Star Trek: The Rewatch: Recent Episodes
Grant Miller & Robert Simpson
The Enterprise tries to negotiate an end to raids launched by a group called the “Gatherers,” but a murder threatens to prevent peace. First Broadcast: 20th November 1989. Quote: “Your ambushes would be more successful if you bathed more often!” Score: 4 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
The Enterprise hosts negotiations for possession of the only known stable wormhole. First Broadcast: 13th November 1989. Quote: “People have been doing that for thousands of years!” Score: 6 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
La Forge and a Romulan are trapped on a planet ravaged by electromagnetic storms; Worf turns out to be the only viable donor to save the life of an injured Romulan aboard the Enterprise. First Broadcast: 6th November 1989. Quote: “It would appear our away team has rescued a second man from your one-man ship.” […]
While investigating a 1,000-year-old alien derelict, the Enterprise gets caught in the same energy trap which doomed that vessel a millennium ago. First Broadcast: 30th October 1989. Quote: “Now the machines are flying us.” Score: 7 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Worf decides to take into his house the child of a slain subordinate, but the child is having trouble accepting his mother’s death, especially when she mysteriously reappears. First Broadcast: 23rd October 1989. Quote: “Jeremy, on the starship Enterprise, no one is alone… No one.” Score: 5 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, […]
The Enterprise must undo the damage when a primitive civilization discovers a Federation observation team and concludes that the Starfleet personnel are gods. First Broadcast: 16th October 1989. Quote: “Perhaps one day, my people will travel above the skies…” Score: 8 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
The Enterprise investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet. First Broadcast: 9th October 1989. Quote: “Number One, I think you had better see who’s at home.” Score: 8 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Data must convince a colony of 15,000 people to evacuate before the aliens who own the planet arrive. First Broadcast: 2nd October 1989. Quote: “Splendid. Splendid. Carry on.” Score: 7 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
An obsessed scientist arrives on the Enterprise-D to perform a once-in-a-lifetime experiment. Accidentally released nanites, however, threaten both it and the ship. First Broadcast: 25th September 1989. Quote: “I’ve missed about 2 inches of him.” Links: More info about Type 1A Supernovae Score: 8 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Rob and Grant discuss the ups and downs of Season Two of TNG. There were a couple of great episodes, but the general rating was very low. We cover the best and worst episodes, and characters – and we respond to some comments that people have posted during the podcasts. MP3 can be downloaded here.
Commander Riker fights for his life in sickbay after he is infected by an alien parasite while on an away-mission. Dr. Pulaski soon discovers that the only way to save Riker’s life is to force his mind to relive painful memories. First Broadcast: 17th July 1989. Quote: “He’s dreaming.” Score: 0 MP3 can be downloaded here. More […]
With the Borg threat in mind, Starfleet stages a war-game simulation pitting Captain Picard and the Enterprise against Commander Riker and the eighty-year-old starship Hathaway. However, when the Ferengi suddenly attack, the Enterprise is crippled forcing Picard into a seemingly no-win situation. First Broadcast: 17th July 1989. Quote: “Very unfortunate. We will be dead.” Score: […]
The Enterprise is ordered to proceed to an emergency rendezvous to collect a special envoy who is traveling from Starbase 153 to meet them. First Broadcast: 24th June 1989. Quote: “Computer, level 2” Score: 6 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Lwaxana Troi arrives on the Enterprise, intent on finding a husband. First Broadcast: 19th June 1989. Quote: “Last time I saw something like that, it was being severed on a plate!” Score: 4 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
The Enterprise discovers two threatened colonies which must cooperate to survive. First Broadcast: 22nd May 1989. Quote: “William Riker, you’re a mess!” Score: 5 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Picard must undergo a serious medical procedure while the Enterprise-D deals with a Pakled ship, which lures the Enterprise away in hopes of stealing its technology. First Broadcast: 15th May 1989. Quote: “I stood toe-to-toe with the worst of the three and I told him what I thought of him, his pals, his planet […]
Q throws the Enterprise into uncharted space where it encounters and is engaged by a vessel of a previously unknown species: the Borg. When the vessel instantly and effortlessly overwhelms the Enterprise, Picard realizes that the Federation may not be as ready for the future as he thought. First Broadcast: 8th May 1989. Quote: “If […]
