This is another relatively forgettable episode. Lwaxana Troi has once again arrived on the Enterprise to make matters difficult for Picard. She has arranged a marriage with some guy who is royalty on his planet. She immediately inserts herself in the crew's business, particularly when it comes to her daughter. Two things are going on prior to the wedding. Alexander is experiencing anger with his authoritarian father, Worf, who sets down rules and expects them to be followed to the letter. Also, after breaking up an asteroid before it does significant damage to a planet, some of the residue finds its way on ship and begins to combine with structural metals, turning them into a syrupy goop. It turns out that the guy set to marry Lwaxana is a boorish, puffed up, self centered jerk. He has a man with him who is his chief of protocol. He is prissy and full of himself also and doesn't buy into this wedding. Anyway, as Troi tries to council Alexander, her mother keeps butting in (actually, offering much better advice). Troi has all the jargon that we hear from counselors today. Her mother is much more about using what it takes to deal with life. This is more of a lightweight episode although the stuff affecting the ship is quite serious.
20 Reviews
Completely inconsequential...but fun.
planktonrules25 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Inconsequential is a word best used for most of the episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that involve Counselor Troi's mother, Lwaxana. They are generally fun but really have little depth or provide much in the way of advancing the overall Star Trek story. This isn't necessarily a complaint, though, as these shows are also rather fun...as there really is no one like Lwaxana!
The show begins with Worf and Alexander working out their troubled relationship with the help of Counselor Troi. Worf is bossy and cold and Alexander isn't very obedient. However, their progress in counseling is lost when Lwaxana shows up--and she practically kidnaps the boy--taking him off on her holodeck adventures. At the same time, Lwaxana is SUPPOSED to be preparing for a wedding to a very dull man--one who is nothing like the free-spirited Lwaxana. Are Lwaxana's and Alexander's stories really THAT different?
This one is played just for laughs. It's got a few and I did enjoy the final scene with Worf, Deanna, Lwaxana and Alexander. But it's also one that is easy to skip or forget.
The show begins with Worf and Alexander working out their troubled relationship with the help of Counselor Troi. Worf is bossy and cold and Alexander isn't very obedient. However, their progress in counseling is lost when Lwaxana shows up--and she practically kidnaps the boy--taking him off on her holodeck adventures. At the same time, Lwaxana is SUPPOSED to be preparing for a wedding to a very dull man--one who is nothing like the free-spirited Lwaxana. Are Lwaxana's and Alexander's stories really THAT different?
This one is played just for laughs. It's got a few and I did enjoy the final scene with Worf, Deanna, Lwaxana and Alexander. But it's also one that is easy to skip or forget.
Lwaxana getting married?
bkoganbing20 October 2018
The Enterprise is in crisis. Some kind of metallic rot is setting in after they
destroy an asteroid headed for collision with a planet. But the real crisis is
Marina Sirtis's mother is back on board and looking to get married. To a
man she's not met, but has exchanged interplanetary dating profiles. Nice to
see computer dating so advanced in several centuries.
Majel Barrett is always fun as mother Troi. She injects herself in the middle of Deanna's counseling sessions with Worf and his son Alexander. Stripped of all the futuristic trappings it's the story of a widowed father trying to raise a son. Hard enough for humans, Klingons are a whole other experience.
There are some nice scenes with Barrett and Brian Bonsall as young Alexander. Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn seem at a loss here as Barrett is the one who really connects with the lad. She also finds maybe she doesn't want to get remarried especially after seeing what a drip her proposed new husband is.
Not a great episode, but a more relaxed one and vastly entertaining.
Majel Barrett is always fun as mother Troi. She injects herself in the middle of Deanna's counseling sessions with Worf and his son Alexander. Stripped of all the futuristic trappings it's the story of a widowed father trying to raise a son. Hard enough for humans, Klingons are a whole other experience.
There are some nice scenes with Barrett and Brian Bonsall as young Alexander. Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn seem at a loss here as Barrett is the one who really connects with the lad. She also finds maybe she doesn't want to get remarried especially after seeing what a drip her proposed new husband is.
Not a great episode, but a more relaxed one and vastly entertaining.
