[TNG] Peak Performance

[TNG] Season 2, Episode 21 (Netflix: S2 E21): Peak Performance

Peak Performance

Rating: 4

This episode mainly gets a 4 because the characters. I also like the build up to the showdown between Riker and Picard. The actual showdown is a little technobabbly, but their trickery still comes across. The Ferengi also show up. I guess it was a way of concluding without having one of our heroes defeated.

Read more at Memory Alpha

Notes:

A Zakdorn arrives to help with training. They're supposed to be really strategic.

A Zakdorn arrives to help with training. They’re supposed to be really strategic.

Riker challenges him to a strategy game because the Zakdorn is supposed to be one of the best

Riker challenges him to a strategy game (strategema) because the Zakdorn is supposed to be one of the best. I’m pretty sure those things on their hands are the things they milk cows with

Riker has to face Picard in a war game. He assembles his team and starts to prepare.

Riker has to face Picard in a war game. He assembles his team and starts to prepare.

Pulaski convinces Data to play strategema against the master because he's smug

Pulaski convinces Data to play strategema because the Zakdorn is smug

Data loses and starts to think he's damaged

Data loses and starts to think he’s damaged

Picard tells Data to snap out of it: "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life"

Picard tells Data to snap out of it: “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life”

The game begins! It's cool...

The game begins! It’s cool…

...until the Ferengi show up. I guess they're still supposed to be threatening or something

…until the Ferengi show up. I guess they’re still supposed to be threatening or something

In the middle of a standoff with the Ferengi ship, they call a meeting

In the middle of a standoff with the Ferengi ship, they call a meeting

Data challenges him to a rematch and wins kind of. Not really actually, but at least they bothered him a little

Data challenges the Zakdorn to a rematch and wins…kind of. Not really actually, but at least they bothered him a little

 

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