One of my personal favorites. I'd identify it as a Roddenberry Classic because the situation is exactly like something that would've been done in TOS (and I'm not entirely sure it wasn't in some way, shape, or form.) Whether it was or not, the concept is much improved upon and the narrow view of conflict resolution is widened a little which is surprising since Roddenberry hadn't passed on yet. Not sure what he thought of this one.
They're bound to another mission to decontaminate poisoned water, but instead of the entire episode revolving around the drama of getting there on time as was the previous seasons' M.O., it's used as a backdrop for another personal story; in this case for Data. The element they need to fix the water is volatile and can only be transported by shuttle. The trader that they're buying it from sends his people to kidnap Data by shocking him and putting trace elements of what he's composed of on board the shuttle before they blow it up. It looks like a genuine accident.
The trader, Kivas Fajo, seems perplexed and disappointed but assures them that they have enough of the element to fix the water and that the only other source is three weeks away. It's a different perspective. The audience is in on the fact that this guy is a shyster and has Data, while the others fly away sad and not even considering an investigation because it was a very clean and clever trick.
On a sad trivia note, the original actor for Fajo had to be replaced because he'd attempted suicide (and later that year succeeded). Here you see the original make-up for Fajo, but because all of the scenes had to be re-shot, they had to do with a simpler design. It is sad, but it also works out for the best. The Fajo we all see is much more convincing with his benign, more human look.
Fajo has all his bases covered for this project as well. He's made the room "Data-proof"and keeps a proximity force field around himself to keep Data from touching him. Then he explains why he's brought him there and this is the part that reminds me of TOS in a good way. This is exactly the sort of things the villains of that show would do, only they'd do it to the three main characters or even the entire main cast which made it all very simple. This episode is nicely layered. The victim in question can take time to appreciate the impressive collection acquired by Fojo while objecting to his own captivity, just as in a classic episode. But, the Enterprise has no reason to suspect Data is alive and Data comes to realize that as well which complicates his escape options.
His one ally, Varria, is not gained immediately, but his unique perspective allows him to voice uncomfortable truths that make her consider her years of work with Fajo. Just because she's a willing participant in his schemes doesn't mean she's any less a captive of him because of the way he treats her.
Meanwhile on the Enterprise, the crew is going through the motions of mourning and it's has a wonderfully exasperating effect since the audience member knows that Data's alive. They go through his things, ask Worf to replace him, and Geordi is still very troubled about the fact that the only explanation is pilot error, which is impossible. Picard doesn't mind him further researching it, but still nobody is planning to go back to Fajo because they have a mission to accomplish. In previous episodes they would've abandoned the mission to save Data on a mere hunch and then have to hurry back to the water and end up oversimplifying and rushing the story. The slow build here is very nicely done.
Instead of being rushed to the end, you get to be more grieved at how Data is abused. Force to wear the clothing Fajo wants after he throws an acid on his uniform. Forced to sit in a display chair when Fajo threatens Varria with an especially torturous disruptor phaser that is illegal because it kills too slowly and painfully. He still refuses to "preform" for his guest assuming a dead, robot stature, and is damaged for it. After the Enterprise gets to the planet that needs it's water stabilized, the crew finally have a reason to suspect Fajo. Everything is too easy and too perfect. It's like the opposite of all previous "disaster" type of episodes. They had just the right amount of the element they needed from a person who was in the right place at the right time and who wouldn't really profit from the expense of producing it for them. On the assumption that Fajo may have poisoned the water himself to draw the Enterprise to him, they pull up his bio and deduce from his status as a collector of priceless artifacts that Data would be a prime target. So they do head back.
But Data doesn't know that and has no reason to think that they'll ever suspect Fajo of anything. So with Varria's help he attempts to escape. Fajo's threat to kill her makes her come to her senses and realize that she's not of any real value to Fajo... just another tool and means to his ends. They get pretty far, but Fajo catches up to them and kills Varria simply to display his power. This ending is an important step for Star Trek in my opinion.
A display of power was the logic behind Tasha Yar's death in Skin of Evil. It was poorly played out and resolved. This episode not only shows how depraved a person who enjoys that sort of power trip is, it also doesn't try to apologize for it and analyze it like they did in Skin of Evil. In fact, Fajo throws the pacifistic response in the face of Data who finally has to conclude that passive resistance is no longer an option and that sometimes the use of force is necessary. That's what I meant when I said that this episode finally expands the narrow view of conflict resolution. It's more attuned to real life situations and something they'd avoided doing for most of three seasons now. I couldn't help but be impressed.
Of course, they don't "pull the trigger" so to speak. The Enterprise shows up in time to find and beam Data away allowing them to put Fajo away for all of the fraud, theft, and kidnapping he'd perpetrated. It ends with him being disappointed that Data feels no satisfaction in having won, which brings it back to their usual method of trying to analyze the ironies involved in criminal types. I think they could've found a better point to make than this, but hey it's not a bad job for finally stepping out of their peacenik comfort zone for an episode. Bravo.
Four stars. It has my heart, but it's an isolated episode and the time spent "mourning" Data was a tad slow. But no more complaints than that.
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