Laura Hughes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lauraredcloud) wrote2008-06-15 11:18 pm
lauraredcloud) wrote2008-06-15 11:18 pm
Entry tags:
ST: TNG 4x4 Suddenly Human (B+)
The Enterprise detects a distress beacon from a Telarian ship. Although the Telarians have historically used distress beacons to lure in unsuspecting do-gooers and attack, Picard makes the call to go and help. Riker and Crusher beam on board and find the weakened bodies of several Telarians youths, all in uniform: a training ship. Crusher is alarmed when she removes the helmet of one of the young soldiers and finds a human boy.
The med team attends to the teenaged Telarians and human. Crusher tries to make small talk with the human, Jono, but he's silent and expressionless. He's free of radiation poisoning, but when she tries to examine his old scars, he begins screeching a horrible annoying moan, and the others all join in. Crusher turns to Troi, who helpfully supplies, "They're terrified!" Picard enters, and his "Please can I have your attention"s are useless, but when he gets totally annoyed (as does the audience), he snaps "Stop that immediately!", and they do. Troi informs Picard that Jono won't speak. Delightfully, Jono jumps up and introduces himself immediately thereafter--once he's heard Picard addressed as "Captain." He asks to be taken back to his own captain.
Crusher pulls Picard aside and tells him she's found lots of old injuries on the boy, suggesting he was abused by his captors. She diagnoses him with Stockholm Syndrome. It's good that a 1970s hostage situation is still so fresh in everyone's mind in 2330 or whenever this is supposed to be. They're interrupted by a hullaballoo back in the main medbay room: Jono's gone ape. "I just suggested he take off his gloves!" wales Troi. Nice work, Troi. Picard snaps "Stop that immediately!" again and Jono calms right down. Magic words! Data summonses Picard to the bridge, and Crusher has Worf to escort Jono to quarters.
Jono annoys Worf by suggesting that he too must be a prisoner of the humans, and by scoffing at him for taking orders from a female. "You are human, and among humans, females can achieve anything males can," Worf PSAs. Jono insists he's not human, and begins moaning again. Worf backs up, simultaneously alarmed and annoyed. I'm with you, buddy.
In the conference room, Data informs the rest of the senior staff that Starfleet has analyzed Jono's DNA and identified him as the grandson of their own Admiral Rosa. Jono's parents were killed in a border dispute with the Telarians when he was three, and he was presumed dead, too. Troi (wisely, for once) advises against yanking him abruptly back to his biological family. She thinks he should "explore his humanity" with someone on the Enterprise first. Picard's like, great, you do that, but Troi taps in Picard. Twinkly semi-whimsical music plays. Oh, great, when did this turn into a "Three Men and a Baby"-style farce? Also, doesn't Picard have, like, things to do? Yeah, yeah, he's the only one Jono has responded to so far, but it's only because of his rank. Surely Picard could delegate to Riker or LaForge or, hell, even Ensign Redshirt #9. Any male human officer who does not hate and fear children.
Jono is screaming again when Picard walks into his quarters. Picard forbids him to make the noise, and seems pleasantly surprised when his order is followed. Wow, some people have respect for the chain of command! (Troi.) Jono doesn't like his quarters, and when Picard asks how they can improve things for him, Jono says, "I have always lived with my captain." "Yes, well, that wouldn't work here," says Picard quickly.
Cut to Picard and Jono entering Picard's quarters. Wah-wah! Picard flits about trying to get Jono not to touch things. Jono finally tires of this and sits down. Picard asks why he doesn't take off his gloves. "So I don't have to touch an alien," says Jono scornfully. Picard moves right along, asking Jono if his captain has ever hurt him. Jono says "Pain is not a consideration." Culture clash! I'd like to state for the record that Picard's uniform-tugging is constant in this episode, probably because his discomfort is constant.
Picard meets with Troi. Finally, he brings up all the things he should have said two scenes ago. His time, he suggests, would be better spent "carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Starfleet captain." Well, yes. Troi's having none of it, accusing him of fearing a parental role, and psychoanalyzing him until he breaks. But I feel that this is a legitimate concern! Who is captaining this ship right now? Also, since when does Picard take orders from Troi? This is not her call!
Picard shows Jono pictures of his parents and himself as a baby. "See? You knew how to laugh, once." Well, I mean, just because he doesn't laugh while he's being held prisoner on an alien ship... Jono affects disinterest, but when Picard leaves to meet with the Telarian captain, he looks at the pictures and is flooded with memories of the attack.
