Amazon.com

Original airdate: 5/22/95. Stardate: 48846.5. Voyager's first season closed with this exploration of the internal conflict among Voyager's crew, namely, the eruption of tensions between the ship's Starfleet contingent and the untrained Maquis who came aboard with Chakotay when their mission began. When Voyager's energy grid malfunctions due to an infection in the ship's bio-neural gel-packs, parallel plot lines emerge: while Janeway and the executive staff determine the cause of the gel-pack infection (would you believe an airborne bacterial virus from Neelix's homemade cheese?), Tuvok--with 16 years' experience instructing Starfleet cadets--is assigned to train a small group of rebellious Maquis in the disciplines of Starfleet protocol. A "boot camp" episode that smartly examines the uniqueness of Voyager's homeless crew, "Learning Curve" is a nuts-and-bolts show that combines human dynamics with the kind of techno-babble that's become a Star Trek tradition, only in this case Voyager's crew is faced with malfunctioning equipment that can't be replaced. Despite a pat ending that resolves the Maquis conflict much too easily, the episode drives home the fact that Voyager and its crew are all alone, making the most of a difficult predicament. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Tuvok tries to drill the Maquis on Starfleet protocols
When "Voyager" became trapped in the Delta Quadrant and Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) decided to add the Maquis to the ship's compliment, not all of the new crewmembers had Starfleet training like Chakotay (Robert Beltran) and Torres (Roxann Biggs-Dawson) , which is causing problems when they do repairs without authorization. So, here we are up to Episode 16 of the first season of "Star Trek: Voyager" and the time has come to get the new crewmembers up to speed. In "Learning Cure" (Written by Ronald Wilkerson & Jean Louise Matthias, Aired: May 22, 1995), Janeway orders Tuvok (Tim Russ) to train a group of recruits. The fact that Tuvok was once undercover with the Maquis is apparently forgotten, because in this episode the trainees hate him because he is doing the Vulcan drill sergeant routine. Meanwhile, the partially biological components of "Voyager" have become infected, and the Doctor (Robert Picardo) says they need to be cured before it spreads to the entire ship (this was one aspect of the set up for "Star Trek: Voyager" that was never really explored fully).

Of course, in the end the main plot and the sub plot will come together as we learn that the title of the episode applies not only to the former Maquis crewmembers but to the Vulcan Security Officer as well. The result is an average episode whose biggest appeal lies in seeing Tuvok perplexed by the failure of logic to solve all problems (those Vulcans can be stubbornly naïve at times) and the opposites attract idea of his developing friendship with Neelix (Ethan Phillips). It also constitutes one of the more significant developments in the Starfleet/Maquis division that was an undercurrent in Season 1 of "Star Trek: Voyager," reinforcing the idea that this crew is on its own out there in the Delta Quadrant.

Tuvok trains the Maquis
I enjoyed this episode for several reasons. First, because it really explored the difficulties experienced by the Maquis crew during their assimilation into the Voyager Starfleet crew. In this way, I felt that the whole premise of the show was made more realistic.

Next, I was happy to see some character development with regard to Tuvok. We had to wait until the last episode of season one to get it, but when we got it, it was some excellent work.

Finally, I felt that this episode settled once and for all the issue of Chakotay's allegiance to Captain Janeway and Starfleet. Indeed, one 3 minute segment of this episode served to speak volumes about Chakotay's commitment to the combined crew under the Starfleet emblem.

In short, I feel that this is "highly recommended" viewing for Voyager season one.

Voyager's Learning Curve
After the explosiveness and power of Star Trek: Voyager's debut, I thought following episodes would build on what "Caretaker" (the first episode) promised. But season one was rocky. Sure, it was a bit more solid than the first season of The Next Generation or season one of Deep Space Nine, but it was still tough to watch sometimes. This changed a bit toward the end of the first season with "Learning Curve".

I've always been fascinated by Voyager's premise of a lost starship which truly expounded on Star Trek's premise of "boldy going where no one has gone before". The Original Series never fulfilled that promise and neither did The Next Generation. While both seriess showed plenty of soldiering and diplomatic missions, their was relatively little REAL space exploration. In fact (I've actually checked the numbers on this), Deep Space Nine did more real space exploration than either of it's two predecessors. Voyager comes along and we get space exploration every episode. It's about time. But I digress.

The other fascinating part of Voyager is that this lost starship has a mixed crew of Starfleet and Maquis (outlaws). But up until "Learning Curve" we never are shown the difficulties the Maquis may encounter while serving on a Starflet vessel. Sure, we've seen Commander Chakotay and Lt. Torres in their struggles but both characters were in Starfleet at one time. The adjustment was easier for them than it was for their Maquis allies that never had served in Starfleet. And in this episode, we meet four Maquis that are having tremendous difficulty fitting in. Voyager's chief security/tactical officer, the Vulcan Tuvok, is assigned to train and help these former outlaws adapt to Starfleet life. It's difficult for him to understand their attitude and anger toward Starfleet and the Federation just as it is difficult for the Maquis to understand that order and discipline MUST be maintained in order for the ship to function effectively. In the end, after a few mistakes and mishaps, the Maquis learn and grow as they become better able to adapt to the new status quo and Tuvok learns and grows as a character. He realizes that there are more ways than one way to deal with any given situation.

"Learning Curve" is good and I enjoy viewing this episode time and time again.

voyager
I love Star Trek very much.Especially The Voyger series ... Read more

Amazon.com

A pivotal episode in the development of security chief Odo (ReneAuberjonois) as a complex and sympathetic character, "The Forsaken" follows itscentral theme--the isolation of outcasts--on parallel plot lines. One involvesOdo's comedic interplay with the aggressively amorous Lwaxana Troi (Trekveteran Majel Barrett, making the first of three DS9 appearances), andthe other focuses on O'Brien's challenge when an alien probe wreaks havoc on thestation's Cardassian computers. The exceptional teleplay (by Don Carlos Dunawayand series cocreator Michael Piller) handles Odo's intimate dilemma with goodhumor and touching emotion, allowing Auberjonois and Barrett to craft memorablescenes that broaden the horizons of their popular characters. As we learn moreabout them, DS9 continues to capitalize on its dramaticpotential. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Do not forsake me, Odo darling...
Oh dear, Nurse Chapel is back. Oops, I mean, it's Mrs. Roddenberry. Wait, no, she's the voice of the computer. Er, no, it's Lwaxana Troi. I think. Well, whomever Majel Barrett is playing this week, she's stuck in a broken-down elevator with poor Odo. And I tell you, my heart went out to the guy.

Rene Auberjonois gets to demonstrate how to act annoyed, baffled and horrified through his centimeters of thick make-up. Yes, Momma Troi is looking for love, and she thinks she's found it the variable form of the station's shape-shifter. And due to some mechanical problem threatening the ship, the two of them become trapped in very close quarters. It mostly turns out to be as silly as it sounds, but it's thankfully quite entertaining. As the episode goes on, we actually learn a little bit of what makes Odo tick. Auberjonois moves from an entertainingly over-the-top, eye-rolling performance into something much more subtle and interesting. The storyline itself similarly moves from amusing to sweet.

