Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Gambit, Part I (1993) User Reviews

A maneuver that pays off

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 1 December 2017]

'Gambit' doesn't sit on the shelf of TNG's prestigious episodes, but there's a b-movie quality that really adds some charm. I feel like this is a tip of the hat to "The Search for Spock", between that cold-open bar scene and guest starring Robin Curtis. And if you can get past he occasional misstep of soap-opera dialogue, there's the benefit of Data in the captain's chair.

Not bad at all, and an amusing change-up.

7/10

Is Picard dead?

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 2 September 2015]

As this, the first episode of a two part story, opens the senior crew are asking questions about Capt. Picard's whereabouts in a seedy bar; nobody wants to talk but eventually a witness claims to have seen him vaporised… and DNA evidence seems to prove this. Riker assumes command of the ship and is determined to bring those responsible to justice. The evidence points to a group of mercenaries who have been stealing artefacts from Romulan archaeological sites. A quick check of the local systems identifies their likely next target and a team beams down; they get into a firefight with the mercenaries and Riker is captured. On board the mercenary ship he has quite a surprise when he sees that Picard is far from dead; he is one of the crew! Picard engineers a situation to show that Riker could be useful then tells him how he came to be in his current position. It turns out he had been investigating the mercenaries when they captured him; he claimed to be an archaeologist named Galen and was set to work trying to identify a specific Romulan artefact. Meanwhile Data has taken command of the Enterprise and is searching for the Mercenary ship.

This episode gets off to a great start; while I doubt many viewers will think Picard is really dead it still comes as a surprise and leaves people guessing just what really happened. When we do learn that he is still alive the mystery doesn't end; in fact it only deepens. Surely he can't really have gone bad, and once it is established that he hasn't there is still the question of what the mercenaries are actually looking for and for what purpose. There are plenty of tense moments including the shootout with the mercenaries; a scene where Picard encourages the mercenary leader to kill Riker and finally a cliffhanging standoff between the Enterprise and the mercenary vessel. Overall a good introduction to this story that left me intrigued to find out what will happen next.

A refreshing departure from Roddenberry's safe universe

[robert3750 · 9/10 · 10 September 2020]

I read that Gene Roddenberry didn't like the idea of "space pirates". This episode proves he was wrong. Lots of good elements here: Intrigue at a bar with lots of different aliens, lots of action, Picard and Riker forced to go "undercover", Data taking command and demonstrating that he'll take no guff from anyone, and some good dialogue about the Vulcan philosophy. It all adds up to one of the best episodes of the series.

Archeology and action.

[russem31 · 1 May 2006]

ST:TNG:156 - "Gambit, Part I" (Stardate: 47135.2) - this is the 4th episode of the 7th and last season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The Enterprise crew go in search of Captain Picard, who has been missing for some time - only to find out he's been vaporized! They soon learn that Picard was ambushed while visiting an archaeological site, and begin to hunt for the killer. Witnesses lead them to Barradas III where Riker is captured by mercenaries - including Robin Curtis as Tallera/T'Paal and Picard, who is very much alive! What is the purpose of the mercanaries? Why is Picard with them? Watch in this exciting beginning of a 2 part episode.

Trivia note: gold pressed latinum mentioned for the first time on TNG. Robin Curtis is a Star Trek alum (she previously starred in Star Trek III and IV as Lt. Saavik). And, Picard's love of archeology is the focal point here.

Richard Lynch at his most Sinister

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 14 September 2013]

This 7th season 2-parter begins in a most unusual way, with the Bridge Crew wearing 24th Century "Civvies" in some run down dive-bar on some God or Prophetforsaken planet.

In fact, the teaser is most dire - Picard has apparently been vaporized.

Riker can see only red and he sets aside everything he learned about taking Command in "The Best of Both Worlds" - But this is straightforward revenge and nothing else.

This causes him to act without thinking, leaving The Enterprise once again without a Captain. In short Order, Data is elevated to acting Captain and Worf to First Officer.

Riker has been abducted by the raiders he has been chasing, and he gets a big surprise on the bridge of their vessel.

These are not common thieves, they have an agenda. Richard Lynch (Baran) rules over them with Iron Fist, augmented with a device that gives him sole authority, whether anyone else likes it or not. And on this ship, nobody does, including a mysterious old fart named "Galen".

Galen pulls Riker aside and tells Riker about the Raider's yet-unknown agenda, and they conspire to send the Enterprise the probable targets of the Raider's ship. Galen is not liked well by Baran, and sets up Riker in Baran's eyes as a less than exemplary Starfleet Officer, Citing his Insubordination from "Chain of Command" - This allows Riker to get chummy with Baran so he can get more info out of him.

And then there is Tallera, a "Romulan" - She is Baran's right hand woman, but she is friendly toward Galen. Playing both sides? But there is something about her, she acts most Un-Romulan at times.

Add "Vekor" to Julie Caitlin Brown's astounding list of Aliens she has played and the stage is complete. Look for Sabrina Le Beauf as a shy Helm Officer and Bruce Gray as 'Admiral Chekote" - Not to be confused with "Chakotay" from Voyager.

