Star Trek Deep Space Nine (Season 2)

Star Trek Deep Space Nine (Season 2)
Only Kira Nerys would risk going to war over an earring. With the witty and wise second-season opener “The Homecoming,” the writers started taking chances with the direction of Deep Space Nine–and the payoffs are immediate and far-reaching. It’s the first episode in a complex trilogy involving the fate of the tenuous Bajoran Provisional Government, an extremist group called the Circle, and a legendary member of the resistance whom Sisko believes might be able to unite Bajor. Continuing its blend of action, mystery, intergalactic politics, and religion, the second season gave prominent parts to Jadzia Dax (“Invasive Procedures,” “Playing God,” “Blood Oath”), Kira Nerys (“The Collaborator,” in which Odo gives the first sign of his feelings toward her), the Cardassian Garak (“Cardassians”), Odo (“The Alternate”), Chief O’Brien (“Whispers,” “Tribunal”), Commander Sisko (“Paradise”), and Quark (“Profit and Loss”), and Dr. Bashir developed relationships with both O’Brien (“Armageddon Game”) and Garak (“The Wire”). Highlight episodes include the alternate-universe “Crossover,” which pays homage to the original series’ “Mirror, Mirror,” and the two-part spotlight on the Maquis (first introduced in The Next Generation), a loose-knit organization of disenfranchised Federation colonists who resort to terrorist methods to provoke a new war between the Federation and the Cardassians. By the end of season 2, the only thing DS9 lacked was a really good villain. It got three for the price of one. Turns out the Dominion (first discovered in the underappreciated Ferengi spotlight “Rules of Acquisition”) is a trinity of evil: the Founders, the Vorta, and the Jem’Hadar, those born-and-bred bad guys whose mission in life is to serve the Founders. The season-closer “The Jem’Hadar” is an intelligent, powerful episode that reveals all–and nothing–about the Dominion. –Kayla Rigney

Star Trek Next Generation Third Season Gift Set

Star Trek Next Generation Third Season Gift Set

Star Trek: The Next Generation’s third year was an important development in syndicated television. After two shaky years, Paramount nonetheless decided the franchise still had plenty to do. Their confidence was bolstered by two significant factors. First, cast uncertainties were finally settled: Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher) was back for good; Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar) regretted her first-year departure, and so contrived a return in the Emmy Award-winning “Yesterday’s Enterprise”; and Whoopi Goldberg happily continued her actor’s-scale contributions. Second, after the show had survived the previous year’s writers’ strike, new writing blood revitalized both characters and ideas: Data experienced fatherhood (“The Offspring”), Worf’s Klingon heritage kick-started a huge story arc (“Sins of the Father”), and Picard got a saucy vacation (“Captain’s Holiday”). There were memorable star cameos: John de Lancie played more mischief alongside Corbin Bernsen (“Déjà Q”); Dwight Schultz played truant in a gentle warning about addiction (“Hollow Pursuits”); and pleasing fans even more was Mark Lenard as Spock’s dad (“Sarek”). The strongest evidence that TNG would continue for some time was the trend-setting cliffhanger finale. Fans and critics still agree that “The Best of Both Worlds” (properly introducing the Borg) was one of the greatest tricks ever pulled on TV to make audiences come back for more. –Paul Tonks

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Star Trek Next Generation Third Season Gift Set

Star Trek Next Generation Third Season Gift Set
Star Trek: The Next Generation’s third year was an important development in syndicated television. After two shaky years, Paramount nonetheless decided the franchise still had plenty to do. Their confidence was bolstered by two significant factors. First, cast uncertainties were finally settled: Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher) was back for good; Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar) regretted her first-year departure, and so contrived a return in the Emmy Award-winning “Yesterday’s Enterprise”; and Whoopi Goldberg happily continued her actor’s-scale contributions. Second, after the show had survived the previous year’s writers’ strike, new writing blood revitalized both characters and ideas: Data experienced fatherhood (“The Offspring”), Worf’s Klingon heritage kick-started a huge story arc (“Sins of the Father”), and Picard got a saucy vacation (“Captain’s Holiday”). There were memorable star cameos: John de Lancie played more mischief alongside Corbin Bernsen (“Déjà Q”); Dwight Schultz played truant in a gentle warning about addiction (“Hollow Pursuits”); and pleasing fans even more was Mark Lenard as Spock’s dad (“Sarek”). The strongest evidence that TNG would continue for some time was the trend-setting cliffhanger finale. Fans and critics still agree that “The Best of Both Worlds” (properly introducing the Borg) was one of the greatest tricks ever pulled on TV to make audiences come back for more. –Paul Tonks

The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books

The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books
This 16-CD set collects all of Ella Fitzgerald’s Songbooks, a monumental tribute to the American popular song and its greatest composers, recorded for Verve between 1956 and 1964. There is likely no other singer possessed of the mix of talents that Fitzgerald brought to the project, a combination of sheer vocal technique, creativity in phrasing and rhythm, and fidelity to lyrics and intent. The sheer scale of the project contributes to its value, for Fitzgerald went far beyond the standard repertoire, rediscovering little-known gems by many of her subjects: Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hart, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and Duke Ellington. The discs of Ellington material still stand out, illuminated by the presence of Duke and his band. They put Ellington, a master melodist as well as a great composer, in his rightful place in the pantheon of American songwriters. –Stuart Broomer

Capcom Classics Reloaded

Capcom Classics Reloaded
Capcom releases its second arcade compilation on the PSP with Reloaded, which has more than 18 new titles including Eco Fighters, King of Dragons and Knights of the Round. Bringing hours of entertainment for gamers on the go, Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded offers arcade perfect ports which can all be enjoyed alone or via multiplayer using the PSP system’s wireless ad hoc mode. Game sharing abilities not only pushes Reloaded over the compilation echelon, but presents the opportunity to be challenged just like the good ole arcade days. For those wanting to experience the games in their original presentation, the screen settings can be changed to suit just that. Relive Capcom’s history and savor bonus features by earning credits towards Reloaded’s themed slot machine to unlock a buffet of goods including original art, playing tips and secret codes.