The rest of the episode deals with the Deep Space Nine crew trying to overcome some strange occurrences taking place in the station's subsystems. It's fairly tame science-fiction stuff, but it's engaging enough. The Odo subplot is the reason to watch this story.

Lwaxana Troi and Constable Odo trapped in a turbolift
"The Forsaken" is the first really great episode of Deep Space Nine. Lwaxana Troi is visiting DS9 and immediately becomes enamored with Odo, much to the Constable's chagrin. Meanwhile, the station's computer receives a download from an unidentified probe from the wormhole. The computer is actually working beter for a while before systems start failing all over the station, one of which results in Lwaxana and Odo being trapped in a turbolift. Lwaxana thinks this is a great opportunity to know the Constable better, but Odo has a problem: it is almost time for him to revert to liquid form to regenerate.

All of the scenes between Majel Barrett and Rene Auberjonois in this episode are priceless. What is surprising is that while they start off as classic Trek comedy shtick as Lwaxana hits on Odo, they end up being quite touching, as Odo becomes upset that someone will see him during the very personal and private time of regeneration. Although the character of Lwaxana Troi was created as comic relief on Star Trek: The Next Generation, there were a few episodes that touched upon the more serious side of the character and "The Forsaken" is right up there with those efforts. Fans of Major Kira will note that this is the episode where she starts wearing her catsuit, but the chief charm of this DS9 episode is for those who are fans of Lwaxana and/or Odo.

Great All-Around Episode
A befuddled Basir, a hounded Odo, and Luxanna Troi is in the mood for LOVE!!!! A great episode that will have you laughing non-stop! Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Quark's mom is still wearing clothes and causing trouble
The Jem'Haddar have come through the worm hole in force and the Dominion has forged an alliance with the Cardassians, so it is time once again for another comic relief episode involving Quark, his mother, and those wacky Ferengi. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 118, "Ferengi Love Songs" (Written by Ira Steven Behr & Hans Beimler, Aired April 21, 1997) finds Quark (Armin Shimerman) so depressed over being blacklisted by the Ferengi Commerce Authority, that he goes home to get some love and sympathy from his mother, Ishka (Cecily Adams, taking over for Andrea Martin). But mom is not happy to see Quark and when he finds the Grand Nagus hiding in the closet of his old bedroom, he learns the shocking truth: Ishka and Zek are having an affair. Zek wants Quark to keep the affair secret, and Quark quickly agrees seeing an opportunity to get his license back.

However, the opportunity actually comes form the FCA, who want him to break up the romance. The bad news is that Quark succeeds, at which point he learns something even more surprising about dear old Mom, which is really the entire point of this episode. But if you do not see the punch line of this one coming from early on then you simply have not been paying attention to the continuing story of Ishka. I mean, the woman is wearing clothes; how much more of a clue do you need? With this comic little contrivance I realize how far the Ferengi have come from the when we first met them on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and they were these mysterious aliens with big ears and whips. Even with the Rules of Acquisition I find it hard to believe the Ferengi ever manage to turn a profit. Of course, there is some fun to be had making up lyrics to a song to go along with the title (using the music of Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs," of course).

A Ferengi episode!
Quark is upset, earlier he lost his trading licence which prohibits him from doing business with other Ferengi, something he misses. So he decides to head back to Ferenginar to cheer himself up, something I don't know why he does as he hates his mother. Any way, in a quick visit it is revealed that Quark's mother is dating Grand Master Zek!

Brunt arrives shortly after, the guy everyone loves-to-hate who will really start to grow on you in this episode, he offeres Quark a deal: split up the happy couple and he can have his licence back. Quark does but then the whole Ferengi economy begins to fall apart, Quark realises that his mother is the one who has 'the lobes for business' and that she is the one person that is keeping the economy going and that if she dates Zek again her influence on him will make everything all right - again.

But getting the couple to date again may be harder then he thought. A mediocre episode that would be a lot better if Zek had more scenes - that guy is hilarious! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The "Beast" emerges!
When Vincent's old friend returns with a vengence he gets caught up in an investigation pursued by Catherine. Despite Vincent's warning, Catherine continues the risky case only to be shot by Vincent's enemy. This results in a harsh Vincent, but a sweet ending. Best Quote: "If you die, so do I."

"A Life Without You Would be Unbearable"
So says Vincent to Catherine as he frets over her safety after she takes on a case that involves organized crime. The episode has some virtues. There are some nice moments between Vincent and Catherine, and the villain is a little more interesting than most, owing to the fact that he has boyhood ties to Vincent. But it is not one of the more plausible episodes. In one particularly ludicrous moment, Vincent abandons a bleeding and unconscious Catherine (who has been shot!) on the steps outside a hospital so he can pursue vengeance on those who shot her. Wouldn't the top priority be getting medical care for Catherine? I would think that getting her medical attention would be more important than concealing his identity, even, if it came to that. How long might she lie out there unattended? Of course (as luck would have it!) a medical person saunters out of the hospital right after Vincent leaves and immediately takes responsibility for the situation.

In 1998 I conducted a poll among Beauty and the Beast fans asking them to rate the 44 episodes of the first two seasons on a 1-to-10 scale. 31 fans participated. "The Beast Within" finished 38th out of the 44 episodes.

I placed "The Beast Within" 38th in my own personal 1-through-44 rank-ordering of the episodes.

Great! Catherine investigates a most dangerous case!!!
Catherine investigates a dangerous case, and Vincent is apprehensive of her doing this task because he knows what dangers might lie ahead for Catherine. This video will definitely keep you on your toes for one action packed hour of suspense. Enjoy! I loved the movie/episode, a must for any LH fan or B&B fan! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One of the entertaining, nonpreachy episodes
It had more humor in it than normally found in a TNG episode: for example, the Ferengis that are brought aboard make total fools out of themselves with lines like "Peace is good for trade!...unless you're an arms merchant." But the best part of the ep is how Kamala keeps shifting her personality for every man she runs into: when she enters Ten-Forward, she turns blue-collar when she meets some miners the Enterprise is transporting, then starts purring/growling seductively at Worf on her way out. An interesting piece of trivia regarding this ep is that Famke Janssen was the original consideree for the role of Jadzia Dax on DS9, and her character makeup of freckles down the sides of her head would later be used for the Trill species.