Data makes contact with a young girl from a pre-warp civilization on a planet facing imminent annihilation. The Enterprise must wrestle with the moral dilemma of violating the Prime Directive or standing by while Data’s friend dies. First Broadcast: 1st May 1989. Quote: “In your position it’s important to ask yourself one […]
When Commander Riker is offered command of the starship Aries, his estranged father, Kyle Riker, is sent by Starfleet to brief him on the mission. Meanwhile, Data, La Forge, Dr. Pulaski, Wesley, and O’Brien help Worf celebrate the anniversary of his Rite of Ascension. First Broadcast: 24th Apr 1989. Quote: “I know her, […]
The Enterprise discovers a duplicate of Picard from six hours in the future. First Broadcast: 3rd Apr 1989. Quote: “A lot of questions, Number One. Damn few answers.” Score: 4 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
The Enterprise investigates the wreckage of a 21st century Earth spaceship orbiting a distant planet and the appearance of a casino with inhabitants based on a rather poorly written paperback novel. First Broadcast: 27th Mar 1989. Quote: “The Royale’s exits are clearly marked.” Score: 3 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
The Enterprise and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that has already destroyed one Federation starship of the same class as the Enterprise. First Broadcast: 20th Mar 1989. Quote: “Didn’t you order tea, sir?” Score: 8 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Wesley falls in love with the new leader of a war-torn planet. First Broadcast: 20th Feb 1989. Quote: “Shut up, kid.” Score: 4 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info on IMDB, Memory Alpha, and Wikipedia
Picard must prove Data is legally a sentient being with rights and freedoms under Federation law when transfer orders demand Data’s reassignment for study and disassembly. First Broadcast: 13th Feb 1989. Quote: “You are imparting Human qualities to it because it looks Human – but I assure you: it is not.” Score: 9 MP3 can be downloaded here. […]
Riker serves as an exchange officer on a Klingon warship. It’s our first indepth look at the Klingons in TNG. Rob is thoroughly unimpressed by this episode, but Grant likes it – along with most other reviewers. First Broadcast: 6th Feb 1989. Quote: “He is not very attractive, but I will have him.” Score: 7 MP3 can be […]
The Enterprise investigates the deaths of the crew of the USS Lantree, who all died of old age. Grant and Rob have not succumbed yet, but this episode does a good job of killing itself off. Much discussion of eugenics, rapid-ageing, and Pulaski. First Broadcast: 30th Jan 1989. Quote: “Looks like they had a battle with time…” […]
An away team discovers the dying Doctor Ira Graves, who claims to be Data’s “grandfather. Another ‘Forbidden Planet’ episode, only this one results in a death, but no without a catch. There is discussion of the singularity, the nature of being, and the end play for all of AI. So nothing too deep. First Broadcast: […]
The Enterprise brings a deaf negotiator to mediate the end of a planetary civil war. In a long line of peace-negotiation episodes, this one has a cool twist. There’s some love for this episode in this podcast, hopefully you liked it too. Episode synopsis: 9th Jan 1989. Quote: “Before him, there was no Klingon word for ‘peacemaker’” […]
In this thinly-written episode, the Enterprise crew rescue a “roguish” freighter captain whose ship is malfunctioning, but his presence drags them into an interplanetary feud. Grant and Rob aren’t too impressed, and keep going off topic in this podcast. Episode synopsis: 12th Dec 1988. Quote: ““Now, that’s sex appeal!” Score: 4 MP3 can be downloaded here. More episode info […]
In many ways this is a defining episode of TNG. The Enterprise is threatened when a character in Data and La Forge’s holodeck simulation becomes sentient. Grant and Rob are joined by guests David Hogg, Arfon Smith, Meredith Rawls and Erin Braswell – recording this live at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Warning: Poor audio quality […]
When an alien traps the Enterprise and threatens to kill half the crew purely out of curiosity, Captain Picard is faced with a grim decision. Rob and Grant have to watch them come to terms with that grim decision in questionable ways. Episode synopsis: 28th Nov 1988. Quote: “I’m not accustomed to working with non-living devices” Score: […]
Rob and Grant talk about gestation periods and creepy TV kids. Counsellor Troi is shocked to find out she is pregnant; Wesley Crusher is weighing his options for the future, with the help of the proprietor of the ship’s lounge, Ten Forward, which suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Episode synopsis: 21st Nov 1988. Quote: “Hello, Ian” Score: 6 MP3 can be […]
Rob, Grant and Brooke review Season One. We talk about how the show was shaped by its time in 1987, and whether or not it would have survived as a TV show today. Soaring highs and crush(er)ing lowers are also discussed. MP3 can be downloaded here.
