Third of the Time Quintet. This one actually does a little time traveling, though not by scientific means, but supernatural. The first two books explored space-time and biological science fiction,
but this one takes a turn with historical fiction using the fantasy
element of a time traveling unicorn. Several years have passed and now the kids are almost entirely grown. Meg is married to Calvin and expecting their first child while the twins are in their later years of college. Charles Wallace is 15 in this book and this is his adventure primarily whereas A Wrinkle In Time and A Wind In The Door focus more on Meg as a main character with her special bond with her youngest brother being a driving factor. In this installment, Charles Wallace utilizes their bond with their telepathic ability that was developed in the previous book. On the threat of a coming nuclear attack from a South American dictatorship, he is chosen by the powers that have always been in this world to travel through time to change an event that would prevent the coming war. While he's traveling with the unicorn, Gaudior, he insist on having Meg's thoughts with him through their ability to kythe. (This way she can go on the adventure too and not compromise herself in her "delicate condition.") With only a 24 hour period to save the world, Charles travels to different times within the confines of where the star-watching rock sits on their property and he lives within people from those time periods - within other young men who were special like him - for as many days or weeks as it takes to find the information that he needs. While he's doing that time passes normally for Meg as she watches along in his mind and helps him to marshal his thoughts and figure out the clues. He unravels a legend of two Welsh brothers that settled in America before Leif Erikson, their evolving relationship with the local natives over the centuries, and how their genealogy has led to the ruthless dictator who is about to perpetrate the nuclear war. The heritage of the brothers also has a direct bearing on, not the Murray family, but the O'Keefe family strangely enough allowing another character to be introduced, Calvin's mother, which adds a level of depth and personal stake in the matter for the familiar characters.
I connected the dots faster than the characters as I watched the names of the family members evolve over the centuries and that's okay because it appeals to my love of language. I lost track of some of the significance of certain people, but I like books that are complex enough that a re-read is necessary to get the full impact. The story doesn't lose track and that's what's important, so at the end there's no confusion. I liked the flow of this one as compared to A Wind In The Door... in fact it almost seems like this one should have that name since the wind is a more prominent feature of the adventure both physically and in reference to the particular Indian tribe within. It's kind of a shame that there was a large gap of years between stories though. Charles Wallace finally does learn a little humility this time out
though, which is a continuation of his personality from the first two
installments. However, we missed out on Meg's growth. Meg as an adult is still a worry wort, but she's not angry and freaking out all the time like she was as a teenager and it would've been interesting to see that transition take place. But these books aren't centered on character development as much as story. The most compelling characters are the ones that are unique to the book like the Three Ladies of the first book, Proginoskes of the second, and Mrs. O'Keefe in this one. The books are connected by the unique features as well: the relationship between Meg and Charles Wallace connects the first with the second. Their new ability to kythe and the introduction of the Echthroi in the second is the connection to this third. Focusing on the Maddox twins in this book is setting up the next book which will revolve around the Murray twins, Sandy and Dennys. It's an unusual way of linking sequels that you don't see a lot of anymore. It ensures that they all can stand completely independent of each other and I think that's difficult to pull off.
I try to keep my aggravation at political landscaping to a minimum. L'Engle grew up with "duck and cover" and the general malaise of the 70's didn't help anyone at that time feel optimistic about the future, but I still have to note that this book embraces the same sort of self-loathing of humanity and a preoccupation with bad Christians that many classic science fiction novels have in the past which has contributed to the weakening of the American culture and experiment that we're witnessing today and I just wish it wasn't so. But the spirit of the adventure and the smart handling of changing events in time are enough to make me lay these feelings aside and enjoy the book. I think this is my second favorite of the set so far, but I've already started Many Waters and I'm liking it an awful lot as well. We'll see.
I like this silly episodes. There were a lot of silly episodes like this in the seventh season. I think it was a sign that they were starting to run low on ideas for this setting: The Starship Enterprise exploring the familiar quadrants of the galaxy. It's silly because the science fiction was as questionable as the transporter and holodeck glitches. But if the technology mattered that much to me, I'd be more into the tecno-babble aspects and how it all works. I'm willing to let it slide as long as it's enjoyable, and in this case it is. It's also one of my approved uses of the holodeck.
