The Arsenal of Freedom

DVD, TNG S1 (The Arsenal of Freedom)

Professionalism and unprofessionalism - we see both in this episode, but mainly the former. They got the balance right with all the characters (bar Wesley who doesn't appear, and Worf who takes up Tasha's job of standing at the back not doing much). Yar gets a worthwhile part to play, the away team on the planet have survival issues, importantly Picard and Crusher in the fall. It was the wrong person who got injured! Perhaps an improvement could have been made by making their situation more personal, in line with the direction the writers had been taking with the charcters, but in this one they don't capitalise on it, although we do hear of Beverly's grandmother (eventually seen in the last season).

The episode belongs to Geordi, who stands up to opposition from a slightly condescending Chief Engineer Logan (ironic that LaForge would later take over that position!), who clearly didn't think highly of the Lieutenant's command ability, which is the unprofessionalism aspect, as well as the danger Geordi faces and at the same time reassuring the junior officers! I know we see him as Captain in a possible future, but he should join the command track for real!

The planetary setting brought to mind some of the original series' better set designs (such as that from 'The Apple'), and shows things haven't changed all that much in twenty years. The effects were quite ambitious for the late 80s, with flying robot assassins, and it was all well handled. Even little moments of delight unfold, such as Data jumping down 11.7 metres to the Captain's position, or Picard refusing to resume command until Geordi reattached the ship, and indeed, the first saucer separation since the pilot, and one that probably had more logic to it, rather than being a chance to show off the new ship's capabilities! The salesman was a fun character, and aside from, again, a slight niggle of inconsistency here and there, it shows the crew on fine form.

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