‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Attached’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say that human beings… are quite the incredible species. After all, we defied the odds to become the dominant species on planet Earth and once we did, we accomplished wonders. For we figured out how to fly like the birds, we harnessed the power of the atom, and we are slowly beginning to explore deep space and its majesty and its many secrets about the building blocks of life. But of the many wonders we’ve accomplished, perhaps one of the most important ones… is a touch less ambitious in nature. Because it really is a big deal that we developed language and communication skills since that is a big reason, we’ve been able to organize and pull off the wonders we have, since we can communicate easily with one another.
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In fact, we are so good at expressing our thoughts and even our feelings, that one would think that at this point in our existence, that we would be at peace as a species and that happiness would permeate the day. But alas, our advanced ability to communicate… requires a touch more work unfortunately. Since we aren’t flawless with it yet and let other issues cloud the opportunity to really reach one another on a fundamental level. For there is still an emotional youth to us, one that we are slowly leaving behind. If anything, the power of communication and what we lose out upon when we don’t embrace it, are top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation explores such matters.

A feat that ‘Attached’ accomplished, by having the crew of the Enterprise arrive at Kesprytt. A world that petitioned to join the United Federation of Planets, a request that was received with curiosity, simply because this world was not united. For the Kes, a democratic and advanced society, was oft at odds with the Prytt. A split off nation that despised outsiders and refused to make peace with the Kes, and well… the battle that came forth between these two warring nations, spoke to that central theme we mentioned a moment ago. For this species refused to talk and lost out on opportunities for growth and peace because of it. Reminding us easily of how far we go when we properly communicate, and their stubbornness oddly brought forth… another powerful lesson regarding this. 

Simply because, these two warring factions were forced to a negotiating table, because the Prytt kidnapped Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Doctor Beverly Crusher when they first arrived on the planet. Out of the belief that they would fill the Prytt in on super-secret plans against their nation, courtesy of devices that would allow for the Prytt to read their thoughts. But a daring escape aided by the Kes allowed for this duo to make a run for it… and learn further about the opportunities we miss when we don’t communicate. Since we learned about a lost love between these two that Picard kept buried deep within his soul, and while obviously, life takes us where it takes us… one cannot help but wonder what his life would have looked like if he told Beverly his true feelings, and we too wonder… where our lives would have taken us… if we too opened up and communicated properly.

But that of course, gets us into a different kind of discussion about regret and the choices we make, which we aren’t here to do. We’re just here to point out, the core of that journey, which does speak to what honest communication can do for us and where it can take us if we embrace it, in an impactful manner. Which makes this quite the intelligent and engaging episode. One that does leave you with plenty to ponder upon, since both of those plot lines relate to who we are now, and the Federation represents who we can be, and it is the Federation here that engenders hope in our hearts at the end of this tale. Since it gives us something to work toward and a reason… to be open and honest… whenever the opportunity to do so presents itself. Until next time.  

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