Star Trek: The Outcast

Episode: "The Outcast"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 17

Original Air Date: March 16, 1992

via Memory Alpha

Riker falls in love with Soren, a member of an androgynous race called the J'naii.  Actually, Soren makes the first move, sharing with Wil that not only is she (pronoun deliberately chosen) attracted to him, too, but she identifies as female.  This admission comes at great personal risk.  Both the gender identification and the attraction to a gendered being are strict taboos in her world.  Any J'naii found to identify as either gender is subjected to intense psychological therapy to "cure" them of the condition.

LGBTQIA+ activists (as they are known nearly 30 years later) coordinated letter writing campaigns to the creators of Star Trek - and every other TV show and movie studio of the era - encouraging them to include gay and lesbian relationships in their stories.  "The Outcast" was produced in an effort to be more inclusive.  Fortunately now, the conversation has become more sophisticated and we all know that sexuality and gender are two separate, if related, matters.  Right?  Okay, good.

But in 1992, acknowledging differences along either spectrum was a big deal.  Philadelphia, a landmark film in the visibility of homosexuality on screen, wouldn't be released until December of the following year.  Much of the episode's rhetoric, particularly Soren's impassioned speech at her trial, matches that of the real-world political movement in the early '90s.  The pressure was strong to "get it right" and many believed Trek didn't go far enough.  Indeed, Jonathan Frakes himself felt that the better and more daring choice would have been to make Soren male.

Personally, I think once you control for the era, they did okay.

On a completely separate point... our daughter made an interesting comment while watching: "I think the Klingons are really Hufflepuffs."  Naturally, I argued that individual Klingons would likely be sorted into different houses.  But the obvious broader question couldn't be ignored: how would each of the TNG characters be sorted into Hogwarts houses?  Wouldn't you know, the Internet is already on the case.  From Sara Sanderson at Screen Rant:

Picard - Ravenclaw

Troi - Hufflepuff

Riker - Slytherin

LaForge - Ravenclaw

Dr. Crusher - Hufflepuff

Wesley - Ravenclaw

Data - Hufflepuff

Worf - Gryffindor

Guinan - Hufflepuff

Yar - Gryffindor

Thoughts?  For those with limited Potterverse experience, I offer the following oversimplification of the defining personal characteristic for the members of each house: Ravenclaw = smart, Hufflepuff = loyal, Slytherin = ambitious and Gryffindor = brave.  I'm okay with most of Sanderson's choices.  However, I would switch Riker and Worf.  Over the long run, I think Riker is better defined by his lack of personal ambition.  Furthermore, while Worf is certainly brave, his obsession with honor is the least altruistic of TNG's principal motivations.  So in as much as someone must be in Slytherin, I think Worf is the best choice.

Acting Notes

via The A-Team Wiki

Melinda Culea (Soren) was born May 5, 1955 in Western Springs, Illinois.  The modeling work came before acting.  She is best known for her 24-episode run on The A-Team as Amy Amanda Allen.  Other television gigs included Glitter, Knots Landing and Brotherly Love.  Films include Wagons East! and Dying on the Edge.  She is married to director Peter Markle.

Culea is a published author.  Her book Wondago is an illustrated mystery novel.

Squid Mixes: Picardini

When we visited our dear friend The English Prof over Thanksgiving, she had a bottle of Bergamot which she wanted to try combining with gin.  Together, we devised the following martini variation:

2 oz gin (I used Hendrick's)

1/2 oz Bergamot (Italicus)

1/4 oz green Chartreuse

Lemon twist garnish

We all enjoyed the result.  Bergamot, or Rosolio di Bergamotto in Italian, is a liqueur made with the same citrus fruit used in Earl Grey tea.  On its own, it smells like a fancy Sprite.  Because of the association with Earl Grey, we named the Picardini after Captain Jean-Luc.  This one is definitely not served hot.

via Memory Alpha

Marvel Unlimited: Age of Apocalypse Reign

For anyone keeping track at home, I'm taking a slight detour from the Comic Book Herald's recommended reading order for Age of Apocalypse.  For now, I'm skipping the prologue stories in the Dawn trade and heading straight for the heart of the story in Reign.  I only have about a month left in my Marvel Unlimited subscription and, at least for the moment, I'm not planning to renew.  So, I want to focus on the main story, then go back to the prologues if I have the time.

