It is usually the case that although it may be intellectually interesting to listen to the earliest historic recordings of a legendary recording artist, it is the later recordings that are more fun; the artist is both more mature and more relaxed, and the lack of artifice allows the artist's talent to shine through. Similarly, with the second season, Star Trek: The Next Generation was beginning to click; the actors were finding the rhythm of their characters, and a real feeling of ensemble -- the strongest facet of the original series, but sorely missing in most of the first-season TNG episodes -- was becoming evident.

Oddly enough, during the haitus before the second season it was decided that a McCoy/Kirk dynamic was needed in order to duplicate that sense of ensemble; in an example of surprisingly bad judgement, Dr. Beverly Crusher -- played by actress / theater director / Muppeteer Gates McFadden -- was replaced with Dr. Katherine Pulaski, played by Diane Muldaur. Muldaur had previously appeared in two episodes of the original Star Trek series in 1968, and is a fine actress in her own right, but the producers hadn't counted on fan reaction when "the wrong Crusher" was dropped. Muldaur lasted the season, however, and comports herself well throughout.

With the success of the show's first season, the production moved into a larger sound studio, and the producers found that they had the room for a new set. Realizing that all of their existing large sets only permitted the characters to appear in working situations, a lounge -- "Ten Forward" -- was constructed. When word got around that another cast addition was needed to play the bartender, long-time Star Trek fan and Oscar-winner Whoopi Goldberg approached Roddenberry and Berman for the part.

With these two new cast additions Berman decided that it was unwise to replace Denise Crosby's Tasha Yar with yet a third addition, and so Worf -- who had been given little to do in the first season -- inherited the responsibiliies of Security Chief.

1988 was the year of the writers strike, and like many series TNG began late; the first episode did not broadcast until November 19^th, and the second season ran for only 22 episodes (the last episode, "Shades of Gray," was essentially a clip show). Despite this shortened season, it was this second year that introduced many of TNG's icons: the Borg, "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot," Data's play-acting as Sherlock Holmes, and others.

Film Synopsis:

Disc 1

• "The Child"

Episode 127
Originally aired November 19, 1988
Written by Jaron Summers, Jon Povill and Maurice Hurley
Directed by Rob Bowman

When a plague in the densely populated Rachelis System races out of control, help from the Enterprise is enlisted in the medical emergency. But while preparing to transport samples of a deadly plasma plague from a Federation research station to a site where a suitable antidote can be developed, the crew is stunned by an unexpected announcement: Counselor Troi is pregnant. According to Troi, a glowing white light impregnated her while she was asleep. Dr. Katherine Pulaski, the ship's new Chief Medical Officer, confirms Troi's prognosis and reports that the fetus will reach full term within 36 hours. Guest stars: Seymour Cassel (Lieutenant Commander Hester Dealt), R.J. William (Ian Andrew Troi, Jr.), Dawn Armenian (Miss Gladstone), Zachary Benjamin (Young Ian Andrew Troi, Jr.), Dore Keller (Crewman).

This episode marked the first appearances of Guinan and Dr. Katherine Pulaski, and the promotions of Geordie to chief engineer and Worf to security chief. The episode was originally written for the proposed Star Trek II television series.

• "Where Silence Has Lease"

Episode 128
Originally aired November 26, 1988
Written by Jack Sowards
Directed by Winrich Kolbe

While en route to the Morgana Quadrant, the Enterprise is engulfed by a mysterious "hole" having no dimensions and void of all energy and matter. Captain Picard is perplexed by this mysterious oddity which cannot be measured or defined in human terms, and the crew is caught in a trap which, by their standards, does not even exist. They are confronted by a giant human eye which peers in at them through the main view screen. The being, calling Itself Nagilum, explains that he is using the Enterprise in an experiment to study human life — specifically, the many ways in which humans die. Wishing to observe death in all of its forms, Nagilum plans to use one-third to one-half of the crew as human guinea pigs. Guest stars: Earl Boen (Nagilum), Charles Douglas (Haskell).

