Arlong Park (re)watches sci-fi shows

Nobodyman

Hey y'all.

Seeing as how I'm currently watching Star Trek: TNG for the first time on Netflix, I thought this would be a good opportunity for anyone else who's interested to watch (or rewatch) and discuss it, as well as any of the other four Star Trek series.

Actually, I also recently finished watching the entire Original Series last fall, but alas, I didn't think to make this thread at the time.

So yeah, since this is five series we're talking about here, and since most of them are so long, I wouldn't dare expect anyone to watch all of them, much less follow a schedule. So if anyone wants to join me in watching TNG, that's fine. Or if anyone wants to start watching any of the other series, that's also fine. Or if you've seen any of the series before and just want to discuss, that's fine too.

Just to clarify, the five series in order of their release are:

Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-69)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-99)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-05)

Hmm, and I guess if anyone wants to watch/discuss Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-74), that's fine as well

All five main series (and the animated show) are available on Netflix.

Live long and prosper fellow Trekkies.

WarshipArc

I'm slowly but surely making my way through the Original Series and am enjoying it alot more than I thought I would.
Infact I would say its one of my favorite TV shows.
I started watching TNG a couple month's ago…
I hope it gets better like everyone says it will, because I am about 5 episodes in and I want everyone to die a horrible death.

OnePark

I've always wanted to watch the show but I'm more interested in The Next Generation. I'm sure there's a lot established races/ideals I'd have to get from the original first, right?

Nobodyman

@WarshipArc:

I started watching TNG a couple month's ago…
I hope it gets better like everyone says it will, because I am about 5 episodes in and I want everyone to die a horrible death.

LOL. I wouldn't go that far, but same here, I'm 5 episodes in and…well, it's not the most impressive start to a series. Here are my thoughts on each episode so far:

! Encounter** at Farpoint:** Actually a pretty good start to the series, I'd say. We get the introduction of the great John de Lancie as Q and a mystery that keeps you guessing to the end. Though they had spent a little more time establishing the characters. The saucer segment of the Enterprise being separated is still one of the coolest Star Trek scenes ever. Oh, and it's true what they say about Wesley. I hated him from the very first episode.
! Naked Now: As the title implies, it's pretty much an homage/remake of the famous Naked Time episode of the original series, and…well, quite honestly, I don't think this one works quite as well. Maybe it's because I've seen the story before, or maybe it's because they didn't do anything that interesting with the story or characters. Or maybe it's because that stupid shitty Wesley saved the day.
! Code of Honor: Well waddya know? After a Naked Time homage, now we get an Amok Time homage. Only now they're trying to hide it, I guess. I guess this episode was fine as far as developing Tasha Yar, but the parallels to Amok Time were just so blatant and the rest of the story was kinda eh. And where did these aliens come from? The planet of the black people?
! The Last Outpost: This episode was pretty good up until the reveal of the Ferengi. After that, it made it impossible for me to take this episode seriously (my god, that scene at the end where Riker is talking to the old guy and they're jittering around in the background).
! Where No One Has Gone Before: Not a bad episode. Yeah, hurtling the Enterprise into a far corner of space has been done, but they handled it in an interesting way. And the Traveller, despite his questionable design, is a pretty cool character. This episode also had some great visuals (and, well…some that also looked dated) Once again, the Wesley-humping diminishes it though.
Also, here are some quick thoughts on The Original Series:

Overall, I'd say this was a darn good series. Yes, it does show its age at times, and a lot of the plotlines are really corny and repetitive, but there are also plenty of great and timeless episodes. And, of course, the characters are the main driving force of the show. Pretty much all of the characters are distinct, interesting, and likeable and it's great to see them play off each other (though was anyone else getting a racist vibe from Bones?). The first season is easily the best. The second season is also good, but has a lot of mediocre and forgettable episodes. And, of course, season 3 is the "bad" one. Between Plato's Stepchildren, the hippie episode, and of course the infamous Spock's Brain, you just have to wonder what they hell they were thinking. But, as I said, all together, it's a damn good that holds up surprisingly well (better than Doctor Who).

