The Final Frontier 8

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TF01 3,Yesterday's Enterprises 4,by Tim Smith SEASON FOUR ------------- After the ground breaking third season, fans expectations were high. But would the fourth season be able to repeat the critical and commercial success of its predecessor? It was a season where a number of achievements would be made. For starters there was the conclusion to Star Trek's first ever cliffhanger ending to a season. Then there was the seventy ninth episode ("Remember Me") which equalled Classic Trek's tally, the eightieth episode ("Legacy") which broke that tally, and TNG's one hundredth episode, the season finale, "Redemption". The seasons eighty seventh episode, "Devil's Due" also achieved the highest ever Nielsen rating upto that pointing - a feat that would only be broken with the last ever TNG episode "All Good Things...". Ironically, in fact it was originally a script for the proposed "Star Trek II" series which would have starred the Classic Trek crew. Michael Piller returned to lead the writing staff, and Rick Berman's increased involvement with the show was shown by his promotion to Executive Producer. Also promoted, was Ronald D. Moore who now shared the title of Executive Story Editor with Joe Menosky. Other promotions were those of David Livingston who became Producer and Wendy Neuss who became Associate Producer. Jeri Taylor co-wrote the teleplay of "Suddenly Human" and went onto becoming Supervising Producer. Some forty writers were involved with the show and included such first time writers as Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Peter Allan Fields, and Joe Menosky. To compliment the forty writers were fifteen directors. They included the only female director of Trek (an incongruity that remained until TNG's seventh season) Gabrielle Beaumont, Jonathan Frakes who directed a further two episodes and first time TNG director Patrick Stewart. The series garnered eight Emmy nominations (including co-nominees) for its fourth season, all of which were technical, and four of which were for the season opener "Best of Both Worlds, Part II". It won only two, for sound mixing series ("Best of Both Worlds, Part II") and sound editing series ("Best of Both Worlds, Part II"). Surprisingly, no acting nominations were forthcoming, even for Patrick Stewart performance in the season opener. It did go to a show a continuing prejudice against Star Trek, but it did not stop the audience from enjoying the show. Episode One - "Best of Both Worlds, Part II" -------------------------------------------- Written by Michael Piller Directed by Cliff Bole Airdate: 24/9/90 Stardate: 44001.4 Guest Cast: Lt. Cmdr. Shelby - Elizabeth Dennehy Admiral Hanson - George Murdock Chief O'Brien - Colm Meaney Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg Commander Riker orders Worf to open fire on the Borg ship, but the weapon has no effect and the Borg resume their course towards Earth... After just over three months of waiting, fans finally discovered the fate of Picard, the Enterprise and indeed, the entire Federation. The episode was visually impressive, and included an accomplished set piece with the rescue of Picard/Locutus. On almost every level it is faultless. The special effects were amazing, the costumes, music and set design all of a feature film standard, but perhaps the most salient aspect was the acting. Patrick Stewart was stunning in his dual role and should have received an Emmy nomination for his efforts. He was not the only one to show he could act though. Jonathan Frakes, Whoopi Goldberg, and Brent Spiner also gave exemplary performances. The only fault with it, and this is something that plagued all the resolutions to the cliff hanger season finales, is that the ending seems a little rushed. The tension is built up very effectively for the first thirty six minutes and then a three minute sequence, where the Borg are ordered to "sleep" and self destruct in the process breaks that tension like a balloon that's been suddenly deflated. After the preceeding eighty or so minutes I was expecting something more. It is really a case of close but no cigar. Best moment: The rescue of Picard/Locutus. Guinan's discussion with Riker. Man of the moment: Patrick Stewart and William Riker. Best Line: "Picard is still here with us, in this room. If he had died, it would have been easier, but he didn't. They took him from us a piece at a time. Did he ever tell you why we're so close? Well let me just say that our relationship is beyond friendship, beyond family, and I will let him go and you must do the same." Rating: Very good. Episode Two - "Family" ---------------------- Written by Ronald D. Moore Directed by Les Landau Airdate: 1/10/90 Stardate: 44012.3 Guest Cast: Robert Picard - Jeremy Kemp Marie Picard - Samantha Eggar Rene Picard - David Tristan Birkin Sergei Rozhenko - Theodore Bikel Helena Rozhenko - Georgia Brown Chief O'Brien - Colm Meaney Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg Jack Crusher - Doug Wert Recovering from his ordeal at the hands of the Borg, Picard returns to his home town of Labarre, France to face perhaps his greatest challenge of all... This episode was made at the insistence of Michael Piller, who managed to persuade Rick Berman that to ensure credibility, Picard must be seen to recover from the events depicted in the two previous episodes. It was a brave decision to go ahead with "Family" as it's completely devoid of any action, or any other of the elements normally associated with a typical episode. However, it's probably one of the best ever entries out of the entire seven season run of The Next Generation. No only do we meet Picard's brother (played to perfection by Jeremy Kemp), sister-in-law and nephew (played by David Tristan Birkin, who would later appear as the young Picard in "Rascals") but we also meet Worf's foster parents, Sergei and Helena Rozhenko. Georgia Brown would reprise her role in the fifth season episode "New Ground but it wouldn't be until the seventh season that we would meet his foster brother. The much talked about Jack Crusher was seen in an ineffectual holodeck scene, the only downside to "Family". Doug Wert would play the character twice more, once in the fifth season (for two seconds) and once in the seventh season. Even O'Brien gets in on the act. We learn his first and middle names and hear of a visit his father made to the Enterprise. The acting in this episode is powerful stuff, with the scenes between Patrick Stewart and Jeremy Kemp showing what quality actors they both are. If it hadn't been for the holodeck scene this would have been the perfect episode. Best moment: Picard's breakdown in the vineyard Man of the moment: Jeremy Kemp Best line: "Well part of him may feel that way, but there's another part of him that I've seen. The part that comes in and drinks prune juice. The part that looks out the window towards home. But he's not looking towards the Klingon Empire, he's looking towards you. Rating: Very good. Episode Three - "Brothers" -------------------------- Written by Rick Berman Directed by Rob Bowman Airdate: 8/10/90 Stardate: 44085.7 Guest cast: Miles O'Brien - Colm Meaney A little boy lies desperately ill, but before the Enterprise can get him to a Starbase, Data takes control of the ship and changes its course... The first proper episode after the Borg saga was something of a tour de force for Brent Spiner as he got play three roles - Data, Lore and their creator Noonian Soong. It must be the first time in Trek history that an actor has played his own character, his brother and their father! Certainly, Spiner shows just how good he is. He is helped by effective makeup and some clever camera techniques, but in the end the effectiveness of the episode depends on his ability to persuade us that he is playing three different roles. Unfortunately the quality of the script does not match up to the quality of Spiner's acting. There is an effective set up where Data takes control of the ship and diverts it to the new destination, and a touching scene where Lore discovers that Soong himself is dying, but in the final analysis nothing much actually happens in the end. I was left thinking "is that it?"