5.01 Redemption (Part 2)

Rating: 3.5

Worf adjusts to the violent warring nature of his brother and other Klingons, and also fights off the amorous advances of the imposing Duras sisters, who are courting him as an ally. Picard meets with Romulan commander Sela, who reveals that her time-traveling mother was Tasha Yar. But Sela rejects her human side and owes all allegiance to the Romulans. The Federation joins the fray, not to fight, but to set up a blockade using 23 ships linked by tachyon beams. Data asks for and is given a command on one of the ships in the net, but meets prejudice and resistance from a first officer who doubts the command ability of androids. Picard sets a trap but Sela avoids it and opts instead to break the net near Data’s ship. Data ignores his orders to retreat and instead cleverly exposes the Romulan ships. Cut off, the Duras clan loses the war, and Gowron assumes command. Worf chooses not to end the life of the Duras heir, and instead returns to duty on the Enterprise.

Comments

Similar to The Best of Both Worlds, there are a lot of storylines happening to keep it interesting. As second part episodes go, this one is above par. Later, Ronald D. Moore will perfect this mass storyline technique on the highly acclaimed series Battlestar Galactica.

Nits

I am assuming that a tachyon beam is narrow. So even with 23 ships forming a ‘net’, there would be huge gaps between the beams, big enough for a Romulan ship to pass through undetected. Or, if the 23 ships were close enough together to form an effective net, it would be even easier to go around the net than it already is.

Memorable Moments

•    Picard’s cool-as-a-cucumber meeting with Sela

Quotable Quotes

"I understand your concerns. Request denied."
- Data, refusing to give in to his first officer’s request for transfer on the grounds that androids aren’t fit for command