Too Short A Season

Season 1, Episode 16, Aired
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Episode Summary

Stardate: 41309.5 ''''The aging and terminally ill Starfleet Admiral Mark Jameson, who is negotiating the release of hostages, suddenly begins growing younger through an unexplained phenomenon.
6.2
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Fair
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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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  • The Enterprise responds to a hostage crisis, which must be negotiated by an admiral with a secret.

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By Celedorian, Apr 09, 2011 Report Abuse
    This episode surely looked better on paper than it turned out. While it reintroduces us to the wonderful idea the Captain dealing with an arrogant Admiral on his ship, (something that worked on the original series and would work well in future episodes of this TNG), the makeup, special effects, and props this episode heavily depends upon were a disaster during the shoot. The "old man" Jameson is obviously a young man with bad makeup on, and his futuristic wheel chair refused to work most of the time on set, so they had to shoot around the issue. Of course, even setting aside these problems, the script has some issues, though its high concept idea of a fountain of youth is interesting and reminiscent of "The Counter-Clock Incident" from the Star Trek: The Animated Series.moreless

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  • Admiral Benjamin Button....

    5.0
    "Mediocre"
    By uk6strings, Jan 04, 2010 Report Abuse
    "Too Short A Season" is sluggish, uninteresting, and makes it difficult for the audience to invest any interest in the story. The episode is not horrible but it offers little to admire or get entertained by. So the story goes: The Enterprise escorts Admiral Mark Jameson (played by Clayton Rohner) to settle a dispute on Persephone V. But it becomes clear that there is more to the situation that it seems as Jameson begins to age backwards and the real reason for his involvement in the planet becomes apparent. Personally, I did not find much to enjoy about "Too Short A Season" - the writing seems less than strong, Clayton Rohner is simply awful in the role, and The Next Generation characters we tuned in for play a supporting role in this mediocre Trek episode.moreless

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  • How many times can we say Picard in 44 minutes?

    8.0
    "Great"
    By fifth_dimension, May 06, 2009 Report Abuse
    Seems the writers of this one wanted to make sure we all got the name of the new captain cemented firmly in our heads in this one. I cant tell you how many times Picard is said but it was enough to make it stand out in my mind; most of it coming from the Admiral. In all seriousness though, it was this "stand-offish" interaction between the Admiral and Picard, mainly the former letting Picard know that he has rank and he will be in control that actually provided most of the interesting moments of the episode. The Admiral's arrogance and desire for control through newfound youth reaches one of it's peaks when he takes Picard's spot in the captains chair while Picard is still on the bridge. As far as the main story of the episode is concerned, it comes along decently but falls way short on resolution or an interesting ending. It is particuairly disappointing and weak how even though the hostages are released, without any deaths in the end, their captor is neither punished nor given a second thought.moreless

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  • Eternal youth aint no joke!

    7.6
    "Good"
    By AvatarBlue, Apr 30, 2008 Report Abuse
    Though a little silly a times this episode does have its moments. The first, are the moments when the admiral reverts to a younger form. The scene where hes getting all hot and the collar with his wife is just hilarious.

    That aside, the way in which the mystery of the admirals rejuvenation is revealed and more so his motive is the highlight here. In fact the only truly bad aspect of this episode is the way in which the crew's supposed grasp on reality is suspended as an apparent aling man starts to do the impossible. It was bad.

    Worth a watch for the Clayton Rohner performance as the admiral.moreless

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  • The "admiral vs. Picard" cliche gets its first spin around the block.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By pharoahsdance, Feb 22, 2008 Report Abuse
    Apparently I'm wildly in divergence with most other TNG fans, who consider this to be one of the weakest episodes in the series.

    But... this is the first time the show's writers used the "admiral vs. Picard" idea -- a concept that, because of Patrick Stewart's acting and the character itself, was a very fruitful one to mine. Some of the best episodes of the series -- "The Drumhead" (season 4) and "The Pegasus" (season 7) -- came out of this very idea.

    The minuses on this episode can't be ignored. The guy playing Admiral Jameson is not only unlikeable (which would fit the character) but flat out obnoxious. And unlike later episodes in this genre, Picard is too tangential to the plot. I'd also say that the "fountain of youth" storyline is best viewed as a plot device.

    That said, the main storyline -- the tension between Jameson and his old rival -- is good, and well-written. While the actor playing Jameson is terrible, the writing is strong enough that we understand why an old man regrets a decision he made many years ago and why he wants so desperately to make amends -- even if it means endangering the Enterprise. Karnas also makes for a good villain.

    I was going to rate this a full 8.0 given my enjoyment, but I suppose there are plenty of better episodes later in the series that deserve such a rating and this one does not.moreless

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  • Trivia

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    • Karnas was responsible for the murder of two Federation negotiators as well as kidnapping more than once, and this is who Picard leaves in charge? Edit
    • When Yar and Worf prepare to cut through the wall beneath the capital city, you can see the flash-powder cord before they shoot and the phaser beams get F/X'd in. Edit

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  • Quotes

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    • Picard: The quest for youth, Number One. So futile. Age and wisdom have their graces, too. Riker: I wonder if one doesn't have to have age and wisdom to appreciate that, sir. Picard: I hope not, Number One. Edit

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