Another
9.
Despite all the tropes and the liberal tossing around of the Idiot Ball, I like it. I liked this episode more than last weeks overall (still not a 10 for me though.)
Loving this new take on the TNG Universe because we have BOTH a Universe and TNG characters being written portrayed more like they would be if they were in the TOS era (Read acting like actual real relatable Human beings and not the emotionally well adjusted mannequins they were portrayed as 99% of the time during the TNG TV series run circa 1997-1994. I'm sure GR is rolling in the grave and Rick Berman is shaking his head and rolling his eyes if he's watched any of the PICARD S3 episodes. But yeah, this TOS era fan LOVES this version of the TNG characters and Universe.)
As for certain Ep. 2 elements:
- Jack IS Picard's son, and not a clone of Jack Crusher - get used to it folks. Riker recognizes it immediately (and so did Picard, but he just doesn't want to admit it to himself.)
- As for Shaw, I don't care for the inconsistent writing of his character. He's perfectly happy to let Riker and senior Picard die, until 7 of 9 says: "...or be known for letting two Starfleet Legends die..."); and he's also willing (and still IMO in character when he is willing to trade Jack Crusher to save the 500 in his crew; BUT suddenly once it's reveled Jack is Admiral Picard's son - SUDDENLY he seems to be okay with sacrificing his ship and crew?
(Hello Idiot Ball...because yes, if he's not on board with the rest of the TNG characters and 7 of 9, theirs either no further story; OR Picard and Riker have to mutiny on an actual Starfleet vessel directly that adds a whole other can of worms in the aftermath although it would be a nice callback to the 'stealing of the Enterprise' in STIII:TSFS.)
- I was never a ST: VOY fan (still think it's the worst Trek series), gave up watching it regularly after S1 but I've since seen some of their later seasons episodes with 7 of 9 and the ST:VOY finale
Endgame. But yeah, I've really liked the 7 of 9 character version they have had in PICARD since S1 and Jerry Ryan comes across as a much better more nuanced actress then she ever did in ST: VOY (IMO). Continuing to enjoy her character.
- LOVED The appearance of Worf (and honestly was expecting him to show up to save Raffi as soon as the Ferengi showed her the Romulan's head); and the fact he just unceremoniously beheaded the gangster Ferengi in one clean stroke. Worf IS a Klingon version of Pei Mei (of Kill Bill and Chinese Kung Fu Cinema fame); and yeah, love it. (Gotta wonder WHEN Picard will be a hypocrite again and dress him down for stuff like this as he did all through the TNG TV series whenever Worf did something completely valid WRT Klingon culture.
)
- And I know Michelle Hurd is a good actress, but yeah, they're just making her the most trope-ish of the new PICARD cast and really not giving her much to really work with, and that's sad (IMO).
Still, liked it overall <--- And had the TNG TV series treated the main characters like relatable Human beings as Terry Matalas and Co. are doing here in PICARD, I probably would have liked the original TNG more.
But that's me - and if you are a huge fan of the original TNG series, I'm sure many of those hard core fans are beside themselves going: "WTF is THIS??!!"
(I can only say: Now you guys know and can now understand the reaction many a TOS hard core fan had when TNG hit the airwave in 1987.
)