Our midway act break hinges on the Telarian captain, Endar, claiming to be Jono's father. This is such a soap opera. After the break, Endar explains that, rather than leave baby Jono to die on the battlefield surrounded by corpses, Endar claimed him and raised him as his own. Seems reasonable enough. He seems genuinely shocked when Picard accuses him of torture, and laughs when he hears the list of injuries--broken arm, etc. He chalks it all up to standard rambunctious-future-warrior mishaps. He's actually quite convincing, and I'm rooting for him. Picard says, though, that they can't return Jono to Endar: his Earth family is waiting for him. Endar says that, in that case, he has reserve forces ready to move in. Touche.
Picard, Troi, and Crusher meet. Crusher's against letting Endar see Jono; Picard is for it, for pragmatic diplomatic reasons; and Troi agrees they have to allow it or Jono will never trust them. Endar and Jono's (supervised, per Crusher's orders) conversation is very warrior-culture non-emotional yet emotional: "This may lead to war. You may die." "I am ready to die." (commence Athosian-style forehead touching)
On the bridge, various credited characters who haven't had many lines so far chime in on the situation. Worf scoffs that it's not worth going to war over a child. (Note that he hasn't met Alexander yet.) Data exposits that according to Telarian custom, Jono has reached the age of decision, so the Telarians will have to give him up if he chooses to leave. They recieve a message from Starfleet... for Jono.
The message is a video letter from Admiral Rosa. She tells Jono how happy she is to have him back and that he's the last of a long proud line of Rosas. NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING. Jono is both impressed and angered to discover that Rosa--a woman!!!--outranks Picard.
He's full of anger and no outlet, so Picard takes him to the holodeck to play racquetball. They wear little coordinating skintight capri jumpsuits and sneakers. During the game, Jono is overcome with post-traumatic attack memories for some reason, and Picard holds him while he cries. Later, Jono shares his fractured memories of his pre-Telarian life. I'm surprised he has any; I don't remember anything from when I was three. I think they must be false memories. A mother who held him and sang? Please. He's just listened to "Castle on a Cloud" one too many times. Picard tells Jono that his pain is a part of being human, but he can also feel joy just as strongly. Jono is skeptical.
Picard takes Jono to Ten Forward where they come upon Riker and Wesley, you know, just chilling together. Wesley offers Jono some of his banana split, and Jono slams the spoon into the bowl so hard he flips it and Wesley's face is spattered with ice cream. Riker starts laughing first, then Picard. Assholes. Jono jumps up and says "Forgive me!", but when Wesley starts laughing, Jono does, too. Poor freaking Wesley, man. I don't care if you don't like him, you have to admit it's pretty harsh that his humiliation epitomizes human joy.
Picard wakes up that night and finds Jono standing over him, watching him sleep. Creepy. Suddenly, Jono produces a knife and stabs! Whoa, okay, didn't see that coming.
Picard comes to later in the infirmary. The knife deflected off his collarbone, preventing any major injuries, and Crusher is fixing him up. On the bridge, Riker has to deal with Endar, who demands Jono's transfer in the next five minutes. Riker tells him Jono is being held in custody for the attempted murder of Captian Picard. Endar's like, screw you guys, none of this would have happened if you'd returned him in the first place! The two ships prepare for battle.
Jono is brought before Picard in the sick bay. It turns out his murder attempt was really a suicide attempt: attacking a captain means immediate death in his culture. (He's from 1800s England!) He explains that he's all torn up inside from guilt, feeling he's betrayed Endar. "As I grew closer and closer... to you," he says romantically, "I knew that meant leaving more of [my old life] behind."
As Endar calls Riker back to argue some more, Picard arrives on the bridge with Jono. I like how it only took Endar's five-minute time frame for Picard to have a tender moment with Jono, come to a decision, get released from sick bay, put on his uniform, and get to the bridge. Picard announces dramatically, "There has been a crime committed on board this ship... but it was not Jono's." It was the Enterprise crew's, for not respecting Jono's feelings, and for causing so much pain in a "strong, noble" young man. Jono will be returned "to the only father he's ever known... to you, Endar." Yes! Yes! Around the time of the Wesley incident, I was pretty sure they were going to go the triumphant lost-boy-recovered-to-Starfleet route, and I'm very glad they didn't.
Before he leaves, Jono takes off his gloves and does the Athosian forehead-touch with Picard, and Picard gets a heartbreaking look on his face. Well, that was a nice episode. I don't usually like episodes centered around guest characters, but this was pretty compelling. It was a genuine moral dilemma, where both sides had reasonable points, and the first time I saw this episode, I honestly didn't know what was going to happen. As I said, I'm happy with the way it ended; it's nice to see the pro-other-cultures, pro-individual-freedom, ostensibly non-Imperialist values of Starfleet actually get upheld from time to time.
