DVD, TNG S5 (Unification I)
For all the padding that draws out the episode and tries to warrant the running time of two hours, most likely so a budget of worthwhile proportions could be used to defray such costs as bringing back some major guest stars as well as presenting Romulus on the best scale that could be achieved, it still comes out on balance as a good episode. This is undoubtedly from the vein of anticipation running through the episode like silver in dull rock, and also for the playing out of such momentous events in the 'Star Trek' world, the like of which resounded outwards, even to the last film in 2009, no small achievement in such a long-running franchise with its myriad major plots and long-running arcs. But somehow, anything related to Spock has so much weight to it, perhaps because he was the original face that drew so many in, and was there from the very earliest beginnings.
It must have been a coup to get such an iconic character back to a series that had begun by distancing itself from its predecessor, not the least because the original actors were still making films at the time. By this late stage of the series, well into middle age, it had found its audience, proved itself by making as many long-lasting creative additions to the known universe of races and planets as 'TOS,' and felt it could get away with ties to the old series. It helped that Leonard Nimoy had been making the final 'TOS' film that year, which I think was still to be released at the time of the episode, so this was also a savvy marketing ploy to ensure the 'TNG' audience would be interested in the new film, as much as it was a tribute to those characters. Gene Roddenberry was also saluted with a dedication at the start of the episode as he had recently died, so it is fitting that it should be one of his first creations that everyone is looking forward to seeing in the episode, though we're kept waiting until the very last seconds.
More important than the appearance of Spock, something most people probably imagined was just about impossible, was Sarek's terrifying, yet gripping scene, his last, for we learn shortly after that he has died. The great tragedy of his descent into the illness that is killing him, that robs him of his dignity, more so for one who had such standing and presence, is pitiable to watch, and just as hard for Picard who gained a personal connection with him after sharing a mind meld in Season 3. It is a tribute to Picard that he is able to rouse Sarek and patiently, if painfully converse with him. It's also special that, though last time the Ambassador came to the Enterprise, this time the ship goes to Vulcan, and Picard to Sarek's dwelling. After the planetscapes of the films it's a little disappointing not to see the world, as Sarek stays secluded in a dark room, but the fireworks of Mark Lenard's final performance leave all such thoughts of deficiency in the hot, Vulcan dust.
It's certainly the strongest moment in the episode, and tells us even more about the strange antagonistic, yet honourable bond between the Father and his son. It's also good to see Perrin return, this time to present a different view of Spock. His own Mother was of course protective of both husband and son, but Perrin thinks mainly of Sarek, saddened that Spock didn't meet with him before going on this journey, and it shows that not even the great Spock is perfect in all he does, in all eyes. It's fascinating to hear that the two Vulcan ambassadors were on different sides on the subject of the Cardassian war, something that connects 'TOS' to 'DS9' in a small way.
After such harrowing, revealing scenes, having the Enterprise loitering in a junkyard, or Picard and Data trying to get some sleep on a Klingon ship doesn't quite live up to the scope of such personal and far-reaching concerns, though the possibility, however remote, of Spock being a defector are, shall we say, fascinating. And the scene with Picard trying to sleep while Data stands there putting him off is rather enjoyable! It's clear the episode is being drawn out a little unnaturally by these things. We get to see another member of the Zakdorn race, though he's much less obnoxious than the last one in 'Peak Performance', and in fact the most officious person is the Klingon adjutant that deigns to speak to Picard after he's been waiting three days to contact Gowron - it shows how untrustworthy the Klingon leader is that rather than strengthen the bonds between his people and the Federation, he would rather make himself stronger, a warning sign about the kind of guy he is. Mark my words, someone's going to have to put him in his place one of these days (and it's going to be a guy with a wrinkled forehead and a ponytail).
It was a way of keeping Gowron out of the episode, perhaps to save some money, but I'd have preferred more Klingon involvement. We get a Klingon Captain who isn't particularly helpful, but that's a typical Klingon for you. I had to wonder who did the amazing Romulan facial reconstruction for Picard and Data. The android didn't do it as he shows surprise at how good it looks, so was it Picard? Couldn't they have brought Beverly along? In the other storyline I didn't buy that a ship would be fooled into thinking the Enterprise was just a floating relic, like the other ships in the junkyard - even the Zakdorn noted how good it looked. Perhaps the enemy ship was automated?
Another big event is the first time we ever got to see what the streets of Romulus were like. Okay, so we can't see much, and it could have been a medieval town for all we can tell, but there were certainly more Romulans than had ever been on screen before, that's for sure! I felt Sarek's death was a little weakly thrown in - Data noting that Picard looks a bit subdued wasn't enough to convey the magnitude of it, but it's difficult to have an emotional scene on the macho, spare, dark environment of a Klingon Bird of Prey. Perhaps a visual communication from Perrin might have been more sensitive? Still, Spock's involvement at the end was exciting, even though it's called 'Unification I,' not hiding that it will be a cliffhanger.
