It's amazing now with the advent of DVD's how many different ways consumers can buy the exact same thing. Don't get me wrong, I think any and every way you can view episodes of one the most amazing sci-fi shows ever is a good thing, I just want to make sure that all of you know exactly what you're getting yourselves into when you buy all these different box sets.

I don't know if this is the first in a planned series of collections singling out cast members, or if it's going to be a one shot deal, but my guess is that it will probably begin with Collectors sets of the various Captains of the Star Trek universe and then, depending upon its popularity, might extend to the other fan favorites like Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn for example.

In this, The Jean-Luc Picard Collection, we are taken through seven of the Captains most compelling adventures. The editing process of which to include must have been a painful one as there were so many to choose from. Who could forget Captain Picard's chilling run in with the Cardassians as he became an undeclared prisoner of war in the two part episode, Chain of Command? Or his scheming turn posing as a smuggler aboard a mercenary ship in Gambit I and II. Or even his more touching episodes like Lessons where he falls in love with Lieutenant Commander Darren, a stellar cartographer with a talent for music, or Bloodlines where he meets the son he never knew he had. This character is so rich and the writers did such an amazing job developing him that it is very difficult to single out only seven episodes that really define him.

I would imagine though that that's why they make the big bucks over there, because low and behold they were able to do it. The set consists of the following episodes;

The Big Goodbye starts things off with the very first holodeck show; which at the time it aired was really something to see. Unfortunately now, seventeen years later there are so many technical problems with it that if I were to explain them all I would never be able to get this 'dork' tattoo removed from my forehead. Needless to say it's not an episode that fans are clamoring to see, but if you're feeling nostalgic for the early days, it's not a bad choice.

Episode Grade: B

Next up is Sarek, an episode named for one of the original series brilliant guest stars, the late Mark Leonard. Father to the legendary Spock, Ambassador Sarek boards the Enterprise to complete some very delicate negotiations which have been continuing for over 90 years. Unbeknownst to both Sarek and the crew, he has developed the Vulcan equivalent of Alzheimer's disease which has caused him to lose control of his emotions. He is unable

to complete his mission without the help of Captain Picard who voluntarily mind melds with the Ambassador to help him ward off these powerful emotions. Patrick Stewart really gives an amazing performance here that should have been Emmy nominated. (That is if people could ever look past the space suits and the make up and see the very human story telling that was going on for seven years on this show.) The power and intensity of this episode truly stand the test of time; regardless of when you see it you cannot help but be moved by the emotions of it and impressed with the performances.

Episode Grade: A-

Staying on the emotional through line of the character our next stop is Family, an episode that came directly after probably the most celebrated Next Gen episode ever, The Best of Both Worlds. This show finds Picard still recovering from being held captive by the Borg and returning home to heal old wounds between him and his older brother. It also, for the first time, shows the human side to Worf's upbringing by introducing us to his adoptive parents.

This was not a show with a lot of action. In fact there isn't much that happens at all, aside from the fans getting to know more about the back stories of these characters that they had now spent over three years watching. It's definitely unique in the cannon of Next Gen. Episodes and is more than worthy of being revisited.

Episode Grade: B+

Picard has of course always excelled where Kirk somewhat lacked, in the areas of diplomacy and verbal debate. (Not that Kirk couldn't turn a phrase or two when need be, but lets be honest, he'd rather just shoot them then argue with them!) Picard on the other hand was at his most impressive when armed only with his voice and the truth. In The Drumhead, a courtroom drama style show, Picard fights against a Starfleet witch hunt that ultimately leads directly to his Captains chair!

If you're every ailing for a good old fashion righteous Picard speech, the last scene in this episode is the perfect cure!

Episode Grade: B+

Darmok is an episode that is singularly responsible for my getting an 'A' in my 'Fate vs. Free Will in the Epic Tradition' class at N.Y.U. I studied the epic of Gilgamesh for months and was only initially familiar with it and intrigued by it because of Picard's retelling of the tale in this episode. Darmok was brilliant science fiction. 'Alien' does not always have to refer to strange ridges on someone's forehead, although it may and often does include that. Here, the crew meet a truly alien race. The Children of Tama are a people who communicate completely by citing example, by the sole use of metaphor and it's up to the Captain to figure out how to bridge the

gap between them or die alone on a strange alien planet.

Episode Grade: A

In The Inner Light, an episode that is widely adored by fans, Picard is contacted by an alien probe which renders him unconscious on the bridge for roughly twenty minutes. In that space of time, he lives an entire life time on a now extinct planet. He has a wife, children and even a grandchild; something that he was never blessed with in his real life.

Adding to the reality of the episode was the fact that Picard's son was played by none other than Patrick Stewarts own son, Daniel Stewart. This was yet another very human story told in a futuristic context that presented the actor with amazing material to immerse both himself and the audience in.

Another side note which is interesting is that this was one of the episodes that ended up being referenced throughout the rest of the series and into the last film as well. Whenever the Resican Flute appears (which he taught himself to play during his 'alternate lifetime') it is a nod back to this experience.

Episode Grade: A-

Finally we come to Tapestry, and we find the amazing, the legendary, the almost infallible Captain Jean-Luc Picard being proven wrong by his arch rival, the deliciously devilish Q. Laced with more humor than most shows, Tapestry is one of my all time favorites. After being resurrected from the dead by Q, Picard attempts to rewrite his own past; only to discover that everything he is, he owes to something he considers a mistake.

Episode Grade: A

All in all I'd say they made some pretty good choices as far as what should go on this special edition collection. My BIG problem with it is the fact that there were NO special features at all!!!! I was hoping for some one on one interviews with Patrick talking about his experiences filming these different episodes. But there was nothing at all in the way of extras.

Having interviewed him many times before I know that he has quite a lot to say about his time with Star Trek so I don't see why it wasn't included. The one "extra" that was included was his narration of From Here to Infinity which has to be one of the most boring things I've ever watched. (Maybe he lost a bet, not sure)

So if you already have the complete DVD collection of Star Trek: The Next Generation, then you can skip this purchase because there is nothing new here for you. That is, unless of course you're someone who is drawn in by the packaging; or if you're someone who just HAS to have everything Trek.

However, if you're not a hardcore Star Trek fan, but you enjoyed the show and wouldn't mind seeing some choice episodes featuring your favorite Captain, than this is the box set

for you!

Overall Episode Grade: A-

DVD Grade: D-

Overall Grade: B- (Just because there were NO extra Features)