• "Elementary, Dear Data"

Episode 129
Originally aired December 3, 1988
Written by Brian Alan Lane
Directed by Rob Bowman

When the Enterprise arrives three days ahead of schedule to rendezvous with the U.S.S. Victory, the crew is presented with some well-deserved free time. Knowing that Data is a Sherlock Holmes aficionado, Geordi summons Data to the holodeck, where they travel back to Victorian London to solve one of the famed detective's mysteries. Dr. Pulaski challenges Data to solve a real crime, a la Sherlock Holmes, and Geordi orders the computer to present Data with an original mystery and an opponent who could defeat him. Kate joins Data and Geordi as they return to London, via the holodeck. But their game turns serious when Kate is kidnapped by Holmes' arch-enemy, Professor James Moriarty, who has taken control of the holodeck computer. Guest stars: Daniel Davis (Professor James Moriarty), Alan Shearman (Inspector Lestrade), Biff Manard (Ruffian), Diz White (Prostitute), Anne Elizabeth Ramsey (Assistant Engineer Clancy), Richard Merson (Pie Man).

Moriarty returned in the sixth-season episode "Ship in a Bottle."

• "The Outrageous Okona"

Episode 130
Originally aired December 10, 1988
Written by Burton Armus, story by Les Menchen, Lance Dickson and David Landsberg
Directed by Robert Becker

While traveling through the Omega Sagitta system, the Enterprise aids a disabled cargo ship and plays host to its sole occupant, Captain Okona. Once on board the Enterprise, the handsome, roguish Okona charms the crew — particularly the women — with his quick wit and mischievous manner. Data, however, is unable to understand Okona's jokes and looks to Guinan and the holodeck for lessons in human humor. Meanwhile, two small interplanetary vessels lock their lasers on the Enterprise, demanding Okona's surrender and charging him with stealing the prized Jewel of Thesia. Guest stars: William O. Campbell (Captain Thadiun Okona), Douglas Rowe (Debin), Albert Stratton (Kushell), Rosalind Ingledew (Yanar), Kieran Mulroney (Benzan), Joe Piscopo (The Comic).

This episode marked the last appearance of Joe Piscopo as a celebrity that anybody cared about.

Disc 2

• "Loud as a Whisper"

Episode 132
Originally aired January 7, 1989
Written by Jacqueline Zambrano
Directed by Larry Shaw

The Enterprise is unexpectedly diverted to the Ramatis star system to transport a famous mediator named Riva to the site of a bitter planetary conflict on Solais V. To the surprise of the away team, headed by Captain Picard, it soon becomes apparent that Riva is deaf. Although he can understand what the crew is saying by reading their lips, his only way of communicating is through the Chorus, a group of three people who not only possess a distinctive aspect of Riva's personality, but can read the mediator's thoughts telepathically and translate them into words. Arriving at the war-torn planet, Riva, his Chorus and the away team prepare to meet with the leaders of the centuries-old dispute. But when the combatants face each other to begin the peace talks, a dissident soldier opens fire with his weapon, killing Riva's Chorus. Guest stars: Marnie Mosiman (Woman), Thomas Oglesby (Scholar/Artist), Leo Damian (Warrior/Adonis), Howie Seago (Riva), Richard Lavin (Warrior #1), Chip Heller (Warrior #2), John Garrett (Lieutenant).

• "The Schizoid Man"

Episode 131
Originally aired January 21, 1989
Written by Tracy Torme. story by Hans Beimler and Richard Manning
Directed by Les Landau

The Enterprise races toward a remote planet on a top priority mission to provide medical aid for Dr. Ira Graves, one of the greatest living human minds. An away team, led by Data, beams down to assist the dying Graves. Data develops a particularly strong rapport with the brilliant scientist, who is bravely enduring the final stages of a terminal disease. Shortly after Graves tells Data of his remarkable ability to transfer human knowledge into a computer, he dies. Back on board the Enterprise, Troi tests Data's psychological reactions and discovers two conflicting personalities within him — Data's normal personality, along with a brilliant but irrational side which is quickly taking over his mind. Guest stars: W. Morgan Sheppard (Dr. Ira Graves), Barbara Alyn Woods (Kareen Brianon), Suzie Plakson (Dr. Selar).