Rob and Grant talk about cryogenics and Romulans in this finale episode of TNG. There’s a lot of content here, in an episode deeply affected by a writers’ strike in the US at the the time. Episode synopsis: 16th May 1988. Quote: “Your presence is not wanted. Do you understand my meaning, captain? We… are back.” Score: […]
Time to get out the popcorn worms and watch this iconic tale from TNG’s ‘Starfleet politics’ department. Some of the special effects have stood the test of time, and the plot and characterisation mostly hold up too. Grant and Rob have been looking forward to Conspiracy as a season one highlight – will they be disappointed for not? […]
As time stutters on the Enterprise, Picard recalls a moment from his English-accented youth in Paris (which is definitely not in England). Grant and Rob had their own temporal fault in recording this podcast about an episode that may have a more memorable title than much else. Is that the lady from the Mama’s and Papas? […]
We’re joined by Brooke Simmons to talk about the first episode of TNG that she ever saw: Tasha Yar’s swan song: ‘Skin of Evil’. What kind of creature is Armus? Is this Troi’s finest hour? How bad can a monologue be? Find out on this edition of the podcast! Episode synopsis: 25th April 1988. Quote: “Save […]
Don’t do drugs, m’kay? That’s the moral of this rather pleasingly straightforward TNG episode. There’s a strong 80s moral, hammered home by Wesley and Tasha – but it doesn’t matter overall. Grant and Rob discuss whether one civilisation could rely on another in this way. Episode synopsis: 18th April 1988. Quote: “Beverly, the Prime Directive is […]
The Arsenal of Freedom has a very ‘classic’ Trek feel, and this episode is a great ensemble piece for TNG. There’s more will-they-won’t-they for Picard and Beverly, Geordi is in charge of the Enterprise, and perhaps most worrying of all: Troi actually counsels someone. Episode synopsis: 11th April 1988. Quote: “…elevate the legs and try to keep […]
We get our first real look at the Next Generation’s Klingons in this episode – and our first look at Worf, really. We also get to see through Geordi’s eyes and experience at 24th Century fog machine at it’s finest. Episode synopsis: 21st March 1988. Quote: “Now I’m beginning to understand him.” Score: 6 MP3 can be […]
As Picard’s crew are grilled by Dexter Remmick, Wesley undertakes the entrance exam for Starfleet Academy. We meet our first Benzite, and get a glimpse at the curious way that the Federation recruits for its military. This episode was recorded in the Mirror Universe, for reasons to be made clear. Episode synopsis: 14th March 1988. […]
“Ugly bags of mostly water” is a memorable line from an early TNG episode that hits some great science fiction notes, whilst also giving us a solid ensemble piece for the series. Astronomer and TV presenter Chris Lintott joins us for this podcast. Episode synopsis: 22nd February 1988. Quote: “I’m Luisa Kim, gardener of Eden.” Score: 7 […]
Wesley Crusher anchors an interesting episode that Grant and Rob enjoy – in a very season one sort of way. Can you cloak an entire planet – is kidnapping children a good way of restarting your society? It’s all discussed on this podcast: plus Wesley isn’t terrible. Episode synopsis: Wesley Crusher must protect a group of kidnapped […]
Like the ageing admiral on his mobility scooter, this episode plods along with little to recommend it. Grant and Rob are less than impressed as they talk about anti-ageing and the awfulness of the young-is-old TV cliche. Episode synopsis: An elderly Starfleet admiral hides a deadly secret as he leads the Enterprise in a hostage rescue […]
Rob and Grant review one of the highlights of Season 1 TNG: 11001001. The Starbase, the Holodeck, and the Bynars make this a good episode with some complex sci-fi plot and a dash of old-fashioned auto-destruct built right in. Episode synopsis: While a group of technologically advanced aliens board the Enterprise to update the ship’s computer systems, […]
Grant and Rob do their very best to not give too much time to Angel One, a frankly sexist episode that rolls out every cliché from the first season of TNG. But there’s much more to discuss in terms of the production of Star Trek, and the progress the early show is making. Episode synopsis: While Riker leads […]
Grant and Rob dissect this ‘evil twin’ episode, and the back story to the androids of Dr. Noonien Soong. Data’s character is really fleshed out, and we get to meet the evil Lore – who will return later on. There is talk of positronic brains and the idea that we could make robots ‘too human’. Episode synopsis: The Enterprise crew […]
Rob and Grant discuss ‘The Big Goodbye’, Star Trek’s first ever episode in which the holodeck malfunctions and the crew are trapped within. Picard, Data, Beverly and Whalen(?!) are stuck in the world of Dixon Hill, and we finally get to know the holodeck plot device that Star Trek fans have enjoyed/reviled ever since. Episode synopsis: A […]
Grant and Rob take a visit to the completely unarmed paradise that is Haven, only to find a plague ship is on its way. Typical. We discuss the episode ‘Haven’, which weaves the topics of destiny, arranged marriage, and the ethics of sacrificing the one for the many. Also: Riker mopes about and plays with holographic harp […]
Grant and Rob talk about the wonderful Q and his first real ‘Q episode’. TNG is still very much finding its feet at this stage, but this episode pulls out some Shakespeare, and includes some nice philosophical points, as well as Q’s usual exuberance. Episode synopsis: Q returns to the Enterprise to tempt Commander Riker into […]