Q; Why could the Enterprise not simply beam the erratic cargo out into space as it became increasingly dangerous?
A; I would imagine that such a procedure was deemed too risky. This was an unusually virulent set of samples. Even molecular dispersion, I suppose, could not be guaranteed to destroy it. We could theorise quite happily, I believe, that plague functions at a molecular level.
Q; Why didn't Hesterdel spend yonks testing the containment pod at the downloading site, considering that he spent ages going over the one on the Enterprise?
A; I think we can fairly assume that he'd already had the other one checked over. No big deal.
Q; Could Hesterdel's lifestyle be equated with Picard's statement of the previous episode, about how everyone's goal was to improve and enrich oneself?
A; Yes.
Q; Wesley is seen looking out of the window of Ten-Forward at the curvature of the planet they are in orbit around, yet surely, Ten-Forward being, er, well to the forward part of the Enterprise, he could not have seen the planet from that angle?
A; I assume that trick glass (or, indeed, trick transparent aluminium) is employed at certain locations throughout the ship. Which ones? Aha . . .
One or two comments on this episode. Was Troi's heavy breathing as the entity entered her supposed to be an orgasm? If so, then bring back Meg Ryan. Further, it is curious that when courses of action are discussed in the briefing room after Troi's condition has been made known, no-one even mentions the Prime Directive. Her baby is a life form, so why all this talk about killing it? Later, when Ian dies, Troi has to turn to Pulaski for confirmation of his death. Some might think this unusual behaviour from an empath.
Nice to see Chief O'Brien putting in an appearance here. Got nasties to transport? Only one man for the job!
How was it, I wonder, that half the ship thought it seemly to watch Ian's birth? Is there no such thing as privacy in the 24th century?
The Child Where Silence Has Lease Elementary, My Dear Data The Outrageous Okona
Loud As a Whisper The Schizoid Man Unnatural Selection A Matter of Honour
The Measure of a Man The Dauphin Contagion The Royale Times Squared The
Icarus Factor Pen Pals Q Who Samaritan Snare Up The Long
Ladder Manhunt The Emissary
Peak Performance Shades of Grey