96. The JihadWHY WE LIKE IT: Visually creative.
WHY WE DON'T: Once too many, the series takes a dip into fantasy.
REVIEW: While I can't say The Jihad is derivative of other Star Trek stories, it IS derivative of sword and sorcery. The quest for an almost magical artifact, the unrealistic geography, the make-up of the expedition (a thief, a hunter, a fighter, etc.) and worst of all, the "it never happened" ending, seem pulled out of a D&D adventure module. And yet, the episode can't be ignored because many of its elements will be featured in later stories (by design or coincidence), like Gambit, the Genesis Planet from Star Trek III, and the Vulcan Forge story arc.
It may not be a whole lot like Star Trek (Kirk even refuses the attention of a woman, not once, but twice - I guess it's hard to fit romance into the 22-minute format), but it's a fun adventure nonetheless. The dangers are many, and the solutions work well. Best of all is that The Jihad is a visual feast, with lots of cool environments, aliens and even a vehicle. This couldn't be done in live action, yet doesn't feel too fantastic (despite the premise). A fair twist at the end, but the wrap-up leaves something to be desired. No consequences, no one will ever know, no time has passed, your memories will fade... It's a bit much.
LESSON: Forgot what it was, sorry.
REWATCHABILITY - Medium: Good action-adventure stuff, and some memorable guest characters, but the fantasy tropes are too central to the plot, and the rushed ending leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Still, a nice "special effects extravaganza" on which to end the first season.
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