Vidal Peterson Movies

While Next Generation began its run with a two-part episode, and it trafficked in two-part season-ending "cliffhangers," this was the series' first "sweeps week" two-parter. It also represented the return of Leonard Nimoy in the role of the supremely logical Mr. Spock. Now an ambassador of the Federation, Spock curiously embarks upon an unauthorized mission to the hostile planet Romulus. Disguising themselves as Romulans, Picard and Data investigate Spock's highly unorthodox behavior. Just when it seems that an explanation is at hand, the picture freezes, and the viewer is told to return next week. Mark Lenard, who like Leonard Nimoy was a veteran of the original Star Trek, recreates his familiar role as Spock's father Sarek. First aired November 9, 1991, part one of "Unification" carried a pre-show dedication to Gene Roddenberry, who had died eleven days earlier. The episode was written by Jeri Taylor from a story by Rick Berman and Michael Piller. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Good thing they told us this Jury Duty: The Comedy; we might have thought it was Jury Duty: The Term Paper. This comedy salad features a whole slew of TV luminaries--Alan Thicke, Bill Kirchenbauer, Lynn Redgrave, Heather Locklear, Tracy Scoggin, Reginald VelJohnson etc.--playing judge, jury, defenders and prosecutors in an embezzlement case. The clue as to the film's sobriety level is the fact that Bronson Pinchot plays four roles: Sanford, Arthur Lloyd, Jorge Jimenez, and Magda. Highlights include a mid-trial pizza delivery, a faulty oxygen tank, and a kid holding up a "Hi Mom" sign for the benefit of the courtroom cameras. This dumb-but-lovable TV movie first aired January 15, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

After a carnival comes to Green Town, the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires, caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular, while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced, older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman, Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg, and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo, the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi