3.20 Tin Man

Rating: 2.5

The discovery of a living vessel orbiting a planet in a distant area of space claimed by the Romulans sends the Enterprise – along with a talented but unstable Betazoid named Tam Elbrun – on a race to make first contact.

Comments

Now here’s a telepath that would be of real value aboard the Enterprise! He knows what’s going on! No wonder Troi is a bit touchy during this episode – she knows she could lose her job! J

This is a nice episode, focusing on a new and very unusual life form.

Nits

Data’s response to the sensor ‘echo’ traveling at warp speed is to state that there is no known phenomena capable of traveling at warp. Yet both the energy cloud in ‘Lonely Among Us’ and the crystalline entity in ‘Datalore’ were reported to be traveling at warp.

When Tin Man blows up the Romulan ship, the ship looks like it is made of lumpy green clay.

Memorable Moments

•    Evocative indigenous flute music is used to set the mood in a number of key scenes, and again for the final fly-away of the Enterprise.

•    When Troi rests her hand and head on Data’s shoulder, and both of them gaze out the window, I wanted to take a photo – what a great moment.

•    I like the way Elbrun’s knowledge of Tin Man is revealed in small increments. First, it is a surprise that he is already communicating with it from light years away. Then, hey, he knows its name.

Quotable Quotes

"And no, Billy Boy, I wasn’t distracted on Gorushta!"
- Tam Elbrun to Riker

"All their loves, their hates, their fears, their needs. It’s like a tide that never ebbs! I could drown!"
- Tam Elbrun describing the thoughts of everyone on the ship

"Danger! Gum-tu. Do not allow!"
- Tam Elbrun to Tin Man

Data: Through joining, they have been healed. Grief has been transmuted to joy. Loneliness to belonging.
Troi: Data, you do understand!
Data: Yes, Counselor. When Tin Man returned me to the Enterprise, I realized, this is where I belong.