The Next Generation, Season 6: Ship In A Bottle

The Next Generation, Season 6
"Ship In A Bottle"
Airdate: January 25, 1993
137 of 176 produced
1367of 176 aired


Introduction


When the holodeck malfunctions and Lt. Barclay investigates the cause, he stumbles upon a piece of old data - the Moriarty program from Data's last holodeck masquerade as Sherlock Holmes. Moriarty is miffed and demands satisfaction - release from the confines of the holodeck world and the freedom to determine his own destiny in the real world. And he will stop at nothing to get it...

Dr. Crusher remains unimpressed by Barclay's cube.

The Next Generation, Season 6: Chain of Command, Part II

The Next Generation, Season 6
"Chain of Command, Part 2"
Airdate: December 21, 1992
136 of 176 produced
136 of 176 aired


Introduction

Captain Picard is being held in Cardassian custody, facing torture. Captain Jellico is staring across the negotiating table at Gul Lemec and the prospect of war seems increasingly more likely. So, just another lazy, kicking-back-with-a-Samarian-Sunset kind of a day on the Enterprise.

Yep. Four!

The Next Generation, Season 6: Chain of Command, Part 1

The Next Generation, Season 6
"Chain of Command, Part 1"
Airdate: December 14, 1992
135 of 176 produced
135 of 176 aired


Introduction

While Picard, Crusher and Worf are called away to a commando mission on the Cardassian world Seltris III, the Enterprise is turned over to a new Captain, Edward Jellico. But the tension caused by his abrasive command style soon seems like small potatoes when the commando mission goes awry, and questions soon abound over whether the participants are dead, wounded, or perhaps worse.

Captain Jellico prefers a certain formality on the bridge. So do we, Counselor, so do we.

Star Trek vs. Star Wars battle royale featuring Patrick Stewart

The classic JLP double-facepalm about two thirds of the way in is well worth the investment of your two and a half minutes. For a slightly more sober take, check out our post relating to same.

The Next Generation, Season 6: The Quality of Life

The Next Generation, Season 6
"The Quality of Life"
Airdate: November 16, 1992
134 of 176 produced
134 of 176 aired


Introduction

The Enterprise is at Tyrus VIIa investigating a new mining technique, the particle fountain. The project has been plagued by delays and setbacks. The lead scientist, Dr. Farallon hopes another invention of hers, the Exocomp, will speed up the process. When one of the Exocomps overrides its programming to avoid being destroyed, Data begins to suspect the devices are more than merely intelligent, but possibly alive and sentient. Is it possible Data has found a kindred spirit, or is it the android equivalent of wishful thinking?

Let's talk about beards, gentlemen. Surely this will segue nicely into whatever our adventure is this week!

The Next Generation, Season 6: A Fistful of Datas

The Next Generation, Season 6
"A Fistful of Datas"
Airdate: November 9, 1992
133 of 176 produced
133 of 176 aired


While the Enterprise awaits a rendezvous with a cargo vessel, the crew has a chance to unwind. Alexander, Worf, and Troi run into trouble, however, when their holodeck program of the Ancient American West is disrupted by the unannounced presence of numerous bizarre facsimiles of Commander Data.

Oh, that wacky Brent Spiner. He can do no wrong... right?

Star Trek TNG: The Next Level Blu-Ray Review

Well, Kevin, Richard, and Kelly and I just got together tonight to watch the new Blu-Ray teaser for TNG. It contains the episodes Encounter At Farpoint, Sins of the Father, and The Inner Light. We got through the first two, and we are quite able to form and communicate some detailed impressions to you. I'll post some pictures taken with a digital camera and a tripod, to at least give you an impression of how good things look here. But it can only be an impression, because as opposed to a direct screengrab, there is an additional layer of processing and potential degradation introduced.  The contrast is a bit blown out compared to a direct screen grab, and the detail is not as impressive as seeing them directly with your eyes. I would say these pics are about 75% as impressive as seeing the real thing. Either way, right-click and open the images in a new tab to zoom in!

So, on to the review...

To boldly explore pores like never before...

The Next Generation, Season 6: Rascals

The Next Generation, Season 6
"Rascals"
Airdate: November 2, 1992
132 of 176 produced
132 of 176 aired


Introduction

While returning from a trip by shuttle, Captain Picard, Ensign Ro, Keiko O'Brien, and Guinan are caught in a strange energy field. The Enterprise manages to beam them off, but the people who materialize in the transporter room are children, young versions of the crew members. Complicating matters, the science station on Ligos VII has sent out a distress signal that must take priority. What happened to the crew? How might it be reversed, and what if it can't?

Congratulations, gentlemen. You just rescued this episode!

More Okuda-related awesomeness

Trekmovie.com has the second part of the interview with the Okudas about their work on the TNG Blurays.

http://trekmovie.com/2012/01/25/interview-mike-denise-okuda-talk-star-trek-%E2%80%93-tng-the-next-level-part-2/

Here's some quotes to love:

TrekMovie: Another thing you did last time was to replace over-used repeated establishing shots with something new, like a new angle. Is that something you will be doing or less of an issue with TNG?

Mike Okuda: If that happens, it will be on a much smaller scale. One thing we are trying to be cognizant of is that people who buy the show, know the show really well. We want them to get the show that they fell in love with and not say "wow, these guys were really clever." We want them to say "the original designers were clever." We want to highlight their work.

He says something similar when asked about making it widescreen, since for a lot of the film, there is stuff not in the cropped final version that could be upgraded and shown, and he gives a perfect response about honoring the work and choices of the original creators. It's soooooo nice to see someone who treats the original creative work as having intrinsic value and not merely a copyright license to exploit.

I'm also more excited about the sampler platter now, as apparently they correct the error in the premiere where the phasers shoot from the Captain's Yacht. According to Okuda, Andy Probert, the designer of the D wasn't happy because it was an obvious error, so the Okudas wanted to "make Andy happy." And us as well, it appears.

The Next Generation, Season 6: True Q

The Next Generation, Season 6
"True Q"
Airdate: October 26, 1992
131 of 176 produced
131 of 176 aired

Introduction


On a mission to help the inhabitants of an ecologically devastated world, the Enterprise gains a new intern, Amanda Rogers. Strange things begin happening, though, and Rogers begins demonstrating fantastical powers. When Q visit the ship and claims Rogers as one of his own, the crew faces a dilemma - do they allow an otherwise human girl to voluntarily take up with a being they know to be mischievous and maleficent?

The Q can cast shadows in any direction they want!