Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Relics (1992) User Reviews

Strong emotion and a fitting tribute to Montgomery Scott

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 3 November 2021]

Enterprise encounters a crashed ship with a Star Trek legend trapped in the transporter.

This is an enjoyable episode with great fan service and good character moments.

The plot is a very straightforward fish out of water story centred around Scotty and works well as a tribute to the character and a reflection on ageing.

It is quite sad in it's moments of reminiscence and made me feel for Scotty. So much so I felt like punching Geordie La Forge who is portrayed as being quite impatient and hostile until he is ordered to do the decent thing by Captain Picard.

Picard on the other hand is portrayed in a very sensitive and caring light and shares one very memorable scene with Scotty. As does Data in Ten Forward. Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner are, as ever, on great form.

James Doohan channels all the charisma and personality of the caricature that is Scotty into a number of great moments. Some of the dialogue isn't great from the writer, (Diapers, I was driving starships etc) but Doohan makes the best of it. Some say there is too much technobabble but I think in an episode focussed on engineers it works.

LaVar Burton gives a solid performance, and after the initial character assassination by the writers, he makes Geordie likeable again whilst working alongside Scotty.

If you like the original series you are likely to enjoy this.

Old habits . . .

[Mr-Fusion · 8/10 · 7 July 2017]

'Relics' is a fine example of a good idea done right. It's the Enterprise making new discoveries (in this case, a Dyson sphere, along with the preserved remains of Montgomery Scott), finding itself in a perilous situation, and relying o the chief engineer to work miracles. Only this time, it's a meeting of minds between Geordi and Mr. Scott.

Doohan's is a warm presence, whether he's reminiscing old war stories or waxing nostalgic on the holodeck with the original series bridge. It's a story of an old dog feeling useful again, surmounting ageism and getting the proper sendoff.

It's a great story.

8/10

The Return of Scotty

[Samuel-Shovel · 8/10 · 3 June 2020]

In "Relics" the Enterprise discovers a crash-landed ship on the surface of an unidentified Dyson sphere. In the ancient ship they find a still living Scotty suspended in the transporter cycle stream. The old engineer must deal with being passed by society and technology after being missing for 75 years.

This is definitely the best use of a TOS cast member within the TNG series. After being a bit disappointed by Spock's appearance, this one really hit the spot for me. It's a smaller ep in scale and stakes but it's a great Scotty episode, probably better than anything TOS ever gave him. It's also the best episode of Season 6 after a few duds. Hopefully there will be more solid ones to come.

Beam me up, Scotty!

[russem31 · 29 April 2006]

ST:TNG:130 - "Relics" (Stardate: 46125.3) - this is the 4th episode of the 6th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation and a very special one, since it features the 3rd Original Series cast member to guest star on TNG - James Doohan as Scotty (DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy being the first two)!

When the Enterprise locates the U.S.S. Jenolan which crashed 75 years before on the surface of an until-now theoretical Dyson Sphere, they see that someone is trapped in the pattern buffer - and guess who, it's Scotty and for those 75 years! While he's trying to reintegrate himself back into society, he has to come to terms with the fact that most of his friends are long gone, including his version of the Enterprise (the Original Series version which he recreates in the holodeck). Feeling old and useless, because he can no longer help the current Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge (who tells him he's in the way), the Dyson Sphere turns out to be his greatest challenge yet.

Watch this historic episode with eyes wide open. Great concept, welcome return of an original cast member, and truly an episode to call Star Trek!

Trivia note: it's great to see and hear the Original Series style transporter in the beginning of the episode. Also, Geordi recalls what he did in "Galaxy's Child" with Dr. Leah Brahams.

Scotty and my first car

[lanceysm · 10/10 · 2 April 2007]

I appreciate and love the comments that Sotty made about "On the first Enterprise, I could tell How fast we were going by the feel of the deck-plates." My first car was a 64 Ford Fairlane with a broken speedometer, and you guessed it, I could feel the speed I was going by the vibrations of the car. This is something most young guys with their first cars can relate to. I do not know who wrote that line, but this a line that will reverberate in the memory of almost all guys.

When Scotty enters the original Enterprise, I could not help but remember entering my first car. I can remember all of the interior, the cracked seats, the torn carpet, and the only thing that worked right, the radio. I would gladly sit in that car again with a shot of Whiskey and say "Here's to you Lads".

