Haven

The Enterprise is on its way to an almost magical planet for a little rest and relaxation. But there is no rest for Counselor Troi. Her mother is coming and she is bringing the man Deanna is to wed, along with his family. But he is plagued by images of a dream-girl who is not Deanna. And speaking of plagues, what should the Enterprise do about that ship full of plague ridden people headed for the planet? Rest and relaxation are not on the agenda when we put Haven in the Mission Log. What a bizarre episode. Its mystical, romantic themes seem so incongruous with Star Trek’s humanist, rationalist notions. The idea of having “galactic lepers” running around not receiving Federation aid or a spare planet but in fact find themselves in danger of being killed. All the 24th Century folk acting like cliched Victorians at the thought of nudity. The idea of people fated to be with each other seems more in keeping with some Star Trek-themed YA novel than the show we know and love… I actually didn’t hate this episode. It definitely wasn’t good, or in keeping with the themes and standards of Star Trek but it was entertaining for the most part. I did like the exploration of Troi and Reicher’s feelings- I just can’t help but ship them. For some reason, I didn’t like Reicher when I watched TNG the first time and now for the life of me I can’t fathom why. He isn’t likable in this episode but this is really the first time.