KOOL TV REVIEW: 'STAR TREK - THE NEXT GENERATION' SEASON THREE BLU-RAY SET

A mark of excellence. The third and best season of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION beams on to high-definition Blu-ray. Images: CBS/PARAMOUNT.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION – SEASON THREE (Blu-ray box set – 6 discs)

Starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner

Created by Gene Roddenberry

Now available from CBS/PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Reviewed by Scott Weller

The analogy of the chrysalis and the butterfly have never been more appropriate than with STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION’s miraculous, blossoming third season of storytelling adventure, now available in sparkling high definition Blu-ray from CBS/ PARAMOUNT.

The series really begins to hit warp speed, as then newcomer to the series, the late Michael Piller-a man of creative principals and a deep love of baseball-takes command of the creative reins, making the series a more cohesive entity by the end of the first quarter, fighting intense production schedule challenges and bringing together a fine and diverse background and ages writing team to carve out strong and memorable tales of moral drama and big adventure for our USS Enterprise heroes to become engaged in.  It’s a series that’s no longer the revolving door of story writers it used to be with its opening two seasons had proved, and not hampered by the crippling writer’s strike that had dogged it the previous year.

 

The U.S.S. Enterprise continues her missions in deep space.

Due to worsening ill health, creator Gene Roddenberry’s presence this year isn’t felt so largely, though he remains a key part of the series scripting proves. Feeling that the series needed one or two more years to really lock on to the hearts and minds of the television consciousness, Piller’s arrival in this all-important year proves key to that happening. He also has fine creative support from his friend and the series primary Executive Producer, Rick Berman. No longer working with fiery co- exec Maurice Hurley, who brought so much input to the series first two years, but whom apparently had a strained relationship with him, Berman gets to free his strong creative streak.

http://www.startrek.com/article/check-out-tng-season-three-blu-ray-trailer

 

The main cast shot of our Enterprise heroes, from Season Three.

The show no longer feels shackled as a weakling kid to the reputation of the Original Series, developing its own unique identity away from Kirk and co. Its cast of main characters are now at their most comfortable, starting to evolve and have more depthful shadings added to them- adventurer and diplomat Captain Picard, as personified by the kingly and authoritative Patrick Stewart, finally has his behind the scenes wishes catered for-getting to leave the comfy confines of the high-tech bridge, get involved in the action fighting Klingons, Ferengi and alien terrorists from time to time, and smooch the occasional glamorous female guest star.

There’s also much for the rest of the cast to enjoy. Sturdy bearded oak Jonathan Frakes as Picard’s First Officer Commander Will Riker gets to be at the heart of a murder/mystery, then becomes framed for murder, whilst his just good friends status with former love Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) continues…

 

Mister Data (Brent Spiner) continues to explore the human condition throughout season three.

The Pinocchio of STAR TREK, that lovable android Data, so beautifully breathed into existence by Brent Spiner, gets to experience his first command role in trying to save a colony from destruction (in the first filmed episode of the season: The Ensigns of Command), creates an android daughter, and continues his road of discovery in understanding humanity (possibly even learning hate in the intriguing, left open for the audience to decide The Most Toys), and gets to encounter the charming and uniquely alien Tin Man creature/bio ship- a rogue curiosity travelling the universe, on the brink of self-destruction.

 

Michael Dorn is a key part of the season's success as Lt. Worf.

Firmly entrenched in his security position on the bridge, Lt. Worf-the cool presence of Michael Dorn- is no longer the background type he was in the early part of the premiere season, especially invigorated this year by the writing staff changes. Risks are taken with the cracked headed character in many episodes, and this season begins the first of many continuing story arcs for him that would be popular and not resolved for several seasons, starting with Worf’s unfair discommendation from his Klingon heritage-his family honour wrecked by accusations that his father was a traitor to his people.

Meanwhile, carving a niche for himself in Engineering, LeVar Burton’s amiable Geordi La Forge gets a lot to do this year-his best season of work, from saving the ship from destruction in an asteroid field, falling in love with a hologram, and surviving a hostile planet alongside a Romulan antagonist.