Favorite Episodes:

The Naked Time
The Corbomite Maneuver
Balance of Terror
The Galileo Seven
Space Seed
The City on the Edge of Forever
Amok Time
The Trouble with Tribbles
The Tholian Web
Whom Gods Destroy

MagiciteKefka

Wait, every series is on Netflix? Well, then I might as well start watching this, considering I've now watched all of Doctor Who. I guess I intend to watch it all, and I'll probably be commenting on it here, but I definitely won't be following a schedule.

Nobodyman

@OnePark:

I've always wanted to watch the show but I'm more interested in The Next Generation. I'm sure there's a lot established races/ideals I'd have to get from the original first, right?

As far as I can tell. Not really.

I mean, I'm only 5 episodes in, so I can't say for sure. But based on what I've seen, I think the only race you really need to know is the Klingons (Worf's species), an aggressive war-driven race who were the enemies of the Galactic Federation in the original series, but are now allies in TNG.

Even the ideals and mythology aren't difficult to understand. Really, the opening narration says it all.

And speaking of the opening, can I just say that it's the coolest thing ever.

Robby

Anyone watching the original series, also watch the animated one after it. Same writers, same actors, returning characters, it basically is the fourth season. With a cat girl!

The first season of Next Gen is… okay. The series doesn't get good till Riker grows the beard, is the general consensus. Really finds its footing around the third or fourth season, same for DS9.

(Voyager I gave up on a couple seasons in and only watched the pilot of Enterprise. So no comment on those.)

And no, you do NOT need a lot of original series knowledge to know whats going on in next gen.

Klingons-warriors
Vulcans-smart guys with no emotion

Romulans and Ferengi and Borg and such don't show up till later and they're explained as they go. Anything beyond that is introduced and set up in show. DS9 however, is reasonably continuity heavy and helps to have some Next Gen in place beforehand.

(After this we'll do Babylon 5.)
I probably need to chuck in 8 bucks a month for a netflix account one of these days.

CosmicDebris

Big Star Trek fan here, and I've probably seen everything at some point between TOS, TNG, maybe half of DS9 and some of Voyager…I kind of stopped after that. But TNG is my favorite. Admittedly, the first season of TNG is by far the worst, though there's a few good episodes in there. It's definitely a more pensive, heavy on ethics type of series between all of them, so if you're more into an action type sci-fi, it's probably not for you.

@RobbyBevard:

The first season of Next Gen is… okay. The series doesn't get good till Riker grows the beard, is the general consensus.

lol…true enough.

Also any episode that features Wesley Crusher or the Holodeck is bad.
Or Worf's son.

Robby

@CosmicDebris:

Also any episode features Wesley Crusher or the Holodeck is bad.

…the Moriarty episodes were okay.

CosmicDebris

@RobbyBevard:

…the Moriarty episodes were okay.

I hear a lot of people say that….but I don't remember them too well.

MagiciteKefka

I'm just going to update what I thought of each episode as I go along, and since I watched the first episode not too long ago, here we go!

The Man Trap

! I decided to start on this one after reading that a later episode is pretty much based upon the pilot, not that important then.
! Anyway, the episode itself! I kinda liked how it just started as a typical mission. No big exposition of all the characters, we're going to have to learn about them as we go along. Kirk and Spock are both kinda non-characters, but I really liked McCoy. Especially in the final scene, when he couldn't bear himself to kill the copy of his old wife.
! The monster wasn't really anything new, I guess it was back then. A shapeshifter is standard, but the fact that it fed purely on salt was quite interesting.
! The sets are kinda fun as well. It's obvious that they are just sets, but it still looks pretty damn polished, especially for being almost 50 years old!
! So yeah, I'm looking forward to continuing. It's going to take a while for me to get through it all, but I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it.

Nobodyman

Up to episode 10 on TNG now.

