6.6 — “True Q”
Plot: Medical intern Amanda Rogers transfers aboard the Enterprise and swiftly begins to do miraculous things. Manifesting puppies, protecting Will Riker, containing Engineering disasters, all in a very strange day’s work. Then Q arrives with a partial explanation that sounds selectively incomplete.
Thoughts: Pretty good! The plot hangs together and it deepens our understanding of the Q a bit. The circumstances of the family’s defection and execution in Kansas remain strange. Taken out by a cyclone in Kansas? They should have named the family Gale. Little is known about the Continuum, but I doubt it has reason to copy an early 20th century novel by L. Frank Baum.
Olivia d’Abo is a fine actress and overcame my initial skepticism as to why the new intern has to be 20, pretty, and blonde. The tear down her face as she faces her destiny is a great touch. Another is Patrick Stewart’s acting choice after Amanda chooses her true path as a Q–clear disapproval, although he keeps it to himself.
The ending of this episode made me miss the button scene that always finishes a TOS episode. It’s usually a look back from Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. We could have used some reflection here–the ending was awfully sudden.
Pretty good, though–certainly above par for the season so far. 3.5 of 5 puppy astronauts.
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