 

Marina Sirtis gets a sexy new look in Seasons Three and Four.

Toning down the often risible and predictable dialogue she’d had so far in her duties as empathic Counsellor Troi (often re-iterating the bleedin’ obvious), actress Marina Sirtis gets to look more glamorous and sexy this year but also has better script material to work with, which proves a relief! Troi has a whirlwind romance with a half human/half Betazed in The Price, is put on the brink of madness in The Survivors, and enjoys some comedy turns in episodes like Captain’s Holiday, Hollow Pursuits, and Menage a Troi.

 

Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) makes a welcome return to the series.

Beyond our main heroes, this season is also one of returning series characters. Having been fired by producer Maurice Hurley at the end of season two, Rick Berman, recognizing how much the series fans missed Gates McFadden and her character of Doctor Beverly Crusher, especially the on/off nature of her relationship with Jean-Luc Picard, brought the actress back– Diana Muldaur from the get-go deciding not to return to the series beyond her season two appearances as Kate Pulaski, due in part to the intensive nature of the filming schedule.

 

Crusher gets personal with an impostor Picard in Allegiance.

Looking much more relaxed and giving a better character performance second time around, McFadden was happy to return and be reunited with her maturing on-screen son, the young and knowledgeable Wesley Crusher, played by a no longer annoying Wil Wheaton- himself getting a strong season opener with their reunion, then finally becoming a proper Ensign, getting his well-deserved Starfleet uniform.

 

Worf and Riker take on the rogue soldier Roga Danar (Jeff McCarthy) in The Hunted.

Talking of uniforms, and linked to the shows new-look, there’s brand new, more comfortable costumes for the cast, which sees in the “Picard maneuver” of shirt tugging that becomes so familiar and iconic to the series.

Melinda M. Snodgrass-one of the remaining season two writers now working as story editor/consultant, remains an impressive find, and is joined by the raw talents of a very young script alumni to be: Ronald D. Moore, whose spec episode-a character piece of a child losing his mother during an away team mission, The Bonding, would win him the attention of Piller, and a coveted place on the writing staff. As the series and seasons progresses, Moore, a fan of the original series, shows a knack for writing excellent and intriguing character arc plots linked to our characters (especially Picard and Worf) and for enemies like the scheming Romulans.  He also becomes an expert of the Klingons, bringing out their history, nobility, and alien-ness.

The series continue to live up to Roddenberry’s desires to look at things going on in our society and give them a futuristic story-telling twist: there’s crime and punishment, terrorism, the effects of war syndrome, and dementia. Issues and problems that remain relevant even now…

 

Protected by Data, Dr. Crusher tends to some wounded civilians in The High Ground.

In its original UK screenings, a controversial episode about terrorists, The High Ground, which mentions a future Earth where Ireland has been unified through terrorism, was cut from the premiere BBC transmission run for fear of it causing controversy with then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government, due to the problems that the IRA were causing on mainland Britain at the time. Though SKY was more than happy to make the most of the episode’s uniqueness of being banned when they aired it a short time later. The High Ground ultimately has a mystique around it because of it’s banning, but I have to say that it isn’t one of the great episodes of the run: its writing feeling strained, overdone and occasionally clichéd.

 

Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) and Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg) meet in Yesterday's Enterprise.

Fortunately, in the middle of the season comes the series finest single episode entry- Yesterday’s Enterprise: as a freak time anomaly sends the Enterprise-B of the past, into the future of the Enterprise-Dand wrecking the established time line-the peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire now never happening, and our heroes, including the return of Lieutenant Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby), who never died at the hands of the oil slick monster Armus in Season One’s episode, in constant battle across the galaxy- the Enterprise now a military vessel and a weapon of war. In the end, thanks to the presence of a time-sensitive Whoopi Goldberg’s Guinan (surviving the after-effects of altered history), can Tasha Yar save the day on helping the battle damaged Enterprise-B and its surviving crew return to the past and correct the catastrophes of the present?

