‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘Ship in a Bottle’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular aspect of storytelling that the Star Trek Universe excels at… is following up on past plot lines. Because time and time again, old villains and other characters and amazing places we’ve visited with the crews of the various shows that make up this franchise… find their way back into the story and we are able to see what’s changed in that place or how those fictional people have grown, and this is wonderful for several reasons. In part because, it further immerses the viewer into this future in a realistic manner, since follow up of that manner happens in real-life, but also because… it is something a lot of television shows don’t bother with. Since so many want to stick with fresh plot lines whenever they can and really, this is of note today, because follow up came into play during the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

For ‘Ship in a Bottle’ saw a long-forgotten villain return to the forefront of the story, in a surprising manner. Because at first glance, this story appears to be nothing more than a standard relaxed episode. One where the crew of the Enterprise was going to explore the birth of a star by way of two gas giants colliding and where a little downtime in between those observations would allow for some lighthearted storylines to come to life. But a glitch in the Sherlock Holmes Holodeck program, allowed for Lieutenant Barclay to uncover quite the surprise. In that, the Professor Moriarty program that Picard locked away in the season two episode, ‘Elementary, Dear Data’, was still functional and eager to achieve his ultimate goal.

For he still wanted his complete and utter freedom from the Holodeck and demanded to see Picard to achieve it. A feat that the captain assured him was impossible, that is… until Moriarty just walked off of the freakin’ Holodeck and did not dissipate. Which in turn motivated Picard and his crew to figure out how this happened so that Moriarty could be given the proper rights he deserved as an artificial individual and so that his digital love could be given the same life as well. An exploration that seemed to be making progress, until Data came to make quite the powerful discovery. In that… Moriarty never actually walked off of the Holodeck. Instead, he trapped Picard and Data and Barclay inside a multi layered simulation, one designed to gain control of the Enterprise, so Moriarty could demand more of Riker and LaForge. 

Which in turn brought forth a delicate cat and mouse game between the captain and this legendary villain. Wherein Picard had to figure out how to give Moriarty what he wanted, so control of the ship could be granted back to the crew and what Picard came up with, was downright brilliant. Since he added another layer to the simulation, one that made it appear that Moriarty and his love could indeed go anywhere and do anything, and it was so convincing that Holmes’ nemesis relinquished control after all. Allowing for the crew to finish their mission and go about their day, all while the professor and his darling lady, traversed the galaxy from within the confines of a newly created, tiny Holodeck, that continued to provide them both with a lifelong digital dream.

In the end, this was simply a delightful tale through and through. One that did a wonderful job of following up on a genuinely forgotten plot thread. Because back in season two, Moriarty’s journey seemed to be nothing more than a one-off episode, filler if you will. But this adds so much depth and closure to a story that seemed inconsistent and meaningless at the time, and it is wonderful that the writers’ room took the time to go this route. In part because, it genuinely fits in with what this franchise does so well. But also, because… it helps us process the fact that the end of The Next Generation is inching closer. Since tiny moments of closure prepares one’s mind for big ones… and now that this loose end has been tied up, it does leave one to wonder what other wrap ups await us as this series begins to wind down. Until next time.

---