The Next Generation, Season 2: Shades of Gray

The Next Generation, Season 2

"Shades of Gray"

Airdate: July 17, 1989

47 of 176 produced

47 of 176 aired

Introduction

On a planetary survey, Commander Riker gets infected by the most insidious virus of all - the clipshow bug. In order to treat it, we must be subjected to a smattering of Riker's "memories," all of which happen to coincide neatly with previously filmed episodes, and none of which tell us anything new. Can he, and indeed can the show itself, survive this debacle?

"Do you think we can erase the memory of this episode from him?"

"Deanna, all the brain-bleach in my medical arsenal couldn't do that."

Happy Birthday, Leonard Nimoy!

Very happy 80th birthday wishes to Leonard Nimoy!

 

It's only logical to find Spock sexy.

It's mere coincidence that William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were born just 4 days apart, but it seems somehow fitting.

The Next Generation, Season 2: Peak Performance

The Next Generation, Season 2
"Peak Performance"
Airdate: July 10, 1989
46th of 176 produced
46th of 176 aired

Introduction

The Enterprise is assigned to war games in anticipation of the Borg threat. Commander Riker will command the antiquated USS Hathaway in simulated combat against the Enterprise. The games are being overseen by Zakdorn master strategist Sirna Kolrami. Kolrami is initially dismissive of Riker's ability to succeed in such a mismatched situation, much to the irritation of Picard and the crew. Kolrami is an expert in a game known as Strategema, and looking to see him taken down a peg, Dr. Pulaski maneuvers Kolrami into a game with Data, assuming Data cannot but win. To everyone's surprise, Kolrami handily defeats Data, causing him to believe something must be wrong with him. How will Riker fare against the far superior Enterprise? How will Data fare against his own self-doubt? What surprises wait for both ships in their game?

Kolrami begins the "jiggle yourself thin" diet with his fingertips. 

The Next Generation, Season 2: The Emissary

The Next Generation, Season 2

"The Emissary"

Airdate: June 29, 1989

45 of 176 produced

45 of 176 aired

Introduction

The Enterprise is called upon to travel to a remote sector in order to track a long-lost "sleeper ship." This ship contains Klingons from the war-torn past between the two great powers. How will they greet such a crew of throwbacks upon waking? A special emissary with intimate knowledge of Klingon affairs has been sent to rendezvous with the Enterprise. The plot thickens, however, when we discover that the emissary, K'Ehleyr, is Lieutenant Worf's long lost love...

"Your butt is mine. I'm going to tell you right." 

Happy Birthday, William Shatner!

William Shatner turns 80 today, and I think I speak for the entire team here at Treknobabble when I extend wishes for a very happy birthday and a fantastic year to follow. In honor of becoming an octogenarian, I am sharing not only a favorite Star Trek moment, but a favorite Simpsons moment of mine...

What I love most about this clip is that Star Trek XII is currently in the works, though I fear I will ultimately find this clip far more satisfying and for more in keeping with continuity than whatever J.J. Abrams comes up with.

Happy birthday, Captain Kirk. Live long and prosper.

The Next Generation, Season 2: Manhunt

The Next Generation, Season 2
"Manhunt"
Airdate: June 19, 1989
44 of 176 produced
44 of 176 aired

Introduction

The Enterprise is set to ferry a pair of Antedean delegates to a peace conference on Pacifica, when Lwaxana Troi appears and informs the Enterprise is she is the Betazoid delegate to the same conference. But Lwaxana has another purpose in mind for asking the Enterprise to escort her to the conference. She is looking for a new husband, and has set her sights on Captain Picard. Will the crew of the Enterprise be able to handle this latest "threat"?

Would you like to join the Three Dolphin Club, Jean-Luc? Mr. Homm is in the other room...

The Next Generation, Season 2: Up The Long Ladder

The Next Generation, Season 2

"Up The Long Ladder"

Airdate: May 22, 1989

42 of 176 produced

42 of 176 aired

Introduction

The Enterprise is assigned to investigate a strange repeating signal from a distant sector of space. When it is revealed that the signal is typical of space vessels from the European Hegemony of Earth's 22nd century, and records show no vessels aimed at the Ficus sector, the mystery deepens. Who or what is behind the signal, and what condition will they be found in?

Brenna O'Dell tests Commander Riker (and the male audience) for homosexuality...