The med team attends to the teenaged Telarians and human. Crusher tries to make small talk with the human, Jono, but he's silent and expressionless. He's free of radiation poisoning, but when she tries to examine his old scars, he begins screeching a horrible annoying moan, and the others all join in. Crusher turns to Troi, who helpfully supplies, "They're terrified!" Picard enters, and his "Please can I have your attention"s are useless, but when he gets totally annoyed (as does the audience), he snaps "Stop that immediately!", and they do. Troi informs Picard that Jono won't speak. Delightfully, Jono jumps up and introduces himself immediately thereafter--once he's heard Picard addressed as "Captain." He asks to be taken back to his own captain.
Crusher pulls Picard aside and tells him she's found lots of old injuries on the boy, suggesting he was abused by his captors. She diagnoses him with Stockholm Syndrome. It's good that a 1970s hostage situation is still so fresh in everyone's mind in 2330 or whenever this is supposed to be. They're interrupted by a hullaballoo back in the main medbay room: Jono's gone ape. "I just suggested he take off his gloves!" wales Troi. Nice work, Troi. Picard snaps "Stop that immediately!" again and Jono calms right down. Magic words! Data summonses Picard to the bridge, and Crusher has Worf to escort Jono to quarters.
Jono annoys Worf by suggesting that he too must be a prisoner of the humans, and by scoffing at him for taking orders from a female. "You are human, and among humans, females can achieve anything males can," Worf PSAs. Jono insists he's not human, and begins moaning again. Worf backs up, simultaneously alarmed and annoyed. I'm with you, buddy.
In the conference room, Data informs the rest of the senior staff that Starfleet has analyzed Jono's DNA and identified him as the grandson of their own Admiral Rosa. Jono's parents were killed in a border dispute with the Telarians when he was three, and he was presumed dead, too. Troi (wisely, for once) advises against yanking him abruptly back to his biological family. She thinks he should "explore his humanity" with someone on the Enterprise first. Picard's like, great, you do that, but Troi taps in Picard. Twinkly semi-whimsical music plays. Oh, great, when did this turn into a "Three Men and a Baby"-style farce? Also, doesn't Picard have, like, things to do? Yeah, yeah, he's the only one Jono has responded to so far, but it's only because of his rank. Surely Picard could delegate to Riker or LaForge or, hell, even Ensign Redshirt #9. Any male human officer who does not hate and fear children.
Jono is screaming again when Picard walks into his quarters. Picard forbids him to make the noise, and seems pleasantly surprised when his order is followed. Wow, some people have respect for the chain of command! (Troi.) Jono doesn't like his quarters, and when Picard asks how they can improve things for him, Jono says, "I have always lived with my captain." "Yes, well, that wouldn't work here," says Picard quickly.
Cut to Picard and Jono entering Picard's quarters. Wah-wah! Picard flits about trying to get Jono not to touch things. Jono finally tires of this and sits down. Picard asks why he doesn't take off his gloves. "So I don't have to touch an alien," says Jono scornfully. Picard moves right along, asking Jono if his captain has ever hurt him. Jono says "Pain is not a consideration." Culture clash! I'd like to state for the record that Picard's uniform-tugging is constant in this episode, probably because his discomfort is constant.
Picard meets with Troi. Finally, he brings up all the things he should have said two scenes ago. His time, he suggests, would be better spent "carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Starfleet captain." Well, yes. Troi's having none of it, accusing him of fearing a parental role, and psychoanalyzing him until he breaks. But I feel that this is a legitimate concern! Who is captaining this ship right now? Also, since when does Picard take orders from Troi? This is not her call!
Picard shows Jono pictures of his parents and himself as a baby. "See? You knew how to laugh, once." Well, I mean, just because he doesn't laugh while he's being held prisoner on an alien ship... Jono affects disinterest, but when Picard leaves to meet with the Telarian captain, he looks at the pictures and is flooded with memories of the attack.
Our midway act break hinges on the Telarian captain, Endar, claiming to be Jono's father. This is such a soap opera. After the break, Endar explains that, rather than leave baby Jono to die on the battlefield surrounded by corpses, Endar claimed him and raised him as his own. Seems reasonable enough. He seems genuinely shocked when Picard accuses him of torture, and laughs when he hears the list of injuries--broken arm, etc. He chalks it all up to standard rambunctious-future-warrior mishaps. He's actually quite convincing, and I'm rooting for him. Picard says, though, that they can't return Jono to Endar: his Earth family is waiting for him. Endar says that, in that case, he has reserve forces ready to move in. Touche.
