfleet medical as the C story. Unfortunately neither really excites or interests. The danger from the plague samples is not really that scary or threatening, whilst watching Wesley sulk his way around until he gets what he wants (spoiled brat!) and stays on board is pretty dull.

Best Moment

Whilst some may argue for the debate about whether or not Deanna should have an abortion as a key moment, I prefer the more frivolous scene between Data and Pulaski, as the android's humanity is queried by the crusty new doctor. Light hearted and yet slightly serious, I do have a soft spot for Dr Pulaski that not a lot of other Trek fans or critics share.

Worst Moment

Hmmm...so many mediocre moments, none that really dip deep into the pool of awfulness. Perhaps the aforementioned conference scene, when Riker queries the Deanna about who made her pregnant, and then getting the 'an alien did it' story is my least favourite.

Blink and You'll Miss It

It's not much, but Chief O'Brien has two pips on his uniform (i.e. is ranked as a Lieutenant) , when it is established in later shows he is a non commissioned officer. Oh, it can also be argued when Deanna's child is described as half Betazoid, half human (like Troi) they get that wrong. Ian Andrew Troi would logically be half alien, quarter Betazoid and qaurter human (that's if I was an anally retentive wierd Trek fan, instead of a fairly loyal Trek fan). Oh, and Seymour Cassel (who guest stars as Hester Dealt) is more renowned recently as an actor in Wes Anderson's films "Rushmore", "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "The Life Aquatic"

"Damn...I hate watching Discovery Home and Health documentaries!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: "The Neutral Zone" Review

2008-06-10T19:45:00.007+10:00

The Neutral Zone (Series One, Episode 25)
Rating: 8/10

With the final episode of the first series of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" the somewhat shakey development of the then new show ended on a true high. In my view there were lots of average episodes in the first series, several true dogs ("Too Short A Season" anyone?), and two classics. One was "Hearts of Glory"...this is the other.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Hmm, only three? I'll try and summarise as follows. Firstly the A and the B stories (the revival of the cryogenically frozen humans and the mysteriously destruction of Federation outposts along the Romulan Neutral Zone) are seamlessly brought together, with an organic quality that really highlights what could be achieved in a TNG episode. More harsh critics (i.e. Altman and Gross) underestimate the A story, looking at it as a simple retread of The Original Series episode "Space Seed". Or they find the comic elements too overbearing. Frankly that's selling this show short. There is something more to the trio of rescued cryogenically frozen humans than simple gags or objects of curiousity. Okay, maybe the character of Clare is a little soppy but hey, if you were dead then brought back to life to then see a Klingon staring at you, followed by realisation that all your friends and family were dead, you'd be a little emotional too. And there is a kind of synergy watching the character Ralph Offenhouse call the Romulan bluff. So none of this retread stuff; it's a good yarn.
The Romulans are back. Yep, after 24 episodes of the first series of TNG the creative team felt strong enough to bring back the third major alien race from The Original Series. Less glamorous as Trek aliens than the Vulcans and the Klingons, the fictional complexity of their society and philosophies help deepen the tapestry of TNG. After all, it took "The Neutral Zone" to give us their entry into TNG so that later episodes (e.g. "Unification") could occur. And lurking behind the return of a great Trek alien race was the unsaid and at the time unknown entrance of the greatest nemesis of The Federation, The Borg.
The bridge crew ensemble get some classic moments. The ensemble aspect of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was vitally important and thankfully in "The Neutral Zone" we get almost everyone having something to do and say, often with more than just a passing interest for the viewer. The relationship between Data and Sonny Clemonds is but one example of this. Then you have Deanna Troi actually doing something worthwhile (i.e. helping Clare find her descendants). Worf gets to scare the poor Clare as she revives, then snarls in true Klingon style at the treacherous Romulans. Perhaps Geordi could do more, but unfortunately the first series of TNG was a lost opportunity for Levar Burton's character. And of course we see Dr Crusher get her bottom patted by a 20th Century country and western singer.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I'm going to struggle here, but perhaps you may not want to watch this episode of TNG if you don't enjoy seeing a TOS episode slightly reworked. But see my arguments against this proposition above.
Also, Altman and Gross pick up on the faux pas when Worf and Data transport to the cryogenic starship, with Data reporting afterwards that the atmosphere on board was breathable. Okay...that's a logic problem for the script but hey...this is a sci-fi fantasy TV show ferchrissakes!
A third reason not to watch this episode...well, maybe the fact that the Romulans return and then in the following series nothing comes of it. Frankly that's a criticism of the second series, not really of this single show.

Best Moment

There are plenty of highlights here. Worf causing Clare to faint, the discussion between Data and Sonny about "low mileage pit woofies", Beverley getting her tushy patted, Riker having to come to grips with cryogenic three...all fine comic moments. Then there is the return of the Romulans and their new B-Type Warbird, with Marc Alaimo (latterly portraying the Cardassians Gul Macet and Gul Dukat) as the first significant Rolumlan encountered by the NCC-1701D. As I have said, a damned fine episode.

Worst Moment

Hmmm...possibly Picard moralising on how the human race had advanced since the 20th Century to Ralph Offenhouse. I always get a little tecthy around moralisations in "Star Trek" whatever its version.

Blink and You'll Miss It

Actually, this isn't a blink moment...this is right in front of your eyes. During this episode we see four great TV character actors who over 30 odd years have been in everything from "Hill Street Blues", "Fantasy Island", "Petrocelli", "Ironside", "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" and "Quantum Leap". Leon Rippy (Sonny), Anthony James (Sub Commander Thei), Peter Mark Richman (Ralph Offenhouse) and Marc Alaimo (Tebok) are four guest stars who you would have seen plenty of times in lots of TV series. Each brings no matter how small their screen time a degree of interest to this episode that in previous shows less accomplished guest stars couldn't achieve (yes, I am thinking of Michelle Phillips). Again, when you see an episode of "The Next Generation" with worthwhile guest stars you are in for a treat.

"I hope that word doesn't get out to the Association of Card Carrying Cardies I was a Romulan once"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: "Conspiracy" Review

2008-06-09T16:58:00.005+10:00

Conspiracy: (Series One, Episode 24)

Rating: 4/10

Renowned in Trek fandom for featuring one of the more serious if not definitively most gruesome screen death in any of the series, "Conspiracy" is somewhat of an enigma. A follow up to the earlier episode "Coming of Age", "Conspiracy" goes into an area that wasn't exactly prominent during "Star Trek: The Original series". In fact, the almost "X-Files" plot device at the heart of this show and the manner in which it is developed was really born in the Trek universe here, and went on to become (admittedly in mutated forms) a continuing element in all the other series. In a perfect world what would happen when the best of the best (i.e. Starfleet) lapse into one of the most base acts...betrayal.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Undoubtedly the prime reason to watch this episode is to get some resolution to the rather open-ended story that formed the B plot for "Coming of Age". In that earlier episode there is the indication that all was not what it was supposed to be at Starfleet, and in "Conspiracy" the viewer learns what it is that created this air of uncertainty and mistrust. The two guest caharcetrs from the earlier episode (Admiral Quinn and Commander Remmick) reappear and there is some finality to their character arcs. Whatever queries or issues one may have with the aliens who have been responsible for the threat to Starfleet and ergo the Federation, "Conspiracy" shows the Trek fan a reasonable premise with a definite back story. But...(see below)
A larger fleet: "Conspiracy" shows us that Starfleet isn't a human's only club, thanks to the Bolian Captain Rixx, nor is it a white male's domain thanks to Captain Troyla Scott. The meeting which begins this episode provides a small inkling of a Starfleet that is more than the USS Enterprise, and as always the greater depth of the back story and the accompanying environment the more enjoyable "Star Trek" in any of its forms is. The foredoomed Captain Walter Keel may be redshirted in no short order thanks to the conspiracy which gives this episode its name, but at least he had time to give us a bit more depth to Jean Luc's characterisation. And then, when the NCC-1701D returns to Earth we see some of the Starfleet High Command, with a Vulcan as part of the hierarchy.
The ending. Okay, there is no definitive resolution to "Conspiracy" and this could also be considered a weakness. Yet it is always part of serial television culture that at the end of 43 minutes of drama there should be closure. It's rare that a story or plot begun immediately before the opening credits is still left partly or wholly hanging when the closing credits start. Up until this episode of "The Next Generation" that was standard too in the Trek universe. Now, at the end of "Conspiracy" we have the unshakeable question of was the parasitical alien threat really negated? Perhaps not...

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I know this may be counter-productive from what I have said before, but I am not a fan of the alien parasite conspiracy plot device. Robert Heinlen's "The Puppet Masters" is the obvious inspiration from which the alien parasites come from for this episode's story, and in some ways I think this is a cop out. It's very easy to have an alien pervert the forces of good in the Star Trek universe. However, as shown in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" it is far more morally and emotionally shocking to see Starfleet characters become "bad" for whatever reason, inclduing for the overall good. On top of that I'm not that impressed with the depiction of the alien parasites, which leads into my next point...
The special effects in "Conspiracy" are rather lame. Unfortunately from the small gill spine that sticks out the back of every infected Starfleet member, through the stop-motion work employed to show the aliens moving, to the gruesome death of the host Commander Remmick, the effects in this episode are rather ineffective. I'm sorry, but the stuff with the gills...you mean to say that no one ever saw this bloody obvious sign that someone was being controlled until Dr Crusher sees it on Admiral Quinn? Come on! The whole idea of a really disturbing and threatening conspiracy is one that is almost unsusceptable...if the bad guys looks, sound, think, ARE like us then it is more scary. Mediocre effects help kill the frightening part of this episode.
Finally, my third objection to this episode is that none of the Enterprise D bridge crew cover themselves with glory, or have much added to their depth of character. Yes, Riker goes in hard with some Kirk-esque fisticuffs followed by eating some maggots to trick the alien-infected Starfleet command. But character development takes a big step back throughout much this episode. I've always found "Star Trek" in any of its forms and series at its best when someone you watch goes through some growth, some change, some development. In this episode everyone is more or less cardboard cut-outs from go to whoa.

Best Moment

Probably a toss up between the fight sequence between Admiral Quinn and Riker (with Worf coming in a la tag-team wrestling), or the goriness of the maggot eating at Starfleet command. Then there's the exploding Remmick sequence. High value from the action sequences.

Worst Moment

I know I just cited the Remmick blown to bits scene as a best moment, but it's also a worst moment. "Trek" doesn't need faux horror scenes to be scary or exciting...leave that to Wes Craven and similar horror film makers. If you want "trek" at its scariest sans gore, watch the Borg assimiliate their victims after "Star Trek: First Contact"

Blink and You'll Miss It

It's not much, but those maggots being eaten by Riker et al are in fact grubs and yes, Jonathon Frakes did eat one!