! Best moment: Data's escape from the Enterprise Man of the moment: Brent Spiner Best line: "The only we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window" Rating: Good Episode Four - "Suddenly Human" ------------------------------- Written by John Whepley, Jeri Taylor and Ralph Phillips Directed by Gabrielle Beaumont Arrdate: 15/10/90 Stardate: 44143.7 Guest cast: Jono - Chad Allen Captain Endar - Sherman Howard Whilst investigating a Talarian vessel that is in distress, an away team from the Enterprise discover that one of the injured Talarians is, in fact, Human... Originally meant to be an episode about child abuse "Suddenly Human" ends up being a bit of an indifferent entry. The real plot is about whether Jono should be returned to his human relatives (and thus, his true heritage) or to the Talarian captain who raised him since he was a baby. It's a difficult question and one to which either answer could be justified but "Suddenly Human" fails to live up to the dramatic possibilities posed by this question. Chad Allen (now starring in "Dr. Quinn" with Jane Seymour) guests stars as Jono and does alright but his role is too much like his character in "St. Elsewhere" to be anything interesting. On a trivia note, Picard is seen playing racquetball with Jono. A similar court would appear in DS9 when it was revealed that both Doctor Bashir and Chief O'Brien play the sport. Best moment: When Wesley discovers how to wear a Banana Split! Person of the moment: The viewer (for managing to stay awake) Best line: "This is no doubt a variation on pie in the face." "Now do you see why it's funny?" "No, Sir. But I will take your word for it. This is very amusing" Rating: Poor Episode Five - "Remember Me" ---------------------------- Written by Lee Sheldon Directed by Cliff Bole Airdate: 22/10/90 Stardate: 44161.2 Guest cast: Chief O'Brien - Colm Meaney Commander Dalen Quaice - Bill Erwin The Traveller - Eric Menyuk After greeting an old friend on board the Enterprise, Doctor Crusher discovers he is missing. But it is only the beginning as one by one each crew member vanishes... The Next Generation's seventy ninth episode is all about not forgetting things close to us. A timely reminder to those fans of Star Trek who only watch The Next Generation. Gates McFadden manages very well, portraying Crusher's increasing confusion and fear as the crew disappear and she is the only person aware of it happening. All the rest of the cast have little more than supporting roles but do well with what they have. In a couple of nice nods to continuity both Kosinski (from the first season "Where No One Has Gone Before") and Doctor Selar (from the second season episode "The Schizoid Man") are both given a mention. In fact, it's a pity that Doctor Selar would never actually appear again, although Suzie Plakson, the actress who played her, would make a further appearance as K'Ehleyr two episodes later. This was very much a bottle show, so the costumes, and sets remained unchanged, but there was a very effective vortex that was superbly created bu Robert Legato and his crew. Eric Menyuk returned as the Traveller, but unfortunately only appears for the final act. His next appearance as the Treveller (in the seventh season episode "Journey's End") was so brief that it prompted Menyuk to comment that the next time the Traveller appeared the would just hold up a picture of him! Best moment: The second time Doctor Crusher is almost sucked into the vortex. Woman of the moment: Gates McFadden Best line: "Mr. Worf, Chief of Security. Big guy who never smiles." Rating: Good Episode Six - "Legacy" ---------------------- Written by Joe Menosky Directed by Robert Scheerer Airdate: 29/10/90 Stardate: 44215.2 Guest cast: Ishara Yar - Beth Toussaint O'Brien - Colm Meaney The Enterprise rushes to the aid of two Federation engineers who have crashed on Turkana IV, the homeworld of former comrade, Tasha Yar... Beth Toussaint plays Tasha Yar's younger sister, Ishara. There was talk of Denise Crosby playing the role, but she would return in another role at the end of the season, but sensibly the producers chose Toussaint for the role of Ishara. She is very good in the part and manages to give this character a sympathetic quality. Ironically, although Tasha Yar is not in this episode, we learn alot about her past. Her parents were killed soon after Ishara's birth, and Tasha asked Ishara to come with her when she left Turkana IV, but Ishara refused as she considered the cadre her family. Picard then asked for her to be transferred to the Enterprise after he saw her perform an act of bravery. This is also a "Data" episode to a certain extent. He feels some sort of attachment to Ishara and Spiner is very subtle in portraying Data's reaction to the actions of Ishara. The sets used as the underground caverns of Turkana IV are, in fact, redressed from the Borg ship interiors set, but it is recogniseable as such due to the excellent job done by Richard James. Best moment: Data and Riker's discussion about trust. Woman of the moment: Beth Toussaint. Best line: "Without trust there's no friendship, no closeness, none of the emotional bonds that makes us who we are." Rating: Good Episode Seven - "Reunion" ------------------------- Written by Thomas and Jo Perry, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga and Drew Deighan. Directed by Jonathan Frakes Airdate: 5/11/90 Stardate: 44246.3 Guest cast: K'Ehleyr - Suzie Plakson Gowron - Robert O'Reilly Duras - Patrick Massett K'mpec - Charles Cooper Alexander - Jon Steuer Ambassador K'Ehleyr arrives on the Enterprise with some shocking news - K'Mpec, the leader of the Klingon Empire has been fatally poisoned by one of the two people vying for the leadership. "Reunion" was the third part of the Klingon saga that started with with the second season episode "The Emissary" and would conclude with "Redemption, Part II" although elements and characters from it would continue into all three remaining seasons of The Next Generation, an episode of DS9 and even the new movie, "Generations". It is full, and I mean full of Klingon rituals and weapons and their time honoured traditions of honour. We get to see inside a Klingon attack cruiser (although we don't see much of it!) and we learn of such things as the bat'leth. This mean looking weapon