Time's Arrow, Part II

DVD, TNG S6 (Time's Arrow, Part II)

It began with a head, and ended with a head, the circle of time complete. The philosophy this episode takes towards time travel is interesting considering there have been so many takes on the concept in all the series' and many of the films. Here Guinan says history had to play out the way it was going to, as if there was no other alternative, but in other instances we've seen the timeline changed or alternative realities created. The other philosophy that is spoken about on screen is Gene Roddenberry's original concept of a united Earth that has beaten petty problems such as poverty. It shouldn't be strange to hear it discussed, but the series had often become a sci-fi action show in these later years, so perhaps they felt it was necessary to put a mark in the ground, a reminder of the setting we're in, which can often be taken for granted.

Upholding Roddenberry's ethos was probably a good idea for the first episode in this new season, especially one that could have been in danger of concentrating on adventures in time above anything else. It must have been amazing to think at the time that this season would mean 'TNG' had lasted twice as long as 'The Original Series' and was still popular and successful. One small change they made for the season was getting rid of the ghost trails behind the logo in the credits. It made an impact the first time it was seen in Season 5, but I think quickly got old, and the logo was strong enough to work without it. A view I realised I had during the watching of the episode is possibly a controversial one, but I felt Jerry Hardin's performance as Mark Twain, or Samuel Clemens, was a bit too over the top. It wasn't as apparent in Part I because he didn't have so much to do, but his voice was all over the place. I did enjoy the scene where he hides in Data's wardrobe then reveals himself by dropping the device he'd taken from the machine because Data mentions to Guinan how dangerous it is. Data's unemotional, factual way of talking was contrasted delightfully by Clemens' suspicious detective work, trying to point out Data's guile while he responds so guilelessly!

Not that I didn't admire the performance, it was very good, and most importantly they took the route that was a little more daring for the series, by having Clemens actually visit the future and the Enterprise-D. Being a writer of fiction he was able to accept things remarkably well, but why were there no books demonstrating his knowledge of the future and of the starship in particular? It may be because he realised the depth of what he'd witnessed and didn't dare change anything about his present, as shown when he puts his watch where it was supposed to be found instead of keeping it. But this doesn't sound like the Clemens we were shown in the episodes, who was quite happy to do what he liked. Then again he was already burbling about time travellers to that reporter (a pre-Taurik and Vorik Alexander Enberg), so his words wouldn't have been taken too seriously even if he had related his otherworldly experiences.

It was a good way to start the season. There was the obvious need to conclude the first part of the tale, but I mean the execution and the way most of the main characters were together, living in the boarding house (I love the fact Picard remembers to ask Clemens to recompense the landlady as it was such a small thing in the great five hundred year scheme of things, but it shows he is kind-hearted), and working together to… well, what were they really doing? It surely can't have been that difficult to locate Mr. Data, the only 'albino Frenchman' in San Francisco (though he may have been keeping a low profile). For that matter it would be interesting to find out how they got all their period clothing which appeared quite expensive for the most part, although oddly, Captain Picard has the most common-looking attire of them all! The main reason, aside from Data, was to stop the aliens from their dastardly plan. I felt the locating of Data and the finding of the aliens could have been handled a little better somehow. It all happens in a flurry and then things slow down a bit. Pace, maybe uneven pace was the problem.

I wouldn't criticise it too harshly as it has some wonderful moments, not the least is Picard meeting Guinan for the very first time in her eyes. It has the gravity necessary for such an integral event in their lives, which the Data/Guinan introduction didn't quite have in Part I. The love and respect shines from Picard's eyes, and yet there's a little bit of a twinkle there too, acknowledging the fact that for once, he has the advantage and the foreknowledge rather than his old friend. It was also a masterstroke to have him use Data's head to send a message five hundred years into the future. They had the message all along, they just didn't know until Geordi has a reason to attach the old head to Data. I wish they had been able to make the head look more like Brent Spiner, or when it was attached to Data's body, make it look as if it had aged. It could have been as simple as putting smears of grime on there. The effects were less apparent in general, but I really liked the phasing in and out of the female alien's body as her real appearance shows through in flashes.

The fish out of water, or the author out of time, is consistently fun and always brings plenty of material, but if there was one thing I would have liked to see it would have been Troi informing Clemens that she was an alien too, after the big speech about life in the future, the Federation and how everything's fine and doodle-dandy. Another nice addition would have been to actually show Chief O'Brien on Transporter, or hear his voice, since he's clearly mentioned as being the transporter chief who beams Picard up from the surface. If they weren't going to show him or even use his voice why did they bother to mention him at all? Probably because he was either off doing a film or was getting ready for his starring role in 'DS9' which premiered a few months into 'TNG' Season 6. At the same time they would have wanted to keep his character 'alive' in the audience's mind so when he made the crossover people would care.

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