Reviews (2)

Jean-Luc Picard in a variation on the Prisoner Game
Captain Picard is sleeping when a junior variation of the 2001 Monolith appears. After he is scanned, Picard disappears, only to be replaced by a replicant. When he awakes, Picard finds himself in a cell with four beds. The other two occupants, a freshman cadet at the Academy and an overly accommodating bureaucrat are joined by the final prisoner, a hulking Chalnothian. It seems the newcomer cannot eat the food the captives are provided, but the bureaucrat would do quite nicely. Picard tries to keep the peace, find a way of escape, and discover why they are being held captive. Meanwhile, back on the Enterprise, the replicant Picard has been engaging in odd behavior, such as trying to get his crew to sing songs in Ten-Forward.

"Allegiance" is the Next Generation's variation on the classic prisoner game, where you throw together a small group of strangers, none of whom know why they have been captured. Consequently, the Dixon Hill loving Jean-Luc Picard is once again presented with a mystery. This time the big twist is that he does not have his crew or the ship's computer to help him figure out the puzzle. The joy is seeing Patrick Stewart, not only as the inquisitive and suspicious "real" Picard, but also as the jovial master of the ship "replicant" Picard. These latter scenes are almost as delightful as the ending of "Menage a Troi," but not quite.

Classic Logic Star Trek
This episode, in which Picard finds himself a captor with a group of other humanoids he has never met before, is classic in its slow revelation of what is really going on, and thoroughly enjoyable in its suspense and mounting excitement. ... Read more

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 (3)

Murder Meets Magnum
Although I always love to watch Tom Selleck walk around in shorts, this was not my favorite espiode. Murder She Wrote and Magnum are two great shows, hooowever, the writers of this particular espiode doees not capture either actor magic. "Murder On Ice" was much better.Also anyone who may want to see this espiode may like to check out A&E on cable, they are carrying the Magnum reruns.

more magnum please!
What another great episode in the magnum series I'm alsolooking to track down the episode "magnum on ice" as all fans of the show know that the episode follows on from novel connection, just a great shame that all the magnum episodes are not available so i can complete my collection, i can't be the only one out there who thinks this, come on amazon please help us!

Magnum P.I. One of the best
Another great episode of Magnum. Can someone please tell me how I can get a hold of the Murder She Wrote episode of Magnum On Ice which guest stars Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I. Thank You. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

a weird crazy trip up the Howard family tree
Dr. Crusher travels to Caldos IV (all planets in Star Trek have Roman numerals - don't forget it! Caldos was such a popular name, they had at least 4 planets! We have trillions of stars, but each star gets its own name! Why not planets?!) to attend the funeral of her maternal grandmother, Felisa Howard. We learn that Beverly's mother died when she was only a little girl and she was raised by her grandmother, so they were very close.

The colony on Caldos IV started out as a terraforming project with the sole intent of mimicing the Scottish Highlands, so bagpipes are played at the funeral and Mrs. Howard's house is a modest & traditional stone and hay country home. As the mourners leave the gravesite, Beveryly notices a dashing young man (Duncan Regehr) who tosses a camellia (Felisia's favorite flower) onto her casket and as he walks away, he looks over his shoulder and gives a heartbroken, yet seductive look to Beverly.

Beverly enters the house to gather sentimental belongings of her grandmother and she tries to tie up the loose ends in her grandmother's affairs. She catches the caretaker, Ned Quint (Shay Duffin), attempting to throw out an old brass candle holder that has been in Beverly's family for generations, and perhaps one of her most treasured family possessions. Quint claims the candle is a source of bad luck, but Beverly kicks him out of the house and is quite brusque with him.

The Enterprise stays in orbit longer than planned, to fix an unidentified power fluctuation in the weather control net on the planet, which affords Beverly more time to stay on the planet and sleep in her grandmother's house. Beverly finds her grandmother's journals and discovers that she had a young lover named Ronin for years. She falls asleep after reading the journal, having what appears to be an erotic dream, only to be awakened by a man's sultry voice. When she wakens suddenly, no one is there.

The next day, she visits the grave of her grandmother to find it covered with camellias. Continued problems w/ the weather net cause storms to break out, so she runs back to the house, to find the house filled with camellias... and once again she hears the voice of the man who woke her from her special dream. He reveals that his name is Ronin, a ghost of sorts that has loved the Howard women for 8 centuries. He begins to touch her, but she tells him to stop and he retreats.

Geordi & Data discover that Quint is behind the problems with the weather net - as he's caught, he screams a warning, "he'll kill us all!" and is suddenly killed by a plasma discharge. Beverly's tricorder scans reveal that the plasma is not what killed him.

Normally one to investigate further, she is instead drawn back to Ronin and his wiles. He tells her that lighting the family candle will keep him in corporeal (touchable) form. On the Enterprise, she lights the candle and Ronin appears to her. She resigns her post on the Enterprise and decides to become a healer on Caldos IV like her grandmother. Apparently, loving a ghost that got jiggy with her grandmother isn't creeping her out like it should be.

Data discovers energy from the cemetery similar to what killed the caretaker, Quint. Picard goes down to investigate and Ronin blasts him with his green plasma kung fu grip.

Torn between her unquenchable desire for Ronin and her loyalty to Picard, she has an epiphany as to what Ronin really is.

An interesting story, but far from the best that The Next Generation has to offer. We do see some sides of Beverly we don't normally get to see - and for character development, it's a good episode - but easily forgettable.