It begins with Data walking through the corridor and the camera perspective is noticeably unusual, but when you're seeing it the first time, you can't put your finger on why it looks that way. Geordi is standing there and they start talking about bringing a new warp core online soon. Data tells Geordi that he'll meet him in engineering. On the way, he hears a telephone ringing and then sees 19th or early 20th century style workmen burrowing into a bulkhead with pickaxes. Data asks what they're doing and tells them that they shouldn't be there. They're aggressive and belligerent when they tell him to go away. Data then opens his mouth to speak, but emits a high pitched tone instead. This makes the workmen angry. They yell at him to stop making that noise and then attack him. The Data head from Time's Arrow makes another appearance as they dismantle him in rage. It then cuts to Data waking up in bed since it was all a dream which also explains the strange camera perspective. He is obviously concerned about what he was seeing in the dream. Then the Captain's log tells us that they did, in fact, just install a new warp core and that they're headed to a Starbase where Picard is expected to attend an Admirals' Banquet which he is less than enthused about but has no excuse not to attend this time. Data relates his nightmare to Geordi. Geordi doesn't think much of it at first since nightmares and obsessing over nightmares are all a part of the human experience. It seems likely that Dr. Soong would've taken this into account when creating the dream program. They're then approached by a young Ensign named Tyler that has a crush on Geordi whose feelings he doesn't reciprocate. This was filler material and it's hard to feel sorry for Geordi on this one... she's, like, the only woman that's come into his path that's actually interested in him instead of being unobtainable or unrealistic. Data offers to speak for her and it's just one of several humorous moments to offset the main story.
They then contact the bridge to fire up the new warp core and get going. The lights on the bridge dim, however, and Geordi tells Picard that they'll have to spend a couple of hours reconfiguring the conduit where it's at. Picard is annoyed, but not worried about anything yet. Troi goes to visit Data at Geordi's behest. He is watching Spot sleep to observe how he dreams and he tells Troi that he's having second thoughts about running his dream program again. But Troi encourages him to dream again and not to be hesitant about exploring the darker side of dreams since it pertains to self expression in humans. So he agrees and after going through the motions of yawning and preparing for bed he initiates another dream. Patrick Stewart directed this one as well as In Theory, both of which have Data badly imitating human behavior for comical effect and it works because not enough time is spent on that. It was well placed humor since his next dream is even more bizarre. He is in Ten Forward watching Worf eating a piece of cake that's decorated like part of a blue uniform with a com badge on it. He says it's a cellular peptide cake with mint frosting and offers a bite to Data, but Data turns it down as he hears the telephone ringing again. He turns to see Beverly drinking from Riker's head through a straw. Riker is agitated by the ringing and tells Data to answer it. He says he will but before he can he sees the workmen standing over a table. He tries to ask what they're doing again but ends up emitting a high pitched tone again. They tell him to shut up but this time they hand him a knife and lead him to the table where Troi is laying, except her body is a cake. There's already a slice cut out of the shoulder where her com badge would be - the slice that Worf has. Data then moves to cut another slice while Troi begs him not to hurt her. He apologizes and says he has no choice and she screams his name in pain just before he's waken up abruptly by Troi along with Geordi and Worf. They've been trying to wake him up for several minutes wondering why he didn't report to duty. The only explanation can be that he's overslept, but Data is certain that something is wrong. Geordi, again, thinks this may be part of the human experience built into the program, but Data is doubtful and is now so disturbed by the images that he doesn't tell Geordi exactly what he was dreaming about this time.
He then visit's Sigmund Freud on the holodeck. Sigmund Freud of all people. It's absurd, and it's meant to be since Freud is convinced that he's covering up mother issues and sexual desires and won't listen when Data explains that he has neither a mother nor sexual impulses. Why not Troi or Guinan? Well, I think it's because it was still nothing to be concerned with yet, so as part of the human experience he chose an iconic psychiatrist to help with dream interpretation. But he can tell it's pointless and leaves Freud quickly. Meanwhile, Picard gets a call from Admiral Nakamura who is wondering where Picard is and is suspicious that he's trying to get out of the banquet for the seventh year in a row. Picard tells him that they're just having some glitches with the new warp drive, but that it's nearly cleared up and that they'll be on their way shortly. Sure enough when they try to start the warp drive again, it fails again. Picard sees the irony that this is keeping him from the banquet but also not thrilled with having to tell the admiral that they'll be later than he'd just got through telling him they'd be. In Engineering, Geordi and Data are working on the problem with the Tyler floating about, still mooning over Geordi. Geordi hands data a tool that looks like the cake knife in his dream that he wants him to scan. When Data is hesitant he asks him what's wrong. Data starts to explain that it reminds him of a recent dream and Geordi turns away. Data then sees a mouth on the back of Geordi's neck. He backs away in confusion as he hears the ringing again and when he looks around the area is empty except for Riker who is standing there with a straw in his head telling him to answer the ringing. He pops open his torso cavity to find an antique telephone and answers it. He hears Sigmund Freud's voice telling him to kill them all before it's too late. He snaps out of it when he hears Geordi asking him what's wrong again and is surprised to find himself holding the tool in such a way that would indicate that he is getting ready to stab Geordi on the neck.