would have prominent roles in future episodes including "Parallels", "First Born" and DS9s contribution "Blood Oath". With such a distinguished list of guest stars the acting can not help but be outstanding. Charles Cooper returns to make his third and final appearance as a Klingon (his previous appearances were as General Korrd in "Star Trek V" and K'Mpec in "Sins of the Father") and joining him in also his final bow is Patrick Massett as Duras. Robert O'Reilly is the only one of the guest stars who would return (as Popeye, sorry, I mean Gowron) as K'Ehleyr is murdered and the of Alexander would be played by Brian Bonsall in future episodes. Jonathan Frakes once again shows what a superb director he his by his assured handling of all the action. He would go on to direct several more episodes including one more in the fourth season ("The Drumhead") and one of the highlights of the fifth season "Cause and Effect". His directing association with Star Trek has continued as he has just directed the second episode of Deep Space Nine's third season ("The Search, Part II") and hopes to direct future episodes of both Deep Space Nine and Voyager. Best moment: Worf discovering K'Ehleyr dying People of the moment: Charles Cooper and Suzie Plakson Best line: "You have never seen death? Then look and always remember" Rating: Very good Episode Eight - "Future Imperfect" ---------------------------------- Written by J. Larry Carroll and David Bennett Carren Directed by Les Landau Airdate: 12/11/90 Stardate: 44286.5 Guest cast: Tomalok - Andreas Katsulas Ethan - Chris Demetral Ogawa - Patti Yasutake Minuet - Carolyn McCormick Commander Riker collapses whilst on an away team mission. When he awakes, it is sixteen years into the future, and he is Captain of the Enterprise... "Future Imperfect" is a clever episode in more ways than one. The plot is interesting, and it contains two major twists that are a genuine surprise the first time round. It also affords Jonathan Frakes an all too rare oppurtunity to show he can act. He does a good job in showing Riker's concern over being a good father to "Jean Luc". His trombone playing makes another appearance and we also learn that he likes fishing and that he uses the Curtis Creek holodeck program. We also see his birthday being celebrated in typical style (although we don't actually learn his birthdate). Patti Yasutake makes her first appearance as Nurse Ogawa. She would also appear a further three times in the fourth season, and would continue to appear in the remaining seasons of the Next Generation. As with "Yesterday's Enterprise" there are many little changes made to denote the "future". Included among them are new communicators (which would also be seen in the seventh season episode "Parallels"), a female Klingon crew member, a Ferengi ensign and Geordi without his Visor (which would also be seen in the seventh season episodes "Interface", "Parallels" and "All Good Things..."). Andreas Katsulas made his third appearance as Tomalok. He would go on to try for the role of Odo in Deep Space Nine (losing out to Rene Auberjonois), play Ambassador G'Kar in Babylon 5 and make a final appearance as Tomalok in The Next Generation finale "All Good Things...". Carolyn McCormick also reprised her role of Minuet (from the first season episode "11001001") in a brief cameo. Best moment: When Riker realises that the future Enterprise is not all it seems. Man of the Moment: Jonathan Frakes Best line: "I said shut up! As in close your mouth and stop talking!" Rating: Good Episode Nine - "Final Mission" ------------------------------ Written by Kacey Arnold-Ince and Jeri Taylor Directed by Corey Allen Airdate: 19/11/90 Stardate: 44307.3 Guest cast: Dirgo - Nick Tate Wesley is accepted into Starfleet Academy, and Captain Picard asks him to accompany him on one final mission. However, neither of them realise just how final it might be... Ironically, Wesley's swan song would end up being one of his finest episodes. Hw would appear in four more episodes, two in the fifth season ("The Game" and "First Duty") and two in the seventh season ("Parallels" and "Journey's End"), but "Final Mission" would be the last time he would appear as one of the regular cast. Not only do we see three fine performances from Stewart, Wheaton and Nick Tate (who used to play Alan Carter in Space 1999) but an excellent use of lighting and camera angles. Some of the dialogue descends into soap opera at times but on the whole it is well written. As for trivia, to show how relatively primitive Captain Dirgo's technology is, he uses an old style phaser previously seen in use in the Star Trek movies and the shuttle hull is made from Duranium (previously mentioned in the third season episodes "A Matter of Perspective" and "Hollow Pursuits"), and the Hydronalin used to combat the radiation that the Enterprise crew encounter was first mentioned in the original Star Trek episode "The Deadly Years". Picard also sings (very badly) the song he and his brother sang earlier on in the season in "Family" and mentions Boothby, the grounds keeper at the Academy to Wesley. In return Wesley talks of the previous shuttle journey he and Picard had taken together which occurred in the second season episode "The Samaritan Snare". Best moment: The shuttle's crash. Man of the moment: Marvin Rush, the Director of Photography. Best line: "Oh, I envy you, Wesley Crusher. You're at just at the beginning of the adventure." Rating: Average. Episode Ten - "The Loss" ------------------------ Written by Hilary J. Bader, Alan J. Adler and Vanessa Green Directed by Chip Chalmers Airdate: 31/12/90 Stardate: 44358.9 Guest cast: Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg The Enterprise is being drawn into a cosmic string, and cannot break free. At the same time, and for no apparant reason, Counsellor Troi loses her empathic powers... This would be the only episode during the fourth season that would concentrate on Troi in any significant way., which is a bit of a shame considering just how bad it is. Its weakness does not lie with any of the actors. Indeed, Marina Sirtis is incredibly good, and Jonathan Frakes and Whoopi Goldberg give able support. However, they are hampered by a script that has more ham in it than Porky Pig, particularly the scenes where Troi is counselling a recently bereaved crew member. Captain Picard's love of horse riding continues when he invites Riker to joinhim in the Kabul river holodeck programme. His horse riding skills would also play his part in the sixth season episode "Starship Mine" and in the new movie "Generations". We also learn that like the Ferengi, the Breen can not be read by Betazoids and that a Betazoids empathic abilities lie within the cerebral cortex. Best moment: The scene between Guinan and Troi (the first time the characters had been on screen together!) Woman of the moment: Marina Sirtis Best line: "The way people change. How they start to treat you differently, They walk on eggshells around you, sometimes they avoid you altogether. Sometimes they become overbearing! Reach out a helping hand to the blind woman." Rating: Awful. Episode Eleven - "Data's Day" ----------------------------- Written by Harold Apter and Ronald D. Moore Directed by Robert Wiemer Airdate: 7/1/91 Stardate: 