LogFAQs > #973237161

Episode 4: Gambit

Ahoy, mateys.

Picard's in full pirate mode. Clever plan with the engine failure and makes sure to give some significant looks to hint at what's happening. Exaggerates his cantankerous when playing Galen.

Riker's got an air of nervousness during the bar crawling. Gives a funny look over Worf's shit story about his sister. Like a petulant, edgy teenager over his anger, but at least he apologises to Troi. Briefly hesitates to take the admiral's call. In utter disbelief at the informant's demands and has that maddened zeal when threatening him. So blinkered by vengeance, he ignores Data's advice. Has fun reciting his name, rank and number. Picks up on Picard's scheme quickly and kind of enjoys himself with it. Exaggerates his aggressiveness when playing disgraced Riker.

La Forge's more casual attitude is especially appreciated here. Seems more annoyed than anything at losing the firefight.

Worf handles himself in the bar more or less as normal. A moment of panic when Riker is taken. Frustrated by the lack of options. Hesitates at lowering shields.

Crusher is a badass.

Troi effortlessly grills the bartender for information. Has a proper good screaming fit of emotional agony at Riker.

Data delicately does his duty as first officer, not that its listened too. Love his matter of fact command style. Confused by the enemy ship. Adopts a lot of Picard's mannerisms. Figures out that Riker has a plan and takes on a stern voice when Worf complains.

Baran is a fun, cutthroat pirate sort.

I've noticed that establishing shots of the Enterprise and opening logs are getting less frequent. What a moody, dingy, seedy shithole. Seeing everyone in grubby pirate garb is a hoot. Picard apparently being dead is a fine hook. The informant looks like a disgusting fusion of a weasel, a prune and a lump of shit. Quite wrong to have Data in that chair and the camera makes sure to pan over the randomer in his usual spot. Barradas is a nicely verdant planet. Slightly more cinematic directing than usual with the firefight. Picard being a pirate was a fun surprise. Fun seeing Picard, Riker and Data plan around each other.

Running out of ideas? Could've fooled me because this is a fantastic breath of fresh air. It says a lot about how familiar these characters are that a lot of fun can be had in seeing them act as someone else. The bar scene and, of course, Picard and Riker dancing around each other and Baran is delightful. Obviously, it's the pirate episode, which Roddenberry apparently vetoed when he was alive, and it goes through the usual tropes and has a great amount of joy in doing so. We even have a quest for some unknown buried treasure. Being a more standard adventure, it's not the deepest of tales, but that might actually be a good thing, since I've been a little disappointed with most of the second parts, so far.

After feeling like the overall quality had slipped a little due to the last two episodes, this is a nice return to excellence.

But will this Gambit Continue to pay off?