So I don't usually hear fellow Trekkies discussing "Time's Arrow, Parts I and II", and when I do it's usually given negative feedback. I personally LOVE this episode, and although I'm not sure where I'd rank it exactly, it is one of my favorite TNG episodes, which is high praise considering TNG is my favorite Trek series from prior to the Kurtzman era.
Why do I love it so much? Well, there are multiple reasons. The story begins by examining a plot point that would sadly become overused in later series and movies but was still brand new at the time: Data's mortality. Hearing Data speak on his life and expectations to be nearly immortal is extremely thought provoking. Speaking of character development, Guinan gets a cool new backstory, which explains how she seems to have so much knowledge about everyone in the crew. When Picard first meets her in the 19th century, it's an iconic moment. Meeting Jean-luc Picard for the first time is not something to be taken lightly, and the show makes sure you feel what Guinan is feeling in that moment. Which takes us to the next reason this episode is awesome: it does time travel WELL. There are a crap ton of Star Trek time travel stories, and about half of them are actually good. This episode is definitely one of the most imaginative examples, featuring actual historical figures such as Jack London and Mark Twain, both treated with genuine respect and care, and both being critical components to moving the plot forward. Twain's comment about a future worth giving up cigars for may seem a bit of a stretch, but we are talking about the honest realization of a man living in industrial era America being told that the 24th century will be free from poverty, disease and war. I know I'd settle for replicated sweet tea for the rest of my life if I could live in that kind of future (and if you know me, you will know sweet tea is to me as cigars seemed to be to Twain). As for the source of our time travel story, the Devidians and their ophidian (snake!) are extremely creepy but imaginatively crafted: we never saw them again, but they were unlike any other creatures in Star Trek. The device they stored the human neural energy in looked like something designed by H.R. Giger (well, even the Devidians and their ophidian looked Giger-esque). As a bonus, the acting in this episode by everyone, even the bit parts, was superb! From the poor 49er who 'fell down a mineshaft", to Mrs. Carmichael (Mr. Pickerd! ) to the Devidians disguised as a 19th century doctor and his wife (the latter of which was insanely creepy in her performance) everyone gave their best and were all top notch.
I'm actually shocked so many people don't like this episode. It's a true classic, a whole lot of fun, and a great example of why TNG was the best of the Berman-era shows, at least in this humble author's review.
Why do I love it so much? Well, there are multiple reasons. The story begins by examining a plot point that would sadly become overused in later series and movies but was still brand new at the time: Data's mortality. Hearing Data speak on his life and expectations to be nearly immortal is extremely thought provoking. Speaking of character development, Guinan gets a cool new backstory, which explains how she seems to have so much knowledge about everyone in the crew. When Picard first meets her in the 19th century, it's an iconic moment. Meeting Jean-luc Picard for the first time is not something to be taken lightly, and the show makes sure you feel what Guinan is feeling in that moment. Which takes us to the next reason this episode is awesome: it does time travel WELL. There are a crap ton of Star Trek time travel stories, and about half of them are actually good. This episode is definitely one of the most imaginative examples, featuring actual historical figures such as Jack London and Mark Twain, both treated with genuine respect and care, and both being critical components to moving the plot forward. Twain's comment about a future worth giving up cigars for may seem a bit of a stretch, but we are talking about the honest realization of a man living in industrial era America being told that the 24th century will be free from poverty, disease and war. I know I'd settle for replicated sweet tea for the rest of my life if I could live in that kind of future (and if you know me, you will know sweet tea is to me as cigars seemed to be to Twain). As for the source of our time travel story, the Devidians and their ophidian (snake!) are extremely creepy but imaginatively crafted: we never saw them again, but they were unlike any other creatures in Star Trek. The device they stored the human neural energy in looked like something designed by H.R. Giger (well, even the Devidians and their ophidian looked Giger-esque). As a bonus, the acting in this episode by everyone, even the bit parts, was superb! From the poor 49er who 'fell down a mineshaft", to Mrs. Carmichael (Mr. Pickerd! ) to the Devidians disguised as a 19th century doctor and his wife (the latter of which was insanely creepy in her performance) everyone gave their best and were all top notch.
I'm actually shocked so many people don't like this episode. It's a true classic, a whole lot of fun, and a great example of why TNG was the best of the Berman-era shows, at least in this humble author's review.