3.18 Allegiance

Rating: 3.5

Captain Picard is trapped in a room with three other aliens, and they must figure out why they are there and how to get out. In the meantime, Picard is replaced on the Enterprise by an exact double, an imposter, who begins to lead the ship into peril.

Comments

I thought the alien makeup for the Bolian, the Mizerian, and the race that kidnaps Picard were excellent. Alternatively, the Chalna looked like he was put together with bits from TOS. (Maybe his great-grandfather was a Mugato).

In the TOS episode The Enemy Within, the transporter split Kirk into 2 parts, and the evil Kirk tried to rape Yeoman Rand. Here, the faux Picard tries to romance Dr. Crusher.

Nits

Why is the Mizerian Thal wearing the Sydney Opera House on his head? J

Faux-Picard says, "Ales for everyone!", and everyone cheers, but then nobody seems to be served or to drink any ales.

I wondered about the Riker/Picard protocol. My knowledge of captain/first officer rules and regulations is limited to watching the movie Crimson Tide twice, but I thought that Riker would have to relieve Picard, not just defy him. The situation that results in this episode has both Riker and Picard battling over command, with other crewmembers unsure of whom to obey.

Once again, Troi’s amazing powers are muted so that the suspense can continue. It’s like I commented after watching the hokey movie Species. If you are going to have an empath, they have to be a very inefficient one, or they will ruin every mystery.

Memorable Moments

•    I liked the scene when the captors were trapped behind the force field, breathing heavily – and Worf emotes slight pleasure.

•    After the real Picard returns, Dr. Crusher walks onto the bridge and smiles at him in a way that makes him nervous – so nervous about what his double may have done, that his voicing of the final ‘Engage’ is done in a wavery voice and very unsure manner – nice subtle touch.

Quotable Quotes

Esoqq: My given name is Esoqq! It means ‘fighter’!
Thal: I’ll bet half the names in the Chalna language mean ‘fighter’.
Esoqq: Mizerians! Your name’s all mean ‘surrender’!

Esoqq: What is this?
Picard: Food.
Esoqq: The only food?
Picard: It would seem so.
Esoqq: Poison!
Thal: Does this mean there’s nothing here for you to eat?
Esoqq: You!