PATRON TIER LIST S5E20

Troi's counselling in this episode is terrible. Her mother's approach to d'Worf is much more balanced and compassionate, even if she encouraged him to shirk his "responsibilities." Watching her be appalled at the idea of a contract between father and son was cathartic. The mud bath scene with d'Worf present and the dancing girls was inappropriate, which downgrades this to a C for me. Lwaxanna being naked in front of him later at the wedding was uncomfortable, but less sexualized. I'm a naturist, and the beaches I go to have children and adults. But everyone is nekked. Betazoid weddings are really bizarre.

My brother bought me an iPod Shuffle back in the day with ‘The Higher, The Fewer’ engraved on the back just because this bizarre episode is a core memory for us. It’s hard to know whether the freaking laughing hour and the guy with his head in a bubble lower this from B into a C or raise it from a D. If I jettison my nostalgia from remembering this as a kid in the 90s, I think it’s probably the latter.

Ok I’ve just watched this again and I’d say it’s a contender for the worst episode of any Star Trek ever. I was about Alex (Dorf’s) age when this came out, if I were taken to naked mud baths with skimpy dancers by a random old lady I’d only just met I’m sure I’d be going through counselling today. What is the message of this story? What was the point of the episode? What were the writers smoking?

Maybe the worst episode of TNG outside the non-episode "Shades of Grey". I remembered nothing about this episode, and now on this rewatch I can see why. Lwaxana's antics felt like they expected a laugh track or the full house theme. And the secret of the ooze felt like the laziest B plot every conceived. All of real trek is precious, so I won't erase from canon, but it def gets a D from me, dawg.

Awful episode. Bad in so many ways. I'm gonna have so much fun watching you guys watch it! But to play devil's advocate, there's a lot of great little moments in this episode. Lwaxana's sausage-in-a-cup was funny. There's that great shot of Mr. Holme from Alexander's perspective. Worf in the weird circus/spa holodeck program is ICONIC. The goo seeping into the turbolift is an excellent setup for a horror movie scene. And there's random funny lines like "Understand LATER!" or "If you ever have a world... Plan ahead! Don't eat it!" Also, the Alexander/Lwaxana plot is some genuinely good stuff. I never thought they'd make such a compelling pair, and I loved how it ended!

One of my top 5 worst episodes. I only watched it recently and still can’t remember what happens, other than a weird mud bath scene and annoying circus type characters. The only redeeming part for me is when Worf blows up the annoying floating head with a power slap

Until now, I had completely forgotten this episode existed. Or, I had purged it from my memory - self erasing from canon... Another D for Dorf. Bonus point for Lwaxana though, whose character has built on the development in "Half a Life"...

Eh. It's an episode. I don't really have to say about it, tbh. It's fine, but easily forgotten. 'C-'.

I don't remember much about this episode except for the last shot of Worf. I hope you enjoy.

I know I'm in the minority, but I adore Alexander and I really enjoy this episode. My girls were young when I introduced them to TNG and so my headspace was filled with child-focused wonder alongside them and they loved seeing him. Lwaxana no doubt still holds a special place in their hearts as well. This was fun to watch with them (8 & 13 at the time; the youngest is on S4E23 with her finace, a newly minted TNG-fan.) TNG appeals to all ages, and the occasional kid-centric fun episode is one of the reasons for that.

I made a harsh comment earlier in this thread about the episode. Upon a re-watch…well, as I fast-forwarded through it last night…I came to realize that there are a lot of genuine emotions exhibited by Majel Barrett. When you take into account that Gene had just died, she probably felt lost and alone…and channeled those feelings into her performance. Your Honors, I’d like to change my rating from D to C.

This is one of the few episodes that I give a C with zero hesitation but still can't help but recommend. Lwaxana playing a grandma by proxy brings out a lot of great moments for the character, even if said moments have to be established via Alexander being the focus.

Low C for me, its got some ok moments that keep it up in the C's for me I love seeing Lwaxana character development of any sort but it just doesn't hold up well overall. One of my lesser favorite Lwaxana episodes and one I'm very likely to skip if I was watching through on my own. Alexander is a great plot device for Worf, he's just not interesting enough to focus an episode directly at him.