He's now alarmed enough by this waking nightmare to see Troi. She tells him that if he was human, it would be a neurosis, but he's not so there must be a technical problem. Data tells her that he's run several self diagnostics and can't find anything wrong with his programming. He's intrigued at the notion of having a neurosis and is anxious to start regular therapy, much to Troi's amusement. She tells him to stop the dream program until their first session just to be safe though. Picard is being questioned by Nakamura again in his ready room. He offers, or threatens, to send help, but Picard assures him that
they're just having a little difficulty and that he has full confidence
in his engineering staff to clear it up. He then goes to engineering and begins to pester Geordi and Data and get under their feet. Ensign Tyler proves useful in helping to get him out of the way which earns her some gratitude form Geordi, but not the admiration she's seeking. There's a reason he's single I guess. When Geordi turns to talk to Data, he's gone. Troi is walking down a corridor looking behind herself a couple of times with an eerie sensation as though she's being followed. She gets into a turbolift and as the doors are shutting Data puts a hand in and forces the doors opened. She jumps but simply asks Data what he's doing without fear. Data stares at her shoulder and holds up the cake knife/tool. He tells her to hold very still and proceeds to stab her. Riker and Worf are walking up to the turbolift as it opens again to reveal Data standing over a wounded Troi with the weapon in his hand. He moves to attack Riker's head next but comes back to his senses as they restrain him. He looks confused and concerned with what has happened. He then explains his waking dream to Picard and the others in his ready room. He tells of how he saw a mouth on Troi's shoulder and that he felt compelled to destroy it. He also tells Riker about the straw in his head. Geordi offers to set up for a very detailed diagnostic of Data since nothing else appears to be wrong with him, but it will take time and Data agrees to be confined to his quarters. When Troi wakes up in sick bay, Beverly is treating her and tells her that Data isn't there. Then she notices something puzzling. The area that she treated shouldn't be showing any remaining damage, but it is.
One more substantial injection of humor before the mystery is solved and it's one of the best moments in the series as Dats asks Worf to look after Spot, as he's afraid he might hurt him if he has another waking dream. Worf is disgusted and allergic and agrees to feed him as Data details how to talk to him and pet him. Yes, it makes the whole episode worth it. While that's going on, Beverly is investigating why Troi's skin continues to show damage after she's healed it. She thought it was a rash from the tool, but then she used an interphasic scanner and found a strange parasitic creature on her shoulder that was feeding on her. They're all over everyone including on her own arm, on Riker's head where the straw in Data's dream was, and on Picard's throat. They have a conference and she goes on to explain that they're causing damage on the cellular level, feeding on everyone's cellular peptides. If they continue, everyone will just dissolve. LaForge has tried a variety of things to eliminate them but nothing is working. They don't know where they've come from. But, it doesn't take long to link Data's dreams to their presence since he attacked Troi where one was attached. And the straw on Riker's head indicates that he was seeing one there as well in his dreams. Picard and Geordi go to Data with the idea of hooking him up to the holodeck so they can follow along in his dreams to see if they can find out what's going on. I think this is one of the coolest uses of the holodeck. They sit Data down and plug him in. When the holodeck grid disappears, so does the sitting Data and the next thing they see is Data walking through the corridor in his dream and they follow him. Geordi lets Picard know that Data will not think of them as anything more than just a part of the dream.