Jean-Luc Picard caught between love and duty
"The Perfect Mate" is the first of the two classic "Picard in Love" episodes from STNG, with an unforgettable conclusion that drives home once and for all the idea that Picard's choice of a career, as fulfilling as it might be, still speaks to some significant voids in the man's life. The Enterprise is serving as the host to a peace conference between the planets of Krios and Valt Minor. The ship rescues a pair of Ferengi from an exploding struggle and the next thing we now the two are in a cargo bay checking out a large object brought on board by the Kriosian Ambassador. A security team arrives and startles the Ferengi, who accidentally open the object from which emerges a beautiful woman named Kamala (Famke Janssen). She is a empathic metamorph, who will bond with a man and become his perfect mate, and she is a gift for the leader of Valt Minor, Chancellor Alrik. Of course the Ferengi she an opportunity for big profit and try to bribe the Ambassador, who is wounded during the, uh, negotiations. This forces Picard to take over the Ambassador's duties of instruction Kamala on her new home. Unfortunately, the reason Kamala was encased in the giant egg is that once she emerges she is ready to bond.

"The Perfect Mate" has its fair share of contrivances to create this unique situation, but that does not lessen the impact of the final scenes. Of course it is inevitable that Kamala will bond with Picard; after all, he is the only man she has any contact with after emerging from the giant egg. The ultimate irony is that in becoming Picard's perfect mate she is imprinted with his sense of duty, which is so strong that he will stand by and watch the woman he has come to love be married to a total stranger. This is a scene that reaffirms my belief that the really great actors can do as much with the look on their faces as they can with dialogue. Compare it to the similar scene in the other "Picard in Love" episode, "Lessons" (Episode 145). No wonder TV Guide picked Patrick Stewart as the television actor of the 1990s.

Great character development for Picard
This story lets viewers see an emotional side of the captain that hadn't previously been explored. The relationship between Picard and the metamorph was well-developed, and this episode contains some fine acting. We see the kind of woman Captain Picard likes, and how much he really needs her. Their parting is heart-wrenching for both, and I really felt for them. The main flaw I have with the episode is the ferengi, who should not have been trusted to roam the ship unescorted. The metamorph should have been accidentally released in some other way than by the meddling ferengi, whom the crew should not have allowed to be there in the first place.

Command is Sacrafice
Not a lot of action, but it shows a side of Picard's character that makes him the Captain he is. A metamorph, a being with the ability to become whatever she needs to be to please her mate, has found Picard of interest to her. He resist, but since she reflects his interest and desire so perfectly, finds her irresistable. But she is to wed the leader of another planet to end decades of war.

Her final words to him before becoming another man's wife, the stoney expression on Picard's face as he gives her to that man as part of his duty....You have to watch this one for yourself. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Tuvok has flashbacks to being on Sulu's "Excelsior"
"Star Trek: Voyager," Episode 45, "Flashback" (Teleplay by Brannon Braga, Aired September 11, 1996) commemorates the 25th anniversary of the first episode of the original "Star Trek" by bringing back a trio of familiar faces: George Takei as Hikaru Sulu, Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Rand, and Michael Ansara as Kang. The episode begins with "Voyager" exploring a nebula rich in sirillium. Tuvok (Tim Russ) is suddenly plagued by flashbacks of when he was a boy, trying to rescue a girl who is falling from a cliff. The Doctor (Robert Picardo) suspects a repressed memory, which is apparently a very bad thing for a Vulcan, as illogical as that might seem. The required treatment is a mind-meld, but without another Vulcan on board Tuvok has to turn to the person he trusts the most: Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew).

The mind-meld takes Tuvok and Janeway back 80 years to his first assignment, on the U.S.S. "Excelsior," commanded by Captain Sulu, who is disobeying Starfleet orders to try and rescue Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy from a Klingon prison planet (the events are those from the film, "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"). The "Excelsior" passes through a nebula (rich in sirillium) and this time Tuvok not only remembers the girl falling, he goes into convulsions. Apparently something happened when Tuvok's ship was attacked by Klingons during its attempted rescue mission, and it is up to Janeway and the Doctor to figure out what it was and why it continues to affect Tuvok.

Sulu ends up with a glorified cameo in the episode, which is actually a bit disappointing because it really would have nice to see him on his own, mentoring the young Tuvok. I even found myself wishing the backstory had nothing to do with "Star Trek VI" or any other movie. The payoff for Tuvok's repressed memory is okay; it certainly is unexpected and more than makes the requisite amount of sense, but of course you want them to come up with something really special for Sulu's appearance and in that regard "Flashback" falls short. However, I have no doubt that somebody will write a nice "Star Trek" novel regarding Sulu and his young Vulcan officer at some point (if that has not happened already).

Back to Star Trek VI: the Undiscovered Country.
Synopsis:

Tuvok experiences a repressed memory that's linked to his first Starfleet assignment on the U.S.S. Excelsior under the command of the renowned Captain Sulu.

As the U.S.S. Voyager approaches a nebula rich in sirillium, Tuvok is plagued by flashbacks of himself as a boy, trying to rescue a girl who's falling from a cliff. The Doctor suspects Tuvok is experiencing a repressed memory, which can cause permanent brain damage in a Vulcan. Vulcan healing techniques call for the patient to mind-meld with someone he trusts, so that together, the two can bring the memory into the Vulcan's conscious mind. Because of their long-standing friendship, Janeway agrees to meld with Tuvok.

The meld takes Tuvok and Janeway back 80 years to the Vulcan's first assignment on the starship U.S.S. Excelsior, commanded by Hikaru Sulu. Sulu served under the legendary Captain James T. Kirk for many years, so his crew isn't surprised when he disobeys Starfleet orders to try and help Kirk and another old shipmate, Doctor McCoy, who are being held for the murder of the Klingon Chancellor. On the way, the Excelsior passes through a nebula that is similar to the one Voyager spotted prior to Tuvok's first flashback. Once again, Tuvok experiences the memory of the little girl falling, but this time he goes into convulsions.

On Voyager, the Doctor revives Tuvok, and Janeway wonders what the little girl had to do with this period on the U.S.S. Excelsior. All Tuvok can recall is that the Klingons ambushed the starship in the nebula, forcing Sulu to abort the rescue mission.

Reforming the mind-meld, Tuvok relives the Klingon attack. He recalls that during the battle, he aided an injured crewman named Valtane, who died in Tuvok's arms. As he goes through this again, the Doctor notices that the Vulcan is again experiencing erratic brain patterns. Unable to break the mind-meld between Tuvok and Janeway, the Doctor exposes Tuvok's brain to bursts of thoron radiation and in doing so, inadvertently discovers the truth. When Valtane died, a strange alien virus that he'd been carrying in his brain migrated to Tuvok's brain, camouflaging itself as a repressed memory. The Doctor increases the intensity of the radiation and is at last able to destroy the peculiar virus, leaving the mind of Tuvok healthy and Janeway nostalgic for the "old days" of the 23rd century when space was still a wild frontier.

Sulu, Rand, and Excelsior. Need I Say more?
Under the influence of a virus masqurading as a memory engram, Tuvok recalls his days on the Excelsior under Capt. Sulu. A beautiful companion to The Undiscovered Country. Fans of Sulu will love this one.