This episode, named after an episode of the BBC series "The Prisoner," was meant as an homage. It was originally hoped that Patrick McGoohan would play the part of Dr. Graves.

• "Unnatural Selection"

Episode 133
Originally aired January 28, 1989
Written by John Mason and Michael Gray
Directed by Paul Lynch

An emergency call for help from a Federation supply ship sends the Enterprise racing on a course to determine the nature of the crisis. Upon visually scanning the bridge of the U.S.S. Lantree, the crew is shocked to learn that everyone on the troubled vessel is dead. Dr. Pulaski determines that the crew members, who had been examined and found to be in perfect health eight weeks earlier, have all died of old age. The Lantree is immediately placed under quarantine and the Enterprise heads toward the ship's last port of call, the Darwin Genetic Research Station, to warn them of the potential danger. Guest stars: Patricia Smith (Dr. Sara Kingsley), J. Patrick McNamara (Captain Taggart), Scott Trost (Transporter Ensign).

This episode harkens back to the original Star Trek series' episode "The Deadly Years."

• "A Matter of Honor"

Episode 134
Originally aired February 4, 1989
Written by Burton Armus, story by Wanda M. Haight, Gregory Amos and Burton Armus
Directed by Rob Bowman

A special exchange program brings a Benzite named Mendon aboard the Enterprise and gives Riker the opportunity to become the first Federation officer to serve on board a Klingon ship. Meanwhile, the Enterprise discovers that a virulent strain of bacteria is eating away at the hulls of both their ship and the Klingon cruiser Pagh. As the Enterprise plots a course to intercept and warn the Pagh, the Klingons discover the bacteria and mistakenly believe the starship is responsible for it. Guest stars: John Putch (Ensign Mendon), Christopher Collins (Captain Kargan), Brian Thompson (Lieutenant Klag), Peter Parros (Tactics officer), Laura Drake (Vekma).

Disc 3

• "The Measure of a Man"

Episode 135
Originally aired February 11, 1989
Written by Melinda Snodgrass
Directed by Robert Scheerer

When the Enterprise arrives at the newly established Starbase 173, Data is ordered to serve under Captain Bruce Maddox, who wishes to disassemble and study him so that more androids can be made for Starfleet's use. But after Data learns that Maddox may not be able to reassemble him, he refuses to submit to the procedure. When Captain Picard is unable to have the orders changed, Data's only option is to resign from Starfleet. His decision to resign, however, is challenged by Maddox on the basis that Data is not a person with rights, but property of the Federation. Guest stars: Amanda McBroom (Captain Philipa Louvois), Clyde Kusatsu (Admiral Nakamura), Brian Brophy (Commander Bruce Maddox)

This episode mentions the Daystrom Institute (a reference to the original Star Trek series' episode "The Ultimate Computer"), and was the first to reference the bridge crew's weekly poker game.

• "The Dauphin"

Episode 136
Originally aired February 18, 1989
Written by Scott Rubenstein and Leonard Mlodinow
Directed by Rob Bowman

The Enterprise is assigned to escort a young girl and her guardian from the planet Klavdia III, where they have lived almost all of the girl's life, to Daled IV, the planet she was born to rule. The sixteen-year-old Salia has a chance encounter with Wesley, who is instantly and obviously smitten with her, much to the dismay of the girl's overprotective guardian Anya. All the while, Troi is concerned that the emotions she senses from the new passengers don't seem to fit who they are. Guest stars: Paddi Edwards (Anya), Jamie Hubbard (Salia), Peter Neptune (Aron), Madchen Amick (Teenage Girl), Cindy Sorenson (Furry Animal), Jennifer Barlow (Ensign Gibson).

Madchen Amick later appeared as Shelly in the series "Twin Peaks."