They follow him to Ten Forard where the telephone ringing continues. They observe Crusher drinking from Riker's head where the parasite was sitting in sickbay earlier. They also make more connections when they ask Data what the Troi cake is made of - cellular peptides (with mint frosting, an eating Worf reminds them.) Riker then tells Data to answer the damn ringing again and although nobody can see the phone, Geordi figures out that it's coming from Data and opens his torso cavity to find the antique phone. He answers and then hands the receiver to Picard, saying it's for him. It's the voice of Sigmund Freud urging them to kill all of them again. The scene switches to Freud's office where he interprets his own presence in the dream as Data's unconscious mind warning him about the dangers around him. Picard asks him to confirm that the dangers are the parasites and also inquires as to how they can kill them. The antique phone on his desk rings again and Freud tells them to answer it, meaning to respond to the organisms. They turn to see Data lying on the couch while the workmen are breaking into a bulkhead again. They tell Freud to shut up and shoot him dead. Geordi recognizes the area they are working on as the conduit where they'd installed the new warp drive. They try to ask them what they're doing and the workmen turn to attack Picard and Geordi. But Data stands and tells them that they mustn't harm his friends. He then starts emitting a high pitched tone again which causes them pain and they fall to the floor. Data understands and pulls himself from the dream. He explains that his positronic net picked up the interphasic signatures of the organisms and asks Geordi to help reconfigure his brain to send out an interphasic pulse that will drive them out. They make the arrangements, and Crusher is in contact with them watching the creature on her arm disappear as the pulse sweeps through the ship.
Geordi suspects that the conduit for the warp core picked up the organisms in the place where it was manufactured. Now that he knows exactly what to do, he can give Picard an exact ETA for when they'll be ready to leave. He offers to speed things up for the sake of the banquet, but Picard conveniently tells him that he'd rather take the full time to make sure they're absolutely safe. Geordi gives a knowing "yes, sir" to this. Later, Troi comes to visit Data in his quarters and brings him a cake made in his image for fun and to let him know that she's not upset about his attack on her. They take a moment to ponder how Freud would interpret one consuming oneself and decide that sometimes a cake is just a cake.
It's a "for fun" episode that's not meant to be taken too seriously. I could get picky and complain about the interphasic critter on Beverly's jacket as being a little off... it should've been on her skin like it was on everyone else except perhaps Troi (but we never actually saw hers) since they were eating away at people on the cellular level. Does that include clothes? And that Data cake at the end is kind of awful. With their budget they could've done a better job than that, but I guess it looks more homemade like that. Neither of these things are big deals. It was just very entertaining as it showed how the writers had a better grasp on humor than they did in the earlier seasons and it was even a little suspenseful in places as Data exhibits signs of a serial killer. Four stars.
Exciting, action packed second part of the adventure. It's the sort of thing that could've been drawn out into a several episode arc depending on how much detail they were willing to go into. But this compact, two part format was great for the story. Just as fast paced as the first part without a lot of heavy dialogue or lessons to be learned.
Picking up at the point it left off, the mercenary ship fires on the Enterprise at Will's command. Picard skillfully chooses not to do anything about the problems with the weapons system so their shot does little damage. Their second shot doesn't either. Data and Troi have both figured out that this skirmish is a show so Data only retaliates with minimal fire power, feigning ship damage. Since the mercenary ship is no prize, it doesn't take much to actually debilitate it so Picard keeps Baran informed of the mounting damage along with Tallera and the rest of the crew. It's enough to convince him that they've done plenty of damage and that it's safe to leave since the Enterprise can't follow in its crippled state so they take off. On the Enterprise Worf has already calculated the next two planets that they mercenaries may hit while the others are looking for hidden messages sent during the skirmish. Worf is agitated that Data simply rolled over and allowed them to get away and doesn't understand why they are staying where they are instead of going to one of the other targets. So far Data is confident that he can persuade Worf with his logical process of thought. He has guessed that Riker wanted them to let the mercenaries escape and Troi concurs. Shortly after, Geordi does find a message that was sent when Riker was using his codes to attempt to access the ship. At this point, Worf s continues to argue in a belligerent manner for other courses of action. On the mercenary ship Baran is grateful to Riker for getting them out of the jam and Picard picks a fist fight with Riker to try to seal their bond. He gets ordered away to inspect the artifacts.