"God I hate Shiatsu massage from an unlicenced practitioner!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'We'll Always Have Paris' Review

2008-06-07T12:08:00.005+10:00

We'll Always Have Paris (Series One, Episode 23)

Rating: 4/10

The Original Series made good use of the recurrent themes of (a) temporal distortion (b) experiments gone wrong and (c) an old flame coming back to haunt a crew member so it was only natural that The Next Generation got into the act. With 'We'll Always Have Paris' we get the triple treat of all these leitmotifs, plus some input from a then (i.e. 1988) still lovely Michelle Phillips. Does the first episode without Tasha cut the mustard? Hmmm...maybe not.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The addition of some depth to Picard's back story is always welcome, and it could be argued that we first encounter in this episode the 'thinking female Trekker's cheesecake' that Patrick Stewart became. Playing some rather amateurish riffs off a Casablanca plot device (i.e. Jean Luc is reunited with Jenice Mannheim, who's husband is a noted Federation scientist), the most fun is actually garnered from the scenes with Picard in the holodeck Parisian cafe. Okay, the way in which Captain Picard tries to explain to Janice why he didn't keep his romantic rendezvous is emotionally uncovincing, but you have to admire the writers for at least trying to give the so far reserved Captain of the NCC-1701D some romantic cred. By the way; what in god's name is that incredibly 80's outfit that the young lovelorn holodeck character is wearing in Jean Luc's first sojourn in the cafe!
The time distortion effects. It's a minor point, but watching various members of the crew encountering themselves over differing time phases is at least intriguing. It may not be the best example of time disruption depicted as a dramatic and special effects device in a TNG episode, but 'We'll Always Have Paris' does have its moments.
Michelle Phillips and Rod Loomis. Their respective performances may be average at best, but seeing one of the original 'Mamas' from legendary 60s group The Mamas and The Papas is certainly a highlight (TNG didn't have too many celebrity guest stars over the years, and Phillips arguably was the first after watching De Forest Kelly revive Dr McCoy in 'Encounter at Farpoint'). Also Rod Loomis is arguably better known for his performance as Sigmund Freud in another sci-fi time shift show (in this case, 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure'). If he is to be compared to Paul Henried's Victor Lazlo in 'Casablanca', Loomis has almost nothing to do. Of course that is unfair, but hey...the USS Enterprise D is supposed to be a surrogate Cafe Americaine.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The lack of dramatic tension is painfully obvious in this episode. Partly due to the effects of the then Screenwriter's Guild strike, partly due to the derivative plot, partly due to the overall lack of romantic energy between the key characters (Jean Luc, Janice, Paul and as fourth wheel Beverley Crusher), you don't really get into the hearts of the protagonists. For a story that is at its core an homage to a great passionate affair as portrayed in an all time great movie the emotions are either checked or even made silly. I don't think you really can beleive that Jean Luc and Janice Mannheim would have had such a great love for each other, which in turn kills much of the effect which the writers and actors wanted.
The time distortion plot device is tidied up almost obscenely quickly and easily. Data beams down to the laboratory and sticks some anti-matter in the distortion....BANG all is fixed. I've read that this resolution was because of the script's paucity, and it shows...badly. If you want a more emotionally satisfying resolution of a time distortion take a geek at 'Yesterday's Enterprise'.
The failure of the TNG ensemble. One of the strongest aspects of any Next Generation episode is the way that most if not all characters in the show's ensemble get meaningful dialogue or some exposure. This episode is way too Picard-centric, and whilst Beverley and Data get some camera time too they don't exactly cover themselves in glory.

Best Moment

Hmmm...tough. No real screamingly great scenes, although I did like the first sequence in the holodeck Parisian cafe. As the French would say, this is an amusement bouche...a fun little titbit to make you want more (which unfortunately doesn't really happen).

Worst Moment

I've already intimated my thoughts here, and it has to be Data solving the time distort. Just too damned easy guys!

Blink and You'll Miss It

It's not so much a visual thing, but ever noticed how in 'Star Trek: The Original Series' Captain Kirk had an old flame called Janice Lester, and in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Captain Picard has an old flame called Jenice Mannheim? What is it with old flames called Janice/Jenice...causing all this grief for USS Enterprise captains?

"You mean to say Jean Luc you preferred Mama Cass Elliot over ME!?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Skin of Evil' Review

2008-05-26T22:14:00.007+10:00

Skin of Evil (Series One, Episode 22)

Rating: 6/10

I guess there have been plenty of writers, critics, experts and sundry other 'Star Trek' observers who over the years have looked to this episode of TNG and been surprised at the willingness of the writers to kill off Tasha Yar. At the time it was arguably the most controversial moments in Trek's history on TV, and I'm sure Denise Crosby and Michael Dorn must look to this show as a pivotal moment in their careers. Yet for all this supposed importance in the Star Trek tradition frankly I'm left barely intrigued by this show, let alone moved or stunned by the death of the Enterprise D's security officer. Let me explain...

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The core plot point, i.e. the death of Tasha Yar, killed by Armus (the embodiment of pure evil) is a no brainer why you need to see this show. So many developments in the next six series of TNG rely on Tasha being killed on the surface of Vagra III. For example (and most obviously) there would have been little room for Worf to develop as a character without Tasha being removed by this episode from the role as chief of security. And yes, unlike The Original Series this ain't no red shirter like the usual victims from the first Enterprise. It could even be argued that Tasha's death, either senseless because Armus murders her for no reason other than to make it so, or bravely (for the good of her crewmates trying to help Deanna) makes the whole fictional edifice of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' just a little grittier and emotionally real. For example, Beverly can't save Tasha, so she too is as fallible as Bones McCoy from TOS. Being an away team member on the Enterprise D isn't safe...it can get you killed. And yet....
Riker being mired in the pit of evil. It's possibly one of the most gruesome scenes from TNG for all its seven series, and certainly pretty grungy for the first series. After Tasha's death we see Riker pulled almost magically down into Armus' being, the black gooey slime consuming him like quick sand. Hats off to Jonathon Frakes for letting the production team put him through this ordeal of printers ink and metamucil. In some respects this feels more distasteful to the viewer than watching Tasha being killed by Armus. A truly wonderful ick moment!
The coda at the end of Tasha's memorial service on the holodeck. Data muses on the point of the service, and in another earlier example of Picard acting as Kirk to the android's Spock-like viewpoint Jean Luc reminds us how Data's insights are the most truthful part of how Trek explores the human condition. Brent Spiner's characterisation of Data is becoming more and more nuanced, and this is a million miles away from the somewhat low comedy of 'The Naked Now' (a.k.a. "I am fully functional...").

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I'm sorry, but Deanna Troi really shits me in this episode. One minute she is the poor trapped Betazed at the mercy of the nasty old alien monster, the next she is psycho-analysing it. Marina Sirtis was so badly utilised and/or directed in this show and it's a little ironic that her performance during the memorial scene which was actually emotionally true (well, she was crying for the departure of Denise Crosby from TNG) is still way too melodramatic. By this late stage of the first series you would have thought Roddenbury et al would have worked out what to do with Deanna, but instead we get the same weak characterisation of a lame psychiatrist always getting into scrapes and misadventures, causing more grief than solving.
The technobabble solution to Armus' power to stop transportation. Ive never been a big fan of the deux ex machina method of chanting some meaningless technobable to make everything right again in the world of TNG. Here we get some gibberish about making Armus cranky eases the forcefield around Troi's crashed shuttle. Ho bloody hum.
The memorial service. Oh dear...this really is abysmal (until as per the third point above holographic Tasha 'closes hailing frequencies' and shuts up). Mawkish, overly sentimental, gooey and rich with all the worst of Roddenberry's naivete, I still shudder as the dead Tasha reels off epigrams of beyond the grave wisdom and love. Almost as retch-inducing as watching Riker being slimed (see above).

Best Moment

As cited above, Data and Picard engaging in some moving reflection on Tasha's death. Probably the only time in the show I feel a little grief-struck sniffle.

Worst Moment

Again, as cited above the beyond the grave words of Tasha Yar. What a shame that the original concept of not including this sequence wasn't followed up. Or even better, why not do what was shown after Spock's death in 'Wrath of Khan'. Now there's a way to induce sadness for a Trek character's death.

Blink and You'll Miss It

This may be a purely fictional supposition, but next time you watch the memorial scene look at the design of the holographic setting. I could be wrong, but I wonder if the designers of Windows XP took this scene for inspiration when they created the original wall paper for the operating systems desktop. See for yourself...

"Look, I get the Johnny Cash Man in Black allusion...but aren't you taking it a bit too far!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Symbiosis' Review'

2007-12-06T19:49:00.003+11:00

Symbiosis (Series One, Episode 21)

Rating: 6/10

One of the most 'up front message' shows of the first series, if not from the entire 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' corpus, 'Symbiosis' is a show that is somewhat puzzling to critique. The central premise, two planets and their societies becoming mutually parasitic, and Picard's Enterprise blunders good-naturedly into the role of both saviour and wrecker, is quite well realised. But then, to counterbalance the intriguing idea for the show, the actors under-deliver which in turn is compromised with some cereal packet moralizing from Tasha.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

As I have stated above, and as has been commented upon by Altman & Gross in their book "Trek Navigator", the idea of dramatically investigating how drug addiction impacts upon both society and individuals through Trek's sci-fi artifice is quite interesting (and if this can be said about such a subject, entertaining as well). When the Ornaran crewmen T'Jon and Romas go through all the wild emotional ups and downs that their addiction to Felicium makes them endure, you see a well-considered (if melodramatic) depiction of drug dependence. And whilst there may be moral repulsion at the Brekkan 'dealers' Sobi and Langor, you can at least understand how the Brekkans have developed into a society dependent upon the Ornaran's social malaise. The best achievements of 'Trek' in any of its incarnations is to take a serious issue from today, turn it into a science fiction story, and then give you all the grey areas real morality must consist of (instead of simple judgments as will be discussed below). And 'Symbiosis' is a classic effort for the most part in this context.
The appearance of two Trek alumni as guest stars. With Merritt Butrick as T'Jon and Judson Scott as Sobi, we get two of the supporting actors from original generations movies (i.e. 'The Wrath of Khan' and 'The Search For Spock'). Whilst Butrick probably has the better role and delivers arguably delivers the better performance, for the Trekker aficionado it's a bit of a buzz to see Kirk's son and Khan's right-hand man facing off.
Picard's Resolution and the Prime Directive. Whilst Beverly bemoans the drug addiction of the Ornarans and chides the Brekkans as dealers, Jean Luc quietly and with a detachment that belies his emotional engagement with the problem, provides the answer that is neither morally ambiguous nor a breach of the Prime Directive. Perhaps a Kirk may have forgone the Prime Directive and slapped the Brekkans into detention. Maybe Janeway would have found an accommodation but shown great sympathy to the Ornarans. Captain Archer would have done the same as Kirk, but with less need to try and bonk Langor (the female Brekkan). Anyway...Jean Luc Picard delivers his decision with a clear-sightedness that can be but envied.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Okay; it may be harsh but Tasha's "Just say no" speech to Wesley is undoubtedly dated and far too simplistic, jarring with the more morally complex presentation of the Brekkan/Ornaran relationship. Perhaps this is unfair, as every episode of every 'Star Trek' franchise will be a creation of its times. But Tasha's little sermon on the bridge cuts across so much of the usually Liberal values of 'Star Trek'.
The electric-powered Ornarans and Brekkans. Okay, so the local sun is giving out huge bursts of solar flares. Scientifically plausible...agreed. Two near planets develop societies based on mutual support and exploitation. Again, a plausible construct. But each planet having its inhabitants able to use electricity from their own bodies to stun each other (or most memorably for the wrong reason, Commander Riker)...sorry. Quite a dud of an idea.
The Brekkans. I don't think Sobi and Langor come off either as sleazy nor as sympathetic as they could have been presented. Maybe this is because of the moral neutrality which is at the heart of this episode. Or, more likely neither Judson Scott nor Kimberly Farr give their performances venom, gravitas, subtext. I wonder how this would have been played out if instead of the blond Aryan-like Sobi and Langor, what would have been the reaction if it were Ferengi or Klingons using drugs to exploit an alien race? And a minor sub-point; why are the Ornarans and the Brekkans given such piss-poor alien make up? Looking like Bajorans without the accompanying depth of characterization doesn't endear either aliens to the viewer.

Best Moment:

Simple...Picard's 'wisdom of Solomon moment' when he tells the Ornarans he won't help them with their star ship engines, and in turn gives neither party long term satisfaction.

Worst Moment:

No, not Tasha's speech. The worst is seeing Jonathon Frakes in some kind of grotesque face-pulling game as T'Jon gives him the full shock treatment. Frakes...piss poor effort my good man!

