Gambit, Part II

DVD, TNG S7 (Gambit, Part II)

The ending just about saved it. Most of the episode I found to be unimpressive, and in the vein of most Trek second-parts, but the radical turnaround of the weapon into something so easily defeated, added to the calm, soothing way Picard talks Tallera down, and then a humorous final scene with Data taking Riker to the brig, left me feeling on a high. The trouble is, some major things happened, only they didn't have the visuals to match the story - we hear about this visit to Vulcan, but all we see of it is a dusty cavern that could be anywhere. If you're going to do one of the most famous planets of the Federation, you ought to do it properly and show what you can, but the ever-present challenge of the budget must have nixed anything grander. I feel that maybe it should have been any old world instead of Vulcan, that way it wouldn't have been so disappointing. At least some Vulcan history was worked in and referenced the Time of Awakening again, and hearing about a Vulcan secret service (like the Cardassian Obsidian Order, or the Romulan Tal Shiar, or even Federation Section 31), broadened their society, as much as the isolationists, which was something I'm surprised was never used again in other stories.

Grandness was achieved in guest casting, if not in sets, with the galaxy's tallest Klingon making even Worf look short! Crusher excusing herself past the huge figure reminded me of a similar scene when Nog wants to 'slip' by Worf and Martok on 'DS9.' I believe they cast a basketball player, which accounted for the height, but he was also able to act - though he didn't have to try too hard since Koral was not your typical bragging, extrovert Klingon, just a surly type. The addition of a Klingon shuttle to the roster of vehicles seen in their collection was worth seeing, but I didn't get a sense of all the pieces in the story gelling. The Enterprise crew don't look that shocked or surprised to see Picard, though I thought they still thought he was dead at this point.

There were sporadic moments that worked well, such as Riker getting a good punch in on 'Galen,' payback for last episode. And there was a wonderful scene where Data berates Worf for his behaviour as First Officer, ending with a confirmation of their friendship. It has always been interesting seeing Data in command (though aesthetically I wish both he and Worf had changed into red, the lack of which was another sign of tight budgeting I suggest), so the episode fulfils that wish. But as a whole it reaches only the level of enjoyable pastime, not must-see classic. And I thought Tallera revealed her name to be T'Pol, but it was actually T'Paal!

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