44390.1 Guest cast: O'Brien - Colm Meaney Keiko Ishikawa - Rosalind Chao Ambassador T'Pel - Sierra Pecheur Commander Mendak - Alan Scarfe Commander Data records a typical day on the Enterprise... This episodes was memorable for many reasons. It was the first time there had been a wedding on the Enterprise since the original Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror". Indeed the words that Picard uses are exactly the same as those that Kirk used. It was also the first time that such an episode (a day in the life) was done in the history of Star Trek. According to Data a typical day contained four birthdays, two transfers, four promotions, two chess tournaments, a secondary school play, the Hindu Festival of Lights, the birth of Juareze's baby and, of course, Miles and Keiko's wedding. Seeing the ship, and it's crew through Data's eyes is highly enjoyable, and effective. The log Data is making is for Commander Bruce Maddox who was last seen two years previously in the second season episode "The Measure of a Man". We see Data's dancing lesson in a beautifully played scene with Doctor Crusher in a holodeck recreation of the studio where she had her first lesson. However the most important event concerned with Data is the screen debut of his cat, Spot. The events depicted in the episode concerning the "defection" of Ambassador T'Pel would be refered to ten episodes later in "The Drumhead" and the idea of the Romulans using a fake plea for peace would also resurface in the fifth season two parter "Unification". A quotation used here by Data concerning Sherlock Holmes would also be repeated virtually word for word in Star Trek VI. The Andorians get their first mention since the third season, and we also get to see the barber shop, the arboretum and a replication centre for the first time. Best moment: The wedding scene. Man of the moment: Brent Spiner Best line: "My hair does not require trimming you lunk head." Rating: Average. Episode Twelve - "The Wounded" ------------------------------ Written by Jeri Taylor, Stuart and Sara Charno and Cy Chermak Directed by Chip Chalmers Airdate: 28/1/91 Stardate: 44429.6 Guest cast: O'Brien - Colm Meaney Captain Maxwell - Bob Gunton Keiko O'Brien - Rosalind Chao Gul Macet - Marc Alaimo A renegate starship, the USS Pheonix, is attacking Cardassian ships and threatening the fragile peace treaty between the Federation and the Cardassian Empire... This sees the introduction of the Cardassians to the world of Star Trek. The making is striking as are the uniforms (although they would be changed in subsequent episodes). They are just the icing on the cake though, as the real power of the characters are the actors who play them. Marco Rodrigues who had appeared as Paul Rice in the first season episode "Arsenal of Freedom" played Glinn Telle, and Marc Alaimo, who had played Selay in the first season episode "Lonely Among Us" and a Romulan in the first season finale "The Neutral Zone" played his third alien Gul Macet. Alaimo would also play a human character in the finale to season five "Time's Arrow" before moving onto the recurring role of Gul Dukat in Deep Space Nine. Already alot of the background to the Cardassians is revealed in "The Wounded". The title of Gul is the Cardassian rank equivalent to that of a Starfleet captain. A Glinn is the equivalent to that of a lieutenant. The type of warship most commonly used is the Galor class. In fact, it would not be until Deep Space Nine's second season that we would see a different class of Cardassian ship. There has also been a peace treaty that has lasted about one year after years of conflict. Picard himself has had dealings with the Cardassians in the past as when he was captain of the Stargazer he had to flee from a Cardassian warship. We also learn more about O'Brien. Whilst Keiko is cooking him plankton loaf, he would much prefer to eat his traditional family dish of potato casserole. He used to be the tactical officer on the USS Rutledge, serving under Captain Maxwell. Of course there is also the introduction of a new class of ship, with the Nebula class USS Pheonix. However, the idea of Starfleet officers acting the way Captain Maxwell does betrays Gene Roddenberry's guidelines for Star Trek. As I've said before, Starfleet is not a military organisation and Starfleet officers would not attack any kind of enemy ship, station or colony. A very similar plot, of a starship sent to capture a renegade ship that has been attacking Cardassians has resurfaced almost four years later as the plot for the pilot of Voyager. Best moment: O'Brien and the Cardassian officer in Ten Forward. Man of the moment: Bob Gunton Best line: "I'd never killed anything before. When I was a kid, I'd worry about swatting a mosquito. It's not you I hate Cardassian, it's what I became because of you." Rating: Average. Episode Thirteen - "Devil's Due" -------------------------------- Written by Philip Lazebruck and William Douglas Lansford Directed by Tom Benko Airdate: 4/2/91 Stardate: 44474.5 Guest cast: Ardra - Marta Dubois Doctor Clarke - Paul Lambert Jared - Marcello Tubert The Enterprise is called to rescue scientists from Ventax III where the people are rioting. But why has a once peaceful world turned to confusion..? This is the episode that broke the show's record for the Neilsen ratings. It's original Trek origins can be seen in that it has only two major roles for two of the regular cast, i.e. instead of Spock there is Data and instead of Kirk, there is Picard. LaForge also has a supporting role where once it would have been Scotty. The rest of the crew have literally nothing to do. That said Spiner and Stewart are terrific, and Marta Dubois (who had once tried out for the role of Troi) is a convincing Ardra. The teaser (a scene from "A Christmas Carol") is very funny and allows Spiner to step out of the Data for a brief time. We learn that the Klingons first made contact with Ventax II twenty years previously to the episode and that although they have no devil in their beliefs (stated in the original Star Trek episode "The Day of the Dove") they do have a creature called Fek'lhr who guards a place known as Grethor where Klingons who have died dishonoured are sent. This is really the Star Trek equivalent of fast food. There is no great depth or substance to it, but it's enormous fun and if you take it for what it is, highly enjoyable. Best moment: The teaser. Man of the moment: Charles Dickens Best line: "You may be a bit of undigested beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato. Why, there's more gravy than grave about you." Rating: Good Episode Fourteen - "Clues" -------------------------- Written by Bruce D. Arthurs and Joe Menosky Directed by Les Landau Airdate: 11/2/91 Stardate: 44502.7 Guest cast: O'Brien - Colm Meaney Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg Nurse Ogawa - Patti Yasutake The Enterprise is investigating a mysterious planet when it is thrown through a wormhole. At first they think that they have been unconscious for a mere thirty seconds, but the evidence points to a whole day of their lives unaccounted for and somehow, Data seems to be involved... "Clues" offered the viewer the first chance in approximately two years to see the Dixon Hill program, in a frivolous