It’s unique and exciting when a series actually improves with age.  “STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION-SEASON FIVE is such an example!  While the previous seasons were good, “SEASON FIVE” is outstanding!  The writing, as with the best episodes of previous seasons, is more consistently impressive here! 

Season 5 marked the brief return of Spock in the two-art “Unification” episode.  While his appearance wasn’t as staggering as, say, Jeri Ryan’s debut in “VOYAGER”, it still added a real depth to the series, branching together viewers of the “Star Trek” series from over four decades! 

While “UNIFICATION” was a great two-parter, other episodes from the season blew it and almost every earlier season’s episodes away in quality.  Consider “ETHICS” and “POWER PLAY”.  These were great episodes, not so much for the ways in which they dealt with the show’s characters, but rather for their substance.  The science-fiction elements to the story really didn’t matter.  These episodes consisted of interesting and provocative storylines. 

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION: SEASON FIVE features all 26 episodes.

These episodes are:  Cause and Effect, Conundrum, Cost of Living, Darmok, Disaster, Ensign Ro, Ethics, First Duty, Game, Hero Worship, I Borg, Imaginary Friend, Inner Light, Masterpiece Society, Matter of Time, New Ground, Next Phase, Outcast, Perfect Mate, Power Play, Redemption Part 2,, Silicon Avatar, Unification Part 1&2, and Violations..

PARAMOUNT has presented the image with its correct 1.33:1 aspect ratio.  The colors are solid, offering rich images and impressive hues in each and every episode.  The contrast is actually better here than in many of the previous seasons offered on dvd.  There’s better detail in darker scenes.  There is some minor artifacting, but for the most part, it looks impressive!

PARAMOUNT has been offering a Dolby Digital 5.1 remix for this and the previous seasons on dvd.  It’s remixed from a Dolby Stereo track, and benefits mostly from directional effects, focused towards the front soundstage.  There are some ambient effects, but they’re limited in range o fidelity. The .1 LFE track offers an excellent advantage for fans!  Now, the effects, though sometimes cheesy, are more impressive, with the bass creating a more formidable presence!   

As with Seasons 1-4, being offered on dvd, “SEASON FIVE” comes in a sturdy boxed set.  The entire season is played out over seven discs.  Additionally, there’s an 8 page collectible booklet.  There are also five featurettes, offered in 1.33:1 aspect ratio with Dolby 2.0 sound.  The best supplement here is “A TRIBUTE TO GENE RODDENBERRY” whom passed away in the middle of the fifth season.  It’s well done on every conceivable level.  Add to this the extras that have been standard fare on each of the previous “SEASON” releases, and fans have another great addition to their collection!