! Lonely Among Us: Pretty decent episode. Of course, Star Trek has done the energy-based-entity-possessing-the-crew plotline before, but this one was executed pretty well. I like that the entity turned out to not be outright malicious. The feuding amabassadors subplot seemed pretty pointless though.
! Justice: Honestly, how much did they pay all those extras to dress up like that? It's like the planet of the wussy soft-core porno people. And yet again we get a recycled Star Trek plotline with the supposed Utopia containing a dark secret. And this wouldn't have been so bad had it been done well, but I thought the moral dilemma was resolved a little too easily. At least Wesley was mostly ineffectual this time, despite having a large role in the episode.
! The Battle: Oh goody, another Ferengi episode. And…well, actually, it's better than the first episode. At least the Ferengi have less screentime and they don't act like complete idiots. This would've been some great development for Picard, with his moral dilemma and the past coming back to haunt him, but it was kind of ruined by the fact that there really was no need for a moral dilemma in the first place.
! Hide and Q: Ah, another Q episode! And so soon! Hmm, yeah, this was pretty good, I guess. John de Lancie is always fun, though I have no idea why Q chose to go after Riker, and I guess the main problem there is that, at this point in the story, we really don't know that much about Riker's character. Still, I like the situations the the crew were put into in this episode, what with the creepy French soldiers and all. The scene where Riker is giving his "gifts" to everyone did go on a bit too long though (still, wish we could've seen Data as human). I also think it would've been cool if Riker kept his Q powers for a couple of episodes, while still trying not to use them, after which he'd meet up with Q again and decide what he wanted.
! Haven: Ah, finally some Deanna development. Yes, the arranged marriage story has done many times, but surprisingly not that much in Star Trek (actually, I think Amok Time was the only one), and I think the story here was actually pretty cohesive, if not a bit simple. And while I really like the idea of Deanna's mother's character, they seriously need to give her better lines. On that note, I felt the humor was really grating at times (Naked wedding ceremony. Oy). Also, either I'm just ignorant or there was never a hint of a Riker/Deanna romance before this episode.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

Also, either I'm just ignorant or there was never a hint of a Riker/Deanna romance before this episode.

I think its indicated in the first episode that they know each other from before coming on the ship. Their dynamic is weird. They sort of flirt off and on a couple times a season, but they don't ever really date. Its always a sort of "we dated once upon a time" sort of thing.

Not yet rewatching myself, I'm not sure if thats a conceit they had all along or if thats what they just decided later.

And be prepared, the first season rehashes several original series episodes. Blatantly in some cases.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

And be prepared, the first season rehashes several original series episodes. Blatantly in some cases.

Hmm, you don't say?

Seriously, I'm pretty sure they've recycled Amok Time twice already.

Robby

Nevermind the blatancy of the Naked Now.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

Nevermind the blatancy of the Naked Now.

LOL. Well, at least that one I could accept at as a deliberate homage/remake, except the episode itself was just…..eh.

CosmicDebris

At least we know that Data is fully functional in every way. A broad variety of… pleasuring.

Robby

Why did his creator give him a robot penis? how would that even…

nevermind, I don't want to know.

CosmicDebris

On a serious note, he wanted him to have the ability experience being as human as possible, so why not? I think it's be kind of short-sighted to give him the potential to form relationships, but no ability to consummate. them ;)

Demon Rin

I have NEVER watched any of the Star Trek series' tbh. I've only seen a couple of the movies (The only ones I really remember are the JJ Abrams Reboot and the One with the Whales, never seen Wrath of Khan) Always been more of a Star Wars girl tbh.
But it's a huge milestone show and a major part of geek culture, so I've recently been flirting with the idea of watching it. Might join in on this.

Nobodyman

@Demon:

I have NEVER watched any of the Star Trek series' tbh. I've only seen a couple of the movies (The only ones I really remember are the JJ Abrams Reboot and the One with the Whales, never seen Wrath of Khan) Always been more of a Star Wars girl tbh.
But it's a huge milestone show and a major part of geek culture, so I've recently been flirting with the idea of watching it. Might join in on this.

Well, I'm a bit biased of course, but yeah, I'd definitely recommend jumping on board. The Original Series is a fine place to start, but you could also start with Next Generation if you want something a little more modern to ease you into it.

And as a long-time Star Wars, I can assure that there's room for both Wars and Trek in your life.

