PATRON TAKES - TNG S7E1

This two parter has the biggest quality disparity between the parts of any two parter. Part 1 is pretty great and Part 2 stinks.

This episode is the pits Remember when Data stole the Enterprise in Brothers? Assuming Lore has Data's capabilities he, combined with the Borg should be absolutely devastating. Instead we get a boring trek by the numbers mind control plot (ENOUGH WITH THE FUCKING MIND CONTROL MY GOD IN HEAVEN) that has no implication for the character because his actions "don't count." Captain Crusher keeps this episode from being an E, but even then that story also is a dog because borg are defeated easily and the threat has no urgency.

Better than I thought it was. Certainly better than the 18th Century time travel wrap-up!

This was decent. My biggest criticism would be that the ending needed to be life and death struggle and it kind of all happened politely and abruptly btw Data and Lore. It probably needed to be more like Frodo and Gollum.

I know Josh and Alex enjoy new characters being “unlocked” and watching how the underlings deal with crisis situations, but I’ve personally always hated it. Especially in the second part of a two-parter. I don’t give two shits about what Ensign Goofball or Lieutenant Fuckface thinks when we’re fighting the Borg. It all feels like filler. If you want to see how the younger, lower-ranked individuals view life on the Enterprise, then create an episode for them. We may see something like this soon. For now, keep the action on the primaries where it belongs! And goodbye, Lore! B-Tier episode for me! 🖖

The biggest problem with this episode is that it humanizes the Borg, but while I-Borg did this in a thought provoking and impactful way, Descent does it in a way that just makes the Borg substantially less frightening and imposing without advancing any ethical or moral thought. I didn't appreciate this as much when I first saw the episode but in the decades since it's become more clear.

I think it's funny how they brought back the actor who played the character that wanted to steal the Metaphasic shielding to be the guy that Crusher talks to about METAPHASIC SHIELDING with! Crusher: "Do you know anything about Metaphasic shielding?" Lt. Barnaby: "Uh, no! I have no idea what you are talking about! I am certainly not trying to impersonate a Starfleet Officer in a crisis situation just so i can get my hands on it. That would be silly."

We have now seen many "to be continued". What are your thoughts on the two parters in TNG? I remember comments earlier (years ago lol) on this topic, so I am wondering if your opinions have changed.

As expected, the 2nd part is better than the 1st, making the sum of both somewhere at a high C.

If there is a sun, Crusher will fly through it always

I feel like I should like this episode more since it continues so many plots from previous episodes but it really doesn't do it well. I feel like Lore is treated as some great villain for TNG but honestly he's just been kinda meh in all of his appearances to me. I would have also liked more attention to Hue's story here but he is given so little after the great last episode.

not a terrible episode in isolation, but as a follow up to part one it sure is disappointing...

Here, we take all the amazing potential built up in part 1 way back in season 6, and toss it in the dumpster.

Data could have suggested trying to repair what was wrong with Lore and making use of what could have been a valuable asset, something Lore asked of his own father in "Brothers", but taking him out this way has always made me a little sad.

Reading comments. I didn't expect people to love this. But I didn't expect the hate either.

All in all I like the call backs. I like Crusher being able to show some command chops (she's better at killing people via sun storm than she is at saving them via medicine). Nice call back to the special sun shields. Part of me doesn't like that Data could only be reached by rebooting his ethical program. I almost feel like he is becoming human enough that maybe he could be reached without having to go through computer codes and algorithms. But then again Trek is a very science- materialist-non spiritual show. And other characters basically get "programmed" and deprogrammed as well. So whatever I guess

Not a fan of what they did with the Borg in these two episodes. Lore kinda feels like he was just thrown in to raise the personal stakes. Crusher in command is good. Ironically the guy serving as tactical officer who says he's heard of the metaphasic shields also played the alien that tried stealing it in Suspicions. Also, how many times has Data been hacked/hijacked and put the ship and/or crew at risk now?

Wasted potential is the greatest sin Lore, the Borg, Hugh -- this episode can rot in hell

It's a conclusion to Lore's story, which is ... fine I guess. The Borg are always best as a faceless collective. This variation is not my favorite.

Brent Spiner is fantastic as always but there’s something about this 2-parter that just doesn’t hit the mark. All the crew just seem tired or something.

I think the Borg were done a disservice here. They worked better when they were a “faceless” collective.

A second part that bends toward pushing the reset button by the end so that none of our characters can experience any major changes as a result of the story. A frustratingly timid, almost inert way to start the final season. The Beverly scenes are fun, but also feel like a retread of Geordi's time in the captain's chair all the way back in Arsenal of Freedom. Disappointing.

Love Beverlys story, but a big meh to the borg stuff. I wished for Q to show up at the end and reveal it as a joke.

Easily the creepiest damn Data scenes yet.

So I don't have a ton to say in regards to the episode, but how does it feel to be this close to the end of TNG's run? It will be bittersweet to watch you guys wrap up the final season of this S tier show. Enjoy it boys!

Weak Follow up to a serviceable part 1

I just don't like anything about this episode. Lore was never a favorite of mine and this is a pretty sad way for him to go. Like everyone else, I hate what this episode does to the Borg.

I hate this episode. In actual execution, it's simply unfocused and forgettable. But, as a follow-up to "I, Borg", it fumbles so badly that I'd gladly torpedo it out of existence if I had the option.

Jeri Fucking Taylor returns to destroy the Borg and Lore. I fucking hate this episode.

