7.16 Thine Own Self

Rating: 2.5

While Beverly is commanding the Enterprise on the ‘night shift’, Data’s mission to recover contaminated materials from Barkon 4 goes awry when his presence becomes known to the pre-warp Barkonians.

Comments

There’s not enough of a story about Data to fill up the entire episode, so we also get the story of Troi studying to become a bridge officer.

Any dramatic impact of this episode is lessened because, first, Data is an android, so he could have gained limited emotional impact from his experiences, and second, he has forgotten everything that happened anyway! I thought that Data was a strange choice for the writers to send down to the planet, and that the decision to have him forget everything was not needed.

Nits

I don’t follow this whole ‘night watch’ concept. Why is this considered dead time? Do attacking aliens also sleep in this supposed night time? And do all the other tribulations that the Enterprise crews encounter (like holodeck malfunctions, etc.) take a break at this time?

Barkon 4 provides yet another example of a generic pre-warp culture with a town square, and no motorized vehicles of any kind. (Obviously, there is only one reusable ‘pre-warp town’ set).

Troi decides she wants to test to be a commander, and a few hours later, she is taking the test. Wouldn’t the study period for moving up in rank take a few days or weeks at a minimum?

Why does Data move ever so slowly when he is going to dump the antidote in the town well? Of course, he is caught in the act.

Memorable Moments

•    Troi sacrificing Geordi’s life to save the ship (in a holodeck simulation, but it’s still a dramatic moment)

•    Data’s skin getting ripped off

Quotable Quotes

Data; Where is your mother?
Gia: She died about a year ago. Father said she…she went to a beautiful place…where everything is peaceful, and everyone loves each other. And no one ever gets sick. Do you think there’s really a place like that?
Data: (looking up at the night sky) Yes. I do.