AI/LLM reviews of STNG - Too Short a Season


Google Gemini

"Star Trek: The Next Generation - Too Short A Season"
is an episode that delves into the complexities of
past decisions, the allure of youth, and the
long-term consequences of well-intentioned
but flawed interventions. It centers on an aged
Starfleet Admiral facing the reckoning of his history.

Plot Overview:The USS Enterprise-D is dispatched
to Mordan IV, where Captain Picard is to meet
with the legendary but now elderly Admiral Mark Jameson.
Jameson is a renowned negotiator, specifically requested
by a group of dissident terrorists who have taken
Federation Ambassador Hawkins and his staff hostage.
Jameson reveals that he successfully negotiated
a similar hostage crisis on Mordan 45 years prior,
and Governor Karnas of Mordan IV, who is involved
in the current crisis, seemingly believes only
Jameson can resolve it.

As the Enterprise journeys to Mordan IV, Dr. Crusher
conducts a medical checkup on Jameson and makes
a startling discovery: he has been secretly taking
an alien rejuvenation drug. This drug rapidly de-ages
him, making him physically younger and stronger,
a stark contrast to his initial frail appearance.
Jameson confesses he took the drug to be at his
physical and mental peak for these critical
negotiations. However, upon arrival at Mordan IV,
it becomes terrifyingly clear that Governor
Karnas is not interested in negotiation;
he seeks revenge. Jameson's past intervention,
intended to bring peace, inadvertently
led to decades of civil war and millions
of deaths on Mordan IV. Karnas's true desire
is to confront the older Jameson with
the devastating consequences of his past actions.
Jameson attempts an armed rescue mission, which
quickly fails. Realising the truth of the situation,
he offers himself to Karnas in exchange
or the hostages' release. Picard, Crusher,
and Jameson beam down to Karnas's office.
Karnas is shocked by Jameson's youthful appearance.
Picard explains Jameson's use of the de-aging drug,
and Karnas expresses his desire to show
the now-younger Jameson the full scale
of the devastation caused by his long-ago intervention.

Strengths:Exploration of Consequences: The episode
bravely tackles the rarely seen long-term, negative
consequences of Federation intervention, even when
well-intentioned. This adds a valuable layer of moral
complexity to Star Trek's idealism.

Admiral Jameson's Character: Jameson is a tragic figure,
driven by guilt and a desperate need to fix his past mistakes.
His decision to take the rejuvenation drug and his ultimate
sacrifice are compelling character beats.

Themes of Youth and Hubris: The rejuvenation drug serves
as a powerful metaphor for the desire to escape
the consequences of aging and past errors, and the hubris
of believing one can simply reverse time and fix everything.

Karnas as a Sympathetic Adversary: Karnas is not a simple
villain. His desire for revenge is rooted in profound
suffering, making him a complex and understandable antagonist.

Picard's Ethical Dilemma: Picard is placed in a difficult
position, caught between a past Starfleet hero
and the devastating results of his actions.

Weaknesses:

Pacing (Minor): The initial setup of Jameson's condition
and the mystery surrounding Karnas's true motives can
feel a little slow at first.

Visuals of Rejuvenation: The special effects
for Jameson's de-aging are rudimentary and show
their age, sometimes detracting from the dramatic impact.

Underdeveloped Rejuvenation Drug: The alien drug itself
and its long-term effects are somewhat underdeveloped,
serving primarily as a plot device.

Limited Crew Involvement: While Picard and Crusher
are central, much of the rest of the main crew has
limited direct involvement in the core conflict.

Overall Impression:"Too Short A Season" is a surprisingly
poignant and ethically complex episode for early
Star Trek: The Next Generation. It dares to show
the darker side of Starfleet's history and the burden
of past decisions. While it suffers from some
of the visual and pacing limitations of its era,
its strong thematic content, the compelling character
of Admiral Jameson, and its exploration of unintended
consequences make it a thought-provoking
and memorable entry in the first season.

