20 Years of Star Trek TNG: 'Symbiosis' Review'

Symbiosis (Series One, Episode 21)

Rating: 6/10




One of the most 'up front message' shows of the first series, if not from the entire 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' corpus, 'Symbiosis' is a show that is somewhat puzzling to critique. The central premise, two planets and their societies becoming mutually parasitic, and Picard's Enterprise blunders good-naturedly into the role of both saviour and wrecker, is quite well realised. But then, to counterbalance the intriguing idea for the show, the actors under-deliver which in turn is compromised with some cereal packet moralizing from Tasha.

• Three Reasons To Watch This Episode

1. As I have stated above, and as has been commented upon by Altman & Gross in their book "Trek Navigator", the idea of dramatically investigating how drug addiction impacts upon both society and individuals through Trek's sci-fi artifice is quite interesting (and if this can be said about such a subject, entertaining as well). When the Ornaran crewmen T'Jon and Romas go through all the wild emotional ups and downs that their addiction to Felicium makes them endure, you see a well-considered (if melodramatic) depiction of drug dependence. And whilst there may be moral repulsion at the Brekkan 'dealers' Sobi and Langor, you can at least understand how the Brekkans have developed into a society dependent upon the Ornaran's social malaise. The best achievements of 'Trek' in any of its incarnations is to take a serious issue from today, turn it into a science fiction story, and then give you all the grey areas real morality must consist of (instead of simple judgments as will be discussed below). And 'Symbiosis' is a classic effort for the most part in this context.
2. The appearance of two Trek alumni as guest stars. With Merritt Butrick as T'Jon and Judson Scott as Sobi, we get two of the supporting actors from original generations movies (i.e. 'The Wrath of Khan' and 'The Search For Spock'). Whilst Butrick probably has the better role and delivers arguably delivers the better performance, for the Trekker aficionado it's a bit of a buzz to see Kirk's son and Khan's right-hand man facing off.
3. Picard's Resolution and the Prime Directive. Whilst Beverly bemoans the drug addiction of the Ornarans and chides the Brekkans as dealers, Jean Luc quietly and with a detachment that belies his emotional engagement with the problem, provides the answer that is neither morally ambiguous nor a breach of the Prime Directive. Perhaps a Kirk may have forgone the Prime Directive and slapped the Brekkans into detention. Maybe Janeway would have found an accommodation but shown great sympathy to the Ornarans. Captain Archer would have done the same as Kirk, but with less need to try and bonk Langor (the female Brekkan). Anyway...Jean Luc Picard delivers his decision with a clear-sightedness that can be but envied.

• Three Reasons Not To Watch This Episode

1. Okay; it may be harsh but Tasha's "Just say no" speech to Wesley is undoubtedly dated and far too simplistic, jarring with the more morally complex presentation of the Brekkan/Ornaran relationship. Perhaps this is unfair, as every episode of every 'Star Trek' franchise will be a creation of its times. But Tasha's little sermon on the bridge cuts across so much of the usually Liberal values of 'Star Trek'.
2. The electric-powered Ornarans and Brekkans. Okay, so the local sun is giving out huge bursts of solar flares. Scientifically plausible...agreed. Two near planets develop societies based on mutual support and exploitation. Again, a plausible construct. But each planet having its inhabitants able to use electricity from their own bodies to stun each other (or most memorably for the wrong reason, Commander Riker)...sorry. Quite a dud of an idea.
3. The Brekkans. I don't think Sobi and Langor come off either as sleazy nor as sympathetic as they could have been presented. Maybe this is because of the moral neutrality which is at the heart of this episode. Or, more likely neither Judson Scott nor Kimberly Farr give their performances venom, gravitas, subtext. I wonder how this would have been played out if instead of the blond Aryan-like Sobi and Langor, what would have been the reaction if it were Ferengi or Klingons using drugs to exploit an alien race? And a minor sub-point; why are the Ornarans and the Brekkans given such piss-poor alien make up? Looking like Bajorans without the accompanying depth of characterization doesn't endear either aliens to the viewer.

• Best Moment:

Simple...Picard's 'wisdom of Solomon moment' when he tells the Ornarans he won't help them with their star ship engines, and in turn gives neither party long term satisfaction.

• Worst Moment:

No, not Tasha's speech. The worst is seeing Jonathon Frakes in some kind of grotesque face-pulling game as T'Jon gives him the full shock treatment. Frakes...piss poor effort my good man!

• Blink and You'll Miss It:

Watch for the final reverse shot as Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Crusher (Gates McFadden) get into the turbo lift and exit the cargo bay. Denise Crosby gives a little wave as she says farewell before Tasha gets it in the next episode. A nice bit of impromptu realism in a highly stylised show.

"You know Sobi...I think our costume designer has been snorting too much Felicium..."

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