Reviews (2)

Dr. Crusher and the Mystery of the Metaphysic Shield
At a scientific conference, Dr. Crusher meets Reyga, a Ferengi scientist who claims to have invented a metaphysic shield that would protect a ship as it flies through the corona of a star. Crusher invites Reyga and a group of scientists back to the Enterprise to test the Ferengi's theory. The new shielding is installed on an Enterprise shuttle, which will be flown by one of the other scientists, a T'Karian named Jobril. At first the experiment is successful as Jobril flies the shuttle into the corona safely, but then he reports having difficulty breathing. Jobril returns to the Enterprise but then dies. Shortly after that, Reyga also dies, an apparent suicide. However, Dr. Crusher is very suspicious. She thinks someone sabotaged the metaphysic-shielding device and killed Reyga. Now, all she has to do is prove it.

"Suspicion" is another one of those "I Love a Mystery" episode in the series, the twist being that it is Crusher who gets to play the detective this time around (and if she has to perform an autopsy on Reyga despite the fact his family forbids it and Captain Picard gives her a direct order not to, then Beverley will do it because, well, that's the way the episode was written!). What it interesting is how much she is alone on this one. I love the idea that there is a brilliant Ferengi scientist, a far cry from their first appearance on STNG as almost feral beings. The vistiing scientists constitute the group of usual suspects and there are plenty of red herrings to discount. This is an average episode of the series, which stands out only in regards to giving Dr. Crusher something to do that does not involve Wesley.

Dr. Crusher Does Something Interesting!
The Next Generation's women are weak. I don't know if this is because the actresses, Gates McFadden as Dr. Crusher, Marina Sirtis as Counslor Troi and (ugh) Denise Crosby as Lt. Yar, were incompetent or the writers/creators of TNG just did not know how to write women (I suspect the latter though Crosby is a poor actress regardless) but they just did not do much on TNG (especially early on) and have, in my opinion, been fairly weak characters (though both Troi and Crusher grew stronger as characters later in TNG's run). I'm not anti-woman here, just anti-bad characters/bad writers. I sometimes wonder if our TNG trio of women was hired for their appearance rather than their acting ability.

"Suspicions" is not a great episode but at least Dr. Crusher is interesting here as she attempts to solve the murder of a Ferengi scientist. The mystery is secondary to me because I'm more interested with Dr. Crusher's rebellion in this episode. She defies Starfleet regulations, Federation protocol, Captain Picard's orders and Ferengi tradition all in the name of justice. Go Doctor go! I don't mean to put down the mystery (it's actually fairly clever) but I appreciated a strong and well-rounded Dr. Crusher more than the particulars of a "whodunnit".

Good episode, I could've given it four stars instead of three but what the heck. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the WORST EVER!
I'm not even going to try and put this gently; ...I don't know who wrote this episode up, but they must have had a severe head injury. ... Oh yeah, the subplot: the Enterprise destroys an asteroid, leading to the ship getting invaded with glitter. If you have ever see this episode before, I feel your pain. If you haven't, stay away and consider yourself extremly lucky.

Quite Simply the Worst Lwaxana Troi Episode
Basically there are three things happening in this episode: (1) Troi is mediating a domestic dispute between Worf and his son Alexander by having the pair negotiate a contract on who does what around their little Klingon household: (2) Lwaxana shows up and declares she is going to get married aboard the Enterprise to some guy named Campio she has never met; and (3) the Enterprise destroys a wandering asteroid before it can crash into a planet, thereby releasing the little metal parasites that inhabited the asteroid to float over to the ship where they begin eating all the nitrium. The only two people who get along in the entire episode are Lwaxana and Alexander, who are apparently kindred spirits. There are also a couple of interesting scenes involving a holodeck recreation of the mud baths of the Parralex Colony. However, "Cost of Living" does have the dubious distinction of being the absolute WORST Lwaxana Troi episode--it is not even close, people. After giving the character some dramatic weight in her last appearance ("Half a Life," Episode 96), she suddenly regresses to a comic character who wants to marry some clown she has never met. That whole plot line is ludicrous and takes away from the interesting interactions between Lwaxana and "Mr. Woof's" son. Despite some nice moments (Picard's joy at the thought of Lwaxana getting married), on balance this is certainly a below average episode. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not The Silliest Episode I Ever Saw!
The silliest episode? No, the silliest and worst episode would have to be an episode from season 2 called Samaritan Snare. Galaxy's Child may not be the best TNG episode but I think it's pretty good and I thought it was great to have Dr. Leah Brahms back only I was hoping the character would come back again at least as a recurring character. Maybe it's just me but I thought it was a very touching, moving episode of Geordi and Dr. Brahms working together not only to save the Enterprise but also the baby of the alien lifeform that was accidently killed and the baby was only trying to take energy from the Enterprise because it thought it was it's mother.

The Enterprise becomes a nursing mother to a space baby
As a general rule of thumb, when an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation tries to do some variation on an episode of the original series, such as "The Naked Now" (Episode 3), it is a bad sign; but when the series extends off of its own episodes, as is the case with "Galaxy's Child," it is a good sign, a very good sign indeed. In "Booby Hatch" (Episode 54) La Forge became enamored of Dr. Leah Brahms when he worked with a holographic recreation of her while doing creative problem solving. The Enterprise's Chief Engineer had been having more than his fair share of women problems and he hit it off very well with the computer's version of Brahms. Now the real version is coming aboard the Enterprise and La Forge can hardly contain himself: he just knows that he and Leah will be good friends. However, when Dr. Brahms arrives she immediately accuses him of messing up her engines. No matter what La Forge tries it does not work with this woman, who would need to be beamed outside the ship to even begin warming up to the guy. Just when you think things could not get any worse between these two, Brahms discovers the holodeck version of herself that La Forge created and assumes he has been using her as recreation (remember Barclay's "Goddess of Empathy" from "Hollow Pursuits"?).

Meanwhile, the Enterprise discovers a new form of life, a sort of space whale that lives in space and eats by extracting energy directly from stars. When the creature attacks the Enterprise, Picard orders a low-intensity phaser burst and is horrified when the mild response kills the creature. Data discovers there are new energy readings from the creature. Concluding the creature was pregnant, the crew uses the phasers to do an emergency Caesarian and release the baby, which then attaches itself to the ship and begins nursing on the Enterprise's energy. Now the question becomes how to wean the baby before it destabilizes the ship's power supply. Fortunately the person who designed the warp engines just happens to be on board, where she is about to proceed with the dismantling of the Chief Engineer without even using any tools.

