Two plots. One, the near death experience of Jean-Luc Picard as he has a malfunctioning device replaced that causes his heart to beat properly. In the process, he bonds (as much as is possible) with Wesley Crusher who joins him on a long shuttlecraft ride. Picard has been hiding his condition from the crew because his ego can't handle needing others to look after him. The other, occurring during this time as a pack of strange aliens who seem mentally deficient, make a grab for weaponry on the Enterprise. Number One must confront these characters since the Captain is incapacitated. These guys are portrayed as such idiots it's hard to imagine how they could tie their shoes, let alone build and pilot a space ship. They are formidable, nevertheless, but reactive. This is what is used against them. When Picard takes a turn for the worse, Pulaski is pulled in. There are numerous lessons learned by various crew members, Picard included. The fear of vulnerability is something that has to be accepted because not everything requires unilateral thinking. So one half of the episode is intriguing; the other is suspect.
25 Reviews
Quite good.
planktonrules14 November 2014
Picard to get surgery, Wesley to take SF exam Pakled ask for help and seem simple-minded but NOT --don't really want help but are devious
When the episode begins, Captain Picard announces that he's heading to the nearest starbase and Wesley, who needs to go there for the Starfleet exam, will be accompanying him. However, exactly WHY Picard is temporarily relinquishing command is unknown--and he's being very cagey about it.
Shortly after the Captain leaves, the Enterprise receives a distress call from the Pakleds. When Riker and the crew arrive to help, they are a bit bemused, as the Pakleds seem incredibly simple-minded and harmless. How they were able to obtain a spacecraft seems like a real puzzler. But, happy to be of service, LaForge goes to the Pakled ship to offer help--and soon gets the ship running well. However, when Troi learns that they are dealing with the Pakled, she is worried as she sees these beings as very deceitful and they are NOT as dumb as they've been acting. What's next?
Overall, this was both an entertaining episode as well as one that furthered Picard's character development--something sorely needed for the normally super-stoic leader. Well done and one of the better episodes of season two.
When the episode begins, Captain Picard announces that he's heading to the nearest starbase and Wesley, who needs to go there for the Starfleet exam, will be accompanying him. However, exactly WHY Picard is temporarily relinquishing command is unknown--and he's being very cagey about it.
Shortly after the Captain leaves, the Enterprise receives a distress call from the Pakleds. When Riker and the crew arrive to help, they are a bit bemused, as the Pakleds seem incredibly simple-minded and harmless. How they were able to obtain a spacecraft seems like a real puzzler. But, happy to be of service, LaForge goes to the Pakled ship to offer help--and soon gets the ship running well. However, when Troi learns that they are dealing with the Pakled, she is worried as she sees these beings as very deceitful and they are NOT as dumb as they've been acting. What's next?
Overall, this was both an entertaining episode as well as one that furthered Picard's character development--something sorely needed for the normally super-stoic leader. Well done and one of the better episodes of season two.
We Look For Things
anarchistica27 March 2020
The two storylines in this episode aren't related, but they're both amusing. The Pakleds shows us that the crew of the Enterprise (sans Worf) are the real dummies. In the Picard/Wesley story we learn that Jean-Luc used to be very different as a young adult. We also see that in the future surgeons wear red burqas. Just a fun episode that expands both the characters and the world they live in.
More of Picard's past revealed.
russem3115 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:43 - "Samaritan Snare" (Stardate: 42779.1 - this is the 17th episode to air of the 2nd season.
Wesley has to get ready for his Starfleet exams at Scylla 515 and guess who he has to travel with to reach his destination? - Captain Picard! In order to protect his "ego", he will go there "in secret" to undergo a cardiac replacement operation ordered by Dr. Pulaski. As Wesley and Picard have time to spare, Picard explains how this came to be in his past which necessitated a replacement artificial heart (this incident will actually be shown in the 6th season episode "Tapestry". But now that heart is faulty, hence the operation.
At the same time, Geordi helps the slow Pakleds try to repair their ship but they turn out to have a few tricks up their sleeve!
Trivia: Lycia Naff also makes a return as Ensign Sonya Gomez (we last saw her in the previous episode "Q Who?") in her second and final appearance. And Wesley reiterates Picard's dislike of children, and you get to see Picard drink coffee (unlike his usual preference of Earl Grey tea).
