SFDebris' review of this episode was indeed quite good. The episode has zero redeeming qualities. It's so painful.
At least in The Dauphin, another one I can hardly stand, it has that funny Riker/Guinan scene. Guinan's line of "Shut up, kid. Tell me more about.....my eyes" brought the episode out of the scrap heap.
How many episodes have A-plots and B-plots both competing to make you hate your life more? Samaritan Snare's A-plot was awful, but at least the B-plot was good.