DH Reviews TNG thread
- Thread starter Distorted Humor
- Start date
I accept that as a rule of Drama, even B5 had to do that a lot to make stuff work. If it was realistic the ships would be just little dots of light.
Guess that is something I accept as part of watching.
It worked well for TOS and early Babylon 5. It's a matter of creating the right dramatic atmosphere and tension and playing with the viewer's imagination. It's a cop out to argue otherwise. If it looks stupid it looks stupid and pandering to the uninformed doesn't make it right.
Since '77 everyone is trying to do it like Star Wars and it looks just as stupid. Hell, even Star Wars in '77 didn't do it to the extreme they do it today. Note I also think it looked dumb in TWoK.
The "Offspring" is a very moving episode but there is one "Data asks for advice" scene too many. Who cares to hear Beverly reminisce about how Wesley was so smart he intimidated his classmates. It slows down an otherwise good episode. The actress who plays Lal is great, as is Brent Spiner, who shows much more humanness as Data here than he does in "In Theory".
The same Babylon 5 that had space fighter battles where you needed to be really close to hit your target despite advanced targeting systems?
Yeah B5 is not a good example, their destroyers and cruisers were often right across from each other, like an 18th century ship-of-the-line.
RAMA
TOS would have had them in the screen if they could afford it.
Indeed, while there is a charm to letting the imagination work, it is normally due to lack of budget or time. For example, in Season 1 of B5 when Susan I. has all those raiders after her, and later on the episode she back with a badly damaged fighter but they made it home. That was due to budget and the specific need to keep that a bit of a Mystery on how she did it...
heck, the only time I can recall in trek where space is mentioned as a three dimensional space is in ST II, the Wrath of Kaaaan if I recall correctly.
Needless to say, it never bothered me and it had a final blood pumping battle where picard jumps over to tactical saying "That will be the day"
As for the reviews, should be closing out S3 sunday or monday. and looking ahead there is some very good episodes.
In almost every SF space show, INCLUDING TOS when it could afford it, ships generally faced each other within the frame for TV...had nothing to do with realistic distances of space combat or sensors, or anything like that.
RAMA
Really the most realistic battle might be in TNG "The wounded" when it is just dots on the screen....
Wrap up of Season 3...Almost, two episodes left
"Allegiance"
Plot synopsis - Picard is kidnapped and placed in a cell with three others, while a false-Picard puts the ship in danger.
Opinion: Not bad, but nothing special. Good for the occasional cases of sleepless nights. However some of these themes are revisited in "All Good things..." and it shows the maturity of the series that this is decent, but would of been Dire if it was a season 1 episode.
Best Part - Picard putting The Aliens into a forcefield.
Not so best part - I was falling asleep with the false Picard bits.
rating: 5 out of 10
"Captain's Holiday"
Plot Synopsis: Picard goes on vacation, thinking that he going to read a good book, and finds a hot women who shares his passion, and a adventure begins.
Opinion: Now Vash and her assorted "Fun" did get overdone in time (including her one DS9 appearance), but this is a fun episode. I mean, if this does not entertain you as a simple SF adventure yarn the first time you see it, you might need to turn in your SF fan card. Not that it a great episode, but it a solid episode that series are built upon.
Best Part - Seeing Picard as a little less stiff
Not so best part - Ferengi are still annoying.
Rating: 6 out of 10
"Tin Man"
Plot Synopsis: The enterprise with a half-insane Betazed races to have first contact with a living ship before the romulans.
Opinion: I know this is a Love/Hate episode. Some people really like this episode, and others gnash their teeth, and think its the bane of decent trek. I am in the "Love" side.
Best Part - Data and Tam bits
Not so best parts - Tam Elburn, a crazy telepath, River Tam, a Crazy Telepath. Thanks for ruining a bit of Firefly for me ...
Rating: 8 out of 10
"Hollow Pursuits"
Plot Synopsis: A crew member has a addiction to the Holodeck.
Opinion: This actually is a little more timely then it was in the past. Still it is one of the weaker episodes of the season, though it does have its moments.