• "Contagion"

Episode 137
Originally aired March 18, 1989
Written by Steve Gerber and Beth Woods
Directed by Joseph Scanlan

The Enterprise enters the Neutral Zone in response to a desperate plea for aid from the U.S.S. Yamato, which has been crippled by a series of dangerous, inexplicable malfunctions on its voyage to the homeland of the Iconians, an extinct civilization. When the Yamato's captain tries to explain his mission to Picard, the transmission breaks up and the Yamato suddenly explodes. En route to Iconia to retrace the Yamato's course, the Enterprise experiences system failures similar to those the doomed vessel faced prior to its destruction. Geordi informs Picard that the probe rewrote the U.S.S. Yamato software, causing its disintegration, and that the Enterprise computer was infected when it downloaded the Yamato log, prior to the ship's explosion. Guest stars: Thalmus Rasulala (Captain Donald Varley), Carolyn Seymour (Subcommander Teris), Dana Sparks (Weapons Officer Williams), Folkert Schmidt (Doctor).

Picard first orders "Tea, Earl Grey, hot" in this episode.

• "The Royale"

Episode 138
Originally aired March 25, 1989
Written by Keith Mills (Tracy Torme)
Directed by Cliff Bole

In an unmapped solar system, the Enterprise discovers a jagged chunk of metal bearing a United States Air Force insignia. The Away Team beams down to a building on a nearby planet, hoping to find a connection between the structure and the ship fragment. When Riker, Worf and Data materialize in front of a revolving door that leads them into the casino of the Hotel Royale, their communication with the Enterprise is suddenly cut off. Guest stars: Sam Anderson (Assistant Manager), Jill Jacobson (Vanessa), Leo Garcia (Bellboy), Noble Willingham (Texas), Gregory Beecroft (Mickey D).

Disc 4

• "Time Squared"

Episode 139
Originally aired April 1, 1989
Written by Maurice Hurley, story by Burt Michael Bensmiller
Directed by Joseph Scanlan

The Enterprise rescues a disabled shuttlecraft and finds an incoherent Captain Picard aboard. Reviewing the ship's logs, they discover the vessel was sent back in time to warn the crew of the Enterprise's impending demise in a deadly space anomaly. As the time of the ship's destruction nears, the Picard from the future begins to revive, while the Jean-Luc of the present grows more and more uncertain for fear of endangering the vessel and repeating the steps his future self made, thus resulting in the ship's end.

This episode was originally planned to be a lead-in to "Q Who," with Q being responsible for the time vortex..

• "The Icarus Factor"

Episode 140
Originally aired April 22, 1989
Written by David Assael and Robert L. McCullough, story by David Assael
Directed by Robert Iscove

When Riker is offered a captain's position on the Starship Aries, the Enterprise heads for Starbase Montgomery so he can be briefed on the assignment. Arriving at the Starbase, Riker is visibly shaken when his father, Kyle, whom Riker hasn't seen in 15 years, is beamed aboard to brief him. Guest stars: Mitchell Ryan (Kyle Riker), Lance Spellerberg (Transporter Chief Herbert).

This episode mentions the Tholians, who made their appearance in the original Star Trek series' "The Tholian Web" episode.

• "Pen Pals"

Episode 141
Originally aired April 29, 1989
Written by Melinda Snodgrass, story by Hannah Louise Shearer
Directed by Winrich Kolbe

Unbeknownst to the crew, Data has become pen pals with a little girl named Sarjenka who lives on Drema IV, one of the planets under investigation. When Data tells Picard of his communications with Sarjenka, he learns that her planet is in danger of imminent self-destruction as a result of growing stresses beneath its surface. Guest stars: Nicholas Cascone (Ensign Davies), Nikki Cox (Sarjenka), Ann H. Gillespie (Hildebrant), Whitney Rydbeck (Alans).

No, not that Nikki Cox.