Wesley has to get ready for his Starfleet exams at Scylla 515 and guess who he has to travel with to reach his destination? - Captain Picard! In order to protect his "ego", he will go there "in secret" to undergo a cardiac replacement operation ordered by Dr. Pulaski. As Wesley and Picard have time to spare, Picard explains how this came to be in his past which necessitated a replacement artificial heart (this incident will actually be shown in the 6th season episode "Tapestry". But now that heart is faulty, hence the operation.
At the same time, Geordi helps the slow Pakleds try to repair their ship but they turn out to have a few tricks up their sleeve!
Trivia: Lycia Naff also makes a return as Ensign Sonya Gomez (we last saw her in the previous episode "Q Who?") in her second and final appearance. And Wesley reiterates Picard's dislike of children, and you get to see Picard drink coffee (unlike his usual preference of Earl Grey tea).
Samaritan Stare
Scarecrow-881 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Okay episode of Star Trek The Next Generation has two alternating story lines both with effective hooks: Picard travels by Shuttlecraft with Ensign Wesley Crusher to Starbase 515, needing what he believes is a routine cardiac procedure where they install a new instrument to keep his heart beating that goes awry threatening his life while Commander Riker and the Enterprise deal with mentally slow but conniving aliens known as Pakleds who are successful in kidnapping Geordi by sending out a distress mayday signal calling for help (what they want is for Geordi to replicate weapons for them so "they can become strong"). The episode places Riker in quite a conundrum as he must figure out a way to get transport ability to beam Geordi out of there but the Pakleds' shields are quite impressive (obviously stolen using a similar scheme by using their intellectually inferior features and speech to lure advanced races into their trap to build up a better weapons and engine technology so they can compete with others in space) and they continue to use his own phaser to harm him (even on stun, multiple blasts will do considerable damage). Plain and simple, Riker and company will have to outsmart them by developing a ruse they will fall for due to their limited mental acuity. Meanwhile, we have a bit of bonding between Picard and Crusher as the two travels on a six-hour trip on the Shuttlecraft. The twist regarding who saves Picard when his procedure becomes life-threatening is important in how the Captain views privacy, wanting his physical injury to remain secret, and not entrusted in the hands of a capable doctor (it is a matter of not wanting his body visually viewed by those who serve with him, considering such intimate knowledge burdensome to his image!) who will see him subdued and "naked". Anyway, it is nice that Picard shares a story from his past as it contributes to why he must have surgery and details that he wasn't always so disciplined, and having a "moment" with Crusher conveys a kind of paternal aspect to their time alone on the Shuttlecraft. Seeing Riker on his own, depending on his crew for possible answers to get Geordi back, it shows how great a Captain he would be when the time was right. That said, the Pakleds aren't exactly the scariest foes the Enterprise has encountered (the use of their inferiority to gain advantage on those superior is fascinating, don't you think?), and anyone who believes Picard would perish in a surgery during only the second season certainly is easily gullible. The ending is wrapped up all nice and neat, but the Pakleds storyline's conclusion is a bit uninspired as if it was merely making up padded time for Picard and Wesley's trip.
Re***ds IN SPACE!!!
beanslegit14 February 2023
So this episode has the enterprise very wisely send their chief engineer alone onto an unknown enemy vessel full of space morons, ostensibly to repair their guidance system or some ****. If I was acting captain I would have sent an entire engineering team of 4, along with Worf and a full security detail, to ensure expedient resolution of the issue and that nothing can possibly go wrong?
Anyways it doesn't turn out quite how they expect somehow and the space morons pull some untowards ****..
Meanwhile Picard needs surgery and heads off with everyones favourite character. In this B plot we do get a great moment where Picard tells Wesley about the time he got in a fight with some cheating Nausicans (PLAY DOM JOT HUMAN?).
Personally I enjoyed most of this episode and wouldn't put it on my own personal skip list.
Anyways it doesn't turn out quite how they expect somehow and the space morons pull some untowards ****..
Meanwhile Picard needs surgery and heads off with everyones favourite character. In this B plot we do get a great moment where Picard tells Wesley about the time he got in a fight with some cheating Nausicans (PLAY DOM JOT HUMAN?).
Personally I enjoyed most of this episode and wouldn't put it on my own personal skip list.
Picard has a heart.
amusinghandle16 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
For the first time in recorded history --- I am mistaken --- I believed that Gomez had been reassigned to the night shift after spilling hot chocolate on picard in Q-who but she was hanging around with Geordi in this episode.
I model my life after Paklid society ---- I stumble around the world setting low expectations and pleasantly surprise people when I surpass them.
