Reviews (5)

One man's terrorist is another man's saint!
Ensign Ro (Michelle Forbes) dons the garb of Federation spy as she infiltrates the Maquis, Federation colonists along the demilitarized zone dedicated to fight the Cardassians residing there. Ro's loyalties to her new comrades and the mission are tested throughout the episode and her final decision makes for a thoughtful, if predictable, denouement.

Well-acted by Forbes and John Franklin-Robbins as the elderly resistance fighter, this installment also features two scenes "to die for": (1) Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) pretending to "pick up" Ro at a bar as part of the subterfuge to gain information about the mission and (2) the Captain's silent response to Ro's decision.

The Return of Ro Laren and our Introduction to the Maquis
"Preemptive Strike" features the return of Ro Laren, promoted to Lieutenant and back from advanced tactical training. Obviously something is in the wind. Then Admiral Nechayev visits the Enterprise to brief Captain Picard on what has happened to the Federation colonists who remained in Cardassian space after the peace treaty was signed (see "Journey's End," Episode 172). Apparently the colonists are having second thoughts about living under Cardassian rule and have formed resistance groups known as the Maquis, whose actions have become more and more aggressive, thereby threatening the existing peace. Nechayev wants Ro to go under cover and infiltrate the Maquis, her reputation in Starfleet serving as a cover story. Ro successfully joins the Maquis, becoming very good friends with the leader of her cell. With the information she has gathered, Picard plans to bait a trap for the Maquis with a convoy. However, when the Cardassians murder some colonists, Ro finds herself remembering the Cardassian occupation of Bajor and having second thoughts about where her loyalties lie.

"Preemptive Strike" is an interesting penultimate episode for STNG. What it does provide is a link to the future, since the Maquis will become important charactes on Deep Space 9 and Voyager. You have to remember that originally Michelle Forbes' character was going to be on DS9 as Sisko's Bajoran second in command, but the actress wanted to pursue a film career (she ended up back on television on "Homicide"). What makes this a great episode are the scenes between Picard and Ro. Usually it is the captain who finds himself in the mind of some ethical dilemma with repercussions for the entire universe, but this time he is on the outside looking in. This episode certainly provides a fitting farewell for Ro's character.

A welcome return of a popular character
I was reading through the reviews of this video and realised that all of them forgot to mention why this episode is so good. Firstly the episode marks the return of Ro Laren, the Enterprise's 'black sheep' and features a wonderful cast of supporting stars and an intriguing plot. Secondly, the episode must be commended: instead of being a rather dull episode before the huge finale (like the previous 3), the writers have still managed to come up with an excellent story which seals the fate of Ro Laren and has a very shocking ending.

ST:TNG goes out with a bang
I believe this to be the final episode, as 176 were made. In response to , I put this one on my list. Yes, I'm a Star Trek fan, and I think that this is not a video I would give a Star Trek neophyte. But for the fan, this is a good choice. Where else can you see Picard eliminate and subsequently save the human race, see three incarnations of the Enterprise in different times, and see all of them blown to smithereens. If memory serves, this was a tasty end to the TV journey of Enterprise-D.

Excellent Episode
I very much enjoyed this episode. It's well worth your time ... Read more

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Talk about your visions! Suffering from a spiritual crisis, Worf heads out on a religious pilgrimage to reconnect with his faith and his Klingon heritage and witnesses the return of the empire's first and greatest hero, Kahless the Unforgettable (guest star Kevin Conway), from the dead. Rationalist Worf is dubious of his claims and Gowron (the general that Worf helped make his people's leader) fears his influence. "Did you ever fight an idea?" he hisses. "There's no body to destroy!" The appearance of Kahless threatens to split the Klingon Empire with a holy war, especially when DNA tests prove him to be the real thing, but just how real is real? Conway makes a ferociously hearty Klingon with a booming laugh and a love of life: "Have you no joy in your heart?" he challenges his humorless followers. The story takes an easy way out, the kind of diplomatic concessions that's par for Gene Roddenberry's utopian future, but Kahless's passion and Worf's spiritual doubts lend the drama enough heft to make up for it. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worf comes face to face with the Great Kahless!
STNG certainly made every effort to explore Worf's Klingon heritage to the point that we became convinced the only true Klingon in the universe was the one serving in Starfleet. In "Rightful Heir" they finally go over the top involving this recurring subplot. Worf is having a severe crisis of faith and so he undertakes a pilgrimage to Borath, the sacred planet prophesized as the place when the great Kahless will return. After ten days of intense meditation without any results, Worf is ready to go back to the Enterprise, but the priests convince him to stay. During his next meditation Kahless actually returns to life! The Klingon High Council has the Enterprise bring Kahless to a meeting with Gowron, the Head of the Council. Gowron, skeptical of the miraculous return of the greatest Klingon of them all, presents a sacred knife stained with the actual blood of Kahless. However, everyone is stunned when Dr. Crusher reports there is an exact DNA match between the two. Gowron challenges Kahless to a fight, and when the current leader wins, Worf becomes convinced something is not quite right here. After all, who could ever hope to defeat Kahless?

Once again it is clear that Worf is probably not a true Klingon because the inevitable conclusion is that he is so much better than Gowron and the rest of the boys on the High Council. "The Rightful Heir" is really scrapping the barrel for new ideas to explore Worf's inherent sense of alienation. What is appreciable in this episode is the idea of the wavering line between a real man and his enduring myth. No one, not even the invincible Kahless, could live up to the legend that is created after their death.

The Return of Kahless
Star Trek: The Next Generation frequently explored the Klingon species, their government and their history. Many of TNG's best episodes revolved around Klingon political intrigue and Klingon culture. Season six's "Rightful Heir" continues this tradition of stories that focus on one of Trek's most interesting species. But, this time, it isn't wholly satisfying.

The story is this: A group of fanatical Klingon monks, in an attempt to fulfill the prophetic return of the "father" of Klingon honor and religion, clone Kahless and succeed in making this prophecy come true. At first, they hide the fact that this Kahless is, in fact, a clone. The Enterprise soon uncovers this scandal but even though Kahless the Clone may not be the "real" Kahless, at the least, he is Kahless's heir. Chancellor Gowron, the current leader of the Klingon Empire, takes exception to this clone of the Klingons' spiritual leader and first emperor and civil war is threatened because this Kahless figures that HE should be leader. The Federation does not want civil war to break out so a compromise is reached between Gowron, Kahless and the Federation. Lt. Worf, the Enterprise's Klingon security chief, plays a key role in this good but somehow unsatisfying episode.

I'm not sure why this episode left me wanting. Maybe I was hoping that this would be the real Kahless and not a clone. But that would have been too gutsy for Star Trek: The Next Generation, a series which arrogantly denounces religion as superstitious and foolish. As if the creators/writers/producers of TNG know it all.

