"Drumhead" trumps "Measure" in terms of accessibility. Even in the script the episode addresses the tropes of political paranoia and overzealous, self-righteous demagogues. The classic "I-know-what's-best-for-the-public" image is indeed very telling in the post 9/11 world. Thanks.

Good choices. Very good choices, in fact. Tasteful and on the whole stand-alone. Explaining the nature of the Borg may prove to be a bit daunting to the uninformed, however (despite the irrefutability of "Worlds" quality). Thank you.

First R-rated movie? "Alien". Still my favorite horror film. Dad rented it; let me watch, mostly with my head buried in the couch cushions. Leaves an indelible impression when you're 9 (the film, not the couch). Still gives me the creeps, and I love it.

I posted this elsewhere, and still would like reasonable responses…

A general question for TNG fans: For a non-fan (i.e. someone curious about but not familiar with the series), which eps would make a decent introduction to the series? I'm not talkin' "Farpoint" on down either, for I've seen all seven seasons many times, and there are pitfalls in the early seasons even I still can't…

Fans and critics alike often lament the lightweight script of "Captain's Holiday." It is lightweight, I grant you that. However, like other comedic storylines in TNG, the lighten-up factor is often welcome after episode upon episode of soapy drama. Shakespeare understood the proper timing of comedy to heighten…

Best dialogue for chewy pathos in "The Doomsday Machine":

I made a comment I wanted to reheat here. In a previous post I stated that I see the "Inception" parallel, but the plot of "Ship In A Bottle" has some undercurrents that would later appear in the original "Matrix" film. Unknowingly trapped in a virtual reality environment? Anyone?

I agree. 'Though I'm not really a Star Wars fan, Lucas (against any logic save Kubrick-like anal retentiveness) has the right to tinker with his work, for good or ill. For those that object, you could make the argument for Director's Cuts of classic sci-fi films like "Blade Runner" or "Alien", which improve on the…

On Handlen's wrap up comment about "Ship In A Bottle": Apt comparison to "Inception," however doesn't the multiple, unknown virtual reality plotline also have a "Matrix" vibe about it? One wonders if the Wachowski Bros. weren't Trekkies at some point, saw this ep and went "Hmmm…" Jus' sayin'.

A note on Handlen's review of "Measure Of A Man":

It's amazing the wide and varied descriptions and reactions to durian. I don't really care for the spiky fruit. There is an onion-y taste to the fruit, but at the same time its cloyingly sweet, like an overripe canteloupe (and I hate canteloupe for the same fact, even at ideal ripeness). The smell? Like a pool gym…