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I went to see Ben Hur on the big screen today, where it needs to be seen. I saw it for the first time when it came out in 1959, as a child with my parents in our local movie theater in Brooklyn. Over the years I have had occasion to see it again on the big screen, and it is a treasured part of my DVD collection. It has lost none of its glory or its emotional impact on me.

In reading many of the reviews here, I agree with the excellence of the acting and directing, the dramatic tension that never lets up, the great story telling, the color and pageantry, the deep emotional and spiritual messages in the film. But for me it was the magnificent score of Miklós Rózsa that truly brought all that makes Ben Hur one of the greatest films of all time to life. His brilliant orchestration, his stirring musical themes and the way he integrated them with what was happening on screen. Ben Hur never fails to bring tears to my eyes, and this has a great deal to do with Miklós Rózsa's score in all its epic and intimate glory. A well deserved Oscar.

This whole season was worth the two farewell scenes with Patrick Stewart and John DeLancie - the two of them were just beautiful. John DeLancie looks better than ever; aging well! When Jean Luc told Q that he wasn't going alone and hugged him, I did get choked up. I guess I'm just an old softie.

And I loved that they gave Wesley a comeback. I had wanted to see his story as a Traveler, and it was never shown. I hope he reappears in season 3 somehow.

I do wish that we had seen what happened with Seven and Chakotay. I loved Robert Beltran and was disappointed when he wasn't in this series. That romance had such potential. Oh well... Just glad that Geri Ryan was included. Seven and Q are definitely two of the most interesting characters in the Star Trek franchise.

Whatever flaws the Picard series may have, I'm still enjoying it!