teaser. Doctor Crusher is also shown growing Diomedian Scarlet Moss, and Worf leading a Tai Chi class in which Deanna Troi takes part. In retrospect, it may also be viewd as the beginning of the Worf/Troi relationship. A wormhole makes a second Next Generation appearance, and we learn that Data had previously encountered such an anomoly on board his previous ship, the USS Trieste. Star Trek fans would have to wait a further two years before they would see another wormhole, the gateway to the Gamma Quadrant in Deep Space Nine. The plot is not only interesting but offers fine performances from Brent Spiner and Patrick Stewart, as Picard tries to discover just what Data is hiding, and how he is involved in the mystery. However, whilst the explanation as to why Data refuses to tell Picard exactly what has happened and why is sound, Picard's inability to trust Data seems a little amiss. Indeed, why Data does not just ask Picard to trust him and leaves matters well alone is also surprising. Mind you, if he had done, the episode would have been over rather quickly. Best moment: Worf's Tai Chi class. Man of the moment: Brent Spiner. Best line: "Which would you place first? The welfare of a single individual, or that of the entire crew?" Rating: Good Episode Fifteen - "First Contact" --------------------------------- Written by Dennis Russell Bailey, David Bischoff, Joe Menosky, Ronald D. Moore and Marc Scott Zicress Directed by Cliff Bole Airdate: 18/2/91 Stardate: Unknown Guest cast: Mirasta - Carolyn Seymour Durken - George Coe Krola - Michael Ensign Commander Riker goes missing whilst on an undercover mission on a planet about to venture into the stars... Whenever a large amount of writers are credited on an episode it's usually a sign that it's a bit of a stinker. "First Contact" is a prime example of this. The basic premise of "First Contact" is a complete contradiction of Gene Roddenberry's guidelines for Star Trek. Indeed it is known that Gene had a lot of problems with this episode and who can blame him? Starfleet would not only never send people undercover into such a society, but it would certainly never beam two of its officers directly into the centre of that society's government. It's a flagrant breaking of the Prime Directive! Riker's attempt to escape is also poorly written, with his sexual encounter with one of the women at the hospital where he is held captive played for laughs. In fact, it is again a breach of the Prime Directive and nothing but an excuse for Bebe Neuwith to make a guest appearance and a very cheap laugh. Would a Starfleet officer really act this way? There really is virtually nothing to commend about this episode. Carolyn Seymour makes her second Next Generation appearance. She played a Romulan in the second season episode "Contagion" and would also play a Romulan in the excellent sixth season episode "Face of the Enemy". Michael Ensign would also make a further Star Trek appearance, this time in the first season DS9 episode "The Forsaken" as a Vulcan ambassador. The only trivia worthy of mention is that Picard opens the bottle of wine that his brother gave him (from earlier on in the season in "Family"). A bit of a waste if you ask me! Best moment: You've got to be joking! Woman of the moment: Carolyn Seymour. Best line: "I hate to think how you would judge us based on our popular music and entertainment." Rating: Awful. Episode Sixteen - "Galaxy's Child" ---------------------------------- Written by Maurice Hurley and Thomas Kartozian Directed by Winrich Kolbe Airdate: 11/3/91 Stardate: 44614.6 Guest cast: Leah Brahms - Susan Gibney Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg One of the designers of the Enterprise, Leah Brahms, visits the ship, whilst the Enterprise "adopts" a new life form... This is the first Geordi episode of the season and reintroduces the character of Leah Brahms, first seen in the third season episode "Booby Trap". It is also another of those failed romances that Geordi seems to be so good at. LeVar Burton and Susan Gibney play off each other beautifully, and it's a pity that Gibney did not return for a third episode. Her character, or at least a "Leah" is mentioned as being married to Geordi in the future timeline in TNG's final episode, and the events in "Galaxy's Child" would be referred to two seasons later in "Relics". However, perhaps the most disappointing news is that at one point she was considered for the role as Janeway in "Voyager" but not chosen! The secondary plot stands up well, and doesn't fall into the usual trap of just being there to fill in the time. This time it is the dramatic focal point of the episode and dovetails nicely into the main plot. It is also a strong contrast to the preceeding episode in that Picard's attitude towards the dilemma is exactly hoe Gene would have wanted it to be. Best moment: When "Junior"'s friends arrive to protect him. Woman of the moment: Susan Gibney Best line: "We are out here to explore. To make contact with other lifeforms. To make peaceful relations, nut not to interfere. And absolutely not to destroy, and yet look at what we have just done." Rating: Good Episode Seventeen - "Night Terrors" ----------------------------------- Written by Pamela Douglas, Shari Goodhartz and Jeri Taylor Directed by Les Landau Airdate: 18/3/91 Stardate: 44651.2 Guest cast: O'Brien - Colm Meaney Keiko - Rosalind Chao Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg The Enterprise discovers the USS Brittain marooned in space with all but one of it's crew dead. But as Troi tries to question the survivor the crew discover that they too are trapped... This is one of those episodes that has some excellent moments which tend to be overshadowed by its weak moments. All of the regular cast are more than fine, but are let down by poor performances form the actors in minor roles. Of course there are the unconvincing sequences where Troi flies in her dreams. When talking with others about this episode these scenes always come up for criticism and on watching this episode again, it's easy to see why. Marina Sirtis looks uncomfortable and gives the appearance of auditioning for a production Peter Pan rather than playing Deanna Troi. Another point that strikes me after reviewing "Night Terrors" is how much like the first season spisode "The Naked Now" it is. The crew come across a ship trapped in space with all its crew dead by there own hands. Then one by one the same fate begins to happen to the Enterprise crew. See what I mean? However "Night Terrors" is better than "The Naked Now" but then, that wouldn't be difficult. There are good points to all this though. The Borg are given a cursory mention, the nighmares that each crew member has are quite effective and Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden are particularly good. Best moment: The two ships escaping. People of the moment: Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden. Best line: "To admit you're afraid gives you strength." Rating: Average Episode Eighteen - "Identity Crisis" ------------------------------------ Written by Brannon Braga and Timothy DeHaas Directed by Winrich Kolbe Airdate: 25/3/91 Stardate: 44664.5 Guest Cast: Lt. Cmdr. Leitjen - Maryann Plunkett Nurse Ogawa - Patti Yasutake One by one, the members