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"Shades of Gray" was one of the weakest episodes of TNG's first two seasons and proved a particularly flat finale for season 2. It's hard to believe that, in only two seasons, the writers had come up so dry that they cobbled together a kind of greatest-hits show, in which much of the episode consisted of filler from earlier programs. The nominal plot involves Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes), who is scratched by a thorn on an unfamiliar planet while doing a geological survey. The thorn injects him with microbes that begin to infiltrate his nervous system, and it's up to Dr. Pulaski (Diana Muldaur) to figure out how to stop the organism from killing Riker. She discovers that stimulating Riker's memory with electricity has an effect, but happy memories strengthen the invading organism--so she must find a way to provoke Riker's worst memories to negate the organism's hold.

Frakes spends much of the episode flat on his back, simulating sleep, while director Rob Bowman cuts to a collection of clips from earlier episodes. The positive memories all have to do with his prowess with women, as he cuts a swath through the known universe. The negative vibes come from clips of the death of Tasha Yar and the few episodes in which Riker was the crew member in the most jeopardy. Mostly the clips serve as a survey of the various facial-hair fashions Frakes sported in the first two seasons. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The writers are more comatose than Riker is
One thing about the next generation series that has always annoyed me is the character of the chief medical officer of the Enterprise. Whether it is Dr. Crusher or Pulaski, the most common line seems to be, "I don't know . . . " Even twenty-first century doctors don't talk like that, and they don't have the advantages of another couple of centuries of medical knowledge and intelligent diagnostic computers. In this episode, the line is repeated by Dr. Pulaski until the point of boredom is reached. Dr. McCoy of the original series sometimes said it, but not as often and always with a tone of irritability rather than bafflement.
What saves the episode is the courage shown by Commander Riker as he faces death. While on a simple survey mission, he is pricked by a thorn that injects microorganisms into his leg. They infiltrate his nervous system and rapidly migrate towards his brain. His humor and good grace as the organism invades his brain shows us all how we should face a death that we can see as it approaches. Of course, Dr. Pulaski finally wises up and determines that negative emotions will kill the bugs. By stimulating those emotions electronically, Riker is cured and awakes with a quip on his lips.
In the original series, the lines given to Dr. McCoy occasionally got predictable and routine, including the classic, "He's dead Jim." However, it never reached the point that it does in the next generation. This episode is one of the worst offenders and while watching it, I did something I rarely do when watching any Star Trek episode, entered into a bored state.

Riker's Greatest Hits!
Are you sick and tired of NextGen episodes that actually make efforts to be original, and not rely on stock footage? Are you a big fan of Commander Will Riker? If you said, "yes" to both of these questions, then "Shades of Grey: Riker's Greatest Hits" is just the thing you've been looking for! Be amazed by the desperate measures a TV/movie production studio will take to pad out the episode total of a writers'-strike-shortened season! Be relieved by the fact that this show marks Dr. Pulaski's final NextGen appearance!

A few of Number One's more memorable (so to speak) recycled moments in this eppie include:

- The exploding-head scene from 'Conspiracy'!
- The death of Tasha Yar ('Skin of Evil')!
- Getting dragged into and submerged in a nasty pool of black sludge ('Skin of Evil')!
- his first encounter with Data on the Holodeck ('Encounter at Farpoint')!
- Disciplining a Klingon subordinate ('A Matter of Honor')!
- Ordering the activation of the Enterprise's self-destruct function ('11001001')!
- Helping in the rescue of a couple of Klingon renegades ('Heart of Glory')!
- Reconciliation with his dad ('The Icarus Factor')!
- The bevy of babes he's seduced ('Angel One', 'Up The Long Ladder', etc.)!
- ...and many more amazing Riker scenes!

SPECIAL BONUS: Less than 2 minutes of Wesley Crusher footage overall! That's right- you need endure only a minute-and-a-half of NextGen's most reviled teen prodigy in this Greatest Hits collection! Or you can just fast-forward right through it to save you the pain and annoyance!

But wait, there's more! Act now, and Amazon™ will include a handsome illustrated single-ply cardboard slipcase and soft temporary lamination absolutely free of charge! What a deal!

So don't delay-- get "Shades of Grey: Riker's Greatest Hits" today! (Hey-- that last sentence kinda rhymed and stuff!)

'Late!

"Data, Something's got me!"
"Shades Of Grey" ended Star Trek: The Next Generation's troubled second season, a gift to Paramount for footing the bill on "Q Who". At least Riker's memories are interesting; "Data! Something's got me!"

Necessity is the Mother of a whole bunch of flashbacks
It is pretty ironic that the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation ends with the classic "Best of Both Worlds" cliffhanger, because the second season ends with this particular tribute to the art of montage. The show might have been a success in syndication but it was still expensive, and "Shades of Gray" is what they came up with the money for special effects ran out. The justification for the flashbacks is that Riker gets stabbed by a plant while on a survey of this week's unexplored planet. The plant infects him with microbes that will kill him once they reach his brain. Apparently the microbes are not traveling via his circulatory system, otherwise the episode would be over at this point. Dr. Pulaski, in her last episode, has fun putting long rods into Riker's head so she can stimulate Riker to have various memories of all the fun times he has had aboard the Enterprise (e.g., the death of Tasha, fighting his father, etc.). This is because "bad" memories hurt the invading microbes. Consequently, this is an atypical "flashback" episode because usually a television series celebrates the good times on the series, not the bad ones. So, if you do not like Riker, "Shades of Gray" has to be your top choice of an episode that puts him through the wringer. Fortunately, the Next Generation never comes close to ending a season on so low a note ever again.

Low-budget fiasco of necessity
This episode was the result of a very low budget and an uncertainty at the time about the future of the series. Almost half of the episode is scavenged from former episodes. The limited budget that the studio had imposed on the writers and the rather extravagent special effects used during the second series meant that the episode had to be made on a shoestring. This is a ploy used in many different TV series; Star Trek: TNG is certainly not unusual in this. However, for dedicated fans, such episodes end up in their "most disappointing" category. As far as the limitations of flashback episodes go, and considering the questionable quality of the first two seasons, this is not a bad result. However, being what it is, it is certainly one of the lower points of the series. I would, however, rank it somewhat better than such episodes as "The Last Outpost" and "Justice." ... Read more

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Q eating a chocolate sundae: what a concept. Popular with Trek fans, the godlike imp Q (John de Lancie) makes his sixth appearance on The Next Generation, but this time with a difference. Stripped of his amazing powers by the Q Continuum--his immortal overseers--the condescending space-pest becomes a mere humanoid on the Enterprise, adding an extra headache for Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), already busy trying to keep a moon from crashing into a Federation planet. Assigned to crew duty, the humbled Q is escorted everywhere by Data (Brent Spiner), who introduces the skeptical alien to such fleshly pursuits as ordering chocolate treats. When Data makes an extreme sacrifice to protect Q from an old nemesis, the narcissistic fellow is uncharacteristically moved to heroic action of his own. The episode was made strictly for fun (most Q episodes end up rather profound, but this isn't one of them), and de Lancie has great sport with his alter ego's sudden ordinariness. Corbin Bernsen (LA Law) makes a surprise appearance as Q2, Q's annoyed boss. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Sudden mortality would be very hard to take
It is easy to understand the popularity of the Q character in the Star Trek: The Next Generation series. The myths of cultures from Africa to Native Americans all contain tales of the trickster. Mythology experts Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz wrote:

"Of all the characters in myths and legends told around the world through the centuries-courageous heroes, scary monsters, rapturous virgins-it's the Trickster who provides the real spark in the action -"

which indicates that most people are more interested and influenced by gods that are obnoxiously omnipotent rather than the detached unemotional overseer. The dialog of the Q episodes also seems to be crisper, both in content and in delivery.
This episode begins with the Enterprise desperately trying to alter the course of a moon that is about to crash into an inhabited planet. Q suddenly arrives and claims to have been stripped of his powers and turned into a human. Of course, the Enterprise crew doesn't believe him, thinking that this is just another of his charades. Although Q is portrayed as being self-centered, his actions are quite human, as suddenly he finds himself subject to pains in the stomach, back and hands. After being omnipotent and capable of moving planets, sudden mortality would be very hard to handle.
Things get worse, as a creature with a grudge against Q arrives and begins to attack him. It is able to penetrate the shields and deflects the Enterprise from their mission. Captain Picard is able to discern that Q chose to be placed on the Enterprise because he knew that they would protect him from his enemies. Since the creature is powerful enough to destroy the Enterprise, Q takes a shuttle and goes out to meet his death. At the last moment, Q recovers his powers and solves the problem.
There is a great deal of philosophy in this episode and it is unfortunate that the Enterprise crew is unable to appreciate it. Only Data seems able to understand what is happening. The conversation between Q and Picard where Q states that he wishes to die for the sole reason that it can now happen to him is a very significant event. When Q walks up to Data in sick bay and tells him that he is a better human than Q will ever be we are witnessing one of the best scenes in all of the Star Trek episodes. I found myself wishing that this had been a two-part episode where the situation was explored in greater detail.
From the first TNG episode we are exposed to the desire of Data to be human. This is a reflection of the human bias of the writers and the producers. I personally consider that to have been a mistake that the producers never had the courage to correct. In this episode, they do make a slight correction. When Q expresses disgust with being human, he is expressing the opinion that most creatures in the galaxy would have. Namely, that being turned into a human would not be considered a positive event in their lives. It is most unlikely that any android as sophisticated as Data would aspire to be human.
This is one of the top ten episodes of TNG. In it, the topic of becoming a human being considered a reason to die is explored. The conclusion and the manner in which Q repays Data for his instruction is wonderful.

He's Baaaack
This is I believe one of the funniest Q epsiodes. Q shows his sense of humor at it most hilarious. Poor q has no powers na dhas to live as a mere mortal human. Data trys to save him, despite q's past antics. Q is whining and complaining, but is too funny. Guinan gets in on the act and gives him a taste of his own medicine ouch!

Definitely can watch this one over and over!

Favorite Episode
I have, as of late, seen countless episodes of STar Trek: TNG thanks to my room-mate unfortunately coming across about 100 episodes at a clearance sale. Most of the episodes are entertatining enough and after spending time with the characters you generally do start to feel for them. However I find most episodes either too timid to celebrate their weirdness or too afraid to truly explore the philisophical undertones they present.

This episode is guilty of none of these things, this episode is merely a really good time. I don't know if the writers were having a good day or Joh de Lancie is just a brilliant improvisationalist, whichever it is, this is the only episode of Star Trek that I actually laughed out at, that is, laughed out loud at things that were supposed to be funny. (Yes the miniature model of the Exxon disaster that kills Tasha Yar is a laugh a minute but I doubt that it was intentionally so.)

I have seen about 50 episodes so far and this is by far my favorite. Yes that is fifty hours of my life riped away in the span of a month. Now that I am an official Trekkie I'll never get a date again, oh wait I never get them anyway, at least now I have an excuse.

THE Episode to see for all Star Trek Newcomers
This is one of the episodes of Star Trek:TNG with one of my favorite characters of the show: Q! This is the episode for everyone who is a newcomer to Star Trek to watch and be in awe and total amazement. After watching this episode, you will become a die-hard Star Trek fan like me and want to watch as many episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (and maybe even the other series) as you possibly can. This episode, I truly believe, displays Q's best acting and dialogue performance, EVER, from all of his appearances on all the series. He is incredible here in his ability to rouse the other members of the crew and in his acting and, especially, speaking, abilities. He is, dare I say, hilarious in what he says to Capt. Picard, Data, and Worf....and how he says it! But, don't forget about the storyline of the asteroidal moon falling from the sky to its respective planet, Bre'el Four. Can, or, more precisely, will, Q save the planet and restore the moon to its proper orbit? "There are millions of lives at risk. If you have the power...."

"It¿s difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent."
"Deja Q" is an episode that you knew we would get around to seeing one day, sooner or later. The Enterprise is trying to help Bre'el IV, who's moon is about to break from orbit and destroy their world. Just to complicate matters, Q suddenly materializes. Apparently the Q Continuum has stripped Q of his powers and sent him off into the universe. However, they allowed him to pick what type of life form he would be for the rest of his natural unborn days and Q picked human. Picard, suspicious that Q is responsible for what is happening to Bre'el Four's moon, puts their strange visitor in the brig. Eventually Q is released because even if he no longer has his powers, he still has knowledge that can help them restore the moon's original orbit. Of course this is when the Calamarain, an ionized gas cloud that is just one of the many species that Q has messed around with in the past, arrives upon the scene and attacks the ship in order to get at Q. Finally, Picard knows that Q decided to become human because the one being in the entire universe who would save his sorry behind would always be Jean-Luc Picard.

This is a wonderful episode simply because we get to John De Lancie's best performance as Q. Without his powers we learn that Q would still be Q and you have to love watching De Lancie put subtle shadings on Q's roguish behavior given his new circumstances. Picard and Q would never admit what they really think of each other, mainly because that would spoil all the fun, but this is about as close as they ever get. "Deja Q" makes it clear that the reason these two play off each other so well is that they really understand each other, even with all the smoke screens and other distractions they throw in the way. There is also the additional pleasure of seeing the Enterprise crew trying to treat Q as a "normal" person and the appearance of Corbin Bernsen as Q (not our Q but a different Q, because, after all, not all Q are alike). This off beat Q adventure is one of the best. ... Read more

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When an assignment brings the Enterprise to the star system where Data was discovered and activated 26 years earlier, the crew takes theopportunity to investigate the enigma of the android's origin. Returning to thebarren planet where Data was found, the away team finds an undergroundlaboratory containing the disconnected segments of another cyborg, identical toData. Reassembled and brought to life, this second android grins, twitches his cheek, and introduces himself as Lore. Lore explains that he was created to replace Data when the latter disturbed the humans with whom he interacted (a lie, Data realizes--it turns out to have been exactly the opposite); and that the colonists' fate was the work of a giant "crystalline entity." He offers to guide the crew to it so that it may be destroyed, yet immediately after he's left alone Lore sends secret messages to the giant snowflake in spacepromising to bring it quite a feast. Yes, it took only 14 episodes for Next Generation to dredge up that hoariest of clichés, the eviltwin (right down to Lore's distinguishing facial tic and fondness for penny-dreadful dialogue). Brent Spiner has what fun he can with the dual roles--he was starting to find the humor and humanity in Data by this point, and the more risibly histrionic that Lore's lines become the more Spiner engages in some tasty scenery-chewing, but not even his mercifully campy turn can salvage some of the silliest scenes ever written for the series. And the rest of the crew is as smug as they ever were the first few seasons, despite being so obtuse that they can't even see through Lore's ludicrous sham when he switches places with an unconscious Data. --Bruce Reid ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Data Meets Lore!
Star Trek - The Next Generation is one of my favorite television shows and the android Data is one of my favorite characters and Brent Spiner who plays him truly shines in his duel role in this episode as Data and his evil android brother Lore who is not only evil but seems to be a patholgogical liar as well. In the episode star fleet discovers an android that looks like Data and we learn that before Data's creator Dr. Soong built Data he had built an android he called Lore who turned out to be unstable so he dismantled him. This is a good episode and I recommend it to fans of Data and Brent Spiner.