After a very strong showing in Season 2 our wise Commander Riker let the Enterprise down in this episode. He ignores Worf's good advice (this is expected) and he neglects to have Troi on the bridge to provide some insight into this mostly unknown alien species. At least have Troi providing some counseling to Gomez to provide us with a tangible reason about why she isn't available?
I do have a soft spot for a bunch of cavemen out maneuvering a starfleet ship filled with the best of the best. There is also the message about naivety ---- We all have our blind spots and compassion can be exploited and manipulated by some.
I model my life after Paklid society ---- I stumble around the world setting low expectations and pleasantly surprise people when I surpass them.
After a very strong showing in Season 2 our wise Commander Riker let the Enterprise down in this episode. He ignores Worf's good advice (this is expected) and he neglects to have Troi on the bridge to provide some insight into this mostly unknown alien species. At least have Troi providing some counseling to Gomez to provide us with a tangible reason about why she isn't available?
I do have a soft spot for a bunch of cavemen out maneuvering a starfleet ship filled with the best of the best. There is also the message about naivety ---- We all have our blind spots and compassion can be exploited and manipulated by some.
A handy man
bkoganbing12 December 2018
Two parallel stories are happening in this TNG episode. First Captain Picard is
going to a star base for an operation. Making the voyage with him is Wesley Crusher who has been doing OJT on the Enterprise and if he can pass this Star
Fleet entrance exam he'll get some credits for the Academy.
But while Patrick Stewart and Wil Wheaton are on board a shuttlecraft going to the star base, the Enterprise answers a distress call from a Pakled space ship.
The Pakleds are a roving band of nomads who act real dumb, but aren't as dumb as they look. They steal and scavenge and when their cobbled together ship breaks down they decide to keep Geordi LaForge who has come over to effect repairs. He's probably a handy fellow to have around they reason.
Leaving quite a dilemma for Jonathan Frakes as he tries to get LeVar Burton back from these bottom feeders.
Captain Picard and Wesley Crusher get to really know each other finally on that voyage. We learn for the first time that Picard has an artificial heart that needs repair and maybe replacement. Something he did not want the crew to know. And Picard is full of sound advice for Wesley for the academy and for life.
I really did enjoy the Pakleds, they make this story.
But while Patrick Stewart and Wil Wheaton are on board a shuttlecraft going to the star base, the Enterprise answers a distress call from a Pakled space ship.
The Pakleds are a roving band of nomads who act real dumb, but aren't as dumb as they look. They steal and scavenge and when their cobbled together ship breaks down they decide to keep Geordi LaForge who has come over to effect repairs. He's probably a handy fellow to have around they reason.
Leaving quite a dilemma for Jonathan Frakes as he tries to get LeVar Burton back from these bottom feeders.
Captain Picard and Wesley Crusher get to really know each other finally on that voyage. We learn for the first time that Picard has an artificial heart that needs repair and maybe replacement. Something he did not want the crew to know. And Picard is full of sound advice for Wesley for the academy and for life.
I really did enjoy the Pakleds, they make this story.
"Can you make our ship go?"
classicsoncall13 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Ah, those pesky Pakleds! Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) had them pegged right from the start. Requesting help from the Enterprise because their own ship, The Mondor had broken down, the Pakleds have a secret agenda in mind which is revealed once Lieutenant Geordi La Forge is on board and bringing them back on line. Seems the Pakleds are in the habit of stealing technology from other races; they've already taken their share from Klingons, Romulans and others. In this case, they want to keep Geordi on board as their personal tech expert - "He is smart".
Meanwhile, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is on board a shuttlecraft heading toward Starbase 515 for a cardiac replacement! Wishing to forego the procedure, Picard became rather surly with the crew, particularly Dr. Pulaski (Diana Muldaur), who offered to do it on the Enterprise. Opting for Starbase 515 to maintain secrecy, Picard travels with Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), who is heading there as well for some Starfleet exams based on his Enterprise experience. The down time for Picard offers a glimpse into his past, and how his impetuous nature as a young Starfleet officer led to his needing a new heart in the first place. It was a bonding moment on board the shuttlecraft for Picard and Wesley, with the young ensign gaining an insight into the discipline required of a Starfleet captain.
