[For my daily workout, I'm pedaling on a recumbent exercise bike while watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. I'm posting my reviews here.]
(197.2 pounds)
This is the first of a strange sub-class of episode in which a time loop (or other mechanism) gives the crew of the Enterprise a second chance to avert a disaster. “Cause and Effect,” “Timescape,” even “Clues” and “All Good Things”: it’s weird how this story seems to fascinate the writers and producers of the show, itself a second chance for the Star Trek universe.
Maybe all those other tries are attempts to rectify this one, just like in the episodes.
In this instance, a befuddled Picard comes back from six hours in the future, conveniently unable to clearly or logically explain what the hell is going on. Mostly, he just writhes in sickbay while the other characters wonder which decisions may kill them. They come across a very beautiful special effect, and Groaning Picard awakens to leave the Enterprise again. The “real” Picard wrangles the other alternative out of him, and the cycle is broken.
Eh.
This episode has the virtue and the handicap of being the first of this series to depict a time loop. It’s an interesting idea, probably best handled by “All Good Things,” but this does okay for itself. At least the returning Picard is addled by his experience, though it’s odd that he’s only addled in a way to arbitrarily heighten drama.
(Tip for writers: given the choice between inventing ways to heighten drama and choosing ones implicit in a better-chosen situation, always go for the latter.)
My grade: C-, with a few extra points for trying something interestingly weird. Really, it’s a D.
there was a lot of wasted potential here. it had some cool ideas and scenes, but it seemed to fall short at many turns. i wanted to like it, but it is hard to do so.