The Worst Episode of the Series!
Out of every episode of the long run of Star Trek: The Next Generation I have only disliked a few episodes and I have to say that Sub Rosa is the episode that I dislike the most, my #1 least favorite episode followed by Samaritan Snare at #2 and Justice at #3. Bevery Crusher is one of my favorite characters but there are much better episodes that focus on her. I think this is the worst episode of the series but of course that is just a matter of personal opinion!

Sub Rosa,...Non! Sub Standard,...Oui!
While many episodes of the series rarely focused on ship's physician, Dr. Beverly Crusher, this one does and, unfortunately, it's rather tame with little that is commendable. At the end of my initial viewing, I couldn't help but wonder the mindset behind this installment. Repeat viewings have not altered this puzzlement.

Painful
Crusher is prepared to throw in her career for the sake of her new lover, Ronin - the family ghost who has loved the women of her family since the seventeenth century. But why isn't she telling her friends what's going on? And what is the connection with the problems with Caldos II's weather control system?
Gothic romance meets Star Trek? This might have been a good idea in theory, but it didn't come off. The writing is bad and the acting is over the top. The reasons for Crusher's strange behaviour are never really made clear. The faux Scottish setting is twee. And so what if Ronin made Crusher's female ancestors very, very happy? He was a lying creep who fed on them for centuries!
I would go so far as to call this episode unwatchable.

Bizarre!
This episode where Beverly Crusher gets it on with some kind of ghostly being is the strangest episode I have ever watched, not just of a Star Trek the Next Generation episode but of any TV show period! ... Read more

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The oft-hinted romantic spark between Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) flares a bit in this episode written by Nick Sagan, the son of the late scientist Carl Sagan. Taken hostage by a race called the Prytt--who don't want a neighboring species, the Kes, to join the Federation--Picard and Crusher eventually make a break for it but find (because of a Prytt shackling device) they are attached via their brainwaves. Subjected to uncontrollable sharing of their thoughts, the two soon discover much about each other, including an unspoken, mutual attraction. Meanwhile, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes, who also directed the episode) wrestles with the politics of the Prytt-Kes conflict while trying to rescue his missing friends. The smoldering-love angle is played largely for its added character development rather than for soapy gratification, though it is fun to see the captain and doctor play around with possibilities. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Best P/C Video Out There!
For all the people who wanted Beverly Crusher and Jean-Luc Picard to finally come together, this is the video that you've been waiting for. The story starts out as Crusher and Picard beam to the planet Kes-Prytt to negotiate with the even-tempered Kes. However, the Prytt see this act as hostile, and capture both of them. Picard and Crusher navigate out of their cell, on the run to Kes territory. They trek through the planet, and one night, by a campfire, as they are able to read each other's minds because of the devices planet on the base of their necks, Beverly senses that Picard was once in love with her. They discuss this, and Picard admits that he was in love with her, but he was guilty when her former husband, Jack, died. They forget this, and each go to sleep. The next day, Riker negotiates with the Kes and the Prytt, convincing them to let Picard and Crusher beam back without any trouble. Picard and Crusher once again arrive at the Enterprise, and have their often dinner together. Picard asks Crusher if they should move forward from being friends, but Crusher denies, and leaves his quarters.

This was a really good video from the beginning, and in the middle you would think that Crusher and Picard would really get together in view of the discussions they have, but the don't. So, I really can't criticize Paramount, but don't watch this video in high hopes of Crusher and Picard getting together. In spite of all that, "Attached" was a really wonderful video.

If only Crusher could read Picard's mind....wait a minute!
"Attached" begins as an interesting exercise in 23rd Century democracy. The Enterprise is visiting Kesprit Three, where the majority of people, the Kes, want to join the Federation, but the isolationist minority, the Prit, want nothing to do with the strange visitors from the sky. When Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher beam down to meet with the Kes, the Prit redirect the transporter beam and capture the two Federation officers. The pair are fitted with neural transceivers in their cerebral cortexes, which the Prit intend to use to interrogate them. But a Kes operative frees them and as they flee Jean-Luc and Beverly learn tha they can read each other's thoughts because of these devices. And what things they learn.

What makes this an above average episode of STNG is the scene by the campfire where Beverly learns that Picard was in love with her during her marriage to Jack Crusher. When her husband died, Picard felt guilty about having such feelings towards the wife of his best friend and never said anything. This is certainly a fascinating revelation and sets up some interesting elements in the series' finale "All Good Things." It is also a wonderful scene between Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden. "Attached" is one of several episodes during the show's final season that really fleshed out the relationships between the characters. This is certainly a special episode for anybody who has a friend they wish was much more than a friend.

Intimate telepathic contact between Picard and Crusher
When Picard and Crusher are captured on a diplomatic away mission, telepathic enhancing devices are implanted in them, which, given time, will send and receive psi-waves. As they escape together, their telepahic contact grows as time goes by. The episode explores what it would be like to be constantly aware of somebody elses thoughts and dreams, especially if that persons loves you deeply and has done so in a quiet way for 20 years. In this episode Jean-Luc expresses his love for Beverly at long last, because it has no use denying it. There are some very moving scenes, and also some quite hillarious ones, as they slowly learn to live with each others thoughts.

If there ever was a P/C episode, than this is it.

