Star Trek: The Next Generation The Survivors (1987–1994) Online

Though special effects play an important part in science fiction, it is the human drama that elevates most into a different level. "The Survivors," though featuring a spectacular craft of destruction, has a tour de force performance from John Anderson as "Kevin Uxbridge," one of two elderly survivors from a devastating onslaught from marauding aliens. The crew of the Enterprise seek to rescue Kevin and his wife but are met with combat by the strange craft.

As the drama unfolds, it is revealed that things aren't as they appear to me and the elderly couple, themselves, possess some secrets that underly the attack from the aliens.

Anderson's soliloquy near the installment's conclusion is brilliant and memorable.

ST:TNG:51 - "The Survivors" (Stardate: 43152.4) - this is the 3rd episode of the 3rd season of Star Trek: The Next Generation and a VERY good episode at that. This episode involves meeting 2 survivors of a global holocaust - who live in an acre of land with trees, grass, and a intact house, in the middle of destruction. What the Enterprise finds out will shock even the keenest of viewers for the two survivors are not what they seem - especially after Troi starts hearing "music" in her head that won't stop and only gets louder, and eventually starts going mad (very shocking to see indeed). Also, an extraordinary performance by veteran actor John Anderson as Kevin Uxbridge).

The very familiar character actor John Anderson stars in this unusual episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". The enterprise responds to a distress call and amazingly, when it arrives, every person on the planet is dead...save two who are just fine in their home. Why they were not harmed is a total mystery and when they are visiting with the pair, a spaceship appears and tries to destroy the Enterprise. Unable to stop it, the Enterprise is forced to leave. It returns later, and once again, the same thing happens. Oddly, Mr. and Mrs. Uxbridge still won't leave and Mr. Uxbridge insists that they are fine and the Enterprise should leave--even though this ship MIGHT just attack the couple and finish off everyone on the planet. What's next? See this show, as it has many unusual surprise twists.

The solution to all this is what makes this particular show worthwhile. And, seeing Anderson playing Uxbridge made the show even better. Well worth seeing and incredibly unique.

This is one of those episodes that made the series so entertaining. In this show we will learn that things are not exactly what they appear as the Enterprise is called to help two elderly people on a planet that has been attacked by aliens.

The two people, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge, are living on the only spot of land that has not been destroyed by the passing aliens. They live in a nice house surrounded by trees when the rest of the planet is a wasteland. And right from the get-go we, as viewers, know that something just is not right about this situation.

Veteran actor John Anderson gives a stirring performance as the elderly Kevin Uxbridge that only wants to be left alone with his lovely wife. But before we learn the entire account of why the couple want no part of outside contact, we will be taken on an emotional trip that will lead to deception and remorse. An excellent story that was entertaining the entire time. One of the better episode we have seen this season.

A pair of elderly people are the only inhabitants left of what was once a thriving culture. They have obviously been victimized by some force or people. They live in a little plot of land in a beautiful dwelling and seem happy with each other. The Enterprise away team wants to get to the bottom of things and is confronted by the man (played by John Anderson) who wants them on their way. They refuse help from the starship, even though their supplies are obviously dwindling. Each time a crew beams down, the Enterprise is confronted by an enormous, hostile ship which will not acknowledge them. They simply fire. Still the Enterprise survives the onslaught. Something is terribly wrong and secrets are being kept. The long monologue at the conclusion reveals something so sad and devastating that it leaves us speechless. We need to ask, "What is forgivable?" This episode banks on its unanswered questions and doesn't wrap it up with a bow. This is what I love in science fiction.

On the planet Rana IV, a Federation colony was wiped out by a cruel race, as the Enterprise discovers after answering a distress signal and arriving too late. Curiously, a plot of property and a couple, seemingly human, occupy it while the rest of the planet shows the horrifying fate of the alien attack. Rishon and Kevin (Anne Haney and John Anderson), a couple up in years came to the planet from Earth to settle into their old age, but how they were spared while the rest of the colony perished is quite a mystery. When anyone from the Enterprise beams to the couple's home, Kevin is visibly upset and rather rude, just wanting them to leave Rana so the couple can get on with their lives. Meanwhile, a ship of unknown origin threatens the Enterprise as long as they orbit Rana IV…the question is why? Fascinating episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation which ponders what to do with enormous power if you are a pacifist yet everyone around you is under perilous attack from a superiorly weaponized alien race, fighting for survival. After the away team beams to Rana the first time, Counselor Troi is terrorized by a musical tune (that plays from a certain music box owned by Rishon) that plays over and over in her mind; who has planted this tune in her mind and why? You always feel, from the first moment you see the devastation all around the Uxbridge home, that something is not right. The way Kevin insists that the Enterprise leave and his persistence in receiving nothing from them, there's a huge secret he's hiding. Rishon, however, seems to have a desire to leave but loyalty to Kevin and actually Rana itself are of importance to her. I think most viewers will see that there's a peculiarity in how they behave, considering what happened to the planet. What is hidden that Kevin is protecting? The mystery of the plot results in a tragic reveal that confirms Picard's suspicions regarding Kevin's secret, testing him through certain acts such as saying things just to see if his assumptions are correct (a theory involving the ship and why it doesn't truly destroy the Enterprise when it has a superior arsenal at its disposal and, most importantly, why this alien vessel seems to act out when crew members transport to and from the planet), leaving orbit only to return. Anderson's ornery nature and ultimately his pitiable monologue and unveiling of painful truths at the end really add potency to the episode, paying off a really intriguing mystery with a sad conclusion. Recreation and extinction, too much power used (and not used) poorly, all play into the revelation. Really a memorable episode from the third season with a melancholic vibe that hangs over it as it unfolds.