This is a painful episode to watch as Geordi gets shot down by the woman of his holodeck dreams. This pain is somewhat reflected in the other plot line when Picard realizes his actions are responsible for the death of this wondrous space creature. "Galaxy's Child" runs against the traditional romantic impulse that compels us to want the characters to live happily every after, which is certainly a turn for a more realistic depiction of what life is like to be sure. Everyone can relate to getting carried away with your feelings for someone who has virtually no clue that you even exist and who has a life of their own that you have failed to take into account. This is one of the best "romance" episodes on the series.

The sillyest episode I ever saw.
The alien creatures in this show look like Tube worms in space, and as useual, Picard acts like a wimp.

Geordi Has A Girlfriend? Not really!
One of the quieter storlines going through most of the NG seven year run is LaForge's lack of success with women. It seems that the only place he can find a good woman that likes him is on the holodeck.

This is when he met the beautiful Ms. Brahms. He had used an image of her on the holodeck in an earlier episode to help him with a technical problem. He gave her a warm personality which suited his desires.

In this episode he finally meets her. But she is somewhat cold and distant, and he soon learns she is married, which naturally crushes him.

He is humiliated when she discovers the saved program that Geordi created. The storyline that accompanies it is somewhat interesting, and some would say uplifting.

I would give this episode 4 stars, but 3 is a better fit. It just seems to miss something that the series is so rich in. But if you are a Geordi LaForge fan, this is a must-have episode. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Qte Show
Any episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation which features the wonderful John DeLancie as the mischievous Q and Jennifer Hetrick as Picard's "friend" Vash is bound to be excellent, and this definitely lived up to my expectations. Picard as Robin Hood! Data as Friar Tuck! Yes, an hour well spent!

Worf ........."I am not a Merry Man!"
As Worf said ..."I am not a Merry Man!" Q returns with Picard's former love, Vash. She spent some time with him in another episode about a artifact buried on Risa. This one has Q in the era of Robin Hood with ....You guessed it Picard as the swashbuckler Robin Hood. There are quite a few good scenes in this one that make it worth the price of the video. I love the scenes with Data as Little John. It's one of those that can stand repeated viewings and still be enjoyable. This one must have broke the budget for the year. The costumes and stunts were very much like a Robin Hood movie.

Q turns Picard into Robin Hood for some merry mayhem
This is far and away the least of the Q episodes in the long run of STNG. Picard is hosting an archeological conference aboard the Enterprise when who to his wandering eye should appear but Vash, whom we first met in "Captain's Holiday" (Episode 67). When Vash finds out the Captain never said anything about her to his crew she is a bit peeved, but Picard has bigger problems. Q arrives upon the scene and wants to give Picard a gift as payment for the Captain's help in "Deja Q" (Episode 61). Of course, Picard refuses, but Q is not deterred. Meanwhile, the friction increases between Vash and Picard because she feels he is embarrassed to be seen with her and he learns she showed up because she wants to do some illegal digging on the planet below. Q finds this all very amusing and warns Picard that being emotional over a woman only leads to tragedy. To prove his point Q waits until Picard begins his keynote address at the conference to turn his officers into characters from Robin Hood and then send them all off to Sherwood Forest. Of course, Picard is Robin, Vash is Maid Marion, held captive in Nottingham Castle where she will be executed the next morning unless she is rescued. Picard goes off to rescue her and the wackiness continues.

The title of this episode is a lot cuter than the episode. "Qpid" is one of those shows were you just have to put it off to the cast having fun (just think of Worf as a "Merry Man" wearing that little green hat). I guess not every adventure with Q can focus on the end of the galaxy as we know it. Certainly the conclusion of the episode reminds us there are no happy endings when Q is involved, although the old saying that two wrongs make a right somehow comes to mind. It would have been much more interesting to have Vash return without Q in terms of having fun with his awkwardness over her presence. This is not as much fun as when they make fun of Picard's romantic side when Lwaxana Troi is around, but I know my reflections are colored by the fact that two excellent but tragic episodes regarding the Captain's love life are coming down the road.

Merry Men
When the TNG writers add the beloved Q character into the mix, the very idea of taking anything too seriously is thrown out the window, including the oh-so-pensive Captain Picard. In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise trades in their ever-needing-to-be-strightened unforms for the feathered caps and earth-tone tights of Robin hood and his Merry Men. Much fun. Plus, Picard's unpredictable romatic-interest, Vash, is re-introduced. The Vash-Q combo manages to keep the entire Star-Trek menagerie on their toes making this one of the best episodes of The Next Generation. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

one moon circles...
The Enterprise is en route to the last known coordinates of the USS Brattain, 29 days after they sent out a distress call followed only by silence.

The away team finds a disturbing scene onboard the Brattain. All crew members, except one Betazoid, are dead - results of phaser fire and hand-to-hand combat with their crew-mates. The Betazoid is the only living witness, but he is in a disturbed, catatonic state and Troi has trouble reaching him.

Crusher performs autopsies to see if there is any reason for the crew going bonkers and killing each other, and seemingly crippling many of the ship's vital functions. Tension begins to ripple throughout the crew. While finding a ship full of dead Federation crewmembers is disturbing, the behavior of the Enterprise crew is becoming less than ordinary. Their feathers are ruffled and many of them begin to behave in aggressive, paranoid ways.

Troi is plagued with nightmares, where she is flying through space as dark voices attempt to communicate with her, "one moon circles, eyes in the dark...," all with cryptic words she can't make sense of.

Crusher tells Picard that whatever happened on the Brattain is happening on the Enterprise and they need to get away as soon as possible. Picard informs the doctor that they will be leaving within the hour as they prepare to take the Brattain in tow.

As they begin to embark, it's obvious they're not going anywhere. Engines won't respond. Other systems are failing and power is seemingly leaking from the ship. After detailed analysis by Data, it's determined that they are stuck in a Tyken's rift. So named after Captain Tyken, whose ship was in a similar rip in space, bleeding power to the rift. Tyken's experience makes no mention of sleep disturbances or paranoid, aggressive behavior among his crew. Crusher discovers that the only person on board that is able to dream is Troi - everyone else is being deprived of REM sleep and the deprivation is slowly driving them insane... all without explanation.

How are they going to get out of this one? They can't move. They are bleeding power and the crew is starting to lose their wits, with eruptions of violence occurring in Ten Forward and Worf attempting ritualistic suicide due to his plaguing feeling of fear.

Many memorable scenes - probably the most creepy scene is Dr. Crusher in the morgue, as the dead crew-members of the Brattain appear to come to life. This is truly an episode that has the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Wow! That's wierd!
How odd! What a strange stance the away team takes on finding only one person alive on the USS Brattain while all the others are dead. That's...um... I can't describe it. This film is kind of strange when you watch it. It'll probably make you experience the same mental deterioration just like the crew on the Enterprise suffers. It's kind of scary when no one is able to dream. If we can't dream! what's the point of sleeping? Anyway! I know that this is just a movie, and I know that this ain't real. Anyway! I highly recommend this trek video to new future Star Trek fans. Buy it and enjoy.

