The Icarus Factor is an episode that really benefits from having a multi threaded story. The A story of Riker having to simultaneously decide if he is staying on the Enterprise and also having to deal with his estranged father is a bad story, but it drags a bit at times. The B story of Wesley discovering why Worf is so depressed is actually great and pays off in a solid character moment for the show. There is even a C story about the ship not behaving the way Geordi wants and his competence being questioned and ultimately redeemed. The only scene from this episode that has always stuck out in my mind is the goofy blind martial arts battle between Riker and his father at the end. Why that would be the ultimate evolution of martial arts totally escapes me.
The episode begins with an unplanned stop at Starbase Montgomery to diagnose a problem with the energy systems on the ship and to spring the surprise on Riker that he is being promoted to captain and leaving the Enterprise. Neither goes well as Geordi has to watch unaccountable crew from the starbase crawling all over his engine room and the person selected to brief Riker is his estranged father. Picard seems proud that his first officer is being promoted to captain and seems to think Riker is the man for the job. Even Worf asks to join him on his new assignment. And speaking of Worf he is extra snappy. He yells at Wesley for asking too many questions (who hasn't wanted to do that???) and even snaps at Data in Ten Forward.
We also learn that Pulaski dated Rikers father and some of their moments together are genuinely well done. There is a scene where I think Troi mentions that Pulaski's main talent is her empathy which is something I can't disagree with more. Riker having a hard time with his father and his father is having at least as hard a time with him. Eventually Wesley figures out that Worf is sad because he is missing an important Klingon ritual and he gets Data, Geordi, O'Brien, and Pulaski he help him create it in the holodeck for one of the best scenes in the episode.
Riker is busy saying good bye and challenging his father to a match of the ultimate martial art. While sparing with his dad they finally manage to talk about some of their issues and Riker even figures out that his dad had been cheating in their martial arts matches all these years. I am not sure if we are supposed to think they have reconciled or not, but in any case Riker decides to stay on the Enterprise and Geordi was right the whole time.
Review: This isn't a perfect episode, but it does have some good character moments. Unlike yesterdays scifi bonanza this one is just about the people. The Riker storyline felt a little unfinished but the other two plots worked out well and we even get to know O'Brien a little better. (Specifically that he has a history of being in battles which becomes more central to his character as time goes on.)
6 out of 10
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