Would Captain Picard really say, "Shut up Wesley"?
The premise of this episode is one of the oldest in human literature, that of the evil twin. Proving once again that Star Trek often attempts to look ahead by looking back. In this case, it is Data that has an evil twin, found in pieces when the Enterprise travels back to the planet where Data was found. There are also hints of the crystalline entity, a creature that appears to subsist by devouring life.
When the Enterprise arrives at the planet, it is completely devoid of life, although a research lab is still intact. Lore is found, taken back to the ship and reconstructed. Once he is together, Lore "awakens" and immediately begins plotting to allow the crystalline entity to penetrate the Enterprise and consume the life on board. He is foiled by the efforts of Wesley Crusher, who seems to be the only one who recognizes that Lore is impersonating Data.
There are so many logical holes and inconsistencies in this episode that it becomes a strain to watch. The most amazing is the way that Captain Picard treats Wesley. In the previous episode, "The Big Goodbye", Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher are trapped inside the holodeck due to a computer error. Wesley is allowed to participate in the rescue attempt; in fact he is the sole person examining the circuitry, searching for the flaw. Yet, in this episode, when Wesley voices his concern that the android is in fact Lore impersonating Data, Picard's solution is to yell, "Shut up Wesley!" Riker's behavior is almost as bad, paying no attention to what Wesley is trying to say. At the end, when it is clear that Wesley has in fact saved the ship and the lives of everyone on board, the only thing Picard can say to Wesley is, "Are you ready to return to duty?" This is completely inconsistent with the established patterns of behavior, as Wesley has established himself as one of the most capable members of the crew.
The only thing that saves the episode is the excellent performance of Brent Spiner as both Data and Lore. As a consequence of his giving Lore a facial tic and slightly different mannerisms, we always know which one is on the screen. Unfortunately, if we can see it, it should have been obvious to the crew of the Enterprise as well. Fortunately, Lore is defeated in a way that allowed for a logically consistent return in future episodes. Despite this bad start, his appearance in future episodes yields much better stories.

"It's Data, mom. I heard you know how to turn him on."
In "Datalore," Star Trek: The Next Generation tried its hand at the time-tested evil-twin story by introducing viewers to version 1.0 of the series' beloved positronic-brained android. This episode provided the same opportunity to explore the dual nature of the psyche like "The Enemy Within" did during the run of the original series. Sadly though, the doppelganger didn't demand to be given brandy this time around - more proof that the 23rd century was a much more fun time period than the 24th.

While trying to solve the mystery behind the mysterious disappearance of a colony in the Omicron Theta star system, the crew of the Enterprise-D discover a disassembled android in a laboratory. When assembled the android proves to be an exact duplicate of Data (Brent Spiner). It turns out the android named Lore (Spiner in a dual role) was created before Data but was shut down when he encountered difficulties co-existing with the colonists. It soon comes to light that there is a sinister connection between the reactivated android and the disappearance of the colonists.

Brent Spiner is assigned double-duty with this episode and he admirably pulls off the difficult task of playing the twin androids. Although similar in appearance, Spiner infuses both Data and Lore with personas so distinct that you never confuse the two of them. While Lore's facial twitch and use of contractions seem to be contrived and convenient story devices, the novelty of watching a dark version of Data is so amusing that it helps to temper the weaknesses in the story. Wisely, Lore is dispatched in a manner that leaves the door open for further appearances. His return in future seasons would contribute immensely to the continued development of Data.

Wesley Shuts Up, And Worf Is A Wuss
Wesley shuts up, and Worf is a wuss

Although it's not too much different from most "evil twin" plots, I do enjoy watching this particular first-season NextGen eppie. Spiner really puts some... um, feeling... into his performance as both 'twins'. Oh, all right-- if you wanna get technical, Lore is a bit older since he was built first (man, you uber-Trekkies are SO touchy!). And the NextGen bean-counters didn't have to shell out the extra shekels to have another actor play the role. So not only is "Datalore" a not-too-bad spin one of Hollywood's most cliched plot gimmicks, it's also a budget-saver eppie!

However, the battle of brothers isn't why I'm attracted to this particular show. The real reason I love this outing is that Wussley- whoops, Wesley Crusher is told to "shut up" by both Captain Picard and his mom! E-Yesss! Too bad they started taking his words more seriously after this little adventure...

Oh yeah, Lore smackin' Worf around in the turbolift like he was a pathetic girly-man was pretty entertaining, too. Yeah, who's wearin' the pants NOW, Mister Toughest-Security-Officer-In-Starfleet? Heh...

'Late!

For the fun, not the quality
I LIKE first season TNG episodes. Yes, they're often rough in their acting and production quality; but their storylines are often more interesting than in later series, where there was a slick, by-the-numbers feel to everything. And yes, "Datalore" has some terrible dialogue and plot holes big enough to fly the Enterprise through, but I still give it four stars - that's for the importance this episode has in the TNG universe, and for the sheer fun of it.
Since they are in the area, Picard sends an away team to visit Omicron Theta, the planet that Data was found on. Once down, the away team discover that the whole planet is dead and deserted - but they also discover a secret, underground facility. Inside, Data finds himself remembering that this is the place where he was constructed, and even the name of his creator. A search of a laboratory reveals the pieces of another android that is physically identical to Data. Data insists on returning the other android to the Enterprise and assembling him, with Picard's support. And so Lore is brought to life.
Lore soons shows himself to be very different to Data, dangerously so. He has emotions and, despite his naivete, an understanding of humans that Data lacks. He claims that he was contructed to replace Data, being an advancement on his emotionless brother; but he later admits to Data that Data was made to replace HIM because everyone found his humanity and perfection uncomfortable. Or is that, too, a lie? Lore reaches out to Data, in his own twisted way, and is rejected. So Lore decides that he wants what Data has - at least for a little while, until he can organise his revenge. By the end of the episode, the mystery of what happened on Omicron Theta is explained (if you don't think about it too hard, that is) and Lore is gone - until next time, anyway.
I wish it had been someone other than Wesley who had been so pivotal in this episode, but you can't have everything, I suppose. Troi is absent altogether, for obvious reasons. And everyone else seems very, very dim. Production values are pretty clunky, and the music can be annoying. But it's the fun of the storyline and acting that carry this episode along.
Brent Spiner is great as Data, Lore, and Lore-masquerading-as-Data. He brings Lore to life in all his vicious insanity, but still manages to make him more than the stereotypical evil twin. There are some great moments in this episode: the look on Data's face as Lore tells him not to be jealous of him; the look on Lore's face when he realises that Data has more loyalty to the Enterprise crew than to him; the moment when everyone tells Wesley to shut up; and Worf finding out just how inadequate he is against an android.
It's a pity that this episode took the easy way out in the end. Lore does the stereotypical mad criminal thing and overreaches himself because of his desire to hurt and terrorise, rather than being defeated by superior skill. The consequences to Data of his appearance and disappearance are not dealt with at all, and the jokey ending grates. As Brent Spiner's portrayal of him shows, Lore deserved more than being just another cardboard cutout villain, and it's unfortunate that the writers of the series did not have the courage to make his character more than that.
If you're willing to suspend some disbelief and not think about it too deeply, this is a fun, as well as important, episode. ... Read more