The Much-Anticipated Appearance of "Scotty"

[brian_m_hass · 10/10 · 21 March 2015]

"Relics" featured the much-anticipated appearance of James Doohan as Montgomery Scott. The story was well written; and, the episode was filled with fun moments. Overall, the episode was very enjoyable.

James Doohan was the third regular cast member from the original "Star Trek" series to reprise his character on "Star Trek: the Next Generation." Compared to the earlier appearances by his cast mates, DeForrest Kelley ("Encounter at Farpoint") and Leonard Nimoy ("Unification," parts 1 and 2); Doohan's appearance in "Relics" was probably the most satisfying of the three for fans of the Star Trek franchise. Doohan spent more time on screen than did Kelley or Nimoy in the earlier episodes; and, the story of this episode was more focused on Doohan's character. The story explored (rather than merely acknowledged) the character.

"Relics" was a great episode for "Star Trek: the Next Generation." It provided fans with a nostalgic nod towards the classic "Star Trek" series and thoroughly lived up to expectations.

Appreciate Those Who Came Before

[spasek · 9/10 · 23 August 2021]

Some of the best conversations I remember having with my grandmother was when I asked her about her experiences during World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II, and so on. I was captivated because I wasn't reading a history book. I was speaking with someone who'd lived it.

Different cultures treat the elderly in different ways. I've lived in several countries where the very idea of sending grandparents/parents off to a home to live was abhorrent. "Why?! After everything they do for you when you're growing up?" I did explain that sometimes, we have no choice if they are having medical difficulties or suffering from mental disabilities. Still, this was a concept that was very foreign for most people I've come across overseas.

Many families in different countries all live together; often three generations under one roof. Nobody complains about space because they are actually grateful that they are there! They still contribute and help out around the house, look after the grandkids when necessary, and even walk to the store to shop. Oh, and when I talk about under one roof, I'm talking mostly about apartments, not 2000+ square foot homes that two people live in and say, "We don't have room!"

Geordi represents much of American thinking when it comes to how we treat senior citizens. Thank you for what you did, but now you're old, obselete, and frankly, more trouble than we figured.

Picard has to remind Geordi that even the elderly can still be useful. And frankly, they WANT to be useful!

Any fan of TOS will gush at seeing Scotty showing up in STNG universe. He's a man out of time, but he's also a genius engineer who proves that he's still more than capable, even if Geordi doesn't initially believe it. And also, just because a way of doing things isn't being done anymore, doesn't mean that it doesn't work.

My grandmother once told me that she thought she'd end up in a home. I told her, "Not while I'm living and breathing!" Could she be a pain? Of course! But isn't everyone from time-to-time regardless of age?

"Relics" is a testament not to forget those who came before and not to cast them aside like an old watering can either. This is a wonderful character study that--hopefully--will cause people to stop and remember how important it is to keep family members around and to also keep them busy! But also to be grateful for everything they did for us. Why is it so difficult to want to return the favor? After all, they won't be around forever, and all that they have and know, will eventually be gone.

Relics

[Scarecrow-88 · 10/10 · 5 June 2012]

"Relics", in my opinion, should be considered a Trek treasure. It certainly is an absolute pleasure to watch and revisit over and over. It has so much to say and what a tribute to a beloved actor and character. The late, great James Doohan is such a delight to watch as his Scottish Engineer "Captain" Montgomery Scott is "discovered" in a wrecked ship's transporter "pattern buffer" (the ship landed on a "Dyson Sphere"…more about this in a moment) by Commander Riker, Geordi, and Worf, on board the Jenolan, heavily damaged, with little of the controls/computers still in operation (or are in disrepair). The Enterprise was answering a distress signal from an old ship, missing 75 years, and are caught in the gravitational pull of what Picard believes (and Data backs up) is a Dyson Sphere. The Jenolan was just a transport ship and Scotty was board her, heading for a "retirement colony". This sphere has escaped detection for so long because of the sensors inability to scan it due to "gravimetric interference". An "enormous, hollow sphere" that could be constructed around a star, as Picard informs us of Dyson's theory could be the best description of the mass not far in space from the Enterprise's present location. Data even mentions that if this is a Dyson Sphere, because of its size, it could house 250 Class M planets. It looks like a planetary outer shell, even has a "door" (or, perhaps "hatch" is more apt), and once the Enterprise uses a simple hailing frequency (hoping lifeforms are inside the sphere to communicate with), it triggers a tractor beam that pulls them inside the sphere and towards the central star within. Before this Picard requests (and is successful) Geordi beam down on the Jenolan with Scotty to try and secure records of the ship's survey of the sphere before their crash. While on the Jenolan, Scotty and Geordi have a chance to see what the Enterprise did wrong (understanding why the sphere pulled them in and how not to make the same mistake), and come up with an answer that will save them from disintegrating entering the star's photosphere.

