The Chase

One of the most important Trek lore episodes that didn't/doesn't get the attention it deserved. I would love to see more of the "progenitor species". Find out more of what lead them to plant the "Space Seeds" if you will. Pardon the reference.

Indian Jones would have been disappointed since you could put it in a museum.

This episode begins with one of Picard's old professors coming to the Enterprise to ask Jean-Luc to quit his job and follow him on some expedition. The Captain isn't about to do this, though he is hesitant to disappoint the man. Well, after telling him about this, the professor leaves--and is soon attacked! It seems that the Klingons and Cardassians are after the same thing the professor wants--the answer to a puzzle buried within our DNA! After a while, the Romulans also join in the hunt and it seems that everyone is hoping the answer would be power to smite their enemies. The real answer, however is a HUGE disappointment to some--especially the Klingons who just want to kill something!

This is an okay episode...just okay. This is because of all these warlike races coming together, you'd expect much more excitement and mayhem. It lacks both and is only moderately interesting.

With a title like 'The Chase', this episode fuels certain expectations - which end up being defied because this is neither cat-n-mouse nor a race. Which is integral to why this is so good. What starts out as Picard reflecting on those career paths not taken switches gears into something more like a mystery thriller. The key to this is the execution; it's a smooth transition (Frakes at the helm) and the endpoint on this journey brings the major raves together (except for Vulcans) for a curious revelation. But there was real though put into this and the effort to address the differences and similarities in Star Trek makeup effects is evident.

It's a great episode.

7/10

This is a wonderful episode of Star Trek : TNG with a superbly 'Trek plot.

While most other reviews have focused on the main story element, I feel the need to point out that there is some excellent acting by the cast and guests (and some humorous moments provided by them)

The Message behind the plot is superbly played out in the final scene - Patrick Stewart's laconic replies are excellently delivered. Making for quite an emotive scene.

To summarise, It's a fun mystery, a good chase (you'd hope, given the title) and adds lore to the Trek universe.