 

The Enterprise-C travels back from the past to disrupt the future.

The return of Denise Crosby to the NEXT GEN family after several years away is another of those truly fan-pleasing moments that feel totally right- her character finally receiving the rewarding and heroic death she deserved after the original shock demise of Tasha Yar at the end of Season One. From this popular and well-received mini comeback, Crosby would return to the series occasionally in a strikingly different, and more villainous role, a year or so down the line…

 

Proto-Vulcans Liko (Ray Wise) and Oji (Pamela Segall) in Who Watches the Watchers?

Bolder storytelling for the Klingons begins from Sins of the Father onwards.

Episodes like Sins of the Father and, to a degree, Yesterday’s Enterprise, show a series starting to firmly establish its own mythology, which would be built on in subsequent seasons, if not always so well. We also get more development into the series ever-popular enemies, the Romulans (becoming the prime threat of this season in multiple episode appearances), and the now at peace, honour loving Klingon warriors, with more character depth than anything explored in the original series (whose three-year life span was ultimately all too short to do that anyway). We now begin to discover more about their races, their histories, and what drives them. At the start of the year, we also get to see a proto-Vulcan colony in in its evolutionary infancy, for one very well-made episode.

 

Bridging the TREK series. The return of Sarek (Mark Lenard).

But the biggest guest star appearance to link both original and modern TREK series has to be the much welcome appearance of Mark Lenard-a true ambassador for the franchise in many respects- back in the ears and eyebrows make-up as Spock’s distinguished father, Sarek, who needs Picard’s help when his health deteriorates from a rare, untreatable Vulcan form of dementia. Sarek proves to be a sad, poignant episode beautifully acted by Lenard and Patrick Stewart, deserving of its place as one of the season and the series most noted episodes.

On a more humorous note, a return encounter of the more comedic kind from John de Lancie as the troublesome former super-being Q makes an impression, as does the first appearance of Dwight Schultz as crewman Reg Barclay- a talented officer who doesn’t quite live up to the heroic mantra we expect of Starfleet personnel serving aboard the Enterprise.

 

LA LAW's Corbin Bernsen (right) makes a memorable guest appearance in Deja Q.

Roddenberry’s strict edict that there be no internal conflict between series characters remains in force, so its up to a diverse and excellent range of guest stars to bring dramatic friction, including the likes of Ray Wise, Tony Todd, James Cromwell, Corbin Bernsen, Saul Rubinek, Jennifer Hetrick and Elizabeth Dennehy.

 

The alien Esoqq (Reiner Schone) goes on the defensive in Allegiance. 

Even with so many classics, there are a few weak stories in the third year pack, but regardless these are much better than some of the later, almost filler-type episodes to come around season seven. This season is a true stepping-stone for so much to come-a positive tapestry of sci-fi success.

 

Aliens from the future (Karen Landry and Michael Champion) have designs on Picard in Captain's Holiday.

Brit TV newcomer David Carson directs the first of many superior episodes, alongside series veterans Cliff Bole, Gabrielle Beaumont and Robert Scheerer. Jonathan Frakes also goes behind the camera, showing talent and confidence, to direct his first episode-the charming and tearful episode The Offspring, in which Data builds himself an android daughter, Lal. Written by another new talent to the series in Rene Echevarria, Frakes’ excellent and thoughtful work wins much acclaim and inspires other members of the cast to try their hand in the years to come.

 

On the Borg vessel, Lt. Commander Shelby (Elizabeth Dennehy) and Lt. Worf look for the captured Picard in The Best of Both Worlds part one.

Finally, Michael Piller gets to bookend the series with robots small and large- firstly with the microbe-like Nanites who eventually become sentient beings, and lastly with the dreaded return of the fearsome technological, collective might of the Borg, previously encountered in a classic episode of Season Two. The stakes are suddenly higher than ever in this showcase finale-the show’s first and best cliff-hanger-as bigger, bolder story telling aims see Picard captured by the Borg. The Best of Both Worlds has begun...