I have to imagine LeVar Burton was having a grand ole time working with Doohan, together getting to come to the Enterprise's rescue. Seeing Scotty on board the Enterprise D, feeling like he doesn't belong and "in the way" (as Geordi irritatingly tells him in Engineering), walking onto the recreated NCC-1701 Enterprise in the Holodeck, interacting with Data in Ten Forward while reacting achingly at synthetic scotch (told to him by a "synthetic man") before receiving some "green liquor" Guinan kept hidden for special occasions, and contemplating his lack of worth in another century, "Relics" isn't just a show catered to the character but examines what it is to feel "outmoded", out of place, and a dinosaur past your prime. Through his rescue adventure with Geordi, getting the Jenolan active again and actually running, Scotty finds that he's still useful, worth something, and the gift of the shuttle, allowing him to travel and live by his own terms, we get quite a fitting farewell to a splendid character appreciated and loved by Trek fans the world over. Scotty's words of wisdom to Geordi make up some of the episode's most wonderful moments, identifying the thrill to be in charge of keeping a galaxy class starship going, knowing that it doesn't last forever. Also noteworthy is Scotty's chat with Picard, both reminiscing about their first ship and how it felt and still feels.

Coping with change

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 28 July 2015]

After investigating a distress call from a ship that was lost seventy five years previously the Enterprise finds in on the surface of a Dyson Sphere; a huge construction that is as large of the Earth's orbit and contains a star at its centre. When an away team beams down to the crashed ship Geordi discovers that there is somebody in the transporter buffer. When this person is brought out we are greeted by a familiar face; Montgomery Scott! He is keen to see the new Enterprise but it soon becomes apparent that technology has moved on since his time and he soon gets the feeling he is just a relic with no purpose. After having a large drink he retreats to a holographic reconstruction of the bridge of the original Enterprise. Here Picard talks to him before suggesting something he could do to help. Scotty then beams back to his old ship with Geordi in order to access that ship's survey data on the sphere. While they are there the Enterprise activates one of the sphere's systems and is pulled inside. They discover that there is nobody inside and the star has become unstable; there is no obvious way out but ultimately a brave manoeuvre by Scotty saves the day.

Fans of the original series are sure to welcome the return of James Doohan as Scotty although they may be concerned that early scenes featuring him show him getting snapped at by Geordi as he makes comments about the operation of the Enterprise that demonstrate his knowledge is out of date. Thankfully this serves to give us a more thoughtful and rather melancholy story as Scotty tries to come to term with the fact that time has moved on. This leads to some great scenes; most notably when he has a drink with Data and Data utters the line 'It is green' when asked what a certain beverage is, and the later scene where he talks to Picard on the bridge of the old Enterprise. It was great that ultimately it is the 'old relic' who saves the day with his old ship. Away from Scotty's return the idea of the Dyson sphere was interesting although I confess that I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see what life inside the structure may have been like as it had been abandoned. Overall this proved to be a fine episode with a fine performance from a classic character.

Scotty!