Tallera follows him suspicious of his sudden inability to use the weapons systems to their full ability as well as the fact that he seems to be determined to stay on Baran's bad side by harassing Riker. The conversation doesn't last long since one of the artifacts turns up positive for the elemental matches they were looking for. Baran is pleased and continues to talk with Riker. He's remaining casually aloof about attacking a Federation outpost and Baran doesn't completely trust him yet, but he's falling for his rogue officer routine thanks in part to his hatred for Galen. Riker isn't making himself too available to Baran, but indicates that he'd be interested in joining up with him. To earn his place, however, Baran wants him to kill Galen at the appropriate time, of course. Geordi finally translates Riker's message and finds a flight plan hidden in his code sequence allowing them to follow. They discuss how long it would take and determine that they could beat the mercenary ship to the destination. Worf is satisfied in an openly sarcastic manner which prompts Data to take him aside for a talk. He reprimands Worf for openly questioning his orders after they are given. It's not brought up, but the prejudice implied is that Worf isn't confident in Data's leadership since he isn't endowed with what we call instincts. Worf defends himself citing that Riker and Picard often disagreed, but of course, Data's point is that once the order was final, it was followed whether Riker liked it or not. He asserts that he will replace Worf with another person as first officer and return him to tactical if necessary. Worf checks his attitude and requests to retain his position. And Data, even though he has no feelings is conscious of the fact that an incident like this could be a friendship ender, but Worf assures him that it's not. It's a good scene. On the mercenary ship Picard and Riker find some more time to conference. Riker tells Picard Baran's plans including how he's expected to kill him. They share a knowing smile and chuckle about it all and Picard has news as well. He tells Riker that they will be getting their next artifact from a Klingon vessel that they are meeting with. He also knows that these artifacts aren't Romulan, but Vulcan and that he'd really like to get a look at the Enterprise computer for a moment to sort out the symbols.
So, knowing he's in constant danger as long as Baran is in charge, Picard decides to feel out some crew members to see if he can incite a mutiny. After all, they'd been working all this time under the threat of Baran's little shock device and nobody has seen any pay off, so it isn't hard. He's very smart about it too. He doesn't offer himself as the new leader, but rather Tallera. And others are more comfortable with her as well. Speaking of the devil, Tallera then corners Picard and asks his true identity. She'd found the message that Riker sent through his access codes. But then there's a twist when she actually gives her true identity first. She's a Vulcan spy named T'Paal who has been undercover on this ship for a while investigating a threat to Vulcan. After learning that Picard is the captain of the Enterprise she tells him about a group of Vulcan isolationists who want to purge all contact with other life forms from the planet in the name of purity. Picard confesses that he knows that the artifacts are Vulcan and she confirms it. She also tells him that the artifacts are pieces of an ancient weapon that uses telepathy to kill. Picard has heard of it but thought it was only a legend. T'Paal tells him that it's real and that she'll have to destroy the ship if necessary to keep it from being reconstructed. Meanwhile the Enterprise does in fact beat the mercenary ship to the system where the Klingon shuttle craft is hanging out. Worf recommends bringing the shuttle aboard to search it, but Data quotes treaty specs that forbid this. Worf shows signs of feeling stifled again, but then cites a line that would allow them to bring it in and inspect it for health and safety concerns. Data again notes that this is pushing it which leaves Worf feeling defeated, but he then decides to use this loophole suggesting that the Klingon can always register a complaint. So Worf and Beverly go to search the ship.
While they're searching, Troi and Data are with the Klingon, Koral, in the observation lounge and it's quite awkward and funny to see them attempting to make small talk as though this is completely normal. Then the mercenaries arrive to see that the Enterprise got there first. Picard jumps in and starts blaming Riker immediately and by this time Baran's so sick of it he doesn't take it seriously. He wants to board the Enterprise with an away team to steal the artifact. Galen dutifully cowers at this idea, but Baran has complete confidence that Riker can maneuver around the security and assigns Galen to go with him which he readily agrees to out of apparent suspicion. They beam into the cargo bay just as Worf and Beverly are ending their search empty handed. On seeing Riker and Picard together, they know to stay quiet while they're being held up. Picard pretends not to know who they are and they ask where Koral is. Worf threatens them with security but Riker, after apologizing, stuns them with his phaser. They bust in on the observation lounge. Picard goes straight to Koral and searches him for the artifact. After ascertaining its authenticity, Riker fires on Picard and misses but Picard fires back and hits him. He then asks if he's dead to make sure that everyone in his party will hear Troi say that he is. They leave immediately. When Riker is revived, he says it'll take some time to explain. Back on the mercenary ship Picard uses the event of Riker's "betrayal" to begin the mutiny on Baran. He starts the rabble rousing claims of not having seen any profit from their work and points out that even though Baran has his punishment device that he can't kill them all at once. Baran is only interested in killing Galen though, but when he pushes his shock remote he ends up killing himself. Picard explains that he switched the transponder codes. He destroys the punishment device and suggests they continue as planned for now.
