Cheap Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 45: Manhunt (Video) (Larry Shaw, David Carson, Gabrielle Beaumont, Timothy Bond, Kim Manners, LeVar Burton, Richard Compton, Jonathan West, Marvin V. Rush, Michael Vejar) Price

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Customer Reviews of Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 45: Manhunt

Picard trying to smoke a cigarette, very funny moment.
In this episode, the Enterprise is assigned to transport delegates to a Federation conference, two of which are from Antede Three. Since they are unaccustomed to space flight, the delegates place themselves in a self-induced trance for most of the voyage. Suddenly, the Enterprise receives a message to transport another Federation delegate, who turns out to be Lwaxana Troi, mother of Deanna Troi. Furthermore, Lwaxana is in the midst of the phase, a time when Betazoid women experience a very dramatic increase in sex drive. In her usual obnoxious style, she sets her sights on Captain Picard, inviting him to a diplomatic dinner where he is the only guest.
Thinking fast, Captain Picard invites Data to the party to explain the ceremonies of other cultures. After extricating himself from his predicament, Picard decides to make himself scarce by going to the holodeck and taking on the role of a private detective who has made a great deal of enemies. Lwaxana then sets her sights on Commander Riker, unexpectedly announcing their forthcoming wedding. In the end, even though she amuses and befuddles the crew, Lwaxana is unable to snare a husband and must leave to tend to her diplomatic duties. Before leaving, she casually informs the Enterprise crew that the delegates from Antede Three are in fact assassins.
Although the character of Lwaxana Troi is one of the most obnoxious and self-centered in all of television, I enjoyed the episode. What saved it for me was were the scenes where Picard was in the holodeck. Although he fails in several attempts to relax and avoid people trying to kill him, Picard finally manages to get away from it all by taking his receptionist to the local bar. Having his radio play a song about "getting away from it all" was a funny moment. The best scene of all is when Picard is in the bar with his receptionist and the friendly bartender, trying to act the part of a tough private detective. His attempt at smoking a cigarette is one of the funniest moments in the next generation series.

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Lwaxana Troi goes through "the phase." Run, Picard, run!
The Enterprise is transporting two delegates in stasis to a conference on Pacifica, when a shuttle arrives bearing Lwaxana Troi who will be representing Betazed. However, it turns out Deanna's mom has another agenda. Apparently Lwaxana is going through "the phase," during which the sex drive of a Betazoid woman big time, and since the widow Troi has her standards she needs to find a husband. Suddenly the meaning of the episode's title becomes crystal clear. You will never guess who she has decided should be Deanna's step-father, but for some strange reason Picard is on the holodeck in another one of his Dixon Hill novels. But Jean-Luc cannot hide form Lwaxana forever.

"Manhunt" is a pleasant diversion that showcases Patrick Stewart's comic timing, a side of Picard that tends to come up only when Lwaxana comes to call. Comedy was never really a forte of the Next Generation, with the funny moments usually coming from the characters rather than the story line, but "Manhunt" would be the exception that proves the rule. In addition to an excuse for Majel Barrett to strut her stuff, the episode does add another interesting wrinkle to life on the holodeck. Besides, the final scene is a hoot. Lwaxana is still a comic contrivance at this point, but some truly memorable episodes are coming down the road for her, both comic and tragic.