💾 Archived View for gemini.spam.works › mirrors › textfiles › sf › STARTREK › redemp.rev captured on 2022-03-02 at 00:45:10.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
WARNING: The following article contains spoiler information concerning TNG's
season finale, "Redemption". Those not wishing said spoiler information are
advised to duck and cover, here and now.
The first 45 minutes: wonderful. The last minute: They are NOT allowed to
do that!
No, I don't mean the cliffhanger ending: it's not a problem per se, and this
one was a fairly light one anyway. Anyone who's been paying attention on
r.a.s knows precisely what I'm talking about...and for those of you who
haven't...I'll go into it later. Right now, it's time for a synopsis:
The Enterprise is en route to the Klingon homeworld to install Gowron as the
next leader of the Empire. However, after Picard briefly talks to Worf and
urges him to challenge the Council and restore his family's honor, all aboard
are surprised to find an escort; the Bortas, with Gowron himself on board.
Gowron tells them they must hurry--if they are to prevent a Klingon civil war.
You see, although Duras is dead, his legacy lives on. His family is still
powerful, and Duras's two sisters, Lursa and B'Etor, are mounting their own
challenge to the throne. Gowron asks Jean-Luc to see his duty as arbiter of
the succession through to the end, and support Gowron's rightful accession.
Picard says that he will only act within the bounds of Klingon law: but that
may not be enough...
Worf takes Gowron back to the transporter room (and Picard, based on past
experience with Duras's family, orders a search for Romulan communications
nearby), and then asks Gowron for the restoration of his good name. Gowron
refuses, even after hearing that not only was it Duras's family that was
responsible for the Khitomer attack, but that the Council members _knew_ about
it. Gowron is isolated, and needs the support of the Council to survive--so
he cannot challenge them on Worf's behalf yet.
After Guinan and Worf talk on the phaser range for a bit (ending with Guinan's
observation that Worf is only now discovering what it's really like to be a
Klingon), Worf asks Picard for a leave of absence. Picard grants it, and
wishes Worf luck.
Worf then locates and boards the ship belonging to his brother Kurn, now a
captain. Kurn is initially *against* Gowron, preferring to sweep the entire
Council aside in favor of new blood, but Worf, as the older brother, claims
that he is the one to speak for the family. After Worf points out that they
will not support him until he has nowhere left to turn (and insist on the
restoration of their family's honor as recompense) Kurn agrees, and says he
shall attempt to persuade his own allies to support Gowron.
Before the Council, Picard reports that Gowron is the choice for leader. At
the last minute, however, there comes a challenge: from Toral, a mere
stripling, and, apparently, Duras's heretofore unknown SON. Lursa and B'Etor
tell K'Tal, interim leader of the Council, that Toral's bloodline is true, and
K'Tal puts the whole matter in Picard's lap.
Some time later, Lursa, B'Etor, and Toral are talking to Movar, a _Romulan_.
Movar is saying that everything is going well--and his companion, cloaked in
shadow, says that when the time is right, they will deal with the Federation,
and Captain Picard.
Kurn reports to Worf that of his four squadron-commanding allies, three are
with him, one against. Most of the Fleet hasn't decided yet which banner
to follow. Kurn shall return soon. Worf then works with Data on accessing
Federation records of the Khitomer massacre, but Picard briefly takes him
aside and yells at him about using Federation influence and privileges to
influence local politics. Picard realizes that he's primarily worried about
crossing that line himself (certainly he has no wish to see the Duras family
in power), and backs off--but he insists he cannot take sides. He allows Worf
access to the Khitomer records, and will also open it to anyone else who
wishes it--but this is the farthest he will go.
Picard then goes planetside and briefly pays an invited visit to Lursa and
B'Etor, who attempt to convince him that Toral's challenge must be approved.
Picard, however, realizes that they've manipulated the situation to their
advantage: if he rules in favor of Toral, they win; and if he rules against
Toral, they claim Federation interference and declare war on Gowron (and,
Lursa points out, if they win, it's the end of the alliance...). He
congratulates them on a strategy worthy of a Romulan, and departs.
The next day, Picard rules in favor of Gowron, saying that Toral has done
nothing to prove his worthiness. Toral claims interference and calls his
allies to war; Gowron claims that the law is on his side. The Council splits,
with nearly all in favor of Toral.
