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The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
> In article <497876526.785532667.901652.anim8rfsk-cox.net@news.easynews.com>,
> anim8rfsk  <anim8rfsk@cox.net> wrote:
>> The Doctor <doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote:
>>> AI/LLM reviews of STNG - Sub Rosa
>> 
>> A strong contender for worst episode
>> 
>>> 
>>> Google Gemini
>>> 
>>> Dr. Beverly Crusher 
>> 
>> And that right there is why
>> 
>> travels to the desolate planet Caldos II for the funeral of her beloved
>> grandmother, Felisa Howard. While on the planet, Beverly inherits her
>> grandmother's property and finds Felisa's diary, which details a
>> passionate, century-long affair with a mysterious figure named Ronin.
>> Beverly soon begins to hear Ronin's voice, feeling drawn to him, and
>> eventually meets him in physical form, beginning an intense, sensual
>> relationship.
>>> 
>> 
>> Ick
>> 
>> 
>>> The crew investigates strange occurrences, including wild weather
>>> patterns surrounding the estate and a mysterious candle that never seems
>>> to burn down. It is revealed that Ronin is not a human spirit but an
>>> anaphasic energy being residing in the family's antique candle. This
>>> entity has been subtly seducing, dominating, and drawing life energy from
>>> the women in Crusher’s family line for generations, essentially
>>> enslaving them with the promise of eternal love. The episode concludes
>>> with Beverly breaking Ronin's influence with assistance from Picard,
>>> destroying the entity, and returning to the Enterprise.
>>> 
>> 
>> So an unhappy ending then
>> 
>> 
>>> Strengths
>>> 
>>> Focus on Crusher: The episode attempts to give Dr. Crusher a major
>>> storyline centered on her family history and personal desires, which is
>>> rare in the final seasons.
>>> 
>> 
>> That’s not a strength
>> 
>> 
>>> Atmosphere: The production design successfully creates a distinct,
>>> gothic, and moody atmosphere on Caldos II, setting it apart visually from
>>> standard Starfleet environments.
>>> 
>>> Weaknesses
>>> 
>>> Major Tone Conflict: This is the episode's biggest failing. The plot is a
>>> blend of gothic romance and a supernatural "ghost story" that completely
>>> violates the science-fiction framework and rationalist tone established
>>> by seven seasons of Trek. The idea of a sentient, candle-dwelling entity
>>> that seduces a family line is highly incongruous.
>>> 
>>> Lack of Tension/Mystery: The mystery surrounding Ronin is often
>>> sacrificed for overt, melodramatic romance. The audience is shown what's
>>> happening, making the "reveal" less impactful.
>>> 
>>> Character Regression: Crusher's professional, intelligent character
>> 
>> Objection, Your Honor, assume facts not in evidence
>> 
>> 
>> is largely sidelined, as she becomes almost immediately and illogically
>> obsessed with the spectral lover, making decisions that seem beneath her
>> Starfleet training and medical expertise.
>>> 
>> 
>> The jokes just write themselves, don’t they?
>> 
>> 
>>> The "Anaphasic Energy Being" Retcon: The attempt to explain the "ghost"
>>> using vague Trek technobabble (anaphasic energy) is transparently weak
>>> and fails to justify the supernatural setup.
>>> 
>>> Overall Impression
>>> 
>>> "Sub Rosa" is widely considered one of the weakest episodes of TNG. It is
>>> an attempt at a genre mash-up (gothic romance meets sci-fi) that
>>> unfortunately fails to integrate the two elements, resulting in a
>>> confusing, poorly executed, and often embarrassing story that feels
>>> wholly disconnected from the larger series narrative.
>>> 
>> 
>> You like it a lot better than I did
>> 
>> 
>>> Rating: 2.5/10
>>> 
>>> ChatGPT
>>> 
>>> Good call — **“Sub Rosa”** (TNG S7, Ep 14) is one of the most
>>> controversial / polarizing episodes in *The Next Generation*. Here’s my
>>> breakdown, based on its plot (e.g. from Chakoteya and other sources) plus
>>> critical reception — and then a rating.