Nimoy and Lenard aren't the only actors from 'TOS' to appear - Malachi Throne, who played Commodore Mendez, as well as the voice of the Talosian Keeper is the Romulan Senator Pardek. Erick Avari went on to a more recognisable role as Vedek Yarka on 'DS9' ('Destiny') and 'Enterprise' ('Terra Nova'). And Proconsul Neral went on to be played by a different actor in 'DS9'. And finally, one other link to 'TOS' is the name of the Vulcan ship which was missing: T'Pau.
***
Monday, 13 June 2011
The Curse
DVD, Stargate SG-1 S4 (The Curse)
An ideal episode for a rainy Sunday evening, this story marks the debut of Anna Louise Plowman as Sarah/Osiris. I didn't remember the story particularly, but I had a feeling I'd seen Steven and Sarah, before she was revealed as a Goa'uld, but looking back at my records I find Channel 4 showed this after the following episode, which is a bit strange. Knowing that Sarah was going to become Osiris rather dampened the twist of the episode, but I enjoyed the alternative perspective the episode offered up: that of the real civilian world and Daniel's academic and archeological past, his ties and the difficult situation he's in, shown through the fact he can't share what he's seen and knows to his colleague.
The long-awaited fishing trip happens at last for O'Neill, dragging a bored Teal'c with him, although the real reason was to remove the best soldiers from the story so that Osiris could get away from the lesser party of Daniel, Sam (sorry), and Dr. Fraiser, who got a rare trip off base. I'm surprised that Carter, who's all but admitted her love for her superior, made excuses, and seemed to prefer working on a motorbike with Sergeant Siler. Maybe O'Neill should be worried? I think the main thing is that she still serves under Jack and doesn't want to complicate matters more than may already be. But enough of the soap storyline - it's good to hear a bit of Goa'uld lore and go back to that side of the series which has been pushed aside to a degree this season. We get a roll call of the enemies so far destroyed: Seth, Ra, Sokar, Hathor... A reminder of what the SGC has achieved so far.
I thought Sarah was in more episodes before being a Goa'uld, but it all happens here. Also, I felt I recognised the face of Dr. Jordan, Daniel's former mentor, but couldn't place him. I don't know what Steven was doing in the museum storage area, in the dark without a torch, and he seemed very shady indeed. I got the feeling he wouldn't be above making a quick buck on some artefacts. He also didn't look that old, yet had been assisting Dr. Jordan for fifteen years. Maybe he dyes his hair? I wasn't sold on the ancient temple site from which the two symbiont jars had been excavated. The archeologists couldn't have done much of a good job if they didn't fully search the site and realise there was a huge pyramid (the ship) buried behind it. The rising technology opening looked a bit suspect too, as if they could have chipped through it with a pickaxe. And what kept the power going all those years? Seeing the deceased symbiont being opened up was good, but though there were some pretty good sets, and it worked as an Earth-based episode, the threat level and atmosphere were never sustained for long. Only the scene with Jackson creeping through the museum in the dark had any feeling of danger. Osiris got away all too easily, but I look forward to seeing her again.
**
An ideal episode for a rainy Sunday evening, this story marks the debut of Anna Louise Plowman as Sarah/Osiris. I didn't remember the story particularly, but I had a feeling I'd seen Steven and Sarah, before she was revealed as a Goa'uld, but looking back at my records I find Channel 4 showed this after the following episode, which is a bit strange. Knowing that Sarah was going to become Osiris rather dampened the twist of the episode, but I enjoyed the alternative perspective the episode offered up: that of the real civilian world and Daniel's academic and archeological past, his ties and the difficult situation he's in, shown through the fact he can't share what he's seen and knows to his colleague.
The long-awaited fishing trip happens at last for O'Neill, dragging a bored Teal'c with him, although the real reason was to remove the best soldiers from the story so that Osiris could get away from the lesser party of Daniel, Sam (sorry), and Dr. Fraiser, who got a rare trip off base. I'm surprised that Carter, who's all but admitted her love for her superior, made excuses, and seemed to prefer working on a motorbike with Sergeant Siler. Maybe O'Neill should be worried? I think the main thing is that she still serves under Jack and doesn't want to complicate matters more than may already be. But enough of the soap storyline - it's good to hear a bit of Goa'uld lore and go back to that side of the series which has been pushed aside to a degree this season. We get a roll call of the enemies so far destroyed: Seth, Ra, Sokar, Hathor... A reminder of what the SGC has achieved so far.
I thought Sarah was in more episodes before being a Goa'uld, but it all happens here. Also, I felt I recognised the face of Dr. Jordan, Daniel's former mentor, but couldn't place him. I don't know what Steven was doing in the museum storage area, in the dark without a torch, and he seemed very shady indeed. I got the feeling he wouldn't be above making a quick buck on some artefacts. He also didn't look that old, yet had been assisting Dr. Jordan for fifteen years. Maybe he dyes his hair? I wasn't sold on the ancient temple site from which the two symbiont jars had been excavated. The archeologists couldn't have done much of a good job if they didn't fully search the site and realise there was a huge pyramid (the ship) buried behind it. The rising technology opening looked a bit suspect too, as if they could have chipped through it with a pickaxe. And what kept the power going all those years? Seeing the deceased symbiont being opened up was good, but though there were some pretty good sets, and it worked as an Earth-based episode, the threat level and atmosphere were never sustained for long. Only the scene with Jackson creeping through the museum in the dark had any feeling of danger. Osiris got away all too easily, but I look forward to seeing her again.