• "Q Who"

Episode 142
Originally aired May 6, 1989
Written by Maurice Hurley
Directed by Rob Bowman

Picard's nemesis, the powerful, extra-dimensional being named Q, hurls the Enterprise across the galaxy after Picard refuses to let him become a member of the crew. Immediately upon arriving in this unexplored part of the galaxy, the Enterprise encounters an alien ship. Suddenly, two Borg — part organic and part artificial beings — appear in the Main Engineering room. Unfortunately, the Enterprise's defenses are helpless against the powerful aliens, who begin draining information from ship's computers. Guest stars: John de Lancie (Q), Lycia Naff (Ensign Sonya Gomez).

The Borg had been previously mentioned in the first season's final episode, "The Neutral Zone."

Disc 5

• "Samaritan Snare"

Episode 143
Originally aired May 13, 1989
Written by Robert McCullough
Directed by Les Landau

The Pakleds, an apparently dim-witted race of beings, recruit Geordi's help to fix their malfunctioning drive unit and threaten him with violence unless he stays aboard to assist them with their technological incompetence. At the same time, Picard is escorted by Wesley via shuttle for a life-saving heart transplant. Guest stars: Christopher Collins (Grebnedlog, the Pakled captain), Leslie Morris (Reginold), Daniel Benzali (Surgeon), Lycia Naff (Ensign Sonya Gomez), Tzi Ma (Biomolecular Physiologist).

• "Up the Long Ladder"

Episode 144
Originally aired May 20, 1989
Written by Melinda Snodgrass
Directed by Winrich Kolbe

Originally titled "Send in the Clones" ("They didn't have the guts to stick with that title," says actor Jonathan Frakes), "Up the Long Ladder" has the Enterprise serve as a rescue ship transporting a primitive rural farming community away from their doomed planet, along with an advanced race of clones. The clones, realizing they are nearing their extinction due to the lack of sufficient genetically replicative material, plan to copy the DNA of Pulaski and Riker in hopes of restoring the race, this in spite of the duo's objections. Guest stars: Barrie Ingham (Danilo O'Dell), Jon DeVries (Walter Granger), Rosalyn Landor (Brenna O'Dell).

• "Manhunt"

Episode 145
Originally aired June 17, 1989
Written by Terry Devereaux (Tracy Torme)
Directed by Rob Bowman

A sequel of sorts to "Haven" and "The Big Goodbye." While transporting delegates to a special Federation conference on Pacifica, the Enterprise picks up two representatives from the newly discovered planet of Antede III. En route to the conference, Picard and the crew are taken aback by the unexpected arrival of Mrs. Troi, who also happens to be on her way to the meeting on Pacifica. Upon finding himself the object of Mrs. Troi's passions, Picard learns that Lwaxana is at "the phase," a mid-life period when a Betazoid woman's sex drive increases tenfold. Guest stars: Majel Barrett (Lwaxana Troi), Robert Costanzo (Slade Bender), Mick Fleetwood (Antedean Dignitary), Carel Struycken (Mr. Homn), Rod Arrants (Rex), Rhonda Aldrich (Madeline), Robert O'Reilly (Thug), Wren T. Brown (Transport Pilot).

Yes, that Mick Fleetwood. Carel Struycken later played the mysterious giant in the series "Twin Peaks."

• "The Emissary"

Episode 146
Originally aired June 24, 1989
The television story and teleplay was written by Richard Manning and Hans Beimler
Based on an unpublished story by Thomas H. Calder
Directed by Cliff Bole

The Enterprise, obeying orders from the highest ranks of Starfleet Command, beams aboard a special emissary named K'Ehleyr, a half-human, half-Klingon female. The crew is pulled by Worf's coldness toward K'Ehleyr, who informs them that they must intercept the T'Ong, a Klingon vessel whose staff has been in cryogenic sleep for a century. She reveals that the Klingons began their voyage while the Federation was still at war with the Klingon Empire, and that if they awaken within striking range of key Federation outposts, the results could be devastating. Guest stars: Suzie Plakson (K'Ehleyr), Lance le Gault (K'Temoc), Georgann Johnson (Admiral Gromek), Anne Elizabeth Ramsey (Ensign Clancy), Dietrich Bader (Tactical Crewman).

