Episode 4…Well IMO you just don’t get more Trek than this episode. It’s like they took what’s best of all the old Treks wrapped it up into this show, and sprinkled some serial storytelling in to continue the overall plot of the season.
Has it all emotion, science, technobabble, and action. Classic Trek updated for the new century.
I agree, certainly the most reminiscent episode we’ve seen that brings back that Trek feel. I thoroughly enjoyed it though I could’ve done without the F-Bomb, just feels unnecessary after it being non-existent from TOS to ENT.
Great acting in some very fulfilling scenes. The exchange between Riker and Picard in the
“This is the end, my friend” scene was perfect. This is Frakes at his best and showed realistic vulnerabilities of the character post-loss that never truly gets resolved in life.
I think most of us predicted the Shaw-Wolf 359 connection, even though it was already done before, it was another well acted and believable scene that reflects what happens in the real world (lasting hostility post conflict). I loved the dig Shaw made about the Jurati-Borg and how absurd it was.
The final few moments in the episode has the entire cast shining on the bridge, Picard is the Picard we know, using his experience to navigate them out of the asteroid field, leaving the audience with a “feel good” moment, Riker flinging the asteroid as they escape topped off the action sequence nicely. The birth of the alien life forms and that musical score, just a great TNG-like awing moment.
The final flashback to the bar and the reveal that Jack was there, again another well written and fulfilling scene.
The episode really comes full circle at the end. I’ve never seen a series go from mediocre, to unwatchable to quality like this. I think this episode also benefited from not cutting back and forth with the Raffi story, I’m glad we got a dedicated hour to this storyline. I hope the momentum from this episode continues as they’ve set the bar now.
It’s unfortunate Terry Matalas has stated several times since the premiere that there are no plans for him to show run Trek beyond this.
