Season 5 saw more episodes with Denise Crosby, two great episodes with Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and even the return of Wesley Crusher for a few episodes. None of that can compare with the guest appearances by Ashley Judd (Ensign Robin Lefler; "Darmok" and "The Game") and Michelle Forbes (Ensign Ro Laren; "Ensign Ro", "Disaster" and "Conundrum"). I wish Michelle Forbes had taken that role on DS9! Gene Roddenberry also passed away during production of the fifth season, and there is a nice tribute included in the set. This is also the only season that didn't have a "Q" episode.
The Packaging
This 7 disc set comes in the same packaging as season one, three and four; a seven panel fold out containing the discs and a booklet. Each disc lists the episodes and the production number on the disc art.
The Menus
I enjoyed the new Holodeck interface to the menus. Very classy. The menu for "Inner Light" also features music from the episode.
Video
Like most TV shows, "Star Trek: TNG" was broadcast in full frame (1.33) and is presented that way on these discs. Shot on film, the print displays some dust and grain. There was one "stock footage" shot of the Enterprise from behind that was terrible quality, but the rest of the special effects shots look a little better than I remember from previous seasons. Overall the picture is equal to that of the third and fourth seasons.
There are 4 episodes with bad chapters this time. They are "Ensign Ro", "Silicon Avatar", "Cause and Effect" and "I, Borg".
Audio
We get a very nice Dolby Digital 5.1 track on this release, along with a Stereo track. I listened to the 5.1 track for this review, and overall I was happy with it. It's really cool to hear the ship zipping by you in the opening credits. The rears are mostly used for music, the ship zipping by and the ambient hum in some scenes. There are a few very nice pans from the rears to the front speakers. English subtitles are included.
All the featurettes in the set include English subtitles.
Mission Overview (18:04)
Features highlights of the most memorable events occuring in Season 5 including Leonard Nimoy's guest appearance; "The Inner Light" episode; the return of Denise Crosby and the passing of Gene Roddenberry.
Departmental Briefing - Production (15:28)
Peter Lauritson discusses "The Inner Light"; Michael Westmore recalls the creation of Patrick Stewart's old-age makeup and writer Michael Pillar discusses "Time's Arrow."
Departmental Briefing - Visual Effects (17:58)
Dan Curry and Rob Legato discuss the chalenges of creating meaningful visual effects for a weekly show.
Memorable Missions (18:13)
Members of the cast and crew recall their favorite episodes and scenes from Season 5.
A Tribute to Gene Roddenberry (28:33)
Featuring interviews with Majel Barret Roddenberry, The Next Generation cast and crew, and Gene Roddenberry. Also includes the dedication of the Gene Roddenberry Building.
Star Trek: Nemisis mini-CD
This mini-CD, bundled with the set, contains promotional material for the upcoming theatrical movie.
Summary
Look for these guest stars in season five: Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy, Kiss the Girls), Paul Winfield (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan), Frank Collison (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), Erika Flores (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman), Jana Marie Hupp (Ed), Erick Avari (Stargate), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Stephen Root (Newsradio), Daniel Roebuck (Final Destination, Nash Bridges), Matt Frewer (Max Headroom), Brian Bonsall (Family Ties), Liz Vassey (The Tick), Kelsey Grammer (Fraiser), Robert Duncan McNeill (Star Trek Voyager), Ray Walston (My Favourite Martian), Famke Janssen (X-Men), Scott Jaeck (ER), Daniel Stewart (son of Patrick Stewart) and Jerry Hardin (Melrose Place). It's hard to believe there are only a few seasons left, and we'll see them both in December!
