The Next Generation 3x4 "Who Watches the Watchers?"

**

This is a definite Prime Directive episode.  Like Insurrection, "Who Watches the Watchers?" features a Federation survey team that goofs and the exposure of its existence causes a huge problem.

Although visually perhaps the most notable thing about the episode is that it features primitive Vulcans (although the forehead ridges makes them seem like primitive Romulans, which is pretty much the same thing, but still).  Although nothing relevant is made of this fact, it's still nice to see a little bit of continuity, the wider shadow of one of Star Trek's best known alien races once again being cast.

This is the one where Picard is mistaken for a god (it happens!) and to prove otherwise he allows himself to be shot by an arrow, an event that still stands as one of the more memorable pieces of action from the series.  Yes, it's incredibly simple, but that's just the kind of show Next Generation was.  For his efforts, Picard receives a tapestry that remains draped on the back of the chair in his ready room for the rest of the series.

Although not a true standout otherwise, "Who Watches" remains for me a signature episode from the early part of the third season.  It can be a little annoying, because any time Star Trek features primitive aliens it tends to overdo it, especially when attempting to deal with matters like gods and advanced technology.  The primitive aliens tend to cower, or react violently.  It's always the same.  Maybe that's how people really are.  Maybe Star Trek just likes to simplify it.  Still, fun to watch.  The Vulcan (or Romulan) haircut is maintained by these guys, as if it somehow grows that way, although it's not neatly trimmed (because they're primitive!).

In this instance, no matter what you think of Insurrection (which is also similar to the seventh season episode "Homeward"), it's the better of the two to be considered here.

franchise * series * essential * character

Notable guest-stars:
Ray Wise

Memory Alpha summary.

Voyager 4x26 "Hope and Fear"

***

Anyone who wonders what the value of doing Borg stories after "The Best of Both Worlds" and First Contact needs to watch "Hope and Fear."

A show set in the home territory of the Borg Collective can so much more effectively convey the scope of its existence than random cataclysmic encounters, where the results of Borg actively can be felt rather than encountered.  The fact that humanity has eluded assimilation is an anomaly in the greater experience of the Borg (otherwise resistance could not really be considered futile).  The Voyager crew gets to experience in dramatic terms not only the results of their meddling in "Scorpion," but what lengths those affected by the Borg will really go to in order to find some peace.  It's ironic that the Borg seek order and all they do to those around them is produce chaos.

The other layer of "Hope and Fear" is another chance to see how badly the crew wants to get home, and one possible way it could have actually happened.  The series teased these opportunities on a regular basis, and this was one of the more clever examples.  A series that only looked at what might be perceived as the harsh realities of the crew's situation probably would never have even considered an episode like this, and that would have been a shame.  When someone tells you that this show was a giant waste of time, this is an episode that contradicts that opinion.

franchise * series * essential * character

Notable guest-stars:
Ray Wise

Memory Alpha summary.