March 28, 2020 - Recap/Review of Star Trek: Picard - Episode 10

The Cube is still sitting in the water and Narek has just arrived at it, searching for something. He finds other unassimilated Borg trying to repair the Cube while Seven and Elnor talk. Narek is quite stealthy and manages to navigate his way through the cube until he finds Narissa. They hug, discuss the synths, and then go to Narissa’s hiding spot within the Cube.

At the settlement, Picard is still in his house arrest quarters and briefly examines a butterfly before releasing it, calling it lucky. Soji comes to visit him and expresses concern, but Picard says he’ll feel better when he’s set free (perhaps there’s a hint of foreshadowing there). Soji, however, is unsympathetic and all she does is lament on how the organics have never given synths a choice as if she doesn’t care that she betrayed the one who saved her from death and reunited her with her kind. Picard accuses her of having a failure of imagination and pleads with her to stop building the beacon; the beacon will help the synths, but will serve as the annhilation for all organics. Outside, Jurati is watching the beacon being built and it appears as if the consequences of her choice to side with the synths is finally settling in.

Back at the Cube, Narek is preparing grenades to destroy the ‘flowers’ while arguing with Narissa about how he was once deemed the disgrace to the family and the Zhat Vash, but no more. Narissa finally gives him leave to go and do it, letting herself remain behind.

On La Sirena, Rios and Raffi are trying to use the item Saga gave them to repair the vessel. Raffi tells him to ‘visualize the fix; and the item helps with repairs enough to reboot the ship into a functional state. Shortly therafter, Narek shows up and offers to use his grenades to help them, double crossing the Romulans. They accept his help and Raffi tries to contact Picard, but gets no response. Narek tells Raffi and Rios that the synthetics are building a signal to destroy all organic life and that comms are jammed, so nobody will answer. Elnor suddenly shows up and points a blade at Narek’s throat, mistrusting the Romulan. Everyone talks Elnor down and they end up taking shelter in the ship, talking while a thunderstorm rages outside. Narek shares the story of Gammadon: the story of the end, a story of twin demons who use instruments to destroy humanity. It’s all rather graphic and intriguing at the same time, a story that Narek claims to be history. Overhead, twin moons can be seen in the sky. Narek shows the grenades and says they can be used to destroy the transmitter after they walk in the front door.

In Soong’s office, Soong is talking about Maddox’s work while Jurati seems to be staring into space, deeply troubled about something. Soong talks about Jurati’s sacrifice and comments how she is a mother before leaving. Not much later, Jurati comes upon Soong looking over Saga’s body and memory and transferring the memories into a data stream, but the optical processor is damaged and has corrupted the memories. Jurati says that she was working on Soong’s ‘Golem’ and some of the files are encrypted. Soong agrees to help and Jurati takes one of Saga’s optical nerves.

The Romulan fleet, meanwhile, is en route to Coppelius and is led by Commodore Oh in a Romulan uniform! She says that the Romulan’s work will soon be at an end! I’m not sure how she got away without attracting the attention of Starfleet, but perhaps heads rolled and chaos happened when Picard asked Starfleet for help with the problems. Perhaps it was then that Starfleet realized Oh was a spy and wanted to hunt her down, but she escaped before they could find her.

When Rios, Raffi, and Elnor finally return to the settlement, they are stopped by synths and they ‘turn in’ Narek for killing Saga. They surrender their weapons to the synth guards and take the grenades, which are camoflagued in soccer balls, into the settlement. Jurati, meanwhile, has used Saga’s eye to gain access to Picard’s house arrest cell and with her anxiety on full, she busts Picard out and they head to LaSirena. Completely unaware of Jurati’s double-cross, Soong is in his office finishing the touches on his newest creation and a security feed informs him that Sutra is the one who killed Saga, not Narek. Soong breaks down in tears over this surprising betrayal.

Rios, Raffi, Narek, and Elnor are planning how to destroy the beacon and they are joined by Soong, who has seemingly taken their side.

Picard and Jurati arrive at La Sirena and learn that the Romulans are close. They argue briefly before Picard says that the fear the synths, whom he likens to improperly educated children, have been exposed to is an incompetent teacher and that nobody is teaching what being alive is for; being alive is a responsibility and a right. Picard declares that he wishes to teach them by example and takes Rios’s seat. He then starts up La Sirena with Jurati at his side. La Sirena goes to Coppelius’s atmosphere rather shakily due to Picard flying a ship for the first time in a long time.

The synths, Soji, and Sutra are all gathered to discuss what will happen once the beacon is activated and Soong shows up with Raffi, Rios, Elnor, and Narek. Soong hands the weapon used to kill Saga to Sutra and tells her she was right about the synths needing an emotional ‘jolt’. Sutra is pleased that Soong is seemingly choosing to side with them and commends him for understanding her reasons, but Soong says that reason isn’t everything. Soong quietly scolds Sutra for framing Narek for Saga’s death and then deactivates her. A fight breaks out between the group and the synths while Rios prepares one of the disguised grenades. As Rios throws the grenade, however, Soji catches it and tosses it into thin air, betraying the group once again.