Touching moments
deeofonic17 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This particular episode holds special interest. It contains a touching exchange between Lwaxana and young Alexander. Lwaxana explains her reasoning for proceeding with an arranged marriage. Consider this subtext. This particular episode starring Majel aired not long after her husband, Gene Roddenberry's death. The depth of the pain over his loss is evident in her eyes. When she speaks of fearing loneliness, it is impossible to distinguish Lwaxana from Majel. If anyone is aware of an inside source for Star Trek lore, I would appreciate a post containing the link(s). I would be fascinated to hear how this episode came to be written. I'd also be curious about the mood on the set.
"If you ever have a world, plan ahead. Don't eat it."
classicsoncall6 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The appearance of Majel Barrett as Lwaxana Troi in a Next Generation episode always heralds a good time, even when she comes across as annoying. This time she's aboard the Enterprise admitting that she hasn't yet met the man she's going to marry! You can just imagine how this affects her 'little one', ship's counselor, Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). Especially when as an added bonus, she manages to intervene in her daughter's attempt to lower the tension level between Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) and his son Alexander (Brian Bonsall). Worf with his militaristic discipline can't get Alexander to do his chores, and Lwaxana's presence threatens to undermine the father/son dynamic by bonding with the boy during her holodeck excursions. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is threatened by a photonic trail containing a metallic parasite that's eating its way into the ship's nitrium based equipment. That could spell doom for the Enterprise when life support is affected, but fortunately, Commander Data (Brent Spiner) won't fall unconscious when the oxygen supply runs low, and he manages to save the day with a maneuver that sends the nitrium hungry photonic trail on its way into a debris field contain a lot of it from the story's opening in which the Enterprise destroyed an asteroid hurtling toward Tessen III.
As regards the impending wedding, was there ever any doubt that this one would be scuttled almost as soon as Lwaxana Troi met her intended, Third Minister Campio (Tony Jay)? He was boring enough but having his aide-de-camp running interference against Lwaxana's idea of fun just never got off the ground. The last straw was Mother Troi showing up for the wedding in the Betazed tradition - totally naked!! Which I guess served her well when it came time again for a holodeck mud bath, even if Lieutenant Worf seemed a stick in the mud.
P. S. - When I was a kid, there was a nonsensical joke going around that I never forgot. It went like this: 'Why is a mouse that sings?' Answer: 'The higher, the fewer'. I guess that joke traveled a lot farther than I would have given it credit for.
As regards the impending wedding, was there ever any doubt that this one would be scuttled almost as soon as Lwaxana Troi met her intended, Third Minister Campio (Tony Jay)? He was boring enough but having his aide-de-camp running interference against Lwaxana's idea of fun just never got off the ground. The last straw was Mother Troi showing up for the wedding in the Betazed tradition - totally naked!! Which I guess served her well when it came time again for a holodeck mud bath, even if Lieutenant Worf seemed a stick in the mud.
P. S. - When I was a kid, there was a nonsensical joke going around that I never forgot. It went like this: 'Why is a mouse that sings?' Answer: 'The higher, the fewer'. I guess that joke traveled a lot farther than I would have given it credit for.
Unwatchable
walk9295018 January 2019
We couldn't get through this one. We usually skip Lwaxana episodes but the Netflix preview didn't let us know she was in it. So we watched awhile and she didn't disappoint; painfully annoying as usual. And the scenes on the weirdo Parallax colony on the holodeck? Yikes, even more annoying. Add in a child actor and you have a real stinker of an episode.
I used to HATE this episode...
hurlock6 March 2023
...however, over the years I realized if an actor is irritating or angering you? They're achieving their goal. I can't stand the Lwaxana episodes. But upon my recent viewing, I was blown away at the "Noises Off!" Trek-style hilarity of the episode. That film was a great nod to the Broadway play, released the same year as this episode. I know what I'm getting with Lwaxana...but Majel just KILLS in this one! Lol.
Give this another chance once you're much older. It's so much Marx Brothers' "A Night At The Opera", especially when Troi responds with "Ha!" to her mothers' comment and Alexander echoes "Ha!" Not to mention the silly end.
It's a good time and the writers took a chance.
Give this another chance once you're much older. It's so much Marx Brothers' "A Night At The Opera", especially when Troi responds with "Ha!" to her mothers' comment and Alexander echoes "Ha!" Not to mention the silly end.
It's a good time and the writers took a chance.