The Enterprise crew adrift in space and unable to dream
The Enterprise discovers the USS Brattain, which has been missing for 29 days, floating along in space. The away team finds everybody on board dead with the exception of a Betazoid male in a catatonic state. When Counselor Troi tries to reach him telepathically all she gets from him is insane babbling. Dr. Crusher's examination of the dead on Brattain suggests the entire crew simply went insane and killed themselves. Remaining in the area to investigate this mystery, the Enterprise crew then begins to experience their own mental deterioration, compelling Crusher to suggest they leave the area before anything really bad happens. Picard agrees, but suddenly none of the propulsion systems on the ship work. After everybody gets a bad feeling about this Data discovers they are caught in a rift in space that absorbs their energy and prevents them from moving. Obviously this is what happened to the Brattain. The only solution is to use a gigantic explosion to free them. However, it so happens for the purposes of this story that the Enterprise cannot produce the required explosion. Then, to make things really interesting, Crusher scans the brains of the dead Brattain crew and discovers each has a chemical imbalance caused by (you ready for this?) a lack of dreaming. This same imbalance affects everybody on board except for Data (duh) and Troi, who is half-Betazoid. The Ship's Counselor is beset by the same recurring nightmare, which bears a striking resemblance to the rantings on the still comatose patient in sickbay. What ever could this all mean?

"Night Tremors" is an average example of the STNG episode where the Enterprise stumbles across some intergalactic mystery that threatens their very lives. The solution to their problem is somewhat ingenious except for the fact that the problem is rather contrived in the first place. Good thing this particular starship had an android AND a Betazoid aboard. The episode title sort of suggests that we would see the entire Enterprise crew confronted with their nightmares and that certainly would have been much more interesting than what we end up with here.

Night Terrors
I believe when the writers where writing this episode they wanted to make it a diffrent episode. Something we usually don't see in Star Trek. Well that is very true this is quite a diffrent episode from others. The crew begins to suffer from sleep deprivation and things on board the USS Enterprise get a little strange. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Unlike Ashley Judd, Olivia d'Abo never quite made the transition fromtelevision to indie films to becoming a glamorous Hollywood actress, but bothof them served on the Enterprise early in their careers. Here, d'Aboguest stars as Amanda Rogers, a bright young intern working for Dr. Crusher.She is an honor student who hasn't quite figured out what she wants to dowith her life. What she has come to realize is that she can do things likesummon puppies at will and help people with a thought. This attracts theattention of Q (John de Lancie), who informs her she's the daughter of twomembers of the Q continuum who decided to become human. Along with trainingher in her abilities, Q has been assigned to convince her to renounce herhuman upbringing and join the continuum. Having taken an immediate dislike toQ and his lack of a moral center, she's not sure if she wants to. Her choiceis between accepting her powers or being human and renouncing her powersforever. Once again, Q is given all the best lines ("Crusher gets more shrillwith each passing year," he tells Picard with relish), once again provingthat amoral villains have the most fun. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Only humans are worthy?
This is an interesting little tale, somewhat let down by a few flaws.
Eighteen year-old Amanda has won an internship to study on the Enterprise, so that she has some idea which field she wants to specialise in when she joins Starfleet. But her life is turned upside down when she learns that she is one of the omnipotent Q. Now she has the choice of renouncing her powers and remaing human, or joining the Q continuum - and her assessor and advisor in this vital choice is the Q who has visited the Enterprise in the past.
Olivia D'Abo was a good choice for the role of Amanda. She is appealing, and conveys Amanda's adolescent confusion well. John de Lancie puts in his usual strong performance as Q. The ending is no real surprise, but that isn't the point - it's how Amanda comes to make her decision that counts.
I do think the writers chose a less than satisfactory character set-up for "True Q", though. As it stands, Amanda bonded with Crusher and developed a crush on Riker. Yet Riker would have been the perfect choice for her to bond with; after all, he would know exactly what she's going through, because he's been in the same situation himself. The crush on Riker could then have been replaced with a crush on some junior crewman or medical technician, and we would have been spared the unedifying sight of an eighteen year-old trying to seduce a man twice her age.
Amanda's age is a problem in its own right. Would an eighteen year-old who hasn't even been to university have such narrow specialities (and so many of them) and be given such a position? The crew of the Enterprise are busy people after all, and in a dangerous business. It makes about as much sense as eight year-old Harry in "When the Bough Breaks" complaining about having to learn calculus; or someone who's just graduated from high school being posted on an aircraft carrier to make up their mind what they want to do with their lives.
Picard is perhaps the greatest problem in this episode. His instinctive rejection of everything Q says is becoming very tired by this point, and one could truly believe that he is a bigot. He honestly seems to think that humans are superior to every other life-form in existence.
Watch this episode for another perspective on the Q and be moved by Amanda's troubles. Just try to ignore the captain of the Enterprise.

1 of my 3 favorite episodes!
Of my 3 favorite episodes, this is number three. ("Remember Me" and "The Game" are the other two.)

In this one, a young lady from the academy wins the chance to spend time on board the Enterprise and work in various parts of the ship. This is some sort of program where the best get the feel of hands-on action in several different jobs aboard, to help him/her decide what they most want to train for. This lady seems to be torn between lab/medical and engineering.

However, recently she has found out that she is different. She has the powers of the race known as "The Q." Her real parents had been killed when she was little, so she had no way of understanding what was going on.

Q shows up to teach her. She believes she has the choice of (1)staying as a human or (2) going to join the Q race. But that is not true. Q is under orders to test her powers. If she proves to be a true Q, she is to be brought back to be with her own kind, whether she wants to or not. If she does not prove to be fully Q, she is to be eliminated!

Reminded me a bit of the shows "Bewitched" and "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch". I feel as though age teens through mid-twenties will like this episode most. Hmmm, I'm in my early thirties. Wonder what my excuse is. :)

The story of a girl named Q...
Amanda Rogers (Olivia d'Abo), an orphan, joins the Enterprise as an intern. The young honor student looks like a normal human, but she soon evinces supernatural powers, saving the ship from destruction by containing an explosion in the engine room. When Picard calls a meeting of the senior staff to discuss the amazing young woman, Q pops up and provides the explanation: Amanda is a Q, born of parents who pretended to be human. When they had a child the Continuum destroyed them. Q insists it is time for Amanda to return home to the Continuum, but she refuses. Finally, Q gives her a choice: return to the Continuum or never use her powers again and remain a human. It looks like Q is not the only Q that finds the life of mere human beings to be interesting. Never mind that in "Encounter at Farpoint" (Episodes 1 & 2), Q acted like this was the first encounter between humans and the Continuum. "True Q" is something of a counterpart to "Hide and Q" (Episode 11) where Q tempted Riker with the powers of the Q. This is a below average episode with Q (John de Lancie), mainly because Picard and the crew of the Enterprise are more spectators his endeavors this time around.

