A Collection of Episode Reviews Originally Posted on the MI6 Forums Between June 24 and July 07, 2010
"Redemption II"
A great second-parter to the previous season's cliffhanger, although its packed a little tight -- maybe there should have been a part three. However, I gotta love seeing a good political galactic intrigue episode, with the Enterprise engaging in actual military actions instead of the usual "bringing a vaccine to a planet run by an omnipotent cloud-like being" type stuff. Also, Sela is too cool. Good episode.
"Darmok"
From a Klingon Civil War to an episode that would make Roddenberry proud. I really like this episode and its unique way of showing communication breakdown in the Star Trek universe. Also Picard gets a snazzy new jacket.
"Ensign Ro"
And then Admiral Cain shows up and the show is awesome. Swinging to a totally opposite character in finding their replacement for Wesley, TNG suddenly delivers an episode with moral grey zone. A fantastic episode that of course lays much of the groundwork for DS9. I wish Ro had gone from a recurring character in Season 5 to a full regular in Season 6 and 7. Unfortunately a series of ridiculous events conspired to make that not a thing. But we have the episodes we have.
"Silicon Avatar"
This felt like a third season episode. I suppose it was neat to follow up on the Crystalline Entity and the notion that Data carries the memories of the dead colonists from Omicron Theta, but the Moby Dick angle is not only something everyone's riffed on; its something Trek has done several times! At least once in every series practically! Ultimately the show felt weak and subpar.
"Disaster"
Now THIS was an episode! TNG meets Poseidon Adventure! Worf and Keiko in Ten-Forward is hilarious, Riker and Data is a team-up we haven't really seen since the early seasons, Picard finally gets over his dislike of children (a rather odd "character flaw" that belonged to the stuffy and odd season 1 characterization of Picard), and of course the Troi/O'Brien/Ro stuff was the highlight. Now, I frakkin hate Troi, she's such a useless character, but I loved how this plot brought to light that a) oh right, she's an officer! and b) just how useless she was. Meanwhile, the conflict between O'Brien and Ro was great, demonstrating the different ideologies. My only complaint is how fast Ro apologizes to Troi, its literally a sudden 180.
"The Game"
The best thing in this episode was the Lefler/Wesley chemistry -- Judd and Weaton really worked well together and I wish we'd seen Lefler in more episodes after this one and her previous appearance. Weaton is actually good in the scenes where he's not spouting technobabble -- Wesley's likeable here as a young man in love (much better handled than in season 2's "The Dauphin"). However, the main plot about the Ktarian brainwashing game was a bore and missed an opportunity to address the idea of games addiction -- but I guess that really wasn't a topical issue in 1991. (I think the closest Trek's ever gotten to an episode on that is either "Hollow Pursuits" [TNG] or "It's Only a Paper Moon" [DS9])
"Unification I"
Possibly the best opening hour of a two-parter so far. Honestly even if it's all just set-up for Part II, its spectacular set-up. The scene between Picard and Sarek is gangbusters; one of TNG's best. Everything in this episode crackles. One thing I've noticed is that Season 5 got a big budget increase because the SFX sequences are impressively energetic with new shots filmed and used instead of the same old stock stuff. The battle scene in this show is a good example. Finally, another great TNG cliffhanger to end the show.
"Unification II"
As I've come to expect from this show, Part II did not live up to Part I. However, still a great episode with great guest performances from Nimoy and Crosby. One thing's clear though -- as an actor, Leonard Nimoy is a clear level above every single other person in the episode, Patrick Stewart included. I'm really disppointed in the Star Trek franchise in a whole that Spock and Sela on Romulus was never picked up on again -- where was Sela in the Dominion War? Where were either of them in Nemesis? We never saw Spock again until Abrams needed him to get fan sympathy for his terrible movie.
"A Matter of Time"
A funny episode, well done, if exceptionally light. But I like Matt Frewer in basically everything.
"New Ground"
Ugh, give me my life back. That was terrible. Aside from the terrible child actor playing Alexander, aside from extended scenes with Troi, and aside from an utterly pointless/go-nowhere A plot -- the only good thing in this episode was character development for Worf. TNG is starting to settle into a formula that I'm starting to hate: a B plot involving development for a regular, an A plot that involves some random task that's solved by technobabble, and nary a connection between them. If the main plot is about a new propulsion method, it should be a Geordi episode. There is really no connection between the two in this show, or the previous one -- any mission/situation could've put Alexander in the necessary jeopardy. Ugh, and I have six more Alexander appearances on TNG to sit through, and only six more episodes with Ro Laren!
"Hero Worship"
Basically "The Bonding" only the kid likes Data instead of Worf. Some fun moments, but mostly a yawn.
"Violations"
Clearly the staff had bought some new lenses and wanted to try them out for the wacky dream sequences. Of all the crew whose past to dig into, they went with Troi/Riker/Beverly? The only one that was really interesting was Beverly's -- finally seeing the moment when Picard brought Jack's body to her. But apparently they had scenes planned for the whole cast -- I for one would've used the Ro/Garon II flashback instead of the rather lame Riker scene.
