Star Trek: The Next Generation - Encounter at Farpoint

**½ / ****

I must admit, the first season of The Next Generation didn’t quite blow me away as a Star Trek fan. But it does hold value because I still recall to this day being introduced to the show as an impressionable youth having grown up with the likes of V and Lost in Space. V was of major consequence in my young life, most definitely, and so it served as a type of starting point in my growth as a sci-fi fan. My uncle was certainly a driving influence in introducing sci-fi of different types on television and that formative in who I am today, for better or worse, I guess. Today’s ‘nerdist’ culture where sci-fi is not only embraced but made palatable and sexy sure wasn’t exactly that way back in my day. During the first two seasons of The Next Generation, I had to depend on my uncle because it wasn’t available to me except through his recordings of the show on VHS tapes. I can only surmise that he was more than a bit annoyed at me because I did come to him quite a bit. It is quite a bit different today than ever before. You can peruse streaming sites and multiple channels on satellite and cable for whatever fix your heart desires but options were a bit limited in the late 80s / early 90s for many of us. Just the same, the options available now certainly spoil us. At any rate, Encounter at Farpoint was never a real favorite of mine. Yes, the saucer separating and Picard taking the likes of Yar, Troi, Data, and Chief O’Brien (considered the lowly extra term “conn”) into the “battle bridge” and Q emerging as a pesky nuisance looking to cause disturbance to Starfleet’s mission to explore the galaxy claiming mankind was still savage (and would bring its violence elsewhere) were highlights. But the whole “those bad Bandi using an alien to make them a space station to curry favor with the Federation” and its mate coming to rescue the being from servitude (the Bandi offering to heal it of injury just enough to enslave it) just rings as minor background music to all of the “character introductions” and Picard engaged in mental games of life and death with Q. Michael Bell has the right pitiful noise for his Bandi leader, Groppler Zorn, reduced to a whiny, shrieking goober when his people’s actions are finally revealed to Picard and his crew. The recreation of the WWIII “court” is right out of some sci-fi apocalyptic rendition of medieval “justice” and John de Lancie in full regalia and white face paint looks ridiculous (but still feared due to his vocal presentation and sinister intentions, with particular serious emphasis on using violence as a fear delivering tactic). Still fun to see Picard and de Lancie matching wits and trading retort almost 30 years later.

Riker, LaForge, and Crusher (and her boy, Wesley) not introduced until after the Q “kangaroo court” was an interesting decision. They do get plenty of time to provide their personalities and a bit of back story. The widow Beverly and her genius child wunderkind to serve as Chief Medical Officer in charge of Sickbay and eventual “acting” ensign on the Enterprise-D. Riker as the First Officer who doesn’t like the Captain to unnecessarily put himself in harm’s way (I think he’d clash with Captain Kirk, eh?) but isn’t afraid to give orders when needed. LaForge who always feels pain when wearing his visors but willing to take on the burden in order to see what others cannot. Wesley knowing so much about the Enterprise, including operations and commands, just wanting to get that mesmerizing peek on the Bridge. Troi and Riker having a history (“Imzadi”), Crusher and Picard in awkward conversation (he brought her dead husband’s body home to her), Data whistling “Life is but a dream” yet unable to finish it so Riker (looking for him, and through assistance by officers on the Enterprise, finding him on the Holodeck) does when finding him in a tree (!), Wesley falling into river thanks to a wiggling rock on the Holodeck chasing Riker, and Yar contending with her emotions which often result in defending the Federation and her ship against opposing forces make up various bits and pieces in the character introductory and plot development.

Picard is a bit stiff in the opening, inaugural episode and cold fish. Standoffish because he’s a “lone explorer”, needing Riker’s help in being the ideal Captain on board a starship with children. He is a bit off-putting when Wesley stands in the turbolift just to get a look-see of the Bridge, but relents thanks to Dr. Crusher. I still think it was a mistake not trying Picard and Beverly out as a romance, but just the same it would be eventually abandoned, particularly when Pulaski arrives in the second season.

Data walking with Dr. McCoy (Admiral and aged quite a bit) as they go by shuttlecraft to the USS Hood, talking about the Enterprise with a poignant score is just a touching send off to a beloved character (McCoy would give us two more appearances in The Final Frontier and The Undiscovered Country, in the films, but this television cameo is like a final ode to the character). Data clearly gets off the ground in the first season favorably as a compelling character with his desire to be human, curiosity in human behavior and use of language, and unique android abilities (like recording events and replaying them in the voices of those that speak). McCoy reminded of "a certain Vulcan" when talking with Data is also a nice touch.

Worf staying behind to be in command of the saucer section and his mention of being a Klingon wanting to “go to battle” with Picard, rejected because he’s a Starfleet officer, is more of a special mention of later elaboration as Encounter at Farpoint just establishes him as serving the Federation, setting The Next Generation apart from The Original Series. Later more detail would define the reasons for Worf’s presence on the Enterprise as great strides were underway to define a Starfleet officer as more than human, representing planets of different races. Worf doesn’t quite get a lot of time but does reinforce his presence as a dominating presence willing to use force when necessary, while Picard is tasked to rein in his Klingon tendencies. With Yar’s fly-off-the-handle tendencies, too, Picard has to settle them down and enforce the “Starfleet Officer” they must remember to be despite the emotional side that can interfere.