My Recent Reads

X-Calibre #1

Cover Date: March 1995

Writer: Warren Ellis

Artist: Ken Lashley

via eBay

The Amazing X-Men #1

March 1995

Fabian Nicieza/Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

The Astonishing X-Men #2

April 1995

Scott Lobdell/Joe Madureira

via Marvel Database

The Amazing X-Men #2

April 1995

Nicieza/Kubert

via Marvel Database

Gambit and the X-Ternals #2

April 1995

Nicieza/Tony Daniel

via Marvel Database

Star Trek: Ethics

Episode: "Ethics"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 16

Original Air Date: March 2, 1992

via Memory Alpha

Worf is injured in a freak accident, left paralyzed from the waist down.  A visiting doctor, Toby Russell, may be able to save him but her procedure is untested.  Understandably, Dr. Crusher is reluctant to let her use Worf as a guinea pig.  But the consequences of not trying are not to be taken lightly: Worf is determined to kill himself by ritual suicide.

I love this episode.  It tends not to make other people's best of lists so I suppose it makes up for all of the ones other people like but I don't.  Generally speaking, I think Star Trek is at its best when wrestling with an ethical dilemma and this one has several at once.  I mean, it's right there in the episode title!  There's the conflict between Crusher and Russell: Beverly is in the right but we as the audience want Russell to get her way because we want Worf to live.  There's Riker's dilemma: Worf has asked him to assist in the suicide.  While he understands the honor being offered by his friend, Wil refuses to do it.  What's more, by tradition, the role should go to the eldest son.  Worf decides to try the questionable procedure rather than force his son to help in the ritual.  (Yes, it's an Alexander episode.  But it's the best Alexander episode.) 

To me, this is what great storytelling is all about: pull the audience in multiple directions, loads of ambiguity.  Give them what they want but not at an easy price.  Well done.

And in my opinion, it's the best Beverly Crusher episode to boot.

Acting Notes

via Quantum Leap Wiki

Caroline Kava (Dr. Russell) was born September 25, 1949 in Chicago.  Film credits include Heaven's Gate, Year of the Dragon and Little Nikita.  In addition to her acting career, Kava is an accomplished playwright.  Her play The Early Girl was performed Off-Broadway in 1986.  

Squid Mixes: Fourth Regiment Cocktail

A Fourth Regiment Cocktail combines rye, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, Peychaud's bitters and celery bitters with a lemon twist.  I garnished with a cherry instead.  I got my recipe from Small Screen.  The drink dates back to at least 1889.

The flavor is weird.  There's a Worcestershire sauce-like taste which I imagine comes from the celery bitters.  I wouldn't say I liked this one but it was a worthy experiment.

Marvel Unlimited: Age of Apocalypse

The historical parallel for the Age of Apocalypse story is clear: the persecution and mass murder of Jews by the Nazis in the 1930s and '40s.  The usual X-Men script is flipped: the humans are the oppressed, the mutants the oppressors.  The stories that adhere most closely to the allegory - X-Man #1, for instance - are the most effective to me.

Still, I have great sympathy for the comic book readers of 1995 in how maddening it must have been to sort out what's going on in all of these different narrative threads released essentially simultaneously.  Even with the benefit of on-demand web resources and a quarter-century's hindsight, I am thoroughly overwhelmed.  I'm guessing you'd have had to hit the comic stores pretty early to get all those #1 issues at once.  I remember the mad rush to get the New 52 issues back in Fall 2011 and I at least had the fallback plan of reading the stories online.  The world wasn't like that in 1995.

My Recent Reads

The Astonishing X-Men #1

Cover Date: March 1995

Writer: Scott Lobdell

Artist: Joe Madureira

via Marvel Database

Gambit and the X-Ternals #1

March 1995

Fabian Nicieza/Tony Daniel

via eBay

Weapon X #1

March 1995

Larry Hama/Adam Kubert

via mycomicshop.com

Factor X #1

March 1995

John Francis Moore/Steve Epting

X-Man #1

March 1995

Jeph Loeb/Steve Skroce

Star Trek: Power Play

Episode: "Power Play"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 15

Original Air Date: February 24, 1992

via Memory Alpha

When the Enterprise responds to a distress signal (will they ever learn?), the minds of three members of the away team are taken over by mysterious alien entities.  So compromised, Troi, Data and O'Brien take the occupants of Ten Forward, including Miles's wife and child, hostage, demanding that the ship be moved to a polar orbit.

