In this episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Revisited, James and Andrew tackle “We’ll Always Have Paris,” an installment that promised a fascinating sci-fi premise but somehow veers into soap opera territory. This story could’ve offered intriguing exploration into time loops and quantum physics, but instead, it becomes entangled in Captain Picard’s unresolved romantic past with Dr. Jenice Manheim. While Picard’s vulnerability is refreshing to see, James and Andrew question whether the execution hits the mark or simply distracts from more engaging themes that Star Trek has handled better in other time-centric episodes.

Tune in as they dissect what went wrong, how it could have lived up to its potential, and where it ranks among TNG’s other time loop adventures. Grab your tea, Earl Grey, hot—this one’s a journey through missed chances in the final frontier!

In this episode, James and Andrew dive into the shocking Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, "Skin of Evil." For the first time in Star Trek history, a main character is killed off—Tasha Yar's sudden and brutal death stuns the crew and fans alike. While James sympathizes with Yar, Andrew surprisingly feels more pity for Armus, the malevolent creature responsible for her demise.

The duo debates whether Yar's death should have been more meaningful. Riker’s disturbing encounter with Armus, where he's pulled into the black oil slick, sparks discussion on his intense reaction and the unsettling imagery.

Finally, they theorise about the mysterious beings who abandoned Armus, shedding their "skin of evil," and explore what kind of powerful entities could create such a creature. A thought-provoking discussion for fans of TNG who love to dissect the deeper themes of this iconic series!

In this episode of the podcast, James and Andrew dive into the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Symbiosis," where the crew of the Enterprise faces a moral quandary that tests the very foundations of the Prime Directive. They praise the show's use of mystery storytelling, which unravels layer by layer, revealing the deeper philosophical stakes that make this episode a classic.

Unfortunately for Commander Riker, he ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, suffering a shocking experience—literally—thanks to a surprise zap from none other than Kirk’s son! Adding to the drama, Khan’s former apprentice turns up as a drug dealer, manipulating the fate of two worlds. Tune in as James and Andrew discuss the episode's rich narrative, the nuanced exploration of Starfleet's core values, and some delightfully over-the-top performances that make "Symbiosis" a memorable TNG journey.

In this week’s episode, James and Andrew dive into "The Arsenal of Freedom" from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Join them as they explore the comically awkward interaction between Commander Riker and the holographic Captain Rice. Was this bizarre encounter a clue that Riker was destined for more than just being a First Officer? The hosts debate whether he made the right decision in turning down command of his own ship to become the number one on the flagship of Starfleet.

They also discuss the introduction of the third Chief Engineer in just one season—clearly, this position aboard the Enterprise-D is a revolving door! This new engineer's confrontational attitude toward acting Captain Geordi La Forge raises some eyebrows. Is it just nerves, or is engineering on the Enterprise really that tough of a gig?

Finally, James and Andrew look into the growing bond between Dr. Crusher and Captain Picard in this episode. Should the writers have leaned into this chemistry more over the show's seven-season run? Tune in as they share their thoughts on this underexplored relationship and what could have been for these two iconic characters.

In this episode, James and Andrew dive deep into Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Heart of Glory." They break down the action-packed story where Worf confronts his Klingon heritage, and the two take a shot at recreating the iconic Klingon war cry (with questionable success). The hosts also reflect on the Klingon view of death, debating how they would treat an "empty shell".

As always, they dig into the technical side of Trek, asking the big question: how do the transporters really work? Can we just "beam" our problems away? They also discuss the episode's music cues, which feel like they were lifted straight from The Original Series movies, giving a nostalgic touch to this TNG adventure.

Other fun highlights include their take on the bizarre weapon built from Klingon uniforms (which looks like it might fall apart at any moment), and how Starfleet's security seems to have missed a few training sessions and some questionable glass flooring in Engineering that shatters all too easily. Join them for another humorous and insightful breakdown of a classic TNG episode!

In this episode of The Next Generation Revisited, James and Andrew dive into "Coming of Age," a Wesley-centric episode that, surprisingly, isn’t all bad! Wesley faces off in a competitive Starfleet entrance exam, but the real star of the show is the fascinating B-plot where Remmick conducts a mysterious investigation into Captain Picard’s past—setting the stage for the epic Conspiracy episode later in Season 1.

The hosts explore the quirky design of Mordock’s "mouth-organ" device and wonder how he manages everyday life with it. They also touch on Starfleet’s questionable stance on cheating during tests, Wesley's awkward argument, and a few moments of hilariously bad set design. Buckle up for a mix of thoughtful critique and playful banter as they unpack one of Season 1's more memorable episodes!

In this episode, James and Andrew dive into the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Home Soil," which explores the fascinating discovery of a new form of life—an alien microbe that resembles a tiny speck of light. Our hosts reflect on how this episode evokes classic Star Trek themes, drawing comparisons to episodes from The Original Series where mysterious life forms take center stage. They ponder the question: what if it wasn’t the Federation who first encountered this life? How would the more aggressive, warlike Romulans or Klingons handle such an encounter? Would they have recognized the life form’s intelligence—or would things have taken a more violent turn?

James and Andrew also discuss some missed opportunities for Tasha Yar, whose role seems to be shrinking with each passing episode. Is it the fault of the writers, or is the character herself struggling to find her place within the ensemble cast?

In this week's episode, James and Andrew take on Star Trek: The Next Generation's "When the Bough Breaks," and... well, let's just say the conversation quickly drifts to other topics. This Season 1 episode, cantered around the kidnapping of the Enterprise's children by a dying society, fails to captivate our hosts, leading to a lively debate on whether episodes featuring kids are inherently weak.

While James argues that child-centric episodes often derail the narrative, Andrew steps in to challenge this assumption with a few exceptions. Along the way, they find themselves filling the runtime with tangents and other Trek talk to keep things interesting.

Tune in for a mix of light-hearted banter, Trek trivia, and a few moments where James and Andrew wonder how this episode even made it into Season 1.

Join the discussion as they ponder: Can TNG survive the dreaded "kids episode" curse?