Lessons
- Episode aired Apr 3, 1993
- TV-PG
- 45m
Picard falls for the new head of the stellar science services department, but has feelings of misgivings when he's forced to assign her to a dangerous mission.Picard falls for the new head of the stellar science services department, but has feelings of misgivings when he's forced to assign her to a dangerous mission.Picard falls for the new head of the stellar science services department, but has feelings of misgivings when he's forced to assign her to a dangerous mission.
- Ensign Armstrong
- (uncredited)
- Lt. Jae
- (uncredited)
- Lieutenant jg Marquez
- (uncredited)
- Ensign Russell
- (uncredited)
- Sciences Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Ten Forward Waitress
- (uncredited)
- Operations Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Enterprise-D Sciences Officer
- (uncredited)
- Operations Division Ensign
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode brings out of storage Picard's beloved Ressikan flute, that he learned to play in the previous season's critically acclaimed episode The Inner Light (1992).
- GoofsThe Enterprise beams the rescue team into a hot, dusty firestorm without basic safety equipment like work gloves or goggles, let alone respirators, self-contained air supplies, or sealed, heat-resistant environment suits.
- Quotes
[Picard tells Lt. Cmdr. Daren of his life on Kataan from "The Inner Light"]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ...And when I awoke, all that I had left of that life... was the flute that I'd taught myself to play.
Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Why are you telling me this?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me... and what it means for me to be able to share it with someone.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: Generations Review (2008)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
This is a pretty good episode that looks at the issues associated with being involved with a subordinate and provides much needed continuity to one of the greatest Star Trek episodes of all time.
As a romance it works mainly because Patrick Stewart and Wendy Hughes play the relationship convincingly. Stewart in particular seems not just enamoured with her, but portrays Picard as a private person who is outside his comfort zone. The inclusion of their shared love of music and the scenes with the Ressikan flute are great ideas.
'Lessons' tackles the issues of a leader being in a relationship with someone in their command structure in a sensible and plausible way. Things start off well, then get slightly awkward for other characters, but naturally Picard handles it perfectly. When the story gets to the main event of the firestorms and the command decisions Picard has to make, that's when it really shows how the situation between Picard and Daren is problematic. What happens is predictable, but the performances of Stewart and Hughes make it interesting. Gates McFadden and Jonathan Frakes also make good contributions.
Thankfully this episode finally provides continuity to 'The Inner Light' which is very much needed given the episodic narrative of the show. It's only right that what was depicted as such a momentous experience in a character's life is given some recognition in Picard's overall character arc.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- Dec 8, 2021
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1