The Royale

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.

I am a Star Wars fan trying to become a Trek fan. I am slowly watching TNG one episode at a time. This episode was my favorite to date. Season 2 has really picked up steam as far as story lines go. The acting is getting better too. Season 1 was entertaining, but a little corny. Season 2 has been a real treat. This particular episode is entertaining. Great story line that ties in to today's world. A true science fiction plot with a Twilight Zone twist.

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.

The Enterprise arrives at planet Theta 8 in order to pick up some space debris that the Klingons found. Oddly, it's from an old Nasa craft--so what's it doing in this part of space?! The away team decide to land on the planet but what they find makes no sense at all--it's am Earth casino called 'The Royale'! At first, the trio are amused at what they find but soon it becomes apparent that they cannot leave--and things become a bit tense. What plays out inside the casino, much of the time, plays out like a holodeck program--and that's NOT good, as the holodeck episodes were usually among the worst in the series. Fortunately, the answer to this conundrum isn't that bad and actually does eventually make some sense. A very strange change of pace episode for the show, that's for sure. But, worth seeing.

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.