Evolution

Nano-technology is an interesting subject for great speculation. It's interesting to me that several reviewers were so annoyed with Stubbs' character flaws that they said he ruined the episode. The guy has devoted his entire life to this one event and may be cheated out of it because Wesley Crusher has lost control of another of his science experiments. Granted, he takes matters into his own hands after Picard has put the kebosh on doing in the little buggers. But there seems to be little animus over Mr. Crusher's outrageous experimentation that could take the lives of the entire crew and destroy the ship. For me, this would be the end of any immediate roadway to the Starfleet Academy. He may just be a kid, but he has intellectual powers that are handled in a slipshod, careless way. Whether these microscopic things are a life form is open to discussion. If your car parts act in concert with each other and your modern flywheel arrangement is able to adapt to changes in need, is your car now a lifeform. I'm with Stubbs on this one. Besides, many geniuses are eccentric and he is sanctioned by the powers that be. If he forced Picard's hand (as well as Momma Crusher's annoying concerns) then it may be he that saved the ship.

Many of us are drawn to Star Trek because it depicts a universe where the individual is respected for what he or she is and can contribute, very different from our world where differences from the cultural norms and the pressure for those with such differences to "fit in" can make life very difficult.

In this episode, however, Dr. Crusher is worried that Wesley isn't acting like a normal 17-year-old. Of course, like many of us Trekkers, he's a geek without a personal life. According to the usual Star Trek philosophy that should be OK, but here it's seen as a problem. This episode's message to geeky 17-year-olds who would rather do science experiments than get into trouble is exactly the same as William Shatner's on Saturday Night Live.

Granted, this isn't the only time in Star Trek where this offensive theme is found. It is also found in the Voyager episode "Good Shepherd".

Plot A involving evolving nanites (hence the title) and an obnoxious scientist isn't much better.

The Enterprise has escorted the arrogant, single-minded scientist Paul Stubbs to a binary star system, to conduct an experiment on a massive solar explosion not due again for over a century. However, a number of unexplained technical glitches on the Enterprise threatens the viability of the experiment - much to Stubb's annoyance.

Season three begins with a fairly average episode but one that clearly has enjoyed the benefits of an increased budget. Visual and special effects are much improved over the first two seasons and we finally have the typical TNG crew with the welcome (and understated) return of Dr Crusher. Jenkins is perfectly cast as the grumpy scientist, even if he feels like a prototype Dr Kelso from 'Scrubs'. But the story is a bit of a let down and once again, has too much emphasis on Wesley.

In this episode, the first show of season three, Wesley class project goes wrong when he accidentally releases some small nanos (bug like) items throughout the Enterprise. What is happening is that the nanos are eating the ships computer and making the Enterprise perform in an awkward manner. Getting rid of the nanos is very simple but Picard believes that this may be a new life form and will not harm the nanos until more is learned. But communicating with the nanos will take some very odd turn when Data is used as a voice for the small bug-like items.

There is also another situation on board when the Federation sends Dr. Paul Stubbs on a mission to a star that is set to explode. Mr Stubbs lifetime work has been on this subject and now the nanos may make his life's work for naught. Stubbs is against protecting the nanos as it will halt something he will never again experience in his lifetime.

Ken Jenkins plays the stiff Doctor Stubbs but it seems that the writers made the character quite irritating. Why in the world Captain Picard let him in all the commander's meeting is beyond comprehension. The character was snobby, bitter and uninteresting. The character sucked most of the entertainment value out of the story making the episode less interesting. Due to its complicated conception this was not the best episode to start the season. Not one of the better episodes.

Tiny things take control of the Enterprise and turn out to be a lifeform they have to try to communicate with. You know, like in the season 1 episode 'Homesoil'. And the situation is resolved peacefully after having them talk stiltedly - just like in 'Homesoil'. Sigh.

The whole Wesley story is pretty bad here. A simple science experiment turns out to be the ultimate weapon, easily taking over a gigantic spaceship within a matter of hours despite starting out as only two nanites. If this was at all possible, why aren't they better secured? Why does Wesley only get a slap on the wrist?

The other plot involves Dr. Kelso from Scrubs wanting to do an experiment he has one shot at. It's a bit more interesting but not much.