‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Retro Recap – ‘The High Ground’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When we think of the word revolution, an interesting set of thoughts and images blast into our minds. Because on the one hand, that word carries with it a sense of nobility. For the United States of America was founded on the notion of freedom for all and it took revolution to achieve that. Yet at the same time, revolution can also invoke images of terror. For there are unsavory and unwholesome organizations out there that kill in the name of revolution, when in fact there is a more sinister agenda at play when it comes to the actions of these ‘freedom fighters’. If anything, these polarizing images make the word revolution confusing to say the least… since it seems as though the notion hovers in a grey area above anything else.

Which in turn, begs quite the important question about this word/notion. In that, what then is it, that makes a revolution a positive thing? Well, as it turns out, the next episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation took the time to answer that question, by plunging the audience into the middle of an interstellar revolution. For ‘The High Ground’ sees the crew of the Enterprise delivering medical supplies to a planet known as Rutia IV, due to the fact that terrorist style bombings are occurring on this world as one faction battles another. And unfortunately, their presence here drags the crew into the middle of this mess, when Doctor Crusher is abducted by ‘the bad guys’ and is forced to help them with their medical needs, since a brand-new weapon they’re using is slowly killing each and every one of them, and that is where this fascinating exploration begins. 

Because as Beverly dives deeper into the world of her captors and while Commander Riker works with the government of Rutia IV to get her back, both of them quickly come to realize that neither side is right in their quest to quiet the other. Because both sides simply believe that the only way to win this conflict, is by wiping out the other side and their reasons for doing so, reveal that this fight is grounded in ideology and attrition, and if they actually took the time to speak with one another and actually addressed the issues at hand, then the fighting would end. And while this ends happily for Beverly and Captain Picard (who was also captured during a bold plan to attack the Enterprise in an attempt to get the Federation to settle this planet’s problems) since they are rescued by a Federation/Rutian task force, the underlying message that comes out of this mess is a heavy one for certain

In that, revolutions are only a good thing when they are in fact, dedicated to a just cause. For when people rise up against actual monsters and work to topple an oppressive and horrific government, then the bloodshed in question makes sense. But if the fight is bound in ideology that is outdated and outmoded, or is related to petty differences in general, then we can look at a particular revolution as a mistake or as an outright unjust cause. Which is precisely what we see in this particular tale. Since this battle is rooted in old prejudices and downtrodden views related to class and standing and of course… this scenario/lesson is something that can easily be applied to our modern world. For these types of silly fights are happening around the globe right now, with no end in sight, and all it would take is a little compassion and understanding to end such senseless suffering.

But while this commentary is indeed poignant and powerful, what truly allows for this episode to shine is that it once again makes a great effort, to not offer the audience any direct answers. Instead, it simply examines the world in an objective manner and asks the viewer to ponder upon a society where revolution isn’t glorified and seen as a cure all, but as a last-ditch effort for freedom and peace. Which makes this quite the poignant and cerebral episode when all is said and done, and it’s quite incredible that season three continues to dive into such powerful topics. The kind that are unfortunately relevant, because mankind didn’t make them a priority then, nor are they a priority for us now and it should be interesting to see what other unresolved societal matters this series is planning to tackle as season three continues along. Until next time.

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