Finally!
I have always been a strong supporter of Picard and Crusher and this episode is the one episode you must own if you love Picard and Crusher. IT was very funny and touching I jsut wish that they had kept going with them instead of putting them on the backburner in the movies. Riker and Troi are now together maybe, finally, they will get to THe Captain and the Doctor :)

Picard and Crusher . . . will they or won't they?
For all of you TNG fans, especially the ones who have felt that Picard and Crusher should be together, you won't be disappointed. This is a poignant story - one that has made it to my "favorite TNG episodes" list. I've always been a softie for a love story. The story line regarding the Kes and the Prytt is just a little bonus. The big story is Picard and Crusher. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

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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Kivas Fajo is a man with "no moral difficulties. At all." Saul Rubinek plays him with the ruthlessness and charm of Dr. Mengele. (By all accounts, Mengele could be very charming.) And like Mengele, Fajo collects things that please him, such as the Rejac Crystal and Data.

"The Most Toys" is eerie and creepy and exudes a strange fascination. It's like a car wreck: one is compelled by the force of human nature to look.There's just something strangely attractive about evil. Make no mistake, Kivas Fajo is evil. Sure he prances about like a demented gnome, but he also kidnaps, steals, and kills without compunction. He uses Data's programmed value of all life against him. When degradation and threats don't work, the collector produces an illegal disrupter and aims it at his assistant Varria (Jane Daly), who is herself a prisoner in his stable. Fajo will stop at nothing to get Data to sit in the chair. When Data finally does sit in the chair, the viewer understands that everybody has his price--even Data. Especially Data. That price is another being's life.

This episode contains the most chilling line in TNG's history: "I cannotfeel pleasure. I am only an android." It's extraordinary not only for great writing and acting but also for its sad backstory. Actor David Rappaport was originally cast as Fajo, but committed suicide before filming could be completed. The ironic thing is that "The Most Toys" is all about the affirmation of life. --Kayla Rigney ... Read more

Reviews (3)

How well do you really know someone?
His crewmates think he has died in a shuttle accident; but Data has been kidnapped. A wandering trader, Kivas Fajo, engineered the shuttle explosion to cover his acquisition of Data for his collection of unique, priceless objects. Data is used to being able to handle any situation. But when he discovers that Fajo seems to have thought of every contingency to block his escape - and worse, that his captor has absolutely no morals whatsoever - he is forced to realise how desperate his situation is. But how far can an emotionless android be pushed?
"The Most Toys" is a very well constructed episode; tight and well-written, even the brief scenes adding something important to the whole. The acting is excellent, from Brent Spiner, Saul Rubinek, and the actress who plays Varria. There are some affecting moments: Geordi's comment on what he thought Data's fate would be; Worf's reflection that his promotions have come after his colleagues' deaths; Varria's explanation of why she keeps working for Fajo; Fajo's realisation that he can still be surprised, by himself as well as others. There is a claustrophobic feel to the scenes on Fajo's ship, and as avenue after avenue is closed to Data, as the tension mounts, you can really understand why the climax develops as it does.
The last few minutes of "The Most Toys" are shocking in more ways than one. That the implications of this story were never explored is a fault of Star Trek: TNG as a whole, not of this episode.

One of the series' truly most despicable villains
When I first started watching this episode, I thought that it was going to be routine with little or no redeeming value. However, as the story developed, I became involved in this story of a creature totally devoid of conscience.

Saul Rubinek, a well-respected actor of stage and screen, is brilliant in the role of Kivas Fajo, a collector of one-of-a-kind items. He considers Data, as well as all that he desires, to be nothing more than acquisitions, deserving only for display in his compound. Fajo will stop at nothing to keep his "possessions".

His most malevolent act made me want a speedy demise for this heinous beast.

"Monsters" don't always have multiple legs or horns

A deranged collector adds Data to his special collection
Data is supposedly on the shuttle Pike that is transferring the unstable substance hytritium from a trader's ship to the Enterprise when the craft explodes. La Forge refuses to believe that his friend is dead without more proof; after all, Data is an android and it is possible his positronic brain survived. The more he investigates, the more suspicious he becomes. Of course, La Forge is right; Data is not dead, he has been kidnapped by Kivas Fajo (Saul Rubinek), a collector of the first order who just has to have Data the android in his eclectic collection. Fajo is essentially an evil child, who wants what he wants when he wants it without any compunction about any other concern than making himself happy. If Data will not comply with his wishes and willingly become an object in his treasure room, Fajo will simply kill his assistant.

"The Most Toys" is not only about Fajo's obsession with things but underscores once again that even if Data is not "human," his humanity is vastly superior to most beings encountered in the Star Trek universe. Of course there is a nice contrast between Brent Spiner's always understated peformance as Data and Rubinke's scenery chewing as Fajo. This is the episode from the third season that most focuses on Data, so it would be a must have episode for his legion of fans. ... 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

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"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

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The crew's much-needed shore leave has to be postponed when they runacross anomalies in the space-time continuum. Hiccups in time are causing occasional moments of déjà vu. The distress signal from Dr. PaulManheim (Rod Loomis), a scientist who's been working on experiments in nonlineartime, puts Picard into a bit of an emotional funk. You see, 22 years prior, Picard was supposed to meet a woman in a café in Paris--a woman whom he loved and who loved him. He stood her up for fear of being tied down by a relationship, choosing instead his Starfleet career. Needless to say, the old flame (Michelle Phillips) ended up marrying Manheim, and now it's up to Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to save them both. "We'll Always Have Paris" is an engaging examination of the personal sacrifices made bya workaholic, played against the backdrop of a smart, action-packed story. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

