They really did want to try to make TOS episodes the first season of TNG! I know the traveler does eventually return, but he would have fit in fine as the, "random alien with powers," of the week in TOS. Even the name is a reference to the name of the first episode of TOS aired (but as mentioned earlier, not the first filmed episode). Other than some comments about the nature of reality being based on thoughts Wesley even manages to be less than totally annoying in this episode, so much so that Picard promotes him to acting Ensign, a decision we all regret.
Rather than being on their way to an interesting mission or to watch a star explode or something, the crew of the Enterprise is preparing to receive a radical overhaul of its warp engines from some young upstart engineer who can't seem to explain how his upgrades work. On a show as clearly committed to technobabble as this one it is sometimes hard to tell that the nonsense he is speaking is in fact nonsense, but from the reaction of the characters including the chief engineer it clearly is. The new engineer guy, who is named Kosinski, and his mysterious assistant get right to work on the engines. While everyone is paying attention to Kosinski, Wesley keeps an eye on his assistant and even starts talking to him about some of the warp physics stuff. Picard orders them to warp and the ship is thrown two galaxies away as the assistant phases in and out of reality.
Kosinski is convinced he will be famous for his discovery. Wesley tries to warn Riker that Kosinski isn't the one doing it, but he ignores him. When Kosinski tries to do it again his assistant collapses and they find themselves in some sort of strange blue place. Also all their thoughts are being expressed as reality, but fortunately only in ways that are safe for TV. Before he passes out Riker sees the assistand phasing in and out of reality and realizes Wesley was right. Picard goes to sickbay and finds the assistant unconscious and despite the risk Picard orders Crusher to wake him up. The assistant explains he is called the Traveler and that he has been trading his skills with engines for passage around the galaxy. He also talks a lot about how thoughts are reality here. He passes out again and Picard again orders him revived and this time tells him to try to get them home. Before his attempt the Traveler tells Picard he should try to do what he can for Wesley since he is apparently some sort of genius or something.
Picard orders all the crew to think happy thoughts about the Traveler and he again attempts to bring them to super duper warp speed. It works and they are back in their own galaxy again. The Traveler disappears and Wesley gets promoted to acting Ensign since Picard listens to random dangerous aliens more than children.
Review: Another fairly bland episode of TNG. They have to silly stories like TOS, but without the depth of characters or joy that characterized some much of TOS. Hopefully this season will get better as it goes, but I have some doubts.
5 out of 10
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