In this episode, a routine check-in with a scientific research vessel goes all kinds of awry for the Enterprise crew. Let’s discuss Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Spoilers ahead!
So this episode opens with the Enterprise crew beaming aboard a scientific research vessel after a worrying communication, and finding everyone dead. It soon becomes clear that some kind of “intoxicating” infection is running rampant, and starts infecting the Enterprise crew as well – leading to a ticking clock as they try to find a cure and keep a repeat performance at bay.
First off, this kind of “infectious madness in space” trope creeps me right out. It makes me deeply uncomfortable (I blame Event Horizon, Sam Neill knows what he did). So I am very glad that they played a lot of this story for giggles, because it kept the worst of the creeps away.
That said, we need to talk about Wesley “Acting Captain” Crusher, because that kid has Potential Villain written all over him. Thankfully for now all we’re dealing with is a boy who’s both incredibly, impressively intelligent and not smart enough to understand how much he doesn’t know. Ego, thy name is Wesley. It could become a legitimate problem, as this episode so clearly demonstrated.
To be fair, no lasting harm was done and he did technically save the day. The right sort of influence could turn him into a great captain – one day, when he’s ready. But he is so not ready yet, and I suspect Mama Crusher of being a little too protective. Her son doesn’t understand why being super intelligent isn’t enough to open every door, and so far she doesn’t seem to be doing much to teach him otherwise. Even just a “Wesley, don’t be a brat” might go a long way. It’s going to lead to some hard life lessons – or so I hope, because I don’t know if I can take an entire series of this sort of thing.
But I trust it’ll happen. Right? Right.
On the sunnier side, seeing the crew “intoxicated” was both funny as hell and intriguing, as we got little glimpses into the real nature of those affected. That little hop in Picard’s step, on his way to visit “Beverley” (and don’t think I’m not already shipping those two because I absolutely am). Data smiling? Funny as heck, in that almost creepy, uncanny valley way.
I feel for Tasha Yar, though, and I definitely want to learn more about her past. Big sympathetic vibes here. Same with Geordi. Dig deeper, writers, I’m here for it!
In general, the writers seem to have fully understood the assignment. Being intoxicated doesn’t turn you into a different person so much as it removes inhibitions and makes you more of the person you really are, deep down. So this was a very interesting episode to think about, and I’m glad for the reprieve of a lighter atmosphere following the intensity of the first episode. Good call there, too.
ART CREDIT
Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)
Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
Detail from an image of the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Use of this image does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by NASA.
Text: Dolly Parton. RIP, Queen.
1 comments On Star Trek: The Next Generation – “The Naked Now” (S1 E2)
yessss! I love that they start you with fate of the human race, then hit you with the silly. Setting you up well for understanding this series is not just all action, this will have fun and silly and depth.
Ahh Wesley, imagine showing that young actor what Wil Wheaton is now. I love how much his brain is just “but I’m the smartest person in the room so of course I’m right” with zero understanding of emotional intelligence existing. His path up is such an overarching and interesting sub-plot of the series.
Picard and Crusher is one of the things I love most about this series. So much is in the interpersonal links, the soap opera of it all, not the world ending explosions. They give you this little moment. Picard has all these connections with the crew. A father figure, an authority figure, an adversary.
fun fact: Behind the scenes Patrick came in as a very serious Shakespearian actor. He was very focused and once called a cast meeting in the early days where he gave them all a talking down for being too silly. Them teaching him it’s ok to have fun is why he became such a silly lil guy.
Tasha, Geordi, yeah they give you just enough to make you want more with them. It makes the focused episodes on specific crew so much more engaging when you get them.
Very curious what you think of the next episode, I found it’s very Original Series and I think was put in to pull in those fans.