Time's Arrow

This episode begins with Data's head being discovered in San Francisco. Judging by the looks of it, it's been there for a very, very long time! When the Enterprise (including Data with his head intact) inspects this archaeological site, they find a weird transport beam and Data is sent back to 1893! He is stuck there and ends up meeting Mark Twain, Jack London and Guinan. But, since this is well into the bast, Guinan (who for some weird reason is on Earth) does not recognize him. He also learns that there are weird creatures going into our past to harvest human beings! Can the Enterprise crew figure out a way to get Data? And, can they stop these things from killing humans from the past?

This is the first of a two-part episode. I actually think part one is a bit better--mostly because it has less Mark Twain (who seemed a bit too present and hammy in part 2). Enjoyable and different.

There's some intrigue in the opening of 'Time's Arrow' - namely, the discovery of Data's head found miles beneath San Fransisco - that has our resident android pondering his own mortality. IT also consumes those around him in a philosophical melancholic struggle over losing a close friend. Eventually, the crew gets down to the business of why that head was there and the time travel aspect is where things begin to stall. Data in the 1890s, especially. Guinan's presence there seems a bit forced, although Mark Twain's scenery chewing is an amusement. Tightened up, this could've been a good episode; but a cliffhanger?

6/10

Enterprise is visits Earth following a surprise archeological discovery.

This is an enjoyable episode that has a lot going on but contains some interesting character moments.

The plot has a brilliant hook with the artefact shown in the introductory scene, however it meanders in a number of directions and extended scenes of philosophical dialogue that kills a lot of the momentum, but is nonetheless entertaining.

All the scenes involving Guinan, Data, and interaction with characters from the past are all good exchanges. Caryn Johnson, Brent Spiner, and Jerry Hardin make all these scenes work well. The prospect of Data at a nineteenth century San Francisco poker table is highly amusing.

Where it falters for a layperson like me is the volume of technobabble. Usually Star Trek characters explain it in a fairly understandable way, but this script just hits you with it without any real clarity.

I enjoyed the cinematography, set design, costumes, and general art design. Plus the special effects are very good, particularly the severed head.

Captain Picard gets an interesting call to return to earth, there's been an archaeological find of great importance near San Francisco. Now Patrick Stewart's hobby is archaeology, but there are competent archaeologists on earth.

But they wouldn't know what to make of what they found. It's the detached head of Commander Data and it's been there since roughly around the turn of the 20th century.

As Brent Spiner is an android his observations are detached and clinical. His fellow crewmen on the Enterprise aren't sure how to treat him either.

There is alien activity and Spiner goes back to the late 19th century in San Francisco and meets up with Mark Twain played by Jerry Hardin and a young bell boy Jack London played by Michael Aron. And there's Guinan too whom we know measures her life in millenia. Spiner's meeting with Whoopi Goldberg is most interesting.

All this setting the stage for the succeeding episode. I know my appetite was whetted.

I take GREAT Offense to those who pan this episode and particularly when they pan the great job Jerry Hardin ("Deep Throat" from The X-Files) did with Mark Twain. I've heard recordings of Mark Twain impersonators who knew him in his lifetime, and I've seen the rare footage Edison did of him, this marries the two. So we can literally SEE Mark Twain speak and walk and it is just done SO well, even compared to Hal Holbrook's great work.

In fact, I believe this episode happened. These two episode are so well written, and the concept is so odd, that I have to ask, which alternate universe did it come from? It's not the usual Time Travel gimmickry. As usual my formula for great Time episodes are when it's accidental, and I would say Data stumbling from Dividia II in the 24th Century to Market Street in 1893 San Fransisco is one great bumble.

And he does not lose a beat, he immediately picks up a newspaper and starts getting his bearings - AND a Poker Game with Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo) and Mr Mott in human form, who says "Go to Blazes" to Joe Fallinghawk, the other card shark.

But what is of great importance here is Guinan's role in this, we finally get some great background of the character, and to see her with Mark Twain and Data just tickles me.

These Dividia II Aliens were so strange, so bizarre, and what they were doing so Insidious that my skin crawled. And that "Ophidian"... Shudder.

Data has to inspect his own 500-year old head, which is another creepy thing. "It has happened, it Will happen" - Only Data sees this logically without any fear.

But Mark Twain gets more than he bargains for when he eavesdrops on Guinan and Data. And why is that kid "Jack" at the Hotel so familiar? When I say I believe this story happened, well, "it has happened, it will happen..."