Would have rated 5 stars if it were not for the contrivance of Tuvok's illness. I would have rather seen it done as a straight story about Tuvok's role on the Excelsior.

connections and old times
i chanced upon this episode by accident and it was one of thebest i have seen in the voyager series.in this episode tuvok due tothe influence of a strange girl has flashbacks to the time of startrek 6 and an abortive attempt to rescue kirk from the klingons afterhe was framed for the murder of chanceller gorkon.the episodefaithfully recreates the scenes on the excelsiors bridge and givesmore time and breadth to captain sulu command of this impressive newvessal.the special effects are excellent in the encounter with theklingon d7 long necked battle cruisers and the firing of the originalphoton torpedos as in star trek i with the very long shafts of lightemanating from them as they are fired at the excelsior.this is anepisode which shows you how a new series based on captain suluscommand of the excelsior could have been but sadly the top brss atparamount failed to make into what could have been a a great new miniseries.

Memories gettin' you down?
Tuvok experiences memories from his childhood, but has no recollection of experiencing them. He and Janeway Meld to try and figure things out. Things get a little confusing in there, but in the process the events leading up to Star Trek VI are revealed and Sulu takes command again. A great episode for any fan. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Picard receives a secret transmission from an old friend, StarfleetCaptain Walker Keel (Jonathan Farwell), he agrees to attend a secret meeting onan uninhabited planet, even though it means breaking several Starfleet regulations and jeopardizing his career. Keel and a couple of other highly respected captains have gathered because Keel has begun to notice some bizarre orders emanating from Starfleet and suspects a growing conspiracy. Back on the Enterprise, Picard is skeptical, but Data helps confirm some of the strange orders. Picard sets up a meeting with Admiral Quinn (Ward Costello) to check it out. Admiral Quinn had previously boarded the Enterprise in episode 19 ("Coming of Age") in order to investigate the competency of Picard in the face of an unstated conspiracy, but now he seems like a differentman. Though the writing is a bit forced, it's nice to see the show working onlong-form, continuing story lines. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Invasion of the mind snatching beetle-like monster bugs
Previously on Star Trek: The Next Generation (Episode 19, "Coming of Age" to be exact), Admiral Quinn confided to Captain Picard that there was some sort of internal threat to the Federation. Needing officers he can trust in position of authority, Quinn wanted to promote Picard to Admiral and make him head of Starfleet Academy. Picard turned down the extraordinary offer, but in "Conspiracy" we find out what Quinn's bizarre ramblings were all about.

Well, boys and girls, this was not worth waiting for. An old friend warns Picard about an insidious plot to overthrow Starfleet, which the captain dismisses until his friend's ship blows up. Picard then has Data analyze recent command decisions by Starfleet, which show a covert attempt to control key sectors of the Federation. A concerned Picard heads for earth and a meeting with several admirals at Starfleet headquarters while Admiral Quinn visits the Enterprise and beats up Riker, Worf and La Forge before Dr. Crusher takes him out. It seems these beetle-like creatures have attached themselves to the base of Quinn's brain and are controlling him. Who knows how many more of these evil creatures are out there! They must be stopped, I tell you, stopped! Or else the entire Federation is doomed!

Yeah, right.

The original Star Trek had to deal with its share of bug-eyed monsters and in "Conspiracy" we get monster bugs. For me this is a pretty laughable episode and certainly the low point of the first season. Having set up this idea several weeks earlier (which was a nice touch) it is someone disheartening to see the true situation revealed and then this massive conspiracy dealt with so neatly by the end of this episode. I guess it was not that much of a conspiracy after all and I am sure there are plenty more admirals to replace all those lost in this episode's culminating blood bath. Fortunately, the producers will get the dire alien threat to the entire Federation right when they bring in the Borg. But this dry run for what will be the Next Generation's most powerful story line is pretty lame.

They blew up the wrong head...
Ah, 'Conspiracy', AKA the episode with the exploding head. I'm sure some were shocked by this moment, and others downright disgusted. Me, I was disappointed-- I wanted the head that exploded to be Wesley Crusher's! Man, do ya know how funny that would've been? I'd've literally died laughing, just like those poor people in that Monty Python 'Funniest Joke in the World' sketch (oh great-as if a review of a Star Trek eppie wasn't geeky enough, now I'm dragging a reference to Monty Python into the mix! Sheesh, talk about bein' a total loser...)! Heck, I'm chucklin' just thinkin' 'bout it REALLY should've unfolded:

PICARD: "Wesley? YOU'RE the host of the Mother Parasite?!"

WESLEY: "Well, gee, Captain Picard, I didn't want to be... but all they want is to coexist--" KABLOOEY!!!

RIKER: "Great shot, sir!"

PICARD: "Serves him right for making my highly-experienced and extensively-trained engineering officers look like a bunch of idiots every time he'd single-handedly save the ship!"

RIKER: "Well, it sure doesn't look like he has the brains for that NOW, does he, sir?"

PICARD: "Good one... Number One!"

PICARD & RIKER (in unison): "AHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAA!!!"

'Late

The time Star Trek got an idea from "Alien".
This was one of the best first season TNG episodes. It was something quite unique and different in the Star cannon: a gory, terrifying descent into madness by way of bug eating, back stabbing (figuratively and literally), and true conspiracy theories. The video cover picture on Conspiracy of Riker pretty much sums the episode up. Well, of course, so does the infamous exploding head scene. Is there any other Star Trek episode that you can say that about?

Exceptional television storytelling...
This is a controversial episode among Trekkies, but I absolutely love every minute of it. The conspiracy hinted at in the episode "Coming of Age" finally comes full circle and Picard must now go back to Earth to confront the heads of Starfleet. What ensues is a TNG episode like none other! Lots of action, creepy stuff, and some pretty ooky special effects. This is a very dark episode, however, and the ending isn't quite the cheery resolution Trekkies are generally used to. But that's why I like it. It takes new risks and does new things with Star Trek that hadn't really been done before. It's one of my favorite episodes.

A Disappointment
This episode starts out promising with the story of a conspiracy that reaches up into the highest eschelons of the Federation, and Captain Picard's mission to investigate.

As the plot unfolds, we find that the Federation is being usurped by wormlike parasites that take over high ranking officials, and it is here that the disappointment sets in. As usual the Federation is still portrayed as a utopian organization, and the first episode to hint at a dystopian future fizzles because the humans are essentially blameless, so once again the Federation is uncompromised by human fear or greed.

Contrast this episode with "Ensign Ro" where Picard will match wits with a rogue Admiral who is acting against Federation policy. That was a much better episode that explored similiar themes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Enterprise is summoned to San Francisco, where excavations deep beneath the former Presidio seem to indicate an alien presence in Earth's past. Captain Picard and Data are shown artifacts dating back to the late 1800s: a pair of spectacles, a Colt 45, a watch--and Data's disembodied head! They take the artifacts back to the Enterprise for further study, and Data comes to the conclusion that sometime in the future, he will travel back to the 19th century and die. His friends among the crew are deeply shaken, especially Will Riker. However, Data is comforted by the idea of his mortality. He tells Geordi that he had always believed that as an android, he would outlive friendship after friendship, but knowing that he will die brings him one step closer to humanity.

