3.14 A Matter of Perspective

Rating: 3

Commander Riker’s inspection of Dr Nel Apgar’s work aboard a space station ends in tragedy when the station explodes and Riker is accused of killing the scientist.

Comments

The VOY episode ex post facto, in which Tom Paris is accused of killing a woman’s husband, is vaguely similar to this episode.

When it is Picard’s turn to give his version of events and present snippets of evidence, wouldn’t it have been funny (although very inappropriate) if he had chosen to do so by taking on his alternative persona of Dixon Hill?

Nits

Data refers to a ‘nominal 8.7% margin of error." 8.7% is not what I would consider ‘nominal’.

It would have been pretty easy for the Enterprise team to subtly manipulate the data and holodeck recreation to clear Riker of all charges – and it would have been impossible for the investigator to realize this had been done.

Memorable Moments

•    I enjoyed the multiple perspectives, especially in the scene when Riker may or may not have raped Manua. Dr Apgar’s story, where he beats the crap out of Riker, was the one that made me cackle.

Quotable Quotes

"He may have one of the great scientific minds in the galaxy, but he does come up short in other areas."
- Mrs. Manua Apgar