Unwatchable
Samuel-Shovel8 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In "Cost of Living" the Enterprise is to be the location of Lwaxana Troi's wedding to aan she's never met in person. Meanwhile Worf has issues with his son...
Quite possibly the worst episode of TNG that's ever been aired. Absolute garbage. Not worth going into detail about.
Quite possibly the worst episode of TNG that's ever been aired. Absolute garbage. Not worth going into detail about.
'The higher; the fewer'
Tweekums14 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
In the pre-credit sequence we see the Enterprise destroy an asteroid that is threatening a planet; as the asteroid explodes we see a strange shimmering moving from it to the Enterprise
this will form the threat this episode but the crew don't become aware of it till the story reaches its half way point. Instead we see two interlinked character stories; in the first Worf is having difficulties with his son Alexander and is getting advice from Counsellor Troi and in the second Troi's mother, Lwaxana is aboard the Enterprise preparing to marry a man she has never met. The stories collide when Lwaxana takes it upon herself to help Alexander. Needless to say neither Worf nor Lwaxana's daughter are impressed. When we are introduced to Lwaxana's fiancé it becomes instantly clear that he is her polar opposite. When the danger first hinted at in the opening scene comes to notice we learn that it is a 'space parasite' that eats a certain metal which features in many of the Enterprise's vital systems. It will be touch and go whether there can return to the mineral rich asteroid belt before it is too late.
This is a fairly light weight episode; the metal eating parasites which threatens the ship is very much secondary to Lwaxana and Alexander's stories. Whether you enjoy this story will of course depend on what we think of these two very different characters; I tend to find the free-spirited Lwaxana entertaining but in the past Alexander has just been annoying. Early on I feared he would continue to be annoying but thankfully once he started hanging around with Lwaxana he became far more entertaining. The scenes where they relax on the holodeck were particularly fun. Lwaxana's upcoming wedding provided some entertainment too; her fiancé was clearly wrong for her which provided good comedy as he was surprised by her lack of protocol and is utterly horrified by her decision to eschew the wedding dress of his people for the nakedness of her own race's marriage custom! Majel Barrett does a great job as Lwaxana; a real force of nature. When the parasites become apparent there is some drama although I doubt anybody will think the problem won't be resolved. Overall a fun if, for the most part, fairly forgettable episode.
This is a fairly light weight episode; the metal eating parasites which threatens the ship is very much secondary to Lwaxana and Alexander's stories. Whether you enjoy this story will of course depend on what we think of these two very different characters; I tend to find the free-spirited Lwaxana entertaining but in the past Alexander has just been annoying. Early on I feared he would continue to be annoying but thankfully once he started hanging around with Lwaxana he became far more entertaining. The scenes where they relax on the holodeck were particularly fun. Lwaxana's upcoming wedding provided some entertainment too; her fiancé was clearly wrong for her which provided good comedy as he was surprised by her lack of protocol and is utterly horrified by her decision to eschew the wedding dress of his people for the nakedness of her own race's marriage custom! Majel Barrett does a great job as Lwaxana; a real force of nature. When the parasites become apparent there is some drama although I doubt anybody will think the problem won't be resolved. Overall a fun if, for the most part, fairly forgettable episode.
Return of Lwaxana.
russem3127 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:120 - "Cost Of Living" (Stardate: 45733.6) - this is the 20th episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Majel Barrett makes a welcome return as the energetic Lwaxana Troi, mother of Deanna. This time she announces that she is getting married, and on board the Enterprise . . . and to someone she never met before!
At the same time, the Enterprise is experiencing a sort of "space termites" problem.
Watch out for the mud bath scene, as well as a non-Betazoid style (aka. NOT naked) wedding (with Picard giving Lwaxana away)!
Trivia note: Carel Struycken also makes his last appearance (to date) as Lwaxana's servant, Mr. Homn. Brian Bonsall also returns as Alexander Rozhenko. Lwaxana also calls Mr. Worf, Mr. WOOF again!
And, it's funny to see Lwaxana talking to the Enterprise computer (since both are voiced by Majel Barrett).
Majel Barrett makes a welcome return as the energetic Lwaxana Troi, mother of Deanna. This time she announces that she is getting married, and on board the Enterprise . . . and to someone she never met before!
At the same time, the Enterprise is experiencing a sort of "space termites" problem.
