User Reviews

This episode paints Lwaxana Troi in a more serious light as she fall for a supremely gifted engineer, played by David Ogden Stiers (Charles Emerson Winchester of the show MASH). He is aboard the enterprise to see the results of a theoretical lifelong effort, having to do with stabilizing a star's volatility. Mrs. Troi sees his kindness and his seriousness as very attractive. She tries to help him enjoy life. As they become closer, a serious fact is revealed. He comes from a planet where people are euthanized at a certain age. He has reached that age. He is suddenly faced with the reality that his work could continue and he could have a life with Lwaxana, but to do so would force him to turn his back on his people, including his daughter. This is supposedly for the good of his world, or was at one time. Now, it just is what it is. A part of what they are. Of course, I don't buy into this stuff so I'm a poor arbiter. Some have said that at some point we may be faced with this. If we are, it's because we have ignored all the possibilities that would have prevented it. Religion is probably the most dangerous, but I will stay off that soap box. We need to control population by not producing so many children (and I'm not talking about abortion). Anyway, I felt very sad as I watched this because the inhabitants of the planet had no respect for intellectual achievement and a person's soul.

When the episode begins, the always annoying Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) is on the Enterprise. However, her constant sexual harassment of the Captain is stopped when a scientist named Timicin (David Ogden Stiers) comes aboard. She is instantly smitten and chases him with her usual subtlety. Surprisingly, this very mild- mannered man responds to her advances and they soon end up spending a lot of time together. A perfect relationship, however, is not the in the works, as Timicin comes from an odd-ball planet--one that expects all of its citizens to kill themselves at age 60--and he is soon approaching that dreaded age. Lwaxana implores him to ignore this unwritten law and live out his final years with her. He expects to kill himself, but soon realizes that if he dies, his important work which might save his planet might be set back significantly.

I appreciate this episode about euthanasia, as it is timely and talks about human value. I also appreciate that you get to see Lwaxana emoting with a wider range--not just the usual bubble-headed and annoying personality but a woman dealing with rage and sadness. Overall, well worth seeing and a bit like "Logan's Run" but without all the stupid stuff.

ST:TNG:96 - "Half A Life" (Stardate: 44805.3) - this is the 22nd episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

And guess who's back? You got it! The ever lovable Lwaxana Troi (played by Majel Barrett in a heartfelt performance - we see her serious side for the first time) is onboard the Enterprise at the same time as a visiting scientist (Dr. Timicin played wonderfully by David Ogden Stiers of "Mash" fame) from a reclusive alien race.

While Dr. Timicin works with the Enterprise to try to revitalize his planet's dying sun with the Federation's help, Lwaxana and Dr. Timicin fall in love with each other - however he has a secret, one that will make their relationship impossible.

This is a poignant and touching episode, about growing old and what to do with a society's elders. I highly recommend this episode.

And it's so funny to hear Mrs. Troi call Mr. Worf, Mr. WOOF!

Trivia note: Michelle Forbes (the future Ensign Ro) plays Dr. Timcin's daughter, Dara (in a very believable performance).

It was heard a lot in the last presidential campaign that a society is measured in how it treats it's elderly. The Enterprise is on a mission to help a humanoid inhabited planet avoid colliding with a really big space object.

Their leading scientist David Ogden Stiers could be the one to save them and he's working on a long term plan. They do have about 40 earth years. But will that be enough?

Especially since according to custom after a farewell salute, he's to off himself promptly at the age of 60. It's the tradition to keep the population amount in check and avoid spending costly sums on healthcare.

Visiting is the vivacious Lwaxana Troi, Counselor Troi's mother and she takes a liking to Stiers. He himself is troubled and sees no good options in his situation. Majel Barrett takes up Stiers cause, but Patrick Stewart has to remind her of the prime directive which applies to him, but not her.

This one is a thought provoking episode about the problems of old age. Good thing this did not involve Vulcans. Can you imagine Ambassador Sarek or his son Spock being forced into that. Most illogical.

In "Half of Life" while Deanna's mother is aboard the Enterprise, the crew assists a hermit-like race in testing ways to save their dying sun. Lwaxana falls in love with the main scientist but soon learns he must return to his planet and commit suicide as he nears the mandatory death age of 60.

We're guaranteed at least one Lwaxana episodes a season it seems like but at least this one is fairly decent for a change. I think Barrett has learned to dial back some of Lwaxana's worst qualities back a bit. Either that or I've grown used to her annoying personality. Either way I didn't really hate this one. I thought the love story was fine and the B-plot of the dying sun fairly interesting. The ending actually caught me by surprise. I thought for sure Picard would advocate for Timicin's survival but he's fairly standoffish. His hands are tied by the Prime Directive and he knows it...

They were from 2 different worlds...they met between them...he returned to his and she to hers...it doesn't always have to end that way.

Star Trek's version of Logan's Run.

What a beauty of an episode.

Stiers delivers an emotionally conflicted performance masterfully ---- you can just see the pain in his face during his scenes. The highlight of this episode is the wave of emotion that hits Timicin after his daughters impassioned speech to return home for the resolution.