Oh, well. A good episode nonetheless. ... Read more

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A subspace relay system located near the Klingon border is found to be deserted save for a friendly, tail-thumping dog. The two crew members are gone, the shuttlecraft is absent, and signs that a murder occurred stand in their place. Searching for clues, Geordi reviews the taped personal logs of Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari, the junior officer at the relay, which have much to say about the high-handed arrogance of her supervisor, Lieutenant Rocha, and the continual provocations of Morag, a Klingon starship commander who patrols the sector. The lead looks promising, and while Picard engages in the delicate negotiations necessary to allow a Starfleet investigation to question a Klingon officer, Geordi continues viewing Uhnari's reports and letters home, eventually (wait for it!) becoming enamored of a woman who exists only on a prerecorded video. Until, that is, an indignant Klingon governor hands over Lieutenant Uhnari to the Enterprise. Now she's the prime suspect. Riker in particular is gunning for her, apparently because Rocha's records reveal him to be or, increasingly likely, to have been a fine young hotshot officer. Geordi, however, is not convinced; when he voices his doubts, Riker accuses him of perhaps lacking a certain objectivity regarding the situation. An episode that starts off swimmingly--the mystery is initially fairly intriguing, and Uhnari's communiqués offer a window into a boring, lonely Federation job almost unique in the series--rather quickly flounders on the shoals of bad acting, ludicrous character motivation (did Geordi learn nothing from his virtual and real encounters with Leah Brahms?), and a rather underwhelming climax that is possible only because each and every person on the ship overlooks something that's glaringly obvious to anyone watching at home. --Bruce Reid ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Where or where has the coalescent being gone?
The Enterprise arrives at a communication relay station near the Klingon border, but receives no replies to its hails. An Away Team discovers the station deserted and a shuttlecraft missing. All they find are traces of blood from one of the two station officers, Lieutenant Aquiel Unari, and her dog, along with some unidentifiable charred remains that Dr. Crusher takes back to the Enterprise. When Picard contacts the Klingon governor, he arrives with Aquiel, who was found in the missing shuttle on the Klingon's side of the border. Aquiel insists the other station officer attacked her and while she knows she escaped she does not remember anything else that happened. Then, just to make things really interesting, Crusher discovers the charred remains are from a coalescent being that absorbed the other station officer before taking on his shape. The question is . . . where is that being now?

It is a good thing Captain Picard is a mystery fan, because there sure are a lot of mysteries out there in space. "Aquiel" is pretty much an average one of these types of episodes because any one who has seen "Alien" is going to have a good idea what the twist is going to be. It is nice to see that there is a Klingon official who is not a blustering idiot, but the idea that La Forge has zero luck with women is really getting old. ... Read more

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As the Enterprise docks at the new Federation outpost at Deep Space Nine, Worf is confronted with evidence that his father, believed killed at the infamous Kitamer massacre, may in fact be alive. Meanwhile, Data experiences visions after he's shocked by the sudden energy discharge from an alien artifact discovered by the space station's Dr. Bashir (Siddig El Fadil). The first episode of a two-part adventure splits between the two stories, exploring Data's dreams and Worf's nightmare. While Data prepares to investigate if androids really dream, Worf wrestles with the conflicting emotions of shame and hope (surviving a losing battle is tantamount to disgrace), yet he cannot help but secretly pray for such an unthinkable destiny and investigates the claim. When he discovers a secret colony where bitter enemies Klingons and Romulans live together in an unthinkable, utopian peace, his sudden arrival threatens their Eden. Brent Spiner reprises his role as Data's "father," the late inventor Dr. Noonien Soong, in a cybervisit to his son, while James Cromwell slithers under lizard-skin makeup as the mercenary informant. The story concludes in episode 143. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Star Trek subplot ever.
While Birthright Part I focuses for the most part on Worf's search for his presumably dead father, it's the fascinating subplot that stars a dreaming Data that really makes this episode soar above the norm. I watched this episode when it first came out, and I was pretty young at the time. The surreal scenes with blackbirds flying down the Enterprise corridor and a young Soong with his metalwork made a deep and long lasting impression on me. For the most part it was my first experience with surrealism, which I have gone on to appreciate in many forms. If they had made that subplot a full length episode it would have been one of the greatest-perhaps the greatest- Star Trek episodes ever.

Data and Worf deal with their absent fathers
The two-part "Birthright" story focuses on Worf and Data, each of who have to deal with their dead fathers. The Enterprise shows up at Deep Space 9 to help with the reconstruction of aqueducts on Bajor. An informant tells Worf that his father was not killed on Khitomer, but is a prisoner of the Romulans. Worf refuses to believe this story, since it would be a grave dishonor for a Klingon to be captured. But eventually the idea gnaws away at him and Worf forces the informant to take him to the site of the Romulan prison camp. Meanwhile, while helping Dr. Bashir of DS9 analyze an alien device, a plasma shock stuns Data, who has a vision of his creator Dr. Soong. Apparently the good doctor installed circuits that would allow Data to dream once he reached a certain level of cognitive development. Data begins to explore this new ability.

This episode made me realize that the crew of the Enterprise does not come from happy families. Worf is adopted, Data is an orphan, Troi cannot get along with her mother, Riker cannot stand his father, Picard quarrels with his brother, Crusher is a widow, and La Forge is a Starfleet brat with no sense of home. "Birthright" is an average STNG episode. Data's dreams are somewhat interesting but there is no real payoff to this development and you would think by now Worf has finally figured out how to reconcile his Klingon notion of honor with life in the rest of the universe. But I do appreciate the parallel look at this particular pair of "orphans" trying to deal with their absent fathers. ... Read more

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In the conclusion of the story begun in episode 142, Worf finds himself a prisoner in a secret hidden society on a tiny planet. According to the village elder, a former Romulan military commander, "We've put aside the old hatreds. Here Romulans and Klingons live in peace. I won't let you destroy what we've made." Worf, himself something of a Klingon orphan raised by humans, becomes the younger generation's tie to their roots and culture, teaching them Klingon history, mythology, and rites of passage that have been kept from them. At his best, Worf is a 24th-century incarnation of Beauty and the Beast's ferocious hero by way of a Spartan soldier, but this warrior's code of honor and loyalty are tempered with what can only be described as humanism. It's rarely been explored as smartly as in this episode. In the face of interspecies harmony, Worf must confront his own reflexive, one might say instinctive, racism, and he emerges as a true philosopher warrior. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

disappointing second-parter
Following the superbly-scripted first part of "Birthright", the second part is a tremendous let-down. Pursuing rumors of his father's possible whereabouts, Worf discovers a Romulan prison camp for Klingon survivors of the Khitomer Massacre. Although Mogh died honorably in battle, his comrades opted to live in dishonor as POWs, and have even conceived offspring during their years of captivity. These Klingon youngsters have been raised with their Romulan guards, and know nothing of their warrior birthright. Enter Worf, whose undying hatred toward Romulans cannot tolerate this peaceful coexistence with an enemy race. As he begins to foment bigotry in the youngsters, and surreptitiously teach them their heritage, he falls in love with a hybrid girl. Now the benevelent Romulan commandant has a dilemma: the disgraced Klingon POWs will never be accepted on either homeworld, Worf can not be permitted to leave and reveal their existence, yet he cannot stay and destroy the harmony of the camp. Reluctantly, the Romulan orders Worf's execution. This episode appears hastily-written, poorly-developed. Worf's "romance" with Ba'el in particular, seems superfluous. Why would he fall in love with the irritating, simpering, whiny child in the first place; and how could such a legendary bigot so quickly overcome his revulsion of her interspecies conception? The writers missed several opportunities to develop this relationship. Perhaps if Worf had taken Ba'el on the hunt instead of the boy Tok, taught her of her Klingon birthright, then his growing feelings for her might have seemed more realistic. If Ba'el had been the first to stand in Worf's defense, instead of the last, their romance might have had more purpose in the episode. As it is, the only explanation for her inclusion was to provide a titillating scene of Worf spying on her bathing. And although Worf succeeds in "liberating" the Klingon youths, including Ba'el, from their captivity, his "love" for the hybrid maiden ends with this episode. As a Klingon fan, I was eagerly awaiting this sequel to the excellent first half of "Birthright", but the episode failed to deliver. Worf, raised by Humans, a discommended exile of the Klingon Empire, the sole member of his species in Starfleet, continues to vacilate in character development. How is it that he rejects his heritage, and yet is its staunch advocate? And how can he be qualified to teach it to others?