Best Parts - Riker finding his Alter-ego, and troi telling him it is ok, to get over it, then she finds HER alter-ego.
Not so best parts - A episode focused on a minor guest star is not exactly productive to get a good episode.
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Was lower except it is more relevant today)
"The Most Toys"
Plot Synopsis: Data is taken by a collector of rare things.
Opinion: There was a good episode screaming to get out, and it stumbles along. The end where you learn something new about data and his non-three law state is a surprise. And Varria death is painful. Most of the other stuff leading to that is bland. (ok, it starts off with a bang, but you know data is not going to die in the first 3 mins of a episode.)
Best Part - Data pulls the trigger
Not so best part - the long bits on the collectors ship while the enterprise figures out whats going on.
Rating: 4 out of 10
"Sarek"
Plot Synopsis: A Old friend returns, with distressing issues...
Opinion: After some somewhat lackluster episodes, this season returns with a vengeance, This is what TNG is famous for, a talky, good, and well acted character piece. A number of good to great actors doing wonders with the script will always give you a smile.
Best Part - Picard showing the emotion...
Not so best part - by todays standard, this is a slow episode.
Rating: 8 out of 10
"Ménage à Troi"
Plot Synopsis: Troi, Troi's Mom, and Riker (After all, you have kidnap SOMEONE we care about) are kidnapped by Ferengi while on vacation.
Opinion: I don't like Troi's Mom's episodes, they did not age well, kinda like the ferengi episodes of DS9 did not age well. However this is a fun one and one of the few that I can enjoy. Don't expect anything deep, just popcorn fun.
Best Part - Picard expressing his "true love"
Not so best part: TNG ferengi...groan...
Rating: 6 out of 10
"Allegiance"
Plot synopsis - Picard is kidnapped and placed in a cell with three others, while a false-Picard puts the ship in danger.
Opinion: Not bad, but nothing special. Good for the occasional cases of sleepless nights. However some of these themes are revisited in "All Good things..." and it shows the maturity of the series that this is decent, but would of been Dire if it was a season 1 episode.
Best Part - Picard putting The Aliens into a forcefield.
Not so best part - I was falling asleep with the false Picard bits.
rating: 5 out of 10
"Captain's Holiday"
Plot Synopsis: Picard goes on vacation, thinking that he going to read a good book, and finds a hot women who shares his passion, and a adventure begins.
Opinion: Now Vash and her assorted "Fun" did get overdone in time (including her one DS9 appearance), but this is a fun episode. I mean, if this does not entertain you as a simple SF adventure yarn the first time you see it, you might need to turn in your SF fan card. Not that it a great episode, but it a solid episode that series are built upon.
Best Part - Seeing Picard as a little less stiff
Not so best part - Ferengi are still annoying.
Rating: 6 out of 10
"Tin Man"
Plot Synopsis: The enterprise with a half-insane Betazed races to have first contact with a living ship before the romulans.
Opinion: I know this is a Love/Hate episode. Some people really like this episode, and others gnash their teeth, and think its the bane of decent trek. I am in the "Love" side.
Best Part - Data and Tam bits
Not so best parts - Tam Elburn, a crazy telepath, River Tam, a Crazy Telepath. Thanks for ruining a bit of Firefly for me ...
Rating: 8 out of 10
"Hollow Pursuits"
Plot Synopsis: A crew member has a addiction to the Holodeck.
Opinion: This actually is a little more timely then it was in the past. Still it is one of the weaker episodes of the season, though it does have its moments.
Best Parts - Riker finding his Alter-ego, and troi telling him it is ok, to get over it, then she finds HER alter-ego.
Not so best parts - A episode focused on a minor guest star is not exactly productive to get a good episode.
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Was lower except it is more relevant today)
"The Most Toys"
Plot Synopsis: Data is taken by a collector of rare things.
Opinion: There was a good episode screaming to get out, and it stumbles along. The end where you learn something new about data and his non-three law state is a surprise. And Varria death is painful. Most of the other stuff leading to that is bland. (ok, it starts off with a bang, but you know data is not going to die in the first 3 mins of a episode.)
