Figured I'd jot down my thoughts as I revisit ST:TNG season 2.
Did you only start writing down your thoughts on TNG at season 2 Martin? I don't see anything before then, but I might not be looking in the right place. Even finding this was hard enough.
I just went through that first season again and enjoyed myself. Almost all of the episodes had
something going for them. Except of course the holodeck episode. I feel like season one must be goriest season because there's an episode with an alien bursting out of someone's stomach. Very uncharacteristic of TNG.
I have mixed feelings about losing Tasha Yar. She has some good moments. I liked seeing her and Worf bond over combat stuff. Had she carried on in the series it would've been a nice friendship to see deepen. Kind of in the same way Data and Geordi bond, or Troi and Crusher. On the other hand, with Worf filling her shoes, I think it is more interesting to watch him (a Klingon) have to restrain his aggressive impulses at his post. Tasha Yar was quick to be suspicious, and always advised caution, but there was not really a struggle there.
Tasha's death was abrupt (for outside reasons), and that's a shame because after it happened the show struggled to capitalize on the emotions of it. If was like cashing out a investment after a single day in the market... it hadn't had time to grow, so there was nothing to show for it. Had Tasha's death been planned from the get go, Worf's relationship to her could have been developed and there would be more fallout. Her Funeral scene was okay. Nice in that it's a chance to stop and reflect on the characters... but also strange.
I'm trying to think if there was a stand out low point or high point in the season. Nothing is coming to mind really. Well... except maybe Picard making Riker dock the saucer manually. After it's done even Data gives him an "oh shit, he's good" look.