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   From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca   
      
   AI/LLM reviews of STNG - Sub Rosa   
      
   Google Gemini   
      
   Dr. Beverly Crusher 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.   
      
   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.   
      
   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.   
      
   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 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 "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.   
      
   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    
   randmother’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])   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)