Yesterday's Enterprise

Can't say enough good things about this episode, all the things that made TNG so great, and the entire franchise magical. Required viewing for any Trekkie.

Star Trek is no stranger to time travel stories (and I have to confess to a certain weariness towards the gimmick, at this point), but with 'Yesterday's Enterprise', they really hit on something special. The technical side of it involves a temporal rift, a Galaxy-class starship from the past, and an alternate universe (not to mention a more battle-oriented Enterprise-D, for which the color blue is very flattering); but it's the human drama that lends this episode its real emotional weight. Should Picard send the travelers back to their own time (and certain death) or keep them alive and hope the war with the Klingons will finally go their way? Mixed up in all of this is Tasha Yar - and I have to say, her presence isn't just a plot device, but an organic way for the writers to make up for her senseless exit in the first season. It just works, and it's really something to see it pulled off so well.

This is classic TNG all the way; big ethical issues, well-drawn characters and powerful storytelling; even Shooter McGavin gets to play a pretty solid character. And for me, one of the series' greatest moments is Picard's utterance of this line:

"Let's make sure history never forgets... the name... Enterprise."

10/10

Good story holds together well. The story is good. The acting's great. The characters are excellent and this episode and have a lot of clever dialogue. Worf discovering a new drink is an excellent scene. The environmental changes to adapt to the timeline are excellent and appropriately disturbing.

This is what Star Trek is meant to be. The interaction between Stewart and Goldberg is dynamic. It feels like a culmination on their relationship. It's also a pleasant welcome back for LT Yar. It presents a well-told story of mystery, friendship, loyalty and duty.

Top notch story, acting and battle scenes. Tasha Yar has the best performance in the series. High recommended.