More of TNG Season 6:
- In "Rascals", Picard, Guinan, Ro, and Keiko (brought together using the random character plot device) are turned into children. Fortunately, the Enterprise has a set of kid-sized uniforms on hand for all of them--even Guinan. Speaking of her, the actress playing young Guinan (Isis Carmen Jones) is very good. Not as good are security procedures on the Enterprise--the Ferengis take it over easily. Also. there's a great scene with Riker playing "Dad" to the young Picard.
- Worf and Cousin Oliv--Alexander find a "Fistful of Datas" on an "ancient" west holodeck. The difficulty level on the holodeck is apparently proportional to the amount of haze in the air. Meanwhile, Picard plays with 24th century Garageband. The whole idea of testing Data's ability to run the ship's systems without simulating it first seems incredibly irresponsible. Of course, so does the use of holodecks on the ship--does that ever go well?
- "The Quality of Life" is all about robotics and the limits of artificial life. There's a lot of philosophical discussion in the episode--Ellen Bry plays an over-aggressive engineer. The little robot Exocomps are actually cute--before it's determined the robots are alive. Data puts the lives of Picard and Geordi on the line to save them.
- It's another two-parter! In "Chain of Command", Picard, Crusher, and Worf go on an undercover mission against the Cardassians. Since when is Dr. Crusher an espionage expert? Meanwhile, a new captain (Ronny Cox) takes over the Enterprise. He's rather brusque--he even tells Troi to wear a standard uniform (hear hear!). The espionage team wander through Papier-mâché caves while the Enterprise forcefully "negotiates" with the Cardassians. Picard is captured (why is Worf so useless?) and "interrogated". David Warner plays his usual role of fey villain--he's been on Trek before (Star Trek VI). Riker is relieved of duty while Picard and his interrogator spar with ACTING! This becomes an issue in the later seasons--episodes sometimes turns into "Audition Scenes for Genre Actors". Of course in the end, Picard is saved, and the temporary captain is gone.
Star Trek: The Next Generation is available on Netflix--more to come!