This was one of the best episodes of Next Gen's seventh and final season. In this we see young officers, all ensigns and are vying and working hard to be promoted. The competition between them was enjoyable and fun and the constant flashes and comparisons with what is going on with the senior officers was interesting and not done before in this manner. There is a sub plot to this and Ensign Sito played with style by Shannon Fill is picked on by Picard because of a misdemeanor a couple of years before this in the Academy which resulted in the death of a cadet. When Worf, who sees real potential in Sito gives her a wake up call she confronts Picard and he is pleased that she had the courage to come forth and stand up for herself. When he explains that he needs a Bajoran officer for a special mission into Cardassian space she quickly volunteers. The mission ends in tragedy however, and the young officers mourn Sito's death together in Ten Forward. Worf eventually joins the ensigns and the newly promoted Lieutenant Lavelle and sits with them in a touching scene which capped a brilliant, what happens on the lower decks episode.
23 Reviews
New recruits that brought a little TOS charm with them
marcusq2230 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
'Lower Decks' is in my top 5 favorite Star Trek Next Gen episodes. A must-see ep for everyone. There were several things that made Lower Decks work, IMO.
The first thing they did right was instant characterization of these new recruits. This was something TOS did well. On any given episode, if you heard Scotty say a line, you knew that he was a hard-working, extremely capable, slightly cantankerous, individual. If you heard Spock say a line, you knew he was a very intelligent, scientifically-minded, misfit. If you heard Chekhov say something, you knew he was a plucky, young, happy-go-lucky type. Whenever they showed up on the screen, we fell in love with them (again). (Aside: I think this is one reason why JJ chose to use the TOS characters for the ST reboot films, rather than the characters from any other incarnation of Trek.) The characters in TNG, by contrast, were less well-defined, and less distinct from each other. We eventually learned who they were, but it had to happen over the course of many episodes (seasons, even).
The Lower Decks recruits had a little of that TOS magic in that, every scene we saw them in, they revealed who they were and made us fall in love with them. When we saw Sam Lavelle trying to hobnob with Riker and mistakenly calling him a Canadian, we knew that this was a kid with big plans, he was gonna go places, he was a bit of a brown-noser, and boy was he wet behind the ears. When we saw Taurik's cold, dry, wit when addressing the "roommate" issue, we knew that this was an irritating, cynical, cold-blooded individual who didn't care what other people thought of him. (The head-butting between Lavelle & Taurik also reminded us of the similar, uneasy, relationship between Spock & McCoy, which made me reminisce.) When we saw Sito Jaxa sparring blindfolded with Worf, we learned that this was a young girl who wanted to prove herself, and wasn't easily duped. At last, she did get a chance to prove herself by helping the Cardassian to return in the escape pod. We were saddened at her loss along with the rest of the Enterprise crew when Picard announced she had been killed.
Another thing LD did well was giving everyone a chance in the spotlight. This is a hard thing to do with a large, ensemble, cast. They did it well in ST4 by giving every member of the crew a job they needed to do to help get a humpback whale back to the future. The three young recruits all had their individual moments (Taurik with La Forge in engineering, Lavelle with Riker, Jaxa sparring with Worf), and their occasional "come togethers" (playing poker midway through the ep, sitting together in Ten-Forward remembering Jaxa at the end). It also helped that in their individual/"spotlight" scenes, they connected with a TNG crewmember that we already knew and could foil off of them.
It's just a pity that these recruits didn't become the cast of Voyager.
The first thing they did right was instant characterization of these new recruits. This was something TOS did well. On any given episode, if you heard Scotty say a line, you knew that he was a hard-working, extremely capable, slightly cantankerous, individual. If you heard Spock say a line, you knew he was a very intelligent, scientifically-minded, misfit. If you heard Chekhov say something, you knew he was a plucky, young, happy-go-lucky type. Whenever they showed up on the screen, we fell in love with them (again). (Aside: I think this is one reason why JJ chose to use the TOS characters for the ST reboot films, rather than the characters from any other incarnation of Trek.) The characters in TNG, by contrast, were less well-defined, and less distinct from each other. We eventually learned who they were, but it had to happen over the course of many episodes (seasons, even).
