Episode List & Guide

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6.01 – Time’s Arrow, Part II: C+

Time’s Arrow, Part II is a fitting conclusion to its predecessor. Much like Part I, this episode is interesting enough, doesn’t make very many mistakes, but is just too drawn out and unremarkable to be a two-part episode — let alone the conclusion to a season ending cliffhanger.

6.02 – Realm Of Fear: C-

Realm of Fear is a noticeably substandard episode. And it’s not like there were any glaring mistakes made. It was just … boring. Nondescript. Uninspired. And that isn’t exactly the best way to officially kick off a new season.

6.03 – Man Of The People: D

Man of the People is an awful episode about an intriguing premise. The problem stems from tremendously sloppy writing and a good deal of over acting from Troi.

6.04 – Relics: C+

Relics, much like Sarek and Reunification, Part II, is a Star Trek fan’s dream come true. The difference for Trek fans is that Sarek has always been a minor character, whereas Scotty, like Spock, was one of the principle cast of the original series. And so to see the former Chief Engineer one more time is something very special indeed. Unfortunately, the end result isn’t as much of a treat as it could have been.

6.05 – Schisms: B-

In many respects, Schisms succeeds where Night Terrors failed — it was spooky and creepy without being cheesy or silly. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it was an overall success, either. And in fact, it does have some issues in terms of pacing and an exceptional overdose of tech-talk.

6.06 – True Q: C+

After going all of Season 5 with a “Q” episode, Q returns with True Q, an episode that is a sincere improvement over Season 4’s horrendous QPid. On the whole, True Q is a decent episode — funny, thoughtful and entertaining. But the main guest character of Amanda Rogers simply lacks a compelling performance. And there a few directing gaffes.

6.07 – Rascals: D

Juvenile.

Really, it’s the only way to describe Rascals. And “juvenile” doesn’t refer to just the characters. The whole premise, from conception to execution is nothing short of immature drivel. And the whole concoction just ends up being annoying. That’s not to say that I think kids are annoying. Far from it. Rather, these kids, in this episode, telling this story … I’m being kind by calling it annoying.

6.08 – A Fistful Of Datas: D

So this is what TNG looks like in the “Ancient West.” Thanks, but no thanks. A Fistful of Datas is a fistful of horse manure … pard’ner. Yeehaw.

6.09 – The Quality Of Life: C+

The Quality of Life is, in many ways, a relief. After the recent barrage of utterly pointless episodes we finally get an installment that actually means something. True, The Quality of Life is a blatantly imperfect episode. But at the very least it is an attempt to return to the show’s roots. And in that sense, it is a success.

6.10 – Chain Of Command, Part I: C+

Chain of Command, Part I is flawed. When constructing a two-part episode, there is an obligation to make sure that the whole is greater that the sum of its parts. It needs to be an event. It can’t just be two episodes that barely hold their own. Both halves of the whole must be engaging and entertaining and eventful. Think Best of Both Worlds. Unfortunately, like it or not, that’s not what Chain of Comman, Part I is. True, recreating the success of Best of Both Worlds is unrealistic. But to ignore the blueprint?

6.11 – Chain Of Command, Part II: B-

Chain of Command, Part II is not as flawed as its predecessor, Part I, however, it isn’t as well crafted as one would have hoped. And for every success, it seems to trip itself up. We get a decidedly compelling performance from Picard. But Riker comes off very, very poorly — it’s either the writing, the performance or both, but either way, it’s unpleasant. The episode gets credit for addressing the issue of torture — in as frank and sober terms as possible — but at the end of it all, we’re left asking, what was the point?

6.12 – Ship In A Bottle: B+

Ship In A Bottle is strong followup to Season 2’s Elementary, Dear Data. The writing, the characterizations, and the plot are all very well crafted. On the whole, the episode isn’t quite as good as Elementary, Dear Data, but it doesn’t miss by much. I am going to assume that readers of this review are familiar with Elementary, Dear Data, but if you aren’t, then I highly recommend watching it, or reading the review, before proceeding any further.

6.13 – Aquiel: D

Aquiel is supposed to be something of a murder mystery. But it’s boring. Dull. Plodding. Uninspired. Drawn out. With a stupidly bizarre twist. Did I mention boring?

Boring.

