Star Trek The Next Generation - Season 2 (Slimline Edition) [1988]

Customer Reviews:

Getting Better.......2007-02-28

After Star Trek: The Next Generation's mixed debut season, things seemed bleak for this second season since the writers strike of the late 1980's was in full force.

While some stories may be bottom of the barrel, such as "The Outrageous Okona", "The Royale" and trek's first and only clip show "Shades of Grey", there was also a big turnaround with more ambitious stories such as "The Measure of a Man", which questions Data's existance as a sentient lifeform, and "Q Who?", which introduces us to one of trek's greatest enemies - the Borg.

Other changes to consider include the replacement of Dr Crusher with Dr Pulaski, who seems to be a female incarnation of Dr McCoy, and the introduction of Guinan, played by Whoopi Goldberg after she requested a role on the series. As a child, she was inspired by Nichelle Nichols who played Uhuru in the original series as a black person in a position of authority.

As many fans may know, The Next Generation came into it's own from the third season onwards. However, this second season shouldn't be dismissed out of hand, and these new and cheaper slimline sets are worth the price if only to see the series as it evolves into the popular show it would become.

A steady Warp 5.......2006-06-28

Whilst this is a superior series to the first, you may still find yourself wincing through some of the cliches and ridiculous lines the actors deliver. TNG didn't really begin to fly until it's third series but here you can see flashes of brilliance with some stand out episodes such as 'Q-Who' which introduced the Borg. Unfortunately there are some real clangers here as well including the dreadful 'Up The Long Ladder' and the truly awful episode where the Counsellor falls for a deaf and mute mediator - the producers clearly trying to make a point about overcoming diversity. The premise of strange new worlds and finding common ground amongst all species is still an admirable one, but it is executed far better in TNG's later series. Worth a look, but don't expect your warp engines to be engaged.

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2

Average customer rating:

A must have
Could have been 5 stars, but.....
Big change for the better, to the Star Trek Universe.
The story continues
A mixed bag but an improvement over the first season

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 2
Star Trek the Next Generation
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Science Fiction & Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Categories | DVD | Video

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Categories | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005UO67
Release Date: 2002-06-10

Amazon.co.uk Review

Although the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988-9) was curtailed by a writers' strike, its 22 episodes nevertheless saw some refreshing new developments. Tasha Yar was gone, giving Worf more room to flex his muscles as Chief Security Officer; Geordi was promoted to Head of Engineering; Whoopi Goldberg's mysterious Guinan presided benevolently over the crew's rest area, Ten Forward; Dr. Crusher was replaced by the far more acerbic McCoy-like Dr. Pulaski; and mischievous super-entity Q returned to introduce Picard and the Enterprise crew to their greatest nemesis, The Borg. By the end of a transitional season the show had settled down enough to be acknowledged by all as a worthy successor to the 1960s original.

On the DVD: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 2 comes packaged exactly like Season 1 in a solid metallic-style plastic outer case with a fold-out cardboard inner, although because of the fewer episodes this time there are only six discs not seven. Sound throughout is vivid Dolby Digital 5.1, with a full frame (1.33:1) picture that occasionally shows its age. Once again the menus neatly imitate the Enterprise's own computer interfaces. Disc 6 contains the extra features: the "Mission Overview--Year 2" introduces the new characters and has producer Rick Berman revealing "We were all filled with piss and vinegar" at the success of the show; the "Selected Crew Analysis" continues the same thread interviewing Patrick Stewart, Levar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis and Diana Muldaur; the "Departmental Briefing" gives some background on special effects, writing, costumes, props and music; "Memorable Missions" highlights specific episodes and guest stars; finally, and best of all, is "Inside Starfleet Archives", a guided tour with Penny Juday around Paramount's warehouses stuffed full of Star Trek props and memorabilia.--Mark Walker

Customer Reviews:

A must have.......2006-07-29

I know there are knockers with The Next Generation but if you are a trekkie, then it is just one of the things you have to have.

Not every episode is great, but it is still a must have and a bargain too at the price.

Could have been 5 stars, but............2006-02-26

All in all; a very good season, but Shades of Grey (the worst episode in the entire 7 years) pulls it down. With Pulaski constantly tighening the focus (why the hell didn`t she just tighten after the first 20 minutes?) the show, with views of Riker`s nose hairs is just horrible. On the other hand Q Who is one of the best. You win some and you lose some.

