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

Written by John Edward Betancourt

While some fans out there, genuinely lament sequels and follow ups to classic stories, sometimes they truly do have their merits. Because sequels are able to correct the mistakes of stories that came before them and make great ideas that landed with a thud, far more palatable and realistic and worthwhile for the audience and one such franchise where this applies, is the Star Trek Universe. For the original Star Trek, and its love of powerful beings that could accomplish wonders with the flick of their wrist ended up being quite the hollow endeavor. Because while those beings were quite cool to meet and provided the audience with solid entertainment, their depth character wise was quite lacking. Something that Star Trek: The Next Generation took the time correct as its storied run continued along. 

Because eventually, Q was given so much more to do than just antagonize Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise. Since we learned more about what made him tick as an individual and in a way, exploring the wonder of this particular character made him more friend than foe by the time the series came to a close. But what was truly impressive about Q’s arc, is the sheer fact that there were consequences for his omnipotent powers and that’s really how he learned to be a better Q and it just so happens that the next episode in this storied franchise is where this exploration started in regard to how powers that can achieve anything, come with quite the cost. And that made ‘The Survivors’ one powerful and fascinating tale when all is said done. 

One that was oddly enough, shrouded in a grand and wonderful mystery. For in this particular tale, the crew of the Enterprise is shocked to learn that only two inhabitants of the colony Rana IV, managed to survive a devastating attack on this world. And to complicate this matter further, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge are healthy and alert, and they seem to be quite happy with their situation, something that the crew finds quite odd. But before Picard and his intrepid bridge crew can get the answers they seek; they find themselves consistently under fire from a massive vessel. One that is erratic in its tactics and one that only seems to appear after the captain visits with the happy couple in the hopes of convincing them to leave this world and start life anew on another colony in the Federation. Which makes Picard quite suspicious, and that motivates him to test a hunch swirling around in his mind

Wherein he tells Kevin and Rishon that the only way the Enterprise is leaving this system is by way of their deaths, and just like that; the mystery ship appears once again and destroys the Uxbridge home at last. Or so it seems at first. Because eventually Picard’s hunch plays true and the crew sees the house and the Uxbridge’s life signs, reappear. And with a little pressing, Picard is able to get Kevin to reveal that he is an omnipotent being. One that fell in love with Rishon and lost her in the battle on this world and in retaliation for losing his love, he used his powers to wipe out the attacking species from existence, before creating this fictional plot of land to live out his days with a recreation of his wife. Which motivates Jean-Luc to simply let him be. For the guilt surging through Kevin’s immortal veins is punishment enough for his heinous and stunning crimes and that is quite the powerful way to end this episode.

Because it is quite sobering and powerful to know that Kevin is going to spend an eternity paying for his sin in isolation and sorrow, but how else does one hold an omnipotent being accountable? If anything, this was quite the refreshing episode, simply because it was so nice to not see Kevin’s parents, or some variant of guardianship just swoop in to save the day and undo every horrible act he committed. No instead, he had to learn what it actually means to value life and what it means to be the bigger being and well, that makes this episode another incredible entry in this franchise. Because morality tales are something that TNG excelled at and this is proof of that, and one has to wonder if the STU will ever follow up again with dear Kevin. Or if he will indeed be forever alone on Rana IV. Where he will spend the rest of eternity, pondering upon the gravity, of one bad day. Until next time.  

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