I'm not so sure about this one.  The idea is fine.  However, it follows too closely on the heels of last week's thematically similar "Conundrum" - smacks of formula.  I also find Data's bad guy snarl a bit over the top.  Brent Spiner wanted to project a character dissimilar to Lore which is fine but it was too much for me.  I prefer to see a villain who believes he's the hero of his own story rather than "Look at me, I'm mean!"  Troi's persona was better.  O'Brien worked the best of the three, especially in his obvious emotional conflict over Keiko.  Geopolitics matter.  Maybe it takes an Irish actor of that era to fully appreciate the subtleties of a situation like that.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Ryan Reid played the role of Transporter Technician for "Power Play."  He also made a guest appearance on Quantum Leap and had a six-episode run as Jeff Dolan on As the World Turns.

Squid Mixes: 5 O'Clock Toast

Many times on this blog, I have mentioned our dear departed friend, The Playwright.  The 5 O'Clock Toast was his invention.  It combines rye, a peaty Scotch, sweet vermouth and orange bitters with a slightly charred orange peel for garnish.  We didn't have an orange so we used a cherry instead.

The peatiness of the Scotch brings a smokiness to the affair and no doubt the orange peel would add to same.  The drink reflects The Playwright's personality beautifully.  The double meaning of toast suits his unique sense of humor as does the off-beat garnish.

Marvel Unlimited: Legion Quest Ends - Age of Apocalypse Begins

While Legion's intent was to kill Erik Lehnsherr (see last week), it is actually Charles Xavier who dies, setting up the alternate timeline story known as Age of Apocalypse.  Magneto is now the leader of the X-Men and the world, ruled by Apocalypse, has become a hell-scape in which humans are hunted by mutants.

When I first started this a couple weeks ago, my friend Andrew Leon predicted that I wouldn't care for the Age of Apocalypse arc.  So far, I must concede he's been right.  It's my frequent complaint with the teams (X-Men and Avengers): too many characters, too much going on.  Sure, I could draw up a diagram or something but my frustration pushes me to the point where I don't really care enough to do anything like that.  

And yet I read on.  This journey may yet bear fruit.

My Recent Reads

X-Men Vol. 2 #41

Originally released February 1995

Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Artists: Andy Kubert and Ron Garney

via Marvel Database

Cable #20

February 1995

Jeph Loeb/Ian Churchill

via Marvel Database

X-Men Alpha #1

February 1995

Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid/Roger Cruz and Steve Epting

via Memory Alpha

Generation Next #1

March 1995

Lobdell/Chris Bachalo

via Amazon

Star Trek: Conundrum

Episode: "Conundrum"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 14

Original Air Date: February 17, 1992

via Memory Alpha

The entire crew is hit simultaneously with total amnesia: no idea who they are or what they're doing together on a space ship.  They certainly don't remember enough to be suspicious of the interloper in their midst, Kieran MacDuff - no one even catches the Macbeth reference!  The computer says the Federation is at war with the Lysians and the Enterprise has orders to attack their central command.  

This one's fun and I don't always go for the high-concept episodes.  It's interesting watching our heroes piece together their true reality.  Plus, Riker and Ro get it on, completely unaware of their usual antagonism.  The idea holds well almost all the way through.  The final scene, Riker, Ro and Troi in Ten Forward, doesn't quite work.  As it's portrayed, it appears Wil is thoroughly confused over what the two women know that he doesn't.  If the memory treatment works as indicated, Wil should remember everything - and feel appropriately sheepish.

Food Notes

"Conundrum" introduces the mixological highlight of the franchise: the Samarian Sunset.  Presentation is everything for this one: watch here.  I have seen several real world recipes - some making an effort at the visual magic, some skipping it.  I have yet to try any of them.  Sadly, there are no in-story clues as to the ingredients.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Erich Anderson (MacDuff) was born in 1957.  His big screen gigs include Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Bat*21 and Unfaithful.  Other television guest appearances include thirtysomething, Felicity and Melrose Place.  Anderson is married to Saxton Trainor.

