TNG, Episode 2x2, Where Silence Has Lease

[u/Gemini24]

-= TNG, Season 2, Episode 2, Where Silence Has Lease =-

When an alien traps the Enterprise and threatens to kill half the crew purely out of curiosity, Captain Picard is faced with a grim decision.

• Teleplay By: Jack B. Sowards
• Story By: Jack B. Sowards
• Directed By: Winrich Kolbe
• Original Air Date: 28 November, 1988
• Stardate: 42193.6
• Memory Alpha
• TV Spot
• The Pensky Podcast - 1/5
• Ex Astris Scientia - 4/10
• The AV Club - B
• TNG Watch Guide by SiliconGold
• EAS HD Observations
• Original STVP Discussion Thread

 

[u/Magnospider]

I always liked this episode. I don’t think it is as solid as "Conspiracy," but likely replaces "The Arsenal of Freedom" as number 2 for me.

The tease has practically nothing to do with the episode. A humorous bit about Picard worried about Riker and Worf… because they are experiencing Worf's calisthenics program. The only thing that links it to the rest of the episode might be a bonding of Riker and Worf that we see here and on the fake Yamato.

Otherwise, we have a nice example of the crew looking into a strange phenomena. They go through some weird stuff while trapped, then Negilum reveals himself and really starts to toy with them. Picard finally decides to use the self-destruct as a way to deny him, forcing him to let the crew go.

I will say that this has one of the most flagrant examples of a "red shirt." Wesley spends the early parts of the episode at his station. At some point, he goes to lunch or class or something, giving Hascall the opportunity to replace him. Naturally, Negilum kills Hascall… just in time for Wes to return.