Worf teaches the true Klingon way to some ignorant youths
The two-parts of "Birthright" deal with Data and Worf dealing with the legacies of their fathers. Data discovers Dr. Soong had installed circuits in his positronic brain that give the android the ability to dream, which he explores throughout the episode. Meanwhile, Worf has gone to a Romulan prison camp to see if it is true his father did not die at Khitomer but was captured instead. However, Worf discovers not only that his father was indeed killed at Khitomer but also that the Klingons there do not want to leaves. Knowing their families would consider them dishonored, they agreed to remain at the camp. More surprisingly, the Romulans decided to stop being guards, with the commander even taking a Klingon wife. To keep this secret, Worf can never be allowed to leave. But when the young men are sent to guard Worf, he begins to teach them the true Klingon ways of which they are all ignorant.

The Worf plot line dominates the second part of "Birthright," and once again we get Worf, the only Klingon in Starfleet, extolling the virtues of the true Klingon way to a group that consists of two warring species living peacefully together. What is wrong with this picture? Of course, Worf gets their Klingon blood boiling and chastises their parents for having forgotten the very system that dictates they should have killed themselves rather than ever being taken prisoner. Maybe I am the only one who sees the irony here, but you would think at some point Worf would have SOME small regard for multi-culturalism. Michael Dorn does get into teaching those good old Klingon ways and for once he has a willing audience, but this still ends up being an average STNG episode. ... Read more

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On their way back from shore leave, Captain Picard, Guinan (WhoopiGoldberg), Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes), and Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao) getcaught in an energy field. Beamed back to the Enterprise before theirshuttle breaks apart, they arrive with 40 percent less mass. Nobody was lost.Rather, they arrive back on the Enterprise as children, but with theiradult minds still intact. Guinan adjusts quickly to being a kid again, butthe others have problems. Though still a competent captain, Picard knows hecan't be taken seriously in the body of a 12-year-old. Keiko is married toMiles O'Brien (Colm Meaney), who has serious trouble adjusting to having achild bride. And Ro had such a miserable childhood, the last thing she wantsto do is live it all over again. When some Ferengi hijack theEnterprise and quarantine all the adults, it's up to the freshly youngto save the day. There are a couple of problems with this episode: it was fartoo easy for the Ferengi to take over the ship, and the transporter maneuversneeded to return them to adult form are never talked about as a possiblefountain of youth. Director Adam Nimoy (son of Leonard) does get some goodperformances out of the kids, which is fun. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Jean-Luc Picard in "I Was a Pre-Teen Starfleet Captain"
At the start of Star Trek: The Next Generation it was made clear that Jean-Luc Picard was, to say the least, uncomfortable having to deal with children. In later seasons he got a lot better at dealing with the wee folk aboard the Enterprise, such as when he was stuck in the turbolift with three children when the ship was hit by quantum filaments in "Disaster" (Episode 105). But for the most part you have to wonder if Picard has simply forgotten what it was like to be a child. It is this dimension of Picard's character that makes "Rascals" such a wonderful episode.

Picard is returning to the Enterprise on a shuttle, along with Guinan, Ensign Ro and Keiko O'Brien. Suddenly an energy field surrounds the shuttle and when Riker orders an emergency transport the four have been turned into kids. Riker has to take control of the Enterprise, which heads off to Ligo Seven to answer a distress call. Then, just to make things interesting, the Enterprise is attacked by a pair of Klingon battle cruisers which turn out to be run by the Ferengi (following all this?). With their shields down, the Enterprise is taken over by the Ferengi, who beam down all the adults to work the mines on the planet below. Of course this leaves Picard and the other "children" to try to regain control of the ship, with some help from Alexander.

This episode is worth it just to see Jean-Luc throw a tantrum and demand to see his "father" Commander Riker. Picard calls him "Number One," explaining to the Ferengi, "because he's my Number One Dad." The two smile and embrace. You have to love it. "Rascals" has its moments of cuteness and since we are dealing with the Ferengi the children are never really in danger (not like they are Klingons or the Borg). This is just a fun episode, so enjoy it and go along for the ride.

Good episode but not at this price
While this is a great epsiode. It has a great plot, some caracter development and is generally good fun it probably not worth this much doe.

"Rascals"
I have been looking all over for this episode. My opinion is: It is the best next generation episode out of all of them. My favorite part is the ironic one: Picard runs his hand over his head to check if he still has hair.

"Rascals" is really good.
I liked it very much. Those darn kids are just so darn cute

"Rascals": A fun, light Star Trek TNG episode
This episode shows that "bottle" episodes don't have to be boring. This light episode's best part is when Picard (now a kid) has to throw a temper tantrum to see Riker (called him 'Dad'). It's one of those episodes that you can see over and over and it's still funny! ... Read more

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Every once in a while on The Love Boat, Captain Merrill Stubing would be given his own chance at romance and love, but the writers would always have to find a way to get rid of Stubing's paramour by the end of the episode, lest they have to start writing in a new main character. In that vein, Captain Picard meets Lt. Commander Nella Darrin (Wendy Hughes), the sassy new head of Stellar Sciences. Sparks fly in Ten-Forward when Picard sees that she's also an accomplished musician. Those who saw episode 125, "The Inner Light," in which Picard is transported into an alternative life, knows he plays the flute, but it is Darrin who gets him to start playing duets. Soon enough duets become dates, and Picard starts to worry about conflicts of interest in dating a member of his crew. Things are brought to a head when they reach a planet whose firestorms are threatening a colony, and she's the one best equipped to set up a risky deflector shield array. Two things are certain: her life is in danger, and she won't be joining the Enterprise as a major crew member. If the ending is less than satisfying (it could have been much worse), it is nice that Riker isn't the only who gets a little nookie on the show. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Gorgeous Music
This is one of my favorite episodes. The music is absoluely lovely!

Watch and learn
The only thing I'll say about "Lessons" is that this is one of those episodes that shows you why the next generation is admired for both its wonderful story lines but also its top notch acting. Definitely one for the ages. All ages. A timeless classic episode.

P.S. If you liked this episode I highly recommend "The Inner Light".

