Enterprise travels to a planet to investigate blood found at a looted Federation outpost and gets caught up in a difficult peace negotiation.
This is a strong episode that looks at mediation in a conflicting society where vengeance plays a destructive role.
The plot has several of aspects to it, such as the inverted detective story, romance and social commentary. All of these blend together seamlessly whilst allowing some decent character moments.
Riker and Picard make the biggest contribution to the story. Riker is not just a romantic lead but an eventual hero. Picard puts his negotiation and mediation skills to great effect.
As for the romance, it's not as bad a most in Star Trek and like the best ones it has an element of tragedy that makes it memorable. Coming after the Troi-centric episode 'The Price', it almost feels tit-for-tat that Riker gets a doomed love story.
The visuals are generally some of the best I've seen in TNG so far. Great set design, colours, lighting and atmospheric environments. The action sequences work well, aside from the infamous scene where Picard does not react to something tragic.
Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Lisa Wilcox, Joey Aresco, Nancy Parsons and Stephen Lee are all on good form.
This is a strong episode that looks at mediation in a conflicting society where vengeance plays a destructive role.
The plot has several of aspects to it, such as the inverted detective story, romance and social commentary. All of these blend together seamlessly whilst allowing some decent character moments.
Riker and Picard make the biggest contribution to the story. Riker is not just a romantic lead but an eventual hero. Picard puts his negotiation and mediation skills to great effect.
As for the romance, it's not as bad a most in Star Trek and like the best ones it has an element of tragedy that makes it memorable. Coming after the Troi-centric episode 'The Price', it almost feels tit-for-tat that Riker gets a doomed love story.
The visuals are generally some of the best I've seen in TNG so far. Great set design, colours, lighting and atmospheric environments. The action sequences work well, aside from the infamous scene where Picard does not react to something tragic.
Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Lisa Wilcox, Joey Aresco, Nancy Parsons and Stephen Lee are all on good form.