Wonderful episode.
I want to highlight Jeremy Kemp's performance as 'Robert' as being absolutely spectacular. This episode has many themes in it but the one that stuck out to me was Robert's brotherly love for Jean Luc ---- the first scene is Robert mending a broken vine and this foreshadows the beautiful climax of the episode between the brothers. Jean Luc is collapsing inward and not sure of his identity anymore and Roberts constant confrontations and goading ultimately breaks through the wall that Jean Luc has created after his trauma. Patrick Steward is amazing as well but it's Jeremy Kemps performance as a tough love brother with genuine concern that gripped me throughout this one.
Worf's Russians parents are delightful. I loved the scene of his father using his love of ship design to get alone time with Geordi to discuss how to help out his son. Nice to see Worf figure out that these people have his back and show them some love.
I appreciated how they dedicated an episode to Picard dealing with the fallout. I am not a 'serialized' trek fan (as of 2021 at least) but that experience was just too weighty to not explore. With that said --- I wouldn't want 6 episodes of Jean Luc crying and have PTSD moments when arbitrating a alien dispute. One beautiful episode like this is enough and let's go boldly go forward.
This is the 3rd 10/10 for TNG. Touching.
I want to highlight Jeremy Kemp's performance as 'Robert' as being absolutely spectacular. This episode has many themes in it but the one that stuck out to me was Robert's brotherly love for Jean Luc ---- the first scene is Robert mending a broken vine and this foreshadows the beautiful climax of the episode between the brothers. Jean Luc is collapsing inward and not sure of his identity anymore and Roberts constant confrontations and goading ultimately breaks through the wall that Jean Luc has created after his trauma. Patrick Steward is amazing as well but it's Jeremy Kemps performance as a tough love brother with genuine concern that gripped me throughout this one.
Worf's Russians parents are delightful. I loved the scene of his father using his love of ship design to get alone time with Geordi to discuss how to help out his son. Nice to see Worf figure out that these people have his back and show them some love.
I appreciated how they dedicated an episode to Picard dealing with the fallout. I am not a 'serialized' trek fan (as of 2021 at least) but that experience was just too weighty to not explore. With that said --- I wouldn't want 6 episodes of Jean Luc crying and have PTSD moments when arbitrating a alien dispute. One beautiful episode like this is enough and let's go boldly go forward.
This is the 3rd 10/10 for TNG. Touching.