Peak Performance: Why did Picard not want a combat ready crew?

[Trekker4747]

My eye roll moment in the season two episode "Peak Performance" came with Picard's apparant disdain and reluctance to participate in war games with the Zakdorn Kolrami. I get that this is the Federation and they are beyond the need for violence in this day in age. I just don't understand why any Commanding Officer wouldn't want their crew to be as prepared and trained as possible in all aspects of starship operation.

Is it that realistic to just consider yourselves explorers on the flagship of the Federation in a universe that has shown you repeatedly that not everybody is in love with your idea of interplanetary brotherhood? Do you assume that just because you are a ship of exploration you will just be left alone by the Romulans who just reasserted themselves in the Alpha Quadrant, Klingons, etc.

You have tactical officers on the ship and you don't want them to receive training that could help them improve their capabilities? I love Picard but participating in wargames isn't devolving into a dangerously savage child race. It's called being prepared. Oh, wouldn't you know it, the Enterprise would find itself in several pitched battles over the course of the series and movies.

I'd suspect that they run drills all of the time to prepare for combat situations and that the pointless exercise orchestrated here just seemed like a waste of time. Probably heightened by the fact that there was no real risk or reward here it was just an exercise in, well, wasting time.

 

[Use of Time]

My eye roll moment in the season two episode "Peak Performance" came with Picard's apparant disdain and reluctance to participate in war games with the Zakdorn Kolrami. I get that this is the Federation and they are beyond the need for violence in this day in age. I just don't understand why any Commanding Officer wouldn't want their crew to be as prepared and trained as possible in all aspects of starship operation.

Is it that realistic to just consider yourselves explorers on the flagship of the Federation in a universe that has shown you repeatedly that not everybody is in love with your idea of interplanetary brotherhood? Do you assume that just because you are a ship of exploration you will just be left alone by the Romulans who just reasserted themselves in the Alpha Quadrant, Klingons, etc.

You have tactical officers on the ship and you don't want them to receive training that could help them improve their capabilities? I love Picard but participating in wargames isn't devolving into a dangerously savage child race. It's called being prepared. Oh, wouldn't you know it, the Enterprise would find itself in several pitched battles over the course of the series and movies.

I'd suspect that they run drills all of the time to prepare for combat situations and that the pointless exercise orchestrated here just seemed like a waste of time. Probably heightened by the fact that there was no real risk or reward here it was just an exercise in, well, wasting time.

Well true, I mean I guess I could explain my way around anything in Star Trek by guessing what goes on between episodes but I'm trying to stay in context with the actual episode. It may have seemed like a waste of time to you but simulating pitched battles against your own forces is a tried and true method for the military. By the way, I agree that the way the wargames were portrayed in this episode was kind of lazy but I suspect that the actual way the games were set weren't really important to the writers.

 

[Robert D. Robot]

I have never been impressed as to how this was a serious test of combat readiness for anyone involved.... a new Galaxy class ship vs. a skeleton crew on an old Constellation class ship that was not even in proper operating condition. How was this a good exercise? I would expect what we saw in TOS "The Ultimate Computer" was along the lines of a more serious exercise.

Actually a significantly older, far more dated ship blew the galaxy class to smithereens in generations

Set disrupters on kindergarten

Before leaving the Enterprise, maybe Geordi should have hacked into Data's visual cortex & left a bug there so the crew on the Hathaway could have then viewed the goings-on back on the Enterprise bridge!

 

[Use of Time]

I have never been impressed as to how this was a serious test of combat readiness for anyone involved.... a new Galaxy class ship vs. a skeleton crew on an old Constellation class ship that was not even in proper operating condition. How was this a good exercise? I would expect what we saw in TOS "The Ultimate Computer" was along the lines of a more serious exercise.

Actually a significantly older, far more dated ship blew the galaxy class to smithereens in generations

Set disrupters on kindergarten

Before leaving the Enterprise, maybe Geordi should have hacked into Data's visual cortex & left a bug there so the crew on the Hathaway could have then viewed the goings-on back on the Enterprise bridge!

You mean in hopes that they could possibly monitor Data's whereabouts and hopefully get him to look at something like shield frequencies...pfft...come on, a battle could never be won that way right?