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Answering a distress call consisting of an Earth code that hasn't beenused in centuries, the Enterprise stumbles upon a utopian colony thatlaunched from Earth during the European hegemony (sometime between 2123 and2190). The utopians are a tribe of bawdy Irish hedonists (many of whom aredrunks, of course) who have turned their backs on technology in favor of simple farm living. They are so committed to their animals that they refuse to travel without 'em. Oh, how primitive! Oh, the comedy! The Irish tribe mentions "the other colony," which the Enterprise tracks down. This other colony is technologically advanced, but its members have depleted both their sexdrive and their genes through generations of cloning. In order to save both colonies, Captain Picard and the crew must play matchmaker between the intellectual ascetics and the hedonistic technophobes. Along the way, Riker gets a little action with one of the farm girls. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Joy of Intergalatic Problem Solving: Send in the Clones!
A Federation diplomat once said the secret of his success was turning disadvantages into advantages, a philosophy that serves Picard well in this particular episode, which deals with two colonies established, by the Mariposa in the 22nd century. On the one hand we have the Bringloidi, colonists who need to be evacuated because their sun has started shooting off solar flares. The Bringloidi, who must have all come from Ireland since we are talking accents the like of which have not been heard on a starship Enterprise since Scotty was in his prime, insist on bringing their animals, along with their kit and caboodle. It makes for a lovely time in the cargo bay, don't you know now. On the other hand the Enterprise discovers there is a sister colony to the first, founded when the Marioposa crash-landed. Only five colonists survived, all scientists, who turned to cloning to populate the planet. However, there are now DNA problems and further cloning will soon be impossible. Now Picard has TWO problems to solve . . . or DOES he?

This is something of a fun episode. With all their animals the Bringloidi have turned the cargo bay into a pretty interesting place and they have no qualms about taking advantage of their hosts. It is rather refreshing to see folk who are so unrepentedly people of the land in the age of warp drive, even though these odd folks have both primitive tools and advanced computers. However, the emphasis is more on the group as a band of gypsies who have just happened to park on the Enterprise. But unlike holodeck creations, these people just do not want to go away. "Up the Long Ladder" makes up for the fact that for the most part Picard forgets he has all those annoying civilians and children running around on his ship. The main thing is I just love those Irish accents in the 24th century. ... Read more

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Following faint energy signals like a trail of bread crumbs, the Enterprise ends up in the Epsilon Minos system. Riker is excited because this is the area where the mythical world of Aldea is located, an advanced civilization rumored to be centuries old, peaceful, self-contained, and technically sophisticated, where the inhabitants devote themselves to art. What luck, then, that they end up parked just outside of the orbit of this legendary planet and lines of communication open up. Good luck turns to bad when the Aldeans kidnap a bunch of children from the Enterprise and try to pay off the parents by giving them advanced technology. Turns out the Aldeans are impotent and dying off, and need a new generation of children to help repopulate the planet. They try to be good surrogate parents, opening up the kids to their artistic potential, but that doesn't placate the birth parents. "When the Bough Breaks" capitalizes on a natural mistrust of artist colonies, combined with a fear of forced adoption. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Our children are not for sale, at any price."
"When The Bough Breaks" is such an inconsequential Star Trek: The Next Generation episode that it immediately fades from memory once the closing credits pop up on the screen. If there's any equivalent to newspaper or magazine filler in the television medium then this is it. Well, they can't all be winners.

The Enterprise-D discovers the planet Aldea. However, it turns out the "accidental" meeting between the ship and the planet was planned in advance. The Aldeans have lost the ability to reproduce and have lured the Enterprise-D to their homeworld in order to kidnap some of the ship's children to help them repopulate their race. The situation is eventually resolved when Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) offers the help of his ship to repair the planet's atmosphere which has been weakened by a protective shield encircling the planet.

Yes, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) was one of the children kidnapped and the mind boggles as how this television series would have turned out differently had he remained behind in captivity on Aldea. However, this was not to be as the young man was among the rescued and well, the rest is history. Star Trek: The Next Generation also once again borrows another story device from the original series by attributing the problems of a planetary society to a guardian computer. You have to wonder just how many of these computers are out there in the galaxy? Is there a 24th century IBM producing and selling these things in bulk to planets tired of looking after themselves? Can you purchase these computers with that cool dragon-head as seen in the original series episode "The Apple" (1967) or is that a custom job? So many questions . . .

The Cradle Will Fall
The Aldean Abductors

Unable to repopulate their species; the inhabitants of the planet Aldea steal some children from the Enterprise. Because of a defect in their planets' atmosphere reproduction is impossible. The short version of this one? Wesley and the kids have a hunger strike to protest their abduction. Picard refuses to exchange information for the children. The Aldean leader wanted to exchange technological information for them. It's cold and just stupid. Who in their right mind agree to those terms? It's just the bad writing in this episode.

The B story in this story is .....you guessed it ..... an antiquated computer that still runs the planet is broken down! Picard tells them the Federation will come in and fix their faulty one and thus solve their atmosphere and population problem. It all gets wrapped up in one episode. The only highlight in this is when the big bad "Custodian" computer is taken off line.

Aldea, the Utopian Planet where there are no children . . .
The enterprise stumbles upon the legendary planet of Aldea, an ancient and highly advanced utopian civilization that has shielded the entire planet from the rest of the galaxy. Meeting with Picard, the Aldeans explain that their race can no longer have children and ask for the Enterprise to give them some. When Picard refuses, the Aldeans use their powers to take seven children (including Wesley Crusher) and blast the starship so far away it will take the Enterprise three days at warp 9 to get back. Meanwhile, the Aldeans are showing the children how to tap their talents in marvelous ways. As the Enterprise hurries back to the rescue, Dr. Crusher discovers the Aldeans are sterile because their shield has destroyed their ozone layer. More importantly, Data has discovered a hole in that shield.

"When the Bough Breaks" combines two of Next Generation's favorite types of stories. First, it speaks to a contemporary concern (destruction of the ozone layer and relying on computers to do our thinking). Second, no matter how advanced a race might be they are not as smart as (a) they think they are or (b) the dumb humans they have arrogantly dismissed. On the lighter side, it was clear from the start of the series that Jean-Luc Picard did not like the presence of children on his starship. This episode takes the opportunity to poke some holes in his gruff façade (as if it were the Aldean ozone layer), and the final scene when the children thank the Captain is a hoot. ... Read more

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A substandard Trek adventure that attains a bit of notoriety asthe final episode of Denise Crosby's Tasha Yar--at least until her cleverlyconceived return in the third season's "Yesterday's Enterprise." When a shuttle crash strands Counselor Troi and a (barely glimpsed) crewman on a barren planet, the away team's efforts to rescue her are frustrated by a black, viscous pool that moves to block their path. The oily goop soon identifies itself as Armus, not an alien being per se, but rather the cast-off remnants of an ancient race that had learned how to make manifest the cruel, destructive sides of their own nature and abandoned this physical embodiment of evil as a hindrance to their evolution. Armus immediately proves his own motiveless malignancy by killing Tasha with wonton dispatch. But murder proves insufficient to satisfy his cravings, and he goes on to torment and torture the remainder of the landing team through such schoolyard stratagems as playing keep away with Geordi's visor and forcing Data to hold his phaser on his comrades. A pretty regrettable episode overall, with laughable dialogue and special effects (the evil oil slick may be the lamest-lookingvillain in all of Star Trek), but in hindsight the brutal offhandednessof Tasha's death, done without preamble or any great effort on Armus's part, wasthe first healthy sign that TNG would outgrow the self-congratulatory PC smugness of its first few seasons. --Bruce Reid ... Read more

Reviews (9)

characters go through more development
Some of the plot has more than its fair share of holes in it, but you can see a substantial amount of character development between this and the first episode.