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Picard relives a moment of great weakness
On their way to a base to engage in some much-needed shore leave, the Enterprise suddenly experiences a brief looping of time. After verifying that the loop did indeed occur, they discover that it was not an isolated event, as it propagated across several thousand light years. Shortly after this, they receive a distress call from Dr. Paul Manheim, a scientist known to be conducting research in the fundamentals of time.
The situation is complicated because Manheim's wife is Captain Picard's first love, someone he was to have met in a café in Paris many years ago, but didn't due to an admitted lack of courage. Which raises the interesting human dilemma that some people who find it easy to face down physical danger fold like a cheap tent when faced with emotional danger. In order to prepare himself for meeting, Picard goes to a holodeck and has it recreate the café where the meeting was to take place.
Arriving at the laboratory, the Enterprise is able to rescue Dr. Manheim and his wife, the only two members of the research time still alive. Clearly, there is still a great deal of attraction between Picard and Mrs. Manheim, which stirs feelings of jealousy in Dr. Crusher. Dr. Manheim is phasing between dimensions, which is damaging his body, so we are once again made to suffer through more instances of Dr. Crusher saying she doesn't know what to do.
Eventually, Dr. Manheim recovers enough of his senses to explain to the Enterprise crew how to bypass the security system in his lab and heal the rift between the dimensions. Data beams down alone and manages to place antimatter in the rift at the right time so that it is sealed.
In terms of human interest with Picard as the focus, this is one of the best episodes in the series. We see him reliving his past, clearly with some sense of regret over his inability to let his emotions take some control over his life. While it is not part of the plot, it does raise the issue that perhaps that is one of the reasons why he is an excellent star ship captain. The feelings of jealousy in Dr. Crusher are also very evident, and both characters play their emotional conflicts very well. The ending scene where both Picard and Mrs. Manheim are in a holodeck simulation of the Parisian café is a classic example of two people putting closure to a part of their life. While they both still have deep feelings for each other, they clearly understand that they must part and they do so with a great deal of dignity.
The one part of the episode that I found detrimental was the role of counselor Troi, whose actions seem out of synch with the rest of the plot. When Picard first realizes that he will be meeting his first love, he obviously reacts with strong emotion. Before Picard can even leave the bridge, Troi stops him and offers him counseling services. We do not need to be told that Picard is undergoing emotional turmoil and he is rightfully annoyed at what should be considered an intrusion. Later, Troi approaches Dr. Crusher, expressing concern over her feelings of jealousy. Once again, this is an instance of over-zealous counseling. The feelings are of no danger to the ship and one would hope that the crew would be able to express natural emotions without having the counselor attempting to get involved in every instance.
Relying on one of the oldest themes in human existence, finding a long lost love, this episode shows Picard at his most vulnerable, where even he demonstrates weakness. Despite this, Picard also shows his greatest strength, in leading the Enterprise crew to the successful completion of a task that had to be done. This episode is good, but not great, slightly better than average when compared to all others.

Au contraire....
Contrary to the review "Time Distortion" just previous, I would have to say that chemistry of a former affair between the characters of Picard and Jenice was, in fact, in evidence. But this former connection was played with subtlety and maturity, not foolish hot kissing and furtive groping, as is so much in evidence on current television. The former affair would have had its after effects, years later, very plausibly in the way it was protrayed. It made an interesting foil to the time distortion story, as well as help to flesh out the human side of Picard's normally brusque character, a necessary development in the first season towards building audience interest in the new series. And it didn't hurt that Michelle Phillips was cast as Jenice - she played the part with the right mix of chic, loveliness and grace. This episode is one of my favorites, as it addresses the age-old story of lost loves, regrets, ambition, and other roads taken, all as a universal theme of the human condition.

Time Distortion
Manheim's Experiment

The highlight in this episode was not the flirtatious romance between Picard and Jenice (Michelle Phillips). It kind of fell flat because there was no chemistry between them. The effects shots that makes this one a keeper? The scenes where Data is attempting to plug the dimensional "hole" in the space time continuum. He exists in three different time lines simultaneously in the climatic scene.

The whole premise where Manheim spent his life studying time travel was tragic. A miscalculation put him in multi-dimensions. Why the producers threw in the former romance is a mystery to me. There was no spark between Philips and Stewart that led me to believe that at one time they loved each other.

Data saves the episode in this one. It was the only saving grace that put this one in my first season favorites list. I can understand how the producers must save money for the season. However, a little character conflict might have made this a dramatic episode. I see the contrast in the episodes done on Voyager and how far the producers have come in making the series more interesting for viewers.

Time to reveal Jean-Luc Picard's tragic romantic past
After reality starts to replay itself all over the ship, the Enterprise receives a distress call from the famous Dr. Paul Manheim. Fifteen years previously Manheim and his group of young scientists had disappeared trying to prove the doctor's theories concerning time. On Vandor IV the crew find everyone dead except for the doctor and his wife, Jenice. When the time distortions continue, Manheim confesses his experiments opened a rift to another dimension and if they can not seal this rift then reality will no longer exist, the laws of the universe will be undone, and life as we know it will come to an end. But more important than all that, we learn 22 years earlier Jean-Luc Picard had broken off a love affair with Manheim's wife!

