Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 22, 2014

Star Trek was practically an institution before The Next Generation's arrival, but it was Gene Roddenberry's second go at "boldly going where no man has gone before" that truly solidified the franchise and saw it explode from something of a cult phenomenon to a more widely accessible and universally beloved franchise. The Next Generation would get off to a shaky start with the good but uneven first and second seasons before finding its stride with season three and the "Best of Both Worlds" cliffhanger. Seasons four five witnessed the series' final evolution, its completed journey from good idea to quality execution to must-see television to cultural mainstay to practically legendary status with a wealth of terrific episodes, franchise-defining moments and character advancements, terrific writing, engaging stories, wonderful acting, and unbeatable cast chemistry. Season six continues to carry that torch with yet another wave of first-rate episodes, some truly legendary moments, and plenty of unforgettable developments.

Two Wills are better than one.

Season six offers a classic mix of Trek entertainment, exploring a number of pertinent themes while also featuring several episodes that ramp up the fun factor, both mixed together with the usual allotment of forgettable outings. The season is undoubtedly highlighted by the excellent Relics, an episode seeing the return of the beloved "Scotty" to the series for an episode-long cameo as a retiree trapped in a transporter for nearly a century and materialized by the Enterprise crew and into a place and time that's familiar in some ways but alien in others. Not only does the episode continue with the tangible historical bridges The Next Generation has infrequently but crucially constructed over the years -- from Dr. McCoy's appearance in Encounter at Farpoint to Spock's return to the small Star Trek screen in the fantastic two-part episode "Unification" -- it also serves as one of the most thoughtful episodes across the entire series, exploring a number of issues related to age, not just numerically but in terms of the distance that grows between the generations, living in a time where everything moves faster, where the elderly often feel more like a hinderance than a help. In the episode, Scotty feels less a member of Starfleet and more a welcome but in-the-way guest en route to anywhere but where he truly needs to be: back in his own time, on board his own ship, with his own people, and in command of his life rather than under the command of circumstances far beyond his control.

Another top season six episode is the superficially silly but surprisingly deep "Rascals" that examines the human condition from a rather unique perspective. In the episode, several crew members -- including Captain Picard -- are transported onto the Enterprise and materialize as younger versions of themselves, but in body only; they remain in full command of who they were prior to the accident, equipped with all of their lifelong memories and experiences. It looks at man's ability to differentiate, or not, body and spirit, understanding who a person is beyond the shell of the body and within the soul and the collected experiences that makes them who they are, defined by life and inward growth rather than the exterior that houses them. The show explores that theme again in "Ship in a Bottle," an episode in which the digitally created Professor Moriarty proves capable of existing outside of the holodeck, practically willing himself to do so, to grow beyond the confines of his creation and exist of his own accord, living by his own experiences -- limited as they may be -- and existing as something other than the external says he should. Life experience is also a theme of "Tapestry" and "Rightful Heir," the former of which examines the importance of life choices along the way and the latter of which continues the series' brilliant portrayal of Klingon life and heritage and how it deeply affects the inner being while giving shape to a race best known as fierce warriors in body.

Season Six highlight episodes include, but are not limited to:

• Relics: The Enterprise encounters a strong gravitational field, created by an object as large as the Earth's orbit around the sun. Picard theorizes that the object may be a "Dyson Sphere," a hollow sphere constructed around a star, built to harness its energy and access a limitless power source for those existing inside of it. A crashed Federation shuttle is located on the surface. An away team -- Riker (Jonathan Frakes), LaForge (LeVar Burton), and Worf (Michael Dorn) -- beams aboard and makes a shocking discovery: Captain Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) inside a rigged transporter buffer and now alive and well decades after he should have died a natural death.
• Rascals: Picard (Patrick Stewart), Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), Ro (Michelle Forbes), and Keiko O'Brien (Rosalind Chao) are en route to the Enterprise via shuttlecraft following a stay on a distant world. Only minutes away from the Enterprise, the shuttle becomes trapped in an energy field. With structural failure imminent, the Enterprise cannot secure a firm pattern lock to beam them to safety. When they are recovered at a 40% loss of mass, they re-materialize as children, in physical form only, still in control of their adult thought processes and formed by their life experiences.
• A Fistful of Datas: During ship downtime, Data (Brent Spiner) and Geordi approach Captain Picard with an idea to temporarily cut off the engineering computer in hopes of studying the feasibility of using Data as an emergency system backup in the event of a failure. Mr. Worf likewise approaches the Captain and wants to beef up security drills but is ordered to enjoy his free time instead. He then reluctantly joins his son, Alexander (Brian Bonsall), in a Western-themed holodeck adventure that goes awry when Data and Geordi's experiment runs afoul of trouble.
• Chain of Command, Parts I and II: Please see here.
• Ship in a Bottle: Data and Geordi are playing a Sherlock Holmes mystery within the holodeck, with the android portraying the famous sleuth and Geordi the part of his sidekick, Watson. The program appears to be malfunctioning, if only slightly, enough to interfere with the details of the story. Upon exiting the holodeck, Barlcay (Dwight Schultz) enters to repair it. He inadvertently unleashes the character "Professor Moriarty" (Daniel Davis) who understands that he exists as a digital creation and who has become sentient and self-aware. He wishes to leaves the confines of the holodeck, aware of his confinement and awaiting fulfillment of Picard's earlier promise to find a way to release him from the digital world (season two, "Elementary, Dear Data"). Ship's systems read him as human. He exists the holodeck and requests the crew facilitate the release of his similarly created "digital" love interest, Regina Bartholomew (Stephanie Beacham).
• Tapestry: A wounded Captain Picard is beamed directly into sick bay. He awakens in a whitened room and is greeted by Q (John de Lancie), who informs him of his death and arrival into the afterlife. Q takes Picard on a journey into the captain's past that explores an instance in his youth in which he received an artificial heart, which was likely the cause of his death during a firefight in the present. There, Picard is given the opportunity to avoid the fight and survive in the present or take the blow and die on the operating table in sickbay.
• Frame of Mind: Commander Riker is preparing for a difficult part in a stage production in which he portrays an insane asylum patient. On duty, Riker prepares to go on a dangerous away mission. As time passes, he continually sees an unusual crewman who finally appears to him as a doctor in the very same asylum in which the play was set, where Riker's the patient he portrayed on the Enterprise.
• Rightful Heir: Lt. Worf does not arrive for duty, nor does he answer comms. The computer locates him in his quarters. Riker and a security team is dispatched, only to find him deeply engaged in a Klingon ritual. He's dressed-down by Captain Picard. Worf informs the captain that he was performing a ritual to summon Kahless (Kevin Conway), an ancient Klingon deity, in hopes of rekindling his faith in Sto-vo-kor. He is granted a leave of absence to pursue his quest for renewed faith.
• Second Chances: Riker, Data, and Worf encounter a duplicate Riker while on an away mission to an abandoned Federation research facility. Medical studies show that the men are identical, neither one a clone, and share a history prior to their activities years ago at the facility where the second Riker has lived alone for eight years. The second Riker finds it difficult to assimilate back into service as part of the crew and under orders from a second version of himself. Meanwhile, the crew likewise struggles with his presence.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 features a transfer that's fairly typical for the series on Blu-ray. Presented at its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which places vertical black bars along the sides of the 1.78:1 display, season six frequently dazzles with its attention to detail and robust color palette. Facial features and uniform textures are top-notch. Wood grain and leathery textures on the bridge are impressively complex. LCARS readouts are frequently legible and well-defined. Ship exteriors are magnificent; the Blu-ray picks up every little detail on lettering, windows, and hull plating. Image clarity is superb, and grain retention solidifies a nice film-like feel. Colors are well defined, too. The red, blue, and mustard crew uniforms nicely stand apart. The inviting beige and wooden tones around the bridge look marvelous, particularly accented by the many colorful displays around them. Black levels are deep and true, while flesh tones raise no alarms. The image does suffer from intermediate noise, which is occasionally heavy to the point of distraction. Likewise, very light blocking and minor color transition issues plague some backgrounds. Overall, however, this is a very good transfer and the best season six has ever looked for home video viewing.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 features a robust and fully featured DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. As with other seasons, this one is wide and very immersive. Opening title music blasts out of the speakers with aggressive volume and effortless envelopment. On board the Enterprise, various atmospherics welcome the listener onto the ship with a constant hum of the engines -- which is only heightened in engineering -- and the many beeps and bloops on the bridge. The holodeck often provides a nice change of sonic pace, allowing for some traditional gunfire, rough-and-tumble play, and windy ambience in "A Fistful of Datas." Phaser fire nicely pierces the stage with multidirectional goodness. The ship feels weighty as it maneuvers through space, particularly at impulse but also as it warps into the distance. Dialogue enjoys firm center-front placement and consistent clarity. In short, it's everything fans have come to expect from a Star Trek: The Next Generation Blu-ray soundtrack.

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 contains a number of high quality supplements spread across all six discs. All episodes include "episodic promos," (SD, ~ 0:30), fun little retro advertisements for the episode in question.

Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: Writer Ronald D. Moore and Star Trek experts Mike & Denise Okuda for "Relics."
• Deleted Scenes (HD): From "Time's Arrow, Part II" (2:37) and "Relics" (4:09).
• Archival Mission Log: Mission Overview Year Six (SD, 17:55): This supplement explores the season's overall success while emphasizing several key episodes like "Time's Arrow, Part II," "Relics," "Chain of Command," and "Descent, Part 1." It also looks at Stephen Hawking's appearance on the show. It also explores Deep Space Nine's debut and structure during The Next Generation's season six and focuses on "Birthright, Part 1."

Disc Two:

• Deleted Scene (HD, 2:08): From "Q Who."
• Bold New Directions (SD, 17:57): A look at favorite season episodes and The Next Generation cast in the director's chair. It also highlights "A Fistful of Datas," its basis in the film Shane, and Patrick Stewart's direction. Also featured is "Second Chances" and a look at LeVar Burton's direction and the episode's visual effects.
• Departmental Briefing Year Six: Production (SD, 15:33): A look at constructing the Dyson Sphere and recreating the original Enterprise bridge for "Relics," alien makeup in "Birthright, Part 1," Data visual effects, and the story and themes behind "Tapestry." The supplement also takes a look at details behind the episodes "Rascals," "Chain of Command," and "Frame of Mind."
• Departmental Briefing Year Six: Dan Curry (SD, 19:56): A closer look at the Visual Effects Producer's work, including a tour of his home and the memorabilia he has collected.

Disc Three:

• Deleted Scenes (HD): From "Ship in a Bottle" (2:35) and "Face of the Enemy" (1:10).
• Special Crew Profile: Lt. Cmdr. Data (SD, 19:00): A quality overview of Brent Spiner's work on the show, his acting, and the character he portrays.

Disc Four:

• Audio Commentary: Writer Ronald D. Moore and Star Trek Experts Mike and Denise Okuda for "Tapestry."
• Deleted Scenes (HD): From "Tapestry" (6:37) and "Birthright, Part II" (13:41).
• Archival Mission Log: Select Historical Data (SD, 18:14): A look at Robert O'Reilly's part as the Klingon Gowron, Jay Chattaway's work as composer with emphasis on his work in "A Fistful of Datas" and "Birthright," LeVar Burton's acting with the "visor" accessory, Brent Spiner's stand-in Guy Vardaman, visual effects work, sound effects, editing, and more.

Disc Five:

• Audio Commentary: Director James L. Conway and Director of Photography Jonathan West for "Frame of Mind."
• Deleted Scenes (HD): From "The Chase" (1:46) and "Rightful Heir" (12:11).
• Archival Mission Logs: Inside Starfleet Archives: Sets and Props (SD, 13:10): Set Decorator James Mees guides viewers through his job, one that's akin to that of an interior decorator. He also provides a tour through a number of series artifacts.

Disc Six:

• Beyond the Five Year Mission -- The Evolution of Star Trek: The Next Generation Part One: The Lithosphere (HD, 24:52): A look at season six's success, the development of Deep Space Nine and its themes and differences from other shows, digging deeper to find emotion and conflict in The Next Generation, and the failed hopes for the episode "Aquiel."
• Beyond the Five Year Mission -- The Evolution of Star Trek: The Next Generation Part Two: The Biosphere (HD, 29:32): This piece examines The Next Generation's more serious tone in comparison to the original show, constructing "Birthright, Part II," set design schemes, recreating the bridge of the original Enterprise for "Relics," series score, set design, and Stephen Hawking's appearance.
• Beyond the Five Year Mission -- The Evolution of Star Trek: The Next Generation Part Three: The Noosphere (HD, 29:59): The piece begins with the story of Whoopi Goldberg's persistence to join the cast and follows with a hodgepodge of information, including Marina Sirtis' hair, making "A Fistful of Datas," the weight behind "Tapestry," cast satisfaction with life and work on the set, Data and Spot, the cast's work in the director's chair, Romulan costumes and makeup, Kevin Conway's portrayal of Kahless, Stephen Hawking's appearance, greater story themes, and more.
• Gag Reel (HD, 5:21).

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 continues to see the series at its peak, a continuation of several seasons and some of the best television ever aired, Trek or otherwise. Though a slight decline in overall quality would follow in season seven, season six proved once again how top-notch writing and a terrific cast playing on a grandly conceived canvas can elevate even a classic program into the stratosphere of television success. Though a few poor episodes are mixed in, season six features some of the finest hours in Trek history and is, of course, a must-see for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Paramount/CBS' Blu-ray release of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6 offers the usual solid video, excellent audio, and strong allotment of bonus content. This season earns my highest recommendation.