Rating: 7/10

ChatGPt

**Review: *Star Trek: The Next Generation – “Too Short a Season”*** **Season 1, Episode 16**
**Transcript Source:** [chakoteya.net](http://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/112.htm)
**Rating:** ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

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### 🧭 Overview

In “Too Short a Season,” the USS Enterprise responds to a hostage
crisis on Mordan IV and encounters **Admiral Jameson**, who's been
using a de-aging serum to revisit past decisions and atone for his
involvement in a sparked civil war decades prior ([chakoteya.net][1]).
The episode grapples with themes of aging, atonement,
and the perils of rushing redemption.

- ---

### ✅ Pros

* **Thematic Ambition:** The exploration of hubris,
second chances, and consequences resonates thematically.
Admiral Jameson’s quest to reverse time echoes moral
lessons about premature interference .

* **Supporting Performances:** Michael Pataki
as Karnas delivers gravitas and depth
in the role of Jameson’s haunted counterpart ([jammersreviews.com][2]). Marsha Hunt’s portrayal of Ann Jameson
also adds poignant humanity ([en.wikipedia.org][3]).

* **Background Relevance:** The episode exemplifies early *TNG*’s
strategy of focusing on guest-driven plots and moral dilemmas distancing
from Starfleet officers, offering variety for the series ([thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com][4]).

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### ❌ Cons

* **Critically Panned Make‑up & Acting:** Admiral Jameson’s make‑up
is often derided as overdone and artificial in the HD era .
Clayton Rohner’s performance has been described
as “campy” and “horrible” ([en.wikipedia.org][3]).

* **Crew Gets Sidelined:** The main Enterprise crew
plays second fiddle to Jameson’s arc. Picard, Riker,
Troi, and Crusher have limited engagement in what
is largely his solo odyssey ([reddit.com][5]).

* **Plot Holes & Illogical Decisions:** Reddit users
and critics note gaps—like why the crew doesn’t beam
hostages out or remotely scan for them—and military
protocols that would override Jameson’s lone-wolf
decisions ([reddit.com][5]).

* **Tone Imbalance:** Den of Geek labeled the
episode "an absolute shambles," mocking awkward
dialogue, tone, and accessibility regarding
disability in the 24th century ([denofgeek.com][6]).

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### 🗣️ Community Insights

From Jammer's Reviews:

“The story itself was predictable

and made little sense… the episode seems
to be made to showcase Rohner, but you don’t
showcase a block of cheese in a case
with hot lights.” ([jammersreviews.com][2])

Reddit user Psychological\_Fan427:

“It’s a decent episode… Beverly Crusher’s

best episode to date… most of the time,
everybody stands by while action happens
around them.” ([reddit.com][5])

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### 🎯 Final Verdict

“Too Short a Season” carries dramatic
ideas—aging, regret, and redemption—but
fails to center its weight on memorable
execution. Jameson's narrative is thematically
rich yet marred by tonal inconsistency,
sidelined Starfleet crew, and unconvincing
make‑up and acting. While Tony Braga delivers
a surprising emotional payoff at the end,
the episode’s execution leaves much to be desired.

**Final Score: 3/10** – Worth watching for its
introspective themes and few solid performances,
but far from a highlight in *TNG*’s first season.

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[1]: https://www.chakoteya.net/NextGen/112.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Next Generation Transcripts - Too Short A Season"
[2]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-tng/s1/season.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Too Short a Season\" | Star Trek: TNG - Jammer's Reviews"
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Too_Short_a_Season?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Too Short a Season"
[4]: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.com/2020/04/20/star-trek-the-next-generation-too-short-a-season/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek – The Next Generation: Too Short a Season"
[5]: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarTrekViewingParty/comments/1h3wqmk/tng_episode_1x16_too_short_a_season/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "TNG, Episode 1x16, Too Short a Season : r/StarTrekViewingParty"
[6]: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/revisiting-star-trek-tng-too-short-a-season/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Too Short A Season | Den of Geek"


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