The Lower Decks recruits had a little of that TOS magic in that, every scene we saw them in, they revealed who they were and made us fall in love with them. When we saw Sam Lavelle trying to hobnob with Riker and mistakenly calling him a Canadian, we knew that this was a kid with big plans, he was gonna go places, he was a bit of a brown-noser, and boy was he wet behind the ears. When we saw Taurik's cold, dry, wit when addressing the "roommate" issue, we knew that this was an irritating, cynical, cold-blooded individual who didn't care what other people thought of him. (The head-butting between Lavelle & Taurik also reminded us of the similar, uneasy, relationship between Spock & McCoy, which made me reminisce.) When we saw Sito Jaxa sparring blindfolded with Worf, we learned that this was a young girl who wanted to prove herself, and wasn't easily duped. At last, she did get a chance to prove herself by helping the Cardassian to return in the escape pod. We were saddened at her loss along with the rest of the Enterprise crew when Picard announced she had been killed.
Another thing LD did well was giving everyone a chance in the spotlight. This is a hard thing to do with a large, ensemble, cast. They did it well in ST4 by giving every member of the crew a job they needed to do to help get a humpback whale back to the future. The three young recruits all had their individual moments (Taurik with La Forge in engineering, Lavelle with Riker, Jaxa sparring with Worf), and their occasional "come togethers" (playing poker midway through the ep, sitting together in Ten-Forward remembering Jaxa at the end). It also helped that in their individual/"spotlight" scenes, they connected with a TNG crewmember that we already knew and could foil off of them.
It's just a pity that these recruits didn't become the cast of Voyager.
Upstairs/Downstairs
Hitchcoc13 October 2014
As it is with so many television series, we have a cast of a few characters that dominate. I remember watching MASH and thinking how, with all the medical staff they had, did everything happen to Hawkeye and his small contingent; why did they always have the commander's ear. Here the producers allow us into the fraternity behind the scenes. The young officers on the way up. One in particular, a young woman who was part of the careless activity that got Wesley almost drummed out of the academy, sees all her work nearly stifled by her past. This is her story of ascendancy and her story of risk. After Picard tells her she has no future, she comes to a conclusion to ditch the past and take the gifts she has accumulated and move forward. She goes on a mission of tremendous risk to become what she hopes to become. A sensitive episode.
Those noble officers not on the bridge
Mr-Fusion11 September 2017
I'm pretty sure I'd only seen parts of 'Lower Decks' over the years, and seeing it in its entirety was an eye-opener. A creative look at the lower-level officers that populate the Enterprise, it also reframed the main cast (those all-too-familiar faces we see from week to week) as administrative department heads. Yeah, it's kind of a workplace episode. And as each character achieves clarity throughout the story, a fluffy ending is almost guaranteed; that is, until a late-hour plot twist turns that right on its head.
Highly potent stuff.
9/10
Highly potent stuff.
9/10
Excellent...and episode with heart
planktonrules5 December 2014
Several newer members of the crew are up for promotion and you see the ways these various personalities respond to the pressure of vying for the same promotion (by the way, the Vulcan was a bit of a suck up if you ask me). At the same time, a Cardassian defector arrives on the ship. How will these two plots intersect?
This episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is rather unique and I liked it. In many ways it's a bit more soap opera-like than some, as it is more about personalities than a big plot. One reviewer described it aptly as like "Upstairs/Downstairs". Exactly what happens to these eager young crew members is something you'll need to see for yourself--and the ending is a bit touching.
This episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is rather unique and I liked it. In many ways it's a bit more soap opera-like than some, as it is more about personalities than a big plot. One reviewer described it aptly as like "Upstairs/Downstairs". Exactly what happens to these eager young crew members is something you'll need to see for yourself--and the ending is a bit touching.
Remarkable
alanfoxlrc22 August 2019
It is very rare I would write a review for something, but this is a special episode of television. While it would be easy to compliment the narrative structure of how it interweaves the arcs of the junior members of the enterprise with those more senior, that is not the headline attraction of this episode. This episode manages to distill the complexities of relationships with colleagues down to something pure and truly heartfelt. A remarkable episode, truly.
Excellent
mhorg20182 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
As a Junior Enlisted officer in the military, this has always been one of my favorite episodes. It was excellent to see how the lower ranks (decks) reacted to what those above them are doing, and how the upper ranks react to what the lower decks do. Ensign Sito Jaxa was a favorite character and I really wish she would have returned or her fate determined over on DS9. She would have been a welcome addition (and perhaps a foil/protégé for Kira). I would have rather seen TNG go onto another season rather than go onto the big screen. All in all, this is one of the best episodes TNG ever did. It's too bad they didn't do more episodes showing what was going on with the lower ranks. (or that it took until O'Brien was on DS9 to give him his own pips).
