As TNG draws to a close, I certainly appreciate that the series is making an explicit effort tie together story ideas introduced early on. The conclusion of Wesley’s story in Journey’s End is an example how this can be an asset. What I don’t get though is why anyone would want to revisit the horrible Ferengi plot from The Battle. More interesting would have been a deeper exploration of the Stargazer. Unfortunately, Bloodlines gives us “The Battle Part II: The Wrath of Bok” — much to the detriment of the episode.

The twist, this time around, is that Bok plans to get his revenge by … killing Picard’s son, Jason Vigo. It’s supposed to be a monumental bombshell of a moment, but it comes so far out of left field that it simply feels contrived and hollow. After locating and using a DNA test to verify Picard’s paternity, the captain spends the majority of the episode trying to reconcile with Vigo. This, too, is hollow and contrived because (gasp!) Vigo is in fact, not Picard’s son afterall.

Which means that every “character” moment is rendered almost entirely irrelevant. Whether it was their first tentative discussion or their final heartfelt chat on a Holodeck rock ledge, the whole construction of the father son relationship is undercut in favor of a petty plot twist. It’s not that I was a huge fan of finding out Picard was a father, but if the whole point is to set up a twist, why not keep the two characters hopelessly estranged — perhaps pointing to the fact that they really aren’t related?

It’s a shame, because the two did have decent chemistry. And watching Picard grapple with the sudden realization that he is a father was as illuminating as it was worth watching. This dynamic between Picard and Vigo was easily the most compelling of the episode. Which only underscores the lack of judgment in jettisoning the concept for the sake of a single “gotcha” moment.

As for the Ferengi, they are back to their usual hyper-annoying selves. Especially Bok. Honestly, this minor character was entirely forgettable in Season 1. His return is equally forgettable. And with so few episodes left, and with so many truly compelling story ideas left on the table (like the cliff hangar end of Conspiracy), Bloodlines is simply a waste of time.

Bloodlines is ultimately a pointless episode. The connection back to Season 1 is fun — until we realize that it’s a connection to a horrible episode. And the revelation of Picard’s paternity is intriguing — until we learn that it was all a cheap, false plot device.

Topics: Ferengi
Filed under: TNG Reviews