PATRON TIER LIST TNG S5E22

Enough with the kid episodes! Uncle!

It’s a borderline B/C. I like it enough. It’s not terrible.

They really need to stop with the kid episodes. D

It’s one of those episodes I fall asleep on

A fairly normal concept, undone slightly by the fact that we have another child actor. Better than the worst, but... ugh. It's a decent plot, but it REQUIRES the young actor to carry the script. And for every "Bonding", there's a dozen lesser child actors.

On paper this episode is kinda meh. But some of the atmosphere and cinematography are pretty dang good, and there's a lot of good low-key character moments. Even Data's "it's clearly a bunny rabbit" description of the nebula offers a lot to talk about. (Was that a deliberate joke from him? If so it might have been one of his most effective) We often watch some episodes wishing that they just skip the nonsense "ship is in danger" B-plot that adds very little. This episode basically does that so I think it deserves some credit for that. Isabella's actress came across as decently inhuman too. Enough good character moments. Low B.

This episode is rough. I think the child actors do a good job considering what's asked of them. We can chalk this one up to the writing staff making the questionable decision of writing a plot that needed to be carried by an 8 and 10 year old. There are some good moments, but this is another alien entity doesn't understand humanity and is a threat until it gets a good Picard speech. Come to think of it, I wish more problems could be solved with a good Picard speech.

My second least favorite TNG episode. It’s not that it’s the worst episode, just that it’s cringey and unenjoyable to me. Jmo For years I misremembered Isabella as played by the same kid who played “Small Wonder” the BAD 80s sitcom…which I’d rather watch btw

Imaginary Friend seems to be similar to an episode of Lost In Space called My Friend Mr. Nobody. As a TNG episode it's okay.

It is what it is. And what is it is a 'monster of the week' filler episode. Kid actors were all fine. It's not their fault it's just an episode you'll forget about within a day or two. 'C'.

I really liked Shay Astar's performance as the imaginary friend. She did a great job being creepy and I thought did a better job than most child actors we've seen so far.

If the imaginary friend had more… zest to her, I might have enjoyed it more. This episode is fine… though I admit I usually skip it on binge watching. C-D for me.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I have always really liked this one. I thought both child actors delivered fantastic performances and there were plenty of elements to keep this episode moving forward (another great episode for Troi in her role as counselor, Guinan knocks it out of the park again, Picard wisdom saves the day, etc.). I like that it's more of a simple "every day life on the Enterprise" type of a story. There are 1000 other people on the Enterprise besides the main crew and sometimes it's nice to be reminded of that. I predict you two won't be impressed, but you have a habit of surprising me, so who knows?

Less kids. More Spot!

Not particularly fond of this one. It’s fine. Not very rewatchable. The alien kid’s voice bugged me.

This is the kids season ? What is this the Wire?! Gotta give it up for that child of the corn Isabella, creepier than I remembered it, but I don’t care for this episde at all!

Watching this one feels like being a babysitter with the kid that desperately wants you to play along, and you're thinking to yourself "just go to sleep already!"

I enjoyed this one a lot more when I was like 12-13 when it came out. Now it’s just meh. C for contract filler. It’s not bad, but it sure as hell isn’t great. Guinan saved it like she does with everything else.

This depends on not just 1 child actor but 2. It's not bad enough to hate, but it sucks. D as far as rating goes.

C for child’s play. S5 is really stuck on kid-focused episodes.

So what do you (Josh and Alex) think is the reason for all these children-centric episodes? Are they trying to make the show appeal to a younger audience?

One problem with this show is not only does it have an obsession with 10 yr old kids, it wants to use them as more than a plot device and gives them a point of view. But who cares about these kids, they're never to be seen again. Just further proof this is a show for little kids I'm afraid.

A ball of light from space invades the Enterprise and turns itself into a kid. Right, because that worked so well in Season 2. Kid that plays Clara is one of the best child actors in the series, but not enough to elevate the episode above mediocrity. ‘C’ for Clara needs better friends.

I tend to skip this one. D-tier

There are far worse episodes of TNG, but this is another one that I find very forgettable. There's some shade of The Bonding with a non corporeal alien befriending a child, but with all the emotional trauma and personal growth drained out and replaced with a generic threat to the ship. Not really an improvement.

The "Enterprise caught in a web" could be fascinating but this episode is garbage.

"She was 11, maybe 12. Blonde hair." Ugh, I am not looking forward to watching this one again.

This isn't the bullshit I signed up for. "D" The only saving grace of this episode is Dorf's outrage at being bullied. hahaha

Both silly and boring. E.

This episode made an impact on me as a kid watching with my family. It's good to have some episodes that are meant for families watching the show. I rated it as an A. It solidly accomplishes what it was trying to do.

Lots of episodes with kids this season. Not all of them good. C for “C how generous I am?”

da' G saves this from an E with her story. So D

Kind of an interesting perspective of human customs from an outsider. Reminds me of the concept that if aliens visited earth, they would think the cats are the masters.

Of all the recent kid episodes this the best because at least we got a little danger and a creepy kid out if it. Are they done yet?

C-, scrapes a passing grade thanks to the character work expanding on very similar beats to The Bonding. How would you compare this episode to that, given how similar they are?

It's a mystery we know the answer to, involving a little girl we don't really care about, and some dumb adults who don't believe her when she says something is wrong. Feels like an episode of a kid's show. A mediocre kid's show.

Noley Thornton (Clara) may quite possibly be the most adorable little girl ever, but this episode is pretty 'meh'. I also recognized the other little actress Shay Astar (Isabella) from 'Ernest Scared Stupid', if you've ever seen that one, who I think does a decent job of feeling threatening.

Gave this a C, I’ll rewatch when you publish the uncut version, it’s one I remember as just OK.

The imaginary friend come to life didn't do it for me. Still it was interesting watch. I give it a C.

Not going to lie, often skip this one on re-watches. I don't think it's terrible, just doesn't grab me.

I think the child performers in this were mostly okay. Isabelle was a bit flat rather than truly menacing. I feel they could have really pushed the horror element further if they wanted. Instead it's just a light episode showcase childhood life on a starship. So you guys'll probably be checked out 3 minutes in. I hope you guys don't snore on camera.

I mean it's a fun episode for a kid and fine to have on while doing the ironing I guess. C tier.

I literally have no memory of this episode. Probably saw it in first run and never since.

A solid "B" for me. It does offer a unique take on how children view the world, but other than that it's just OK.

Ga...ga...ga...ghost child!!!

I wouldn’t say it’s amazing, but it’s certainly not dreadful either. The epitome of “meh, it’s fine”

Another kid episode. It has a little something in common with “The Bonding” in that a powerful being thinks the Enterprise crew is being cruel to a child when they really are not, but that's the most I can say about it. It could have been better. I rank it as another “Time Filler With Good Moments”.