I honestly don’t know if this Doctor Who episode was actually a good and solid story, because the bar is so low. Due to the pandemic and all that stuff, it sure feels like this story has been canned for a while now. It's been almost a year since we got a proper Doctor Who story on the telly. This story is a sequel from last year's New Year special, so I guess next year's going to be the conclusion for this Dalek trilogy. I liked it, but not much happened and Chibnall had lousy moments. It feels like it doesn't address anything that happened during Series 12 finale. Ugh… the infamous "Timeless Child" retconning that I didn't like at all. Why is the Doctor questioning her own life again after the Runaway Doctor's (that's what I'm calling the Ruth Doctor) speech? It changed nothing. But now it does? Why did she stay in jail voluntarily FOR DECADES?! And also, Chibnall does not address why was she in jail in first place… oh, wait. Just for "being herself". Ugh. So Jack comes to break the Doctor out without that much of an explanation. Ok. And about John Barrowman's addition… I had fun. It's always fun to see Captain Jack interact with the Doctor and the companions but… I felt like he didn't had to be there. There was no point on having him, story-wise. I think I just liked the nostalgic feeling to it. And him leaving the Doctor just like it was not a big deal was weird. I know it tries to be like a backdoor nod for both Jack and Gwen's appearance later on or maybe a Torchwood revival? We'll see. Maybe Chris Chibnall should move on to write for that show. Am I right? So the Doctor comes back to Earth and doesn't tell any of the companions that she spent DECADES in jail and comes back like nothing had happened. Why? And the episode doesn't address Yaz's obsession or her emotional journey either. But there are good moments. I liked all of them hugging at the end. It was a touching moment. I liked how Ryan called the Doctor out again and deciding to leave the TARDIS on his own. We saw how he struggled to get back to his ordinary life. I loved how Graham decided to be there for his grandson. Ryan and Graham's relationship was the best of both Series 11 and Series 12. It really felt earned. I liked that Yaz stayed with the Doctor. We really haven't got that much of development for her character. I'd love to see how that turns out. I would've preferred to watch just the both of them traveling in the TARDIS alone. But we'll be getting another companion, so… there's that. I'm excited, though. I really do not know that much about British TV but a comedian is always welcomed. I'm excited to meet Dan! Now, in regards of the story itself… I liked it. It was a fun one off adventure. I liked how the Doctor put the Daleks against each other (again) to fix the "drones" problem. I liked how they fixed the back-up TARDIS problem too, because we would be questioning that, I'm sure. It felt more like a Robertson story with a little bit of the Doctor in it, to be honest. And it was weird how it turn out in the end for the Robertson character (with all the Trump fuss going on). But it felt very well integrated into the story. What about the political messages written into the script? Weird. But I think that what Chibnall's take on Doctor Who is all about. Oh, well. I would've liked if the Doctor confronted Robertson (or anyone, really) about the PM's death. It was on the telly! Overall, it was fun to watch new episode of my favorite show again. I'm excited for Series 13, I really am. Now I'm just hoping for Chibnall to improve his writing skills. Blimey.
[6.0/10] Oh man, what a crock this is. It is so full of cheats and shortcuts and self contradictions that it's hard to take any of it seriously. Suddenly, we've pivoted to the prospect of mortality and self-sacrifice as the most important theme of the season, despite the fact that those have been, at best, tangential to the ideas the show was exploring up until...last week.
And it's totally contradicted by what the episode actually does! Picard trying to "give his life" to prove to Soji that organics is good would have more weight if we hadn't seen him jump into death-defying situations throughout the season. What makes this one any different? And when he "dies", it's not because the Romulans blast him or really anything to do with his grand stand. His brain abnormality just acts up when it's dramatically convenient, with no apparent connection to his attempt at self sacrifice.
Then the episode just wipes away that sacrifice anyway! I can't tell you what a cheat it feels like to have Picard die, learn a very important lesson about the beauty of life coming from the fact that it's finite, only for him to then immediately cheat death! Then the whole bending over backwards to try to explain that even though he has an android body now, he'll age normally feels contrived and bullshit as hell. It's a dumb plot choice that immediately contradicts the episodes laudable themes about accepting mortality as something inherently human.
It's not all bad. As deus ex machina as Riker's arrival, it's still a cool moment. As weird as Data looks in the "quantum simulation" (oh brother), his death and appreciation for Picard's love is moving. And even if Jurati feels like she's from a different show, her quips and jibes got a chuckle out of me.
