Star Trek:TNG "Haven" (S1E11)

Good: Lwaxana Troi, although she was written as being more eccentric than her usual aristocratic in this episode. Still, an unbelievably solid start to another of the series best recurring characters. I also liked how they dropped in some bits of Betazoid back story, including the naked weddings, the ceremonial chime, and Lwaxana's "Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed."

Bad: the interminable briefing discussing the Tarellians. I'm not sure who the briefing was intended for, because it seemed to me that everyone knew all about the Tarellians already. Granted, it reminded me of real-life meetings I've been in to tell us in great detail about what we already know... but they're bad enough in real life, I'd rather not have to sit through them in a TV show too.

Interesting: the "diplomatic dining room" set. I'm guessing they hadn't invented Ten Forward yet, because later episodes would end up using that set instead for the big diplomatic events. I liked the more formal and more intimate feel of this set though.

Cheesy: the ultra-generic simulation Riker pulls up to go and sulk in. It really screamed "soundstage."

Also Cheesy: Riker sitting in his quarters watching a holographic projection of two fairly attractive girls... playing the harp? Really?

Just finished watching; I can save a lot of typing by just +1'ing LoadStar's comments, including the Tarellian briefing.

I was worried about Wyatt at the beginning; I was really getting a "bad Wesley Crusher" vibe from him. Young, bad acting, poorly formed character. But, especially when taken in light of the overall (low) quality of the first season, he wound up being a really solid character.

Marina Sirtis, on the other hand, still can't act, although even she got better as the episode progressed.

I've read that Armin Shimerman played the silver box at the beginning--he has to be one of the most prolific guest stars of the series till he takes the role of Quark.

My only other comment--my God, what was with the hair in this episode? Wyatt has the late 80's half mullet going on, the transporter chief looks like he's trying for the same look, but just doesn't have enough, and then Yar and Crusher in the dinner scene. Yar especially--I wonder why she went through at least a full bottle of aquanet, yet no one bothered to wear dress uniforms.