Later, Worf goes on the Bortas to offer his assistance to Gowron. Gowron is
not impressed--until Worf mentions that Kurn is his brother, and brings four
squadrons. Gowron is then willing to listen, but also demands Federation
help, and becomes very angry when Worf refuses to talk to Picard about it.
Their argument is interrupted, however, when the Bortas comes under fire from
two ships. ("It's begun," says Picard.) The Bortas is heavily damaged, but
Picard, bending over backward to avoid taking sides, merely orders the
Enterprise out of the fighting area. Worf deceives the two ships and suckers
them in close, managing to destroy one; and Kurn returns just in time, causing
the other to flee. He offers his allegiance to Gowron, who accepts, and
invites all down to witness his installment as leader.
His first act as leader is to restore Worf's good name, saying that in the
recent struggle, he proved himself to have the heart of a Klingon. "Let your
name be spoken once again. You are Worf, son of Mogh." Gowron then formally
requests Federation aid as leader of the Empire, but Picard refuses to
intervene in what is clearly an internal conflict, even refusing Worf's plea.
Worf, unwilling to leave the sector in such a critical period, resigns his
commission.
Later, Worf, in old Klingon garb, is packing his bags. Picard comes by to
check that he's certain he's doing the right thing. Worf is sure he is, and
Picard congratulates him for taking the best of humanity into himself. Worf,
with a full honor guard, makes his way to the transporter room and departs for
the Bortas (there to serve as weapons officer).
Finally, we see Movar, Duras's sisters and son, and Movar's companion, still
cloaked in darkness. Movar smugly reports, "Picard has rejected Gowron's plea
for help. The Enterprise has left orbit." Toral, brash and foolish as ever,
says "Coward! He didn't have the courage to face us! The Federation--"
"Celebrate later, Toral!" says Movar's companion, now stepping into the light
to reveal a slim, blonde figure who bears more than a passing resemblance to
Tasha Yar (although her name is not said). "You should not discount Jean-Luc
Picard yet. He is human--and humans have a way of showing up when you least
expect them."
Freeze frame.
TO BE CONTINUED...
There. NOW do you see why I said they can't do that? :-)
For those who weren't paying attention a few weeks ago, I've been crusading
against having any connection between this mysterious Romulan (first seen in
"The Mind's Eye" three weeks ago), and Tasha Yar--and it looks very much like
they're going to have one. I'm not certain yet, and I'm not going to scream
and yell (figuratively speaking, of course :-) ) at them about it until they
firmly do so...but the odds aren't looking too favorable here. Damn.
However, apart from my own frustration at the chance they're doing something
so silly, I must say I was _very_ impressed by the finale. It wasn't quite as
riveting, as earth-shattering, or as edge-of-your-seat suspenseful as "The
Best of Both Worlds, part I", which as last season's finale is the obvious
comparison--but on the other hand, it's been led into far better. BOBW1 could
have happened any time--but "Redemption" is dealing with elements we've slowly
seen building for the past season and more. Something had to come to a head
soon--and thanks to a 26-episode season limit, it's now. :-) Generally
speaking, well done.
As for specific comments...wow. Bunches of 'em. I'm not sure where to
begin.
First of all, the previews were TREMENDOUSLY misleading. I could swear from
the previous week's previews that Gowron was going to at _Worf's_ throat
beyond all others, and that somehow Worf's honor was a key element of the
cause of the war. That turned out, as you can see, to be completely, 100%
wrong. About the only thing the preview wasn't misleading on was Worf's
resignation. Not that I'm complaining about all this, mind you; it led to
some very pretty surprises while I was watching. ("Huh? Gowron's being a
GOOD guy?" :-) ) Just worthy of note.
Second, I thought the casting was for the most part excellent. In
particular, I found it interesting that nearly all the Council members apart
from Gowron himself were rather old Klingons--perhaps Kurn's desire for new
blood isn't such a bad one. (It also leads to an interesting question: WHY
are there so few young Council members? Even nepotism, which the Klingons
appear to thrive on, should lead to some younglings here and there. Hmm...)
Also, B'Etor was exceptionally well cast and acted--I thought she looked,
moved, and sounded a LOT like one of Duras's relatives should sound. Nicely
done indeed.