Best Part - Data pulls the trigger
Not so best part - the long bits on the collectors ship while the enterprise figures out whats going on.
Rating: 4 out of 10
"Sarek"
Plot Synopsis: A Old friend returns, with distressing issues...
Opinion: After some somewhat lackluster episodes, this season returns with a vengeance, This is what TNG is famous for, a talky, good, and well acted character piece. A number of good to great actors doing wonders with the script will always give you a smile.
Best Part - Picard showing the emotion...
Not so best part - by todays standard, this is a slow episode.
Rating: 8 out of 10
"Ménage à Troi"
Plot Synopsis: Troi, Troi's Mom, and Riker (After all, you have kidnap SOMEONE we care about) are kidnapped by Ferengi while on vacation.
Opinion: I don't like Troi's Mom's episodes, they did not age well, kinda like the ferengi episodes of DS9 did not age well. However this is a fun one and one of the few that I can enjoy. Don't expect anything deep, just popcorn fun.
Best Part - Picard expressing his "true love"
Not so best part: TNG ferengi...groan...
Rating: 6 out of 10
Well, No responses, so I will rap up Season 3
"Transfigurations"
Plot Synopsis: The Enterprise finds a being with major healing powers, and he is changing....
Opinion: Other then worf getting beat up, again, there is nothing really that gets me going about this episode. Nothing is truly bad about this episode, but it goes sideways the entire time.
Best Part: even if it is lackluster, the "pure energy" humans or human like beings is a fun concept.
Not so best part: Sleep inducing.
Rating: 5 out of 10
"The Best of Both Worlds"
Plot Synopsis: The Borg are here, they came to Kick tail and chew bubble gum, and they are all out of bubble gum.
Opinion: This is the seminal work of TNG in many regards, and words do not describe how good it is. The thing that I love is that at first it is almost a ode to changing the leadership of the enterprise, and everything is set up for a major change at top. The series could of gone easily and had Riker take command of the enterprise, Shelby as a first officer, and gone in another direction. It also builds up a sense of dread as our heroes just do not know how they will win, and unlike other episodes, you get the sense of the crew prepping themselves if the need arises to lay themselves down for the Federation and earth.
Also, I love how Shelby is a female guest star that is NOT a love interest to a main cast member. It is nice to see.
I could go on forever talking about how this is one of the best bits of TV SF made, but I am not going to bore the readers, just go and watch it.
Best Part: The entire episode builds up note by note till the climax of "Open fire" by Riker, who stepping into the role of a captain.
Not so best part: None
Rating: 10 out of 10, Tempted to give a 11.
--------------------
Season Summery
Classic Episodes (9 or 10) - 3
"The Defector" - 10
"Yesterday's Enterprise" - 10
"Best of Both Worlds Part 1" - 10
Great Episodes (7 or 8) - 7
"The Enemy" - 8
"The Offspring" - 8
"Sins of the Father" - 8
"Tin Man" - 8
"Sarek" - 8
"The Survivors" - 7
"Booby Trap" - 7
Good episodes (5 or 6) - 14
"The Vengeance Factor" - 6.5
"The Ensigns of Command" - 6
"The Hunted" -6
"A Matter of Perspective" - 6
"Captain's Holiday" - 6
"Ménage à Troi" -6
"Evolution" - 5
"Who Watches the Watchers" -5
"The Price" - 5
"The High Ground" -5
"Déjà Q" -5
"Allegiance" -5
"Hollow Pursuits" -5
"Transfigurations" -5
Bad episodes (3 or 4) - 2
"The Bonding" - 4
"The Most Toys" - 4
Season avg - 6.48
"Transfigurations"
Plot Synopsis: The Enterprise finds a being with major healing powers, and he is changing....
Opinion: Other then worf getting beat up, again, there is nothing really that gets me going about this episode. Nothing is truly bad about this episode, but it goes sideways the entire time.
Best Part: even if it is lackluster, the "pure energy" humans or human like beings is a fun concept.
Not so best part: Sleep inducing.
