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Series Overview
Jean-Luc Picard - Patrick Stewart Will Riker - Jonathan Frakes Data - Brent Spiner Beverley Crusher - Gates McFadden Deanna Troi - Marina Sirtis Geordi LaForge - LeVar Burton Worf - Michael Dorn 
OTHER SEASONS Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 6 Season 7 OTHER STAR TREK SHOWS Star Trek Deep Space Nine Voyager Enterprise OTHER TREKS THROUGH SPACE Babylon 5 The new Battlestar Galactica 
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Series OverviewSeason Four was a really good one, despite its obsession with family matters. Season Five opens that out to consider more matters of general communication and morality. Darmok is all about the difficulty of language whilst The Next Phase is all about not being able to communicate at all. Silicon Avatar shows how the past can get in the way of meaningful communication. Morality is high on the agenda as well. Episodes this season tackle the causes and nature of terrorism, arranged marriages, sexual preference and prejudice, the importance of truth, and the right to destroy one individual in order to protect the mass. Heavy stuff and, more often than not, too heavy for their own good. Fortunately episodes such as The Perfect Mate, Cause and Effect,A Matter of Time, The Game and Conundrum all manage to avoid the overpreachiness. Furthermore, in I,Borg and The Inner Light we are treated to two episodes that are amongst the very best that this, or any other, genre show has managed to produce. TopRedemption -Part 2Whilst Worf fights the Klingon cause in the name of Gowron, Picard mounts a blockade of ships against help coming in from the Romulans. The blockade will detect cloaked ships, but only if the formation is kept perfect.Data has problems with his second in command, but when he disobeys a direct order the whole mission is put at risk. The second part of the two-episode story neatly ties up the plot, giving Worf his honour back and giving Data his first command. It also introduces a new character, the daughter of the Tasha Yar that was sent back in time in Yesterday's Enterprise. It is actually Data's strand of the story that is the most interesting with the android coming up against some very human prejudice. TopDarmokAnother attempt is being made to communicate with a race called the Children of Tama, who speak only in meaningless phrases. They kidnap Picard and transport him to the nearest planet along with their own captain, in order to face attacks by an invisible creature. As they struggle to survive, the form of their language is finally revealed, but death soon intervenes. This is said to be one of Gene Roddenberry's favourite episodes and it contains all of his trademark hopes for a future in which problems are solved by intelligence and communication rather than brute force and will. It is not, however, the most exciting of episodes as you would expect from what is effectively a treatise on the nature of language. TopEnsign RoRo Laren, a disgraced officer, is sent aboard the Enterprise to aid in bringing some Bajoran rebels back into line after they attacked Federation outposts. As her initial hostility fades in the face of Picard's reasonableness, it becomes clear that she is a pawn in a game that is being run by the Cardassians. The nature of terrorism and oppression is revisited in this episode as Picard encounters the Bajoran people, refugees since their world was sacked by the Cardassians. It is also refreshing to find an officer who is abrasive and lacking in the social graces in the shape of Michelle Forbes as Ensign Ro. Thinking she has nothing to lose, she pretty much tells it like it is without any frills. It causes friction, but sometimes the characters could use a little of that. TopSilicon AvatarThe Crystalline Entity that was once in league with Data's brother Lore is located and a specialist comes on board to aid with the pursuit and study of it. She is the mother of one of the colonists killed on the planet where Data was found and is enchanted by his ability to access her son's logs and tell her about him. When the final confrontation with the entity arrives, it becomes clear that she has plans for it other than trying to make contact. The Crystalline Entity is a very impressive creation and it adds something to this examination of the nature of revenge. Revenge is always ugly, but it is made more so here when it destroys the hope of a peaceful solution, but is rendered more understandable by the time that we spend with the mission specialist before she acts. TopDisasterThe Enterprise is struck by a quantum filament that leaves it crippled and adrift. Deanna Troi is the ranking officer on the bridge and is forced to make command decisions that she is not trained for. She is aided by Miles O'Brien and Ensign Ro, who are constantly