LogFAQs > #969491603

Episode 10: Haven

Nothing wrong with giving Troi a focus episode. Actually, I've never minded the more laid back episodes. It's good to have some comedy from time to time.

It's actually adorable how socially awkward Picard is. He tries so hard to be congratulatory towards Troi, despite everyone, even himself, eventually, recognising that she's not fully comfortable with this. Calm on the surface, but still visibly flustered whenever Lwaxana is about. Immediately regrets being a gentleman when he has to carry the luggage. Stewart ordinarily invests so much dignity in the role, that something as simple as struggling with a bag becomes genuinely hilarious.

Riker has the best taste in holograms. Loved his eye roll. Not the happiest man today. He's clearly brooding over potentially losing Troi, which is interesting since he seemed quite clear that their relationship was over a few episodes ago. His and Troi's conversation in the holodeck is a fantastic scene. He also avoids a common pitfall in this type of story by actually being decent, albeit somewhat cool, to Wyatt. His reaction to Homn speaking seems to be more Frakes than Riker.

La Forge doesn't get up to much, but it's nice seeing little reminders of his and Data's friendship, even if they're just walking down the corridor. Has a brilliant reaction to Data at the end of the party.

Don't blame Yar for being spooked by the message thing. I expect that sort of freaky nonsense in Doctor Who. Can't tell if she's aghast or excited or both at the prospect of being naked at the wedding.

I'm assuming Worf came down with the flu, again.

Crusher has some professional interest in Wyatt. Not doing much else.

This is Troi's episode and Sirtis knocks it out of the park. From the start, there are many layers of apprehension and straight up fear buried inside her. Her embarrassment of her mother is conveyed in every facial expression as she silently begs her to stop her antics from the background. Blowing up at the party is a brilliant end to a brilliant scene and her building chemistry with Wyatt comes off as far more natural than this sort of story usually manages. Ive always loved scenes where, through two characters just talking, you can see the depths of how much they mean to each other, and the holodeck scene is near perfect. After being a living prop for a few too many episodes (and having Sirtis occasionally struggle to find somewhere she can safely inject some depth in there) we finally get to see that both the character and actor have range. More than justifies her character's existence.

Data could not be happier today. Spiner has such a delightful shit eating grin throughout the whole episode. I liked him nearly crashing into Riker at the start and the brief second of them figuring out that someone should move out of the way. If his comment during the party is any indication, he'll make one hell of a shit stirrer in the future and I'm all for it.

The flu must be catching because Wesley doesn't appear, either. Or perhaps, even with omnipotence, Riker can't help but be a shoddy doctor.

Lwaxana steals the show, vamping about the place with the worst (and best) attributes of a complete diva. Making Troi's mother the ultimate in embarrassing parents is a brilliant move. She's a laugh a minute and I could easily see her in Absolutely Fabulous or something. Making the whole episode a game of her setting up two cosmically intertwined lovebirds is a surprisingly effective way of granting her depth. Fantastic reappearence of Barret. Homn is fun, too.

Wyatt doesn't do much for me as a character, but as a vehicle for the general themes (which I don't have much to elaborate on, except to say that I have never minded overt romance or magic in my Sci-fi) he does fine. Having seen her, I kind of get his obsession for Ariana.

It's vital for a comedy episode to have a tight script and fortunately, this one delivers. The party scene, with the incessant gong bashing, is a masterpiece. Almost every joke landed for me. Even the soft, romance music that echoes TOS a bit too closely doesn't bother me that much. The holodeck effects are pretty cool, too. I don't know how well regarded this episode is by fans, but I imagine a decent chunk dislike it because its a clear comedy and because it has outright magic. Never bothered me.

Grateful though i am for warnings, this is why i insist on watching everything. Actually loved this.

Tomorrow is The Big Goodbye