‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Peak Performance’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular element in the Star Trek Universe that always offers the audience a wonderful sense of security, is the sheer fact that every crew we spend time with, are quite skilled when it comes to interstellar combat. Because these intrepid officers are able to accomplish the impossible time and time again when Red Alert is ordered and the photon torpedoes fly and really, one has to wonder what kind of training regimen these officers go through, in order to become that good. Because outside of the Kobayashi Maru Test, we simply don’t have a clue as to what that training looks like. But thankfully, the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, takes the time to give us an idea of how these skills are honed and that reveal led to one delightful episode.
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Simply because ‘Peak Performance’ takes us through the entire process, and it turns out that Starfleet is big on war games and combat simulation in order to bring their officers up to speed. And when we catch up with the crew of the Enterprise here, they’re preparing to undergo a special combat training exercise. One where Commander Riker and a crew of forty, will take command and control of the beat up and ancient, U.S.S. Hathaway. All in the hopes of getting an idea as to how the Federation can employ new tactics to properly battle superior opponents. A notion that is now on Captain Picard’s mind, after the crew’s horrifying first encounter with The Borg and this led to some incredibly fun and wonderful character moments. Since everyone that ventured with Riker to the Hathaway had to improvise and think outside of the box to prepare the old girl for combat.

But while it was fascinating to see Riker put together a combat dream team, it was way more fun to watch Riker and Picard duke it out. Because Will exceeded expectations and gave the Big-E the business and that made for one tense and fun sequence, one that allowed for so many crew members to shine. Since Worf showed off his skills as a tactician and it also helped to remind us of Geordi and Wesley's engineering brilliance, and this sequence was further enhanced by the arrival of the Ferengi. Because their desire to uncover the secrets of this entire simulation, forced the crew to put their skills to the test and work together as a seamless unit to figure out a way to fool and scare off the Ferengi, and any time that happens on Star Trek, true wonders occur. And this sequence was no exception to that rule, since the Ferengi were sent running once the big plan was executed, ensuring that no harm came to anyone, including the galaxy's most infamous schemers.

However, while it was a blast to finally see an actual combat training exercise, we would be foolish to not discuss the powerful examination of the human condition present within this tale. Because Lieutenant Commander Data’s journey in this story, turned out to be a powerful look at failure and how it can strengthen us. An exploration that came about, shortly after Data lost to the Zakdorn advisor at a game that he should have excelled at. Because that motivated him to outright hide from the crew and his duty, since he believed that he was faulty and a liability. That is until the captain poignantly pointed out that failure happens to everyone, regardless of how skilled or intelligent we are, and that when it occurs; we can either learn from it or let it consume us. And thankfully, Data took the more positive side of that advice to heart, and this unexpected surprise only added to the depth and the wonder of this tale since it helped Data to grow in a subtle and beautiful manner.

If anything, this really was quite the impressive tale. For not only did it offer up everything that we love about the franchise in regard to unity and teamwork, it really did provide us with some unique moments, by way of the combat simulation. Plus, it was lighthearted and fun, and it had deeper meaning present as well, and one satisfying ending for certain. Since Data figures out the right way to handle someone that consistently flaunts their mental prowess and well, it is a shame that this didn’t serve as the season finale. Because this would have been a great way to end year two, with this crew finally jelling together as a team. But alas, that just wasn’t meant to be. Instead the real ending to season two awaits us, and it is a mess. But once we get through it, we are in for some magnificent storytelling. So, it is best we just rip the proverbial band-aid right off and dig right into one bad finale, come next time. Until then.

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