This was one of those episodes that really showed that Roddenberry was still very much in control in these early days. This episode (and the next, BTW) was like a lot of TOS episodes -- rather anvilicious in the way they delivered their allegorical message. Once Roddenberry passed on, they quickly learned the technique to be a lot more subtle. This episode's target, clearly, was a late cold war era "mutual assured destruction" story.
I really did like the automated salesperson. He was creepy enough to be alien, and greasy enough to be a used car salesperson; the perfect mix for this episode. I also liked the Crusher/Picard interplay, and the expansion on her character's background in this episode.
However, I thought the whole "let's win one for the Gipper" pep talk Geordi gave on the battle bridge was cheesy as hell, and I'm from Wisconsin - I know cheese.
The only thing inspirational about it was that it inspired me to roll my eyes and start laughing.
Was this the last time before "Best of Both Worlds" that they used the saucer separation?
I really did like the automated salesperson. He was creepy enough to be alien, and greasy enough to be a used car salesperson; the perfect mix for this episode. I also liked the Crusher/Picard interplay, and the expansion on her character's background in this episode.
However, I thought the whole "let's win one for the Gipper" pep talk Geordi gave on the battle bridge was cheesy as hell, and I'm from Wisconsin - I know cheese.
The only thing inspirational about it was that it inspired me to roll my eyes and start laughing.Was this the last time before "Best of Both Worlds" that they used the saucer separation?