"Time's Arrow, Part I" is imaginative and very well written. Brent Spiner and Whoopie Goldberg absolutely shine. In true IDIC fashion, old San Francisco is blind to their obvious "otherness." Historical characters Samuel Clemens and Jack London weave seamlessly into the plot; and Cardassian Marc Alaimo appears as a human for once. Borg aside, this episode introduces the most effective and frightening alien race of the series. Cool things to watch for: old Los Angeles, "Mr. Pickerd," and the ophidian, a totable species. --Kayla Riggney ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Time travel rocks!
The Enterprise is called back to Earth and Picard and Data are summoned to the planet's surface in San Francisco. During an archeological dig, 24th century scientists uncover some interesting artifacts - eye glasses, a spyglass (old telescope), a gold pocket watch with the initials S.L.C. enscribed and most sensational of all, Data's head. You read right - a 500-year-old head - Data's head is there. At some point in the future, Data will be sent back to the past where he will be killed and his head will slowly decay, awaiting discovery for 500 years. Data determines that it is indeed his own head, not the head of his brother, Lore, due to the type-L phase discriminator. (A birthmark for androids?)

Before the dig, scientists were trying to scan the old mining shaft, only to have their readings bounce back due to triolic energy - a type of energy source used by few species due to it's deleterious effects on organic matter (you'll melt your eye out, kid) over long exposure. This indicates that there was an alien presence on earth in the 19th Century. But who? And why?

Geordi finds something odd in his scans of the cave - a microscopic fossil that probably hitched a ride on the aliens just like dust or dandruff. The fossil is only known to exist on one planet, Davidia II. Why on earth so many planets have numeric designations in Star Trek land is beyond me. Davidia was so cool of a planet name, they had to have 2 or more. Geesh!

Anyway, they go to Davidia II and with a phase compensator they are able to phase into the alien's domain and lo and behold, Data ends up going back to the 19th Century. This cliffhanger in this 2-part episode is awesome and Part 2 does not disappoint. This is right on up there with my favorite episodes. Highly recommended.

Data catches Guinan with Mark Twain in the 19th-Century
"Time's Arrow" is the cliffhanger from STNG's Fifth Season. The Enterprise has returned to Earth where Captain Picard is shown an archeological dig in San Francisco that has uncovered many late 19th-Century artifacts, including Data's head. The scientists have also found evidence of an unknown energy source. Fortunately there is a fossil from Devidia Two, which leads the Enterprise to that planet where Data discovers a small temporal distortion. The away team can see nothing because of the phase differential. When Data attempts to compensate for the difference, he is caught in a temporal rift and sent back to 19th-Century Earth. Data survives by winning enough money at poker to get a room at a fancy hotel, where he discovers a literary reception being held in honor of Guinan. Data explains his situation to her; the good news is that she believes him--the bad news is that Data's story is overheard by Samuel Clemens. Meanwhile, back in the future, Guinan tells Picard it is very important that he go on this away mission. The away team discovers that there are strange beings who are capturing the life forces of humans for food. When a couple of the beings are transported to the past, Picard and most of the bridge crew follow them. To be continued...

If Jim Kirk can deal with an alien recreation of Abraham Lincoln, then I guess Jean-Luc Picard can meet up with the real Mark Twain. It is hard to be impressed by time travel episodes in the Star Trek universe, since "The City on the Edge of Forever" is the standard by which all such efforts are ultimately judged. The scenes with Data adapting to live in the past are a hoot and the strange beings are ominous enough to counter the cynical witticism of Mark Twain, marvelously played by Jerry Hardin. "Time's Arrow" is probably the least enthralling of the cliffhangers STNG ever had, but it is still an above average episode.

Episode 126, Warning!
This episode was excellent as are so many Next Generation episodes. The only problem with it is that there is no indication on the cover that this is a 2 part episode. I ordered it, watched it and was dismayed to realize I have to go back and order 127 now.

I loved seeing Guinan as she was 500 years before. Jerry Hardin did an excellent job as Mark Twain. I can't wait to see the rest of it!

Times Arrow Part 1.
The episode Times Arrow was a very interesting story. It is yet another of those Star Trek time paradoxes. The story is quite interesting and somewhat believable, however Commander Data does not seem to take any of the Star Fleet precautions to prevent polluting of the time line. Whoopi Goldberg has an interesting role as an intellectual woman of stature in 19th century Earth.

I was disappointed that this episode was a two parter and it was not indicated on the jacket or in the description. You will need episode 127 which is the second part to complete the story. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tongiht on the Dukes................Law and Disorder!
Deputy Dukes
Original Airdate: April 13, 1979.
For has long has there has been a Duke in Hazzard County, there has been the belief that some county peace officers would be over their heads if they stood in a puddle. In Hazzard County, out-witting the sheriff is a game that is as popular as baseball and football combined, and the Dukes are the reigning champions of that sport. So how are Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) going to tell Uncle Jesse (Denver Pyle) that they've become deputy sheriffs?

In this classic episode, the county's not-so-finest are assigned a risky prisoner transfer, they look for some patsies to take on the job of transporting a man so dangerous that he's Public Enemy #1 (through 10!). They don't have to look far. Bo and LLuke are cooling their heels in the county cell and are steamrolled into the dangerous job. Will the survive? Find out by ordering this piece of television history.

I thought that it is the best show in the world
My review of the movie was that I though it was an excellent movie and I would watch it over many, many times and I would never get bored of it. I watch The Dukes of Hazard everyday, so I guess you can say that I have seen every show. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Holodeck madness! After passing through a magnetoscopic storm, the Enterprise starts exhibiting bizarre malfunctions, largely centered on the holodeck. When Data and La Forge investigate, they discover that the ship seems to be developing the first nodes of its own neural pathways--and protecting them. The crew becomes nervous as the Enterprise's systems begin not only working together, but working independently of human commands. This is an excellent, richly plotted episode, perfectly blending suspense, whimsy, and good old-fashioned Starfleet problem solving. The holodeck's incarnations of the ship's systems are interesting in concept and appropriately menacing, and the crew gets to mull over an interesting tacit question: If the Enterprise develops intelligence, does that make them parasites? As an added touch of class, Brent Spiner gets to show off his classical chops when Data performs Prospero's big monologue from The Tempest--managing, of course, to both foreshadow and comment on the episode's themes as he does. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great effects do not a great Trek make!
Yeah, the visuals are stunning, the costuming is, forgive the pun, "fitting", but this has to be the dumbest ST: NG episode, next to "The Royale" and "Devil's Due".

Great TNG Episode
This was one of my favourite Star Trek episodes, from the teaser scene before the opening credits to the strange world created by the holodeck. I always liked the TNG episodes that were mysterious and dream-like. Since "Emergence" calls for the crew to interpret images in the episode it also calls to mind the first part of "Birthright" when Data started dreaming. Overall, this is a great episode, and one of last TNG episodes to air.