From the lower decks.
russem313 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:167 - "Lower Decks" (Stardate: 47566.7) - this is the 15th episode of the 7th and last season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
This episode focuses on the crewmembers of the "lower decks" of the Enterprise - those who aren't the upper ranks. Specifically, they focus on Nurse Ogawa (played again by Patti Yasutake and who finally gets a promotion to Lieutenant), Sam Lavelle, Sito Jaxa (again played by Shannon Fill from the 5th season episode "The First Duty"), and Taurik. And it turns out that Sam and Sito are up for the same job! An intriguing episode because we get to see how others on the Enterprise handle themselves - especially those struggling to get ahead with their careers and what is necessary to do so.
Trivia note: again, Riker and Troi work together on the crew evaluation reports (the last time they did so was 3 months ago). We also find out that the Ten Forward waiters are civilians not Starfleet. The 4 young crewmembers are seen playing poker, at the same time as the senior officers. And, Ambassador Spock is also mentioned.
This episode focuses on the crewmembers of the "lower decks" of the Enterprise - those who aren't the upper ranks. Specifically, they focus on Nurse Ogawa (played again by Patti Yasutake and who finally gets a promotion to Lieutenant), Sam Lavelle, Sito Jaxa (again played by Shannon Fill from the 5th season episode "The First Duty"), and Taurik. And it turns out that Sam and Sito are up for the same job! An intriguing episode because we get to see how others on the Enterprise handle themselves - especially those struggling to get ahead with their careers and what is necessary to do so.
Trivia note: again, Riker and Troi work together on the crew evaluation reports (the last time they did so was 3 months ago). We also find out that the Ten Forward waiters are civilians not Starfleet. The 4 young crewmembers are seen playing poker, at the same time as the senior officers. And, Ambassador Spock is also mentioned.
One of TNG's best
beckywink22 May 2021
This is a stand out even in season seven, which is saying a lot. I have watched it a different points in my life ever since it came out in 1994: as a highschooler, as someone fresh out of college, and now as someone who is way too close in age to the senior officers. The interactions among the ensigns and senior officers is spot on and the surprisingly heavy subject material turned into a major gut punch. Well done, TNG, well done.
Evaluation time
Tweekums17 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As this episode opens in Ten Forward where Riker and Troi are discussing the latest crew evaluations, which will determine which ensigns are promoted to lieutenant. Across the room four young ensigns look on wondering how things are going for them. As the episode progresses we see these characters interacting with members of the main cast; Dr Crusher tells Nurse Ogawa that her promotion is virtually in the bag; Taurik, a Vulcan, appears to irritate Geordi with his ideas for improving efficiency, Sam Lavelle is convinced that Riker has got it in for him and Sito Jaxa is championed by Worf. It is the last of these characters who proves to be most important; she appeared before in 'The First Duty' and Picard tells her that he thought she should have been thrown out of Star Fleet for her part in the events of that episode
it later transpires that this dressing down was part of a test to see whether she had the backbone to stand up for herself when unfairly treated. When she passes she is invited to take part in a top secret, and potentially very dangerous, mission that requires a Bajoran to play the part of a Cardassian prisoner.
This is a superior season seven episode; the way it concentrates as much of junior characters as well as the main cast shows us another side of life on the Enterprise; instead of concentrating on those already in important positions it shows us those still struggling to be noticed and get a chance for promotion. It is fun to see how each of them deals with the situation and when the later plot involving Ensign Sito's mission it is interesting to see how they deal with the fact that they can't talk to their friends about everything anymore; being able to keep secrets from those closest to them is just part of the job. The way the junior officers activities mirror their seniors in handled well; we see both groups relaxing in Ten Forward and at other times playing poker. The cast do a fine job with the guest stars holding their own amongst the established cast; this is particularly true of Shannon Fill who puts in a sensitive performance as Sito as she has to deal with some rather unconventional tests prior to her mission. Overall this was a top quality episode with a surprisingly downbeat ending.