Data has been put on the spot, and I do not mean his cat. Worf at first cannot give Data the support he needs as Acting First Officer toward Acting Captain, but this gets dealt with in short order. Data accounts for himself well as Captain.

Riker is able to convince Data to play along with Galen's "Gambit" - All without saying one word. As Picard had said in "Allegiance" - A good Commander can tell an alert Bridge Crew exactly what he wants with just one look.

Picard goes undercover

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 10 October 2019]

This first of two part episode has Patrick Stewart allegedly killed in a barroom brawl. When Jonathan Frakes goes hunting for the killers, he's captured by them and to his relief, but surprise sees Stewart among a gang of thieves where his knowledge of archaeology is coming in handy for the gang.

Naturally Riker does not give Picard away. Richard Lynch is in charge and as usual playing one of his top flight villain characters. He's got a control device that enforces obedience.

Top flight villain in one of TNG's topflight episodes.

Picard Is Vaporized!

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 7 October 2014]

We arrive in media res with most of the officers on a planet trying to find clues as to the disappearance of Jean-Luc Picard. Ultimately, the scuttlebutt leads to the conclusion that he was shot and vaporized by party or parties unknown. While the crew grieves, Riker decides to get to the bottom of this. He and an away crew go to an architecturally rich planet where Picard was last seen. They are ambushed by mercenaries and Riker is taken captive. He is brought to their ship where severl surprises await him. The people on board are collecting artifacts that have some real significance. They are led by a brutal man who expects absolute obedience and has installed those things in their necks that cause pain. Riker is surprised to see an interesting crew member. He must bide his time and wait for the right moment.

good story, terrible acting

[grizzledgeezer · 8/10 · 18 August 2017]

This is an agreeably interesting and complex story, with a few twists and a surprising ending that Makes An Important Point. Plotting-wise, it's almost (but not quite) worthy of Roy Huggins. (Huggins was never one to Make Important Points.) You can discover these for yourself. This review will focus on the acting.

The various Star Trek series have never been strong on casting. Any of them is lucky to have one really fine actor in the regular cast. (DS9 has two, but out of respect for the other actors, I won't name them.) I'm inclined to say that TNG doesn't have //any//. In "Gambit", we see two of them at their worst.

Frakes and Sirtis are arguing over who's more upset at Pickard's apparent death. They raise their voices as if they're trying to be heard at the back of a stadium with a non-functioning PA system. They wildly over-emote in an manner more like a high school production of a Shakespeare tragedy.

It's some of the worst "acting" I've ever seen in an American TV series. (The absolute worst is Martin Landau's death scene in the "Bonanza" episode "The Gift".) Peter Lauritson, the director, must have been in a rush, or didn't care that Frakes and Sirtis broke one of the most-basic of acting rules -- restrain yourself. You have no where to go from "all out". Frakes and Sirtis are cringe-worthy without the saving grace of risibility.

Decent

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 2 December 2014]

While this isn't quite as good as most two-part episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation", it is pretty good and a nice change of pace. It begins with the crew believing that Captain Picard has been killed. However, he's actually hanging out with a band of space pirates and is pretending to be a scum-bag named Galen. I assume it's because he's anxious to discover their wicked plans regarding some artifact, though perhaps this was just Picard's mid- life crisis. Regardless, later Riker is captured by the pirates and to avoid being killed, he pretends to be a horrible Starfleet officer--one who is quick to betray the Enterprise to save his own butt. Where is it all going?

This episode is slightly better than the follow-up--mostly because the next episode ends poorly. And, if you do decide to watch, look quickly for Sabrina La Beauf (of "The Cosby Show") in a small role as Ensign Gisuti.

Picture Voyager's Doctor here ...

[makiefer-87128 · 8/10 · 13 January 2024]

It's an easy 8 stars. But what would it take to get this great two-parter to an Indiana Jones level ? Plot: Riker and Picard infiltrate a pirate ship to find an ancient relic, a super weapon. You might think the plot could be improved. Relics don't sound too exciting. However, really it boils down to the characters. When Indiana Jones sees an egg-shaped relic, and his eyes go crazy, you believe it. Because he is a scientist. You could have, for that reason, sent Data on that archeology trip. But Data doesn't care enough. Picture Star Trek: Voyager's holographic Doctor in that role. Plus, Voyager's Doctor looks great when he gets tossed around. When someone fiddles with his programming. I say, make a whole Indiana Jones-like Star Trek show featuring the Doctor, getting tossed around by several pirate syndicates.

Space Pirate cosplay.

[thevacinstaller · 7/10 · 9 May 2021]

Gambit Part 1 and 2 (Spoilers for both) is a competently directed and acted rogue space pirate adventure.

It was interesting to see the starfleet characters out of uniform. I can't believe I am saying this --- but ---- I did not think Patrick Stewart provided a good performance as a fake space pirate anthropologist. There was just something off about his performance in this one. Maybe he wasn't feeling the material in this one?

The best part of the 2 part episode was watching Data performance as Captain of the Enterprise. He was great --- I'd like a full episode of data getting into hilarious cultural misunderstandings with races while Riker/Picard are at a Starfleet security seminar.

