7.03 Interface

Rating: 2.5

Despite a report that the ship commanded by his mother is missing and presumed lost, Geordi continues with his current challenging assignment: as the living eyes and ears interface to an exploratory probe. While investigating a ship that was caught in the turbolent atmosphere of a gas giant, he finds the crew of the Ramaan dead. On a return visit, he finds one living crewmember – his missing mother.

Comments

This episode was written by Joe Menosky and directed by Robert Wiemer.

As the ‘probed’ Geordi, Levar Burton finally gets to have his big expressive eyes on camera. It makes one pause to give him even more credit at how good an emotive actor he is: for seven seasons, he has hidden his eyes and still managed to be incredibly expressive without showing them.

It seems like every senior staff member on the Enterprise has a shot at convincing Geordi that his mother is dead. I half thought that as he was walking down the hall, a couple of ensigns would yell out, "Hey, Geordi, your mom’s dead, okay? Give it up man!" J

Nits

Once again, as in the episode Second Chances, I am surprised that the information in the Ramaan’s computer cannot be extracted by some external means. Surely, by the 24^th century, remote computer access will be incredibly advanced (but then, perhaps the sophistication of security controls will also increase).

Geordi’s dad is talking about having a memorial service for Geordi’s missing mother, but Geordi tries to convince him that he is being premature. Well, he is being premature! Her ship (the Hera) has only been out of contact for 4 days! No debris has been found. Surely, her status would be ‘missing’, not ‘dead’. (This is partially explained away later, when Data states that ships in the circumstances of the Hera are statistically unlikely to ever be found).

Picard says, "Geordi. The Hera’s last reported position was 300 light years away. How could it end up here?" How about….a worm hole?

Memorable Moments

•    Geordi stopping to look at his ‘probe’ reflection in a com panel

Quotable Quotes

Riker: I just don’t like the idea of one of my best officers putting himself in unnecessary danger.
Geordi: I guess I feel like I should be the one to decide if it is unnecessary or not.

Data: I could have you confined to quarters for the duration of the mission.
Geordi: If that’s what you need to do, Data, then do it, because nothing short of that is going to stop me from trying to save my mother!

"You disobeyed my direct order. You put yourself in grave danger. I am not happy."
- Picard to Geordi