Star Trek: How Much For Just the Planet? (1987) – John M. Ford

Set phasers to absurd! I dug into the next Trek Pocket Book in the series before I dive into the next Dark Tower instalment, and this one left me a little dubious. The book is basically a musical comedy, and it doesn’t always work, but it is steeped in nods to other Trek writers, classic…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994) – Firstborn, and Bloodlines

Captain’s log: stardate 47779.4 Rene Echevarria writes the teleplay for this episode from a story by Mark Kalbfeld and it first aired on 25 April, 1994. This is a Worf (Micheal Dorn) and Alexander (Brian Bonsall) story that sees the pair attending a Klingon ceremony where Worf is advised to encourage his son to become…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994) – Blood Oath, and The Maquis: Part I

Station log: stardate unknown Blood Oath sees the return of some familiar Klingon names (and the actors who brought them to life) in this episode that was penned by Peter Allan Fields. It first screened on 27 March, 1994. Kor (John Colicos), Kang (Michael Ansara) and Koloth (William Campbell) all arrive on Deep Space Nine…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994) – Homeward, and Sub Rosa

Captain’s log: stardate 47423.9 Surprise! Worf (Michael Dorn) has another brother, a foster one, Nikolai Rozhenko (Paul Sorvino) – and he is violating the Prime Directive! This episode was written by Naren Shankar from a story by Spike Steingasser. It first aired on 17 January, 1994. And for the first time, we see Dorn in…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993/1994) – Parallels, and The Pegasus

Captain’s log: stardate 47391.2 Brannon Braga pens this episode that is one of the highlights of the seventh, and final season, and also gives Worf (Michael Dorn) a fantastic story that debuted on 29 November, 1993. Returning to the Enterprise by shuttle after winning a bat’leth competition, the Klingon officer notices subtle differences aboard the…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Gambit Part II, and Phantasms

Captain’s log: stardate 47160.1 Ronald D. Moore pens the second part of this two-parter, based on a story by Naren Shankar. Airing on 18 October, 1993, it completes the story of Picard (Patrick Stewart) posing as Galen with a gang of intergalactic pirates who pillage archaeological sites. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) is still held by Baran…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) – Tapestry and, Birthright Part I

Captain’s log: stardate unknown With an airdate of 15 February, 1993, Tapestry immediately became a fan favourite. Written by Ronald D. Moore, the episode is immersed in series continuity, especially that of Captain Picard (Patrikc Stewart). When the captain is injured in a fight, his artificial heart, which we know about from season two, is…

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992) – Power Play, and Ethics

Captain’s log: stardate 45571.2 Brannon Braga, Herbert Wright and Rene Balcer penned the teleplay from this episode that first aired on 24 February, 1992, from a story by Maurice Hurley and Paul Ruben. When the Enterprise investigates a storm-riddled planet for a missing ship, the away team, lead by Riker (Jonathan Frakes) returns to the…