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| Geordi and Ro, ghosts on the Enterprise. |
The Enterprise responds to a distress call from a Romulan ship that has suffered a massive explosion. Riker, Geordi, Worf, and Ensign Ro beam over to render aid. Finding that a generator needs replaced, Geordi beams back with Ensign Ro to replicate it... only to vanish, apparently killed in a transporter accident.
But Ro and Geordi are not dead. They are on the Enterprise, able to see and hear everything going on around them. They can't be seen, however, nor can they interact with their shipmates. Shadowing Data when he takes a shuttlecraft to the Romulan ship, Geordi is able to put together the pieces linking their current state to the original Romulan explosion. But they also discover imminent danger to the Enterprise - with no apparent way to warn the crew of the danger!
CHARACTERS
Capt. Picard: On the way to the memorial service, he reflects on the first time he met Geordi. He recalls the young LaForge's enthusiasm and the way in which he acted upon an offhand comment about a shuttle's efficiency, and how that was the moment he knew he wanted Geordi on his ship.
Riker: On the Romulan ship, he takes command of the situation almost instantly. He and his people assess the situation quickly and start completing the needed tasks right away. He does shift his priorities from the emergency to Geordi and Ro when they disappear, but returns his focus to saving the ship as soon as it is apparent there is nothing to be done. He works well with the Romulan science officer, but also heeds Worf's concerns about security when the Romulans ask for a Starfleet computer to replace their own.
Data: Once the immediate crisis is past, he requests permission to conduct a memorial service for Geordi, whom he considers his best friend. He talks to Worf about why this is important to him: "I never knew what a friend was, until I met Geordi. He spoke to me as though I were human. He treated me no differently from anyone else. He accepted me for what I am. And that, I have learned, is friendship."
Geordi: Refuses to accept, or even consider, that he and Ro are "dead." He is certain that there is a more rational explanation for their intangible state and sets about investigating - largely by shadowing Data's own investigation.
Ensign Ro: In contrast to Geordi, Ro is very quick to believe that they are dead and that they need to make peace with their pasts in order to move on. It ties in all too well with the traditional Bajoran beliefs of her upbringing. One of a few nice writing touches is that Ro never actually believed in those teachings - but experiencing something so close to them makes her wonder if her dismissal of her people's superstition was arrogant. Overall, this episode gives the most relaxed and purely naturalistic characterization of Ro this season, and results in Michelle Forbes' most appealing performance of the year.
THOUGHTS
"Written by Ronald D. Moore" has become the most welcome set of words I can think of when watching a TNG episode. Season Five has had more than its share of episodes that seemed to be just filling slots. Moore is a writer who rarely just fills a slot. His episodes are almost always characterized by their well-structured plots, with plenty of dramatic momentum mixed in with short but highly effective character moments.
The Next Phase isn't quite up there with Moore's excellent Klingon episodes, but it's still a good show. The story moves at a brisk pace, with the stakes raising continuously. At the same time, the characters are given moments that show their depth: Data, wanting to conduct a memorial service and discussing his friendship with Geordi; Worf, feeling that death is not a time to mourn because, for Klingons, dying in the line of duty is the highest honor; Riker, wanting to speak about Ro Laren (and the episode wisely withholding from us what he planned to say). And these aren't even the episode's focal characters! Moore knows the TNG regulars, and so they never come across as plot puppets in his episodes.
The Next Phase is a particularly well-shot episode. David Carson, who directed a couple of the best episodes of Season Three, makes good use of lighting and camera angles to emphasize the unreality of Geordi and Ro's situation. Look particularly at the camera angle on Geordi when he announces his rejection of Ro's "spirit" theory before walking through a bulkhead to get away from her. There's just enough of an effect to accent the drama and show a hint of unreality, but not so much as to distract. Also well-staged is the reveal of the "phased" Romulan (presumably the captain) late in the episode.
A good script which is well-shot, well-staged, and well-acted. The Next Phase has good character scenes, a strong story, and plenty of dramatic momentum. In short: A good show.
Overall Rating: 8/10.
Ensign Ro: In contrast to Geordi, Ro is very quick to believe that they are dead and that they need to make peace with their pasts in order to move on. It ties in all too well with the traditional Bajoran beliefs of her upbringing. One of a few nice writing touches is that Ro never actually believed in those teachings - but experiencing something so close to them makes her wonder if her dismissal of her people's superstition was arrogant. Overall, this episode gives the most relaxed and purely naturalistic characterization of Ro this season, and results in Michelle Forbes' most appealing performance of the year.
THOUGHTS
"Written by Ronald D. Moore" has become the most welcome set of words I can think of when watching a TNG episode. Season Five has had more than its share of episodes that seemed to be just filling slots. Moore is a writer who rarely just fills a slot. His episodes are almost always characterized by their well-structured plots, with plenty of dramatic momentum mixed in with short but highly effective character moments.
The Next Phase isn't quite up there with Moore's excellent Klingon episodes, but it's still a good show. The story moves at a brisk pace, with the stakes raising continuously. At the same time, the characters are given moments that show their depth: Data, wanting to conduct a memorial service and discussing his friendship with Geordi; Worf, feeling that death is not a time to mourn because, for Klingons, dying in the line of duty is the highest honor; Riker, wanting to speak about Ro Laren (and the episode wisely withholding from us what he planned to say). And these aren't even the episode's focal characters! Moore knows the TNG regulars, and so they never come across as plot puppets in his episodes.
The Next Phase is a particularly well-shot episode. David Carson, who directed a couple of the best episodes of Season Three, makes good use of lighting and camera angles to emphasize the unreality of Geordi and Ro's situation. Look particularly at the camera angle on Geordi when he announces his rejection of Ro's "spirit" theory before walking through a bulkhead to get away from her. There's just enough of an effect to accent the drama and show a hint of unreality, but not so much as to distract. Also well-staged is the reveal of the "phased" Romulan (presumably the captain) late in the episode.
A good script which is well-shot, well-staged, and well-acted. The Next Phase has good character scenes, a strong story, and plenty of dramatic momentum. In short: A good show.
Overall Rating: 8/10.
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And Counselor Troi is nowhere to be seen! This is just wonderful
ReplyDeleteActually, after the accident, Troi was asked by the captain if she could sense Geordi and Ro. She solemnly shook her head.
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