Sarfallet

Ah, such a nostalgic show. The first of it I saw was Voyager back in the late 90's. :) Only series I haven't watched is the animated one which I have been meaning to correct sometime.
TOS and DS9 are the favorites… Followed by TNG and ENT and VOY at last place. :P
I love TOS because well, it is very good and I'm into old scifi stuff.
DS9 had this really great storyline in later seasons and where flirting with Babylon 5, my all time favorite series. :)
TNG, I dunno, I really don't like a lot of it, but you know, it is a good series.
ENT just like TNG was kinda boring in the beginning but the two last seasons where solid at least.
VOY just had to much techno-babble and "what-the-hell-am-I-watching"-moments... I haven't even watched the later seasons in their entirety. And I grew to much dislike for some of the characters during my re-watch attempt to even make it through the first season. :/

Nobodyman

Up to episode 16 now.

! The Big Goodbye: Ah, the first holodeck episode. And, as CosmicDebris said, yeah, this was really not that good. For the first half hour or so, I didn't even really care about what was going on because, you know, holodeck and all. But then the holodeck breaks down and there is a sense of urgency, but….it really doesn't make sense, because why would they make it so holograms could kill people? (also I don't think it was ever really explained why the holodeck was on the fritz). Not to mention it makes Picard look really dumb, shirking his responsibilities while there's a very important diplomatic meeting coming up, so he can play in the holodeck.
! Datalore: Ooh, Data origin story. And of course a good ol' Evil Twin plot thrown in for good measure, which was…executed decently, I guess. I did like seeing Data's sense of inferiority at seeing someone who was just like him only "better" and more human. However, I do think the rest of the crew was a little dumb for not noticing the switch (as all Evil Twin stories inevitably do), and it was kind of disappointing to see the writers fall back on Lore being an "evil twin" to resolve the problem. I think it would've been more poignant to see Data finding value in himself despite Lore being more "human". But this was still a pretty good character-building episode for Data.
! Angel One: The main plot with the woman-dominated planet was pretty good. Wardrobe design was pretty dorky, but I think it told its story and made its point pretty well, if not a bit bluntly. On the other hand, the B plot with the virus attacking the Enterprise was kind of arbitrary and weak. It was interesting seeing Geordi in a position of authority though. But if the virus was passed through inhalation, how in the hell did Crusher not get it?
! 11001001: Oh goody, another holodeck episode? So soon? You spoil me TNG. Well, at least in this one they didn't spend almost the entire episode in it. And this episode did introduce a new alien species that I think had a pretty cool design and origin. But the holodeck segments still hurt it. They just make the crew look so stupid. Riker asking Minuet "Are you real?" was when I lost it.
! Too Short a Season: At first I thought this was going to be a recycling of the Glass Menagerie, sans the failed pilot insert. But nope, instead it's a cliched age regression episode. And…well, actually it was pulled off pretty well. At first it does look they're falling into the old trap of the age regressor going mad with desire, and while he does mess up a bit, I'm glad they took the high road by showing that he really was trying to be a good and noble man; it's just that he went about it the wrong way. And I like that it ultimately came down to him facing the man he wronged and trying to correct his old mistake. So yeah, not a bad episode.
! Oh, and I might also add that Wesley hasn't been bugging me as much as he used to (not even in Datalore). Maybe it's because he isn't been in that many episodes lately (lol), or maybe it's because they're not dry-humping him nearly as much as they used to, but I'm becoming more tolerant of the twerp. We'll see how long that lasts.

Robby

The holodeck uses the same technology as their replicators, so it makes things that are solid and tactile (and presumably with scent as well), rather than just images. Solid holograms basically.

Because if they didn't there wouldn't be any danger at all in the dozen+ holodeck episodes the series has during its run. And they play fast and loose with those rules of course (the worst being in the movies where they create form fitting clothes over their actual clothes…)

As for Data and Lore.. they'll come back to what that episode set up for Data's character path.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

The holodeck uses the same technology as their replicators,

Their what now?

so it makes things that are solid and tactile (and presumably with scent as well), rather than just images. Solid holograms basically.

Because if they didn't there wouldn't be any danger at all in the dozen+ holodeck episodes the series has during its run.

A dozen+? Well, that's gonna suck.

Honestly, it just seems like a really forced method to do "historical" episodes (whereas TOS forced historical episodes through distant planets implausibly copying Earth's history). Gee guys, maybe you shouldn't frequently do period pieces in a friggin' sci-fi show. You're not Doctor Who.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

Their what now?

