Picard Season 1 Episode 5 Review · 3:27pm Feb 21st, 2020
More after the bre.... oh, you know how this goes by now eh?
AKA what happens in space Vegas stays in space Vegas. Now, this episode was a... yeah, it was something. Now, the first thing, like the very first thing this episode gives us is this oh so very lovely shot of Icheb from Voyager on the operating table. I use the term operating table very loosely. Now, not sure we needed to see any of his eye getting removed by force, but that may be just me. Really sets up the tone of the episode though, as this one is about revenge and justice. True to form, our other favorite Ex-Borg comes busting in, shoots everyone and clears the place with Icheb.
...except that's not really what happens. All Seven can really do is give Icheb a mercy kill and then... Freecloud. Now, I really should go on a bit more about Seven, because that's who you're all wanting me to talk about right? Again, the cycle of broken people resumes. Granted, Seven's slightly better off than most. She's friendly to Picard, even if she's cleaning him out of his bourbon and she's joined the Fenris Rangers, who she says and I all but quote: "Help the helpless."
Janeway would be proud. However, it's clear that Icheb's death and butchering took her toll on her. She's noticeably even more dour than usual, which for Seven is saying something. Apparently, even her relationships are... strained. No mention of Chakotay, which can I just say is a very good thing for me personally. Excuse me while I get up to celebrate. YES! YES! One of the most forced relationships in all of television is over!
Now, on other notes. This is where Agnes really gets to shine. Before, she was just this motormouthed doctor from Earth that Picard just picked up. But there's a moment at the end of the episode, you know the one I'm talking about, where her character really starts to break out on its own. Also, Bruce Maddox. He's not in the episode that much, but wow has he changed since Measure of a Man. He's actually kinda a sweet guy, and even charmed Agnes -or she charmed him, who knows?- and has some regrets. It's... simply amazing.
Now, I'm kinda torn on Bjayzl's death. Yes, she had it coming but Picard talked Seven out of killing her, or at least he seemed to till Seven goes back and does it anyways with the twin phaser rifles bit we saw so prominently in the trailer. Then again, I sorta got the feeling in hindsight Picard knew she was going to go back and deal with Bjayzl. It's just... yeah Bjayzl had it coming but it sorta botches the moral of how revenge is never the answer. Speaking of Picard, him hamming it up as a space pirate/smuggler with heavy heavy French accent and eyepatch(!) was beyond hilarious.
So basically they go the Star Trek version of Mos Eisley or Canto Bight.
Also, eye scream? In that case, I'm glad I'm just reading the summaries. Ech...
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I was thinking more Canto Bight really. Mos Eisley at least has a certain charm about it in its scumbaggery. And yeah, Icheb's sole scene is... ugh.