Episode List & Guide

Click on the links below for the Full Reviews:

7.01 – Descent, Part II: C

Descent, Part II is a slow, plodding, unremarkable episode. Which is ironic, considering the fact that it concludes a relatively competent cliffhangar. The problem is that this episode just doesn’t function on a very high level, especially in terms of writing.

7.02 – Liaisons: C-

Liaisons is an experiment in emotion. There’s pleasure, antagonism and love. It is an unfortunate irony, then, that the episode is conducted, by in large, without a whole lot of emotion. Part of the problem is that the premise is a bit shaky to begin with. And following three distinct story lines results in a watered down impact of each of them.

7.03 – Interface: C

Interface is a by-the-numbers TNG episode. There is the usual technobabble “hook.” There is the human element. And there is a mystery element. But the numbers just don’t add up to anything special. In fact, the result is about as average as you can get.

7.04 – Gambit, Part I: B-

Gambit, Part I is much better than it has any business being. There’s a contrivance to hook the audience (and setup a cheap payoff later). There are some rather implausible decisions by the main characters. The plot seems rather unremarkable. And yet … the sheer bravado by which the episode was pulled off injects a great deal of fun and enjoyment into it.

7.05 – Gambit, Part II: B-

Gambit, Part II is a romp. And even if it is slightly less plausible, it’s as least as much fun as Gambit, Part I. If there is a criticism, it is that the episode is so plot and twist driven that it leaves little time for character development. However, the plot and the twists are enjoyable enough to compensate (mostly) for any deficiency in character.

7.06 – Phantasms: B

Phantasms is one weird episode.  It may very well be the most bizarre episode in the entire run of TNG.  And there is a danger when an episode strays too far off the beaten path – there is a risk of being too esoteric, too outlandish, too implausible.  Fortunately for Phantasms, the episode manages to walk a very fine line between its oddness and being accessible to viewers.

7.07 – Dark Page: D-

Dark Page is dripping with sentiment. And it’s strange (as in bizarre). As I mentioned in Phantasms, there is an inherent danger in delving into weirdness. Dark Page simply doesn’t work. Part of the problem is Lwaxana Troi. But an even bigger part of the problem is a poorly constructed story.

7.08 – Attached: B-

Attached is a remarkable episode — if you can get past the contrivances. The dialogue is fairly solid, as are the character interactions. And those interactions lead to some genuine character development. But, you do have to accept the underlying premise. Otherwise, the episode can become quite silly.

7.09 – Force Of Nature: C-

Force of Nature is TNG’s “environmentalism” episode. It’s main message is thinly veiled by a story about the effects of warp drive, but it works. The episode is successful because it rarely ever becomes preachy. Instead, it lets the circumstances and actions of the story speak for themselves. The problem, however, is that the episode’s overall story is poorly paced. And, too, the characters, especially the minor ones, leave a lot to be desired.

7.10 – Inheritance: C+

Inheritance is a slow moving episode whose underlying premise is quite suspect. But once it gets to the heart of the story, and if you can suspend your disbelief enough to accept the premise (a very big *if*), then the episode provides a legitimate twist that is not only a surprise, but also offers a genuine character exploration for Data.

7.11 – Parallels: A-

Parallels is an instant classic. Borrowing heavily from the concepts of Future Imperfect and Yesterday’s Enterprise, Parallels is an episode that gives a glimpse of what the TNG universe might be like, had the stories unfolded along radically different sequences of events. What makes the episode strong is not only its “cool” factor, but also its characterizations. One criticism, however, is that the theory and the explanations behind the theory are a bit esoteric.

7.12 – The Pegasus: B

The Pegasus is a well-crafted episode, with even its minor scenes fitting into its overall themes. There is a focus on the character of Riker, fleshing out his backstory and a bona fide, if somewhat implausible mystery to be solved.

7.13 – Homeward: C+

Homeward is an enjoyable, if somewhat unmoving episode. That isn’t to say that its characters don’t go through strong emotions, but rather those emotions don’t especially translate to the scenes. The acting is certainly competent. And there are only a handful of errors. But otherwise, the episode goes through the motions, hitting the proper beats, but nonetheless feels a bit too clinical to be a classic.

7.14 – Sub Rosa: D+

A ghost story.  Sub Rosa is supposed to be a ghost story.  Many ghost stories are accompanied by an explanation of the ghosts themselves – how they came to be, how they exist and so forth.  So it’s really no surprise that TNG’s take on a ghost story uses a decidedly sci-fi explanation for the ghost that haunts Dr. Crusher.  But that of course begs the question: Is a sci-fi explanation for ghosts really a good idea?