Blink and You'll Miss It:

Watch for the final reverse shot as Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Crusher (Gates McFadden) get into the turbo lift and exit the cargo bay. Denise Crosby gives a little wave as she says farewell before Tasha gets it in the next episode. A nice bit of impromptu realism in a highly stylised show.

"You know Sobi...I think our costume designer has been snorting too much Felicium..."

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Arsenal of Freedom' Review'

2007-12-04T22:36:00.003+11:00

The Arsenal of Freedom (Series One, Episode 20)

Rating: 4/10

Hmmm...an 'issues' show that has a little bit of unrequited love (okay, maybe not love but Picard does show Beverly a level of interest beyond the purely bedside manner of the paramedic), some shoot-em ups down on the planet Minos, and Geordi gets the chance to go round in the big chair and demonstrate both his insecurities and his strengths in front of Deanna and some extras. Talk about your full on episode. But is it any good?

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The 'dead arms dealers in space' premise. Okay, so it has a small hokieness level and there have been other sci-fi plots (including those in the Trek universe) that have looked at a planet or society that destroyed itself through suicidal wars. But what makes this episode of TNG stand out when it comes to the plot is that the Minosian military industrial complex driven by both greed and technical excellence survives the very people it destroyed. And without wanting to give the ending away, the answer to the central plot problem (how do you stop robotic weapons attacking the away team) is devastatingly simple. So simple perhaps you have to ask why a semi-conscious Beverly can think of it and Captain Picard doesn't get it till the last but one act.
Bev & the Captain in extremis: The first series was probably the best at showing the dynamic between the NCC-1701D's favourite female doc and the balding French ship's captain. This is not a great honour per se, but it can be said that this episode of TNG gives us a bit more detail about Dr Crusher beyond 'heart on my sleeve medico' and 'concerned mummy of boy genius' as seen in previous episodes.
We get to see bridge crew that aren't played by the featured actors. There is approximately 1000 crew members on the USS Enterprise D, and overall up to this point we have probably seen and heard from only about 15 characters in total. As the NCC-1701D battles a Minosian attack ship in orbit around the planet we get to see a few Lieutenants who aren't part of the regular command crew strut their (admittedly hesitant) stuff under Geordi's command on the infrequently-used battle bridge.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Geordi goes all weak at the knees and blusters when given the keys to the USS Enterprise D. As Beverly lies dying in a Minosian cave, Tasha, Data and Will fight off a relentless killer robot, Geordi throws a hissy fit and tells off the chief engineer 'It's my ship and I'll stop us from getting blown up'. To make things worse he has to have Deanna give him advice on how to lead his crew. Sorry, but I just don't enjoy this characterization of Lt La Forge and it is obvious his best place was actually in engineering (as discovered by the writers in the second series).
Too much is going on. Simply put, there are three stories in this episode (whereas the most excellent "Hearts of Glory" really only had one), and none of the storylines get true justice. The viewer is bounced from cave to surface to ship to cave to surface ad nauseam. This dilutes the major theme of the show (i.e. the arms trade and its attendant profit seeking is homicidal).
Tasha, Will and Data versus the robot killers. Sorry, but I think what you see developed by Syndrome in "The Incredibles" is a far scarier and deadlier-looking robotic weapon system. A floating shampoo bottle with a laser beam is only one step up from the Original Series' Nomad (from 'The Changeling').

Best Moment

Frankly it has to be whenever guest actor Vincent Schiavelli as the Minosian arms merchant appears. Possessing a great face and persona for the slightly creepy and definitely threatening peddler of hi-tech killing machines, Schiavelli had established himself as one of the leading guest actors in TNG across all series, not just the first. His performance in this episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" reflects well against his roles in "Ghost", "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "Amadeus". Oh, you could add as a second best moment Will Riker confusing the robotic spy version of his old friend Paul Rice with information about his ship 'The Lollipop' ("It's a good ship!")

Worst Moment

Deanna tells Geordi how to man-manage his bridge crew. This is from the same woman who flies off in a tantrum when she has her mother visit (see "Haven"). Not impressed.

"Don't interrupt me please Captain...I'm trying to program my Ipod with a new play list...and what cave are you talking about?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Hearts of Glory' Review

2007-11-26T16:51:00.003+11:00

Heart Of Glory (Series One, Episode 19)

Rating: 8/10

Finally; 'TNG' gives us a Klingon episode with Worf in full flight and mostly this is a cracker. In fact, I am seriously torn between judging this episode and 'The Big Goodbye' as the best efforts from the first series of 'The Next Generation'. As the franchise developed 'TNG' tried to do for the Klingons via Worf what 'The Original Series' did for the Vulcans via Spock. It really started here...

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The Klingons. Korris, Konmel, K'Nera and Worf just ooze Klingon values and you can't not be drawn into how these traditional enemies of the Federation are struggling with their culture's values in the new relatively peaceful galaxy. Korris, played by frequently used Vaughn Armstrong is arguably the first great Klingon character of 'The Next Generation' which is not a bad achievement considering the likes of Worf himself, K'mpec, Gowron, Kurn, K'Ehyler, the Duras sisters and Kurn. Konmel and K'Nera are incidental but they still have a valuable role to play in that they are both trying to keep faith with their warrior instincts and at the same time be honourable and dutiful. And then...then there is Worf.
Worf. I'll admit it, I'm a Worf fan. When Michael Dorn is finally given a chance to develop Worf's character beyond a few pithy statements we get a Klingon that is as rounded and as interesting as Spock was in TOS. Acting under all that make up is a remarkable achievement in itself, but to make one feel like Worf has his own reality is something that Dorn should be continually praised for. And let's face it, how can you not get into how well Worf works in this episode when he gets so many quality scenes.
The bridge crew stand back and let the Klingons go for it. Sensibly, aside from the opening sequence (see below) and some necessary input from Picard (Stewart) and Yar (Crosby) in crucial scenes the likes of Data, Riker, Beverley, Troi and Wesley are steered clear of the action and of the story. This is an episode where the A story is all that is needed and nothing need interpose upon the Klingon focused plot. An example of how less is more.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

I only have one reason actually. The opening sequence with Geordi on the Batris with the rest of the away team using his Visor to transmit images abck to the Enterprise D is just a tad too boring and fatuous. Having watched this episode over and over again, it's obvious to me this sequence is padding without any real dramatic impact, plus special effects without being special.

Best Moment

So many to chose from. The Klingon death cry scenes, both involving Worf are classic. Then there is the denoument with Worf and Korris facing off with the warp core under threat of destruction. Or Worf and K'Nera discussing how Korris and Konmel deserve a warrior's death, or latterly K'Nera offering Worf a position on his ship. It's virtually all gold; no one best moment.

Worst Moment

Easy...Geordi's funky Visor does some like-wow special effects. Get on with it guys...take us to the Klingons FAST!

Time for some Carpenter's Karaoke..."Calling occupants, of interplanetary craft..."

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Coming Of Age' Review'

2007-11-22T17:43:00.003+11:00

Coming of Age (Series One, Episode 18)

Rating: 4/10

This is an episode of two distinct halves; the first focuses on Wesley Crusher attempting to enter Starfleet, the second plot line is a good old fashioned 'the admiral wants an inspection done because something stinks on the Enterprise' story. To be honest, I find 'Coming of Age' a real curate's egg...good in some parts, ordinary in others. And then there is the foreshadowing of a latter episode in the story of Remmick's investigation.

Three Reasons To Watch this Episode

The candidate's exam that Wes sits throws together some interesting characters (and one female character who seems to be there just to give Wes's heart a flutter). Although the make-up is a little clunky, I quite enjoy watching Mordock the Benzite. We also get our first Vulcan (with dialogue) on 'TNG', and seeing veteran TV actor Robert Ito in the role of Lieutenant Chang is rewarding as well. And whilst this may be considered a spoiler (red alert), Wes actually fails the exam...indicating that finally as the writers should have noticed many episodes before just because he is a boy genius doesn't mean he should always save the NCC-1701D etc.
Remmick stirs up some grief amongst the chosen ones that are the officers of the USS Enterprise D. Character conflict is not exactly a common feature of TNG full stop, let alone in the first series episodes. For all his obnoxiousness (and this is achieved relatively well by the actor Robert Schenkkan), Lt.Comm. Remmick makes a few of the stoic and serene bridge crew get a bit hot and flustered as he tries to dig the dirt on Picard. Then, to top it off he even pisses off Picard, and when you think all is going to end in nasty words if not worse, Remmick turns around and has the gall to ask for a posting to the Enterprise after his term on the JAG staff. Character conflict actually drives a story forward (as shown to far better effect on 'Star Trek DS9').
Picard's back story gets widened. When the two plot lines come together, we see Jean-Luc Picard reveal he failed at his first entry attempt into Starfleet. Okay, it's a minor point. But the more you find out about Picard the more you enjoy his character. And also we are again presented with Picard in a semi-paternalistic manner. The first series writers obviously wanted to show the incongruity of a man who had an unwillingness to deal with children, yet when he does have to face up to his responsibilities for the children on his ship he shows great care and kindness.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The whole 'Admiral Quinn thinks something's gone awry with the Federation' basis for his decision to launch an inquisition of the Enterprise's crew, so in turn he can reinforce his own belief in the reliability of Picard. Paranoia is one thing, but introducing the germ of a conspiracy plot without any previous establishing episodes, and then to leave it hanging for resolution a few episodes down the track is fairly weak. If you're going to present a continuing story such as this, better episode construction and juxtaposition would have wrought a better effect.
Jake Kurland and Oliana Mirren. One is a teenager on the Enterprise beaten by Wes to get a shot at Starfleet Academy, the other takes on Wes at the exam and is (gush, blush, sigh) a pretty teenage girl. Frankly, both characters and their respective actors are flat and uninteresting.
Wes's 'psych test'. So...his biggest fear is having to choose who lives and who dies. Frankly, facing a Klingon with a disruptor and a dak'tagh sounds more frightening that leaving someone behind in a blown up lab.

Best Moment

Worf talking to Wesley about his own experience of the Starfleet psych test. It's a minor moment, but anything that helps develop Worf's character (alongside Data and Picard) is usually of benefit to the whole 'TNG' environment.

Worst Moment

I'm torn between Beverley getting into a snit at Remmick asking if she has issues with Picard, Wes going into 'I'm culturally aware mode' when he picks up on a Zeldan's webbed hand, and the turnaround in Quinn from admiral on a witch-hunt to 'trust me Jean-Luc, I'm gonna make you Starfleet Academy Commandant'. None of these moments really get the blood pumping, the emotions working or the brain ticking over. And in the case of Quinn and his offer, how ludicrous to think that Picard will leave the Enterprise after only 18 episodes!

"Gee Mordock...I thought my acne was bad! And why the Bob Dylan harmonica look?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Home Soil' Review'

2007-11-22T08:20:00.003+11:00

Home Soil (Series One, Episode 17)
Rating: 2/10

Part murder-mystery, part threatening alien of the week, 'Home Soil' doesn't quite achieve either goal and hence falls between the dramatic stools. Both the 'Star Trek Companion' by Larry Nemacek and 'Trek Navigator' by Altman and Gross identify this episode of 'The Next Generation' as a relatively poor one, and to be honest I have to agree with them.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The Terraformers; fairly uninteresting as characters per se, it is at least worthwhile to come across a group of humans/civilians who aren't compromised by the 'uniformity of goodness' that seems to populate both the original and TNG Trek universes. Kurt Mandl (the chief terraformer) is rude, willful and all too ready to sacrifice what he doesn't understand on the altar of his own ego. Unfortunately this isn't enough to really sustain interest in the terraformers as a whole.
The silicate life-forms a.k.a microbrains a.k.a. Velarans. Yes; they are a pale shadow of the Original Series rock-based aliens, the Horta. But you have to admire the way the universal translator interprets their language when calling the crew of the Enterprise D 'ugly bags of mostly water'.
Data destroys a laser; it's a minor point, but the logical manner in which Data justifies his destruction of a valuable piece of the terraformer's equipment is quintessential Data.