The thing that makes their food and drinks. Maybe they haven't made any sort of deal about it that early in the series. Whenever Picard goes to his wall and asks for "Tea, earl grey. Hot" thats the replicator in action.

A dozen+? Well, that's gonna suck.

A guess off the top of my head. Probably 1 or 2 a season. Used in varying ways, its not just the exact same plot over and over.

Honestly, it just seems like a really forced method to do "historical" episodes (whereas TOS forced historical episodes through distant planets implausibly copying Earth's history). Gee guys, maybe you shouldn't frequently do period pieces in a friggin' sci-fi show. You're not Doctor Who.

Its a chance to get them out of the usual costumes and have a change of pace… but yes, they figure out other ways to do that eventually.

Nobodyman

@RobbyBevard:

The thing that makes their food and drinks. Maybe they haven't made any sort of deal about it that early in the series. Whenever Picard goes to his wall and asks for "Tea, earl grey. Hot" thats the replicator in action.

Oh yeah, Picard's famous favorite drink. Nope, they haven't really gotten to that yet.

CosmicDebris

Yeah, they also mention that human society has actually outlawed killing animals for food. There was some alien species that came on board that only ate freshly killed meat and they wouldn't allow it on the ship.

Darkstorm

Ugh, that was Gene Roddenbery's stupid "evolved human" stuff that made the crew mostly look like arrogant idiots for the first couple of years until they quietly dropped the whole idea.

Ubiq

@Nobodyman:

Up to episode 16 now.

Episode 16?

Wow, you've still got quite a slog until the series really starts getting good. There were a few good episodes scattered around in the first couple of seasons, but the TNG that most people think of really doesn't kick in until "Measure of a Man."

That's episode 35 or about a third of the way through season two.

I will say this though; if you've never seen it before, one episode you'll never forget is Episode 25: Conspiracy.

Nobody spoil that one. Seriously. Don't.

Robby

@Ubiq:

I will say this though; if you've never seen it before, one episode you'll never forget is Episode 25: Conspiracy.

Nobody spoil that one. Seriously. Don't.

I don't even have to google to know which one that is. I couldn't have named it off the top of my head, but I know exactly what you mean.

Yeah, that ep is memorable.

Nobodyman

Decided to marathon the next 5 episodes yesterday, so now I'm up to 21.

! When the Bough Breaks: Decent episode I guess. I felt the kids took to their "new" parents a little too quickly, but they ultimately ended up missing their old parents, so I guess it's all right. I also think it's kind of weird that they decided to abduct someone as old as Wesley. I mean, he looked totally out of place among all those younger kids. And of course this raises the question of why exactly is the Enterprise carrying children anyway? The opening states that the Enterprises is to explore new worlds, discover new life and civilizations and "Boldly go where no one has gone before." So the only thing I can think of is that maybe they and their presumably civilian parents are potential colonists who may try to civilize uninhabited worlds? Seems a little weird to force kids into that, but whatever.
! Home Soil: Pretty good episode. Not much I can say about it honestly. The silicon-based life-form is, of course, a staple of science fiction and this episode handles it decenlty. Pretty standard episode of Star Trek.
! Coming of Age: Now why can't all episodes handle Wesley like this? We see him go through a trial, without him being too much of a show-off, and he ultimately fails. And in the end we feel he's a stronger character. Not to mention the A plot with the Enterprise being under investigation, the continuity nods, and the introduction of what appears to be a story arc in which someone is trying to sabotage Star Fleet. And that scene where Picard tries to instruct that runaway kid how to pilot himself back home was one of the tensest moments in the show thus far. Awesome episode.
! Heart of Glory: Holy crap, this episode. Up until now, Worf had just been kind of a generic (albeit well-meaning) Klingon, but this episode did wonders for his character. Not to mention it was cool seeing other Klingons in traditional Klingon garb. Honestly, I think this one episode told us more about the Klingons (or at least made us more intimate with them) than the entirety of TOS ever did. If there's only one thing I can complain about, it's that the first act with Geordi, Riker, and Data, with Picard seeing things through Geordi's perspective, kind of went on too long and through off the rest of the episode. But really, it's pretty much a minor nitpick. This episode is definitely a must-see.
! The Arsenal of Freedom: Well, I'll be; another solid episode. Season one's on a roll now. Granted, I don't think it was quite as strong as the previous two, but I like how this episode gave most of the cast something to do, all of which provide for some good tension. You have Riker, Data, and Tasha as the away team, fighting off the battle drones and Picard and Crusher trapped in the cave, with Picard having to be the doctor. But the one that stood out most for me was Geordi trying to protect and maintain control of the Enterprise. I feel that he was the one who developed the most in this episode. Some parts of the episode were a little slow, but overall still a really solid entry into the TNG library.
! Well, let's see how long this winning streak lasts.

