Although this marks Marc Alaimo’s 2nd appearance in TNG he’s much more recognizable here. Not only is the makeup much less than in Lonely Among Us (he was an Antican or a Selay I forget) his tone is so much Dukat here is awesome. Tebok or T'Bok or Taibak (depending on who you ask) has been used here and there in novels as well.

Oh and look at the face on the security guard on the right when Offenhouse speaks.

Shit dude I should have finished escorting you off the Bridge.

I love the whole buildup to the first encounter with the Romulans, the score does an awesome job at a feeling of anticipation. And the Warbird decloaking and bearing down on the Enterprise is still one of the coolest things from season 1.

Ralph Offenhouse: actually says Amurrican. (the actor is apparently a well known face in 80s soap operas btw).

Sonny Clemons: Leon Rippy is always a southern hoot and here’s is just awesome with the verbal southernism coming out of his mouth.

TNG Continues with the fine Star Trek tradition of “finding all of earth 20th and 21st century’s space junk” In The Neutral Zone with that space capsule with the three dead meat popsicles.

I really dig the soundtrack as soon as we get into Neutral Zone Mystery Zone