This is a superior season seven episode; the way it concentrates as much of junior characters as well as the main cast shows us another side of life on the Enterprise; instead of concentrating on those already in important positions it shows us those still struggling to be noticed and get a chance for promotion. It is fun to see how each of them deals with the situation and when the later plot involving Ensign Sito's mission it is interesting to see how they deal with the fact that they can't talk to their friends about everything anymore; being able to keep secrets from those closest to them is just part of the job. The way the junior officers activities mirror their seniors in handled well; we see both groups relaxing in Ten Forward and at other times playing poker. The cast do a fine job with the guest stars holding their own amongst the established cast; this is particularly true of Shannon Fill who puts in a sensitive performance as Sito as she has to deal with some rather unconventional tests prior to her mission. Overall this was a top quality episode with a surprisingly downbeat ending.
One of the very best episodes
ebeckstr-126 March 2022
Unusual episode which shows what has probably very unintentionally been illustrated throughout the series and really throughout every Trek series; namely, the hierarchical class distinctions between executive officers low ranking officers. In addition to being interesting because of the latter, while Next Generation as a whole has loads of heart, "Lower Decks" is one of a relatively small number of episodes that is a bona fide tearjerker. Fantastic writing and acting.
Excellent. Genuinely moving episode.
jamesdunne-108-15511821 February 2022
An excellent episode, and study into the complexities of being a leader, and a member of a team. Also, as a former Naval Officer, the tension between the senior officers and lower ranks (albeit still junior officers) was realistic, with the usual dramatic licence. But great to see a break away from the usual 'Wardroom' perspective of every other ST episode.
A Senior Trekker writes.....................
celineduchain14 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The final season of Star Trek, the Next Generation gave us some splendid episodes and also a fair share of stinkers. Everyone knew by this stage that they would not be renewed and attempts were made to wrap up various story lines before they said their final goodbyes. There is still a great deal to be enjoyed.
Lower Decks is one of the best episodes of this or any season of The Next Generation. It showcases interesting new characters in a fast-paced and satisfying narrative. The upstairs/downstairs aspect had been considered for a long time but I'm so glad we went with the espionage story rather than a reprise of stuffy old Riker doing crew evaluations with Troi in Ten Forward as they were seen doing in Tapestry (the part of that episode where Picard was just a junior officer).
Guest players Dan Gauthier who played junior officer Lavelle and Bruce Beatty who played civilian bartender Ben are both busy TV actors who have mostly stayed away from Science Fiction, while Shannon Fill, who so successfully played Ensign Sito, left the business soon after this episode to re-train as a social worker. I was not the only one who was left wondering whether this wonderful character had been given up for dead rather too quickly. There had indeed been plans for her to be later discovered alive for an episode of Deep Space Nine and many fans, who had taken her to their hearts, were disappointed that this idea never came to fruition.
By the way, I never took to the idea of "civilian" bartenders on the Star Trek Enterprise. It seemed like an absurdly profligate use of resources when every other similar Space Opera expected the "astronauts" to be able to multi-task at least to the extent of fetching their own drinks. Not since the stewardesses on the moon shuttle in 1968's film 2001, have we seen anything quite so ridiculously out of date.
This is our second view of Alexander Enberg but our first time seeing him as a Vulcan. He, of course, went on to play the much loved, recurring character Ensign Vorik in Voyager. This actor suffered an extremely serious brain injury in 2007 and has only recently been well enough to attend the occasional Star Trek convention. I'm sure that other fans would join me in sending him our very best wishes and look forward to hearing from him again.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
Lower Decks is one of the best episodes of this or any season of The Next Generation. It showcases interesting new characters in a fast-paced and satisfying narrative. The upstairs/downstairs aspect had been considered for a long time but I'm so glad we went with the espionage story rather than a reprise of stuffy old Riker doing crew evaluations with Troi in Ten Forward as they were seen doing in Tapestry (the part of that episode where Picard was just a junior officer).
Guest players Dan Gauthier who played junior officer Lavelle and Bruce Beatty who played civilian bartender Ben are both busy TV actors who have mostly stayed away from Science Fiction, while Shannon Fill, who so successfully played Ensign Sito, left the business soon after this episode to re-train as a social worker. I was not the only one who was left wondering whether this wonderful character had been given up for dead rather too quickly. There had indeed been plans for her to be later discovered alive for an episode of Deep Space Nine and many fans, who had taken her to their hearts, were disappointed that this idea never came to fruition.
