Description: 26 episodes on 7 discs: Descent Part II, Liaisons, Interface, Gambit Part I, Gambit Part II, Phantasms, Dark Page, Attached, Force of Nature, Inheritance, Parallels, The Pegasus, Homeward, Sub Rosa, Lower Decks, Thine Own Self, Masks, Eye of the Beholder, Genesis, Journey's End, Firstborn, Bloodlines, Emergence, Preemptive Strike, All Good Things... Part I, All Good Things... Part II.
Amazon.com: The seventh and final season of Star Trek: The Next Generation will always remain a curiosity in TV sci-fi history. Despite the end being definite, despite Deep Space Nine taking over, despite knowing there'd be a movie six months after the series' end, and despite Babylon 5 starting that year with its predetermined story arc, there is nothing here to suggest things were coming to a close. Wesley finally gets dispatched ("Journey's End"), but everyone was waiting for that anyway. Some continuity was attempted: there's a sequel to season 1's "The Battle" ("Bloodlines"), Alexander follows the Klingon soap saga through ("Firstborn"), the Maquis and the Cardassians are mentioned several times, and there are final installments for Lwaxana Troi, Barclay, Lore, Guinan, and Ro Laren. None of this brings any form of resolution, however.
The one-off story lines seem to throw out ideas that beg for development. "Force of Nature" suggests frequent high-warp travel is damaging the very fabric of space/time. "Parallels" has Worf experiencing multiple realities, including one in which the Borg won at Wolf 359. "Lower Decks" finally introduces some secondary crew from the more than a thousand supposedly supporting Picard and company. There are even hints at some romance at long last between Dr. Crusher and Picard as well as Worf and Troi. In the long run, even after terrific guest spots from Trek alumni Armin Shimerman and Robin Curtis, and from Paul Sorvino and Kirsten Dunst, there's one thing for which the final year is remembered: "All Good Things..." is a near-perfect denouement for the show. With terrific production values and FX, not to mention standout performances from all concerned, it was an amazing surprise to have Q suggest there'd been a story arc right from the get-go. If only this final script had been fully conceived earlier on, The Next Generation might not have been overshadowed by the glut of TV sci-fi that followed in its wake. --Paul Tonks
Stumbling to the finish line Aside from the first two seasons, #7 is the weakest in TNG's run. In many ways it recalls the second season - flashes of brilliance switching with lengthy swaths of mediocrity (concentrated primarily in the season's second half).
That said, there are a few outright classics here - "The Pegasus" is among the best episodes TNG ever did, and "All Good Things..." is a wonderful, affectionate tribute to the series. "Lower Decks" and "Gambit" are also really good. It's the stretch from "Thine Own Self" to "Emergence" that unfortunately drags - ironically, TNG's "kid brother" DS9 was finally hitting its stride during the same period.
Normally I don't comment on the extras - they are of marginal interest to anyone except hardcore fans - but this set has some nice farewells and reminiscences from Patrick Stewart as well as other participants in the show's creation.
Verdict: if you've made it this far, you'll want to watch these episodes, but if you're tight on cash I'd rent rather than buy.
GREAT SHOW I have every season of this show and love them all. This was a great show, and I am very happy to be able to watch it over and over again. The 7th Season I received was in different packaging than the other 6, but it is still great.
Forever SNG Fan I have not had a chance to watch season 7 but I am sure it will be as good as the others.
Good DVDs of a classic show! I actually got this as a present for my mom for her anniversary because The Next Generation is her favorite show ever. The show itself is excellent, and the DVDs are great, although personally I thought they were a bit overpackaged. The discs were in a box in a box in a box. Other than that, very well done.
The best season of a grand show The case is nice, the DVD interface is easy to use, and of course, the show is incredible. Highly recommended.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