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 1 July 2007]

Was thrilled to bits when I was told Scotty was going to be in this and waited in eager anticipation. The brilliantly realized idea of how Scotty saved himself when his ship crashed 75 years ago was an amazing concept. When they return to the Enterprise, Scotty looks around in marvel of how farther technology has come. James Doohan brought warmth and so much depth to the already brilliant character for this episode. The poor man feels a little out of time though as his limited understanding of technology now frustrates poor Geordi in Engineering. Watch for the moment when Scotty tells Geordi to inflate repair times! When Scotty sits at the bar in Ten Forward he is aghast at the taste of his 'Scotch'!! Data quickly intervenes and explains about Synthehol, a alcohol replacement now being served. Scotty later has the Holodeck recreate the original USS Enterprise Bridge. Watch the poor man's face as he enters the Holodeck and look wistfully around and take another swig of his bottle of grog. Picard then enters and they converse about old times. Scotty later saves the ship and sacrifices his own, and later a new invigorated Scotty departs in a Shuttlecraft presented by Picard for sacrificing his to save theirs. Trivia, we hear of 3 Original Trek episodes mentioned by Scotty, 'The Naked Time' when he was in Engineering with Geordi, 'Elaan of Troyius' when he was shown his quarters and 'By Any Other Name' when Data offers him real alcohol which was 'green' in Ten Forward

Kind of depressing...

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 26 November 2014]

Scotty stuck in transporter buffer 75 years! LaForge is a bit nasty--a bit painful to watch

The Enterprise discovers something VERY unusual. In an old and seemingly empty craft, there are still two humanoids stuck in the transporter buffer. When they activate the controls, they are able to beam someone out of the transporter--good old Scotty from the original Enterprise. It seems he and another man were the last survivors and to stay alive, they put themselves into the transporter....75 years ago! Unfortunately, the other guy did not survive this and now Scotty has to get used to life in an all new century. Unfortunately, it soon becomes apparent that he's almost hopelessly out of date. Even worse, however, is that Commander LaForge isn't all that patient with Scotty when he comes to engineering. In fact, he's very short with him. Sure, Scotty is annoying but LaForge is not especially kind--and all this is very painful to watch. Fortunately, the rest of the show does improve and Mr. Scott is able to prove himself in the end. Overall, the show is a bit painful to watch but enjoyable...especially for fans of the old series.

The Dyson Sphere

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 3 December 2018]

This episode of TNG offers us the chance to see a theoretical projection in action. It also has us meet an old friend from Star Trek prime.

The Enterprise comes across a Dyson Sphere something that Patrick Stewart explains is a theoretical projection of a vast metallic sphere millions of miles in any direction that would enclose a star. Such a thing enclosing a star and its solar system would allow life to live there and have an inexhaustible supply of energy.

Just the amount of material to construct one is mind boggling. The ancients who did it must have really planned for the long haul.

Crashed on this sphere are the remains of a starship and caught in the transporter buffer is none other than Captain Montgomery Scott. James Doohan who did this to save his life never realized that he'd be there for a three quarters of a century. He's now 147 years old.

Of course Scotty gravitates to Geordi LaForge and Scotty finds out how just how far behind the times he's become. The best part of this story are Jimmy Doohan's scenes with both LeVar Burton and Patrick Stewart.

However when the Enterprise accidentally is drawn into the Dyson Sphere while Geordi and Scotty are in the old crashed ship, Scotty proves very useful indeed.

We also learn the drawbacks of Dyson Spheres and I don't that when Captain Picard reports to the Federation about what happens any will be built by them.

This is one of my favorite TNG stories.

Good Old James Doohan

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 24 September 2014]

You know that other than Spock or Sarek, who have extensive life spans, some member of the old cast had to show up at some point. Due to time manipulation (which is seldom really explained) our boy, Scotty, James Doohan, finds himself aboard the newest incarnation of the Enterprise. He is utterly fascinated by the advanced technology and begins running around, literally pushing buttons, to the chagrin of Jordi LaForge (the chief engineer). Of course, Picard knows that there is nothing worse than an old man who feels he has no purpose in life. Of course, we know that his machismo and expertise are going to come into play at some point. While it's fun to see him running around the ship, telling war stories, trying to find true Scotch whiskey, there are times when old characters should be left to their series. It's worth watching for sentimental reasons, and Doohan does a fine job recreating his role as a stranger in a strange land.

Boring and pointless episode with plot holes

[a-gordon-2374 · 3/10 · 10 May 2022]

A few stars for Scotty, otherwise would be 0.

The episode itself is a terrible, nonsensical snoozefest. The concept of the Dyson Sphere is not realistically portrayed. The pacing is slow and the "story" is dull. The solution at the end makes no sense (also, suddenly the Enterprise is easily able to escape from the sun?)

They could've had something much more interesting inside the sphere but there wasn't anything exciting there.

