My Star Trek Year

My Star Trek Year (And Then Some)

If you're not calendarically (?) challenged you've probably figured out that the "year" referenced in the name of this site has come to an end. I haven't achieved my goal of watching every Star Trek episode during 2008 (all 700+ of them). I've only managed to take in just under 400 so far, thank you for asking. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the original game plan was to watch all Star Trek episodes (and movies) in 2008 and cap things off with a viewing of the new Star Trek movie. That was originally slated for a December release. The last I heard, the new movie is premiering in May, so I'll keep this project going until then. Rather than go with something awkward - like my Star Trek 16 Months, or whatnot - the name will remain the same. 

Image: Andrews McMeel

TNG - Suddenly Human

Suddenly Human
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 4, Episode 4

Given Star Trek's record with kid episodes, I didn't expect much from this one. As it turns out it was one of the better episodes I've seen for a while. Enterprise faces off with the Talarians over a Talarian leader's adopted human son. Good moments throughout, mnay of them concerning Picard's awkward interactions with the kid, and a nice left-field twist that knocked the proceedings out of the realm of predictability. 

(viewed 05/19/2009)

Enterprise - Countdown

Countdown
Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 3, Episode 23

A decent effort here as the...countdown to the Xindi attack continues. As Archer allies with one faction, Hoshi is kidnapped by another to help them crack a code and MACO Major Hayes is killed rescuing her.

(viewed 05/16/2009)

TNG - Manhunt

Manhunt
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 19

Two Lwaxana Troi episodes in a row would probably be a violation of the Geneva Conventions - if I weren't a civilian. Once again the attempted levity is exceedingly tedious in an episode that seems to be a lame take on Amok Time. Picard retreats into a thoroughly cliched private eye holo in order to escape the elder Troi, who's been afflicted by some sort of mating urge. Features a cameo by drummer Mick Fleetwood and a moderately amusing moment when Riker is overcome with the giggles at Picard's plight.

(viewed 05/12/2009)

TNG - Menage A Troi

Menage A Troi
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 24

When it comes to attempted humor that falls flat, Troi's mother Lwaxana is right up there in a class with TOS's Harry Mudd. Throw in some Ferengi, who kidnap Troi, Mom and Riker for some reason I couldn't discern (or care about) and you've got a recipe for a real stinkfest

(viewed 05/10/2009)

TNG - Peak Performance

Peak Performance
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 21

As Picard and Riker face off in war games exercises, the Ferengi appear and stage a real attack. Rather a dull episode until the latter mentionede events get rolling.

(viewed 05/06/2009)

TNG - The Emissary

The Emissary
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 20

A half-Klingon, half-human woman out of Worf's past turns up, much to his dismay. A not so bad Klingon episode, helped in large part by the characterization of K'Ehleyr, who is actually rather peppy for a Klingon.

(viewed 05/04/2009)

TNG - Up The Long Ladder

Up The Long Ladder
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 18

Colonists on loan from Darby O'Gill and the Little People come aboard Enterprise and are eventually introduced to a colony of clones for who they will serve as breeding stock. Yeesh. 

(viewed 05/02/2009)

TNG - Transfigurations

Transfigurations
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 25

It's Enterprise to the rescue of an alien with amazing healing powers. If only someone could have found a way to heal this snoozefest of an episode.

(viewed 04/29/2009)

TNG - Hollow Pursuits

Hollow Pursuits
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 21

A Star Trek crew member who's an underachiever? Perish the thought. But that's exactly the case in this rather good episode that focuses on the mild degree of chaos stirred up by the bumbling Lt. Barclay (Broccoli). While we could have done without the obligatory "bumbler saves the day" finale, this was good stuff otherwise. Includes a genuinely funny gag in which Picard slips up and refers to Barclay by his nickname.

(viewed 04/22/2009)

TNG - The Samaritan Snare

The Samaritan Snare
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 17

A mixed bag. A dopey plot finds Geordi helping and then being captured by a race of pudgy retarded men. The other much more worthwhile plot finds Picard quite flustered over his impending surgery. Some well-written moments as Wes and Picard take a shuttle trip to the planet where the surgery will take place.

