After watching and rewatching; (3 times now) it's with a heavy heart I have to give this episode a 5.
The whole dynamic between Seven and Shaw just doesn't sit right with me, yes I get that "Commander Hansen" is really trying with regards to her career but she has been toned right down it appears, something that really doesn't do her character any favours or justice; this is NOT our Seven! Starfleet or otherwise.
Worf returning was absolutely fantastic if overly predictable; we ALL knew he was Raffi's handler.
I don't particularly enjoy the back and forth between Jack and Picard, again it all seems a bit forced.
The face to face between Beverly and Picard was an absolute dream, you could see clearly every damned emotion and it pulled at me a little bit. Her in her vulnerable state and the love and loyalty on his face really did tug a little bit at the heart strings.
I am still not completely sold on Vadic, i found it all a little bit cringeworthy, her smile sent shivers up my spine, which is no doubt the effect they were going for but still, ew.
Everyone knew Jack was going to be revealed as his son but i don't like the rushed way in which Picard reacted to completely defend him. The writing here doesn't sell me at all.
I'm hoping for more scenes with LaForge, she seems like a fun and quirky character with more to come and very adept at piloting a starship, the timing for her was absolutely spot on.
Raffi is completely unnecessary, I think Elnor would have served in the role much better and exploring the whole Klingon/Romulan dynamic would have been fantastic, Michelle Hurds acting so far has been more than questionable and I really don't agree with how quickly she would inject herself with whatever that was to achieve her goal; especially after "working" for so long to be clean. The tone and quickness just feel completely unrealistic, at least to me.
For the Worf return and the face to face of Beverly and Picard alone earns this a 5, maybe a 6 at a push but we'll see what happens next week.