7.12 — “The Pegasus”
Plot: The Enterprise is assigned to search for and salvage the Pegasus, previously believed destroyed after Ensign Riker abandoned it in a shuttlecraft with Captain Pressman and 7 other members of the crew. A group of Romulans are competing with our heroes to discover the Pegasus’ secrets. There is a crisis of conscience in store for Cmdr. Riker.
Thoughts: Didn’t Will also abandon the Potemkin during the incident that created the double Thomas Riker in TNG 6.24, “Second Chances?” Hm. Research reveals that episode did not result in the destruction of the Potemkin, just a research outpost. I feel like this episode fills in some blanks about why Riker has been reluctant to accept promotion and step outside of Picard’s shadow.
Also it fills in the blank of why the Federation does not use cloaking devices. This is apparently a question that teleplay author Ronald D. Moore was tired of being asked at conventions.
This episode makes me think of that one episode with the rogue Starfleet Officer who doesn’t trust Cardassians. This is one of the best TNG episodes, but it is impossible to remember any TNG episode title except “The Best of Both Worlds.” The episode in question is TNG 4.12, “The Wounded,” with Captain Maxwell, O’Brien’s old superior officer.
“The Pegasus” could be more memorably retitled “Never Trust an Admiral, Episode XVIII.” Googling around, I found this impressive yet incomplete page summarizing all of Trek’s crazy Admirals: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=702016
Missing from this list is the original dick “Admiral,” Commodore Ferris from “The Galileo Seven,” who at least didn’t attempt to commit genocide or conspire with alien parasites against the Federation. Then there is that guy who turns a whole planet into Nazis in “Pattern of Force.” That was impressive. Although I think he was not an admiral, just a disgruntled history professor or something.
I don’t think “The Pegasus” is as good as “The Wounded,” but compared to the other Season Seven episodes so far, it’s Hamlet, MacBeth, and King Lear. I like it when TNG remembers that these characters have rank and responsibilities. My favorite scene is the showdown between Picard and Riker in Picard’s quarters. The writing is sharp, and it acknowledges that the relationship between these officers is precarious, it’s not like they are literally family and have to love each other no matter what.
My second favorite scene is the opening with Captain Picard Day. It is shot in a way that creates a lot of space and makes the room look different from how we are used to seeing it. There is a loose chemistry on display between Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirits, and Patrick Stewart which seems genuine and goes beyond the script and what we are used to seeing. Well done, Director LeVar Burton. And Frakes’ impression of Stewart is hilarious.
Is it a coincidence that the device on the Pegasus looks just like the Genesis Device? I’m not sure I buy the Enterprise gliding into a cave inside an asteroid like that, but it sure looks cool.
I would think the calculation as to whether to accept rescue by the Romulans or go with the experimental phase cloak would necessarily include some consideration of the 1,000 or so innocent lives aboard, including civilians. Are you ready to ask them to die to keep the Federation’s secrets, when they never even enlisted? Why are they even there.
4 out of 5 asteroid fields.
Leave a Reply