Troi is returning via shuttle from a conference, ready to rendevous with the Enterprise. The Enterprise, the flagship of the Federation fleet, only has one batch of Dilithium crystals, so when they're being aligned, it's tough cookies if you need to go to warp. No back up crystals - very interesting.

Troi's shuttle experiences a systems failure and plummets to the surface on an unihabited planet, Vagra 2. Who names these planets? Vagra is such a good name that you need a Vagra 1 AND a Vagra 2?

Once the crystals are realigned, the Enterprise goes on a rescue mission. They beam to the crash site, only to have a thick oil slick in their path. As they try to walk around it, the oil slick follows them. No readings show up on their instruments, but it's obvious that there is an intelligence there.

An ancient race of titans found a way to extract evil from their society (kinda like popping a pimple) and when all the members of the race had collected all their evil goo together, it made Armus - the oil slick... aka - the "skin of evil."

They abandoned him on the planet - a being that is immortal and cannot die, a being utterly lonely, very powerful (he is able kill with a thought, transport an object from one place to another and he is empathic like Troi), and eager to leave the loneliness of his planet.

Armus claims that his behavior is not merely evil - but that rather he IS evil - the embodiment of evil.

In an act of boredom, he kills Lt. Tasha Yar, regretting later that she did not suffer because her death did not amuse him like he thought it would. Her memorial service is sweet and touching, and elements of this scene show up in future episodes... and Tasha does make a reappearance in a future time-travelling episode.

The goal is to get Troi and her shuttle pilot off the surface, but Armus continues to envelop the shuttle and they are unable to get a lock on the occupants. What's ironic is that Armus can beam (or at least teleport) Picard in and out of the shuttle, but he apparently can't beam Troi or Ben (the injured pilot) out, nor enter it himself. Yes, there are holes-a-plenty in this episode.

Continued dialogue with Armus reveals the nature of his lonliness and desire to leave. His voice is ominous and his flippant attitude toward life is creepy.

Not a great episode by a long shot, but a pivotal one for those who watch a lot of the episodes - this one has important elements for a number of future episodes that refer back to it. Most worthy are character development leaps for Riker and Crusher.

Tasha is killed by an annoying villain...
The villain in this episode, Armus, isn't really that much of a threat. And he's really annoying too. Tasha Yar dies so quickly, we almost don't believe it happened. Counselor Troi and Expendable Crewman #28b are trapped in a shuttlecraft surrounded by a large walking chocolate syrup monster. This guy can force people to do things for his own amusement, but fails to be amused by the Enterprise crew. Picard never even breaks a sweat in defeating Armus. This is a significant episode only because of Yar's death. The rest is just the usual muck from the first season.

Death on the planet of papier mache rocks . . .
It's farewell to Tasha Yar in this episode as the Enterprise crew find two of their number held hostage by a malevolent being.
Troi and "Ben" (who is barely given any consideration) crashland on Vagra II and are captured by Armus - an evil creature looking for the amusement tormenting others brings it. It inflicts mental torture on all those it meets: Troi, Riker, Crusher, Geordi, and even Data. And it kills Yar, just because it can.
This wasn't a bad concept for an episode, but it fell rather flat. The special effects are sub par, the dialogue often clunky, and the pacing is jerky due to action on the planet being broken up by certain other events that the director felt needed lingering over.
The ending fell flat for me, too. Picard's admission that he did not know whether he, too, had found pleasure in being cruel was a bit of a cop-out. And Tasha's farewell . . . yes, it was moving. But she had appeared so little in the series, to such limited effect, that all those farewell messages held no resonance with anything that had been seen in previous episodes.
It's a fine idea to have someone die in the middle of a mission, with everyone else left behind needing to carry on. Unfortunately, "Skin of Evil" just didn't have the emotional depth and strong plot required.

Average episode at best
"Skin of Evil" is basically about a rescue attempt of two Enterprise crewmen on Vagra II (counselor troi and a mostly ignored, unimportant crewman whose name is never really mentioned) which results in a really senseless tragedy. An evil alien force named Armus kills Yar and torments the crew while they attempt to rescue Troi and the other crewman. I found the plot really average, and the special effects left a lot to be desired.

The only reason I bought this episode because my favorite character was Tasha Yar, and I collect ST:TNG episodes myself. If you are looking for a memorable, exciting episode, and you don't particularly care about Tasha Yar, then don't buy it. I don't think you'd like it.

However, the ending on this episode is its saving grace; it is really touching and great, and even I had to shed a few tears. At least they gave Tasha the proper send off! It's too bad that Yar dies senselessly in this episode and is soon forgotten by the crew.

The Oil Slick from Vagra II
The Early Demise of Tasha Yar

In a very poignant episode; Tasha meets her tragic end. Armus, the oil slick alien arbitrarily kills Tasha. He seems to made of the remaining biological skin from a people who no longer need bodies to sustain life. Following this so far??.....

Remember the living beams of light in the original series? The Organians? Well, folks it looks like when these folks evolved into life forms composed of light....Armus was the skin that was left over.........Yuck!

If you can suspend your belief in reality in this crazy sci-fi concept this episode is better than most. Tasha leaves a holographic last message for the crew that will bring tears to the eyes. If you can sit through the giant oil slick from space; you'll enjoy this one. ... Read more

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The Enterprise picks up a derelict shuttlecraft, only to find that it is an exact duplicate of an Enterprise shuttle--complete with a duplicate Picard! The shuttle has come from a few hours in the future, and the crew determines that it is a future in which the Enterprise and everyone on it are destroyed. This is a compelling episode, both for its time loop and for the dilemma that Picard faces: clearly it was his mistake that destroyed the ship. Suddenly, the normally commanding Picard finds himself second-guessing his own decisions, paralyzed with the dilemma of trying to figure out what he wouldn't do. Patrick Stewart gives a terrific, nuanced performance as Picard wrestles with self-doubt. The well-plotted episode handles the paradoxes of a time loop with ease, bringing us (and the Enterprise) to a satisfying conclusion. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Crew remains loyal even after the Enterprise is destroyed
Stories involving alterations in time are a staple in science fiction overall and the Star Trek section in particular. There is a wide variation in quality, some leave a lot to be desired and some are excellent. This one is pretty good, and involves the destruction of the Enterprise.
The Enterprise is on a routine mission when it encounters an out of control shuttlecraft that could not have reached that point under its own power. They capture it and are stunned to find another Captain Picard unconscious in the pilot's seat. It also turns out that the craft is registered to the Enterprise. After some trials where the power is incompatible with that of the Enterprise, Geordi and Data manage to download some of the log entries. They indicate that the shuttle is from a few hours in the future and clearly demonstrate that Captain Picard willingly piloted the craft from the Enterprise and watched it being destroyed.
Since the copy is from the future, his body is not properly synchronized with the time line it is in, so he cannot inform them of the reasons why he left the ship. As the time where the copy was sent back in time approaches, the copy becomes more aware of his surroundings, but remains unable to communicate with or even recognize the Enterprise crew around him. For the first time, we see Picard being indecisive, as he tries to determine what command decision led to the destruction of the Enterprise.
At the end, the true Picard gets his will to command back, which forces him to kill his double and avoid a repeat of the mistakes of the first time. As the Enterprise crew faces what seems to be certain death, we see why they are the best in Star Fleet. They know that Picard made a command decision that led to their destruction and his survival. And yet they remain loyal to him, expressing surprise at his leaving the Enterprise at such a critical time. The remaining command crew expresses no doubts about Picard, nor do they assign any blame. Their focus is on solving the problem in the few hours they have left.
At times, the best thing about Star Trek is the loyalty that the main characters show to each other. This is one of those episodes, where we see the best that the human race can deliver.