Three Reasons Not To watch This Episode

The absence of dramatic tension. To be blunt, the Valarans are not exactly the most threatening of aliens and the murder mystery is solved way too quickly. Even the supposed 'war' between the microbrains and the crew of the NCC-1701D is resolved way too quickly and with minimal casualties. Go forward a few series later to when the Borg arrive; they know how to wage war on the USS Enterprise D!
The shallow performances of the Enterpise ensemble.Aside from a momentary flutter from Data (Brent Spiner) you get the feeling all the cast are sleep-walking through their performances. Even Riker (Jonathon Frakes) brings no seductive tension into his relationship with the terraformer Louisa Kim (Elizabeth Lindsay). Dull acting guys.
The FX: From the obviously painted terraforming station on Velara III through to the illuminated plastic lights that masquerade as the Velarans you never feel any sense of wonder from the visual effects in this episode. Considering this is a 'bottle' show (i.e. one with few Visual/Special Effects it wouldn't be crucial except the viewer needs to be sold on the credibility of the aliens.

Best Moment

Easy...'ugly bags of mostly water'.

Worst Moment

Perhaps when Louisa Kim prattles on about how guilty she feels about participating in the destruction of the Velaran's environment, whilst Riker moodily looks on offering his so-called charms to settle her qualms. Puh-lease!

"See Captain Picard...I know how to play the grumpy balding older guy in this episode...you pussy!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'When The Bough Breaks' Review

2007-11-21T16:42:00.003+11:00

When The Bough Breaks (Series One, Episode 16)
Rating: 7/10

Part whimsical fable, part exploration of the civilian component on the Next Generation Enterprise, and part allegory about how reliance on technology can compromise a society's future 'When The Bough Breaks' is a worthy diversion from some of the preceding lowlights in the first series of 'TNG'. Also, we are finally given a characterisation of Wesley that doesn't make you want to gag.

Three Reasons To watch This Episode

The Enterprise children. A motif that ran through most of the first series of 'TNG', and didn't re-emerge until much later, was the presence of children on the Enterprise D. Combine this with a starship's captain (Picard) who categorically considers himself unable to 'deal' with children, and there is an intriguing theme for the writers to develop. In 'When The Bough Breaks' Picard's concern for the kidnapped children is not just because he has an interest in all ship's members, but deep down he feels a strong paternalistic desire. Combine this with the attractive mini-characters of the children themselves (Harry, Toya) and the very cute 'baby' of the group Alexandra, and this episode never falls into overt sentimentality. And as I said at the start, Wesley actually comes across as a reasonable strong character for the first time (who would have thought he could employ the passive resistance of Gandhi to counter the Aldeans).
The Aldeans. Foreshadowing the Vidiians of 'Star Trek: Voyager', without the horrible trasnplanted organ look, the chronically-ill Aldeans are actually sympathetic even though they have kidnapped the Enterprise children. In fact you could almost understand why they see their only hope for their civilization being such a morally outrageous act. Jerry Hardin (later to return to TNG as Samuel Clemens) and Brenda Strong (more on her below) are engaging as Radue and Rashella, whilst even incidental Aldeans such as Leda and Accolan (Michele Marsh and Dan Mason) make you feel engaged with their plight. Watching the children each develop traits that their real parents failed to recognise is rewarding. Perhaps my only complaint is the Aldeans have fallen foul of that unique 'Star Trek' alien syndrome...the God computer going wrong.
The effects for the Custodian. It isn't a big moment per se, but the manner in which the central core of the Aldean computer (Custodian) is realised is a victory for low budget but high impact VFX.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The turnaround of Beverly Crusher. In 'Justice' Beverly Crusher is almost ready to go down to the planet of the Edo herself and get her son back from their clutches. In this episode she lets Picard take the helm in all efforts to get back the children, and she even tells off one of the parents to let Jean Luc do his thing. You can't fault Gates McFadden in this context, and it is a minor moment. But how about some character continuity folks?
The 'we can beam down after all' excuse. I know; the writers need to create an opportunity so that the Enterprise D crew can save the day. But why such a contrived technobabble solution? At least Riker & Data are limited to just disabling Custodian, and not doing something more outrageous (if it was Jonathon Archer and his MACOs on NX01 there would have been some shooting no doubt!).
Another quibble (that's quibble...not tribble), is the final jokey end, when Alexandra leaves her toy (is it a stuffed Tribble) on Picard's back. Silly and none too dignified, it could have been left out and the episode would have been just that little better for it.

Best Moment

Picard has to override his own antipathy towards children (and is this also a reflection of his inability to show affection) when on Aldea Alexandra wants to be picked up. Deep down we know he really wants this to happen, but the way Patrick Stewart plays the moment and the emotion is priceless.

Worst Moment

No one moment in the episode is that bad, though as I said above I don't like the end scene because it is so corny and contrived.

Blink & You'll Miss It

It's not really a blink moment, as she appears regularly. However Brenda Strong as Rashella is interesting because not only did this mark one of her first roles in the genre (9 years later she was in 'Starship Troopers), but also she has had notable guest appearances in 'Twin Peaks' and 'Seinfield', plus most famously has gone on to be the dead Mary Alice in 'Desperate Housewives'.

"Captain...thank you for rescuing us and here's your Merkin back."

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Too Short A Season' Review'

2007-11-20T19:32:00.003+11:00

'Too Short A Season' (Series One, Episode 15)
Rating: 2/10

Oh dear...this episode is possibly my least favourite from series one and arguably one of the 10 worst 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' episodes ever. I have never enjoyed watching the basically silly story of Admiral Mark Jameson using a de-aging drug to help effect a rescue of federation hostages, and aside from picking up some sub textual ideas this time around, it took a bit of patience and more than one sitting to endure 'Too Short a Season'.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

This is a struggle, and thin grounds for suggesting you watch this episode, but here goes. Marsha Hunt as Anna Jameson gives a dignified and measured performance. Her restraint and her characterisation is in strong contrast to Clayton Rohner (Admiral Jameson)...but moreo him later.
The Kirk subtext. I only picked this up on this viewing, and I could be reading too much into the episode. Here's my thesis. Admiral Jameson is effectively an elderly Kirk. He is somewhat selfish, quick to act (unlike Picard), self-possessed and arguably self-aggrandizing and finally wanting to recapture his youth (watch any of the movies featuring Kirk/Shatner you'll see my point). If it was an aim of the writers to show what Kirk may have become if he had not gone into the Nexus, then it's an interesting story point. If on the other hand Jameson is just Jameson then sorry...the story and his character is flimsy to the extreme.
The Prime Directive dilemma. Okay...I'm clutching at straws here. The manner in which the negotiations between Karnas and Jameson on Mordan IV come back and bite everyone concerned on the arse 45 years later, arguably due to the Prime Directive and Jameson's interpretation of it, is interesting. If this show had more depth that would be the focal point, not Jameson's decline and fall.

Three Reasons Not To watch This Episode

Jameson. As central characters go, this Starfleet admiral is a dud. Clayton Rohner overacts like an over-cured ham and frankly you never give a damn about him or what he is doing to himself. There have been other central characters in other Trek episodes that are just as unlikeable, but you actually find reasons to at least have an interest in them, or feel some empathy. But Jameson is literally a void in the heart of this episode. Even when he dies you feel nothing more than 'thank christ he's gone'. Throw in the stupid de-ageing premise and his woeful make-up and Admiral Jameson is a joke.
Karnas: Michael Pataki almost succeeds in upstaging Clyde Rohner as bad guest actor of the series, and his climactic scenes with Jameson dying are about as powerful as a used tissue. Rolling eyes and bombastic yelling doth not make the character. No menace, no intelligence, no interest...all bluster.
The Enterprise D crew are effectively relegated to on-lookers and plot contrivances. For a 'TNG' episode that has all the main lead characters appear at least once, you'd expect them to have a significant role in the story and develop accordingly. Instead they are effectively reduced to providing Jameson with a transport service, with the chance for some redundant phaser fighting. 'Too Short A Season' could be called 'The Admiral Jameson Show'; it is that focused away from the 'TNG' characters.

Best Moment

I can't think of one...honestly.

Worst Moment

Every time Admiral Jameson appears...double that when Karnas gets in the act. And Jameson's death scene....urghhhh!

"Jameson...you ruined this episode!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: '11001001' Review'

2007-11-20T19:26:00.001+11:00

11001001 (Series One, Episode 14)
Rating: 8/10

In this episode 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' returns to the holodeck and combines a really intriguing alien race (the Binars) with an engaging three hander between Riker (Jonathon Frakes), Picard (Patrick Stewart) and holodeck honey Minuet (Carolyn McCormick). As Altman and Gross say in their collection of reviews 'Trek Navigator', this is one of the few episodes from series one that stands up today.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The development of Riker's character: In the majority of the previous 'TNG' episodes Jonathon Frakes isn't really given enough depth of character to explore with his role of Riker. A pseudo-Kirk man of action for the USS Enterprise D, he gets to have sex with aliens ('Angel One', 'Justice'), dock the Drive Section to the Saucer Section of the Enterprise ('Encounter at Farpoint'), get god-like powers ('Hide & Q') and throw a tantrum about Deanna's arranged marriage ('Haven'). In thise episode however we see a fleshed out Riker; he loves jazz and plays it...well, adequately enough for a holodeck combo. He is excited enough by the pleasure of Minuet's all-too-real holodeck persona, yet aware of the danger of losing his sense of reality. This isn't a new version of Kirk playing a trombone and trying to bonk a fictional brunette; Will has finally arrived as a rounded person.
The Binars: Aliens who are so interconnected with their computers they speak binary, and their entire planet is endangered basically due to a power surge on their mainframe is certainly one of the most intriguing of Trek races. I would have liked to have seen more use made of them in other 'Trek' franchises and series. And the sheer logic of their answer to the imminent destruction of their homeworld's computer systems ('hijacking' the Enterprise), in that there was only a 'yes' or a 'no' and the attendent risks with a 'no' had to be totally negated, then it all tallies up with the way the writers have created the Binars.
Carolyn McCormick's 'Minuet': As a holodeck character, Minuet is the forerunner of all the other great holodeck creations on 'Trek' (Moriarty, Vic on 'DS9', the holographic Doctor on 'Voyager') in that there is a degree of awareness and a depth of personality that engages the 'real' people who interact with him or her (and ion turn we the viewer). From the way she captures Riker's attention (and maybe affection), her ability to intrigue and entertain Picard by speaking French and at the risk of an incredibly shallow observation her drop-dead gorgeous looks, well Minuet is a classic 'TNG' minor character.

Three Reasons To Watch this Episode

Not enough is done with the other officers: There are some nice vignettes with Data agonizing over his decision to evacuate the Enterprise, and Worf's belligerent approach to sport. But once everyone is off the Enterprise they seem fairly impotent. In truth, this is a minor criticism.
The holodeck as pivotal setting: Again, a small criticism, in that it would have been hard for this story to have been developed without the holodeck as the setting. So long as it isn't overused (as transporter malfunctions seemed to always happen on the Original Series) this method of creating dramatic tension works fine on TNG.
I honestly can't think of a third reason why you shouldn't watch this episode.

Best Moment

Whenever Carolyn McCormick's Minuet is on the screen this episode of 'TNG' works and works exceptionally well.

Worst Moment

When Picard enters the holodeck and turns an intimate moment between Minuet and Riker into a small soiree, I feel a little uncomfortable and embarrassed for Riker. To be honest I think that Riker's privacy has been invaded, and it isn't sufficiently addressed by either the writers themselves of Picard in the course of the show.