Squid Mixes: Brooklyn

A Brooklyn combines rye, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Angostura bitters with a cherry garnish.  I got my recipe from Liquor.com.  Actually, most recipes, including this one, call for Amer Picon, an orange peel liqueur nearly impossible to find in the United States.  In fact, it's probably because of this rare ingredient that the Brooklyn is not as popular as the Manhattan or the Bronx.  Angostura is the typically recommended substitute.  The drink dates back to at least 1908, its first appearance in print.  

I made this drink when we watched the final episode of Brooklyn 99.  One definitely gets the cherry in the nose.  I think the color is a little pinkish though I wonder if that's merely psychological.

Marvel Unlimited: X-Men #40, Uncanny X-Men #321

Last week was quite a week in the real world for me.  Ran out of time for the Star Trek post.  I suppose it was bound to happen eventually.  Not much time for reading, either.  So it goes.  Onward...

Legion Quest is the prelude story to Age of Apocalypse.  Legion, Professor Charles Xavier's estranged and psychotic son, has gone back in time to kill Erik Lehnsherr before he becomes the arch-villain Magneto. 

My Recent Reads

X-Men Vol. 2 #40

Originally released January 1995

Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Artist: Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #321

February 1996

Scott Lobdell and Mark Waid/Ron Garney

Bitters of the Month: Celery

The celery seed flavor in Fee Brothers Celery Bitters is quite strong.  It's saltier than other bitters we've tried, too.  While I already had a drink in mind when I bought it (stay tuned), my immediate thought upon tasting it was that it's definitely going in my Bloody Mary and Tequila Maria recipes.  

On the Coffee Table: Sweet Tooth

Title: Sweet Tooth, Volume 1: Out of the Deep Woods

Writer and Artist: Jeff Lemire

via Amazon

Now a TV show, Sweet Tooth began as a comic book series.  Out of the Deep Woods collects issues #1-5.

Gus is a young boy living with his father deep in the Nebraska woods.  They live isolated from the world outside.  Oh, and Gus has antlers and other deer-like features, though we don't know why yet.

One day, Gus's father dies and he is rescued from would be kidnappers by Jepperd, a drifter.  The two bond as Jepperd takes Gus along on his wanderings.  Unfortunately, this initial story ends in betrayal.

Sweet Tooth is weird and dark but good.  I am definitely up for more.

Marvel Unlimited: Marvels #4, X-Men #38-39, Uncanny X-Men #319-320

Marvels #4 offers a retelling of what is arguably Marvel's single most important story: the death of Gwen Stacy.  Phil Seldon befriends Gwen in an effort to learn the truth about her father's death.  Phil witnesses the tragic event himself and is thus as shocked and heartbroken as the rest of us.  It's a powerful moment in a powerful series.  I am glad to have experienced it.  I'm not prepared to say Marvels is the best series I've read in this exploration as the full impact is so dependent on familiarity with the source material.  But there's no denying the quality.

Next up is the Age of Apocalypse, an X-Men event crossing over numerous titles.  There seems to be a lot of disagreement over the reading order and even which issues are included in the story.  Marvel has, in fact, changed the order in different editions of its collected trades.  For now, until I am convinced otherwise, I will trust in Comic Book Herald's reading list.  He has guided me well thus far.

My Recent Reads

Marvels #4

Originally released March 22, 1994

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Artist: Alex Ross

via Marvel Unlimited

X-Men Vol. 2 #38

November 1994

Fabian Nicieza/Andy Kubert

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #319

December 1994

Scott Lobdell/Steve Epting

X-Men Vol. 2 #39

December 1994

Nicieza/Terry Dodson

via Marvel Database

Uncanny X-Men #320

January 1995

Lobdell and Mark Waid/Roger Cruz

via Amazon

Star Trek: The Masterpiece Society

Episode: "The Masterpiece Society"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 13

Original Air Date: February 3, 1992

via Memory Alpha

The Enterprise rescues Moab IV, a genetically engineered society, from destruction but the resulting cultural contamination brings its own complications.  For the inhabitants, our heroes represent the first outside contact in multiple generations.  Deanna Troi falls in love Aaron Conor, the community's leader and he invites her to stay.  Meanwhile, Geordi LaForge demonstrates to his scientific counterpart that his blindness does not prevent him from making meaningful, world-saving contributions.

