You know what?
I should just stop having expectations for this show.
When I watched the first episode, I was genuinely surprised by how much diplomacy there was. I expected more violence or pew pew lasers or something. More akin to watching Star Wars.
However, I have learned that is literally the opposite of what Starfleet stands for.
They wish to explore worlds. Meet new people and see what the universe has to offer. They do not wish to conquer or fight with anyone. They just want to take a look around the universe.
It’s a pretty chill idea.
Thus, there’s not really a lot of fighting.
Everyone aboard The Enterprise is fairly diplomatic.
With the exception of Yar and Worf, who are particularly prone to wishing for violence. But considering they’re stations or species have a say in that, I don’t really blame them.
However, with someone like Picard at the helm to temper them, they really don’t have too much impact.
They do their best to understand the societies they find themselves in. Trying to be respectful of their traditions and customs as best they can.
I love that Picard isn’t too proud to stand in front of these people and make the formal request he must, to get Yar back.
He’s nothing like I would expect a captain to be. He’s never too proud. His ego does not interfere. Nothing about him likes the situation, but there are more important things than how he feels.
I really enjoyed Picard in this episode.
He’s concerned for his officer. But he’s also captain of the ship and he’s sworn an oath to Starfleet. That means there’s certain protocols he must follow. However, he will find a way to make them all intertwine with one another to satisfy. At least, as much as he possibly can.
His mind is truly fascinating to watch.
He manages to get them to admit what they want. That Lutan cannot possibly lose with whoever wins the duel. He will be powerful either way. However, Picard discovers that without his wife, Lutan possesses nothing.
Because this society is weird.
Women own everything, but the men run it once they marry.
So technically he has no power. He’s just using his wife’s power. But the woman can do nothing without a dude to rule over her land. It’s weird, and I don’t think I completely understand it. Though, I don’t think Picard does either. Maybe just enough to circumvent certain things.
Like getting the marriage destroyed.
The first wife realizing that the other guy actually cared about her. Not just her land or riches. Got to say, I love that she managed to screw Lutan over.
Yep, dude, you have your honor.
I hope that helps you.
Because, uh, well, you got nothing else. Your wife left you. Yar doesn’t want you either. But your first wife has taken you back to be her second husband. If she takes another, I’m sure you’ll rank even lower.
But sure, enjoy your honor.
Dummy.
Picard here – demonstrates that pride means little to him. He would do what he must or what was right.
Lutan let it control everything he did, until he was left with nothing but his honor. Somehow, I don’t think his people will see him as filled with honor. I think they’d pity him. Although, again, I’m not entirely certain how their society works.
I don’t pity him. I think he deserved worse.
Especially for going back on his word to give Yar back.
Jerk.
This is also, one of the few moments I did not hate Yar very much. Overall, I’m not a fan of her character. However, I did enjoy that she tried to reason with the first wife before the duel. She didn’t want to kill her. She takes no pleasure in this and understands where the other woman is coming from. But they gain nothing from this.
Except, well, the first wife did manage to gain a husband who might actually love her and value her. So, you know, maybe it was for the best.
I did like that scene, regardless.
It’s one of the only times thus far, where it didn’t feel like Yar’s answer was violence.
She also did help to save the first wife’s life and I enjoyed that as well.
As for everything else, I really love the sets and props they use. They’re so outlandish and wild. The gloves. The arena. Even the Enterprise. None of it feels like it’s trying to be something. This was the idea of progression to them at the time it was created and it’s unique to itself.
It’s not trying to be anything.
It is what it is.
The sets are silly. The props look ridiculous, but it works.
Like the weird thing the doctor carries around to scan everyone looks so weird and random and like it should do anything. Just a hunk of plastic with a light in it. But I love the simplicity of the designs, because this could have been the future. It still could be. We don’t know.
It is its own world. And it truly feels like it.
I really enjoy it. Even if it looks like silly sometimes. But I love that the show owns the silliness. It embraces it and laughs along.
The show is wacky and wild.
None of the crew is overly serious all the time. Riker cracks jokes like it’s part of his job. Telling Picard to be careful going down to the planet or he’d put him on notice.
Everyone genuinely enjoys each other’s company and work together respectfully. They also trust Picard to have the ship and the crew’s best interests at heart while honoring their oaths to Starfleet.
He listens to them and takes advice.
It’s such a refreshing show for me, even though it is an old show at this point. It still holds up despite being a product of its time in some places.
Ultimately, they complete their mission and manage to get Yar back, to head off on their next assignment.
However, upon researching the episode, I can see this episode is marred by claims of racism. Which I can completely see since the ‘villains’ of the story are black people only. I did not see it while watching it through, but I can see how it would quietly reinforce racism in the background. Or blatantly when it you think about it.
Yes. Not the finest move by far.
Again, I do understand that this show is still very much a product of its time.
Onto to the next episode though.
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