Star Trek 1079: The Truth Elusive

1079. The Truth Elusive

PUBLICATION: Star Trek: The Next Generation #65, DC Comics, November 1994

CREATORS: Michael Jan Friedman (writer), Deryl Skelton (artist)

STARDATE: Unknown (follows the last issue)

PLOT: Our Geordi is a bit smarter than alt-Geordi and turns the tables on him quickly. The rookie on his team figures out they ARE in the alternate universe thanks to tricorder readings and Geordi then gives alt-Geordi his runabout so he can destroy the rogue star. Before the anomalies responsible for bringing them there disappear, Geordi fixes the alt-runabout and tries to retrace his steps. Meanwhile, the Ferengi leave as soon as they arrive and Picard figures out the Romulan scientist's plan. First, he now knows he was telling the truth about the no-doubt profitable dilithium virus, so he calls the Romulans and Cardassians' bluff and they leave before causing a diplomatic incident. Then, he confronts the scientist about a deal he made to sell the virus through the Ferengi. His plan exposed, he asks for asylum and will be put to work finding a cure in case the secret ever gets out.

CONTINUITY: None.

DIVERGENCES: See previous issues.

PANEL OF THE DAY - Shut up, he doesn't want to hear it.
REVIEW: The ending of this arc hinges a bit to much on leaping to conclusions to be truly satisfying. Picard pieces together everything based on the Ferengi's behavior, and that's a fair deduction. That the Galor and Warbird leave without any fuss is a disappointing as it is fortuitous however. The rookie's conclusion that they must be in the alternate universe, however, is based on technobabble and frankly poor use of the wasted "Darwin's Planet" concept. I liked Geordi being shown to be an able leader, peacemaker and engineer, but otherwise... meh.

Comments