Much of the writing and production staff didn't care for "The Masterpiece Society" in the end, just another loss of innocence narrative for Star Trek.  But it works for me.  I found each dilemma, as well as its resolution, believable.  And it's a nice story for both Troi and LaForge who don't always get the strongest material.  Yes, it's another doomed affair for Deanna but I buy this one.  Her reluctance to leave feels real.  And it's always fun when Geordi gets to be brilliant, and this time not just for his facility with gears and gizmos.  He gets to make a broader point.

So, not the best Season 5 episode so far but it feels like we're heading back in the right direction after a few mediocre efforts.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Dey Young played the role of Hannah Bates, the lead scientist on Moab IV.  Young was born Anna Dey Young in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, July 28, 1955.  Her sister, Leigh Taylor-Young, is also an actress.  Their brother Lance is a writer and producer in film.  Dey Young's films include Rock 'n' Roll High School, The Running Man, Pretty Woman and Spaceballs.  This was her first of three Trek appearances in three different roles in three different series.

In addition to acting, Young is a professional sculptor.  Check out her work here.

On the Coffee Table: Steve Almond

Title: Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America

Author: Steve Almond

via Amazon

In his bio on the back cover, Steve Almond states that he's "eaten at least one piece of candy every single day of his entire life."  In other words, he takes this stuff seriously.

Almond took a self-designed tour of independent candy companies across the United States, among them Lake Champlain Chocolate in Vermont and Idaho Spud in Boise.  As in so many consumer product industries, the candy company is dominated by a small number of giant corporations we all know well: Hershey, Nestle and Mars.  But a few regionally-distributed gems have miraculously survived, even 20 years after Almond wrote his book.  Predictably, Almond's book reflects a nostalgia for a simpler time.

Delightfully, Almond also reveals an industry not entirely unrecognizable to a Wonka fan.  The corporate espionage in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was true to life.  Since a candy bar can't be patented, the production processes are closely guarded secrets.   All of these companies maintain their own ancient equipment as replacing it would run the risk of drastic changes to the products their small but loyal consumer bases have grown to love.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly.  The one drawback for me was Almond's tendency to dwell on his own personal narrative within this adventure.  Frankly, I found it difficult to care - didn't find him particularly likable.  But the candy material is fun.

Squid Mixes: Ingrid

November is Film Noir Month.  Therefore, I have named my latest invention Ingrid, after Ms. Bergman, of course.

via Amazon

In an effort to find a good use for my Bitters of the Month, Bittermens 'Elemakule Tiki (ET), I combined ideas from a couple suggested recipes from the company website.  Using my Manhattan proportions, 3:1 with 3 dashes, I combined bourbon, elderflower liqueur and the ET bitters.  The result was quite fruity.  Our still underage daughter took a sniff and sensed raisins, orange, rose and honey (future sommelier?).

My wife and I both liked the drink though she felt it needed a stronger bass note.  So, for round 2, I tried rye instead.  Winner!  So...

Ingrid

3 oz rye whiskey

1 oz elderflower liqueur

3 dashes 'Elemakule Tiki bitters

Maraschino cherry garnish

Marvel Unlimited: Marvels #1-3

Marvels is a wonderful series.  The history of the Marvel Universe is told from the perspective of Phil Sheldon, a professional news photographer.  We revisit loads of big events: the Richards' wedding, the introduction of the Sentinels and best of all, for me at least, the Galactus/Silver Surfer story.  The source material is vast.  Some of it I know, some I don't, though the series certainly leaves me curious enough to backtrack.  

The broader themes are the most important where the Phil Sheldon story is concerned.  What happens when the everyman gets caught up in the anti-mutant mania, then finds a mutant child living hidden in his own home?  How does he react to the ebb and flow of public trust in the superheroes?

Without question, the highlight of the series is the artwork.  Alex Ross's painted images are stunning, especially for the Galactus story.  

My Recent Reads

Marvels #1

Originally released November 9, 1993

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Artist: Alex Ross

via Marvel Database

Marvels #2

December 14, 1993

Busiek/Ross

Marvels #3

January 25, 1994

Busiek/Ross

via Marvel Database

Star Trek: Violations

Episode: "Violations"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 12

Original Air Date: January 27, 1992

via Memory Alpha

Three telepathic Ullian historians are aboard the Enterprise.  Meanwhile, several members of the crew, beginning with Deanna Troi, are having intense hallucinations, then falling into comas.  Coincidence?  Of course not.

