The Next Phase

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.

This is an exciting and visually interesting episode which takes the old not-dead-but-everybody-else-thinks-we-are trope and mixes it with some great Romulan intrigue. The tech doesn't make a lot of sense, so lets just enjoy Ro and Geordi walking through walls, eavesdropping on the rest of the crew and attending their own memorial as this conceit unfolds.

The special effects are superb, so much so that they serve to fully support the story and add verisimilitude rather than take centre stage. It was cutting edge for the time, especially on a television budget. That's a whole lot of money and effort expended so that something can be taken for granted; a hallmark of good film-making.

All three Romulan guest actors, Thomas Kopache, Brian Cousins and Susanna Thompson are Star Trek regulars and deserve our thanks for fitting so well into their prosthesis. Having actors who are familiar with the Star Trek universe and can adopt the mannerisms of known alien races serves as a type of shorthand for the viewers without having to slow down the plot with lengthier scenes. The long hours in the make-up chair were worth it and the sacrifice appreciated.