of an away team that Geordi was on, year previous to his joining the Enterprise, begin to disappear until only Lieutenant Commander Leitjen and himself are left... The second Geordi episode of the season is a bit of a corker that offers an all too rare glimpse into his past as well as a gripping science fiction mystery. The set designer, Gary SSpeckman and makeup supervisor Michael Westmore must be congratulated for their quite outstanding work on this episode. Indeed, Westmore and his team received a well deserved Emmy nomination for their work but for some bizarre reason did not win. The episode is also full of nice continuity touches. In the logs from the original away team's mission they all wear the old style uniforms and Geordi sports his old command division lieutenant uniform. One of the shuttles stolen by an errant away team member is form the USS Aries, the ship that Riker turned down in the second season episode "The Icarus Factor" and Nurse Ogawa's surname is finally mentioned. The atmosphere and growing tension is built up by the sets, make up and direction form Winrich Kolbe (his second episode episode of the season after "Identity Crisis") who has gone on to direct further Next Generation and DS( episodes, as well as Voyager's pilot episode "Caretaker", and the acting abilities of LeVar Burton and Maryann Plunkett. Best moment: The Enterprise's initial away team investigation. Man of the moment: Michael Westmore Best line: "I know what's going on inside you. The war you're fighting with yourself. Your humanity slipping away. The instinct to run: it's overpowering. But they know how to beat it now Geordi. Look at me! I've come back Geordi. Let me take you back too." Rating: Very good Episode Nineteen - "Nth Degree" ------------------------------- Written by Joe Menosky Directed by Robert Legato Airdate: 1/4/91 Stardate: 44704.2 Guest cast: Lt. Barclay - Dwight Shultz Einstein - Joe Morton Whilst repairing the Argus array, Lieutenant Barclay is struck down by a mysterious probe. He awakes with an intelligence far exceeding that of his crewmates, but will it prove a danger to them..? Dwight Shultz makes a welcomed return as Lieutenant Barclay, the slightly neurotic crew member who was previously addicted to holodeck programmes in the third season episode "Hollow Pursuits". Dwight is perfect in the role and it is indeed a pity that the rumours of him becoming a regular cast member never amounted to anything. Whilst he wouldn't appear in the fifth season, he would appear twice in the sixth ("Ship in a Bottle" and "Realm of Fear") and once in a wasted cameo in the seventh season episode "Genesis" (probably, no definately, one of the worst ever Star Trek, not just TNG, episodes ever!) The Argus array would also play a part in "Parallels" (from the seventh season) and Doctor Crusher's drama club would be mentioned or seen in one fifth season episode ("Disaster") and two sixth season episodes ("A Fistful of Data's" and "Frame of Mind"). Albert Einstein, or at least the holographic image of him would also return in the final episode of season six "Descent". He would again be played by Jim Morton. Perhaos the most interesting thing about this episode is the fact that the Enterprise journeys to the centre of the galaxy and meets a strange energy type being. Sound familiar? In fact, when I first saw this episode at a convention the audience gave an audible gasp as they took it to be a sequel to Star Trek V. It's a shame that there wasn't some kind of explanation or continuity nod to that film. Best moment: The scene between Reg and Deanna in the teaser. Man of the moment: Dwight Shultz. Best line: "You just spent the entire night arguing grand unification theories with Albert Einstein." Rating: Good. Episode Twenty - "Qpid" ----------------------- Written by Ira Steven Behr and Randee Russell Directed by Cliff Bole Airdate: 22/4/91 Stardate: 44741.9 Guest cast: Vash - Jennifer Hetrick Sir Guy - Clive Revill Q - John de Lancie Q transports the crew to Sherwood Forest, where Picard is Robin Hood and he is the Sherriff of Nottingham... This sees both the return of Jennifer Hetrick as Vash (from the third season's "Captain's Holiday") and John de Lancie as Q in what was his fifth appearance. Of course both would later turn up together in one of the first DS9 episodes "Q-Less". Clive Revill (from the Empire Strikes Back and Batman: The Animated Series) also stars as Sir Guy. All of the main cast and the guest cast handle the comedy really well and there are some wonderfully comedic moments. The only criticism I have is that in the final climatic battle all of the male crew members fight with swords or staffs whilst Crusher and Troi are reduced to hitting people over the head with earthenware! You would have thought that Behr and Russell would have realised that Crusher and Troi are equal in all aspects to their male counterparts. I was always of the opinion that the Next Generation's comedic episodes never really stood up to repeat viewing. I still think that that is true, but there are aspects of Qpid that wear rather well (and some that don't!). Best moment: Worf breaking Geordi's mandolin. Man of the moment: Jonathan Frakes (injured whilst filming). Best line: "Sir! I protest! I am not a merry man!" Rating: Good Episode Twenty One - "The Drumhead" ----------------------------------- Written by Jeri Taylor Directed by Jonathan Frakes Airdate: 29/4/91 Stardate: 44769.2 Guest cast: Sabin - Bruce French Simon Tarses - Spencer Garrett Admiral Satie - Jean Simmons An explosion on the Enterprise leads to an investigation by retired Admiral Satie. But it soon takes on sinister overtones... The first thing to be said about this episode is that it has quality written all the way through it. Patrick Stewart, Jean Simmons and Spencer Garrett are all exceptional as is the directorial outing and second episode of the the season. Frakes must be the best director of Trek on the small screen and if the powers that be have any sense they will let him helm the next movie (if there is one of course). It can also be derived from "The Drumhead" that the officer exchange programme, first seen in the second season episode "A Matter of Honor" is still going on and that thirty nine ships and almost 11,000 lives were lost at the battle of Wolf 359. The actual battle or at least part of it would be seen in the teaser to the DS9 pilot "Emissary". However, there is something a little worrying about "Drumhead". The same sickness that would later run through such episodes as "Ensign Ro" and "The Pegasus" runs through "The Drumhead". Starfllet officers acting like the military, which for the last time, they are not! It shows a complete misunderstanding of, or even worse a deliberate move away from the fact that that Starfleet is a scientific and exploratory organisation and nothing else. That fact stops this from being an excellent episode along with the fate of Tarses being far from clear. Best momnet: Satie's questioning of Picard People of the moment: Jean Simmons and Spencer Garrett. Best line: "Have we become so fearful, so cowardly that we must extinguish a man because he carries the blood of a current enemy?" Rating: Good. Episode Twenty Two - "Half A Life" ---------------------------------- Written by Peter