By the way, I never took to the idea of "civilian" bartenders on the Star Trek Enterprise. It seemed like an absurdly profligate use of resources when every other similar Space Opera expected the "astronauts" to be able to multi-task at least to the extent of fetching their own drinks. Not since the stewardesses on the moon shuttle in 1968's film 2001, have we seen anything quite so ridiculously out of date.
This is our second view of Alexander Enberg but our first time seeing him as a Vulcan. He, of course, went on to play the much loved, recurring character Ensign Vorik in Voyager. This actor suffered an extremely serious brain injury in 2007 and has only recently been well enough to attend the occasional Star Trek convention. I'm sure that other fans would join me in sending him our very best wishes and look forward to hearing from him again.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
One of, if not the best episode in all 7 seasons
faithless473422 March 2020
Really enjoyed this one especially compared to the other episodes in this season. Really a great episode that delves into the lower ranks and what it may look like from their point of view. I sure wish they had done more like this, they may have gotten an 8th season out of the series had they.
What a moving episode
Hughmanity14 July 2020
This episode starts with a ridiculous level of unprofessional Ian from the Starfleet officers, literally talking about who is going to get promoted in TEN FORWARD where they can obviously be overheard. Add in Dr Crusher trying to be friends and gossip with her direct report and this is a failure of Management 101.
Beyond that, the episode is extremely well written and I had some flashbacks to my own early career, worrying about what my boss thinks of me and over reacting to every interaction. A great point of view episode from the junior officers, and a very moving ending to the episode make this a Top 10 in the series for me.
This has spinoff written all over it and I guess the upcoming animated series Lower Decks is doing just that albeit with more humor.
Beyond that, the episode is extremely well written and I had some flashbacks to my own early career, worrying about what my boss thinks of me and over reacting to every interaction. A great point of view episode from the junior officers, and a very moving ending to the episode make this a Top 10 in the series for me.
This has spinoff written all over it and I guess the upcoming animated series Lower Decks is doing just that albeit with more humor.
Novel idea done well
snoozejonc13 February 2022
We spend time with a group of lower ranked Enterprise crew members.
This is a strong episode with a novel idea that has some good character moments.
The obvious hook is seeing everything and everyone from a different perspective. This could have been gimmicky if the character interactions are not as strong as they are.
I personally do not find them hugely interesting as individuals, but the interactions with each other and the main characters are great. The highlights include Lavelle with Riker, Sato with both Picard and Worf, and all their interactions together. Sato easily has the best arc, especially as it follows up an intriguing story in 'The First Duty'. It ends very strongly and all feels rather poignant.
One of the best aspects is that it makes the show feel more than just the main cast every week with a load of extras thrown in to make up the numbers. The concept of Enterprise being a functioning starship with an actual crew is more plausible because of 'Lower Decks'.
This is a strong episode with a novel idea that has some good character moments.
The obvious hook is seeing everything and everyone from a different perspective. This could have been gimmicky if the character interactions are not as strong as they are.
I personally do not find them hugely interesting as individuals, but the interactions with each other and the main characters are great. The highlights include Lavelle with Riker, Sato with both Picard and Worf, and all their interactions together. Sato easily has the best arc, especially as it follows up an intriguing story in 'The First Duty'. It ends very strongly and all feels rather poignant.
One of the best aspects is that it makes the show feel more than just the main cast every week with a load of extras thrown in to make up the numbers. The concept of Enterprise being a functioning starship with an actual crew is more plausible because of 'Lower Decks'.
A group of young officers
bkoganbing18 December 2018
This particular TNG episode focuses on a group of young officer trainees who are
looking for promotion and there's limited slots available. All of them are
responding to challenges in different ways. The one who seems most nervous
is Dan Gauthier who is convinced that Commander Riker is out to deny him any
way he can.
But Bajoran Shannon Fill has a different kind of hurdle and that's with Patrick Stewart. Going back a couple of seasons she was part of a group of cadets at Star Fleet Academy that included Wesley Crusher who covered up some dereliction of duty. Captain Picard took that incident to heart because Star Fleet Academy is close to his heart. He makes it blunt that he doesn't like and is waiting for her to screw up so he can bounce her off his ship and maybe out of Star Fleet
But life takes a funny old bounce and it turns out its Shannon Fills who has unique qualifications for a dangerous mission.
