Time's Arrow

This episode begins with Data's head being discovered in San Francisco. Judging by the looks of it, it's been there for a very, very long time! When the Enterprise (including Data with his head intact) inspects this archaeological site, they find a weird transport beam and Data is sent back to 1893! He is stuck there and ends up meeting Mark Twain, Jack London and Guinan. But, since this is well into the bast, Guinan (who for some weird reason is on Earth) does not recognize him. He also learns that there are weird creatures going into our past to harvest human beings! Can the Enterprise crew figure out a way to get Data? And, can they stop these things from killing humans from the past?

This is the first of a two-part episode. I actually think part one is a bit better--mostly because it has less Mark Twain (who seemed a bit too present and hammy in part 2). Enjoyable and different.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ST:TNG episodes EVER!! And Obvs watch part 2. I could watch this over and over! It's the best! So amazing! Okay my review apparently needs to be longer?

After the silly, dull "The Inner Light", TNG returns to form with this excellent, important two-parter.

When Data's head is found in a long-abandoned mine or Earth, the crew investigates, which leads to Data being transported to the 19th century.

It's interesting that even though Data has no grasp of contractions, he's able to speak French, which has mandatory contractions.

It's also nice that Guinan is finally given something to do. This episode starts to elaborate on the close relationship between her and Picard, but there are still many unanswered questions.

There's some intrigue in the opening of 'Time's Arrow' - namely, the discovery of Data's head found miles beneath San Fransisco - that has our resident android pondering his own mortality. IT also consumes those around him in a philosophical melancholic struggle over losing a close friend. Eventually, the crew gets down to the business of why that head was there and the time travel aspect is where things begin to stall. Data in the 1890s, especially. Guinan's presence there seems a bit forced, although Mark Twain's scenery chewing is an amusement. Tightened up, this could've been a good episode; but a cliffhanger?

6/10

The Away team goes to a cave that had not been investigated for 500 years. In it they find a broken watch, a few other artifacts, and, most amazing of all, a tarnished and broken metallic head, that of Commander Data. Apparently, this head has been there all this time and is evidence of some intergalactic invasiveness into this century. Since Data is now alive, something must be done. In a delightful first half, Data finds himself in San Francisco around the turn of the century. He is so out of place, but it is San Francisco. He needs money and gets into a poker game. He rents a room and begins to build a device to go after a couple of time traveling cannibals. Along the way he runs in to Samuel Clemens and a young Jack London. He awaits the arrival of the rest of the crew to assist his efforts. Of course, there are numerous complications, among these the constant meddling of Clemens who believes there are aliens and they are up to no good.