With chances dwindling of ever saving Geordi from the seemingly moronic but scheming Pakleds, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) hits upon an idea that might get them to lower their vessel's shields in order to beam their engineering officer back. By citing an imaginary Gateway Twenty Four ruse, Riker hopes that Geordi can figure out the gambit in order to be rescued. By confusing the Pakleds with a 'crimson force field' emanating from the Enterprise, Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) has just enough time to lock on to Geordi's position to bring him back home. It was no Corbomite Maneuver, but good enough to save their chief engineer, and just in time too, because back on Starbase 515, a complication which arose during Picard's 'routine' procedure threatened his life. After all that fuss earlier with Picard's insistence that Dr. Pulaski have nothing to do with his operation, was it any surprise who was called upon to form the lifesaving procedure?
Meanwhile, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is on board a shuttlecraft heading toward Starbase 515 for a cardiac replacement! Wishing to forego the procedure, Picard became rather surly with the crew, particularly Dr. Pulaski (Diana Muldaur), who offered to do it on the Enterprise. Opting for Starbase 515 to maintain secrecy, Picard travels with Ensign Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), who is heading there as well for some Starfleet exams based on his Enterprise experience. The down time for Picard offers a glimpse into his past, and how his impetuous nature as a young Starfleet officer led to his needing a new heart in the first place. It was a bonding moment on board the shuttlecraft for Picard and Wesley, with the young ensign gaining an insight into the discipline required of a Starfleet captain.
With chances dwindling of ever saving Geordi from the seemingly moronic but scheming Pakleds, Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) hits upon an idea that might get them to lower their vessel's shields in order to beam their engineering officer back. By citing an imaginary Gateway Twenty Four ruse, Riker hopes that Geordi can figure out the gambit in order to be rescued. By confusing the Pakleds with a 'crimson force field' emanating from the Enterprise, Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) has just enough time to lock on to Geordi's position to bring him back home. It was no Corbomite Maneuver, but good enough to save their chief engineer, and just in time too, because back on Starbase 515, a complication which arose during Picard's 'routine' procedure threatened his life. After all that fuss earlier with Picard's insistence that Dr. Pulaski have nothing to do with his operation, was it any surprise who was called upon to form the lifesaving procedure?
Lame ending
wwcanoer-tech8 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It was a great set-up for the Pakleds to fool the enterprise crew and then for the Enterprise to need to outsmart the Pakleds but the execution was boring.
After the big ruse, the Pakleds still have their shields up with Geordie on board. Their new photon torpedo didn't work but why would that make them feel so defeated that they give up and decide to drop the shields?
The crew tries to explain their plan to Geordie in code but they put a lot of emphasis on "24" when 24 was only the countdown. After this Geordie actually creates a photon torpedo for them and then disables it during the 24 seconds. That makes no sense. He would never create a real weapon for them and he didn't need any advance knowledge of exactly how long the countdown would be.
Geordie's objective would be to find a way to drop the shields. He could have used a ruse to say that he needed to modify the shields in order for the photon torpedo to pass through or drop the shields to fire or simply tie the firing mechanism into the shield controls so that they unexpectedly drop when the new weapon is fired.
Rather than making a real photon torpedo, Geordie could have made one that would simply interact with the substance that the Enterprise released such that it would look like the weapon worked but it was only a distraction, so the Pakled feel like Geordie did something real when he didn't.
And the doctor needing to save Picard was ridiculous. It was a simple heart replacement. They tried to make some incredible surgery and bizarre problems but heart surgery is simply plumbing. Having the procedure at a star base where they couldn't handle all possible complications would never happen.
After the big ruse, the Pakleds still have their shields up with Geordie on board. Their new photon torpedo didn't work but why would that make them feel so defeated that they give up and decide to drop the shields?
The crew tries to explain their plan to Geordie in code but they put a lot of emphasis on "24" when 24 was only the countdown. After this Geordie actually creates a photon torpedo for them and then disables it during the 24 seconds. That makes no sense. He would never create a real weapon for them and he didn't need any advance knowledge of exactly how long the countdown would be.
Geordie's objective would be to find a way to drop the shields. He could have used a ruse to say that he needed to modify the shields in order for the photon torpedo to pass through or drop the shields to fire or simply tie the firing mechanism into the shield controls so that they unexpectedly drop when the new weapon is fired.
Rather than making a real photon torpedo, Geordie could have made one that would simply interact with the substance that the Enterprise released such that it would look like the weapon worked but it was only a distraction, so the Pakled feel like Geordie did something real when he didn't.
And the doctor needing to save Picard was ridiculous. It was a simple heart replacement. They tried to make some incredible surgery and bizarre problems but heart surgery is simply plumbing. Having the procedure at a star base where they couldn't handle all possible complications would never happen.