"Mr Riker...I'm disappointed you haven't gotten into the spirit of our 'Bald Day On The Enterprise' celebrations!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Angel One' Review'

2007-11-19T23:11:00.001+11:00

Angel One (Series One, Episode 13)
Rating: 4/10

The first series of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' again and again refers back to the first Trek incarnation. Sometimes it is in plot (such as in 'The Naked Now'), whereas in others it may be production values (e.g. the costumes of the Edo in 'Justice', the lighting used on Picard in 'Encounter at Farpoint'). 'In Angel One' we get 'Riker as Kirk' crossed with a Romulan threat/disease of the week crisis point. This may not be the strongest episode of the first series of 'TNG', but it isn't the weakest either.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Frakes as Shatner. It's a fairly simplistic and not 100% accurate representation of this episode to say that Riker is placed into a highly sexual position with the alien leader. Be that as it may Frakes carries it off with a nice sense of comic understatement. In fact if anything Riker is willing to be the passive sexual desire of the Angel I leader, Beata in a way that Kirk probably would never have done.
The impact of the humans on an alien planet. Unwelcome or accidental contact between humans and alien cultures is an interesting issue that features frequently in the 'Trek mythos, and what is intriguing this time is (a) Riker is willing to break the Prime Directive to protect Ramsey and his party and (b) Angel One's society is actually threatened by the imposition of human male values. Of course Angel One is a simplistic interpretation of any divided society (e.g. apartheid era South Africa), and has the slightly silly aspect of male/female role reversals. But what does give the episode an agreeable sense of relevance is that the benign values of sexual equality is considered revolutionary. In the real world it usually is the same exposition of simple, basic values that create significant change.
Troi and Tasha get meaningful screen time. Whilst members of the away team to Angel One, Deanna Troi and Tasha Yar finally get to be more than just additional bridge crew. Marina Sirtis and Denise Crosby get to play their characters without too much overacting, and they aren't placed in a ridiculous situation (as they had been in previous episodes).

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The stupid 'disease of the week' crisis. How does a pseudo-Klingon virus emerge and then transmit from the holodeck to almost everyone on the NCC-1701D? And of course, Dr Crusher isn't affected by the virus whilst all others are. Finally, she finds a cure just in the nick of time. Such a childish plot device.
The costumes. Again, we see the major focal characters such as Riker and Beata dressed like it's still 1969. Series One has some low production moments due to the inability of Roddenberry's team to move beyond what they thought worked for The Original Series, and this episode demonstrates this in spades.
The sexism of the Angel One aliens. There may be nothing inherently wrong in showing a matriarchial alien society in this episode, but how come the strong women are easily seduced by either the human survivors of the Odin or Riker himself. You get the feeling that the Angel One women are simply waiting to be bonked into sensability by the human males, and this is a fairly predictable and sexist construct from the scriptwriters. Plus, there is actually a lurking sense of prejudice against the rather effeminate males of Angel One, which makes me think perhaps this is an anti-gay subtext.

Best Moment

It's not relevant to the major plot thread, but I do like it when Geordi is given command advice by Worf. Up until now Geordi La Forge has been played with little authority or interest by LeVar Burton, whilst Worf has been the growling provider of pithy Klingon observations. Here we get La Forge struggling with the responsibilities of command, and Worf doing more than just gruffly questioning those around him, or fighting as a warrior. And I find it easy to smile as Worf sneezes as only a Klingon would (loudly with great force).

Worst Moment

Riker and Beate getting ready to do the nasty for Federation/Alien relations. Too much talking with no real passion, and even less dignity. If it was up to Kirk he would have done the deed first, then maybe pontificated later (or more likely left it up to Spock).

"It's just not fair Mistress Beata...I didn't know you preferred midgets with clean shaved chests."

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Datalore' Review'

2007-11-19T23:08:00.001+11:00

Datalore (Series One, Episode 12)
Rating: 4/10

When it comes to mining movie and TV history for stories, you can't say that 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' is frightened of going to the well once too often. Obviously as a sequel to the original series there was always going to be episodes drawn from ideas first presented in the Kirk/Spock era. Then, there are the conceptual echoes, as seen in film noir tributes like 'The Big Goodbye'. And in 'Datalore', we get the 'evil twin' story which unfortunately doesn't hang together as well as hoped. For all the possibilities inherent in a Data-centric episode, this show falls a little too flat.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Brent Spiner as Data and Lore. Putting aside the overall weakness of the story, you can't but admire Brent Spiner doing a sterling job playing the good Data and the evil Lore. Whilst usually the role of villain offers the most scope for dramatic impact, Spiner achieves a better than average performance at this stage of Data's development in the role of Data than he does as Lore. I believe that Lore is too cartoonish as a villain, and there isn't enough psychological depth to his motivations. Yet when you see Spiner on screen in both roles, he acquits himself in a way that surpasses some of the 'evil twin' efforts from other Trek actors (Shatner specifically). And it is certainly rewarding watch the android Data trying to comprehend such human concepts as family and betrayal.
The developing relationship between Picard and Data. If there is any equal to the Kirk/Spock friendship from 'TOS' to 'TNG', then it certainly comes from the way Picard and Data interact. And in this episode, Picard is faced with questioning his second officer's loyalty, and latterly considering Data's 'human-ness'. This lays so much of the ground work for all the later episodes where Picard and Data's friendship becomes deeper and more interesting.
Wes is threatened with death. Okay...it doesn't happen but it's amusing to see how the 'meddling' Wesley finally faces the adult consequences of his do-gooding. And who bears the brunt? Beverley.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The multitude of logical flaws in the episode. For example, when Data transports Lore out of the Enterprise D, the deflector shields must be down. But the Crytsalline Entity doesn't attack? Why? Or, in another example when Lore as Data tells Picard he can communicate with the entity, he simply opens comm channels and speaks normally to it. Um...how come Picard or anyone else can't do exactly the same thing? And considering a latter episode demonstrates that the Crytsalline Entity can't be communicated with through normal channels and the universal translator, how did Lore get through in the first place.
The twitch factor. Sorry, but watching Lore's face twitch away with a facial tick is like 'Evil Brother 101 for Dummies'. Unfortunately Spiner and the director have pulled the wrong rein there.
he fight sequence between Data and Lore. Oh dear; talk about ham-fisticuffs. The good work of the split camera/doubling spiner effect is undone by the fraudulent fight sequence in the cargo bay. You can easily see that Spiner isn't in either Data or Lore's role when the climactic struggle begins.

Best Moment

Data describing how 'agog' he is at visiting his home planet, whilst also trying to sneeze like a human.

Worst Moment

Wesley throwing a hissy fit on the bridge because the adults won't listen to him. Okay...it's not a tantrum, but I am tired of Wesley thinking he is not being treated fairly. Considering how many children are on the Enterprise D, he gets a bloody good run for a teenaged acting-ensign. Oh, you can throw in the obvious stunt double for Data/Lore in the fight sequence.

"Now that Dr Crusher knows where my off switch is, should I tell her about my joystick?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Big Goodbye Review

2007-11-15T20:10:00.001+11:00

The Big Goodbye (Series One, Episode 11)
Rating: 8/10

Finally! An episode of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' that stands as a classic addition to the entire Trek body of work. After a faltering start thanks to some silly rehashes of original series plots, overacting from Marina Sirtis, too much 'Wesley saves the ship' contrivance and two visits each from the Ferengi and Q, the first series of 'TNG' delivers an episode that expands upon the characters, mixes interesting sci-fi with humour and only minimal plot holes, and finally makes you feel like you actually care about the crew of the new Enterprise. 'The Big Goodbye' may have been the prototypical episode of all 'the holodeck has gone skew-whiff' shows across all later Trek incarnations, yet this isn't a fault. And as homages to other genres and even the older 'Star Trek', 'The Big Goodbye' is a great effort.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Stewart as Picard as Dixon Hill: Patrick Stewart is a classically trained British actor with a tremendous record of performances in Shakespearean drama and BBC mini-series. It's amazing how assured even at this early stage how he pulls of the role of Jean-Luc Picard. And in this episode, he then has the added layer of playing a 24th Century starship captain playing a 20th century private detective. He combines wonderment with passion, amusement with resolve, cunning with naivete. This isn't any Sam Spade in space, it is a rounded characterisation that engages the viewer in a way that only good sci-fi can.
The central premise of the holodeck being used by members of the crew for enjoyment, turning deadly may be in hindsight a hokey, predictable one. But as this is the first time it is done, this isn't a problem by a positive. And it is not just the premise itself that is worthy, there is the interaction between the characters. For example, you can see there is an underlying romantic tension between Picard and Crusher when they meet on the holodeck. Then this is cut away by the comic intervention of Data and Whalen. The hologram characters have moments too, defined by their distinctly interesting personalities (if copied from 'The Maltese Falcon' etc), as well as their issues over self-awareness. The casting, the jokes, the direction, the costumes, the lighting...everything works on the holodeck even when it doesn't.
Data the serio-comic chorus. In previous episodes, most notably 'The Naked Now' Data's inability to understand humans or his robotic nature is played for laughs or for straight sci-fi drama. The two don't mix, and in some cases you don't actually feel Data 'works' as a character. In this episode, even though it could be argued he displays too many human characteristics, he finally gels. Thanks in part to the writing, but more so due to Brent Spiner, we get Data effortlessly gliding from comic moments to true android actions and reactions. And then there is the closing...when Data begins in true Dashiell Hammett fashion to talk about what happened on the holodeck, you can't help but laugh.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The Jarada. I actually think that the idea of the Jarada as an insectoid alien race with extremely violent reactions to linguistic insensitivies is actually a positive. The problem with them in the context of this show is that (a) why does Picard need to speak to them as he does (what, no universal translator, or even an edited and recorded speech instead?) and (b)You don't actually see the Jarada. I know that budgets are an issue in TV, and the idea of showing an alien may not be as fearful, mysterious or exciting as hiding them, but surely some kind of look at a Jarada could have been managed. And how come the Enterprise D zooms into Jaradan space, says a few well chosen words and then zooms out again. Seems like a very pointless rendezvous if you ask me.
Wesley the wunderkind strikes again. This time Wes helps..no, dominates...fixing the holodeck. How come Geordi or any number of other technicians and engineers don't save the hostages of the malfunctioning holodeck. I just don't get how Wesley has all this amazing brilliance with almost unlimited access to ship's systems, and is given carte blanche by genuine Starfleet officers like Riker. This is one leap of credibility that I still struggle to make.
It's a very minor point, but when the bridge crew applaud Picard after he successfully talks to the Jarada, I get the feeling that this is too contrived, and in all honesty not something Picard would appreciate. Just a minor irritant.

Best moment

It's a close points decision, but it has to go to Beverley, Picard, Data and Whalen in the police station, just over the climax between 'Dixon Hill', his colleagues and Redblock and his henchmen. There are some delightful comic moments in the former scene, and each actor and extra 'gets' what the moment is about.

Worst moment

There is no real nadir per se, but when Wes saves the day with his holodeck engineering skills I do get a nauseous feelings. And as I said above, the bridge crew applauding the Captain for doing his duty with skill and professionalism....I don't think so.

Blink & You'll Miss It

When Data 'reads' every detail of the Dixon Hill stories via the ship's computer, you can briefly see that the author of the first novel was Tracey Torme, writer of this episode. Nice touch!