Everything in this finale is just so rushed and glancing and ultimately unsatisfying. There's some good ideas here, but they're all shortchanged for a meditation on death that feels out of step with the show's ideas to this point, and a bunch of easy plot fixes and character relationships that haven't actually been developed.
On the whole, this season was a real missed opportunity. Assembling this kind of talent and deploying it only for this wobbly mess of a season is a big shame. I'm a sucker, so I'll be back for season 2, and I hope they'll work out the kinks But after this, I'm not terribly optimistic.
Oh, look, Cal's back. This was a pretty decent episode. The main plot is starting to be more focused on, which is good and starting to become much needed, while everything else, the drama and whatnot, isn't focused on as much. I'm very interested to know the significance behind Yusuv/Yusuf Al-Zuras and everyone else on the boat/ship being directly, or perhaps indirectly, effected by whatever happened when the plane was in the air. They even saw it. I don't think the year was mentioned when that happened, but I imagine it was a long time ago, which makes that whole situation more bizarre, and intriguing. Plus, the plane was mentioned as a silver dragon, which confirms that it must've been quite a while back for that to be their closest comparison. Sufficed to say, I'm very intrigued by that development, and also where it will lead.
Moving on, Saanvi is becoming quite a tragic character. Why did she ever think that scientific means could resolve something supernatural? She kind of deserves what's happening to her, tbh. That's just a blunt, straightforward thought of mine that is by no means influenced by hate towards her or anything like that. At the same time, I feel like the writers couldn't think of any other way to use her character, and that's the reason for this slow descent into demise. I don't particularly care about her, but it would be very tragic if this ridiculous intention of hers, that was never going to work out, to begin with, ends up killing her. I mean, I'm not expecting that to happen, but I'm not expecting it to not happen, you know? It would be unfortunate, that's for sure.
Also, "You know damn well I didn't start that fire." > "You're being vindictive." > "I don't care if I burn this entire precinct down." Wow, Michaela. I don't think you're helping your case very much, even if he does know that you didn't, which he undoubtedly does. She was a bit irritating in this episode. She's trying too hard, falling for "every trick in the book", not keeping her mouth shut, getting agitated way too easily. But I guess she was written that way as a means for one of Simon's associates in the police department that's apart of the "cause" could be used to target her given how Simon's venture in Ben's house led to finding out...everything, pretty much, therefore, presenting a "reason" to send someone to dispose of her, and for the sole purpose of Jared coming in clutch, to save her.
And lastly, for some reason, when the lightning happened in the first scene with Cal in that room, when Grace was starting to feel lightheaded, I thought it was the lightning itself that caused that, by affecting the baby. That's it! The baby is the plane! Of course! It's all connected! There was lightning when the plane was up in the air, and because the baby IS the plane, lightning would irritate it, all because it has PTSD from the lightning when it was the plane. I've solved everything, folks. You've read it here first, so don't forget about me once that is revealed to be as correct as anything can be.
[7.0/10] Patrick Stewart can act. That is, perhaps, no revelation. But the strongest moment in the series premiere of Star Trek: Picard is simply giving him a moment to emote, to condemn, to express his distress and regret over the state of things. When pushed to explain why he left Starfleet, the fire that fueled The Next Generation is revived, and the ghosts of the utopia it operated in are exercised.
Picard left because of xenophobia, because of isolationism, because of an abandonment of the principals of altruism and mercy and acceptance that buttressed the Federation he knew and believed in. That connection to larger ideas -- of a once noble nation turning its back on those in need out of a fear for what opening one’s doors to the world could invite in, and an architect of that community severing his ties with it when it shrinks from the ideals he so deeply believes in -- not only imbues this story with a real world resonance; it’s pure Trek.
But it’s not enough to offer a man meditating on his legacy and the institutions that devolved on his watch. So we need a mystery box. And we need a terrorist attack from a group of “synths” on Mars that scared the Federation into submission. And we need Romulan refugees resettling in an old Borg cube. And we need Romulan fighters trying to root out and destroy the last of the synths. And we need a mysterious young woman -- half River Tam and half Daisy Johnson -- to seek out Picard’s help to sort it all out.