This episode introduced the character of K'Ehleyr, who later appeared (and died) in "Reunion."

Disc 6

• "Peak Performance"

Episode 147
Originally aired July 8, 1989
Written by David Kemper
Directed by Robert Shearer

As part of the first Starfleet Battle Simulation program, Picard and Riker are tapped to compete against each other in a mock battle. Picard is given command of the Enterprise, while Riker is assigned the Hathaway, a hopelessly unequipped, 80-year-old vessel which he's given 48 hours to outfit for battle. Acting as an observer of the exercise is Kolrami, a master strategist from the Zakdorn race, which is reputed to have the greatest strategic minds in the galaxy. Guest stars: Roy Brocksmith (Sirna Kolrami), Armin Shimerman (Bractor), David L. Landers (Tactician), Leslie Neale (Ensign Nagel), Glenn Morshower (Lieutenant Burke).

This episode features Armin Shimerman, who went on to play the Ferengi Quark in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

• "Shades of Gray"

Episode 148
Originally aired July 15, 1989
Written by Maurice Hurley, Hans Beimler and Richard Manning, story by Maurice Hurley
Directed by Rob Bowman

During a routine geological survey on Surata IV, Commander Riker's thigh is pierced by a small thorn, which causes him to lose the feeling in his leg. After beaming Riker back aboard the Enterprise, Dr. Pulaski determines that the thorn contains an unknown organism which is rapidly spreading throughout his nervous system. If left unchecked, the microbe will soon reach Riker's brain and kill him. In order to fight its spread, Riker must relive memories of previous missions, which segues into a series of clips from the first two seasons.

This episode marked the last appearance of Diana Muldaur's one-season gig as Dr. Katherine Pulaski. The episode was essentially a "clip show," easily the worst of the series' season-ending episodes.

• Supplementary features:
• Mission Overview - Year 2 (14:39)
• Selected Crew Analysis (13:44)
• Inside Starfleet Archives (17:31)
• Departmental Briefing:
• Production (17:31)
• Memorable Missions (16:31)

Technical

Video:	Fullscreen 1.33:1 (Original TV series ratio)
Audio:	ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC] ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Surround [CC]
Subtitles:	English, Closed Captions

The video transfer (presented in the original 4:3 fullscreen ratio) is clean and sharp, but there were more noticeable compression artifacts than we experienced in the first-season set. Grain still appears in some of the special-effects scenes, but is more evident on "stock" SFX than in new-for-the-episode scenes, which is an indication that the source material and /or processing improved with the second season, and that the transfer accurqately reproduces the source.

The surround-sound is used to good effect throughout the series, and this set duplicates the ambience; for those who did not have their televisions hooked up to a stereo system at the time, this may be the first time you can hear the 5.1 audio as it was meant to be heard. We've always liked the feeling of location imparted by the use of a constant "engine thrum" in the rear speakers.

Animated menus are similar in style to the first-season set, replicating the look of a typical ST:TNG monitor screen; the episode lists are presented as logbook entries, with film clips playing in the corner like streaming video. It's probable that this style will be used throughout the seven-set series, although we hope that there is time for tweaking the later sets to remove the necessity of having to select through three screens to play an episode.

Once again, there are no "coming next week" trailers or promo for Star Trek: Nemesis.

As a result of the Writers Guild strike, the second season of ST:TNG ran twenty-two episodes, or four short of the first season. With four episodes per disc, this set is therefore comprised of six (6) DVDs, with the sixth disc containing two episodes plus the supplementary features. The outer packaging is roughly the same width as that of the first-season collection, although the inner custom fold-out DVD packaging is slightly thinner due to being one "page" shorter. The color for the season is a dusky orange. Like the first season, there is a paper promo sheet tack-glued onto the back and bottom of the set that can be removed without harming the silver cover if done slowly and carefully.