This episode is not very good. The only part really worth mentioning is Data's finger puzzle—but that scene is supremely rewatchable, even if it doesn't make sense that Data can't just instantly figure out the solution by searching his vast memory. Most of the plot is a disjointed mess, with sledgehammer philosophy tacked on at the end. What else is there to say about the writing? It's just… weak.
This episode introduced a constellation of continuity issues. Beverly calls Picard "Jean", which no one ever calls him again (always "Jean-Luc" from here on). The Ferengi never carry plasma whips again, that I can remember. Troi claims to sense nothing from the Ferengi ship, then later claims to have read them—while later, it's established that Betazoids cannot read Ferengi emotions, ever.
Meh. Even Armin Shimerman couldn't save it. It's no wonder that Star Trek production staff and talent from Ira Steven Behr to Wil Wheaton have referred to the Ferengi as introduced in this episode as "a disaster", "probably the lamest enemy ever introduced in the history of television." Those ridiculous hand contortions we see from the Ferengi in a few shots don't help either. But at least the Ferengi makeup was refined away from the pointed chins and ears that came up in early concept art…
Review by dgwVIP 10BlockedParent2018-08-01T04:55:19Z
This episode is not very good. The only part really worth mentioning is Data's finger puzzle—but that scene is supremely rewatchable, even if it doesn't make sense that Data can't just instantly figure out the solution by searching his vast memory. Most of the plot is a disjointed mess, with sledgehammer philosophy tacked on at the end. What else is there to say about the writing? It's just… weak.
This episode introduced a constellation of continuity issues. Beverly calls Picard "Jean", which no one ever calls him again (always "Jean-Luc" from here on). The Ferengi never carry plasma whips again, that I can remember. Troi claims to sense nothing from the Ferengi ship, then later claims to have read them—while later, it's established that Betazoids cannot read Ferengi emotions, ever.
Meh. Even Armin Shimerman couldn't save it. It's no wonder that Star Trek production staff and talent from Ira Steven Behr to Wil Wheaton have referred to the Ferengi as introduced in this episode as "a disaster", "probably the lamest enemy ever introduced in the history of television." Those ridiculous hand contortions we see from the Ferengi in a few shots don't help either. But at least the Ferengi makeup was refined away from the pointed chins and ears that came up in early concept art…