"Data, do you get the feeling Captain Kirk & Mr Spock went to the same tailors last century?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Haven' Review

2007-11-15T20:02:00.002+11:00

Haven (Series One, Episode 10)
Rating: 5/10

The first 'Troi-centric' story on 'Star Trek: the Next Generation', with a strange admixture of silliness, an alien plague ship, an arranged marriage and the debut of 'TNG's Auntie Mame', Lwaxana Troi. This episode almost pulls it off, particularly when it concentrates on the comic moments, plus the Lwaxana and Deanna interaction. Yet the whole Tarellian plague plot point is underwhelming, and to top this off you get a 'star-crossed lovers' story.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The arrival of Lwaxana on the Enterprise D. Over the years of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' a visit from Lwaxana (usually played with a combination of insouciance and ham-acting by Gene Roddenberry's wife Majel Barrett) usually meant there was going to be a light-hearted, comedic episode in store for the viewer. And 'Haven' delivers in spades on the Lwaxana giggles. For example, the manner in which she patronises but also flirts with Picard is a priceless part of the show, best epitomised by the way Lwaxana endows Picard with the same condescension given to a hotel bell-boy when he shows her to her room. Then there is the final transporter scene, with Lwaxana teasing Picard about his (utterly non-existent) sexual desires for her. Patrick Stewart plays a straight man to the over-the-top Majel Barrett rather well, and it is a talent that rarely gets the attention it deserves.
Betazoid Culture 101: 'Haven' is a nice entry point into the social mores of the Betazoids, who up to this point have only one distinguishing cultural or alien significance (i.e. their empathic/telepathic capabilities). The most interesting (and again comedic) constructs revealed in this show is the Betazoid preference for nude weddings. You almost get the feeling that the writers of this episode wanted to make up some of the most outrageous lines for Lwaxana and then see what they could get away with.
The plague ship concept. I'm not a fan of the Tarellians per se, but the idea of a civilization destroyed by suicidal biological warfare, with the last remnants roaming the galaxy is a fairly solid sci-fi concept. What is even more interesting is that the Tarellians are not just victims of their own self-inflicted disease, they are actively hunted down and killed by other races. In another series of 'TNG', or even more appropriately on 'DS9' this could have been the focal point for a superior 'issues' show. And I wonder if the Tarellians were somewhere behind the idea of the Vidiians on 'Star Trek: Voyager'.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Riker as the spurned lover. Unfortunately Jonathon Frakes brings nothing to the role of Will Riker in this episode, as Deanna agrees to follow through on the arranged marriage she is about to undertake with Wyatt Miller. If anything all we seem to get is 'Will the spoiled whining brat'. To make things worse, Troi engages in some shallow pablum and platitudes about platonic love, then throws in the 'Imzadi' word. As eternal triangles go, Will's point is a blunt one.
Ariana & Wyatt. Oh dear...how insipid and silly is this story point. Wyatt is essentially a decent, if very bland young man who is expecting Troi to be the woman of his dreams. Instead it is the Tarellian woman Ariana, and these two have some kind of across-the-cosmos meeting of minds that means they are destined to be with each other (and Wyatt will of course lift the plague from the Tarellians). Sorry, but this is pure unadultered melodrama without any value beyond being a plot contrivance. You can't even feel any respect or admiration for Wyatt when he transports over to the plague ship; it's like watching low fat milk being poured into a mug of water...weak and lifeless.
What were the hair stylists thinking? For some reason, Beverley and Tasha (and of course Deanna) have bad hair days on 'Haven'. During the pre-wedding party Tasha wears a Two-Tone styled cut that went out of style as soon as the guys from Depeche Mode stopped the new romantioc look in 1985. Gates McFadden has her long amber locks put into some kind of half-hearted hair style that changes Dr Crusher's looks significantly. And Deanna gets hair extensions to her silly towering bun of hair.

Best Moment

If you want a funny vignette, then Picard carrying Lwaxana's luggage is not bad, but as extended scenes go the pre-wedding dinner is easily the best moment in the episode. If you can ignore Will sulking, there are some classic moments as Mr Homm gets drunk, Lwaxana stirring up trouble with the Millers, Data engaging in some utterly silly observations and funny comments ('Please, go on with the petty bickering!') and finally Deanna throws a hissy fit. 'Haven' shows that even 360 years from now having a wedding will still be a minefield of booze, in-laws bitching and the bride throwing a tantrum.

Worst Moment

I'm torn between Wyatt and Ariana meeting on the plague ship (I may have just exposed myself to a fatal disease but I get to meet a Darryl Hannah look-alike), and Will Riker's sulking and pouting. And the gong goes to...Will stalking off the holodeck after Deanna tells him they're just good friends.

Blink And You'll Miss It

If you are a true 'TNG' tragic you'll notice that the chair which the Tarellian leader sits on latterly went into Worf's room (as seen in 'Parallels', amongst other episodes). If you are less tragic but still love 'Trek' the face on the box of jewels seen at the beginning of the episode belongs to Armin Shimerman (a.k.a. DS9's Quark). Finally, this episode is (I think) the only time Deanna calls Riker 'Bill' and not Will.

"Why Jean-Luc...how did you know that I have a case full of Viagra for you? Are you sure you don't have any Betazoid blood in you after all?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Hide & Q' Review'

2007-11-14T23:23:00.002+11:00

'Hide & Q' (Series One, Episode 9)

Rating: 4/10

John De Lancie's omnipotent alien Q returns perhaps a shade too early to the USS Enterprise D, and in this episode of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' his 'seduction' of Riker comes to naught. An obvious retread of the original series episode 'Where No Man Has Gone Before', it only shines when De Lancie gives full flight to his extravagant, extroverted and manipulative character.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

John De Lancie's performance. Amazingly, the character of Q undergoes a more significant growth and development in only his second episode contrasted with almost all the regular crew members of the Enterprise, who have had a lot more time and exposure to grow. There are some classic interchanges between De Lancie's Q and Stewart's Picard, whilst he also strikes up some nice moments with Frakes' Riker. Even the silly macro-head/micro-brain insult from Q at Worf sparkles with life and spirit. I'm torn between the scenes where Q ridicules Picard with his 'seized my vessel' whining, and the Q and Picard interpret Shakespeare as the two highlights of this episode.
Worf's bemused quote of the week. In this episode, Worf again gets a moment of puzzlement at his human crew mates, when Picard points out that Q is but a 'flim flam man'. When Worf is given the camera shot he works it nicely with a confused 'Flim Flam Man?'. A cheap high, but still a high.
The Klingon foreplay scene. Okay, it's a little hokey, rather sexist and almost entirely wordless, when Worf is given the chance to start letting his Klingon libido loose on a Klingon female gifted to him by Riker, it's a moment that captures your attention. Other reviewers have cited how good 'TNG' got at exploring Klingon culture, and this is the starting point.

Three Reasons Not to Watch This Episode

The weakness of the central plot device. Q for reasons both revealed and hidden targets Riker with the 'gift' of the Q Continuum's powers. For awhile Riker can deal with this Faustian dilemma, but seeing a dead child destroys his self-restraint, and before you can say 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely', Riker starts acting like God (or at least Picard's equal). Aside from the abrupt and almost nonchalant way in which Riker converts from first officer to all powerful being, which rings psychologically hollow, I have a basic lack of interest in watching Riker throw out gifts to the likes of Geordi and Wesley. Corruption and the abuse of power is more meaningful and more threatening when it is insidious and shrouded in normalcy. Riker's ascent to 'Q-dom' is almost a comic moment in comparision. And by the way, why does Geordi single out Tasha's looks when he gets perfect sight thanks to Riker?
Tasha goes all girly. The Enterprise D's security chief is supposed to be a hard-arsed security officer, who has all the mannerisms of a woman comfortable with her physical proficiency in combat etc, and has been known to even kill (as seen in 'Code of Honor'). But, in a silly scene with Picard, she bursts into tears, then when Picard gives her a shoulder to cry on she turns into a lusting lass with a desire to bonk the boss. As an effort to humanise and develop Tasha's character, it's a dud.
The cheap alien planet effects and 'animal soldier things'. Production values slip back again from 1987 to 1966 when Q transports the crew (excluding Picard) to some strange new world. It's bad enough seeing papier mache rocks and a skyline that is obviously some studio wall, but then we see badly masked and made up pig alien things in Napoleonic military uniforms. Embarrassing.

Best Moment

As above, I'm torn between Q and Picard having an argument over the Enterprise being seized, and Shakespeare's drama being cited by both these protagonists for their respective arguments. You can even throw in the final appearance of Q in the episode, where he wears the habit of a monk and is played by De Lancie like a testifying zealot.

Worst Moment

Tasha in the 'penalty box' going gooey over Picard when he gives her permission to cry. Ugh!

"I don't know what looks worse Q; your piss-poor make-up or the papier mache rocks behind us"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Battle' Review'

2007-11-13T19:52:00.002+11:00

The Battle (Series One, Episode 8)

Rating: 5/10

I find it interesting that 'Trek Navigator's' two critics, Mark Altman and Edward Gross give very divergent reviews of this episode of 'TNG'. Altman only gives it 1.5 stars, whilst Gross gives it 3, and the former is rather critical of the Ferengi whereas the latter critic picks up on the plot device of Picard's past coming back to bite him. I tend to sit almost in the middle, with the occasional leaning to the positive. And I don't think the Ferengi in this episode are presented as badly either by the writers nor the actors as Altman makes out.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Picard's past is put on display. Back story and story continuity is really at the heart of what makes the Trek universe so appealing, and we get it in spades with this episode. Jean-Luc Picard's old command, the USS Stargazer provides not just a vehicle for his own reminiscences (not all pleasant), it also give us the viewer a vehicle to comprehend how Picard got to where he is. As for the actual Stargazer itself, I like the way the set designers have forged a fairly successful meld of movie era Federation bridge design within the 'TNG' era.
First Officer Kazago of the Ferengi. It is quite interesting and at times amusing how Kazago relates and reacts to the way his Daimon, Bok, deals with the 'hew-mons'. When Bock gives possession of the USS Stargazer to Picard in 'tribute' to his victory at the so-called Battle of Maxia, Kazago is almost has a fit that there will be no charge. Then when Bok's revenge plot is discovered he takes the appropriate Ferengi action and takes over control of the Marauder, not because of any political or military problem, but because revenge is not profitable. Kazago is arguably the first Ferengi who is characterised with an inner cultural unity, and isn't strictly a carictature.
The SFX on the bridge of the Stargazer during Picard's hallucinations. It's a minor point, but seeing a phantom crew for Picard's first captain's command played out as phantasms is a neat trompe d'oeuil. Unfortunately it's spoilt by the fire effects.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Wes solves the problem why Picard is being manipulated by the Ferengi thought maker. How come this acting-ensign has permission to play with ship's systems? First off he mucks around with the long-range sensors, then he identifies the transmission patterns from the thought maker as the same as Picard's brain waves. And Troi and Crusher are happy to take his idea and run to Riker. Sorry, but Wesley is still giving me the sh-ts.
Data solves the problem of how to beat the so-called Picard manoeuver. How come this supposedly unbeatable battle tactic which has defied opposition and won admirers alike since first employed by Picard on the USS Stargazer, suddenly can be countered with just a few cogitations by Data? Way too easy for removing the threat from the NCC1701-0D.
The 'thought maker' itself is a fairly duff looking piece of technology/prop, and how come it's effects are so devastatingly effective one minute, then when Riker speaks over the comms to Picard it's influence can be drastically reduced. I like the revenge plot point with Bok, but his tool for wreaking vengeance is a clunker.

Best Moment

Kazago's appearances are arguably the best moments in this episode, although I also enjoyed Picard returning to the bridge of the Stargazer. But how come Picard doesn't notice the sphere?

Worst Moment

Picard and Bok meet on the bridge of the USS Stargazer, and Bok reveals his plan to destroy the 'killer' of his son. It's a fairly melodramatic moment, with some fairly silly cliches out of the 'villian reveals his plan though there is no reason for it' school.

