The third Trek series in a row to meet the devil, but at least this time she is a con artist. The emphasis on Data and Picard is always welcome and just like normal it works well in this episode. Having Data as the judge deciding both Picard and the Enterprises fates was probably the best part of the episode. The part where the Enterprise might legally belong to some lady just because it was in orbit is unfortunately absurd. Sure the Federation has a legal framework in place to prevent something like this, although I guess the main issue in this case would be if they can stop her.
The episode opens with Data performing a scene from A Christmas Carol while Picard observes and afterwards gives him support on the progress he is making. But they are both interrupted when Riker calls from the bridge, there is a distress signal from a Federation outpost. The outpost is on a planet that formerly was high tech but returned to dirt farming and peace centuries ago and has now started rioting. The Enterprise arrives but can only get the head scientist out before a mob takes the rest of his team hostage. It turns out the planet has been shaken by earthquakes which the population believes means the return of Ardra, a mythical being who one thousand years earlier promised them a millennium of peace if they would turn their planet over to her when she returned. And not just that, she told that earthquakes and visions would precede her return.
Picard beams down with a team to meet with the leader of the planet to get the hostages back but they are interrupted by Ardra who shows up and demands her planet. The leader of the planet agrees without argument but Picard isn't having it. She even claims to own the Enterprise now and for some reason Data agrees with her that it is accordance with local law. They return to the ship, but she shows up there too and taunt the captain. She shows up in his quarters that night and sends him down to the planet in his night gown. Data flies a shuttle down to pick him up but when they try to get back to the Enterprise it has disappeared! They return to the planet but along the way Data, who has been reviewing local law, has discovered a loophole. Since they aren't from the planet Picard can request an arbitrator to resolve ownership of the Enterprise. When he tells Ardra she agrees, and picks Data to be the arbitrator.
The trial is on! The locals sure believe that she is the one who gave them 1000 years of peace. Even when Picard points out that she didn't actually do jack and just promised it and then they did it themselves, they aren't convinced. Ardra produces some earthquakes and even transforms a bit, but Data threatens to hold her in contempt if she continues. While the trial continues Geordi is on the surface working with the scientist from the opening trying to find the source of her power, and he succeeds. She has a ship hidden in the magnetic pole cloaked. Geordi shows up and after a recess suddenly Picard has the powers of Ardra. He causes an earthquake that refuses to stop when she demands it. When Picard reveals she was tricking them she is arrested and they get the hell out of there.
Review: Not a perfect episode, but enjoyable and it has a solid conclusion. Unlike TOS (and any episodes with Q) they aren't satisfied that what Ardra does isn't just an illusion and they are right. Kinda makes you wonder why they never test Q to see if he is just a con man, but hey.
6 out of 10
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