**
The Game
DVD, TNG S5 (The Game)
I think it was designed to be a comment on computer game addiction, but I'm not sure how well it met that directive - the optical gaming technology was quite attractive, even if the graphics were nothing to write home to the Academy about! Ashley Judd, later to be a film star, made a cool character of Robin Lefler (and I can understand why she went on to be used in the book line), like Sonya Gomez in Season 2, she appeared to be a likely recurring character, although I don't believe she ever turned up again after this and 'Darmok'. The main draw of the episode is Wesley Crusher's return to the Enterprise after a year away, and, like Nog after him, it was good to see him again. At first I felt the greeting from the senior staff was a little forced, everyone having their bit to say, but later on it really was forced as everyone gets caught up in 'the game,' and so it didn't detract from the fun of having Wes back and part of the crew again.
Data seemed particularly sprightly, having plenty to say and do before it becomes obvious why: he spends most of the story in sickbay in the android equivalent of a coma, only revived in time to save the day. Wesley often got the rap for being a child genius and rescuing the ship from its problems, but he rarely did, and I have the feeling it was this episode that reinforced that fallacy in people's minds - he gets to come back and then saves the ship, though this time it was with the teamwork of Lefler, and later, Data. I never felt the sinister nature of what was happening went far enough. Okay, so O'Brien wanders into Ten Forward playing the game, and Nurse Ogawa stands addicted in the turbolift, but I wanted more terror as Wes is tracked and chased through the bowels of the ship. The best moment is when he realises Lefler's compromised and you see the hulking shapes of Riker and Worf looming behind him, and that scene where they chase him is quite shiveringly scary as they are the two most unstoppable human or Klingon forces aboard!
I did wonder why the phaser shooting the forcefield didn't spin off down the corridor since it would be pushed back from the recoil of the beam, wouldn't it? Or is there no force pushing back from a phaser beam? Katherine Moffat went on to play Pallra, another femme fatale in 'DS9' Season 2 ('Necessary Evil'), but I believe she can be credited as the first Ktarian we see, Etana Jol (in the most embarrassingly awful opening for a long, long time!), scampering around a bedroom with Riker chasing after her. I'm amazed she didn't trip over her own trailing garment - maybe there are outtakes somewhere? Ktarians never made a great deal of impact on the Trek universe, but they were responsible for Naomi Wildman's protuberances on 'Voyager' as her Father was a member of that race.
In the scene where Wesley visits the ready room it seemed a bit obvious that Picard had tried the game, but perhaps we were supposed to realise that to add tension to the scene, though the shot of him taking off the headset can't actually be seen as that, it's just an out of focus swivel of the chair and the sound of something being put on a table (and it didn't seem to be hidden by the chair, so Wes should have seen it!). Likewise with the scene in engineering when Lefler doesn't answer and he realises she's succumbed to the game - it seemed obvious, but again maybe we're supposed to be shouting "Watch out, Wesley!" Nothing good ever came out of Risa, it seems, and this Risan game is just another in a line of mishaps associated with the pleasure planet. Maybe the 'Shore Leave' planet was a safer bet, at least the characters didn't follow you off-world!
Molly is named for the first time and it's nice that O'Brien was there to greet Wesley when he arrives, and all the stuff he and Picard talk about is such a pleasure, and continues the work started in 'Final Mission' in which Picard experiences such envy for youth and the beginning of the journey. The Ktarian vessel looked suspiciously like the Tarellian plague ship from Season 1! I wouldn't say this was a strong episode, it doesn't go far enough with the forcible attraction of the game (though seeing Wes held down in the Captain's chair, then Worf clamping his head in place and Riker squeezing his eyes open was probably enough for most people - interestingly, even though his eyes are supposedly held open against his will, he blinks, which means he could have shut them at any moment!), and it doesn't really have anything to say about gaming addiction, a moral side of the story missing in favour of mild horror, but it brings back the Enterprise's star pupil and shows him pursued by his friends in an action-packed and chilling way - however I don't think sufferers of epilepsy would find Data's solution very helpful.
***
I think it was designed to be a comment on computer game addiction, but I'm not sure how well it met that directive - the optical gaming technology was quite attractive, even if the graphics were nothing to write home to the Academy about! Ashley Judd, later to be a film star, made a cool character of Robin Lefler (and I can understand why she went on to be used in the book line), like Sonya Gomez in Season 2, she appeared to be a likely recurring character, although I don't believe she ever turned up again after this and 'Darmok'. The main draw of the episode is Wesley Crusher's return to the Enterprise after a year away, and, like Nog after him, it was good to see him again. At first I felt the greeting from the senior staff was a little forced, everyone having their bit to say, but later on it really was forced as everyone gets caught up in 'the game,' and so it didn't detract from the fun of having Wes back and part of the crew again.
