"Obsessions"
Written by Brian S. Matthews
Directed by Dave Mason
Based on Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry
Synopsis:
Friendships are tested to the limit in an episode that
sees the return of Captain Johns and a difficult mission for the Helena and her
crew. The Orions have managed to get hold of a Thelaron device and the ship is
dispatched to where they believe the Orions may try to sell it.
Captain Faisal is under pressure from Admiral Knapp to show results or the
mission may be aborted.
Meanwhile Dr Ness advises the Captain to place Aster under lock and key for his
own protection and Faisal is concerned her friendship has clouded her judgment.
Review by Roger D. Noriega (*****Spoilers Herein*****)
"Corey is not going to do this again. He is not a danger to himself."
"Did you miss the skull fracture?"
- Cmdr. Dao & Dr. Ness discussing Aster's state of mind.
The preview eludes to the following:
and in fact, much is
being put on the line here. Turns out that Corey Astor is still having visions
and intense one's at that - physical wounds have been discovered on his hands
and through-out his body. His superiors believe that he is hurting himself - yet
a few, do not - just that being able to understand it all is leaving his friends
with no solutions.
In the nick of time,
a friend from years past appears to help and support Corey and sure enough, this
old friend is able to think it through and discover the real meaning of Corey's
visions/dreams.
"I don't get your line of thought."
"Of course you don't."
- Dao & Lefler in Stellar Cartography
The plan is simple: harness enough power using slip-stream technology and Omega to get to Andromeda to save the Odyssey. A dangerous and suspect plan. But without Admiral Ian Knapp's help, is dead upon arrival. Lefler is able to convince Knapp by reminding him about what HE would do if it was his daughter that was lost. He is shamed and he allows the command staff of the Helena access to Omega computer files.
". . . Why is it so dark in here?"
"I'm trying to calm Helena down."
"With mood lighting?"
- Captain Faisal & Chief Engineer Rockney
"Combat should be . . . intimate."
They will need a Thelaron device and the only way to get one is to steal one from the Orion Syndicate - they who stole it from the Romulans. They must get it before the Orion Syndicate sells it to someone else.
With some clever deception, a plan based on knowing the greed of your enemy, and its desire for satisfaction, the Helena is able to procure the device and get away without loss of life.
Too bad that Caleno decides to spill the beans on the Helena and basically broadcasts the "truth" of Helena's deeds to everyone and anyone. That anyone proves to be Starfleet.
"Mister Faisal: you have made a bad decision. As of now, you and your crew are traitors and renegades. I will send the whole fleet after you.
- Admiral Rand to Captain Faisal upon being told by Dao that he can't relieve his Captain.
This episodes evokes memories and feelings of one of the best stories told in the world of Star Trek: The Search for Spock. That movie centered on loyalty and brotherhood. The crew of the Enterprise was willing to throw their careers away all in the slim hope that Spock "might" be alive. They didn't know and all they know was the McCoy was suffering and they heroically did what they could to save both friends.
This episode evokes those memories along with some of the same tragic consequences. The crew believe that Aster's visions are not mere dreams - the wounds on his palm actually are able to connect on a star map that is somehow related to the last known position of the Odyssey - namely Ro Nevin, Aster's partner. A bit of a stretch, because I have yet to see why he is having these visions. Will this be explained? I hope so.
David Dial as Admiral Ian Knapp delivers some of his best work here and it is shame too - if he is court-martialed, he just may be gone!
The confrontation between Admiral Rand and Faisal & Dao is rather well done - the acting is great and the direction is too. Dao's smirk is priceless. When Dao and Faisal cross their arms, it spoke volumes: they are on the same page and they seem to know what they are going to do . . . until Rand lowers the boom.
In another review, I slammed the director for really not doing anything special. Here, David Mason is able to get his actors to really deliver their lines and not only that, he is able to convey movement in his direction. He is no slouch and I believe, much of this episode's success is due to Mason's direction.
I caught a bit of the music which means this is good. You are not really supposed to know that music is there in a scene. When Admiral Rand lowers the boom on the Helena, the music is spot on and carries the moment well.
Doctor Ness is really fun to watch, he is a masochist and if you notice that when Lt. Dais asks for the strongest painkiller he has, there is gleam in his eye and the wry smile - he wants to know what is up!
Caleno really chews up the scenery - you know what they say about a woman scorned!
Also, for the second episode, we learn that Helena's quirky engineer is really a character. He loves his one true love, the aforementioned Helena - but, alas, he won't sing to her!
The story is a cataclysmic shift in the lives of the crew of the Helena. They are now outlaws and renegades - something foreshadowed by Captain Johns when he ruminated about how the crew of each ship must pay for the decisions of its captain. While a bit lame, Captain Johns asking Captain Faisal for some calamari was indeed funny after talking about a space-squid.
There is a bit of humor sprinkled through out this episode, but have no illusion: this story has a purpose and with it came some serious ramifications - to save a crew member and friend, they may end up losing all that they hold dear for a promise that may never come true.
With a running time of 34:06, this episode is worth it.
Episode on YouTube Preview Blooper Reel Entire Episode is available for download only.
Sign up for our upcoming newsletter: THE GN MONTHLY! Click here to sign up:
