Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 5, Episode 10
Original Air Date: December 30, 1991
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| via Memory Alpha |
Alexander Rozhenko, Worf's son, comes to live aboard the Enterprise. Worf's parents have run out of steam trying to raise him on Earth. Predictably, our favorite security officer does not take easily to the demands of fatherhood. Meanwhile, a warp-propulsion experiment goes awry and an entire planet is at risk, our heroes along with it.
Sure, Wesley Crusher is annoying but the fan consensus is strong: Alexander is worse. Kid does nothing but whine and sulk. It's too bad because the Worf part of the story is genuinely interesting. Such is the way with pretty much all Alexander episodes: dad compelling, son annoying.
The best part of this installment is the return of Georgia Brown as Worf's mother, Helena.
Acting Notes
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| via Wikipedia |
Georgia Brown was born Lilian Claire Klot in London, October 21, 1933. She began her career as a nightclub singer and named herself after her two favorite songs: "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Georgia on My Mind." When a recording career failed to pan out, she found her way into musical theatre. Her breakthrough was the role of Nancy in Oliver!, a part she originated in both London and New York. For the latter, she received a Tony nomination.
Over the next three decades, she found ample screen and stage work on both sides of the Atlantic. Highlights included two highly acclaimed BBC mini-series, The Roads to Freedom and Shoulder to Shoulder. On Cheers, she played Madame Lazora, Carla's spiritual advisor, a role for which she got an Emmy nomination.
Sadly, Brown passed away just a few months after the airing of "New Ground."
I don't remember enjoying Worf's son.
ReplyDeleteSo whiny.
DeleteThe problem with Worf’s parenting skills is that he didn’t grow at all. This was a chance to expand his definition of being a Klingon, something Alexander’s own mother tried, and literally every other Klingon. The problem with the Alexander episodes was never Alexander. It was Worf.
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective. I hadn't thought of it that way. There are, of course, some important episodes coming up soon...
DeleteI hated that kid and wanted someone to trip him or Place him in the torpedo bay and jettison him into space. I really liked Worf’s parents and did not know about the lady who plays his mom.
ReplyDeleteBoth of the actors who played his parents had impressive Broadway resumes. Theodore Bikel was the original Captain von Trapp and, while not the original Tevye, he was the actor who had the longest run with the part.
DeleteI vaguely remember Worf's son. It's been so long since I've seen the show.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, he's worth forgetting.
DeleteI remember this episode for personal reasons. When I was 9, family moved and I entered a vicious, violent elementary school full of bullies --a Klingon school. A rural constant, big 7th grader, decided to hector me. After a few weeks, I decided to do a Bobo Olson on him (yes, Bobo was my 1950s defensive hero).
ReplyDeleteBully came at me all psychotic determination. Aimed his big fist at my face. I made as if to duck, but stopped --presenting my frontal skull just above anterior temple line, one of the best-protected areas of the body. Bones broke and bully ran off crying and holding his right hand to his chest. I laughed, and never noticed him again.My father was not Worf, but we watched Friday Night Fights together.
I had to Google Bobo Olson...
DeleteGood for you, sticking up for yourself!
"All you care about is your honorrrr!" Yeah, it's tough to watch. But this kid underwent so much in the realm of time-travel shenanigans. And I'm not even talking about that 7th season episode that you'll get to eventually. Brian Bonsall's character on Family Ties was aged up, from a baby to a kindergartner, over the course of one summer hiatus. Then, after his appearances on TNG, Alexander was aged up again to appear as a surly teen on DS9... and the new actor was about 5 years older. Poor kid lost a whole decade somewhere! :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha! So true.
Delete