It’s all...fine. It’s naive to expect a modern day science fiction show to rely on the staid, contemplative tone that The Next Generation thrived on. I don’t mind Dahj kicking ass in a hand-to-hand combat scene that makes Kirk’s karate chops look like childsplay. I don’t mind a wire fu-esque battle between her and a cadre of Romulan attackers that involves dodging phaser fire, leaping grand distances, and gory-ish explosions. Times change, and shows have to change with them, even if it means making allowances for the sort of fireworks that once disappointed fans in Picard’s jump to the big screen.
But what I do mind is how generic so much of the rest of the episode feels. Make no mistake -- it is a tall order to follow-up to one of the most beloved science fiction series of all time, that honors past successes while forging a distinct path for the show at hand. But if you shaved off the serial numbers and took away the easter eggs, this could be any other modern science fiction show, with a look and dialogue and mysteries that suffice but don’t wow.
The best you can say is that in the early going at least, Star Trek: Picard doesn't feel like fanservice. Sure, Picard’s dog is named “Number One,” and he orders earl grey tea, and he has a futuristic safety deposit box full of familiar trinkets. But when the show invokes the past, it does so in service of the story in the here and now.
And yet, that’s both a blessing and a curse. Revealing Dahj as Data’s daughter adds some emotional potency to her pairing with Picard. They make Brent Spiner’s guest appearances in the episode more than a fond reminder of everyone’s favorite android, but as a touchstone for Picard’s close relationship with his former protege. For all the flack Star Trek: Nemesis caught, one of its saving graces was the way it suggested that, flesh and blood or no, Data was Picard’s son, his family. So by making Dahj a sort of granddaughter to Picard through that bond makes her relevant in the early going, when the show has to be economical about establishing its characters and stakes.
But at the same time, that’s part of the problem. Stewart and Isa Briones do their best, but the on screen chemistry isn’t quite there yet, so the results feel more like Star Trek: Picard drafting on the good feelings of old, even if it wants to move in a new direction. Fans of the Next Generation will shudder to hear the name Bruce Maddox, the man who tried to have Data declared property, invoked. Still, it feels a tad cheap to have him missing and potentially responsible for some sort of new-fangled “biological synthetic” that is cloned or replicated or somehow otherwise spawned from Data.
All the while, “Remembrance” has the same, overly glossy look that the rest of modern Trek does. All the while, we get characters giving tearful statements that tidily deposit their backstories, with performances that can’t support the psychological weight the show wants to place on them as well as Stewart can. All the while, we get another damn mystery box, where we’re left to guess who made Dahj and her twin sister, and whether the twin’s new flirty Romulan acquaintance is part of the apparent terrorist group, and what the true motivation of the “synths” who blew up Utopia Planetia was, since the show apparently can’t muster that intrigue while still putting its proverbial cards on the table.
And all the while, we have to cut through clunky scenes that try to establish all of this. Little of it is outright bad. This is a competent production with a stellar lead actor and enough reverence for the source material not to upset too much of it. But when you’re bringing back one of television’s great characters and invoking the legacy of the series that started a new age of Star Trek, I expect better than solid but less-than-inspired adequacy.
None of it quite matches that one moment of personal truth or the real life implications of Picard’s disdain for what the organization he once loved has transformed into. When “Remembrance” deposits him into its adventure, it becomes just another off-the-shelf science fiction series, albeit one that can harness the history and world of The Next Generation, The Original Series, and even the 2009 reboot.
In that one scene, though, Star Trek: Picard gives us a glimpse of the show it could be. “Remembrance” soars when it allows its lead performer to do what he does best and embrace the thematic resonance and introspection that were the hallmarks of his prior series, rather than flash and whodunnits and twisty reveals. Only time will tell whether, with so much narrative throat-clearing and table-setting out of the way, the series sets a course for the better.
So the beginning of the episode explains the issues and questions about the explosion/planet destruction from the last episode. Well, here I thought they were going to milk that for next season, but everything/the answers are just wrapped up in a quick recap by two in like a minute.
Two continues to be the show's most compelling character, and I suppose this is partly because the actress is also the most compelling and convincing out of the whole cast (aside from The Android). She really makes an okay script into something beautiful to watch. The rest of the cast, still feels disconnected from the words on the page, almost as if they are going through the motions. Now, It could also be in the directing or just lack of chemistry between the cast. Hell, it also be part of the setup for the show: to have a group is disjointed characters have to work together and only be bound by money and circumstances. Whatever it may be the case, Two is still the character (and actor) that grabs my attention the most.