at loggerheads as to what the solution should be. Worf has it even worse as he finds himself forced to deliver Keiko O'Brien's baby. Dr Crusher and Geordi are forced to blow the hatches on a cargo bay whilst still inside it and the Captain finds himself in his own worst nightmare, trapped in a lift with three children. People reveal themselves in times of stress and this episode certainly gives them a lot of that to work with. The plot strand on the bridge is easily the best with Troi caught between Ro and O'Brien and rising to the occasion, but all of the crew face a difficult time and have to show what they're made of. TopThe GameRiker tries the new equivalent of a Playstation on Risa and is hooked. Soon enough, all of the ship's crew are also hooked. Only Wesley Crusher (back on leave) and the target of his hormones a young ensign, seem not to be playing it. Even Data has been put out of commission. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS aboard the Enterprise. OK, it's carried out by a game rather than pods, but the origin of the tale is clear enough, which doesn't diminish the entertainment or creep factor. Admittedly, having Wesley Crusher back is a bit of a blow, but he is less annoying in this episode than he has been in most of the others. TopUnification -Part 1When Ambassador Spock shows up Romulus, the Federation is understandably concerned and Picard is sent in undercover to find out what is going on, paying a last visit to Sarek on the way. In the meantime, the Enterprise investigates the theft of some old ships from a Federation surplus vessel dump. Political intrigue at the heart of the Romulan empire and the return of a rather important figure in STAR TREK lore makes for an interesting, if less than totally thrilling opening to this two part story. The side trip to visit a dying Sarek is the most affecting part of the whole story. TopUnification -Part 2Spock reveals that he is working underground for the unification of the Romulan and Klingon races, but it turns out that the Romulans have a different plan on how to acheive that. Stolen surplus ships are filled with Romulan troops and sent towards Klingon with messages from Ambassador Spock announcing that they are coming for asylum. Can Spock, Picard and Data forestall an invasion? Once again, the Romulans out-think the Federation and come up with a plan that makes the major characters look a little foolish. Spock especially is left looking like a total idiot who has been fooled at every turn. It's fortunate that the others are there to find a way out for him. The ending is full of dignity, however. TopA Matter of TimeA historian from the future appears to study the crew of the historically important Enterprise in their mission to save a planet from a global ice age. Picard, faced with a dilemma that will affect the whole planet's population plays with temporal mechanics by asking for advice, but is this man all he seems to be? A single character can make or break a story and this one is most definitely made by the presence of Matt Frewer as Professor Rasmussen. His eccentric performance sits at the heart of a pretty standard NEXT GENERATION plot and raises it up to something way above the norm. Thanks to him, this is the lightest and most fun episode so far this season. TopNew GroundWorf's son Alexander is brought aboard ship to stay with his father after suffering problems on earth. He is incapable of connecting with the other children and then reacts badly to Worf's discipline. It takes a disaster putting both the ship and the boy in danger to make both father and son realise that they need to find a way to be together. The first time that the ugly spectre of the family obsession that blighted season four rears it head results in the least of the episodes so far. It's an examination of father/son relationships and quite frankly we could have done without it. TopHero WorshipWhen Data saves a young boy's life, the child starts to emulate him. Picard encourages this because he needs to know the truth about what happened to the ship that the boy was on. The same thing now threatens the Enterprise and the boy may have the key to preventing them from making the same mistake as the previous ship's crew. Two father/son stories back to back and this one is no better than the previous. Seeing Data attempt to function as a father has its moments, but they are too few and we had already seen that done better in The Offspring. TopViolationsThree crewmembers undergo traumatic events after three telepaths are brought on board. Clearly, they are responsible, but refute that. Troi is the main victim of the assaults and the identity of the attacker is to be located by using her as live bait. A thinly veiled examination of rape and its effect is stifled by the nature of how the violation is carried out and the response to