5.10 — “New Ground”
Plot: Worf’s son, Alexander, returns to the ship with Worf’s adoptive human mother, who tells Worf that Alexander needs his father’s presence. And besides, we’re tired. Can Worf balance his shipboard duties with childrearing? Also, the discovery of a new form of propulsion excites Geordi.
Thoughts: I wonder why K’Ehleyr named their son Alexander, which fits with Worf’s Russian parents, but not with the circumstances of Alexander’s birth, which was concealed from Worf at the beginning. Was K’Ehleyr a half-human yet raised by Klingons, while Worf was all Klingon, but raised by humans? There’s so little to go on with those two. I start to understand the enticement of fan fiction.
The success of “New Ground” is in telling universal stories–the tradeoff between family and career, conflicts between parents and grandparents, you can come at it from a lot of angles and find something to relate to.
Male privilege is written all over the premise. Alexander accuses Worf, “My mother wouldn’t send me away!” — and he’s right. K’Ehleyr was a goddamned secret agent, the Klingon Wonder Woman, offered an unheard-of spot on the Klingon High Council, but she would never have sent her son away, it would be unthinkable. Yet for Worf, fatherhood is such a paradigm shift and sacrifice. We’re supposed to feel bad for him. Alexander should go back with his grandmother–how dare she refuse him?
And I do feel bad for Worf, kind of. Michael Dorn makes it relatable. But male privilege is blazoned everywhere.
It’s always interesting to see Deanna do her job. Worst counselor ever? Perhaps, but she has the opportunity to do some good here nevertheless. She’s presented with such low-hanging fruit. Still, as television therapists go, she’s no Dr. Melfi.
The structure of the A and B stories are very predictable. So, you take your pleasures where you can find them, in the performances, in an exchange of looks. I’m glad that Riker saved the rubber sock puppet.
2.5 of 5 elementary-level calisthenics.
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