Can Lwaxana adopt Dorf? Please? Get this little fucker off the enterprise.

The only thing I remember about this episode is the floating head that annoyed me, and Alexander and Lawxana sitting in a mud pool which I found a bit weird. Anyways those are not very good memories. This is one of the worst of the series for me, so I gave it a D. It is not the absolute worst, that E is reserved for a few special ones. But given how I haven't seen it in years I am looking forward to watching it with you guys, and who knows, I might see it in a different light.

I skip this episode. I don't think there is anything in this episode that can redeem it. I wonder if fresh perspective will change my mind, looking forward to watching it in tandem with the duo.

It's a character building episode, mostly bland but some fun moments. Also some quite stupid moments. I can see what they were trying to do, but they stepped all over themselves doing it. I love Majel Barrett, quite a good actress and a beautiful woman. I give this as much as a C because of her.

Gonna admit, as someone who actually likes Cirque du Soleil, I soooorted like the Cirque-like performers. The episode at least earned the two Emmys that it won, for makeup and costume. But still, Alexander, yet another TNG TERRIBLY-WRITTEN and acted child character. This show is just awful when children are on the screen (except for Disaster).

S for Super Shitty! The only good thing about this episode is the new door effect on the holodeck! Other than that I can spend the rest of my life not watching this again

Only good thing in this one is body-painted ass.

I turned this off after Worf and that kid started fighting over laundry and the wacky mom showed up. Is there a Z tier? Yeah, I really turn on Star Trek to watch a kid not want to do laundry. Thrilling stuff, and boldly going where no show has gone before. I can see why TNG fans dismiss bad episodes as being like TOS.

I don’t think it’s really banger quality but I gotta give it a B. It’s silly and fun and stupid. And I like Lwaxana episodes. Come at me.

Hrm… where do I start. Either the best or one of the worst Lwaxana and Alexander episodes. Sure I get laughs from a few scenes… but I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy this episode as a whole. C… maybe…

I usually skip this one during a series rewatch.

They never were scared to show a little skin. I had TNG playing on the TV (PlutoTv) and walked in the room one day, looked at the screen, and noticed I could see straight through the girls dress that was on screen! "The Dauphin" and noticed it several times in others. it's like once you see it type thing... Example: the next episode! (not that I'm complaining)

Too bad they cut the mud wrestling scene at the end... lol

This is probably the episode that most Lwaxana and Alexander haters complain about the most. It does have some interesting moments, though not nearly enough of them. I don't hate it, but I don't love it, either. It's just kind of...there. Worf does have a good closing line, though. Another “Time Filler With Good Moments” for me.

You realize when Ms Troi spoke to the computer before entering the hollow deck she was talking to herself 😜 I love how annoying she is in that episode, a shamefull A for me.

I didn’t feel like I wasted my day watching this, but it’s not the best episode. A solid C. A few good bits of humor but overall somewhat forgettable. Not bad, just not stellar.

A budget saver Majel tries to save and the third Alexender makes it nearly unwatchable. Not as bad as people make it out to be, but forgettable. C- So this one is definitely making the TA top 10 greatest, right?

Wow, it blows me away that so many are even giving this a C, let alone anything better. Annoying Lwaxana, annoying Alexander, boring plot. I skip this every time I rewatch TNG. D or E, they both mean the same thing to me. This would be on my bottom 10 list for sure.

This episode is a cringefest.

It’s not as a bad as I remember, but still not good

Lwaxana stuff is fine, but my problem with this episode is that the ship practically returned to normal after the parasite was beamed off the ship. Everything just turns back on like nothing was damaged.

Please, somehow toss this episode into the pitt of eternal forgetfulness. There are so many cringe moments in this episode, I can't skip it fast enough.

D for dawdling. Really poor integration of the storylines this episode.

The lower, the shittier. D for Dorf.

Alexander and Lwaxana Troy, could've had Q and I don't think it would save it. I think this is my first E while I've been a patron.

