Season 5 was pretty damn good!

[Norrin Radd]

I estimate only about 4 genuine clunkers out of a full slate of 26 episodes.

The Best:
Redemption II
Darmok
Unification I and II
A Matter of Time
Disaster
Conundrum
Power Play
Ethics
Cause and Effect
The First Duty
The Inner Light
Time's Arrow I

The Worst:
Hero Worship
Violations
Cost of Living
Imaginary Friend

But even those four aren't that bad. I just don't think they're as good as the high standard that the fifth season set.

 

[GeorgeKirk]

I've always enjoyed Season 5 myself. It seemed like every week we were getting a really good episode.

 

[Praetorian]

Hum, I have some issues with Season 5, in my mind it became too bland, safe and soft. Though I guess the sharp down turn in exciting music and the muted colors are probably the main cause for this feeling.

However all those episodes you listed I consider to be good, great or even excelent.
With some caveats.
Disaster is fun however the kids in the turbolift kinda annoyed me (as usual with kids).
Powerplay, even though it has action and even a nice score is little more than a posession story. Don't care much about them either. But it was fun too.
A Matter of Time has a very nice scene with the debate between Picard and Rasmunsen near the end, and there's also the twist. However the B story was kinda lame and Treknobably.

I also agree with the clunkers. I do think they are that bad though (with the exception of Hero Worship)
I would add another clunker as well. New Ground. Treknobably and meaningless B-Plot plus Worf parental issues can't really support the main story of an episode. Yes bringing back Alexander and making Worf dealing with it and having some dificulties is certanly a nice concept..for a (recurring at best) B plot. But as the A story? I was just hoping for Worf to open a can of whoopass on his son. Got tired of him lying and stealing. I don't really watch Star Trek to see some after school special about obeying your parents or something, lol.

Regarding the rest:

Ensign Ro: Nice episode, introduces the Bajorans and Ro, as well bringing back the Cardassians. What's not to like? Another corrupt Admiral is kinda cliche but atleast shows that Humans on TNG weren't perfect...

Silicon Avatar: Cristaline Entity and an interesting debate...Plus more imperfect Humans. A winner.

The Game: Fun, though somewhat presposterous. Wesley saves the Federation! And another posession story in a way.

Masterpiece society: Hum, an interesting concept and ending (things don't go back to normal). The Troi romance kinda brings it down though.

The Outcast: Yes, the gay episode. I like the last speech but this episode seems too forced. Also not even acknowledging that there's also "sexual deviants" in human society is lame.

Perfect Mate: Don't really have much of an oppinion. Reasonable I guess.

Next Phase: People "dieing" and seeing how their friends and loved ones react to their death is quite a cliche but it has some nice scene plus Ro and Romulans so it's okay! Loved Worf saying he envied Geordi, lol.

A good season of Trek for sure.

 

[Tachyon]

One of the best TNG seasons, most definitely.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Ensign Ro: Nice episode, introduces the Bajorans and Ro, as well bringing back the Cardassians. What's not to like? Another corrupt Admiral is kinda cliche but atleast shows that Humans on TNG weren't perfect...

Silicon Avatar: Cristaline Entity and an interesting debate...Plus more imperfect Humans. A winner.

The Game: Fun, though somewhat presposterous. Wesley saves the Federation! And another posession story in a way.

Next Phase: People "dieing" and seeing how their friends and loved ones react to their death is quite a cliche but it has some nice scene plus Ro and Romulans so it's okay! Loved Worf saying he envied Geordi, lol.

To me, these are the best of the rest and Perfect Mate isn't bad either, if you're into the romance thing.

 

[Ktrek]

I would add another clunker as well. New Ground. Treknobably and meaningless B-Plot plus Worf parental issues can't really support the main story of an episode. Yes bringing back Alexander and making Worf dealing with it and having some dificulties is certanly a nice concept..for a (recurring at best) B plot. But as the A story? I was just hoping for Worf to open a can of whoopass on his son. Got tired of him lying and stealing. I don't really watch Star Trek to see some after school special about obeying your parents or something, lol.

I totally disagree here. The concept of family difficulties was worth exploring. Alexander was a young boy who's mother was brutally murdered, and who's father basically did not want responsibility for him, and who sent him off to live with his grandparents. This is a young man who is "acting out" as so many young people do today. How many times have I seen this same thing happen in families that are broken up? Lots! In fact almost every single one I have ever known. Are you saying that Star Trek should not explore family life and conflicts within them?

It's shows like New Ground that give heart to Star Trek. Star Trek is not nor has ever been about space and aliens and beautiful ships and battles. It's about exploring the human condition and every aspect of that, and I don't see how you can do that without exploring family.

