The Bonding is an emotional, yet slightly uneven episode. It begins ominously enough with the death of an away team member and the rest of the episode is left to dealing with the emotional consequences of that loss.

The emotional fallout is explored with scenes between Picard and Troi, Wesley and Dr. Crusher, Troi and Worf, and Riker and Data. All of the scenes are successful, but the Data – Riker scene is wholly disconnected from the main storyline of the episode. It’s a bit like that old Sesame Street game, “One of these things is not like the others…” and, consequently, this is part of the episode’s an uneven tone.

The real conflict arises when the deceased away team member suddenly reappears in her quarters, greeting her grieving son. It’s an incredibly chilling and creepy moment, but it’s so odd, and so disturbing, that it is very unsettling within the context of an episode about death. This is purposeful, to be sure, however it also reinforces the episode’s overall inconsistent nature. Add to it the psychological trauma inflicted upon Jeremy by these circumstances and you have an episode that suddenly seems skewed toward the horror genre, rather than what was, initially, a character-driven piece.

The real strength of the episode comes from Worf, particularly his final scene with Jeremy — and it demonstrates the outstanding skill that TNG uses in incorporating the Klingon culture. The R’uustai ceremony is both respectful and celebratory, honoring the families of Worf and Jeremy. And it serves as a lesson to us all: instead of being a lonely experience, surviving a death can be a great source of strength and unity.

The Bonding gets credit for its themes and tone. Its drawbacks, however, are enough to keep it from becoming a true classic.

Topics: Klingons
Filed under: TNG Reviews