Star Trek Next Generation Review Zoo

Wil Wheaton running hot on Google Trends

2009-07-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

Wil Wheaton is at this moment ranked 19th as a search term on Google Trends, due to his appearance at Comic-Con, and the announcement that he will be guest-starring on the popular web series The Guild. Wheaton, Felicia Day, and other Guild (and Dr. Horrible) cast members and creators performed a music video at Comic-Con that was hugely popular with the live audience.

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7.25 All Good Things... (Parts 1 and 2)

2008-06-20T18:57:00.006-07:00

Rating: 4

Troi and Worf’s hallway kiss is interrupted by a frenetic Picard, still in his sleeping garments and convinced that he is slipping back and forth in time. In all time jumps, he is being heckled by a rag-tag group of humanoids that no one else can see. As he becomes more aware, he suspects that an anomaly in the Devron system may be the key. In the future, he seeks help from Geordi, Data, and Dr Crusher. The jumps are being caused by Q, who put Picard and humanity on trial in the first episode of the series (Encounter at Farpoint), and has been judging humanity and the Enterprise ever since. Judged as having failed the test of ‘usefulness’ by the Continuum, humanity has now been sentenced to death. But it is not the Q that will pass sentence; Picard’s creation of the anomaly will cause disruption to the beginning of human life on earth.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Ronald D Moore and Brannon Braga.

It’s a Braga script, so it has to have alternate realities or time travel, but Moore helps to ground it.

This is an ambitious and marvelous episode, filled with great lines and wonderful drama and action, marred only by the fuzzy logic of time travel.

Nits

Riker states that Starfleet tried to decommision the Enterprise, but that one of the perks of being an admiral is that you can choose your own ship, inferring that he singlehandedly was able to avert the decommission. In a military system, it seems unlikely that any one admiral could wield this much power.

Memorable Moments

• The bridge design of the Pasteur (Beverly’s ship)

• Picard’s wonderful delivery when he gets Worf to allow them into the Neutral Zone. Patrick Stewart jumps seamlessly from yelling to whispering, and it’s all note-perfect

• Riker’s from-below attack on the Klingon battle cruiser

Quotable Quotes

Worf: I have always found the Black Sea at night to be a most…stimuating experience.
Troi: Worf! We were walking barefoot on the beach, with balalak music in the air, ocean breeze washing over us, stars in the sky, a full moon rising, and the most you can say is ‘stimulating’?
Worf: It was…very stimulating.

"Within a matter of minutes you have accumulated over two days worth of memories."
- Dr Crusher to Picard

"It’s time to put an end to your trek through the stars – make room for more worthy species."
- prophetic words from Q to Picard

"Q’s interest in you has always been very similar to that of a…master and his beloved pet."
- Data to Picard

Worf: You have always used your knowledge of Klingon honor and tradition to get what you want from me.
Picard: Because it always works, Worf! Your problem is, that you really do have a sense of honor, and you really do care about trust and loyalty! Don’t blame me for knowing you so well.
Worf: Very well! You may cross the border. But – only if I come with you. I am familiar with the Neutral Zone.
Picard: Terms accepted.

Picard: Q? What is going on here? Where is the anomaly?
Q: Where’s your mommy? I don’t know!

"Mr Data, you are a clever man…in any time period."
- Picard

Picard: What about my crew?
Q: The anomaly, my ship, my crew, I suppose you’re worried about your fish, too. Well, if it puts your mind at ease, you’ve saved humanity – once again.
Picard: Thank you.
Q: For what?
Picard: You had a hand in helping me get out of this.
Q: I was the one that got you into it – a directive from the Continuum. The part about the helping hand, though – was my idea.

7.24 Preemptive Strike

2008-06-20T18:57:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3.5

The Enterprise responds to a distress call from a Cardassian ship under attack from Federation ships piloted by the Maquis. Ro Laren, having just recently rejoined the Enterprise, is chosen to infiltrate the Maquis because of her Bajoran heritage and her previous problems with Starfleet. But Ro may be torn between her allegiance to Starfleet and her growing sympathies for the anti-Cardassian cause of the Maquis. The cell leader of the Maquis becomes a father-figure to Ro and a strong bond forms; when he is killed by a Cardassian sniper, his deathbed wish is for Ro to take his place.

Comments

Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) guest stars, returning to the Enterprise after a stint in tactical training. Picard mentions to her that she is in good shape, and there appears to be some chemistry between them. Ro is certainly outwardly grateful for Picard’s support.

Nits

It makes for a great scene, but just why does Ro choose to be a pretend prostitute to talk to Picard in the bar? Couldn’t they have come up with some other way of getting close enough to have a quiet conversation?

Because Picard does not trust Ro, he insists that Riker accompany her on the mission by saying that he is a relative. When next we see Riker, he has been surgically altered to look like a Bajoran. We saw earlier that Ro was not immediately accepted into the Maquis until her story was checked out. Is it plausible that the Maquis would not run some kind of security check on Riker to ascertain if he truly is a relative of Ro, or can we assume that because Ro has been accepted (merely a few days ago) that the Maquis will believe anything she says without question?

Memorable Moments

• Picard and Ro’s scene of love and confrontation: Ro, posing as a prostitute, debates whether she can fulfill the mission, and Picard threatens with a court martial, all related in whispered caresses

• Picard’s steely look of anger and disappointment at the conclusion

Quotable Quotes

Admiral Nechayev: No Balarian canape this time, Captain?
Picard: I thought twice was pushing it a little.

"But I’ve known since I’ve first met you, that in your heart, you’re one of us."
- Macias

7.23 Emergence

2008-06-20T18:57:00.003-07:00

Rating: 1.5

Data’s Shakespearean holodeck program is interrupted when a steam locomotive suddenly appears and almost kills the android and Captain Picard. Soon, other events point to someone or something controlling the ship.

Comments

This teleplay was written by Joe Menosky, from a story by Brannon Braga.

The episode has a great concept (that the ship itself could spawn intelligent life), but the pacing made it feel as if they were trying to stretch out a 15 minute idea into 42 minutes. There are way too many ‘cute’ holodeck scenes.

Nits

Everyone is an expert on ancient history in this episode. Picard knows much about Shakespeare, and Picard and Crusher share trivia about the Orient Express.

Memorable Moments

• Data holding off the taxi with one hand

Quotable Quotes

"The intelligence that was formed on the Enterprise didn’t just come out of the ship’s systems. It came from us; from our mission records, personal logs, holodeck programs – our fantasies. Now, if our experiences with the Exterprise have been honorable, can’t we trust that the sum of those experiences will be the same?"
- Picard to Data

7.22 Bloodlines

2008-06-20T18:57:00.001-07:00

Rating: 4

Damon Bok, a vengeful Ferengi who blames Picard for the murder of his son and tried to kill Picard in the episode The Battle, returns in a holographic projection. He threatens to exact revenge by murdering Picard’s son, a son Picard did not know he had.

Comments

This episode shines because Patrick Stewart is given numerous lengthy lines and scenes, and he has never been better. His subtle intonations and glances can paint a thousand words.

Ken Olandt is excellent as Picard’s son, Jason. Olandt has continued to guest star in minor roles on television (through to 2004) and to executive produce many (minor) television shows.

This is a top-notch episode from beginning to end, with crisp acting by every single cast member. It’s got drama, mystery, twists, suspense…this is the closest they have come to perfection since The Best Of Both Worlds.

Nits

In the previous episode, Firstborn, the Enterprise found the time and resources to pursue revenge for Worf alone. Here, faced with the threat of murder of a boy who might be his son, Picard immediately heads for the boy’s home planet. Does Starfleet grant Captains this much leeway – to choose their missions at their whim based on personal need?

Memorable Moments

• The long, slow, talky, and completely brilliant scene, dialogue, and acting with Patrick Steward and Ken Olandt in the holodeck cave.

Quotable Quotes

Jason: If I’m not your son, is this person still going to want to kill me?
Picard: I doubt it.
Jason: In that case, you won’t mind my saying that I hope you’re not my father.

Picard: I found out that…Jason has a criminal record. It..it’s nothing very serious; it’s only…petty theft and so forth. But I can’t help feeling that if I had been part of his life then he wouldn’t be so troubled now.
Beverly: Maybe. But why waste time blaming yourself for not being there? Just be here for him now.

Picard: It looks as though we may have found out how to locate Bok’s ship. This could all soon be over.
Jason: You came all the way up here to tell me that?

Picard: Jason, isn’t there some way that I can be a father to you? My own father and I were estranged. He wanted me to stay at home and tend the vineyards, and I wanted to join Starfleet. And he died before we could come to terms with that. I regretted that all of my life. I don’t want the same thing to happen to you and me.
Jason: You don’t understand. I’m not anybody you’d want for a son. Trust me, if you knew, you knew anything about me, you wouldn’t be trying so hard.
Picard: You’re so wrong.
Jason: Oh, really?
(Picard nods)
Jason: Let me spell it out for you! I’ve been in trouble since I was a teenager. I lie, I steal, I use people. Eh-tha...I’m a criminal! That’s what your son is.
Picard: I know.
Jason: You do.
Picard: Oh yes. I know…all about your troubles with the Kerrin authorities.
Jason: You do.
Picard: It doesn’t make any difference, Jason. You’re still my son. And like it or not, I’m your father. I don’t know what that means…it means something. There’s some…connection.
Jason: Yeah.
Picard: But one thing is clear: you’ll never look at your hairline again in the same way.

7.21 Firstborn

2008-06-20T18:56:00.004-07:00

Rating: 3

Worf is disappointed when his 13 year old son Alexander refuses to begin the process of becoming a true Klingon warrior. Captain Picard suggests exposing Alexander to more of the Klingon culture by attending a festival on a nearby colony. There, they meet a Klingon called K’Mtar, who was sent by Worf’s brother Kurn to check on Alexander’s progress. K’Mtar attempts to become a mentor to Alexander, to encourage him to take the path of a warrior. But K’Mtar also hides a secret.

Comments

James Sloyan gives an excellent performance as the Klingon K'Mtar. He would later guest-star on a number of DS9 and VOY episodes.

Unfortunately, someone decided that K’Mtar would telegraph his treachery by the way he reacts when it becomes evident that the Enterprise is going to find the Duras sisters.

Although the structure of the episode is poor, there is still a bit of emotional depth achieved when we realize we are looking at a future version of Alexander. I just think they took too long to arrive at this point.

Nits

The Klingon colony is a small village with a square, and no animals, motorized vehicles, etc. (you know the drill by now). Although I must mention that some of the outdoor sets and structures are quite different than the normal village sets.

After Worf is attacked by other Klingons, why does the Enterprise become involved in tracking down his attackers? Worf states that he must retaliate, but isn’t this really a Klingon family or ‘house’ matter? Is it really suitable for an entire starship to get involved to be commandeered for this purpose?

Is Alexander truly so concerned about avoiding the death of his father that he will kill an earlier version of himself? Surely this would be considered a most dishonorable thing to do in Klingon culture.

Memorable Moments

• The moment when it is revealed that K'Mtar is actually a time-travelling Alexander

Quotable Quotes

"Someday, if you work hard, you will become a warrior, a Klingon warrior, and you will always feel safe, because you will know how to defend yourself. And I’ll tell you something else: if anyone ever tries to hurt your father again, you will be able to fight at his side and make sure nothing happens to him. What do you think of that?"
- K'Mtar to Alexander

"Yes. Lursa and Betor: big talk, small tips."
- Quark to Riker

"If this was real, he’d be dead by now."
- K'Mtar to Worf regarding Alexander (and, since they are on the holodeck, he could have said, "If he was photonic, he’d be home by now." J)

K’Mtar/Alexander: It is a futile struggle [for peace]; I cannot change things.
Worf: You have already changed things more than you realize.
K’Mtar/Alexander: The boy I was has not changed.
Worf: But I have. You have given me a glimpse into my son’s future. And I know now that he had his own destiny. And I believe it will be a great one.

7.20 Journey's End

2008-06-20T18:56:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2

Wesley Crusher comes aboard the Enterprise on a vacation from Starfleet Academy, and he is bored, arrogant, and even less likable than before. Meanwhile, Picard is ordered to use force, if necessary, to move a group of native american indians from a colony on a planet that is now claimed by the Cardassians. To Wesley’s surprise, one of the native americans claims to have foretold Wesley’s coming two years ago.

Comments

This episode was written by Ronald D Moore.

Moore does a good job of researching native american culture. It’s a typical Moore script, filled with war and the threat of war

Unfortunately Will Wheaton’s efforts to appear pensive and thoughtful always come off as ‘catatonic’. His acting has not improved and perhaps even deteriorated with time; he was marginally better when he was younger. He also improves here once he needs to show (restrained) passion for the colonists.

Nits

Need I mention that the native american village on Darvon has the familiar earth tones, open square, no motorized or wheeled vehicles, no animals, etc.?

Quotable Quotes

"What you’re doing down there is wrong. These people are not some random group of colonists. They’re a unique culture with a history that pre-dates the Federation and Starfleet."
- Wesley Crusher

7.19 Genesis

2008-06-20T18:56:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A wayward torpedo is pursued by Picard and Data in a shuttlecraft, while back on the Enterprise, Nurse Ogawa and Data’s cat, Spot, are both expectant mothers. Stranger still, Worf’s temper flares, Troi is freezing, Riker is groggy, Geordi is weak. When Worf attacks and bites Troi, it becomes obvious that some kind of viral infection may be loose on the ship.

Comments

This episode was written by Brannon Braga and directed by Gates McFadden.

Later, Braga would pen the VOY episodethreshold, using a similar concept.

The episode is aided considerably by having Data and Picard nominated to make us believe that this could really happen.

When Picard is examining the warp core, and a disfigured Barclay jumps up from below, it was the first time ever I jumped out of my skin in fear while watching NextGen.

Nits

Only on Star Trek would a humanoid (Troi) change into a lizard but keep their entire uniform on! Makes it a lot easier for the censors, anyway.

Data claims that the crew is de-evolving by using old DNA stored on introns. While it is true that introns are contained within cells, they are actually sections of RNA, and there is no evidence (at least in 2006) that they contain any residual genetic information from an earlier point in our evolution.

Data and Picard have a small disagreement about what to call the fluid in the womb of mammals. Data calls it ‘amnionic’ fluid, but Picard calls it ‘amniotic’, as do most dictionaries.

Memorable Moments

• Worf bites Troi and blinds Crusher with a venomous spray from his mouth, but that is topped by Troi as an amphibian

• Picard’s raised eyebrows when Data identifies the specific hominid into which Riker has evolved

• Most of Picard and Data’s scenes of discovery when they re-board the ship after the catastrophe

Quotable Quotes

"Captain, I believe the crew is de-evolving."
- Data

Data: I feel I must inform you, sir…you have also been infected by the Intron virus.
Picard: How long before I begin to change?
Data: According to my calculations, within the next twelve hours, you will begin to exhibit the first signs of your eventual transformation.
Picard: And what will that be?
Data: I believe you will also de-evolve into an earlier form of primate, possibly similar to a lemur or pygmy marmoset.

7.18 Eye of the Beholder

2008-06-20T18:55:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2

Lt Kwan commits suicide by jumping into the plasma flow of the warp core. Why did this officer, who up to this point had been successful and positive, take his own life? When Counselor Troi investigates, she also begins to be overwhelmed by suicide-inducing feelings of anger, rage, and depression.

Comments

The teleplay was written by Rene Echevarria, from a story by Brannon Braga. Most of what transpires in the episode is, unbeknownst to us, happening solely within Troi’s mind.

I have mentioned this before, most recently after viewing Parallels: Braga always seems to write about alternative reality. He doesn’t seem to think anything of interest happens in the real world. The problem is, I think, that for Braga, all of Trek is non-real, but for fans who live and breathe it, we see a difference between Troi’s imaginings and what ‘actually’ happens to her.

Nits

Ensign Nara doesn’t seem upset enough for someone who just recently found out that their lover has commited suicide.

After the first incident where Troi feels strong emotions while near Kwan’s workstation, Riker asks if it’s possible that some kind of empathic echo remains. Troi says, "I don’t see how." Not much later, after the second incident, Crusher suggests that perhaps Troi is seeing events through Kwan’s eyes. Troi says, "It’s possible, but I don’t see how it could have happened." For an empath, her mind seems to be very closed to possibilities in this episode.

Memorable Moments

• Troi and Worf’s unexpected romantic moments, and Troi giggling when Worf almost yells in frustration in reply to Crusher’s interrupting hail (I should have known this was going to be all in Troi’s mind and too good to be true)

Quotable Quotes

"Something must have happened to him, Counselor…something terrible, because it’s not like Dan to take his own life."
- Ensign Nara
(Yeah, because he’s never taken his own life before)

Worf: I mean, I would never want to come between you and someone you are involved with…or, had ever been involved with.
Riker: Is there someone in particular that you’re talking about?
Worf: No. Is there someone in particular you would rather I not be involved with?

7.17 Masks

2008-06-20T18:55:00.005-07:00

Rating: 1.5

While investigating a rogue comet, a sensor distortion briefly engulfs the Enterprise. Afterward, a strange sculpture appears in Troi’s quarters, and the computer system and minds of the crew are infused with a series of mysterious symbols. Further investigation of the comet reveals a hidden structure that begins to morph the ship and its system into the artifacts of an ancient culture. The structure communicates through Data in the form of multiple personalities. When Data dons a mask and takes the form of the evil Queen Masaka, Picard sees no alternative but to don the mask of the Queen’s nemesis, Korgano, and attempt to convince Masaka to let them go.

Comments

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

Menosky is usually one of my favorite writers, and this ambitious fantasy gets points only for effort and imagination, because it does not work on any level.

Nits

Picard says, "I would like to know Masaka, speak with her" – yet all Data has said so far is "Masaka is waking". He has not stated that Masaka is female.

Even for Star Trek, it’s an unusually massive stretch to believe that Geordi could figure out how to communicate the exact crytpogram to an alien computer that will create a temple.

Memorable Moments

• Robert Wiemer always manages to mix in a few atypical camera shots, such as when the camera pulls back from above to reveal Data at the fire, looking up in fear.

Quotable Quotes

"I am yours. Every part of me is yours."
- Data to Troi/Masaka

"Well, Data, you never may become fully, human, but you’ve had an experience that trancends the human condition. You’ve been – an entire civilization!"
- Picard

7.16 Thine Own Self

2008-06-20T18:55:00.003-07:00

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.

7.15 Lower Decks

2008-06-20T18:55:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

As a number of ensigns compete for promotions on board the Enterprise, one of them – a Bajoran female named Sito Jaxa – is asked to volunteer for a dangerous mission to escort a Cardassian spy.

Comments

This episode was written by Rene Echevarria.

This is a moving, well-written story focused around Ensign Seto (Shannon Fill), a Bajoran who, along with Wesley Crusher, originally featured in the episode The First Duty as one of the cadets who covered up the death of a colleague while performing a daredevil stunt.

Alexander Enberg (the Vulcan Ensign Taurik) later returned in a number of VOY episodes as Ensign Vorik.

Nits

When Taurik informs Geordi that he has discovered a possible way to increase warp drive efficiency, and that he has other ideas for improvements, why is Geordi so dismissive and slightly annoyed? Shouldn’t this kind of research and enthusiasm be treasured and nurtured?

During the ensigns card game, Ben has a King, Jack, Ten, Eight, and one card face down. Lavelle has two pairs showing, and one card face down. Even the most beginning poker player knows that there is no possible way that Ben can beat Lavelle, no matter what their respective hole cards are. Yet Ben makes a big point of anteing up, claiming that he knows Lavelle is bluffing, and Ben wins the hand! Meanwhile, the supposedly uber-intelligent Vulcan Taurik pulls out of the hand, stating some astronomically low odds chance that he can win. Taurik has Five, Four, Two, and One showing, and he knows what his hole card is, so either he has no chance of winning (he doesn’t have the straight) or he does have it, and he’s got a very good chance of winning.

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s almost mean-spirited verbal ‘dressing down’ of Ensign Seto (this is not only a fantastic scene, but is atypical of normal NextGen scripting)

• Simultaneous poker games (nice editing, and, again, atypical of NextGen)

Quotable Quotes

"If you are unhappy sharing quarters with me, then you should put in for a new room assignment…just in case you’re not promoted."
- Taurik to Lavelle

Taurik: He’s convinced Commander Riker doesn’t like him.
Ben: Why? Did you crash the ship into something?

Seto: One thing I don’t understand: doesn’t Geek-Tal mean ‘to the death’?
Worf: You speak Klingon.
Seto: Sir, is there really such a thing as a Geek-Tal challenge?
Worf: No. There is not. But perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you to protest.

7.14 Sub Rosa

2008-06-20T18:54:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2

The Enterprise visits Caldos, a world terraformed in the likeness of the Scottish highlands, to attend the memorial service of Beverly Crusher’s grandmother. A mysterious man leaves a red camilla on her grave, and it is later revealed that he was her lover. He is a ‘ghost’, a lover to a long succession of women in Crusher’s family, able to take corporeal form from time to time, and dependent on the flame from a special heirloom candle, passed down from generation to generation.

Comments

This episode was written by Brannan Braga, from a story by Jeri Taylor, and is directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Unfortunately, after the dismal failures of every other Trek episode featuring Irish or Scottish charicatures (for example, the NextGen episode Up the Long Ladder, or the VOY episode spirit folk, I got the creeps early on when a character started spouting off in a supposed Scottish accent.

One of the gravestones in the cemetary bears the name ‘McFly’, which could be a tribute to the Back to the Future movie trilogy.

Nits

Beverly asks Troi to accompany her to the house, and Troi agrees. Together, they walk out of scene. In the next scene, as Picard talks to the governor, Troi appears in the background, talking to a villager. Did she change her mind?

Early on in the piece, a man who knew Crusher’s grandmother and appeared to have some knowledge of what befell her bursts into the house without knocking and, when confronted by Crusher, proceeds to aggressively yell at her that she should douse the candle. Of course, faced with this assault, Crusher kicks him out. If he really wanted to share some knowledge, why would he take such an adversarial approach? Why not attempt to make friends first, then sit down and in calmer tones, impart his knowledge? I know why: because he is following the goofy script, and it would be a short show if he didn’t!

Memorable Moments

• Crusher’s weird solo sex scenes

Quotable Quotes

"I’m not seeing anybody. I met someone, that’s all."
- Crusher to Troi

7.13 Homeward

2008-06-20T18:54:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A distress call from Worf’s half-brother, Nikolai Rozhenko, leads the Enterprise to Boral, a planet devastated by atmospheric dissipation. Rozhenko, who was observing the planet’s native inhabitants from a hidden observation post, could not bear to watch them die, so he transported them beneath the surface and set up a deflector shield to protect them. Picard, interested only in following the Prime Directive and not interfering with any pre-warp civilizations, orders Roshenko to abandon the planet and doom its inhabitants, but Rozhenko figures out a way to clandestinely beam the inhabitants into a holodeck recreation of the caves.

Comments

It’s nice to see Michael Dorn without his Klingon makeup.

Paul Sorvino guest-stars as Worf’s half-brother, Nikolai Rozhenko. And Dobara is played by Penny Johnson, who would later appear in numerous DS9 episodes as Cassidy Yates.

Nits

If you check my review of the episodesCode of Honor,Justice,Angel One,Symbiosis, and Pen Pals, you’ll see I am of the opinion that the Prime Directive is an extremely flawed concept that causes any number of problems when used as a plot device (and, unfortunately, it has been used and re-used many times). In short, the Prime Directive states that there should be no interference with pre-warp civilizations. So let me get this straight as it applies to this episode. Because the Boralans are a pre-warp civilization, Starfleet should simply watch them die as their planet self-destructs. But, if the Boralans had developed warp drive (but, for some reason their fleet of ships were disabled or otherwise unavailable), Starfleet would rescue them without a second thought. Does it seem fair to maintain such a strong prejudice toward pre-warp civilizations? Who benefits from this?

If you have ever seen the interior dimensions of the holodeck when it is portrayed as the ‘grid’, you’ll know it is not that big. So is it believable that a group of people could be led around the holodeck on a journey through caves and not be aware that they were in a confined space? For another discussion of this nit, see the review for the episode Ship in a Bottle.

Why doesn’t Worf volunteer to go back and search for the missing chronicle scroll? This would have ensured that Vorin did not have a chance to see any holodeck technology.

At the end, why does Worf take the Chronicles? Don’t they hold extreme significance to the Boralans?

Memorable Moments

• Vorin’s death by suicide: I was so sure they were going to tie up this loose plot point with a neat thread.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: I know things must look very strange to you, but everything’s going to be alright. No one’s going to hurt you. We’re friends of Nikolai and Worf. Don’t be afraid.
Vorin: Nikolai?
Troi: Yes. He’s my friend. That means you are too. I promise, I won’t hurt you.
Vorin: Please! Help me! [pause] Where am I?

7.12 The Pegasus

2008-06-20T18:54:00.003-07:00

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.

7.11 Parallels

2008-06-20T18:54:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Worf returns alone via shuttlecraft after winning a batleth tournament, and, after an unexpected birthday party, begins to experience unusual changes in his environment. People appear and disappear, memories fade, and his first place tournament trophy suddenly becomes a ninth place one.

Comments

Once again, writer Brannon Braga seems unable to come up with any script ideas that are not based on some type of alternative dream, timeline, or reality. Doesn’t anything interesting ever happen in real time on his version of the Enterprise? Still, there are enough nice touches here and more of an emphasis on character development than usual.

Nits

It seemed lenient of Dr Crusher to allow Worf to remain on duty, even after he has admitted to being conflicted about his recent memories. Sure enough, soon after that, he ends up endangering the ship by zoning out as the Cardassian ship attacks.

When Worf hails the Enterprise, his is pleased to hear Picard answer. This confirms that he is back in his own reality. But why is Picard answering hails?

Memorable Moments

• Troi kneeling on the bed, giving husband Worf a neck massage

• Worf looking good in red

Quotable Quotes

"Because it is my birthday, I assumed that you or one of the others would try to mount an unexpected social gathering."
- Worf

Troi: That would make my mother your stepmother.
Worf: I had not considered that…it is a risk I am willing to take.

Data: I am not privy to the exact details of when, where or how your first coupling took place. I could investigate it.
Worf: No, that is alright.

7.10 Inheritance

2008-06-20T18:53:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2.5

When the planet Atrea 4 is in danger of destruction due to solidification of the molten core, two Etrian scientists board the Enterprise to discuss strategies for averting a planet-wide disaster. One, a human female named Dr. Juliana Tainer, appears to know Data, although he has no memory of her. Surpringly, she claims to be Dr Noonian Soong’s wife and Data’s ‘mother’. Their reaquaintance and friendship proceeds well until Tainer reveals that she purposely abandoned Data on Omicron Theta, fearing that he would turn evil like his brother Lore.

Comments

Strangely, this is the second show in a row where an alien planet is in an environmental-type danger, and a male and female from that planet board the Enterprise to explain the situation.

There’s a nice reference to Data’s daughter Lal, seen in the entertaining third season episode The Offspring.

When debating whether or not to tell Dr Tainer that she is an android, would there be any advantage to creating a hologram of her, and then tell the hologram to see what her reaction might be? A variation on this technique seemed to work pretty well with Leah Brahms in the episode Booby Trap.

Nits

When Data and Dr Tainer beam down to the cave for the final time, Tainer steps onto the transporter wearing shoes with heels. When she materalizes in the cave, her heels have disappeared and her shoes are flat.

When the rocks under Dr. Tainer collapse in the cave, Data looks around, then squints in a distinctively non-android way. I think it was a little slip-up on his part that the director didn’t notice.

Bladerunner aside, surely an android would know it was an android. I mean, wouldn’t your forehead get itchy one day, and you scratch it, and a panel opens with blinking lights, and you say, "Hey! What’s that?"

I’m surprised that the decision on whether or not to tell Dr Tainer that she is an android rests solely with Data. Wouldn’t this be a decision that should be made by her doctor? And are there any laws regarding disclosure to a patient that must be followed here?

Memorable Moments

• Brent Spiner does a great job of adding tiny subtle comic movements to his character (like when his mother assumes that Troi is Data’s lover), without appearing to move outside the boundaries of being an android. Spiner also does a fantastic job of playing his own father, Noonian Soong, all fitted out with some very nice ageing makeup. He presents the character with a different voice and look. There is little similarly between Soong and Data. It certainly gives you more appreciation for how restrained Spiner has to be in the Data role.

Quotable Quotes

"Well, the one thing that we couldn’t anticipate was that you didn’t seem to mind about being, um…naked. Some of the colonists objected to having an anatomically correct android running around without any clothes on. Oh, we asked you to dress. But you didn’t feel it was necessary because you didn’t suffer from the elements! We actually had to write a modesty subroutine to get you to keep your clothes on!"
- Dr. Tainer

"I do not know for certain, but I believe it is during my creative endeavors that I come closest to experiencing what it must be like to be human."
- Data

7.09 Force of Nature

2008-06-20T18:53:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The disappeance of a medical transport ship in an area of space known as the Hekaras corridor leads the Enterprise to an alien civilization that believes warp drive has the potential to destabilize vast regions of space.

Comments

In Phastasms, Data tells Worf that Spot prefers Feline Supplement 25. In this episode, Data orders Feline Supplement 221 from the replicator and Spots digs in greedily. It’s not really a nit, just an observation; Spot may very well have changed her mind since then.

Nits

I’m not going to try to work out the numbers here, but suffice it to say that there are ‘issues’ with the Enterprise being able to transport the crew of the Flemming while maintaining warp speed. There just isn’t time.

Picard asks Worf, "Is everyone off the Flemming?" Worf replies, "The last of the crew has beamed aboard, sir." Why the long-winded answer from the usually succinct Worf? Wouldn’t a simple, "Yes, sir" have conveyed the same information?

Memorable Moments

• Sarova’s beautiful subspace rift

Quotable Quotes

Geordi: I’ve got an idea. How ‘bout a phaser; a low stun setting at just the right moment might do the trick.
Data: Geordi! I cannot stun my cat!

Riker: Data, what if we forced an EPS discharge through the impulse reactor. Would that be enough to get us out of here?
Data: I do not believe so, sir. And the resulting explosion would likely destroy the saucer section in the process.
(Got any other great ideas, Riker?)

7.08 Attached

2008-06-20T18:53:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

When Crusher and Picard beam down to negotiate entry into the Federation with the Kes people, they are hijacked and captured by the Kes’ xenophobic rivals on the same planet, the Prit.

Comments

Out of nowhere, NextGen pushes Picard and Crusher’s character arc to deal with the simmering feelings they have had for years. Although nothing is resolved, the direction, tension, and dialogue is mature and effective.

This episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Nits

When Picard enters the cave and finds the temperature hot, he removes his jacket and casually tosses it away. This is a huge mistake when on an away mission, especially since later he and Crusher will end up having to sleep overnight in the open air.

Ahhh…it’s so great to see Picard and Crusher join the select ranks of Those Who Can Outrun Fireballs!

Picard says, "The transceivers…Loren said they would align themselves to our psi-wave patterns." How does he know the Prit security minister’s name? He met her, but she never said it.

When Picard and Crusher emerge from the cave, they carry on a jaunty and very loud banter, while walking upright and making lots of eye contact with each other. Wouldn’t it be more prudent to keep low and quiet, and constantly look around? After all, they are fugitives on an alien world!

After measuring that the border is 2 kilometers away, a unknown amount of time passes while Picard and Crusher move toward the border. In the next scene, they have stopped for the night to make a campfire. Exactly how long is it taking them to walk 2 kilometers? Even if the terrain was extremely rough, they should have been able to do it in a couple of hours. Then Beverly says she is going to go to sleep because they have a lot of ground to cover!

Virtually every campire that ever burns anywhere in a movie or television scene will have a few sticks over the top, but is obviously being fed by a concentrated gas or other combustible from underneath…and Picard and Beverly’s campfire is no exception.

When Beverly walks away from Picard to go to sleep by the fire, it appears that she gets far enough away to make them both nauseus…yet they have no side effects this time.

When Beverly lays down to sleep, she puts her head just a few inches from the wood fire. Generally,wood fires throw a steady stream of sparks out and these could easily ignite her hair or clothes (of course, this fire seems to be burning completely spark – and smoke – free). Picard then lies down and puts his head even closer. Based on the size of the fire, his head should be almost burning at this point.

Memorable Moments

• The beginnings of desire as expressed by Picard to Beverly after he spends some time reading her thoughts

• The entire Picard/Crusher campfire dialogue scene is a beautiful thing, as is their final scene together

Quotable Quotes

Crusher: Well…think about Earth. What if one of the old nation-states – say Australia – had decided not to join the world government in 2150. (Crusher, sounding an ominous warning about Australia’s future?)

Riker: This is ridiculous. You’re beginning to see conspiracies everywhere. We were invited here by the Kes. Why would we align ourselves with the Prit?
Ambassador Morek: Indeed! Why?
Riker: Ahh. You can believe what you’d like. We’re going to find our people with or without your help!
Ambassador Morek: Then I believe it is time for us to be leaving the Enterprise.
Riker: Fine. Make sure you take all this junk with you.

Crusher (to Picard): Why didn’t you ever tell me you were in love with me?

Picard: So now that we’ve had this unique experience what do we do?
Crusher: What do you mean?
Picard: You know exactly what I mean.
Crusher: No, I don’t. The implants have been removed, remember?
Picard: Now that we know how each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings.
Crusher: Or perhaps we should be afraid.

7.07 Dark Page

2008-06-20T18:53:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2

Deanna Troi’s mother, Lwaxana, boards the Enterprise to facilitate communication with the Cairn, a race of telepaths. But her telepathic work appears at first to be causing problems with specialized areas of her brain.

Comments

Majel Barrett guest-stars in her recurring role as Lwaxana Troi.

One of the ongoing highlight of watching NextGen is the periodic appearance of famous female actresses when they were still children. This time, it’s Kirsten Dunst.

Norman Large (Maques) has appeared in a number of NextGen and DS9 episodes. In this role, he looks a bit like Gary Busey.

Marina Sirtis’s acting has improved throughout the series. Here, with her mother’s health threatened, she is understated, concerned, and effective. Director Les Landau also adds a large number of extreme closeups of Deanna’s face. Unfortunately, Majel Barrett’s role is a difficult one and she’s way outside her range, coming off as no better than a second-rate soap opera star, which takes away from the success of the episode. She’s much better suited to lighter themes, but I give her credit for trying.

The final of season of NextGen has often turned to exploration of the inner workings of the mind. Geordi channels the thoughts of a probe in Interface. Picard and Geordi walk through Data’s dream in Phastasms. And now, Deanna explores Lwaxana’s mind in an effort to reveal the cause of her mother’s trauma.

Nits

How is Maques just able to walk into sickbay? Do these telepaths have the ability to break locks? And that brings up a security issue: how do you stop a telepath from accessing someone’s mind? Doors don’t stop brain waves.

Wolves don’t really attack humans…but I suppose this is happening inside a mind, so anything is possible.

Memorable Moments

• All of Deanna Troi’s dramatic moments are well-played and tear-evoking.

Quotable Quotes

Maques: Your mother told me of your need.
Troi: Need?
Maques: Husband. You need a husband. I need a wife.

7.06 Phantasms

2008-06-20T18:52:00.006-07:00

Rating: 3

Data’s exploration of his dream program causes concern when he becomes obsessed with the imagery, and when he misses appointments due to oversleeping. Amid ongoing problems with installing a new warp core, Data’s dream begins to haunt him, invading his waking states and causing hallucinations. Does the recurring dream appearance of three men wearing 1840s gold prospecting clothes have some basis in reality?

Comments

This episode was written by Brannan Braga and directed by Patrick Stewart.

This basic premise was recycled in the VOY episode scientific method.

Braga’s approaches too often rely on alternative realities, time travel, and dreams. For some reason he seems unable to write a story based in the real world, and yet that is where the truly exciting and real events happen. This story is better than his norm, intertwining dream and reality and building a nice character arc into Troi and Data’s characters.

After Data stabs Troi, Picard confines Data to his quarters. It was nice to see that he is escorted there by not one, not two, but three security guards, one of whom is Worf. This is a logical precaution for dealing with Data’s physical strength.

Nits

When Data was settling in for his nap, I found myself wondering, why have bed pillows gotten so small in the future? Data (and others) have these single tiny pillows that look almost useless. Is this the awful terror that awaits us? J

Riker says, "Data also saw a straw coming out of my head, and then Beverly found an organism in the same place." True, the straw was coming out of Riker’s head at the exact place where Crusher found the organism. We the viewer know that because we were there when Data had the dream. However, there’s one little problem. Data told Riker he saw a straw coming out of Riker’s head. He never said or indicated exactly where the straw was coming out. So how does Riker know it’s the same place?

Here’s a wide-ranging nit caused by creative technobabbling writers: When Troi’s shoulder exhibits a bruise or rash, Crusher pulls out something called an interphasic scanner and then discovers the organisms living on everyone. But here’s the catch: if you were aware that there were other planes of existence only visible with specialized technology like an interphasic scanner, wouldn’t you try to incorporate that technology into everyday life? Would you just go on, day to day, viewing things with human eyesight, while still fully aware that you could be seeing a wider range of pheomena with that interphasic scanner that you never use? Or would you use it on a regular basis to perform more systematic and wide-ranging scans?

Memorable Moments

• The close-up of Data’s face, and his subsequent android-like subtle movements, when he wakes up

• Worf’s ‘plate of the future’, on which he eats a piece of cellular peptide cake in Data’s dream, is pie-shaped (a logical idea, actually)

• Troi as a cake is an image I will not soon forget, especially after Data slices into her

• Data, repeatedly stabbing a knife into Troi’s shoulder as she screams

Quotable Quotes

Data: May I ask a personal favor?
Worf: Yes.
Data: Would you take care of Spot for me?
Worf: Your animal.
Data: I am afraid if I have another waking dream, I may injure him.
Worf: Or course. (yelling) Spot! Come here!
Data: Unlike a canine, Spot does not respond to verbal commands. Goodbye, Spot! (pause) He will need to be fed once a day. He prefers Feline Supplement number 25.
Worf: I understand.
Data: And he will require water. And you must provide him with a sandbox. And you must talk to him, tell him he is a pretty cat, and a good cat.
Worf: I will feed him.
Data: Perhaps that will be enough.
Worf: Achoo!
Spot: Meow!

Picard: Mr Data, what kind of cake is this?
Data: It is a cellular peptide cake.
Worf: With mint frosting!

Data: I wonder…what would Dr Freud say about the symbolism of devouring oneself?
Troi: Data! Sometimes a cake is just a cake!

7.05 Gambit (Part 2)

2008-06-20T18:52:00.005-07:00

Rating: 4

Picard as Galen uses every opportunity to plan a possible mutiny against Baran, aided by Tallera, who has revealed her true identity as the Vulcan security officer T’Paal. Picard uses an encouter with the Enterprise to to relay their flight plan in an encoded message. When a raiding party of mercenaries, joined by Picard and Riker, board the Enterprise , Picard ‘kills’ Riker in front of the others, who leave him behind. Riker, only stunned, then brings the Enterprise to Vulcan, where a confrontation with Tallera ensues.

Comments

Part two follows along with part one and keeps to the same high standard. The mythology angle adds more depth to the Vulcan culture.

The extremely tall Klingon from the shuttlecraft is played by USA basketball star James Worthy.

Nits

When Riker punches Picard in the face, Picard hits the ground, and, from behind, we can see he is holding his hand on his face and feeling his nose or cheeks. When the shot cuts back to the front view, both of Picard’s hands are at his side.

It appears that Baran can target any single member of the crew with his pain device, simply by pressing the same button. In part one, I thought he was actually aiming the device at crewmembers to pain them. But in part two, he threatens to use the device on Riker while he is aboard the Enterprise. So how does that thing work so specifically with that one button?

This plot revolves around the fact that Baran needs Picard’s expertise to examine the artifacts. Yet whenever we see Picard examining the articfacts, all he does is stick it on a scanning platform and tell the computer to begin scan. Even when the articfact they are looking for is found, the computer announces the match. True, Picard might have been necessary originally to program the computer to scan accurately, but why is he needed now?

Memorable Moments

• Picard using his knowledge of archaeology to defeat the villain

Quotable Quotes

"You will tell me who you really are, and what you’re doing on this ship, or I will kill you right here."
Tallera to Galen/Picard

Troi: (regarding Riker) He’s alright. He’s only stunned.
Data: I must admit, I am experiencing a similar sensation.

7.04 Gambit (Part 1)

2008-06-20T18:52:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

Investigating the disappearance of Captain Picard, all the evidence and eyewitness accounts point to his death at the hands of mystery aliens. But further investigation leads the Enterprise to the mercenary aliens, where Riker is captured and finds that Picard is very much alive and is masquerading as a mercenary named Galen.

Comments

Robin Curtis, the Romulan mercenary, previously starred as the Vulcan crewmember Saavik in the third and fourth Trek films. She’s plays the Romulan effectively, with a slight edge, and very unlike her more measured performance as a Vulcan.

Sabrina Le Beauf (Ensign Giusti) played Sondra Huxtable on the comedy TV series The Cosby Show.

That’s a decent cliffhanger ending, with Riker succeeding in getting the Enterprise to drop her shields, and then Picard firing phasers and hitting the nacelle.

Nits

Early on, Riker states that because Crusher has positively identified Picard’s DNA, that "…there is no doubt he is dead." So because there is some DNA and an unconfirmed account of a weapon discharge from an alien, Picard is definitely dead?

Arctus Baran has a New York accent. Is that regional accent so pervasive that people will still have them in the 24^th century? J

Memorable Moments

• In the opening bar scene, Crusher looks cool wielding a phaser and wearing an unusual leather beret

• Riker looks like he has either lost some weight or tightened his girdle

• After Riker is captured by the mercenaries, Picard (as Galen) argues vehemently that Riker has no value and should be killed now. He even offers to do it and begins to move toward Riker (without a weapon). This makes no sense, until we see that Picard has also rigged the ship to fail and for set up Riker to save it. Now Riker is seen as having little value as a Starfleet officer hostage but great value as a mercenary member of the crew. That’s a clever little twist, and what’s nice is that it’s subtle (it isn’t explained at all, you just have to decide that’s what’s going on)

• Data looks and acts very cool and confident while commanding the Enterprise

Quotable Quotes

"I explained to him that I am looking for a man that impregnated your sister."
- Worf to Riker

Alien: You’ll like this. The man [Picard] got what was coming to him. When they knocked him down, one of them took out a weapon. He was vaporized!
Troi: He’s telling the truth!

"You still wish you’d killed me?"
- Riker to Picard/Galen (after Riker saves the mercenary ship)

Picard/Galen: Baran wouldn’t last five minutes as captain if he didn’t have that control device.
Tallera: That almost sounds like a prelude to mutiny.

7.03 Interface

2008-06-20T18:52:00.001-07:00

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

7.02 Liaisons

2008-06-20T18:51:00.004-07:00

Rating: 3.5

As part of a cultural exchange with the Iyaaran people, Picard embarks with Voval to visit their homeworld, but their ship is forced to crash land on an M-class planet, injuring Voval in the process. Meanwhile, Wolf is assigned to attend to the rude and demanding Ambassador Byleth.

Comments

This episode has the feel of TOS – the simplistic approach to first contact.

As the episode progresses, Voval sounds more and more like Robert Stack narrating Unsolved Mysteries.

Nits

Riker complains to Worf that he will have to spend the next three days escorting the Iyaaran ambassador around the ship. In the next scene, however, Byleth says, "Yes, the next seven days should prove most illuminating." (Maybe that’s Iyarran days?)

Picard and Voval are thrown from their seats in the shuttlecraft, which once again begs the question: why are their no safety harnesses in these craft?

Picard, ready to go for help, tells Voval, "Try to stay conscious", then takes off. Is there no first aid kit on this ship with some medicine that could be administered to Voval to help him?

I truly dislike the contrivances that writers and directors will conspire to place into scripts – situations that just never happen in real life – like Troi speaking to the Ambassador while walking down the hall by herself, unaware that he has turned off into a corridor to investigate his first child-sighting. Would Troi really continue talking to him if he had been walking behind her? Would he even have been able to hear her if this had been their positions? No…and no.

Voval says, "Captain, this ride extends for a kilometer in either direction." ‘Captain?’ It seems unusual that Voval would address Picard in that manner – he sounds almost like a crewmember.

Memorable Moments

• There’s a subtle shot of an alien silhouette dragging the unconscious Picard’s body away after he is knocked out by a plasma burst.

• Worf beating the stuffing out of the Iyarran ambassador

Quotable Quotes

"Klingons do not procrastinate! It is a – tactical delay."
- Worf to Riker

Worf: I do not see why it is necessary to wear these – ridiculous uniforms.
Riker: Protocol.
Worf: They look like – dresses.
Riker: That is an incredibly outmoded and sexist attitude. I’m surprised at you. Besides, you look good in a dress.

Data: How is your diplomatic assignment progressing?
Worf: Fine!
Data: I have heard that in moments of diplomatic tension, it is often helpful to find elements of commonality.
Worf: Ambassador Byleth is…demanding, temperamental, and rude!
Data: You share all of those qualities in abundance. Perhaps you should try to build on your similarities.

Byleth: (to Geordi) You! Are you smarter than this one? (referring to Worf)
Geordi: Why do you ask?

"You are an insulting pompous fool! And if you were not an ambassador, I would disembowel you right here!"
- Worf to Byleth

Picard: Ambassador, I have to tell you that in my culture, what you have done would be considered a crime.
Voval: Crime?

7.01 Descent (Part 2)

2008-06-20T18:51:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

As Data and Lore prepare to use Geordi as a test subject in perfecting their race of all-conquering androids, Riker and Worf are captured by a clandestine group of Borg, led by Hugh (refer to the season 5 episode, I Borg), hiding from Lore’s control. When Geordi figures out a way to reboot Data’s ethical subroutine, Data is able to break free from Lore’s brainwashing. Faced with another attack by Lore, and realizing he is too evil, Data deactivates him.

Comments

This episode was written by Rene Echevarria. This follows an unusual trend where part two of episodes are not necessarily written by the same person or people as part one.

This is a great concept – that the introduction of individuality into the Borg collective caused wholesale anarchy and a legion of servants looking for someone to serve. It’s very much like the situations in Central Europe and the Middle East, where attempts to dispose of dominant rulers have left a vaccuum of leadership easily filled by the next despot.

In the final scene, Data prepares to destroy the emotion chip used by Lore; when granted with emotions, he almost permanently damaged his best friend Geordi. But Geordi saves the chip.

Nits

According to Lore, the Borg named Hugh, implanted with the idea of individuality, returned to his ship and ‘infected’ the other Borg, causing the crew of that one ship to wander aimlessly with no purpose. Why didn’t this problem also spread to the entire collective? I thought the point of sending Hugh back with the concept of his own individuality was to change the entire Borg hive, which is interconnected.

When trying to escape, Picard yanks a Borg’s facial tube out and the Borg collapses on the ground in pain, unable to move. Too bad they didn’t try this technique a few episodes back, when they would just fire a phaser at appraching Borg with no effect, then run away.

It’s contrived that Picard could rip a little piece of equipment off a Borg, then reconfigure it to send the exact type of pulse they need to reboot Data’s ethical program. I’m surprised Picard can even see the inner workings of this thing, which is only about 1 inch by 2 inches, and manipulate the inner workings using a finger. And why would Data be programmed to boot with a pulse anyway?

Memorable Moments

• When Lore dies, his pupils disappear slowly, the way the picture used to fade slowly to a dot, and then to nothingness, on televisions.

Quotable Quotes

"The reign of biological life forms is coming to an end. You Picard, and those like you, are obsolete!"
- Lore

Geordi: (to Picard) See if you can locate the phase modulation circuitry.
Troi: I’ll watch the door.
(Troi gets all the hard jobs ;))

"I need to know I can count on you. As proof, I want you to kill Picard."
- Lore to Data

6.26 Descent (Part 1)

2008-06-20T18:51:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3.5

The Enterprise encounters a new breed of emotional, bloodthirsty Borg, intent on killing, defending their comrades, and attacking outposts. While killing a Bord in hand-to-hand combat, Data experiences anger, and then pleasure. When a Borg is captured alive, he is able to manipulate Data to help him escape. The Enterprise follows, and Picard, Troi, and Geordi are captured by Data and Lore, who have joined together to lead these new Borg into battle.

Comments

Teleplay by Ronald D. Moore, from a story by Jeri Taylor.

This episode follows the arc started inI, Borg, where the Enterprise implanted the idea of individuality into a captured Borg drone.

This is a part one end-of-season cliffhanger episode.

Nits

When Data is fighting the Borg, the stunt double sequences are easy to see.

Picard says, "Well it may turn out that the moral thing to do, but not the right thing to do." I believe that line should have been, "Well it may turn out that the moral thing to do, was not the right thing to do."

It must be something with this episode, because after that, I could swear I hear Geordi say, "Dato, what exactly is it that you’re doing here?"

I don’t understand why Picard would send down almost everyone to the surface of the planet to conduct a search when he has no idea what danger may be down there.

Memorable Moments

• The episode opens with Data having a card game on the holodeck with holograms of Sir Issac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking. In a nice touch, the real Stephen Hawking guest cameos as a hologram of himself!

• The matte painting of Ohniaka 3 is not exceptional, but it is augmented by animated clouds effects over the top just to keep you guessing. However, it has been used quite a number of times before in previous episodes to represent other, unrelated places.

• Captain Crusher being placed in command of the Enterprise.

Quotable Quotes

Riker: It was more like fighting Klingons than Borg…no offense.
Worf: None taken.

Data: If was just after I had killed the Borg. I looked down at his body…I felt something!
Troi: If you had to give this feeling a name, what would you call it?
Data: I believe…it was…pleasure!

"Mr Worf, acknowledge the signal from New Berlin, and transmit another copy of Starfleet’s Ship Recognition Protocols, and tell them to read it this time!"
- Picard

"Klingon! Shatter cranial exoskeleton at the tricipital lobe! Death is immediate…Human! Sever spinal cord at third vertebrae, death is immediate."
- Borg Kronis

Kronis: If it meant that you could feel emotions again, the way you did on Onioca 3, would you kill your friend? Would you kill Geordi?
Data: Yes! I would!

"The sons of Soong have joined together! And together, we will destroy the Federation!"
- Data

6.25 Timescape

2008-06-20T18:50:00.006-07:00

Rating: 3

While commanding the Enterprise, Riker receives a Romulan distress call, and heads to that area of space to investigate. Meanwhile, as Picard, Data, Geordi, and Troi are returning to the Enterprise from a conference, Troi notices that her three crewmembers suddenly and briefly become frozen in time. Further incidents and investigation reveals a temporal rift intersecting the ship, with many other rifts within the area. Careful manuevering gets the shuttle back to the rendezvous coordinates, where they find the Enterprise, frozen in battle with a Romulan warbird.

Comments

This episode was written by Brannon Braga and directed by Adam Nimoy (son of Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on TOS). In this episode, as well as in Cause and Effect, Braga was already starting to show a propensity for using time travel in his scripts. Braga’s scripts also tend to be complex, plot-heavy, and completely plot-driven, rather than character-driven.

That’s a great idea: temporal narcosis, similar to deep-sea narcosis, and Geordi’s suggestions to avoid it – to limit the length of the trip, and to stick together – is similar too.

This episode has similarities to the TOS episode Wink Of An Eye,where five Scalosians move among the Enterprise crew in accellerated time.

Nits

For the most part, the ‘frozen’ crewmembers do a great job of both looking frozen and remaining motionless, but there still are a few slight wobbles.

At one point, Picard reaches for a bowl of fruit that is in a temporal anomaly, and the fingernails on his hand grow. However, if you look carefully just before this happens (when he is using the console and walking toward the fruit), you can see that his fingernails are already long on that hand.

When Data’s tricorder causes time to move forward and then back, Troi remember bits of the conversation between the Romulans, and Geordi is the one who notices a Romulan in a new location. Why doesn’t Data notice anything? Shouldn’t be able to remember all these things easily?

Shouldn’t the being that attacked and almost killed Geordi be placed in the brig, or some kind of cage or force field, even though he is unconscious? It seems risky to have him lieing around in the middle of the runabout.

After Data fails to prevent the initiation of the data transfer beam, a crewman informs him that it cannot be turned off. This seems ridiculous. Why can’t it be turned off? What will happen?

When Data is talking to Riker about watching the kettle boil, he uses at least two contractions. He is not supposed to be capable of doing this.

Memorable Moments

• Picard does an amusing impression of a lecturer with a monotonous voice

• The still visual image of Crusher’s stomach disintegrating while being hit by a phaser.

• Picard drawing a smiley face in the cloud from the warp core breach, then giggling uncontrollably

• Data’s look at the suddenly boiling kettle after he turns off his internal chronometer

Quotable Quotes

Geordi: He’s notororious, but he really is an expert on interspecies mating practices.
Data: Did you help him with his research, Counselor?
Troi: Absolutely not.
Data: I thought it was a topic you were interested in.

Riker: Captain?
Picard: It’s going to take a little time to explain, Number One.

Data: I’ve been testing the aphorism, ‘A watched pot never boils’. I’ve boiled the same amount of water in this kettle 62 times. In some cases, I have ignored the kettle. In others, I have watched it intently. In every instance, the water reaches its boiling point in precisely 51.7 seconds. It appears I am not capable of perceiving time any differently than my internal chronometer.
Riker: Well, why don’t you turn it off?
Data: Sir?
Riker: Data, people do not have internal chronometers. Why don’t you see what happens if you turn yours off?
Data: Thank you, sir. I will try that.
Riker: Just don’t be late for your shift.

6.24 Second Chances

2008-06-20T18:50:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3.5

Eight years ago, Riker barely was able to transport off of the Potemkin and out of a distortion field. Now, when the Enterprise returns to the Potemkin to recover data left behind, the away team discovers a man who looks like – and claims to be – William Riker.

Comments

The episode was written by Rene Echevarria and directed by Levar Burton.

Some of the shots are blocked nicely, and slight camera movements add some flair without being overly distracting.

Jonathan Frakes does a commendable job playing two roles here. He creates subtle differences in the two characters, and we believe they are truly two different people. It’s also a great idea – to have Riker re-appear, with all the feelings about himself and Troi intact from eight years ago! The writers can therefore explore what is essentially a different timeline for the same character.

It’s good to see that even on Trek, they fall into place with all the major movie/tv cliches. For example, when Troi gets on top of Riker and starts kissing him, you know he will roll her during the kiss so that he is top of her!

There’s a simple solution to this romance problem between, Riker, Riker, and Troi: run Troi through the transporter and create a copy of her! Then everyone is happy!

Nits

This data must be very important – and needed in a timely manner – since they are willing to risk the life of a crewman to get it eight years later. Can’t they use some kind of mobile wireless connection to tap in? They seem to be able to tap into alien’s computers easier than this one! Or how about beaming the entire computer core up to the Enterprise, and then working on it there?

After being isolated and abandoned on a planet, perhaps Lt Riker should receive counseling before being sent back into duty.

Obviously, there are some serious questions about the feasibility of creating two Rikers from one transporter pattern, even within the Trek universe. They try to explain it away with technobabble, but it’s a little unclear.

On the first away mission with both Rikers, the Commander grabs the Lieutenant and spins him around. Only one problem; the red-sleeved arm doesn’t seem to be quite attached to Commander Riker’s body! (This must be related to the way this dual-image shot is composed).

There’s an obvious stunt double for Riker hanging from the dangling bridge.

Memorable Moments

• In the opening scene, Troi and Crusher look very good, all dressed up and bopping to Riker’s jazz music.

• Riker and Riker having a meaningful, well-written little discussion about their father.

Quotable Quotes

"I know it’s been a long time since we’ve been together, and I know your feelings have changed. Mine haven’t."
- Lt Riker to Troi

Crusher: Deanna, just because things turned out the way they did between you and Commander Riker, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t let things between you and Lieutenant Riker take their own course.
Troi: I knew you’d encourage me.

Data: Lieutenant, I am curious about something. If you met a double of yourself, would you have difficulty interacting with him?
Worf: I think so.
Data: Why?
Worf: I am not easy to get along with.

"Perhaps it is more a matter of seeing something in your double – something you do not like in yourself."
- Worf, explaining to Data why the Rikers are not getting along

6.23 Rightful Heir

2008-06-20T18:50:00.003-07:00

Rating: 4

Obsessed by the question of his own spiritual Klingon beliefs, Worf journeys to Boreth, where Klingon true believers await the return of Kahless, to discover the depth of his own spirit. But his vision quest produces not an image of Kahless, but a real Klingon who claims to be Kahless.

Comments

This episode was written by Ronald D. Moore, from a story by James E. Brooks. Moore once again expands the Klingon culture with this well-written episode. The main concept (cloning) seems blasé nowadays, but in 1992, this would have been an innovative and original idea.

Kevin Conway is excellent as Kahless.

Nits

The Kahless clone tells Worf that he appeared to him in a vision at age 3. It’s true; Kahless did appear – but how does the clone know this?

Memorable Moments

• All scenes with Worf, Gowron, and Kahless are well-written and well-acted.

Quotable Quotes

"When I saw the power of their beliefs, I began to question the strength of my own, and I found it…wanting."
- Worf

"Do not forget that a leader need not answer questions of those he leads. It is enough that he says to do a thing and they will do it. If he says to run, they run. If he says to fight, they fight. If he says to die, they die."
- Kahless

Worf: A clone! He is a clone!
Kahless: What…is a clone?

Kahless: Join with me, Gowron. Let us usher in this new era together!
Gowron: Vorkah…noooo…hach! Kahless!

6.22 Suspicions

2008-06-20T18:50:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Beverly Crusher faces a court-martial for her role in bringing together a number of scientists to explore a Ferengi scientist’s working model of a metaphasic shield capable of withstanding a sun’s corona. The T’Karian scientist Jo’Bril dies as the result of a shuttle accident while testing the shields. Soon after, the Ferengi scientist Reyga is found dead from what appears to be a self-inflicted wound. But Crusher believes he was murdered. Her unwillingness to drop the investigation causes her to perform an illegal autopsy on Reyga, and she is removed from duty.

Comments

Although Joe Menosky (one of my favorite Trek writers) penned this episode, it is a little too obvious that the killer of Reyga is the supposedly dead T’Karian. However, because I did see this episode once before (albeit 13 years ago), I could possibly have some memory of this twist in my brain. Nonetheless, the possible effectiveness of the Agatha Christie-style murder mystery is stunted by poor pacing and Gates McFadden’s mediocre acting.

This was Whoopi Goldberg’s last appearance in the television series.

Nits

When Reyga and Crusher walk down the hallway together early in the episode, he keeps rubbing his shoulder against hers. This seems like it would be a provocative invasion of her personal space, and a form of (sexual) harassment. Why doesn’t she tell him to maintain some kind of distance? Even stranger, when they get in the turbolift, he gets in first, then she stands, touching his shoulder. Again, this seems odd for two people in a non-intimate relationship. Maybe something is going on between the two of them that we don’t know about!

It’s inexcusable that Jo’Bril dies as a result of the shuttle test. Why would anyone send a manned shuttle to test the shields when an unmanned probe could have been rigged up to do this? Surely in the 24^th century they have remote controlled craft that could do this – they have them in the 21^st century! And where is Geordi in this episode? This seems like something he and Data could have put together in a couple of hours.

Why is Crusher even attempting to treat Jo’Bril if she obviously has no medical and anatomical knowledge of the race? She expresses surprise at the K’Taran’s organ-free internal structure, which infers that she has not even seen a representation of this in a medical textbook or database. Of course, if she had some of this knowledge in advance, the whole mystery might have been solved a lot earlier too.

At one point, Crusher admits to herself that investigating a murder is more difficult than she thought. Very true, and it makes me wonder why she is running the investigation, rather then Worf, the security officer, or Data, who often performs that sort of role

When Crusher is removed from active duty in this episode, she still parades around wearing her Starfleet uniform. Is there some way a crewperson can identify that she should be denied normal clearance, and that any orders she gives should be ignored?

Memorable Moments

• Crusher blowing a hole straight through Jo’Bril

Quotable Quotes

"Thank you Doctor, this looks like a great racket, but…I don’t play tennis. Never have."
- Guinan, revealing that she was only visiting Crusher to help her through a difficult time

6.21 Frame of Mind

2008-06-20T18:49:00.007-07:00

Rating: 2.5

On route to Tilonus 4 to work undercover and free hostages, Riker rehearses the role of an insane man accused of murder for Beverly’s play. He begins to suffer headaches, to feel people are staring at him and to see a new crewmember on board, observing him. When he completes the play and takes his final bow, he finds that he is not on board the Enterprise, but instead is being held captive on Tilonus, where a doctor is attempting to convince him that his life in Starfleet is merely a delusion. But is he on Tilonus? Or he is merely hallucinating the scenes of torture?

Comments

This episode was written by Brannon Braga.

The story combines elements of the episodes Chain of Command (where Picard is held prisoner and tortured) and Future Imperfect, where an alien being creates a fantasy world for himself and Riker. However, it falls short, lacking the clever twists of Future Imperfect and Picard’s acting in Chain of Command.

Riker gets ‘A’ for effort as he extends himself in the role of a crazy man.

Nits

After Riker performs the play and attacks a lieutenant, Crusher examines him in sick bay. He is still agitated and believes that he was injected with drugs, but Crusher checks him out, simply tells him that he is fine so he should feel fine, and sends him on his way. How about asking that he stay in sick bay for 24 hours of observation?

Riker shoots himself with a phaser to prove it isn’t real. How about aiming it at a wall?

Keep in mind that most of what happens in this episode is in Riker’s head, so it becomes impossible to nitpick it.

Quotable Quotes

"This could be a sign that you’re a real actor!"
-Troi to Riker

6.20 The Chase

2008-06-20T18:49:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

Picard’s former archaeology professor, Galen, makes a surprise visit with a gift of a rare Kurlan artifact, and an invitation to join him on a year-long expedition. Picard regretfully turns him down. Soon after, Galen is killed when his shuttlecraft is attacked by Uridians. Desparate for answers, Picard foregoes his Starfleet obligations and hops from planet to planet, pursuing clues regarding Galen’s death and research.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Joe Menosky and Ronald D Moore, and directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Any episode featuring Picard is going to be a notch better, and this is an ambitious effort, featuring death, Klingons, Romulans, phaser fights, use of Picard’s long-standing archeology arc, and an allegiance to the optimistic outlook on the future. Nonetheless, the structure and flow somehow lets the overall episode down; any dramatic tension is limited.

Norman Lloyd (Professor Galen) is a prolific veteran movie and television character actor whose first listed appearance in the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) is from 1939.

Salome Jens (the humanoid progenitor) would later play a female shapeshifter on a number of DS9 episodes.

Nits

When Data says, "We are approaching the Loren system," his lips say another word, not ‘Loren’. Possibly, he says, ‘Kurlan’, since this star system is referred to as the Kurlan system earlier.

Early on, when Galen invites Picard on his expedition, Picard asks how long it will take. Galen says, "If I had complete diplomatic access, and a starship, perhaps a matter of weeks." Well, Picard managed to do it in one episode! Maybe Picard should have made that career decision to be an archaeologist!

Memorable Moments

• Data besting the Klingon at B’hat G’oul

Quotable Quotes

"I had a father, but he was like a father who understood me. And he had his own children but they didn’t follow in his footsteps, so I was like the son who understood him."
- Picard, explaining his relationship with Galen

"My upper spinal support is a poly-alloy designed to withstand extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenite and duranium."
- Data, explaining to the Kligon why that head butt was not such a good idea

Romulan: Captain, our ships are leaving orbit for Romulan space. Until our next encounter.
Picard: Until then.
Romulan: It would seem that we are not completely dis-siimilar after all; in our hopes, and in our fears.
Picard: Yes.
Romulan: Well, then, perhaps…one day.
Picard: One day.

6.19 Lessons

2008-06-20T18:49:00.003-07:00

Rating: 5

A relationship between Picard and Lt Commander Daren, an intriguing stellar cartography expert, poses a problem when command decisions have to be weighed against a growing love.

Comments

Wendy Hughes (Daren) is refreshingly relaxed in her role. She’s an established dramatic actress with high credentials, and Patrick Stewart must have been happy to get a chance to work with her (and vice versa; their chemistry is excellent). She delivers her dialogue with natural changes in pacing that make it feel unrehearsed and realistic. She’s also well-cast here; it’s believable that Picard would be attracted to an intelligent, confident, somewhat haughty woman, although his overreactions of joy do seem just a tad out of character.

Once again, the arc of Picard’s Ressican flute-playing experience is worked into the script. In fact, he shares his Ktan ‘experience’ with Daren in a very moving scene. These little touches of continuity are highly appreciated by dedicated watchers of the series.

This is the second Picard-heavy episode in a row, and I say, keep ‘em coming, because I could listen to this guy deliver dialogue all day.

Director Robert Wiemer adds a few unusual camera locations and angles, and varied lighting, and we are grateful that he moves the camera occasionally too.

As in Birthright, Part 2, this is another adult relationship handled with mature dialogue. It’s as if a switch has been flicked lately in NextGen, because up until recently most adult relationships were treated very childishly.

Writing, directing, use of classical music, and excellent acting…I wish all episodes were as good as this one.

Nits

In this age of high-tech ways of adjusting components, it seems outrageous that Daren needs complete silence and lights out to manually ‘eyeball’ an adjustment. Why doesn’t she just get Data to do it?

In the scene where Daren and Picard are playing a duet together in his quarters, when Picard is improvising the more tricky part on the flute, his hands look twisted at an odd angle, and the angle of the flute has changed from pointing downward (in scenes where we can see it is definitely him playing) to pointing parallel to the floor. My guess would be that someone else is lieing down in front of him, reaching up to finger the flute correctly for him. Patrick Stewart also seems to be having a little trouble keeping a straight face, which might have something to do with this.

Memorable Moments

• There’s a nice zoom-out shot of Daren and Picard playing a duet in the Jefferies tube. Cut to Engineering, where Geordi hears the music. The music stops, and we suspect why – but don’t know for some time until we see they are kissing.

• The golden light and the approaching storm as Daren and the perimeter team work on the ravaged planet.

Quotable Quotes

Daren: I’m trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we’ll be able to predict the configuration of a star system that won’t be formed for another two million years.
Picard: A long time to wait to see if you’re right.
Daren: I have a few things to do between now and then.

Picard: The Enterprise encountered a probe that had been sent from the planet before it was destroyed, and it scanned me, and I lost consciousness…and…in the space of twenty-five minutes, I lived a lifetime on that planet! I had a wife, and…and children, and a grandchild! And it was absolutely real to me! And when I woke, all that I had left of that life was that flute that I’d taught myself to play.
Daren: Why are you telling me this?
Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me. And what it means to me to be able to share it with someone.

"I’ve lost people under my command, people who were…very dear to me, but never…someone I’ve been in love with."
- Picard to Daren

6.18 Starship Mine

2008-06-20T18:49:00.001-07:00

Rating: 4

The Enterprise is docked at the Remmlar array, undergoing a routine procedure to remove baryon particles. Picard makes a last minute trip back to the supposedly deserted ship to grab his saddle for horse-riding, but instead finds that those people assigned to install baryon equipment are still there and are planning on sabotaging – or stealing – the ship. Meanwhile, the remainder of the senior staff is held hostage on the array.

Comments

Tim Russ (Devore) is one of the people from the array assigned to install equipment for the baryon sweep. A few years later, he would become regular cast member Tuvok on VOY.

Any episode featuring the great delivery of Patrick Stewart is always a notch above the rest.

Nits

Toward the end of the episode, when Picard enters Ten Forward with two terrorists, he walks across a blue strip on the floor. The strip has nothing on it. After he crosses, the terrorist behind him walks over the strip. The strip now magically has four small globs on it that explode when the terrorist steps near them.

Memorable Moments

• The prosthetics for the multi-nostriled alien. If you like to pick your nose, this is the race for you!

Quotable Quotes

"Mr LaForge, I cannot excuse my entire senior staff! Mr Worf beat you to it."
- Picard, vetoing LaForge’s attempt to avoid Commander Hutchinson’s small talk

Devore: You’re Starfleet! You won’t kill me.
Picard: You sure?

6.17 Birthright (Part 2)

2008-06-20T18:48:00.007-07:00

Rating: 4

Captured and forced to stay within the prison, Worf learns that the Romulan jailer Tokath sacrificed his career to keep these Kligons from being slaughtered by the Romulan government. He even took a Klingon wife. Unimpressed, Worf still attempts to escape; when this fails, he begins to influence the younger Klingons with his tales of Kahless and his demonstrations of Mak’tah (a Klingon form of Tai Chi). As the young Klingons learn more and more about their culture, Worf’s influence causes too much trouble for Tokath, and he sentences Worf to death.

Comments

Part two is written by Rene Echevaria, whereas part one was written by Brannon Braga.

This second part is more interesting. There are numerous gray areas in the tale of captured Klingons, disgraced by their mere capture, deciding to spare their families honor by remaining hidden and feigning death. Into their midst comes Worf, bringer of true Klingon culture. The younger ones thirst for this. Some people have expressed the opinion that Worf was in the wrong. He happened upon a colony where Romulans and Klingons were living in peace and he disrupted it. My opinion is this is not a colony. This is more of a prison or a cult – it is still run by Romulans, and the only reason the young Klingons are there is because they have been lied to.

The love interest between Vayel and Worf is one of the better examples of a relationship written in an adult manner, which is somewhat rare on Star Trek.

There’s something extremely weird about this two-part episode – the thread of Data dreaming is not carried over – or even mentioned – in the second part!

Nits

When I reviewed the VOY episode initiations, I commented that the Kaizon’s practice of allowing the victorious apprentice warrior to kill his young competitor would surely cause half of their potential warriors to be eliminated. Here, I have a similar comment about the Kligon’s practice of condemning anyone who is captured. Surely it is of more value to the Klingons to accept these people back. Captured warriors, properly clothed and fed, present a logistical and financial problem for those who capture them, so these prisoners are not useless.

Memorable Moments

• There are many, but Worf’s scenes with Tokath are the best.

Quotable Quotes

"You are not allowed to leave the compound? Then I suppose I will not be seeing you at the pond again."
- Vayel, the young Klingon woman, to Worf, sad that he will not be perving at her anymore

"Tonight, as we came home, we sang a song of victory – a song known only to me as a lullaby. But it is a warrior’s song! Bak da tu moh. Fire streaks the heavens! Sho ja tu mo! Battle has begun!"
- Toq

"And what about Toq? I saw what happened to him when he caught the scent of his prey on the wind. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful and that is what he has been denied living here! And that is what you have tried to take away from him! Now you may be content to sit here in the jungle and wither to old age, but Toq and the others have tasted what it is to feel truly alive, and they will not give that up now!"
- Worf to Tokath

6.16 Birthright (Part 1)

2008-06-20T18:48:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

While the Enterprise is stationed at Deep Space 9 to aid the Bajorans in implementing a system of aqueducts, Worf receives news that his father – believed dead for 25 years – may be alive. Working on information sold to him by a Yridian, Worf finds the prison location, but the Klingons there seem unwilling to leave. Instead, they take Worf prisoner, fearing he will bring others if they let him go.

Meanwhile, an accident shuts Data’s positronic brain down completely for a few moments, yet in those moments, he has what seems like a dream of his father, Dr Soong.

Comments

Alexander Siddig appears as Dr Bashir. Bashir later became a regular cast member on DS9. He is billed here as ‘Siddig El Fadil’.

This episode aired about two months after the premiere of DS9. It served as cross-promotion, and made use of the DS9 sets.

Nits

This is so typical of TV shows in general and Trek in particular, but when Worf harasses the Yridian into agreeing to take them to the Romulan prison camp, Worf just walks away. They don’t set a time, and Wolf still doesn’t really have any ‘contact information’ for this guy.

After a commercial break, I was surprised to see Worf and the Yridian walking together on the prison planet’s surface, until I realized this would only have been scripted so they could avoid any landing/beaming special effects.

I found it shocking that Geordi would help Data to recreate the accident that caused him to have a dream. After all, it seemed to almost destroy his brain.

It’s very difficult to catch, but near the end of the episode, when Data and Bashir are walking down the hall together, Bashir’s shoes start off as black boots and change to what look like white sneakers.

Memorable Moments

• Star Trek has so few moments of cinematic imagination, so I must mention that out-of-character bird perspective as Data, in his dream, flies out into space through an Enterprise window and views the ship from overhead .

Quotable Quotes

"Would you like to talk about what’s bothering you, or would you like to break some more furniture?"
- Troi to Worf

"You’re right that machines can’t have hallucinations. But then, most machines can’t grow hair."
- Bashir to Data

6.15 Tapestry

2008-06-20T18:48:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2.5

After an attack by aliens at a conference, Picard life functions cease. He finds himself in an area of great light, where he is greeted by none other than Q, who informs him that he is dead. It was Picard’s artificial heart that caused his death in this circumstance. This articficial heart is in use because during his undisciplined youth, Picard took on three Nausicans and was stabbed. Q offers Picard a chance to correct the choices he made in his youth, but when Picard succeeds, he find that in the present, he is safe, but his rank has been reduced to ensign.

Comments

The storyline of Picard’s encounter with the Nausicans was first introduced in the second season episode Samaritan Snare.

In the TOS episode The Enemy Within, a transporter malfunction splits Kirk into two separate beings, dividing his personality into a gentler half, and an aggressive, ‘evil’ half. He learns that without these two halfs together, he no longer possesses the ability to properly command a ship. He needs the aggressive, selfish side. Picard learns something similar here. His willingness to take chances led to an appreciation for every moment in life. Without that, he would have been happy with a safe existence.

Memorable Moments

• Picard waking up in bed with Q

• The unusually high level of acting in the supporting cast of Picard’s youthful friends

Quotable Quotes

"Welcome to the afterlife, Jean Luc. You’re dead!"
- Q’s greeting to Picard

"It’s a beautiful story. It gets you (taps chest) right here, doesn’t it?"
- Q, egging Picard on about his telling of the night when he was stabbed by a Nausican

6.14 Face of the Enemy

2008-06-20T18:48:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Troi awakens to find herself made up as a Romulan. She has been cast in the role of a feared Tal Shiar officer, to aid in the defection of a high-ranking Romulan official – the first in what Commander Spock hopes will be a long series of Romulan defections.

Comments

After Troi’s only line in the previous episode was, "Concerned", it was nice that she got a starring role in this episode. Marina Sirtis handles it well, appearing believable as a tough Romulan secret agent, yet showing compassion to Nvek when they speak privately.

Nits

If the underground could enter Federation space (at the conference) and kidnap Troi, why didn’t they just use this opportunity to drop the dissidents off as well?

Rather than jeopardize the entire mission by kidnapping a possibly unwilling Federation officer, why not send some kind of coded message from Spock to Starfleet first, explaining the mission and requesting a volunteer?

It’s perhaps unbelievable on some level that the sensitive Counselor could truly be tough enough to pull off this mission.

Memorable Moments

• The evocative music in the opening scene, filmed almost in darkness, as Troi slowly moves toward a mirror and a light.

• The appearance of Troi as a Romulan, and the reaction of the bridge crew to this sudden surprise.

Quotable Quotes

Romulan Commander: Why should we go to the Caleb sector? It’s virtually deserted!
Troi: Because those are your orders!

6.13 Aquiel

2008-06-20T18:47:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

When the Enterprise investigates the disappearance of two Starfleet officers assigned to repairs on a relay station near the Klingon border, all they find are the possible remains of one officer, and her pet dog. Geordi becomes familiar with Aquiel, the missing female officer, by watching her video logs. When the local Klingon patrol find her alive in her shuttle, Geordi becomes her friend and defends her against the accusation that she is a murderer.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore, from a story by Jeri Taylor.

Levar Burton (Geordi) once again deserves a round of applause for how cool, calm, and convincing he is when delivering dialogue, from the toughest technobabble to the softest declaration of love.

Nits

In a pivotal scene, the dog Mora starts playfully grabbing Geordi’s pants leg. Geordi, trying to do some work, gets annoyed and yells at Mara to stop. Mara walks away and turns into a poorly animated blob of gold, then begins to attack Geordi. Two questions arise: Are the writers trying to say that Geordi’s unwillingness to play was the catalyst for the coalescent to begin its attack? And, if Rocha also turned into a blob before attacking Aquiel, wouldn’t she remember this? Conveniently for the plot, it seems a coalescent attack also brings with it a loss of memory, otherwise Aquiel would have remembered a blob, and the show would have been over in ten minutes.

Another point about Attack of the Blob: there were a couple of moments when Geordi had the opportunity to tap his communicator and say, "Emergency! Security to my quarters!" But for some reason he didn’t.

Quotable Quotes

Riker: I think you’ve let your personal feelings cloud your judgement.
LaForge: I’m not the one making judgements.

6.12 Ship in a Bottle

2008-06-20T18:47:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

A holodeck character of Professor Moriarty, originally recreated from the Sherlock Holmes novels four years ago by Geordi as a challenging foe for Data, claims to Barclay that he has been ‘alive’ in memory, waiting for a promise from Picard to free him from his holodeck prison. He punctuates a holodeck meeting with Picard with a surprise; he is able to leave the holodeck due only to sheer force of mind. Although he promises to live a life free of criminal activity, he quickly demands that the holodeck-created love of his life also be allowed to exist outside the holodeck, and when he requests are not met, he takes over the ship.

Comments

I don’t mind the holodeck as a source of entertainment, but, like many other trek lovers, I am kind of tired of holodeck plots where the deck or its characters threaten the entire ship.

Nits

Picard demonstrates to Moriarty that he will vanish if he tries to leave the holodeck by grabbing a holo-book and tossing it through the exit. It vanishes just as it would if it left the holodeck. Keep in mind, however, that it has not left the holodeck. Moments later, Moriarty walks through the same exit and does not vanish. Granted, Moriarty has control of the holodeck and has reprogrammed it, but just how would he have accomplished this sleight of hand?

Picard tell Moriarty not to leave the holodeck because he will cease to exist. Isn’t Moriarty a computer program that is stored somewhere and could simply be ‘restored’?

Just how do these holodeck simulations work? The actual physical space is quite small, and we see that a larger space can be simulated only with realistic backdrops on the walls. So certainly one could believe that they were on any part of the Enterprise at any one time. But when Data, Picard, and Barclay were on the Enterprise simulation, what would happen if they walked down a hallway longer than the room? Wouldn’t they realize pretty quickly that they were inside a confined space?

Quotable Quotes

"…all this might just be an elaborate simulation running inside a little device sitting on someone’s table."
- Picard, acknowledging the fact that, "It’s only a TV show"

6.11 Chain Of Command (Part 2)

2008-06-20T18:47:00.001-07:00

Rating: 5

Picard is subjected to brutal mental and physical torture in the belief that he possseses knowledge of Federation defense plans in the sector. Meanwhile, Riker is relieved of duty when he questions Jellico’s decision to turn down an offer by the Cardassians to return Picard to the Enterprise if Starfleet will leave the sector.

Comments

As I alluded to in the review of Chain of Command Part 1, all of the sub-plotting is mere window dressing for the powerful scenes between Gul Madred and Jean-Luc Picard. These brutal scenes of mental and physical torture feature perhaps the best acting of the entire series.

Nits

It isn’t good practice for torturers to allow their chidren to see them at work, or to tell stories about how they had their arms broken by bigger boys who stole their food. Madred invites his daughter in, and though the scene is effective at showing how warped Madred is, it also gives Picard someone to attack (verbally). Likewise, Madred’s story about his vulnerability as a child gives Picard an opening. It’s likely the writers wanted to let Picard land some blows, even though in most torture situations these chances would not exist.

Memorable Moments

• Picard getting the upper hand on Madred.

• Riker getting the upper hand on Jellico.

• Picard’s final defiant words to Madred brought tears to my eyes.

• The subtle nods and looks that accompanied Picard’s return to the bridge – the way he makes an almost imperceptible nod to Troi to let her know he wants to talk to her in his ready room, and the way Troi looks at Riker.

Quotable Quotes

"From this point on, you will enjoy no privileges of rank, no privilege of person! From now on, I will refer to you only as…human! You have no other identity!"
- Gul Madred to Picard

"Her belly may be full, but her spirit will be empty."
- Picard to Madred, regarding his daughter

Madred: Shall we begin again? How many lights?
Picard: What lights?

"There…are…four…lights!"
- Picard’s final words to Madred

6.10 Chain of Command (Part 1)

2008-06-20T18:46:00.006-07:00

Rating: 3.5

The threat of an insurgence by the Cardassians causes Starfleet to reassign Picard, Worf, and Crusher to a clandestine spy mission, and to appoint Captain Jellico to command the Enterprise. Jellico’s strength is his experience with the Cardassians, but his weaknesses include his lack of social skills and his over-the-top pushing of the crew to work round the clock.

Comments

When this episode first aired, its contrived script would have been less copied and more acceptable. But what are the odds that by simply designing a theta-ray-based weapon, you could have any reasonable chance of snaring Picard, who is an expert in this area? Surely there are many people in Starfleet who would have knowledge of theta rays.

In addition, Picard is painted as angelic and brave, while Jellico is brusque, incapable, and unfit for command. The contrast could have been subtler and it might have been more interesting. It’s a shame, because in reality, this contrived plotting simply clouds the central strong point – the powerful scenes with Gul Madred (David Warner) and Patrick Stewart.

Nits

So why have an older Starfleet Captain and a doctor been chosen for a hazardous and physical undercover mission? Wouldn’t there normally be highly trained specialists (like SWAT teams or Marines) that could be used for this purpose?

When the away mission begins, Picard finally reveals that their purpose if to see if the Cardassians are developing a metagenic weapon. Metagenics are biological weapons that attack DNA, killing every living thing on a planet, then disintegrating, leaving buildings and machinery intact, and the world safe. Worf ponders that a metagenic weapon would pose as much a threat to the attacker as to the target. Crusher responds that this is why they were outlawed years ago. Does this seem right? Are they saying that if someone could come up with a safe delivery system that would ensure the attacker was protected, metagenics would be made legal?

You say tomato…Picard and the Ferengi pronounce Solok as "so lock", but Crusher says, "so luck".

When they are about to rappel, Picard says, "This is sheer granite. We’ll have to use fusing pitons." The granite they climb down, however, doesn’t look sheer at all – there any many nooks and crannies. Also, granite is one of the most easy to climb surfaces, due to its roughness.

Quotable Quotes

"In this room, you do not ask questions. I ask them, you answer. If I am not satisfied with your answers, you will die."
- Gul Madred to Picard

6.09 The Quality of Life

2008-06-20T18:46:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A scientist, driven to perfect and prove the merit of a new particle fountain mining technology, builds a series of devices called exocomps designed to perform work tasks. But when one exocomp malfunctions, Data’s examinations lead him to believe that they may be sentient life-forms.

Comments

Hello, Hewey, Dewey, and Louie! These exocomps look and act an awful lot like the drones used by Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) in the movie Silent Running. And in what may be a tribute to the same movie, one of the three drones dies here as well.

Crusher believes that beards are an affectation, but Riker, Worf, and the newly bearded Geordi do not. Crusher wagers that if she wins the current poker hand, the three have to shave. If she loses, she will dye her hair brunette. Unfortunately, Picard summons senior staff to the bridge before the hand can be completed.

This episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Nits

Why is there such a contrived rush to evaluate the partical stream mining technology? There is no impending emergency, and I don’t think the minable elements are going anywhere. Yet it seems a decision must be made within 48 hours.

Memorable Moments

• The realization that Data has disobeyed orders and locked the transporter to protect what he believes are sentient beings.

Quotable Quotes

"It was the most human decision you’ve ever made."
- Picard to Data on his decision to lock the transporter and stop the exocomps from being used as torpedoes against their will.

6.08 A Fistful of Datas

2008-06-20T18:46:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

Geordi runs a test program designed to allow Data to provide backup to key Enterprise systems in case of an emergency. However, a power surge causes Data’s programming to become jumbled with normal ship’s programming. The replicators produce Data’s special cat food concoction rather than human food; the script for Beverly’s play is replaced with Data’s poetry, and – worst of all – Worf and Alexander’s innocent ‘ancient West’ holodeck scenario turns lethal when copies of Data invade and the safeties are turned off.

Comments

This episode was directed by Patrick Stewart. It’s a fun episode, although perhaps not as much fun as some earlier holodeck adventures.

Troi is good and looks like she is having fun as ‘Durango’, the mysterious stranger.

In a nice gesture toward continuity, Picard has continued and improved his flute playing, a skill he first acquired while in the grip of an alien probe in the episode The Inner Light. Another small piece of continuity: Data’s clever poem about Spot, which he read in the episode Schisms, turns up here again as the replacement script for Beverly’s play.

Nits

In a scene meant to generate a small bit of humor, Picard is in his quarters, apparently off-duty, trying to practice his flute playing. He is interrupted quickly and numerously by various members of the crew. My question is: wouldn’t this be considered a very strong invasion of privacy? None of the issues were emergencies or required immediate action. Can’t someone take some time off from their work without the fear of being constantly interrupted whenever anyone has a question?

Of course, many nitpickers will not be amused by yet another episode where the holodeck malfunctions and endangers the life of one or more people. However, I have stopped to reconsider this point. Currently, many people enjoy leisure activities that are extraordinarily dangerous (rock-climbing, sky-diving, base-jumping, speedboating, etc.). It isn’t completely illogical to believe that a place like the holodeck could exist in the future. Some people probably use it quite innocently to play chess against a holo-master or debate philosophy with holo-Sophocles, but others will take risks. So I’m okay with any episode where the holodeck endangers the lives of a couple of people…but I’m still not okay when a holodeck malfunction could cause the entire ship to be destroyed. Then we need to reevaluate whether we need this basically non-essential system.

Memorable Moments

• The Ennio Morricone-style harmonica music during the shootout scene

• The Enterprise riding off into the sunset

Quotable Quotes

"…Anyway, I’m not much of an actor."
- Picard, turning down a role in Beverly’s play

Worf: What is our function here?
Alexander: You are the sheriff. I am the deputy.
Worf: So…we are in law enforcement.

"Y’all must be mistaken."
- Data, slipping into a drawl

6.07 Rascals

2008-06-20T18:46:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3.5

An energy wave and a transporter malfunction turn the bodies of Picard, Ro Laren, Guinan, and Keiko O’Brien into those of 11 year old children – although their minds are still intact and adult. Unable to perform their usual duties or function normally in adult relationships, they suddenly become valuable when Ferengi marauders take over the ship.

Comments

This is a fun episode. It’s a shame to give a child actor all the Picard lines, when one of the major benefits of watching NextGen is hearing Patrick Stewart reciting dialogue, but it still works. There are some major problems with the episode (such as it’s unbelievable that adults could be shrunk down to child-sizes) but I’m okay with the science fantasy episodes if they are entertaining. And Riker’s contrived ineffectiveness under attack was another area that could have been improved. Still, there are enough memorable moments to make it rate highly.

Nits

When the shuttlecraft is being rocked by the energy wave, Picard moves from side to side vigorously, Ro Laren is thrown forward and backward vigorously, and Keiko sort of rocks gently from side to side. Are they all in the same shuttlecraft, experiencing the same forces, or what? It almost looks like each of them are making believe they are being knocked around. J

Another thing about the shuttlecraft: who designed those two seats in the second row? Picard and Ro sit in more conventional seats at consoles. These have high backs and side armrests and provide some support and a way to balance during turbulence. But Keiko and Guinan sit on these little pads with no armrests and no backs! In the event of an impact, they are going flying into the nearest wall.

I wonder why Guinan just hung around with Ro Laren, rather than returning to 10-Forward to tend bar. No one would have minded if she continued to do this.

Why is it so easy for the Ferengi to beam onto the Enterprise? Wouldn’t/shouldn’t there be very strong security protocols to prevent this?

I suppose the Ferengi didn’t notice that little John-Luc was wearing the four pips of a commanding officer. Maybe they thought it was an Acme I-Can’t-Believe-That-Kid-Isn’t-Captain Play Uniform that he was wearing.

Memorable Moments

• Riker making side glances at little Picard in the turbolift.

• Beverly asking little Picard to relinquish command. This is one of Crusher’s best scenes so far.

• The tension and discomfort between Miles and Keiko

• Little Picard bursting in and calling Riker "daddy". And a strange coincidence: Riker’s son was also called Jean-Luc in the alien-created fantasy from the episode Future Imperfect.

• Picard slowly running his hand over his bald head just after he is transformed back to his adult self (somehow he manages to evoke wistfulness in that gesture)

Quotable Quotes

Miles O’Brien: Of course you’re my wife, but you’re also ten years old!
Keiko O’Brien: Beverly said it’s actually closer to twelve.

Computer: Hello, I’m the Classroom Computer System. What can I do for you today?
Little Picard: Computer, display Interior Security Grid.
Computer: I’m sorry I can’t do that. Would you like to play a game?

"That’s the wonderful thing about crayons. They can take you to more places than a Starship."
- Guinan to Little Ro Laren

6.06 True Q

2008-06-20T18:45:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A young human woman, gifted in the sciences, boards the Enterprise to learn about various systems on the ship. It is soon apparent that she is also gifted in telekinesis. Soon, Q arrives, claiming the young woman is a Q and must join the Continuum.

Comments

Olivia D’abo plays Amanda, the Q girl. She is (dare I say it) very Qute. J She has maintained a successful career in movies and television, with perhaps her most noted role being that of ‘Karen’ in the television series, ‘The Wonder Years’.

When Picard finds out that Amanda’s parents were killed (on Earth) by a tornado, he expresses surprise that the tornado was not neutralized by something called the ‘Weather Modification Net’.

Although this episode is not awarded a star for being above average, it still deserves a slight mention, as it contains many clever Q lines.

Nits

Where is Counselor Troi in this episode? It seems that she would be ideally suited to speak to Amanda about her worries, and yet, for some reason, Crusher takes on the role of counselor. In fact, it very much appears as if Crusher’s dialogue was originally written for Troi.

Memorable Moments

• At one point, Q turns Crusher into an Irish Setter. This is a strange coincidence, as I used this very same dog breed to insult her acting abilities just a few episodes ago (in The Next Phase).

• Picard and Q’s scenes are always well written and well-acted. Although I didn’t write it up in quotes, there’s a wonderful scene where Picard makes one of his impassioned speeches railing against something that Q is planning to do, and at the end, Q says something like, "Picard…sometimes I think the only reason I come here is to listen to your wonderful speeches." And I have to agree; it’s one of the main reasons I watch. Patrick Stewart has beautiful diction and a lovely way of giving meaning to even the most trivial and poorly written dialogue. And when he gets some well-written lines…look out!

Quotable Quotes

"Crusher gets more shrill with each passing year."
- Q to Picard

Picard: Very well, I will introduce her to you, but we cannot argue in front of her like this, we must appear to be-
Q: (Putting arm around Picard) Pals?
Picard: Civil.

"Well, if it isn’t Number Two."
- Q to Riker

6.05 Schisms

2008-06-20T18:45:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Riker experiences fatigue, stress, and the feeling that it is time to wake up moments after his head hits the pillow. Soon he finds that his feelings of being trapped and invaded have been shared by other crewmembers. Piecing together their memories, they realized they have been abducted and experimented on by aliens who have entered through a sub-space rift.

Comments

This is a nice little mystery, with probably too many shots of Riker wearing his pajamas. J

There’s way too much technobabble in this episode, some of it laughable.

The VOY episode scientific method uses a very similar concept.

As I watched this episode, I came up with a tagline for it: "In sub-space, no one can hear you sub-scream."

Nits

Why is Worf and team strolling so slowly to the cargo bay where an explosion was thought to have occurred?

When Riker complains of fatigue, Crusher suspects that he is not getting REM sleep. She prescribes a warm milk toddy, stating that heating the milk releases a natural sedative. Note that Riker did not complain of being unable to sleep. Why does he need a sedative? And will warm milk increase his REM sleep?

When the victims are recreating their shared memories, they all remember a table. Troi asks, "Can you remember what shape it was?" A woman says, "Long. It was long." ‘Long’ is not a shape! It’s a vague measurement as best.

On that same subject, the victims start a group session at a conference table, discussing what they remember, which isn’t much. Then they move to the holodeck, and suddenly, they seem to be able to remember exactly what the table looked like, how many restraints it had, and what other implements of turture were surrounding it!

I found it amazing that the computer was able to duplicate the exact table in so few jumps, given the vagueness of the descriptions.

Memorable Moments

• Data’s Poem: Ode to Spot

• The lighting and sets in the alien’s abduction chamber

6.04 Relics

2008-06-20T18:45:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

The Enterprise discovers what may be a Dyson Sphere – a star totally enclosed and surrounded by an energy-harnassing, man-made structure. And another discovery is made – a 75 year-old transport ship, holding a former Starfleet officer (Montgomery Scott) within its transporter’s pattern buffer.

Comments

Although this is a decent episode, and it’s great to see Scotty again, and to get a glimpse at the bridge of the original Enterprise, for the most part this feels like an episode contrived to accommodate Scott. "Hey, let’s get James Doohan back for an episode! Now…any ideas for a script?"

Nits

Scotty has been able to preserve his body and mind within the transporter buffer for 75 years by jury-rigging a self-running diagnostic and some other technobabble. Presumably, this technique could be perfected and used to store anyone who was terminally ill, so they could be restored when a cure was available. However, the technique is never again mentioned. Which also brings up another question: why isn’t cryogenics ever used for this purpose on Trek?

When LaForge beams over to the Jenolen, he has a sachel slung over his shoulder, and a toolkit in his hand. Over the course of the episode, a series of events transpire, and the Enterprise has no choice but to quickly beam Scotty and LaForge off the Jenolen and then blow it up. Just prior to beaming Geordi off the Jenolen, we see him sitting in a command chair, holding onto the chair with both hands as the Jenolen is about to blow apart. Yet when he steps off the transporter pad after being beamed out, he once again has his sachel slung over his shoulder, and his toolkit in his hand! He must be very fastidious to have taken the time to grab these items before beam out! (Of course, this kind of thing happens because the beam-over and beam-out scenes are filmed sequentially, and someone didn’t think clearly about how LaForge should look after an emergency beam-out).

Memorable Moments

• Scotty beaming in

• The bridge of the original Enterprise, and the scene with Scotty and Picard

Quotable Quotes

"It is…it is…it is green!"
- Data, describing a bottle of whiskey to Scotty (this is a homage to the TOS episode By Any Other Name, where Scotty uses the phrase, "It is green" to describe a bottle of alcohol to his Kelvin drinking partner

"NCC-1701. No bloody A, B, C or D."
- Scotty, telling the computer which Enterprise’s bridge to recreate

6.03 Man of the People

2008-06-20T18:45:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The Enterprise transports Alkar, a skilled negotiator traveling with his ageing mother. When his mother dies, Alkar turns to Counselor Troi, seemingly for comfort, but in actuality to use her as a vessel to dump his destructive thoughts – even if it means this will kill her.

Comments

It’s Marina Sirtis’ episode; she gets to play part of it as a sexy, aggressive, sometimes angry siren, and the other part in old age makeup. She’s not bad, and she looks good.

Nits

Alkar, upon finding that Troi is dead, asks his female assistant to wait for him in his quarters. Moments later, when Alkar leaves, Picard orders Worf to wait outside ‘her’ quarters. Worf, who must know when not to follow orders, goes directly to Alkar’s quarters.

Memorable Moments

• Deanna’s wardrobe

Quotable Quotes

"You cannot explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think it is connected to some higher purpose!"
- Picard to Alkar

"Will!"
- Troi’s first word after being brought back to life

Troi: Thanks for sticking by me.
Riker: I always will…even when you’re old and gray.

6.02 Realm of Fear

2008-06-20T18:44:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2

The discovery of the USS Yosemite, unheard from for several days, means an away team must beam over one at a time because of distortion. Barclay, assigned to the away team, is unable to bring himself to join them because of his heretofore undiscovered fear of transporting. He conquers that fear, but, on his return beaming, begins to have strange hallucinations of a creature attacking him.

Comments

We learn from O’Brien that he used to suffer from arachnophobia.

I sometimes wonder why so many Trek scripts insist on telegraphing all their punches. We know that Barclay is not really going crazy. The mystery is solved early on for the viewer; only the crew is unsure. So we must rely on the sub-par special effects of the ‘creature’ in the transporter buffer.

Brannon Braga is famous for coming on board the Trek team without having watched any Trek episodes before. Although he sometimes brings a fresh approach, more often than not, he goes against some of the rules that are in place. If the episode is extremely well-written, he can get away with this. Unfortunately, this episode is not that well-written.

Nits

We get a memorable view of what Barclay sees when he is being transported. The visual image of location one fades out and is replaced by the familiar light pattern, then the second location slowly fades in. Is this possible? If, at sometime during transport, all of the atoms in your body are reduced to binary data in a computer, wouldn’t your optic nerves and eyeballs be in the computer? If so, how does Barclay constantly see things?

When Counselor Troi discovers Barclay is agitated and stressed, I am surprised that she simply enforces a leave of absence on him, without also insisting that he visit a medical doctor, have more counseling, or both.

Of course, I wonder why Barclay, after seeing his arm blinking blue, doesn’t go to the doctor for treatment. The explanation we get is that he thinks he may have transporter psychosis, and there is no known cure. Even if there is no cure, surely he would realize there would be ways to reduce the symptoms.

I’m not sure if it is just a problem with the effect, or if it was purposeful, but I can’t believe that Barclay could have possibly identified the ‘things’ in the transporter buffer as humans – they look like life, Jim, but not as we know it.

Memorable Moments

• For perhaps the first time, we get an idea of what it is like to be transported from the view of the person experiencing it.

• When Barclay is listening to (and acting out) the symptoms of ‘transporter psychosis’, director Cliff Bole moves the camera below Barclay’s face and lowers the light, increasing the drama.

• Barclay’s reaction to O’Brien’s pet tarantula.

Quotable Quotes

"Computer, more birds."
- Reg Barclay adjusting a relaxation program

"She’s…very large."
- Barclay, commenting on O’Brien’s pet tarantula, Christine

6.01 Time's Arrow (Part 2)

2008-06-20T18:44:00.001-07:00

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.

5.26 Time's Arrow (Part 1)

2008-06-13T20:50:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A cave on earth is found to hold possible clues that an alien race visited there in the 19^th century. The cave also holds Data’s severed head: proof that he traveled back in time and died. The Enterprise investigates on an alien planet and discovers the aliens – and Data is transported back, to the time of Mark Twain. Surprisingly, Guinan is also there, but she has no knowledge of Data or any of her future. Pursuing the mystery, and hoping to retrieve Data as well, an away team of Picard, Riker, Troi, and Geordi go through a rift to travel back in time.

Comments

This is the first of a two-part season-ending ‘cliffhanger’ episode. It features an interesting premise and some good dialogue for Data.

This episode was co-written by Joe Menosky and Michael Piller.

Marc Alaimo is one of the poker players. He later starred as the Cardassian Gul Ducat on DS9.

Nits

It’s an interesting coincidence that on one of her very rare away missions, Troi is specifically needed to sense the unseen life forms.

Almost all of the scenes in the 19^th century are stilted and poorly produced. They feel more like holodeck scenes and less like real life in the 1800s.

When Data is playing poker, the ante is four bits (50 cents). He sells his communicator for 3 dollars and receives three coins of the same size, then tosses one coin (1 dollar) into the ante. No one says anything and he doesn’t take any change. Well, I suppose these are card sharks and they don’t care; I’m just surprised Data doesn’t know.

Memorable Moments

• Data’s head rising up from behind the disembodied head found in the cave

• Data’s amusing glances in the elevator as he stands between Riker and Troi.

• And if you thought the only time the cast of NextGen were filmed in a washed out tinted light was when Worf, Data, and Picard rode a dune buggy in Star Trek 10, you forgot about the final scene of this episode. The crew is filmed in a bright blue-tinted light while glowing aliens ingest blue streaks through holes in their foreheads!

Quotable Quotes

"I expect to make new friends – and then outlive them as well."
- Data, telling Geordi about his master plan

Riker: It’s just that our mental pathways have become accustomed to your sensory input patterns.
Data: I understand. I am fond of you too, Commander. And of you, Counselor.

"If we find Commander Data, it may be our fate to die with him, in the past. If our remains are in that cavern, they would have turned to dust long ago."
- Worf’s Glass-Is-Half-Empty revelation

"If you don’t go on this mission, we’ll never meet."
- Guinan’s cryptic message to Picard

5.25 The Inner Light

2008-06-13T20:50:00.003-07:00

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)

5.24 The Next Phase

2008-06-13T20:50:00.001-07:00

Rating: 4.5

As the Enterprise attempts to help a Romulan vessel and crew in iminent danger from malfunctions, Geordi and Ro Laren are lost in a transporter accident. Plans are made for their funeral, but they are not dead; instead, their matter exists in a phased state, completely intact but invisible to the rest of the crew.

Comments

Not only is this a good little technobabble mystery, with star performances by supporting characters Geordi and Ro, but it also manages to convincingly reinvent Ro’s aggressive character as someone with feelings. And cleverly, it is believable; she would have to die, or believe she was dead, to make such a dramatic change.

This above-par episode was written by Ronald D. Moore and directed by David Carson. Carson would go on to direct the 7^th Trek theatrical movie, Star Trek: Generations.

The ultra-professional crew of the Enterprise goes on with their duties and sheds no tears for the loss of LaForge and Laren (even in their private moments, although, admittedly, we don’t get to see this). Picard manages to look stoic and yet sad, but Crusher keeps that little smile on her face and comes off as…Irish Setter.

Nits

One of my favorite nits of the entire Trek world: Geordi and Ro can walk through walls, and they can walk through desks. So why don’t they fall through the floors?

At one point, Geordi keeps putting his hand through the console, and Data is able to use a meter to sense each insertion. Geordi complains aloud that these are not just random movements (although they are). I wondered why Geordi didn’t try making a big letter shape, instead of just randomly stabbing his hand at different points.

Why can the phased Romulan sit in a chair? And how does he get the chair to move when he gets up?

Memorable Moments

• Data and Worf in the shuttlecraft, observed by LaForge and Laren, while discussing what funeral arrangements would be suitable, give wonderful testimonials

• LaForge and Laren holding on to each other, writhing in pain, and then appearing together, on the floor, crashing their own funeral

Quotable Quotes

"But my uniform…my visor…are you saying I’m some blind ghost with clothes?"
- Geordi to Laren (and, by the way, ‘Blind Ghost With Clothes’ would be a great name for a rock band)

Geordi: Data, do you see us?
Data: Of course.

5.23 I, Borg

2008-06-13T20:49:00.007-07:00

Rating: 4.5

While charting a six star system in the Argolis Cluster, an away team discovers four dead Borg and one living – but badly damaged - young male Borg survivor. Against his better judgement, and despite Worf’s usual suggestion to ‘kill it now’, Picard agrees to beam it aboard for repairs. His initial plan, however, is to infect the Borg with a computer virus, then send it back to the collective to attempt to destroy it. But Beverly, Geordi, and even Guinan begin to realize that this Borg is unique.

Comments

This episode was written by Rene Echevarria.

This is a wonderful combination of the classic Trek theme of seeking out and respecting new life, in all its forms (even when it is your mortal enemy) combined cleverly into the long-running thread of the Borg.

This thoughtful, well-written episode involves a number of members of the crew in important roles, especially Geordi. His understatement and quiet delivery are extremely effective here.

Nits

When 3 of 5 is brought before Picard for the first time, he correctly identifies the Captain as ‘Locutus’. Locutus was Picard’s ‘designation’ when he was captured and assimilated by the Borg. I am assuming that 3 of 5 gained this knowledge from the collective. Why then didn’t 3 of 5 also know that Locutus escaped and was no longer a member of the collective? Was he injured during the period when Picard was Locutus, so he never tapped into any newer updates? Or did the Borg specifically withhold the information of the escape from the collective, as a way of perpetuating the ideal that ‘resistance is futile’?

Why does Picard think that 3 of 5’s memories of being an individual will be enough to possibly ‘infect’ the Borg and change them? The Borg are always assimilating species with extremely high senses of individuality, yet this does not seem to affect the collective.

Memorable Moments

• Guinan and Picard’s fencing scene

• Picard and Hugh’s quiet but powerful scene. Once again, Picard shows why he is a great actor, and this entire scene is wonderfully written

• The tiny turn of the head made by Hugh before he is beamed away, and the tiny nod of acknowledgement by Geordi that he has seen it

Quotable Quotes

"They’re gonna come after us; you know that. You of all people know that."
- Guinan to Picard (regarding the Borg)

"You felt sorry for me. Look what it got you."
- Guinan to Picard (regarding the Borg)

Geordi: Do you have a name?
3 of 5: 3…of 5.
Geordi: There were 5 on your ship. That’s it: just a number.
3 of 5: 3…of 5.
Geordi: It does kind of suit you.

Beverly: Okay, now. I’m Beverly…
Geordi: …I’m Geordi…
3 of 5: We…are Hugh.

Picard: You are Borg! You will assist us.
3 of 5: I will not.
Picard: What did you say?
3 of 5: I will not assist you.
Picard: I –
3 of 5: Geordi must not be assimilated.
Picard: But you are Borg!
3 of 5: No. I am Hugh.

5.22 Imaginary Friend

2008-06-13T20:49:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

While investigating a nebula formed around a neutron star, the Enterprise is visited by an alien life-form that reads the thoughts of a young girl, and takes on the flesh and blood form of the girl’s imaginary companion.

Comments

Classic Trek themes are used effectively in an episode geared partially toward what must have been a large youth demographic.

Nits

After Isabella gets Clara in trouble for going to forbidden areas of the ship, Troi suggests that Clara go to a pottery class. While in the class, Clara initially works with Worf’s son, Alexander, and has fun. But then a jealous and invisible Isabella destroys a cup Alexander had been working on for days, and then hits Alexander in the head with clay. Alexander angrily confronts Clara, and Clara runs off crying. Later, Troi inaccurately reports to Guinan that Clara "…made some new friends and had a good time."

Isabella the alien says they are going to kill everyone on Enterprise – including all the children – because of the way the humans treat their children! There’s some flawed logic for you!

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s short but effective speech to the alien Isabella to save the ship

Quotable Quotes

Geordi: So what are we going to call this nebula? FGC-47 just doesn’t have the proper ring to it.
Sutter: Why don’t we call it…’Sutter’s Cloud’?
Geordi: How about ‘The LaForge Nebula’. Has a kind of majestic ring to it. What do you think, Data?
Data: Given the choices, I prefer FGC-47.

"I was going to protect you, Clara. I liked you. But now I don’t care. Now when the others come, you can die like everyone else."
- Isabella

5.21 The Perfect Mate

2008-06-13T20:49:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

The Enterprise participates in a peace conference between Krios and Valt Minor, providing escort for the Kriosian delegate and his fragile cargo. The ‘cargo’ is Kamala, a female metamorph who can sense and provide any man’s desire, and she has her eye on Captan Picard.

Comments

A highly effective episode. Famke Janssen is believable and alluring as the metamorph; Picard is fantastic as the man who hides his feelings.

This episode is somewhat similar to the TOS episode Elaan of Troyius, although in that episode Elaan was fiercely resistant to her arranged marriage.

Janssen’s career has blossomed; to date (2005) she is probably most famous for her role in the movie X-Men (2000).

That’s Max Grodenchick as one of the Ferengi. He would go on to play the Ferengi Nog on DS9.

Nits

Kamala can sense and provide any pleasure to a man…so does anyone think it might be a bad idea to let Riker escort her to her quarters? J

Not really a nit, just a criticism: Crusher’s two scenes are ineffective and have a conflict. In the first scene, she strongly advocates for the rights of Kamala to have her freedom and freedom of choice. In the second scene, she refers to Kamala as ‘the metamorph’, which sounds derogatory…and she doesn’t really seem to have any of the passion that she spouted in her first scene. Picard asks Crusher if he can confide in her as a friend; then he tells her that he cares for Kamala. Crusher’s reaction? She says, "I wish I could do something to help."

Memorable Moments

• Kamala’s emergence from her ‘coccoon’ (and note that only on Star Trek would a woman emerge from a cocoon fully clothed, wearing a ‘coccoon dress’)

• Picard and Kamala in her quarters

• Kamala and Worf trading growls

Quotable Quotes

"Mr Worf, escort our Ferengi guests to quarters…not too close to mine."
- Riker

Riker: This has been very educational, but I make it a policy never to open another man’s gift.
Kamala: I know my place in history, Commander, but it’s going to be a long voyage.
Riker: It certainly is.
(Riker leaves Kamala’s quarters)
Riker: Riker to bridge, if you need me, I’ll be in holodeck four.

Kamala: When a metamorph finds you interesting, don’t take it lightly.
Picard: I’m not taking it lightly, I’m just trying to be as dull as possible.

Picard: Why are you doing this, Kamala?
Kamala: There can be only one reason…because some part of you wants me to.

Kamala: Do you find me unattractive?
Picard: I find you unavailable.

5.20 Cost of Living

2008-06-13T20:49:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

While Lwaxana Troi plans her on-board marriage ceremony, the Enterprise is invaded by a photonic life form that is eating vital systems on the ship.

Comments

The action sequence opens the episode, with a nail-biting destruction of an asteroid just before it causes major damage to an inhabited planet.

Nits

Troi is counseling Worf and Alexander, and those two are almost at blows. Yet her recommendation is to boot them out of her office so they can work out the details of their new contract in their quarters. Wouldn’t it have been better if she had participated in this exchange? Sure enough, they are soon back, unable to work out the contract.

Memorable Moments

• Any time Worf gets frustrated by Deanna, Lwaxana, or Alexander.

• How surprisingly good and stylish Lwaxana looks in gray wig and silver wedding dress.

• Lwaxana showing up nude for her wedding.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: What would you like your father to promise, Alexander?
Alexander: No yelling.
Worf: I DO NOT…I do not yell.

"You’re just supposed to sit here?"
- Worf, commenting on the mud bath (and the closing quote for the episode)

5.19 The First Duty

2008-06-13T20:48:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2

As the Enterprise heads toward graduation ceremonies at Starfleet Academy, news arrives that graduate Wesley Crusher has been injured – and his good friend killed - while on a practice mission. Initially, it appears that one of the five pilots involved was to blame, but all four surviving pilots have conspired to hide something.

Comments

This is not one of the most memorable episodes. All the punches are telegraphed, there’s no suspense (since we, the audience, are shown early on that the cadets are hiding something), and Will Wheaton insists on playing his Wesley role as something he would probably call ‘stoic’, but everyone else would call ‘prozac’.

Robert Duncan McNeill (Locarno) would later assume the very similar role of Tom Paris on VOY.

Memorable Moments

• The graphic of a Starburst maneuver is clever, as is watching McNeill audition for his future role on VOY.

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Do you remember the first time you came aboard this ship? Your mother brought you on the bridge.
Wesley: Yes, sir.
Picard: You even sat in my chair. I was annoyed!

5.18 Cause and Effect

2008-06-13T20:48:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

In a dramatic opening sequence, a sudden core meltdown causes the Enterprise to explode, seemingly killing everyone on board (including Picard, Riker, Geordi, and Ro Laren). We later learn that the Enterprise is exploring the Typhon Expanse, and that they are the first Federation vessel to do so. In short time, a rift opens, another Federation ships emerges on a collision course, and, once again, the Enterprise is destroyed. Unaware they are caught in a time loop, they must first discover this fact, then find an escape.

Comments

This above-par episode was written by Brannon Braga. Sadly, however it foreshadows the choices Berman and Braga made when setting the basis for the failed Trek series Enterprise. Based on a "temporal cold war", its overuse of time warp dulled the senses (having former Baywatch writers didn’t help either).

Jonathan Frakes adds life to the script by using multiple cameras, doing more closeups than usual, and extracting just a little more from the cast through what I would imagine is a very friendly and relaxed manner of working with people.

Captain Bateson is played by Kelsey Grammar, who would go on to achieve great success as a regular cast member on Cheers, and as the star of the hit series Fraser.

Nits

During the poker game, a few oddities occur in how the game was played. My understanding of poker is – if Riker raises Crusher on the last card, then it is he who bets first on the next card. It is also strange that Riker says, "Your 20, and I raise 100." Then Crusher says, "200". But what she means is, "Your 100, and I raise you 100" because she only puts two coins in. Then Riker follows this incorrect language by saying, "Your 200…". Well, maybe they play by different rules in the 24^th century. But couldn’t they have had a real poker playing professional edit the script for accuracy?

One of the recurring nits on the Enterprise is that the crew never seems to be off-duty. In A Fistful of Datas, Picard is serially interrupted while he is in his quarters, in casual clothes, trying to play his flute. In this episode, Crusher is called away from a poker game to treat Geordi, even though there are other medical personel on duty. I know it is done to keep the TV show stars visible and involved, but it isn’t realistic.

After the third poker game, when the players (except for Data) can all predict and remember correctly which cards will be dealt, Crusher informs Picard that people are experiencing ‘déjà vu’ all over the ship. She mentions that she knew Geordi was going to come in for a checkup before he actually did, but she doesn’t mention the more impressive example – that of three players predicting card after card.

5.17 The Outcast

2008-06-13T20:48:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3.5

A rare pocket of ‘null space’ swallows a shuttlecraft of genderless aliens called the J’naii. The Enterprise crew works closely with the J’naii to rescue the crew of their shuttle, and, in the process, Riker and the J'naii pilot Soren become mutually attracted.

Comments

Well-written by Jeri Taylor, this not-so-subtle analogy to gay and lesbian lifestyles features many scenes with excellent dialogue and cool, slowly paced delivery. It’s a tribute to the director and the writer – and Riker’s acting excels here under this direction. The only drawback would be the copout ending – Soren’s ‘rehabilitation’ makes it easy to wrap everything up. Star Trek has carefully avoided addressing homosexuality. Here, the metaphor is the closest they are willing to go, and even that is relatively daring in their normally conservative universe.

Quotable Quotes

Soren: Commander…tell me about your sexual organs.
Riker: Uhhh
Soren: Is that an uncomfortable subject for humans?
Riker: No…but it doesn’t tend to be a topic of casual conversation.

"What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate how people love each other?"
- Soren

5.16 Ethics

2008-06-13T20:47:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Worf’s spinal column is seriously damaged after an accident. Facing the prospect of a lifetime of limited mobility, he chooses to follow Klingon tradition and asks Riker to assist him in suicide. In the meantime, Dr Crusher works with a specialist who wants to try an experimental spinal column regenerator – thus far only tested on holographic patients – which will either kill Worf or restore him to 100% health and mobility.

Comments

This is classic Trek, allowing the writers to deal with sensitive issues like assisted suicide and experimental medicine, all while exploring an alien culture.

The father-son scenes with Worf and Alexander are touching and excellent. Both are played by good actors who can emote with slight movements.

This episode was written by Ron Moore, who once again gives depth to the Klingon culture.

Nits

I wondered why Worf did not choose Picard to assist him in suicide, since he chose Picard to be his Cha-dich at Klingon council. In fact, I was not even aware that Worf and Riker were friends. Is this a plot contrivance just to give Riker a few choice scenes?

Memorable Moments

• The interminable moments when we think Worf is dead

• All the scenes with Worf and Alexander.

Quotable Quotes

"I want you to assist me in performing the Hec’bagh ceremony. I want you to help me die."
- Worf to Riker

"My mother always said Klingons have a lot of dumb ideas about honor."
- Alexander to Troi

"How many people on this ship consider you their friend? How many people owe you their lives? Have you even thought about how you have affected the people around you, about how we might feel about you dieing?"
- Riker to Worf

"According to tradition, I must take my life after suffering this kind of injury. But I have decided to break with tradition. I have decided to live."
- Worf to Alexander

5.15 Power Play

2008-06-13T20:47:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3.5

The transponder signal of a long-lost Starfleet vessel attracts an Enterprise away team to an uninhabited moon to investigate. Severe storms cause their shuttle to crash land, but O’Brien beams down to help. The away team beams out safely, but not before three of them (Data, O’Brien, and Troi) are ‘haunted’ by beings that take hostages in ten-forward. The beings say they are the spirits of crewmembers of the Starship Essex, but are they, or is this a deception?

Comments

A well-paced, good little mystery, with better-than-average acting, especially by Marina Sirtis as Troi/Schumer.

Patrick Stewart goes a little way into the Shatner area here when he has to act like he is being choked by Data. He’s still recovering from fake choking as they go to the break!

Nits

If Troi/Schumer really wants to get her demands met before Picard attempts a rescue, perhaps it would be better if she actually states the demands, rather than vaguely saying that all he needs to know is that they want to rest.

Memorable Moments

• It’s memorable – and upsetting – watching O’Brien terrorize his own wife and child.

• Watching the beings leave the bodies of Data, Troi, and O’Brien – well-coordinated collapsing in dim light.

• Nice to see that ending close-up of Molly the Baby too!

Quotable Quotes

"I can’t locate the source of the damn signal, it’s bouncing around more than we are."
- Riker

Picard: If LaForge and Ro can attempt a rescue in short order let them proceed, if they can’t, I will provide you with another opportunity: wait for it.
Riker: Yes, sir.

Worf: Then you believe they may be telling the truth.
Picard: Not for one moment.

5.14 Conundrum

2008-06-13T20:47:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

The Enterprise encounters a small, seemingly harmless and unarmed ship that emits an energy wave that pentrates the shields. Moments later, everyone is still there (including a new bridge officer), but they no longer know who they are and why they are there. Even Data’s memory banks have been wiped clean. Yet all personnel still possess the skills to perform their jobs. After the computer is partially restored, the chain of command is put back into place and their new mission is revealed: to destroy an alien base. Unwittingly, they have become involved in fighting another alien’s war.

Comments

An intriguing mystery, and it’s equally as intriguing wondering how/if the crew is going to realize something is amiss.

Nits

Troi can beat Data at chess? I don’t think so, although it is conceivably possible that Data, remembering his early sexual encounter with Yar, throws the game as his way of making a pass at Troi. ;)

Not really a nit, but only the Enterprise crew could come to with no memory of who they are and why they are on a Starship, and still remain calm and in character.

After having their memories wiped, someone suggests that the first priority should be choosing a leader. Picard disagrees, saying that choosing a leader is not all that important. Not only is this not true, since there is a good chance that someone will have to make the big decisions, but it doesn’t sound like the comment of a man who is a career Starfleet officer and obviously agrees with – and revels in – the chain of command.

Since the Satarran’s mind-blanking weapon worked so effectively through the advanced shields of the Enterprise, why didn’t they just use it against the Lysians? Picard and Riker did discuss this issue, but I didn’t understand their explanation.

After the memory wipe, Picard attempts to give voice commands to the computer with no response. Riker says there is no voice interface. Geordi adds, "No interface – period!" He then continues to press buttons on his working computer screen and brings up some information. Aren’t these buttons an interface?

Here’s a big nit from Phil Farrand: After the memory wipe, MacDuff (a Satarran) appears in human form and forges the computer records so he is the first officer. Later, he runs into resistance from Picard. So why didn’t MacDuff simply place himself in the computer records as captain?

Memorable Moments

• Riker, walking into ten-forward to face Ro Laren and Troi sitting together at the same table.

Quotable Quotes

Riker: You remember me?
Troi: Not exactly. But – there’s something about you…
(maybe it’s his hair gel? J)

Riker: What if I snore when I sleep?
Ro: What makes you think you’re going to get any sleep?

5.13 The Masterpiece Society

2008-06-13T20:47:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

The Enterprise tracks a highly massed and destructive stellar core fragment as it heads toward the Moab system, destined to cause disastrous seismic disturbances on Moab 4. When a previously hidden colony is discovered on Moab 4, Picard offers assistance and evacuation. However, the unique colony is totally genetically planned, with each person engineered for their role, and they are resistant to outsiders and any change. Their leader, Connor, realizes that ‘contamination’ is preferable to destruction, and allows one of his scientists to work with Geordi for a solution. Connor also finds himself falling in love with Troi, and an encounter ensues. Other colonists also are intrigued by the crew, and find that they wish to explore the galaxy. Many of them leave, throwing the stability of the colony into question.

Comments

Long-running Trek director Winrich Kolbe helms this episode and does a good job of bringing out believable performances in all. Troi is particularly on her game.

Other than good acting, this is a surpringly forgettable and tame episode. Once again we are subjected to what has become a pattern in season five – a morality play where the major goal is to discuss some concept or issue. A little comedy, drama, action, and character development among the crew might be some nice items to include next time.

Nits

This whole concept of a perfectly genetically engineering colony has major holes. One of the great strengths of human evolution is its ability to adapt to change and to deal with new situations. An insular colony that cannot deal with any outside stimuli without major disruptions should not be viewed as an advancement in genetics. Indeed, it is a major setback.

I wondered why Connor, who was such a strong believer in genetics, would not simply view his reactions and choices in this unusual situation as something that would have been predetermined as well. It seems that if your colony is so planned, all of the second guessing that normal humans indulge in would be non-existent.

Memorable Moments

• Connor and Troi kiss – hey, this stuff just does not happen very often on Trek!

• When the boy is asked to continue playing the Mozart Concerto even while the seismic disturbances are starting, it reminded me – just a little – of the band continuing to play as the Titanic was sinking.

Quotable Quotes

"We may have proven just as dangerous to that colony as any core fragment could have been."
- Picard

5.12 Violations

2008-06-13T20:46:00.004-07:00

Rating: 2.5

When the Enterprise transports a group of aliens called the Ullians, one of them, Jev, abuses his mind-probing powers to mind-rape Troi and then renders Troi, Riker, and Crusher into comas. Jev subsequently pins the blame on his father, Tarman, but is discovered when his desires for Troi force him to attempt to rape her again.

Comments

John Logan, the scriptwriter of the tenth Trek movie (Star Trek: Nemesis) blatantly reused this Troi mind-rape idea. Many other parts of his script were similarly lifted verbatim from earlier Trek episodes. He quaintly called this a ‘homage’, but I prefer to use the term ‘uninspired hack with nothing to add to the Trek universe or its characters’.

Nits

Picard says that the Federation has no precedent for dealing with what Jev did to Troi, Riker, and Crusher. How about assault? After all, they ended up in comas because of an attack on their mind. Does it matter that no hands were laid on them? And Picard has a history of making mistakes when it comes to these situations. In the third season episodeThe Survivors, Picard tells Kevin, "We have no law to fit your crime." Yet Kevin’s crime was basically genocide.

Memorable Moments

• Troi explaining what she remembers – or doesn’t remember – after emerging from her coma, while the doctor (sorry, I don’t know his name) can be seen in the background, making expressive faces. Well blocked shot

Quotable Quotes

"…But I think no one can deny the seed of violence remains within each of us. We must recognize that because that violence is capable of consuming each of us as it consumed your son."
- Picard

5.11 Hero Worship

2008-06-13T20:46:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Data rescues a young boy from a disabled ship and becomes the boy’s hero. The boy takes on the personality of an android, masking the tragedy that killed his parents, and that makes finding the perpetrators a mystery that the Enterprise crew must solve on their own.

Comments

This episode was written by Joe Menosky, from a story by Hillary J. Bader, and directed by Patrick Stewart.

It’s quite unusual that the producers decided to air two episodes back to back about older crew members mentoring young boys – was this an attempt to grab a younger audience?

Nits

Why does Data tell Timothy that his service record does not qualify him to be captain? Data has been in Starfleet for over 20 years and has an exemplary record. In addition, he felt his deserved a captaincy during the blockage against the Romulans in the episode Redemption II.

Why doesn’t Data quickly explain to Picard why they should drop shields? He has time to give a short, meaningful explanation, rather than just staring at Picard (which is more of a human strategy anyway).

Memorable Moments

• Data attempting to yawn

Quotable Quotes

"His world is gone, Data. We’re going to have to help him build a new one."
- Troi

5.10 New Ground

2008-06-13T20:46:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The Enterprise participates in an experiment that, using a soliton wave, will attempt to propel a conventional ship at warp speed without any warp engines. Although initially successful, the wave rolls out of control and threatens to destroy a colony and planet in its path. Meanwhile, Worf has to adjust his life and priorities when he receives surprise guests: his mother, and his out of control son Alexander.

Comments

This attempt at character-building, written by two contributing writers rather than staff members, doesn’t completely work, due to a few contrivances. But Alexander is cute and his performance is believable.

Nits

Geordi seems overly excited at the prospect of viewing the soliton wave. I have never seen Geordi so excited, and he has already seen some amazing things. Warp without warp drive? Big deal. How about time travel and the Borg?

Why would Worf’s mother simply show up, unannounced, with a plan in mind to dump Alexander on Worf? It isn’t fair to either Alexander or Worf.

Memorable Moments

• Shouldered with the actor’s nightmare – having to make a Styrofoam beam look virtually unliftable – Michael Dorn (Worf) does a commendable job.

Quotable Quotes

"Let’s see it!"
- Riker, tired of the dependable but monotonous "On screen" command

5.09 A Matter of Time

2008-06-13T20:45:00.004-07:00

Rating: 4.5

A temporal shift opens near the Enterprise, and, moments later, a human beams aboard the Enterprise bridge. He identifies himself as a time-traveling historian from two centuries in the future. Watching the crew’s every move, it is obvious that he has arrived to observe how Picard and the Enterprise handle a potentially catastrophic environmental crisis on Penthara 4.

Comments

Matt Frewer shines in a lighthearted, spirited performance as Berlinghoff Rasmussen. His scenes with Picard are classic, and his flirtation with Crusher is revealing.

This episode was written by Rick Berman, back in the days when Berman helped to revitalize the Trek franchise.

Nits

Picard says he has inspected Rasmussen’s credentials and they seem to be in order. How could Picard make any determination on the credentials of a person who says they are from the future?

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s scene, where he requests help from Rasmussen in deciding what course of action to take, is extremely well-written and contains many memorable lines.

Quotable Quotes

"If I hand my assignment in on time, can I get a glimpse into next week’s poker game?"
- Geordi to Rasmussen

"How delightfully primitive!"
- Rasmussen on Worf

"You know, Homer was blind…Milton; Bach; Monet; Wonder."
- Rasmussen to Geordi

"Yes, Professor, I know, what if one of those lives I save down there is a child who grows up to be the next Adoph Hitler or Khan Singh. Every first year philosophy student has been asked that question since the earliest wormholes were discovered. But this is not a class in temporal logic! It’s not theoretical! It’s not hypothetical! It’s real!"
- Picard, trying to convince Rasmussen to give him knowledge of the future

"Well…you know, Professor, perhaps I don’t give a damn about your past because your past is my future, and as far as I’m concerned, it hasn’t been written yet!"
- Picard to Rasmussen

"Please don’t ask me, Captain. I can’t help you. I’m sorry."
- Rasmussen’s ironic admission that he is not who he says he is

"I assume your handprint will open this door, whether you are conscious or not."
- Data, being honest with Rasmussen

"Oh Professor…welcome to the 24^th century."
- Picard introducing Rasmussen to ‘sarcasm of the future’

5.08 Unification (Part 2)

2008-06-13T20:45:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

Spock reveals that he has been in contact for many years with the Romulan council member Partek. Partek and his contact on the Romulan high council firmly believe in re-unification between the Vulcans and Romulans. When Picard expresses some disbelief, Spock admits that the Romulans may have ulterior motives, but even if this is so, it would be better to reveal these motives now. The Enterprise is led on a wild goose chase while investigating who has been stealing Vulcan warships. Picard, Spock and Data are captured by Sela, who reveals that Partek gave them away. Sela is sending three Vulcan warships to the Vulcan homeworld, ostensibly as a peace mission, but in reality to attack. She asks Spock to broadcast a rehearsed peace speech. When he refuses, she reveals her backup plan: a holographic Spock will read the speech. Left alone, Data accesses the Romulan computer to create his own holographic images: Riker and two security guards. The guards are momentarily fooled. Data and the others are able to overpower Sela and the guards, and Spock broadcasts a warning of the Romulan attack force. Faced with defeat, a Romulan warbird destroys the Vulcan ships, killing their own troops. Spock stays behind on Romulus to work with the underground and further the unification.

Comments

Some of the dialogue seems a bit rushed in this episode, especially in the Picard/Spock scenes. There seems to be an attempt to quicken the pace and make it more exciting, but most of the lines were meant to be thought about, not blurted out.

Nits

Why is Spock so emotional and angry when he first confronts Picard? It seems out of character. Is Spock also beginning to get Bandii disease? This really isn’t a nit, as Spock more or less explains later that he balances logic with intuition.

When Riker is charming the keyboard player, she asks him to drop a few coins, and he says he doesn’t carry money. It’s well-established that the Federation does not use money anymore. But the question begs: what do they do when they need to purchase items from people who are not in the Federation?

Apparently, the Romulans do not get access to Earth movies of the 20^th century. In particular, if Sela had ever seen a James Bond film, she might have known that the villain should never reveal all of their diabolical plot to his/her prisoners before leaving them alone in a room.

Did Data reprogram the holographic Spock to broadcast the warning about the attack fleet, or was the real Spock able to make the transmission? Although not a nit, this wasn’t clear.

Memorable Moments

• Spock and Data discussing the merits and drawbacks of being, and aspiring to be, human.

• Worf singing Klingon opera

• Riker going medieval on the fat Ferengi.

• Spock and Picard mind-melding, so that Picard can share what he possesses of Sarek (the unusual expression of emotion by Spock says it all)

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Is it so important that you win one last argument with him?
Spock: No, it is not. But it is true that I will miss the arguments. They were, finally, all that we had.
(Spock on Sarek)

"Not bad."
- Spock complimenting Data on his Vulcan Nerve Pinch technique

5.07 Unification (Part 1)

2008-06-13T20:45:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

The Federation’s most important ambassador, Spock, seemingly defects to Romulus, and the Enterprise is assigned to first inform Spock’s father Sarek of the suspicions, and then to track down Spock himself.

Comments

Poor Sarek (Mark Lenard). When he returned to the Trek world in the season 3 episode Sarek, suffering acutely from Bendii syndrome (the Vulcan equivalent of Alzheimer’s), I complained that I didn’t like my Trek heroes being portrayed as old and weak, preferring to remember them in their prime. Little did I suspect that Sarek would return here, even more senile than before.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, seeing as how his portrayals were getting less and less flattering), this episode marks the death of Sarek.

Nits

When Crusher asks Data if his ears are removable, he answers no, stating that they are fully integrated components. Yet in the episode DataLore, Lore’s unattached head does not have ears, but it does seem to have slots where ears would be attached. Data and Lore’s creator, Dr Soong, states that Lore and Data are identical except for a bit of programming. And it seems unusual that an android’s ears would not originally be separate parts that could be removed or replaced.

The Klingon captain who is assigned to transport Picard and Data to Romulus says, "If we are caught, we could all be killed!" He seems really upset by this, in a very non-Klingon way. He should be relishing the challenge. But maybe he is unhappy with sneaking around and would be happier attacking Romulus.

Memorable Moments

• The appearance of Spock

Quotable Quotes

Picard: I require a cloaked vessel.
Klingon Junior Adjunct: How much will it benefit the Klingon Empire? I’m sure Gowron will ask.
Picard: The only benefit will be our gratitude.
Klingon Junior Adjunct: That is what you want me to tell him?
Picard: And please add that if he is unable to provide me with a ship, I’m sure there are others in the Klingon Empire who would be willing to help me. And then…they would have our gratitude.

5.06 The Game

2008-06-13T20:44:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

Riker returns from a pleasure trip to Raisa with a game, a device that hooks over the ears and presents an interactive movie that provides pleasure when the game is played correctly. Unknown to him, it is also brainwashing the user into performing other functions. Riker spreads it throughout the crew, until only the visiting Wesley Crusher and his new good friend Robin Lefler are aware of the conspiracy.

Comments

Wesley returns to once again save the Enterprise. It must be said that it is believable that he would be the last to try the device.

It is unfortunate that Lefler is initially portrayed as very clever, yet as the episode goes on, it is Wesley who makes all the important decisions, who discovers all the clues and plans the strategies, while Lefler eventually caves.

That’s Ashley Judd returning as Lefler. And it’s worth mentioning that Nurse Ogawa (Patty Yatsutake) does a great approximation of an orgasm when she is playing the game in the turbolift.

Nits

Crusher contacts Data via communicator and asks him to come to sick bay. LaForge is there with Data. Crusher then knocks Data out and purposefully severs links to his positronic brain. In the next scene, LaForge and others are looking at Data in sick bay and Crusher says that Data came in complaining of a malfunctioning servo. Why doesn’t LaForge get suspicious about this? Data said nothing to LaForge about any problem he was having.

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s subtle acting. He just varies his character ever so slightly to portray someone who is in on the conspiracy but can hide it.

Quotable Quotes

"Would you like me to leave you two alone?"
- Riker to Troi and her chocolate sundae

5.05 Disaster

2008-06-13T20:44:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

A quantum filament causes major structural damage to the Enterprise. Hull breaches force safety bulkheads to isolate areas of the ship. On the bridge, when the Lieutenant in command is killed, Counselor Troi is the senior officer and has to command, make decisions, and solve heated conflicts with Chief O’Brien and Ro Laren. Riker and Data make for engineering, while Worf attends to the wounded, including Chief O’Brien’s very pregnant wife Keiko. In the cargo bay, Geordi and Crusher deal with a plasma fire and volatile containers. And in the turbolift, Captain Picard is stuck with his most feared nightmare: three scared crying children.

Comments

Multiple locations and quick edits help to add to the tension.

During the birth scene, I was waiting for Worf to draw some comparisons between human and Klingon birth, in order to motivate Keiko further. "Klingon women do NOT scream in pain! When they are ready to give birth, they simply reach in and pull the baby out."

Nits

In the episode The Hunted, Danar steals a pressure suit. Why are there no such suits in Geordi and Crusher’s cargo bay?

Why is there no one in engineering when Riker and Data get there? Surely someone is always stationed there.

Shuttles have their own power source. How come no one attempts to get to a shuttle? It could have been used to beam people out of danger areas and to set up a communications net.

Crusher’s advice that she and Geordi should hold their breath and ‘avoid exhaling’ while the bay is depressurized is dead wrong. The proper procedure to avoid a punctured lung is to exhale all breath from the lungs before depressurization.

Geordi opens the cargo bay doors and depressurizes the bay by pressing buttons on a standard large console. But to repressurize, he or Crusher have to fight unconsciousness and lack of oxygen to crawl across the entire bay to a small panel on the opposite wall. It makes for good drama, but what sadist designed this ship?

Memorable Moments

• Worf helping Keiko to give birth provides many funny moments, and the delivery scene is handled well. Was that an animatronic baby?

Quotable Quotes

"No one here is going to die. Now STOP CRYING!"
- Picard demonstrating why he is a Starfleet captain and not a child care professional

Keiko: I’m going into labor!
Worf: You cannot! This is not a good time.
Keiko: It’s not open to debate!

Worf: Congratulations! You are fully dilated to 10 centimeters. You may now give birth.
Keiko: That’s what I’ve been doing!

"I believe there are still people alive down there. And I’m going to give them every chance. Assuming they’re alive, they’ll be hoping there’s someone up here who can help them. So we’ll help them."
- Troi, taking control of the situation

Picard: You have the bridge, Number One.
Riker and Marissa (in unison): Aye, Captain.
(It is rumoured that the writers considered having Picard killed in the next scene, just so Marissa could possibly get to the big chair ahead of Riker. :)

5.04 Silicon Avatar

2008-06-13T20:44:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

While helping to set up a new colony on Melona IV, Riker, Data, Crusher, and the colonists are attacked by the Crystalline Entity (refer to the episode Datalore). The Federation sends an expert, Dr. Kila Marr, to help track the Entity. Unfortuntately, her obsession with the Entity is fueled by the death of her son at its hands on Omicron Theta, for which she blames Data’s brother Lore. She also suspects Data may be an ally of the Entity.

Comments

Dolly camera shots and interesting perspectives (such as a pan back to see Riker’s reaction when Dr Marr talks about killing the Entity) spice up the normally stoic nailed down camera shots.

Riker turns on the charm with comely colonist Carmen Davila, and gets a dinner and ‘dessert’ date in her tent for later in the evening, but unfortunately, she is killed by the Crystalline Entity moments later.

Nits

Why does Crusher speak so loudly in the cave when she is reporting on the health of the colonists? Is this information that everyone should hear? To avoid panic and keep hopes up, shouldn’t she and Riker step someplace away from the group and speak softly about the fact that they are all going to die?

Confronting the Entity, Dr Marr attempts to kill it by bombarding it with a graviton pulse. When the effects are apparently destructive to it, Picard asks her to stop the pulse, but she ignores him. Then Data and LaForge attempt to stop the pulse, but they are locked out of the computer. Soon after, the Entity explodes and dies. So why didn’t Picard quickly give the order to move away at high Warp when he still had the chance?

Memorable Moments

• When Data is sharing his stored memories of Dr Marr’s son, she asks him about his girlfriend. Data says, "He enjoyed her kindness; her gentleness; her physical attributes." Then he suddenly realizes what he has said, and turns, mechanically, to check Dr Marr’s reaction.

Quotable Quotes

"I don’t think you need an empath to sense that woman’s feelings."
- Troi to Picard, regarding Dr. Kila Marr’s hatred of Data

"Yes, I believe your son would be very sad now. I am sorry, Doctor, but I cannot help you."
- Data, informing Dr Marr of the result of her destruction of the Crystalline Entity, and her career along with it

5.03 Ensign Ro

2008-06-13T20:43:00.004-07:00

Rating: 3

For decades, the Bajoran people have been victimized by the ruling Cardassians, while the Federation’s non-interference policy has kept them from providing assistance. After a Federation outpost is attacked, the Enterprise is sent to locate and neutralize the Bajoran terrorist who has claimed responsibility for the attack. To aid in this mission Admiral Kennelly assigns the Bajoran Ensign Ro Laren: fiery, disrespected, and recently court-martialed for indiscretions during her last tour of duty.

Comments

Michelle Forbes joins the crew as Ensign Ro.

Riker makes Ro remove her earring while on duty. This must just be his way of showing his personal disrespect for her, because he allows Worf to wear his Klingon sash all the time. And too bad he wasn’t around to get Seven of Nine to wear regulation clothes!

In Picard’s first meeting with Ro, it is surprising that he allows her to interrupt him mid-sentence and then walk out of the room having said the last word. This would seem to be a serious breach of the chain of command, yet Picard just looks across the table at Riker as if to say, "Bajorans…what are ya gonna do?"

Nits

When Picard is first introduced to Ro Laren, he calls her ‘Ensign Laren’, unaware that ‘Laren’ is her first name. She has elected to keep her name ‘last name first’ in the Bajoran tradition, although she states that many Bajorans have reversed their names to ‘assimilate better’. It’s a little unusual that indigenous-sensitive Picard was unaware of this conflict and that he didn’t ask first which was her family name, but this could be a fault of his briefing team. It is also interesting that, even though many current (2004) earth cultures do use last name first, from what Ro says, by the time of Next Gen, last name last has become the standard.

Made aware of a conspiracy, Picard lays a trap by appearing to be escorting Orta’s ship (with Orta on board). He suspects that the Cardassians will attempt to intervene, and that Kennelly will give the order for the Enterprise to give way. It all happens according to plan. The Cardassians then blow up Orta’s ship. Then Picard tells Kennelly that Orta was not on board; the ship was being remotely controlled from the planet’s surface. There are two nits here, and they remove this episode from being considered excellent. First, why does the knowledge that Picard laid a trap force Kennelly to reveal his prejudice against the terrorists and collusion with the Cardassians? At this point, Picard may have had suspicions but he had no proof. Second, how did Picard know that the Cardassians would simply destroy the ship? Normally, I would have thought the Cardassians would have wanted to take the terrorists alive and get the benefits of torturing them, trying and sentencing them in a ‘kangaroo’ court, and then executing them. Even if this not were the case, and the Cardassians were happy to just blow them up, as a military organization it still made sense that they would first confirm who was on board the ship before destroying it.

Memorable Moments

• After Picard asks Ro to join the crew, and Ro says there is one condition, she puts her earring back on and smiles for the first time, and Picard smiles warmly.

Quotable Quotes

Ro: Heard anything interesting lately?
Guinan: Everyone’s talking about you.
Ro: Heard anything interesting lately?

Ro: I never stay anywhere long enough to make friends.
Guinan: Too late. You just made one.

Ro: But that strange bartender of yours has a way of getting to you, and she said that you were her friend.
Picard: Then we have one thing in common.

5.02 Darmok

2008-06-13T20:43:00.003-07:00

Rating: 5

In the El-Adrel system, the Enterprise attempts to establish diplomatic relations with an enigmatic race known as the Children of Tama. Seven previous Federation attempts at communication have failed, notably due to the Tamarians metaphor-exclusive language. When Picard also fails, the Tamarian captain maroons Picard and himself on a nearby planet inhabited by a deadly foe, in the hopes that a common enemy may aid in communication and bonding.

Comments

A clever, exciting, well-paced, fantastic episode from beginning to end. Not only is most of the crew involved in non-contrived and non-trivial roles, but Riker gets to do some commanding of the ship with Picard on the planet, and Picard is able to flex his intellect.

This episode was written by Joe Menosky, as are many of my favorite episodes (like tinker, tenor, doctor, spy from VOY).

Paul Winfield gives a memorable performance as Captain Dathon. He returns as Captain Terrell in Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan.

Nits

One major nit: how can a society speak only in metaphor, even amongst itself? Metaphor is the representation of other information, and the other information must still exist and be communicated. How would new discoveries be explained? It’s possible that all verbal communication could be in metaphor, but there would have to be another form (diagram, art?), and if so, why wasn’t this used by the Tamarians in attempting to communicate with the Enterprise? However, it is worth noting that while it is virtually impossible to imagine any human race being able to communicate solely through metaphor, it is not completely impossible that an alien race, possessing completely different abilities, could do this.

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s little motivational speech about how communication is simply a matter of patience. We cut to the Tamarian captain speaking in metaphor, while various Enterprise crew members share totally perplexed looks.

• The Tamarian captain arguing with his first officer about how to deal with the lack of communication

• Picard’s ultra-stylish leather-shouldered ‘away’ jacket

• Just before Data reports that the Tamarian ship is powering weapons to fire on the shuttlecraft, Troi rises from her chair, apparently sensing it is going to happen. We see her in the background, getting up, and realize that this means she sensed the Tamarians actions before they occurred, but she has no line, so it’s easy to miss. Very subtle.

• Picard screaming, "No! No!" in agony as he is caught in the transporter beam, watching the attack on Captain Dathon

• Picard’s ‘surprise’ communication with the Tamarian first officer stops the aggression and is a very emotional moment

• The final scene: Picard has just explained to Riker that he is reading the Homerian Odyssey (in Greek, no less) so that he may better understand the major metaphors of Earth culture. After Riker leaves, Picard takes Dathon’s knife, stands by the window, and repeats the ceremonial gestures that Dathon made by the campfire before going to sleep. We watch this from outside the window as the stars reflect in the glass: one of the most beautiful Trek moments ever

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Impressions, Number One.
Riker: It appears they’re trying their best.
Picard. As are we, for what it’s worth.

Data: I have encountered 1,754 non-human species during my tenure at Starfleet--
Troi: --And we still can’t even say hello to these people.

"Darmok and Jilad at Tanagra!"
- Captain Dathon

Captain Dathon: (offers knife after hearing an ominous growling sound and a rock avalanche) Timbre; his arms wide.
Picard: (taking knife) I’ll go along with that.

"I understand your sacrifice, Captain. Unfortunately, if our friend out there has its way, no one will ever know what you tried to do."
- Picard

"Tamok! The river Tamok in winter!"
- Picard, having finally learned enough of the Tamarian language to tell their first officer to shut up

Riker: New friends, Captain?
Picard: Can’t say, Number One. But at least they aren’t new enemies.

"The Tamarian was willing to risk all of us just for the hope of communication…connection. Now the door is open between our peoples. That commitment meant more to him than his own life."
- Picard to Riker

5.01 Redemption (Part 2)

2008-06-13T20:43:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3.5

Worf adjusts to the violent warring nature of his brother and other Klingons, and also fights off the amorous advances of the imposing Duras sisters, who are courting him as an ally. Picard meets with Romulan commander Sela, who reveals that her time-traveling mother was Tasha Yar. But Sela rejects her human side and owes all allegiance to the Romulans. The Federation joins the fray, not to fight, but to set up a blockade using 23 ships linked by tachyon beams. Data asks for and is given a command on one of the ships in the net, but meets prejudice and resistance from a first officer who doubts the command ability of androids. Picard sets a trap but Sela avoids it and opts instead to break the net near Data’s ship. Data ignores his orders to retreat and instead cleverly exposes the Romulan ships. Cut off, the Duras clan loses the war, and Gowron assumes command. Worf chooses not to end the life of the Duras heir, and instead returns to duty on the Enterprise.

Comments

Similar to The Best of Both Worlds, there are a lot of storylines happening to keep it interesting. As second part episodes go, this one is above par. Later, Ronald D. Moore will perfect this mass storyline technique on the highly acclaimed series Battlestar Galactica.

Nits

I am assuming that a tachyon beam is narrow. So even with 23 ships forming a ‘net’, there would be huge gaps between the beams, big enough for a Romulan ship to pass through undetected. Or, if the 23 ships were close enough together to form an effective net, it would be even easier to go around the net than it already is.

Memorable Moments

• Picard’s cool-as-a-cucumber meeting with Sela

Quotable Quotes

"I understand your concerns. Request denied."
- Data, refusing to give in to his first officer’s request for transfer on the grounds that androids aren’t fit for command

4.26 Redemption (Part 1)

2008-06-08T17:35:00.006-07:00

Rating: 4

The Enterprise travels to the Klingon homeworld, where Picard has been asked to resume his role as arbiter and oversee Gowron’s takeover as Chancellor. But there is another challenger for the throne, a heretofore unknown son of Duras. Meanwhile, Wolf sees an opportunity to clear his family name and reverse his discommendation (refer to the season 3 episodeSins of the Father). When Gowron assumes the role of Chancellor, he and Worf call on the Federation and the Enterprise to defend the attacks from Lursa and B’Etor, the Duras sisters. Picard knows the Romulans are behind the attacks but he cannot interfere in a Klingon civil war. Worf, with his honor restored, resigns his commission and joins Gowron.

Stranger still, the female Romulan commander bears a striking resemblance to (the deceased crewman Tasha Yar.

Comments

This episode was written by Ronald D. Moore, who once again provides true depth to the Klingon race.

Nits

It seemed outrageous that Picard is cast in the role of drumming up Worf’s enthusiasm to clear his family’s name. Worf is hesitant and Picard is insistent. Does this Klingon – do any Klingons, for that matter – seem to need a human to raise their aggression and revenge levels?

When Worf is at weapons on Gowron’s ship, fending off the attack, the other Klingon on the bridge has a distinctly non-Klingon voice. It sounds more like a Texas USA accent.

Memorable Moments

• Guinan and Worf’s quick patter dialogue during target practice. These are two good actors who play off each other well.

Quotable Quotes

"Your discommendation is a façade to protect less honorable men. It is a lie. Lies must be challenged."
- Picard, poking Worf with a big sharp verbal stick

"What are you, Worf? Do you tremble and quake with fear at the approach of combat, hoping to talk your way out of a fight like a human, or do you hear the cry of the warrior, calling you to battle, calling you to glory like a Klingon?"
- Gowron, poking Worf with an even bigger, sharper stick (and more of that great dialogue by Ron Moore)

4.25 In Theory

2008-06-08T17:35:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

When Data’s co-worker, Jenna, breaks up with her boyfriend, she turns to the android for friendship and more. Data, unsure of how to proceed, seeks advice from various crewmember friends, then uses that advice, along with his ‘book’ knowledge of love and relationships, to create a sometimes forced lover/partner. At first, it is enough for Jenna, but she soons realizes that Data can never love her, care for her, or need her, and she ends the relationship.

Meanwhile, the Enterprise is traveling into a dark matter nebula and strange, poltergeist-like occurrences are happening.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Joe Menosky and Ronald D. Moore, and directed by Patrick Stewart.

This is a deeper exploration of Data’s ability to love, although, once again, we find out that he is incapable. There is only a subtle hint, in the end, that if perhaps he could just allow himself to be himself, he could have had an unusual, but an effectionate, relationship with Jenna, such as he has with his cat Spot.

One nice touch about this episode is that the point is not to develop (and ruin) Data’s character by making him into a lover; it is to show that he is incapable. There is no character growth, which is original and not at all expected.

Nits

Data still has made little progress in knowing when phrases should not be taken literally. He responds to Guinan’s use of "Don’t look at me" by looking away from her. And when Jenna say, "Put those clothes down," he immediately drops them on the floor. These attempts at levity in the script seem contrived.

When Data is explaining why the anomalies are occurring, he uses ‘nebula’ twice in one sentence. The first time, he pronounces it normally, but the second time, he says what sounds like ‘nebular’. It just seemed strange that an android would be inconsistent.

Memorable Moments

• None really, although Picard’s humorous line regarding advice interjects some needed levity.

Quotable Quotes

Data: Captain! I am seeking advice on how to-
Picard: Yes, I’ve heard, Data. And I will be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some, I’ll let you know.

"Darling, you remain as aesthetically pleasing as the first day we met. I believe I am the most fortunate sentient in this section of the galaxy."
- Data, making love to Jenna

Data: Jenna, are we no longer a…couple?
Jenna: No, Data, we’re not.
Data: Then I will delete the appropriate program.

4.24 The Mind's Eye

2008-06-08T17:35:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

On his way to a conference/holiday on Risa, Geordi is abducted by Romulans and subjected to brainwashing and torture. Back on the Enterprise, a Klingon ambassador arrives to investigate rumors that the Federation is aiding disidents on Krios, one of their colonies. Geordi returns to the Enterprise with a subversive mission. His brainwashed side beams weapons down to Krios (and may have even worse deeds to perform), while his Starfleet side, not knowing that he is the culprit, works to find the perpetrator.

Comments

This episode was written by Rene Echevarria.

Trivia: Larry Dobkin (Ambassador Kell) directed the TOS episode Charlie X.

NextGen scripts and direction are straighforward. There are no flashbacks, no slow reveals. We know almost everything upfront. Here, we know that Geordi has been reprogrammed and we know the Romulans did it. On another series, this might have been revealed slowly, through glimpses of what happened. So on NextGen, all the cards are on the table and scripts have to rely upon themselves. In this case, however, we don’t know exactly what – and how much – Geordi is reprogrammed to do. Will he kill any Klingons? This is high drama for NextGen, and it works here. And to top it all off, there are even some effective closing scenes where Troi is slowly helping Geordi reclaim his memory.

Nits

I’m surprised that, in the 24^th century, with computers that by this time should be ultra-powerful, it is still going to take three hours to do a search for a specific energy frequency that Data already knows is on one of a possible 327 home worlds.

Memorable Moments

• The sudden appearance of the Romulan Warbird in the viewing screen of Geordi’s shuttle

• Geordi killing O’Brien. Sure, it’s only a simulation, but it’s still chilling

• Picard’s Klingon swearing, as he goes head to head with the Klingon governor of Krios

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Kell, I have been…pleased to offer occasional assistance to the Klingon people in the past.
Klingon Ambassador Kell: Your modesty is very human captain, I will excuse it.

4.23 The Host

2008-06-08T17:35:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

Beverly Crusher’s new love interest, Ambassador Odan, hides a secret inside. He is a Trill, and within his shell of a body lives a symbiant organism. When the symbiant’s body is damaged in a shuttle crash while en route to lead negotiations between two worlds about to go to war, Riker volunteers to become the host.

Comments

This episode is the first appearance of the Trill race. Later, on DS9, a trill (Jadzia Dax) would become a regular member of the crew.

Riker makes believe that he becomes a host to stop war from erupting, but we all know he saw it as his best opportunity to get it on with Beverly. J

Nits

When Beverly emerges from the turbolift at the beginning of the episode, her lipstick appears to have been touched up after her liplock earlier.

I was appalled that Odan had to tell – indeed, insist – to Beverly that she remove him from Riker’s body, rather than kill Riker. Isn’t this a decision that Beverly (a doctor) should have made first?

Memorable Moments

• Riker and Crusher’s daytime soap opera staring moment in ten forward (memorable but in a bad way)

• When the female Odan kisses Crusher’s wrist, Beverly kind of looks at her as she leaves, looks at her wrist, looks at her…as if considering, "Hmmm, maybe I should be bi."

Quotable Quotes

"Put a cold cloth on your…forehead, ambassador. I’ll do my best to be with you shortly."
- Crusher’s innuendo to Odan

Data: I hope Dr Crusher was able to help you with your headache.
Odan: Thank you. She was.

Troi: Beverly, you’re in love!
Crusher: Sometimes I wish you weren’t so…empathic.

Crusher: What is that?
Odan: Beverly, that…is me. This body is just a host. I am that parasite. That…is what must survive.

Picard: The risk is too great, Will.
Riker: Weigh it against the prospect of war.
(Riker, volunteering to be a host body)

Riker/Odan: Beverly, I want you. If you’re going to leave, you’d better go right now.
Crusher: I’m not leaving.

4.22 Half a Life

2008-06-08T17:34:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

The sun of an alien world is slowly dieing. A scientist named Timicin has arranged for the Enterprise to aid him in experiments to restore the sun to its full strength. While on board, he is aggressively wooed by Deanna Troi’s spirited mother Lwaxana. He’s not disinterested, but resists her charms, as he is only a few days away from the ‘resolution’. At age 60, all people on his planet are willingly put to death to avoid any senility and expensive medical costs that would drain the rest of society. At about the same age herself, and in love with Timicin, Lwaxana thinks it’s a horrific custom, and convinces him to resist. But pressure from the government, and from his daughter, convince him to stay with tradition and end his life.

Comments

This episode is unique in that it allows two guest stars to be the leads.

Many would consider the episode overly talky, but it is refreshing to see a show that isn’t afraid to discuss issues without worrying about cleavage or action. In this instance, the episode could almost be considered too preachy…except for the resolution, which not only gives meaning and depth to the episode, but expands Lwaxana’s character immensely.

The basic idea of forced death is explored again, less deeply but perhaps more cleverly, in the VOY episode emanations.

Timicin is played by David Ogden Stiers, well-known for many roles but perhaps most familiar as Major Winchester on Mash.

Michelle Forbes, who plays Timicin’s bizarrely coiffured and always agitated daughter Dara, returns in season 5 to play the more conventionally coiffured and always agitated Bajoran, Ensign Ro Laren.

Nits

Maybe this is just a normal conflict with family burial plots, but Timicin’s daughter Dara says she is upset about where her father will die, and fears she will not be able to lay at rest with him and her mother. But wait…if she (the daughter) is going to be buried with her parents, then why isn’t her mother buried with her parents instead of with her husband? I know, it sounds like one of those lateral thinking puzzles, so I’ll stop.

Memorable Moments

• The ending, when Lwaxana joins Timicin in the transporter room to accompany him to his resolution. Very moving and unexpected.

Quotable Quotes

"Personal log, Star Date 4565.2: My mother is on board."
- Deanna Troi (this one line of dialogue serves well to open the episode)

"Please madam, that is a torpedo launch initiater! And I am Worf, I am not Woof."
- Worf defending his console and name

Lwaxana: Mr Hom is my valet. He doesn’t say much.
Geordi (aside): How can he?

4.21 The Drumhead

2008-06-08T17:34:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2.5

A Klingon exobiologist on a scientific exchange program is found guilty of smuggling sensitive information for sale to the Romulans. The Federation’s top investigator, Admiral Satie, (Jean Simmons) is sent to investigate, along with her Betazoid bloodhound partner, Sabin. Her routine investigation quickly accelerates into a witchhunt, a drumhead, a mock trial where the defendants are guilty until proven innocent. When Picard objects, she places him on the stand and attacks.

Comments

It’s nice to see the venerable actress Jean Simmons in this episode. She starred in many films, including Elmer Gantry and Spartacus. In her physical prime, about 30 years before this episode was filmed, she was one of the most beautiful women in the world.

This had the potential to be a good episode, but the drama seems contrived. One minute, Satie says Picard only allowed her on board if they would work as a team. The next minute, she is totally running things and answering directly to Starfleet. And Worf is dumbed down to go on the attack and ignore basic individual rights. Perhaps this is okay, as Worf has shown his Romulan prejudice before.

Nits

At the beginning of the episode, Troi’s observation after sitting in on the interview with the suspected traitor is, "He’s very closed…but he’s hiding something." This abides by the rule of empaths in drama. They can’t be very good at what they do, or the episode would be over too quickly. J

As mentioned, the change in Satie seems fake and rushed to fit into the time limitations of a one hour (actually about 42 minutes) television show.

Memorable Moments

• Picard defeating Satie at the hearing by quoting her father

Quotable Quotes

"Admiral, what you’re doing here is unethical. It’s immoral. I’ll fight it."
- Picard to Satie

"But she or someone like her will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness."
- Picard to Worf

4.20 Qpid

2008-06-08T17:34:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3.5

While orbiting Tagus 3 to deliver a speech to a symposium of archeologists, Picard is visited by Vash, Picard’s lover and adventure partner in the episode Captain’s Holiday. It is unclear whether she is there in search of love or artifacts. Meanwhile, Q visits as well, intent on repaying his supposed debt to Picard for saving his life in the episode Deja Q. He does this with a test of Picard’s love for Vash by forcing the Enterprise crew to take place in a very real recreation of the Robin Hood fable.

Comments

This is another lighthearted and lively Q episode, filled with funny lines.

It’s great seeing the crew out of character.

During the climatic swordfight, everyone fights with sword or staff except for Troi and Crusher, who break pottery over people’s heads. Unsupported trivia is that Marina Sirtis and Gates McFadden had fencing lessons sometime in their lives and were both disappointed when the director told them that they could not engage in the swordfight near the end of the episode because it would not have been "lady-like".

At the end, Vash and Q form a partnership. They return in the DS9 episode Q-Less.

Nits

When Sir Guy rides up on a horse, Worf rushes up and starts swordfighting with him. Sir Guy sits on the horse and Worf is on the ground. Tough angle…I’m surprised Worf didn’t wait for Sir Guy to dismount. Others have wondered why Worf didn’t stab the horse, but this is fairly standard procedure for Hollywood movies – the horses are never purposefully shot, but sometimes fall when the rider is shot.

Memorable Moments

• Data’s double take when, changed into a Friar Tuck robe at the symposium, he goes to make a comment by raising his right hand, and finds he is holding a huge hunk of meat

• Worf, shattering Geordi’s lute, then saying, "Sorry" (this is a homage to John Belushi, who broke someone’s guitar and then said, "Sorry" in the movie Animal House)

• Troi shooting Data with an arrow

• Picard, getting into the role of Robin by hopping around in a spritely manner

• The Robin Hood music riff, worked nicely into the normal Trek ending music

Quotable Quotes

"Nice legs…for a human."
- Worf regarding Vash

"Jean Luc, it’s wonderful to see you again. How ‘bout a big hug!"
- Q’s greeting to Picard

Q: Without your assistance in our last encounter I would never have survived. I would have taken my own life but for you.
Picard: We all make mistakes.

"I knew there was something different about you. You seem tense, preoccupied, somewhat…smaller."
- Q to Picard (what makes this line so interesting is that it is preceeded by Q sneaking a look under Picard’s bed covers, and when Q says, ‘smaller’, his eyes subtledy dart in the general direction of Picard’s crotch again)

"Sir, I protest! I am not a merry man!"
- Worf, unhappy to be cast in the role of Will Scarlet (you’ve got to give a lot of credit to the person who wrote this line)

Sir Guy: I’ll have you know I am the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham!
Picard: There’s something you should know.
Sir Guy: And what is that?
Picard: I’m not from Nottingham.

4.19 The Nth Degree

2008-06-08T17:33:00.006-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The Enterprise investigates a power failure at the Argus Array, a sophisticated observation station on the edge of Federation space. While Geordi and Barclay are checking it out from a shuttlecraft, an intense flash of light knocks Barclay unconscious. Soon after, he changes personality, appears to possess limitless knowledge, and then creates an interface and merges inextricably with the Enterprise computer. Despite Picard’s orders to the contrary, he takes the ship on what could be a dangerous journey into subspace.

Comments

This episode was written by Joe Menosky.

I like the ending; it is very reminiscent of early Trek. And it is not really what is expected. We are thinking, "danger", and we are assuming that someone will have to figure out a way to disarm Barclay.

Nits

Troi is incredibly ineffective here. When computer-Barclay refuses to obey Picard’s order and continues to take the ship into subspace, she volunteers to go speak to him. First, she tries pleading. When that doesn’t work, she threatens/forewarns him that Picard will do everything in his power to stop him. Is this a good strategy when dealing with a powerful being that has control of the ship? Of course, Barclay immediately begins searching around and because of this threat, finds and disables Picard and Geordi’s plan to stop him. Come to think of it, I wonder if Troi was secretly proud of her former patient, and purposely warned him, knowing that it would work out in the end.

If Troi was serious about stopping Barclay, she should have checked Starfleet records and used the tried and true technique perfected by Kirk: convince Barclay that he is acting illogically. Powerful computers hate illogic and will shut themselves down.

I am confused – the Cytherians are a peaceful race only interested in knowledge and trading information, and yet the technique they use to study other life forms is to invade a body and hijack the ship. Wouldn’t this approach lead to confusion, violence, and many tragedies? This is similar to the concept of spying on a people before making first contact (see the episode First Contact).

Memorable Moments

• It’s great to see Barclay (Dwight Schultz) out of character and supremely confident and suave. It shows how much acting he is normally doing in the role.

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Has Mr Barclay done anything that could be considered potentially threatening?
Troi: Well, he did make a pass at me last night…a good one.

Barclay: I believe it is a gift. I have been chosen to fulfill a great purpose.
Geordi: Uh, huh.

4.18 Identity Crisis

2008-06-08T17:33:00.005-07:00

Rating: 4

The mystery surrounding the unsolved disappearance of all members of a Federation outpost on Tarchannen III hits close to home when members of the away mission who investigated the original disappearance – an away mission that included Geordi – also begin to disappear.

Comments

This is considered a very good episode by those who are willing to put science aside and enjoy science fantasy. At least for once the writers were willing to have something truly dramatic happen to one of the characters.

Nits

Although the sensors can, I assume, pick up that Lt Hickman is on board the soon-to-blow-up shuttle, it is unfortunate that they cannot detect that Hickman is no longer a human life form – or it would have been a much simpler mystery.

This mystery is partially solved by examining detailed video footage of the away mission made by one of the away team. Although this is a handy plot device, why have we never seen anyone else – before or after this – filming an away mission?

Maybe, instead of just asking Geordi to let her know if he started to develop symptoms, Crusher could have suggested a security guard (or nurse/doctor) be assigned to Geordi for 24 hour watch. Picard was there too, and he didn’t think of it. Or maybe they should have taken away his codes to activate the transporter.

Memorable Moments

• Leitjen clamping a webbed hand on Geordi’s shoulder as she starts to change

• Geordi looking sadly at the non-transformed hologram of Leitjen on the holodeck

• The entire holodeck scene where Geordi extrapolates the hidden shadow and fleshes it out into a shape – it’s unrushed pacing adds to the creepiness. And in this scene, it’s a nice scientific touch that the computer refuses to create a shape based solely on a shadow – Geordi has to first give a height of the being.

• The final scene, when the transformed Geordi, bathed in ultraviolet light, is convinced to return to the Enterprise, is effective and emotional

Quotable Quotes

"I am…strongly motivated to solve this mystery."
- Data, admitting in his own way that he is worried about Geordi

"Geordi? Geordi, my voice is familiar, listen to it. You can feel that we share this. You know I’m not a threat. The others – Mendez, Brevelle – they don’t exist as humans anymore. But a part of you still does. You’re not one of them yet, Geordi. I can help you if you’ll just trust me. I know what’s going on inside of you – the war you’re fighting with yourself. Your humanity slipping away. The instinct to run – it’s overpowering. But they know how to beat it now, Geordi. Look at me! I’ve come back, Geordi. Let me take you back too. Just take my hand…please."
- Leitjen convinces Geordi to come back to the human race

"You know, down there I…I didn’t know who you were, and yet, somehow, I believed you, I trusted you."
- Geordi to Leitjen

4.17 Night Terrors

2008-06-08T17:33:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The Enterprise locates a missing science vessel. All crewmembers have been killed by phasers, except for one catatonic Betazoid survivor.

Comments

Picard does a great job of looking out of sorts. His posture becomes prawn-like, and he looks extremely tired. By the end of the episode, everyone (except for Data, of course) looks like they left the makeup room early. Not all stars of TV series would allow themselves to be seen on camera like this, even if the script called for it, so I give the cast credit for being game.

Nits

It seems amazing that the symptoms of sleep deprivation (which the crew is suffering) would not be in the medical database.

This may not be a nit (more on that later) but it seems that the Enterprise crew’s reaction to sleep deprivation does not seem to get much worse as time goes on. Early in the show, we see Riker seeing snakes and O’Brien sniping at Keiko. Toward the end of the show, O’Brien is still hanging around ten-forward, looking relatively calm. He even tells another crewmember to calm down. This is a subdued reaction compared to the crew of the Brattain, who grabbed as many weapons as they could, barricaded themselves in their quarters, and killed each other. The most this crew can offer up are a few punches in ten-forward. When the security guards show up, they seem under control and are still following orders. The security guards have phasers; why aren’t they going crazy like the crew of the Brattain, shooting at everybody for no reason? Simple: we know this will not happen on NextGen, because things just never get that extreme. We will see a similar reaction again, in the season five episode Conundrum, when the crew no longer know who they are and why they are there, but still continue to go about their duties without a whimper.

It’s also worth noting that the basic structure of this episode has been repeated many times. In essence, the Enterprise encounters another ship whose crew has met a disaster or untimely end; they find themselves in the same predicament, and have to race against time to avoid meeting the same fate. The problem is, they always win the race, and we know they will. But this is probably true of any ‘reset button’ show.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: I’m still here. Do you remember anything more?
Catatonic Betazoid: Double…double.
Troi: What does that mean? Is something doubled?
(I love that counselor; she’s a clever one!)

4.16 Galaxy's Child

2008-06-08T17:33:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

The Enterprise investigates – and is attacked – by an unusual craft-shaped creature living in space. Unfortunately, a defensive phaser blast kills it. Meanwhile, Geordi is visited by the woman of his dreams: Enterprise engine designer Leah Brahms. Geordi has studied her and even created her in the holodeck previously to help solve a problem in a crisis situation (see the episode Booby Trap). However, the real woman isn’t exactly what he was expecting.

Comments

The A-story of Geordi and Leah is handled poorly. Geordi says all the wrong things and is seriously creepy. He certainly is stupid when it comes to women, but it seems out of character, because his people skills are usually quite good. I have a lot of respect for the writers of this show, but they should stay away from trying to write about these types of relationships. I found it a little unbelievable that cold, aloof, unfriendly Leah could not only change so suddenly, but that the catalyst for her change would be seeing that Geordi has created what she believed was a holographic sexual fantasy image of her!

The B-story is much more interesting – a first contact, an assisted alien birth, and complications when the ‘child’ imprints on the Enterprise, attaches itself, and begins draining energy.

Ensign Rager (Lanai Chapman) again appeared with Whoopie Goldberg (Guinan) in the 2001 movie Rat Race.

Nits

When Leah is counting down the energy levels, she says, "Oh-Five-Oh. Oh-f-Three-Oh." It sounds like she was going to count sequentially, saying, "Oh-Four-Oh", but then caught herself and did the line the way it was written in the script.

Memorable Moments

• Close-ups of Leah’s icicle-style earrings

Quotable Quotes

"I’ve been…studying her schematics!"
- Geordi, trying to sound innocent to Guinan regarding his intentions and knowledge of Leah Brahms

Troi: It’s feeding off the energy of the Enterprise as it would from its mother.
Worf: What action should we take, sir?
Picard: None, Lieutenant. None at all.

"I’m with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you’re looking at me. Every time you touch it, it’s me."
– Leah Brahms talks dirty to Geordi (this footage was originally used in the episode Booby Trap)

4.15 First Contact

2008-06-08T17:32:00.005-07:00

Rating: 3

On an alien world, two doctors are examining a human patient who has had facial surgery to appear as one of them. It’s Riker; he was seriously injured while coordinating first contact with a world about to obtain warp drive capabilities. Now, amongst a people who believe they are the center of the universe and who unabashedly fear outsiders, Riker’s life is in danger, forcing an accelerated first contact between Picard and a leading scientist.

Comments

George Coe (Durken) is fondly remembered for his work on the innovative sci-fi television series Max Headroom.

This fairly straightforward but thoughtful episode stays within a gray area, rather than painting good and evil characters. It was co-written by five people, including Joe Menosky and Ronald D. Moore.

Nits

Picard chooses to make first contact by beaming into a scientist’s lab! Wouldn’t this presumptive breach of both security and privacy be considered threatening, like an invasion? Why not make contact with the leaders first? This whole first contact strategy involving observation and subterfuge creates more problems than it could possibly solve, and really gets relationships off to a bad note: "Hi, we’re your trustworthy new friends, the Federation. We have ships ten times as fast as yours, vastly superior and deadly weapons that we promise only to use in defence, and, by the way, we have been spying on you for 20 years." Just because a race is about to go to warp, does that give the Federation the right to violate their privacy and security and not go through normal diplomatic channels?

Picard tells Mirasta that the Federation only uses highly trained observers. Yet Riker is down on the planet, observing. Riker does not fit my idea of a highly trained observer – I was thinking more along the lines of someone who specializes in this area.

Memorable Moments

• Riker’s interaction with the alien groupie

• The Malcorian President’s grudging friendship with Picard

Quotable Quotes

"Was there anything else found? I had one piece of jewelry, a metal pin."
- Riker, carefully inquiring as to the whereabouts of his communicator

Riker: Now will you help me?
Lanell: If you make love to me.
Riker: What?
Lanell: I’ve always wanted to make love with an alien.

Lanell: Will I ever see you again?
Riker: I’ll call you the next time I pass through your star system.

4.14 Clues

2008-06-08T17:32:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3.5

While investigating the unusual occurrence of an M-class planet within a nebula, the Enterprise is sucked into a wormhole. All of the crew are stunned, except for Data, whose positronic brain is unaffected. He informs the crew that they were unconscious for 30 seconds. But slowly, clues are revealed that indicate Data is hiding something.

Comments

This neat little mystery was co-written by Joe Menosky.

Picard’s long-dormant Dixon Hill holodeck simulation returns. This time, Picard is showing Guinan how much fun it is, but she doesn’t agree.

Data is a bad liar. His evasive answers showed that he was obviously hiding something. I don’t have a lot of faith that the same thing won’t happen again (the crew might once again discover some clues that their memories were wiped).

The VOY episode unforgettable uses a similar concept.

Nits

Why did the aliens feel the need to make the elaborate changes required to make it seem the crew was only out for 30 seconds? It might have been better to just leave the clocks alone. Although the beards not growing might have raised suspicions, it wouldn’t have caused enough suspicion to make Picard keep investigating. It was only because Data got caught out defending the time differential that suspicions were raised.

Memorable Moments

• Data is finally going to reveal the mystery. Alien Troi stomps onto the bridge, looking threatening and possessed. And the music is great.

• Data’s little look of satisfaction at the end when he realizes that this time, the deception may work.

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Who gave you that order?
Data: You did, sir.

4.13 Devil's Due

2008-06-08T17:32:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

Responding to a distress call from a research station on Ventax 2, the Enterprise discovers a planet in turmoil. The Ventaxians believe that they signed a legitimate century-old deal with the devil, where they received 1000 years of peace and prosperity in exchange for their souls. They also believe that Ardra, their version of the devil, has returned to collect her due. It’s obvious that the being known as Ardra, who seems to enjoy the game, has some powers, but Picard believes that she is nothing more than a sophisticated con artist. He challenges her claim in a court where Data has been appointed judge.

Comments

This lightweight but fun episode is played for laughs by everyone. One would not seriously care what happens to the naïve Ventaxians, nor does Picard seriously seem to be worried about the Enterprise either.

This episode feels like it comes from an earlier time in Trek’s history, so it’s no surprise to find out that the concept was originally written for the Star Trek: Phase 2 show many years earlier.

The caked-on 1970s makeup worn by the devil reminded me very much of the charged-up ‘Zoul’ played by Sigourney Weaver in Ghostbusters.

Quotable Quotes

"The advocate will refrain from making her opponent disappear."
- Data as judge

"Mr La Forge, my reputation as a litigator, not to mention my immortal soul, is in serious jeopardy."
- Picard

4.12 The Wounded

2008-06-08T17:31:00.007-07:00

Rating: 2.5

While the Enterprise embarks on a mapping survey near the Cardassian border, the new and fragile truce between the Federation and Cardassia is tested when a renegade StarFleet captain takes matters into his own hands.

Comments

This well-written episode, penned by Jeri Taylor, explores how war affects people. This episode feel very much like a DS9 episode.

Marc Alaimo plays Gul Macet here. Later, on DS9, he played Gul Ducat (virtually the same character).

The Cardassian are all gold and brown. Their uniforms are brownish gold, their ships are bronze, and they themselves are decidedly sepia. And there’s another difference in how they would eventually look on DS9 and VOY – while on their ship, they wear a thin facial mask.

Nits

It’s certainly dramatic to have Worf burst onto the bridge and present his Cardassian spy suspect to Picard and Macet, but is it good security procedure to allow a suspect access to the bridge? Wouldn’t it be better to bring him directly to the brig and lock him up, then ask Picard and Macet to question him there?

I am always amazed by Picard’s restraint in using the engines. Here, he is given a direct order to stop a renegade captain from starting a war. Yet after locating the ship he only pursues at Warp 4! Finally, after Maxwell kills even more people, he goes to Warp 9. Why not use Warp 9 right from the start?

Early on, the Enterprise locates Maxwell’s ship, the Phoenix, and pursues (as mentioned, slowly). Yet when they get closer, Data reports that they have ‘located’ the ship. This seems to infer that they did not know its location earlier.

Picard and Maxwell meet and Maxwell makes no secret that he hates the Cardassians. Maxwell even tries to get Picard to disobey direct orders and attack the Cardassians. Yet Picard allows Maxwell to return to his vessel and captain it back to a Starbase. Maxwell has already killed 700 Cardassians, none of whom were attacking him. Should Maxwell still be trusted to follow Picard back to the Starbase? Of course, Maxwell promptly changes course and pursues another Cardassian ship.

Instead of attacking outposts without provocation, why didn’t Maxwell do earlier what he asks Picard to do at the end – board a supposed research supply ship and get proof that the Cardassians were using the ships to transport weapons?

Memorable Moments

• O’Brien and Maxwell singing a duet

Quotable Quotes

"The phaser was set to maximum. The man just incinerated there before my eyes. I’d never killed anything before."
- O’Brien, on taking out a Cardassian terrorist

4.11 Data’s Day

2008-06-08T17:31:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2.5

As Data composes a letter to Dr Maddox of the Daystrom Institute on his development, we follow him as he narrates his day. He attempts to help Keiko and Miles keep their wedding hopes alive; Beverly teaches him to dance, and he gets involved in a possible peace initiative between Vulcan Ambassador T’Pel and the Romulans.

Comments

This episode was co-written by Ronald D. Moore (who was also script editor at the time). It has his stamp all over it, from the choice of "Isn’t It Romantic" as Data and Crusher’s dance music, to the way we actually learn about growing characters who have an arc. It’s not an exceptional episode, but I still can appreciate a script written by someone who cares about the characters.

Brent Spiner is one of the stronger actors, so any episode devoted to him is going to be a cut above the others.

Nits

Why was such an elaborate deception staged by the Romulan spy? Why not just get beamed over and never tell anyone she was a spy? Didn’t it make everyone more suspicious that she died?

Memorable Moments

• The strange smile on Data’s face when he starts dancing with his beautiful holographic partner – was that supposed to be Tasha Yar?

Quotable Quotes

"Human bonding rituals often involve a great deal of talking and…dancing and…crying."
- Worf on weddings

4.10 The Loss

2008-06-08T17:31:00.003-07:00

Rating: 2.5

When the Enterprise becomes trapped within a cluster of two dimensional entities, they are dragged toward a projected fatal encounter with a cosmic string…and Deanna loses her empathic abilities.

Comments

Apparently the theme early this season was to have episodes focusing on some of the more minor characters, like Dr Crusher and Deanna Troi. This is Deanna’s episode, and she carries it well.

Nits

It is stated that the entities are ‘virtually without height’, but is that truly two dimensional? They must have some height, or they would not be detectable at all. And if they have some height, they are not two-dimensional.

Memorable Moments

• Despite the fact that I didn’t think this was a great episode, when Deanna gets her powers back, I did shed a tear. Pretty good acting will do that to me.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: Data, don’t you see? We’ve been thinking in three dimensions. We have to get two dimensional!
Data: Pardon me?
(This would be one of the rare times that Troi could confuse Data, unless he thought she was making a pass).

4.09 Final Mission

2008-06-08T17:31:00.001-07:00

Rating: 3

Wesley’s final away mission before leaving Enterprise to join the Academy becomes dangerous when the rickety shuttle provided by the participating aliens crash-lands on an inhospitable moon. Wesley is stranded with Picard and a stubborn, untrustworthy alien mining captain, and the ensign has no choice but to grow up fast and develop leadership capabilities. Meanwhile, the Enterprise cannot join the search for the missing away team until they successfully save a planet from severe radiation poisoning by ‘escorting’ an unmanned garbage scow.

Comments

This examination of Wesley’s coming of age before he leaves the show is a nice send-off. In addition, the shots on the moon are washed out and well done. It really does look hot and desolate there, and those distant mountains look oh so very far away.

Perhaps Picard’s choice of Wesley for this away mission is misguided. Even before leaving the ship, Wesley insults Captain Dirgo by commenting to Geordi, "Captain of a mining ship?" He says this well within earshot of Dirgo, who is offended and tells Wesley off.

The dramatic music as the shuttle careens out of control toward the moon reminded me of the theme from the 1960s television show Lost in Space.

Nits

Geordi says the alien shuttle has passed a maintenance and security check, yet later we find out that the shuttle had no emergency supplies, not even any water. Shouldn’t ‘emergency supplies’ be an item that would be checked?

After crash-landing in the desert, Picard rejects Dirgo’s suggestion that they stay with the shuttle, stating that it will become like an oven in there. Since the shuttle has to fly through space, insulated from extreme cold and the direct rays of the sun, wouldn’t it still be relatively sheltered and much cooler than walking across a desert in direct sunlight? They could stay and attempt to repair the communications equipment. After all, Dirgo says they are broken, but he didn’t seem to spend any time trying to fix them, and Wesley is the smartest teenager in the universe.

Marooned on the planet, Picard says, "Where there are mountains, there is shelter." I sort of thought he was going to say ‘water’, especially since they don’t have any.

Discovering a cave, Dirgo suggests that caves must be formed from water. Picard says not necessarily, and states that he believes the cave was formed by volcanic action. Meanwhile, we are looking at an obvious staircase carved into the rock. Did the lava do this?

After discovering that Dirgo is hoarding alcohol, Picard invites him to ‘lead the way’. Dirgo starts forward, but in the next scene, Picard is back in the lead.

Picard pushes Wesley out of the way as the cave collapses, then looks up and sees huge boulders heading toward him. Luckily, none of these boulders hit him or even go anywhere near him. He seems to only be hit by small rocks, pebbles, and lots of dust.

And of course there are many alternative ways of taking care of the garbage scow that are faster and safer, such as blowing it up, rapelling it, or just getting it outside the planet’s atmosphere and then coming back later to take care of it. Let’s face it, they didn’t really want to find Wesley. ;)

Memorable Moments

• After the rescue, Picard and Wesley Crusher walk off hand in hand. Ahhh, now this was when the creators knew how to farewell a long-time character – Wesley saves Picard’s life and exits, stage right, amid cheers!

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Mr Crusher, what are you doing in such a filthy uniform?
Wesley: You don’t look so ship-shape yourself, sir.

4.08 Future Imperfect

2008-06-08T17:30:00.005-07:00

Rating: 4

On an away mission to investigate a possible hidden Romulan base, a virus infects Riker. 16 years later, the dormant virus springs into action, causing him to suddenly forget those years. He ‘awakens’ to find he is on board the Enterprise and that he and Admiral Picard are about to negotiate a peace treaty with the Romulan Ambassador Tomalak. He also has a son - and he had a wife who died two years ago. But there’s more to this future than meets the eye.

Comments

It was about 16 years (similar to the length of Riker’s memory loss, coincidentally) since I saw this episode the first time, and the ‘twist within a twist’ got me again.

Apparently, Jonathan Frakes can (kind of) play the trombone.

Andreas Katsulas returns again as Tomalak.

Jonathan Frakes is appealing and tries his best, but comes off just a little stiff at moments that required a bit more feelings to emote. Nonetheless, his is a great performance, and it is a clever script.

Nits

Some of the nits are alleviated when we find out this is all a fantasy world, such as how Ethan was able to overpower a big Romulan guard.

Memorable Moments

• Riker’s thoughts on the shock of being a father touched home with me. Sometimes I wake up and am surprised to find out I am one too!

• The doorway force field effect on the Romulan prison cell

• The final scene, when Riker and Barash becomes friends. To me, this not only epitomizes the very core of the Star Trek philosophy (seek out and identify new life) but also shows the solution to most of the problems that still plague our society – to embrace the similarities, rather than polarizing on the differences – among diverse beings.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: What did you wish for?
Riker: Music lessons.

Picard: Captain, perhaps it would be better if we discussed this-
Riker: SHUT UP!
Picard: I beg your pardon?
Riker: I said SHUT UP, as in CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND STOP TALKING!

Alien: My name is ‘Barash’.
Riker: To me, you’ll always be Jean-Luc.

4.07 Reunion

2008-06-08T17:30:00.003-07:00

Rating: 3

Worf’s reunites with his love interest, the half-human, half-Klingon K’Ehleyr, aboard a Klingon battle cruiser that also carries the Imperial Commander K’mpec. K’mpec is dieing from a slow poison, and suspects that either Duras or Gowron, the two who have petitioned to lead the Council, has poisoned him. Before dieing, K’mpec asks Picard to mediate the official ceremony and to discover the identity of the honorless murderer.

Comments

It is very sad that they killed off K’Ehleyr in only her second appearance. She was a spirited and fascinating character; Suzie Plakson breathes life into her. But it was very dramatic. Sometimes the most interesting, respected and loved characters have to be killed off to make these shows rise above the ‘reset button’ mentality.

Memorable Moments

• Alexander makes a very cute Klingon boy

• The first appearance of the Bat’leth, the Klingon weapon of mass destruction

• Worf killing Duras

• Any scenes which feature Gowron’s spooky ‘Lleyton Hewitt’ eyes

• Worf telling Alexander that he is his father

Quotable Quotes

"Not even a bite on the cheek for old time’s sake?"
- K’Ehleyr to Worf

Picard: Mr. Worf, we have a conspiracy on our hands that could be a direct threat to the Federation.
Worf: Yes sir.
Picard: As chief security officer, I want you to accompany me to the next meeting.
Worf: Captain, they will be incensed! My presence will be disruptive!
Picard: Yes. It will.

4.06 Legacy

2008-06-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

Rating: 2.5

Two Federation colonists are forced to crash their escape pod on Turkana 4, homeworld of deceased crewman Tasha Yar, where two gangs fight for control. When one gang, the Alliance, takes the two hostage, the rival gang, the Coalition, offer help in the form of Tasha’s sister, Ishara.

Comments

With the reset button about to be pressed, it’s easy to see where this story is going. To help the plot along, the entire crew is willing to ignore all arguments and accept Ishara at face value. More interesting is the subtle exploration of Data’s humanity. Only we are privy to how much Data can feel.

This episode was written by Joe Menosky, who would go on to write some of the best episodes of NextGen and VOY, includingDarmok (NextGen), tinker, tenor, doctor, spy (VOY), and muse (VOY).

To date, the very beautiful Beth Toussaint has continued to get small roles in movies and make guest appearances on TV shows, but she missed out on playing Linda Hamilton’s twin sister ;).

Nits

After Riker endangers both the landing party and himself by going off alone to rescue Ishara, Picard admonishes him for letting his emotions cloud his judgement. Yet just as Will is about to leave, Picard, says, "Well done." I was totally confused about whether or not Picard was pleased or displeased.

Memorable Moments

• The pan from the blinking red alarm light to Riker’s upturned face

Quotable Quotes

Ishara: You don’t believe I’m Tasha’s sister.
Picard: We have considered the possibility.
Ishara: You can sample my DNA, if you’d like.
Crusher: Yes, we will.

4.05 Remember Me

2008-06-08T17:29:00.005-07:00

Rating: 2

At Starbase 133, Dr Beverly Crusher is reunited with her ageing mentor, Dr Dalen Quaice. They trade stories of their deceased partners. After Crusher views Wesley’s failed warp field experiment, the stories of missing loved ones seem prophetic when she finds that Dr Quaice has vanished. The mystery deepens as more and more members of the crew also vanish, and the crew that remain have no memory of their recently departed shipmates.

Comments

Wow, a rare Crusher episode! She’s on camera almost all the time and does a good job of acting in a somewhat difficult and monotonous role. The concept of alternative reality has been explored numerous times on Trek and has been more effective and fun on many of those occasions. This one is a little too thinly plotted to be stretched to 42 minutes.

Wesley Crusher’s acting is okay, but his lack of facial expression and dead eyes make him seem like a Stepford Ensign.

I’ve got to praise the person in charge of saving money for production costs. Picard orders "Tea…Earl Grey…Hot" from the replicator, then removes the cup. But they cleverly hid the replicator around the corner, so all they had to put in was the sound effect – they didn’t have to visually materialize it.

Nits

During Beverly’s chat with Picard, the intelligent doors once again know when not to open. She turns to leave and walks up to the doors, but they remain closed, somehow sensing that she was about to turn around and plead with him to take the ship back to Starbase 133.

Why isn’t Wesley trying this obviously dangerous and complicated experiment on the holodeck first?

Quotable Quotes

"Worf…chief of security…the big guy who never smiles…the Klingon!"
- Crusher, hoping more information will finally cause someone to remember