 

The cliff-hanger fate of the Borg-ified Captain Picard begins...

A superb all-time classic, this part one finale suddenly had people sitting upright and saying, “Wow this show is really good now!”. I was one of these people who said that, and now couldn’t wait to see what new adventures were coming next, though here in the UK-in that stone knives and bearskins era of double episode VHS tape releases!- we had a lot of catching up to do first!

Our heroes encounter an intriguing new life-form in Transfigurations.

Twenty-three years on, the series feels fresher than ever in its superb sound and picture re-mastering, continuing the standard of the Seasons One and Two releases – that you’re watching something special starting to take shape here. Picture quality highlights include The Enterprisebeing caught in a galactic supernova-to-be in the stunning and colourful season opener, Evolution, whilst other standouts include Yesterdays Enterprise, The Offspring, Transfigurations, and The Best of Both Worlds Part One, all looking better than they ever did in their original nineties transmissions.

 

Picard has to declare his love for Troi's mother in the humorous Menage a Troi.

The original extras from the prior Season Three DVD release are present and correct (mission logs, characters profiles, special effects behind the scenes), plus episode trailers (some of them truly hilarious and of their time) and a gag reel. But it’s the two brand-new documentaries that excel. First off is Inside the Writer’s Room, as dedicated NEXT GEN fan and FAMILY GUY creator Seth MacFarlane conducts a brilliantly nostalgic, often hilarious, round-table discussion of the series, and its key episodes, with four members of the shows original writing team (Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore, Naren Shankar and Rene Echevarria). This is then topped by the compelling three-part documentary, Assimilating Star Trek: The Next Generation – a standpoint piece excellently produced and edited by Robert Meyer Burnett. Discover the truth behind the making of the series in more detail than ever before, as the filmmaker brings to the surface the genuine highs and lows previously embedded in this all-important year. There’s lots of intriguing new revelations-I didn’t realize just how bad a time the writing staff were having by 1989/90, with lots of personality and ideas clashing over the direction of the series- amidst some great behind the scenes material and special effects test footage.

 

The Enterprise fights back against the Borg in a remastered effects shot from the Blu-ray release.

Plus, a brief but important tribute to the late writer Michael Piller, and healthy episodic commentaries on key episodes from Ronald D. Moore, Ira Steven Behr, Rene Echevarria, David Carson, effects pioneer Dan Curry and TREK design icons Mike and Denise Okuda. In all, it’s an Aladdin’s Cave treasure trove to be savoured.

KOOL TV RATING (overall episodes and special features): Make this season of THE NEXT GENERATION your Prime Directive purchase! 5 out of 5

Here’s a look at KOOL TV’s favourite episodes:

 

Crusher, Riker and Worf make an intriguing discovery in The Survivors.

THE SURVIVORS

Investigating the savage destruction of a human colony from an unknown alien force, the Enterprise discovers two of the planets only survivors-an elderly couple named Kevin and Rishon, living in a patch of land completely untouched by devastation. Despite their loving innocence, the pair hides a dark secret that soon threatens our heroes’ existence, and looks set to send empathic Counsellor Deanna Troi to the brink of madness!

The first genuine classic episode of the new season, from the brief series writing contribution of Michael Wagner. With memorable guest stars turns from the late John Anderson as Kevin and Anne Haney as Rishon. The final scenes of the episode, where the full truth about them is revealed, brings the episode to a sad and chilling end worthy of Rod Serling’s THE TWILIGHT ZONE…

 

Picard meets a proto-Vulcan colony in Who Watches the Watchers?

WHO WATCHES THE WATCHERS?

A mission to survey a colony of proto Vulcans on Mintaka III goes horribly wrong, when, after rescuing a group of injured Federation observers, Picard is mistaken for a god by one of its populace!

Some lovely breath of fresh air location filming at the classic Vasquez Rocks site-used so much in the original TREK series adds greatly to the flavour of this stylish episode- a nice central idea from writers Hans Beimler and Richard Manning, effectively fusing Classic Series and NEXT GEN together in a worthy package.