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> ## Review of *Sub Rosa*
>>> 
>>> **What Works / Strengths**
>>> 
>>> 1. **Ambitious Genre Blend**
>>> 
>>> * The episode leans into gothic-romance / ghost story territory, which
>>> is quite different from your typical TNG plot. That risk is interesting,
>>> because it tries to do something *new* for Trek. ([Den of Geek][1])
>>> * According to *Den of Geek*, it combines “literary appreciation,
>>> scientific inquiry, and silly conceits,” giving us a more atmospheric,
>>> mood-driven story rather than just a technobabble sci-fi plot. ([Den
>> of Geek][1])
>>> 
>>> 2. **Character Focus on Dr. Crusher**
>>> 
>>> * This is one of the few episodes that deeply centers on Beverly
>>> Crusher’s personal / family life. That gives her emotional weight,
>>> beyond just being the Enterprise’s doctor. ([Durfee][2])
>>> * There is an exploration of desire: *Den of Geek* notes that the
>>> episode addresses female sexuality more directly than typical Trek
>>> episodes. ([Den of Geek][1])
>>> * Gates McFadden’s performance is earnest: despite the bizarre
>>> setup, she sells the emotional and seductive tension reasonably well.
>>> 
>>> 3. **Creepy / Eerie Visuals**
>>> 
>>> * There are genuinely creepy and gothic moments (storms, the old
>>> mansion, the candle as a receptacle) that give the episode a distinct
>>> atmosphere. ([Den of Geek][1])
>>> * The reveal that Ronin is not just a ghost but an “anaphasic”
>>> alien lifeform gives a science-fiction twist to the romance / horror
>>> narrative. ([Wikipedia][3])
>>> 
>>> 4. **Thematic Depth (to an Extent)**
>>> 
>>> * Themes of legacy, family, and what we inherit (both physically and
>>> emotionally) are present: Beverly is literally dealing with her
>>> grandmother’s past, and Ronin has “lived” through
>> generations of
>>> her family. ([Durfee][2])
>>> * There’s a power / consent dynamic that’s somewhat disturbing:
>>> Ronin exerts control, and there’s a question of agency. Some critics
>>> (e.g., from Gameindustry) argue it parallels abusive relationships.
>>> ([Game Industry News][4])
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> **What Doesn’t Work / Major Criticisms**
>>> 
>>> 1. **Tone Misfit & Strange Premise**
>>> 
>>> * Many feel that the gothic-romance, “sex with a ghost / candle”
>>> angle is wildly out of place in *Star Trek*. ([Screen Rant][5])
>>> * The Scottish-ghost mansion on an alien planet feels campy and not
>>> fully integrated into the Trek universe in a believable way. ([Den of
>> Geek][1])
>>> * Critics at *Gizmodo* call the episode “unhinged” and argue that
>>> Beverly’s agency is undermined: she is more a victim than an equal in
>>> the relationship. ([Gizmodo][6])
>>> 
>>> 2. **Character Agency / Consent Issues**
>>> 
>>> * According to some reviews, Ronin’s “seduction” is
>> less about
>>> mutual romance and more about manipulation. ([Game Industry News][4])
>>> * Beverly seems to be under his influence, raising uncomfortable
>>> parallels to possession or abuse. *Gizmodo* suggests she loses a lot of
>>> her autonomy. ([Gizmodo][6])
>>> * The resolution is messy: she destroys the candle / host, but the
>>> emotional wrap-up (“whatever else he might have done, he made her
>>> grandmother happy”) feels like a gloss rather than a true reconciliation.
>>> ([Wikipedia][3])
>>> 
>>> 3. **Critical / Fan Reception Is Largely Negative**
>>> 
>>> * On IMDb, many users rate it very low. ([IMDb][7])
>>> * *Gizmodo* calls it one of Trek’s “lowest lows,” in
>> terms of
>>> how it handles character, tone, and romantic horror. ([Gizmodo][6])
>>> * Still, it’s not universally hated: a *StarTrek.com* writer gave it
>>> **10/10** in a list of *underrated* episodes, praising its weirdness and
>>> emotional ambition. ([Redshirts Always Die][8])
>>> * On Reddit, opinions are mixed: some find it deeply flawed and
>>> cringe-worthy; others say if you lean into the weirdness, it can be “a
>>> fun, witchy romp.” ([Reddit][9])
>>> 
>>> 4. **Writing / Plot Inconsistencies**
>>> 
>>> * According to a review (Random Musings), Dr. Crusher’s behavior is
>>> inconsistent: at times she seems possessed, other times she claims she
>>> was “seduced,” which muddies whether she truly had agency.