Jean-Luc Picard opens himself up to the possibility of love
When Picard visits his Ready Room at 3 in the morning he is perturbed to discover that all the major computer systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography. Picard goes down there to find out what is going on and discovers he has ruined an attempt to take precise gravometric readings run by Lieutenant Commander Nella Darrin, who explains how they are attempting to predict the configuration of an emerging star system to an obviously fascinated Captain. Later Picard listens why Darrin plays the piano for a Mozart trio. The next thing he knows, she is visiting his quarters while he is practicing on the flute he received in "The Inner Light" (Episode 125). Soon they are playing duets and then they move of to kissing. Everyone is happy for the Captain and his newfound romance, but then the Federation colony on Bersallis Three requests an emergency evacuation because of a massive firestorm. Darrin leads the teams that set up the thermal deflectors that will protect the colonist during the evacuation, but when it becomes clear the deflectors will have to be manually calibrated continuously during the storm, Picard orders the teams to hold their position until the evacuation is complete. When the last colonist is transported, Picard orders the teams to be beamed up, but two of them are lost, including the one with Darrin.

Unlike James T. Kirk and his woman of the month revolving door love life, the romantic moments of Jean-Luc Picard are few and far between, most notably in "The Perfect Mate" (Episode 121). That is why these moments are worth cherishing. While it is enjoyable to hear Patrick Stewart declaim anything from Shakespeare to the phone book (he is down the road right now doing "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"), he can also craft eloquent moments of silence as he does in this episode where he sits alone in his quarters, looking at his flute and trying to come to terms with the loss of Darrin. No wonder Stewart was picked as the television actor of the 1990's.

Refreshing & emotional
Though not the standard Star Trek fare, this episode allows personal glimpses into the life of the very quiet and reserved Captain of the Enterprise. Picard lets down his guard, letting the lovely and talented Commander Darren get close. He learns a great deal about himself in many ways, and finds himself faced with some very difficult decisions. There are also references to his earlier experience with a probe through which he lived another lifetime - a very emotional and personal time for him. The music they play throughout, including music from that other lifetime, highlight this insightful and introspective episode. ... Read more

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A particularly pompous scientist (Ken Jenkins) is aboard the Enterprise to view a once-in-a-lifetime event: the explosion of a star. But even as he's preparing to complete what has been his life's work, the ship's computers begin to go glitch-crazy. More problematic, the computer itself records no instance of failure or malfunction. The problem, as it turns out, is that Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) has been conducting a school experiment involving microscopic robots called nanites. Two nanites have escaped into the computer--and have evolved in a way that allows them to reproduce and run amok in the computer system, threatening not only the scientific mission but the safety of the Enterprise itself.

It's an intriguing episode, one that uses its plot to debate the nature of life as it applies to sentient mechanical beings. In this case, not only are the nanites capable of reproducing but also learning and evolving; when the scientist suggests killing all the nanites to save his project, the nanites themselves gang up and retaliate. On the other hand, the whole episode keeps building to moments of tension and suspense that simply fade away, rather than reaching cathartic release. And a subplot, involving Crusher's mother Beverly (Gates McFadden) and her mother-hen impulses toward her growing son, reveals yet again how stiff an actress she is and why she wasn't missed during her absence for the second season. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

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how to create life without hardly trying
Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) is back for the beginning of the 3rd season, replacing Dr. Kate Polaski. The story was that she was at Starfleet Medical for the year, but in reality, Gates McFadden was pregnant and had been filmed from the chest up at the last of the 1st season as it was. Wesley is working himself cockeyed - when he's not working on the bridge of the Enterprise, he's studying astro physics, temporal mechanics and other Stephen Hawkings-esque subjects to prepare for his entrance exam to enter Starfleet.

Working with nanites (microscopic robots) on his own experiment, he has to help a Starfleet Scientist, Dr. Paul Stubbs (Ken Jenkins), with an experiment of his own. Stubbs has made it his life's work to study a rare phenomenon with a Neutrino star that only occurs once every 196 years. A lot of progress with sensors and measuring instruments in the previous 2 centuries gives Stubbs the opportunity to become the Carl Sagan of his own 24th Century generation.

The Enterprise is at Stubb's disposal to assist him with the project. As they move closer to observe the stellar matter between a nearby planet and the pulsating sun, the Enterprise starts going ape. Suddenly they find themselves hurtling toward a giant star that will turn them all into futuristic pork rinds and nothing is working. No shields, no tractor beams, no sensors and their controls do not even respond. Suddenly, the Enterprise behaves normally and when Picard asks, "Computer! Identify malfunction immediately!", the computer (Majel Barret-Roddenberry) replies, "there has been no malfunction."

Well this is just dandy! The only thing keeping these star-faring astronauts from death is the Enterprise, and they don't seem to be in control of her anymore. All sorts of tests are run to no avail. Wesley returns to his quarters to resume his experiments with his nanites and when he looks in the container he kept them in, he finds that they are missing.

Can the 2 missing microscopic robots have anything to do with a systems-wide failure on the flagship of the Federation. Reluctantly, Wesley informs the senior staff and it turns out that these 2 little metalic stinkers have been harvesting tiny parts of the ship to make more of themselves - and collectively have become self-aware, sentient and able to control the Enterprise.

Stubbs cannot believe what is going on. He at first laughs in the face of their first scary speed bump, but when the nanites threaten to ruin his shot at studying the rarely seen phenomenon, he goes lulu, with more concern for his life's work than for the over 1,000 souls aboard the Enterprise. In a desparate act to halt the nanites, he uses a phaser to destroy millions of them and they don't take it lightly.

An interesting show with mind provoking subject matter for the armchair philosopher.

Wesley Crusher creates life in his spare time
For the first show of the third season (you thought these were in the correct order?), Beverly Crusher is back as Chief Medical Officer, the Starfleet uniforms now look a whole lot better, and yet another eminent scientist causes trouble on the Enterprise. Dr. Paul Stubbs is going to study a rare phenomenon that happens only once every 197 years, as matter builds up on the surface of a star before exploding. But as the time comes to do this once in an every third lifetime experiment, the Enterprise's computer systems mysterious start to fail and Stubbs is coming apart at the seams at the idea that the mission may be scrubbed. However, it is not fate that is conspiring against the good doctor but Wesley Crusher. As part of a genetics experiment the ship's resident boy genius was working on Nanites, microscopic machines designed to make repairs on the cells of living tissues. Wesley upgraded the Nanites, teaching them to work together, to reproduce and to otherwise evolve. When two of his new and improve Nanites escaped, the result was that the computer core eventually was invaded by thousands of Nanites where they are happy and content, eating the memory chips. Ultimately they threaten not only Stubbs' experiment, but also the Enterprise's life-support systems. No one promised fair, but Stubbs is ready to go off the deep end on this one.

This is another one of those Next Generation episodes that focuses on the issue of sentience. We have dealt with Androids ("The Measure of a Man," Episode 35), holographic characters ("Elementary, My Dear Data," Episode 29), and crystals ("Home Soil," Episode 17), so now we deal with "living machines." Dr. Stubbs wants to exterminate the Nanites and proceed with his experiment. Of course, Captain Picard refuses to destroy out of hand what may well be a new species just because they are eating his computer. They might be small and a new life form, but Picard always likes to look at the big picture. Perhaps one of the biggest ironies of the Star Trek universe is that it is a Starfleet captain, the Federation's "military" wing if you will, who is the voice of conscience and reason. When I watched "Evolution" again I knew it was an above average episode but I was surprised at how strong it was, mainly because it really does not have any major weaknesses. I ended up giving it 5 stars because I liked Dr. Stubbs' mental relaxation technique of playing a baseball game in his mind, foreshadowing one of the more interesting character traits of future DS9 Captain Benjamin Sisko. ... Read more

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In this, the first of a two-part episode that continues the saga of Worf's discommendation by the Klingon High Council, Captain Picard is called to oversee the succession ceremony of Gowron (Robert O'Reilly) as the new leader of the High Council. The Duras family, whose rival to Gowron was killed by Worf in episode 81, "Reunion," and whose traitorous collaboration with the Romulans led to Worf's dishonor, is planning a civil war. Worf lends his support to Gowron in exchange for getting the honor of his family name back. This episode ends with one of the show's most jaw-dropping cliffhangers, involving a surprise from the past.