I don't know how this is so highly rated. It seems like they can just slap any nostalgia into the worst episodes and people will eat it up. They could have had a much better episode with Scotty returning instead of this garbage.

Third of three original stars makes a visit

[garrard · 15 April 2006]

Following on the heels of Deforest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy, James Doohan became the third cast member of the original "Star Trek" to appear on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the episode, appropriately entitled "Relics". Doohan returns as "Scotty," who was somehow trapped in mid-transporter transmission during a space battle. Now in the twenty-fourth century, Scotty must adapt to a world that sees him as an antiquity from almost a century before.

However, Scotty's engineering wizardry comes into play when Geordi must contend with a Dyson Sphere, a planet encased in a protective armor that has "swallowed" the Enterprise.

Not only is this installment an homage to the original show, it also is a fitting final TV look at the actor that will forever be associated with the phrase, "Beam me up!" Prior to his death and after the airing of "Relics," Doohan would reprise the role for one more theatrical film but "Relics" remains one of his best turns as the redoubtable Scotsman.

Yay Scotty!!

[sloopnp · 9/10 · 15 August 2019]

The return of Scotty made me so happy because it came as a surprise (I try not to look ahead). The first half of this episode was a bit slow and a downer. I was thinking: C'mon Geordi! Get Scotty an off duty engineer to show him around. Don't you realize who THIS IS? But the second half was awesome! It was great seeing Scotty do what he always did and the mutual respect that was developed with Geordi. Great episode worthy of James Doohan.

REVIEW 2022

[iamirwar · 10/10 · 23 September 2022]

To begin with, we have entered a massive gravitational field, Captain.

A Dyson sphere?

We are picking up a distress signal from the USS Jenolan reported missing 75 years ago. It's out here somewhere.

Tell me, why would anyone lock the pattern buffers into a diagnostic cycle? They must be mad. Who would jury-rig a transporter?

Of course, with the name James Doohan among the star-guests this always had to be a classic. Beam me up Captain Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott. Let's just sit back and watch. La Forge needs to stop hitting Scotty on his injured arm.

I almost expecting the Frank Sinatra track: 'It Was A Very Good Year' playing in the background whilst Scotty first stood alone in his quarters.

I always get a lump in my throat when Scotty enters the holodeck bridge of the Enterprise: NCC-1701... (No A, B, C, or D) and the original incidental music plays.

On these rare occasions where they integrate the feel of the original series with one of its children, it usually works very well. (DS9: Trials and Tribble-ations, for example). But of course, with that episode, the producers used an old original series episode and mixed in some new DS9 scenes. The idea of bringing back a legend of the original series and trying to write a 24th century episode with him involved was in danger of disappearing into a sentimental slurry, but instead it was a revelation. A story that had more of an original series feel to it, didn't get bogged down into mawkishness. I rate this as one of the best episodes of the TNG series so far. This would have made a much better end-of-season finale, first of new season double bill than 'Time Arrows,' but there you are.

This Episodes Clue: Kelley, Lenard,-----, Doohan (Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)

Grampa is here to save the day.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 15 April 2021]

I am one of those guys who prefers for each star trek show to stand on it's own legs and build up it's own identity. I didn't like the McCoy cameo in episode 1 and the Spock episode was like drinking a flask of NiQuil. This episode manages to do a good job of bringing back a TOS alumni with a feasible premise.

I can buy into the idea of Scotty using teleporter space magic to hold himself in suspended teleportation for 70+ years. It also makes complete sense that Scotty would be in over his head in terms of understand current technology ---- I mean, where are the switches on these damn ships?

We also get a resolution to the episode that is the result of Scotty's engineering knowledge combined with LaForge's knowledge. Engineers save the day.

There's a ton of TOS references in this episode but they were inserted with care and felt organic.

This was a solid episode that definitely requires the viewer has a fondness for TOS era star trek to get something out of it.

I do greatly enjoy TOS ---- I feel like I am watching my Grandpa flying around through space whenever I tune it.

So many memories. So many tears

[hogshead-thelord · 10/10 · 16 January 2020]

If you really need a review rewatch Star Trek IV and then watch this. Ya canna change the laws of physics 😂

A major failure of this episode.

