Evolution

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.

Won't try and re-state the well done reviews here.....

But I was always wondering after this episode, Could we see down the line a time where the struggle with the Borg is not going well, and then in the depth of despair, surprise step in the Nanites (maybe as Federation members or just back from outside) as a force that really have the ability to throw a wrench into the workings of the Borg.....

Yes, this being written 2023, so kind of comp to Avengers Endgame, "Cap, On your left!" or "Avengers assemble!!"

But the way Star Trek always has chances to bring things back in interesting ways, I just thought it worth mentioning...... And give Wesley some storyline, "The Creator", etc.

Over the years there have been many guest appearances on Star Trek, some better than others, but few quite as irritating as Doctor Stubbs, a self proclaimed 'wunderkind' hellbent on completing a Federation approved science experiment. In an episode where an ever evolving micro organism invades the Enterprises' computer, debilitating it in the process, Stubbs serves as little more than an extra annoyance in everybody's ear, including the audience, as the crew scrambles to find an answer. The episodes conclusion isn't particularly clever or interesting, just another data ex machina moment. The only redeeming qualities about the episode is that the visual effects have taken a notable leap from previous seasons, and it is only guilty of being incredibly mediocre, unlike the offensively bad openings of previous seasons.

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.

With Dr. Crusher back on the Enterprise like she never left the Enterprise is watching for a predicted star explosion, an event that guest scientist Ken Jenkins is recording as it's historic.

Then the ship starts behaving like on a drunken rage with systems going haywire. The reason is Wesley Crusher who was doing an experiment in nano-technology and some of his microscopic bots have gotten loose.

What to do with them? I'm afraid that I would agree with Jenkins that Captain Picard's first responsibility is the safety of ship and crew and they really can't afford philosophical debates whether this is a new life form.

With Gates McFadden on board again, Wil Wheaton is feeling abit itchy with mother around again. What 17 year old wouldn't? Usual mother and son problems that are universal.