TNG 2x17: "Samaritan Snare"

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Episode Notes: ( I just took some extra strength Tylenol and that shit knocks me out, so let's see if I'm coherent here, okay? )

Overall Reaction: I think this episode teaches us many important lessons, including:

1) Don't judge people by their verbal skills, or they might steal your chief engineer.
2) Kids these days. No appreciation of fine literature. Or history.
3) Picard is a badass. Motherfucker was IMPALED, AND HE LAUGHED. And then talked about it while eating little fucking sandwiches like getting impaled was a goddamned tea party. Hot damn, son.
4) But even when you're a badass, it's kind of silly to let your embarrassment over a medical issue put your health at risk. Just let Pulaski do the surgery, JL.

Star Rating: ** 1/2

Quote of the Episode:
"No problem. Where women are concerned I am in COMPLETE control." (Wesley, being hilarious)

TNG 2x18: "Up the Long Ladder"

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Episode Notes: ( Picard Laughs! )

Overall Reaction: What a bizarre, disjointed episode. Did we really have space transcendentalists? And if we did, were they really crazy Irish stereotypes? Did we really have a harridan daughter trying to keep her comically drunk father in line? Why were there clones IN THIS SAME EPISODE?

And why wouldn't the clones be children? That always drives me crazy. I'm willing to ignore the issue for really cool plots, including one recent film, but for this? No.

And, while the nonchalant suggestion that the space Amish relax their traditional marriage standards has interesting implications for what 24th century society's approach to polyamory might be, what the hell? Did they really just use the words "breeding stock"? About people? And entice the HARD-DRINKING TEMPERAMENTAL IRISH into this deal by playing to their BASE LUSTS?

What the hell?

Also, Riker is a lech.

Star Rating: *

Quote of the Episode:
"It is a test of bravery - of one's ability to look at the face of mortality. It is also a reminder that death is an experience best shared - like the tea."
"Worf, you're a romantic!"
"It is among the Klingons that love poetry achieves its fullest flower." (Worf and Pulaski -- sounding her death knoll?)

TNG 2x19: "Manhunt"

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Episode Notes: ( Never assume anything where Lwaxana Troi is concerned! )

Overall Reaction: This episode was a transparent excuse to let Lwaxana hit inappropriately on Picard and to showcase Patrick Stewart's marvelous faces and I, for one, welcome it. It even threw in some Dixon Hill for no good reason whatsoever.

Yes, it was light on plot, but it more than made up for it in delightfulness.

Star Rating: *** 1/2

Quote of the Episode:
"As ship's doctor I consider it an excellent exercise for his reflexes and agility." (Pulaski, on *running* from Lwaxana)

TNG 2x20: "The Emissary"

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Episode Notes: ( I'm starting to think Betazoid weddings might be the most straightforward amongst Star Trek alien races. )

Overall Reaction: It's interesting that Worf would have had such a serious relationship with such an atypical Klingon (half-Klingon), because he, having been raised by humans, seems like Spock to cling all the more fiercely to his non-human side. Or perhaps it's simply that he finds a different way of reconciling the warring cultures in which he was raised than K'Ehleyr does, as despite his pride in Klingon culture and values, he is much more serious than most Klingons we meet and (of necessity) has a much more controlled temper -- I think he uses his seriousness as a shield just as much as K'Ehleyr uses her humor, though it's also possible that he is just a hugeass Klingon NERD. Oh, he completely is, he doesn't have many friends and he's way too earnest and he loves love poetry -- I mean, it's more a Lancelot kind of nerdiness than an Urkel kind, but even so. Still, whatever balance Worf has found seems to be a healthier one than K'Ehleyr's, as her rejection of her Klingon side nearly ends disastrously; it is Worf who is able to bring about a successful diplomatic resolution.

I thought K'Ehleyr was an interesting character, serving as a stand-in for the audience to learn about Klingon nature through, much as Riker did in "A Matter of Honor" (though she's way more prejudiced than he was). Ultimately, though, I wasn't that interested in her romance with Worf, so the episode felt duller than it could have.

Star Rating: ***

Quote of the Episode:
"We are mated!"
"I know! I was there!" (Worf and K'Ehleyr, having a totally awesome wedding or whatever)

TNG 2x21: "Peak Performance"

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Episode Notes: ( My icon has nothing to do with this episode, but I thought it might make up for the fact that I wrote down six notes total, only one of them about plot. )

Overall Reaction: Wow, this really wasn't a bad episode or anything, but it completely drove home to me how absolutely terrible the Ferengi would be as a major Star Trek villain. Seriously, every time TNG Ferengi appear on the screen my brain just shuts off because they are so unbearably silly.

And unfortunately that is what happened for most of this episode.

Also I was really sick when I watched it and kind of half-asleep and drugged out. You know.

Star Rating: ** 1/2

Quote of the Episode:
"While Kolrami was dedicated to winning, I was able to pass up obvious avenues of advancement and settle for a balance. Theoretically, I should be able to challenge him indefinitely."
"Then you have beaten him."
"It is a matter of perspective, Doctor. In the strictest sense, I did not win."
"Data!"
"I busted him up!" (Data, Pulaski, and Troi)

Meta: Had Worf Been Made the Partner of Eve, We'd Be in Eden Still

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So, in the five minutes since I last posted, I have become OBSESSED with the idea of Worf as Lancelot (Camelot edition). And, King Arthur-like, I shall explain my logic in a list!

1) Worf is from abroad, the only Frenchman Klingon on the Round Table on a Federation ship.

2) Worf seems unnaturally serious next to his compatriots -- even his Klingon compatriots ("Are you sure he's French?") -- often comically so. Can you imagine Worf's response if he was told to go "a-Mayin'"?

3) He is dedicated to the notion of honor and would lay down his life for his king Captain.

4) He is an unmatched warrior who doesn't mind being hit by big sticks.

5) He is a not-so-secret romantic, fond of love poetry and meaningful ceremonies.

6) He over-sentimentalizes sex. Well, sentimentalizes. I shouldn't be so judgy.

7) He is a big honkin' dork, but is too badass for people to accuse him of it.

All I can say is that we are lucky that he doesn't go around preaching about how chaste he is, although he does go on a bit much about how awesome Klingon sex is for my taste.

In conclusion: Sir Worfalot du Lac.

TNG 2x22: "Shades of Gray"

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NO.

I REFUSE.

And thus season two ends, not with a bang, but with a fucking CLIP SHOW.