Episode complete credited cast: | |||
Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge | |
Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
Gates McFadden | ... | Dr. Beverly Crusher | |
Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
Bruce French | ... | Sabin Genestra | |
Spencer Garrett | ... | Simon Tarses | |
Henry Woronicz | ... | J'Ddan | |
Earl Billings | ... | Adm. Thomas Henry | |
Jean Simmons | ... | Adm. Nora Satie | |
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Ann Shea | ... | Nellen Tore |
A Klingon traitor is arrested: engineer Lieutenant J'Ddan, who passed secrets to the Romulans via fluid in a medical syringe, sabotage is feared. Retired female Federation Admiral Satie and her former assistants arrive to take charge of the investigation, with security chief Worf. Meanwhile Data and LaForge look into the sabotage risk. J'Ddan's denial of sabotaging the vital dilithium chamber is credible, which implies another traitor aboard, so the crew is grilled, starting with medic Simon Tarses who gave J'Ddan his injections. After a paranormal counsel believes Tarses a liar, he's tricked by lies into acting guilty, even though the 'sabotage' was in fact found to be an accidental failure, and confesses he lied about his ancestry to hide a Romulan grandfather. Picard objects against the unethical procedure, Satie calls upon Starfleet chief of security Admiral Henry to look for an even wider conspiracy, starting with Picard himself, based on his long-term record, and Worf, based on ... Written by KGF Vissers
"We think we've come so far. Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it's all ancient history. Then, before you can blink an eye, suddenly it threatens to start all over again." - Jean-Luc Picard
That's the essence of 'The Drumhead' and really what makes it so good; it's got McCarthyism written all over it, even in the reaches of deep space. Patrick Stewart again owns the stage (in full somber proselytizing mode) after the witch-hunts zero in on the good Captain. But you've also gotta give Jean Simmons credit as the famed Judge for playing a morally righteous character who's willing to go to vile lengths to expose subversion.
It's a courtroom drama, but the acting (and Frakes behind the camera) keep it fresh.
Powerful stuff.
9/10