"Haven", although it has a touching ending, is definitely one of the most light-hearted episodes of Season 1. This is also the first episode that we are graced with the presence of Majel Barrett as Lwaxana Troi. Although Mrs. Barrett had acted in Star Trek before as Nurse Chapel on TOS, no role let her talents shine like her recurring role as Lwaxana Troi.

The first thing to understand when watching this episode is it does not have a deep philosophical meaning, or good moral like many Trek episodes. It is meant to be a fun and touching story about a young man finding his long lost love.

The first thing that will stand out in you mind is when Lt. Yar interrupts Commander Riker's "symphony", masterfully preformed by two of his favorite mini holo-babes, to the transporter room. A giant silver crate is beamed aboard with a big silver head in front. The first thing that popped into my mind was "Huh?"

Soon, after Deanna walks in, the head, just when you thought things couldn't get stranger, starts talking and announcing Lwaxana's arrival and the plans for Deanna's arranged marriage. I thought the whole talking head bit was a little too much.

With the arrival of Mrs. Troi we also meet Homn, Mrs. Troi's valet. Homn is a very interesting character. In this episode, he says little, as usual, and gets drunk. I love this guy. He's just a cool easy going guy who doesn't let anything bother him. Hell, to be around Mrs. Troi so much, he can't take anything too seriously or he'd go mad!

Although understandable for an android endeavouring to be human, I thought that Data's fascination with the various arguments between Lwaxana and Mrs. Miller was slightly amusing. "Please continue this petty bickering. I find it fascinating!" is priceless!

The plot finally gets a little more serious will the arrival of the Tarellian vessel. However, that changes quickly. We then move to Lwaxana Troi talking about the Betazoid wedding ceremony is conducted. Nude weddings, ringing bells every time food is put in your mouth, if you ask me those people are a tad strange, but then again, who are we to judge?

Anyway I thought the ending with Wyatt Miller leaving to help the Tarellians and his long lost love was touching. But then again, it was the only serious thing in the episode!

And now we come to the last scene where Lwaxana is bidding farewell to the Enterprise, and the torture of poor Captain Picard beings. I wonder what he was thinking.

All in all, I give it a 3 - 4 star rating. It isn't anywhere near the best of TNG, but it is amusing and, besides, anything Trek is better than the crap they pump on TV now-a-days!

RATING:

out of 5