So okay, then, you asked for it season 2.
The Child
Thanks to the Writer's Strike of 1988, we had to suffer through a long summer break. And the production had to use a script from the aborted Phase 2 series, but had enough lead time after the strike was settled to punch it up into a Next Generation episode to be more than satisfied with.
To think what it might have been otherwise. And yet, at the time, not knowing of the strike, the episode still had a daring feel and going where none had gone before and diving into the themes, even in tangents and minutiae that felt as compelling as they were varied. Marina steals the show as well...
Firstly, we get a brand new shot of the Enterprise, a majestic opening score by Dennis McCarthy, a sweet shot of a shuttle leaving the bay, and an elaborate crane shot of the bridge - all to say "welcome back, sorry you had to wait so long." In that shot we immediately see some changes. Worf is in Command Gold, his baldric is updated as well as his makeup (which will continue to evolve over the life of the character). Riker has a beard and it makes a world of difference. I wish my beards looked half as good. Then we see Wes has a spiffy new Acting Ensign uniform.
Great points, all! Loved the opening, loved the music, loved the Ten Forward outside-in shot - which was definitely ambitious and sadly this type of shooting angle would never really be used again... not that you'd want to wear it out, but they could have done it a couple times more in the show's 5 remaining years...
Wesley finally got rid of the Triskeleon-inspired design and had something more suited.
Worf was okay when first starting, but also feels "just right" as Security Chief. He seemingly had half those duties to begin with. Plus, the new Baldric and ditching the 1960s original was a huge step in the right direction. Fantastic design.
Then, in the next scene, Riker joins Picard and Geordi in the ready room (we get two Riker Maneuvers in this scene - one mount and one dismount) and we're told Geordi is now Chief Engineer. All of these are great updates. However, they try to give Picard a new "catchword" which doesn't stick: "Grand." They push it out twice and it's obviously meant to be a thing. It doesn't work and will vanish. However, I adopted it for my own use and use it sarcastically to this day.
It's better than "merde", which he'd used once if not twice...
The show finally decided that they really needed a static Chief Engineer and not the merry-go-round of characters that didn't work at all. Geordi already having been in Engineering a few times, it just felt like a natural progression.
Pause to say, I really like the lighting in this episode. It looks and feels like a different season. There are some shadows and it just feels a little less bright.
The altered lighting and, indeed, film stock as everything feels a tad on the "cooler" side (easily adjusted in post-production to match the warmer film of seasons 1 and 3-7 but not necessary as that would unintentionally alter story tone as well, season 2 did have that theme of space being a cold place so the cooler tone is deliberate for likely many reasons, if I were to guess.)
One more update that works quite well is Deanna's new look. A much more flattering hair style and uniform. She looks younger and less matronly.
Definitely. I did miss the read bead hairstrap piece as that glowed with color and detail on blu-ray thanks to the film restoration and blu-ray's better bandwidth, but it's all made up for. Even if she's now given even less uniformy-looking uniforms. As ship's counselor, there's an easy in-universe reason for this, but then why wouldn't a senior command person regardless of position not wear the standard uniform while on duty?
Two new characters join the cast, both "special" in each episode credits rather than the main titles. Whoopi Goldberg will successfully integrate as Guinan, in the never before seen, but I assume was always there, Ten Forward. The second would prove to be a temporary and less successful fit, Diana Muldaur as Dr. Pulaski. Already knowing how she'll develop, her intro is easier to take here than it was in 1988. I know she'll warm up to Data and made a solid addition, but we have to get there first. Unfortunately she comes off cold and abrasive, kicking the proverbial puppy that is Data. Not a great start, but that's what we've got.
Could Pulaski's personal arc with Data have worked otherwise? Or look worse, if she was warm and charming with the biological beings and just cold and stoic to the manufactured android? She does start as an antihero of sorts, if nothing else.
Seymour Cassell is oddly stilted as Lt. Commander Hester Dealt in a thankless role. His manner is weirdly casual, which I remember my mom hating but I thought was interesting. When he beams out at the end, his freaky grin as he poses is unintentionally funny.
The real meat of the episode is Troi's alien pregnancy. A lot of great subtext in Frakes' performance when they're told in the briefing. He's immediately brusque, obviously jealous. The moment he's told how it happened, his face softens. Frakes is on point here. The discussion about what to do with the pregnancy borders on cruel even though it's practical and Troi shuts it down. Props to Picard for immediately supporting her decision.
^^this. It's a scene that shows much. Frakes' acting ability (as well as directorial as we'd later see) is as nuanced as ever.
Everything in this episode works pretty well but pushing it over the top is the cast. Everyone is freaking great. They make magic out of this desperation script, which is actually pretty well updated by Maurice Hurley. Funny how I don't really miss Beverly even though I have yet to warm to Pulaski.
Kudos to Hurley for spinning silk out of the decade-old script written back when Studio 54 was "a thing".
Wesley's subplot about staying on board is well handled on the side and gives Whoopi a chance to have a bit of an introduction. She helps humanize the cast a bit more, her presence is welcome. The resolution to the Wesley plot is satisfying and amusing.
It's almost by-the-numbers and I was expecting Troi to have a bigger hand in his continued development. But it is a subversion of expectation.
I've held off on the Deanna/Ian plot long enough. My only complaint is that it feels a little crushed in all of the introductions and changes. I wish it had a little more room to breathe. We spend a lot of time with the sinister build up of Ian and not enough of his more pleasant discovery side for my taste. I wanted to see more of Troi as a mom. I did like the birth scene and Riker watching, showing both joy and, I feel, regret that he's not at her side as the father. But he does well as a friend and their interaction is charming and sweet.
I'm gonna flat out say it: Marina is magnificent in this episode. She plays both ends of her dilemma perfectly. She's a protective mother but also a Starfleet officer and the dread on her face as Picard and Pulaski visit before the first growth reveal is well done. That whole scene is spot on. Picard's reaction is priceless and when Ian speaks, and the chill Pulaski feels is evident.
But the real props go back to Marina. When Ian says he has to leave, the horror and panic she feels is gut wrenching. I was heartbroken for her. Even though it was, what, a couple of days? She birthed this child and began raising him. Her reaction and later sadness were honest and true.
^^this!
Never again would a season premiere be a Troi Episode, so they did wonders with this one, especially considering what the staff had to deal with.
Maybe I'm just in a good mood, but this is a strong start to the season, even with some points feeling a little abbreviated in all the intros and changes.
4/5
I remember it's worthy of much praise. Am looking forward to my upcoming rewatch. What I have seen of season 2 so far in rewatch has been spectacular...
Yeah, it does have a charm...
