November 03, 2003
TNG: The Enemy
[Trek Talk]In TNG: The Enemy, for the first time in the Next Generation series we get to see Romulans as something more than just 'the bad guys'. The setup is a pretty typical one: Geordi and a Romulan are stranded on a hostile planet with no-one but each other to turn to a la Enemy Mine (1985). The inevitable happens and the two worn enemies learn to trust each other, even develop a bit of a friendship. The plot line is old and overused, but still works to grant the quintessential bad guy Romulans a bit of humanity.
What does not work is the humanity that is stolen from Worf as he refuses to help a Romulan dying aboard the Enterprise survive with a ribosome donation. The concept, conflict for Worf who must do the right thing despite an oath to avenge the death of his father, is a good one, but for some reason the episode does not quite manage to pull it off; probably because Worf is never given a chance to really explain or explore his feelings and instead comes off as self centered and stubborn.
Posted by Leopoldo at November 3, 2003 06:42 AM | TrackBackI think what they were trying to get across in the Worf story is that, at that time in his life, it would have been a violation of his morals to help the Romulan guy, howver dificult it may be for us to understand.
Posted by: Diane Gibson on November 7, 2003 02:20 AMWorf is so racist. It is so annoying to see him jabber about the romulans and what thaey did to klingosn, its espcieally bad in the one where he gets stuck in the prison camp and falls in lvoe with that girl and them isa ll upste when he finds out she's half romulan
Posted by: freedom's wings on November 20, 2003 03:40 PMIt is understandable how Worf feels, and that's what made his character. (And the Romulan, who didn't want his blood 'polluted' wasn't above prejudice also).
An excellent episode.
Posted by: J.B.K. on April 1, 2004 07:36 PM