As the first season of Next Generation draws to a close we have a belated effort to developed Picard as a romantic figure, although having Michelle Phillips play the role of Jencie is a very good start indeed. The series had began with the captain being pretty much the anti-Kirk and a celibate father-figure, career officer, who was married to his job. Ironically, in the end Picard will prove to be much more of a romantic figure than Riker, who was clearly set up to be the smooth talking stud on the show. The climax of this episode, where a trio of Datas have to figure out which one is at the correct point in the time continuum to seal the rift, is well done and a very nice last second hurdle to be overcome in solving the problem. It is that payoff to the other plotline which elevates "We'll Always Have Paris" above the melodrama of Picard's imitation "Casablanca" tragic past (For added fun, think of how the title applies to the crisis part of the episode rather than the romantic part). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Jean-Luc Picard would kill for the love of Lwaxana Troi...
This episode concludes with the funniest scene in the entire run of STNG. The Enterprise is attending a trade conference on Betazed, where Daimon Tog expresses an interest in a very unreceptive Lwaxana Troi. After the Enterprise leaves, Riker and Troi stay behind for a little shore leave. Lxwana joins them for a nice picnic when they are kidnapped by the Ferengi captain, who, as you recall, does not like the idea of females, "hu-man" or otherwise, being clothed. Eventually Picard learns of the abductions and the Enterprise gives chase. Meanwhile, Lwaxana makes Daimon Tog an offer he can not refuse: let Deanna and Riker go, and she will willingly stay with him. However, Lwaxana has failed to tell the Ferengi that Jean-Luc Picard is a very jealous lover . . .

The final scene, where Picard waxes poetic, spouting Shakespeare while threatening Daimon Tog, is absolutely hysterical. After all, Lwaxana is always giving Jean-Luc grief about all those amorous thoughts he has about her, which only makes this scene that much funnier. Besides, "Menage A Troi" does give you plenty of that fun mother-daughter interplay between Majel Barrett and Marina Sirtis. A fun episode from start to glorious finish.

A real winner.
This episode is one of the funniest EVER! When Deanna's mother shows up, she creates all KINDS of problems including the whole deal with her calling Deanna "Little One". Funniest scene is at the end, when Picard's reciting Shakespeare to the Ferengi who kidnapped Lwaxana and her...trying to conivce them of his "sincerity"

Lwaxana: I have a new love, Jean-Luc. And you can't keep killing all my lovers, now that simply has to stop.

Ferengi: KILLING?

Lwaxana: Oh, he's insanely jealous.

This one is really great. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

'Weird Science'...Wait...Make That 'Really Weird Science'!
This late ST:TNG series entry has been the subject of much debate and the recepient of many negative comments. I cannot side with those who judge this the worst of the TNG episodes. It has many of the familiar series ingredients that makes it an engaging story, beginning with humor. Barclay obsesses needlessly about being infected with a deadly virus - Beverly informs him he simply has the flu, but only after mildly enjoying Barclay's discomfort. Riker reports to Sick Bay as well, having accidentally rolled onto a cactus in the arboretum and getting it's needles stuck in his back. Worf belches - loudly - during a meal with Deanna, ogles the waitress then Troi. Riker suffers a loss of intelligence (trouble concentrating he says) that is undeniably humorous to see develop - especially the conversation with Geordi about whether to run a level 1 diagnostic. When Picard and Data are in Sick Bay attempting to diagnose what happened to the crew they are interrupted by 'something' beating on the doors. Data scans the area with his tricorder and reports, "It is large. It is approximately 240 kilograms. It is heavily armored..." Do you really need to hear anymore to know that you should arm yourself or get out of harm's way?

Besides that the mystery builds quite nicely allowing for both suspense and intrigue. Worf becomes irriatiable on the bridge and is relieved of duties by Riker; later that night he scurry's about madly in his quarters destroying his bed and has fits of growling; Troi develops an overwhelming need to drink and later to be submerged in water; Barclays exhibits very odd behavior - even for him! However, the episode takes an unfortunate turn halfway through from which it never recovers.

But, ultimately this episode has some story elements that are intellectually difficult to accept. After Picard and Data encounter the Neanderthal Riker Data scans him with the tricorder. He then reports to Picard that Riker's cranial bone structure has increased 20% and that his brain has decreased in size. What happened to the discarded matter that once composed his brain? After the crew is 'cured' by Data's toxin how does Riker's brain reconfigure to it's natural state? Also, both Worf and Barclay are depicted as having their skin replaced or discarded in favor of the new life form they are becoming. How is their skin is repaired if it is missing completely? Actually I suppose one could suggest that in the 24th century an advanced type of reconstructive surgery process could this. Beverly did need it because of the facial damaged caused by Worf spraying her with venom.

Above and beyond all of these though is the theory that dormant genes within humans carry genetic sequences that could surface after an inexplicable event and effect such horrific changes. It simply is unbelievable and insufficiently supported. Some viewers were even offended or disturbed by the show's speculation of human's evolutionary development. Keeping in mind that Star Trek is a show that historically takes adventurous risks (indeed, "To boldly go where no one has gone before!") for such an outlandish idea a stronger scientific platform should have been developed before progressing with the production of this story. A more plausible development would have been that all the crewmembers regress to the same or near Neanderthal state that Riker does.

Still, I don't dislike "Genesis" for all it's flaws. Instead I like it because of the strong first half and also because it does dare take such a risk with storytelling. I don't necessarily agree with the theories it presents but it does make for a lively discussion.

actually not phenomenally stupid
"Genesis" is nowhere near as phenomenally stupid as the synopsis makes it sound. The basic premise is, yes, pretty darned stupid, but if one suspends one's disbelief (and if one cannot do that, why is one watching Star Trek?), there are some fun chills here.

Gates McFadden didn't have much to work with, but she created a fine eerie atmosphere. This one ends up being fun to watch (Troi scarfing down a big plate of caviar, Worf calvinistically suggesting it's too rich) -- and at least it's not preachy.