These episodes having to do with the Klingons' political turbulence are among the most evocative ones besides those with the Borg. And for those following the previous episodes in this saga, "Sins of the Father" and "Reunion," it is most satisfying seeing Worf reinstated as a Klingon in good standing. But there are inconsistencies for those who like to keep track of continuity. For instance, Gowron states unequivocally that women are not allowed to hold positions on the High Council, yet in episode 81 he tried to bribe Worf's mate K'Ehleyr with just such a position. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a cliffhanger you won't believe
In this first part of surprising 2-part episode, Gowron is ready to take his place as successor, to be leader of the Klingon High Council. Worf has grown weary of bearing the burden of discommendation and dishonor he accepted in order to save the Klingon Empire and longs to regain his family honor.

In episode 81 ("Reunion"), Worf kills Duras after Duras kills Worf's mate, K'Ehlyer, and as a result, prevents the Duras family from ever taking official power in the High Council.

Duras' sisters, Lursa and B'Etor are powerful and even feared, but women may not serve on the High Council. Worf tells Gowron the true nature of his discommendation and offers to support Gowron if he will in turn restore his family honor. Gowron refuses, since his ascension to the throne is almost a certainty... or is it?

Worf's younger brother, Kurn, is the commander of a small, yet powerful squadron of Klingon warships and as elder brother, enlists Kurn to aid him in bending Gowron's will.

Picard is the reluctant Arbiter of Succession. Patrick Stewart, a long-time Shakespearian actor must have inwardly cringed at the ridiculous Klingon phrases he was forced to recite during this ritual.

The last 5 minutes are where the true surprises rear their head. As Gowron has told Picard, the Romulans are indeed behind the Duras family and when the person behind the scenes, driving the Romulans to this path is revealed, the avid Star Trek fan will gasp in amazement and be dying to see Part II to have it explained.

Forget the new Klingon Emperor. Who's the blonde Romulan?
After the epic cliff hanger of "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I" which ended the previous season, STNG went for a much more intimate but equally dramatic ending to its fourth season focusing on Worf in an episode that brings together virtually every Klingon plot thread in the series. In "Reunion" (Episode 81), Captain Picard was named the arbiter of succession for the leadership of the Klingon Empire. The Enterprise is heading to the Klingon home world and Picard wants Worf to challenge his discommendation ("Sins of the Father," Episode 65) and restore his family name. The two competitors for the throne are Gowron and the illegitimate son of Duras, supported by the lovely Duras sisters, are things are getting ugly and personal big time. Worf tells Gowron the truth about his discommendation and offers the support of his brother Kurn and several other squadron commanders in exchange for returning Worf's family honor. After Gowron is installed as leader civil war breaks out between the two sides and the new Klingon Emperor asks the Federation for assistance. When Picard refuses Worf resigns his commission and joins Gowron. It is then that we learn the Duras sisters have been conspiring with a blonde Romulan who looks very, very familiar.

If "The Best of Both Worlds" left us with a summer wondering WHAT will happen after Picard orders the Enterprise to open fire on Locutus/Picard and the Borg Cube, "Redemption" had his scratching our heads over WHO that was we saw in the final shot. We do not believe that Worf is walking away from the Enterprise for good any more than we believed Riker was going to kill Picard, but the episode does a nice job of bring the personal and political conflicts involved to a head and the final shot of Denise Crosby might be the greatest OMG moment in the entire series. There is nothing like a summer of speculation to warm the hearts of the fans of a beloved television series and the answers in the second part of "Redemption" are well worth the wait. Meanwhile, with every episode focusing on him, Worf continues to become much more than "the only Klingon serving in Starfleet," which I always thought a bit excessive. But if the idea of Worf as some sort of Klingon "Moses" is a bit over the top, these episodes certainly give Michael Dorn some great scenes and compensate him for all the time he had to spend in make-up getting his head together.

Action!The battles are awesome!
When the Enterprise approaches the Klingon homeworld,Gowron(Robert O'Reilly)informs Picard(Patrick Stewart)that a Klingon civil war might form.Worf talks to Kurn(Tony Todd) and Kurn wants to overthrow Gowron.Then,the war begins,Worf joins Duras and gets his honor back.The Romulans are involved.And a special guest star,stars! ... Read more

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The dubious introduction of the Ferengi, subjects of advance hype about a "new alien threat" on The Next Generation, was a disappointment for everyone concerned, as well as many fans. The galaxy's ultra-capitalists are chased by the Enterprise when a Ferengi vessel steals an energy converter. The chase ends when both ships are immobilized above an unknown outpost of the long-dead Tkon Empire. A joint effort to investigate fails when the Ferengi double-cross Riker's away-team. Viewers who could never much stomach the Ferengi won't find a lot here to appreciate, despite efforts by Gene Roddenberry to invent a viable and interesting new nemesis for the Federation. The story, which involves an automated Tkon guard sitting in judgment on Riker as well as the irritating aliens, is less-than-inspired as well. On a positive note, Armin Shimerman makes his first appearance as a Ferengi, this one called Letek. The diminuitive actor went on to play Quark on Deep Space Nine.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Poor way to introduce the Ferengi
While this episode accomplishes one very positive thing, namely introducing the Ferengi to Star Trek lore, it does so in two very bad ways. The first is that the Ferengi are presented as sniveling liars, hardly creatures that would be expected to create mighty star ships and civilizations that span multiple planets. The second is that the storyline from the original series episode "Arena" is reused. TNG episodes that reuse plot devices from the original series always seem to lack some of the fire of their forebears.
The episode begins with the Enterprise in hot pursuit of a Ferengi vessel that stole a power device from a Federation outpost. As the ships pass close to a planet, both ships drop out of warp. Having only limited knowledge of the Ferengi, Captain Picard assumes that they are responsible for his loss of power and contacts them about surrender terms. To his surprise, the Ferengi agree to surrender and he then realizes that a force on the planet is holding both ships.

After searching out historical records, the Enterprise crew learns that the planet was a remote outpost in the Tkon Empire, a civilization that collapsed thousands of years earlier. Now that the Ferengi are also aware that it is the planet that is draining their power, Picard and the Ferengi commander agree to cooperate and send away teams to the planet's surface. The Ferengi immediately violate the agreement, but the Enterprise team manages to get the upper hand.
A representative of the Tkon Empire known as the Portal appears and issues a challenge to the away teams. Due to their devious nature, the Ferengi fail and it is up to Riker to answer the questions. He does so successfully, power is restored to both ships and there is a peaceful resolution of the dispute between the Federation and the Ferengi.
There is also a mildly amusing subplot involving the Chinese finger puzzle, where Data gets his fingers stuck in one during a briefing. While it adds some humor to the story, the idea that anyone, even an android, would play with such a puzzle during a briefing when the survival of the ship is at stake is preposterous.
To the credit of the series developers, the Ferengi reappear as an integral part of future episodes of TNG and later Star Trek series, and their sniveling behavior is eliminated. However, this episode must rank as one of the lowest, in that it is hard to see beyond their behavior in this one.

