LogFAQs > #969442518

Episode 8: The Battle

Return of the Ferengi. Seems they might be the main recurring alien this time. Bit of insight into Picard's (everytime i type his name, autocorrect wants me to include a face-palm emoji) past, too.

He's definitely not having a fun day. Get some good winces and irritability out of Stewart. The focus on fire in his vivid memories, along with his reaction to it in Where No One Has Gone Before, makes me wonder if he's got an outright phobia to it. Clearly delighted in telling the story if his gesticulating is any indication and had a little humility at the end. Happy, mind controlled Picard is quite creepy. He's very wistful and nostalgic over his old ship.

Riker still enjoys any reference to sex. Has fun tormenting the Ferengi over an unprofitable venture, too. The patience he shows Picard is like the kind you would show to a elderly person. Shifts into commanding, angry mode quite seamlessly. Drifting out of audience surrogate mode and into his own character. I'm convinced that Frakes is having the time of his life in this role.

La Forge is a little beleaguered and snarky towards angry Riker.

Yar mostly just does her job here, but that isn't the complaint it was in TOS. They do seem to be cycling through the main cast considerably better.

Didn't get much from Worf, either, although it's nice that both he and Yar made the connection about Picard's heavy trunk.

Crusher could not be more delighted about getting to order Picard about. The two of them have quite an emotionally intimate relationship. The scene of Picard almost breaking down over whether he did the right thing, whilst she mostly just listens is brilliant. Has a devious side to her, too, through the many injections she pumps him with.

Troi gets to be useful here, highlighting Bok's deceitfulness and pointing out that Picard's headaches have a mechanical cause. Acted out some brilliant discomfort over the Ferengi's pervertedness. I feel like Sirtis isn't given enough to do. Troi is still mostly a living prop.

Data is little literal minded. Didn't appreciate being eyed up as merchandise. Got to make his own counter maneuver.

He's not as bad as he was at the start, but Wesley has slipped back into annoying territory. He's not even being shilled as much in this episode, but he's still too sweet to be a decent kid character for my tastes. His snark at the lack of a thank you was okay. "Heh, adults" is not, however.

Bok is pretty good. As typically slimy as the rest of the bunch, but with sparks of anger in him. The idea of going against his people's values in the name of revenge is fascinating and does a lot to make this species feel like a collection of individuals, rather than a homogenous, generic enemy. Kazago is an interesting example of what decency looks like in different value systems.

The thought makers have some nice simple designs to them. The Stargazer is a work of art. Just as hyper designed as the new Enterprise. The interior is another fine example of using lighting to accentuate a mood. A pretty cool tracking shot of Picard telling his story. A nice remix of the main theme. The translucent ghosts for Picard's memories are an interesting effect. The Picard manoeuvre itself honestly looks amazing when we finally get to see it.

I've been following along on production trivia as I go and apparently this is the last attempt to make the Ferengi a credible threat. While they clearly don't have the raw power and presence of, say, a Klingon or a Romulan, I still think their scheming, slimy ways makes them dangerous. There was a bit of silliness and mugging in their first appearance, sure, but I find them alright as mostly serious villains. I mean, here, they're actually great.

Hide and Q sounds like a lopsided game, but could still be fun.