The birth of a Q
Unknown to her, a young girl's parents are Q who have denounced the ways of the continuum for lives of mortals. Of course, for the Q, this is a crime against nature. After the arranged death of the girl's parents, Q comes to call to collect their offspring and bring her "home". Will she go? Will she continue onboard the Enterprise, working under Dr. Crusher? Watch and see! ... Read more

Amazon.com

On their way to the Morgana Quadrant, which has yet to be visited by a manned Federation ship, the Enterprise runs across an amoeba-like hole of blackness in space. Sensors do not indicate any energy or form, probes shot into it disappear without a trace, and even Counselor Troi can get no sense from it. Worf calls for a yellow alert, relating an old Klingon legend of a giant black space that devours entire ships. When the void engulfs the Enterprise, they find themselves lost within it, unableto find their way out. Then things start to get weird. Other vessels show up. ARomulon battle ship and a Federation star cruiser appear, but they are strangely empty. Turns out the void is one of those giant, uncharted sentient beings that is trying to learn about humans and the concept of death, and is doing so by killing members of the Enterpriseone at a time. Once again, the contradictions of humans are on trial, and it'sup to Captain Jean-Luc Picard to talk the ship and all of humankind out of trouble. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An intriguing situation gets a so-so lackluster treatment
As scientists traveling the galaxy in search of new civilizations to observe and hopefully interact with, it's been all too rare when those tables are turned on the crew of the Enterprise. Early on in this series the recurring character of Q was introduced who would return from time to time to attempt to confound Picard and crew. Here the Enterprise encounters another being not unlike Q who traps the starship in an experimental laboratory.

While visiting the Morgana Quadrant on an exploratory mission the Enterprise sensors pickup a void in space. Upon investigation the null space initially perplexes the crew as they survive an attack by a Romulan starship and witness an inexplicable appearance of their sister ship, the Yamato. When the Yamato doesn't answer the hails from Enterprise and scans show no life forms present Riker and Worf beam aboard it. They discover the ship completely empty and that it isn't composed of the metals normally used in a starship construction - and it also has the annoying habit of randomly altering the design. The away team returns and the Enterprise attempts to leave the void but finds they are mysteriously trapped. After Dr. Pulaski suggests that they are in a laboratory of sorts an entity appears onscreen, having only eyes and a mouth. He introduces himself as Nagillum, a scientist who wishes to continue his research on the crew so he can gain an understanding of their emotions and limited life spans. To prevent the unacceptable loss of a third or more of his crew Picard initiates the auto-destruct sequence and that presents an interesting riddle for Nagillum.

The main problem with this episode is that there simply isn't enough time to define the plot elements; the ending seems particularly rushed also. The reasons for Nagillum's establishing a vast laboratory in space and the apparent super-powers at his command aren't satisfactorily handled. Data makes many statements such as "Sensors detect nothing," or "I still cannot detect anything", etc., but this isn't adequate enough as a potential explanation. When they first begin experiencing the conundrums no one brings up the possibility of Q's presence; when Nagillum finally makes his presence known explaining his purpose, shouldn't Q naturally come to mind? Maybe not, but I thought so. Some other events happen that don't seem to make sense either: When they first encounter the Yamato why don't they attempt to download the ship's logs to read them before boarding? Nagillum can create replicates of Troi and Data - why doesn't he do the same with Picard and have him abort the auto-destruct sequence with an unsuspecting Riker? When Picard and Riker initially set the auto-destruct sequence they go to the Engineering section - why? If they wanted privacy they could've gone into the captain's Ready Room or his quarters. It seems an odd choice to go to Engineering. And Haskell's presence at the helm is all too convenient, serving only to remove Wesley from harm's way; also Haskell's dialogue is a bit strained as well, he comes off as being too unstable to be considered for a bridge officer's position.

On the upside there is a great opening sequence with Riker and Worf defending themselves against some rather formidable looking alien ogres. The scene develops nicely convincing you they are on an away mission that has gone horribly awry before revealing they are on the holodeck - an obvious parallel to the encounter with Nagillum. In addition Worf receives some further interesting character definition here. Dr. Pulaski is eased along here also, having some interaction with Data and contributing the needed insight and sensibility of a skilled scientist. Riker's frustration with his experience aboard the Yamato and his anxiety about terminating the auto-destruct sequence adds some levity as well.

Negilum Strikes
The Nefarious Negilum

The alien name of Negilum is a play on words. Originally Richard Mulligan of Empty Nest and Soap was sought to play this role. Unavailable the producers had to utilize another actor for this one. It's an average entry. However there are some good scenes in the beginning with Worf on the holodeck in his training program. There's another good scene were Worf and Riker beam aboard another galaxy class ship to investigate this ridiculous Negllum nemesis. It turns out the alien wants to investigate the crews reaction to senseless death at the cost of the lives of the Enterprise crew. With the few dramatic sequences I'd have to say that it was worth the price.

The scene where Data asks Picard "What happens when one dies" was very poignant and showed there's an intelligent life form writing the script. For all it's faults it was an enjoyable episode that stands up to repeated viewing.

Better to die free than to die as lab rats
The Enterprise investigates a black area of space only to be sucked into a void where their sensors reveal nothing and communication with the outside is impossible. When a Romulan warbird suddenly decloaks and is destroyed as soon as they fire at it, Picard knows it was too easy. Then the Yamato, a Federation Galaxy Class starship arrives. Riker and Worf beam over to check it out and find everything different, most notably the appearance of a bridge area behind every door. When they return to the Enterprise and the Yamato disappears, Picard suspects they are being tested like rats in a laboratory and refuses to participate in the experiment. This prompts Nagilum, the entity that is the void, to make an appearance. Nagilum is interested in continuing his scientific investigations and is specifically curious about the "limited existence" of the beings on the Enterprise. After killing an ensign to check out its initial hypothesis, Nagilum declares it will have to kill a third of the ship's crew to really understand the phenomenon of death.

I have to mark this episode down one star, although it has one of the better titles, because its resolution employs one of my pet peeves: I hate it when the good guys win because the bad guys are stupid. The premise for the episode is certainly nothing new; after all, the Next Generation series begins with Q doing field research on humanity so Nagilum is doing the same thing, just in a laboratory seeting. Overall, "Where Silence Has Leave" has a compelling mystery with a payoff that is not as satisfying as the set up.

Great episode
In this episode the Enterprise encounters a void.. and becomes trapped in it. Soon a mysterious alien entity speaks to the crew and tells them the he is curious about death and wants to perform experiments on the crew!