Data seemed particularly sprightly, having plenty to say and do before it becomes obvious why: he spends most of the story in sickbay in the android equivalent of a coma, only revived in time to save the day. Wesley often got the rap for being a child genius and rescuing the ship from its problems, but he rarely did, and I have the feeling it was this episode that reinforced that fallacy in people's minds - he gets to come back and then saves the ship, though this time it was with the teamwork of Lefler, and later, Data. I never felt the sinister nature of what was happening went far enough. Okay, so O'Brien wanders into Ten Forward playing the game, and Nurse Ogawa stands addicted in the turbolift, but I wanted more terror as Wes is tracked and chased through the bowels of the ship. The best moment is when he realises Lefler's compromised and you see the hulking shapes of Riker and Worf looming behind him, and that scene where they chase him is quite shiveringly scary as they are the two most unstoppable human or Klingon forces aboard!
I did wonder why the phaser shooting the forcefield didn't spin off down the corridor since it would be pushed back from the recoil of the beam, wouldn't it? Or is there no force pushing back from a phaser beam? Katherine Moffat went on to play Pallra, another femme fatale in 'DS9' Season 2 ('Necessary Evil'), but I believe she can be credited as the first Ktarian we see, Etana Jol (in the most embarrassingly awful opening for a long, long time!), scampering around a bedroom with Riker chasing after her. I'm amazed she didn't trip over her own trailing garment - maybe there are outtakes somewhere? Ktarians never made a great deal of impact on the Trek universe, but they were responsible for Naomi Wildman's protuberances on 'Voyager' as her Father was a member of that race.
In the scene where Wesley visits the ready room it seemed a bit obvious that Picard had tried the game, but perhaps we were supposed to realise that to add tension to the scene, though the shot of him taking off the headset can't actually be seen as that, it's just an out of focus swivel of the chair and the sound of something being put on a table (and it didn't seem to be hidden by the chair, so Wes should have seen it!). Likewise with the scene in engineering when Lefler doesn't answer and he realises she's succumbed to the game - it seemed obvious, but again maybe we're supposed to be shouting "Watch out, Wesley!" Nothing good ever came out of Risa, it seems, and this Risan game is just another in a line of mishaps associated with the pleasure planet. Maybe the 'Shore Leave' planet was a safer bet, at least the characters didn't follow you off-world!
Molly is named for the first time and it's nice that O'Brien was there to greet Wesley when he arrives, and all the stuff he and Picard talk about is such a pleasure, and continues the work started in 'Final Mission' in which Picard experiences such envy for youth and the beginning of the journey. The Ktarian vessel looked suspiciously like the Tarellian plague ship from Season 1! I wouldn't say this was a strong episode, it doesn't go far enough with the forcible attraction of the game (though seeing Wes held down in the Captain's chair, then Worf clamping his head in place and Riker squeezing his eyes open was probably enough for most people - interestingly, even though his eyes are supposedly held open against his will, he blinks, which means he could have shut them at any moment!), and it doesn't really have anything to say about gaming addiction, a moral side of the story missing in favour of mild horror, but it brings back the Enterprise's star pupil and shows him pursued by his friends in an action-packed and chilling way - however I don't think sufferers of epilepsy would find Data's solution very helpful.
***
Disaster
DVD, TNG S5 (Disaster)
Not expecting much from this I was very impressed indeed, perhaps more than I had a right to be, but so much is contained in the story, so many great ideas and great moments, and best of all, seeing all these characters put in life-threatening or uncomfortable situations outside of their expertise, and watching them triumph and come through: Troi having to make what may be life and death command decisions; Riker having to deal with Data's head; Worf assisting Keiko give birth to little Molly; Picard stuck in a turbolift with some children; Dr. Crusher stuck in a cargo bay with Geordi - sorry, I meant with a plasma fire emitting radiation… All of these positions would be fine for other people, if you moved the complement around, but Picard, for example, has always had an aversion to children, but is shown to have moved on from that by his diplomatic and sensitive handling of his three subordinates.
It began after his terrible Borg experience when he returned home to Earth and met his nephew. I think he let go of a lot of baggage on that visit. Wesley Crusher has probably been the single most positive youthful impression on the Captain. Over the years he got to know the young man and even became proud of him in a Fatherly way, and his loosening up from the stiff and starchy officer of early seasons has really come through in the last couple of seasons. The other most important storyline was Deanna's - we learn she has the rank of Lieutenant Commander, though she clearly never expected to find herself in a command position as she doesn't know all the procedures. But she listens to the ideas of Ensign Ro and the experience of Chief O'Brien and makes her choices without looking back. I love the way she sits in the Captain's chair after standing up to Ro, who is almost on the verge of insubordination, in line with her character, and who sees Troi's lack of confidence and wants to push harder for what she thinks is the best course of action. It's also really big of her to admit she was wrong once Troi's way is proved right.
O'Brien too, holds up admirably, working away despite the thought that his wife and unborn child may have perished. In reality Keiko is Worf's problem, and the gruff Klingon, the least likely person you'd have expected to perform midwife duties, is actually very helpful, doing the right things, but also getting Keiko riled enough that she finishes the job! And his line "You are now fully dilated to ten centimetres. You may now give birth" is an all-time classic! Riker and Data's story isn't quite as compelling, but the image I had of Data's headless body stumbling sleepwalker-like towards the charged current as Riker carries his head under his arm, was priceless. I only wish it had happened! That we don't get to see the Commander detach Data's head and carry it along is one of the few missing pieces that might have elevated the episode even higher, but it's still such fun to see the android's head sitting on a worktop, plugged into the ship's computer (and Riker connects something wrongly giving Data cause for polite complaint!).
Crusher and La Forge's case is quite interesting, as is the pairing (with a humorous opening where we don't quite know what the Doc's trying to convince him to do, and his weak performance of Gilbert and Sullivan!), but the ending was a little rushed and I wanted to see them holding on for dear life, like in last season's 'Remember Me' in which Crusher was sucked off the ground. Still, it's good to see them work together and win the day. The whole episode was a tour de force for the crew, cast and recurring characters, and could only have been bettered with the addition of Guinan (she must have been trapped somewhere else on the ship), the naming of Molly, Riker carrying Data's head, and seeing how Picard got up out of the turbolift (with a long shot of them climbing, their singing drifting distantly down). In short, there was very little to fault, and it was the complete opposite of its title.
****
Not expecting much from this I was very impressed indeed, perhaps more than I had a right to be, but so much is contained in the story, so many great ideas and great moments, and best of all, seeing all these characters put in life-threatening or uncomfortable situations outside of their expertise, and watching them triumph and come through: Troi having to make what may be life and death command decisions; Riker having to deal with Data's head; Worf assisting Keiko give birth to little Molly; Picard stuck in a turbolift with some children; Dr. Crusher stuck in a cargo bay with Geordi - sorry, I meant with a plasma fire emitting radiation… All of these positions would be fine for other people, if you moved the complement around, but Picard, for example, has always had an aversion to children, but is shown to have moved on from that by his diplomatic and sensitive handling of his three subordinates.
It began after his terrible Borg experience when he returned home to Earth and met his nephew. I think he let go of a lot of baggage on that visit. Wesley Crusher has probably been the single most positive youthful impression on the Captain. Over the years he got to know the young man and even became proud of him in a Fatherly way, and his loosening up from the stiff and starchy officer of early seasons has really come through in the last couple of seasons. The other most important storyline was Deanna's - we learn she has the rank of Lieutenant Commander, though she clearly never expected to find herself in a command position as she doesn't know all the procedures. But she listens to the ideas of Ensign Ro and the experience of Chief O'Brien and makes her choices without looking back. I love the way she sits in the Captain's chair after standing up to Ro, who is almost on the verge of insubordination, in line with her character, and who sees Troi's lack of confidence and wants to push harder for what she thinks is the best course of action. It's also really big of her to admit she was wrong once Troi's way is proved right.
O'Brien too, holds up admirably, working away despite the thought that his wife and unborn child may have perished. In reality Keiko is Worf's problem, and the gruff Klingon, the least likely person you'd have expected to perform midwife duties, is actually very helpful, doing the right things, but also getting Keiko riled enough that she finishes the job! And his line "You are now fully dilated to ten centimetres. You may now give birth" is an all-time classic! Riker and Data's story isn't quite as compelling, but the image I had of Data's headless body stumbling sleepwalker-like towards the charged current as Riker carries his head under his arm, was priceless. I only wish it had happened! That we don't get to see the Commander detach Data's head and carry it along is one of the few missing pieces that might have elevated the episode even higher, but it's still such fun to see the android's head sitting on a worktop, plugged into the ship's computer (and Riker connects something wrongly giving Data cause for polite complaint!).
Crusher and La Forge's case is quite interesting, as is the pairing (with a humorous opening where we don't quite know what the Doc's trying to convince him to do, and his weak performance of Gilbert and Sullivan!), but the ending was a little rushed and I wanted to see them holding on for dear life, like in last season's 'Remember Me' in which Crusher was sucked off the ground. Still, it's good to see them work together and win the day. The whole episode was a tour de force for the crew, cast and recurring characters, and could only have been bettered with the addition of Guinan (she must have been trapped somewhere else on the ship), the naming of Molly, Riker carrying Data's head, and seeing how Picard got up out of the turbolift (with a long shot of them climbing, their singing drifting distantly down). In short, there was very little to fault, and it was the complete opposite of its title.
****
Dawn
DVD, Enterprise S2 (Dawn)
This was touted at the time as the 21st Century, widescreen version of 'Arena,' one of the most fondly remembered 'TOS' episodes, but the Arkonians aren't the Gorn, and, though it pains me to say it, Trip is no Captain Kirk. The main thing is this wasn't treated as an opportunity to learn something new about him, it was just an attempt at an action story, failing to add a dimension to what is a fairly standard plot - two enemies trapped in an inhospitable environment, fighting each other and/or trying to survive. The high watermark for this plot is 'The Ascent' from 'DS9,' and there are slight similarities between the two, in that Trip and the alien have to work together to carry the transmitter high enough to get a message out, but it's not a patch on that great story, and the parallels only drag it down.
I think the main problem is that rather than go outside for a location shoot and the conditions that would have been difficult to control (though they'd already pulled off a similar locale for 'Desert Crossing' last season), it's all done on a soundstage, and no matter how good the rocks and sand are, they aren't going to convince as the great outdoors - you don't get many long shots or look down on them from high up or see them silhouetted against the sky because there isn't one, and it subconsciously makes a difference. There is some good lighting, the close ups of the Arkonian at night with the fire lighting up one side are very good, and the makeup design is excellent. But still, they don't have a strong personality and were definitely not the modern equivalent of the Gorn - though that creation could be laughable, it was also unforgettable, and these aliens seemed a bit generic.
It didn't help that their motivation was xenophobia, which didn't really explain the extreme reaction of the shuttle pilot to shoot at Trip without warning or provocation and though he all but apologises at the end, there seems little basis for T'Pol to compliment Archer on achieving more diplomatically with the race in one day than the Vulcans managed in a century. That part was interesting as it showed the Vulcans didn't always have success when they landed and tried to guide newly warp-capable species and there was a nice ending, from Trip recounting many of his adventures as he sinks into unconsciousness, to T'Pol's compliment to Archer and Trip finally being able to communicate with his antagonist, but it made me think more about 'Unexpected' the episode where he gets pregnant, mentioned as one of his memories, and how much better that was as an entertaining experience. I have to ask myself how entertaining this was in comparison, and it doesn't hold up well.
The fight scenes were well done, brutal and well-directed by returning hand Roxann Dawson, there was some degree of danger at first when it is down to Trip's ingenuity to protect him from a monstrous-looking unknown alien packing a phaser, but quickly loses that momentum. Not having the UT to make sense of the alien's speech added drama, and was playing to the limitations of the series, but overall it comes out as more of 'The Enemy' ('TNG'), than 'The Ascent' on the scale of 'stranded on a planet' stories. Gregg Henry also played Gallatin, one of the Son'a in 'Star Trek: Insurrection'.
**
This was touted at the time as the 21st Century, widescreen version of 'Arena,' one of the most fondly remembered 'TOS' episodes, but the Arkonians aren't the Gorn, and, though it pains me to say it, Trip is no Captain Kirk. The main thing is this wasn't treated as an opportunity to learn something new about him, it was just an attempt at an action story, failing to add a dimension to what is a fairly standard plot - two enemies trapped in an inhospitable environment, fighting each other and/or trying to survive. The high watermark for this plot is 'The Ascent' from 'DS9,' and there are slight similarities between the two, in that Trip and the alien have to work together to carry the transmitter high enough to get a message out, but it's not a patch on that great story, and the parallels only drag it down.
I think the main problem is that rather than go outside for a location shoot and the conditions that would have been difficult to control (though they'd already pulled off a similar locale for 'Desert Crossing' last season), it's all done on a soundstage, and no matter how good the rocks and sand are, they aren't going to convince as the great outdoors - you don't get many long shots or look down on them from high up or see them silhouetted against the sky because there isn't one, and it subconsciously makes a difference. There is some good lighting, the close ups of the Arkonian at night with the fire lighting up one side are very good, and the makeup design is excellent. But still, they don't have a strong personality and were definitely not the modern equivalent of the Gorn - though that creation could be laughable, it was also unforgettable, and these aliens seemed a bit generic.
It didn't help that their motivation was xenophobia, which didn't really explain the extreme reaction of the shuttle pilot to shoot at Trip without warning or provocation and though he all but apologises at the end, there seems little basis for T'Pol to compliment Archer on achieving more diplomatically with the race in one day than the Vulcans managed in a century. That part was interesting as it showed the Vulcans didn't always have success when they landed and tried to guide newly warp-capable species and there was a nice ending, from Trip recounting many of his adventures as he sinks into unconsciousness, to T'Pol's compliment to Archer and Trip finally being able to communicate with his antagonist, but it made me think more about 'Unexpected' the episode where he gets pregnant, mentioned as one of his memories, and how much better that was as an entertaining experience. I have to ask myself how entertaining this was in comparison, and it doesn't hold up well.
The fight scenes were well done, brutal and well-directed by returning hand Roxann Dawson, there was some degree of danger at first when it is down to Trip's ingenuity to protect him from a monstrous-looking unknown alien packing a phaser, but quickly loses that momentum. Not having the UT to make sense of the alien's speech added drama, and was playing to the limitations of the series, but overall it comes out as more of 'The Enemy' ('TNG'), than 'The Ascent' on the scale of 'stranded on a planet' stories. Gregg Henry also played Gallatin, one of the Son'a in 'Star Trek: Insurrection'.
**
Tangent
DVD, Stargate SG-1 S4 (Tangent)
Not one of 'Stargate's finest hours, more like one of its dullest, but how exciting can being stuck in a death glider be, especially one that is apparently floating through space, rather than speeding along, as it's supposed to be! And while on the subject of nitpicking, how can a collision with a missile that leaves no visible damage, reduce the life support and power on board, apart from obviously attempting to add some tension to a remarkably tensionless situation (I had the constant feeling that the Asgaard could appear at any moment and save them). There are some nice shots of the glider flying past in a demonstration on Earth, but it shows up one of the flaws in the series: that they don't have their own ship, like most space/sci-fi series'.
Waiting around for them to try out each option before eventually coming up with a way to rescue Jack and Teal'c doesn't make for the most riveting story, although it picks up a little when Carter and Daniel head off to a Goa'uld world to find a nearby Tok'ra agent, but it's obviously a budget-saving episode since they spend about ten seconds there on a hilltop before being transported up by Jacob Carter. His presence is about the only thing that saves the episode from complete tedium, even getting off a 'Star Trek' reference when discussing the ring transporter ("Who do you think I am, Scotty?"), though it does draw attention to the fact that compared to that Transporter, the ring transporter is a bit feeble since it can't even grab people sitting in the glider!
It seems like a while since we last saw Jacob so it's great to have him back, and funny that he's so superior about the Tok'ra when talking about their technology compared with human's. Even Apophis is resurrected, if only in voice, spouting a message about the glider's special programming which will send it back to one of his bases. The other worthwhile moment is Teal'c's little speech before going into deep sleep, calling O'Neill a brother. It sounded like the ship which approaches Jacob's is owned by Heruer, someone we haven't seen in a long time, and a Tok'ra and another powerful ally get mentioned, though I can't recall the names. A few little bits to keep the mind active. I had seen this years before and remembered being underwhelmed the first time. Guess what, nothing's changed.
**
Not one of 'Stargate's finest hours, more like one of its dullest, but how exciting can being stuck in a death glider be, especially one that is apparently floating through space, rather than speeding along, as it's supposed to be! And while on the subject of nitpicking, how can a collision with a missile that leaves no visible damage, reduce the life support and power on board, apart from obviously attempting to add some tension to a remarkably tensionless situation (I had the constant feeling that the Asgaard could appear at any moment and save them). There are some nice shots of the glider flying past in a demonstration on Earth, but it shows up one of the flaws in the series: that they don't have their own ship, like most space/sci-fi series'.
Waiting around for them to try out each option before eventually coming up with a way to rescue Jack and Teal'c doesn't make for the most riveting story, although it picks up a little when Carter and Daniel head off to a Goa'uld world to find a nearby Tok'ra agent, but it's obviously a budget-saving episode since they spend about ten seconds there on a hilltop before being transported up by Jacob Carter. His presence is about the only thing that saves the episode from complete tedium, even getting off a 'Star Trek' reference when discussing the ring transporter ("Who do you think I am, Scotty?"), though it does draw attention to the fact that compared to that Transporter, the ring transporter is a bit feeble since it can't even grab people sitting in the glider!
It seems like a while since we last saw Jacob so it's great to have him back, and funny that he's so superior about the Tok'ra when talking about their technology compared with human's. Even Apophis is resurrected, if only in voice, spouting a message about the glider's special programming which will send it back to one of his bases. The other worthwhile moment is Teal'c's little speech before going into deep sleep, calling O'Neill a brother. It sounded like the ship which approaches Jacob's is owned by Heruer, someone we haven't seen in a long time, and a Tok'ra and another powerful ally get mentioned, though I can't recall the names. A few little bits to keep the mind active. I had seen this years before and remembered being underwhelmed the first time. Guess what, nothing's changed.
**
Silicon Avatar
DVD, TNG S5 (Silicon Avatar)
To me, it seemed the story could end one of two ways: either Dr. Marr would find redemption through learning to work with Data and accept him, or she would ruin everything by destroying the Crystalline Entity, which is what she chose to do. Actually she saved Picard from a difficult decision. Had the entity proved to be an intelligent being, had they been able to communicate with it and learned that its insatiable appetite would mean it could never stop its destructive tendencies, they would have had to face whether they had the right to destroy it or not. At first thought it would be obvious - that it deserved to die for its behaviour, but if it was sentient who were they to make that decision, just as in Season 3 Picard couldn't punish Kevin Uxbridge for his annihilation of a species.
There was too much of an emphasis on Dr. Marr for my liking. I didn't remember what happened in the episode, I was impressed and pulled in by the busy opening and shock death of Carmen the colonist (played by Susan Diol, a few years before she showed up in 'Voyager' as Dr. Pel), but the story, a bit like 'Arena' in 'TOS' became something quite different to what it began as. In that old classic, they go to a colony, which has also been pulled apart, then chase the Gorn ship and it turns into a fight to the death on an alien world. In this, we have a crisis at a colony, then it becomes a personal vengeance story, 'Moby Dick'-style. Dr. Marr's hatred isn't immediately apparent, but long before she started on Data, right as she stepped off the transporter platform, in fact, I had an immediate dislike of her. Either I'm an exceptionally good judge of character, or her unbalanced persona was not subtle. She at first seems like a bit of an eccentric, perhaps one of those, like Dr. Pulaski that found it hard to relate to an android, but it quickly, shall we say, crystallises into anger against Data's brother, Lore, before revealing itself as guilt against herself for leaving her son on Omicron Theta, where the Crystalline Entity killed all the occupants, bar Data, Lore and Dr. Soong - only last season we learnt that Soong survived, so new facts about that event are always pleasing to learn.
