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

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particularly important lesson that each and every one of us learn along the way as we travel through life, is to never mix business and pleasure. Especially when it comes to romance in the workplace. Because to fall in love at work, while thrilling and joyous for certain… brings with it a lot of baggage. For keeping feelings at bay when love is genuine, is no easy task and staying objective on the clock when it involves your love, is just as difficult. Not to mention, it can lead to disaster, for if there is a split and no one leaves the job and the end isn’t amicable, get ready for some serious workplace drama. The kind that might motivate some of the office staff to bring popcorn to snack on when the fireworks fly.
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But all snark aside, this really is an important lesson to learn, since it can cause so much trouble and it is so powerful and so poignant… that the writers’ room of Star Trek: The Next Generation were curious as to whether or not this lesson would still apply in the ultra-progressive and peaceful 24th Century, and it explored that question in its next episode, in the most unique way imaginable. All by having Captain Jean-Luc Picard fall in love with a new subordinate, in an awkward manner. For that first encounter between two lovers in ‘Lessons’ takes place in the dead of night. Wherein the captain is eager to get some work done without the day-to-day distractions of Alpha shift, only to discover that Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren has diverted all the resources he needed to complete his work.

Which brought about the awkward moment in question since she fired off insubordination and fury in her immediate response to Jean-Luc’s questioning of an experiment she was conducting. But her fire and her beauty and the connection they instantly shared, led to a powerful love story. One that saw Picard open up like never before and really let her in and of course… that vulnerability, coupled with his position on the ship… did lead to some awkwardness and trouble. Since Jean-Luc was eventually forced to put her in harm’s way to complete a mission. A decision that he regretted and nearly broke down over when she went missing for a time, and sadly, that brought about the end of this wild love affair when both parties realized it was only a matter of time before their love conflicted with their sense of duty.

An ending that makes it clear that our feelings are so strong as humans, that we likely would struggle to contain them three hundred plus years from now and that while the workplace drama might not be as petty as it sometimes gets in the 21st Century, it would still be there. But while that is a bittersweet and unfortunate lesson, one that should hang a dark cloud over this tale, make no mistake about it… this is a great episode when all is said and done. Simply because it truly humanizes the captain like never before and lets us know what kind of a man he is when he opens up his heart to people, and that leads to some powerful moments and powerful performances from both Patrick Stewart and guest star Wendy Hughes, who plays Lieutenant Commander Darren. 

Plus, in a roundabout sort of way, this is a story that now ties into season two of Star Trek: Picard since the fear he experienced here undoubtedly contributed to his desire to put duty above personal fulfillment in matters of the heart. Which makes this story quite important to canon for certain, and really… all lessons and depth aside, what matters most about this particular tale, is that it is a supremely human story at heart. One that reminds us of how special love is and the sacrifices that go into a relationship and how sometimes, we have no choice but to let go when it comes to matters of love and well… it would seem that once again, TNG is eager to explore different corners of the human condition. Because now that this love story has ended, the time has come to shift gears and examine a supremely philosophical question that has plagued mankind for the entirety of its existence… when we reunite to discuss the crew’s next adventure. Until then.

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