4.21 — “The Drumhead”
Plot: The discovery of a spy aboard the Enterprise, in the form of visiting Klingon exobiologist and secret Romulan collaborator J’Dan, leads Starfleet to send a high-ranking official to the ship in the form of retired Admiral Norah Satie (Jean Simmons). There to lead an inquiry, Admiral Satie’s zeal to root out enemy conspirators soon begins to exceed the bounds of her original assignment. Picard is afraid he may be host to a witch hunt he can’t stop.
Thoughts: Jean Simmons is a storied actress, Oscar-nominated for playing Ophelia opposite Laurence Olivier in Hamlet (1948) and remembered for playing opposite Marlon Brando in Guys and Dolls (1955). Her performance seems mannered to me and a bit old fashioned; her dress looks a little like it came from the closet of Ming the Merciless. I guess she isn’t wearing a standard admiral’s uniform due to her retirement? At any rate, her presence adds a touch of class to the proceedings.
This is the third episode directed by Jonathan Frakes, which helps to explain why his character barely participates. Riker has a bit more to do than Troi, however, who appears briefly in the teaser only to say in response to the question “What is the prisoner feeling?” that “It’s hard to tell.” Good work, Troi, as ever. Good work Frakes–there are some inspired shots and camera angles, which, according to Memory Alpha, are borrowed from Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and The Caine Mutiny (1954).
IMDB notes that this is “one of several ‘mad admiral’ stories in the Star Trek canon.” I can think of only one–TNG 1.25, ”Conspiracy,” in which high-placed members of Starfleet are controlled by alien parasites. Do we have others examples in our rear view mirror, or do they all lie ahead? Star Trek VI will be one (and Star Trek Into Darkness, which rips off ST II and VI). What about during TOS? I don’t know about admirals, but it did feature extremists such as High Commissioner Ferris in “The Gallileo Seven” and the dotty Commodore Decker in “The Doomsday Machine.”
Do they even have Commodores in Starfleet anymore? Following Kirk’s career in the films, it is perhaps now canonical that there is only one step between Captain and Admiral.
Turning to the plot of this episode–I’m going to tread lightly, because this is a story that feels very topical. I venture that it has felt topical most years since its airing in April 1991. I will resist the temptation to draw comparisons to the Syrian refugee controversy or the 2016 presidential primaries. Still, there is truth to this exchange at the end of the episode:
PICARD: We think we’ve come so far. The torture of heretics, the burning of witches, it’s all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, it suddenly threatens to start all over again.
WORF: I believed her. I helped her. I did not see what she was.
PICARD: Mister Worf, villains who wear twirl their moustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged.
WORF: I think after yesterday, people will not be as ready to trust her.
PICARD: Maybe. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Mister Worf, that is the price we have to continually pay.
Heavy handed? Maybe. But important, and a theme worthy of Trek.
4 out of 5 pots of tea. Did you notice how many times Picard drinks tea during this episode? During. Practically. Every. Scene.
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