Scattered nodes on the Orient Express
"Emergence" begins with a wonderful scene on the holodeck where Data is doing a scene from Shakespeare's "The Tempest" for Picard. Then the "Orient Express" almost runs over them right before the Enterprise suddenly jumps to warp speed. A quick investigation discovers strange nodes scattered all over the ship, apparently the result of a recent magnascopic storm (you know how tricky those things can be). The nodes continue to spread over the Enterprise, taking over vital operations. Meanwhile, the crew keeps visiting the "Orient Express" on the holodeck, trying to unravel the puzzling clues.

"Emergence" is one of the last in a long line of mysteries that has to be solved by the Enterprise crew before the ship is destroyed/absorbed/changed with yet another dangerous holodeck malfunction thrown in for fun. In retrospect I get the feeling they were so busy putting all their energy into the final episode of STNG that they let a few episodes slip through the cracks. This is a below average episode with nothing special to recommend it after the opening scene, to be owned only by those driven for a need to have a complete collection.

Good Visuals...
I recieved this video as a Christmas present, and I thought it was one of the better ones I had seen. It involves a lot of mind twisting tricks. I suggest you buy it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This underrated, early episode of The Next Generation presents one of the most interesting ethical problems ever faced by Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart). A plague on Styris IV sends the Enterprise in search of an organic vaccine on Ligon II. Delicate diplomacy with Ligon's skeptical chief, Lutan (Jessie Lawrence Ferguson), breaks down when Lutan kidnaps Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) in keeping with his cultural traditions regarding the selection of wives. Picard is confronted with following the Prime Directive, which means accepting Ligon's subjective notion of civilized behavior and putting Tasha in real danger. The Next Generation often concerned itself with highly original moral quandaries where other species are concerned. But there is a uniquely human face to the situation in "Code of Honor," perhaps owing somewhat to the fact that Ligon's feudal society is entirely black. Ironically, it's that last point that embarrasses some of TNG's creative types, as if the episode serves up stereotypes. But in the best Star Trek tradition, the opposite is true: the show works because it resonates with real-world issues about resisting exploitation, about the occasional difficulties of respecting the integrity of other places, other people.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

great for trivia buffs
Star Trek - The Next Generation came a long way after its first season and episode 4 wasn't one of their shining stars, either.

The main plot - the Enterprise is en route to what Picard cites as a Federation planet, Ligon II. Are there that many planets with life on them that people had to start using the same names over and over again? Hmmph. Anyway, they are on a diplomatic mission to retrieve a medicinal compound that cures a deadly virus that is plaguing Styris IV... another planet starved for its own proper name.

Even though Ligon II is a member of the Federation, the Enterprise crew is unaware that part of their strict code of honor, the planet chieftan, Lutan, must take a suitable mate by kidnapping her. He finds Tasha Yar to be appealing and believes she will make an excellent replacement for his current wife.

Picard and Dr. Crusher duel it out in a war of words over the need for the medicine ("Millions are suffering and dying, Captain!") versus the Prime Directive which will not allow them to take both Tasha AND the medicine by force, so they succomb to the chief's will by allowing Tasha and his current wife to partake in a wet t-shirt contest to the death.

In the ultimate futuristic cat fight, Tasha and her opponent swing around like monkeys in a glowing jungle gym, armed with a needle-embedded claw with poison tips. A single nick means instant death.

During one scene, Troi refers to Riker as Bill, not Will and in another scene, Data uses the contraction "you're" instead of "you are." The closed captioning on the episode says "you are" but Data clearly uses the contraction when saying "you're welcome, sir."

Supposedly, one of the many human traits that Data aspires to, including being able to properly whistle is to figure out why he can't use contractions. In a later episode, "Datalore," the crew is able to tell the difference between Data and Lore because Lore slips and uses a contraction.

There are many little nuggets for the pointy-eared Trek trivia buff, but as entertaining episodes go, this one could have been a lot better.

One of the best early episodes
This was the second episode of TNG that I saw and it restored my faith in the quality of the Star Trek phenomena. An ancient culture consisting entirely of black people heavily bound by a proud tradition possess a vaccine that can check the spread of an extremely deadly epidemic. The Enterprise is sent to retrieve the vaccine and in an action of honor, the leader of the culture kidnaps Lieutenant Yar and expects Captain Picard to perform the appropriate ceremonies in order to have her returned. The events do not go as planned and Yar ends up in a duel to the death with the wife of the leader. Since the black culture is technically inferior, Picard could easily take whatever he wanted without serious opposition.
The ethical bounds imposed by the prime directive severely restrict Picard's actions, although their solution is not original. They borrow a solution from the "Amok Time" episode of the original series, portions of which you can see throughout this episode. However, it is not a remake of "Amok Time", as the storyline is focused on the clash of cultures, neither of which has a monopoly on ethics and civilization. Some of my favorite episodes in all of the Star Trek series involve Star Fleet personnel encountering new cultures, as they require an adaptability that few other situations require.
This episode is an example of Star Trek at its' best, breaking new ground in that the new culture is one composed of blacks, and there are references to Earth cultures that were similar. Only Star Trek ever seemed to treat all types of people as equals, and the allusions to what Europeans did to technically inferior African cultures is obvious.

"Your skill impresses me. I like you."
Episode three of Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season is first-hand evidence that the new series still was a long way away from developing complex and involving storylines. "Code of Honor" is nothing more that a spruced-up cat-fight episode that adds little to the Star Trek mythos.

The Enterprise-D travels to Ligon II to secure a vaccine needed by the inhabitants of Styris IV. Upon seeing Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby), the Ligonian leader becomes infatuated with the security officer and kidnaps her. In order to free her, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) must let Yar battle her kidnapper's wife. Using a little trickery, Picard and Yar succeed in maintaining the strict Ligonian code of honor while also obtaining the valuable vaccine.

"Code of Honor" deserves some credit for showcasing the feisty Yar. Never had such an empowered female character been seen as a regular Star Trek cast member. However, growing pains were still in evidence. Characterizations are still shallow as the Ligonians are developed in only the most rudimentary manner. They exist merely to drive the events of the story. The Enterprise's crew fares little better as the primary characters still find themselves overanalyzing whatever predicament they find themselves in. Meaningful action sequences that both excite the viewer and compliment the honorable ideals of the series are still absent. "Code of Honor" ultimately winds up as just another pedestrian episode on the series' scorecard.

Just "OK"
The Enterprise is on a routine mission to the planet of Ligon II. The people of Styris IV are desperate for the rare vaccine that the people of Ligon possess. Despite initially appearing to be friendly, it is not long before the delegation member Lutan kidnaps Tasha Yar during a diplomatic meeting and demands her as his "First One". Not surprising, the woman who currently occupies that position is not best pleased and immediately challenges Tasha to a fight to the death. What ensues is a battle around a space-age climbing frame where the weapons are spiked gloves with poisoned barbs and Tasha must win to secure both her own life and the vaccine...