Future Picard
Meeting Yourself

Picard meets his future self six hours into the future. Originally planned as a Q episode, the Enterprise is engulfed by a vortex that takes the crew into an unknown dimension. Another version of Picard comes aboard the Enterprise to warn the Picard from the present. Of what purpose, it's never revealed. We don't find out much about the one from the future. The best scene is when Riker discovers future Picard in the shuttle. You don't know weather or not the second Picard will avert the coming disaster or cause it. Picard has a line that best describes the story. "If you travel far enough you will meet yourself." This one was what was called a "bottle show." All of the scenes take place aboard the Enterprise and no other location shooting was required.

Time Travel- you know you love it
Star Trek: TNG has, more than any other film or TV show, except perhaps the "Back to the Future" series, capitalized on terrific ideas involving time travel. In this, one of the series' best time conundrums, (I would rank it after "Cause and Effect" and "Timescape") the crew discovers a wandering shuttle that not only appears to belong to the Enterprise, but contains an exact double of Captain Picard. It is deduced that the new Picard has come from seven hours into the future, and that in his time, the enterprise was destroyed and he was the only survivor. Thus begins a gloriously suspenseful race against time (as usual) to discover what this Picard did that must be avoided. "Time Squared" is easily one of my favorite episodes, though I must admit to being thoroughly partial to the time travel ones. But even with my biases aside, this one has a terrific story and an involving mystery- the essence of any great episode.

The Enterprise finds a second Picard from a deadly future
"Time Squared" is the initial foray into time travel for the Next Generation crew. The Enterprise finds one of its shuttles drifting in space with an unconscious Picard on board. This is rather confusing since Picard is sitting on the bridge at the time. When they examine the shuttle's logs they discover it is from six hours in the future when the Enterprise was surrounded by an energy vortex. The Picard from the future is barely able to communicate anything since he is caught up in the painful throws of a time paradox. The shuttle left the Enterprise right before the starship was destroyed and apparently there is nothing they can do about the situation (going off in a completely different direction from what was indicated in the logs would be a start). To no one's surprise, six hours later the energy vortex appears. Troi tells Picard the entity is focusing on him as the ship's captain. Understanding now why he left the ship on the shuttle, Picard knows this is the one thing he cannot do if he wants to save his ship and crew.

Time paradoxes are always fun logic loops (what happens if you accidentally go back in time and kill your grandfather is one of the classics, the other being that if you go back in time to stop the Titanic from hitting the iceberg you will be the one that causes the accident because you already went back in time to have caused the accident you went back in time to prevent--but I digress) and "Time Squared" offers a simple but compelling mystery. The theoretical ramifications of it all get rather lost in the necessity of solving the mystery and avoiding the destruction of the Enterprise, but the key thing in this particular episode is the growing sense of unease. After all, there are two Picards and visual proof that the Enterprise is about to be destroyed. Like "Contagion" (Episode 37), this episode presents the crew dealing solving problems and really helps develop the idea of them as a team. Well into the second season the roles of each character are becoming well defined, which, in turn, makes it easier to write for the series, thereby setting the stage for some really good episodes in the near future. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

No matter where humans go, there will always be family
This is one of the most powerful of the TNG episodes, and it is based on the notion of family ties. Set in the immediate aftermath of Captain Picard's assimilation into the Borg collective, the Enterprise is in Earth orbit undergoing repairs. There are three simultaneous and independent tracks, involving Picard, Worf and Wesley Crusher.
The strongest of the three is the one where Picard goes back to his home village in France and stays with his brother's family. The family consists of his brother Robert, his wife and son Rene. Picard and his brother are at odds in every way, Robert is a bit of a Luddite, wanting only to tend his vines and is still extremely jealous of his successful brother. Picard meets an old friend, who tempts him to leave Starfleet and become the head of a major development project designed to create a new continent. To his surprise, Picard finds himself considering the position, which gives his brother an opening to question his courage. After being aggravated in ways only a brother can do, Picard lashes back, finally letting loose with all the feelings of inadequacy he felt when the Borg were using him. This has a healing effect on both of them, as they then proceed to get drunk and sing a duet. The scene when Picard leaves is very touching, probably the most emotional moment of the series.
Worf's human parents arrive on the Enterprise and their gregariousness at first embarrasses Worf, but he quickly warms to their presence. Eventually, the three of them sit down and they talk about his dishonor, a reference to his discommodation that took place in episode 65, "Sins of the Father." In true parental form, they tell him that even though they do not understand what it means, they still love and support him.
The third track involving Wesley Crusher could have been left out with no great loss to the quality of the episode. Wesley's father recorded a holographic message to him shortly after his birth and now that Wesley is old enough to understand, his mother gives it to him. He views it in the holodeck, but the scene lacks the emotional power of the other two tracks.
Although it lacks the special effects dynamics of most of the other episodes, the story line of this one is so strong that it doesn't matter. I rank it as one of the five best episodes of the TNG series.

Intriguing story- one of the best TNG episodes
I was drawn to this episode because it is so different from most TNG plots: no alien encounters, no epic battles or encounters with strange phenomena. In fact, there is no space travel at all! It is one of the few episodes I've seen that actually takes place on Earth, and you really get to explore a different, not-often-seen side of Picard and Worf.

The stories take place right after the Borg attack and the subsequent rescue and "deprogramming" of Picard. In search of perspective on the incident he travels to his home town in France and stays in his parents' house, now occupied by his brother, Robert, and his family (who, like Patrick Stewart, all have English accents!! Does anyone else find humor in this?). Robert feels Picard has lost touch with his roots, his heritage, that he has sacrificed his values to go gallivanting around the universe. Picard feels that Robert, who runs the family vineyard, is antiquated, foolishly resisting to acknowledge technological progress (Robert doesn't even have a food replicator in his house - how primitive!). Robert is not thrilled that his son wants to join Starfleet when he grows up; Picard thinks it's a great idea (or at least doesn't object). A war of wills develops, soul-searching ensues, and Picard eventually comes to terms with his ordeal with the Borg.

Worf also does some soul-searching when his human foster parents visit him on Enterprise. At first he dreads their visit, ashamed of having them discover his recent Klingon dishonor and embarrassed by their behavior around him. He feels distant from his parents, and vice versa, but some help from Guinan and a heart-to-heart talk with the folks help mend the relationship.

There is another minor, though heartfelt, storyline in which Wesley Crusher views a holographic message left by his late father shortly after Wesley's birth.

Overall, this is a great introspective, character-driven episode that really showcases the acting talents of Patrick Stewart and Michael Dorn. And as with all of the great TNG episodes, it is an allegory for our time, telling us that sometimes going boldly where no man has gone before simply means going home.