Great light-hearted episode. A

To be honest, I find this one of the most forgettable episodes of the entire show. At the time of writing this, all I remember is a mud bath and Alexander and Lwaxana hanging out a lot. Not sure a rewatch will change my opinion. Worf popping the balloon was good for a chuckle at least.

anything to get the boss' wife naked i guess

Lwaxana goes more "Auntie Mame" in this episode to a certain extent, and it has mixed results. I wonder if this episode was somewhat therapeutic for Majel Roddenberry. Overall, it's an okay episode, but 1 would not care to revisit except here. C from me.

as a lifelong feminist, many cringey moments, but i do enjoy some of the side notes and always enjoy seeing ferengi

Some funny moments in a mostly forgettable episode.

EEEEEEEEEEEGGODDDDDD how horrible

I tend to skip this one. D

Apologies to New Ground, which I gave an E because I thought it was this episode. E.

"you're just supposed to sit here?" ... Worf's line delivery just saves this episode from an E tier!

I recently rewatched this and it’s not as terrible as I remember. For me Lwaxana’s monologue about getting married is the best part of the show and gives her a deeper look into her character (hits even more knowing Majel had been recently widowed at the time of filming). 30 years ago would’ve given this one a D, but my appreciation for Majel’s performance bumps it up. Rated C for “can we end every episode with Worf in a mudbath?”

Episodes like this are why Alexander gets a bad rap. He’s not a terribly annoying character, but he gets all wrapped up with Lwaxana.

The holodeck characters are reminiscent of 1980’s childrens’ programming nightmare fuel like Zoobilee Zoo, PeeWee’s Playhouse, Pinwheel, & Today’s Special.

C Its okay but still it feels like it was just thrown together. I wonder though when Lawaxan talks to Alexander about loosing someone close. How much Majel is channeling her grief for Gene into those lines.

Good God. D. Should it be (E)rased from canon?

A few good moments for Lwaxana. Not much else beyond that. D tier. I still don't know what the fuck was going on with that holodeck program.

I predict A&J will give a grumpy Worf-slap to this smiling floaty rainbow bubble head of an episode.

This one gets a bunch of D's in a cup from the replicator for me. One bright spot is this finally flipped me on Lwaxana Troi's character, going forward, when I realized her specialty is getting others to open up (Dianna being a chip off the older but still energetic block). Good themes and ideas, didn't work. The stuff with her and Alexander was indeering & actually memorable but the 3 plots didn't mesh, the guy obsessed with protocal not making a single fuss the ship was friggin' melting?????

This is one that I know is generally hated but I like anyway. It's funny. I like Alexander. I like Lwaxana. I like the goofy fun they have together. The colony place is kind of dumb but for me the humor of the ep is the dynamics between the main players and the fiancé protocol dude. And I appreciate Lwaxanna's struggle with aging and loneliness and how she is true to herself in the end. I give it a B.

The higher, the fewer.

OK, but really, what the hell is this?

Dorf and Lwaxana - not an elevator I want to be stuck in. Hard pass.

Love Lwaxana. Hate the episode.

My first E....eh

I think I skip this one every time. Not a fan of either character, so putting them together isn’t on my highlight reel.

Not one I particularily look forward to on series rewatches. A brutal combo for people not fans of Lwaxana or Alexander. Others wise just a little meh. But it's got a lot of character work so B to A for you guys?

Lwxanna's character arc continues: In Menage A Troi she told us that she needed a man to be happy. In Half a Life, she thought she'd found that man in Timison. Now her fear and desperation are making her compromise her values and settle for anyone. I also like this episode's theme of staying true to yourself in a world that's constantly trying to control you.

It's a Lwaxana episode, and although you guys seem to like her, I find her a detriment any time she shows up. Especially when you add in Alexander. That said, this isn't the worst Lwaxana episode ever, so it gets a C from me.

I liked this a lot more on a rewatch. Lwaxana is the kind of naughty grandma that parents dread but kids love. I give it a B.

I might be the only one who actually looks forward to Lwaxana showing up in an episode. She lightens up the mood and is a joy. I will never understand the hate for her.

Literally the only thing stopping this from being E tier is Worf in the mud bath…

Worf in the mud, that’s about all I remember about this one.