Strange first episode to start a season, but the increased budget makes the show look MUCH better. Also, Riker has the beard, Guinan is now part of the crew in Ten Forward, Geordi is chief engineer, Chief O’brian is manning the transporters, and Wesley isn’t wearing that dumb rainbow outfit. However, I never liked Dr. Pulaski because she’s too 20th century ignorant and abrasive and even a little racist, though Diana Mulduar is a better actress than Gates McFadden.