Episode: Time Squared

[byron lomax]

I like this episode too; when the shuttle opens up to reveal a second Picard, it's really unsettling. The episode has a really low-key, foreboding atmosphere. And I love the dialogue between Riker and Picard just before the vortex appears.

The episode's writer (name escapes me) explained that the solution to the whole problem was intentionally "counter-intuitive", and when Roddenberry stepped in and cut off the connection to "Q Who", it only added confusion to the ending. In his own words: "Why would flying right into the vortex save you? It doesn't make any sense. But it does if Q is pulling the strings."

 

[Unicron]

It's been a while since I have seen it, however, if I'm remembering it correctly, I believe Picard killing his other version served dual purposes. One, the action is representative of him erasing his own self doubt and single mindedness. Two, and more important, he was ensuring that should he cause another loop, it would be the Picard that understood he needed to keep his options open that made it into the next one.

Plus, Picard does wear a red uniform...