6.14 – Face Of The Enemy: B-

Face of the Enemy is a Troi episode. But actually, it isn’t all that bad. It may even be (gasp!) good. That isn’t to say that there aren’t some flaws and criticisms. But on the whole, it’s an entertaining episode that draws a couple of tidy connections back to the Unification episodes.

6.15 – Tapestry: A

Tapestry is a fantastic episode. Even setting aside the recent spate of underwhelming episodes, Tapestry is worthy of consideration as one of the best in the entire series. And it does so with a wonderfully insightful look at Picard — who he is, who he once was, and who he might have been. In that sense, Tapestry has a kind of “Christmas Carol” feel to it. But it’s much, much more.

6.16 – Birthright, Part I: B-

Birthright, Part I is a decent episode. But hearkening back to a pattern from Season 2, this episode benefits from its minor story, rather than its main story. And, too, the primary “highlight” of the episode — the Enterprise’s visit to the Deep Space 9 space station — is merely window dressing that amounts to little more than a “hey, cool!” from the fans of DS9.

6.17 – Birthright, Part II: C-

Birthright, Part II isn’t a deplorable story. In fact, there are plenty of worthy themes and ideas. It just isn’t worthy of an entire episode. The fact is, the story takes a long, long time to develop. And it takes even longer to reach its arduous conclusion.

6.18 – Starship Mine: C

There is a part of me that likes the concept of Starship Mine. Unlike most other “hijack” episodes, this one is fairly plausible, even if it borrows heavily from 11001001. The problem is one of pacing and character. The episode takes too long to go anywhere, and the minor characters are simply annoying.

6.19 – Lessons: B-

Lessons is a quiet, thoughtful, almost graceful episode. The risks it runs, however, are being overly thoughtful to the point of being pondering, and being overly purposeful to the point of boredom. It is a fine line on the either side of which a number of viewers may find themselves. For me, I like the episode. It works.

6.20 – The Chase: B

The Chase is the most fun TNG has been in a long while. And it adds in a solid thematic foundation as well as an important explanation for the series as a whole — dating back all the way to The Original Series.

6.21 – Frame Of Mind: B-

Frame of Mind is a good episode. It features by far the most compelling Riker performance in some time. And it is a solid mystery — even if it does become a bit repetitive at times.

6.22 – Suspicions: D-

Suspicions is a highly suspect episode on a number of levels. Truth be told, it’s just barely on the better side of failure. Not much goes well from either a writing, directing or even performance aspect. And, to make matters worse, there is simply no point to the entire exercise. It’d be different if the episode was at least attempting to do something more than just be mindless escapism entertainment. Because if that’s all you set out to do, you had better do it well. And that makes Suspicions a waste of time.

6.23 – Rightful Heir: B

Rightful Heir is an above average episode that is carefully crafted and competently executed. But there are some issues in terms of pacing which somewhat diminishes the mystery and suspense created by the sudden appearance of the mythic Klingon warrior, Kahless.

6.24 – Second Chances: B-

Second Chances presents us with an intriguing, if somewhat implausible premise.  But if you can accept where the episode is leading, the results are provocative.  What keeps it from truly becoming an exceptional classic is the choice it ultimately makes – or, rather, that it doesn’t make.  Riker is once again the focus of the episode.  And, unfortunately, the stagnation to his character couldn’t be more clear.

6.25 – Timescape: B-

Timescape is a decent plot driven episode that, unfortunately, is not particularly well-paced. Nor is it easily accessible, despite the occasional humor. Episodes that deal with the mystery of time are usually esoteric or implausible. The problem is trying to dramatize an abstraction. And to do so usually depends on all manner of technobabble. Timescape is no different. And that leads to an episode that, literally, takes its time – too much time. Fortunately, Timescape does present a sufficient mystery that keeps things interesting.

6.26 – Descent: B-

Descent is yet another season ending cliff hangar for TNG. And seeing as how it’s the very last season ending cliff hangar, there is a mild bittersweet quality to it. At least, there is when you look at the series years later. The problem, however, is that the series is beginning to feel its age. Fresh new ideas are fewer and farther between lately. And whileDescent deserves credit for bringing together a number of different story lines, it doesn’t exactly deliver the same thrill as, say, The Best of Both Worlds. But then again, that’s indicative of a series that isn’t functioning at the same level as it used to.