The Next Generation, Season 2: Samaritan Snare

The Next Generation, Season 2

"Samaritan Snare"

Airdate: May 15, 1989

42 of 176 produced

42 of 176 aired

Introduction

Wesley is on his way to retake his Starfleet entrance exams, and Captain Picard is going to accompany him by shuttle. He needs a medical procedure at the Starbase to replace his artificial heart, an operation he is not happy about. Meanwhile, the Enterprise received a distress signal from a Pakled ship, and they go to offer assitance. Are the Pakleds hiding something behind a simple, vulnerable veneer? (SPOILER ALERT: Yes.) Will there be complications with Captain Picard's procedure? (SPOILER ALERT: Yes.) Will those complications require the Enterprise's presence just when it is trapped dealing with the Pakleds' duplicity? (SPOILER ALERT: Yes.)

A better indicator of the excitement level of this episode, we may not find.

The Next Generation, Season 2: Q Who

The Next Generation, Season 2

"Q Who"

Airdate: April 24, 1989

41 of 176 produced

41 of 176 aired

Introduction

Upon Picard's rejection of Q's request to join the ship's crew as an adviser, a fit of pique leads Q to fling the Enterprise into deep, unexplored space. While there, the ship encounters a new menace, the Borg. This race behaves along lines inscrutable to a human society, leading Picard and crew to struggle both at understanding and escaping the Borg's relentless, acquisitive drive. Will they escape intact?

Hamster pose!

The Next Generation, Season 2: Pen Pals

The Next Generation, Season 2
"Pen Pals"
Airdate: May 1, 1989
40 of 176 produced
40 of 176 aired

Introduction

The Enterprise has been sent to the Selcundi Drema sector to explore why the planets in its five star systems seem to be tearing themselves apart. Worlds that held thriving ecosystems a few years ago have turned into volcanic wastelands. As part of his training aboard the Enterprise, Wesley is assigned to lead the team that will investigate the phenomenon. Complicating matters, Data has been in contact with a child from a pre-warp civilization on one of the threatened worlds. Captain Picard must now balance the demands of the Prime Directive against the little girl's cry for help.

Captain, I'm sensing unusually icky fingers. With my regular senses. Eew.

The Next Generation, Season 2: The Icarus Factor

The Next Generation, Season 2

"The Icarus Factor"

Airdate: April 24, 1989

39 of 176 produced

39 of 176 aired

Introduction

On a visit to Starbase Montgomery in order to investigate some "minor readout anomalies," the Enterprise also receives a shocking bit of news - Starfleet wants to promote Commander Riker to the captaincy of the Aries, taking him away from the Enterprise and the show. Delivering the news is an unexpected guest - Riker's estranged father. Will they bury the hatchet, and will Riker leave the ship for good in order to pursue his dreams?

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"

Like Trek? Like Surveys? Well, have we got a link for you...

One of Treknobabbler Richard Lorenc's friends, Virginia Postrel, is engaging in a research project regarding the sentiments of Star Trek fans toward the franchise. Ms. Postrel is an author, having written the book "The Future And Its Enemies," and also used to be the editor of the libertarian publication Reason Magazine.

The survey is quite long and asks impossible questions like "List your top ten episodes and movies from all Trek." So it may take you quite a while. Heck, I already had ready-made answers for "who is your favorite character?" and "why do you love Star Trek?" and it still took me about an hour. But it was enjoyable nonetheless.

In the future, no one is afraid of taking tests...

Anyway, here's the link: 

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/439308/Star-Trek-Fans

The Next Generation, Season 2: Time Squared

The Next Generation, Season 2
"Time Squared"
Airdate: April 3, 1989
38 of 176 produced
38 of 176 aired

Introduction

While travelling to the Endicor system, the Enterprise makes a strange discovery: a lone Federation shuttlepod. There's no ship nearby that could have launched it. They bring it aboard, but the mystery only deepens. In every detail, it is an exact duplicate of one of their own shuttlepods, and on board is a duplicate Captain Picard. Despite Dr. Pulaski and Counselor Troi affirming that he is what he appears to be, but Captain Picard still thinks it impossible. An examination of the shuttle reveals that the shuttle is from six hours in the Enterprise's future, a future where Picard abandons the Enterprise to watch it be destroyed. As the Enterprise approaches the time the shuttle came from, will Picard be able to unravel this latest mystery?

"You know, I've always wished you could have been a taller man."