Wednesday 3 September 2008

Star Trek: TNG 1.5 - The Last Outpost

Review 89 - Episode 85

The One with the Ferengi

The first appearance of the Ferengi, supposed to be a new enemy like the Klingons or Romulans. Sh'yea, right. Surely the makeup suggests comical pains in the arse rather than world conquerors?

Anyway, they've nicked a Star fleet macguffin and the Enterprise is chasing them when they both end up captured by a planets ancient defence system and have their power drained.

The basic concept isn't bad, but some of the characters are WAY off. Riker is really poor here, coming across as angry and raging, snapping at shipmates and it looks like he hates Data! Geordi is possibly the only person in Star Trek who has ever said "Woo Hoo!" and his over enthusiastic scene made me laugh. Yar and Worf keep canceling each other out and If Crosby hadn't left, I'd probably have to shunt her as she's stealing Worf's scenes. Beverly is underused also and Troi is still weird and miserable looking.

The scene with Data explaining about the outpost and the holodisplay was good though, and the Chinese finger puzzle made me smile. Picard's interaction with his officers and the crisis in general is also very watchable.

The final act on the planet is terrible though, with the Ferengi looking like chimps and very dull scenes with the Portal.

Nice idea, but ropey characters and execution.

2/5
Overall Star Trek Franchise Rating so far: 256/450

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