The Child

While en route to collect samples of a deadly plague in the hopes of creating a vaccine, the Enterprise encounters a mysterious pulse of energy that infiltrates the ship without detection. The pulse locates a sleeping Troi and impregnates her with a child that grows at an alarming rate.

The second season kicked off with this fairly routine episode that at least manages to feel like proper TNG - La Forge is now Chief Engineer, Worf is no longer a redshirt and we finally get Ten Forward and Guinan. But the story feels like reheated leftovers that has an intriguing premise but poor execution. And Dr Pulaski, the Enterprise's new on-board doctor, is as wooden as a stake and no replacement for Dr Crusher. And of course, Wesley has a subplot we don't care about because he always does. Fine but perfectly skippable.

This is certainly interesting if one doesn't think too much. Sometimes this series goes over into realms beyond speculative physics. I guess the convoluted nature of the plan here has some acceptable parameters. But the whole childbirth thing and all its implications seems pretty far fetched, even for an alien intervention. It is interesting watching Data's fascination with the human (well, almost human) birth. He seems to wired to certain emotional connections. The virus being managed takes on a minor role throughout, and that is at times disappointing. What is even more disappointing is when dumb luck, not based on any actions of the crew or the captain come into play. A couple of other things thrown in. Diana Muldaur and her Dr. Pulaski serving as Crusher's replacement and the maybe/maybe not of Wesley's staying on board the Enterprise. Ho hum!

Let's start with the bad. Mystery rape is always awful, it doesn't matter if it's TNG or the Bible. On top of that the creepy kid is manipulative and apparently knowingly endangers the ship. Also, a nearly instantaneous birth is just... ugh.

On the plus side, we get Pulaski - a no-nonsense doctor with a healthy distrust of technology. I've always preferred her to holier-than-thou Beverly. The 'crisis of the week' is clever and ties nicely into the b-plot. With only one security main character and a chief of engineering main character the show works much better. Though they do kinda undermine this efficiency by basically hiring another counsellor (Guinan).

There are two highlights. First we have the scene where the camera is focussed on Troi while a bunch of men discuss aborting her baby in the background. Oof. And Worf promising to tuck in Wesley is one of less than a handful of times TNG has made me laugh out loud on this rewatch. :-)

The A plot of Counselor Troy is quite disturbing and hasn't aged well -- while the general plot of Troy being fine with getting impregnated against her will is quite horrible, some of the scenes are cringe worthy. The scene of the bridge officers discussing how to terminate her pregnancy (entirely ignoring Troy) is particularly unpleasant.

The B plot about Wesley Crusher -- particularly the introduction of Guinan -- is fairly good. It provides a good bridge to keep Crusher even though his mom left the ship while providing some good life lessons.

They make it sound like all the galaxy is going to come to an end because this tiny little thing is growing. They want to eject it into space, but that's not a good idea. It's like they can't get rid of it.

I know I'm hardly an expert on stars, but I'm pretty sure they're really really hot. Toasty even. I bet launching this thing into a STAR, would pretty much take care of the darn thing and save the galaxy as we know it. Couldn't the writers come up with some REAL jeopardy, add a little to the story to make it sound REALLY bad?

I enjoyed seeing Whoopee on here, a BIG fan of the original series.