Ubiq

@Nobodyman:

Decided to marathon the next 5 episodes yesterday, so now I'm up to 21.

Let me look at an episode list.

The remaining episodes are:

Symbiosis
Skin of Evil
We'll Always Have Paris
Conspiracy
The Neutral Zone

That's the TNG equivalent of a roller coaster.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

So the only thing I can think of is that maybe they and their presumably civilian parents are potential colonists who may try to civilize unhabited worlds? Seems a little weird to force kids into that, but whatever.

They've had peace for quite some time among all the nown alien cultures, so its no longer really a dangerous military only-the ship is likely to get blown up ona daily basis sort of thing… it IS a family luxury vessel. The enterprise IS a science ship, but its set up for those long journeys, so they have comforts and things for the whole family. (Including yes, the stupid holodeck.)

(And yes, I know the Enterprise runs into ship threatening disasters once a week, but its the show. Presumably other ships have less interesting dangers in general or are on singular misisons in a specific area for long periods rather than galavanting around the whole galaxy. No one else puts up with Q visiting twice a year, for instance.)

Its sort of like if your in the military, and you're assigned to duty in Crete. Yes, you can go there for five years and only visit your family once a year and send them checks... or you can have the entire family move with the job. Its a choice you make.

Alternate answer. Kirk slept with so many alien women that...

Darkstorm

I think the idea was supposed to be that having civilians on board would ground the starfleet personnel, after all the more militaristic TOS era captains who had let the pressure of five year missions get to them

Original series spoilers:

! Captain Tracy, Garth of Izar, even Decker temporarily.

Sarfallet

I decided to at long last watch the animated series. I'm liking it, but the animation is just so bad it's kinda annoying me. Still, I will get through it… Powers of imagination, activate! :V

Darkstorm

Yeah, the animation is super shonky looking.

Stories are pretty fun though - the novelisations of the animated series are especially good as they expand (sometimes massively so) on the scripts superbly.

Ubiq

It was Filmation in the '70s. It could have easily been much worse; they could have hired imitators and used their regular writers.

Nobodyman

Just finished episode 26, and with that I've completed Season 1.

! Symbiosis**:** Kind of an oddly-directed episode. I was expecting some kind of payoff for the apparent incompetence of the crew they rescued, but then it turned into a feud over medicine, which then turned into an exploitation-by-drug thing. I guess this episode was fairly effective in showing how strictly the prime directive is held, but otherwise pretty meh. And Tasha's "Drugs are bad" speech was laughable.
! Skin of Evil: Well, this is it; the episode where Tasha gets killed off. At first I was dismissive of this episode as they opened with, what I thought, was a pretty weak attempt at pathos with Tasha having an upcoming karate tournament or something (that she would sadly never go to). And then the way she died was pretty dumb with her arrogantly defying the dark swamp monster thing, and then she had that goofy make-up on her face that looked like a big red ink blot during her death scene. But after that, the episode picked up. The monster itself was really menacing and had a very original design, and I liked how Troi and rest of the Enterprise crew handled it. And - goshdarnit - if Tasha's farewell speech didn't start tugging on my heartstring. Very emotional moment there. Apart from the shaky first act, this was a seriously great episode.
! We'll Always Have Paris: Picard's subplot with the girl he let go was pretty good and developed his character a fair amount, but the A plot with time distortions, while neat at first, ultimately had too much technobabble going on for me to get too invested. And I'm not sure the two plots meshed together that well. When the focus changed, it kind of felt like I was shifting between two different episodes.
! Conspiracy: The episode that Ubiq hyped up and pretty much the main reason I sped through the last 10 episodes. And…yeah, wow Ubiq. When you're right, you're right. This episode alone took Star Trek to a whole new level. An episode that established a definitive continuing story arc and that had so many awesome WTF moments between the cryptic opening, Riker's bait-and-switch, and of course the most gruesome scene we've seen in Star Trek to date. This episode definitely got me hyped for the rest of the series, and I think from now on I'll be watching it at a more frantic pace (or at least try to).
! Neutral Zone: A relatively light-hearted to cool down on and end the season with. While the cryogenically frozen people in this episode certainly are no Kahn, they provided some decent entertainment. At first I thought they were handled kind of facetiously, but ultimately I guess I could see people acting that way. Offenhouse in particular bugged me with his arrogance, but the reasoning for his actions made sense, and him calling out the Romulans alone totally made up for it. And hey, it's always cool seeing the Romulans again. And it looks we may have gotten some more progression in the story arc, so yeah, not a bad episode.
I'll post a full review of Season 1 later.

