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Enterprise: Dear Doctor (2002)
Good attempt, but not very well executed...
This episode attempts to be a very classic example of what makes Star Trek rather unique -- on one level a straight forward science fiction show, but on a second level a program that addresses some very real and very interesting philosophical dilemmas that humanity either currently face, or might face, given certain conditions that our science and technology might someday present. This formula only works, however, when the writers of the episode understand the topic they are attempting to address. This story idea was really good and, as the current rating reflects (currently at 8.0), it is still, if only superficially, a pretty well produced episode. But, for many viewers who are knowledgeable of evolution and/or ethics, the fact that the writers really messed up both the science and the ethical philosophy that underlies the actions taken by Phlox and Archer, it makes this story rather contrived and hollow, and the conclusion rather ludicrous (e.g. since Phlox doesn't have a sound understanding of evolution and both characters reach a rather naive and unethical decision in the finale...under the misguided claim that they are making a hard, but ethical, decision). These problems don't kill the episode for many, but it certainly did for me.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Life Support (1995)
Performance Driven and Thought Provoking
In the Star Trek tradition, this episode attempts to wrestle with, in this case, the weighty philosophical issue of vitalism -- the dualistic notion that their exists both a physical process as well as an additional "spark of life" (as Bashir called it in this ep) separate from the physical processes of chemistry and biology, that somehow is needed to essentially provide that ineffable and vital quality that makes a living being, especially a human being, fundamentally different from the more rote processes described in science texts. For the Trek vision of reality, at least, this "spark" cannot be simulated with any kind of advanced technology. Roddenberry, despite his nontheistic personal beliefs, always seems to embrace this notion of vitalism in the Trek universe, which always manifested as the human spirit being triumphal over the highly advanced thinking machines of his future; a world in which machine intelligence is never quite capable of achieving a level comparable to that of human beings no matter how advanced technology becomes. Whether or not one appreciates Roddenberry's original notion of mind vs machine is another matter altogether, but this episode stays consistent with the canonical vision of vitalism and spiritual duality long established in prior Trek story lines and, in that way, provides a good foundation upon which to build this episode's story.
As to the story, this is definitely a performance driven episode, namely for Nana Visitor and Alexander Siddig with some good support work from Louise Fletcher (Kai Winn) and Philip Anglim (Bareil). While Siddig's performance was strong as the compassionate doctor the writers did not challenge Siddig in this episode much; his role was very straight forward. Visitor, on the other hand, who plays the head-strong reactionary "Che Guevara" role very well, was given a chance to portray her character's more tender and emotional side. Unfortunately Visitor continues to struggle in her portrayal of this side of her character, a feature of her acting style that is apparent throughout this series.
The secondary story in this episode between Nog and Jake, too, is overshadowed by the gravity of the primary one, making it an odd story pairing, as well as a fairly forgettable one too. Also, given the earlier episodes where Odo's affections for Kira were firmly established, this rather blatant "write out" of the Bareil character from the story was a transparent and simplistic choice. An opportunity for exploring the far more interesting and realistic complexity found in love triangles, for example, was lost by this choice.
Criticisms aside, however, this was still a fairly enjoyable episode. It goes a long way in further establishing the psychopathic character of Kai Winn, whose wonderfully ambiguous portrayal by a grandmotherly and overly polite Louise Fletcher is both an acting and writing highlight throughout the DS9 run and no less of a joy to watch in this episode.
Downton Abbey: Episode #6.8 (2015)
The Magic is back!
I wouldn't disparage season 4 or 5 at all. I loved them both, but I felt they lacked the same level of lascivious and sanguinary undercurrents that kept all the pageantry and opulence afloat in those first three seasons. After all, it was this combination of beauty and darkness that initially allowed a rather unlikely tale of Anglo-centric romanticized Edwardian privilege to capture the interests and hearts of ordinary modern people from all around the world.
But that initial spark has most certainly returned here. This lustrous penultimate episode was with out any doubt, the best episode of season six (Xmas special excepted) and likely bodes well for the Downton Abbey finale, which will, no doubt, end this show's run with much of the same bang that started it all.
Glad to see Lord Fellowes has not lost his love for the melodramatic!
Star Trek: Voyager: Sacred Ground (1996)
It seems every ST series has at least one episode that needs to be tossed out!
And, IMO, this was the dead fish that washed up on the Voyager beach. I generally tend to like stories that address the faith/religion vs secular/science divide, so I am often very willing to overlook a lot of shortcomings (e.g. I liked K-PAX, The Ledge, and Contact....) but this story was simply unsalvageable. I generally agree with the complaints that come before mine. This story relied on cartoonish stereotypes -- sanctimonious superiority from the magic-believers and bewilderment that borders on stupidity from the science thinkers -- and a simpleton's view of a very old (and usually interesting) societal debate that has been part of every human society since the dawn of time.