On the Enterprise, Riker contacts the head of Vulcan security, Satok, on Vulcan to warn him that the mercenary vessel that's been raiding Vulcan archeological sites is headed for them right now. Satok has no idea what Riker is talking about and Riker goes on to explain that he's aware of their agent, T'Paal, that's on board. The security minister has no knowledge of an operative on the mercenary vessel, causing Riker to look alarmed. Us as well since we now see that something is terribly wrong. On the mercenary vessel, Picard can see that T'Paal seems anxious and uninterested as he tries to talk about the symbols on the artifacts, wondering what symbol could possibly be set between the Vulcan gods of war and death on the final piece. She tells him that she'll go to the surface alone to avoid the suspicions of the isolationists and Picard proudly tells her that it shouldn't be a problem since he'd told Riker to warn them that they were coming. She's not happy about this but can't counteract the logic that warning them ahead of time would prevent their ship from being attacked or detained, so she lets it slide. When they get there Picard tries to use the crew's mistrust of leadership to make her leave one of the artifacts since she insists on going alone to ensure that she'll come back with the money they were promised. She's had enough now, and unmasks Picard as a Starfleet officer. Picard immediately tells them that she's going to create a weapon with the last piece she finds and has no intention of paying them. The crew is shocked and angry, but since they aren't being controlled anymore, they decide that a couple of them should go down with both Tallera and Galen to ensure that they get paid. They beam down to a cave where the last piece of the psionic resonator is. She points the woman to a chest that contains latinum, but it isn't even half of what they were promised. T'Paal doesn't listen to her complaints or threats as she pieces the weapon together.
She kills her and the other crewman by using her mind to send out a pulse that consumes them as they try to fight back. She then turns on Picard and orders him to defend himself but he won't. That's when Riker, Worf, and other security members beam into the cave. Picard quickly tells them to drop their weapons and empty their minds of violent thoughts. They obey and just in time. She tries to send a pulse at Riker, but it simply fades away. Picard explains that the resonator works by amplifying these emotions and destroying the person from within. T'Paal is angry that the resonator didn't work and aims again at Worf, possibly thinking that there's not as much of a chance that a Klingon could exhibit that kind of emotional control. But the pulse fades from him as well. Picard then goes to tell her why it's not working - because the symbol that is set between the Vulcan gods of war and death is the god of Peace and therefore peace can overcome the resonator. She tries again on him, but his countenance remains very peaceful as he takes the resonator from her.
On the ship, Riker tells Picard that they found him by tracking the neural implant of the Baran's punishment device. Picard wraps it all up by telling them that T'Paal has been handed over to Satok and they are going to search for the remaining isolationists. The psionic resonator will be destroyed and they all lament that it can't be studied. The mercenaries are criminals and have to answer to crimes from several other worlds, so they won't be going anywhere for a while. He tells Riker to set a course and Riker jokes with him, saying that since he's been declared dead he can't give orders. Data reminds Riker that since he's a renegade and facing several court martial charges, he can't give orders either. Picard decides to stay dead a little longer and retire for a nap and playfully suggests to Data that he take Riker to the brig. Data takes Riker's arm to lead him away much to Riker's chagrin. He tells Data that Picard was joking but Data continues leading him with his best poker face.
I guess the only flaw in this part is how Picard managed to corrupt Baran's punishment device, but I doubt anyone cares. I don't. This part was as exciting and fun as the first part with the added twist pertaining to Tallera and the Vulcan isolationists which gave the story depth and a lesson in peace and all without it being bogged down in dialogue and a heavy atmosphere. It's a much better story revolving around Picard's passion for archaeology than Captain's Holiday and it has all of the action movie fun like Starship Mine. Again, I loved that the Enterprise crew could now work together so smoothly that there wasn't even a need to telegraph that they were doing so like the episode, Allegiance. There's not much more to say about it. It's one of the best episodes of the series. Five stars.