Rating: 5 out of 10
"The Best of Both Worlds"
Plot Synopsis: The Borg are here, they came to Kick tail and chew bubble gum, and they are all out of bubble gum.
Opinion: This is the seminal work of TNG in many regards, and words do not describe how good it is. The thing that I love is that at first it is almost a ode to changing the leadership of the enterprise, and everything is set up for a major change at top. The series could of gone easily and had Riker take command of the enterprise, Shelby as a first officer, and gone in another direction. It also builds up a sense of dread as our heroes just do not know how they will win, and unlike other episodes, you get the sense of the crew prepping themselves if the need arises to lay themselves down for the Federation and earth.
Also, I love how Shelby is a female guest star that is NOT a love interest to a main cast member. It is nice to see.
I could go on forever talking about how this is one of the best bits of TV SF made, but I am not going to bore the readers, just go and watch it.
Best Part: The entire episode builds up note by note till the climax of "Open fire" by Riker, who stepping into the role of a captain.
Not so best part: None
Rating: 10 out of 10, Tempted to give a 11.
--------------------
Season Summery
Classic Episodes (9 or 10) - 3
"The Defector" - 10
"Yesterday's Enterprise" - 10
"Best of Both Worlds Part 1" - 10
Great Episodes (7 or 8) - 7
"The Enemy" - 8
"The Offspring" - 8
"Sins of the Father" - 8
"Tin Man" - 8
"Sarek" - 8
"The Survivors" - 7
"Booby Trap" - 7
Good episodes (5 or 6) - 14
"The Vengeance Factor" - 6.5
"The Ensigns of Command" - 6
"The Hunted" -6
"A Matter of Perspective" - 6
"Captain's Holiday" - 6
"Ménage à Troi" -6
"Evolution" - 5
"Who Watches the Watchers" -5
"The Price" - 5
"The High Ground" -5
"Déjà Q" -5
"Allegiance" -5
"Hollow Pursuits" -5
"Transfigurations" -5
Bad episodes (3 or 4) - 2
"The Bonding" - 4
"The Most Toys" - 4
Season avg - 6.48
"The Best of Both Worlds Part I" is a very powerful episode. It's about death. The crew know they cannot beat the Borg. The guest stars are terrific, Ron Jones's music propels this episode into the classic zone, and the cliffhanger is one of the greatest cliffhangers of all time.
Riker's situation nicely resolves the issue that came up during the first three years of the show. It is mentioned in "The Arsenal of Freedom" that Riker turned down the Drake to serve on The Enterprise, and "The Icarus Factor" is all about whether he will leave the Enterprise to take command of the The Aries. It was deft of Michael Piller to take these bits and make a theme out of it.
Riker's situation nicely resolves the issue that came up during the first three years of the show. It is mentioned in "The Arsenal of Freedom" that Riker turned down the Drake to serve on The Enterprise, and "The Icarus Factor" is all about whether he will leave the Enterprise to take command of the The Aries. It was deft of Michael Piller to take these bits and make a theme out of it.
I enjoyed the scenes where Picard and his fellow prisoners figure out their captors. The ending was funny even if silly.
Indeed this episode was hilarious (plus I always enjoy the Ferengi, more so than Vash).
Crazy telepaths (including Deanna Troi, Kes and Vulcans in Ponfar) are always hard to take. I did however like the ending with the two lonely loonies drifting together through space.
I loved Barclay when he first appeared in this story, and I have loved every appearance of his since. (He reminds me of Rodney McKay sometimes.)
Sorry, I do not understand your comment about Data's "non-three law state."
I like a slow episode if it is about something truly interesting. And this story was terrific.
This story was execrable. I could not bear any of it: both Trois are annoying and Riker too when he is with them.
double post...
You hit the nail on the head. This is a major reason why BoBW has a strong argument for the best episode of star trek.
As for Tallifer,
"Three Law State" is in reference to the fact data is not a Asmov type robot, he can make a choice to kill, as he was about to kill a man when he was transported.
I am taking a short break from TNG as I am watching some B5.
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