"Yankee traders, I like the sound of that."
Star Trek: The Next Generation's first attempt to introduce a trademark villain to its new series in "The Last Outpost" did not bear fruit as the Ferengi proved not to have the widespread appeal of the Klingons or the Romulans. Their capitalistic orientation, oversized ears, sexist ideals, and diminutive stature characterized them more as comedic foils rather than enduring and worthy adversaries.

The Enterprise-D pursues a Ferengi vessel carrying stolen goods. Suddenly both ships lose power after coming into proximity of a planet that once served as an outpost for the long dead Tkon Empire. In order to free their respective ships, the Enterprise and the Ferengi send crew members to the surface to search for answers. Both parties encounter an entity called "Portal" (Darryl Henriques) who subjects Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to a test of wisdom.

The initial appearance of the Ferengi into Star Trek continuity was not flattering as their behavior mimicked circus animals more than the sophisticated businessmen they would transform into during Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In fact, Star Trek: The Next Generation's attempts to find a quality foe for the series would not succeed until a certain cybernetic race came along in its second season. The Ferengi just did not have a threatening aura about them despite their build-up at the beginning of this episode and their mention in the series' pilot. Thankfully though, a complete overhaul of the cosmic capitalists would lead to better things for them in the future.

The Fury of the Ferengi
The Ferocious Ferengi Strike Back!

While attempting to get a T-9 energy converter; the Enterprise and a Ferengi ship come across a world that paralyzes both vessels. Helpless, the Enterprise away team consisting of Data, Tasha, Geordi and Riker, attempt to find out what is stopping them from escape. The sleeping Tkon Empire is revived. Some strange character in a black robe with a large walking stick wants to know the motive behind Enterprise's journey. This episode proved without a doubt that the Ferengi are comic relief. They were not the next "Klingon" breakout villain characters the producers hoped.

If there were more sharp features in the Ferengi's ears and facial structure; perhaps they'd have the look of someone dangerous. It's surprising to see the first drawings of the them. They look a lot more sinister than they turned out to be.

Will Riker makes first contact with the fierce Ferengi
This is the episode that introduces the Ferengi to the Star Trek universe. In fact, this is suppose to be the Federation's "first look" at the species, which is interesting seeing as how they are the key commercial traders for the entire quadrant. These Ferengi are decidedly more barbaric and less comic relief than they become on Deep Space Nine. In terms of developing the cast of characters on the new Enterprise, "The Last Outpost" focuses on William T. Riker, who just looks too darn youthful without his whiskers. On the surface of Gamma Taouri IV Riker has to contend not only with a Ferengi away team but a mysterious being who turns out to be the "Portal" for the fabled Tkon Empire that became extinct long ago.

"The Last Outpost" also serves to establish Riker's standing as the best First Officer in Starfleet since he is basically on his own on this away mission. Like many of the early Next Generation episodes, "The Last Outpost" sounds the theme that the Enterprise crew represent the angels of our better nature always finding a better solution to intergalactic problems than kicking butt. However there is still the problem that most of these earlier episodes have so many elements strongly reminiscent of original Star Trek episodes. You can really make a game of it when you watch these episodes again, naming all the Star Trek episodes that are reflected in any given Next Generation script..

The Last Outpost
In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise first encounter the Ferengi. The Enterprise and the Ferengi's ship both are experiencing severe power drains, and the answer is for away teams from both ships to beam to the surface of the planet they are orbiting to investigate. The planet is the last remnant of an ancient, dead civilization. The Ferengi are scheming, short beings with "phaser-whips" for weapons, and they cannot be trusted. ... Read more

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The Enterprise visits a solar system that is being torn apart by unknown geological forces. Riker, eager to forward Wesley's training as an officer, puts him in charge of the geological survey team of Drema Four. Wesley is eager for the work, but worries about giving orders to older and more experienced crew members. Meanwhile, Data picks up a call from Drema Four's surface, and begins what he thinks is a harmless exchange with a child named Sarjenka. (Look carefully under Sarjenka's makeup and you might recognize a very young Nikki Cox.) When it becomes clear that Drema Four is doomed to the same fate as the other planets in the system, Data reveals his friendship to the crew. You guessed it--it just might be time to violate the Prime Directive. For those who always found it a cop-out, this episode contains one of the more extensive discussions of the Prime Directive, and goes a long way towards explaining why it's so important. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Data goes beyond his programming
While scanning broad radio spectrum, Data hears a young female voice say, "Is anybody out there?" Data replies and he and his unseen friend, Sarjenka, become pen pals via the radio broadcasts. Sarjenka (Nikki Cox) tells Data of geological disturbances on her planet. Through the weeks of communication, Data has learned that his young friend lives on Drema Four (so many planets, so few names!), a pre-space travel world that limits what Data can share with her.

Data brings the matter to the attention of the senior staff who seem more than mildly shocked that the Leiutenant Commander could behave in such a reckless manner, possibly exposing a pre-warp civilization to the knowledge of alien beings beyond their world. Data asks that the Enterprise help to save his friend's planet, but Picard is bound and gagged by the Prime Directive. He is angry at Data for having exposed their hearts to a child they must leave to her fate.

Picard orders Data to terminate communications with Sarjenka, and he wryly does so slowly, as Sarjenka's pleas of "Data, why aren't you answering me?" penetrate the room. Picard finds a way out of the dilemma as Data begins to terminate his radio downlink - Sarjenka asks for help.

The other minor plot involves Wesley, who Riker has put in charge of the geological survey team that will attempt to save Sarjenka's planet. Wes is put in a position where he must order and supervise a team that is older, more experienced and has higher rank than he does and goes through a Baptism by fire experience in his first command of sorts.

Data makes a final gesture to Sarjenka that gives a peek into the heart of this heartless android, a subtle, easy-to-miss scene that speaks volumes as Sarjenka's planet is saved and she returns home. A true treasure of an episode.

Sarjenka and the crumbling planet...
Sarjenka cries for help

This episode is one your showcases everyone's favorite android, Commander Data.
He hears a cry for help from his workstation and the Prime Directive is held under a microscope. While Picard is pondering as to help this poor kid, Data continues to receive transmissions for help. It would have been very cold if Picard decided not to break policy...which is what the show does every time. I can't for a minute believe the fiction Prime Directive when it's broken all the time when it suits the interests of Starfleet....I know ... it's only a TV show...

There are lots of good special effects in this one. The deteriorating planet of Sarjenka and the scenes between Data and Sarjenka will bring a tear to the eye in the most jaded of fans. I recommend this one.