Getting to the heart of the matter.
thevacinstaller10 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I just love it when Picard is gruff and standoffish. His damn heart is getting in the way of his space trek and he's mad as hell about it. I enjoy the small morsel approach to developing Picard's backstory ---- to keep me engaged in the story, I need a bit of mystery about the characters that I can fill in with my own interpretations yet I still like a snippet of backstory once and a while. We get a nice helping in this episode with the reveal that Picard with a bit of a arrogant jerk in his younger years and it took a knife through the heart to change his life path. It just amuses me to no end that Picard is not worried about potentially dying --- no, the crew must not see me show weakness --- I was howling when Picard initially rebuked Crushers attempt at small talk and went to the back of the shuttlecraft to read his book in piece.
I LOVE the Pakleds. If you can buy Klingon Space Pirates being able to pilot a space craft then you should be able to do the same with the Pakleds. I view them as the Space Cavemen and it's hilarious ---- In this episode, Riker's wide eyed starfleet altruistic ideals ends up biting the Enterprise in the ass despite Worf the reasonable making the right call. The codeword scene cracked me up with Worf's dialogue being the stand out performance.
Any episode that gets me laughing this much is a success.
I LOVE the Pakleds. If you can buy Klingon Space Pirates being able to pilot a space craft then you should be able to do the same with the Pakleds. I view them as the Space Cavemen and it's hilarious ---- In this episode, Riker's wide eyed starfleet altruistic ideals ends up biting the Enterprise in the ass despite Worf the reasonable making the right call. The codeword scene cracked me up with Worf's dialogue being the stand out performance.
Any episode that gets me laughing this much is a success.
Picard & Wes Take a Road Trip
Samuel-Shovel14 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In "Samaritan Snare" the Enterprise helps a crew full of ostensibly unintelligent aliens fix their sub-warp ship while Wesley and Picard take a road trip via shuttlecraft to a nearby station. Picard has to have heart surgery while Wes takes a few Star Fleet exams.
This episode is boring on all sides. The Pakleds actually have a fairly unique design but the plot involving them is just really dumb and boring. It is amusing to watch Geordi get tossed around via the phaser's stun feature. He really gets some air!
I couldn't care less about Wed and Picard bounding, not do I understand Picard's prideful decision to not let Pulaski do the surgery, despite her being the most qualified doctor around. Wesley continues to annoy me.
The one GREAT scene of this episode is Picard relaying the story behind why he has heart issues involving a bar fight with some Nausicaans during his youth. Stewart's acting here is pretty spectacular and this one scene really saves the entire episode from being a complete disaster.
One other thought: Riker makes a series of bad decisions here. He ignores pretty much everyone's advise and almost gets the ship's chief engineer kidnapped and killed. There's a reason Picard is the captain I guess...
This episode is boring on all sides. The Pakleds actually have a fairly unique design but the plot involving them is just really dumb and boring. It is amusing to watch Geordi get tossed around via the phaser's stun feature. He really gets some air!
I couldn't care less about Wed and Picard bounding, not do I understand Picard's prideful decision to not let Pulaski do the surgery, despite her being the most qualified doctor around. Wesley continues to annoy me.
The one GREAT scene of this episode is Picard relaying the story behind why he has heart issues involving a bar fight with some Nausicaans during his youth. Stewart's acting here is pretty spectacular and this one scene really saves the entire episode from being a complete disaster.
One other thought: Riker makes a series of bad decisions here. He ignores pretty much everyone's advise and almost gets the ship's chief engineer kidnapped and killed. There's a reason Picard is the captain I guess...
Patrick Stewart saves it from being terrible
snoozejonc6 June 2021
Captain Picard undergoes a medical procedure while Geordie is kidnapped.
This is a so-so episode that is just about saved by some strong character moments for Picard and an enjoyable performance from Patrick Stewart.
The story involves two plots that are not particularly well written, but Geordie's abduction by a group of obese, alien thickies mostly just irritates. The fact the Pakled are written as stupid is only ironic considering how silly the command decisions of the Enterprise bridge crew are. It's almost as if they were saying 'without Picard this crew is nothing', but really it's just unimaginative plotting. Luckily we only have to suffer this in between the strong scenes of dialogue we get from Picard and Wesley Crusher.
I find the shuttle sequence highly enjoyable and provides great insight into Picard's character and history. As this plot turns into serious drama it loses its edge as none of the suspense works when we are expected to consider a character's life might be in danger.
I enjoyed the performances of Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton as they made the best of the strongest material in the script.
