Gambit, Part II

Average plot but I loved watching Data commanding the bridge. I know the writers are responsible for the lines but the actor is responsible for the chemistry. He was both competent and had a believable amount of intuition given his past relationship w/the crew and growing self-awareness. While Worf would get caught up with his emotions, Data would look for cues from the other crew members with more objectivity.

Data even handled a personnel problem w/Worf in a stellar manner. I would have liked to have seen more episodes with Brent Spinner's Data in this type of role. However, the writers preferred to write classic Pinocchio Data or smirking Data (Dr. Soong / evil twin Lorn) episodes. I see that as a missed opportunity.

This is the second episode in a two-parter. While this second episode is really good, the ending is pretty poor--making it a bit of a disappointment after investing all this time in the shows.

In part one, Riker and Picard both become crew members on a space pirate ship. Picard is playing a mercenary guy named Galen and Riker plays himself--but a selfish slacker version of himself who would sell out his crew to save his sorry butt. Why all the mystery? Well, the pirates are trying to assemble some ancient artifact--one that COULD make someone extremely powerful and very, very dangerous. How can the pair manage to save themselves and the galaxy?

This episode was so good and so bad. It's best was a wonderful scene with Galen after he supposedly killed Riker. And, at its worst, it was very, very, very preachy--such as the touchy-feeling (and nauseating) ending.

This concludes the two-parter where both Picard and Riker play cat and mouse with a group of mercenaries. There is something powerful in an artifact that must be joined with another. It has to do with power that is unlike any seen before because it has to do with the disposition of the victim. Picard and Riker hatch a plot that involves messages to the Enterprise (commanded by Data) and a profile of antagonism on board the enemy ship. The Romulans and Vulcans share a similar history and this comes into play. Greed can make fools of us and this is no exception. Riker is excellent as the smug turncoat and Picard is also good as the cynical Galen, whose expertise is all that is keeping him alive.

The second part of this story has both Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes on board Richard Lynch's ship of smugglers. But this group who have been looking for ancient artifacts has more than profit in mind. In fact Robin Curtis who is a Vulcan has an agenda all her own.

It is the Vulcan home world that they are bound with the Enterprise under Data in command. Riker is a prisoner and Picard is incognito as an archaeological expert .

A couple of nice twists in one of TNG's best stories.

Picard and Riker continue their subterfuge with the mercenary crew.

This is not quite as enjoyable as the first episode due to an anticlimactic finish, but it mostly carries on in the same vein.

The fun associated with Picard and Riker being on a sort of improvised undercover mission continues, as does the strong scenes between Worf and Data aboard the Enterprise.

As an ending to a story that has been developed over two episodes it is quite a let down. You may find yourself say something like "all that build up for that!" However, the pacifist themes are to be admired and feel distinctly Star Trek.

All performances are great, particularly Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner and Robin Curtis.

The production values are reasonably good with the Stone of Gol nicely designed, but not particularly cinematic as a weapon.

For me it is a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.