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Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 Review

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 still has its problems, but it’s most definitely a solid improvement upon its predecessors and a fine step in the right direction.

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“Anticipation is fun“

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Evolution is a very interesting episode about the dangers of playing God and a rare episode so far that makes Wesley Crusher work as the main character. The Ensigns of Command is a somewhat forgettable Data episode which is rare for him, but here we go. The Survivors is actually rather intriguing in concept and memorable in post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Who Watches the Watchers is solid and quite original in premise making for an authentic watching experience.

The Bonding is a wonderful, highly emotional episode about tragedy of parental death and one of the better episodes of the season for sure. Booby Trap is quite forgettable overall, The Enemy is well intentioned but not particularly well executed and The Price sees Deanna Troi once again fall prey to a male character sexually and that was so frustrating to witness.

The Vengeance Factor as well as The Defector are both overly political and war-related which is the major problem the entire season shares in my opinion. The Hunted is pretty solid and rather sophisticated and The High Ground provides a good emphasis on the Dr. Crusher character for once.

Déjà Q sees the return of Q whom I never liked and that did not change here as well. A Matter of Perspective is a particularly effective, conceptually interesting trial/courtroom drama episode. Yesterday’s Enterprise is pretty good and overall quite moving when we see a dead character return for one episode. The Offspring is very smart, interesting and with particularly memorable Data.

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Sins of the Father is a rarely good showcase of Worf and Allegiance is another solid Picard episode in a season filled with them. Captain’s Holiday is the best and most entertaining of such. Captain Picard is always hilarious when escaping women’s lust and here we get another funny take on that plus the episode is damn romantic too. Tin Man is boring and Hollow Pursuits seems overly familiar by now.

The Most Toys has a terrific concept well executed. Sarek is a famously emotional, wonderful, epic even episode in the most intimate sense. Ménage a Troi is quite funny in Picard’s romantic scenes once again. Transfigurations is very strong and memorable, but The Best of Both Worlds Part I is quite overrated for me personally. At least the first installment.

Overall, the third season has its clunkers and an over-reliance on war and politics, but the more scientific episodes work and the emotion is heightened here to great degrees. It’s an improvement both in characterization and in storytelling.

Worst Episodes: The Enemy and The Price.

Best Episodes: The Bonding and Captain’s Holiday.