 

[zephramc]

I have never been impressed as to how this was a serious test of combat readiness for anyone involved.... a new Galaxy class ship vs. a skeleton crew on an old Constellation class ship that was not even in proper operating condition. How was this a good exercise? I would expect what we saw in TOS "The Ultimate Computer" was along the lines of a more serious exercise.

Actually a significantly older, far more dated ship blew the galaxy class to smithereens in generations

Set disrupters on kindergarten

Before leaving the Enterprise, maybe Geordi should have hacked into Data's visual cortex & left a bug there so the crew on the Hathaway could have then viewed the goings-on back on the Enterprise bridge!

It probably wouldn't have done much good. Data spent half the episode in his quarters moping.

 

[Use of Time]

Actually a significantly older, far more dated ship blew the galaxy class to smithereens in generations

Set disrupters on kindergarten

Before leaving the Enterprise, maybe Geordi should have hacked into Data's visual cortex & left a bug there so the crew on the Hathaway could have then viewed the goings-on back on the Enterprise bridge!

It probably wouldn't have done much good. Data spent half the episode in his quarters moping.

haha.

Riker: "Ok Geordi, whats he doing?

Geordi: *sighs "He's still practicing for a rematch in that electric spirit fingers game.

Riker: "We're screwed."

 

[MacLeod]

....Meanwhile- I seem to easily accept the fact that most every alien in the galaxy speaks English. I guess I should just repeat to myself "It's just a show, I should really just relax."

Universal Translators.

Off topic, but on a slightly related note: I always found it odd watching Doctor Who that every alien race in all of time and space all spoke with a British accent.

... Or simply it was just never explained that Starfleet acquired some Babel Fish from a galactic hitchhiker!

And on your "off topic", I think it is interesting how Doctor Who now deals with this situation by explaining that the TARDIS is doing the translating for our heroes telepathically (IIRC).

Rose: "If you're an alien, how come you sound like you're from the North?"
The Doctor: "Lots of planets have a North!"

And who knows perhaps due to all the time it spends in the UK, the Tardis has picked up a British accent. It is after all a living ship.

 

[Nightdiamond]

I chalk some of this to a little Utopianism in early TNG.

Humans have evolved beyond violence, therefore, they don't like war games, military concepts, ships with extra powerful weapons, etc.

Except Starfleet seems to be the only ones defending the Federation.

Throw in some episodes where some societies are pacifist and don't believe in weapons.

I'm not an social studies expert, but any society that is wealthy and rich in resources and has no defenses whatsoever is not going to last long.

I'm kind of conflicted on this one. On the one hand, Starfleet not wanting to conduct wargames and prepare itself seems ridiculous and going to far with pacifism.

On the other, --the idea of getting to play military, while pursuing your career and exploring, without worrying about war-is cool.

 

[Use of Time]

I chalk some of this to a little Utopianism in early TNG.

Humans have evolved beyond violence, therefore, they don't like war games, military concepts, ships with extra powerful weapons, etc.

Except Starfleet seems to be the only ones defending the Federation.

Throw in some episodes where some societies are pacifist and don't believe in weapons.

I'm not an social studies expert, but any society that is wealthy and rich in resources and has no defenses whatsoever is not going to last long.

I'm kind of conflicted on this one. On the one hand, Starfleet not wanting to conduct wargames and prepare itself seems ridiculous and going to far with pacifism.

On the other, --the idea of getting to play military, while pursuing your career and exploring, without worrying about war-is cool.

I think this is spot on. I think Picard's comment was written as a way to pacify Gene's vision of the future and how humanity has evolved. I just didn't find it that realistic but it serves in reinforcing Q's perception of humanity's arrogance. Maybe if this episode was before "Q Who" it would have fit in a little bit better.

 

[R. Star]

PICARD: Starfleet is not a military organisation. Its purpose is exploration.
KOLRAMI: Then why am I here?
PICARD: With the Borg threat, I decided that my officers and I needed to hone our tactical skills. In a crisis situation, it is prudent to have several options.

Instead of possibly facing the Borg with a exploration organization trained in tactics, wouldn't it be better if Starfleet was a military organization trained in tactics?

