Code of Honor

Ugh. It's almost sufficient to write off 'Code of Honor' as just an awkward first step for the show's maiden season; the characters are still enough, and it's far more TOS than TNG. People go on about the overtones (both racist and sexist), but it's not like the Enterprise crew is actively promoting these values. Still, they don't fit and really only offer up that most awkward of commentary.

But far worse than any of this is the failure to entertain. This is easily the most lackluster episode I've ever seen from this crew, and that's unacceptable.

3/10

Picard must once again exercise his skills at diplomacy when dealing with a people called the Ligonians. They possess a vaccine that would be vital in curing a disease affecting a different species on another planet. However, the Ligonians' leader, Lutan (Jessie Lawrence Ferguson, "Darkman"), takes a romantic interest in Tasha, and abducts her, intending to make her his "first one". This doesn't sit well with Lutans' other companion, Yareena (Karole Selmon, "A Piece of the Action") who challenges Tasha in a fight to the death.

I *was* warned ahead of time that this was a widely disliked episode, maybe even the most disliked of all TNG episodes. While I *can* see how people would have misgivings with some of the plot aspects, my only real concern was that the script wasn't that great: neither very original nor well thought-out. Certainly the regular cast members and the guest stars play this as well as they can; the late Ferguson, in particular, has a solid screen presence.

All in all, this episode wasn't particularly good, no, but I did get some enjoyment out of it.

Five out of 10.

Tasha Yar is kidnapped and challenged to a fight to the death.

This is a much derided episode for numerous reasons that are justified, however I find it enjoyable in the category of episodes that are so bad they are good.

The story is simple, full of contrivances and random changes in tone. The dialogue is childish and much of the acting is either amateurish or lifeless, but it entertains almost to the point that it resembles a self-parody.

At first glance I would forgive someone for thinking they are watching a particularly camp episode of the original series, with its ridiculous costumes and awful fight choreography. Yareena looks like she's about to present an 80s fitness video as she prepares for battle. The less said about her and Tasha Yar pole dancing their way through their comical death-match the better.

Most of the actors do their best with poor material, however Will Wheaton seems to spend most of the time grinning like he's been offered a box of his favourite candy and Karole Selmon delivers her lines very awkwardly.

This is often referenced as racist and the worst TNG episode of all time. Personally I do not think it is racist, but I can see how it might be interpreted that way given the casting of black actors in the roles of primitive aliens and them acting out a tribal culture. They are definitely not positive roles by today's standards. I found 'The Naked Now', 'Skin of Evil', 'Angel One' and my personal series low point of 'Lonely Among Us' to be much worse. At least 'Code Of Honour' is actually entertaining in its own way.

5.5/10 for the fun to be found in its many flaws.

It's funny to see anyone call this racist, because it's not written well enough to even be that. Code of Honor suffers mainly in the same way that so many TNG episodes do, by not seeming to really understand the subject being tackled. Which -- again -- isn't racism, but making the primitive culture all black actors? Looks just like racism, lightened up just enough for deniability. Which might have meant something if anyone cared to put any effort into their acting, but it's just 40 minutes of people trotting out their lines ... sometimes with some dignity, but rarely with anything that could be called conviction. Hard pass.

This is largely considered to be one of the worst episodes of Star Trek. I probably would have skipped it based on the rating but my partner and I are trying to make our way through the entire show without skipping any episodes.

I will say, the story is fairly weak and the casting of all black actors for the highly misogynistic race is problematic at best. However, it does have some great character moments that are hard to skip.

It's the first episode where Wesley is allowed to work on the bridge, it's the first time Data tries telling a joke, and first time Picard takes pride in being French.

If you're here for character development you should watch it, but otherwise feel free to skip.