China, appear linked to a similar required effect, albeit through different means. Reviewing the episode for The A.V. Club, Zack Handlen said that Timicin served as an "excellent foil" for Lwaxana and made her "seem less ridiculous". The relationship between Lwaxana and Timicin "has a believable core", even if it is "broad and arguably rushed", writes Handlen. "There are some powerful moments... and it's pleasant for once to see Lwaxana adding, rather than subtracting, from a storyline." Handlen, however, criticizes the setup of Timicin's situation, as it reduced the characterization available to some of the Enterprise crew. In spite of its flaw, Handlen decides that "the episode largely redeems itself by staying true to its main point: No matter how much time you have left, it's never enough." In 2017, Den of Geek ranked David Ogden Stiers as Timicin, in Star Trek: The Next Generation "Half a Life" as one of the top ten guest star roles on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Media releases "Half a Life" was first released on VHS cassette in the United States and Canada on July 23, 1996. The episode was later released in the United States on September 3, 2002, as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation season four DVD box set. The first Blu-ray release was in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2013, followed by the United States on July 30. Notes References External links Star Trek: The Next Generation (season 4) episodes 1991 American television episodes Television episodes about ageism Television episodes directed by Les Landau