Suddenly Human

Enterprise encounters a human boy raised by a different species.

This is an okay episode with good performances.

The story has some interesting themes, particularly the cultural clash aspects and the question of wellbeing of an individual in this type of situation.

For me it is portrayed with some contrivances and instances of over explanation. Do we need Troi to address Picard's role dealing with the situation? Is it even the correct approach? Does it feel forced into the story to fit Picard's character development? Would Worf have been a better fit to lead the story? Is the eventual "I've learned something today" speech simplistic or even necessary? Has Picard been portrayed as too astute a leader in previous episodes to accept he would not see the right course of action from the start? Why introduce a certain character only to disregard her at the story's resolution?

I think these aspects plus some others tend make the characters and plot feel a bit silly for getting to the extreme situations they are faced with.

That being said the performance of Patrick Stewart (as always) lifts the material significantly. So much so you can buy into most situations because he is such an engaging actor. He is supported well by Sherman Howard in certain scenes. Chad Allen does his best with the material he has in the key role of Jono, but the emphasis is more on the conflict between Enterprise and Talarians than the effect on his character.

Enjoyed watching this episode again.

I was reminded of the missed opportunity I'd pictured when the episode first came out:

Why did they not draw some parallels to Worf's upbringing?

I understand wanting to show Picard trying out parenting skills, but there was a clear opportunity to at LEAST mention and use one scene to reflect a comparison to how Worf would have felt had he been challenged to return to Earth/Earth parents, or to Klingon empire when he was that age.

Still a good episode.

This TNG episode is has a plot taken from many westerns most notably Two Rode Together and Trooper Hook where captives of the Indians are returned to the white families they came from. Here it is young Chad Allen who was rescued from a planet where he was part of a Talerian crew stranded there.

Not only is Allen really human, but he's the grandson of a Starfleet Admiral and she's looking forward to reuniting. But the Talerian captain Sherman Howard who raised Allen as his own isn't ready to give him.

Some good performances from Allen and Howard and no matter what you think you will be surprised at the ending.

A strong episode about a battle we too often see played out in the media today.

A child adopted at a young age, and raised with a good family, is suddenly taken away from the only home they have ever known, simply because his biological family now asserts a claim on them.

Regardless who the winner is in these situations, the only victim in any such battle is going to the child. Instead of possibility of growing up with two family's, they will now have to give up one of them.

How often we lose that which should have been our main focus all along. The best for the child and what they want.

Watched this episode a couple weeks ago on H&I. I saw a mannequin in the left hand seat on the bridge, where Wesley usually sits, as it zoomed in to Riker on the bridge. I was trying to show this to my sister, even signed up for Paramount plus, and this scene has been cut or edited and is not available on any version I can fine. Did anyone else watch this and see this mannequin? I find it very hard to believe that I am the only person in 30 years to catch this mannequin on screen.