[jcarchambeau · 8/10 · 4 June 2022]

It would have been perfect if Scotty would have said qapla to Worf or Worf said it to him and Scotty replied back and they did an appropriate Klingon handshake and perhaps hug as he said his goodbyes to the contemporary Enterprise crew as he was leaving in the shuttle craft at the end of the episode.

"And I don't feel a day over a hundred twenty!"

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 15 March 2024]

It was great to see an old hand from the original Starship Enterprise make an appearance in Next Generation. Only thing is, Captain Montgomery Scott (James Doohan) had been trapped in the transporter buffer on the USS Jenolen for the past seventy-five years, having saved himself from a catastrophe that doomed the freighter many decades ago. Unfortunately, the molecular matter of a fellow crew member had degraded beyond saving, and Scotty was the sole survivor of the Jenollen. I can understand how some viewers would have felt bad for the way Commander LaForge treated Scotty in the early going. I'm sorry, but my sentiment sides with Geordi on this one. He reacted harshly when Scotty intervened in the advanced technology of the Enterprise-D in a couple of instances in which the former captain could have caused some damage. I'm sure Scotty understood and was the reason why he backed off diplomatically when Geordi got upset. Fortunately, Captain Picard's (Patrick Stewart) words of advice to Geordi helped smooth the way for the situation that arose that required Scotty's help to resolve when the Enterprise got trapped in the Dyson Sphere they were trying to investigate. Split second timing (isn't that always the case?) allowed the Enterprise to escape from the Dyson Sphere as the revived Jenollen jammed a portal open, to be destroyed by the Enterprise in order to make it through. Scotty's experience and calm under pressure helped save the day, and as a reward, the crew offered him a shuttle to make his way into retirement, which is what he was trying to do in the first place seventy-five years earlier.

A refreshing enjoyable episode worth more than a 6 star rating, just too many plot holes & poor scripting.

[davidhiggins-89756 · 6/10 · 31 December 2021]

**Does contain spoilers ** ** Does contain spoilers**

I quite enjoyed this episode never expecting Scotty to turn up and be in it. So locked in some transporter gubbings for 75 or 80 years or so. (Two dates mentioned).

YET for his rehabilitation to this new timeline WHERE was Councillor 'new hair-do person' (that does her NO favours), Deanna Troi???. Oh I get it, she was off on some Starbase jaunt having her HAIR PERMED! Was she.

A noticeable absence in many episodes, just NOT there at all, not a trace or mention of her. Even when as in this case she would have been all over Scotty like a RASH.

Rehabilitating him, could have had that more in fitting screen play to it, a more humanitarian aspect than mainly a pure work/profession based theme. FELL out with the producers did she?. So actively not given paid work.

So star ratings deducted for that useless script.

THEN what about Scotty's living RELATIONS. No screen time of him seen checking out what happened to his SISTER and her offspring which most likely would have occurred.

Finding out she would likely have died by then but then finding out he had many Nieces & Nephews to visit upon return to his new life. As it was all played out as per the script it showed Scotty in a bad light.

Instead we have some PREDICTABLE bit of conflict between Scotty & Jordie in the engineering section. I DOUBT Jordie would have been so hard & indifferent towards him.

So more showing characters in a bad light. Did the script writer even like these characters??.

Having heard of Scotty, Jordie would likely have looked up to him, revered him even, as he would Zefram Cochrane, though of cause not nearly so much. Having likely checked out the senior officers of the previous Enterprise Starships.

Jordie would have been more professional, so that part as predictable and sloppy as it was, manly I expect for drama, to me it just WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. A 15 year old kid into Star Trek could have done better

Scotty throughout all this being a real Gentleman. Rising above it all in a cheery sort of way. I could see James Doohan was a fine actor, really playing the character well. In a comfortable relaxed way, letting his hair down a bit.

NO scenes of him replicating a litre of Scotch Whisky straight off the bat though. 7 decades of him being in the Transporter buffers/banks whatever it is, you'd think the moment he was informed of that he'd say, "I think I need a wee dram" "Where's your recreation room bar Laddie".

Not that he was an alcoholic, but more in keeping with his jovial comedic character.

Can't remember what happened about that Dyson Sphere, WHY was it 'not known' by anyone. All that scrap metal just sitting there.

The Ferengi & others would have found out about it and have stripped it down by now. WORD spreads, so the entire Federation not knowing about it is VERY UNLIKELY.