Fine guest performances come from TWIN PEAKS Ray Wise as the enthused Liko and former DARK SHADOWS star Kathryn Leigh Scott as the Vulcan leader, Nuria, both of whom have some memorable scenes with Patrick Stewart.

Alongside a vital score from Ron Jones, the series is now starting to become something special…

 

Can the hologram of Dr. Leah Brahms (Susan Gibney) help the trapped Enterprise, now caught in a Booby Trap?

BOOBY TRAP

Investigating an ancient, intact Promellian battle cruiser, the Enterprise is trapped in an asteroid field laced with energy draining mines left behind from a long ended war. As the threat of radiation exposure looms large, a desperate Geordi uses the holodeck to find a unique way of freeing the ship, creating the original Utopia Planetia shipyard where the Enterprise was originally invented, and resurrecting one of its warp drive propulsion specialists, Dr. Leah Brahms, to assist him, and with whom he falls in love.

An inventive script from Ron Roman, Michael Piler and Richard Danus, mixing a subtle love story set within the holodeck alongside a sci-fi action/adventure setting- an asteroid field. It’s also another fine showcase for LeVar Burton as Geordi, working well in his dramatic and affectionate scenes with Susan Gibney as Leah Brahms.

 

Geordi is stranded on a hostile planet in The Enemy.

THE ENEMY

Investigating Romulan activity on the hostile Neutral Zone-edged world of Galorndon Core, Geordi is accidentally separated from the away team and has to survive the planets deadly effects, plus a hostile lone Romulan. Meanwhile, as another dying Romulan survivor is found, Lt. Worf refuses to supply Dr. Crusher with his vital blood work needed to save him.

FARSCAPE creator David Kemper, with Michael Piller, make excellent use of an old but always effective dramatic character hook- two people from different backgrounds having to work together to survive; a common theme in drama (films like THE DEFIANT ONES) and sci-fi (ENEMY MINE). It works just as well as a TREK vehicle for Geordi La Forge, too. But let’s not forget the episodes character-strengthening B-plot for Lt. Commander Worf- refusing to give blood to one of the race that murdered his parents. The cast of the NEXT GEN is pretty goody two shoes, so this action by our favourite Klingon adds lots of drama and uniqueness to the character. No safe, touch feely stuff from him!

David Carson’s first directing work for the story is excellent, effectively showcasing the Planet Hell sets, regularly used in the series, at their hostile best. And a nice special guest appearance from a pre-BABYLON 5 Andreas Katsulas as Romulan Commander Tomalak also proves a tonic- a worthy antagonist to Picard who deservedly pops up in future episodes.

 

On the run, a Romulan Admiral (James Sloyan) needs Picard's help in The Defector. 

THE DEFECTOR

Saved from death by the Enterprise, a pursued Romulan defector seeks sanctuary on the Enterprise, bringing news of a planned attack by his people on the Federation. War looks inevitable. But is he who he says his is? And can he be trusted?

Making the most of its Cold War related sci-fi trappings and characters, this is a terrific character based script from Ron Moore, one of the great behind the scenes discoveries, who starts to come into his own here as one of the series best writers for the Klingons and Romulan heritages, backed up with an impressive performance from guest star James Sloyan (soon to play several other alien roles across the series) as the Romulan Jarok.

 

The powerless Q (John de Lancie) continues to be fascinated by Data in Deja Q.

DEJA Q

Right in the middle of the Enterprise’s attempts to stop a rogue asteroid destroying an alien civilization, a naked Q suddenly appears on the ship’s bridge proclaiming that his fellow continuum members have kicked him out of their collective and made him powerless- now a mere human. Trying to adapt to his new life of mortality, Q’s frustrations and resentment are not the only problems for Picard, as the alien beings no longer subjugated enemies come out of the woodwork with a grudge to settle...