This is a so-so episode that is just about saved by some strong character moments for Picard and an enjoyable performance from Patrick Stewart.
The story involves two plots that are not particularly well written, but Geordie's abduction by a group of obese, alien thickies mostly just irritates. The fact the Pakled are written as stupid is only ironic considering how silly the command decisions of the Enterprise bridge crew are. It's almost as if they were saying 'without Picard this crew is nothing', but really it's just unimaginative plotting. Luckily we only have to suffer this in between the strong scenes of dialogue we get from Picard and Wesley Crusher.
I find the shuttle sequence highly enjoyable and provides great insight into Picard's character and history. As this plot turns into serious drama it loses its edge as none of the suspense works when we are expected to consider a character's life might be in danger.
I enjoyed the performances of Patrick Stewart and Will Wheaton as they made the best of the strongest material in the script.
Contrived
lizs12894 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
TNG is my all time favourite Star Trek incarnation but this episode tries my patience! They are on a star ship with warp capacity. Why not warp to wherever and drop Picard off, then go about their business? Because there wouldn't be a story... I know, I know. I just like plots to be feasible.
Not bad but...
richmcgough6 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Throughout TNG the often painful acting of additional characters clashes badly with most of the leas characters (no... Not riker...)
In this, the acting of the doctor killing Picard is so bad riker looks Shakespearean in comparison.
The stories are entertaining though...
In this, the acting of the doctor killing Picard is so bad riker looks Shakespearean in comparison.
The stories are entertaining though...
Contrived, illogical, and above all, boring!
ashleyannkennedy13 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Why did the aliens let La Forge back on the ship? Why didn't the Enterprise warp Picard and Crusher to the starbase? Why aren't there any qualified surgeons at the starbase? Why didn't anyone but Data listen to Troi's panic? Why do surgeons in the future wear red instead of hygienic white? Why didn't the Enterprise drag the aliens to court in their tractor beam for criminal violations, instead leaving them there to potentially prey on another Federation ship? Why is the show implying that people with dull wit can only get anywhere in life by mooching/crime?
Nobody knows, not even the writers, apparently!
Redeeming factors: Crusher and Picard bond, La Forge gets some screen time, introduction of a unique alien species
Nobody knows, not even the writers, apparently!
Redeeming factors: Crusher and Picard bond, La Forge gets some screen time, introduction of a unique alien species
How did the Pakleds get in space to begin with?
Wirefan12216 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Story involves two subplots: One where Picard and Wesley go to Starbase 515 for different reasons, Picard for surgery and Wesley for Starfleet exams. Fairly interesting exchanges between the Captain and Wesley...they even bond to a small degree! The other plot/subplot involves a distress call from a ship which needs it's guidance system repaired. They act and appear to be quite mentally challenged which might seem to be a ruse. Geordi goes over to fix the problem and is taken hostage afterward so that the Pakleds can use him to "make us smart." I seriously question how the Pakleds EVER got into space. They look more suited to be a, uh, I don't know what to call it but certainly not able to figure out how to make a space ship!!! Oh, and in case I thought they might be trying to pretend to be mentally challenged, after Geordi gives them what they need they are all excited: "Now we are strong!" That's it...they don't revert to acting 'normally,' just keep saying "we are strong" or "now we are smart." Ugh.
Riker proves why he is incompetent to command a ship just yet
txriverotter1 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Most every review has touched on the plot between Picard and Wesley, and Picard's surgery; those parts of the show were fine for me. Except of course, Picard acted like a perfect a$$ and ended up having Doc do his surgery anyway.
But the plot involving Riker taking command of the Enterprise and making one stupid decision after another; if I was Jonathan Frakes I would have been pissed about what this episode says about my character. Namely, that despite all evidence to the contrary, he is incapable of properly commanding a ship.
Shortly after Picard and Wesley depart, the Enterprise receives a distress call and they arrive to find the Pakleds, a group who seem almost as incapable as the drug addicts they encountered earlier in season 2. So Geordi and Riker make the decision that, these guys are so stupid Geordi will just pop over and fix things up for them, and pop back home.
No worries! Right?
Wrong. No investigations, don't ask Troi's input, ignore Worf's very sound advice. Just jump in with all four left feet.
And of course Geordi is "kidnapped" by the Pakleds once he's over there. Troi points out how stupid Riker is, Worf gives Riker his best "I tried to tell your dumb a$$." look. And Data is the only one who really listens to Troi even after it's obvious Riker has screwed up in a most major way. Notwithstanding the fact that Worf already thinks the wrong thing was done, that is.