Excellent Episode That Sends Chills
....It's a television show designed to entertain. I loved this epsiode due to its suspense. The crew of the Enterprise slowly turns into different creatures due to a drug administered into Lt. Barclay. The thing that makes it exciting is that you don't know whats going to happen next and you don't know what everyone is going to turn into. Wipe the science of things out of your head and watch a classic such as this. .... 5 stars all the way.

Will Picard be a lemur or pygmy marmoset?
This is also my choice for the worst STNG episode ever. Dr. Crusher is examining Spot, Data's pregnant cat, and Reg Barclay (Dwight Schultz) in Sick Bay. She gives Barclay a synthetic T-cell that will allow his body to fight off this rare disease to which he is particularly susceptible. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is testing a new targeting program for photon torpedoes. One of them gets lost, which for some reason requires Picard and Data to get on a shuttle and go after it. They return three days later and find the Enterprise crew has de-evolved into hideous creatures. Every time some monstrosity shows up you get to guess who they really are.

I do not know a lot about genetic science, but this sounds pretty far-fetched to even me. A synthetic T-cell becomes an airborne virus and every one starts mutating like crazy? I don't think so. Nor do I think that undoing such genetic mischief is equally easy to accomplish. Certainly the make-up department does a nice job of turning the crew into various creatures. Also, the romance between Worf and Troi continues: he bites her, but this also turns out not to be a good thing. But this is a poor use of Barclay's character and when all is said and done I am left with the conclusion "Genesis" is just a lame episode.

very disapppointed
I'm afraid this is one of my least favorite episodes. The direction and filming were indeed good, but the science behind the episode was completely bogus. (I know a lot of medical people, including geneticists...they hate this ep.) Worse, and perhaps because she directed it, Gates' character,the doctor responsible for the trouble, showed absolutely NO sign of any remorse or regret for her actions...actions which caused a number of murder deaths among the crew. The only redeeming quality was the as usual high quality work of Dwight Schultz, as the neurotic and entertaining Barclay.

ST:TNG has often had trouble with its main characters being wooden or unemotional, or with weak science, but this one I just couldn't forgive. Sorry. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Baltar Flies Out The Cuckoos Nest
Baltar busts out of the prison ship with a little help from his friends. Lorne Greene's character gets hassled by the civilian government who want to make nice with the bad guys. This episode is wonderfully acted by John Colicos, who plays Baltar as so mean and oily, its a pleasure to watch the bad guy make our heroes lives unpleasant! This is well-paced adventure that the whole family can watch and enjoy...its not a heavy effects episode, but with the story going from plot twists to jokes to action and back again, you wont mind!

One Of The Better Episodes
As a huge fan of Battlestar Galactica, I prefer "Baltar's Escape" to many of the other episodes. This story about terrorists and hostages is more suitable to what the show was all about. Baltar makes an effective villain and the Nomen and Enforcers are great at his side. The ending is both unpredictable and funny. Not the best episode, but better than most. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In 1991, Star Trek: The Next Generation did its own version of The Search for Spock in this two-part episode featuring Leonard Nimoy as the legendary Vulcan. When an intelligence scan spots Ambassador Spock on the planet Romulus, home of the Federation's enemy the Romulans, Picard is ordered to track down the wayward Vulcan and investigate his apparent defection. Picard visits Spock's ailing father, Sarek (Mark Lenard), who is now senile, and finds out that Spock has maintained a long-standing relationship with a Romulan senator, Pardek (Malachi Throne), hoping to keep alive a dialogue between the two antagonistic sides. To search for Spock, Picard and Data beam down to Romulus disguised as Romulans, after approaching by stealth using a cloaked ship acquired from the Klingons. Back on the Enterprise, Riker investigates a decommissioned Vulcan ship, apparently stolen from a surplus depot whose quartermaster is Klim Dokachin, played wryly by Graham Jarvis (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) in one of the episode's funny highlights. Does the theft of the Vulcan vessel have anything to do with the disappearance of Spock? Well, as you might expect in a two-part episode, that story line is to be continued. These multiple tracks just whet the appetite for part 2, and build expectation ably toward the appearance of Spock and the mysteries surrounding his disappearance, something thrilling for any fan--as thrilling as the sorry state of Sarek's mental condition is poignant. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What is Ambassador Spock doing on Romulus?
A Starfleet Admiral informs Captain Picard that long-range scanners have detected Ambassador Spock on Romulus, the home world of the Romulan Empire. The question on the table is whether or not Spock has done the unthinkable by defecting. The Enterprise travels to Vulcan where Picard meets with a dying Sarek, who explains that Spock has been cultivating a friendship with Pardek, a Romulan Senator. Sarek believes his son went to Romulus to meet with Pardek to discuss the possibility of the "unification" of their two peoples (An aside: seeing as how the Romulans have an empire and the Vulcans have just their planet, this reminds me of China wanting "unification" with Taiwan; these are not exactly equal parties in these negotiations--but the parallel sure works). After Sarek's death, Picard and Data are transported to a cloaked Klingon warship, which will take them to Romulus where they will beam down and attempt to locate Spock. Meanwhile, the Enterprise tries to solve a seemingly unrelated mystery: wreckage from a Ferengi transport ship marked "medical supplies" contains a navigational array from the Vulcan Ship T'Pau, which is supposedly docked in the interstellar junkyard around Qualor Two. Riker discovers not only that the T'Pau is missing but that a mysterious ship is stealing more equipment from the junkyard. Back on Romulus, Picard and Data continue their search for Spock.

