‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Chain of Command, Part I’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

More often than not, the Star Trek Universe makes a point to explore the human condition in a supremely philosophical and poignant manner. All by having the crews of the Starships Enterprise, Defiant, Voyager and Discovery and Protostar, deal with scenarios in the future that reflect our current world. Offering us commentary and context and sometimes a way forward since storytelling can be quite objective in its observations. But what is genuinely fascinating about this franchise, is that now and then… it takes the time to narrow its focus and explore some of the more mundane everyday problems that we deal with, such as workplace strife, as evidenced by the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For when we catch up with the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise in ‘Chain of Command, Part I’, a big change is coming to leadership aboard the Federation Flagship. Because Admiral Nechayev comes aboard to tell Captain Jean-Luc Picard that he is being relieved of command, so he can be reassigned to a secret mission involving the Cardassians. Wherein he and Beverly and Worf will go undercover to uncover if this age-old enemy is building a new bioweapon under the Federation’s noses. Which means that command of the Enterprise is going to be handed over to a man named Edward Jellico, who has extensive experience in dealing with Cardassians and will take the ship to a meeting with Cardassian diplomats and well, it doesn’t take long for the crew to realize that Jellico doesn’t quite jell with the brave officers that have served under Captain Picard for years on end. 

Because his way of doing things is quite gruff in nature, to the point where he feels that orders without context and are instead full of demands, are the key to keeping a Galaxy class starship or any class ship for that matter, thriving and functioning. And his cold nature and desire to implement changes at a record pace, really does put the crew in a tough place. One where they aren’t sure how to function around a captain that seemingly doesn’t give a damn about anyone or anything but the mission and policy and well… that’s definitely familiar territory for all of us. Since we’ve all encountered or will encounter, micro managers that constantly quote regulations and SOP’s and believe their way is the only correct way and that they are always right since somehow, they have more knowledge about our job than we, the specialist do and well, this was just fascinating to see present within TNG.

Since this really is an intimate and down home concept for the show to explore, one that it took one step further by in essence using this to remind us, that Starfleet is in fact, the galactic navy and much like the one down here on Earth, commanders change and new orders come to light, just like how bosses and direction change in our everyday world and workplaces and what’s even more intriguing about this episode… is that it merely offers observations on this matter and it makes sense as to why. Since this is the first half of a two-parter, and merely establishing this problem and immersing the uninitiated into what it looks like is really the key here, as is setting up the mission at hand for Picard and company, since clearly… there is far more to their mission than meets the eye, courtesy of that stunning ending.

But while we wait to see what will become of a captured Picard and the crew of the Enterprise under the leadership of a little man, we can bask in the wonder of one unique and refreshing tale. One that really did a wonderful job of echoing the everyday world and the realities of the workplace and military life and honestly, that’s brilliant when all is said and done. Because it makes a show about space travel in a future none of us know, relatable and realistic, and it shows us that some of our problems aren’t quite solved just yet in the 24th Century, so we should start striving for better, now, and that just… feels organic and right, and it definitely leaves one eager for more. Because this one features a damn fine cliffhanger and what comes next for Picard and Jellico, is precisely where we will pick up, next time. Until then.

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