From: rotheroe@convex.com (Dave Rotheroe)
Subject: CoC II much better than CoC I (Spoilers!)
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:28:36 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

SPOILERS FOLLOW (and my editor eats ctrl-L)


































Rambling comments from an occasional poster.  All spelling and gramatical
errors are transmission problems...

Thanks to KTXA 21 rerunning the previous Sundays episode on Saturday, then
showing new episodes Sunday Nights, I just saw CoC I, then CoC II a day
later.  Wow, just the opposite of BoBW (where I gave part I an 'A' and part
II a 'C') Because of stupid writing (writers, not the actors), CoC I got a
'D', but CoC II just got an 'A' (actually, I liked CoC I less the second
time).  I thought the actors did a reasonable job in part I, but didn't have
much to work with (stupid premise, written even worse).

First, the writing for captain Jello was much better this episode.  He
didn't ask his crew to work 98 hours straight right before he'd need them to
be ready to deal with the unexpected.  In part II, He actually seems to
consult the officers before making his decision - unlike part I where he
made his decision and then consulted his officers.  Also unlike part I, the
tension between Riker and him was well done - two scenes stand out - first
where Riker is relieved of duty and second where he and jello talk in
Riker's quarters.  I even liked his get things done attitude this time - one
short scene when he tells Data (his first officer) "I want to be <location>
in 1 hour" was good.  [side:  data would make a good first officer].  Also,
the way jello "recovered" picard while getting the cardiassians to withdraw
was both well written and acted.

We also see that Starfleet is not so innocent.  They do have covert
operations.  They do interfere with other societies when they feel it is in
their best interest.  There was a little "darkness" here, and I liked it.  I
wonder what Gene would think.

Crusher was useless this episode, playing the wining blob of (something),
talking about rescuing Picard.  Fortunately, Troi was much better than CoC
I, so it wassn't that bad.  We didn't see much of either of them.

Both the major cardiassians did well.  The one "negotiating" with Jello did
a nice job, but the one torturing Picard was even better.  Oh, why can't the
acting of the regulars be as good as this (it wasn't perfect, but it was
good).  Also, my complements on the cardiassian makeup.  The torture scenes
were well done, and Picard (ok, Patrick Stuart) was great.  This guy has
come a long way since season 1 - It's going to be good to see him in some
feature films.  Unlike TOS and getting stuck in their roles, Stuart has a
real future outside of startrek.  The scenes were not visually gross (well,
ok, maybe the food was), but the emotion and pain conveyed was as good as
any high budget movie.  The directing was at least as good as the acting.
The last scene in this room, and the scene in the ready room at the end of
the episode were worth waiting through all of part I.

Well, there's so much more to talk about, but I'll let the regulars tell it.
I've only touched on a couple of the episodes points, and left out some
fairly major details.  I warned you it was rambling.
==================================================================8--<
Dave Rotheroe                rotheroe@convex.com              DoD#0045
CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, TX 75083-3851, (214) 497-4512
Death is a reward for being responsible.