5.18 Cause and Effect

Rating: 3.5

In a dramatic opening sequence, a sudden core meltdown causes the Enterprise to explode, seemingly killing everyone on board (including Picard, Riker, Geordi, and Ro Laren). We later learn that the Enterprise is exploring the Typhon Expanse, and that they are the first Federation vessel to do so. In short time, a rift opens, another Federation ships emerges on a collision course, and, once again, the Enterprise is destroyed. Unaware they are caught in a time loop, they must first discover this fact, then find an escape.

Comments

This above-par episode was written by Brannon  Braga. Sadly, however it foreshadows the choices Berman and Braga made when setting the basis for the failed Trek series Enterprise. Based on a "temporal cold war", its overuse of time warp dulled the senses (having former Baywatch writers didn’t help either).

Jonathan Frakes adds life to the script by using multiple cameras, doing more closeups than usual, and extracting just a little more from the cast through what I would imagine is a very friendly and relaxed manner of working with people.

Captain Bateson is played by Kelsey Grammar, who would go on to achieve great success as a regular cast member on Cheers, and as the star of the hit series Fraser.

Nits

During the poker game, a few oddities occur in how the game was played. My understanding of poker is – if Riker raises Crusher on the last card, then it is he who bets first on the next card. It is also strange that Riker says, "Your 20, and I raise 100." Then Crusher says, "200". But what she means is, "Your 100, and I raise you 100" because she only puts two coins in. Then Riker follows this incorrect language by saying, "Your 200…". Well, maybe they play by different rules in the 24^th century. But couldn’t they have had a real poker playing professional edit the script for accuracy?

One of the recurring nits on the Enterprise is that the crew never seems to be off-duty. In A Fistful of Datas, Picard is serially interrupted while he is in his quarters, in casual clothes, trying to play his flute. In this episode, Crusher is called away from a poker game to treat Geordi, even though there are other medical personel on duty. I know it is done to keep the TV show stars visible and involved, but it isn’t realistic.

After the third poker game, when the players (except for Data) can all predict and remember correctly which cards will be dealt, Crusher informs Picard that people are experiencing ‘déjà vu’ all over the ship. She mentions that she knew Geordi was going to come in for a checkup before he actually did, but she doesn’t mention the more impressive example – that of three players predicting card after card.