This episode has a guest star Earl Boen as the voice of the alien probable best known for Dr. Silberman in the "Terminator" movies ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Barclay Triumphant, or, Flowers for Reginald
It is certainly understandable why the character of Reginald Barclay, the shy and bumbling engineering officer who likes to imagine Troi as the Goddess of Empathy in his dysfunctional holographic programs, is the most popular and enduring supporting character created during STNG's long run. Part of it is the charm with which Dwight Schutlz plays him, but I think his popularity is due in fact that in the super competent world of the Enterprise bridge crew, Reg is just trying to get through the day and do his job without causing any significant harm. The idea that Picard is trying to build up self-confidence in the man (okay, ordering La Forge to do it), is somewhat endearing. But if it is true that every dog has his day, "The Nth Degree" is most certainly Barclay's turn.

Because it is written that way the Enterprise investigates an alien probe not by using its massive sensor arrays but by sending La Forge and Barclay out in a shuttle so that when the probe emits a burst of energy that overloads the computers on the system, Reg can be knocked unconcious. In sick bay good old Doctor Crusher can find nothing from with Barclay. He appears to be normal (a term being relative when it comes to Reg). Meanwhile, the probe begins following the Enterprise, which can neither out race it nor destroy it with phasers. Again the script contrives things so that the probe is too close to use photon torpedoes. Just as things look bleak, Barclay suddenly reroutes warp power to the shields so that Picard can use the photon torpedoes to destroy the probe. After Barclay pulls a few more rabbits out of hats with just a wave of his hand, Crusher gives him another examination and finds there is a massive increase in Barclay's mental capabilities. For his part, Barclay becomes bored with his slow-minded crewmates and the inadequate interface with the control computer. So he goes to the holodeck and comes up with a contraption that allows him to interface with the computer directly, at which point he sends the Enterprise on a quick trip thirty thousand light years to the center of the galaxy while the crew stands by helplessly.

Plot contrivances away, this episode does a nice job of flipping Barclay and his relationships on their head and it is fun watching Picard and the others strip gears trying to deal with the new, improved Reg. Of course, there is a power far greater than us at work here, and what the far greater power giveth the far greater power can giveth away. In terms of finding out the answer to the mysterious change in Barclay, "The Nth Degree" provides a very satisfying conclusion, which is nice, because usually the payoff is not as good as the set up. Fortunately the writers never got around to milking Barclay's character as much as they did Q as we shall see in the next episode.

My "first contact"of STARTREK
A few years ago I watched this program by accident,sine I had become an enthusiastic trekker! A memorable work for me.

Barclay becomes superhuman!
Poor Barclay. He has a rough time fitting in with the Enterprise crew. But when he and Geordi are sent to investigate a mysterious probe, it attacks Barclay and transforms him into a superhuman, where he takes over the computer systems aboard the Enterprise. ... Read more

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This is a satisfying conclusion to part 1. Riker and Picard are aboard a mercenary vessel, forced to fire at their own beloved Enterprise to keep the sadistic Baran from killing them. The episode is full of twists and ruses as Riker and Picard try to hide their Starfleet loyalties while dealing with the shifting alliances of the mercenary ship's crew. Back on the Enterprise, Data and Worf discover a new tension in their relationship as Worf grows increasingly frustrated with Data's slow and methodical command decisions. Richard Lynch enjoyably hams it up as Baran, but it's Robin Curtis (best known to fans as LieutenantSaavik from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock), playing a badass Vulcan named Tallera, who steals the show. --Ali Davis ... Read more

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Good conclusion
This conclusion to the two-part story begun in "Gambit Part I" is both fun and satisfying. Plot and counter-plot start mounting up on the mercenary ship as Picard and Riker try to figure out what the mercenaries' plan is and stay alive. But who is really in control of the situation? Meanwhile, Data is doing a very creditable job of commanding the Enterprise in their absence, but finds himself in conflict with Worf over his command decisions.
"Gambit Part II" is as tight and well written as its prequel, and there are some nice comic moments. The resolution to the mercenaries' plans on Vulcan does come as something of a surprise - but you expect the unexpected plot twist in a story like this one. And it's good to see Picard's archaeological knowledge being put to concrete use. Both parts of "Gambit" are enjoyable adventures in the old-fashioned, swashbuckling style.

Picard and Riker have fun as mercentary pirates
In Part I of "Gambit," Picard and Riker end up on a pirate ship full of mercenaries. Picard is posing as Galen, a smuggler of artifacts, while Riker. pretending to be unhappy with Starfleet, has just joined the crew. The two "defeat" the Enterprise when it shows up, mainly because Data, now commanding the ship, quickly figures out what is going on and plays along with Picard's ruse. When Picard learns that Arctus Baran, the mercenary captain, has been hired by a group of isolationist Vulcans to reassemble an ancient weapon capable of killing with a single thought, he "kills" Riker and leads a mutiny to take over command of the mercenary shift. But is it too late?

"Gambit" is a good old-fashioned swashbuckling tale, with Picard and Riker pretending to go along with the mercenaries/pirates until the time is right, and then turning the tables on them. Meanwhile, Data is actually in command of the Enterprise, which encounters a very tall Klingon (played by NBA All-Star James Worthy), who has a component for the ancient weapon. The resolution is a bit of a let down considering all the fun we have getting to that point, but this is still an above-average STNG episode. It is certainly a treat to see Picard be so bloodthirsty.

Shocking Beginning, but overall good Episode
We TNG fans are frightened when Troi makes a suprising revelation at the start. Picard is also undercover as the rogue "Galen." We also see Koral, the tallest Klingon in the history of Star Trek. He is played by James Worthy, former NBA Forward from the Lakers. So all those Sports/Star Trek fans, this is an episode for you. I rather liked this episode because two-parters always have good storylines, and this was no exception. The search for this ancient Vulcan relic ends with a bang. I would recommend this to any ST fans for it's great storyline and true TNG feeling! ... Read more

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Deanna Troi the former empatheic counselor to the rescue
Whenever a character has special abilities, as does Counselor Troi with her empathic abilities, sooner or later you get around to an episode where they are stripped of their powers and have to see if they can function as a "normal" person. After a counseling session Troi's head explodes and she passes out. When she regains consciousness, she can no longer read emotions. Meanwhile the Enterprise encounters some unknown spacial anomlies that start dragging the ship through space. Could these two events somehow be related? (Rhetorical question, people, put your hands down.) Troi resigns as Ship's Counselor and starts lashing out at her friends as she grieves for her loss. As for the anomalies, they turn out to be a colony of two-dimensional beings who have trapped the Enterprise in their wake and are dragging it towards a cosmic string that will destroy the ship. When all the scientific solutions fail, Picard turns to Troi: if only she can help them understand the psychology of the creatures, maybe that will help save the day. After all, she lost her empathic powers; it is not like her brain was taken away by aliens or something.