By the end of the episode, I was of the opinion that Timicin should return back to Kaelon and go through with the resolution. On top of that, he does make an intriguing point about dying with dignity and not wasting away forgotten in a care facility or becoming infirm and a shadow of the person you once were.

This cultural practice is controversial to say the least but it is worthy of discussion and debate.

This episode hits the checkmarks for me:

• Ethical/Moral dilemma worthy of discussion and debate.

• Unhappy ending but completely understandable and earned for Timicin.

• Emotional moving.

• Brilliant Acting.

This equals a wonderful episode of star trek.

This episode takes a fairly thoughtful approach to the subject of euthanasia and perhaps to a lesser extent, assisted suicide. It concerns research scientist Dr. Timicin (David Ogden Stiers), approaching the age of sixty in a few days, and facing the prospect of dying because of a cultural norm on his home planet that calls for the death of everyone hitting that arbitrary number. Timicin himself is more than reluctant to defy his planet's custom, but at the same time, might be instrumental in saving it from a dying sun due to his life's work of researching a way to save it. Curiously, most of the significant dialog occurs between Timicin and visiting Ambassador Lwxana Troi (Majel Barrett) aboard the Enterprise, usually hot to trot for Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), but turning her romantic attention to Timicin while the Captain is just too busy. Not to mention that he finds her overbearing.

I was somewhat disappointed in the way this story ended. It's usually Picard who comes up with some profound negotiating tactic to settle the matter, but in this case, he bowed to the Prime Directive to maintain non-interference in Timicin's decision. For her part, Lwxana Troi makes some pretty persuasive arguments for Dr. Timicin to seek asylum, but ultimately, Timicin's attachment to his planet's traditions hold sway, strengthened by the forceful arguments of his own daughter Dara (Michelle Forbes), who paid a last-minute call to the Enterprise to intervene. I wonder what would have happened if Timicin was successful in finding a way to revitalize his planet's sun, but then threatened to withhold the information past his sixtieth birthday. That would have been a recipe for another episode.

Oddly, Lwxana finally relented to tradition, and decided to accompany Dr. Timicin to his home to participate in his 'Resolution', a celebration of life ceremony honoring his achievements. She promised not to interfere any further, but we never got to find out because that's where the story ended. That would have made for an interesting two parter. As arbitrary as sixty was as an age to terminate one's life, at least it was a whole lot better than the premise of the 1976 movie "Logan's Run". In that one, thirty was the fatal magic number!

Sometimes a bad ending can be satisfying. This one is not satisfying in the slightest. The very idea that any reasonable person would condone involuntary suicide enforced by some archaic ritual is completely ridiculous. The way the other characters treat it like just some culture clash, and not a completely unconscionable and immoral practice is infuriating. I understand that because of Federation laws there is nothing they can do, but everyone except Lwaxana just goes with it while expressing not even the slightest hesitation or distaste at Neverland in space. This episode left a bad taste in my mouth.

I was initially disappointed with the bland character (Timicin) played by David Ogden Stiers because I felt that it was below his abilities. However, as the episode progressed, he shone in this role. A great choice. Well done!

Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) was surprisingly well suited for this episode. It was refreshing to see more depth from Lwaxana. (Except for the first scene of her crying, which didn't feel authentic.)

The episode was refreshing because, for a time, I was not sure how it would end, perhaps because I wanted the outcome that I felt was least likely.

The last scene was extremely implausible (the Enterprise is going to wait a day or two for her?!), but it doesn't matter. It was a good ending.

This episode sees Timicin, a scientist from an isolationist world coming aboard the Enterprise to conduct experiments to solve the problem of their dying sun. As he arrives he is met by Lwaxana Troi and the two gradually develop feelings for each other. His experiment is not as successful as hoped and as he plans to return home he expresses his disappointment that he won't be the one to solve his world's problem; she wonders why he won't be continuing his work and is shocked to learn that on his world everybody commits suicide when they reach sixty! Horrified she tries to persuade him to seek asylum but this offends both the authorities on his planet and his family.

This is very much an 'issue of the week' episode where an alien culture seems offensive to outside eyes. Timicin explains the reasoning behind the practice and clearly believes that it is good as it avoids the old being a burden on the young… even if many, if not most, people will still be productive members of society. A theme that is more topical now than when it was made as those against legalising assisted dying argue it is a stepping stone to people being expected to die if they are becoming a burden. David Ogden Stiers does a fine job as Timcin and Majel Barrett is good as Lwaxana; although I'm sure many will find the character annoying; she is certainly a force of nature but at least this time she has more emotional depth! Michelle Forbes, who later returns as Ensign Ro Laren, is great in her one, emotional, scene as Timcin's daughter where she pleads with her father to go through with the ritual. Overall this proves to be a solid issue led episode.

Let's recap: -There is a ritual introduced in a society, because they would rather kill their elders than take care of them.

-This is only a millennium or so old, so clearly society could live without it.

-The enterprise crew somehow refuse to do anything about this 'tradition' despite it being a warp capable society.

-The enterprise crew hinder an ambassador with diplomatic immunity in her freedom of movement and diplomatic engagement to support this 'tradition'.

