A Forgotten Gem: Season 2

[Balrog]

I just finished the second season of TNG on my quest to watch all of the series. I have to say, this was not what I expected.

A little history: I was in high school when I watched season one. I taped the episodes and kept them to view again and again. By the second season, I was off to the military and did not have access to the show for two years. I borrowed a copy of season three to catch up and began watching new episodes again starting with season four.

So the second season had always been the lost season for me. I did catch up eventually in re-runs. But the episodes were played out of order, or I'd miss a few and have to wait to catch them at a later time. This week I had the time so I sat down and watched it.

People claim TNG hit its stride in the third season. So did I! But I think I have to change that. It really hit its stride right at the start of the second. Season 2 was charming and FUNNY. It probably caught the situational comedy of TOS the beast of all TNG.

I thought the writing was far better than the first season. The characters went through some minor tweaking which helped. Riker smiled more, Troi was softened, and even Wesley wasn't an insufferable weeney. I was also pleased with how much backstory they gave to Worf. Even before RDM came onto the scene, the Klingons were on their way to becoming a major race in Treklore.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

I've always seen that the START of TNG's brilliance was in season 2 (though the potential was there all along), but for me at least, there were still too many clunkers that didn't elevate it to the status I put the rest of the series at.

Even though I still really enjoyed the season. I think Pulaski was too much to take at first for me, the McCoy "clone" and all that. That may have tainted the first viewing. But with each viewing, I warm up to her more and more.

What did you think of Pulaski, since you get a fresh look at her now?

 

[Seven of Five]

I've been going through a very slow rewatch with a very casual TNG fan in tow. We're about halfway through season 2 now, and it's a lot better than I remember it. I've always liked Pulaski though, which helps.

I'm not sure if it's because it's been a few years since I last saw the hilarious dreck that is season 1 and I'd sort of gleamed over how bad a lot of it was. And then of course, as I said, it's been a very slow rewatch, so some episodes dragged here and there. That definately helped to highlight the improvement in storytelling pace in season 2.

It's not a classic season by any means. A vast improvement on season 1 it was though, with of course enough potential to become the show it did.

 

[Balrog]

M'rk, I actually liked the Pulaski character after viewing her with fresh eyes. Was she a McCoy clone in many ways? Yes. But my impression was Muldaur was very wooden in the role as well. To my surprise, IMO after rewatching the season, she was not. I think she would have continued to develope nicely if given the chance to remain on the series.

Seven of Five, there are a few clunkers, yes. I forced myself to finish Shades of Gray! And I still don't get Time Squared. But I am surprised how much they experiemnted with humor in those clunkers like Up the Long Ladder, etc.

 

[M'rk son of Mogh]

^^
It's true, they really did some fun stuff, you can see the cast really gelling and coming together in season 2. I'm sure that contributed to the fun factor, as all the actors are said to be a lot of fun from what I've read and seen.

And funny enough about the much hated Shades of Gray, except for the clips, I REALLY liked the rest of the episode framing them. I thought Riker was in top form, again, showing the fun side of him (loved the joke about his relative getting bitten by a snake).

 

[Tomalak]

Got to say I've been rewatching season 2 for the first time in years, and it's really not so bad. I like Pulaski, and the show just seems a bit edgier than it later became. Yes, there are some bad episodes, but there are a lot of good ones too.

Riker really shines, Data is not yet overused, and Picard is fantastic. Add in Guinan, and a more mature Wesley Crusher who is used far, far better than in the first season, and you have a pretty good season. I'd probably rate it above the seventh season, which I felt was rather tired but for a few exceptions.

 

[Balrog]

You might be right, Tomalak, about Season 2 being better than Season 7. I'll have to keep that in mind when I get there. Right now I'm in the middle of season 3. I also thought they used Wesley much better in Season 2 than Season 1, and he might have gotten a bad rap because of how poorly he was written at first.

 

[Gojira]

I just purchased seasons 1 & 2 (I have the others) and so far I even think season 1 isn't as bad as what many have claimed. I am not a fan of Dr. Pulaski so hopefully the second season will prove more enjoyable than others have said.

 

[Alrik]

I'd have to agree that season two is much better than it is given credit for. I also have to say, that after a recent re-watch, season one is actally pretty good over all.

 

[crouteru]

If split into three catagories of WATCH IT, TRY IT and SKIP IT, I'd put season 2 in the TRY IT section. Definately has some fantastic episodes like 'Measure Of A Man' and 'Q Who', but there's still some remnants of the season 1 dreck scattered throughout.

 

[Kegg]

Season two is a mixed bag, but overall a huge improvement from the first season (I've often said "The Measure of a Man" is the hour that made me a Trekkie, and this is true). It's got quite a lot of crap, more than a few mediocre episodes and its finale is famously remembered as being the damn clip show, but it also evened stuff out, gave us Ten Forward, Guinan, the Borg (in what is still one of their very best turns, "Q Who?") and a couple of cool episodes. "Elementary, My Dear Data" is one of TNG's best uses of the holodeck, to be fair. I remember thinking "Time Squared" is fun because of how eerie the other Picard is...

...and yes I liked Pulaski too. Overall this is definitely a better season than season seven, which was terminally bland at points - even when it's awful season two is never bland.

 

[DataLives]

Measure of a Man made the Next Generation above and beyond anything else on television for me.

It rivals some of the pivotal moments in literature for me as well.

I am a life long Trek fan, but, as an adult, rewatching that episode gave me new pride in the series.

Also, I agree, rewatching Dr. Pulaski now I am better able to enjoy the character, seeing the effort she put into it. Knowing that she (the actress) was in the Original Series also creates a fondness.

However, I am glad that Crusher returned, otherwise, Picard's loneliness would have distracted me from other characters.

Peace and Long Life.

DataLives.

 

[GalaxyClass1701]

I have to disagree I thought season 2 was the weakest season.

 

[RegFan]

I don't like season 2 very much, but it is a lot better than season 1. Riker looks much better with a beard. Q turned into a comic relief character in season 2 whereas in season 1 he was a villain. Season 2 introduces the Borg who were later in many good episodes (even in Voyager).

 

[Neutral Zone]

I found season 2 okay but I have never been a great fan of Pulaski so it sort of spoilt it for me. There are episodes thhat I like for example 'Q Who?' where our favourite space nutter decides to introduce the Enterprise crew to the Borg.