An intimate portrait of Picard's personal torment
In the wake of the two-part "Best of Both Worlds," the Enterprise is in need of major repairs and the crew is not in much better shape. "Family" covers a trio of storylines. In the two minor ones Worf has to deal with his human "parents," who have learned of his discommendation and Beverly Crusher receives a package containing a holographic message recorded by her late husband Jack for Wesley right after the boy was born. But the main story of this episode is on Jean-Luc Picard, who has returned to Provance and the family home, where his older brother Robert continues to run the family vineyard. Picard is having trouble coming to terms with what the Borg did to him when he became Locutus and led the Collective in the destruction of the Starfleet Armada. When an old friend offers Picard to become director of the Atlantis Project, which will create a new continent on earth, the captain finds himself considering the offer.

This is a relatively quiet episode, which does not make it any less intense. Although Worf and Wesley do not face crucibles as large as Picard's, these are very personal issues for all three. One of the reasons "The Best of Both Worlds" was the zenith of the series was because not only was it set up so well a year-and-a-half earlier, but because the episodes had repercussions that carried over to many of the show's better episodes. "Family" is certainly one of those, made even better by the fact that we get to explore the back stories of all Worf and Wesley as well as Picard. This another episode where you realize that Patrick Stewart is a very good actor and that he gives Jean-Luc Picard a lot of depth. Getting him to anchor this series was a masterstroke.

Picard's personal hell uncovered
Most of my 'Trek buddies consider this episode to be rather dull and uninteresting. It has no major interstellar conflict, no dire emergencies, nothing of real excitement. Ironically, the very things that makes this show a turn-off to my friends is what intrigues me. I don't always want to see people in firefights and ships exploding; I like moments of thoughtful introspection as well. And 'Family' definitely delivers in this department.

Basically a bookend to the two-part episode 'The Best of Both Worlds', 'Family' focuses mainly on Picard's coming to grips with his Borg assimilation by getting away from the rat race and visiting his family's home back on Earth. Once there, he's confronted by his brother, who makes every effort to provoke him, forcing him at every turn to realize that despite his best efforts, Picard's not infallible. Who knew there would still be dysfunctional families in the 24th century? Heh.

Seriously, though, I'm glad the 'Trek producers took this route to show that Picard would not instantly recover from his living nightmare. All too often you see the hero of a TV show or movie endure a highly traumatic moment, and then when it ends, there never seems to be any lingering effects of that trauma. The hero goes on, the same person as before, as if nothing happened. Not Picard, however- he's going to endure a slow process of recovery, and parts of his experience will always be with him. Subsequent 'Trek outings would take advantage of Picard's personal hell, including the TNG classics 'The Drumhead' and 'I, Borg', the Deep Space Nine premiere episode, and the 'First Contact' movie.

Also included in 'Family' is Worf giving his adoptive parents a tour of the Enterprise, all the while trying to make them understand his dishonor in the eyes of other Klingons. Also, Wesley Crusher finds out more about his late father. Even though I'm one of those TNG buffs who can't stand Wesley, I found his viewing of one of his father's holorecordings rather touching. Pretty sad, huh?

'Late

One of the best
This episode places Picard back in his hometown in France where he must come to terms with his emotions. He was mutilated by the Borg, forced to do battle and contribute to the deaths of thousands of Star Fleet members. At the same time he must come to understand his brothers feelings of jealousy toward him. The acting is superb and the ending is incredibly satisfying. ... Read more

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Did you know that Ireland will reunify in the year 2025? That "fact" comes courtesy of "The High Ground," an episode of The Next Generation in which the struggles of Northern Ireland are echoed in the ongoing violence between Federation members the Rutians and disenfranchised rebels called the Ansata. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the Enterprise arrive to apply pressure on the Rutians to resolve differences with the terrorist underground, but when an Ansatan bombing results in the capture of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden), the mission changes. Guest stars Richard Cox and Kerrie Keane are very effective, respectively, as an Ansatan leader and the Rutian cop determined to bring him down. The episode also puts a rare spotlight on Picard as an action hero--he actually gets to punch out a terrorist at one point--and extends the teasing possibility of an eventual romance between the captain and the ship's comely physician. Not a classic from the series, necessarily, but a good one with interesting moral murkiness. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"In a world where children blow up children,...
everyone's a threat!"

That quote spoken by one of this episode's guest characters reveals the not-so-subtle indictment on the pros and cons of terrorism. In one of the series' most balanced installments, the writers have created a highly thought-provoking piece that correlates the similarity between the terrorist and the patriot.

When the episode first aired, one could clearly see that an intended comparison was to be made between it and the ongoing struggles in the Middle East. In light of the current world situation, the story has not lost its edge.

This is another triumph from the brilliant third season of the show.

Crusher and Picard caught in the middle and held hostage
After dealing with dangerous rebels in the previous episode, "The Hunted," the crew of the Enterprise is again caught between two sides in an on-going war. On the planet of Rutia while delivering medical supplies, Dr. Crusher is taken hostage during a terrorist attack. Finn, the leader of the terrorists, wants the doctor to help terrorist dying from the effects of interdimensional transporting. Meanwhile, Riker has contacted the leader of the Rutian police, Alexana Devos, who warns that the Federation officer will never be able to negotiate with the terrorists. To prove the point, Finn launches a second attack that not only ends with the capture of Picard but the death of several of the crew. Now Riker has to rescue them without becoming more embroiled in the planetary conflict.

"The High Ground" is another one of those episodes that suggests the Federation contains at least the same proportion of totalitarian systems as we have in the world today. For the third season of the Next Generation this is a fairly standard episode. The Enterprise arrives at a new planet and finds out there is more to the situation than meets the eye. The twist is simply which member of the crew gets the focus. Last time it was Troi, this time it is Crusher. To be fair, Beverly does not get as many opportunities to argue ethics with Picard the way McCoy did with Kirk, so it is nice to see Gates McFadden arguing passionately. Usually she is too busy saving people's lives to engage in lively debate. "The High Ground" is the exception to the rule. Given that, the admiration of Crusher and Riker for Finn and Devos respectively only gets in the way of the ethical debate.

"The High Ground" - Crusher gets kidnapped
I really enjoyed this episode, it is a Bev-centric episode, so if you like her, you will like this episode. She and Picard get kidnapped by terrorists, one of whom develops a thing for her, while Riker works with officials to find them. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Ehhhh!
Captain Picard a meanie with a dark side? Why, because he yelled at Vash and wouldn't let her steal the Tox Uthat and sell it to people who will use it for evil purposes? Sounds like the only meanie with a darkside here is Vash. Anyway I did not like this episode, I know this episode was an attempt to add some romance into Picard's social life but it falls flat, partly because Captain's Holiday was a bit bland but mainly because Vash is such an annoying unappealing character, a greedy selfish meanie who really only cares about herself and doesn't care who she hurts with her greedy ruthless quest for fame and fortune! The episode Qpid which also features Vash is a much better episode mainly because it is such a funny episode and her character is a little more likeble in it.

Captain Picard in "The Maltese Tox Uthat"
Remember how the Enterprise crew always talks about vacationing on the wonderful planet Risa? Well we finally get to visit that paradise planet and it turns out our guide is Jean-Luc Picard, coaxed by Counselor Troi to finally get a little rest and relaxation. Of course, as soon as Picard arrives on Risa two Vorgons, who claim to be time travelers from the future, pop up and claim our hero is going to find a very powerful weapon that came from the future. The next thing we know Picard is involved in a search for the Tox Uthat with a mysterious and beautiful woman named Vash.