-This same society who is obsessed with people dying before their age makes life difficult, is trying to reignite their dying sun, not realizing the hypocrisy.

-The only scientist who has a lick of a chance to accomplish this is being forced into this suicidal tradition against his will.

-The society is so blinded by their custom that they refuse to even hear arguments against it.

-It goes so far that the species threaten violence upon innocents on the enterprise who have a duty to protect anyone seeking asylum.

-The resolution is for the scientist to submit to the societal pressure and lwaxana to accept his ritual.

The fact that this made it past the production crew, and audiences weren't absolutely enraged is really testament to how little people care for lives and is honestly disheartening.

I reserve ratings of 3 and under for pieces of media that could have negative effects on real life society. This episode achieves this by pretending that submitting to inhumane, self sabotaging, hypocritical traditions, created for bad reasons, and enforced with emotional manipulation and threats of violence against innocents, is the correct choice.

I thought that this episode was excellent for 2 reasons: 1) the acting was utterly convincing; 2) it took on an important and controversial subject without preaching and without being totally one-sided. While the United States is a long way from being one of the most ageist societies on Earth, there are tensions between the generations. While few people, other than the late former Colorado governor Dick Lamm, who claimed that older people have a "duty to die", have advocated the elderly, or at least the disabled elderly, commit suicide, there are those among the younger generations who feel that older employees should leave the workforce - commit career suicide - to make room for younger people (I myself was a victim of this, being "quiet fired" from a contract position with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by managers who wanted to get rid of the 60-somethings)

Some have complained about the ending. But I did not take the ending as an advocation of ritual suicide by the elderly. And I do feel that the episode would have had less impact had it ended with Timicin deciding to maintain refugee status aboard the Enterprise - it would have just been another Captain Picard saves the day episode rather than one that made viewers a little uncomfortable.

Given that the Social Security system in the United States is now in big trouble, due largely to the economic consequences of legalized abortion and artificial contraception--the SS system was designed based on a pyramid model: more, younger workers feeding into the fund to support fewer, older citizens; both abortion and artificial contraception have reversed the pyramid model, so that FEWER younger workers are now supporting MORE older citizens--this particular episode of STAR TREK: NEXT GEN may give us a not-so-far-fetched insight into our own society's future. Just listen carefully to what the representatives of Timicin's planet, including his own daughter, say to justify their law requiring their citizens' deaths at age 60. Rather than fixing their society, they simply eliminate their sick and elderly! End of problem!

... or like one of the other reviews says: Duty to Die.

To me it makes sense, as evidenced by some countries allowing assisted suicide already. I wish it was not made to be a huge taboo because we should be able to talk about dignity in death with candor. I don't know why so many people are choosing to hide their heads in the sand about this subject. Fear of death I guess, or more like self-absorption - don't worry, we all die.

I think 60 is way too young and I would have done it differently than the Kaelons. Humans provide for their children until the age of 18, and that includes (in most countries) free health and education. Then they are allowed and encouraged to work and provide for society.

I would suggest after they retire they are also given free health and some other benefits for 18 years. After that they have to go through the resolution and it will also be covered - and it should not be treated as such a horrible thing.

Let's say the retirement age is 65, If someone was healthy and chose to work until 70, they are given free benefits for 18 years until they are 88. After that they must do the resolution. Say someone is wealthy and has enough money to retire at 50, they can choose to stop working but will have to follow the same rule so 65 + 18 they should do the resolution at 83. If someone chooses not to work at all in their life then they wouldn't be given any benefits after 65 and if they are healthy then they can live the 18 without any recourse but must do the resolution at 83 like everybody else.

I think that's fair.

Season 4 contains the 80th episode of The Next Generation, at which point it surpassed the output of the Original Series. A number of extended themes played out during this season delving into both the political backdrop and the personal lives of the crew. These continuing storylines proved extremely popular, however they did not detract from the use of Science Fiction to tell interesting stories. Senior Trekker continues to score every episode with a 5.

This is one of Star Trek's best "issue" episodes which deals with the ethics of Kaelon II, where all citizens are required to give up their lives at the age of sixty, whatever stage their life's work may have reached or whatever the state of their health.

Apart from giving Majel Barratt some really serious material to get her acting talents around and an opportunity for the much more restrained David Ogden Stiers to gain our sympathy, the morality of this story is totally one-sided. No-one believed at the time this was made that such a policy could actually be contemplated by right thinking humans in the twentieth century. But now we are living in the twenty first century and certain real-life politicians have been arguing that the older generation should be prepared to sacrifice themselves during a pandemic for the "greater good".

Senior Trekker is not just partisan because she is looking at the debate from the wrong side of the age of "Resolution" but because I can vividly remember my seven year old daughter's outrage at the idea when it was first broadcast. (Mr Q and Mrs Troi episodes were amongst my children's favourites).

Unfortunately, Michelle Forbes made such a good job of the part of Dara, pleading with her father to ease the family disgrace by coming home to die at his appointed time, that she now inspires my immediate distaste for whichever character she is playing.

Nonetheless, if the purpose of The Next Generation is to tell a memorable story and give us something to think about then, despite its faults, I believe this one to be a success.