Take it up with Gene Roddenberry.

Yeah, compare Picard's smug superiority how the Federation is so evolved and has no need for militarism at all in early TNG then watch his speach in First Contact.

Really though, Wolf 359 was a defining point in the affairs of the Federation. After it you see less of the utopian sentiment and a more realistic approach.

 

[Use of Time]

Instead of possibly facing the Borg with a exploration organization trained in tactics, wouldn't it be better if Starfleet was a military organization trained in tactics?

Take it up with Gene Roddenberry.

Yeah, compare Picard's smug superiority how the Federation is so evolved and has no need for militarism at all in early TNG then watch his speach in First Contact.

Really though, Wolf 359 was a defining point in the affairs of the Federation. After it you see less of the utopian sentiment and a more realistic approach.

That's a great point and come to think of it I would have to agree on that battle being a turning point in the tone of Star Trek. That's part of why I loved "Q Who." Picard seemed to get the lessen learned at the end of that episode with his line "Maybe we needed a kick in our complacency." That's why I think "Peak Performance" would have been better being aired prior to Q Who.

 

[MikeS]

Picard admits in the episode that "with the Borg threat" it is prudent to have the war game. Just because you are idealistically opposed to something, it does not follow that you will be opposed to it in practice. Surely the makings of a fine Captain, one that admits what he would like is incorrect?

 

[Use of Time]

Picard admits in the episode that "with the Borg threat" it is prudent to have the war game. Just because you are idealistically opposed to something, it does not follow that you will be opposed to it in practice. Surely the makings of a fine Captain, one that admits what he would like is incorrect?

That last sentence read funny with the question mark. I think you are saying that Picard should be able to express what he thinks is prudent, if that is what you mean then I would partially agree but there is also a line that has to be drawn regarding how you question your superiors in front of your own subordinates. I don't think Starfleet was asking alot by asking the Enterprise to participate in the wargames. Now maybe Kolrami put Picard on the spot with that whole line about "I understand you were initially reluctanct to participate, etc." However, Kolrami also alluded that Picard had complained at some point to Starfleet thinking they were unnecessary. Why would Picard initially complain, especially after just having his ass handed to him by the Borg and the loss of 18 lives.

I have been an XO in the Army and there were times where I had discussions with my CO about certain approaches to missions/training etc. The bottom line was that when I walked out of his office I presented his plan like it was my own. You may not always be in complete agreement on certain decisions but as long as they are not unethical or ignorantly dangerous than you simply say "Roger that, we'll execute the plan." Starfleet isn't the "military" but that leadership principle should still be somewhat valid.

 

[zephramc]

Picard admits in the episode that "with the Borg threat" it is prudent to have the war game. Just because you are idealistically opposed to something, it does not follow that you will be opposed to it in practice. Surely the makings of a fine Captain, one that admits what he would like is incorrect?

That last sentence read funny with the question mark. I think you are saying that Picard should be able to express what he thinks is prudent, if that is what you mean then I would partially agree but there is also a line that has to be drawn regarding how you question your superiors in front of your own subordinates. I don't think Starfleet was asking alot by asking the Enterprise to participate in the wargames. Now maybe Kolrami put Picard on the spot with that whole line about "I understand you were initially reluctanct to participate, etc." However, Kolrami also alluded that Picard had complained at some point to Starfleet thinking they were unnecessary. Why would Picard initially complain, especially after just having his ass handed to him by the Borg and the loss of 18 lives.

I have been an XO in the Army and there were times where I had discussions with my CO about certain approaches to missions/training etc. The bottom line was that when I walked out of his office I presented his plan like it was my own. You may not always be in complete agreement on certain decisions but as long as they are not unethical or ignorantly dangerous than you simply say "Roger that, we'll execute the plan." Starfleet isn't the "military" but that leadership principle should still be somewhat valid.

Excellent points. I'd never taken part in the high-up decision making process in the military (USN, enlisted), but in the business world, I've always adopted that same sentiment. I may disagree with parts of the plan, but if it's for the benefit of the company or its employees, I'll sell the plan to others as though it's mine. Starfleet can't be that different.