Watch out for the mud bath scene, as well as a non-Betazoid style (aka. NOT naked) wedding (with Picard giving Lwaxana away)!
Trivia note: Carel Struycken also makes his last appearance (to date) as Lwaxana's servant, Mr. Homn. Brian Bonsall also returns as Alexander Rozhenko. Lwaxana also calls Mr. Worf, Mr. WOOF again!
And, it's funny to see Lwaxana talking to the Enterprise computer (since both are voiced by Majel Barrett).
A confluence of bad Trek and bad Trek
ay615 June 2021
There are few things in Trek more annoying than a Lwaxana Troi episode. But one of those few things is the child oriented episode. Another one is the parenting textbook episode. This episode seems to be all these dull and infuriating things rolled into one episode. Do yourself a favour and skip it. It has few redeeming qualities, other than the last few minutes which are quite amusing and the reason it got four stars rather than one.
A favorite episode for newer reasons.
kbdavyf-0639626 February 2023
Watching this episode for the first time when it was first released, it quickly became a favorite of mine. It seemed different than other episodes with Lwaxana Troi, and for me, I think I know why.
I recently read that Rod Roddenberry identified this episode as one Majel Barrett very much enjoyed filming, especially working with Brian Bonsall, as Worf's son. Their interaction and quick bond is evident of this.
It is also true Majel's husband Gene Roddenberry passed a mere 4 months before this episode was filmed. I sensed a very genuine and real delivery when Lwaxana was educating Alexander on relationships. I could see Lwaxana's vulnerability, and throughout the episode, her humor, care and advocacy for herself and others.
While Majel put a lot of herself into every episode of this character, this one hit closer to home.
I recently read that Rod Roddenberry identified this episode as one Majel Barrett very much enjoyed filming, especially working with Brian Bonsall, as Worf's son. Their interaction and quick bond is evident of this.
It is also true Majel's husband Gene Roddenberry passed a mere 4 months before this episode was filmed. I sensed a very genuine and real delivery when Lwaxana was educating Alexander on relationships. I could see Lwaxana's vulnerability, and throughout the episode, her humor, care and advocacy for herself and others.
While Majel put a lot of herself into every episode of this character, this one hit closer to home.
Deanna may be a counselor but she is not a parent.
txriverotter31 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Cost of Living" marks the return of Lwxanna Troi (do I hear a collective groan?)
The cold open this week shows us what will be going on in the sci-fi side of this episode. Enterprise blows an asteroid to pieces before it strikes a planet, and we see, but the crew does not, that a shiny metal material lands on the top of the ship as they're warping away; residue from said asteroid, soon to be causing problems.
However the main storyline follows Worf and Alexander, and Lwxanna and Deanna; intermixing throughout the episode. And so it begins with Worf and Alexander arguing back and forth about what orders were given and when, and what was done or was not, while Deanna tries fruitlessly to get a word in edgewise.
It's unfortunate that she does indeed get a word in, because her advise stinks. It's fine that she tries to connect with Alexander, that's not what bothers me. But her recommendations for how they handle their relationship going forward.
It irked me. I'm not a Klingon parent.
She recommends that they make a contract with each persons expectations so they can hold one another accountable. To which Alexander replies "you mean he tells me what to do and I have to do it." And Deanna of course tells him "no it means you both agree to your responsibilities."
Which is horse-pucky. Alexander has problems following orders. He likes to do what he likes to do and that's about it. We've seen this in previous episodes. But instead of Deanna helping him to understand that parents make the rules, she basically tells him he's an equal partner in their relationship. And that sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
The problem with children being equal partners in their own rearing, is that they are not yet mature and knowledgeable enough to make responsible decisions about certain things. I may be friends with my son, and we laugh and have a great time playing games and watching movies, but he knows I am the parent and he is the child.
I make the decisions and if he is told to do something, he does it. If he has a question about something I will listen to him and we can discuss it, but ultimately it is my decision. What Deanna recommends sounds like therapy-soeak, but has little use in real life.
And so enters Lwxanna to set Alexander straight about the ways of the world. The scenes with her and Alexander are mostly weird as hell because of the holosuite program she takes him into, but ultimately sweet like a grandparent / grandchild relationship. Although her "advice" is no better than her daughter's.
