I did a bit of research on the internet about bad episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and found that just about every list included "Angel I". The reviews for it on IMDb are NOT very positive either. Apparently, it was truly cringe-worthy and Gates McFadden (the doctor) was truly offended by the sexist nature of the show and her fighting with the production staff got her suspended. What do I think? First, a little about the plot:
Years ago, a freighter had an accident in space. No known survivors exist but an escape pod might have made it to a nearby planet, Angel I. Although it would have taken months to arrive, it could have and so the Enterprise is on hand to look for the men (though why so late, I have no idea). However, they are surprised that the matriarchal leaders of the society are less than cordial. It seems that the survivors DID arrive and they were a complete disruption to the old ways. The survivors balked at the sexist way the women treated the men...and wanted equality. So, the away team is told to find these renegade men and get rid of them immediately...or else! Plus, when they find the men, they find that these the men and their wives would rather die than leave!
So did I find it that bad? Well, you do get to see Riker in drag--and that could be a plus or a minus depending on your desire to see him in a negligee-type thingie. And, the show has some things to say about gender equality---but in a ham-fisted manner (plus, the highest ranking folks on the ship are all men). In balance, it is weak but I don't understand all the hate--the series made LOTS of bad episodes (most of which centered around the holodreck...I mean holodeck). I wouldn't put it among the very worst...just one that is well below average and a tad cringe-inducing at times. And the biggest reason isn't the sexism but the ending--where everything is inexplicably wrapped up in a way that makes you think 'Hy...this makes no sense. Why did they do THAT?!'.
Years ago, a freighter had an accident in space. No known survivors exist but an escape pod might have made it to a nearby planet, Angel I. Although it would have taken months to arrive, it could have and so the Enterprise is on hand to look for the men (though why so late, I have no idea). However, they are surprised that the matriarchal leaders of the society are less than cordial. It seems that the survivors DID arrive and they were a complete disruption to the old ways. The survivors balked at the sexist way the women treated the men...and wanted equality. So, the away team is told to find these renegade men and get rid of them immediately...or else! Plus, when they find the men, they find that these the men and their wives would rather die than leave!
So did I find it that bad? Well, you do get to see Riker in drag--and that could be a plus or a minus depending on your desire to see him in a negligee-type thingie. And, the show has some things to say about gender equality---but in a ham-fisted manner (plus, the highest ranking folks on the ship are all men). In balance, it is weak but I don't understand all the hate--the series made LOTS of bad episodes (most of which centered around the holodreck...I mean holodeck). I wouldn't put it among the very worst...just one that is well below average and a tad cringe-inducing at times. And the biggest reason isn't the sexism but the ending--where everything is inexplicably wrapped up in a way that makes you think 'Hy...this makes no sense. Why did they do THAT?!'.