Given Picard's love of Dixon Hill mysteries on the holodeck, it is interesting that "Captain's Holiday" is very much in the Sam Spade tradition. This is really a Next Generation version of "The Maltese Falcon," and you can find for every character in that classic novel/film as well as following the plot line so closely. The initial twist, where an obviously uncomfortable Picard is essentially forced to go on vacation for his own good, merely sets up the "case." We also get our first introduction to the character of Vash, of whom we shall see more in the future.

like a lite beer
although not the most intriguing episode, i enjoyed it's light hearted nature. it provided an opportunity to see the romantic side of picard (what little his stoic personality was allowed to portray -- at that time). overall i liked the episode and was greatful they finally got him involved with someone. i mean without this episode there may have never been a QPID! and let's face it that one was hysterical! no, if vash had never come into the picture, we may have never known that picard likes his women fiesty, adventurous and down right mischievous.

Weak Trek
When I first popped this tape into the 'ol VCR I thought this might be pretty good. But then I saw the UGLY side of Picard. I would think that Ira Steven Behr (the writer) would know his character, but wrote Picard as an ediot and a big meanie in this episode. I hate to say it, but this was a very weak episode. I love TNG, but everybody has to make an episode at 5:00 on Friday I suppose. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Thoughtful and gripping
The "Next Generation" series was never shy about tackling deep subjects, and "Who Watches the Watchers" is no exception. The story begins with a Starfleet anthropological team studying a village on Mintaka, a proto-Vulcanoid world. Thanks to a damaged reactor, the team briefly becomes visible to one of the native inhabitants. To make matters worse, the Mintakan, badly injured and brought aboard ship for treatment, mistakenly believes Captain Picard to be "the Overseer" -- the Mintakan version of God. The rest of the episode deals with Picard's attempts to undo the damage and restore Mintakan society to something resembling its normal development.

While some may fault this episode for its depiction of religion as just another superstition which 24th-century Earth has moved beyond, it's far more than just an anti-religious rant. "Who Watches the Watchers" is a thoughtful examination of the show's "Prime Directive" and how much damage can be caused when that law is broken, however unintentionally. This one definitely belongs on any TNG fan's top ten list.

Gene's Star Trek
"Who Watches The Watchers" is a refreshing change of pace for Star Trek: The Next Generation. It features some great location work. It offers a challenging mission for Picard; he must convince the Mintakans that he is not a God. He succeeds and is able to enlighten the Vulcan-like race. Picard is especially principled and courageous in this episode. To uphold the Prime Directive and to convince the Mintakans that he is not a God, the good Captain takes an arrow through the chest. Pure Star Trek.

The Picard rejects godhood over the Mintakan people
"Who Watches the Watchers" is a translation of the latin phrase "Quis cusotdiet ipsos custodes," from Juvenal's "Satires" that was quoted as the epigram of the Tower Commission Report in 1987. This Next Generation episode strikes to the heart of the problematic Prime Directive that Starfleet personnel are sworn to uphold. Whether you think of this as a choice between the lesser of two evils or as how many wrongs make a right, this is a most provocative episode.

An anthropological studies group on Mintaka III has been observing the inhabitants, a proto-Vulcan race in their planet's Bronze Age. The anthropologists are hidden in their observation post behind a holograph screen, but their reactor is malfunctioning and the Enterprise is on its way to affect repairs. However, right before help arrives their is an explosion, injuring the scientists and bringing down the screen. A Mintakan sees the post, the wounded scientists, and the away team that beams down from the Enterprise. But when he is discovered, the Mintakan falls off a ledge and is injured. Dr. Crusher has no choice but to beam him to sickbay. When the Mintakan sees Picard, he believes the Captain to be an Overseer, one of the gods of his people. Dr. Crusher's attempt to erase the Mintakan's short-term memory fails and when he returns to his people he starts to tell them about "The Picard."

There are several fascinating things going on in "Who Watches the Watchers." First, you have the Mintakan's attempt to extrapolate a belief system based upon what he has witnessed. Second, you have the head of the anthropologists wanting Picard to beam down from on high and give the Mintakans a set of rules, or what lesser beings would call a religion. Third, you have Picard caught in the middle, because he cannot put things back the way they are, he cannot let the Mintakan continue to tell his wonderous stories, and he cannot fully assume the mantle of "The Picard" with all the rights and privileges therein. There is no perfect solution to this mess and to fault the resolution of the plot for not being perfect does not detract from the overall strengths of this episode. In the final analysis you have to think that these sorts of situations must happen a lot more often in the Star Trek universe.

Title: Who Watches the Watchers
This episode is about the Star Trek crew trying to save a small group of "observers" of a "somewhat advanced primative culture". The observatory on the hill cliff is experiencing a power failure, which exposes the watchers to the local people. This culture has long ago given up their superstitions about religion existing. But when one of their own is electrocuted during the power failure, taken about the Star Trek vessel, revived and returned to the planet, he just about convinces everyone that a "god" does truely exist ... and his name is Picard! His daughter, too, witnesses his disapperance and reappearance from the space ship. Of course, the Prime Directive of never interferring with another culture has already been violated, but Picard and his staff do not want to turn this culture back to their superstitions. See how this resolve this incident and "keep the peace" and culture intact.

This episode clearly explains the beliefs of the Raelian movement which started about 1974 in France and currently has some 40,000 followers world-wide. ... Read more

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Data gets to carry an episode in this third-season offering that focuses on the rationality of the android pitted against the irrationality of humanity. The Enterprise receives an unexpected message from a race known as the Sheliak, who've been out of touch for more than a century. The Sheliak, aliens who consider themselves far superior to humans, claim a small planet under guidelines set down by their treaty with the Federation and announce that they intend to colonize this planet four days hence. The problem is that humans have already colonized the planet. Tough luck, says the Sheliak--evacuate or die. But when Data is sent to the planet to organize the evacuation, he runs into two problems: first, there are 15,000 colonists, more than can be shipped out in the four days given by the Sheliak; and second, the colonists have no desire to leave. Worse yet, their leader refuses to deal with an android.

Even as Data tries to reason with the colonists, Picard goes head-to-head with the top Sheliak, debating the finer legal points of the treaty in an effort to buy time. Brent Spiner makes the most of the kiss Data receives from a human woman who falls for him--though the android still doesn't understand what sex is all about. There's some nice chess-move-style plotting, with strong performances by the Enterprise crew and some stilted performances by the planet colonists. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Picard confronts a mondo diplomatic headache
This episode is one of the better examples of diplomatic problem solving in the 24th century. The Sheliak Corporate are a nonhumanoid race that has not contacted the Federation for over a century, but suddenly they are informing Picard that there are humans on one of the planets deeded to them in their treaty with the Federation. Under the stipulation of this treaty, the Federation has to remove the colonists before the Sheliak arrive in three days. However, when the Enterprise arrives at the planet in question the headaches increase exponentially. Not only is the planet is in an area of radiation deadly to humans, the Enterprise's sensors and transporters will not work. Data is sent to the surface in a shuttlecraft where he discovers there are over 15,000 colonists who refuse to evacuate the planet, insisting they will fight instead. Meanwhile, Picard learns the nearest Starfleet ship that can evacuate the colonists is three weeks away and the Sheliak refuse to be dissuaded from their intention to kill all the humans on the planet when they show up in three days.

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