As an introduction to the various characters this is not so bad, and although delaying the arrivals of Riker, Dr. Crusher, and La Forge for over a half an hour was a good idea, the Q filler is far more horrific here than he would ever be again. The court scene is not just frightful, it is also excessively long and dates the show to its late-1980s release more so than many later episodes of TNG. Thankfully later episodes would improve the series, as would Troi's abilities. Although certainly not the worst (the dividing of the ship and its coming together again save the show, and the scene between the old admiral and Data is great), one can tell that the show is trying to figure out where it is going. Overall grade a C/C+.
Review of Encounter at Farpoint