Bradbury often wrote of the last man on a planet or the last couple. Even the character's name, Uxbridge, sounds like one of his. Of course if the writer of 'The Survivors' was inspired by stories he had read, well as they say, if you're going to steal, why not steal from the best? Bradbury was more of a poet who used science fiction as a setting for stories of human emotion. The best science fiction has a strong human story at its heart. Stories with nothing but whiz bang special effects may be okay for a short time, but we do not return to watch such stories again. Next Generation's 'The Survivors' is the kind of story you watch more than once. It also has a good science fiction twist at the end. Well worth watching.

A very powerful human drama.

A peaceful being, possessing omnipotent abilities, finds love with a human woman and settles down to live a joyful normal life with her. All is well with them, and they eventually settling down on a remote world to live out the remainder of their lives (her life, as he is immortal) together.

A Powerful and evil alien race attacks the colony years later, killing the only woman he has ever loved, and in a moment of grief-fueled rage, he erases the entire attacking race, billions of them, from existence. Everywhere.

Doubly stricken with grief now, for both her death, and for what he has done because of it, he creates a small bubble/prison of illusion to live out eternity in.

Unfortunately, the colony had sent out a message for help before being destroyed, and now the Enterprise has arrived to investigate what happened.

See above. like, for real!!! one of the few moments of network television that strike the chord of the human condition! so odd, so sad, such amazing bullsh#t!!

A season 3 highlight, 'The Survivors' is classic TNG exploration with a shot of pathos. The crew happens upon a planet, decimated by a holocaust, but with two tenants still alive. Why were they spared? That, along with the massive warship that's patrolling the planet are the burning questions.

I don't want to give anything away (beyond Picard's solving the riddle and unloading a twist ending), but the reason behind all of this is a tragic one, brought about by pain and loneliness. One aspect that's noteworthy is the location shooting (this is a pretty episode), but in the end, it's also a bitter pill.

8/10

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Roddenberry's second creation of an elite group exploring space through humanity is a remarkable milestone for not only television but the sci-fi genre itself. As it quips repetitively, it dares go where no one has been before, and analyzes the good and bad of the nature. And it's that wide range of nature that is touched down, in all its hokum that it calls for, the answers are overwhelming to all the questions thrown out to it. Unlike the previous series, it has much more characters to handle which is a double edge sword. On the pro section, it helps writers jump in on diverse categories through them and swoop in as much as material possible through their individual perspective and still keep it all inside a definite and familiar circle.

On the other hand, it also is challenging to fiddle around these many characters on screen, especially the amount of new contents and eerie ideas each episode comes up with, it increases the possibility to lean towards flaws. And yes, it has its own limitation, but in its own gullible range and potential, it just simply works. Plus, what's fascinating is despite of being brimmed with these many personas floating about in the space, they haven't allotted any stereotypical specific characteristics to the characters, their species and nature may definitely vary, but a cheesy note is strictly prohibited in Enterprise-D.

The infamous Capt. Jean-Luc Picard played by Stewart who is mostly known by this role from his career, is exceptionally well crafted character that is simply nothing but a good leader and add Stewart's performance to that, the outcome is your iconic character that survives decades easily. Sirtis as the consciously enhanced counselor fits perfectly in the ship and the makers makes sure either they keep her up front to notify the shady part of the plot or distracts her wisely to advance the plot.

Frakes, once again, a competent leader and warrior that is more explored into love affairs while Dorn as a hot head and Burton as the most adapting and willful learner on the ship helps make the environment more engaging and realistic. Spiner as the android, Lt. Commander Data, who means nothing but business, unfortunately, is the guy that means the least amount of business, often relied upon for the humor, he might be explored thoroughly but is rarely projected with sincerity.

Personally, I prefer Stewart's mellow equation with Wheaten who looks up to him as a father figure and adds the right amount of emotion to it, McFadden's friendly relation too helps on spicing up this dish. The guest cast coming in- often playing the antagonist- invests equally and perpetually to this scoreboard. Advancing further than the previous series did, this journey also brings in rich traditional rituals and their own quirky references to the table. Star Trek: The Next Generation is your typical space ride, floating without any control it grabs everything like a child, and in its innocence and honesty it is one breathtaking ride.

Season 03

Upgrading to a better result than the previous season, this one installs the additional morale lessons among all new innovative ideas that are also brimmed with fresh perspective and incredibly productive methods.

The Survivors

With a theme to free the spirit or letting go off the past, this inhostile or hostile environment that the planner oozes onto the enterprise with blazing guns is unfortunately another mediocre entry that has the heart at the right place.

This episode has the Enterprise checking in on a planet that looks to have been devastated by futuristic war. That is except for a lovely house inhabited by an elderly couple John Anderson and Anne Haney.

These two look like everyone's ideal of humanoid grandparents. Why would war on a planetary scale spare them?

The Enterprise has to battle a large warship from an alien race as well and for one of the few times in the history of the Star Trek franchise it has to turn tail and run.

It is Patrick Stewart who figures out somewhat the cause of all this and it has of course to do with Anderson and Haney. It is quite a story.

Kudos to guest star John Anderson in one of his last roles as someone with quite a tale to tell.