We know Alexander is not trustworthy; at least not yet. He takes advantage of his fathers wording to make it seem as tho he's misunderstanding what is expected of him, rather than outright disobeying. He needs discipline and love, and Worf is struggling as a single dad. I'm afraid Deanna and Lwxanna only add to his frustrations.
Eventually it all works out and everyone is happy, although I don't really know how or why. That's pretty much the impact of this episode; it's forgettable.
On a side note: Lwxanna is annoying and I can only take her in small doses, so this episode is one I don't especially care for. Also, misusing people's names (Woof/Worf) and making little sexual innuendo jokes ("Picard the thoughts you have about me!" wink wink) they get really old. I wondered long ago why someone didn't just come out and say to Lwxanna the thing that needed to be said: Just. Stop. Already.
The cold open this week shows us what will be going on in the sci-fi side of this episode. Enterprise blows an asteroid to pieces before it strikes a planet, and we see, but the crew does not, that a shiny metal material lands on the top of the ship as they're warping away; residue from said asteroid, soon to be causing problems.
However the main storyline follows Worf and Alexander, and Lwxanna and Deanna; intermixing throughout the episode. And so it begins with Worf and Alexander arguing back and forth about what orders were given and when, and what was done or was not, while Deanna tries fruitlessly to get a word in edgewise.
It's unfortunate that she does indeed get a word in, because her advise stinks. It's fine that she tries to connect with Alexander, that's not what bothers me. But her recommendations for how they handle their relationship going forward.
It irked me. I'm not a Klingon parent.
She recommends that they make a contract with each persons expectations so they can hold one another accountable. To which Alexander replies "you mean he tells me what to do and I have to do it." And Deanna of course tells him "no it means you both agree to your responsibilities."
Which is horse-pucky. Alexander has problems following orders. He likes to do what he likes to do and that's about it. We've seen this in previous episodes. But instead of Deanna helping him to understand that parents make the rules, she basically tells him he's an equal partner in their relationship. And that sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.
The problem with children being equal partners in their own rearing, is that they are not yet mature and knowledgeable enough to make responsible decisions about certain things. I may be friends with my son, and we laugh and have a great time playing games and watching movies, but he knows I am the parent and he is the child.
I make the decisions and if he is told to do something, he does it. If he has a question about something I will listen to him and we can discuss it, but ultimately it is my decision. What Deanna recommends sounds like therapy-soeak, but has little use in real life.
And so enters Lwxanna to set Alexander straight about the ways of the world. The scenes with her and Alexander are mostly weird as hell because of the holosuite program she takes him into, but ultimately sweet like a grandparent / grandchild relationship. Although her "advice" is no better than her daughter's.
We know Alexander is not trustworthy; at least not yet. He takes advantage of his fathers wording to make it seem as tho he's misunderstanding what is expected of him, rather than outright disobeying. He needs discipline and love, and Worf is struggling as a single dad. I'm afraid Deanna and Lwxanna only add to his frustrations.
Eventually it all works out and everyone is happy, although I don't really know how or why. That's pretty much the impact of this episode; it's forgettable.
On a side note: Lwxanna is annoying and I can only take her in small doses, so this episode is one I don't especially care for. Also, misusing people's names (Woof/Worf) and making little sexual innuendo jokes ("Picard the thoughts you have about me!" wink wink) they get really old. I wondered long ago why someone didn't just come out and say to Lwxanna the thing that needed to be said: Just. Stop. Already.
Luwaxana and Alexander, two unlikely cronies
XweAponX10 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
And this episode had me in stitches as it had Worf and Troi and Third Minister Campio in convulsions and knots.
Worf is having difficulties getting Alexander to start taking life seriously, therein lies the problem. Where Worf is great at planning Battle Tactics or Photon Torpedo configurations, he cannot handle one small Klingon/Human Boy, he never expected to have to. And he would not have had to, had Kehy'Ler lived. But Alexander is Worf's responsibility now, and where they both hurt from the loss of Keyh'Ler, the have to learn how to take solace in each other. But it is difficult, Worf is such a Party-Pooper. Even Guinan says so, she's seen other Klingons laugh, just not Worf.
So this episode is important for that developing story of Worf and Alexander- Luwaxana just happens to show up right when Alexander needs her the most.
And I have to admit something also, I also did not like the Luwaxana character that much - Until this episode.