Like Scotty & Co crash land on it 7 decades or so beforehand BUT NO ONE since had ever been near the place. VERY UNLIKELY. The star rating is dropping as we go along then. Started out at 8, now down to a 6.

Great acting from James Doohan lifts it all up, I liked him a lot in this episode, but the script was for me too full of plot holes, just so VERY UNLIKELY and so so basic, one dimensional & predictable. So down starred to a SIX for that.

A bizarre and infuriating episode.

[Wes54 · 1/10 · 28 October 2019]

Scotty's only contribution is using his ship to hold the doors of the Dyson Sphere open so that the Enterprise can escape - something any Enterprise-D crew could have done with a shuttle.

He starts out eager to help, only to be slapped around by the entire TNG crew. After retreating into a puddle of nostalgia, Scotty realizes that he has indeed outlived his usefulness, and needs to get out of everyone's way!

It's as if TNG were still fighting for ToS fans all the way into season 6, and decided the only way to do it was to make all ToS fans angry.

Great episode, but the writers are clearly Pro-Next Gen

[pawtrax67 · 4 February 2015]

An excellent episode that should be a fan favourite. But the writing and some of the interactions on the show are nothing but disappointing.

First of all the title, Relics. This is a slap at the TOS basically describing Scotty as a has been, and no where near as good as LaForge or the Next Gen crew. LaForge is written entirely out of character, acting like an engineer on a modern nuclear aircraft carrier, talking with a cold war engineer. Laforge should have reverence for this man, as being the prototype miracle worker. On top of it, they paint Scotty as always over estimating his repair times, so he gets more respect. What??? I for one am shocked that Doohan would have allowed his character to be portrayed this way. The fact he was smart enough to keep himself alive by using a transporter in diagnostic mode shows Scotty indeed knew his stuff. The interaction with Picard saves this episode, comparing first commands or first loves of old starships and sharing a wee dram on the holodeck. The fact that Picard had to "chew out" Laforge once again shows how much Laforge was out of character. This could of been so much better. But the Next Gen writers had to keep their anti-TOS agenda going.

A Senior Trekker writes...............

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 20 February 2022]

The Golden Age of Star Trek: we had the 6th Season of The Next Generation and the 1st Season of Deep Space Nice on our televisions, Generations on view in our cinemas and First Contact due out soon. This season of TNG contains some excellent stand-alone episodes and several spectacular two-parters, with only the occasional make-weight. Despite the length of time it had already been on the air, it still represents some of the highest standard of television Science Fiction ever broadcast.

This is a very special episode, written as a retirement present to James Doohan and intended as a tribute to all fans of the Original Series. The conceit that has Scotty survive for 75 years in a transporter buffer is pretty nonsensical but having him turn up on the Enterprise D is a gift that keeps on giving. His scenes with Data and Geordi are very engaging and the bridge set of the original Enterprise has been beautifully realised. Definitely time for a lump in the throat.

Unfortunately, the producers spent so much money on that set that they rather scrimped on the realisation of the Dyson Sphere, making the exterior of this supposedly gargantuan structure look more like hastily assembled parts of a Dyson* vacuum cleaner than the greatest human construct ever conceived. The idea of a hollow sphere the size of an entire planetary orbit had been batted about the writers' room for some time but this was definitely not the way to do justice to it. Even without the benefit of the internet, anybody who was interested enough in the concept to think it through would have understood that the mathematics of scale made what they were looking at completely meaningless.

It wasn't until the film Star Trek Beyond was made in 2016 that the special effects existed to suggest such an artificial living environment suspended in the vacuum of space, complete with breathable atmosphere. And a lot of viewers hated it.

James Doohan was the third actor from the main cast of the Original Series to appear in Next Generation following on from deForest Kelly's cameo in the pilot episode Encounter at Farpoint & Leonard Nimoy's appearance in Unification. All of the main cast continued to be involved in Star Trek related projects, including voice work, but not all were invited to return to the TV series or the films. There are no doubt stories still to be told about who got which part and why. For example, Nichelle Nichols has graciously supported so many projects and gave such a beautiful performance in the fan production Of Gods and Men, one wonders why something could not have been written for her in one of the 500 plus episodes made during the Golden Era.

Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5

*no relative.