The lesson her for Deanna and all those of you at home is a gentle reminder that you are more than your "special" powers. Troi has other gifts besides the ability to sense emotions and if this crisis helps her to remember this basic lesson, then that is the way it has to be. This is one of the few episodes that gives Marina Sirtis a chance to emote (without Lwaxana being around). There is also a nice scene between Troi and Riker, who, as her oldest friend aboard the Enterprise, has the privilege of telling her the truth. Certainly a much better Troi episode than "The Child," but there are much better ones to come.

One of the Weaker NG Episodes
I would recommend this episode only if you are a BIG fan of Troi or this is one of the only episodes you have yet to collect and you want the complete collection.

It attempts to show how Troi reacts when she loses her biggest assest, her emphathic powers. To me, she reacts more like a spoiled brat than a Starfleet Officer. She soon turns in her resignation as she feels she can no longer do her job effectively. In the end, of course, she regains her powers.

Besides making a marginal character look about as shallow as possible, the storyline that accompanies it is weak too. This makes my list of one of the five worst episodes of the best TV series in history

For fans of the Counselor Troi
This episode is about when Counselor Troi loses her emphatic powers that is a part of her Betazoid heritage. This causes her great anguish and pain and makes her question whether she is capable of being a counselor still. Meanwhile, the ship encounters a strange new life form and must cope with the problems that it brings. If you are a fan of Troi, then this is definitely for you! ... Read more

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SuperForce true 1980's action
This was a very fun show when I was 13 to 15. This show was right after Superboy the live TV show. The one thing that made this show good that alot of new shows do not have. Is fun idea for stories. As today ever thing has to much CGI and no story any more. This show had CGI but not very good. But I like fun stories better then good cgi and a bad story. I really wish this show would have a come back on TV or DVD. I'm giving this movie a five star from what I remember when I was 13 and its a very fun B movie.

Great B Sci-Fi
This film was the start of the short lived TV show. Reminiscent of shows like Knight Rider, the A Team, Street Hawk, and Airwolf this film is the one-man-makes-a-difference-we-have-the-technology type of show. Shot on the Universal Studio backlot(just take the tour and you'll see it all) this low budget, lame computer effects extravaganza will appeal to lovers of B-flix all over the world. I liked it! ... Read more

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"Gambit" opens with a shocker: the crew searches for a missing Captain Picard in a seedy bar, only to be told by a Yridian eyewitness that he's been vaporized in a fight. Riker vows to track down Picard's killers, and we're off! Soon Riker is also whisked away, captured by the same band of mercenaries that offed the captain. As the crew of the Enterprise scramble to track down their leader, Riker discovers that Picard is also aboard the raiding ship, calling himself Galen and looking distinctly mean. This is a fun episode of shifting loyalties and some deliberate macho posing from both Picard and Riker, as the two feign an adversarial relationship to confuse their captors. The story line also poses interesting dilemmas as Picard and Riker try to warn the Enterprise without blowing their respective covers. Keep an eye out for The Cosby Show's Sabrina Le Beauf as the bizarrely calm Ensign Giusti. --Ali Davis ... Read more

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Good fun as Star Trek goes swashbuckling
Two part TNG episodes are usually "significant" in some way. This one isn't, and perhaps it's all the better for that. It's an adventure that just happens to need more than the standard 44 minutes.
The story opens with the crew investigating Captain Picard's disappearance. They are horrified to learn that he was killed in a bar fight by a group of mercenaries. A grief-stricken and revenge-seeking Riker is permitted by Starfleet to investigate what happened. While examining a looted archaeological site the mercenaries were known to have visited, the away team is attacked. Riker is abducted by the mercenaries - and finds Picard on board their ship! Picard is posing as Galen, an archaeological smuggler, in an effort to find out what the mercenaries are searching for. Meanwhile, Data is left is command of the Enterprise, and has to decide what to do next.
"Gambit Part 1" is a lot of fun. There's action and excitment, and the plot is very well constructed. There's a lot to fit in, but it never feels rushed. It's also enjoyable watching Picard and Riker acting out of character as they establish themselves amongst the scheming mercenaries.
Good old-fashioned fun.

Picard moonlights as a mercenary artifact smuggler
Receiving a report that Captain Picard was killed in a bar fight with a group of mercenaries, Riker takes the Enterprise to Baratas Three, where the mercenaries were supposedly headed. The Away Team is attacked on the planet and the mercenaries capture Riker, beam up to their ship, and disappear. The captain of the mercenary ship, Arctus Baran, wants to keep Riker as a prisoner and a potential bargaining chip with Starfleet. Riker is surprised to discover that Picard is on the ship, pretending to be Galen, a smuggler of artifacts. Meanwhile, Data, now in charge of the Enterprise, deduces that the mercenaries are dealing in stolen Romulan artifacts, figures out their next destination and heads off in pursuit.

In its later seasons STNG was enamored of two part episodes, using involving dramatic cliff hangers ("Best of Both Worlds") or monumental events (Spock in "Unification"). In that regard, the two-parter "Gambit" is the least significant of the bunch. All we really have here is a good old-fashioned swashbuckling yarn. Picard and Riker are basically pretending to be intergalactic pirates, and it is certainly fun to watch Picard be a tough guy. This is an above average episode of the series, but more importantly, it is just plain fun. ... Read more

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In this outing, the Enterprise-D answers a distress call from Dr. Ira Graves, brilliant cyberneticist (W. Morgan Sheppard). Grizzled, old Graves lives all alone on some sort of research planet with (of course) his gorgeous blond assistant, Kareen Brianon (Barbara Alyn Woods). An away team is dispatched and it soon becomes obvious that Graves is dying. For reasons that elude rational thought, Data develops an instant rapport with the scientist, who was his "father" Noonien Soong's mentor. Behind closed doors the android and the scientist bond, but Graves dies anyway. Kareen is beamed aboard the Enterprise-D to continue with her stimulating career as gorgeous blond research assistant.

Data, however, begins acting like a sybaritic idiot, which is, strangely, exactly how Graves behaved. It doesn't take long for the intrepid Captain Picard to ascertain that Dr. Graves downloaded himself into Data's neural net before he died. Graves's obnoxious core being has pushed Data's sweet, easygoing self far down into memory-dump land. We're talking big-time multiple-personality conflict here. Throw in an old-guy-in-young-android-body lust story and there's something for everyone. And it's well-written and well-acted, too. "Schizoid Man" lays the groundwork for the brilliant "Measure of a Man." It's a whole lot of fun, and at the same time quietly asks the viewer important questions about Data's right to exist. This is an all-around standout episode. --Kayla Riggney ... Read more

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Data's Past
Data's Grandfather

Dr. Noonien Soong had a mentor; the great Dr. Ira Graves. He must have taught Soong the technical dilemma of creating a sentient machine. For those of you who don't know Soong created our favorite android. In this episode, the doctor who is dying wants to transplant his soul into Data to live forever. The Data/Graves personality attempted impress Kareen; his assistant. He had romantic feelings that he could not act upon because of his age difference. If he used Data's body he felt he had a chance. Overall this episode stands out as one of those human dramas that don't have any phaser battles. However, it was interesting to see Data develop his social skills as a sentient machine.

