Preemptive Strike

Good episode for concluding the story arc of Ro Laren. It does make me wonder why they gave this minor character the penultimate episode in TNG if they didn't plan to move her on to DS9?

This episode was unfortunately a character betrayal of Picard. The man who for 7 seasons has been the ultimate defender of the downtrodden, and suddenly he wants to set a trap for what are essentially abused refugees? Why isn't he asking more questions here? Why isn't he listening to what Ro has to say about it? Suddenly Picard is an obstinate a-hole for the sake of the plot. It just doesn't right true.

With lackluster shows in this final season, this episode proved to be a gem among the stones as this was an interesting tale with entertaining results. It begins as Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) returns to the cast after graduating from Starfleet and returning to the Enterprise crew. She was able to return to Starfleet thanks to Captain Picard's recommendation and she wants to repay the Captain for the kindness shown. But the task that she will be assigned with prove difficult for her.

Due to problems with a group of rebels called the Maquis that are attacking Cardassain's ships, the peace treaty between the Cardassains and Starfleet could be in jeopardy. Ro will be assigned to infiltrate the rebel group and report where and when the Maquis plan to attack so that the Enterprise can put an end to this rebel group. However, Ro begins to have feeling for the rebel group and those feeling could risk her position with Starfleet and her loyalty and gratitude toward Captain Picard.

This is an entertaining story that returned the series to the roots of personal conflict within the plot. This season has been sugary stories that tend to rely more on writing so that each main character gets face time rather than developing a good story. This episode went back to getting an interesting plot and develop the situation around the story. A nice show indeed!

There is your starting point for the next real Star Trek show. The Maquis. In this episode, Starfleet graduate Ro Laren is torn between Starfleet and the Maquis. Do pick the Maquis. It has to be the future. If she remains with Starfleet, only her relationship with First Officer Riker could bear any fruits. Recall this season's episode Lower Decks. As junior staff, you are nothing aboard the Enterprise. Except, you can form a family, if you want. No chance of promotion. Lower Decks feels like a punch in the guts. Because Starfleet hasn't found a Governance Structure that crushes personal networks. In the classic Star Trek show, three buddies run Starfleet's flagship, Kirk, McCoy and Spock. In this Star Trek instalment, a group of men revolve around a European. The two women Troi and Crusher had to start relationships with those men to advance to senior roles. Granted, Starfleet,'s "Buddies-Governance" could be normal. Only the uneasy feeling when you watch junior staff in episode Lower Decks confirms: The Maquis is the future.

Ro Laren returns to the Enterprise and is sent on an undercover mission.

This is a solid episode with a great lead performance by Michelle Forbes.

Most episodes involving Ro are good and this Marquis related plot works perfectly for the character. Forbes has the strength, allure and internal struggle down to a T.

Patrick Stewart also has a number of memorable scenes as Picard finds himself in a difficult position in the latter stages. These exchanges are all well written and performed, particularly the final scene with Riker.

For me the weak links are the fairly simple characterisations of the Marquis. None of these really convince me they are freedom fighters, apart from Kalita who has her moments thanks to Shanon Cochran's engaging performance. Also some of the plotting associated with Ro's relationship with Macias is quite predictable.

One of the best aspects of it is how it ties in nicely to Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

I think it's a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.

I've complained about the lack of satisfying arcs in Season 7 of TNG, but Michelle Forbes saves her best for last in this penultimate episode, Preemptive Strike, an outing that offers an uncomfortable but fitting end for her character.

Forbes is a quality actress. She's got depth and natural screen chops that Sirtis, McFadden, Burton and Wheaton don't possess. That's not a dig at those actors because I like them all, but when guests as good as Forbes, Goldberg and Dwight Schultz appear, we can see the extra level of ability, of making us believe in these people. Patrick Stewart has great chemistry with Forbes too, such as the scene with Picard and Ro in the cantina near the end. It's the softest of verbal dances, underscored by the painful knowledge that one of them is about to break the heart of the other - and we feel that they both know it on some level.

That weighty final shot of a silently sullen Captain Picard makes for a powerful ending.