6.01 Time's Arrow (Part 2)

Rating: 3

The crew of the Enterprise, now in the 19^th century, attempts of solve the mystery of the aliens, contact Data, and pay their rent. In the meantime, Data has trouble of his own, as his ‘invention’ has been discovered by the very resourceful and curious Mark Twain.

Comments

It’s clever writing to involve Mark Twain, the author of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (a story about ‘time travel’) as the key sleuth attempting to prove that Data is also a time traveler.

The NextGen writers/producers didn’t seem to care much about arcs and continuity, but here’s a lovely one: back in the season 3 episode Booby Trap’, Guinan tells Geordi that she’s attracted to bald men because "…a bald man was kind to me once when I was hurting. Took care of me." This episode finally explains who she was probably referring to.

Nits

In part one, the crew goes through the rift wearing their Starfleet uniforms. However, when we see them for the first time in the 1800s, they are dressed in elaborate period clothes (Riker is even wearing a policeman’s uniform and star). Where did they get the clothes? They don’t have any period money or money at all, so they didn’t buy them.

Geordi says that he has been unable to contact Data, even though his tricorder is transmitting on a range of frequencies, because the range is limited and almost anything could interfere. Just what would cause interference in the 19^th century?

The stunt double driving the coach that Data uses to pick up the crew is a good likeness. . .but it’s still an obvious stunt double.

Speaking of two of a kind, how can Data’s head exist both in the cavern in the 1800s, and on the Enterprise in the 24^th century?

When we see Data’s unattached, blown-off head, it appears dark and soiled. However, after Geordi has reattached it to Data’s body, it looks clean – just like Data’s original undamaged head. How did Geordi make this happen? And why would he spend time carefully cleaning the outside of the head, when there was urgency in just getting Data talking again?

Normally, then photon torpedoes are fired, they just fire them. However, this time, when Worf suggests that they fire photons on the cavern to destroy it, Riker tells him to fire up the photons and let him know when they are ready. Some time later, Worf says that now they are ready to fire, and he has created a firing pattern that will start in another minute. Why all the delays? Of course, it is to build dramatic tension while Geordi tries to repair Data.

In the season 1 episode DataLore, Data’s on/off switch is on his right side. In the season 2 episode The Measure of a Man, the switch has moved to his left side. Finally, here, it moves once again: Geordi reactivates Data by pressing the middle of his back.

Memorable Moments

•    I think Patrick Stewart always looks like he is happy to be out of a Starfleet uniform, and his acting here, though limited, is yet another notch above his usual.

•    This is a strange one, but I just wanted to express my appreciation to Levar Burton for his relaxed, organic style of acting. When he is working on Data’s head, he doesn’t look like he is just going through the motions. He takes the time and care to make it look like he is thinking while he is tinkering. Watch him carefully sometimes in these scenes and you’ll understand. He generally delivers dialogue the same way: relaxed and believable.

Quotable Quotes

Guinan: Do you know me?
Picard: Very well.
Guinan: Do I know you?
Picard: Not yet. But you will.

Mark Twain: Young lady, I come from a time when men achieved power and wealth by standing on the backs of the poor, where prejudice and intolerance are commonplace, and power is an end unto itself. And you’re telling me, that isn’t how it is anymore?
Troi: That’s right.
Mark Twain: Hmmm, well, maybe…it’s worth giving up cigars for after all.