A little child shall make them forget the Prime Directive...
Yet another one of those infuriating Prime Directive episodes where Starfleet rules demand that an entire of being die because it would be wrong for them to find out there are beings zipping around the cosmos in starships. The Enterprise is studying violent geothermal activity on planets in the Selcundi Drema system. While Wesley is put in charge of planetary mineral surveys, Data fiddles with the sensor array and comes across a radio transmission from a little girl on Drema IV named Sarjenka. When the child asks the fatal question, "Is anybody out there?" Data answers "Yes." This pretty much violates every rule in the book, but before Picard can get away from the planet, which is about to self-destruct, Sarjenka makes a plaintive call for help. Suddenly this changes everything.

What redeems this episode is the friendship between Data and Sarjenka, which is rather endearing. For some reason I have always liked the way children interacted with Data, much the same way I get a kick out of Naomi Wildmon and Seven of Nine on Voyager. No rationale explanation available, sorry. In "Pen Pals" I am perfectly content to let Picard stew in his own juices as to how to save Sarjenka's planet without letting anybody who lives there have a clue as to what is happening, although I tend to think all those beings might turn to a theological rather than a scientific explanation that might alter their destinies a bit. Besides, never argue with an android with a positronic brain. As somebody said once upon a time, not playing God is just another way of playing God.

"Is Anybody Out There?"
Data breaks Starfleet first contact protocol, talks to scarey orange child; Wesley saves planet. Picard rides a horse. Enterprise rides off into sunset.

Okay; so it's not THAT bad. I find this episode of TNG charming because it explores the fact that sometimes, Data's ethical programming is a lot more "ethical" than Starfleet's Prime Directive. I mean, when Data is faced with the prospect of watching his friend Sarjenka's planet die, he acts. Do any of the PEOPLE act? Not until the android forces the issue.

I found myself wondering what would happen if the humanoid Starfleet officers were faced with a Final Solution type problem? Would they sit around and analyse it and endlessly babble about the Prime Directive while millions died? Data would size up the situation, decide This Is Wrong and take action. Says a lot about "humanity." And that's the whole POINT.

Not as good or as well-written as Measure of a Man or Data's Day-- but worth owning just for the scene where Sarjenka takes one look at Troi, moves behind Data for protection and calmly says "Leave me alone." We're talking this is one smart scarey orange child. She knows where HER bread is buttered! ... Read more

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Taking a page from Rashomon, Akira Kurosawa's classic film about conflicting perspectives, this Next Generation episode finds Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) caught between different points-of-view about whether he murdered a scientist (Mark Margolis) after a failed effort to seduce the latter's wife (Gina Hech). The facts: while visiting the married couple and observing the Federation researcher's work on a new source of energy, the Enterprise's first officer has an argument with the scientist, who is then killed while Riker beams out of the scene. But what really happened? The situation looks cut-and-dry to Tanugan Inspector Krag (Craig Richard Nelson), who arrests Riker but is then convinced by Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to re-create the varying testimonies in the ship's holodeck. For Trek fans, the episode clearly echoes a show from the original series entitled "Wolf in the Fold," in which engineer Scotty is accused of a heinous sex crime while visiting a planet. The plot is intriguing, the suspense is fine, and the suggestion of a dark streak in Riker will not be lost on fans of the series. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An excellent blend of mystery and science fiction
This episode is a classic whodunit, where three witnesses give accounts of the events that lead up to an explosion and the death of a scientist. Riker and LaForge visit a scientist, Dr. Apgar, whose work on a new energy source is being funded by the Federation. LaForge beams back to the Enterprise from the satellite and hints to Captain Picard that there are difficulties. When Riker attempts to beam back to the Enterprise, there is a problem and as soon as the beaming starts, the satellite inexplicably explodes, killing Dr. Apgar.
Shortly after this, the chief investigator from the planet arrives on the Enterprise and demands that Riker be turned over to him to face charges for murder. Picard refuses and is forced into the position of being an impartial arbiter over whether the evidence indicates that Riker should stand trial. To resolve the issue, the events, based on the testimonies of Riker, Mrs. Apgar and Dr. Apgar's assistant are recreated in the holodeck.
The testimonies are quite different. According to Riker's testimony, Mrs. Apgar threw herself at him and according to Mrs. Apgar's testimony, she was subdued and it was Riker who forced himself on her. However, in the end, the difficult point is that the evidence conclusively indicates that there was an energy surge similar to a phaser blast from Riker's exact position right before he beamed to the Enterprise. It turns out that the explosion was not an accident, but due to the actions of someone attempting to commit murder.
The unique point of this episode is the use of a holodeck to recreate the events significant in a murder investigation. It was interesting to follow through the testimony and try to concentrate on the key points to determine who is guilty, (I got it wrong).
Murder mysteries will be around as long as there are self-aware creatures who can die. This is one that is resolved through the use of technology, and the blend of the two genres of murder mystery and science fiction is very well done.

Lies and Deception aboard the Enterprise
Spoiler Alert for TREK Fans
Read no futher if you want to see the ending...

This one is an otherwise run of the mill episode made interesting by three different points of view of the same story.
We have Riker charged with murder when in fact it's the scientist's experiment that is responsible for the radiation that destroyed the station and almost finished the Enterprise.

We get the wife of the fellow developing this "Kreiger" ray project...she claims Riker made unwanted advances when it was actually her was doing all the advancing. The unethical assistant said he was also going after Krieger's wife. It all turns out to be false when the radiation from his experiment is putting holes in the Enterprise hull and insides of the ship.

It's all put to rest when the radiation bursts are 5.3 hours apart. It's at just such an interval when the station blew up.

All in all it's a good episode. It's worth it to put this one in your collection.

Picard tackles a mystery with a Rashomon twist
Given all the time he spend on the holodeck in Dixon Hill mysteries, Jean-Luc Picard gets a chance to solve a real life mystery. Riker beams back from the Science Station orbiting Tanuga Four when it suddenly explodes. Krag, a representative from Tanuga, accuses Riker of murdering the scientists and blowing up the station to cover his evil deed. Refusing to extradict his First Officer, Picard convenes a preliminary hearing using the holodeck to examine the "evidence." With a tip of the hat to "Rashomon," the one thing all of the witnesses agree on is that something happened between Riker and the wife of one of the dead scientists. There is also physical evidence from the sensors that an energy pulse came from Riker and hit the station's generators as he beamed back to the Enterprise. Meanwhile, Data, La Forge and Wesley are investigating strange energy bursts on the Enterprise. Could this somehow be connected to what happened on the station?

This is one of the better mystery episodes from the Next Generation. We know Riker is innocent, but proving it will be the trick. The fun in this episode is that just because you hear what witnesses say they heard, that does not necessarily mean what they thought it means. Each time the scene plays, another piece of the puzzle falls into place. The resolution is not all that exciting, but it does fit the evidence. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Is there something rotten on the good ship Enterprise?
Gene Roddenberry always thought of the Star Trek universe as a time and place when humanity would finally rise above its barbaric past and live in simple peace and harmony. This was why the Enterprise bridge crew was racially diverse and even included a Russian. The problem is that there is not a lot of dramatic conflict in peace and harmony, which is why we often find episodes like "The Drumhead," where the problems of the present are extended to the future. Certainly on the one hand this episode deals with the evils of righteous persecution, which we saw during the Red Scare of the McCarthy period, but which go back to the Salem Witch Trials and beyond. But this episode also speaks to one of the annoying dramatic conventions of the STNG, which is that while there is not a finer captain in Starfleet that Jean-Luc Picard, there are Admirals back at Headquarters who idiots, controlled by weird little alien creatures, or, in this case, subject to acute paranoia.