The problem for me mostly, is that Riker never admits, apologizes or even addresses that he should have handled things differently. They contrive to get Geordi out of the situation and la-dee-da, everyone flies away happy.
Except, why? Shouldn't the Pakleds have been hauled back for some kind of punishment? Trial? Spanking? Something?
Shouldn't Riker have addressed to 'someone' that he made a very serious mistake that could have cost a crew member his life?
Not a great episode. But in my opinion, it's the Riker-Pakled plot that brings it down. It's not a bad idea to have someone in command make a bad decision, but the way it was handled felt very wrong.
But the plot involving Riker taking command of the Enterprise and making one stupid decision after another; if I was Jonathan Frakes I would have been pissed about what this episode says about my character. Namely, that despite all evidence to the contrary, he is incapable of properly commanding a ship.
Shortly after Picard and Wesley depart, the Enterprise receives a distress call and they arrive to find the Pakleds, a group who seem almost as incapable as the drug addicts they encountered earlier in season 2. So Geordi and Riker make the decision that, these guys are so stupid Geordi will just pop over and fix things up for them, and pop back home.
No worries! Right?
Wrong. No investigations, don't ask Troi's input, ignore Worf's very sound advice. Just jump in with all four left feet.
And of course Geordi is "kidnapped" by the Pakleds once he's over there. Troi points out how stupid Riker is, Worf gives Riker his best "I tried to tell your dumb a$$." look. And Data is the only one who really listens to Troi even after it's obvious Riker has screwed up in a most major way. Notwithstanding the fact that Worf already thinks the wrong thing was done, that is.
The problem for me mostly, is that Riker never admits, apologizes or even addresses that he should have handled things differently. They contrive to get Geordi out of the situation and la-dee-da, everyone flies away happy.
Except, why? Shouldn't the Pakleds have been hauled back for some kind of punishment? Trial? Spanking? Something?
Shouldn't Riker have addressed to 'someone' that he made a very serious mistake that could have cost a crew member his life?
Not a great episode. But in my opinion, it's the Riker-Pakled plot that brings it down. It's not a bad idea to have someone in command make a bad decision, but the way it was handled felt very wrong.
Another crappy episode.
Wes5428 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Picard goes to Starbase 515 (which is on a planet) for routine surgery.
The problem?
The only reason Picard goes is to get him off the ship. This means that Riker gets to show how incompetent he is, by ignoring everyone's input, putting the entire Federation at risk, and weaseling his way out through blind luck.
Now Picard is stuck for 13 hours (because a shuttle that has warp nacelles can't go to warp!) with the one person he doesn't want to talk with.
And Picard's reason for going, that he didn't want Polaski to perform the procedure, is ruined. So she has to do it anyway. So much for avoiding lots of gossip!
I'm starting to think that the entire 2nd Season isn't worth watching.
The problem?
The only reason Picard goes is to get him off the ship. This means that Riker gets to show how incompetent he is, by ignoring everyone's input, putting the entire Federation at risk, and weaseling his way out through blind luck.
Now Picard is stuck for 13 hours (because a shuttle that has warp nacelles can't go to warp!) with the one person he doesn't want to talk with.
And Picard's reason for going, that he didn't want Polaski to perform the procedure, is ruined. So she has to do it anyway. So much for avoiding lots of gossip!
I'm starting to think that the entire 2nd Season isn't worth watching.
so-so
patricia-resnick19 June 2007
Not a BAD episode, but I kept wincing at the stilted dialog and direction. Painfully awkward. Not a horrible plot, but very contrived in its development, and for me the whole episode is just plain awkward, from the dialog and direction to the plot and ending. TNG by the numbers, very little imagination or logic, and it seemed to end just because it was time. This is SO not one of the crisp, intelligent episodes that I make a point of catching. I just wish they'd give me a chance to rewrite the dialog, and give the characters more chance to actually express some intelligence, and not move through the scenes like robots. It's TNG, of course, and I'll continue to watch it. Unless there's something better to do.
Teeth Are For Chewing
wiltoncarter16 October 2021
The part with Wes and Picard is worth watching, but the half with the Pakleds is just about as stupid as the Pakleds. How Tweedledee and Tweedledum got their Hands on a spaceship is something I will never waste time thinking about.
Boring, ridiculous, nonsensical, stupid episode
a-gordon-237427 February 2022
2 stars for Picard's backstory
0 for the rest of the episode.
