Vadic forces Picard to make an impossible choice: deliver what he can never give... or watch his crew perish. Their only salvation lies in the mind of an old friend and old foe.
For the first time in decades, the former members of the Enterprise crew sit around a table together. They marvel at the reunion. They speak to how they each matter to them. They share fond memories. It's still brief because they have a task at hand. That moment of catharsis comes near the end of a very chaotic episode. Yes, it still maintains a propulsive drive towards a big revelation. However, the storytelling is still withholding in a key way. Vadic teased Jack with answers towards his true nature. He is evolving. He accesses new skills. They come in handy when trying to retake the Titan from Vadic. And yet, she knows the potential of his influence. As such, it's a failure until Data defeats Lore in battle for control of the new golem. So much urgency is required that it's only a small moment later on when Picard ponders if the crew did the right thing in bringing Data back to life. It's all clearly driven to that central reunion of the Next Generation ensemble. The stakes of the world are so much bigger and more personal. They have children who play crucial roles in the story now. It's more than just a nostalgia play - which it does exist as to a certain extent. However, the show has done a good enough job slowly moving towards this reunion. It didn't just suddenly appear at the onset. Instead, it's been a gradual introduction of the players as they became vital to Picard's mission. They are the only allies he can rely on. Deanna's return has been delayed because she senses darkness immediately once aboard the Titan. Her skills with emotions unlock the fears growing in Jack's head. He's terrified of what lurks behind the red door. That means he isn't tempted when Vadic presents him with answers. In that moment, he's just trying to execute the strategy to save as many members of the crew as possible. One member of the Bridge crew dies. Vadic does that to show how unpredictable she is. She only wants Jack. She wants to unlock his true potential. But again, the mystery has yet to be fully revealed. Vadic continues to talk around in circles instead of being direct. She knows the images that haunt Jack's mind. That serves as a key connection. Seven has no idea what she's talking about. It's only personal to Jack. However, they are each willing to sacrifice everything in the name of preserving the crew. They showcase that loyalty to Starfleet. They behave like that even though others don't necessarily believe they belong. They are constantly having to prove themselves. They are absolutely deserving of that recognition. And now, Jack finally receives the help he has long needed. It's more than just an overwhelming feeling that he is not like everyone else. He can't run away from it any longer. Picard and Crusher are there to support him. Deanna walks to the door by his side. He still has to take that fateful action of opening it.
The episode is chaotic overall because it has so much it needs to do. It needs to bring the immediate conflict with Vadic to an end. That requires Data regaining control of the ship and locking the Changeling out of the system. To do that, he appears to surrender to Lore only to allow his memories to gain traction throughout his entire mind. Picard and Geordi take a huge risk by eliminating the partition separating Data and Lore. This conflict must happen for the dominant host to function. This is a new body for Data. He made peace with dying. He saw that as the final human experience to obtain. It's a fate always denied to him. Picard offered him that grace. Dr. Soong had other intentions. Similarly, Picard is grateful for the synthetic body he now occupies. However, his allies have no greater understanding of what the Changeling want with his former human form. They analyze the disease that plagued his brain. That serves as a vital connection between him and the turmoil Jack endures. But again, it's all meant to be a vague mystery propped up on intense imagery and dire circumstances. The Titan crew only has a few hours to stop the attack coming on Frontier Day. They unite because Worf and Raffi stealthily boarded the Shrike to free Riker and Deanna. Riker gets to have the conversation he promised his wife when he received newfound clarity on his grief. He's still distraught over how she manipulated his emotions. And yet, she was burdened by having to carry all of them for everyone she loves. She's skilled as a counselor. The weight of these emotions can be overwhelming. She is physically knocked back by whatever presence lurks within Jack. It's understood that it's not just him who occupies his body. Some invader has taken root as well. It's not easily detected by Crusher's tests. She worries about her son. She ultimately has to trust him. He can't explain everything that is happening to him. His willingness to fight leads to Vadic being sucked out of the bridge and shattered into a million pieces in the vast expanse of space. That's a fitting conclusion for an entertaining villain made more compelling by Amanda Plummer's performance. It's shocking because it's not the end of the season yet. More twists are yet to occur. Those answers should be forthcoming. The Changeling haven't been defeated. The Shrike is destroyed. That's a huge victory. Everyone celebrates. The Enterprise crew must now band together to save Starfleet. They risked their lives countless times on behalf of this institution. And now, they are the only ones to restore its honor. They are united on that front. Danger still lurks on the journey ahead. Jack feels that more acutely. And yet, he too has a new found family willing to face the darkness alongside him. That's moving in comparison to the lonely existence he has known previously. Crusher taught him well. He was comfortable not trusting people. That's not the overall ethos of Star Trek though. In this universe, people can accomplish anything when they rally together in pursuit of peace and salvation. That's at the forefront once more in a truly exciting way with so much at stake by the outcome too.
