Dark Skies (1997) – Strangers in the Night, and Bloodlines

The penultimate episode of Dark Skies has a couple of weaving narrative threats as John Loengard (Eric Close) and Juliet Stewart (Jeri Ryan) are given a new mission by Bach (J.T. Walsh). They have to head into the Soviet Union to investigate what has happened at Majestic’s Russian counterpart. Written by Brad Markowitz, this episode…

Dark Skies (1997) – Both Sides Now, and To Prey in Darkness

While John Loengard (Eric Close) tries to hunt down his abducted love, Kim Sayers (Megan Ward) by interrogating Hive members, Steele (Tim Kelleher) is working on persuading her to willingly join the Hive to see her child. Bach (J.T. Walsh) tracks her down, she’s in Berkeley. It seems the Hive’s latest plan involved infiltrating the…

Dark Skies (1997) – Shades of Gray, and Burn, Baby, Burn

Juliet (Jeri Ryan) gets a bit more of a backstory in Shades of Gray. Written by Brad Markowitz this episode first aired on 8 February, 1997. As things get filled in, including a horrifying encounter during her childhood in Russia, we are invited to an even darker journey John Loengard (Eric Close) and Kim Sayers…

Dark Skies (1997) – The Warren Omission, and White Rabbit

John Loengard (Eric Close) is approached by the Attorney General, Bobby Kennedy (James F. Kelly) to tell his story to the Warren Commission, which is about to rule that Oswald acted alone in order to keep the Hive and Majestic secret. The Commission is led by Earl Warren (Gary Lockwood!) and the episode introduces another…

Star Trek: Picard (2023) – Vox, and The Last Generation

Showrunner Terry Matalas slips into the director’s chair to give us a powerful penultimate episode, Vox. Written by Sean Tretta and Kiley Rossetter, this episode was first broadcast on 13 April, 2023. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the rest learn that the symptoms of Irumodic Syndrome were simply a side effect of what was really wrong…

Star Trek: Picard (2023) – Dominion, and Surrender

Things are getting intense as we race towards the series finale. Dominion ups the stakes again. Written by Jane Maggs, it debuted on 30 March, 2023. Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Crusher (Gates McFadden) learn some shocking truths about these new Changelings (augmented and developed by Starfleet under Project Proteus), especially Vadic (Amanda Plummer) as they…

Star Trek: Picard (2023) – Imposters, and The Bounty

Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the Titan may have gotten away from Vadic (Amanda Plummer) and the Shrike, but their troubles may only be starting in Imposters, as Jack’s (Ed Speelers) visions become stronger and increasingly violent. Written by Cindy Appel and Christopher B. Derrick, this episode debuted on 16 March, 2023. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) returns…

Star Trek: Picard (2023) – Seventeen Seconds, and No Win Scenario

The stress of the situation doesn’t let up for a second in the third episode of Picard’s final season, Seventeen Seconds. Written by Jane Maggs and Cindy Appel, it was directed by Jonathan Frakes and was first broadcast on 2 March, 2023. As Vadic (Amanda Plummer) and the Shrike continue to stalk the Titan (injuring…

Star Trek: Picard (2023) – The Next Generation, and Disengage

Terry Matalas takes over as showrunner for season three of Picard and his season opener is a gorgeous blend of easter eggs, characters, stories, familiar music cues, and a bold new adventure. The first episode of the final season, The Next Generation, first aired on 16 February, 2023. Picard (Patrick Stewart) receives a coded message…

Star Trek: Picard (2022) – Hide and Seek, and Farewell

The penultimate episode of season two has some solid action beats, and some nice emotional arcs, and reminds us that these characters are flawed and human, and that is why we relate to them. There’s also a nice line that explains the appearance of Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) mother in The Next Generation episode Where No…