(viewed 04/16/2009)

TNG - Pen Pals

Pen Pals
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 15

Should Data save a kid's life even if it means violating the Prime Directive? Given Star Trek's touchy-feely tendencies, it's not too hard to figure out where this one's gonna go.

(viewed 04/15/2009)

TNG - Royale

Royale
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 12

An excursion into the realm of the truly dreadful as away teamers Riker, Data and Worf find themselves in a mysterious casino based on a pulp novel. Grim stuff indeed.

(viewed 04/09/2009)

TNG - A Matter of Honor

A Matter of Honor
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 8

Exchange student Riker does time on a Klingon ship. Things go awry and he ends up going up against the Enterprise. A little more dimension and better overall than many of the Klingon episodes I've seen.  

(viewed 04/05/2009)

TNG - Where Silence Has Lease

Where Silence Has Lease
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2, Episode 2

A better than average unexplained phenomenon episode finds the Enterprise experiencing mysterious happenings in some kind of giant void. Interesting directing and a few genuine moments of mystery and suspense. 

(viewed 04/03/2009)

TNG - We'll Always Have Paris

We'll Always Have Paris
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 23

Picard's old flame turns up with a researcher who's been mucking around in other dimensions. Parts of which episode could be likened to Days of our Lives in space. 

(viewed 04/02/2009)

TNG - The Neutral Zone

The Neutral Zone
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 25

Three cryogenically preserved dimwits from the twentieth century turn up but ultimately little is made of this potentially worthwhile plot thread. Ditto for a Romulans lurking around in the Neutral Zone thread that's pretty much left hanging by the time it's all over.

(viewed 03/29/2009)

TNG - The Tin Man

The Tin Man
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 20

An uncommonly annoying telepath makes contact with a strange giant creature while Romulans lurk about, ready to do evil. A great deal of potential here, considering that it's one of the rare episodes where the aliens aren't merely humans with latex on their face and/or goofy uniforms, but that potential is unrealized for the most part. 

(viewed 03/28/2009)

TNG - The High Ground

The High Ground
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 12

Is terrorism justified? Deep thoughts abound as the great minds of TNG tackle the issue. A few okay moments, but tedious debate and wooden guest stars drag the proceedings way down. 

(viewed 03/25/2009)

TNG - Captain's Holiday

Captain's Holiday
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 19

Shore leave for Picard finds him playing Indiana Jones with a foxy dame at his side and a Ferengi and a time-traveling alien gumming up the works. All in search of some sort of McGuffin or another. Fairly lightweight stuff and one can't help wondering what the point was.

(viewed 03/23/2009)

TNG - The Hunted

Heart of Glory
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3, Episode 11

Genetically modified super-warriors are unable to be reinegrated into their society. Well-handled, for the most part. 

(viewed 03/22/2009)

TNG - Heart of Glory

Heart of Glory
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 19

Klingon renegades out to restore traditional Klingon values wind up on Enterprise. Mixed emotions for Worf as they're about to be turned over to Klingon officials. A somewhat predictable conclusion but not that bad even so. 

(viewed 03/21/2009)

TNG - Coming of Age

Coming of Age
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 18

Not so bad, this one. Storyline A, in which Little Wes takes the Starfleet Academy entrance exam is not quite so strong as Storyline B, which finds Starfleet bureaucrats investigating Picard for who knows what. Not too many false notes this time around.

(viewed 03/18/2009)

TNG - When the Bough Breaks

When the Bough Breaks
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 16

Aliens kidnap all the kids from Enterprise. Though their intentions aren't all that bad they are kidnappers nonetheless and thus the kids must be pried from their clutches.

(viewed 03/17/2009)

TNG - Angel One

Angel One
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 13

A planet of girly men and dominant women with nicely feathered hair hold a group of shipwreck survivors hostage. It's Enterprise to the rescue, but the plot naturally thickens a bit. Rather a silly bit of business all around.

(viewed 03/16/2009)

TNG - Too Short a Season

Too Short a Season
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 1, Episode 15

The curious case of Admiral Jameson unfolds with the Starfleet leader aging in reverse after overdosing on a youth elixir, while trying to sort out a hostage crisis and a diplomatic mission he'd bungled years earlier. 

(viewed 03/15/2009)