TNG: The Last Outpost

            I had forgotten how much first season TNG was trying to be TOS. This episode could have easily fit into any of the seasons of TNG only we would have most likely never heard from the Ferengi again rather than have them turn into one of the major species in Trek. I also found it interesting how many ideas that were developed into their culture were present in this first episode. All I remembered from my previous viewing was that they acted like buffoons and spent most of the time flaying about pointlessly and literally. That assessment wasn't entirely incorrect, but they also established the Ferengi love of profit and abhorrence of clothed females.
            The episode opens with the Enterprise in pursuit of a Ferengi vessel that stole some power converts from Toshi station. Or something like that. In any case the Enterprise is trying to make contact with a species familiar with space flight but essentially unknown to the Federation. When they catch up the Ferengi fire on them ineffectively, but suddenly all power drains from the ship! It appears the Ferengi weapons have worked better than they thought. Geordi works on a plan to rapidly surge power to the engines to defeat the power drain but it doesn't work and leaves them in even worse shape than before. Picard hails the Ferengi to discuss, "terms."
            The Ferengi captain misinterprets the situation and agrees to surrender his ship to Picard. It appears both ships are being drained by some force on the planet. Data determines it is an outpost from a long dead empire and Picard hails the Ferengi. They have figured out by now that it isn't the Enterprise and are pissed. They do however agree to beam down to investigate along with a team from the Enterprise. Riker leads the team but finds himself alone instead of with the other. Data apparently beamed in on top of some sort of rock formation and Geordi is found hanging by one foot. As Data and Riker work to free him they are struck by an attack from some sort of Ferengi energy whip thing which knocks them all unconscious (yes even Data).
            When they awaken they find themselves surrounded but quickly start a fight which doesn't seem to be going great until Lt. Yar shows up with some phasers and ends the fight. But when they try to show the phasers don't work and now the Ferengi energy whips don't either. A hologram or something appears and demands to test them. The Ferengi try to convince him that the humans are evil but Riker manages to win the day. The Enterprise is saved and Riker even asks the hologram to free the Ferengi.

            Review: Not exactly deep scifi, but it does a better job than I remembered introducing the Ferengi. I could have done without the silly test of moral fortitude that resolves the episode, but whatever. Not the best and not the worst, this one earns a solid:

5 out of 10