"So Riker...what's happening? I'm all ears!"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Justice' Review'

2007-11-12T21:33:00.003+11:00

Justice (Series One, Episode 7)
Rating: 3/10

Possibly one of the worst episodes from the first series of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', 'Justice' still has some redeeming moments (which I will account for below). The storyline (Wesley under threat of execution because of an alien law, and the Enterprise crew dealing with both a possible violation of the Prime Directive plus a god-like alien spaceship) is mediocre at best. But what really hurts this episode is that it really could be an Original Series show, particularly in light of costume, acting and plot resolution.

Three Reasons to Watch This Episode

Worf's non sequitors. The writers of 'TNG' are starting to realise the value of using Worf to utter dead pan one liners that have the wonderful effect of both making you laugh plus making you realise he really is a Klingon in a Starfleet uniform, and not just another red shirt. His reaction to being hugged by a barely dressed Rubicun III female is 'Nice planet'. Then, when asked by Riker about sex, he states matter-of-factly that 'earth females are too fragile'. Michael Dorn was given the demanding task of turning Worf from a peripheral character into one important to the show, and after a slow start in the first few episodes he gets in a few good licks this time round.
The closing speech by Picard to the Rubicuns and the Edo. Whilst I'm not too keen on the resolution of the problem presented to Picard and the Enterprise crew, I find the speech given by Jean-Luc wonderful. "There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute!" is at the heart of this, and it sounds to me like a quote from some great jurist and not a fictional starship captain. Even though the Prime Directive is brushed aside by Picard with only a modicum of internal questioning from one and all, at least Picard is willing to say something beyond a simple 'Beam me up.' In this way he definitely no Kirk.
The open attitude in both script and plot re sex. Part humour, part serious, watching the likes of Tasha, Riker and Geordi lose some of their traditional Federation sang froid over aliens happy and willing to do naughty things without clothes on is refreshingly entertaining (if done in a silly and somewhat old fashioned way). All those hormones in space need some kind of outlet, and as there are no Ferengi sex holodecks or Orion slave girls, well libidos need some exercise. Whilst the acting is a bit clunky in the sexually-charged scenes, it does raise a smile.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Wesley Crusher. I'm sorry to keep bitching about Wil Wheaton's character, but he can't make a silk purse out of the sow's ear he's been given. From the 'We're from Starfleet...we never lie', through to the 'Excuse me sir, it does involve me', all we get is another Wes as annoying interloper on the bridge/planet/Enterprise...anywhere in fact. He may have the brain of a genius, but he also can't work out that just because a young girl wants to him to teach him something it doesn't mean she wants a bonk. Why can't Wes be more realistically written and portrayed as a teenage kid? Oh well...maybe he'll come good in a later episode.
The costumes. Oh dear...the 60s and the Original Series are alive and well in this episode. The natives of Rubicun III are dressed like ancient Greeks in 60s hot pants. Boobs and bums squeeze out at the hemlines, and at no time are the actors wearing these ridiculous clothes either distinctly alien or moderately arousing. If you want to see how provocative clothing in the Trek universe can be worn, take a look at Dax in DS9, or the alternate universe Kira also in DS9. 60s production team values don't date well in 1987, let alone 2007.
The hole in the plot re the death penalty. Aren't first contact processes far more developed than what goes on in this episode? The away team from the Enterprise D beam down, get some sex and then come back saying 'Come on down, the aliens are fine!'. No mention of the 'any crime...you die' justice system. If there was a Starfleet enquiry after this episode then Riker deserves a boot up the bum for being so sloppy. A big logical gap in the show.

Best Moment

Worf enjoying the visual and tactile delights of the female inhabitants of Rubicun III ("Nice Planet!")

Worst Moment

Hmmm...so hard to pick just one. Possibly the blunt-mannered way the away team stop Wesley from being executed, or before that Wesley's earnest teenage behaviour. Then there is the bucolic yet idle brainlessness of the aliens themselves. Whichever moment you pick, 'Justice' is mostly a dud episode.

Blink And You'll Miss It

Josh Clark plays a tactical relief ensign on the bridge of the Enterprise. 7 years later this actor got the chance to play Lt Carey, an engineering officer on the USS Voyager.

"New Kids On The Block: The Next Generation"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Lonely Among Us' Review'

2007-11-11T18:02:00.002+11:00

Lonely Among Us (Series One, Episode 6)

Rating: 4/10

Arguably one of the first 'high concept' episodes of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', the focus of the show is a mysterious alien energy force entering the bodies and minds of Worf, Beverley & then (naturally) Jean Luc, with a quick diversion into the various ship's systems of the USS Enterprise D and an even quicker death for an unfortunate engineering officer. As the plot moves on we have moments of high comedy thanks to Data's Sherlock Holmes obsession, strange momentary mutinous thoughts with a 'Caine Mutiny' subtext, and finally some technobabble to save the Captain. And running parallel with this? Two alien races (lizard and cat like respectively) who are heading to a conference for Federation membership (a la the original series episode 'Journey To Babel'). Plenty to watch!

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Brent Spiner again shows his comedic chops as an actor with his characterization of Data. In some respects the Holmes mannerisms that Data adopts ring very true, in that for an android with a totally binary-based brain, imitation would be seen as the logical action. Either one acts like the fictional Holmes, including the meerschaum pipe, or one doesn't. Watching his struggle with dropping the persona whilst retaining the strand of deductive reasoning inherent in his observations, Data/Spiner creates genuine amusement for crew and viewer alike. Riker guffaws, Tasha grimaces as the smoke, and Picard is bemused but not dismissive.
The homage to 'Journey to Babel'. Yeah, this could go either way. Either it's a copy of an old Trek plot device or it is an honest salute to the tried and true. In their reviews Gross & Altman comment negatively on this aspect, but I see no harm in at least exploring similar riffs. After all, the Enterprise is the flagship of both Trek era Starfleets, and it is unreasonable to think just because the former starship had episodes based on diplomatic missions the latter version wasn't going to have similar experiences and therefore stories.
The manner in which the pretensions of the 'civilised' Federation members are shown up by the Anticans. Okay, they may be a fairly silly alien race (especially regarding makeup and costume), but it is nice to see the lead Antican delegate call Riker and his fellow humans 'barbarians' because they don't kill animals for their food. There is a smug sense of moral superiority inherent in the Federation culture, and it's cool to see someone from another race having a dig at this.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The 'Caine Mutiny' homage. Riker and Crusher assemble the leading officers and consider relieving Picard of his command when he is under the influence of the energy alien. Not only is it one story element too many in an already over-busy plot, the manner in which both first officer and ship's doctor cave in like a pack of cards shows the 'mutiny' was so much hot air. To make things even less convincing we get Deanna Troi having a deep & meaningful session with the possessed Picard that again features some woeful acting from Marina Sirtis.
The 'Picard teleports out and in' crisis. Sorry, but the possessed Captain Picard even remotely and perhaps subconsciously transporting himself into space is bad enough. For him to be rescued by first entering the ship's systems and then cycling through the transporter till he turns up same as before is just way too contrived. Obviously it is too early for Picard to leave the Enterprise D permanently, but once gone he should have taken far more effort to get back and resume his old self. For a better way to handle a Starfleet crew members experience with losing their corporeal identity, look no further than Picard in the second part of 'The Best of Both Worlds', where his Borg-ification needs some serious reconstruction of his personality. And by the way, a 'P' illuminated on a console is very very hokey as a way for Picard to show 'He's here.....'.
The closing sequence, where Picard gives Riker the problem of sorting out the Selay and the Anticans is a weak one, with a fairly flat joke. Frankly, after all that has gone on in this episode it could have been ended more appropriately or interestingly.

Best Moment

Data dons the Sherlock Holmes pipe and manner, to investigate the death of the Indian engineering officer (Mr Singh)

Worst Moment

I'm torn between the usual Sirtis/Troi over-acting and the make-up of the Anticans. Instead, I'll go for a third option and say Picard's return to the Enterprise.

"I know Worf my luck with the ladies is bad, but do you really think this'll help?"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Where No One Has Gone Before' Review'

2007-11-11T17:55:00.003+11:00

Where No One Has Gone Before (Series One, Episode 5)
Rating: 4/10

I've read the reviews given by Altman & Gross of this episode and in my opinion they have slightly exaggerated the quality they perceive in this show. Yes, the special effects are quite extraordinary for the stage that 'TNG' is at. Yes, there is a rather entertaining cameo performance by Stanley Kamel as the arrogant, aggravating 'warp specialist' Kosinski. And yes, the pitch of a universe that is not as tightly constrained to physical realities is intriguing. But what makes this episode is the momentary 'illusions' from various crew members, and what detracts is the 'oooh, look at Wesley...ain't he special' element.

Three Reasons To Watch this Episode

As said above, when the USS Enterprise D travels to a new/alternate universe where reality is not just a physical construct but one where thoughts also create it, then this episode shines. Watching Worf become almost childish in his delight and befuddlement of his pet targ is a highlight, whereas Tasha Yar and her reliving of being chased by rape gangs on her home colony of Turkana IV is brutal and unsettling. Patrick Stewart brings a new dimension however to his characterization of Picard when he encounters his Mamon. There is real emotion in this scene, and seeing the supposedly man of order and authority blind-sided by his meeting with his long-dead mother is another nice additional depth to Picard's personality.
Special Effects; there are no great long space battles in this episode, nor do we see incredible aliens or long loving shots of exotic or monstrous star ships. No, what gets this episode a high mark is the quality of the space shots, particularly in the alternate/new universe. This ain't you old fashioned lights coming through pin holes on a black velvet sheet.
Kosinksi Not your usual Starfleet officer, Kosinski is played like a braggard, an egotistical con man with pretensions to grandeur, who ends up with the emperor's new gown of no real actual achievement. It's that pesky Traveler who did all the hard yards when it came to the previous warp engine refinement.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Wesley as Mozart! Sorry, but I still have huge issues with Wesley as some kind of precocious genius, with the ability to see what only the likes of some advanced alien can see and understand. I do get his friendship with the Traveler (though it's arguably Wesley who causes the whole warp debacle in the first place by distracting the Traveler), and not being taken serious by the adults is an issue for Wesley that rings true in reality. But this wunderkind aspect of his character is just a tad too much to swallow. You can't blame Wil Wheaton...Wesley's just written that way.
The Traveler annoys me because there is a blandness to his persona. He hitches rides and explores alien cultures, and in return he helps people fiddle with warp engines. Sorry, but not interesting. Even the tete-a-tete he has with Picard about Wesley can be taken as a bit of a glib yet patronising request. I am rather glad that the actor Eric Menyuk didn't get the role of Data, as he is no Brent Spiner in the acting stakes.
The 'positive thinking dudes' moment, when Picard asks all the crew of the Enterprise to focus only good thoughts to the Traveler. Deanna Troi has to pipe in with 'There's a lotta love in this room' (or words to that effect). A bit too new age for me.

Best Moment

Captain Picard meets his long-dead mother in a corridor on the Enterprise and is told to have a cup of tea and discuss the metaphysical nature of reality.

Worst Moment

The 'feel the love' moment with the Traveler helping the 'TNG' crew back to where the whole shebang started.

Blink And You Miss it

The Starfleet inventory now gets a USS Fearless and USS Ajax. One of the things I love about 'Star Trek' is how they take history and weave it into their future imaginary world. In this case, two legendary Royal Navy ships get Federation starships named after them.

No matter what I do, I still can't get this digital TV to work!

