What I’m Watching: Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard: Season 1, Episode 9 “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1” (B+)

I’ve often said that penultimate episodes are the most action-packed, and this hour definitely was, which makes me excited for a satisfying finale, though it’s usually hard to live up to an installment like this. I suspected, as I’m sure most did, that Brent Spiner would show up in a role on this show, though I figured he’d be playing Data and not a human scientist serving as caretaker for the many androids on Coppelius. His presence threw Picard for a loop, while the famed captain also commanded a serious degree of respect from Soji’s sisters. Maggie also inhabited a weird space, earning condemnation from Dr. Soong and expressing admiration for the creations that so impress her. Sutra explaining that the message was never meant for humans and instead interpreted in a different way as a prophecy for synthetics added another layer of complication to all of it, and her subsequent actions with their hostage Narek are certainly cause for concern. Seven of Nine, Elnor, and the entire Borg Cube following them so that they could provide backup against the giant flower and any other threats is a good sign, though Commodore Oh is also close behind and ready to attack. Raffi has come to terms with her feelings about Picard and forcing her to get back into a life she didn’t want anymore, and Rios also seems to be in better shape after going down a dark path in the previous episode. Bring on what’s sure to be an explosive and intense finale!