Star Trek: Picard - Episode 4 "Absolute Candor" Recap
By: Keith Phipps - Vulture
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
>>> Spoilers <<<
Star Trek: Picard Recap: A Sort of Homecoming
Remember last week when, by episode’s end, it felt like we had a fully assembled crew and were ready to speed into the heart of the mission? Not quite, apparently. First, Picard and the rest of the La Sirena crew have to make a stop on a planet that’s home to some old friends and bad memories. As part of that stop, he has to take on another crew member with whom he has a history. And, at the end of the episode, maybe another in the form of a Very Special Guest Star From Another Series. Fortunately, none of it feels like wheel-spinning, and the moments of downtime allow some fun dynamics to begin developing among the rest of the cast.
But first, another flashback. It’s starting to feel as if each episode will fill in a new detail involving the events of 14 years ago, when the synths turned deadly and torched Mars, the Federation abandoned its plans to rescue the Romulans, Picard resigned, and Raffi started her bitter descent into a life of drinking and snake leaf. Here we drop into life on Vashti, home of a Romulan Relocation Hub and, honestly, it looks pretty great. There’s a bustling market, laughing kids run through the street, and when Picard shows up (dressed in a sharp white suit and Panama hat) he’s greeted like a hero. The Romulans seem worried, but he assures them the Federation will help. They have his word.
Picard’s first stop: a visit to Zani (Amirah Vann), a member of the Romulan order of nun-assassins known as the Qowat Milat. (This series is introducing a lot of wild, fun new ideas into Star Trek canon.) In addition to being at once murderous and spiritual, the Qowat Milat have adopted the practice of “absolute candor,” a very un-Romulan tenet that both gives the episode its title and makes Picard uncomfortable when Zani speaks of his discomfort with children in front of the young, family-less Elnor (the only male living among the Qowat Milat). But Picard really does seem to like Elnor. Picard gives him a copy of The Three Musketeers, helps him with his fencing, and generally seems to have gotten past a well-established urge to flee whenever he has to interact with anyone under drinking age. Then the bad news of the synth attack takes him away with the promise to be back soon (even though the Qowat Milat opposes promises on principle). It won’t be one he can keep.
Then we’re back aboard La Sirena, where Jurati is bored with space and decides to strike up a conversation with Rios, who just wants to read another chapter in The Tragic Sense of Life. Jurati has all sorts of questions, however, including why he only has Klingon opera aboard. (“Long story.”) He seems annoyed, but there’s a bit of a spark there, and Alison Pill and Santiago Cabrera play it well.
Picard feels the ship needs to make a stop, and though Raffi disagrees, the captain won’t be swayed. He has unfinished business and, in his own words, knows he may not pass this way again. Lest Rios’s reading a book about “the existential pain of living with the consciousness of death and how it defines us as human beings” wasn’t reminder enough, this is a series about final journeys, and Picard can hear the clock ticking.
Things aren’t so hot on Vashti these days. In fact, there’s a power vacuum in that corner of space, one that allows a “petty warlord” with a Klingon Bird of Prey to run things. Picard makes it to the surface where, in a bit of absolute candor, Zani tells him he’s gotten old. That might be a little unfair, but Elnor, who’s still working for the Qowat Milat, clearly has aged. He’s now a strapping young Romulan (played by Evan Evagora) with some complicated feelings about Picard. Nonetheless, he both signs up to join Picard and saves his life — via a graphic beheading — from some Romulans angered by Picard’s apparent betrayal of the Romulan cause (and by his taking down a “Romulans Only” sign and trying to talk to them). Picard and Elnor still have some issues to work through, clearly, but Picard can now count Elnor as a member of the crew. One sour note, however: Elnor’s signed up because Picard’s quest meets the Qowat Milat’s “lost cause” requirement.
On the Artifact, Soji watches old videos of Ramdha, the assimilated Romulan who accused her of being the Destroyer before attempting to kill herself, and it seems like Ramdha has long had the apocalypse on her mind. Or, in her words, “Ganmadan,” also known as the Day of Annihilation. It’s the day when “all the shackled demons break their chains and answer the call of the Destroyer,” a belief that seems to make Soji uncomfortable.