This was a fairly average, unspectacular episode. The fight scene alone was quite humorous and any episode that features Tasha Yar is a great as far as I'm concerned (I still haven't come to terms with the fact that they killed off my favourite character so early. Yesterday's Enterprise was no consolation!), but I still feel as if the writers went far out of their way in trying to present TNG as being set in a politically correct era where women and men were equals. Overall, Code of Honor is like most of the first two Next Generation seasons: OK, average and more for collectors than fans looking for the best of Star Trek.

~Jenna Ryan~

This one should be called, "No Tasha Yar. No Vaccine!"
"No Tasha Yar. No Vaccine!"

Spoiler Alert!:

In this episode a retro 1940s type of tribal leader falls for Tasha Yar. He also holds a vaccine that will cure millions of sick and dying. He kidnaps Tasha to claim her as her wife. His former "First One",or wife is set to fight Yar to the death to get back her husband. In this culture women rule the men. Just like Gene Roddenberry's failed 70's pilot "Genesis 2." Although the concept is a little dated; it proved to be an exciting episode. The fight between Yar and the "First One" was worth buying the video. There are lots of parallels between the fight scenes in this Next Generation episode and the "Amok Time" one in the original. Both have primative rituals for choosing a mate. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"The Survivors" is a third-season episode that truly echoes the kind of sci-fi mystery that made the original series so memorable. When the Enterprise responds to a distress call on the planet Rana IV, the crew finds that the entire planet has been devastated, with the only remaining structure being a single house on a lovely, landscaped yard. The occupants are an elderly couple, Kevin and Rishon (John Anderson and Anne Haney), who cannot explain why they were unharmed. Picard is suspicious, more so because empath Deanna Troi is unable to read the couple's emotions--and, in fact, finds herself driven nearly mad by music in her head that keeps getting louder. Before Picard can do anything, however, the same alien vessel that attacked the planet suddenly appears and focuses its wrath on the Enterprise. In the ensuing cat-and-mouse game, the secrets of the seemingly innocent and aged couple gradually come unraveled, as Picard searches for an answer to the question. Cannily written by Michael Wagner and directed by Les Landau, this is the kind of story that suddenly veers in the direction you least expect, powered by a subtle performance by Patrick Stewart and a stalwart one by veteran character actor John Anderson, one of those actors whose name may not be familiar but whose face is instantly recognizable. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not likely to Make the Top Ten List....
But "The Survivors" is a beautifully acted tale with a dignified and compassionate performance from veteran character actor John Anderson. His "revelation" to Captain Picard at the installment's ending moments is stunning, bringing to the surface all the years of toiling as a "heavy" in so many films and television shows. It is this rare occasion when the actor showed that he could portray a sympathetic character whose actions are based solely on love and loneliness.

Picard has to solve the Case of the Elderly Uxbridges
Responding to a distress call from a colony on Rana Four, the Enterprise discovers that everyone on the planet is dead except for an elderly couple, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge. The Uxbridges have no explanation for the attack, but in the grand tradition of colonists everywhere they refuse to leave their home. But this is not the only mystery. An alien warship suddenly appears, fires on the Enterprise and then runs away. The warship then returns with better weaponry, this time forcing the Enterprise to retreat. Figuring out that the two mysteries are somehow related, Picard tells the Uxbridges that the Enterprise will remain in orbit to protect them. Again the alien warship appears, but this time it destroys the Uxbridges and their home. However, when Picard monitors the site from orbit, the house and the old couple reappear. Picard is coming closer and closer to the truth.

A simple episode with a rather interesting mystery, "The Survivors" is a different sort of love story. It is also one of the better mysteries to confront Picard outside of a holodeck Dixon Hill adventure. This is not one of those mysteries you are going to figure out from the clues, but when all the pieces are put together you will admire the completed puzzle. "The Survivors" is also about responsibility and justice on a more than human scale. One thing I have always appreciated about Star Trek: The Next Generation is that the show was not afraid to confront things bigger than ourselves. Ultimately, the progress of humanity in the Star Trek universe is judged not only by how Picard et al. deal with the "lesser" lifeforms but how they respond to the "greater" powers as well.

Survivors
In this episode, the Enterprise responds to a distress signal to discover a colony that's been wiped out. A closer scan reveals a small patch of land that has not been destroyed with two survivors. Attempts to evacuate the survivors meets with another attack from the aliens.

For it's time, the battle between the alien vessel and the Enterprise was pretty darn cool. In addition learning about this retired couple who survived the attack kept me interested through out the episode. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The lives of 8,000 colonists, and the ultimate fate of Kira Nerys, hang in the balance in this exceptional fifth-season episode of DS9. The trouble begins when the Defiant investigates a mysterious planet in the Gamma quadrant, penetrating an energy barrier and causing conflicting timelines that must be resolved. In one timeline, Sisko and his crew encounter the Gaian villagers, who are the descendants of... Sisko and his crew! In the other timeline, 200 years earlier, the ship crashes and its survivors--including the dying Nerys--become the progenitors of the thriving Gaian colony. While the time-travel dilemma may seem routine, René Echevarria's thoughtful teleplay--a hybrid of two freelance story submissions--places noteworthy emphasis on Odo's unspoken love for Nerys, which is finally expressed when circumstances call for intimate disclosure. Echevarria also deserves praise for not compromising the devastating outcome of the Gaian timeline; for Nerys and Odo alike, it's a hard-hitting consequence that gives the entire episode an emotional and thought-provoking spin. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (7)

After 200 years Odo finally tells Kira about his feelings
The old paradox about going back in time and killing your grandfather which means you were never born and therefore could not go back in time and kill your grandfather is the key idea behind "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Episode 120, "Children of Time" (Written by Gary Holland and Ethan H. Calk, Aired May 5, 1997). The "Defiant" is investigating a planet surrounded by an energy barrier in the Gamma Quadrant, when the ship is crippled and Kira gets duplicated for a moment. Without medical attention back at DS9 she is going to die. However, on the planet they find a colony led by Miranda O'Brien, who tells them that in two days when the "Defiant" tries to departs, the barrier will cause the ship to crash on the planet 200 years in the past. This colony was founded by the crew of the "Defiant" after Kira died and they became resigned to their fate. Sisko is convinced that since they know what is going to happen, this time they will be able to escape; but that means the colony will not longer exist. Yedrin, a descendant of Dax, has a plan to duplicate the "Defiant" when it enter the barrier; that way the crew can go home and the colony will be preserved when the other "Defiant" crashes.

Now, that is a pretty good plot line and a nice "Star Trek" time travel paradox, and whatever decision Sisko makes you know he is going to have second thoughts. So there is another one of those passionate debates that Sisko seems to thrive on. But the pivotal moment in "Children of Time" comes when Odo, still alive after 200 years and looking more human than ever, tells Kira something he never got to tell her when she was alive. If you thought that the war between the Dominion was a long time in coming, that is nothing compared to the Constable's unrequited love for the Major. Good thing there is a war going on back home on DS9, because Odo is going to have some 'splanin' to do when he gets back. This is a pretty good "Star Trek" time travel episode on the basis of just the situation facing the crew, but with the Odo-Kira bit thrown in it becomes something special. More importantly, there are clearly some elements here that are going to be continued.

