Top 50 Episodes #17-15

EPISODES 17-15

# 17. THE DEFECTOR

The Next Generation, Season 3

Episode Number 58

Info and General Credits

Directed by Robert Scheerer

Written by Ronald D Moore

Aired 1990

Stardate 43462.5

Guest Cast

Jarok James Sloyan

Tomalak Andreas Katsulas

Ad. Haden John Hancock

Premise

Fleeing across the Neutral Zone, Romulan Admiral Alidar Jarok under the guise of a Sub-Lieutenant comes to warn the Federation of impending Romulan incursions in the Zone. Putting his entire career and future on the line, he begins by convincing Picard to destroy a Romulan base in the Nelvana system in hope of preventing a long, drawn out conflict which he believes could destroy the Empire.

Comments

Some of the early TNG favourites are coming out now and this was truly a classic in every sense of the word. James Sloyan as Jarok is superb, but plays an atypical Romulan with uncharacteristic courage and honour, and makes enormous sacrifices in undertaking a bold solo mission to warn the Federation of a potential military build-up in the Neutral Zone. And why does he do this; why does he betray Romulus and go running to Starfleet? He sees a wider picture, one where another war could destroy the Empire, and ultimately he wants to see a world where his children can grow up, in peace.

When this first aired I honestly thought that a possible war was about to kick off. As it was we never got to see any sustained conflict with the Romulans. The Federation with their charter don't want to be seen as the aggressor, and the Romulans are just too damn scared to commit themselves to anything, as they know that because of the alliance treaty the Klingons would automatically side with the Federation. Such a combined force acts as the perfect deterrent. This is clarified by the Klingon taskforce that secretly accompanied the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone resulting in a rather entertaining and satisfying stand-off with Tomalak's small squadron of Warbirds. But you'd have thought that after the outrageous Prometheus incident ('Message in a Bottle') the Federation would have said 'enough is enough, we're not taking any more of your crap. We won't be pushed around anymore.' But I suppose, at the time the Federation had their hands full with the Dominion.

But this still serves as a fascinating early examination of two large, rival super powers both vying for dominance. Perhaps better than a bloody showdown conflict itself is the intrigue and military tension that serves up the superior sense of suspense and rumour of potential war. This underlying tension was perpetuated brilliantly, and pervaded throughout the seven TNG seasons.

Trekmania Image Archive:

Soundbites:

Romulan, Klingons, and Humans trade insults:

Jarok: "How do you allow a Klingon pahtk to walk around in a Starfleet uniform !?"

Worf: "....You are lucky this is not a Klingon ship. We know how to deal with spies..."

Jarok: "....Remove this tohzah from my sight."

Riker: "Your knowledge of Klingon curses is impressive. But as a Romulan might say, only a Veruul would use such language in public."

The Romulans don't have a Noonien Soong in their camp:

Jarok: "I know a host of Romulan cyberneticists that would love to be this close to you."

Data: "I do not find that concept particularly appealing...."

Jarok: "....Nor should you."

Jarok's Lament:

Jarok: "But never again to see the fire-falls at Gal Gath'thong. And the spires of my home, as they rise above the Apnex sea at dawn....It's a bitter thing to be exiled from your own home."

Data: "It does appear unlikely you will ever be allowed to return to your planet."

Jarok: ".....The cold reaction of an android."

It would have been some contest:

Picard: "What shall it be Tomalak?"

Tomalak: "You will still not survive our assault !"

Picard: "And you will not survive ours. Shall we die together?"

# 16. REDEMPTION (Parts 1 & 2)

The Next Generation, Season 4/5

Episode Numbers 100 and 101

Info and General Credits

Part 1 Directed by Cliff Bole

Part 1 Directed by David Carson

Both parts Written by Ronald D Moore

Aired June / Deptember 1991

Stardates 44995.3 and 45020.4

Guest Cast Part 1

Gowron Robert O'Reilly

Kurn Tony Todd

Lursa Barbara March

B'Etor Gwynyth Walsh

K'Tal Ben Slack

Movar Nicholas Kepros

Toral JD Cullum

Guinan Whoopi Goldberg

Part 2 Guest Cast additions

Sela Denise Crosby

Larg Michael G Hagerty

Fleet Ad. Shanthi Fran Bennett

O'Brien Colm Meaney

Lt. Cmdr Hobson Timothy Carhart

Kulge Jordan Lund

Premise

Continuing the story arc from the Third season 'Sins of The Father', worrying instabilities in the fabric of Klingon society and government are further alluded to. And the not for the last time, Worf gets caught in the middle of it. When Lursa and B'Tor of the corrupt House of Duras submit an eleventh hour application to challenge Gowron to the leadership of the high council with Duras's illegitimate son Toral, it threatens to provoke a Klingon civil war, and potentially drive a wedge between Klingon/Federation relations. But with Worf finding the support of his brother Captain Kurn, and a further three squadrons to strengthen Gowron's position, The House of Mogh finally has its family name and honour restored. But it is not the end of the matter, as Romulan's, colluding in the background with the Duras threatens to overthrow the Gowron administration, hence gaining a foothold in the high eschelons of Klingon politics. Such a foothold would eventually mean the end of the Federation/Klingon alliance, resulting in the most devastating power shift ever known in the quadrant.