Big change for the better, to the Star Trek Universe........2005-05-29

Two decades after the orginal series, the 'The Next Generation' was introduced back to the picture box once again. But for where the 1st series of 'TNG' had clung tight to the peramiters of the orginal show. Now the 2nd series of 'TNG' began to stand on it so own feet to give its self a new identity.
Gone (thank godd!)was the over use of make-up on male actors. Plus slight alterations of 'Costumes'(Worfs shash etc..), 'Music', 'Writing', 'Special effects' and 'Cast'(Whoopi Goldberg joined the crew as A qurky bartender and Dr.Crusher is repaced by Dr.Palaski) all added up to give 'TNG' a deeper vision in the Star Trek universe.

The stories, More Imortantly Exel !!!!
With 'A MATTER OF HONOR', Riker joins a Kligon Bird of Prey as its 1st officer.
'THE MEASURE OF A MAN', Data's rights as a person are questioned.
'Q WHO' Enters the 1st appearance of science-fictions most popular creations, The BORG !.
'PEAK PERFORMANCE' Is also my personal series favorite. Riker is given the opportunity to Captain an aging Star ship against the Enterprise in a training exercise. Unfortunately the Feringi turn up to put a spanner in the works.

There are 22 episodes instsead of the normal 26 because of a writers strike and the last episode called 'SHADES OF GREY'is more of a re-cap of the last two series.
The DVD set is well produced, with the series on 6 discs. Containing a host of extra features on the 6th disc.
The plastic sliver case looks very striking & is more impressive than the American version box sets.
Booklet that comes with the 2nd series it self is rather bleak. It could of easliy had more information about behind the scenes, cast and crew.Plus the photos look as if riped from the internet.

In short this is a impressive set of stories, which are mixed with hummor, action, drama and a little room for thinking too!

The story continues.......2005-02-24

Season 2 of the next gen was as great a season as the others as we see worf in his now security chief role which would continue right to the end of the next gen. we also see a character change which would only last this season until DR Crusher came back next Season in the form of Dr Kathrine Palaski who could at times be annoying but great in her role. This season Had great episodes such as Qwho which we meet the borg introduced by of course Q and the episode Peak Performance in which Riker gets to Captain his own ship in a war game simulation all in all a great series and a must own for all fans.

A mixed bag but an improvement over the first season.......2002-03-03

Season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation improves on the first series by introducing occasionally stronger character based shows and situations. While Tasha Yar is missed, and to a lesser extent Doctor Crusher, we're introduced to 2 new characters. Dr. Pulaski and Guinan. Personally I always enjoyed Pulaski shows, she was one of the only characters that brought a bit of conflict into the programme. There was never enough coming and going of new blood into the Star Trek series (either in front or behind the camera). Guinan (and the new location for her "Ten Forward" - a great setting for comedy/social moments) added more life and mystery into the show. It was a shame she wasn't able to appear in more episodes in the later parts of the series (she does have a cameo role in Star Trek Nemesis).

The episodes themselves were extremely varied. Due to the writer's strike, the season was cut short to 22 episodes rather than the full 26 ending with the appalling "bottle show", 'Shades of Grey' (Plot summary: Riker in a coma and Deanna "looking worried" while Pulaski puts copious L.E.Ds on his forehead). "The Royale" was also truly terrible. There were some storming episodes though, the best being "Q Who." This episode had everything: Q, the introduction of the Borg, Guinan, great special effects and a superb score by Ron Jones. Other great episodes were "Contagion" and "Time Squared"

This box set has everything you could wish for (that's why I'm giving it 5 stars): remastered picture and Dolby Digital sound, one hour of new interviews and documentaries, and some really awesome DVD menus. Although seasons 1 and 2 aren't the best you can't really miss these, they are great foundation episodes with the DVD box sets given the care and attention they deserve.

Episode list:
The Child
Where Silence Has Lease
Elementary, Dear Data
The Outrageous Okona
Loud as a Whisper
The Schizoid Man
Unnatural Selection
A Matter of Honor
The Measure of a Man
The Dauphin
Contagion
The Royale
Time Squared
The Icarus Factor
Pen Pals
Q Who?
Samaritan Snare
Up The Long Ladder
Manhunt
The Emissary
Peak Performance
Shades of Gray

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