{"id":6008,"date":"2015-06-22T04:21:41","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T04:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/39-The-Vengeance-Factor"},"modified":"2015-06-22T04:21:41","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T04:21:41","slug":"39-the-vengeance-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relivethemajesty.com\/index.php\/2015\/06\/22\/39-the-vengeance-factor\/","title":{"rendered":"3.9 — \u201cThe Vengeance Factor\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n

3.9 — \u201cThe Vengeance Factor\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plot:<\/strong> Riker beams down to the scene of a Reaver attack<\/strike> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thoughts:<\/strong> OMG. I\u2019m not saying that this episode is patronizing, but if they redid it today, they would have to rename it \u201cThe Mansplaining Factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t really space criminals, they probably just need a hug from their mommy, Marouk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picard very patiently explains to Marouk what their culture needs and what is good for them. \u201cThe problem affects us all. It cannot be ignored.\u201d Marouk: what do you mean us, white man?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have seen episodes that butcher physics and medicine. This episode would be most offensive to an anthropologist. And, I\u2019m afraid, to people who work in politics (like me).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The negotiations between the Gatherers and Acamarians badly need Picard\u2019s special touch at snapping at people and scolding them. Proper application of his skills could even fix Congress. \u201cSovereign, if the situation were reversed, I’m sure you would be demanding equal levels of representation.\u201d Marouk: Hang it all, you\u2019re right! I never thought of that. Universal franchise granted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wrote down some other nitpicks, but the other most significant bit may be the revelation that the future uses Celcius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cGreen ruined anteroom of a spaceship or space station. The crew beams in–crap, this show used to suck.\u201d sunny jim said that the Gatherer Brull’s appearance reminds her of “The Outrageous Okona.” Now that<\/em> was a bad episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, this is almost a 1. I\u2019ll give it 1.5 of 5 deep political schisms re-imagined as family squabbles.<\/p>\n\n\n

http:\/\/en.memory-alpha.wikia.com\/wiki\/The_Vengeance_Factor<\/a>