Evolution

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.