Dr. Marr does seem to take over the storyline, though Data is shown in his best light through her persecution, but there's something creepy about the way she almost begins to believe Data is her dead son since he has some of his memories and can speak in his voice, though I don't think we can excuse her by suggesting she was mad, she was just eccentric and driven to wish her son would have been proud of her actions. She knew what she was doing. Data's abilities are one of two great moments in the episode, the first being the attack on the colony with some excellent effects in which trees and grass gets blasted away by the entity and the camera follows the fleeing people. The other is the touching scene in which Data reads a letter Dr. Marr's son wrote, in the boy's voice as his Mother listens sadly.
The story could very well have been about Riker's wish for revenge on the entity since it killed Carmen who he was becoming friendly with, and though Marr's Mother-son bond was a stronger motivation, it didn't necessarily have to focus so much on her. Picard's scientific detachment, though noble, does seem rather cold, suggesting the right of the entity to go around killing planetfuls of people! It wasn't quite that, he wanted to be able to communicate, but maybe if he'd been in the attack or his own family were killed, I wonder if he'd have remained so calm. I also noticed he called Number One 'Mr.' Riker at one point, which isn't his normal vernacular. It was good indeed to see the Crystalline Entity again (a space danger, like The Doomsday Machine), and to tie into Data's backstory, though I would have liked to see Lore again, instead of hearing his name. It makes you wonder if they'll run into every unvanquished foe before the series reached a conclusion, but I'm sure there were plenty that never were heard of again. To sum up, I would say, less is Marr.
**
To me, it seemed the story could end one of two ways: either Dr. Marr would find redemption through learning to work with Data and accept him, or she would ruin everything by destroying the Crystalline Entity, which is what she chose to do. Actually she saved Picard from a difficult decision. Had the entity proved to be an intelligent being, had they been able to communicate with it and learned that its insatiable appetite would mean it could never stop its destructive tendencies, they would have had to face whether they had the right to destroy it or not. At first thought it would be obvious - that it deserved to die for its behaviour, but if it was sentient who were they to make that decision, just as in Season 3 Picard couldn't punish Kevin Uxbridge for his annihilation of a species.
There was too much of an emphasis on Dr. Marr for my liking. I didn't remember what happened in the episode, I was impressed and pulled in by the busy opening and shock death of Carmen the colonist (played by Susan Diol, a few years before she showed up in 'Voyager' as Dr. Pel), but the story, a bit like 'Arena' in 'TOS' became something quite different to what it began as. In that old classic, they go to a colony, which has also been pulled apart, then chase the Gorn ship and it turns into a fight to the death on an alien world. In this, we have a crisis at a colony, then it becomes a personal vengeance story, 'Moby Dick'-style. Dr. Marr's hatred isn't immediately apparent, but long before she started on Data, right as she stepped off the transporter platform, in fact, I had an immediate dislike of her. Either I'm an exceptionally good judge of character, or her unbalanced persona was not subtle. She at first seems like a bit of an eccentric, perhaps one of those, like Dr. Pulaski that found it hard to relate to an android, but it quickly, shall we say, crystallises into anger against Data's brother, Lore, before revealing itself as guilt against herself for leaving her son on Omicron Theta, where the Crystalline Entity killed all the occupants, bar Data, Lore and Dr. Soong - only last season we learnt that Soong survived, so new facts about that event are always pleasing to learn.
Dr. Marr does seem to take over the storyline, though Data is shown in his best light through her persecution, but there's something creepy about the way she almost begins to believe Data is her dead son since he has some of his memories and can speak in his voice, though I don't think we can excuse her by suggesting she was mad, she was just eccentric and driven to wish her son would have been proud of her actions. She knew what she was doing. Data's abilities are one of two great moments in the episode, the first being the attack on the colony with some excellent effects in which trees and grass gets blasted away by the entity and the camera follows the fleeing people. The other is the touching scene in which Data reads a letter Dr. Marr's son wrote, in the boy's voice as his Mother listens sadly.
The story could very well have been about Riker's wish for revenge on the entity since it killed Carmen who he was becoming friendly with, and though Marr's Mother-son bond was a stronger motivation, it didn't necessarily have to focus so much on her. Picard's scientific detachment, though noble, does seem rather cold, suggesting the right of the entity to go around killing planetfuls of people! It wasn't quite that, he wanted to be able to communicate, but maybe if he'd been in the attack or his own family were killed, I wonder if he'd have remained so calm. I also noticed he called Number One 'Mr.' Riker at one point, which isn't his normal vernacular. It was good indeed to see the Crystalline Entity again (a space danger, like The Doomsday Machine), and to tie into Data's backstory, though I would have liked to see Lore again, instead of hearing his name. It makes you wonder if they'll run into every unvanquished foe before the series reached a conclusion, but I'm sure there were plenty that never were heard of again. To sum up, I would say, less is Marr.
**
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