Allan Fields and Ted Roberts Directed by Les Landau Airdate: 6/5/91 Stardate: 44805.3 Guest cast: Lwaxana Troi - Majel Barrett Dara - Michelle Forbes O'Brien - Colm Meaney Mr. Homn - Carel Struyken Dr. Timicen - David Ogden Stiers Lwaxana Troi is visiting the Enterprise but Picard is safe as this time she has her eyes set on a scientist who is on board the ship to try and save his dying planet... Majel Barrett keeps getting better and better with each Lwaxana Troi episode. "Half A Life" is easily her strongest up to this point, with powerful performances from both her and David Ogden Stiers. Majel deftly handles the change from comedy to tradegy and it's her ability to do this so well that makes the character she plays so endearing. Michelle Forbes makes her first Star Trek appearance as Timicen's daughter, Dara. She would return in the following season as Ro Laren before leaving to pursue a movie career and appearing for one episode in each of the sixth and seventh seasons. This would also see the last appearance as Carel Struyken as Mr. Homn. Although he would be mentioned as recently as the seventh season's "Dark Page" it seems a pity that he wouldn't be seen again. Best moment: Any scene with Majel in. Woman of the moment: Majel Barrett. Best line: "I know you mother, and believe me you'll never be one of those people who die before their time." Rating: Very good. Episode Twenty Three - "The Host" --------------------------------- Written by Michael Horvat Directed by Marvin V. Rush Airdate: 13/5/91 Stardate: 44821.3 Guest cast: Odan - Franc Luz Nurse Ogawa - Patti Yasutake Doctor Crusher falls in love with a visiting ambassador, but not all is what it seems... The first time that I watched this episode is when I reviewed it for this article and I have to say I'm glad it was. This was the first real Crusher episode since the beginning og the season and "Remember Me". She had had her moments in other episodes and quite frankly was better served by them than by this. All this is, or at least it seems to be, is forty five minutes of Beverly trying to decide whether she loves the Trill symbiont or not. There is no real substance to it. Yes, we do see more of the hairdresser/beauty salon, but do we really need to? It strikes me as rather insulting to women why, to portray Doctor Crusher and in an extremely embarrasing scene, Deanna Troi as well, as only being concerned with how look and who is going out with who. Of course there is a social aspect to their life but its been written alot better than this. Of course we get a first look at a trill in this episode. The Trills seen in DS9 are radically different, and apparantly have no trouble using the transporters. However with a little stretch of the imagination the two episodes are compatible. It never states that the Trills have not been encountered before (only that little is known about them) or that the transporters treat the symbionts as parasites (only that they would harm them) Besides it can be assumed that the transporters can be modified. The worst thing about "The Host" is the rather ludicrous ending. I mean just what is the point? It only serves to solve the problem of Crusher being attracted to the symbiont and thus not available. Completely pointless. Best moment: When the first host is dying, and the symbiont is discovered. Woman of the moment: Gates McFadden. Best line: "You can't be open to love if you don't risk pain." Rating: Awful. Episode Twenty Four - "The Mind's Eye" -------------------------------------- Written by Rene Echevarria and Ken Schafer Directed by David Livingston Airdate: 27/5/91 Stardate: 44885.5 Guest cast: Ambassador Kell - Larry Dobkin Governer Vagh - Edward Wiley O'Brien - Colm Meaney La Forge is kidnapped by Romulans and programmed to murder an important Klingon dignitary... Borrowing its basic premise from "The Manchurian Candidate" this was the prologue to "Redemption". The third Geordi episode of the the seasonoffered the viewer the first chance since the first season "Heart of Glory" (which in one of those funny coincidences was also a Klingon episode) to see the world through Geordi's Visor. A phaser rifle and both the Klingon and Romulan transporter beams all make their debuts in Next Generation Trek and, along with the splendid Klingon makeup and costumes add up to make a sumptuous episode. The idea of Geordi being kidnapped and then modifications beeing made to his Visor is also used in the latest Star Trek movie "Generations". Indeed, Geordi's interrogation sequence in "Generations" looks (from the few stills I've seen) very similar to the reprogramming sequence in "The Minds Eye". Of course, there is also the mysterious Romulan in the background during Geordi's ordeal. Whilst the figure was played by a stand in, the voice was that of Denise Crosby. She would actually be seen in the last few minutes of "Redemption, Part I" and then in the conclusion and in "Unification, Part II" She would then return as Tasha Yar in the final episode "All Good Things..." Whilst the conclusion is a little sudden (it could have been more carefully drawn out) the episode comes close to being a classic and only misses that mark by a surprising lack of emotion in the script. Yes the episode looks great. Yes the story is interesting and leads to other episodes and further telling of the struggle for the Klingon Empire. But none of the regular cast seem to feel any great emotions in what is an incredibly dramatic situation. It's more of a curiosity than anything else, but a pity nonetheless. Best moment: Geordi's brainwashing. Man of the moment: Levar Burton. Best line: "It seems that Commander La Forge, like many Humans, has a low tolerance for watching others suffer." Rating: Good. Episode Twenty Five - "In Theory" --------------------------------- Written by Joe Menosky and Ronald D. Moore Directed by Patrick Stewart Airdate: 3/6/91 Stardate: 44932.3 Guest cast: Ensign D'Sora - Michelle Scarabelli Keiko - Rosalind Chao O'Brien - Colm Meaney Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg Data tries to form a relationship with Ensign D'Sora whilst the Enterprise studies a dark matter nebula, and get's more than it's crew bargained for... This was Patrick Stewart's directorial debut for TNG. Unfortunately he doesn't do a terrifice job on it. He is hampered by a well below average script. The premise is not original, Data stuggling to form relationships, but considering the talents behind the screenplay, should have been a lot stronger. The cast are all fine apart from Brent Spiner who seemed to be playing Data as much more mechanical that Spiner normally portrayed him to be. Whether this was due to Spiner's acting or Stewart's directing, I don't know but it was far too an obvious technique to use. Suprisingly, for a Data episode there is little added to the viewers knowledge or background added to his character. His interest in painting is seen here and would continue ot be shown in future episodes such as "Birthright, Part I". His interest in music is also shown in a scene where he plays what seems to be an oboe along with Keiko O'Brien and two other characters. There are a couple of nice comedic moments both involving Data taking what people say literally and an interesting b plot (which would have