Another awkward attempt at a rape story.  In Deanna's vision, she is assaulted by who appears at first to be Wil Riker, though the image shifts to be that of Jev, one of the Ullians.  There's a bit of a mystery structure to the narrative, though that is undercut by the lack of any real surprises or twists that stick.

The whole thing's uncomfortable.  I mean, a rape story should be, of course, but if anything, it doesn't go far enough if the intent is to explore the issue.  Even Picard's little speech at the end about the potential for evil in each of us rings hollow.

Seeing Picard with hair is fun.

Acting Notes

via True Blood Wiki

Ben Lemon (Jev) was born in Tarrytown, New York.  Other television appearances include House M.D., Desperate Housewives and The Practice.  In film, he kind of specialized in early '90s sequels: Die Hard 2, Hot Shots! Part Deux! and Weekend at Bernie's II.

Squid Mixes: Jewel Cocktail

A Jewel Cocktail combines gin, green Chartreuse, sweet vermouth and orange bitters.  The same can be said of a Bijou Cocktail, though, at least according to The New York Bartender's Guide, the proportions are different: 4:3:2 + 3 dashes for the former, 3:2:2+1 for the latter.  The Jewel also calls for a cherry garnish.  I felt this particular mixture emphasizes the anise flavor in the Chartreuse.

Marvel Unlimited: Marvel Comics Presents #79-84, Marvels #0

I have reached the end of Weapon X.  For me, it's good but not great.  The Wolverine origin story is appreciated and the ending is gruesome yet satisfying.  Actually, that describe the artwork pretty well, too: gruesome yet satisfying.  However, I don't think it would be a meaningful story if one did not already know the Logan/Wolverine character.

Next up is Marvels, a retelling of key moments in the Marvel universe history from an everyman perspective.  I love a painted comic book as well as the pulp-novel style such works tend to employ.  I have reflected on Alex Ross's work before here.

My Recent Reads

Marvel Comics Presents #79

Originally released April 30, 1991

Story: "Weapon X: Chapter Seven"

Writer and Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #80

May 14, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Eight"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #81

May 28, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Nine"

Windsor-Smith

via Marvel Database

Marvel Comics Presents #82

June 11, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Ten"

Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #83

June 25, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Eleven"

Windsor-Smith

via Amazon

Marvel Comics Presents #84

July 9, 1991

"Weapon X: Chapter Twelve"

"Weapon X: Interlude & Escape"

Windsor-Smith

Marvels #0

June 14, 1994

Steve Darnall and Alex Ross/Ross

Star Trek: Hero Worship

Episode: "Hero Worship"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 11

Original Air Date: January 6, 1992

via Memory Alpha

The Enterprise has lost contact with the research vessel Vico.  When they find it, all aboard are dead apart from a boy named Timothy (Joshua Harris).  As the lad processes the trauma, he takes to Data, his savior, and even decides he is an android himself.  While our heroes try to help their new friend, they also must work to avoid Vico's fate themselves.

As Trek stories involving children go, this one isn't terrible - not exactly a high bar to clear.  Harris does well as Data's mimic.  A few moments are unnecessarily saccharine: Data carrying Timothy to bed, for instance.  On the other hand, it's a decent Data story.  In light of Timothy's interest in him, Data must confront what he values in himself as an android vs. what he envies in humans.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Harris was born November 27, 1978.  He was a busy child actor from 1984 to 1992, his most prominent role that of Christopher Ewing on Dallas.  He also guest starred on Falcon Crest, Twin Peaks and The Commish.  TV movies included A Death in California, Go Toward the Light and Locked Up: A Mother's Rage.  

Harris was a reasonably successful baseball player, manning second base at the University of San Diego and professionally, briefly, for the Lansing Lugnuts, a Chicago Cubs affiliate.  In 2006, he started his own production company, 4th Wall Entertainment.

Squid Mixes: Tennessee

A Tennessee combines rye, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice.  I got my recipe from The New York Bartender's Guide.  My wife described it as "surprisingly refreshing."  Rye, and whiskey in general, can come off as heavy but here it matches nicely with lighter, brighter ingredients.

Our Tennessee-born kitty seems to approve.