Also making Soji uncomfortable: Narek’s habit of following her around and the way he seems to have total access to the artifact and know things about her he shouldn’t. Nonetheless, she follows him into a darkened ventilation corridor where they slide around and make out and he suggests she might not have lived the life reflected in her records.
There’s a lot he doesn’t know, however, most of it related to the assimilated Romulan ship the Shaenor . Specifically, why is Shoji fixated on Ramdha? What’s the deal with the Shaenor in the first place? And why did everyone aboard lose their minds? In the meantime, he’s not moving fast enough with whatever plan his sister Rizzo has cooked up, beyond planting the first seed of doubt (presumably the question of whether she’s actually done everything her records reflect).
Then, as the episode nears its end, one last twist: caught in a dogfight with the Bird of Prey, Rios nearly loses the battle until he’s bailed out by a mysterious ship with a “magnificent pilot,” whom they rescue from certain death by beaming aboard. It’s another face Picard recognizes: Seven of Nine (and, yeah, her appearance was kind of spoiled by the opening credits, but it’s still a cool moment). What’s Seven’s deal these days? A cut to credits indicates we’ll have to wait to find out.
Code 47s
• No Laris or Zhaban this week. Hopefully we’re not done with them.
• We meet another of Rios’ holograms this week, the Emergency Hospitality Hologram, who might be the best one yet. He helps Picard recreate his Earth study in the holodeck (a choice that, in true Star Trek tradition, both reflects Picard’s character and saves money by reusing a preexisting set). He’s so nice of course Rios hates him. Best touch: the way he makes himself disappear as soon as Rio walks in the room.
• This is the first episode directed by Jonathan Frakes, and it’s got some nice bits of flair, particularly the way the hologram of Ramdha maps onto Shoji’s face as she talks about the Destroyer. It’s not subtle, but it works. He also maintains a consistent look between previous episodes and Discovery , employing a lot more shadows and noir-inspired shafts of light than previous series used aboard starships (if the Artifact counts as a starship).
• They’re really going for a whole Jaime-Cersei thing with Narek and Rizzo, aren’t they?
Star Trek: Picard - Episode 4, "Absolute Candor" Recap - The Ready Room
Last but not least... Welcome back, Seven!
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This episode had yet another strange similarity to The Lord of the Rings (a Ranger mention), so I thought I'd compile all the weirdness I've noticed so far in that regard.
1) Elnor looks like an elf from LOTR. Long hair, clothing, sword, belt, scabbard and all. No way around it.
2) Even the name Elnor sounds LOTR-ish. (Elrond, Arwen, Aragorn... hello?)
3) The scene showing where Elnor lives in the Vashti settlement looks beautifully woodsy and Rivendell-esque, even though the rest of the area looks like a desert.
4) Picard is off on a 'quest' to protect Soji, who is a 'ring bearer' of sorts.
5) In this episode, Picard asks if the 'Fenris Rangers' are still protecting the region where the planet Vashti is located. Well, in LOTR, the North had been protected by the Dúnedain, otherwise known as... the Rangers.
What is UP with all of that?
If anyone's noticed any other weird LOTR stuff that I've missed here, don't keep it to yourself.
Quick spoilery side note: In another article I learned that Seven has apparently been a member of the Fenris Rangers for years, explaining some (maybe all?) of her time since leaving Voyager, as well as how she just happened to be in the area (keeping an eye on that old Romulan War Bird).
This just doesn't seem in keeping with Seven's character. I always figured she'd do research somewhere - something like astrometrics or transwarp propulsion.
I think her time with the borg gives her an edginess that I can see that happening, without Starfleet direction to guide her.
You know, I thought more about it. Seven felt very guilty for having participated in assimilations. Maybe she sees this as a sort of atonement. She also never had much use for Starfleet protocol, when it was inefficient.
I want to know what ever happened between Seven and Chakote after leaving Voyager.
Seven always seemed Vulcanesque in her demeanor on Voyager. Clearly she regained much of her humanity between Voyager and Picard. But she is probably still a practical thinker.
Worst Trek romance ever, with the exception of Worf and Deanna.
