The Film
It seems like they're cranking out these Star Trek sets at warp speed now, wouldn't you say? However, with the holidays coming up, there's no better time to buy or beg for Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five.
TNG was one of those rare shows that managed to become better each season. Oh sure, there were plenty of stellar episodes in the beginning. By the fifth season, however, the writing had really hit its stride. It also helped that the show had so many great characters, which at this point, viewers had really become attached to -- well, some of them. No one seemed all that sad when Wesley (Wil Wheaton) jumped ship last season (it's temporary!), especially when that slot in the opening credits was filled by Ensign Ro (the awesome Michelle Forbes). This season also had plenty of great guest stars, including Paul Winfield, Ashley Judd, Kelsey Grammer, Matt Frewer, Ray Walston, and Leonard Nimoy (maybe you've heard of him?).
Season Five kicks off with the second half of the cliffhanger for "Redemption." If you couldn't resist July's stand-alone Blu-ray, the rest of the season should be a real treat. I'm not advocating that you skip that conclusion if you haven't seen in yet, but there are 25 other great episodes here. A few of my personal favorites include the aforementioned Ensign Ro making her debut in "Ensign Ro," the crew getting up close and personal with the Borg in "I, Borg," and the Enterprise getting a little crumpled in "Cause and Effect." A few episodes also received accolades this season, including the Emmy-winning "Cost of Living" and "The Inner Light," which took home the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
It's also important to note that during this season, we lost Gene Rodenberry. Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five served as a pretty fitting tribute for the show's creator. It's one of the best of the entire franchise.
The Picture
I'm assuming that you've seen some of the other TNG sets at this point. No one comes into Season 5. In other words, you should know just what to expect -- and those expectations will be met with a bit of excitement. If you didn't watch the show during its broadcast run, it may be a little hard to appreciate what Paramount and CBS have done here. The restoration is really amazing. Colors are bold throughout, faces and pieces of the Enterprise are detailed, and the uniforms have great texture. Blu-ray makes these old episodes like a whole new viewing experience. Sure, it's also a cheesy viewing experience in some parts, but you're going to want to see what's going on here. Also worth noting is a bit of standard-definition, which has been upconverted to HD. However, no one's trying to pull a fast one here. As noted in previous sets, the menu lists those blink-and-you-might-miss-them moments, which include 1 minute and 44 seconds from "Power Play on Disc Three and 37 seconds of "The First Duty" on Disc Four.
The Sound
Some of these sets are better than others when it comes to content, image and even special features. However, there's one thing that's been pretty consistent across these releases: the sound. If you need it, the Dolby Digital 2.0 track is here. However, the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 really makes this track fly -- literally. It delivers the dialogue perfectly, the score is proudly on display, and the action certainly packs a punch. That said, what makes this a really great track is how it fills the soundfield all of the little details coming from the Enterprise. Like the other sets, this is one of the things that really stands out to make Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five a really nice immersive viewing experience.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
It's hard to believe that we're five seasons in, but Star Trek: The Next Generation is the type of show that gets more addictive as it moves along. This season has great character development, great storylines, and Spock! What more could you ask for? If you answered that with "an awesome Blu-ray," know that your prayers have been answered. This is another stellar must-have set from Paramount and CBS. The AV is a treat and there's a decent collection of extras. If you've been collecting the sets so far, Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Five leaves absolutely no reason to stop now. Engage!
Product Details
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Movie | |
| Extras |