The crew takes a job, but ends up being a setup/trap to capture Two. The group who engineered/created her want her back and they are lead by Whil Wheaton (!) in very heavy villain eyeliner. Apparently she is an advance bioegineered humanoid with some organic parts but mainly nanobots. Also, her creation is totally illegal and would be destroyed if anyone found out. So all of Two's backstory is literally female is a robot and engineered by mad men with a god complex. And once in his presence she is rendered completely harmless. Hmm. Watching Wheaton is a bit distracting cause he plays cartoon villain to a T. All that was missing was him twirling his evil mustache.
Even as the team is forced to leave her behind, they figure out a way to save her: The Android. I really like that the robot gets to go save the robot. Both of which are women. And, yes, I ship it! Again, the women on the show are the most compelling. Watching The Android kick major ass (taking down 6 guards), and putting herself on the line to save Two makes me so happy.
One of the favorite arcs is how The Android questions her effectiveness and stabitlity because she starts to care for the team. Even as a logic based machine, she cares and she is okay with that. (though it's entertaining to see her talk/argue with her factory reset version).
The hardest part to watch of the episode was watching the violence (and utter hate) inflicted by the male scientists toward Two. But watching her destroy them and freeing herself was so satisfying.
Note: I hadn't realized that the next ep was the season finale. The show's writing (and possibly it's direction/tone) has had a hard time building momentum and setting a pace to a proper build up toward a season finale. And it's frusrtating cause I like many of the shows general ideas and concepts they play in, but I fail to love the actual execution.
Wasn't sure where the episode was going, the only thing I knew for sure was that Two was dead. Well... seems I got that wrong, in the most epic twist.
As the traitor crew takes over the ship, the men of the Raza are held prisoners in their own ship slowly dying from lack of air.
Five, as the ships tech geek, is used to fix the broken FTL drive. But in order to fix the drive someone has to go outside. As one of the minions is sent out, they inexplicably lose air and drift off into space, while something comes back in. And yes, you guessed it, that something is Two. And there is something really really weird going on with her. Like, she might not be human weird.
Two takes out, in the most badass fight scenes, the traitor team and takes control of the ship. Gotta say, my favorite part of the show is how fucking badass Two is. The guys might out number her, but she can out badass them any day.
So far Two is the one with the least backstory, the one we know VERY little about but also the most compelling on the show. As the Android tells her, she was bioengineered, made to specifications but with living organs. She is not supposed to legally exist. But who made her? Was she taken from a previously killed person? Was she ever really a person? Did she escape whoever made her? So many questions. But one thing is for sure, Two is absolutely my favorite character and the actor who portrays her exudes command and control.
Two is more compelling than the four guys put together, and I say this knowing that each of the four guys have interesting and complex backstories.
Another interesting story point is the malfunction of the device they were previously sent to steal. It blows up a whole planet!?!? Was this done on purpose by the corporation? Or was it a real malfunction and they are going to be blamed for it?
Heist episode.
Starts with a great (and badass) moment where The Raza is ambushed by their old Corp partners, via a crazy move save themselves, and their new cor partners arrive in the nick of time to "help". This was a great setup but I wish we would have focused more on that. Things get complicated and backstabby when the corps are involved, almost like an intergalactic coporate version of mean girls.
The intro is a set up for the Heist. Their new corp partners wants them to steal something super top secret, but this time with a secondary team, the very much antiRaza (cold and calculating).
After Two kicks some serious ass after douche hits on her, Five is brought in to the team. Rest of the ep follows a standard heist with the expected complications. But they get it done. Does have two great fight scenes, which is always something I love and something I usually feel is missing from this series.
The twist at the end is the second team turning against them. Holding Five hosted in exchange for the stolen material. Suprisingly its Three who gives it up. But in the end Two is shot out of the airlock.
Overall at fair episode. Again, this show keep setting up interesting things but I feel they go a very conventional route.
Episode sets up the pay off that was placed earlier in the season when Six saw the ad for human clones/conscious transfering. We start off the episode with Six being killed and disintegrating immediately. Cut to Six waking up in at a clinic in a Pod. Surprise! It was his clone who died. So many questions!! Why did he have a clone? How long has he had it? Did he join the Raza before or after cloning? Will the original Six have all his memories now that the clone is gone? Is he going to rejoin the team? How will the team react to this revelation?
No wait! Six isn't the clone, Six cloned himself. To be able to move away from the Raza. This is even better than a reveal, it's not for backstory but to push the story forward. Was not expecting this use of the clone tidbit.
