Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season One [6 Discs] [Blu-ray]

Star Trek TNG's first season has a reputation for being variable in terms of story/plot quality. If you like season 1, then this Blu-Ray set is a real treat. I should say some discs have problems but CBS had recently announced how to obtain replacement discs... If you disliked season 1, the stunning restored visuals and improved sound will still astound you, even if the episodes themselves are uneven. And the extras/documentaries on the show's restoration, and creation, are alone worth the cost - at least for TNG fans. Having watched every episode in this set, and knowing how modern video editing is done, the re-editing to make the restored episodes was complicated and extended. For, in order to get TNG to get to Blu-Ray, every episode had to be re-edited from the raw filmed footage. Upscaling the master videotapes of edited footage was simply not workable. As a result, color gamut is increased and not only color but details literally pop out onto the screen. It really is watching the show for the very first time. Unfortunately, not all effects work existed, so some elements had to be recreated from scratch - but the restoration team has kept true to TNG's original f/x and their efforts are virtually seamless to the original methods used - but fit into HD standards beautifully. Season 1 is comprised of over 1100 minutes. The editors could not find 2 seconds of film (a reaction shot), and the scene passes by so fast you won't know the difference. The recordkeeping of the late-80s was meticulous, and the fact so little material was lost, combined with how well recomposed the episodes are, is a result of that record-keeping. TNG's later seasons are virtually flawless, but I found season 1 to be refreshing - even with the most horrible clunkers. Something can be said for 80s cheese as well. Definitely worth collecting. --- Individual episode ratings: Encounter at Farpoint: 4/5 - sometimes cheesy, but Q is memorable. The Naked Now: 1/5 - lost opportunity and a shallow, hollow rewrite of TOS's "The Naked Time" Code of Honor: 2/5 - uh... it's a lost cause, despite two of the guest actors improving on the rubbish material they had to act out. The Blu-Ray shows a ton of detail not seen before... it's rich and beautiful, despite having a rubbish plot The Last Outpost: 1/5 - another TOS-wannabe and a new enemy is introduced. Designed to be nasty but come across as comic relief... it's a stinker. Where No One Has Gone Before: 3/5 - corny, but the Blu-Ray really makes the f/x work shine, but keep your eyes open and you'll see a couple minor nitpicks... :) Lonely Among Us: 4/5 - yet another TOS-inspired episode, it's one they couldn't have done in 1968. The Antican/Selar feud could have been better, but the main subplot involving an energy life form is fairly innovative. Justice: 1/5 - the basic concept is good, but a rewrite turned this into an R-rated farce. Worst episode of the series, by far. The Battle: 3.5/5 - I'm a sucker for revenge-themed subplots, and this goes into detail with Picard's past as well. Hide and Q: 3/5 - more corniness but Q's presence elevates the story. Haven: 1/5 - it feels like a prototype to later seasons with this episode's use of drama, but flops quickly. The Big Goodbye: 4/5 - good use of the holodeck and one of TNG's first successful attempts to not feel like a TOS episode, despite some homage. Was supposed to air after 11001001... Datalore: 3/5 - great ideas let down by a horrific production. But the ideas carry enough weight and Lore makes a great villain. Angel One: 2/5 - trite, corny, lame, but some of the guest stars are easy on the eyes. 11001001: 4.5/5 - only a couple nitpicks but is TNG's first outright classic, and shows how Geordi would eventually become Chief Engineer. Too Short a Season: 3.5/5 - we're back to feeling like a TOS-era episode, with cliches, but I can't deny it's watchable... When the Bough Breaks: 3.5/5 - innovative and different, it has flaws but will win you over with its charm Home Soil: 4/5 - some wooden acting can drag down an innovative episode only so far, and shows terraforming in action. Coming of Age: 4/5 - Wesley's best season 1 story. Heart of Glory: 4/5 - Cliched yet enjoyable Klingon-themed story with some innovations. The Arsenal of Freedom: 4/5 - A good action piece, with the cornball element fairly limited. Symbiosis: 3.5/5 - the anti-drug episode isn't the clunker one might be led to believe. It's not a classic, but there are far worse episodes to be sure. Skin of Evil: 3/5 - Some good ideas are brought down by what can only be summarized by "late 80s cheese". Tasha Yar makes some fun assumptions as well. We'll Always Have Paris: 3/5 - Interesting sci-fi at work, but feels flat. 2 seconds of footage were upscaled for this episode, but you're not likely to see it. Conspiracy: 4.5/5 - the best of the season also ends on an open note and might have made a backstory for a proper near epic-worthy nemesis for the TNG movies. The Neutral Zone: 3.5/5 - preachy at times, cornball, but has a few good lines of dialogue and reintroduces one enemy while alluding to one that would be introduced in season 2 and made proper use of in season 3...

The quality of this item, converted to blu-ray 20 plus years after the original broadcast, is outstanding. There are none of the usual defects observed in previous blu-ray conversions of older material. Additionally, I very much enjoyed the new "Behind the scenes" special features.

Finally, it's here in hi def. However, CBS / Paramount has been receiving tons of complaints due to audio mix problems (vocals not centered but front left and right as well, also 7.1 tinny sounding on Haven with no 2.0 audio track on the disc for Haven) and audio sync problems in other areas. You can't beat the deal with Best Buy and getting in with the additional $10 promotion. Eventually, these should get a disc replacement program going, so don't worry if you decide to buy this set. Just keep informed for when a disc replacement program begins so you can get disc 1, 6 for sure and probably disc 2 as well replaced when the time comes. Pay attention to the CBS / Paramount home page news section in weeks to come!

The high def scan and transfer of the original film negatives is first class. It's looks like they just filmed these episodes.

I like how Star Trek keeps the inner plot of the show easy to understand

Im not ashamed to admit i am a fan of all things STAR TREK! i have waited a long long time for this to come to blu-ray and it does not disapoint...it's as sharp as any other blu-ray if not sharper and i'm gald i have not experienced any audio issues i'm sorry some people are hopefully that will be resolved sooner than later... one thing i am alitte disapointed about is that it's not in wide screen format and i have to expand the aspect in order to fill my entire screen.. .but that is minor and shoudn't stop anyone for purchasing it.... i'am really looking forward to season 2 coming out later this year...and i already used the $ 10.00 discount code thanks for that best buy...

The episodes are as I remember them when I watched them for the first time back in the late 80s. The updated graphics for Blu-ray were excellent. My biggest complaint is the dubbing and sound was off for several episodes which severly took away from the quality of the DVD. The extras were boring. The gag reel video quality was terrible.

this dvd is awesome i plan on buying the rest of the seasons this first season dvd set is well worth the money im glad and happy that patrick stewart is in this tv series this first season dvd is a must have for anybody and everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!