it. Nobody reacts with any great force or concern, rendering the shock value of the attacks much reduced. TopThe Masterpiece SocietyWhen the inhabitants of an endangered colony refuse to leave because any change within their genetically-engineered society would dangerously unbalance it. Geordi looks for a way to save the colony despite the fact that he would never have been allowed to live in it because of his blindness and others within the colony get their first taste of what it's like to be different. Stodgy, solid and dull. There is a message here, but the message stultifies the story to the point of congealed porridge. Quite frankly, you won't care whether the colony survived or not. TopConundrumThe ship is scanned and the crew lose their memories. Worf takes command whilst Picard takes the conn and Data serves drinks in the bar. Finally, they discover a ship's roster and orders that command them to destroy an enemy race with which the Federation is at war, a race that is barely capable of warp speed. Hallelujah and thanks for a fun episode at last. There have been so many 'worthy' stories just recently that the ship was in danger of disappearing up its own nacelles. Thankfully, this is out and out fun with the initial characters assuming what they think to be their rightful places giving way to the mystery of why they have to destroy a technologically inferior race. Much more fun. TopPower PlayData, Ensign Ro and Miles O'Brien are taken over by alien beings and try to take over the ship, ending up in a seige situation in Ten Forward. Picard has to find a way to release the prisoners without negotiating with terrorists. Now here's a topical little tale about hostages and terrorists. It doesn't dig too deep into either theme, but takes three characters and has fun making them act bad. This is, of course, heightened when it is Data misbehaving, but Miles's actions towards his wife and son are also quite affecting. TopEthicsWorf is crippled by an accident and asks Riker to help him commit suicide. Riker refuses, so when the Klingon is offered a lifeline in the nature of a revolutionary operation as yet untried, he agrees immediately, despite Dr Crusher's reservations that the surgeon is rushing the research in the name of her own advancement. Beverly Crusher can be the prim and proper conscience of the ship and a real pain in the neck about it and that's what she is here. She has no purpose other than to spout out the theme of medicine serving the patients, not the esteem and careers of the doctors. More interesting, and effective, is the response of Worf, Riker and Alexander to what has happened to the klingon. This is where the real drama is. The rest is lecturing. TopThe OutcastRiker falls for a member of a sexless race who has developed leanings of a female nature that are forbidden on her planet. When she is taken into custody for brainwashing, he mounts an illegal raid to free her, but is already too late. There are times when the tone of THE NEXT GENERATION is so preachy that it might as well be an archdeacon and this is one of those times. The theme of sexual identity and society's acceptance of it is hammered home so hard and with all the subtlety of a nuclear explosion in a teacup that this episode is all but unwatchable. TopCause and EffectThe bridge crew are enjoying a game of poker when they start to feel a sense of deja vu. Their day gets worse as the ship is utterly destroyed. The day starts again and the feeling intensifies. Geordi postulates that they are caught in a time loop and only the use of Data's abilities might hold the slightest hope of them ever breaking free. It's GROUNDHOG DAY on the Enterprise and the episode is as interesting as the film was and successfully runs the same sequences over and over again with only slight differences to great effect. The fact that we get to see the Enterprise destroyed several times over only adds to the stakes of the game. TopThe First DutyCaptain Picard is to give the graduation speech at Wesley Crusher's passing out parade, but the celebrations are overshadowed by an accident involving his flight team who were to fly a display for the festival. The evidence suggests that the flight team are lying, so the crew set out to prove Wesley's story. Lying is bad. That's the message and it is hammered home with no subtlety whatsoever. The truth is everything, worth more than friends or loyalty. If you didn't know it before, you will never forget it afterwards, though not in a good way. TopThe Cost of LivingLwaxana Troi is getting married, much to Captain Picard's relief, but Deanna is concerned when her mother tells her that it is to someone she has never met. She bonds with young Alexander and they spend time in the holodeck until the day of the wedding comes and Lwaxana takes a traditional, and controversial, stand on the wedding