Enterprise discovers technological secrets have been passed to the Romulans and potential sabotage may have occurred.
This is a very strong episode with important themes and brilliant performances.
The plot is very character driven with Enterprise hosting a McCarthyist investigation where Captain Picard fights against the victimisation of a member of his crew by a retired Starfleet admiral. The themes are laid on quite thick, but for me it works well, as historical and contemporary witch-hunts tend to be quite vulgar and sensationalist affairs when they happen in reality.
Picard is once again portrayed as standing up for what is right and showing true class in the face of oppression by Admiral Satie and her entourage. I particularly like how previous plot lines are used by the writers to fuel Satie's suspicion of Picard (and other characters).
Others such as Lieutenant Worf, Dr Crusher and Commander Riker make some good contributions to the story, along with Crewman Simon Tarses who has an important role.
Satie is the crusading antagonist who gives the episode its main focus. When I first watched 'The Drumhead' I found it slightly implausible that the highly developed society depicted in TNG could produce this type of character and story, but thirty years more life taught me that humanity is full of individuals who seek to exploit the hysteria of gullible masses who believe anything they hear on TV, read in a newspaper or social media link.
All performances are strong with Patrick Stewart on top form as you would expect in a trial setting. This is also a strong episode for Michael Dorn and Spencer Garrett.
Jean Simmonds is the star of the show going through a range of emotions as Satie. She has a powerful, charismatic presence and watching her go from charming to cold and then eventually explode into raving anger is fantastic.
This is a very strong episode with important themes and brilliant performances.
The plot is very character driven with Enterprise hosting a McCarthyist investigation where Captain Picard fights against the victimisation of a member of his crew by a retired Starfleet admiral. The themes are laid on quite thick, but for me it works well, as historical and contemporary witch-hunts tend to be quite vulgar and sensationalist affairs when they happen in reality.
Picard is once again portrayed as standing up for what is right and showing true class in the face of oppression by Admiral Satie and her entourage. I particularly like how previous plot lines are used by the writers to fuel Satie's suspicion of Picard (and other characters).
Others such as Lieutenant Worf, Dr Crusher and Commander Riker make some good contributions to the story, along with Crewman Simon Tarses who has an important role.
Satie is the crusading antagonist who gives the episode its main focus. When I first watched 'The Drumhead' I found it slightly implausible that the highly developed society depicted in TNG could produce this type of character and story, but thirty years more life taught me that humanity is full of individuals who seek to exploit the hysteria of gullible masses who believe anything they hear on TV, read in a newspaper or social media link.
All performances are strong with Patrick Stewart on top form as you would expect in a trial setting. This is also a strong episode for Michael Dorn and Spencer Garrett.
Jean Simmonds is the star of the show going through a range of emotions as Satie. She has a powerful, charismatic presence and watching her go from charming to cold and then eventually explode into raving anger is fantastic.