5.24 — “The Next Phase”
Plot: Rescuing Romulans causes nothing but trouble. Problems for the Enterprise start when Geordi La Forge and Ensign Ro are ensnared in a transporter accident beaming defective equipment to the Enterprise from a disabled Romulan vessel. Ro and Geordi are presumed dead, but instead awake to find themselves phase-shifted into incorporeal status. Soon they are in a race against time to reverse their condition before treachery destroys the Enterprise.
Thoughts: This episode is tremendous! What captures my attention first is the direction. Who is responsible? David Carson, director of the classic “Yesterday’s Enterprise” (TNG 3.15) and the season opener “Redemption, Part II” (TNG 5.1). Carson would soon be invited back to direct the series premiere of DS9 and Star Trek: Generations (1994).
Some great David Carson moments I notice include 1) the dynamic beam-in scene on the Romulan ship; 2) a great moment of blocking in which Picard walks into a foreground closeup showing perfectly without words the weight of his grief at losing Geordi and Ro and the burden of command; 3) the perfectly staged reveal of Ro’s non-corporeal status; 4) That hand touching scene in the picture; and 5) many hilarious, revealing character moments captured in perfectly timed looks and cuts. The timing of Geordi’s “Excuse me, Captain” as he busts into Picard’s ready room is perfect!
The episode levels up when it introduces the subject of death into what is otherwise an adventure romp. The principle that if you tell a person something they are likely to believe it is convincingly illustrated when Ro Laren hears the news of her own death from Crusher and Picard. Michelle Forbes is so good, I badly want her to be a regular part of the cast. Sadly, we will only see her in two more episodes.
I’m not sure which part of the second half I like best, the jazz funeral or the chase scene through the quarters of unsuspecting crewmembers. You can tell when a writer is inspired and not phoning it in. Kudos to Ronald D. Moore.
The Romulans are true to their point of view and smile right through Picard’s naive speech about his hope that their interaction will be an example of cooperation between their peoples. I love the surprise move when the Romulan spy is knocked through the hull out into space.
There are great moments for many characters, such as the bits with Data and Worf, who aren’t featured. Funny, poignant, exciting: this is TNG at its best.
5 of 5 Bajoran death chants.
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