Star Trek: TNG Season 1 – The Battle

Link to StarTrek.com Episode Guide

One of the things I enjoy about Star Trek is that you always have this tension between an almost idyllic picture of the Federation and the fact that there are still really difficult decisions that need to be faced. I also like this episode because it reinforces the fact that the Federation is idealistic but not stupid. They may hope for the best from every situation, but they aren’t going to go in blindly without protecting themselves either.

We get to see the Ferengi again and their emphasis on profit is reinforced. They talk a little bit more normally in this episode and we get the tiniest sense that the majority of their legal code revolves around sound business principles in the pursuit of profit. The Ferengi and Federation come together in an awkward philosophical agreement at the end, declaring that there is no profit in revenge.

Cool Science:

• The common cold has been cured in the future – huzzah!
• Headaches have also been mostly eradicated – that would just be so nice!

Cool Gadget:

• The evil thought-maker device – forbidden even for the Ferengi!

Fun stuff in this episode:

• The real ‘Picard Maneuver’ is described – the one with the ship, not the shirt :D