Peak Performance is easily one of the most enjoyable episodes of season two. Offhand, that isn’t saying much. So I’ll go on to say that Peak Performance could easily have been one of the most enjoyable episodes of any season. The story, the acting, the action and the challenge all make this an episode that any TNG fan will enjoy.

The main focus of this episode is the ability of Riker to inspire a crew to take up the challenge of refitting a derelict ship and then square off against a far superior Enterprise in a war games exercise. Riker’s ability is questioned by Kolrami, a successfully annoying character who could have been to this episode what Lwaxana and K’Ehleyr were to the last two. Instead, his performance allows us to despise the character without wanting to fast forward through every scene in which he appears. Instead, his character becomes part of this episode’s charm.

For Riker’s part, he manages to enlist LaForge, Worf, and Wesley Crusher — all of whom are huge contributors to his subsequent strategies against Picard and the Enterprise. Indeed, their improvisations become critical when both ships are faced with a very real Ferengi threat. The Ferengi are the weakest part of this episode. Their sudden appearance and aggressive stance are a bit too convenient — as is their sudden retreat once Worf’s rouse is executed against them (incidentally, how was Worf able to access Ferengi technology sufficiently enough to pull off his rouse aginst them, too? yes, I know … suspension of disbelief). But these miscues aren’t major and they certainly aren’t enough to spoil the episode.

The subplot of this episode revolves around Data and his challenge of Kolrami in the game, Strategema. After losing, Data actually experiences self-doubt. It would sound almost preposterous except for the fact that it is handled so well in the episode. And besides, it leads to one of the most memorable lines from the season. After successfully frustrating Kolrami in a rematch, Data proclaims, “I busted him up” — to great applause. Good stuff.

I spent a long time debating whether or not this episode deserved an A-. In the end, I decided against it because of the minor flaws with respect to the Ferengi. But for all other intents and purposes, this is a can’t-miss episode.

Topics: Ferengi
Filed under: TNG Reviews