P.S. Thank you for your service sir.

 

[Timo]

Why would Picard initially complain, especially after just having his ass handed to him by the Borg and the loss of 18 lives.

Why should we think he initially complained after those events?

By his own words, the Borg threat is what changed his mind. Probably he had been offered wargames some time before "Q Who?" and he had told that his own shipboard drills were quite sufficient, thank you, and could you please stay off the Federation Flagship when she is performing crucially important missions unrelated to combat? His constant stalling just came to an end with "Q Who?".

In the actual episode "Peak Performance", we don't hear Picard complaining any longer. All he does is tell Kolrami why he initially objected - in the past tense, and possibly years ago - when Kolrami specifically asks for this explanation.

After this answer to Kolrami's question, Picard expresses no objection to the wargames, no negative sentiment about them whatsoever. All he objects to is Kolrami's condescending and sometimes hostile attitude towards Riker, Data and basically everybody else.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Use of Time]

That's a good enough reason as any I suppose.

 

[Use of Time]

Picard admits in the episode that "with the Borg threat" it is prudent to have the war game. Just because you are idealistically opposed to something, it does not follow that you will be opposed to it in practice. Surely the makings of a fine Captain, one that admits what he would like is incorrect?

That last sentence read funny with the question mark. I think you are saying that Picard should be able to express what he thinks is prudent, if that is what you mean then I would partially agree but there is also a line that has to be drawn regarding how you question your superiors in front of your own subordinates. I don't think Starfleet was asking alot by asking the Enterprise to participate in the wargames. Now maybe Kolrami put Picard on the spot with that whole line about "I understand you were initially reluctanct to participate, etc." However, Kolrami also alluded that Picard had complained at some point to Starfleet thinking they were unnecessary. Why would Picard initially complain, especially after just having his ass handed to him by the Borg and the loss of 18 lives.

I have been an XO in the Army and there were times where I had discussions with my CO about certain approaches to missions/training etc. The bottom line was that when I walked out of his office I presented his plan like it was my own. You may not always be in complete agreement on certain decisions but as long as they are not unethical or ignorantly dangerous than you simply say "Roger that, we'll execute the plan." Starfleet isn't the "military" but that leadership principle should still be somewhat valid.

Excellent points. I'd never taken part in the high-up decision making process in the military (USN, enlisted), but in the business world, I've always adopted that same sentiment. I may disagree with parts of the plan, but if it's for the benefit of the company or its employees, I'll sell the plan to others as though it's mine. Starfleet can't be that different.

P.S. Thank you for your service sir.

Yeah, I think it can be applied to the private sector too at times. The bottom line is that you don't want those that follow to sense derision in the decision making process once the decision has been made. I have seen other XO's play the whole "I know it sounds stupid guys but the old man wants to do it this way." I find it profoundly unprofessional and a tad bit cowardly. At the end of the day I think most people know good leadership when they see it.

Don't even get me started on Riker in "Chain of Command"

P.S. I thank you for your service as the enlisted men/women do the heavy lifting for the military.

 

[Mr Pointy Ears]

starfleet isnt miltary,they are explorers,then wouldnt been any need to have battle trained officers on starships.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Starfleet (the Federation Starfleet, not the Earth Starfleet) is obviously military. That's obvious just by looking at it. They have military ranks, a military command structure, an Academy, they operate starships, they engage in military actions on behalf of the Federation. All those things prove that Starfleet is the military.

What Starfleet is *not*, however, is militaristic. There's the difference.

Sure, Picard might say that the Federation isn't military. And you know what? I don't fucking CARE what he thinks. He's simply wrong.

 

[R. Star]

^ Starfleet (the Federation Starfleet, not the Earth Starfleet) is obviously military. That's obvious just by looking at it. They have military ranks, a military command structure, an Academy, they operate starships, they engage in military actions on behalf of the Federation. All those things prove that Starfleet is the military.

What Starfleet is *not*, however, is militaristic. There's the difference.

Sure, Picard might say that the Federation isn't military. And you know what? I don't fucking CARE what he thinks. He's simply wrong.

You're actually attacking Roddenberry's idealistic kumbaya early TNG verion of the Federation more than Picard, you know.