The confrontation scene with Fills and Stewart contains some of the best acting ever seen in TNG.. I also loved the scenes with the young trainees sharing their hopes and anxieties for the future.
And I loved what Shannon Fills did with her part as the young Bajoran cadet trying to prove herself. She does way more than that.
But Bajoran Shannon Fill has a different kind of hurdle and that's with Patrick Stewart. Going back a couple of seasons she was part of a group of cadets at Star Fleet Academy that included Wesley Crusher who covered up some dereliction of duty. Captain Picard took that incident to heart because Star Fleet Academy is close to his heart. He makes it blunt that he doesn't like and is waiting for her to screw up so he can bounce her off his ship and maybe out of Star Fleet
But life takes a funny old bounce and it turns out its Shannon Fills who has unique qualifications for a dangerous mission.
The confrontation scene with Fills and Stewart contains some of the best acting ever seen in TNG.. I also loved the scenes with the young trainees sharing their hopes and anxieties for the future.
And I loved what Shannon Fills did with her part as the young Bajoran cadet trying to prove herself. She does way more than that.
Sito's sacrifice.
thevacinstaller21 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is a wonderful crafted and paced glimpse into the lives of the junior officers about the enterprise. We get a giant plate of trek comfort food ----- good hearted people looking to achieve success and bond with one another. I am personally a huge fan of the redemption arc. I loved the performance and charisma of the Sito Jaxa and the interplay between her and Worf peppered throughout the episode.
Now that I think about it ---- I believe I am down for an episode of Starfleet Officers playing poker and just talking about life for 45 minutes.
Unlike the animated lower decks tv show that uses star trek as a punching bag this episode is a true reflection of star fleet ideals and crew camaraderie. I was left with a warm fuzzy feeling .... well, up until discovering the lovely Bajoran junior officer was killed in the line of duty.
Worf ---- I love you big guy .... but .... this beautiful girl is barely out of diapers --- could we not come up with a plan b? Why Worf? Why did she have to die?! Ok, i'll stop now.
Now that I think about it ---- I believe I am down for an episode of Starfleet Officers playing poker and just talking about life for 45 minutes.
Unlike the animated lower decks tv show that uses star trek as a punching bag this episode is a true reflection of star fleet ideals and crew camaraderie. I was left with a warm fuzzy feeling .... well, up until discovering the lovely Bajoran junior officer was killed in the line of duty.
Worf ---- I love you big guy .... but .... this beautiful girl is barely out of diapers --- could we not come up with a plan b? Why Worf? Why did she have to die?! Ok, i'll stop now.
An important story
dougp0110 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is uncharacteristic, and the story is very well told. It brings together some very serious elements to the Star Trek narrative. I remember the first time I saw this one, I was very moved by an unexpected ending. It shows the character and integrity of Ensign Sito as she gets her opportunity to redeem herself.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar12 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's crew evaluation time again, those three months have passed so soon. Fletcher has more experience with propulsion systems where as Carstairs is better with people and as this is a supervisory position, Deanna gives the nod in her favour.
A Vulcan, a Bajoran and an Earthling stroll into a bar... there's sure to be a joke in there somewhere. Imagine if you were just a cleaner on board ship, wouldn't that be weird? What would happen if you decided that you wanted a day-off, or couldn't be bothered getting out of bed? Do you think anyone would notice on the bridge?
Alyssa, we didn't tune in to hear about your love-life, get back to work Lieutenant. We had her burgeoning romance, betrayal and marriage-proposal all played out without ever meeting the groom.
The good news is we are off to Cardassian space. We're in search of an escape pod. Let's go fetch it.
Picard's chewing Ensign Sito out about that incident at the Academy a couple of years ago, although I don't remember him having it out with Wesley when he was last onboard.
I liked Worf's teaching Sito the Gik'tal and her interaction with Picard and I would have to question his judgement by involving the young ensign in the dangerous mission into Cardassian space. If he gets her killed I will want his head on a silver platter.
A great episode which is what season seven desperately needed, but we never actually got to meet Fletcher or Carstairs. "Aye Aye, Sir, but we're all still crying over here"
This Episodes Clue: Ensign Levelle, Ensign Sito, and Ensign Taurik
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
A Vulcan, a Bajoran and an Earthling stroll into a bar... there's sure to be a joke in there somewhere. Imagine if you were just a cleaner on board ship, wouldn't that be weird? What would happen if you decided that you wanted a day-off, or couldn't be bothered getting out of bed? Do you think anyone would notice on the bridge?
