[TNG] Season 6, Episode 11: Chain of Command, pt. II
Rating: 5
This episode gets pretty psychologically brutal. Patrick Stewart makes the TV-friendly torture feel horrific. The plot switches emphasis from Jellico and the Enterprise to Picard and the horrible inner workings of the Cardassians. Though mostly explored in Deep Space Nine, this is one of the best Cardassian episodes, who are possibly the most fascinating adversaries in Star Trek.
Gul Madred ramps up his questioning.He shows Picard 4 or 5 lights. I think its 4?If Jellico admits that Picard was under Federation orders, then Picard will be treated as a prisoner of war, but if he doesn’t then Picard will be treated as a terrorist, subject to torture.Jellico won’t admit the Federation was behind the attack, and Riker isn’t happy.Data kinda blows it in this episode.Gul Madred goes from torturing Picard for information to just trying to break him down for his own twisted personal reasons, alluded to in a story about his traumatic youth. Madred is one of the best villains in Trek. Jellico needs the best pilot ever, and since Paris isn’t on board he asks Riker. His means of persuasion is to tell Riker how much he doesn’t like him. And it works!!They rig bombs to the Cardassian ships while they weren’t looking or something.So Jellico negotiates their withdrawal and gets them to give Picard back!Before Gul Madred has to give up Picard to the Federation, he tells Picard that Enterprise was destroyed, and everyone believes Picard died in the battle. Picard must stay with him forever. Picard can either live in comfort or continue to be tortured. All he has to do is tell him how many lights there are…But then the other Cardassians interrupt. Picard is to be returned!Good episode
