This is a really good episode, but it isn't actually quite as good as I remembered. I was totally with this one until Data managed to come up with a solution that one serving of would cure radiation poisoning. I am no expert, and I will retract my criticism if one steps forward, but it doesn't seem reasonable that the damage done to ones DNA by from exposure to radiation could be cured with a sip of medicine. But honestly if that one nitpick is the most serious criticism of this episode I can't really complain. OK, the B story isn't the best one ever, but Deanna trying to get a promotion to be a command officer is something I can see them wanting to do, especially since I suspect the staff knew this would be the last season. And the twist of her needing to be willing to sacrifice a life to save the ship was actually both clever and realistically grim.
The episode opens with Dr. Crusher in command of the night watch on the bridge. Troi returns from a reunion and is surprised to find her in command. Crusher explains that she like to take a night shift or two every once in a while and that she applied for the rank of commander years ago to stretch herself. She tries and fails to contact Data who had been sent after a lost probe on an occupied world to recover radioactive fragments. Next we see a father with his daughter in a hella renaissance looking village. They are startled when Data walks in looking disheveled and unable to respond at first with a case labeled "radioactive" in his hand. Garvin, the father, tells his daughter Gia to head to school while he figures out what is going on. Eventually Data recovers the ability to talk and explains that he has no memories other than having walked the two hundred or so miles from the mountains. Garvin examines Data's case and while Data can read the word radioactive, he doesn't know what it means. Garvin removes one of the fragments and handles it for several minutes.
Back on the ship Troi has approached Riker about taking the Bridge Officers Test having thought about her discussion with Dr. Crusher. Back in the village the local "scientist" has declared Data to be an ice-man and they have given him the name Jayden. The towns blacksmith buys half the metal fragments from Data and makes jewelry out of them. Data stays with Garvin and Gia who really enjoys having him around. On the Enterprise Troi is taking her test but keeps failing the engineering portion. Riker wants to help, but he can't give her the answer, she is going to have to figure it out. On the planet Garvin has become ill and no one knows why. His hair is falling out and he has burns on his hands. In town Data is accosted by the blacksmith, he and several others have also become ill and they blame Data for it.
Data begins investigating what is causing the illness by building a microscope and eventually an geiger counter. He figures out that the metal fragments have been releasing particles which he correctly surmises are the cause of the illness. Before he can make a cure he is attacked by the blacksmith and one of his assistants. Data manages to fend off the blacksmith but the assistant hits him in the face with a pickaxe revealing the wires and flashing lights under his skin. They run away and Data puts on a hood to keep from scarying Gia who has also become ill. After telling him she won't be scared Data does show his face to Gia. On the ship Riker tells Troi she has failed and he can't let her take the test again if she doesn't put the ship first which she correctly figures out means she has to be willing to sacrifice someone to save the ship and manages to pass the test. On the planet Data comes up with a cure and gives it to Garvin and Gia, but has he puts it into the well he is attacked and impaled by a mob. A few days later Dr. Crusher and Riker show up and ask Gia about Data. She tells him he was killed and the metal fragments buried. They beam him and the fragments up to the ship and repair Data, but he has no memory of what happened.
Review: TNG really managed to end on a good note with a solid run of good episodes. I both wish they had made more and also understand that it probably is for the best they ended on such a positive note.
8 out of 10
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