Star Trek 607: Imperfection

607. Imperfection

FORMULA: Ethics + Phage

WHY WE LIKE IT: Sentimental, but sincere.

WHY WE DON'T: Padded around the waste.

REVIEW: We lose most of the Borg kids in this episode, including Mezoti, the highlight of the bunch, leaving only Icheb, sadly the stiffest of the lot (like we needed another "robot"). And since he wants to follow Academy courses and work on the bridge, I guess we're stuck with him. So Imperfection does him a favor by giving courage and conviction, and by golly, making us like him a little more.

The big dilemma is that Seven's cortical node has failed, placing her life in jeopardy unless a replacement can be found. Maybe they should have saved Janeway's old one, no doubt just removed. But an old node doesn't work, as we painfully find out. By painfully, I mean that there's a lot of padding in this section. Janeway again wants to take out the Delta Flyer (oops, it's already rebuilt - though they inverted the natural broadcast order of the episodes as Drive would have made a better reintroduction - and besides, eagle-eyed viewers can spot Tom's wedding ring here) all by herself, so the rest of the cast opposes her, etc. etc. Not only have we seen this before, we saw it two episodes ago. When Chakotay says "It's not every dat we go looking for the Borg", who is he trying to convince exactly? They stumble onto a salvage rights dispute which isn't really followed up on. Just a little action to keep the kids occupied.

I do like how Tom imposes his law aboard the Flyer, treating Janeway like common crew, and the Doctor does the same in Sickbay. Learn your place, Janeway! The crux of the drama, however, is Seven's refusal to accept the one real treatment available. Icheb has researched a way to give her his node, and it just might work. But since there's a risk to her surrogate son's own life, she refuses help. Until Icheb persuades her with both logic and emotion. His solution certainly makes him Starfleet potential. Shades of "risk is our business, gentlemen" and not accepting the no-win scenario.

There's good acting on show here from most of the regulars, which these types of episodes often feature. We know Seven's not going to die, but others' reactions to her distress, when well done, really help along what would normally be merely melodrama. Sentimental, yes, especially the bit at the end with Seven's real tears, but the performances are earnest.

LESSON: Never throw away anything.

REWATCHABILITY - Medium: A lot of heart, but the plot strains to make the 44-minute mark.