Certainly it is great to see a film actress of some repute such as Jean Simmons playing the role of Admiral Norah Satie, but it would be even better if she was not playing yet another Starfleet Admiral jumping off the deep end until Picard brings them back to reality. Satie is investigating possible sabotage after an explosion rocked the Enterprise's dilithium chamber. There had been a report that the Romulans had recently received detailed schematics of the device. Worf uncovers the fact that a visiting Klingon exobiologist stole the plans, but the man denies he had anything to do with the explosion although he admits stealing the schematics. Satie's investigation widens, and when she learns that Simon Tarses, one of the medical technicians, lied about the fact that his grandfather was Romulan and not Vulcan, the admiral's investigation escalates. When Picard tries to offer a reasonable defense for Simon's actions, Satie decides that Picard too is obviously a Romulan collaborator.

I will not quibble with those who really like "The Drumhead." Certainly watching Simmons and Stewart go head to head is worth the price of admission, and when it comes to STNG episodes dealing with Picard in conflict with the clowns who rise to the rank of admiral in Starfleet, you will not find an episode better than this one. I just have a prejudice against stories in which military leaders are invariably portrayed as people too dangerous to have anywhere near advanced weaponry. That stereotype is already too rampant in the movies today and it would be nice if it were eradicated in the Star Trek universe at least. Do we really believe there are more pseudo-Napoleons and Hitlers in our military than Powells and Schwarzkopfs? If so, why are we sitting around watching old episodes of Star Trek?

paranoia self-destroy-a
After a visiting Klingon, J'Ddan (Henry Woronicz) is accused of spying aboard the Enterprise, retired Admiral Norah Satie (Jean Simmons) is dispatched by Starfleet to investigate. With a Betazoid aide to assist her, she remarkably and quickly extracts the truth from the Klingon spy and he confesses.

Satie becomes obsessed. She is certain that this is only one loose thread in a tapestry of deceptions and a large spy network that has obviously penetrated the Enterprise and the very Federation itself. She enlists Worf, who is eager to assist her, to aid her in investigating every member of the Enterprise crew.

During an interview of medical technician Simon Tarses (Spencer Garrett), the Betazoid aide detects that he is nervous and hiding something, so they drill into his background and discover that he lied on his Starfleet application. When filling out family information, he claimed his paternal grandfather was Vulcan, when in fact, he was Romulan. Such a connection would have made Tarses ineligible to apply to Starfleet, yet getting caught in a lie like this could mean a Court Marshall.

Satie is unsympathetic to Tarses, believing he is part of a Romulan plot to undermine the Federation and to destroy it from within.

Picard is furious. Satie has turned a simple investigation into a witches' tribunal. Satie has powerful friends in the Federation and has been in constant communications with Starfleet, behind Picard's back. When Picard gives her an ultimatum, she begins to investigate him, and subpoenas him to appear before their court, where she brings up the 9 times he has violated the Prime Directive.

Suddenly, Worf gets his wake-up call, but it seems like it's too late. The senior staff has their jaws hanging open as it appears their world is falling apart. Satie is grilling Picard in a twisted ends-justifies-the-means vendetta.

Will Picard emerge unscathed? Will the rest of the crew be next? A great, albeit disturbing, episode.

...And Justice For All
Not just an excellent TNG episode but also one of the most superior shows ever done in any of the Star Trek series'. With echoes of Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" and the HUAC hearings, writer Jeri Taylor deftly creates an effective and suspenseful fable about the foibles of suspicion, using the elements of the Trek universe - the Federation's judicial system and a natural skepticism concerning the Klingons. What could have been a long, boring and talky treatise on the fallibility of 'guilty till proven innocent' is instead turned into a chilling and unforgettable examination of power run amuck, paralleling the communist witch hunts of the 1950's very closely.

When a Klingon officer is suspected of spying he is brought before Riker and Troi for questioning. Despite compelling evidence the Klingon proclaims his innocence over and over again; he is then sequestered in his quarters until they reach a starbase where an expanded and more formal hearing can take place. Since the officer had been part of an exchange program Picard remains diplomatic and open-minded on the affair unless someone can present solid evidence suggesting - or proving - guilt. When retired Admiral Norah Satie, a former Judge Advocate General officer, is recalled by the Federation to assist in the investigation Picard is pleased to have her aboard convinced she will resolve the matter most effectively. But the investigations soon become more personal than professional and when Picard attempts to stop the admiral from pursuing the matter further he becomes her next target.

Terse, frightening and utterly believable 'The Drumhead' is one Star Trek's finest hours. The casting of the accomplished film and television star Jean Simmons as Admiral Satie is a real coup and lends even further credibility to the episode. She is absolutely convincing as the insatiable power mad former hatchet of the Federation's JAG office. The teaser (that snippet of the show just before the opening credits run) sets up the episode nicely. As Worf is escorting the Klingon suspect back to his quarters the scoundrel tells Worf "I know people of power who can restore your name. Turn your back for just a second and allow me to leave in an escape pod." Worf's offense gives way to violent anger and afterwards he threatens and taunts the spy. It's a terrific lead into the story and we are immediately on the side of the prosecutors until we have our own eyes opened.

The plotting of the show is well done also; though the Klingon is proven to be a spy he is unfortunately comprised by additional circumstantial but damning evidence; crewman Simon Tarses has his Star Fleet career destroyed by the machinations of Admiral Satie and her unwitting accomplices; Worf becomes a victim also as Satie preys upon his weakness concerning his hatred for the Romulans; even after Data and Geordi offer conclusive proof against the suspected sabotage it isn't enough to convince the admiral to halt the investigations. Though there are many lines of dialogue worth remembering Picard has the most memorable: "The road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think." Spoken eloquently, factually and lending historical significance to the Star Trek canon.

McCarthyism revisited
"The Drumhead" is one of the finest Star Trek Next Generation episodes ever made, reprising the disgraceful period of slander,innuendo, and insinuation conducted under Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950's that led to the blacklisting of many talented Hollywood writers and actors.

Legendary actress Jean Simmons is outstanding as Admiral Nora Satie who gradually and insidiously feeds her paranoia and megalomania with the careers and reputations of her opponents during public trials masked as "hearings", ultimately ending with a trial of Captain Picard himself.

The casting of Simmons in this role has an interesting twist -- she played the part of Varinia in the screen adaptation of Howard Fast's novel "Spartacus", directed by Stanley Kubrick, and written by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo. This landmark film helped break the blacklist.

This episode serves to remind us all about the value of individual rights and freedom.

This is the True Essence of Star Trek!
If one wants to view an episode that explains the staying power of the Star Trek, one needs look no farther than this episode. A timeless tale about the effects of prejudice and ignorance is told here with intelligent wit, stellar performances from all involved, and superb direction. Besides the usual effortless excellence of Patrick Stewart, motion picture legend Jean Simmons does a smashing job as a Star Fleet admiral investigating what appears to be a "blemish" in the perceived unbreakable armor of the Federation. The final few minutes of the episode features acting that is far above the average television program. This is one to own and share with others as a representation of what television can, and should, be: that is,thought-provoking and challenging! ... Read more