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.

Captain Picard gets an interesting call to return to earth, there's been an archaeological find of great importance near San Francisco. Now Patrick Stewart's hobby is archaeology, but there are competent archaeologists on earth.

But they wouldn't know what to make of what they found. It's the detached head of Commander Data and it's been there since roughly around the turn of the 20th century.

As Brent Spiner is an android his observations are detached and clinical. His fellow crewmen on the Enterprise aren't sure how to treat him either.

There is alien activity and Spiner goes back to the late 19th century in San Francisco and meets up with Mark Twain played by Jerry Hardin and a young bell boy Jack London played by Michael Aron. And there's Guinan too whom we know measures her life in millenia. Spiner's meeting with Whoopi Goldberg is most interesting.

All this setting the stage for the succeeding episode. I know my appetite was whetted.

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.

Having recently watched each of the 26* episodes of Season Five again, I decided to rate them in order of MY personal preference.

The points awarded to each episode are only used in comparison with other episodes of this season. Those Top 6 shows as listed below are the ones I would choose to put forward from season five and add to my list of Top TNG shows of the entire series.

*In the case of the first episode of Season Five being the conclusion to a two-part episode which began as the Season Four finale, I decided to rate both episodes as a part of Season Five. Therefore 'Redemption, I & II' has been rated in this list and not as part of Season Four.

**The Season Five finale: Time Arrows, Pt I & II will feature in my Season Six reviews.

Each of these S05 'Top 6' shows will be reviewed again once I have completed watching the entire series as part of my REVIEW 2022.

The Inner Light (10/10) I Borg (10/10) Unification I & II (10/10) The First Duty (10/10) Ensign Ro (10/10) Redemption, Pt I &II (10/10)

Several other episodes could have been included in this list, but overall missed the cut simply because I didn't feel they were quite as strong as these six.

Cause and Effect (10/10) Darmok (10/10)

Bottom Four Shows Of Season Five The Masterpiece Society (06/10) A Matter Of Time (06/10) The Perfect Mate (06/10) Ethics (05/10)