Kevin

 

[Unicron]

I don't think the admiral in "Ensign Ro" was corrupt, just misled by his Cardassian counterpart.

 

[Praetorian]

I would add another clunker as well. New Ground. Treknobably and meaningless B-Plot plus Worf parental issues can't really support the main story of an episode. Yes bringing back Alexander and making Worf dealing with it and having some dificulties is certanly a nice concept..for a (recurring at best) B plot. But as the A story? I was just hoping for Worf to open a can of whoopass on his son. Got tired of him lying and stealing. I don't really watch Star Trek to see some after school special about obeying your parents or something, lol.

I totally disagree here. The concept of family difficulties was worth exploring. Alexander was a young boy who's mother was brutally murdered, and who's father basically did not want responsibility for him, and who sent him off to live with his grandparents. This is a young man who is "acting out" as so many young people do today. How many times have I seen this same thing happen in families that are broken up? Lots! In fact almost every single one I have ever known. Are you saying that Star Trek should not explore family life and conflicts within them?

It's shows like New Ground that give heart to Star Trek. Star Trek is not nor has ever been about space and aliens and beautiful ships and battles. It's about exploring the human condition and every aspect of that, and I don't see how you can do that without exploring family.

Kevin

Oh, but I consider it a worthy concept to explore. Just preferably not as the A plot, atleast if it's done in the way it was. We could have had Alexander mad at his father for leaving him, not preventing his mother's death or something of the sort. Instead we have run of the mill issues like stealing and lying. Not really drama worthy...in my oppinion of course.
It added another layer to Worf, and it that sense it was a nice idea but really this episode doesn't convince me.

I mean how many episodes were centered about Sisko or Crusher disciplining their sons or dealing with them? Can't really remember one. (Explorers perhaps?)
Instead we saw glimpses of their relation which added to the show (Specially Sisko)

Seeing Worf mad because Alexander doesn't brush his teeth? I'll pass... Star Trek should explore conflicts and aspects of the human condition that are worthy. Of course, what one considers worthy can and will vary.

@Unicron: Ah yes, it's been a while. Seems he was simply fooled by the Cardies.

 

[steevo]

I too thought season 5 was good as well, continuing the streak TNG was on since season 3, IMHO. The only clunkers IMO were:

Masterpiece Society - boring. To me it was little more than an hour of debate about the "prime directive".
Imaginary Friend - Thin plot.
Time's Arrow - Would be better as an hour long episode than a season-ending cliffhanger. Cliffhangers are supposed to be about suspense, and perhaps characters being affected in a strong, dramatic way. Data losing his head, IMHO, doesn't exactly qualify.

But, every season has its bad spots. Overall, in season 5, we got to see Spock, the Borg return, the Klingon civil war play out (with the ramifications of possible Romulan collusion) and the exceptional "Darmok"
and "Inner Light", among other numerous highlights.

All in all, a great season.

 

[Norrin Radd]

With Time's Arrow, I thought the first part was pretty fine, but the second part kinda blew.

 

[DostoyevskyClone]

Here are the grades I gave the episodes after I watched each one. There seems to be a lot of agreement on the dullness of eps like 'Imaginary Friend,' etc. I realize I'm out on a limb with regards to episodes like 'Violations' and 'The Outcast,' (episodes that, from what I remember, tend to also be almost universally categorized in the lower third of all TNG eps). I have these ordered by airdate within each "grade"...

A+
Violations
Conundrum
The Outcast

A
Ethics
Cause and Effect
The First Duty
The Perfect Mate

B
Redemption II
Darmok
Ensign Ro
Silicon Avatar
Disaster
The Game
A Matter of Time
The Masterpiece Society
Power Play
I Borg
The Next Phase
The Inner Light
Time’s Arrow

C
Unification I
Unification II
New Ground
Hero Worship
Cost of Living
Imaginary Friend

'The Outcast' - I seem to be one of the few defenders of this episode. I think it works for a lot of the reasons 'Brokeback Mountain' works actually. The scene where the two of them are repairing the shuttle is a real standout emotionally and I just thought it was pretty amazing to see the lengths Riker was willing to go to in the end of the episode (and, of course, the melancholy and tragedy of the episode's last act).

'Violations' - extremely creative, creepy episode. Love the camera work. Every flashback worked very, very well with a lot of emotional payoff.

'Unification' - dull. Most people seem to rank the episodes higher than me, but I thought it was pretty slow to be honest and I wasn't pulled in either by the concept or the emotions of the story.

 

[RAMA]

I estimate only about 4 genuine clunkers out of a full slate of 26 episodes.