"Unification I" sets up almost all of the pieces for the mystery of Spock's disappearance (there is one more important character in the tale who does not make their appearance until part two). The final appearance of Mark Lenard as Sarek is especially moving and quite unexpected. Picard finds himself caught in the gulf between father and son that is now solidified by Sarek's death. But Star Trek has always known how to make the most out of the death of their characters and this part of the story is far from over. Although he has only a few seconds of screen time in this episode, the character of Spock dominates the story. Of course Sarek is right about what his son is up to. so the challenge is to find Spock more than anything else.

Star Trek: The Next Generation was not going to lure Leonard Nimoy into making a guest appearance as Spock without giving the actor/character a real solid story line and the two-part "Unification" episode really delivers. Unlike the appearance of Scotty in "Relics," the return of Spock is integrated into on-going STNG story lines. The Romulans have become increasingly less subtle about their expansionist intentions (most recently in the two-parter "Redemption," Episodes 100-101) so that they are certainly a growing concern for the Federation. The idea that the Romulans and Vulcans have common ancestry dates back to the first appearance of the Romulans on the original Star Trek ("Balance of Terror," Episode 9). On a more personal level, there is the fact that Picard has mind-melded with Spock's father Sarek, an intimacy that has been denied the son ("Sarek," Episode 71). Consequently, the appearance of Spock on STNG is eminently logical.

Unification
A very good and refreshing storey(nice to get a break away from Klingons) where Spock is on Romulus (and is spotted by Starfleet inteligence) urging a re-unification between Vulcans and Romulans. Picard goes to see Sarek, Spocks father, to find out where Spock could've gone. It is a very moving scene with Mark Lenard (Sarek), where he portrays a deteriorating Vulcan who has lost almost all his mind control capabilities (worth watching if only for this scence, it is very moving and is a truely great loss with the death of Mark Lenard). Spock finds that many people on Romulus want follow a Vulcan way of life. Then he finds that the Procouncil wants to meet with him to urge the re-unification. It is a trap. With Spock is Picard to check-up on him. They get themselves out of the trap with a little technical help from Data. Picard offers Spock to mind meld to find out more about his father and the fact that he loved Spock. Picard and Data leave while Spock stays behind to continue to teach the Vulcan way of life to those that wish it.

Old and New Trek worlds collide
Spock has defected to Romulus in order to help them reunite with Vulcan. The gem and best scene of the show was Mark Lenard's death bed scene as Sarek with Picard. It truly breaks your heart to see Sarek on the edge of death. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I like Meeno Peluce But?
I like Meeno Peluce but this video is TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE!! I haven't seen it yet but anything with Meeno Peluce in it is good! But one star comes off for the OUTRAGEOUSLY AND RIDICULUS HIGH PRICE FOR THIS MOVIE!! SELLER'S PLEASE LOWER YOUR PRICES OR YOUR VIDEOS WILL NOT SELL!! I GUARENTEE IT!! Thanks! Jimmy

It's OK But...
I haven't actually seen it yet, but if what the other reviews are saying is true, then I think that the people selling them shoud definaty lower their prices by about $35 since they don't seem to be very good to others and are such high priced, then I don't want to take the chance of wasting so much money that I don't have just to watch pre-assumed garbage of a movie.

For serious Voyagers! fans only
The reason I gave this video two stars was a matter of math. This video includes footage from two episodes of the sci-fi series about time travel that aired on NBC 1982-83, 'Voyagers!' - the series pilot and the Titanic/Louis Pasteur episode. The original scenes are the bright spots, and worth it for a fan who remembers the show and can't find episode copies elsewhere. Unfortunately, the editor for this video ravaged the material, clipping some scenes, flipping the original order of some scenes thereby causing discontinuity, and inserting idiotic segueways featuring a talking 'central computer' to cover the unneccesary damage. I think the worst editing disaster of all was the dubbing of new dialogue in for the characters at various spots, Jeffery Jones especially. It's clearly not the original actors' voices, and the added dialogue is inane. Had the two episodes of this inventive series been left in their original condition, this video would be worth four stars. The editing folly subtracts from that, leaving two, one for each episode.

What a disappointment!
If you were a fan of the Voyager TV show, DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT waste your money on this dreadful 90 minute compilation of some episodes. None of my favorite epidsodes were included (no Jesse James/Teddy Roosevelt, no Einstein, no Dickens' England). Worse, someone added the cheesiest special effects for time travel I've ever seen: the screen cuts to what appears to be a some slots from a giant computer and makes stupid noises. This stuff would have ended up on the cutting room floor of "Planet Nine From Outer Space"! If you enjoyed the TV show, just remember Jon-Erik & Meeno fondly and keep your money in your pocket. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Star Trek's most pivotal & influential moment...
The two-part cliffhanger "The Best of Both Worlds" reacquainted the viewing audience with Star Trek's most relentless alien foes the Borg. The end of Part One disturbed viewers with the visage of Captain Picard, captured by- and assimilated into- the Borg collective. Now he is Locutus, one of the enemy, fighting against his former shipmates and comrades, his knowledge and experience involuntarily used against them. How can one possibly defeat an enemy who knows you almost as well as you know yourself? Find out in part two...

Considered by Trekkie (yes, TREKKIE) consensus to be the best two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Best of Both Worlds" also launched NextGen into a fourth TV season, surpassing the Original Series' run.