The Chakotay/Seven romance did seem forced. But then, Chakotay was the first to break through her Borg "programming."
They just never convinced me. Of course, they only had one episode to try to convince me. I always thought Chakotay and Janeway should have ended up together. Much more convincing onscreen chemistry, right from the pilot episode, and he wasn't twice her age.
I read that the Chakotay/Seven thing was at least in part the result of a dare - Robert Beltran dared Brannon Braga, who was dating Jeri Ryan at the time, to allow Chakotay and Seven to kiss in an episode. Jeri seconded the dare. I don't know if that's true.
I haven't heard about the dare. But Chakotay & Janeway would hAve been a better couple. Although, I doubt it would be allowed to last, with a conflict of interest being a possible reason.
Mulgrew wouldn't allow it. She didn't want Voyager to be a soap opera, more about her looking for love than an exploration and a journey. I can't say I blame her. A female captain as the lead was already rocking the boat a bit.
They actually did film a scene in which she and Chakotay confess their feelings and kiss for a bit, but it was never aired.
The Zhat Vash are Trek Nazgul.
Yeah! Hunting the ring bearer!
And she could even sense their approach, just like Frodo.
This series is really taking off. Elnor is a great character to add. 7 of 9 will be great too given what we know of her.
I wish I could watch the series. But I can't justify paying for another streaming service just to watch Trek, which should be on network TV anyway. But I did see the 1st episode. And I am tempted to subscribe for streaming. Must...remain...strong.
Seven (Jeri Ryan) is still super hot.
You can always cancel when the series is over.
I suppose. But then I'll have to watch Discovery too. then there might be something else which catches my interest. Before I know it, I'm hooked. Lol
There's actually not that much on CBS All Access so far, so you probably won't get hooked. They don't even have The Big Bang Theory on there yet. Some legal issue, which is strange since it's a CBS show to begin with.
Like TiG said, there's no commitment, so you could cancel it after the season wraps up, and after you've caught up on Discovery.
You might have weird feelings about Discovery, though. It is definitely not normal Trek. I finally got caught up on it, and IMO the single best thing about it so far is Anson Mount playing Captain Pike in season 2. He's outstanding. They should have just done a pre-Kirk show about him.
That does seem odd. I wonder if it has something to do with show royalties paid to the actors?
That was certainly the vibe I got from the previews. I don't know, but prequel shows only cause problems for the established cannon. I get the impression (and I could be wrong) that Discovery was more style over substance.
Kind of like TOS pilot episode. Yes, that could have been good.
It is odd as I see the reruns on other channels. Maybe they sold syndication rights or something.
Which Trek series? The other series have been in syndication for years as far as I know.
I meant TBBT.
BBC does show TNG on occasion.
oh ok. I remember all the Trek series had regular reruns on other stations.
Discovery does manage to weave the Captain Pike stories of 'The Cage' and 'The Menagerie' into some of the season 2 episodes. You'll like it.
I don't know what the reason is. I guess I could look it up, but I have the entire series on DVD so it isn't much of an issue for me.
They do have Young Sheldon there, so that's good. I was able to catch up on a couple of those that I'd missed.
try this
flixtor.to
so far, it's free
just scroll down to tv series and pick most popular this week
commercial free episodes of 45 minutes
Never heard of that. Is it pirated stuff?
Thanks for the info. I am more intrigued now.
Gordy,
If you are not watching we are going to have to take your avatar away, LOL!
Matt and I joined for Discovery and then quit. We rejoined for Picard. We have 3 services already (Hulu, Amazon (the evil empire) and Netflix) so I feel ya pain.
Nope, my IT guy sent me the link. Watched all of the Avenue 5 series and the first two Picards so far.
they will probably ask for $$ at some point, but right now it's free and everything works well.
That's harsh Perrie, Lol. I am tempted to get All Access.
Just go for it. You know you are suffering!
Must...not...give in. Cant...give...CBS...my money. Lol
But they are delivering a very cool Gordy-esque product. Hey, if they give you what you want why not support their efforts? Plus, you should be a prominent player in Dig's Star Trek articles (for obvious reasons).