I had to realize, this was Gene's wife, who had been part of this show ever since she was the original "Number One" in the first Star Trek Pilot "The Cage". So - WHY was she driving me nuts in every Next Generation episode? I think it was because, she was not acting, she was playing herself. And that was it. I am honored to have communicated to her in several emails in the 90's, when I was discussing her "Earth: Final Conflict" show that she created from one of Gene's old ideas. Luwaxana is who Majel is, so once I accepted that, I was able to accept Troi's eccentric but talented Mother. Even when she showed up chasing Odo on Deep Space 9.
This episode has Luwaxana times three, pulling out all of the stops. The wackiness and audacity of commandeering the Enterprise D to hold her Wedding to a Stuffed-Shirt nobility figure Tony Jay ("The Supreme Being" from 'Time Bandits') as Third Minister Campio, which was obnoxious enough! She had nothing in common with that guy, no disrespect to his position intended! But then she steps right in and commandeers Alexander. And that they both had fun despite Worf and Campio's interference, or even our interference.
Meanwhile, there is some Conundrum-Goop eating the electrical components of the ship, that adds a bit of tension.
But what makes it is the final scene, where Luwaxana shows up in the "traditional" Betazoid "garb" for weddings. As Picard said in "Up The Long Ladder": "Sometimes you just have to bow to the absurd".
Worf is having difficulties getting Alexander to start taking life seriously, therein lies the problem. Where Worf is great at planning Battle Tactics or Photon Torpedo configurations, he cannot handle one small Klingon/Human Boy, he never expected to have to. And he would not have had to, had Kehy'Ler lived. But Alexander is Worf's responsibility now, and where they both hurt from the loss of Keyh'Ler, the have to learn how to take solace in each other. But it is difficult, Worf is such a Party-Pooper. Even Guinan says so, she's seen other Klingons laugh, just not Worf.
So this episode is important for that developing story of Worf and Alexander- Luwaxana just happens to show up right when Alexander needs her the most.
And I have to admit something also, I also did not like the Luwaxana character that much - Until this episode.
I had to realize, this was Gene's wife, who had been part of this show ever since she was the original "Number One" in the first Star Trek Pilot "The Cage". So - WHY was she driving me nuts in every Next Generation episode? I think it was because, she was not acting, she was playing herself. And that was it. I am honored to have communicated to her in several emails in the 90's, when I was discussing her "Earth: Final Conflict" show that she created from one of Gene's old ideas. Luwaxana is who Majel is, so once I accepted that, I was able to accept Troi's eccentric but talented Mother. Even when she showed up chasing Odo on Deep Space 9.
This episode has Luwaxana times three, pulling out all of the stops. The wackiness and audacity of commandeering the Enterprise D to hold her Wedding to a Stuffed-Shirt nobility figure Tony Jay ("The Supreme Being" from 'Time Bandits') as Third Minister Campio, which was obnoxious enough! She had nothing in common with that guy, no disrespect to his position intended! But then she steps right in and commandeers Alexander. And that they both had fun despite Worf and Campio's interference, or even our interference.
Meanwhile, there is some Conundrum-Goop eating the electrical components of the ship, that adds a bit of tension.
But what makes it is the final scene, where Luwaxana shows up in the "traditional" Betazoid "garb" for weddings. As Picard said in "Up The Long Ladder": "Sometimes you just have to bow to the absurd".
More fewers than highers.
thevacinstaller10 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A cautionary tale about the fallout of marrying someone you know from the internet but have not yet met.
While watching this episode, I was pondering if the writers were attempting to flush out the Alexander character a bit more by pairing him with Luxana. I am not clear on the overall message of the show but I believe it was, "Have fun". Was the point of this episode that sometimes we need a fun episode of star trek? Or, that you need to have a balance of fun and responsibility in life?
I am a big cheerleader for Luxana but I sadly have to admit that this episode is probably my least favorite of her TNG roles. Did she get engaged to that stuffy bureaucrat because she was bored? You can do better Luxana! You are a total gilf!
The ship itself gets a parasite and we have some quality ship shake moments to check out. It's an interesting idea that could work well if expanded upon but in this episode it's lacking in urgency and intrigue.
Wait, I think the message was .... be yourself? That was the climax right? Luxana showing up in her birthday suit.
Worf being such a rigid grump was pretty funny.... well, that's all I got out of this one...
While watching this episode, I was pondering if the writers were attempting to flush out the Alexander character a bit more by pairing him with Luxana. I am not clear on the overall message of the show but I believe it was, "Have fun". Was the point of this episode that sometimes we need a fun episode of star trek? Or, that you need to have a balance of fun and responsibility in life?
I am a big cheerleader for Luxana but I sadly have to admit that this episode is probably my least favorite of her TNG roles. Did she get engaged to that stuffy bureaucrat because she was bored? You can do better Luxana! You are a total gilf!
The ship itself gets a parasite and we have some quality ship shake moments to check out. It's an interesting idea that could work well if expanded upon but in this episode it's lacking in urgency and intrigue.
Wait, I think the message was .... be yourself? That was the climax right? Luxana showing up in her birthday suit.
Worf being such a rigid grump was pretty funny.... well, that's all I got out of this one...
Awful Episode
zombiemockingbird11 April 2023
Troi's Mother is absolutely insufferable. Is she supposed to be funny? I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would write a character like her; and the stories containing her character are ridiculously stupid. I honestly dislike the Troi character too, but she's nowhere near as repulsive as her Mother. Mama Troi just bulldozes over everyone, pushing her agenda and never listens to anything anyone says. She appears to be dumber than a bag of hammers, completely narcissistic and has no regard for anyone else's feelings or needs. What is even more incomprehensible is the way everyone just lets her have her way all the time with no accountability or repercussions. This episode also contains the unfortunate child of Worf. I like the idea of Worf having a son, but Alexander's character is poorly written and poorly acted. Unless you are masochistic, skip this episode.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar19 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
An asteroid on a collision course with Tessen III, the Enterprise is trying to do something about it. Soon as we've sorted that out we can be on our way to the Moselina system where we would have otherwise have been.
Guest star, Majel Barret... This is going to be another Troi's mother episode isn't it. The two previous episodes have been very good, so it is disappointing to realise its that time of season again, where Lwaxana turns up again. That explains why the only action of the episode took place prior to the title sequence.
Possibly the most interesting aspect of this episode was the interaction between the little warrior Alexander and the rule breaker Lwaxana. I liked the wind dancer... This episode also includes a 'follow the yellow brick road' sequence but the moment of sincerity from Lwaxana in reference to her older age was quite endearing and seemed so genuine.
Oh, and a pa-as-te is ea-i-g t-e sh-p
Fortunately, this episode didn't flat-line as I expected it too, it was infact, a fun heart-warming episode.
This Episodes Clue: Dr Lipschitz.
Guest star, Majel Barret... This is going to be another Troi's mother episode isn't it. The two previous episodes have been very good, so it is disappointing to realise its that time of season again, where Lwaxana turns up again. That explains why the only action of the episode took place prior to the title sequence.
Possibly the most interesting aspect of this episode was the interaction between the little warrior Alexander and the rule breaker Lwaxana. I liked the wind dancer... This episode also includes a 'follow the yellow brick road' sequence but the moment of sincerity from Lwaxana in reference to her older age was quite endearing and seemed so genuine.
Oh, and a pa-as-te is ea-i-g t-e sh-p
Fortunately, this episode didn't flat-line as I expected it too, it was infact, a fun heart-warming episode.
This Episodes Clue: Dr Lipschitz.
Okay if you are interested in the characters
snoozejonc9 October 2021
Lwxwana Troi visits Enterprise to get married and teaches Alexander Rozhenko how to enjoy freedom and have spontaneous fun.
This is an episode that focuses heavily on the guest characters and I think you have to like them and enjoy the humour for it to work.
The story is okay, with a decent amount of irony written into the situation involving Lwxwana, her free spirited nature, and the personality of her potential husband. It does though take number of random turns to get where it needs to go and has a rather uninspired subplot.
Lwxwana and Alexander share plenty of screen time, and these are the scenes likely to be the most enjoyed or disliked. I struggled with most of them, particularly the holodeck sequences which have imagery that would not look out of place in a Stephen King horror scene. Thankfully, Worf just about makes some scenes bearable with some well delivered lines and Deanna Troi has some positive moments. Well done to Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis.