>> ([JPHalt's
>>> Star Trek TNG Reviews][10])
>>> * The subplot (weather control malfunction) is flimsy, not tightly
>>> connected to the emotional / gothic main plot, and doesn’t provide
>>> strong tension. ([JPHalt's Star Trek TNG Reviews][10])
>>> * Some of the “scientific” explanations for Ronin (anaphasic
>>> alien, plasma-based candle) feel hand-wavy, especially given the
>> erotic / romantic framing.
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> **Overall Assessment**
>>> 
>>> * *Sub Rosa* is *ambitious*, for sure — it tries to do something very
>>> different for *TNG*, blending gothic romance, horror, and sci-fi.
>>> * It provides a rare, deep “Crusher-centric” emotional story, but it
>>> fails in many ways to fully justify or ground the bizarre premise.
>>> * The episode is tonally inconsistent: sometimes it's moody and creepy,
>>> sometimes melodramatic, sometimes unintentionally campy.
>>> * The biggest problem is how it handles Beverly’s agency and consent:
>>> the romantic / sexual dynamic with Ronin is deeply troubling from a
>>> modern perspective and doesn’t land well for many viewers.
>>> * That said, there is something to appreciate in its weirdness — and
>>> some fans do enjoy it as a “cult oddball” episode rather than a
>>> serious Trek morality play.
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> **Rating: 4.5 / 10**
>>> 
>>> I lean toward a low score because, for me, the conceptual risk is
>>> overshadowed by poor execution and problematic character dynamics. It’s
>>> not the worst TNG episode, but it’s also not a hidden gem —
>> more like
>>> a “so weird it’s memorable, but not in a good way” episode.
>>> 
>>> ---
>>> 
>>> [1]:
>>> 
>> https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation-worst-episode-worth-watching/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Why One of Star Trek: The Next Generation's Worst Episodes Is Still
>>> Worth Watching | Den of Geek"
>>> [2]: https://www.durfee.net/startrek/TNG_0714.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Rob's STAR TREK Episode Guide"
>>> [3]:
>>> 
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub_Rosa_%28Star_Trek%3A_The_Next_Generation%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Sub Rosa (Star Trek: The Next Generation)"
>>> [4]:
>>> 
>> https://www.gameindustry.com/gamer-blogs/sub-rosa-the-secret-that-should-have-remained-a-secret/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Sub Rosa: The Secret that Should Have Remained a Secret - Gameindustry.com"
>>> [5]:
>>> 
>> https://screenrant.com/star-trek-sub-rosa-worst-weakest-episode-joke-comic/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Star Trek Calls Out One of The Weakest Episodes of Any Show"
>>> [6]:
>>> 
>> https://gizmodo.com/star-trek-sub-rosa-30th-anniversary-ghost-sex-candle-1851210280?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "30 Years on, TNG's Ghost Sex Episode Remains as Unhinged and Awful as Ever"
>>> [7]: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708778/reviews/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "\"Star Trek: The Next Generation\" Sub Rosa (TV Episode 1994) - User
>> reviews - IMDb"
>>> [8]:
>>> 
>> https://redshirtsalwaysdie.com/2022/09/26/star-trek-writer-calls-sub-rosa-an-underrated-star-trek-the-next-generation-episode/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Star Trek writer calls “Sub Rosa” an underrated Star Trek: The Next
>>> Generation episode"
>>> [9]:
>>> https://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/r7y56b?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Sub-popular opinion: Sub Rosa is not bad"
>>> [10]:
>>> 
>> https://jphalt-startrek-tng-reviews.blogspot.com/2013/11/7-14-sub-rosa.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
>>> "Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994) - Random Musings: 7-14.
>> Sub Rosa."
>> 
>> 
> 
> And you agree with ChatGPT anim?

I didn’t read that part, I only read the first half

> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.
> 
> 



-- 
The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.