A fine mix of comedy and drama, Deja Q is an ingenious idea with lots of great moments for regular series guest John de Lancie to enjoy. Some further great effects work and a memorable finale scene involving Mexican mariachi band and Q giving Data a parting gift-the ability to enjoy laughter, and you have a winning episode.

This adventure onwards sees something of a new start for the character of Q. I miss the omnipotent, dangerous and edgy opponent aspects of his personality from the first two series, but this more playful and mischievous incarnation soon proves popular with the fan base.

 

Tasha Yar and Picard are caught in a universe at war in Yesterday's Enterprise.

YESTERDAY’S ENTERPRISE

An unusually formed space anomaly sees the emergence of a past Enterprise, changing the 24^th century timeline for the worse, and causing the Federation and Klingon Empire to be at war!

On the military vessel that is now the Enterprise-D, where tactical officer Tasha Yar never died, only the time sensitive Guinan knows that anything is amiss, having to convince Captain Picard that he has to send the battled damaged, crew depleted Enterprise–Bback into the anomaly, and certain death in their own timeline, in order to correct the future.

From an idea by Trent Christopher Ganino and Eric Stillwell, this spectacular episode-probably the shows finest overall single story- is the movie that should have been made but wasn’t. There may have been an intense rush to get the episode written over the Thanksgiving Holiday, due to the scheduling requirements of Denise Crosby and Whoopi Goldberg, but the firing on all cylinders quality of the story carries through in every aspect of its high-quality execution.

Director David Carson does an an outstanding job building up the atmosphere of the story, whilst the new look, more militaristic version of our Enterprise-D and its battle-hardened crew plays very well- enjoyed by the writers so much that many of them wanted the show to be kept in that style!

Series and fan favourite Denise Crosby returns to give Tasha Yar the fitting and heroic send-off she truly deserves, and special mention to guest stars Christopher MacDonald as Richard Castillo, Tasha’s soon-to-be love, and TV stalwart Tricia O’Neill, excellent as the Enterprise B’s Captain, Rachel Garrett. Why more hasn’t been done with Garrett and her crew in the TREK universe of novels and comics I don’t know…

The exciting finale, as the Enterprise-Dand her gung-ho crew-led by a very John Wayne-ish Captain Picard-make their last stand against a wave of Klingon ships, is one of the series most enjoyable and iconic sequences.

Here is an exciting, memorable and gusty adventure worthy of the STAR TREK name.

 

Riker meets the android Lal (Hallie Todd) in The Offspring.

THE OFFSPRING

In his continuing quest to understand humanity, Data creates his own “child” – Lal- using updated technology based on his android body. Innocent and vulnerable, Lal soon becomes a much-liked addition to the ship’s “family.” But when unexpected emotional problems suddenly begin to develop within her superior designed circuitry, linked to the aggressive demands of a newly arrived Starfleet Admiral who wants to study her, tragedy soon unfolds…

After several years watching and training behind the scenes, Jonathan Frakes first, and probably best, directorial work for the TV series really brings out some wonderful performances from a strong story by Rene Echevarria, in what could well be THE NEXT GENERATION’s greatest tear-jerker.

Guest Hallie Todd is wonderful as Lal-funny and moving- and her on-screen relationship with Data is genuinely touching and affecting. Kudos to Patrick Stewart for his equally moving scenes as Picard, once more defending the personal rights of Data, and now his daughter, from a tin-pot Starfleet bureaucrat (well played by Nicholas Coster) – it’ll bring a lump to your throat.

We all know the story isn’t going to end well, so get those hankies ready-you’re gonna need them…

 

Lt. Worf and Captain Picard on the Klingon home world, in Sins of the Father.

SINS OF THE FATHER

A shocked Worf travels to the Klingon home world to answer its council’s charges that his late father was a traitor working for the Romulans, responsible for the death of hundreds of lives on the Khitomer outpost many years previously. When Worf’s brother and court protector, Kurn (Tony Todd), is seriously injured by a rival family clan-the Duras- Picard becomes the new “Cha’DIch” to his security officer and friend, determined to unravel the complex truth behind the conspiracy, one so dangerous that it threatens the unity and stability of the Klingon Empire.