The plot, I would say, was quite sound--everything fell neatly into place,
leading everything down into flames. (Worthy of a Romulan, hell; everything
was so fatalistic, I thought it was rather Wagnerian myself.) Kurn's sudden
return to save the Bortas was, in hindsight, almost a given; but I was caught
up enough in the battle itself at the time that it caught me off-guard.
(Okay, who else thought of the Falcon streaking to the rescue at the last
minute at the end of "Star Wars: A New Hope"? Uh-huh. I thought so. :-) )
I can't say I'm too surprised about that, though, since this was written by
Ron Moore. Ron helped, at least, on the teleplays to both "Sins of the
Father" and "Reunion", so it was to be expected that he was paying attention
to what had gone before. Of course, he also helped on the teleplay for
"Yesterday's Enterprise", so maybe my worries about a Tasha connection are
more founded than I thought...uh-oh...
I won't be around to see all the complaints raised (and I have no doubt there
will be some, given the nature of the net :-) ), but I can guess one of them
already: why didn't we hear some explanations of Kell's actions in "The
Mind's Eye"? Simple--Romulan machinations were not the focus of this show;
the stability of the Klingon Empire was. In fact, it looks like this
particular two-part show is going to neatly evolve from a Klingon-centered
story to a Romulan-centered story, given that the ending did all but guarantee
a strong Romulan presence in next season's premiere. I suspect that all about
Kell's situation will be revealed in due course.
Another objection I'd anticipate (damn...and I won't even get to find out if
these guesses are right! :-) ) would be a few condemnations of Picard turning
tail during the battle. I don't agree. Picard is doing everything he can to
keep the Federation out of what looks to be a very bloody war--and
unfortunately, that does sometimes include letting your friends, maybe even
letting short-term justice, fall by the wayside. He did it in "The Wounded",
and he did it here--and I expect him to at some point do it again. (I also
expect him to eventually get really pissed off at Starfleet continually giving
him these type of expectations...but for now, that's neither here nor there.)
I would agree, however, with those who object to Picard's lecture to Worf
about conflicts of interest....at least, I would agree a little bit. I think
he went overboard, considering that he was more than happy to contribute
information back when the question of Worf's father's honor was first raised
(although I'd certainly argue there that at the time, he didn't consider it
major political interference the way this one would be). However, most of my
objections were removed when Picard stepped back, emotionally, and realized he
was stepping on toes because he was worried about doing so himself. So it's
still an objection, but only a minor one.
I'm also a little bit miffed that Gowron has turned into someone who really
does seem almost totally honorable. There were a lot of hints back in
"Reunion" that he was hardly squeaky clean, and I'd like to have seen a little
mroe questioning from the Federation on that angle.
On the whole, though, I can't say I have any major complaints. Worf, in
particular, was done absolutely splendid through and through. The effects
were superb throughout the entire battle sequence, and the music is beginning
to stand out a little more; certainly, it managed to accent the situation a
bit better during Kurn's rescue than it's done in similar situations before.
Worf's departure had some nice music as well, but that entire farewell
sequence was exceedingly good. (Good enough, in fact, that for a moment I had
to stop and remind myself that no, Michael Dorn doesn't have any plans to
leave.)
So, that should just about cover that. A very worthy finale...and let's hope
the second part lives up in September. (I'm not going to take off more than a
token bit for the possible Tasha connection yet, because it hasn't been made
clear yet. If they do so in September, then part 2 gets blasted for it.)
Anyway, the numbers:
Plot: 9.5. Half a point off for the hints at Her Tashaness.
Plot Handling: 10. No complaints here.
Characterization: 9. Half a point off each for Picard and Gowron, but
nothing major.
TOTAL: 10, once I round up for absolutely phenomenal effects and good music.
A very pleasant way to end a season, methinks.
Well, we've got reruns for the next 13 weeks now...and I must take my leave.
I'll see you folks again in the middle of July.
Tim Lynch (Cornell's first Astronomy B.A.; one of many Caltech grad students)
BITNET: tlynch@citjuliet
INTERNET: tlynch@juliet.caltech.edu
UUCP: ...!ucbvax!tlynch%juliet.caltech.edu@hamlet.caltech.edu
"The grasp of Duras reaches out from the grave."
--Gowron
--
Copyright 1991, Timothy W. Lynch. All rights reserved, but feel free to ask...