Amac Productions

Chaos ensues!

A being of energy is accidentally brought onboard the Enterprise and all hell breaks loose.

Especially when it gains control over Picard and is now commanding the ship.

I love that we need to take a vote to relieve the possessed person from command. Well, we’re not sure. What do you mean you’re not sure if there’s something wrong with Picard?!

This is like episode seven, right? I know something is wrong with him and I didn’t need to see the blue thingy enter his body to know it, either.

At no point has Picard ever just declared himself the captain and why should he listen to anyone else? I think it was last week that I spent singing his praises of how wonderful of a leader he is. Well, not once has Picard just outright dismissed someone’s questions about what was going on. Nor has he ever been power trippy.

While Riker being confused might make sense since he is the newest addition to the crew. Even Geordi as well. But Beverly knows him. He was best friends with her husband.

Even while completely drunk in episode two, he managed to pull himself together and keep the ship running.

Please, explain to me how he appears to be perfectly fine.

However, on the other hand, I do love that Riker cannot unilaterally decide to take command. He needs all of the officers in command of their stations to agree with him. While I like that system of checks and balances. I think there may need to be one in case of emergency as well.

Like you know, Picard putting his life and the safety of the crew in jeopardy because he’s not himself. I feel that’s a valid reason for Riker to take command in the middle of a dangerous situation without having to get the doctor or call a meeting.

I did enjoy that there was care taken with it and it wasn’t a snap decision by anyone. On the other hand, they needed to move their asses along.

Two things can be true at the same time even though they don’t seem like they should be able to. You know? If you know, you know.

Ya know?

Anyway.

Too little, too late Beverly wrestles control from Picard. Except it doesn’t really save anyone.

Because as I said, it’s too late.

Whoops.

While the overall plot of the weird energy being possessing people in order to try and get home, ultimately wanting Picard to join it because he also wants to explore is alright.

This episode is still good.

One of the things I love about this show thus far, is the focus on the characters rather than the focus on the overall plot. The show is set in an amazing universe with a lot going on. But it never strays far from the people who make up the show. Even for the sci-fi nature of the show, it’s rather centralized in a few locations on the ship.

Sickbay. Picard’s ready room. The bridge.

The characters feel like real people making choices.

Yes, the characters probably should have guessed that Picard wasn’t himself sooner. However, I also cannot blame them for hesitating either. They didn’t know what was going on. Why members of the crew were experiencing memory issues. And while Beverly might be more familiar with Picard than anyone else, it does appear she’s never served with him before. Allowing for reasonable doubt in her case.

It works.

I’m not frustrated with contrived plots.

I’m frustrated with characters making honest to goodness real decisions. Never knowing if it’s the best choice or not, because the show never really presents black and white answers to the characters. We – as the audience may know the truth. We’ve seen it, unlike the characters.

However, they’re forced into a situation where they could be taking over the ship for nothing.

Not that I think Picard would hold it against them.

However, they still reasonably understand they must be able to explain their actions when all is said and done. They need to be sure.

We learn about the people aboard the ship as the plot unfolds.

Because not only are they dealing with a strange issue of crew not being able to remember what they were doing. Another crew member dying.

They have delegates aboard who despise each other.

So while they’re dealing with bigger issues onboard, like you know a potential mutiny or possessed captain, these idiots are holding grudges over each other. Annoyed that they can smell each other. Bringing weapons onboard that they should not have.

It’s like the crew is wrangling children while dealing with a crisis.

And it’s hilarious.

Because every once and a while a life and death situation is interrupted by petty BS occurring between two species that agreed to play nice. Which more and more seemed like a lie just to get close enough to kill each other. Not that it did either of them any good. There was no gain people.

Just enjoy the crazy ride.

Seriously, you people could have sat back and watched the crazy occurring nearby. Plenty of entertainment without risking whatever the hell you people were supposed to be doing instead of trying to assassinate each other every 10 seconds.

My goodness.

However, my favorite part of the entire episode was Data.

I’m not sure how Data is rapidly becoming one of my favorite characters but he’s managing it nonetheless.

His utter confusion and then devotion to the idea of Sherlock Holmes was just awesome. Favorite thing ever.

Coupled with Picard and Riker who are so different when dealing with Data that it could be a whole separate article. Riker is endlessly amused by the shenanigans of the android as he strives to understand humans better. To the point, where I completely understand Data and his ability to get a hyperfixation.

I think most people in fandom can completely understand.

When something hits, it hits.

Meanwhile, Picard is only able to take so many shenanigans before he looks to Riker to interfere before he loses his temper. Or he just loses his temper and begs him to stop with the freaking pipe.

But the thing that got me in the end was the freaking magnifying glass to the fish tank.

Riker and Picard are a duo by themselves. Add in Data and I could just watch an entire episode of them trying to explain things like Sherlock Holmes to him. Imagine it. Take a moment, and just imagine how much grayer and balder Picard would get while Riker would bust a gut laughing his ass off.

Overall, while the villain wasn’t as compelling as say… Q! It’s still a good solid episode allowing the characters to shine while giving us valuable information at the same time. Not only about the characters but the world as well. We learn about other species. We learn that they were some sort of formal dress type thing when they greet delegates.

I sort of love that it’s pretty unisex. I love that Picard and Riker were both present for their arrival.

I love that they didn’t put up with the shenanigans either. They would have probably be stricter if people weren’t getting possessed every five minutes.

We also learn that not only can Riker take command from the captain if needed – however – he needs a lot of people to agree with him in order to do it. On the other hand, Dr. Crusher does not need anyone’s approval. She can remove him from command if she finds him unfit – medically – and she will.

It’s a curious thing, that she’s the only way that does not need oversight. But also, since she’s the head doctor, who the heck else could she ask for their opinion on medical issues? Riker?

Oh! I also loved Riker and Beverly trying to determine what to do with Picard together. They handled it very well considering their positions and concerns. Or at least the best that you could in that situation.

Onto the next! I’m really excited to see what happens next! Thanks for joining me on this Star Trek journey! And if you’re liking this, please consider supporting!

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