Really enjoyed the bit where the group goes out for dinner and ends up drunk. Showing them just hanging out and not trying to not get killed. Also, Three mourning his lost lady love while being drunk is great.
One and Four follow Six via clones, and another Surprise! We are confirmed that One, or the face of One isn't really his. When his real self is revealed via the clone. Again, we are confirmed what was planted in an earlier episode when One meets himself, who implies he altered his feautres to look like the criminal. Now the question, why? Why go through the trouble of looking like an outlaw? Why did he want to be on the ship? So many questions!
Also loved how Four believes he is One when he calls Three a jerk. Like, yes, I've met him.
Six goes after the General who made him a murderer (and fugitive) not a freedom fighter. As he finally kills him only to discover he killed a clone.... well, this clone thing just makes this more complicated. So close, yet so far.
Shit hits the fan for One as the team finds out his truth.
Another reveal! One is a corporate heir and went on the ship to go after Three for his wife's murder.
Well, this is getting more complicated, and interesting, with each episode.
This episode is the show finally hitting it's stride. The writing sets up and pays off many elements that have been placed earlier. And the actors are finally messhing into a workable dynamic.
The crew finally figures out the room that has been the focus of Three's attention and interest. The room is a cargo room, full of weapons, etc, etc, but also comes with a frozen human and an "entertainment" android.
Three's obession with the room reconnects him to his past. The frozen woman is his (former) lover with a terminal disease, Three/Marcus had placed her in statis to extend her life for a possible cure. She saved him after being left behind for dead, she nursed him back to life and fell in love. It's interesting to see Three in an emotionally compromised situation, as he's only even been portayed as a cold-hearted, opportunistic SOB. We are shown that Three does have a heart, it was just frozen inside a dying woman. When they thawed her, they also thawed him.
Meanwhile, One focuses his attention (and interest) on the Ent android, after Two rebukes his advances. His integration of the new droid sets up a rivalry with the ships Android, making her feel ignored and unappreciated. This is an interesting notion as the android begins having "human-like" behavior, maybe even possible emotions.
Unbeknownst to the crew, they have opened up Pandora's box: the entertainment android is a trojan horse, revenge on the group from an old target. The android was sent to kill the crew and take control of the ship. Three places Sara in the stasis pod hoping to save her, while he goes out to kill the killerbot, but unfortunately the pod malfunctions, letting her die
Unfortunately for Three, unthawing his heart has caused his love to die, as the disease advanced rapidly and takes hold of her, the very thing that he was trying to prevent when he placed her in stasis. Sara is used to represent his heart, his humanity, that he is much more than a killer.
On the flip side, One's self indulgence, his view of being a "nice guy" who doesn't get the girl, and activating the bot for his amusement has a domino effect that ultimate leads to the death of an innocent woman.
Note: though the bot does notice that Two is physically attracted by One, I dislike that Two makes a move on One after his selfishness lead to the death of another. Also, it feels like it rewards his behavior and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Like he is just too much of a nice guy to have to account for his immaturity and their consequences. I don't like One, he is the quitesential nice guy, who is actually an immature, self absorbed who covers himself in victim/nice guy.
The concept that memories of the team are implanted, by accident, into a child, Five,and can only be accessed via dreams is interesting.
We see the childhood and history that lead Four to the Raza. He is a young prince and heir to a dynasty. Coming from a ruthless father, he learned no mercy and coldness. By dynasty politics are complicated, more so when he finds out he was framed for the murder of his father, the emperor, by his stepmother. We finally get an answer as to where he learned his sword and fighting skills. Four is the embodiment of his upbringing: distant, reserved and precise, all the makings of an emperor.
We also learn Five was an orphan and also lived with another group of street kids; they stole something that was very valuable and went after them. The young boy that they had found on the cargo hold was her friend who had been stabbed in the attack. Five is a stowaway.
Six learns he was an outlaw but also activist, trying to fight for what was right, but the cost of change, the cost of war, especially the cost of innocents for that change was too much for him to bear. He is a wanted terrorist, killer of thousands of innocents, scum of the earth. He is set up by his commander, when he learns of the betrayal and manipulation, he kills them all.
Kudos to the show for constructing complex and diverse backstories for the crew. Each character isn't a simple bad guy or mercenary, rather complex individuals that have learned that good and evil aren't opposites, but a gray scale and depends of context.
Still not loving the acting on the show. It usually feels very phoned in and flat. More of actors saying lines than acting.
