The position in which Picard is left suspended overnight is in some ways similar to a crucifixion. Perhaps not the best way to leave someone whom you wish to interrogate, as I believe that this causes death by an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, or the pleural cavity or some such. It's been suggested that when the Roman soldier plunged his spear into Jesus' side when he was on the cross, rather than an act of torture it was an act of mercy, as by draining the fluids that had been building up it released the internal pressure on Jesus' insidey-bits. I'm no expert, just giving you food for thought.
Once again, I am behind Jellico all the way. I thought that Riker was most unprofessional in his insistence that Picard be rescued. Has the Commander never heard of the fortunes of war? Picard doesn't seem to have any grudge against Jellico when he returns to the Bridge, does he? Beverly glared daggers at Jellico when he ordered her to have Sickbay ready for "all the casualties you're going to send me" (another rare instance of Gates actually doing some good acting, some might suggest), yet surely she must see that if the mooted invasion can be nipped in the bud, potentially millions of lives could be saved. All this, I suspect, is to make us identify further with our regular cast of characters. They are the good guys, and oooh, that nasty Jellico. Actually, I found myself dismissing the regular cast as a bunch of short-sighted wimps and sympathising thoroughly with Jellico.
When Madred tells Picard that he can go as Madred has decided to start torturing Beverly, Picard indignantly protests that she's a Medical Officer. Bearing in mind that this particular Medical Officer has just been on a commando raid, some may consider that this is not an argument which would carry a lot of weight.
You know, the zombies who stand at the back are getting positively animated. When Picard returns to the Bridge, they actually notice. Mind you, Jellico does say "Captain on the Bridge", so perhaps they were just following orders.
Would Picard really have been handed back command of the Flagship so soon after being tortured? Wouldn't there have to be a period of examination to determine his fitness for the task of running the Enterprise? And doesn't the fact that he left significant details out of the report he turned in, so he tells Troi, suggest that he is not in fact ready to resume command?
Time's Arrow Part Two Realm of Fear Man of the People
Relics Schisms True Q
Rascals A Fistful of Datas
The Quality of Life Chain
of Command Part One
Chain of Command Part Two Ship in a Bottle Aquiel Face
of the Enemy Tapestry
Birthright Part One Birthright Part Two Starship Mine
Lessons The Chase Frame of Mind Suspicions
Rightful Heir Second Chances
Timescape Descent