That knife fight story plays a central role in a S6 episode.

I gotta say I love the premise of an alien species that's fat and dopey. Science fiction is full of tales about aliens with advanced intelligence, or clever primitive civilizations that are progressing toward space travel. How often does the Enterprise encounter aliens that are just flat-out stupid?

It's a little bit embarrassing that Riker and company let these aliens trick them. I like to imagine Picard had a good long facepalm when he read the after-action report.

Yeah, I remember that one as being a pretty good episode.

"Tapestry." Top 5 episode IMO

Yeah just a so-so episode for me. Certainly not season one bad.

Tapestry certainly very memorable, although perhaps not as good on subsequent viewings as the first. Patrick Stewart such a good actor though, that any episode that offers the chance to tease out a different side of Picard's character is always going to be a good one.

Sucky day at work, re-watched The Royale and now all is good.

I do think this and matter of honor are very likely permarewatches.

Star Trek TNG S2E18 Up The Long Ladder

This was pretty lol, with the central premise that when you encounter Irish civilians in space, they'll very likely have a pig under their arm. However, I did like the bants, and Rosyln Landor is babe-tastic and a good actress. How did she not become a major star?

The whole Klingon tea thing was the scriptwriters trying to colour in the edges or something.

Overall, I enjoyed it.

It also begs the question how some Star Trek actors get the gig. Frakes and Sirtis just about get a pass, but DS9 started on CBS action last night - how Avery Brooks and Nana Visitor were considered the best actors they could get for their roles in anyone's guess.

They were hoping to get ensign ro for visitors part. I like brooks

Yeah, I heard that a while back - really illustrates the point that they get someone like Michelle Forbes for a guest role and she really excels, so how hard can it be to get someone decent for a major role? Perhaps casting is tougher than it looks, idk.

Brooks is ok, and probably deserves a bit more slack as he's following Shatner and Stewart. But I still think they could have got someone better.

I like how the Enterprise crew is aghast at the prospect of being used as cloning material but then later has no problem volunteering the Irish stereotypes to be "breeding stock." Best part of the episode is the costume designer somehow turning an Irish sweater into a sexy midriff-baring outfit.

I dunno, imo this was a kinda meh episode that, with better writing, could have been a very memorable episode about the ethics of cloning.

I'm happy it was a memorable episode about Rosyln Landor's midriff though.

Star Trek TNG S2E19 Manhunt

This was terrible. The only joy I got was speculating about whether Lwaxana Tree was actually correct and Picard is a closet sex addict.

But they stretched the whole Lwaxana commenting on Picards lustful thoughts too far in this.

RIP, Lt. Riley.

A great character, well acted. Shame he wasn't in more.

It makes you wonder if Star Trek was viewed in a negative way by many actors and that did make it difficult at times to cast recurring roles. It wouldn't surprise me. I seem to recall an interview with Patrick Stewart awhile ago where he said something to the effect that he wasn't sure he wanted to take the role of Capt Picard at first. I don't recall why though. I wish I could remember where I saw that.

Definitely was true, and don't forget, the cliffhanger in Best of Both Worlds was done specifically because the producers didn't think Stewart was going to sign for a 4th season.

A lot of actors don't want long running roles in niche series'

But then the producers are like BACK UP THE MONEY TRUCK and they're all meh fine I'll be captain Picard for the rest of my life

Sounds like a win-win

Kurn - I never knew that about Best of Both Worlds. Interesting. And that episode ended up being one of the classic episodes of the whole series. Long running roles usually force actors to turn down other opportunities often at the height of their popularity and therefore height of their position on the pay curve. Funny how it all works out though. That was written in case he left the show. It was then referenced in other episodes like "I, Borg" and even the First Contact movie.

SenorKeeed - Yeah it worked out for him quite well. I don't know specifics of what kind of money he got but most of us would do the same thing if our bosses backed up the money truck for us.

tbh - in any TV show, if there's a cliffhanger where a character or characters fate is unclear, it's usually contract related.

Star Trek TNG S2E20 The Emissary



A really enjoyable, solid episode, exploring the Klingon psyche somewhat through the rather fine device of a half-Klingon, half-human woman who gets to describe how it feels to Troi, to act as foil and lover to Worf, and generally make jokes about it.

Very well-written, hanging off a slender premise that allows it to run at the subject without much diversion, and thankfully no silly subplots to detract.

Another very fine episode from the rollercoaster that is season 2.

I really like that episode, and it begins a great thread (House of Duras, etc) that runs through TNG.

WRT Patrick Stewart, I remember reading something that de-bunked the quit story around BOBW. It would make sense for the producers to leak that kind of story when it was first aired just to keep viewers guessing as to Picard's fate, even if he was locked in for 7 seasons.

Star Trek TNG S2E21 Peak Performance

Kind of fun but not particularly remarkable, with Riker and Picard acting on opposite sides during a war games simulatio - but having to figure out how to beat an enemy without weapons when the Ferengi turn up.


I thought the subplot about Data losing confidence just didn't work, but I liked the rest well enough.

He busted him up.