Picard, Troi, and Crusher meet. Crusher's against letting Endar see Jono; Picard is for it, for pragmatic diplomatic reasons; and Troi agrees they have to allow it or Jono will never trust them. Endar and Jono's (supervised, per Crusher's orders) conversation is very warrior-culture non-emotional yet emotional: "This may lead to war. You may die." "I am ready to die." (commence Athosian-style forehead touching)
On the bridge, various credited characters who haven't had many lines so far chime in on the situation. Worf scoffs that it's not worth going to war over a child. (Note that he hasn't met Alexander yet.) Data exposits that according to Telarian custom, Jono has reached the age of decision, so the Telarians will have to give him up if he chooses to leave. They recieve a message from Starfleet... for Jono.
The message is a video letter from Admiral Rosa. She tells Jono how happy she is to have him back and that he's the last of a long proud line of Rosas. NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING. Jono is both impressed and angered to discover that Rosa--a woman!!!--outranks Picard.
He's full of anger and no outlet, so Picard takes him to the holodeck to play racquetball. They wear little coordinating skintight capri jumpsuits and sneakers. During the game, Jono is overcome with post-traumatic attack memories for some reason, and Picard holds him while he cries. Later, Jono shares his fractured memories of his pre-Telarian life. I'm surprised he has any; I don't remember anything from when I was three. I think they must be false memories. A mother who held him and sang? Please. He's just listened to "Castle on a Cloud" one too many times. Picard tells Jono that his pain is a part of being human, but he can also feel joy just as strongly. Jono is skeptical.
Picard takes Jono to Ten Forward where they come upon Riker and Wesley, you know, just chilling together. Wesley offers Jono some of his banana split, and Jono slams the spoon into the bowl so hard he flips it and Wesley's face is spattered with ice cream. Riker starts laughing first, then Picard. Assholes. Jono jumps up and says "Forgive me!", but when Wesley starts laughing, Jono does, too. Poor freaking Wesley, man. I don't care if you don't like him, you have to admit it's pretty harsh that his humiliation epitomizes human joy.
Picard wakes up that night and finds Jono standing over him, watching him sleep. Creepy. Suddenly, Jono produces a knife and stabs! Whoa, okay, didn't see that coming.
Picard comes to later in the infirmary. The knife deflected off his collarbone, preventing any major injuries, and Crusher is fixing him up. On the bridge, Riker has to deal with Endar, who demands Jono's transfer in the next five minutes. Riker tells him Jono is being held in custody for the attempted murder of Captian Picard. Endar's like, screw you guys, none of this would have happened if you'd returned him in the first place! The two ships prepare for battle.
Jono is brought before Picard in the sick bay. It turns out his murder attempt was really a suicide attempt: attacking a captain means immediate death in his culture. (He's from 1800s England!) He explains that he's all torn up inside from guilt, feeling he's betrayed Endar. "As I grew closer and closer... to you," he says romantically, "I knew that meant leaving more of [my old life] behind."
As Endar calls Riker back to argue some more, Picard arrives on the bridge with Jono. I like how it only took Endar's five-minute time frame for Picard to have a tender moment with Jono, come to a decision, get released from sick bay, put on his uniform, and get to the bridge. Picard announces dramatically, "There has been a crime committed on board this ship... but it was not Jono's." It was the Enterprise crew's, for not respecting Jono's feelings, and for causing so much pain in a "strong, noble" young man. Jono will be returned "to the only father he's ever known... to you, Endar." Yes! Yes! Around the time of the Wesley incident, I was pretty sure they were going to go the triumphant lost-boy-recovered-to-Starfleet route, and I'm very glad they didn't.
Before he leaves, Jono takes off his gloves and does the Athosian forehead-touch with Picard, and Picard gets a heartbreaking look on his face. Well, that was a nice episode. I don't usually like episodes centered around guest characters, but this was pretty compelling. It was a genuine moral dilemma, where both sides had reasonable points, and the first time I saw this episode, I honestly didn't know what was going to happen. As I said, I'm happy with the way it ended; it's nice to see the pro-other-cultures, pro-individual-freedom, ostensibly non-Imperialist values of Starfleet actually get upheld from time to time.
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Poor Wesley. Of course, if he'd been a normal kid and broken his arm a couple of times, Crusher would have a more balanced view of the kinds of injuries teenage boys sustain, and none of this would have happened. Way to go, Wesley.
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