7.15 – Lower Decks: A-

Lower Decks is an episode about camaraderie, duty and sacrifice. What makes it so impressive is its focus on set of junior officers, with the primary crew of the Enterprise in supporting roles. Not only does this allow for the story to show an element of the Enterprise that is not readily apparent, it also allows for the clear approach to the theme of camaraderie.

7.16 – Thine Own Self: B

Thine Own Self is a well balanced episode. So often, when an episode has disparate storylines, the two never seem to complement each other (think The Icarus Factor). But with Thine Own Self, both story lines not only offer something different, but also something worthwhile.

7.17 – Masks: B+

Masks is an episode rich in symbolism, mythology, archaeology, stunning visuals and compelling performances. In many ways, it is perhaps unique in the entire TNG series. Indeed, all of the components exist to make this episode one of the very best. So why isn’t it? The bottom line is that, unfortunately, Masks is unable to seamlessly weave together its various threads into an exceptional tapestry.

7.18 – Eye Of The Beholder: D+

Eye of the Beholder is another attempt at a paranormal “ghost story” type episode. And like the previously horrid Sub Rosa, Eye of the Beholder does not handle the genre very well. In fact, it often resorts to bag of overused, unsophisticated devices in order to generate the suspense and drama that the story is otherwise lacking.

7.19 – Genesis: D-

“Theres some sort of disease present on board the Enterprise. And its spreading.”

- Nurse Ogawa.

She’s right. It’s called Really Bad Overactors Disease.

Do you remember that horrid Geordi LaForge episode in Season 4, called Identity Crisis? Do you recall how utterly preposterous it was that someone’s entire DNA could be rewritten, and then returned to normal as if nothing ever happened? Apparently someone had a bright idea to take that concept and make another, even more ludicrous episode based on the same concept.

7.20 – Journey’s End: B+

Wesley Crusher’s story arc gets a worthy, and fitting, conclusion in Journey’s End. What makes the episode so successful is that not only does Wesley’s story fit into the episode’s main conflict, but Journey’s End also manages to provide a measure of closure for an idea first introduced in Season 1’s Where No One Has Gone Before — namely, the notion that Wesley is a prodigy, with a destiny very different from that of everyone else.

7.21 – Firstborn: C

Firstborn tells yet another story in the ongoing troubles between Worf and his son, Alexander. It tries to break the mold and offer an avenue of eventual reconciliation between the two individuals — fitting, considering its proximity to the end of the series. And the underlying premise is certainly intriguing enough. Unfortunately, the much of the episode never really transcends the criticisms that have plagued nearly every other Worf-Alexander story line.

7.22 – Bloodlines: C-

As TNG draws to a close, I certainly appreciate that the series is making an explicit effort tie together story ideas introduced early on. The conclusion of Wesley’s story in Journey’s End is an example how this can be an asset. What I don’t get though is why anyone would want to revisit the horrible Ferengi plot from The Battle. More interesting would have been a deeper exploration of the Stargazer. Unfortunately, Bloodlines gives us “The Battle Part II: The Wrath of Bok” — much to the detriment of the episode.

7.23 – Emergence: D+

Emergence has the singular distinction of being the last bad episode of TNG.  But did it have to be this bad?  More than anything, I think Emergence is the prime example why the series had run its course.  It’s an episode filled with endless TNG cliché from finding new life to malfunctioning Holodecks to a commentary on humanity in general, and the crew in particular.  But what really sinks the episode is its almost complete lack of character development.  I guess you could argue that such development came from the ship itself, but that’s a bit of a stretch.

7.24 – Pre-emptive Strike: B+

Preemptive Strike is an episode that comes full circle for the character of Ro Laren. The central dynamic of the episode is her relationship with Picard — his trust in her has helped her forge a new life. She is immensely grateful. But their mutual trust and respect are put to the test. In another solid layer to the episode, it builds on the establishment of the demilitarized zone in Journey’s End. This is TNG penultimate episode (if you count All Good Things … as a single installment). And the series delivers.

7.25 & 7.26 – All Good Things…: B

With All Good Things … the seven year run of Star Trek: The Next Generation comes to worthy, if somewhat unremarkable end. There’s plenty of grist here for TNG fans, including trips back into the past, to just before the Encounter At Farpoint mission, and into the future, where we get a glimpse at where the crew might end up. In fact, time is a major element in this episode. As is camaraderie. And Q. The series opened with Q’s Trial of Humanity and within that framework, the series unfolded. The premise is revisited. And it is very much appropriate.