The Best:
Redemption II
Darmok
Unification I and II
A Matter of Time
Disaster
Conundrum
Power Play
Ethics
Cause and Effect
The First Duty
The Inner Light
Time's Arrow I

The Worst:
Hero Worship
Violations
Cost of Living
Imaginary Friend

But even those four aren't that bad. I just don't think they're as good as the high standard that the fifth season set.

Season 4 was even better, I estimate only 2 clunkers!!

In season 5, I also disliked "Disaster". A Poseidon Adventure with kids in tow retread was not my idea of Trek really. However, I would take Violations off your list. That was an excellent show!!

 

[RAMA]

I'll take a shot at this:

A+
Violations
Conundrum
The Inner Light
Darmok
Ensign Ro

A
Cause and Effect
The First Duty
I Borg
A Matter of Time
Power Play
Time’s Arrow

B
Unification I
Unification II
Redemption II
Ethics
Silicon Avatar
The Game
The Masterpiece Society
The Next Phase
The Perfect Mate

C
Disaster
The Outcast
New Ground
Hero Worship
Cost of Living
Imaginary Friend

 

[Lt.Cmdr.LaForge]

aye, S5 is my favourite too, unification were brilliant episodes.

 

[DostoyevskyClone]

Hell yeah RAMA - you're seriously the first person who I've come across who thinks 'Violations' is worthy of even a "good" mark, much less "excellent"...awesome to see that.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I don't like Violations because I'm almost automatically biased against mind invading (and budget saving) episodes.

 

[Too Much Fun]

I like this season, but I'm very disappointed with how it ended. When I bought the "Time Travel Collective" DVD set, I watched Time's Arrow for the first time in awhile and was shocked by how horrible it was. Part II is especially bad, as it's full of the Mark Twain character and his dialogue and manner of speaking make him perhaps the most annoying character ever on this series. The set would have been better served with "Time Squared" and "A Matter of Time" in place of the Time's Arrow episodes.

The season started off wonderfully, though. "Darmok" and "The Inner Light" are rightfully regarded as classics and some of the best and most original episodes of any Star Trek series, and "Cause and Effect" and "Conundrum" have a lot of nostalgic/sentimental value for me as I remember them for being some of the most fascinating and unpredictable "puzzle" episodes to captivate me during my childhood. I think "The Game" is the only great Wesley episode (okay, the game itself is cheesy, but his romance with the Ashley Judd character is adorable), "The Perfect Mate" is a memorable heartbreaker, and although he wasn't used as well as Scotty, Spock's appearance was nice too (especially his conversation with Data). Also, I thought the evil possessed Data in "Power Play" was way cooler than Lore ever was.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I like this season, but I'm very disappointed with how it ended. When I bought the "Time Travel Collective" DVD set, I watched Time's Arrow for the first time in awhile and was shocked by how horrible it was. Part II is especially bad, as it's full of the Mark Twain character and his dialogue and manner of speaking make him perhaps the most annoying character ever on this series. The set would have been better served with "Time Squared" and "A Matter of Time" in place of the Time's Arrow episodes.

The season started off wonderfully, though. "Darmok" and "The Inner Light" are rightfully regarded as classics and some of the best and most original episodes of any Star Trek series, and "Cause and Effect" and "Conundrum" have a lot of nostalgic/sentimental value for me as I remember them for being some of the most fascinating and unpredictable "puzzle" episodes to captivate me during my childhood. I think "The Game" is the only great Wesley episode (okay, the game itself is cheesy, but his romance with the Ashley Judd character is adorable), "The Perfect Mate" is a memorable heartbreaker, and although he wasn't used as well as Scotty, Spock's appearance was nice too (especially his conversation with Data). Also, I thought the evil possessed Data in "Power Play" was way cooler than Lore ever was.

I actually thought that Mark Twain was the greatest thing about the episode; I just thought it was a pitch perfect portrayal and there's something cool about a brilliant American icon being privy to the future. Other than that, I just don't like Time's Arrow II. Part I was great because Data in the old west has so much comedic potential. But when the rest of the characters join him, it becomes more awkward than humourous. And the whole alien plot thing didn't make much sense at all.

The Game was great because it's rare that we so the crew of TNG acting like genuine villains. Rather creepy.

 

[WillsBabe]

Hell yeah RAMA - you're seriously the first person who I've come across who thinks 'Violations' is worthy of even a "good" mark, much less "excellent"...awesome to see that.

I like Violations a great deal. It'd certainly be in my top 20 episodes.

 

[Starbreaker]

I love S5 with the exception of Time's Arrow I. I simply cannot stand that episode for some reason.