( Should there be a Star Trek group on NT? )
You're not helping TiG. Lol
And yes, there should be a ST group.
Maybe I've missed something, but I haven't figured out the benefit of groups yet. What do they accomplish that regular posting doesn't?
Depends on how they're set up. They can be made private, so that only members can read or participate. To a degree, the group owner can moderate the group. Neither of those would probably be necessary in a ST group, but might be good for a group that discusses hot-button issues.
Groups can be moderated by the group owner (and the owner can recruit other members to help if needed). That means that the group moderators will see flags issued on articles within their groups and can directly act on those flags. Also, a group owner can limit the membership. This keeps trolls out.
But the main reason is to bring like-minded people together. Makes sense for anyone who likes Star Trek to be a member of the group. The group also serves as a collection for related articles. And if the articles are tagged with keywords, a keyword cloud appears making it easy to find the articles tagged by a particular Star Trek series, one that deals with Klingons, etc. Given a Star Trek group, when a new article is published from the group, the Star Trek group will appear on the home page and it will have a NEW banner in its upper right hand corner. This is advertising groups that have recent content.
Finally, each group has a comment wall. So general comments on Star Trek that do not apply to any single article can be made there. It is a way for Star Trek aficionados to make comments on Star Trek in general or just converse with fellow members.
Good point.
The tracking of specific topics is the main thing for me, along with a handy on-site notification method, which would be huge. I don't think NT has one. I'm a member of a few groups now and I don't think I've ever been notified when new articles or seeds were posted. I'm pretty much oblivious unless I just happen to see a group icon in the article tiles on the main page.
It would be great if notifications of new group content could show up in Private Notes or something (or maybe even a new tab of their own). If a person hasn't been here for a few days they wouldn't miss things that might not be on the main page whenever they happen to pop in, and they wouldn't have to go actively searching for it either. They could just hover over their username at the top of the screen and presto, they'd know. I'm pretty sure numbers show up in the tab to tell you how many messages you have, right?
No idea how hard that would be to accomplish, though, or even if anyone else thinks we could use something like that
There is a group email function (the pencil on the group page) that allows the owner to create an email and send it (in one shot) to all members of the group. That would be an easy way to notify members, but the event would be manual.
And, again, groups with recent articles show first on the home page group panel and have a NEW label (in red) across their upper-right corner.
Also, we can use the migrate function to move all extant Star Trek articles into the group.
Resistance is futile.....
But there is another method. You let the season play out, and then get the one week free, and binge watch it and then cancel.
There's already a Science Fiction Fanatics group that I'm a member of, but it hasn't been used in months.
I guess I could start a Trek-specific group if no one else wants to. There's 2 shows currently in production and at least 1 more on the way, so maybe it'll be fun.
I'm not big on moderating flags, though. I don't have a tattle-tale, crybaby nature and wouldn't have very much patience for people who think the report function is a way to get back at someone they don't like.
How much moderating is a person who starts a group actually required to do?
I can't imagine very much hubbub in Star Trek discussions, though.
OK. I'll start one as long as no one else wants to. Gordy? Anyone else? Let me know.
Sneaky.
A group like this would rarely see flags. Also, the group could be moderated by the mods in general.
This seems to be a well behaved group and 3 mods and the RA are here
If you do decide to start a group, go to your home page (click on your name on the upper right corner) and select the Groups tab. There you will see a + that lets you create a new group.
Thanks. I want to make sure Gordy wasn't already thinking about starting one, though. Wouldn't want to step on his toes.
Understood
LOL Charger.. good point!
It is sneaky... but not illegal.
I will be assimilated.
What do you make of that ship? I can't figure out what kind of ship it's supposed to be. What is that long open bay behind the bridge area supposed to be for (assault troops?), with that big opening in the floor looking down into the deck below? It's as if they were going for a Rocinante look from the Expanse. And why so many engines (or what I'm assuming are engines)?
Hopefully they'll explain it as we go. Surely the producers are aware of how demanding Trek fans can be when it comes to ship details.
