It’s been longer than I intended, but I’m happy to report I’ve completed the next two reviews of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This time we have a great one and a not-so-great one.
Lower Decks is one I’ve been waiting to review all season. This innovative episode follows four junior officers working on the Enterprise. They each have their issues, and this goes from being a novel perspective to a compelling story in its own right. From the initial “who’s going to get the promotion?” to “I hope she comes back alive”, Lower Decks is one of the best episodes of the season.
You may not know this episode launched an entire animated television series, called Star Trek: Lower Decks. The fate of ensign Sito was debated quite a bit among the writers, as to whether she would live or die. There is also a development in this episode that leads to one of the junior officers indirectly saving everyone’s lives in a future episode. To read about this and other stuff check out my full review.
Thine Own Self is a letdown, but Lower Decks is a hard act to follow. This episode is split into two foci: an amnestic Data in a primitive culture making everyone sick from radiation poisoning, and Deanna Troi deciding she wants to qualify as a bridge officer and get promoted to full Commander. To me the plot B here is much more interesting and rewarding than the A plot involving Data.
Even Ron Moore, who wrote the episode had mixed feelings about it. I quote a story about what it was like for him. Picard has the least of any episode in the series for him, just one line. Why? Because he was busy in London performing a one-man performance of A Christmas Carol at the time! I also have a story from Brent Spiner that carries over into its results in the next episode, Masks. Read the first half in my full review of this episode, and wait for my next review! Finally, I’ve attached the single craziest, most over-the-top photo I’ve ever put in a review, it cracks me up. You should see it.
Thine Own Self is the first of the final 10 episodes of the series. We are now in the home stretch, as the series is wrapping up for the series finale. Stay tuned for my next two reviews, Masks and Eye of the Beholder.