Comments

If there was one thing they had to live up to it was last season's finale 'Best of Both Worlds'. With this being a thriller of political intrigue it was certainly a completely different angle than the Borg invasion. But the utter masterstroke of introducing the shadowy figure of this mystifying 'Romulan Tasha Yar' ensured that this season's cliff-hanger was every bit as awesome and shocking as last year's. I mean, what the hell was going on???!! Tasha was dead right? Well, yes, absolutely right....in a way...

This was superb from start to finish with some great moments to savour. Some will question the somewhat surprising prejudice shown to Data as he takes his first command. Reservations may be understandable by those who'd had never served with him, but Lt Commander Hobson was vehement and acerbic in his convictions that Data, because of his nature, was unsuited to take the helm of a starship. Although he possesses all the knowledge, experience and intelligence, and extreme ingenuity as we saw, Hobson's concern was that he did not have the Human quality of compassion - to safeguard lives. This of course was completely unwarranted, but remains a slight blemish on this enhanced and evolved human philosophy we come to expect in Roddenberry's 24th century utopia. You could argue that in this respect Data is no different than a Vulcan, being completely emotionless. Hobson would surely have no protests if a Vulcan took command. But as it turns out it was another defining moment in Data's personal evolution as he overcame people's doubts and proved himself in a difficult and pressurized situation. It was also highly satisfying for the viewer as he single-handedly exposed the Romulan fleet.

Worf comes of age also. He follows the rallying call into battle to protect the honour of his people, and defies Klingon tradition by sparing Toral's life when he had the opportunity to execute him for treason, and for the dishonour Duras' house had laid on his family name. However, many would argue that he should have completed this task like a true Klingon, and remain faithful to realism, and not illogically mimic human compassion to satisfy moral allegory.

Trekmania Image Archive:

Soundbites:

Worf's beliefs and feelings on Klingon culture are questioned:

Gowron: "Do you hear the cry of the warrior, calling you to battle, calling you to glory?"

# 15. TAPESTRY

The Next Generation, Season 6

Episode Number 141

Info and General Credits

Directed by Les Landau

Written by Ronald D Moore

Aired 1993

Stardates Unknown

Guest Cast Part 1

Q John de Lancie

Corey Zweller Ned Vaughn

Marta Batanides JC Brandy

Maurice Picard Clive Church

Nausicaan Clint Carmichael

Premise

After receiving a fatal Lenarian phaser shot Picard apparently dies and is approached by Q in the after life. When describing certain uncomfortable instances from his past, Q gives Picard the opportunity to go back and change history. But it would have unanticipated ramifications.

Comments

This was an absolute classic in every sense of the word. We get to see some of the most interesting, compelling and insightful interactions yet seen between Q and Picard. It was also a fascinating insight into a young, brusque Picard as a cadet, supposedly nothing like his mature, sombre self we know of.

The crux of the show surrounds a bar fight with some burly Nausicaans Picard first described in the second season episode 'Samaritan Snare'. The climax of which results in him being stabbed through the heart, which in turns leads to the installation of an artificial heart. The resulting examinations of the effects of changing this history forces Picard into some brilliantly poignant introspection of his very persona, and indeed soul. This leads to some touching and strikingly moving consequences in which Picard is forced to completely re-examine his life, which had been gradually moulded and evolved from such a key learning experience. This is possibly one of the most thought-provoking episodes Trek has ever produced....

Trekmania Image Archive:

(Sorry, not the best capture quality I know - I need to retape it)

Soundbites:

Q meets Picard on the other side:

Picard: "Q, what is going on?!"

Q: "...I told you. You're dead, this is the after-life, and I'm God."

Picard: "You're not God !!"

Q: "Blaspheme! You're lucky I don't cast you out, or smite you or something."

The Temporal Prime Directive must be upheld:

Picard: "Q, even if you have been able to bring me back in time somehow, surely you must realise that any alteration in this time-line will have a profound impact on the future."

Q: "Please, spare me your egotistical musings on your pivotal role in history. Nothing you do here will cause the Federation to collapse, or galaxies to explode, to be blunt, you're not that important."

Picard is mortified by his new life:

Q: "I gave you something most mortals never experience - a second chance at life. And now all you can do is complain."

Picard: "I can't live out my days as that person. That man is bereft of passion....and imagination. That is not who I am...!"

Q: "Au contraire, he is the person you wanted to be. One who was less arrogant, and undisciplined in his youth; one who was less like me.... The Jean-Luc Picard you wanted to be, the one who did not fight the Nausicaans had quite a different career than the one you remember... That Picard never had a brush with death; never came face to face with his own mortality; never realised how fragile life is or how important each moment must be. So his life never came into focus. He drifted for much of his career, with no plan, or agenda, going from one assignment to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. He never led the away team on Milika III to save the Ambassador, or take charge of the Stargazer's bridge when its Captain was killed, and no-one ever offered him a command. He learned to play it safe. And he never, ever got noticed by anyone."

Picard: "..........You're right Q, you gave me the chance to change and I took the opportunity. But I admit now it was a mistake."

Q: "Are you asking me for something Jean-Luc?"

Picard: "Give me a chance to put things back the way they were before."

Q: "Before you died in sickbay. Is that what you want?"

Picard: "....I'd rather die as the man I was than live the life I just saw."

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