Alyssa, we didn't tune in to hear about your love-life, get back to work Lieutenant. We had her burgeoning romance, betrayal and marriage-proposal all played out without ever meeting the groom.
The good news is we are off to Cardassian space. We're in search of an escape pod. Let's go fetch it.
Picard's chewing Ensign Sito out about that incident at the Academy a couple of years ago, although I don't remember him having it out with Wesley when he was last onboard.
I liked Worf's teaching Sito the Gik'tal and her interaction with Picard and I would have to question his judgement by involving the young ensign in the dangerous mission into Cardassian space. If he gets her killed I will want his head on a silver platter.
A great episode which is what season seven desperately needed, but we never actually got to meet Fletcher or Carstairs. "Aye Aye, Sir, but we're all still crying over here"
This Episodes Clue: Ensign Levelle, Ensign Sito, and Ensign Taurik
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
Gut wrenching <3
makiefer9 October 2023
Gut wrenching episode. In other words: spot on. Do imagine you serve as junior staff aboard the USS Enterprise. Flagship of the Federation. The Chief Engineer is blind. The third-in-command is an emotionless Android. Chief of security is a Barbarian Klingon. It's almost like Starfleet deliberately pick the wrong people. You studied hard at a Starfleet Academy to get, at the very minimum, not blown into pieces. Ideally, you do want a life as top staff. You freshly arrive aboard the Enterprise, perfectly qualified, but feel desperate instantly - and can't even tell why! After all, there might be a good reason for putting handicapped people in charge. But no one told you that the Academy, or ideally, during the recruiting.
"If you're going to judge me, judge me for what I am now".
classicsoncall19 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This episode brings back young ensign Sito Jaxa (Shannon Fill), last seen in Season Five's 'The First Duty', a story in which she participated in a failed Kolvoord Starburst maneuver that wound up killing a fellow squad member. Even worse, the members of the squad, which at the time also included Wesley Crusher, tried to cover up the reason for their disastrous training maneuver. With Sito potentially up for a promotion aboard the Enterprise, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) found it appropriate to dress her down exceptionally hard over the incident in order to test her resolve. Her direct report, Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) also tested her mettle by frustrating her in a martial arts test to the point of challenging the unfairness of the trial. Both instances toughened her up in the eyes of the officer crew, leading the Captain to assign her to a dangerous mission impersonating a Bajoran prisoner of a Cardassian working undercover as a Federation operative. This was a poignant episode in which the viewer expects a successful mission for the young ensign, even when the escape pod prepared for her proved over thirty hours late in meeting a rendezvous with the Enterprise. Her loss hits her fellow ensigns particularly hard, but even though evidence pointed to her demise on the mission, I thought the story left it questionable enough that she may have survived to return at some point in a future story. At least I like to think so, as I did like the character. My only other reservation with this episode had to do with the civilian character Ben (Bruce Beatty) aboard the Enterprise; why would he have been welcomed to join in on a poker game among the officer crew?
More "let's explore our relationships" fodder.
Blueghost18 May 2023
"You know, Sam, maybe you shouldn't try so hard with Riker." Says the junior female medical officers during a poker match. It's stuff like this that makes me feel tired when I try to watch this series.
Once again, original Star Trek was a plot driven show where Kirk and crew addressed malefactors that caused huge problems in society. Star Trek The Next Generation used plots as background story to explore character interactions.
In this way Star Trek The Next Generation, minus the jokes, had a Situation Comedy format in that that's what sit-coms explore; relationships and conflicts between and among characters, notably family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
And that's what makes this show so bad, and why old school fans like me hated it, and quite frankly still do.
This was probably the next to last episode I ever saw, only like some of the other episodes I had this on in the background, but tried to pay attention while I did things around the home. Trying to watch it again via BBC America I understand why I disliked this series so much.
The stories plot again serves as a background for the examination of character interactions. It's a "let's talk about our feelings" kind of deal, and where 1960's Star Trek had some of that, it was essentially part of the background material; i.e. Spock and McCoy arguing to add some humor. But here the characters are the focus, as opposed to the objectives the characters are forced to meet.
In this episode we examine the junior officers serving the senior officers, and their relationships with one another. It's tiring stuff.
