The Royale

Ever since I saw this episode when it first aired, this has always been one of the favorite episode of ST:TNG. Now, when I was younger, I don't think I got a lot of the humor, but now when I watch it I laugh my head off. The plot is fairly clever and it's always hilarious when we see the members of the Enterprise try to interact with obsolete technology.

The plot revolves around Riker, Worf, and Data become trapped in a sort of simulation based off a "second rate" novel that is set in a 1920's gangster era hotel/casino. The characters they interact with are caricatures and I think the actors and actresses playing them have a good time with that. It's obvious that the writers had a fun time making the most cliché'd version of the hotel that they possibly could. For example, there's a rich Texan playing blackjack and loudly giving advice to anyone who will listen, because there's ALWAYS a rich Texan acting just like that in these kind of novels. There's a gangster named (of course) "Mickey D". And when we find out the opening line of the novel is "It was a dark and stormy night" we know it's probably even worse then we can imagine.

Investigating suspicious debris found orbiting a distant planet, the Enterprise is astonished to find what appears to be remnants of an ancient Earth vessel bearing the NASA logo. On the hostile planet below is a mysterious structure that may contain the answers so Riker, Worf and Data beam down and find themselves in the oddest of locations imaginable.

A fun episode that doesn't have too much to offer besides a poorly written mystery that pokes fun at the likes of '2001: A Space Odyssey' and Spiner having fun as Data discovers the joys of gambling. It's a bit too meta for my tastes but the cheesy setting and supporting characters such as Willingham's sleazy Texan hustler are fun and while it's not an essential episode by any stretch, fans of the show will probably enjoy it regardless.

I have fond memories of this episode, is it bad? Yes.

Do I enjoy it every time? Yes

On of my favorite detective show tropes is when folks are on a cruise ship, train or in a hotel, this being the later.

Enterprise investigates a planet where a segment of NASA spacecraft was discovered in the upper atmosphere.

This is a disappointing episode that has a strong concept but is presented in a series of uninteresting scenes and relatively flat storytelling.

The plot is based on a great idea and there would have been a number of ways for it to play out, but it feels like an uninspired holodeck program. There is initially a sense of mystery to what is happening, but once certain facts are revealed it kills the intrigue and what's left is fairly monotonous.

What makes things worse is reading that the original draft of the script included much more humour and surrealism akin to the original series episode 'A Piece Of The Action' prior to it being re-written out of fear of being too similar. Personally I think it could have done with a large dose of the above to bring it to life. However, I appreciate humour is very subjective and others may find what happens entertaining.

The visuals are decent, with a convincing casino set and atmospheric reveal of what's going on when the focus moves to a hotel bedroom.

Performances by all serve the purpose of the story, but nothing is particularly memorable. I did not find anybody to be annoying so I guess that is a plus point.

Just don't ask "why"? After finding a floating artifact from the 21st century something interesting ensues. An away team of Riker, Worf, and Data find a revolving door in the middle of nowhere. They go through and find themselves in a kind of hotel/casino. Something is being held from them. The problem is that now they are in the place, they can't get out. The get into the door and circle right back in. Meanwhile, a cast of characters, a hostile clerk, a cowboy who is gambling, a floozy, and others go about their business. Somehow, this whole thing was set up based on a cheap novel. The problem is that there is no reason for this happening. Who are the alien forces that caused all this and what were their motivations. Sometimes I think that the writers would use any excuse to write something about another setting than the Enterprise. This has some funny moments, but they are based on the fact that a starship lieutenant, a Klingon, and an android are interacting with regular people who don't notice their physical appearances.