This season premiere makes “Time’s Arrow, Part 2” look awesome.

Garbage. Completely neuters both Lore and the Borg and makes them a joke. Takes everything good about Star Trek and turns it into a generic Michael Bay action film. E.

Part twos on TNG are often weaker than part ones. This one especially. From the TNG pilot, through measure of a man, through the rest of the series to this point, we see Data as a truly sentient, more human than he realizes, character. In this…even his sense of morality are the result of a program that can be disabled. This story wrote itself into a corner and used technobabble to get itself out. Bah.

could have been interesting with the pair up of hugh/borg and lore, but instead its just boring mustache twirling

C for Captain Crusher. Great to see Hugh again and this definitely feels like Suspicions Part 2 with *Moar Continuity*, but not enough to elevate to a Borg Banger. Now we're into the last season, what do you want to see more/less of as TNG plots a course to its finale...? 😉

Suspicions Part 2: Beverly in command, Jo'Bril, Metaphasic shielding, and a lot of bad acting. In the A-plot, Geordi indulges in one of his favorite hobbies, getting tortured. Data is happy to oblige, because turning off a few subroutines is enough to make him just as evil as Lore and ignore 6 years of friendship. Forgettable B-movie episode.

Maybe now that Lore has been dismantled, we've finally see the last of android finger nails being twisted back like that.

It's fine I guess. At least it's no Time's Arrow.

I said it in part 1, and I'll say it again: Several interesting ingredients, but it just didn't end up making that good of a stew when they were all thrown in together. Not bad, but it just doesn't really do much for me. The things I like best are Beverly in command and Data getting his emotion chip back from Lor. Shout out to Geordi for convincing him to keep it.

This show gets too much hate. Had a great part 1, and could not quite stick the landing, but still lots of great stuff in here. For me, the highlight is Beverley playing captain. C+ or B-

On the next episode of STAARR TREEKKK the continuity continues: Referring back to suspicions the growth of Dr. crusher in that episode is completed in this episode with the emergence of what you could at least call Commander crusher if not, Captain crusher. And that connection makes more strength to the story and character growth in those episodes, whereas in remember me That story is also largely about Wesley and the traveler thus focusing on Beverlly but diminishing her spotlight Hi, really like the use of crusher in this episode in suspicions as I really feel they are directly connected and do make her character growth apparent

This is !0 pounds of shit shoved into a 5 pound bag. Not enough Lore and nowhere near enough Hugh. Interestingly, the tactical officer Beverly commands while being inside the sun with the help of metaphysic shields is played by the same actor as Jo'Bril, who also went with her inside a sun with the help of metaphysic shields.

The Borg were so great because they were the only enemy Starfleet and The Federation couldn’t bargain or reason with, with no means for diplomacy or conversation. What happened to this once unique antagonist?

Wait, where were the Power Rangers during all this? This episode isn't bad, but it's very okay. That said, I loved Beverly in Command, and the continuity with Suspicions. I think those alone will elevate this one for Josh and Alex.

The Borg - once Starfleet’s greatest and unbeatable foe and now henchmen for Data’s brother.

I still really don't care for these episodes. Still not as bad as a few coming, but I think I've seen this two-parter twice in my whole life. It's as rewatchable as watching my grandmother change in a locker room.

Lore: You'll never feel emotions again, Data. Data: *feels crushing guilt about Geordi*

How would Starfleet ever trust Data to rise higher in the ranks to First Officer or Captain after “Brothers”, and now “Descent Part 2”, exhibit he is susceptible to control or manipulation? He holds immense physical power and knowledge of Starfleet secrets.

Too much story. Not enough time.

Gates saw how much growth Marina had over the last two seasons and walked into that show runners room and said I’d like to have a word with you…….

Always loved Lore as a character and Brent Spiner is amazing as always

Recycling the actors who played Aquiel and Jo'Bril respectively, and the metaphasic shield tech. Interesting.

The last time you will watch a new season of TNG, enjoy it. An episode of CONTINUITY! Lore, Hugh, Metaphasic Shields, and more! Not as good as the first part, but the return of Hugh is nice.

As with most 2-parters, part 1 was better. Still an okay episode, not as bad as the season 6 opener, but not as good as it could or should have been.

The replacement tactical officer not believing the shield from “Suspicions” will work is kind of funny because he’s the same actor they played the bad guy in that episode. The location shooting in this era of TNG is great. It’s wild to compare it to season 1 with the sand and green soundstage skies.

The Crusher stuff is good, but everything else really isn’t. It’s a disappointing start to the season especially compared to how well DS9 s2 starts.

Bringing back the metaphasic shield from "Suspicions" is a great example of the kind of casual continuity the show can do at this point.

Hate this two parter with a passion. It's just unpleasant.

Crusher for the win! Too bad they don’t separate the ship any more that could have helped. Geordi at the end forgiving Data is the best

Aside from the awesomeness of Captain Crusher, part 1 was better. Really makes that full Commander Rank she has seem fitting.

Do you think this is the last we see of Lore, or will his dumb luck bring him around to wreak more havoc on the galaxy?

When Beverly is telling the lieutenant about deploying Dr Reyga's shield technology, the actor who plays the lieutenant was playing Jo'Bril in that same episode.

Let’s gooo captain crusher! That was awesome ! The rest of this episode was shit, felt tired and boring and with the set up and the elements it had, it should have been amazing. It just felt like empty threats that pushed the plot onward.