Season 3 concludes with a cliffhanger that changes the series (and Trek as a whole) forever.
- "Tin Man" is another character study. Guest star Harry Groener plays a Betazed who can communicate with an ancient creature that lives in space. His advanced telepathy makes him a pariah to the galaxy. Groener spends most of time in the theater, but had guest roles on three Trek series, a recurring role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and was a regular on Dear John.
- "Hollow Pursuits" introduces Reginald Barclay to TNG. He was a needed spot of comedy on the series once Data became a more important character. Barclay is played by Dwight Schultz, who played a very different role as "Howling Mad" Murdock on The A-Team. He spends most of his time doing voice work in cartoons today. Barclay spends less time on his duties than on the holodeck with a virtual Troi. I'm curious how Geordi and Riker walk in on his holodeck fantasy--I thought Barclay would lock the door.
- A rich collector (Saul Rubineck) decides he wants Data in his collection in "The Most Toys". Data uses passive then active resistance against his foe. Rubineck had guest roles on dozens of TV shows including a recurring role on Frasier, and now plays Artie on Warehouse 13.
- Two generations unite as "Sarek" of Vulcan boards the Enterprise-D. Spock's father is leading one more diplomatic mission for the Federation. Unfortunately, a medical condition is robbing him of his emotional control, and it's infecting the crew. There's even a classic barroom fight in Ten-Forward! In the end, Picard offers to mind-meld with Sarek to give him emotional strength. Stewart gives a great performance as he processes the Vulcan's emotions. Mark Lenard reprises his role as Sarek. We'll see him again later in the series. Joanna Miles plays his second wife, Perrin (while Jane Wyatt, who played his first wife Amanda, was still alive at the time, her character would not have been by that time).
- Mix Ferengis and Lwaxana Troi, and you get wackiness. In "Menage a Troi", a Ferengi "diplomat" falls in love with Deanna's mother. Also, having a telepath on your side is a great way to make money. So, her decides to kidnap her AND Deanna AND Riker. Deanna's off duty wardrobe is as inappropriate as her uniform-looks like an 80's version of future fashion. Meanwhile, Wesley is ready to go to Starfleet Academy (yay!), but decides to stay on the ship (boo!), so Picard gives him a field promotion (huh?). At least it's the end of those ugly Wesley sweaters. Majel Barrett Roddenberry reprises the role of Lwaxana, and Ethan Phillips plays one of the Ferengi--he later plays Neelix on Voyager.
- Gates McFadden finally gets a reason to come back to the series--she wasn't getting a lot of screen time. In "Transfigurations", Dr. Crusher treats a mysterious alien with amnesia. Of course, he turns out to be a wanted criminal on his planet--poor Beverly! On the other hand, he appears to be a god-like being that can bring people back to life. Mark La Mura plays "John Doe". He's been on a lot of recent TV--Law & Order: SVU and Criminal Intent, 30 Rock, and Damages.
- We've made it to the defining moment of TNG--"The Best of Both Worlds". Considered by many to be the best Trek episode ever (certainly better than all the TNG films combined), it brings the Borg into the ongoing storyline, defines both the Picard and Riker characters, and brings us our first real cliffhanger to end the season. Riker is offered another commission as Captain, while new young officer Shelby (played by Elizabeth Dennehy) is gunning for his old job. The Borg attack, and Picard is kidnapped and turned onto a Borg. A lot of desperate weaponry changes are made, to no avail. In the end, Riker decides to take out the Borg, and....DUMM--DUMM--DUMM--TO BE CONTINUED...
Star Trek: The Next Generation is available on Netflix--more to come!