My greatest joy in watching this series, after discovering the actors for the first time in Season 1, was in watching the writers challenge the actors to show their talents. 42-minute episodes in continuing series are difficult circumstances for an individual actor to shine, especially when the series depends so heavily on the strength of the ensemble.
"The Inner Light" is right up there with "City on the Edge of Forever" from TOS for that rare blend of writing and acting that is necessary to be recognized by peers and given an award. Every character in the story, every development as well, was true to the series core (and not just to the Star Trek universe). The culture of the Kataanians was nuanced, evoking its differences efficiently (something that's very hard to do in the limited time given). I was particularly taken by the use of language, with such phrases as "go carefully" and "happy day", familiar for meaning and context, very different by comparison to what the viewer is used to hearing.
I can imagine the shuddering going on around the "holodeck episode" syndrome, and in large part I can sympathize with it. I would urge the viewer to give "The Inner Light" a break, though, because this story stands alone in every respect, and makes best use of the plot device.
I'm 50 years old. I've seen four TV shows that brought tears to my eyes. This one stands at the top of that list, because the first time I saw it I cried as well. No higher accolade can I offer.
Her part was small, though very important to the story, but I'd like to give special mention to Jennifer Nash as Meribor. She was an equal partner with Patrick Stewart in every scene they shared, which was every scene she appeared in. I could well imagine Meribor in command of a starship one day, if it wasn't clear that she was already dead and gone for a thousand years. Truly her father's daughter in the story.
I had to stop short of giving this a 10 out of 10. The aging effect, particularly for Picard, was distracting towards the end and not very believable. I would have hoped they'd spend a little more of their budget and get his transformation right (something TOS seemed able to do successfully with a lot less money). The face became rigid for both Picard and Eline. The actors might as well have been doing voice over at couple of spots, for all they could emote through the prosthetics.
"The Inner Light" is right up there with "City on the Edge of Forever" from TOS for that rare blend of writing and acting that is necessary to be recognized by peers and given an award. Every character in the story, every development as well, was true to the series core (and not just to the Star Trek universe). The culture of the Kataanians was nuanced, evoking its differences efficiently (something that's very hard to do in the limited time given). I was particularly taken by the use of language, with such phrases as "go carefully" and "happy day", familiar for meaning and context, very different by comparison to what the viewer is used to hearing.
I can imagine the shuddering going on around the "holodeck episode" syndrome, and in large part I can sympathize with it. I would urge the viewer to give "The Inner Light" a break, though, because this story stands alone in every respect, and makes best use of the plot device.
I'm 50 years old. I've seen four TV shows that brought tears to my eyes. This one stands at the top of that list, because the first time I saw it I cried as well. No higher accolade can I offer.
Her part was small, though very important to the story, but I'd like to give special mention to Jennifer Nash as Meribor. She was an equal partner with Patrick Stewart in every scene they shared, which was every scene she appeared in. I could well imagine Meribor in command of a starship one day, if it wasn't clear that she was already dead and gone for a thousand years. Truly her father's daughter in the story.
I had to stop short of giving this a 10 out of 10. The aging effect, particularly for Picard, was distracting towards the end and not very believable. I would have hoped they'd spend a little more of their budget and get his transformation right (something TOS seemed able to do successfully with a lot less money). The face became rigid for both Picard and Eline. The actors might as well have been doing voice over at couple of spots, for all they could emote through the prosthetics.