One of Mister Worf and the Klingons finest TREK hours, in an excellent script by Ronald D. Moore and W. Reed Moran (story by Drew Deighan) that lays the groundwork for an even greater tapestry of storytelling further down the line, Michael Dorn relishes such great character material, as does Stewart, both getting stuck in to some Klingon conspiracy drama and action. Adding further icing to the cake is a first appearance from Tony Todd as Kurn, his presence on the Enterprise at first seemingly part of a humorous plotline, during another officer exchange program between the Federation and the Klingons, before things get very dark and serious….

Finally getting to see a part of the Klingon home world and society, this episode boasts superb production design from Richard James.

 

Picard's relaxing time is disrupted in Captain's Holiday.

CAPTAIN’S HOLIDAY

Under friendly duress from his crew, a grumpy Captain Picard finally takes a holiday- on the lush vacation world of Risa. Despite some early relaxation amongst the beautiful people and scenery, he’s soon unwittingly embroiled in the hunt for an ancient and powerful object that’s actually from the future- The Tox Uthat- wanted by a spirited fortune and glory seeking archeologist, Vash-whom Picard falls for, a greedy Ferengi and two seemingly benign alien policemen from the future…

With a fine guest cast including a sexy and crafty performance from the lovely Jennifer Hetrick, who has some nice charisma with Stewart/Picard, plus a hint of The Maltese Falcon meets Indiana Jones from producer/writer Ira Steven Behr (a substantial rewrite from the bold story idea he had originally conceived), Captain’s Holiday is a fun if totally unsubstantial caper, which finally gets Picard into his own solo episode. Lively direction from then newcomer Chip Chalmers brings out the humour amidst the attractive scenery.

 

Tam Elbrun (Harry Groener) makes destructive contact with an alien presence in Tin Man.

TIN MAN

Reaching the farthest point of the explored galaxy, the Enterprise is caught in a race against time with the Romulans to communicate with a one-of-a-kind life-form, a technologically advanced, “grown” biological ship nicknamed Tin Man, before its destroys itself within an unstable star. Making matters more complex, our heroes are accompanied by a unique and emotionally volatile Betazoid empathy/emissary, Tam Elbrun, whose ability to commune with the unique alien being could bring further danger.

A terrific script from two fans, Dennis Putman Bailey and David Bischoff, so good apparently that little work was needed to be done to it by the production team to make it film-ready, the Tin Man alien/ship of the title is well realized, as is the threat from the Romulans, who add welcome tension to the story.

The episode also boasts a strong first score for the series by Jay Chattaway-a lot of his later series work, presumably under orders from producer Rick Berman, losing some of the intriguing mix of drama, action and character that he brings here.

Marina Sirtis has some of her best acting scenes as Troi so far, especially in character moments with her anxious and emotionally damaged former patient Tam Elbrun (Harry Groener), a being just as lonely and terrified as the Tin Man he’s in contact with. Data also gets some fine moments discovering his humanity when he gets to join Tam on the away team mission to the creature. The episode’s final moments are genuinely touching…

 

Reg Barclay (Dwight Schultz) enjoys sparring with the holodeck Picard in Hollow Pursuits.

HOLLOW PURSUITS

A loner who fails to make finds, engineer Reg Barclay’s life on the Enterprise is not as utopian as everyone else’s seems to be. Shy, prone to mistakes and with an inability to show confidence with his colleagues, including superior officer Geordi, Reg lives an alternate life in the holodecks to escape his daily frustrations. But that life is soon discovered and criticized by his shipmates at a time when the ship is in danger of being destroyed. Can Reg overcome his life problems and save the day?

Played in a terrific and versatile guest star role from Dwight Schultz (best known for his work as “Howling Mad” Murdock in THE A-TEAM), the character of Reg is an excellent one, and as far removed from our near perfect NEXT GEN heroes as you can get. Thoroughly relatable, such was his deserved popularity, Reg would come back numerous times to the show and make a cameo appearance in one of the films.