I enjoyed the boring ending. The Vulcan extremist gets exactly what she desperately wanted but it ends up being completely useless. We are a little bit light on what her ultimate plan was (?) ----- perhaps she was going to use this weapon on all off world races on Vulcan? How does being a vulcan logic extremist equate to using a weapon to kill and dominate? Well, I don't know.

We needed one more scene of Riker sitting in a holding cell and data exiting the holding room with the slightest of smiles. I did love that ending scene even as initially presented.

"You still wish you'd killed me?"

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 8 April 2024]

Right out of the gate the story asks you to consider than Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is dead, the result of a barroom brawl on Dessica II, but you know that can't be the case. I did like the opening scene with the officer crew down on Dessica II in native costume investigating the Captain gone missing. Especially noteworthy for this viewer was Marina Sirtis dropping her hair curls for this episode; I never liked her previous hairstyle.

The fate of Captain Picard becomes known when Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) is captured by the same mercenary crew that took Picard. The mercenaries, consisting of various alien species, have resorted to stealing ancient artifacts of Romulan origin throughout this quadrant of space, apparently on the lookout for one specific item which we're not privy to at this time. Picard and Riker secretly engage in an adversarial relationship so Riker can gain the confidence of his captor, Arctus Baran (Richard Lynch), in command of the mercenary vessel. As Baran readies to destroy a Federation outpost on Calder II, the Enterprise is ready to intervene, however Commander Data (Brent Spiner) on the Enterprise agrees to Riker's order to drop the ship's shields, in favor of the mercenaries. Data realizes that something's up, but we'll have to wait to find out in Part Two of this continued episode.

Mr Worf, that is an order

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 13 January 2022]

The Enterprise crew are informed that Picard has been murdered so Riker investigates.

This is an enjoyable start to a two part episode.

We know Picard isn't dead (obviously) so the big mystery is where he is and what has he been up to. When we find out, it is quite fun watching Riker and Picard engaging a bit of subterfuge. It is not even the slightest bit plausible, but it's worth going with it for the entertainment.

The better scenes involve Data in command of the Enterprise. These are written well and nicely performed by Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn.

Robin Curtis of Star Trek movies 3 and 4 makes a good appearance as a 'Romulan' member of the crew of mercenaries. She looks and plays the part well.

A Senior Trekker writes...................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 6 March 2022]

The final season of Star Trek, the Next Generation gave us some splendid episodes and also a fair share of stinkers. Everyone knew by this stage that they would not be renewed and attempts were made to wrap up various story lines before they said their final goodbyes. There is still a great deal to be enjoyed.

One of my favourite types of episode, Gambit contains lots of off-ship adventures, plentiful alien races, intrigue and guest actors who are not afraid to chew up the scenery. That said, it does feel at times as if someone had cut-and-pasted elements from The Chase, the first part of Chain of Command and the second part of Unification. It just wasn't as good as it could have been.

The opening scene in the Cantina where the Captain apparently met his untimely end (are we seriously expected to believe that Picard is dead?) must have been great fun for the costume and make-up departments. We got some fabulous looking aliens, especially Yranac the Yridian worm creature played by Star Trek regular Alan Altshuld and an amazing poodle-woman seen briefly sitting at the bar. It's a shame that when the budget ran low they had to dress Riker in a old, felted blue cardigan and Dr Crusher with what looks like a wash-bag on her head.

Meanwhile, on the pirate ship, Patrick Stewart was clearly enjoying being out of uniform and wearing those cool, leather bandoliers while unsubtly telegraphing his double agent status for all to see. The plot seems to revolve around a bunch of outlaws collecting archaeological artefacts that, when assembled, will fetch a handsome price/form a weapon of amazing destructive power/end world conflict/whatever. The leader of this motley crew, Lion Man (more of him later), keeps discipline by means of a clicker which activates pain inducers in his subordinates' necks. Now there's a plot device we haven't seen before.

Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.

REVIEW 2022

[iamirwar · 6/10 · 4 October 2022]

As I am in the process of completing a review of the entire TNG run of 176 episodes, I did set about this task with the intention of setting out the wheat from the chaff. There have been some exceptional episodes during the run to-date, but there have also been some turkeys. I also wanted to identify any of those episodes that could be said to form an arc. These could either be Borg arc, Data-Lore Arc, Klingon arc, or even DS9 arc.

As this is a two-parter, I will treat it as one double-header for the purposes of my series wide review.

I well remember this from its original airing. This was very good double-bill. Troi, Riker and Worf are looking for the Captain. Oh, Beverly has now showed up too.

Dr. Crusher has positively identified Captain Picard's DNA, and there is no doubt that he is dead. Technically, that bumps Will Riker up to captain. But Will isn't happy about the arrangement. Pretty selfish, to be honest.

Dessica II may have the answer to who and why the captain has been vaporised but Mr. Mole isn't saying a lot.

We're off to the Barradas System, warp six. Mercenaries are shooting at our away team... Let the memory of his pain argue with him for a while. I like that.

Data's now in charge.

As is usually the case with two-parters, the first part will lay the groundwork for the second part. Sadly, I feel that the story has lost its way a little, lets hope part two gets us back on track.