Is it repetitive to say I loved it? Well, it's true, I loved it, I think it was even better than last week, even though it was a bit uneven at the start.
It looks like the plot is finally thickening, and I think the wait is paying off. I was sad to see that it was ultimately all just a game on Narek's part, but mostly because I felt so much for Soji when he betrayed her. The moment he said "Can you do that? For me?", he just reminded me of all those manipulative assholes who continuously toy with their unsuspecting significant others for whatever ends, be it money, connections or control. After that question, my first thought was literally "he's so full of shit". Poor Soji indeed. I was finally able to connect with her in this episode, and funnily enough, it happened when she, in her terrified confusion at her whole life being shattered in front of her eyes, became just like her sister.
To Narek's credit, he was able to show a different facet of his personality in his dealings with his sister; he was much more confident towards her now that he knew he was finally getting results, especially after Soji's breakdown provided him with an opening he could creep in through. Of course, now that Soji was activated and escaped, I think Narissa will use this fact to her advantage, especially now that she knows where to keep looking for the workshop from the dream. I wonder if the wedge between them will eventually come from a mere sibling rivalry instead of Narek genuinely having a change of heart.
I loved Picard having full-blown Vietnam-style flashbacks on the Artifact, and also how Hugh used his experiences from his own life as well as from helping his fellow ex-Borg to help him through the worst of it. When Picard confidently asserted Hugh will be happy to see him, I instantly thought he will reject him just as well, so I was very glad to be proven wrong. When Hugh beamed with joy upon seeing him, I beamed as well. Overall, I felt Picard's reactions to the Borg were stronger than they were in First Contact and I was wondering if it was simply the thought of entering an actual Borg cube or if his Irumodic Syndrome was beginning to affect his emotional state. Of course, the failure of the Romulan evacuation and the realization that he abandoned the world might have also removed much of what has kept him anchored while he was still in Starfleet.
I continue to find Elnor the epitome of Badass Adorable, alternating with his penchant for stating the obvious, being the first to notice something's up with Jurati (and blurting it out right away), and going to help Picard despite being ordered not to. Not to mention how Picard thanked him for that. I hope he kicks some serious ass in the next episode, but given that we see Hugh interrogated by Narissa, I'm not so sure.
Observations:
It looks like the plot is finally thickening, and I think the wait is paying off. I was sad to see that it was ultimately all just a game on Narek's part, but mostly because I felt so much for Soji when he betrayed her. The moment he said "Can you do that? For me?", he just reminded me of all those manipulative assholes who continuously toy with their unsuspecting significant others for whatever ends, be it money, connections or control. After that question, my first thought was literally "he's so full of shit". Poor Soji indeed. I was finally able to connect with her in this episode, and funnily enough, it happened when she, in her terrified confusion at her whole life being shattered in front of her eyes, became just like her sister.
To Narek's credit, he was able to show a different facet of his personality in his dealings with his sister; he was much more confident towards her now that he knew he was finally getting results, especially after Soji's breakdown provided him with an opening he could creep in through. Of course, now that Soji was activated and escaped, I think Narissa will use this fact to her advantage, especially now that she knows where to keep looking for the workshop from the dream. I wonder if the wedge between them will eventually come from a mere sibling rivalry instead of Narek genuinely having a change of heart.
I loved Picard having full-blown Vietnam-style flashbacks on the Artifact, and also how Hugh used his experiences from his own life as well as from helping his fellow ex-Borg to help him through the worst of it. When Picard confidently asserted Hugh will be happy to see him, I instantly thought he will reject him just as well, so I was very glad to be proven wrong. When Hugh beamed with joy upon seeing him, I beamed as well. Overall, I felt Picard's reactions to the Borg were stronger than they were in First Contact and I was wondering if it was simply the thought of entering an actual Borg cube or if his Irumodic Syndrome was beginning to affect his emotional state. Of course, the failure of the Romulan evacuation and the realization that he abandoned the world might have also removed much of what has kept him anchored while he was still in Starfleet.
I continue to find Elnor the epitome of Badass Adorable, alternating with his penchant for stating the obvious, being the first to notice something's up with Jurati (and blurting it out right away), and going to help Picard despite being ordered not to. Not to mention how Picard thanked him for that. I hope he kicks some serious ass in the next episode, but given that we see Hugh interrogated by Narissa, I'm not so sure.
Observations:
- Both Jurati and Soji were giving off similar bullet lists of how they feel lost and lonely (Jurati after Maddox's death, Soji in her nightmare/memory)... I wonder if this signifies something.
- The images on Picard's holoscreen showed the Continuing Committee from Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges as well as the Federation President's Paris office block from Homefront (crudely edited onto Notre Dame, I'm never living that down). DS9 continues to be referenced in all the background details they could include.
- Poor Raffi. She's basically just a big ball of self-loathing after meeting her son, and Picard seemingly didn't even notice. He was just clapping triumphantly for her without any concern for her being so drunk and high she could barely stand. Rios, on the other hand, gets some points from me for comforting her despite being a tortured lost soul himself. That's friendship for ya.
- On the other hand, I loved Raffi's snide but perfect assessment of Picard's id and ego.
- It looks like Picard is consciously trying to live by what he said about not letting the perfect become the enemy of the good.
- I loved how the replicator still has the same sound effect as it had in TNG, only 2-3 times faster.
