The Drumhead

I'm pretty much going to assume every admiral we see on this show is out of their dagum mind.

Sounds familiar? Like many TNG-episodes, this one isn't driving its point home very subtly, but does a good job at it nevertheless. One of the main factors has got to be Patrick Stewart's magnificent acting, especially in his interrogation scene. This guy is in a class of his own.

Yes, the whole way the villain collapses in a fit of rage in the end and lets her real ideas and purposes be seen clearly is not very realistic and obviously designed to bring the plot to an end in the last 5 minutes of the episode. Like so many other TNG episodes, the writers seemed to want to squeeze too much into the 45-minute time-slot and then they'd have to rush the ending.

What surprised me most were countless lines of dialog that have a very eerie quality with regards to our current political climate and especially the shift in politics in the US since 9/11. Considering the air-date (1991), this only confirms how true Picard's statement about how quickly people are willing to blindly trade their liberties for "security" really is.

8/10

Writing 9/10 Acting 9/10 Directing 10/10

It really is an episode that shows us that no matter what a trial by jury and within the bounds of the law need to be upheld.

One of the first eps that frakes directed and he doesn't disappoint. Again Sir Patrick delivering one of his monologues in the way only a Shakespearean actor can deliver it.

You won't see the modern day ST writers pulling episodes like this out.

Phenomenal episode: one lacking in lasers and starship confrontations, but full of intrigue and drama. The arc of this episode is just brilliant, the creeping fear and doubt of the motives of various crew members. I will not spoil it, but suffice to say, some incredible acting here.

"We think we've come so far. Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it's all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, suddenly it threatens to start all over again." - Jean-Luc Picard

That's the essence of 'The Drumhead' and really what makes it so good; it's got McCarthyism written all over it, even in the reaches of deep space. Patrick Stewart again owns the stage (in full somber proselytizing mode) after the witch-hunts zero in on the good Captain. But you've also gotta give Jean Simmons credit as the famed Judge for playing a morally righteous character who's willing to go to vile lengths to expose subversion.

It's a courtroom drama, but the acting (and Frakes behind the camera) keep it fresh.

Powerful stuff.

9/10