 

Holodeck fantasy in Hollow Pursuits.

Ignore the B-plot of the Enterprise in danger-it’s the humour and the great concept by writer Sally Caves that work the best here. The idea of holodeck addiction (a sly dig at STAR TREK fans devotion to the series) is an intriguing one, as is the fun visual reimagining, with an evocatively dreamy feel added through its cinematography and lush music by Dennis McCarthy, of our main heroes as Barclay sees them - the bullying frame of Riker reduced in size, Data, Picard and Geordi as the Three Musketeer’s, Troi as a goddess and Wesley Crusher as the pie-consuming Blue Boy. Lot of great humour is mined here, and Troi even has one of the best scenes of her series career, telling her unwanted holodeck reinterpretation to “muzzle it!”

 

Data is captured by a ruthless alien collector, Kivas Fajo (Saul Rubinek, far right), in The Most Toys.

THE MOST TOYS

Data is quietly kidnapped during a staged “mission of mercy” by a cruel alien collector of unique rarities, Kivas Fajo, determined to make him do his will. As the Enterprise crew believes their friend to be “dead”, Data must find a way of resisting and escaping his captor.

An efficiently written and directed episode by Shari Goodhartz and Timothy Bond. Respected actor Saul Rubinek relishes the role of Fajo, giving it unsettling eccentric humour and a psychopathic edge, whilst Spiner’s Data shows quiet but building resistance to his enslaver, leading to a genuine did he or didn’t he? moment at story’s end. Can Data commit murder?

The late David Rappaport, in his original filmed material as Kivas Fajo.

Note: a special feature on the Blu-ray pays tribute to diminutive British actor David Rappaport, the original choice to pay Kivas Fajo in the episode, and who actually filmed material for it before his sad passing. The surviving material is finally unearthed from the archives, and Rappaport proves eerily effective in the villainous role.

 

A musical recital evening brings unwelcome emotion to Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) in Sarek.

SAREK

In the build-up to a critical meeting with the mysterious Legarans, famed Vulcan diplomat Sarek’s abilities are compromised with the onset of a dementia-like syndrome, making his repressed emotions come to the fore physically and telepathically, a condition which also threatens the peaceful environs of the Enterprise. To help Sarek fulfill his mission, Picard volunteers to undergo a mind-meld with the Vulcan, but will his containing of Sarek’s heavy emotions-a tidal wave of pain and neurosis stretching back a hundred years- prove too much of a strain?

Making the first of two important appearances in THE NEXT GENERATION (his appearance having been prior considered in the original storyline of Yesterday’s Enterprise), and adding greatly to the mythos, Mark Lenard gives a moving performance as the iconic Sarek, showing his gradual, subtle disintegration into an emotional state-something painful to witness, especially the now classic “tear scene”- genuinely affecting to viewers, especially those who have watched Lenard in the role since the Original Series. Patrick Stewart showcases more fine work on the series adopting Sarek’s trapped and conflicted emotional state via mind meld, in a sequence and overall episode imaginatively directed by Les Landau. There’s even a brief mention of Spock too…

Originally, at my time of first viewing, I wasn’t quite a fan of what they doing with Sarek, but with the passing of the years I’ve come to accept the series bold decision-making linked to this beloved character.

 

Worf, Crusher, Lt. Shelby (Elizabeth Dennehy) and Data search the Borg vessel for the captured Picard in The Best of Both Worlds part one.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - PART ONE (Season Finale)

The opening episode to the now legendary first and best NEXT GENERATION two-parter. An undisputed classic.

See separate feature: http://kooltvblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/kool-tv-review-star-trek-next.html

With thanks to CBS/PARAMOUNT for all their help and assistance with the creation of this feature.

Purchase STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Season Three here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-Generation-Season-Blu-ray/dp/B00B5A202K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368439615&sr=8-2&keywords=next+generation+blu+ray

Check out KOOL TV's revised feature on the birth of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, here: "WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE!" - THE BIRTH OF "STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION"