Amac Productions

Guys, I got to say, you lived up to the opening statement pretty well in this episode. You went where no one else had before.

Except, when you got there, you just wanted to get the hell back.

Not that I could blame you. Just sending a message to Starfleet about your location was going to take a lifetime. I’d like to get back in range of being able to call home for help if I need to.

I have to say, this episode really makes me love Picard more than I already did.

His ability to juggle the needs of the ship with the needs of the individual is stellar. Including his ability to handle his crew.

For example, the crew member who set fire to the corridor and was struggling to put it out. He was firm but kind with him. Not admonishing for creating the fire in the first place. He calmed himself and explained it to the crew member, forceful, and firm but never unkind.

I really enjoy his leadership style.

Too often I feel like we’ve got these tough leaders that never show affection or kindness, yet somehow everyone will go to the ends of the earth for them. Picard actually feels like a true leader people would follow to the edge of space and trust that he will somehow get them home safely.

Even if he’s essentially ordering someone to their death.

I do feel for the Traveler and Picard.

They make the choice to do the right thing for the crew and ship. Even though it hurts.

So far, I really appreciate how this show balances the understanding that the captain has an entire ship to worry about. Not just one person. He can’t be nice for the sake of being nice. Sometimes, he has to do the hard thing.

But he is not unwilling to listen either.

Riker brings up his concerns at the start of the episode. Which – side note – I love for different reasons. I love that Riker felt comfortable enough to bring his concerns to Picard. For Picard for generating that kind of atmosphere.

Also, I love how much Riker cares. About the ship. What happens to it and how it works.

It also demonstrates how intelligent Riker is to be able to understand that whatever the hell this guy was saying it made no sense and was complete gobbly gook. Which is was.

Because this supposed genius didn’t do anything. His assistant did.

Speaking of impeccable character, like Picard’s. Riker is no slouch either. He’s still learning and that is clear when he ignores Wesley’s attempt to warn him. But I also love that he is not too proud to admit that he didn’t listen when Wesley tried to warn him.

That it has nothing to do with the teen.

I really liked that he didn’t let Wesley take the fall.

Honestly, this show is amazing at creating realistic characters and giving them depth. Things to sink their teeth into as we get glimpses of each of their pasts.

Though, I will admit, I’m far less interested in some than others.

I really do not care for Tasha Yar. Her depth feels more forced than the others, to me. Maybe you have a different opinion. I don’t know. For whatever reason, her character feels flimsy, and more like an afterthought than the others.

Or Wesley.

As we try to give him more purpose than we should.

He feels like he causes more trouble than he helps more often than not, yet we’re rewarding that bad behavior by making him an ensign. Whatever that means. All because some strange dude said he was going to be special.

Well, I hope you’re right dude. Because he feels irritating right now.

His achievement at the end felt wholly unearned.

However, I do enjoy how proud everyone else is. We wanted Beverly to share in the moment with her son. Deanna smiles at Wesley fondly. Riker is excited and pleased with this turn of events. Picard appears as proud as he can manage.

This adds layers to the other characters which is nice.

It also does, feel in character for Picard because I feel he’s always going to have a soft spot for Wesley that he will never have for anyone else unless he has a child of his own. Wesley is the son of his best friend. Who died while serving with him. A body he brought home to both Wesley and Beverly.

I imagine each of them are going to hold a special place for him.

Thus, his treatment of Wesley makes sense. Regardless of whether he has earned it or not. Picard feels responsible, I imagine for him. I really enjoy that.

Also, I must say, I love that the show never takes itself too seriously as Riker and Picard teasingly joke at the end that they cannot have a non-officer sitting on the bridge. Only to give him a title. It was a very sweet and humorous moment between them. I really enjoy how they play off each other.

Picard and Riker may be my favorite characters, followed by Deanna and Beverly. Though I want Deanna to have more screen time. I feel like we had a lot of her talent in the first episode and since then… like nothing. More please.

Data is hilarious. He, Worf, and Geordi need more screentime as well so I can get to know them better.

I feel like they don’t get enough time to shine and show me who they are. But the little glimpses give me a sneak peek into the interesting characters you are not giving enough focus to.

Overall, I enjoyed this episode. It was full of heart.

Like seeing Picard with his mother. Worf with his childhood pet. Picard and Riker taking Wesley under their wing.

Humor. With an interesting conflict that allowed the characters to shine instead of the special effects or even the setting. Giving them an impossible and crazy situation to deal with. Along with a guy who thought he was way smarter than he actually is.

I truly expected more violence or shooting or sci-fi-ness from the show, but I actually like this better. The characters are the most important thing and everything serves them. Not them serving the plot. Which – well – is my favorite.

Can’t wait to see what else they’ve got in store! Onto the next!

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