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Last Outpost' Review'

2007-11-08T21:47:00.003+11:00

The Last Outpost (Series One, Episode 4)
Rating: 5/10

From the outset, the Next Generation universe was presented with a new strategic reality, where the Klingons were no longer the enemy from The Original Series, but instead at peace with the Federation and (in the case of Worf) actually serving on Starfleet ships. Therefore, who were going to be the new enemy of the Federation; the writers of 'TNG' decided that the new bad guys were going to be the Ferengi. A race that, until 'The Last Outpost' had not been seen by any humans (well, excluding a brief encounter as seen in 'Star Trek: Enterprise'). Unfortunately for the vision of the Ferengis as the new Klingons, this epsiode almost straigtaway pulls down that construct. Instead we see the first inklings of a Trek race that was going to be far more interesting than just 'bad guys'. Whilst Altman and Gross are right to criticise this show for its obvious 'TOS' influences, I can let those faults slide because we get some fun from the Ferengi.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Picard's French chauvinism. There was a little reference to this in 'Code of Honor' when Picard makes certain comments re the nobility of the French language. In this episode he goes one step further, remarking on the tricolour's 'proper order of blue, white and red', then basically shuts up Data when the android babbles about other flags. To top this, Picard expresses his disappointment with the failure to escape the Tkon trap by saying 'Merde' ('Shit!')...I wonder if the Paramount execs understood or were told what Picard said?! Anyway, Patrick Stewart carries off the whole proud Frog routine quite nicely, with an almost British upper-class superiority complex.
The Ferengi: Okay, when the Enterprise away team meet with the Ferengi on the planet surface there is some very silly fight stunts, some hammy overacting from the cast in the big ears and bulging foreheads, and wild gesticulations more in tune with some kind of epilectic fit. But the Ferengi are interesting, entertaining and not laden down with some kind of alien machismo or 'other-ness'. Putting aside the prosthetic ears and sharpened false teeth, the Ferengi are a cruder, greedier and uber-capitalist version of industrial era humans. And hey...a race that considers females clothed as barbarian can't be all bad (just joking...honest!!).
Data and the Chinese finger puzzle. Yes, it's a silly sight gag that perhaps gets played for cheap laughs, but it is enjoyable to see Brent Spiner struggle with the toy, requiring Picard's help to extricate him from it during the briefing on the Tkon. I think the writers were trying to fast track the development of Data, and this childish moment nominally would have been dealt with in Data's previous service with Starfleet (not the actual puzzle, but his inability to understand a child's dilemma). So, to have Data caught in such a trick, then to have him released by a real person underscores his android nature. And there is a nice homage to Scotty beaming the Tribbles over to the Klingons in the original series episode 'The Trouble with Tribbles', when Riker suggests the Ferengi are given the finger puzzles as a gift.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Production values on the planet surface are very very stagy, and a definite throw back to the original series. You can almost feel the papier mache set through the lurid colouring of the mock-planet. Also, whilst no one can complain about the SFX of the Ferengi ship and the briefing on board the Enterprise D, the Ferengi laser whips are a definite dud.
The plot hole over Portal staying 'asleep' whilst the Tkon empire died. It's not a big bugbear for me, but I can understand how some people would think this is a big hole in the plot.
Another 'oh dear the Enterprise is in trouble moment'. I'm sorry, but the whole freezing in space part of this story isn't that captivating. Instead of a slow potential death, what about the anti-matter containment fields failing due to the energy drain. Or maybe...just maybe...no 'we're doomed...doomed I tell ya' moment at all.

Best Moment

Worf asking Data "Uncle Who?"

Worst Moment

Jean-Luc telling Beverley that even Wesley deserved to meet his death awake. On second thoughts, a euthanized Wesley could be a good thing (joke...honest!).

Blink An You Might Miss It

Armin Shimerman appears as one of the 3 Ferengi who combat Riker's away team on the Tkon planet, and he actually presents a fairly sleazy, conniving and mildly threatening 'villain'. As arguably the ultimate Ferengi actor, thanks to his later role as Quark on 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine', it is interesting to see him begin the whole Ferengi depiction on Trek on TV.

Riker...please change the channel...I think I've seen this episode of "America's Next Top Model"

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Code of Honor' Review'

2007-11-07T23:09:00.002+11:00

Code of Honor (Series One, Episode 3)
Rating: 2/10

It is surprising that after this episode and the previous one that 'Star Trek: the Next Generation' actually became what it did, both in terms of viewing success and critical achievement. 'Code of Honor' not only feels like another Original Series episode simply changed with the cast and special effects, it actually has some fairly unappealing sexist and racist undertones. Altman and Gross both refer to this weakness of the episode (the Ligonians are all black and the female roles are generally heavily commodified or sexualized). A fairly disappointing effort.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

The dialogue between Data and Picard regarding French, and the Captain's chauvinism regarding his French heritage. In some respects Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Picard is very English, and it was a shame that this aspect to Picard's personality meant his Gallic background became almost invisible.
Tasha actually does something interesting. Unfortunately Denise Crosby had little to do in the first series of 'TNG', so this can be argued to be her most shining moment in the program (excluding her exit from the show and her somewhat unlikely return later)
Sorry, I can't find another reason why you should watch this episode based on the show's content. Perhaps it can be recommended because if you don't watch it you won't have seen every episode. Wait a sec...Wesley hardly appears. And Data has some fun with bad jokes (developing further his interest in understanding what it is to be human).

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The whole primiive tribal aspect of the Ligonians is more like something from 1947, not 1987. It's not terribly offensive, just lazy and uninteresting to have the Ligonians act like some Hollywood version of African tribes in some silly jungle movie.
Beverley's impassioned plea for the vaccine to save the inhabitants of Styris II. Melodramatic dialogue between Gates McFadden's character and Patrick Stewart's Picard reminds me of something from a medical soap.
The fight sequence: Yareena and Tasha fight like a pair of girls on some monkey bars. Give me Spock and Kirk with lirpas on Vulcan anytime!

Best Moment

Data gets into trouble with Picard for commenting on the obsolescence of French (a thought no doubt echoed by high school students the world over).

Worst Moment

Any scene where one or more Ligonians participate. So we're talking 80% of the episode.

No, this isn't a dance sequence from 'Xanadu'...it's Tasha going the cat-fight with Yareena.

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'The Naked Now' Review'

2007-11-07T20:13:00.004+11:00

The Naked Now (Series One, Episode 2)
Rating: 4/10

The second episode of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' is an unashamed homage or rip-off (depending upon your perspective) on the Original Series episode 'The Naked Time'. according to the TNG Companion by Larry Nemecek this was an obvious plot device generated by Roddenberry to help quickly reinforce the needs and wants of the crew members n the new Enterprise. Big mistake Gene! I tend to agree with the reviews written by Mark Altman and Edward Gross, in that it is a rather bad episode. But this was until my most recent viewing, when I realised this was played by the actors as a comedy, with the peril of an exploding sun just a Macguffin. Take 'The Naked Now' as a farce and you can actually enjoy the show.

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

Brent Spiner's portrayal of Data. From his 'seduction' by Tasha Yar, through to his impassioned yet utterly silly revisit of Shylock's speech from 'The Merchant of Venice' and finally his reaction to Tasha rejecting any sexual relations between her and him, Spiner's core performance in this episode is a comic masterstroke. Forget the serious aspects of his participation in the plot, how can you not enjoy Spiner's performance of data when he says "If you prick us, do I not...leak?"
The comic interplay between Dr Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart). These two performers ham up their 'intoxicated and aroused' state under the influence of the latest disease to hit the USS Enterprise D wonderfully. After 'Encounter at Farpoint's' leaden romantic subtext between Captain and Doctor, now we get some serious flirting and sexual innuendo. The harrumphing of Picard when confronted with a very libidinous Crusher is gigglesome as is the little wave he gives her after this interlude. But it's the stagey double-take they give when fully in the grip of the mystery illness that is really funny.
The Tsiolovsky: For the first time on 'TNG' we see another Trek universe space craft up close and personal, though it isn't a Starfleet vessel. Trek's amazing at backstory and expanding beyond the core cast and story, and here is an example of what the Trek production team did incredibly well throughout 'TNG and other later series.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

The annoying, fatuous and utterly pain-in-the-arse presence of Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). Boy genius gets contaminated by the intoxication illness and then shows he can work a 24th Century voice recorder so he can make specious commands about ice cream. The when he's put he Enterprise-D in peril by locking the adults out of Engineering, he 'saves the day' by rerouting a few circuits to make a giant repeller beam. For God's sake...Beverley should have put Wes on Ritalin way before this silliness.
Marina Sirtis overacting again as Deana Troi (in a close run race for the ham stakes with Denise Crosby's Tasha Yar). Marina obviously had troubles trying to find the right voice for the ship's counsellor, and this time lapses into soppy puppy-dog eye lovey-doviness with Will Riker. Puhhh-leassse!
The whole impending disaster sequence with the exploding stellar material. If anything the hurtling mass of explosive bits of a sun are a distraction, not a focal point for the story. If I had a few more pints I'd through in the ridiculous seductive dress that Tasha wears to get Data into bed with, the silly sound effect whenever the disease gets transmitted, and the redundant copying of the original 1966 episode.

Best Moment

Data's aforementioned Shakespearean protestation of his 'humanity'. Literate yet funny.

Worst Moment

Wesley saves the day...give us a break! Already the wunderkind can go from being pissed as a parrot to 'watch me turn my tractor beam into a repeller beam and stop us being blown to smithereens by a stellar fragment' in the blink of a scriptwriter's eye.

Blink & You Might Miss It

The dedication plaque on the Tsiolovsky is writen in Cyrillic. Nice detail from the production team.

Gee Mom...isn't it neat that the writers...oops, I mean Captain Picard, lets me save the Enterprise?!

20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Encounter at Farpoint Review'

2007-11-07T19:49:00.010+11:00

Yes, I'm an unabashed Trekker (not Trekkie, please), and as it's 20 years since 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' first aired, I thought it'd be fun to write a series of reviews as I re-watch every episode. And so, "let's see what's out there..."

Encounter At Farpoint (Series One, Episode 1)

Rating: 6/10

Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

It's the very first 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' episode/telemovie, and hence sets up the entire seven series and four movies.
John De Lancie's character Q, and the interplay between him and Patrick Stewart's Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Even from this first episode there is a great relationship between the central figure of Picard (all thing good and noble about Starfleet in the Trek universe) and the ambivalent evil of the omniscient, omnipotent Q (who may not be so bad after all).
The vision of the new USS Enterprise; whereas the old 60s version of the USS Enterprise looked ordinary on TV by 1987, the NCC1701-D looks damned good on the small screen in 'The Next Generation'.

Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

Marina Sirtis' overacting as Counselor Deanna Troi, most notably when dealing with the alien creature underneath Farpoint Station plus the goo-goo eyes she makes at William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) in their first meeting on board the Enterprise.
The undocking and docking of the Enterprise drive section from and with the saucer section. Just as the first 'Star Trek' movie had an overlong sequence based on the rebuilt NCC-1701, there is too much artificial tension and an overlong SFX sequence based on the USS Enterprise D separating when chased by Q, then being reunited when Riker comes on board.
The overwhelming sense that the original 'Star Trek' production team haven't moved with the times, especially in the context of costume, lighting and plot. For example Data exhibits all the basic robotic tendancies that an android from the orignal series would show, not a senior officer in Starfleet with over 20 years experience of human society. The use of the 'skant' (i.e. miniskirt for male USS Enterprise D crew members) is a definite worry!

Best Moment

Data (Brent Spiner) escorting Admiral McCoy (DeForrest Kelly) off the USS Enterprise D. Aside from the typical Bones insult/joke ("I don't see no pointy ears son..."), there is a real feeling of affection between the old generation and the new. Makes a Trekker get misty eyed watching that scene.

Worst Moment

The aforementioned scene where Will Riker and Deanna Troi reunite. I'm sorry but the unrequited 'Imzadi' issue is just silly at this point. Plus the two actors Frakes and Sirtis come across as soap opera extras with bad flatulence.

Blink and You Might Miss It

When Data rescues Will from the holodeck creek the Brent Spiner's body double extra is painfully obvious. And if you miss this blooper take a look at the female Starfleet crew member checking out Will Riker after she gives him directions to the holodeck.

This is very serious Captain Picard...an omnipotent being with a fetish for silly hats!