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While I love the concept for some reason the episode A Matter of Perspective never really worked for me. There is a similar episode of the X-Files that also showed the same event from the perspective of different witnesses and did it with a sense of fun and humor that was very enjoyable. For some reason though the TNG version of the ‘everybody sees things different episode’ feel forced and simply not much fun to watch. I think there is something about Riker’s (and Manu the wife’s) behavior at the space station that simply does not ring true, not matter which perspective is reviewed. There is also something a bit cheesy about the ‘real explanation’ for how the station was destroyed. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that keeps this episode from shining but I have the suspicion that given a re-write by another of the staff writers and maybe a different director A Matter of Perspective could have been one of the great episodes in the series.

How can you not love a Next Generation episode with John de Lancie in it? Specially one where the incredible Q looses his power?!! Deja Q is not only a great plot idea but it provides opportunity for some fabulous moments and great lines. Who can forget the look on Guinean’s face as she realizes she can stomp on Q’s face as soon as no-one is looking, or the melodramatic wail that Q gives when he becomes hungry. As if the many beautiful moments of Q confronting people in his newfound feeble state were not enough we are also treated to the ticklish moment where Data not only laughs but guffaws while at his station.

Oh sure, the bits in The High Ground about the children terrorist and the well-meaning warrior drawing pictures of Beverly are a bit gratutitous, but hey, they are worth overlooking for what is after all a pretty good episode. We get to see a lot of the very beautiful Gates McFadden and get to see her and Patrick Stewart (probably the best two actors on the show) share scenes and dialogue. The question of when do you stop calling someone a terrorist and instead refer to them as a ‘freedom fighter’ is also an interesting one.

There is nothing new or interesting about the story of an alien mistreated by his own government calling the interpretation of the prime directive into question. However the execution and detail for the episode The Hunted is a great deal of fun. By this point in the series the power of the starship Enterprise and the skill of her crew have been well established which makes it particularly sweet to see escaped prisoner Roga Danar confuse, evade and frustrate Captain Picard and the senior staff as he toys with them in a game of cat and mouse. The end of the episode allow allows us one of those rewarding moments where Picard, while still obeying the protocol of the federation gets to (essentially) tell a head of state where he can stick it.

A great plot idea brilliantly executed The Defector is one of the true gems of the third season. The episode raises the Romulan threat introduced earlier in the show and gives opportunity for some great actors to show their worth. We not only get to see Patrick Stewart get Shakespearian and authoritative but are treated to a superb performance by James Sloyan whom many will recognize from his return to Star Trek as the Klingon K’Mtar in the Alexander coming of age story TNG: Firstborn, and as Doctor Mora Pol (the scientist who raised Odo) in the Deep Space Nine episode The Alternate. The tension of the episode feels real and comes to an exciting end when Romulan Commander Tomalak gets to offer the Enterprise a choice between surrender and annihilation. Picard’s calm and calculated response shows the quality of his character. The episode not only helps to forward the Romulan story arc but also shows the Romulan struggle over duty versus loyalty with clarity reminiscent of Sophocles’ (or even better Jean Anouilh’s) Antigone.

The Next Generation cast from the third season

Good news for Star Trek fans. After a short hiatus and due to popular demand the Trek Talk Star Trek TNG reviews are back on the Film Roar menu. The reviews start again today with a review of the season 3 episode The Price and will continue to get updated in the upcoming weeks with many more reviews from the third and later seasons.

The Price is an episode that is evocative of the later seasons of Next Generation where the Federation is not the all-powerful entity in charge and not everything goes their way. We get to see the effects of a not-as powerful civilization, the Barzan, having to manage negotiations with the Federation and other alliances as they leverage their natural resources to secure their place in the galaxy. The episode also shows the Ferengi in their new role as formidable business opponents and establishes the importance of wormholes for inter-stellar travel, both show concepts that will become important in the next Star Trek series, Deep Space 9. Matt McCoy does a great job as Devinoni Ral proving that Betazoids need not be annoying.