Ubiq

I'm not watching these along with you, but I'll check the episode list as you go. I remember most of these fairly well.

First ten episodes of Season 2:

The Child
Where Silence Has Lease
Elementary, My Dear Data
The Outrageous Okona
Loud as a Whisper
The Schizoid Man
Unnatural Selection
A Matter of Honor
The Measure of a Man
Contagion

Wow, that's certainly… something... right there. A few gems, a few rehashes from earlier unused scripts, Pulaski, and Joe Piscopo.

Nobodyman

@Ubiq:

Wow, that's certainly… something... right there. A few gems, a few rehashes from earlier unused scripts, Pulaski, and Joe Piscopo.

Don't forget Whoopi Goldberg (yes, I already watched The Child).

Ubiq

@Nobodyman:

Don't forget Whoopi Goldberg (yes, I already watched The Child).

That was actually a reused Phase II script which is one of the reasons that that whole episode seems sorta… off, I guess is the way to describe it.

Nobodyman

Huh, I didn't even know about Phase II until now.

But yes, The Child was….odd.

Ubiq

@Nobodyman:

Huh, I didn't even know about Phase II until now.

I hadn't even thought about that.

To avoid confusion and for those who aren't familiar with it, the short version is that Phase II was a planned relaunch of the Star Trek television series in the late '70s. Before the series began, a little film called Star Wars was a smash hit at the box office and the decision was made instead to relaunch Trek as a series of films; Paramount had been sort of half-heartedly working on the idea of a Trek film anyway and Fox's success sealed the deal. One of the Phase II scripts, "In Thy Image" (which was itself a sort of adaption of one of the discarded scripts for the earlier film along with a quasi-remake of the TOS episode "The Changeling") was turned into Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which was indeed successful enough to launch the Trek film franchise.

Phase II was cancelled in favor of the film series. Some of the scripts written for that series were instead used to help pad out early seasons of TNG thanks to a writers' strike that occured around that time.

Darkstorm

That writers strike also gave us "Shades of Gray". Urgh.

At least you've got two amazing "best episode of any star trek ever" contenders to watch before then.

Ubiq

@Darkstorm:

At least you've got two amazing "best episode of any star trek ever" contenders to watch before then.

Measure of a Man and Elementary, My Dear Data?

Darkstorm

@Ubiq:

Measure of a Man and Elementary, My Dear Data?

Yes to the first, Q Who to the second

Ubiq

@Darkstorm:

Yes to the first, Q Who to the second

That would have been my next guess.

No Maam

Okay, bit of an OT note but still Trek related. Watched the Enterprise episode Twillight today and, well, I gotta laugh at them for actualy trying to build up tension with "the earth and all human colonies got wiped out, yo" when Enterprise is the official prequel to no less then three Stra Trek series.

Not sure if I should be posting this here or not but I do find it hilarious.

Robby

@No:

Okay, bit of an OT note but still Trek related. Watched the Enterprise episode Twillight today and, well, I gotta laugh at them for actualy trying to build up tension with "the earth and all human colonies got wiped out, yo" when Enterprise is the official prequel to no less then three Stra Trek series.

Divergent timelines.

Hell, the new movie continuity currently blew up Vulcan and invalidates everything after that series, including TOS.