dress. Arranged marriages get the NEXT GENERATION once over and apparently they're bad. Dr Crusher certainly thinks so in her most 'outraged of sickbay' fashion. Fortunately, the plot's moral posturing is punctured by the interaction between Picard and his perfect mate thanks mainly to a fine performance from Famke Janssen who proves that she might possibly be just that. TopThe Perfect MateA priceless gift meant to end a war is damaged by two Ferengi and turns out to be a beautiful woman with the ability to transform into the perfect wife for whomever she marries. Views amongst the crew about whether this makes her a slave, prostitute, victim or martyr vary. Trials and jury rooms and courts and cases are usually fertile ground for thinking drama and this is no exception, though it does stray into dull territory at times. It’s all very worthy, examining the short step from wariness to paranoia and the injustices that can follow, but it is saved by some fine acting from Jean Simmons as the investigator and Patrick Stewart as the Captain at his most outraged. TopImaginary FriendClara has an imaginary friend, but when that friend actually shows up and starts causing trouble, the whole Enterprise is put under threat. Kids shouldn't be allowed on starships. Every episode that has revolved around kids has had major problems and this one is no exception. The child actors aren't good enough to bring substance to a plot that would fit on the back of a postage stamp with plenty of room to spare. Try it. You'll have more fun doing that than watching this. TopI, BorgThe Enterprise rescues a young Borg from a crashed ship. Geordi and Crusher treat him and start looking for a way to use him against the rest of the collective. Then they give him a name, Hugh, notice individualistic traits and their course of action no longer seems quite so right. Where did this come from? There have been so many average episodes in this season that something as good as this comes as a shock. Good isn't really a fair word because this episode is nothing short of superb. Both Picard and Guinan are forced to re-examine their prejudices about the Borg in the most impressive fashion whilst Hugh himself, played by Johnathan Del Arco, is a wonderful character that brings a whole new dimension to a previously flat, but much-loved enemy. The episode is beautifully written and the actors rise up to that challenge to a one. Do the ends ever justify the means? This episode will make you wonder. TopThe Next PhaseGeordi and Ro are killed in a transporter accident and find that the afterlife is much like the Enterprise, but where nobody can see you. Geordi isn't willing to admit that he's dead and sets about trying to communicate with his grieving crewmates whilst Ro accepts her new status as ghost and wants to find out what Riker is going to say about her at the memorial service. This is great, much more like the show ought to be. There's no message, just a good plot with some lovely character stuff going on and a technological problem to be solved before the ship is destroyed. No preaching in sight at all. TopThe Inner LightA probe scans the Enterprise and Captain Picard finds himself on an alien planet suffering from drought. He has been hallucinating his life on the Enterprise and is really an iron weaver. He has a family that he brings up, investigating the lack of water until it becomes clear that the planet is dying. Someone has spiked the drinking water over at Paramount because in the space of three weeks we've had two of the best episodes ever produced. Following I, Borg, The Inner Light is so full of character and life and interest that you wonder what they were messing about with all those other dull episodes for at all. This is original and fascinating and shot through with such a sense of nostalgia and sadness that you can't help but be impressed by it,touched by it and ultimately moved by it. This is one of the emotionally strongest episodes that this show has ever produced. Top<Time's Arrow - Part 1The Enterprise is called back to Earth to an archeological dig where Data's head is found. Following the trail, the ship goes to an alien planet where they find a series of lifeforms who are living off the energy of people from Earth's past. Data gets trapped in 19th century San Francisco and attempts to find a way back to the Enterprise whilst Picard is told by Guinan that it is imperative that he leads the away team to recover Data. What is going on here? Is it really likely that a race of beings from the far flung reaches of space would honestly be travelling back to 19th century San Francisco to harvest human life energy? Oh well, it's all really just an excuse to get everyone into period costume and meet Mark Twain. Not a great cliffhanger to end the series on though. Top |
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