Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Episode:106
"Where No One Has Gone Before"
Jack's Rating:
Warp efficiency tests send the Enterprise traveling far beyond known space, where the crew's imagination takes on real form.
Features:
Stardate: 41263.1
Air Date: 10/26/87
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
One of the episodes I remembered most from the first time it aired. I enjoyed the Traveler character and although I didn't care for Wesley back then, I really enjoy the introduction to his character now. The odd thing is, Wil Wheaton and I are exactly one week apart in age....so I am not sure why I initially disliked Wesley. I guess with age comes wisdom - now I watch and each episode is like a time capsule.
Episode:109
"The Battle"
Jack's Rating:
A Ferengi captain returns the abandoned Stargazer to its former captain, Jean-Luc Picard. Picard, who experiences severe headaches, begins to relive the "Battle of Maxia" in which he lost the ship.
Features:
The Ferengi
Stardate: 41723.9
Air Date: 11/16/87
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
Admittedly they didn't have the Ferengi worked out when this episode aired, but we can see a glimpse of where they would eventually end up as a Star Trek species. I do enjoy this one a great deal. It's a well told story and very well acted.
Episode:113
"Datalore"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise crew finds a disassembled android identical to Data at the site of the Omicron Theta colony,?where Data was found,?which was destroyed by a life form dubbed "the Crystalline Entity." The reassembled android, Lore, brings the Crystalline Entity to the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 41242.4
Air Date: 01/18/88
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
An absolute classic. Introducing a second Data - and an evil one at that - makes for a lot of fun throughout the series. I just wish he had used Lore a bit more.
Episode:116
"Too Short a Season"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise transports a legendary geriatric admiral who must once again negotiate a hostage situation involving a man from decades earlier in his career. The admiral is mysteriously growing younger; by the time the Enterprise arrives he is a young man.
Features:
Stardate: 41309.5
Air Date: 02/08/88
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
While an interesting premise, the episode feels a tad forced. The makeup on the old Jameson was pretty obvious but overall, this one does stand as a classic Trek episode - one we could have seen in the original series for sure.
Episode:120
"Heart of Glory"
Jack's Rating:
Fugitive Klingons seeking battle attempt to hijack the Enterprise, and ask Worf to join them.
Features:
The Klingons
Stardate: 41503.7
Air Date: 03/21/88
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
Here we have our first look at Klingon culture. TNG really did some amazing things with the Klingons across all seven seasons and you can tell by this episode that the writers really had this species nailed down well.
Episode:201
"The Child"
Jack's Rating:
Dr. Pulaski joins the Enterprise while La Forge prepares the Enterprise to transport dangerous plague specimens; Deanna spontaneously becomes pregnant and gives birth to a mysterious child.
Features:
Stardate: 42073.1
Air Date: 11/21/88
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
This has long been one of the episodes I skip during a binge-watch. It's actually a good classic Trek episode, but the kid....man, there is something that makes me cringe with the kid. Oh well, still worth a watch.
Episode:203
"Elementary, Dear Data"
Jack's Rating:
After Data easily solves an ordinary Sherlock Holmes holodeck mystery, Geordi asks the computer to make a Holmes villain capable of defeating Data. The resultant Professor Moriarty soon becomes far more powerful than expected.
Features:
The Holodeck
Stardate: 42286.3
Air Date: 12/05/88
Director: Rob Bowman
Episode:208
"A Matter of Honor"
Jack's Rating:
Will Riker is assigned to a Klingon vessel via an officer exchange program.
Features:
The Klingons
Stardate: 42506.5
Air Date: 02/06/89
Director: Rob Bowman
Episode:210
"The Dauphin"
Jack's Rating:
The Enterprise hosts a young world leader and her mysterious chaperone. Wesley soon falls in love with the young leader.
Features:
Stardate: 42568.8
Air Date: 02/20/89
Director: Rob Bowman
Episode:216
"Q Who?"
Jack's Rating:
Q flings the ship 7,000 light years from Federation space and introduces the crew of the Enterprise to the deadly Borg.
Features:
The Borg The Q Entity
Stardate: 42761.3
Air Date: 05/08/89
Director: Rob Bowman
Episode:219
"Manhunt"
Jack's Rating:
Deanna's mother seeks a new husband, and she has her eyes on Picard.
Features:
Stardate: 42859.2
Air Date: 06/19/89
Director: Rob Bowman
Episode:222
"Shades of Gray"
Jack's Rating:
Riker is poisoned by an alien plant and, as he lies comatose, he relives various memories of his life serving the Enterprise.
Features:
Stardate: 42976.1
Air Date: 07/17/89
Director: Rob Bowman
Jack's Notes
Clip show! Clip show!
Episode:403
"Brothers"
Jack's Rating:
Data is summoned by his creator Noonien Soong who is still alive, and they are joined by Lore.
Features:
Stardate: 44085.7
Air Date: 10/08/90
Director: Rob Bowman