Disaster

Among the "Goofs" in the reviews of this episode, one writer claims that Troi would be "out ranked" because she has a "psychologist". However, in the episode, itself, O'Brien has a line of dialogue which speak directly to this issue. He states very clearly - to Ro, in fact - that Counselor Troi "carries the rank of Lieutenant Commander", thereby outranking Ensign Ro.

The Enterprise hits something called a 'quantum filament' and the ship is messed up...real bad! Several folks are killed and the ship's emergency bulkheads kick in and cut off the various parts of the ship from each other--and they cannot communicate. So, various familiar crew members are now scrambling to gain control of the ship and save it. Picard is unexpectedly is caught in a turbolift with some children, so he makes them his 'crew'. Troi is on the bridge and ends up having to take control. Warf is stuck with a pregnant Keiko...who's about ready to give birth! Eventually, of course, they're able to straighten things out and the day is saved.

This is a cute but inconsequential episode. Cute because it was nice seeing the Captain with kids, as he's always so uncomfortable around them--but he does manage to bond with them and overcame his awkwardness. Worf's also quite cute as a very uncomfortable midwife!

'Disaster' is by no means a yawner; there is a lot going on here. The ship is broken, the crew is separated throughout the decks and systems go haywire left and right - it's just one crisis piled onto another. And even though there are tense moments, there are also little bits of humor here and there.

It works because the characters (and their players) work well together, even outside of routine. Picard's not good with kids, but he's forced to adapt; Worf isn't a doctor, but Keiko's having that baby regardless; and Troi isn't used to a leadership role, but rank forces her to man the bridge (nice use of Ro as her aggressive adviser). Even the subtle image of the Enterprise adrift, with no power is eerie (we never see the model without its lights on; was not ready for that).

Out of catastrophe, a great episode emerges.

8/10

Very enjoyable episode, all main characters have a role to play. While there are several disaster movie cliches, overall they contribute nicely. Worf delivering a baby is one of the funniest things in the whole series. There are a few plot holes which have to be ignored to enjoy this episode fully (why is absoloutly no one in engineering, why is an unqualified idiot like Troi able to be in command?).

OK, now how did those three young children get Pickard out of the turbo lift?