Android in the spotlight: Data's turn to be possessed
If it not already clear by this point, there is an emphasis on the character of Data in the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The android is the main focus of more episodes (e.g., "The Measure of a Man," Episode 35) than any other character, and is almost always involved in the major sub-plot as well (e.g., "The Outrageous Okona," Episode 30). With all this attention it is not surprising that every once in a while things get a little out of hand. In "The Schizoid Man" the Enterprise rushes to the aid of Ira Graves (played by W. Morgan Sheppard), the greatest mind in the universe now that his disciple Noonian Soong, Data's creator, has disappeared and is presumed dead. Very much interested in learning more about the man who is his "father," Data has long conversations with the terminally ill Graves, even going so far as to reveal the location of his "off" button. Somewhere along the way Graves had discovered how to transfer his life's knowledge into a computer and the dying man decides the android would make a much better host than some descendant of Big Blue. Data announces to the rest of the away team that Graves has died, but it soon becomes clear that the second officer is acting quite differently, especially when he starts beating people unconscious. Now that he has Data's body, Graves intends to create an android body for his lover, unless, of course, Captain Picard finds a way of stopping this mad scheme.

Picard's solution in "The Schizoid Man" is rather pedestrian, if not outright predictable, but the episode does provide Brent Spiner with an opportunity to flex his acting muscles a lot more than usual. The idea of putting a human being's consciousness inside a computer is rather intriguing (what if you preserved the greatest minds of the galaxy in such a fashion?), but nothing ever comes of it in future episodes. When you think how much computers have changed in the last ten years, or even since you bought your last one, and you extrapolate that sort of rapid progression several centuries into the future, you would have to think they could come up with better scenarios for all that computer power than running the holodeck. ... Read more

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Riva (Howie Seago) is one of the best mediators in the universe, and the Enterprise is assigned to transport him to Solais V, a planet that's been undergoing a bitter civil war for years. It turns out that Riva is aNew Age deaf mute whose thoughts and ideas are communicated through athree-person chorus that follows him around wherever he goes, but he's good at his job anyway. On the way to the planet, however, Riva seems more interested in hitting on the empathic Deanna Troi than studying the history of the conflict. His cockiness not only jeopardizes the mission but his own chorus aswell. With the help of Data and Troi, Riva is forced to find new ways to do his old job. Though the episode points to resolution, credit must be given to the writers for not tying up all of the loose ends by the finale. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

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Finally, A-Not-So-Boring-Second-Season-Episode
"Loud as a Whisper" is one of the greatest second season episodes. The Enterprise has to go to the Romatis star system to pick up 'The Greatest Mediator the Federation Has.' When they get there, they meet him and his chorus (Leo Damian as Andonis, Marnie Mosiman as the Woman, and Thomas Oglesby as the Scholar). We learn two things;1.His name is Riva(Played by Howie Seago;Beyond Silence), and 2.He's a deaf-mute that communicates through his chorus, each speaking in a certain area of experteece(or however you spell it, hey! I'm a kid.). Right off the bat, Riva likes Troi(Marina Sirtis). He meets the crew, and becomes a friend to Geordi(LeVar Burton). He asks if Troi would show him to his quarters, and leaves the Woman and Scholar behind, taking Andonis with them. Then we find out that when not needed, the rest of the Chorus is actually alot nicer than you think. Meanwhile, Troi and Riva make dinner plans for after the briefing that Riva brags his little heart out. The the dinner rolls around and it's interrupted by one of the factions that have been fighting on Solaris 4. They have broken the 'cease-fire' and Riva stops them. Riva, the Chorus, Riker(Jonathan Frakes), and Worf(Michael Dorn), transport down to the surface, only to find a horrible fate. One of the guys on one of the factions goes crazy and shoots the Chorus, leaving Riva alone and confused. Captain Picard(Patrick Stewart) tries to talk to him, but can't. He asks Data(Brent Spiner)to learn sign language* so they could get on with the negotiations and get the heck out of there. Troi asks him what his secret is and he said 'The real secret is turning a disadvantage, into an advantage'. She also wants to know why he couldn't do that. He dismisses Data and they transport down to the surface. There Troi explains that he is going to teach both factions sign language to stop the fighting.

*Watch for this mistake; Data is going to show Picard some of what he learned. He meant to say in dialogue and sign:
Data:This is blue. This is the blue ocean. This is the blue ocean at sunset. This is...
What he really said was:
Data:This is 5. This is the 5 oceans. This is the 5 oceans at...

Loud as a Whisper ends too abruptly
Howie Seago portrays a deaf negotiator in this episode. It has the feeling that somehow the script was cut off at the end. The whole episode was built upon the fact the first negotiators were killed by the opposing side of aliens. Seago's character had to establish a dialogue with them again. What was frustrating was that you see him beam down to the planet and not see the result of his efforts. This would have been better as a two part episode.

Thoughtful episode about a deaf mute Federation Diplomat
One of the constants in the Star Trek universe is that the Federation's diplomatic corps is comprised almost entirely of incompetent buffoons. This episode is the exception that proves the rules. "Loud as a Whisper" is fairly creative both in terms of its main character and its resolution of the crisis situation. Another aspect of the future in Star Trek is that physical disabilities are easily managed. Blind Geordi Le Forge has a visor that allows him to see while Jean-Luc Picard has an artificial heart.

In this episode we meet Riva, played by Howie Seago, a mediator so accomplished they added the word "peacemaker" to the Klingon language because of his efforts. A deaf mute, who communicates through a chorus of three individuals who translate his thoughts and emotions into words, Riva is attracted to Counselor Troi. However, as soon as Riva and his chorus beam down to Solari V, one of the soldiers opens fire and disintegrates the chorus. The away team escapes with a distraught Riva back to the Enterprise. Picard has Data learn Riva's gestural language, but the negotiator refuses to return to the planet. Data might understand the words Riva wants to communicate, but not his emotions.