I'm getting a kick out of all the various holograms, though. I think we're up to 4 now. And Picard using a holodeck (or suite) for his quarters? That's pretty cool, but it seems like that would be an awfully inefficient use of ship's power. You'd think Rios would be concerned about something like that, because he seems to be something of a rogue so far, lacking resupply support. I hope they don't leave too many technical holes about things like that in the story, the way Voyager ended up doing with their shuttle count, torpedoes, etc.
I do not know what to make of the ship. It might be the equivalent of a small cruise / pleasure ship (given the servant-like holograms).
To me, the interior looks like it could be a freighter. But that doesn't seem to match the exterior. And it doesn't explain the hospitality hologram.
Yeah that was my first thought too but the open spaces appear to be in very human-usable areas (like the bridge). Why all that space in human-usable areas other than to host walking, sitting, talking beings? Ergo, entertainment crosses my mind.
Yeah, that probably makes more sense. With the hospitality holographic program to provide furnishings, artwork, food, etc. appropriate to the passengers on any given cruise.
Curious? or a clue?
The library only has Klingon operas....
Good catch.
Strange clue. Great observation!
Klingons are not much for comfort. Maybe this was a Klingon ship that was adapted with add-ons to make it more friendly. Then, again, how hard would it be to have a decent selection of shows?
Not nearly as hard as having a holographic program that can recreate a chateau, I'd bet.
Maybe they used all the space for calisthenics with bat'leths.
That is an interesting clue, but it sure doesn't look very 'Klingony' to me; the design or the paint job. Then again, after what Discovery did to the Klingons, I suppose anything is possible.
Here's something I just found. Executive Producer Michael Chabon put this up on his Instagram :
I don't know if it's from a real model or just a joke, but I'm having a hard time finding good shots of that ship. This is about the best I've come across so far.
Looks pretty small to me. The main fuselage can't be much bigger than a runabout. We know there are at least 2 decks, and I imagine that's all she has.
Did anyone notice any blatant plot holes in this episode? You know, something that had you scratching your head the moment you saw it?
For me the only major one was when Raffi beamed Picard and Elnor up just in the nick of time. How did Raffi even know to beam Elnor up? He'd only joined Picard moments earlier, and Picard didn't tell her he had (not that I heard, anyway).
A lesser one was the battle with the Romulan ship at the end. Why were they acting like they were trapped? Space is big. They could have just pointed the ship away from the Romulan and the planet and warped away, right?
Not a plot hole, just something that struck me as odd. In the flashback of the time Picard was on Vashti during Elrond's (whoops, Elnor's) childhood, he was beamed up. When he knew he was being transported, and the beam activated, he was walking. Why? I'm willing to accept that transporter technology has advanced to the point that beaming up a person who is moving isn't a big deal, but where were his feet supposed to be taking him, exactly?
Because I am sure that Picard told them the purpose of going down to the planet was to get a Qowat Milat for the mission. The perfect timing.. not so sure.
I have to agree with you there.
LOL
Oh, yeah! I noticed that too. I wonder if that was intentional or a mistake they just decided to live with?
It seems like it would have been an easy mistake to correct, but maybe they just didn't notice it.
I hope he didn't materialize on a small platform. That's a fall risk.
Have they even shown us La Sirena's transporters yet? I can't remember.
Hey, while I'm thinking about it, did it seem to you that Agnes was starting to crush on Rios?
Me, neither.
Yes. I think they're being set up for an opposites-attract sort of thing. I can see it working. Much more believable than Soji and Narek, Seven and Chakotay, and especially Worf and Deanna. I get the feeling Agnes is more of a rebel than appearances would indicate - I mean, she does study synthetic life when synths are banned.
And there is a very weird vibe between Narek and his sister
I haven't figured out the Narek and Rizzo thing yet. How's that for a Romulan name, by the way? Rizzo? Reminds me of Grease. Maybe it's just her secret agent, human identity name. I hope it's not going to be a Jaime and Cersei thing, though, like the seeded recap article suggests.
I don't know - her first name seems to be a feminine derivative of her brother's, so it seems like it could be her real name. Unless that's how she chose her secret agent name.
It's Narissa, right? Rizzo looks like it could also be a derivative. Rissa - Rizzo.
