From: det@phlan.sw.stratus.com (David Toland)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Re: Spoilers for Chain of Command, Part I
Date: 21 Dec 1992 12:35:25 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer, Software Engineering
NNTP-Posting-Host: phlan.sw.stratus.com

In article <1992Dec15.045741.12415@en.ecn.purdue.edu> rupley@en.ecn.purdue.edu (Jeff Rupley) writes:
>  Having just seen the current new TNG episode, CoC part I, I have a few
>spoiler comments and questions about it :



[Short synopsis deleted]

>  OK, so why would StarFleet send Picard, the Captain of their flagship,
>on a commandoe raid into Cardassian territory? I dont buy that he was
>the only expert around, give me a break. He should be too important for
>a mission like that with that much riskiness.

It was *because* of his experience and proven ability to keep his head
in difficult situations.  This mission is clearly extremely important,
and Picard was the best choice because of his special knowledge and
experience.

>  OK, going with the fact that SF command wanted to send Picard, it was
>reasonable that they wouldnt want to put Riker (who, while not untested at 
>Captain, certainly doesnt have much seniority) on the bridge of their flagship.
>But what were they thinking about this guy? Just because he has to negotiate
>doesnt mean he has to become captain. And his screwed up style of command?

He has dealt with the Cardassians before, presumably with distinction.
He is undoubtedly a very senior captain.  As for his style of command,
I'm not surprised that there are more inflexible styles than that chosen
by Picard.  For that matter, Picard himself was less easygoing and more
aloof when he first took command of the Enterprise.  I agree, though, that
his style does not fit well with the current crew.  If he were to remain,
he probably would have to reorganize the command structure and install
some high ranking officers of his own choosing.

>I would think that Geordi would have his shields optimized by now, give me
>a break. And to try to change duty shifts just before going into what
>might be a war zone is just not bright. 

Shields optimized?  Not necessarily.  First, the Enterprise is not primarily
a war vessel, so other systems would undoubtedly take priority.  Also, in
most complex systems there are tradeoffs.  Shield efficiency might be at
the cost of some portion of the sensor array, for instance.

As for the duty shifts, Jellico wants to shorten the shifts so everyone
is more rested and alert - not unreasonable to me.  He wants this change
made immediately so the crew has a day or so to adjust to it before it's
*really* needed.

>Well, I could say more (like that horrible scene between Bev and the Ferengi,
>or why was Bev on the raid, or shouldnt someone have been bumped to Commodore
>since there were 2 captains on the ship or ... well, you get the idea ...)

The "horrible scene" accomplished its purpose, didn't it?  It wouldn't be
the first time in history that sexual manipulation was used in espionage.
Why was she there?  The nature of the purported weapon was such that she
was an ideal person to deal with it.  Don't forget the position she held for
a year at the head of Starfleet Medical.  Why bump someone to Commodore?
after the change of command, Picard was a passenger - a visiting Captain.
He held no post aboard the Enterprise, although his rank was unchanged
(please do not confuse post with rank; although many of them have the
same names, they are completely different things).

>Dont get me wrong, I liked the episode - I would much rather watch a Fed.
>willing to launch commandoe raids than hear more sermons about the
>Prime Directive, but it seemed to me there were a number of holes in their
>logic here. I give it 8/10.

Hmmm.  I liked it to, but I do not give (or pay particular attention to)
rankings - they are very subjective.  I think it was a very high quality
episode, both in the action (and promise of more to come) and in the
personality interactions.  I don't really perceive any great "logical"
flaws.  I dislike Jellico, but I don't see him as terrible or incompetent
(although Deanna's statement that he is *not* as sure of himself as
he appears worries me somewhat), but feel he is on the wrong ship.
As for Prime Directive stories, what's wrong with them?  "Who Watches
the Watchers?" (primitive vulcanoids on Mintaka III) was a powerful
story in which we saw that Picard really would put his life on the line
to uphold General Order #1.

Peace and long life.


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