been a lot better if it hadn't been weighed down by the dour a plot) but overall this is a major letdown. Stewart would fare much better with his third effort, but it wouldn't be until the sixth season and after "Hero Worship". Best moment: Data and Guinan's conversation. Woman of the moment: Whoopi Goldberg Best line: "Yes, I've heard Data, and I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some I'll let you know." Rating: Awful Episode Twenty Six - "Redemption" --------------------------------- Written by Ronald D. Moore Directed by Cliff Bole Airdate: 17/6/91 Stardate: 44995.3 Guest cast: Gowron - Robert O'Reilly Kurn - Tony Todd Lursa - Barbara March B'Etor - Gwyneth Walsh Guinan - Whoopi Goldberg Sela - Denise Crosby Gowron meets with Picard and tells him that a Klingon civil war maybe about to break out... "Redemption" brings to a conclusion a story arc that began in the third season episode "Sins of the Father". Characters featured in the two episodes would also appear in future Next Generation and DS9 episodes and even in the new movie "Generations" but it bought to an end the civil war plot, apart from Lursa and B'Etor's attempts to gather funds (DS9's "Past Prologue" and weaponry ("Generations"). I'm not a big fan of Klingon episodes - I'm tired of all this "warrior" and "fighting for honour and glory" stuff. I think it gives a very one dimensional picture of Klingon culture. However, for some reason, and I'm not quite sure why, this episode really grabs my attention. Perhaps it is the brilliant special effects, costumes or involving plot. But whatever it is, it all has a cinematic quality to it. As an added bonus Michael Dorn gives his best perfomance of the season. Indeed, it is difficult to find fault with "Redemption" but there is a blemish on this episode. It comes in the very final scene where the mysterious Romulan, previously heard in two episodes before, in "The Mind's Eye" finally makes her appearance. It comes as no surprise that the character is played by Denise Crosby but the moment you see her, not only does she not look ridiculous in her blonde wig, but you just know that the explanation for her character is going to be that she is some kind of relative. The fifth season would reveal the truth, but it did marr an other wise excellent episode. Best moment: The attack on the Bortas Man of the moment: Michael Dorn Best line: "No, it won't. But at some point he's gonna want to know what it's like to be Klingon. Just as you're learning now." Rating: Very good. Well, there you are, the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation". How did it compare with to the breakthrough third season? Ultimately, it is all a matter of personal opinion, but I hope to offer up my thoughts on the season, and maybe, or maybe not you will agree with them. The season had its high and low points. On the positive side, the visual side of things such as costumes, sets, make up and lighting all improved on the already high standards set by the third season. Jonathan Frakes showed that "The Offspring" was not a flash in the pan with two well directed episodes and Cliff Bole, Les Landau and Winrich Kolbe also proved their worth. However, the quality of the stories varied greatly. Whilst there were seveteen episodes that were very enjoyable, there were also nine that were either average or below. This could be something to do with the thirty nine writers credited with teleplays or stories during the season. It could also be due to the fact that some twelve episodes (ie. just below half of the season) were sequels (or at least involved returning characters) to previous episodes. Instead of "boldly going" they were merely treading water, or even worse, repeating themselves. Of course that wasn't the case for all of the "sequels". Indeed the vast majority of them were really good, and none of them were actually bad, But it did show a certain lack of imagination to have half the season devoted to going over ground already covered in previous episodes. Surprisingly the show only garnered nine Emmy nominations. This did not compare too favourably with the seventeen nominations that the third season received. As for winners, there were four compared to the previous season's five and still nominations for acting. It was also a season for families and children. Eight episodes delved into family relationships (with three of those featuring children heavily). On the more general subject of relationships, of either friends and family or romantic there were a massive sixteen episodes. Some of these elements combined into single episodes which unfortunately gave many of them a soap opera atmosphere. In fact of the episodes that I rated either awful or poor, four out of five were of this type. Episodes rated either good or very good counted for seventeen of the twenty six episodes or roughly 65% of the season. However, no episode rated as excellent and nine episodes (approximately 35%) rated as either awful, poor or average. So overall, it was a slightly above average season, but one that failed to live up to the expectations raised by the third season. On reflection it wasn't as bad as I remember it to be, but it only came close to perfection for about 25% of the season. It was also a portend of things to come in the following season. Ratings and Info. [] Denotes episode number Awful Poor Average The Loss [10] Suddenly Human [4] Final Mission [ 9] First Contact [15] Data's Day [11] The Host [23] The Wounded [12] In Theory [25] Night Terrors [17] Good Very Good Excellent Brothers [ 3] Best of Both Worlds, Part II [ 1] Remember Me [ 5] Family [ 2] Legacy [ 6] Reunion [ 7] Future Imperfect [ 8] Identity Crisis [18] Devil's Due [13] Half A Life [22] Clues [14] Redemption [26] Galaxy's Child [15] Nth Degree [19] Qpid [20] The Drumhead [21] The Mind's Eye [24] Emmy Nominations Robert Blackman - Costume Design, Series: Devil's Due Richard D. James - Art Direction, Series : Best of Both Worlds Robert Legato - Special Visual FX : Best of Both Worlds Marvin Rush - Cinematography, Series: Family Michael Wesmore - Makeup, Series : Brothers, Identity Crisis Emmy Winners Alan Bernard - Sound Mixing, Series : Best of Both Worlds Bill Wistrom - Sound Editing, Series : Best of Both Worlds James Wolvington / Mace Matiosian / Wilson Dyer - Sound Editing, Series : Best Of Both Worlds Number of writers : 39 Number of directors : 15 Episodes involving sequels : 12 [1,2,3,5,6,7,11,16,19,20,22,26] Episodes involving family : 8 [2,3,4,6,7,8,11,26] Episodes involving relationships: 16 [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,16,18,20 22,23,25] O'Brien appeared in 12 episodes [1,2,3,5,6,11,12,14,17,22,24,25] Keiko appeared in 4 episodes [11,12,17,25] Ogawa appeared in 4 episodes [8,14,18,23] Guinan appeared in 7 episodes [1,2,10,14,16,17,26] Cast members family featured Picard's : Brother, sister-in-law and nephew [2] Data's : "Father" and "Brother" [3] Worf's : Step parants [2], mate, son [7] and brother [26] Crusher's: Husband [2] Troi's : Mother [22] Neither La Forge or Riker had any family members featured. Director of the season : Les Landau (for "Half A Life" and "Family") Actor/actress of the season: Patrick Stewart (for "Best of Both Worlds" and "Family") Overall season rating: Above average.