Children of Time
This is definitely one of the finest DS-9 episodes - and there are a LOT of DS-9 episodes to choose from that were wonderful. This episode was beautifully written, poignantly directed, and features superb performances by Nana Visitor and Rene Auberjonois. The ending is surprising, effective, and heart-breaking, all at the same time. If you are a DS-9 fan, this episode belongs in your collection.

One of DS9's Finest Episodes
I'll spare you another synopsis (you can just read the ones below). But it's a wonderful episode...to me, it is on my list of the Top 5. For those of you who love Odo & Kira the way I do, this episode is a biggie--it directs their "close" friendship to a certain path. The ending is shocking...but it leaves a huge mark. If you loved watching them in "Crossfire," then you want to see this one!

one of DS9's finest hours
A very powerful and intriguing episode, definitely the best show of season 5, IMO. It is a reset-button episode in many ways, but that's largely unavoidable. This episode does a lot to advance the Odo/Kira story thread and it does a great service to most of the main characters in how they might react to meeting their descendants. Leave it to staff writer Rene Echevarria to pen another compelling character piece using a novel sci-fi premise.

Given that we know the Defiant and her crew will return to the station, the inevitable reset-ending comes with a twist that is appropriate and very fitting though a bit unsettling. Not only does it prevent the show from closing arbitrarily, but it provides us with a bit of shocking insight into Odo and what he might be capable of.

Great script, good setup for future episodes dealing with Odo <-> Kira, and sharp acting from the entire ensemble. This one's definitely a keeper.

BTW, it's amazing how much future-Molly looks like Chief O'Brien who's supposed to be her great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Nice casting job :)

One of DS9's strongest emotional episodes
Deep Space Nine will largely be remembered, at least by me, for the grand and sweeping epic that comprised its entire last season, and with good reason. However, one sometimes had to do some digging around in there for the character stuff (not to say it wasn't there-- it was-- but it was often secondary in importance). In this episode, however, there's no connection to the over-arching plot and no giant space battles, and so we get to see the characters in a very unique situation (well, not entirely unique on Star Trek, but still unusal). They get to meet their descendants. Furthermore, they are forced to choose between erasing those people from the timeline and getting home themselves. They know that some of them, including Kira, will die in the crash, and the rest will never see their families again. But they don't have the right to deny their descendants existence. The "version" of Odo who has lived on the planet for 200 years is a very compelling character, especially as a tragic lover. Overall, this is one of my favorite single DS9 episodes, and it can be watched on its own-- whereas the last 7 or 10 episodes, while forming an extremely exciting plot, really do all have to be watched in order to see that plot. So unless you're up to the daunting task of collecting the entire Dominion War, this episode (along with the comic classics "Little Green Men" and "Trials and Tribble-ations") should be at the top of your list. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Crossover" is a runaway favorite with fans, and it's easy to see why. The alternate universe is a dark, twisted place full of intrigue and high weirdness--and Kira Nerys's evil twin running amok in black stretch vinyl. We're talking kitten with a phaser. We're talking the whole reason for Starfleet's temporal policy department. Watch as alternate Odo rules hapless Terran miners with an iron fist. See Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) perform actual hard manual labor in the mines of Terok Nor; think silently that after the way he behaved in the episode's teaser, maybe he deserves it. Meet a kinder, gentler Quark who rescues hew-mons from their torturous fate. Marvel as Kira flirts with herself. All this while alternate Garak schemes... it's just too wondrously bizarre for words.

The story has its roots in the original series' "Mirror, Mirror"--a fact openly referenced in the screenplay. Thanks to solid writing and a lot of inside humor, the ensemble cast plays it to the "alternate" hilt. Special kudos to Nana Visitor as the coquettishly perverse Intendant--a woman with an ego so large she gets a charge out of having her alternate self around to talk to. Kudos to the DS9 station as the eerie Terok Nor, which looks like a slice of juicy film noir. Watch for Colm Meaney's poignant performance as Smiley and Armin Shimmerman's softened Quark. Both alternates offer subtle twists on their core characters. Watch"Crossover" for the hoot value; treasure it for the nuances. --Kayla Rigney ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Sequels (especially long-posted ones).
"Crossover" is the sequel to the Original Series episode, "Mirror, Mirror." Watch Kira's mirror universe double wear a lavender dress at a party for Kira. Watch as Odo's double, when he pulls out a phaser, Bashir shoots him, and he explodes into a million pieces, it looks gross for the first couple of times you watch it, and if you're an young adult or a teenager, it might even scare you. It certainly scared me! Also, watch as Sisko makes a belly laugh at Kira, and watch as Bashir does serious labor for the boss of ore processing. I tell you, it is just when the Cardassians made slaves of Bajorans in the ore processing center. Watch for what I mean when you watch "Civil Defense." My summary ends.

Talk about your "TWISTED SISTERS"!
The first, and best, of the four DS9 episodes inspired by the classic "Mirror, Mirror", allows several of the principal players in the series a chance to "step out of character" as their counterparts in a parallel universe. Avery Brooks ("Sisko") gets to "cut loose" and be a bit less formal as his alter ego is truly his opposite. Nana Visitor ("Major Kira") has the opportunity to examine her more alluring side, as her "alternate" is a somewhat sex-obsessed "intendant" of an oppressive regime. "Odo", played by Rene Auberjonois, gets the ruthless overseer treatment and "O'Brien", Colm Meaney's series role, becomes a drone to do the bidding of the Intendant and her minions.

The only character that seems no different than the one in "our" world is the mysterious "Garek", as played by occasional guest Andrew Robinson. The "tailor" on DS9 always had an air of mystery about him, belying a hidden sinister past.

A major highlight of this first-year installment is the MILK BATH.

It is to die for.

Kira and Bashir get thrown into the "Mirror Mirror" universe
Remember the "Mirror, Mirror" episode of the classic Star Trek? You know, the one with the brutal alternative universe where Spock has a cool goatee. Well, a runabout carrying Kira and Bashir gets thrown into that reality, where Spock's reforms left the Empire unprepared for the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Here Bajor is a major influence and it is the ruthless Kira of this reality who rules the planet from Terok Nor (Remember the Cardassian name for DS9?). Fortunately the good Kira and Bashir encounter not only the roughish Sisko of the mirror universe, but also Quark and his version of the Underground Railroad. "Crossover" is another one of those fun episodes where the actors get to play their characters with a wicked twist, and while the evil Kira does take a milk bath, this is not really a great episode. The series will return to this particular story line in the future with some episodes that have rather touching implications for some of the DS9 characters.

A good episode; start of Alternate Universe series
A good episode, one of the better Alternate Universe series' ones. Its interesting to see the characters seem completely different, except for Quark, who dies in this episode. Oh well ;)