With three days to spare before a scheduled rendezvous with the U. S. S. Victory, the Enterprise crew has some time to relax. Geordi invites Data to solve a mystery in the holodeck, with Data in the role of Sherlock Holmes and Geordi acting as Dr. Watson. When it becomes apparent that Data has memorized the complete works of Arthur Conan Doyle, making it impossible to enjoy solving any of the Holmes mysteries, Geordi becomes frustrated.
Challenged by Dr. Pulaski, who claims that Data is incapable of solving a genuine mystery, all three of them return to the holodeck to prove the doctor wrong. But when Geordi crafts the program for this test, he creates imprecise parameters, asking the computer to create "an opponent capable of defeating Data." That opponent is therefore given control over the holodeck, and knowledge of the Enterprise itself. Instead of a holographic game, Data and Geordi find themselves facing a genuinely deadly foe, in the guise of Professor Moriarty (Daniel Davis).
CHARACTERS
Capt. Picard: When Data realizes the extent of Moriarty's knowledge, he goes straight to Picard - who, in turn, goes to the holodeck to deal directly with Moriarty. The subsequent negotiation is wonderfully-written and played by Patrick Stewart, who - as in The Big Goodbye - seems to enjoy exchanging the red pyjamas for period costuming.
Data: His interest in Sherlock Holmes from an otherwise poor first season episode is used to better effect here. Data has remained fascinated with the fictional world of Holmes, to the point at which Geordi has recognized that Holmes is the perfect fantasy role for him. Had Geordi not misspoken his intructions to the computer, Data might well have proved Pulaski wrong. His quick solving of the random murder which was "not relevant" showcases genuine deductive abilities on his part - though frankly, a quick trawl through the records should have been sufficient to quell Pulaski's remarks that Data is incapable of solving a situation he isn't already familiar with. Once he realizes the situation is out of control, he stops playing the game, going instantly to the captain.
Geordi: Enjoys playing Watson in the simulation, and is genuinely pleased for Data when it is clear that the android is capable of taking on the Holmes role in an unfamiliar mystery. After Moriarty gains control, he realizes that this was possible due to his creating an adversary for Data, instead of for Holmes. He feels quite guilty, which Picard helps to allay by pointing out that both ship and crew are safe.
Dr. Pulaski: Though the unfortunate antipathy toward Data continues, at least here it's used to motivate the plot. Pulaski seems less unfriendly toward Data at least, though her continued mocking of him still grates. She is much more likable opposite Moriarty, with Diana Muldaur sparking nicely opposite Daniel Davis.
Moriarty: Davis is extremely good as the holodeck Moriarty. He begins life as a direct recreation of the fictional character, and gradually grows into very much his own entity. He is particularly strong opposite Muldaur and Patrick Stewart, and both actor and character prove themselves worthy of a return appearance.
THOUGHTS
Holodeck episodes are supposed to be bad, right? I seem to recall hating the holodeck episodes during the original run of Next Gen. But The Big Goodbye and 11001001 were among the highlights of Season One, and this episode is the best one yet in Season Two.
I will say that it is already straining credibility that the Enterprise keeps the holodeck going. This brings the tally to four cases in two seasons in which the holodeck puts the ship in some level of jeopardy - this time with no outside influence save for Geordi misspeaking a single word (which is still more motivation than for the unexplained holo-virus in Angel One)! If the holodeck can so easily be made into something genuinely dangerous, it seems to me that the sensible thing to do would be to shut it down as a safety hazard.
That said, this is a thoroughly enjoyable episode. I might have wished for Data to have been the one to resolve the situation, as it is dramatically unsatisfying that the first 30 minutes sets this up as a problem for Data that ends up being resolved by Picard. Still, going to Picard is the only logical thing for Data to do. The episode would have be rewritten so that Data and Geordi could not leave the holodeck in order for it to reasonably remain Data's problem.
With strong entertainment value, good production values, and a surprisingly thoughtful script, this is one of the better episodes Next Gen has provided thus far. With two of the three episodes of Season Two having been good ones so far, I'm starting to feel optimistic about the series for the first time in a while.
Rating: 9/10.
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The link currently in place for the following section goes to "Angel One":
ReplyDelete"...save for Geordi misspeaking a single word (which is still more motivation than for what happened the last time)!"
I'm not sure which episode you had intended but I got the impression it was supposed to be a holodeck episode, so I mention it just in case.
"Angel One" had a B-plot that was even worse than the A-plot (remarkably!). The crew are laid low by an illness, one which appears to originate in the holodeck when Wesley goes skiing. No, how a real illness can come from a holographic snow setting is never addressed, explained, or even mentioned. The sort of storytelling that made Season One all that it was. :)
DeleteI've made a small edit to that section for the sake of clarity, though.
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