Wanderlust

3.9 — “The Vengeance Factor”

3.9 — “The Vengeance Factor”

Plot: Riker beams down to the scene of a Reaver attack Gatherer raid on a Federation research facility. The scientists are not murdered, but have been stunned so often that it’s touch and go for Crusher to revive them. Fed up with these raids, Picard decides it is time to broker peace between The Gatherers and their parent world, Acamar III. His plan: tell them to go home, stop their marauderous depredations, and make peace with their Mother. Unfortunately, a remnant of clan violence threatens to overturn the negotiations.

Thoughts: OMG. I’m not saying that this episode is patronizing, but if they redid it today, they would have to rename it “The Mansplaining Factor.”

These Gatherers are pirates right? Dangerous criminals, who left the crew of the station for dead, but for Crusher’s medical intervention, yes? Picard is so enlighted, he realizes that they aren’t really space criminals, they probably just need a hug from their mommy, Marouk.

Picard very patiently explains to Marouk what their culture needs and what is good for them. “The problem affects us all. It cannot be ignored.” Marouk: what do you mean us, white man?

We have seen episodes that butcher physics and medicine. This episode would be most offensive to an anthropologist. And, I’m afraid, to people who work in politics (like me).

Riker–keep it in your pants, Flyboy. Sheesh. The Evil Chef does not need you to explain to her what her deepest needs are. Also, check the stun setting on your phaser. It seems to be broken. Leave it to Hollywood to cast a blonde 20-something to play a woman over 50 years old.

The negotiations between the Gatherers and Acamarians badly need Picard’s special touch at snapping at people and scolding them. Proper application of his skills could even fix Congress. “Sovereign, if the situation were reversed, I’m sure you would be demanding equal levels of representation.” Marouk: Hang it all, you’re right! I never thought of that. Universal franchise granted!

I wrote down some other nitpicks, but the other most significant bit may be the revelation that the future uses Celcius.

Poor as this episode is, it makes Seasons 1 and 2 look even worse. The sets in this episode are magnificent. The costumes are very good, and not just a rehash of earlier ideas. I like the suspense in the teaser. I wrote on my notepad “Green ruined anteroom of a spaceship or space station. The crew beams in–crap, this show used to suck.” sunny jim said that the Gatherer Brull’s appearance reminds her of “The Outrageous Okona.” Now that was a bad episode.

Still, this is almost a 1. I’ll give it 1.5 of 5 deep political schisms re-imagined as family squabbles.

http://en.memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Vengeance_Factor

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6 responses to “3.9 — “The Vengeance Factor””

  1. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    Ah yes, something was bothering me about the plot of this episode… thanks for putting your finger on what it is!  (mansplaining/”let’s all just get along”).   The whole thing kind of reminds me of Peter Pan/The Lost Boys, except that Wendy is a homicidal robot a la “That Which Survives”. And these are grown men who ought to be held responsible for their actions and be expected to generate their own resources rather than relying on stealing from others.

    Interesting that these people would have the technology to slow aging that much… it would have been interesting to try to understand how that was done, and I would have thought somebody would be interested in a breakthrough like that!!!

    Also, I agree, why do they not make “stun” settings on phasers anymore?  Surely there is a middle ground between “punch in the gut” and “disintegrate” options?

    Those matters aside, I did find this episode compelling and a cute little mystery.  And I loved the line “I have many friends who don’t like me!”.  The actor who played Brull was really good at looking like a complete lummox on the Enterprise bridge… something about his posture and his cocky grin.  Great acting all around in this episode I thought, even Jonathan Frakes didn’t bother me as much as he usually does.  So that was the compensation for the mansplainity in my eyes.   I’d probably give it a 2.5/5.

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  2. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    Good Peter Pan parallel! The frustrating part is that the premise could have supported a really good episode, or series of episodes, if the material had been treated seriously.

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  3. Kevin Black Avatar
    Kevin Black

    I have to give credit for the mansplaining insight to sunny jim (it’s a much better word than condescending in this situation).

    Reply
  4. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    Yes it really did have potential!

    On an unrelated note, I find it interesting how uneven the quality of the acting seems to be between episodes. Especially insofar as choice of guest actors. It’s like the same person was not always doing the casting or directing.

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  5. R. Alex Reutter Avatar
    R. Alex Reutter

    I still can’t wrap my head around how badly Riker is written in this episode.  For him to be so completely unaware of the power differential between himself and Evil Chef is unfathomable.  I expect that from Kirk, not Riker.

    I do like the actor who’s Evil Chef.  She’s fairly convincingly playing a person who is play-acting a subservient role in order to gain vengeance.  Maybe the point is that Riker subconsciously sees underneath the playacting that this is a personality of steel?

    I kept expecting to find that the Gatherers to have been the victims of some outrage, which is why they split off.  Or be given any explanation at all.

    Agreed.  Lots of potential here, not much payoff.

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  6. Randi Cohen Avatar
    Randi Cohen

    To be “fair” to Kirk, he usually ignores the power differential because he is using the woman. Eg in games of triskelion.

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