Back at the Cube, Narissa is trying to get control of the Cube when she is confronted by an armed Seven. Nerissa and Seven engage in a fight. Narissa taunts Seven about her past during the fight and Seven chokes her before kicking her down a shaft, declaring Narissa’s death to be for Hugh.

In space, Picard and Jurati witness the arrival of the Romulan fleet from the safety of La Sirena. On the Romulan wardbird, Oh orders the sterilization of the entire planet. Unfortunately for everyone, Soji continues working on the beacon. In space, the defensive orchids deploy, engulfing the attacking fleet. Picard pilots La Sirena through the massive battle and Jurati mentions the ‘Picard manuever’, but Picard initially dismisses it as useless. Jurati, however, tells him that due to La Sirena’s technology, such a manuever is possible to do and should be done.

While Soji works on the beacon in the settlement, she is contacted by Picard and asked to stop what she is doing. Soji initially refuses, saying it won’t happen. Picard, however, says that he has something that he wants to give Soji and her people that he hopes will change her mind: his life. Picard ends the call and Soji stops what she is doing, quickly realizing that Picard is perfectly serious and is too horrified to react right away.

As the Romulans neutralize the defenses and Oh orders the attacks to begin on the ‘abominations’ nest’, Picard and Jurati put the technologically updated ‘Picard Manuever’ into action. Soji, unfortunately, has failed to listen to Picard and is continuing on her current course of creating the beacon. Oh tells the Romulans to proceed and the updated ‘Picard manuever’ is put into action. Another massive space battle ensues between the Romulans and the duplicates of La Sirena, but La Sirena is quickly out manuevered. Picard’s health is also taking a hit and he is struggling with it just as Soji activates the beacon. A red light shoots from Coppelius into space and creates a singularity, much to Picard and Jurati’s horror. As Oh is about to give the sterilization order, Starfleet arrives in droves.

Acting Captain Will Riker of the Fleet’s current flasghip, Zheng He, hails Oh and says that Coppelius is designated as being under the protection of Starfleet according to the terms of the Treaty of Algeron. Oh, however, is unmoved and orders the fleet to move aside. Picard intervenes and requests diplomatic protection for the synths. Riker tells Oh off and says he is prepared to destroy the fleet, but is giving them an opportunity to stand down. Oh says to re-target the weapons systems and prepare to fight. Both sides power weapons up and Picard’s condition begins to cause him great pain as he figures out what to do, so Jurati checks him. It’s obvious that Picard is quite close to the end and firmly orders Jurati to give him medication to hasten the inevitable and also asks to speak with Soji on an open channel. Picard again asks for Soji to power down the beacon and implores her to show everyone how profoundly wrong about her they were and if her actions do not convince them, they will have to answer to the Federation. Both Riker and Oh are watching this, deeply intrigued. Soji scoffs, saying that it is the same Federation that banned synths and threw them on the scrap heap. Picard says that if the Federation actually wanted to destroy the synths, they would have joined forces with the Romulans, but they aren’t doing that. Picard says that the Federation will not do that because they trust the synths to make the right choice. Picard tells Soji that he trusts her, he knows her, he believes her, and he saved her life so that she could save humanity’s. That’s why everyone exists, Picard says, to save each other. As tentacles begin to poke out of the red black hole, Soji destroys the beacon. The Romulans stand down and quickly leave the area. Riker and Picard have a brief conversation and Riker says that he wasn’t about to let Picard go it alone. Picard thanks Riker for always having his back and Riker says he learned from the best. Riker leaves and Picard weakly says “Adieu.”

As the fleet leaves, Picard begins to slowly die and collapses while having flashbacks of Data. Soji sees this and is horrified when Jurati says that he is dying quickly because of the brain abnormality. Picard says there is no point, but Soji beams them to the planet and Raffi, Jurati, Elnor, Soji, Soong, and Rios watch Picard tell Soji that not being the Destroyer was always up to her. Picard then calls for Elnor and touches his face before telling Raffi she was quite right. Picard dies in Raffi’s arms with everyone else around him. Everyone is heartbroken and crying and it’ s shocking! I didn’t really expect that Picard would die at the climax of the situation, but he did and he did it in the name of saving others. I honestly cried floods of tears during the entire scene and I’m not going to stop until the episode is over.

The next scene is sunrise on Coppelius and Seven walks up on a crying Rios. Seven takes a drink from a bottle and gives some to Rios. They drink together while making small talk and Seve vows to never kill someone just because she thinks it’s what they deserve. Rios says he will never let another starship captain into his heart. They discuss Picard’s death and how it was inevitable. Behind them, a butterfly ascends the sky. In another section of the city, Raffi sits on a hilltop with Elnor and they try to speak, but end up breaking down in epic displays of tears while holding each other.