Not a comment about the show in particular, but does anyone else have trouble with some of All Access's features? Like the "skip intro" feature - it takes me several minutes past the end of the intro, and I end up having to "rewind".
I don't even see a skip intro feature on my All Access app, and there's no buffering for a quick look back at something I just missed like there is on the Netflix app. It actually stops and has to reload the previous time spot. Netflix pops back seamlessly, and also has a flawless skip intro feature. All Access seems a bit less user-friendly to me.
Maybe it's my streaming device, though. I'm just using a Roku premiere. Then again, the apps should be the same across all devices, shouldn't they?
That's what I assumed, and I seem to encounter the same glitch with both my desktop and my smart tv. I use streaming apps via my Blu-ray player when I watch on tv.
Amazon has a "skip intro" feature, and I purchased All Access via my Amazon account. Maybe the issue is there.
I bet that's it. I got All Access as a stand alone app. I'm trying to resist getting too many services, but Amazon is producing The Expanse now, so I've been thinking about adding it. I've noticed that Amazon Prime lets you add entire separate streaming channels like All Access. Is there some benefit in getting it through Amazon? Does it get folded into some kind of package deal that makes it a little cheaper or anything?
Just seemed easier at the time, since I already had Prime.
Does All Access allow you to purchase episodes? If not, I guess that's a benefit, but I can't tell if the purchase option is through All Access or Prime.
I don't think so. There's no need. Once subscribed, you can watch anything they have listed.
That's an Amazon advantage, then. I can buy the series and keep it, so long as I have Prime, even if I discontinue All Access.
Good episode, at least I liked it. I did notice that they're assembling quite ragtag crew all with tragic pasts.
The leader - A hero who was betrayed by the people and organization he had dedicated his life to supporting and he is possibly dying
The Captain - A loner who lost someone important to him and is fighting his demons
The Comms O - A paranoid conspiracy theorist who cannot trust most anyone
The Scientist - who cannot practice science and is adrift without a purpose
The Protector - repeatedly abandoned throughout his odd life and seeking to reconnect with the only father figure he has ever known
7 of 9 - not really sure of her role on the ship yet, but she is former Borg and maybe unaccepted anywhere or atoning for her former Borg crimes(?)
Anyway just some random thoughts on them. I wonder who will be the first to die so the crew can become closer and more committed due to the loss (no one is wearing a red shirt so guessing who it will be is a little tough)
Do we become members of the Star Trek group just by commenting?
I left that option off because I've found it annoying on other group articles that I just wanted to comment on, not join the group.
Should I turn it on?
No. I can't seem to join the group, but I think it's because I'm a mod. I've run across that problem before. Since it's an open group, it's no big deal.
Your comment is showing up on the main page with the group logo on your avatar, so the system thinks you've joined. There must be a bug that wont display you as a member on the group page, even though you are one.
Now that I think about it, the logo on your avatar was probably just there because the comment was on a group discussion, member or not. Weird. Has the problem ever gone away in the past, allowing you to eventually join groups you couldn't at first?
No. But so long as I can participate, it's not a big deal to me that I can't actually be a member.
I know this is off topic from the Picard series, but it is ST and I'm not sure where else to post it, but has anyone checked out the fan made YouTube series based on TOS: Start Trek New Voyages, Star Trek Phase II, and Star Trek Continues (in that order I think)? They're actually quite good and continue TOS in presumably the 4th & 5th years of the original 5 year voyage. The last episode of ST Continues leads into ST: The Motion Picture. All the fan series were made before CBS enacted their new policies regarding fan made episodes and are of surprisingly high production value. They even feature some of the original ST actors and guest stars. Also, check out the ST fan movie, ST: Of Gods and Men and ST: Horizon.
Also, if anyone is interested, here is another fan movie in the works, based on the Enterprise's Capt. Robert April.
I've heard of a couple of them, but I haven't watched them. I tried to watch one a couple of years ago and didn't like it at all, so I quit. I can't remember which one it was, though.
The actors who portray the main Trek characters change between the series. Although, I think Continues offers the best portrayals and stories. New Voyages is probably the weakest of the 3 series. But still worth a look.