No idea how anyone thinks this is a good episode. No only is the premise dumb, but the way they "trick" the enemy makes absolutely no sense. This whole episode is ridiculously bad. One of the worst TNG episodes by far.
0 for the rest of the episode.
No idea how anyone thinks this is a good episode. No only is the premise dumb, but the way they "trick" the enemy makes absolutely no sense. This whole episode is ridiculously bad. One of the worst TNG episodes by far.
A Senior Trekker writes..................
celineduchain4 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Second Season of Star Trek the Next Generation has often been downplayed due to multiple production and writing staff problems, and several major cast changes. Although of mixed quality, it does contain some outstanding and brilliant episodes. Senior Trekker is extremely grateful to all those people who worked so hard under difficult circumstances to keep it on our screens.
Well, what can we say about this episode? Lycia Naff makes her second of two memorable appearances as Ensign Sonia Gomez in The Next Generation. A dancer, who more or less abandoned an acting career and went on to become a respected journalist, the impression she made in these two early episodes was out of all proportion to her screen time. I suspect viewers may have liked her because they empathised so much more with a young, over-keen academy graduate than they did with the so-called child genius who got onto the Enterprise because he happened to be the son of the Chief Medical Officer.
On the subject of said genius, he's sharing a shuttle with the Captain on his way to find yet another excuse to delay his admission to Star Fleet and keep him aboard while Picard is going to have his mechanical heart replaced.
Meanwhile we get some horrible encounter with a new race called the Pakleds, a people whose slow and confused speech patterns suggest they may have been invented to mock people with learning disabilities. It probably wasn't intentional but it certainly doesn't help.
Both the Pakleds and Ensign Sonia Gomez were resurrected in 2021 to make appearances in the animated series Star Trek Lower Decks. Mind you, who wasn't?
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
Well, what can we say about this episode? Lycia Naff makes her second of two memorable appearances as Ensign Sonia Gomez in The Next Generation. A dancer, who more or less abandoned an acting career and went on to become a respected journalist, the impression she made in these two early episodes was out of all proportion to her screen time. I suspect viewers may have liked her because they empathised so much more with a young, over-keen academy graduate than they did with the so-called child genius who got onto the Enterprise because he happened to be the son of the Chief Medical Officer.
On the subject of said genius, he's sharing a shuttle with the Captain on his way to find yet another excuse to delay his admission to Star Fleet and keep him aboard while Picard is going to have his mechanical heart replaced.
Meanwhile we get some horrible encounter with a new race called the Pakleds, a people whose slow and confused speech patterns suggest they may have been invented to mock people with learning disabilities. It probably wasn't intentional but it certainly doesn't help.
Both the Pakleds and Ensign Sonia Gomez were resurrected in 2021 to make appearances in the animated series Star Trek Lower Decks. Mind you, who wasn't?
(Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5)
The big, dumb, morons in space episode
Sean_Biggins5 December 2023
This is so ridiculous that it's almost beyond belief. The only thing that's entertaining is how funny the dumbo aliens are, saying things like "We like things that make us go..." but even though these aliens are big, dumb lunkheads, Riker sends Jordie over and they kidnap him and actually get away with it! As another person said here, these guys are so stupid that you'd be surprised if they could tie their shoes, yet they manage to trick Riker.
And then story line #2 with Picard having his heart worked on but some great specialists can't do it, but Dr. Pulanski can? This is yet another 'you gotta be kidding me' episodes.
That's all I have to say.
A wonderful series This is an interesting, thought provoking, and most of all entertaining series. Gene Roddenberry not only gave us a "Wagon Train to the Stars," but he gave us interesting stories reflecting the great values our society holds as truths. I know that "some" episodes were not that good, but that can be said of any series that has a long history. For the most part this program exceeds the mark of excellence in writing and entertainment. The delivery of the writing by Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner et. Al. Truly brought the Star Trek future to life. The casting of this program is wonderful!
And then story line #2 with Picard having his heart worked on but some great specialists can't do it, but Dr. Pulanski can? This is yet another 'you gotta be kidding me' episodes.
That's all I have to say.
A wonderful series This is an interesting, thought provoking, and most of all entertaining series. Gene Roddenberry not only gave us a "Wagon Train to the Stars," but he gave us interesting stories reflecting the great values our society holds as truths. I know that "some" episodes were not that good, but that can be said of any series that has a long history. For the most part this program exceeds the mark of excellence in writing and entertainment. The delivery of the writing by Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner et. Al. Truly brought the Star Trek future to life. The casting of this program is wonderful!
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