7.12 The Pegasus

Rating: 3

Picard’s reluctant attendance to spend a day with children as part of ‘Captain Picard Day’ is alleviated by an urgent change in mission from Starfleet. They join with Admiral Eric Pressman, Riker’s former commanding officer, to locate a long-missing ship, the Pegasus, before the Romulans find it. But Pressman, and Riker along with him, hide a dangerous secret about the nature of their mission.

Comments

This episode was written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by Levar Burton.

This is a solid drama based on chain of command and allegiances, typical of the scripts of Ron Moore.

Smart NextGen writers can always produce an above-par episode by writing some strong dialogue for Patrick Stewart.

A sidenote: It’s nice that they paid some tribute to the great Native American Crazy Horse by naming a ship after him.

Nits

It has been 12 long years since the Pegasus was lost. Rather than mourn the loss of the ship, why didn’t Pressman simply recreate the device? Surely the same notes and specs used to create the first device could be used again.

Memorable Moments

•    Riker imitating Picard

•    Picard grilling Riker on the events of the Pegasus mutiny. It’s amazing to see how Picard uses intonation, dramatic pauses, and variances in tempo and tone to make his questions more dramatic.

•    Picard yanking Riker out of the brig

Quotable Quotes

Picard: The judge-advocate also believes that the surviving officers are deliberately withholding vital information from this inquiry. Further investigation is recommended. Will, there was no further investigation! This report was classified and then it was quietly buried! Why?
Riker: I suggest you take this up with Admiral Pressm-
Picard: (yelling) I’m taking this up with you, Will! The judge-advocate thought that you were participating in a conspiracy to cover up the truth! Now what the hell is going on here, Will? Why did that mutiny happen? Why is Pressman so determined to find your ship 12 years later?
Riker: I’ve said all I can. I’m under direct orders from Admiral Pressman not to discuss this…sir.
Picard: Very well…He’s an admiral, I’m a captain, I cannot force you to disobey his orders, therefore…I will have to remain in the dark on this mission. And I will just have to trust that you will not let Pressman put this ship at unnecessary risk. And if I find that that trust has been misplaced then I will have to re-evaluate the command structure of this ship…Dismissed.

Pressman: I have a lot of friends at Starfleet Command, Captain.
Picard: You’re going to need them.