The plot boils forth towards the end, and hinted at throughout the episode, but you have to wade through another volume of examining feelings and relationships ...
So why did I keep watching? Because I'm stupid. Like I said in other reviews regarding this show, I kept hoping for actual plot and action oriented episodes, but instead got a very soft peddled therapist's office in space, complete with a counselor stationed on the bridge with some psychiatric powers.
The junior officers talk to one another, confide and discuss their feelings and relationships, and how to properly act on those feelings. This is the show's emphasis, and so the plot doesn't into focus until the third act. And even then you get more "here are my feelings on the matter" dialogue before the action comes into play.
Looking at some of the reviews by fans they seem to rate it somewhat high, but not very high. A kind of above average score. Well, both show and audience are very different from the fans and show I grew up with.
Reader; you should know that Hollywood is ruled by sociologists and other behavioral scientists; psychologists and so forth. So, it doesn't matter how good a story you have, the powers that be want to teach the audience about whatever it is they deem important. And so it is that Star Trek The Next Generation was an is an instruction in relationships as opposed to focusing on what and why ship and crew are in space.
So, to me it's puzzling that people give this episode praise, but dismiss or give poor reviews to episodes that are more plot oriented. But then I remind myself that this is a different show, and knowing the criteria for it makes me shrug my shoulders.
The truth is it angers me because it's more bait and switch; i.e. Slap the Star Trek label on something and then take away everything that made the old show so fun.
In the end the junior officers discuss the outcome of evaluations, and one other event happens that adds some emotional weight from the plot's events. But, again it's soft lighting, soft music, you never see the action just the results, and all of the episode are characters talking.
So, if you like that, this is the show for you.
Once again, original Star Trek was a plot driven show where Kirk and crew addressed malefactors that caused huge problems in society. Star Trek The Next Generation used plots as background story to explore character interactions.
In this way Star Trek The Next Generation, minus the jokes, had a Situation Comedy format in that that's what sit-coms explore; relationships and conflicts between and among characters, notably family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.
And that's what makes this show so bad, and why old school fans like me hated it, and quite frankly still do.
This was probably the next to last episode I ever saw, only like some of the other episodes I had this on in the background, but tried to pay attention while I did things around the home. Trying to watch it again via BBC America I understand why I disliked this series so much.
The stories plot again serves as a background for the examination of character interactions. It's a "let's talk about our feelings" kind of deal, and where 1960's Star Trek had some of that, it was essentially part of the background material; i.e. Spock and McCoy arguing to add some humor. But here the characters are the focus, as opposed to the objectives the characters are forced to meet.
In this episode we examine the junior officers serving the senior officers, and their relationships with one another. It's tiring stuff.
The plot boils forth towards the end, and hinted at throughout the episode, but you have to wade through another volume of examining feelings and relationships ...
So why did I keep watching? Because I'm stupid. Like I said in other reviews regarding this show, I kept hoping for actual plot and action oriented episodes, but instead got a very soft peddled therapist's office in space, complete with a counselor stationed on the bridge with some psychiatric powers.
The junior officers talk to one another, confide and discuss their feelings and relationships, and how to properly act on those feelings. This is the show's emphasis, and so the plot doesn't into focus until the third act. And even then you get more "here are my feelings on the matter" dialogue before the action comes into play.
Looking at some of the reviews by fans they seem to rate it somewhat high, but not very high. A kind of above average score. Well, both show and audience are very different from the fans and show I grew up with.
Reader; you should know that Hollywood is ruled by sociologists and other behavioral scientists; psychologists and so forth. So, it doesn't matter how good a story you have, the powers that be want to teach the audience about whatever it is they deem important. And so it is that Star Trek The Next Generation was an is an instruction in relationships as opposed to focusing on what and why ship and crew are in space.
So, to me it's puzzling that people give this episode praise, but dismiss or give poor reviews to episodes that are more plot oriented. But then I remind myself that this is a different show, and knowing the criteria for it makes me shrug my shoulders.
The truth is it angers me because it's more bait and switch; i.e. Slap the Star Trek label on something and then take away everything that made the old show so fun.
In the end the junior officers discuss the outcome of evaluations, and one other event happens that adds some emotional weight from the plot's events. But, again it's soft lighting, soft music, you never see the action just the results, and all of the episode are characters talking.
So, if you like that, this is the show for you.
See also
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