Episode List & Guide

Click on the links below for the Full Review:

5.01 – Redemption, Part II: A-

With the spectre of Tasha Yar hanging over the series, Redemption, Part II picks up where season four ended and thrusts us immediately into the depths of an all-out Klingon civil war. But it strengths are the developing characterizations of Worf and, surprisingly, considering the lack of prominence in the previous episode, Data. The result, is an episode that manages to improve upon its predecessor.

5.02 – Darmok: A

Season five kicks off in earnest with Darmok, an episode that is as much a departure as it is a success. The story, the acting, and the directing are all top-notch. And there a few scenes that are easily some of the most memorable of the entire series.

5.03 – Ensign Ro: A-

Ensign Ro is a masterfully created episode that focuses on betrayal, redemption, and the all important axiom of never letting the ends justify the means. Additionally, this episode introduces to Bajoran race and culture as well as a new, minor, recurring character: Ensign Ro Laren.

5.04 – Silicon Avatar: C+

Silicon Avatar is a poorly contrived and unevenly executed episode that revolves around a tenuous continuity reference back to season one’s Datalore. There are some decent moments but, for the most part, the episode is average at best.

5.05 – Disaster: B

Disaster!

This is TNG’s foray into the sub-genre of disaster movies. The result is a solid, entertaining episode that gives us some unexpected character development from, of all people, Troi.

5.06 – The Game: D-

The Game is one minor subplot from being a complete and utter failure. Indeed, considering how bad the episode is, I have a difficult time rating it anything other than “Failure.” But the subplot is enough, just enough, to provide a measure of entertainment.

5.07 – Unification, Part I: B

Unification I lays the groundwork for what is, arguably, the most anticipated cameo in TNG’s entire seven season run. Its other purpose is to establish a subplot that will ultimately be woven into the main story line. And it accomplishes both tasks with a good measure of success. However, there are very few truly memorable or stellar moments within the episode.

5.08 – Unification, Part II: B-

Picking up where the Part I left off, Unification, Part II concludes TNG’s first in-season two-part episode. The results are mixed. Spock is always worth watching. His interactions with Data and Picard are enjoyable. But like Part I, none of these scenes are exceptional. Riker’s story has its moments. But there are a few issues with plausibility that diminish the episode.

5.09 – A Matter of Time: C

A Matter of Time is an episode that can be enjoyable, but ultimately is rather flawed. On the balance, the acting (particularly from Picard) is very good, as is the writing (at times). But the premise is very shaky. And the main guest character is an uncomfortable mixture of highly likable and highly irritating.

5.10 – New Ground: C-

New Ground is supposed to represent a significant growth of character for Worf, but instead ends up being a subpar offering. The premise, while understandable, isn’t particularly engaging. The writing and the acting just don’t make the grade, either.

5.11 – Hero Worship: C

Hero Worship is as average an episode as you can have. While there are no glaring errors, its premise, writing and acting are all unremarkable. Not even the prominence of Data can save this episode from mediocrity.

5.12 – Violations: F

Violations is an embarrassment for TNG. It’s writing, directing, production, acting and even its music are atrocious. And its premise is a very poor choice for episodic television.

5.13 – The Masterpiece Society: B-

The Masterpiece Society is an example of how TNG seems to have hit a plateau in Season 5. By all accounts, this is an episode that is competently written, directed and acted. And yet, it falls flat, unremarkable, nondescript.

5.14 – Conundrum: C

Conundrum is an episode with an implausible premise that is almost entirely unwatchable in repeated viewings. There are a few bright spots in terms of theme. But it is a long, ridiculous process just to get to the few relevant ideas.

5.15 – Power Play: D-

Power Play reverts to what has already become an annoying, detrimental cliché for TNG: crew members being possessed, or behaving out of character. It’d take up too much room to list every episode in which a crew member was some how “altered” but very few of those episodes manage any success.

5.16 – Ethics: B

Ethics, as the title suggests, is an episode full of questions. And the answers aren’t always what you might expect. It is well-acted and emotional, in spite of the writing slightly missing the mark.

5.17 – The Outcast: C-

The Outcast is very much an episode in the spirit of Symbiosis — and that’s not a good thing at all. More specifically, where Symbiosis preached to the audience about drug abuse, The Outcast preaches to the audience about prejudice against homosexuality. Both are worthy topics, however, the barely veiled attempts at allegory, as well as the overt sermons from Soren, greatly diminish the episode’s impact.

5.18 – Cause And Effect: B+

Cause and Effect is an interesting episode that is almost exceptional. The premise is intriguing. There is plenty of action. The acting is solid. The opening sequence showing the destruction of the Enterprise is riveting. But in the final analysis, the execution of plot is just a little bit too redundant.

5.19 – The First Duty: A

The First Duty is a return to what makes TNG a great series: using sci-fi to explore the human condition. The story, the writing, and, in particular, the acting make this a fantastic episode. And, ultimately the character growth is both welcome and necessary for one Wesley Crusher.

5.20 – Cost Of Living: D-

O where to begin? Cost of Living is an utter trainwreck of an episode. While the acting is barely tolerable, the premise, the story, the execution of that story … they are all unconscionably awful. About all that saves this episode is its central theme of the conflict between reconciling the need for rules with the need to live life to its fullest. But the episode is so awkward, so cringeworthy, that its message is buried in a mud bath of contrivance and sheer stupidity.

5.21 – The Perfect Mate: B-

The Perfect Mate is a bittersweet episode. The acting, especially from Picard and Kamala are well done, and the writing is above average. But there are some problems as well. The Ferengi usually scuttle just about any episode they are in, and their presence here is a detriment, particularly because their only purpose is to be a plot device. And, too, Picard’s final choice is rather questionable.

5.22 – Imaginary Friend: D-

Imaginary Friend is an awful episode. It’s almost entirely and completely pointless. The acting isn’t very good, not even from Picard. And the story is utterly ridiculous.

5.23 – I, Borg: A

I, Borg is a powerful, intelligent episode that makes all the right choices for the all important “next” Borg episode, the one that would, necessarily, have to follow The Best of Both Worlds. The story is excellent and the acting, particularly from Hugh, is spot on. All-in-all, I, Borg is one of the best episodes of TNG.

5.24 – The Next Phase: B-

The Next Phase is a rather enjoyable episode — if you manage to completely suspend disbelief. Otherwise, the implausibility of its premise will become too distracting to enjoy the acting, the pacing and the humor.

5.25 – The Inner Light: A+

The Inner Light is one of those rare moments in television when a series transcends its expectations and becomes a work of art. TNG has already had transcendent success with episodes like The Measure of a Man, The Best of Both Worlds, and Family – episodes which are truly exceptional. But in almost every possible way, The Inner Light surpasses those episodes. The writing, the direction, and the pacing are fantastic; the music is hauntingly beautiful; and the acting from Picard is a true tour de force. For these reasons, I believe The Inner Light represents the very pinnacle of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

5.26 – Time’s Arrow: B-

Time’s Arrow is a mildly interesting episode that is certainly not memorable, nor worthy of a season ending cliffhanger. And I’m still not sure if there was really a point to the story.