Phantasms

DVD, TNG S7 (Phantasms)

We had Data's dream episode, now we get Data's nightmare episode: a logical choice. This is one of those episodes I saw as a child or young teen in the days when I had seen very few of the 'TNG' episodes, and it was one that stuck in my head like mint frosting in the mouth - Deanna Troi as a cake was the image that always stayed with me, and the same for Beverly drinking from a straw stuck in Riker's head! This was a trademark Brannon Braga Special, with as much weirdness as he could get away with, but at the same time, linked together in a meaningful way. If anything, things remain pretty safe and controlled, bar the mouth on Geordi's neck or in the real world, Data attacking Deanna in the turbolift, which were both a step further than anything else in the episode. There was obvious horror in Data seeing parts of his nightmare come to 'life' in the waking world, as it seemed, but even more discomfort for us in seeing Troi stabbed. It's the worst nightmare of anyone that deals with Data: what would it be like if he went mad?

We've seen the android out of control or acting under the influence of outside programming, such as when he took over the ship in 'Brothers', but seeing him commit a brutal act on one of his closest friends? Not something we've come across, and it's all the more disturbing for it. Troi was more than forgiving, under the circumstances, but I wonder what it means ven she creates a cake of ze man who attacked her, hmm? A desire for revenge, perhaps, an unconscious vish to repay her attacker? Whatever, it was fun to see a Data cake, and no doubt it's something that has been replicated (pun alert!) by many a culinary viewer! Apart from the moment of madness, the episode was remarkably real in that the demonstrations of Data's dreams didn't turn into surreal displays, but stayed similar to how we view the ship normally. That was true to the dream program's appearance in 'Birthright', but it also meant the scenes could transition from waking moments to Data's nightmare without being obvious, and the episode at least begins with an expansive wide angle lens that made me consider what a Trek series would look like if they used that style all the time.

The subplots of the new warp drive and Picard's impatience to get back for the Admiral's banquet, an event he's successfully avoided for the duration of the series, were integrated into the Data plot, so it was only La Forge's difficulty in dealing with Ensign Tyler's crush on him that had no relevance whatsoever, except to add a little humour. It's such a rare thing to see Starfleet people behave in that way, she can only be a new recruit, fresh from the Academy, I assume, but on the other hand, you'd think by now Geordi would be willing to have any female attention after the disastrous years he's had! At least she was able to get Picard off his back in an uncharacteristically hovering moment for the Captain. He's usually content to let his people do their jobs, but this time he's caught in a bit of a quandary, not wanting to look ungracious by failing to get to the banquet on time after so many excuses before, yet also not happy to be going. For that matter it seems like a ridiculous idea for Starfleet to organise an annual event for people like Picard when they're off in deep space or other quadrants (at least Janeway never had this problem) - Picard's not even an Admiral! Maybe he made it the following year, since the Enterprise-D crashed and he'd have had plenty of time until the new ship launched…

Regardless of Picard's situation, his alter ego, Patrick Stewart must have had a good time making this episode, which stands out as being his best directorial work so far. Usually I can't help but remember that he's at the helm when he directs episodes, but this time I completely forgot and was sucked into the story. He got to have some fun with lenses in the teaser, and some nice little shots such as a close-in of Picard chatting privately to Riker on the bridge as they sit close, side by side, or the wild and worrying short, sharp scene of Data knifing Troi. It's a good thing he woke up when Riker and Worf came along, but part of me wished he'd thrown them about as we never get to see that happen, even though we know it's possible (the closest we got was that guy in 'The Hunted' giving it to them). Worf was gifted some good moments, however, though not conventional ones: eating cake ("with mint frosting!"), and reluctantly agreeing to care for Data's cat, Spot, which is certainly one of his best moments this season so far!

The creatures at the bottom of it all could have done with a bit more horror to them as they are presented as pretty stationary beings which can only be seen under special light, but the idea on its own carried enough weight to alarm. We could have done with a bit more revulsion instead of the crew taking things so professionally. Maybe Tyler could have been horrified and start going ape so that Geordi had to talk her down and calm the situation. And as strange as it was for Geordi and Picard to experience Data's nightmarish episode firsthand in a clever Holodeck linkup, that could have been more weird, and even the focus of the episode (though getting stuck in a holo-dream is the same as being trapped in a holoprogram I suppose, only this time Data's unconscious (if he has one), would have been driving the program). But these are only minor suggestions for what was a solid episode and one that gave us Troi in cake form and Worf gingerly holding Spot as if it were a disease. Not many episodes can make such high claims.

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