| Review : |
This would have been a lot better if 'Deuterium' had been replaced with 'Dilithium' throughout, which would have tied in with the previous episode where the Vaskan trade agreement (involving Dilithium) went wrong. Even better would have been to add a few references to energy shortages for several previous episodes, and this one would not stick out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, it's good to see a planet that's not simply yet another Class M, and this resembled a cross between the worst elements of Venus and Io. Not sure about the 'Silver Blood', but it might make sense as just about the only kind of life that can exist in such a hostile environment. As a result, this almost worked, but the daft mistake about the Deuterium shortage cost it a lot of credibility. On the story itself, the usual suspects (Tom and Harry) took out a shuttle, almost crashed it, got themselves into a spot of bother and had to be rescued. All fairly standard stuff, but done fairly well. However, they don't answer what the people left behind will eat and drink, or even whether the ship picks up any more fuel. This one needed to be thought through better before they made it. |
| Review : |
My biggest gripe with this episode is how the Doctor, who has stated in several previous episodes (and even more so in later episodes) that he is designed to work in this sort of environment, is never even considered for this away mission. We know he can fly a shuttle, and he is certainly capable of conducting a battery of tests on the material. Janeway asks, "What can we do but land the ship?" My answer: "Send the Doctor". Obvious plot hole, hence the low rating. |
