1437. Assimilation2 Part 2PUBLICATION: Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #2, IDW Comics, June 2012
CREATORS: Scott and David Tipton, with Tony Lee (writers), J.K. Woodward (artist)
STARDATE: Unknown (just before, during and following previous issue).
PLOT: The Enterprise-D is called to Naia VII, a water world with a precarious mining operation. After Riker is caught in a flood and survives, Picard assigns him the much lighter duty of trying the new Dixon Hill holoprogram. The Doctor, Amy and Rory materialize and get to visit the ship until it's called to Delta IV on an emergency. The Borg and Cybermen are bearing down on the planet with multiple ships!
CONTINUITY: See previous issue (Dixon Hill, Delta IV, the Borg and Cybermen). Dr. Selar (The Schizoid Man) is part of Beverly's medical team (seen but not heard). Picard mentions how desperate Starfleet is to rebuild its fleet after the Borg decimated it at Wolf 359 (The Best of Both Worlds). The USS Lexington (Explorers, Thine Own Self, The Search, ST First Contact) is said to soon arrive with equipment for the mining operation.
DIVERGENCES: None.
PANEL OF THE DAY - Worf's Prime Directive
REVIEW: Here's hoping the mining/amphibians plot has something to do with this story's resolution, because we do spend half the issue on it before it connects to events from #1. It's not a bad plotline, just very very ordinary TNG fare. Issue 1's similar introduction to the Doctor at least had the merit of introducing a less well-known property to American Trek readers, and featured the conclusion of a story, not its beginning. In true TNG fashion, the themes of the grander tale are explored in the character interactions, with Data and Geordi dismissing technological upgrades that would change the essence of who they are. It's true that they have things in common with the series' two enemy races, and it's nice to see the subject broached, even in such a bluntly obvious way. This section also has Worf's trademark dry humor, which I love. Once the Doctor shows up, the two shows' styles are deeply contrasted. The Doctor can't seem to shut up compared to characters used to working in a more formal ensemble format. (Well, that's him all over.) The art doesn't seem able to catch up, and expressions are frequently missing the dialog's humor. That's par for the course with photo reference. I'm afraid Woodward can't quite rise above his technique. But there are several fun interactions here, from Troi's reading of the TARDISeers to Worf telling the Doctor to shut up about the use of space on the bridge, and Amy taking taking shots at the TARDIS with the Enterprise's cooler features. And also a mystery: The Doctor can feel his memories being updated to include Klingons and such. What's going on here? Bring on the timey-wimey.
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