Peak Performance

The Federation interrupts the work of the Enterprise to involve it in a type of war games which tests the ingenuity of the crew as they face off. Everything is done in simulation and no harm is to come. Part of the episode has to do with each ship and its "captain" getting the upper hand. Each plots in an interesting way to outdo the other. The bad thing is that both ships have had their weapons systems eliminated for the duration of the game, leaving the possibility open for an attack. Who should show up but the Ferengi. They throw a monkey wrench into things but, in the process, challenge the two captains to face a real threat without any weapons.

There is a subplot as well, as Data loses some of his confidence due to his performance against an arrogant overseer of the games. He feels he should be unbeatable and his lack of "confidence" leads him to withdraw and try to figure out what went wrong. This is an interesting twist until Picard intervenes. This is certainly an imaginative episode.

One thing I could not figure out is what value StarFleet saw in Roy Brocksmith? His particular alien race was deemed a master at strategic planning so StarFleet inflicts him on the Enterprise and Captain Picard as an observer as the ship is ordered to a war game exercise.

Only it's not a game when the Ferengis deal themselves in. Brocksmith proves himself a fine armchair admiral. It's Patrick Stewart who employs a correct strategy to rescue forty of his crew on another vessel which includes Riker, Worf, Geordi, and Wesley Crusher.

As always even in the Star Trek future, war is really no game at all.

The Enterprise reluctantly agrees to partake in a war games exercise, supervised by egotistical master strategist Sirna Kolrami. Riker's rag-tag team struggle to get their ill-prepared & outmatched vessel ready for the mock battle while on the Enterprise, Data faces a crisis of confidence after realising that he may, in fact, be fallible.

Another solid episode, examining the need for competition and the desire to win regardless of the cost. Brocksmith's guest appearance is enjoyable, as is Shimerman playing yet another Ferengi menace but the story is a touch predictable and Data's subplot felt a little superfluous for my liking. Are video games still a thing in the 24th century? Really?

Just like in season 1's 'The Battle', the Enterprise faces off against an antiquated Constellation-class ship. And just like in that episode, Riker and Picard are in command of either ships.

It's a fun idea to have wargames in Star Trek, though it doesn't really make sense that they do it somewhere anyone can just show up and interrupt them. Generally speaking there's a few too many instances where something conveniently happens to allow the story to play out. Having the "person sent by Starfleet" by a stupid caricature once again doesn't help.

Enterprise plays war-game style simulations to improve the battle readiness of the crew.

This is an enjoyable episode with some strong character moments for a number of the regular crew.

The plot is a very simple and effective premise that sets a up a practice showdown between various members of the Enterprise crew who are on board different ships. There is a good build up to the battle situation, a fun sub-plot and a conclusion that works well.

Most of the regular characters contribute with cool moments, my favourite probably being Wesley, Worf and eventually Data. Riker's prowess in battle is bragged up to the point of ridiculousness by certain segments dialogue in the script and the guest character serves as a point of ridicule but little else.

I enjoyed the visuals such as the Stratagema scenes and Ferenghi make up.

It's a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.