"Loud as a Whisper" is one of the best episodes of the second season, intelligently constructed and thoughtfully written. I especially like it when Riva explains to Troi that one of the secrets of successful negotiations is to turn disadvantages into advantages as a nice philosophical point with practical consequences. My only real complaint is that the dictates of the story necessitating getting rid of the chorus, which is a shame because it is fascinating to watch the four beings act as a single unit. The solution to the problem is rather primitive by 24th-century standards, but certainly rings true with those of us stuck in the barbaric past of the planet Earth. ... Read more

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In "Heart of Glory," Worf's Klingon heritage is examined and testedagainst his loyalty to the Enterprise. After detecting a disturbance inthe Neutral Zone, the Enterprise discovers the remains of one ship and adamaged cargo vessel whose life-support systems are failing. A rescue team sentin to find the survivors discovers a trio of Klingons and brings them back tothe ship. These Klingon officers don't trust the peace with the Federation and are also wanted by the Klingons for crimes that they have committed. The officers question Worf's dedication to his race, wondering aloud if his instincts have been dulled by living with civilized men, and try to goad him into joining their revolution. "Heart of Glory" does an excellent job at adding depth and personal history to the Worf character by forcing him to make decisions he'd rather not make. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (6)

"The true test of a warrior is not without, it is within."
The Klingons arrive on the scene in "Heart of Glory" to shake things up in the 24th century. Even though there is an alliance in place between the Klingon Empire and the Federation, you can always rely on those classic warriors to stir up trouble anyway.

The Enterprise-D rescues three Klingons from a damaged Talarian vessel. Unknown to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), the Klingons are actually fugitives. One of them dies from his injuries after coming aboard. Soon after, the other two fugitives start to devise a plan to take over the ship. They ask Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) to aid them but he remains loyal to his comrades. Eventually, a final showdown ensues in engineering between Worf and one of the fugitives.

"Heart of Glory" was the first Star Trek: The Next Generation Klingon episode and it did not disappoint. The howling during the Klingon Death Ritual was hokey but seeing the Klingons as Star Trek adversaries once more sure rekindled fond memories of their appearances in the original series. The guest performances were solid with Vaughn Armstrong turning in a strong effort as Korris and Charles H. Hyman complimenting him in his role as Konmel. And wasn't that a great moment when that Klingon battle cruiser appeared on the viewscreen? Talk about stirring up those feelings of nostalgia. The Federation and the Klingon Empire are inextricably connected in Star Trek lore and reinforcing this connection in the Next Generation era was a welcome development indeed.

The Klingon equivalent of romantics
Given that humans of different creed find it so difficult to understand each other, any interaction with a different bipedal species is bound to be a diplomatic and social minefield. As someone who has traveled internationally, I had to undergo crash courses in local manners, and it certainly takes effort to avoid making blunders. Even simple hand gestures are considered obscene in some cultures.
Without question, a major component of Star Fleet training would be an appreciation for social and cultural differences. Therefore, I was surprised at the reaction of Picard and the other human members of the Enterprise crew when they witnessed the Klingon death ritual. Two Klingon renegades bent on restoring the martial qualities of the Klingon empire hijack a ship, defeat a pursuer and then are rescued from the damaged ship by the Enterprise. Their true purpose is discovered and they are jailed, only to escape, leading to the death of one. The other makes it to engineering with a phaser, where one shot could destroy the Enterprise.
Worf then confronts the fugitive and finds himself being confronted as to how much he really is a Klingon. That scene is one of Michael Dorn's finest moments as Worf. He is clearly torn between his Klingon heritage, his time with humans and his Star Fleet training, as the fugitive pleads with Worf to join him and become a true Klingon once again. The Enterprise crew senses Worf's personal dilemma, as they are clearly reluctant to let him confront the renegade.
This episode is only average, although it is good, demonstrating what must be the Klingon equivalent of romantic war. There are holes in the plot. In any military vessel, there is no way that someone in the brig could ever make it to a location where they could destroy the ship. Nevertheless, there are points where you do not know what Worf will do, which gives it an acceptable degree of tension.

a question of Heart
"Heart of Glory" was the eagerly anticipated first-season Klingon story, and it did not disappoint! Worf's mysterious past was finally revealed: how as a child he had been orphaned, to be rescued and raised by a Human Starfleet couple. Many tantalizing facets of Klingon warrior culture were introduced in this episode. Among them, the death-howl, the stashing of covert weapons on one's person, the Bushido-like concept of Honor. And here originated the enduring theme of the Klingon Heart, which would torment Worf through seven seasons of Next Generation and conclude in Deep Space Nine. From the start, Worf's heart is conflicted by Klingon nature and Human nurture; the values of an Imperial warrior against those of a Starfleet Officer. Sometimes Worf would embrace his Klingon heart and sometimes reject it. He would love and avenge a mate, and refuse a dying enemy a transfusion of his blood. He would quit the Federation to join in a Klingon civil war, then show Human compassion for the son of his most hated nemesis. He would impart to culturally-deprived Klingon youths the xenophobic prejudices of their warrior hearts. And ultimately he would renounce it all -- the Chain of Duty, his career, and his Klingon honor and Heart of Glory -- by following his Human heart to save the life of his Trill mate, Jadzia Dax.

Are You a True Klingon?
Heart of Glory or .......Are You Truly a Klingon Warrior?

The Enterprise is called to assist a Talarian Freighter that's been commandeered by Klingons. Taken aboard they ask Worf to leave the world of Starfleet and join his fellow Klingons for "glorious battles." When the rebel Klingons are put in the brig they naturally escape and go to the engine room to take over the ship.

In one of the best scenes with Worf to date; he has to convince the Klingon soldier not to fire his weapon on the engines. In classic Worf fashion he resolves this problem. This character didn't believe in political correctness. He tells this disturbed Klingon that one does not have to battle and maim to be a true Klingon. The battles are fought and won in the heart. That is the nature of a true warrior. The fight to do the right thing and obey your conscience.

Our first in-depth look at the only Klingon in Starfleet
A relatively simple episode, "Hearts of Glory" is the first Next Generation episode to take a look at the character of Worf (then in his short hair phase). Investigating a battle in the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise finds three Klingons, one of whom has lethal wounds, aboard a damaged freighter. When a Klingon ship arrives on the scene its captain tells Picard the men are fugitives who had attacked and destroyed a Klingon cruiser and demands they be turned over to him. The pair of Klingons are put in a holding cell but then make good their escape. After one is killed the other goes to Engineering where he threatens to blow up the dilithium chamber unless he speaks with Worf.

If Data is the babe in the woods on Next Generation then Worf is the stranger in a strange land. His backstory that he was raised by foster parents on Earth after surviving the Khitomer Massacre has received scant attention at this point in the series, although in future episodes (#65 "Sins of the Father" and #100-101 "Redemption") the idea that Worf's family is in disgrace because his father was accused of being a traitor will focus more on the Klingon honor that becomes the soul of Worf's character. "Hearts of Glory" provides the first real look at Worf as a Klingon and at the Klingon's as something more than the Soviet Union's evil empire dressed up in allegorical form. Finally, Worf receives some dignity as a character and Michael Dorn receives more to do than make deep throated growls and snarls in the background. ... Read more