Enterprise visits the planet where Data was discovered.
This is a mostly strong episode focussed on Data's origin, introducing a good antagonist and containing a great double performance from Brent Spiner. Unfortunately some bad creative decisions spoil the latter part of the story.
The plot is highly compelling for the first part of the episode. I found it intriguing to discover Data's beginnings and quite tense waiting for Lore to show his true colours. There are plenty of enjoyable exchanges between Data and Lore plus Lore and the other crew members.
Unfortunately as other reviewers have stated the episode becomes frustrating late on with its writing of Wesley Crusher and the behaviour of senior crew members. It would be fine if we were not expected to take them seriously as leaders in the next episodes, but that is the negative effect it has on the consistency of the characters. Also Wesley does not communicate his concern particularly well which feels like a contrivance just to get those reactions from the crew. The result is that the entire premise is annoying on all levels.
The visuals are done very well with good makeup, nice set design and solid effects creating the crystalline entity.
Performances are great with Brent Spiner dominating this episode with a superb turn as two quite different characters.
This is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a mostly strong episode focussed on Data's origin, introducing a good antagonist and containing a great double performance from Brent Spiner. Unfortunately some bad creative decisions spoil the latter part of the story.
The plot is highly compelling for the first part of the episode. I found it intriguing to discover Data's beginnings and quite tense waiting for Lore to show his true colours. There are plenty of enjoyable exchanges between Data and Lore plus Lore and the other crew members.
Unfortunately as other reviewers have stated the episode becomes frustrating late on with its writing of Wesley Crusher and the behaviour of senior crew members. It would be fine if we were not expected to take them seriously as leaders in the next episodes, but that is the negative effect it has on the consistency of the characters. Also Wesley does not communicate his concern particularly well which feels like a contrivance just to get those reactions from the crew. The result is that the entire premise is annoying on all levels.
The visuals are done very well with good makeup, nice set design and solid effects creating the crystalline entity.
Performances are great with Brent Spiner dominating this episode with a superb turn as two quite different characters.
This is a 7.5/10 but I round upwards.