"The Masterpiece Society"
This episode had some interesting things in it to say about genetic engineering -- but largely it was another yawn. It felt like an episode from third season. I think the show is getting tired.
I'm very disappointed that we've only seen Ro once since her introduction; especially since that introduction was so strong. She was purposefully introduced to add new life and a new angle to the cast and the show, and yet was woefully underused -- we could've used her in episodes like these to break up the monotony and spark discussions in the briefing room. Even the episodes aren't Ro-centric she should still be there acting as contrarian in staff meetings and entering in course headings the rest of the time -- these nameless Ensigns are starting to annoy. But without her, the show just feels like its getting old.
Also, maybe its just me, but season 5 seems remarkably Troi heavy so far -- and Troi remains probably my least favourite character on the show. So these episodes are a pain to sit through.
"Conundrum"
This episode is of a type that would become common on VOY, but here it feels fun, intriguing, and well done. The concept of brainwashing soldiers into war by altering their memories is itriguing, and the crew having to figure out for themselves who they are was enjoyable, such as Worf assuming he was the Captain and the Riker/Ro/Troi triangle. All in all a fun episode.
"Power Play"
There was a lot of action and excitement, and it was fun seeing Sirtis, Spiner and Meaney get to stretch a bit acting wise, but ultimately this story was a GNDN -- goes nowhere, does nothing. Totally forgettable.
"Ethics"
I actually didn't mind this one -- I do think it handled its topic well, but I think there really wasn't enough time given to a fair discussion of BOTH experimental medicine AND assisted suicide. Still, I think it was an all right episode. Just a little annoying because I know the next episode won't address Worf recovering at all, and I doubt the fact that Worf has an artificial spine will ever be brought up again.
"The Outcast"
So halfway through Season 5 apparently the writers realized things weren't going well and left for a retreat at Micheal Piller's Mexican getaway house. This is the first episode after they returned. It is (in)famous as the episode where Trek finally addresses, or fails to address, homosexuality and gender identiy, albeit in an alegorical way. While I agree with Jonathan Frakes that the episode would've worked better if the character he fell in love with was played by a male actor, I don't think the episode is a complete failure. I think it is intelligently written and heartfelt, and I think the point of the issue it addresses most effectively is the idea that these people can be "cured" with therapy, and whether or not they are deviants or sick. I think that whole point is in fact very eloquently addressed. I do, however, find it distressing that at the end of the day nothing was shown to be done about the situation. While we all knew Riker's relationship would end in tragedy, usually Trek would end the show by at least showing that the first seeds towards ending prejudice have been sown, whereas here no progress happened at all. Still, I certainly don't think the episode was half-hearted; maybe just less successful than it could have been.
"Cause and Effect"
I think that, without a doubt, this is Trek's best "temporal anomaly" episode -- before such things became annoyingly cliche on VOY. The whole thing is well written and well directed and just fun to watch. And of course it has the best teaser of all time with the Enterprise exploding, and a great ending with the Kelsey Grammer cameo.
"The First Duty"
This is one of the best episodes of TNG of all time, in my opinion. From finally seeing Starfleet Academy (and Boothby) to the ethical dilemna presented, to the great speech Picard gives about telling the truth, its just an all around fantastic episode. And hey look, Tom Paris!
"Cost of Living"
From one of the best of the best to an episode that pairs Lwaxana and Alexander. This episode may be one of the most terrible, forgettable pieces of crap ever.
"The Perfect Mate"
Episodes with Picard in love are always interesting because he's not a ridiculous womanizer like Riker and Kirk, so its cool when they can find a woman you can believe he'd be with. And of course Famke Janssen is always great.
"Imaginary Friend"
So, there are these children and families on the Enterprise, and that's an interesting idea. But every time the writers try to do something with it, it ends up terrible. This episode is better than most if only because Clara acts like a real child instead of some ludicrous caricature of one. As for Alexander, I want it made clear here:
Alexander Rozhenko is far, far, far worse than Wesley Crusher. At least Wesley worked to better himself and got an episode like "The First Duty". Alexander is just a whiny, whiny, whiny little brat.
"I, Borg"
A perfect Trek episode and probably the only follow-up you could possibly do to "Best of Both Worlds". Just everything works in the show, but I especially like the scenes with Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg. I seem to recall there was a BSG episode with a similar premise (send a Cylon back to a regen hub with a virus and kill all of them) but I forget if Adam went through with it.
"The Next Phase"
A fun adventure episode with Geordi and Ro and plenty of action and excitement and even some character development for Ro, who comes to face her own mortality.
"The Inner Light"
It won a Hugo as I recall, and I think some Emmys too? Deserved. Great episode. Patrick Stewart is just fantastic.
"Time's Arrow"
The tease of Data's head buried on Earth since the 19th century is great. Data once he's time travelled back is great. Finally getting some answers about Guinan is great. But the cliffhanger is the weakest cliffhanger in TNG history. "Ah! a portal! Let's walk through it." TO BE CONTINUED! Meh.
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