I did, and still do. Only, I'm not convinced that the TNGers were praising the episode strictly because of Riker and Troi.While I'm sure that TNG fans were happy to see Riker, Troi, and the Enterprise-D again, I don't recall any of them (or anyone at all, in fact) praising the ep just because they were in it.
I saw a lot of love for TaTV coming from TNG fans. Stiil do. Believe me, it wasn't Ent fans who voted for TaTV to the point that it ended up in that "Captain's Log" thing, whatever that was or is.
Sounds like they lapped it up to me.
I haven't seen any love for TATV from TNG fans.
TNG fans voted TATV onto the "Captain's log" compilation because they had to include an ENT episode in their vote. Their attitude seems to be that ENT was a worthless show, but at least TATV had TNG characters in it.
I thought that Riker and Deanna didn't believe in what they were saying, like they were on vacation or something... Acting takes a holiday.