3.01 Evolution

Rating: 2

An experiment by Dr Paul Stubbs to study an eruption from the surface of a neutron star that only occurs every 196 years is threatened when Wesley’s nanite-related school project goes astray.

Comments

Diana Muldaur (Dr Pulaski) is gone, replaced by the returning Gates McFadden (Dr Crusher).

With Dr Crusher back, the creators felt that it would be good to work her return into a story about Wesley. They were wrong. The story is flat, the doctor is obnoxious, Wesley’s lines are poorly written, and Dr Crusher continues her strange intonations. However, it is still an improvement to have her back and Pulaski gone.

Nits

As the Enterprise begins drifting toward the matter stream between the red giant and the neutron star, Picard orders ‘full reverse engines’. In the external shot, the Enterprise is facing toward the stream. It turns to face away. My idea of ‘full reverse’ is that you go in the opposite direction from which you face; it doesn’t involve any ship rotation.

Dr Stubbs gets off rather easily. He kills millions of life-forms which obviously have intelligence, and all he has to do is apologize to them. Doesn’t the Federation have laws that it must enforce in these situations?

Memorable Moments

•    The shot from above as the ‘egg’ leaves the shuttle bay. The use of red tints in this episode, which reflect on the exterior of the Enterprise, add some variety to the stock external shots.

Quotable Quotes

Picard: My dear doctor, in our current position, when that star explodes, you will get to watch your experiment from the inside out.
Stubbs: I’d rather die than leave.
Picard: I don’t believe you speak for the majority of the crew.

"I’ve never been any good at being confined to my quarters, as my husbands will attest to."
- Guinan