cd8d2e30   
   XPost: rec.arts.tv, rec.arts.startrek.misc, rec.arts.startrek.fandom   
   XPost: can.arts.sf   
   From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca   
      
   In article <497876526.785532667.901652.anim8rfsk-cox.net@news.easynews.com>,   
   anim8rfsk   wrote:   
   >The Doctor  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   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)