This episode feels a little fresh because instead of the townspeople being suspicious of and eventually hostile to Data because they are religious zealots, its more of a Renaissance/Enlightenment kind of proto-science that Data dissents against. For some additional freshness, Data’s memory loss lets us have some fun without worrying about the Prime Directive. But really, we just like it when Data builds doodads and solves mysteries for pre-warp societies, and this has some good scenes of that. Not to mention the narrative device of the audience knowing the radioactive metal is the answer to the mystery has a Colombo-like quality that provides some good tension. Oh yea and I like that Troi is ranking up in the B Plot, even if its only like two scenes.
Crusher takes command for the night shift just for fun. When… when does she sleep though.Data wanders into a pre-warp neighborhood with his rock collection.He was supposed to discreetly save the town from the radioactive rocks, but he’s doing it all wrong.Luckily a nice scientist helps him out and explains that he’s an ice man from the mountains.Data shows off one of the things we all love about him – lifting heavy objects.Meanwhile Deanna wants to earn the commander rank, but Riker is keeping secrets. Why do all Starfleet tests involve trickery.Data disputes that wood contains fire lol how has he not seen fire coming out of wood. They set him straight though.But then people get sick!They think Data and his foreign Ice Man ways are the cause!Data provides some breakthrough inventions for the village, such as a primitive microscope, and some marshmallows connected by toothpicks. It would have taken them hundreds of years to develop these wonders!Troi finally kills Geordi and passes the test. The answer is always to kill Geordi on these things.Someone knocks a bit ‘o face off of Data, and it scares people.Data makes them a cure and dumps it in their well.The townspeople get a solid spearing in before they are rescued, at least.Oh I guess Beverly is working the swing shift too GO TO SLEEP BEVERLY.They beam Data out of the ground and bring him back to life. Also remember Picard? This little known redshirt even gets a line.
