The Game – C
Other than a cute and young Ashley Judd to look at, there isn't a lot about this I like. It wasn’t particularly bad episode, it just wasn’t very interesting. I remember my reaction to it back in 1991 (barely) that it was a not so subtle take on computer gaming not written well.
I actually enjoyed The Game. I'd give it a B or three stars out of four stars.
I liked hearing about Wesley's time at the Academy whether his dinner scene with Picard which was gold or his chat with Data in the corridor or all of his interactions with Lefler. I also enjoyed the intriguing scene where Troi describes the pleasure of a chocolate sundae.
I also liked the creepy body-snatcher aspect of the episode. The reveal with Picard after Wes left picking up the game and the realization he was hooked. Data's deactivation and damage to his circuits by his friends was unsettling. I also found some of the Beverly/Wes subtext a little uncomfortable if you know what I mean.
I also found the action and chase after Wes too be tense and exciting. I loved all of Wes' precautions and escapes. I enjoyed this Braga episode.
Unification, Part I – A-
A bittersweet ending for Sarek and Mark Lenard’s involvement with Star Trek. Lenard puts on a great performance in his final scene. Stewart and Lenard were always good together as Picard and Sarek.
Agreed. It was a fitting exit for Sarek and Lenard.
I remember this was the only episode that was promoted months before the episode aired. So I was disappointed and surprised though that Spock was in it for a few seconds.
I tought Part I succeeded on the isolated scenes such as Riker pimping out Troi to the Zakdorn to get answers about the missing ship or Picard not giving the Klingon the satisfaction of seeing him complain about the sparse quarters he and Data were given. Or Data staring eerily at Picard as he tried to sleep. I give it an A- or 3.5 stars too.
I know many felt Part II was a disappointment including Michael Piller describing it as too talky but I enjoyed it. The Data/Spock scenes, the Picard/Spock scenes, Sela/Spock banter. I give it a B+ or 3.5 stars.
A Matter of Time – C-
I just didn’t like the character of Rasmussen, he was irritating in a badly written and badly acted sort of way. The vilified Berman shows his writing inconsistencies with this mediocre episode after having helped write the wonderful Unification two parter.
This is one of those simply okay episodes--not good, not bad. I'd give it a C+ or 2.5 stars.
New Ground – D+
Yech. Alexander comes aboard. I was dreading watching this episode in a Lwaxana Troi sort of way, and my dread wasn’t misplaced. This is just not a good episode. I think the writers were running out of ideas at this point.
I actually like New Ground. I give it three stars or a B. I always liked Alexander and I enjoyed seeing the difficulty in the father/son relationship. Everything felt natural including the school environment. The teacher was well cast. Troi was put to good use. I also liked seeing Worf struggle with being a parent and juggling his responsibilities. And I liked seeing Helena. She's a hoot. And the jeopardy and action at the end was decent.
You skipped "Hero Worship". I'd give it three stars. I loved the Data/Timothy interactions and the way each saw something in the other that was lacking in themselves. I must admit that when I first saw this episode I was going through a TNG love phase and was going overboard role-playing and it just so happened I was into Data. So I could relate to Timothy styling his hair like Data or wearing a similar tunic and trying to perfect Brent's android idiosyncrasies.
I found the mystery of what happened on the ship intriguing and Tim's survivor guilt rang true. Again like many episodes this season Troi was used effectively. The Geordi/Data scene in Engineering was also solid. I also remember how this episode answered something I always wondered about--you can't just accidentally touch the flat panels you have to enter an access code. The visuals were also very nice and stood out.
Violations – C-
Oops, another episode I didn’t like.
Shame on you
I like this one too. I know some had a problem with the reveal of the attacker upfront but for me it didn't minimize my enjoyment.
I found it quite creepy especially the Crusher nightmare. I can't think of anything quite as disturbing as visiting a morgue or funeral home to see a loved one and then to have it twisted by Jev. Brrr.
I loved the banter at the dinner with Worf's "Klingons don't like to be probed" or Beverly putting Picard on the spot about some of his memories. Leave it to a redhead to be so devious and one reason why I love her so much.
I might have liked the memories of Riker and Troi not to be so ambiguous but they still worked well. I loved seeing Dr. Martin and I loved Troi fighting back. And the flashes were filmed in a very jarring but interesting manner.
I give it a B+ or 3 stars. Oh and I love the aliens' wardrobe.