Majel Barrett makes the best use of material she has, but I don't think it is very well written. She is consistently a great performer within the franchise, but most of the humour associated with this character never works for me.
Brian Bonsall also has weak material and it makes him appear to be an awkward actor, but I don't think he is bad, it's how the character is used that does him a disservice.
The subplot is just a sci-fi tick box exercise in my opinion and I expect to forget it's detail in very short space of time.
Visually it is pretty good, with some good costumes, props, and makeup effects. Even the weird holodeck moments are memorable to look at.
This is an episode that focuses heavily on the guest characters and I think you have to like them and enjoy the humour for it to work.
The story is okay, with a decent amount of irony written into the situation involving Lwxwana, her free spirited nature, and the personality of her potential husband. It does though take number of random turns to get where it needs to go and has a rather uninspired subplot.
Lwxwana and Alexander share plenty of screen time, and these are the scenes likely to be the most enjoyed or disliked. I struggled with most of them, particularly the holodeck sequences which have imagery that would not look out of place in a Stephen King horror scene. Thankfully, Worf just about makes some scenes bearable with some well delivered lines and Deanna Troi has some positive moments. Well done to Michael Dorn and Marina Sirtis.
Majel Barrett makes the best use of material she has, but I don't think it is very well written. She is consistently a great performer within the franchise, but most of the humour associated with this character never works for me.
Brian Bonsall also has weak material and it makes him appear to be an awkward actor, but I don't think he is bad, it's how the character is used that does him a disservice.
The subplot is just a sci-fi tick box exercise in my opinion and I expect to forget it's detail in very short space of time.
Visually it is pretty good, with some good costumes, props, and makeup effects. Even the weird holodeck moments are memorable to look at.
A Senior Trekker writes......................
celineduchain11 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Fifth Season of TNG contains some remarkably strong episodes while continuing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved within an episodic television format. It is notable for the tragic loss of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died on 24th October 1991 at the age of 70. His influence upon the positive depiction of humanity and diversity in Science Fiction endures to this day. Senior Trekker continues to score all episodes with a 5.
Not the most popular episode ever made, this delicious piece of nonsense sees Lwaxana Troi disrupt the Enterprise with her forthcoming marriage to a stuffy, senior diplomat whom she has never actually met in person. Majel Barrett is absolutely wonderful as she pours out her heart to the wayward Klingon child, Alexander, and he in turn encourages her to listen to he inner misgivings.
The B story about a threat to the ship involves some sparkly special effects on the bulkheads and a few cut-price glass jars of goo but we are probably much too wrapped up in admiring Mrs Troi's outrageous wigs and gowns and Alexander's mischievous disregard of his father's rules to notice. Guest actors Tony Jay and Patrick Cronin as the straight-laced bridegroom and his sidekick are to be complimented on managing to keep a straight face as the absurdity unfolds.
I see that opinions are very strongly divided on this piece with a number of reviewers getting a bit hot under the collar and giving it the lowest possible score. The only offence that I can see being some occasional breaches of good taste, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Personally, while recovering from a debilitating bout of the Respiratory Infection du Jour, I can't wait to spend some time in the mud baths of the Parallax Colony of Artists and Free Thinkers. Sign me up.
Not the most popular episode ever made, this delicious piece of nonsense sees Lwaxana Troi disrupt the Enterprise with her forthcoming marriage to a stuffy, senior diplomat whom she has never actually met in person. Majel Barrett is absolutely wonderful as she pours out her heart to the wayward Klingon child, Alexander, and he in turn encourages her to listen to he inner misgivings.
The B story about a threat to the ship involves some sparkly special effects on the bulkheads and a few cut-price glass jars of goo but we are probably much too wrapped up in admiring Mrs Troi's outrageous wigs and gowns and Alexander's mischievous disregard of his father's rules to notice. Guest actors Tony Jay and Patrick Cronin as the straight-laced bridegroom and his sidekick are to be complimented on managing to keep a straight face as the absurdity unfolds.
I see that opinions are very strongly divided on this piece with a number of reviewers getting a bit hot under the collar and giving it the lowest possible score. The only offence that I can see being some occasional breaches of good taste, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Personally, while recovering from a debilitating bout of the Respiratory Infection du Jour, I can't wait to spend some time in the mud baths of the Parallax Colony of Artists and Free Thinkers. Sign me up.
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