LogFAQs > #973266051

I've yet to find one of those "cast of x sings y" videos that wasn't completely and hilariously god awful. Good choice of mildly suggestive clips, though.

Episode 5: Gambit, Part II

Picard plays a very clever game at the start. Still putting on that grizzled inflection for his performance as Galen. Starting to have fun with his lies and teases Riker over being his replacement. Plays up his incredulousness at sending Riker aboard. Gets to sneer a bit at Baran during the mutiny. Deliberately too keen to find the third piece as a way of telling Tallera that he knows. Tired after all this nonsense and gets in one last joke at Riker's expense.

Riker gives Picard a significant look and starts to relax slightly. Charming his way through his interactions with Baran and smiling right past the man. Little twitch when told to kill Picard that he brings under control. There's something a little tired about him when he's talking to Picard as himself. Maybe all the lies are a little exhausting. Has fun briefly playing a traitor. Tries to tease Picard, but quickly regrets it.

La Forge discovers something useful. Lightly astonished by Worf's shit attitude and audacity.

Worf is in trigger happy mode. Complains about everything and comes off as slightly thick for it. Grumbles under his breath like a recently disciplined teenager. Offers a decent defence for his actions and maturely recognises his fault when it's spelled out to him. Has to stop himself from questioning Data too much. Doesn't have the most ethical views on that treaty. Even he can be peaceful when needed.

Crusher plays at being sickly sweet to Koral, but can't quite commit to the bit. More ethical than Worf.

Troi is sensing Worf's displeasure. Does more technical work than usual. Notices that Data threw Worf a bone. Tries to be pleasant with Koral. Gets to act up a bit of sadness at Riker's "death".

Data plays along. Even for an unemotional android, has incredible patience. Gives Worf an incredibly professional and stern talking to. Keeps their friendship alive. Shrugs at Koral's obstinacy. Able to experience the awkwardness of trying to talk with a brick wall. Takes a moment to process, but gets in some mock outrage at Riker.

Baran is so smug that its utterly wonderful to see him played by everyone and think hes the one winning.

Tallera's constant visits to Galen and unwillingness to do anything about how suspicious he is betrays pretty early on that shes a lying liar, too. Ruthless, pragmatic sort. Can't even pretend to disguise her nervousness when Picard cottons on. Insanely tries to keep using the useless resonator.

Fun little bullshit production to start us off. Actually, there's quite a bit of fun to be had everywhere, due to everyone being deceitful in some fashion or another. Its really just a load of talking, but the many roles most characters play keep it very amusing all the way through. Picard and Baran staring each other down during the mutiny is cool. Tallera is probably the best liar, through being evil pretending to be good pretending to be evil. She and Picard begin fighting with the truth since the lies have long since exhausted their use. The jelly effect of the resonator is a bit shit.

Continues to do the same as the first part and has most of the cast indulge in some fun lying and acting. And it is clear that they are having a blast. It never devolves into farce and a few choice moments are played severely, but there's a fun energy to it all. Its basically a two episode romp that manages to justify its length. Hits on a few slightly intelligent points in the process, too: there's an undercurrent of trust versus fear, as Baran is a dreadful leader, whereas Picard as Galen effortlessly gains his crew's loyalty. And Worf mistrusts Data's decisions, whereas the android has complete faith that Picard and Riker have a plan. Then, the episode pauses a bit on Worf's reaction to the resonator, to highlight a point about peace versus violence. Not the deepest of ideas, but there's more here than some stories.

One of those all too infrequent two parters where both episodes are as good as each other.

Looking at Phantasms, next.