I am sorry but these writers can't even get in a story from A to B in a way that makes sense. They are no Star Trek or science fiction fans and the lame references in all these episodes are put in by another department. We're back at the shallows of season 1, people. Strap in:
First off, I don't get Talinn. She gets downright flirty with Picard, giving him looks and smiles - but she is supposed to be a completely different character than Laris, right? Why do they do that? To keep reminding us of Laris and that Picard will get together with her at the end? It's very distracting. She is also a bad time agent (whatever). Just a few choice words and she lets Picard break all the time travel/watcher rules for some reason.
This whole mission on earth seems full of holes. Here, they proclaim that they only have to secure Renee Picard for another 10 hours until she goes into astronaut quarantine. But isn't that quite a stretch? From there until the launch could be numerous attempts at her life! Who is keeping her secure in quarantine?
I also have to wonder about Renee Picard in general. Astronauts always train with at least one replacement astronaut. If she drops out, no problem! Why does it have to be her? It's also very strange that her coworkers are oblivious to her obvious mental issues.
Pondering poverty and inequality the last weeks, now the crew is mingling, laughing and drinking with the upper crust. Rios enjoys a good cigar and comments on the fabulous food. It's like the episode forgets that the last episode happened. Thanks, writers!
Raffi still gets the medal for worst Starfleet officer. Not only does she keep seeing the deceased Elnor, but her only objection to Rios visiting the female doctor is that the relationship would be "built on a lie". HOW ABOUT THE TIMELINE? Raffi also seems to be tempted by the bottle again - therapy in the 25th century sucks!
The tension completely goes out of the window like a dry fart when Agnes Jurati (enhanced by Borg Queen) performs a musical number so well that ALL the security guys that chased Picard forget everything. No, really, that happened. It was so cringe and stupid. It's like the show thinks it can afford to take a pause from the awesome plot!
It's really telling that these writers can't even write basic logical chains of events! There's a blackout but the spotlight behind Jurati on top of the stairs switches on in just the right moment! And the band knows when to play and what to play! And they're not confused who this lady in red is. Coincidentally, the security guards also forgot that they arrested the very same lady in a red dress earlier, for some reason.
You never wanted to see the "resistance is futile" Borg Queen to bow in front of clapping rich people? Well then fast forward around this particular stinking pile on the road. That's when the Borg Queen jumped the shark. And it's all the fault of resident "genius" Jurati who couldn't bother to keep her distance from the Borg Queen.
Conventiently, the show forgets its dismal first season again, when nobody is commenting on Picard being an android. Upon his collapse, Rios suggests the help of a 21st century doctor! Talinn scans his brain with her future tech but seems not to see that he is an artificial lifeform. Although the defibrillator makes some sparks, it seems the writers don't really know how to handle this. They seem to forget that last season, Jurati was lauded as a top cyberneticist - maybe she could help?
There seems to be some urgency to wake Picard up whicht I don't understand. Why? Because he knows Q? How does it help the mission anyway? "We need Picard to get our future back" - that seems a line just made for trailers and episode recaps.
The part with Soong worked for me. Although I wish this part was in another show. Spiner is excellent and gives a stellar performance!
It's just a stretch that his 23-year-old daughter never looked her dad up on the internet. What is she doing all day alone at home?
Seems like this episode was just there for the pep talk of 2 minutes and getting Patrick Stewart immobile for yet another completely different episode inside his brain.
It was jarring when 20-something Renee Picard tells the over 90-year-old Picard "Your mother was lucky to have you." It doesn't seem something you tell an old man.
One short pep talk later, she is fine and will continue the space program. How unstable is this woman??
Producer logic:
"Hey, these DS9 episodes with jazz music and singing were popular, let's do one of those!"
It's like a chef asks you what your favorite foods are and then puts them all on the same plate. Then he is confused why you didn't like your meal consisting of Donuts, Ravioli, Sushi, Bratwurst, Tantanme ramen soup, Schnitzel and Kimchi Udon.
Bonus questions:
- Soong is basically a cancelled, publicly disgraced "mad" scientist, yet they let him on the board (for NASA?) and welcome his donation money - why?
-Where did Picard's earpiece come from?
-How did they contact the doctor?
-Why wait before standing in line for the party until Agnes can sort it out? It's better to have some senseless drama, right?