"The Best of Both Worlds" and its repurcussions would also have the greatest impact on future Star Trek continuity. A few subsequent NextGen episodes and the "First Contact" movie would feature Picard coming to grips with and facing his darkest nightmares about his forced assimilation into the Borg collective mind. Benjamin Sisko of "Deep Space Nine" was introduced facing a Borg attack directed by Locutus. The Voyager crew has a former Borg crew member.

To sum it all up: it's my belief that "The Best of Both Worlds" showcased Star Trek at it's absolute best. It set the standard which, in my opinion, has yet to be surpassed by any subsequent Trek movie or episode. If you've been looking for Star Trek's most pivotal & influential moment, look no further... you've found it!

Star Trek:The Next Generation at its best!
They are from the deepest reaches of the Delta Quadrant; they call themselves the Borg. Half-humanoid, half machine, their only goal is total perfection using one sole strategy-the assimilation of whole worlds, cultures, and races. They are relentless, chilling, and almost unstoppable. Which is why its no wonder that they have been voted Star Trek's favorite villain! The Best of Both Worlds deals with the Borg (first encountered in 2nd season episode "Q Who?") invading the Federation. The U.S.S. Enterpise-D is sent to buy time for a Starfleet Armada assembling at Wolf 359, but in the process, Captain Picard is captured, assimilated, and becomes known as Locutus of Borg. With Picard's past experience, the Borg are able to decimate the armada and its up to the Enterpise and Commander Riker to stop them before they reach Earth. This truly is the best episode of the second Star Trek series. It also gave way to other Borg two parters, including "Descent", "Scorpion", "Dark Frontier", and "Unimatrix Zero". The only downside is that we only see the graveyard of Wold 359 but two years later, we would see the actual battle during the pilot for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Thus, remember that freedom is irrelevant and resistance is futile!

The best Star Trek
Okay, I raise my hands in admittance, I'm a Babylon 5 fan, not a Star Trek fan. But before you hurl injurous objects at me and assault me outmoded farming implements let me say that there is more than enough room on TV for both of them. There, let us stop bickering and stop sulking B5 fans.

This is the best Star Trek. The idea behind the Borg is horrific. They just keep on coming. Healing within seconds and constantly adapting they are a terrible foe to whom the galaxy probably belongs in the future. Against them they have The USS Enterprise and it's highly skilled (and highly flukey) crew. The best thing about this two parter is that the Borg make all the right moves. They do nothing stupid that allows the federation gain the upper hand, they are ready for anything the good guys can throw at them. This obviously has Starfleet on the run and for a while it looks like the Borg are going to win this one. The assimilation of Picard (played by the stupendously ace Jean Luc Picard, who is the best actor around currently, and not because he comes from my home town, nyaah rasp) is genuinely chilling and the calmness of the Borg as they attack is unnerving. The Borg are indeed the best villains ever!

There are a couple of flaws with this though. The massacre of Starfleet isn't shown which is quite damning considering if they did it would be the dramatic equivilent of whacking friend viewer around the back of the head by a two by four. Also everything after the show returns to good old hunky dory. Bah. More psychological scars and long term consequences next time, please! Still, it is exciting and the acting is of a high standard. It is the equivilent to Babylon 5's 'Coming of Shadows' and 'The Long Twilight Struggle'. Only in those two the good guys lose. Nyuk nyuk.

The main problem is that now the new Star Treks have squandered the Borg shamelessly. They have junked everything that made them chilling, introducing individuality (see well done but conceptually wrong Borg queen and Hugh) and those bloody 'Quantum torpedoes' which gives Starfleet a handy excuse for taking on cubes and winning. And now they've introduced a more powerful enemy... which they beat by using technobabble! Aiee! Bring back the grim nightmare of proper Borg. Anyway, buy this and enjoy.

Good videos
My review is about the review done by James A. Reynolds III. All of his reviews are worthless. He never gives insight about the game, movie, book, etc. He just spews the same Taliban-like crap from right-wing conservative morons. Leave your political views out of the reviews. If you want to continue to make these stupid remarks, go to Foxnews.com. Fox news - they lie & you comply.

Interesting Tale, But A Lost Opportunity To Enlighten
This pivotal two-parter, for those of you just back from Mars, entailed Capt. Picard's capture and assimilation by the Borg, the cybernetic creatures. The action in these episodes revolves around the Enterprise crew's efforts to destroy the Borg and retrieve Capt. Picard.

However, the writers passed up a stupendous opportunity to portray life as it can and ought to be. When the Enterprise crew was attacked by the Borg, Worf and the others responded by trying to kill them (and they kept trying, though the Borg could adapt to every weapon employed).

What if the Enterprise crew had, after the first attack, asked itself, "Why do they hate us?" The Enterprise folks should have spent a substantial amount of time analyzing which of their own failings and misdeeds were instrumental in provoking the Borg attack. Capt. Picard should have then formed a coalition, perhaps engaging the United Nations, and sent representatives to negotiate with the Borg. Resolutions could have been passed, and inspectors sent to ensure that the Borg complied with the resolutions. The Enterprise crew could have been FAR more compassionate, diverse, tolerant and inclusive toward the Borg -- but instead, they just tried to kill them, and neutralize the threat. They acted without regard for how other planets might have felt about them. They simply wanted to destroy the Borg, and end the threat.

That doesn't sound like enlightened space travelers. It sounds like a bunch of unilateral cowboys. They prevailed over the Borg attackers, but that's beside the point. They should have been more gentle, more tolerant, more diverse and understanding in their dealings with the Borg terrorists. They should have appeased them. That would have taught those Borg a lesson, all right. ... Read more