Suddenly, Picard wakes and finds himself in a lifeless version of his office with only his fireplace working. He curses about the dream and is joined by Data, who identifies it as a quantum simulation. Picard confesses to Data that he dreams about him all the time and then asks Picard if he is aware of the clothes he had on when he died? Picard asks Data if he is dead and Data confirms it, asking Picard if he remembers dying. Picard shares his memories of death and Data shares that although he was ‘killed’, he does not remember his death. His consciousness, Data says, exists in a massive quantum reconstruction made from copies of memories downloaded into B-4. Data acknowledges that he ended his existence in the hope of prolonging Picard’s. Picard admits he was angry about Data’s death and Data admits that there was nothing else that could have been done in the situation with Shinzon. Picard also admits that he wished he could have apologized to Data for his death and his wish that their roles had been reversed. Data asks Picard if he regrets sacrificing his life for Soji and her people and Picard says that he doesn’t. Data then says that he also does not regret sacrificing himself for Picard. Picard then comments on the simulation and Data says that it is a sophisticated one; his memories were extracted through a single neural engram by Bruce Maddox. Data says his consciousness was reconstructed by Dr. Alton Soong and Picard admits he doesn’t much care for Soong. Data says the Soongs are an ‘acquired taste.’ Picard then tells Data that it is absolutely wonderful to see him, his beautiful face, and that he regrets never sharing his feelings of love for the android. Data asks a favor of Picard, something he should do when he ‘leaves’ the simulation. Picard is confused, as he thought this was a simulation. Data says it is, but Picard’s brain functions are not and that Drs. Soong and Jurati, with Soji’s help, were able to scan, translate, and transfer a neural map of Picard into Soong’s creation. Doors suddenly slide open and light floods the simulation. Picard asks if he has to leave and Data responds, “Yes, Captain.” Picard rises and walks towards the light, stopping only to ask what Data’s favor was. Data asks Picard to terminate his consciousness and explains that he wants to live, even if only briefly, knowing that his life is finite. Mortality gives meaning to human life, Data says. Peace, love, and friendship are all precious because they cannot endure, he adds. Data then holds a blue butterfly in his hand and says that the butterfly that lives forever is really not a butterfly at all. Picard promises to carry out Data’s request and Data thanks him. Data and Picard tell each other goodbye before Picard leaves.

A chamber suddenly opens and it contains an unconscious Picard! Picard breathes and wakes to find Soji, Soong, Jurati standing over him, all of them smiling. Picard asks if he is real and Jurati says of course he is. The next scene is Picard sitting at a table with Jurati, Soji, and Soong, having some tea to ‘wake himself up.’ Picard then asks about his new body and Jurati says that it has no augmentations and no superpowers. Soong comments that he knew Picard would not want to have to adjust to something new after 94 years in the same body. Soong says that everything works and Soji says that the brain abnormality is gone for good. Picard is briefly terrified about being made immortal, but Soong tells him to relax. Jurati says that he was given the same amount of years he would have had without the abnormality. Picard thanks Dr. Soong for his sacrifice and then shares he has a promise to keep to Data.

The scene switches to Data sitting in a gray office, sporting a smoking jacket and pants while enjoying a drink while ‘Blue Skies’ begins to play in the background. He then lies down on a couch with a pillow under his head as if taking a nap. On Coppelius, Picard speaks of Data’s kindness, curiosity, and greatness of spirit and how he wanted more than anything else to be part of the human family. He then removes the items powering Data’s consciousness while saying that we are such stuff as dreams are made of and our little life is surrounded by sleep. In the dream scene, a Picard in a Starfleet Captain’s uniform sits beside Data and takes his hand, watching and waiting as Data slowly becomes wrinkly, turns gray, and dies. The dream sequence then fades away, leaving Picard, Soong, Jurati, and Soji alone.

The absolute final scene in the episode is Rios sitting in the Captain’s chair of La Sirena alone, deep in thought when Jurati approaches him with a display of affection. They ultimately kiss while elsewhere in the ship, Seven and Raffi hold hands rather affectionately. Picard then comes into view and says, “It’s time.” Elnor comes up behind Picard and everyone gathers on the Bridge of La Sirena. Soji appears and Picard tells her that she has endured so much and travelled so far to find her way home, but she is now leaving it. Soji says that she is more of a wanderer and wants to travel now that the ban on synthetics has been lifted! Everyone is in their positions and the ship powers up and Rios addresses Picard as Admiral and asks if he is ready. Picard gives the order to ‘Engage’ and La Sirena goes to warp!

I cried floods of tears during the entire final scene, as it was truly showing how a group of misfits banded together and formed a family! Seven and Soji have obviously joined the crew of La Sirena and they are off to an unknown, but exciting future!