Rating: 3
A mysterious probe penetrates the ship’s shields and ‘attaches’ itself via an energy stream to Picard, rendering him unconscious. While the crew attempts to free him, and in the course of just a few minutes, Picard lives out an entire other lifetime, complete with wife and children, on an alien planet.
Comments
It’s great to see Picard in the starring role – his acting and delivery of even the most mediocre scripts is always exemplary. It’s a shame this episode wasn’t a bit better written and structured with a bit more suspense. And the basis – that the Kataanian’s culture has been saved – is not compelling, as the Kataanians are boring.
When asked what they should do about the probe, Worf recommends they destroy it. He always says that about everything; I don’t know why they even bother asking him anymore. The conversation should go more like this: "Okay, what should we do about the probe? Worf of course, thinks we should blast it out of the sky – am I right about that, Worf? – but what do you others think?"
Picard lives through about 60 real years in the space of 25 minutes. He comes away with the knowledge of what it was like to live life as a Kataanian, and he has learned to play the flute. I wonder if the Federation can harness the probe’s technology as a learning tool. Imagine cramming 5 years of training into 5 minutes!
This episode is extremely similar to the VOY episode memorial.
Nits
The Kataanian village is another ‘Trek Town’: big open square, stone buildings, no cars, no animals, no types of transportation other than foot power. Must be that ‘Theory of Parallel Development’ again.
The probe causes real problems because no one is aware of what exactly it is doing to Picard. I wonder why the Kataanians chose to use this approach – to be so aggressive in what was in the end a very benign activity. But this is a stereotypical plot contrivance throughout Trek, which I have dubbed the ‘Reverse Trojan Horse Syndrome’.
The Kataanians don’t seem to be a very advanced race. They can’t figure out a way to save themselves from disaster, and they are supposedly a pre-warp civilization. I find it difficult to believe that these people would be able to create this probe, a device powerful enough to penetrate the shields of the Enterprise and create an alternate reality in the brain of an alien!
Memorable Moments
• The matte painting view of the town from above that is afforded to Kamin/Picard after climbing the hill.
• Kamin/Picard’s ageing. Very few actors can pull off the ageing thing properly. Patrick Stewart does it subtly and well.
Quotable Quotes
"I wouldn’t have believed I needed to have children to complete my life. Now I couldn’t imagine life without them."
- Kamin/Picard
"Seize the time, Maribor! Live now! Make now the most precious time! Now will never come again."
- Kamin/Picard to his daughter (words that would come back to bite him)
i thought the worf critique was pretty funny. he is predictable.
ReplyDeletei don't think you gave this episode quite enough credit for its emotional impact. i think it speaks on different level than plain sci fi.
also, i don't think the probe was too advanced....
thanks!
Yes, this episode has more than its fair share of trek-stretched science, but this is also one of the most affecting storylines of the entire series, it’s definitely a highlight for the fifth season. The writers were so pleased with themselves that they specifically referenced its impact on Picard in the start of the following season. To be honest, after reading your review, I’m not convinced you have the emotional or intellectual depth required to fully appreciate this episode. The fact that you give it a 3 out of 5, when it is so highly regarded only further proves your ignorance. Reconsider.
ReplyDeleteWow! Are you channeling Comic Book Guy? :)
ReplyDeleteThere are many NextGen episodes that touched me deeply and emotionally. Spock's "I will consider it" at the conclusion of 'Mirror, Mirror' still gives me chills, no matter how many times I watch that episode. Likewise, Picard's "There are FOUR LIGHTS!" in Chain of Command Part 2 brings tears to my eyes. There are many other examples where Trek has elicited strong feelings from me.
For various reasons this episode did not. Maybe it is my personal bias against actors in old age makeup. Maybe I felt Picard, who is usually brilliant, was overacting slightly. Maybe there is no rational explanation - does there need to be?
Speaking of emotional depth, I find it deeply sad that you needed to question my emotional capability and my intelligence level simply because we disagree. Perhaps you could be more tolerant of those who are not in accordance with you.
Peace.
This was my all time favorite nextgen episode ever.
ReplyDeleteOkay...the weight of numbers - the many people who cherish this episode - has moved me to plan to rewatch it soon, with an open mind. I have a suspicion that watching it a second time may allow me to connect emotionally and ignore the old age makeup. I hope so anyway. More to come...
ReplyDeleteI agree with most folks; this was an atypical STNG. It was more than a SciFi show, it was a story well told. Something to make us think of the past and how far it reaches. Something to make us think of our humanity and existence.
ReplyDeleteI'm with theZoo; I also found this episode a bit boring - not inclusive enough of the rest of the cast, mostly taking place on a desolate somewhat depressing planet, more like an "after school special" than star trek. But I was also always afraid to express my opinion as so many people get so upset by it! : )
ReplyDeleteI disagree. This was such a wonderful piece of filmography
ReplyDeleteDespite being the captain of the Enterprise, there are only a few episodes that focus so directly on him. This is by far my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI think that he "aged" his character very well, and I don't think it was over-acted at all. He went very gracefully from being abducted from his life as a starship captain to eventual acceptance of his role as a husband, friend, community leader, and father. I thought the actions and emotions that he portrayed as he aged were totally believable and I got totally caught up in the story.
Sure, there wasn't as much suspense and action (Kataan really is a boring place), but I think the point of the story was maybe to see how Picard's life might have been had there been no space travel. I usually find aging makeup to be distracting, but I think it was pretty well done in this case, and his portrayal of an old man who is in turns concerned for the future and then despairing of it, crochety and set in his ways, then accepting of change for his son, was excellent. The reunions at the end of the episode, first with his Kataanian family (which made me cry) and then with the Enterprise crew were also well done.
As mentioned above, there were some scientific nits regarding primitive/advanced technology, but I was able to suspend my disbelief and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Splendidly written, HelenWheels. Now that's the way to disagree with someone! :)
ReplyDeleteI still have not re-watched this episode, but this compellingly written argument should be motivation enough.
Allow yourself the strength to feel the sadness of mortality (without delusion to mollify or deflect it); the sadness of impotence in the awareness (as finite creatures) of our insignificance in coping with galactic (and possible infinite) reality; and yet the tearful joy in appreciating that we can at least love others and do good deeds while we're here; and listen to, and be transcended by, the standalone "Orchestral Suite From The Inner Light" (6:36) by Jay Chattaway. (From the perspective of a now much older neuropsychiatrist, in practice for 48 years, who has seen, and felt, the rise and then loss, of most healthcare providers actually listening to, understanding, and speaking with patients, a pill/drug for everything, greed, income inequality, the ongoing loss of civility in the US and most of the world, continual war, the rise of hostile religious fundamentalism, and the inevitable replay, once again, of "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon and the insightful 2 volume set "The Decline Of The West" by Oswald Spengler, both utilized by Isaac Asimov in his "Foundation" series.) Perhaps not coincidentally, the 2 part "Time's Arrow" which followed this episode, dealt with much of this as well.
DeleteBeautifully phrased. Again, it is obvious that this episode has touched many hearts. Despite my experience, this cannot be ignored.
DeleteAllow yourself the strength to feel the sadness of mortality (without delusion to mollify or deflect it); the sadness of impotence in the awareness (as finite creatures) of our insignificance in coping with galactic (and possible infinite) reality; and yet the tearful joy in appreciating that we can at least love others and do good deeds while we're here; and listen to, and be transcended by, the standalone "Orchestral Suite From The Inner Light" (6:36) by Jay Chattaway. (From the perspective of a now much older neuropsychiatrist, in practice for 48 years, who has seen, and felt, the rise and then loss, of most healthcare providers actually listening to, understanding, and speaking with patients, a pill/drug for everything, greed, income inequality, the ongoing loss of civility in the US and most of the world, continual war, the rise of hostile religious fundamentalism, and the inevitable replay, once again, of "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon and the insightful 2 volume set "The Decline Of The West" by Oswald Spengler, both utilized by Isaac Asimov in his "Foundation" series.) Perhaps not coincidentally, the 2 part "Time's Arrow" which followed this episode, dealt with much of this as well.
ReplyDelete