Evolution

Enterprise plays host to an important scientific experiment in a binary star system.

I found this to be a fairly mediocre start to the third series with an unoriginal story and arguably quite flat character moments.

The plot involves Wesley working on a project that causes big problems for the Enterprise and it's current mission, but the way it unfolds is a retread of the first series episode 'Home Soil'. Similar to this episode it has decent sci-fi, but I found it's resolution to be equally as naff.

What makes 'Evolution' less enjoyable is the character of Dr Stubbs, who I found pretty whiny and irritating in virtually every scene aside from his interaction with Wesley. That being said his juxtaposition with Wesley works fairly well as a warning that this is how the boy may end up in the future if he focuses all his time and energy into work. For me though you need to actually care about this concept to enjoy the character arc.

Dr Beverly Crusher is back aboard the Enterprise which means there is no Dr Pulaski. I have to admit that based on the first two series I preferred Pulaski's character who is the more entertaining of the doctors, albeit slightly too much like Leonard McCoy than necessary.

On a more positive note I think the visuals are mostly great, particularly the images of the Enterprise reflecting the colours of the binary stars. It feels like the production values have strengthened during the third series.

All the regular cast give good performances but I mostly struggled with Ken Jenkins as Dr Stubbs who succeeds in annoying me but little else.

For me it's a 5.5/10, but I round upwards.

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.

A brilliant researcher's life work all rests on the next few days on the Enterprise. Dr. Stubbs' viability of his theories about the lives of suns will be put to the test when a binary star explodes. However, the ship soon begins to experience all sorts of random problems and it's as if the ship has gremlins. But, it turns out everything is Wesley's fault (THANKS, WES!!), as his school project on nano-bots is the reason for the problems. It seems that he accidentally let two loose and they are replicating like crazy and eating up the circuitry of the ship! Can the Enterprise purge itself of these micro-menaces? And, will poor Dr. Stubbs' life work be in vain?

The problem with this episode (like many of the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" shows) is completely stuck on the ship and is very static. Without a trip to a planet or any action, the program comes off as very dull. Not a terrible episode but clearly a sub-par one.

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.