From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews of Star Trek The Next Generation - Power Play

The Enterprise investigates a distress call on an uninhabited moon and discovers a lost Starfleet vessel, the USS Essex, from two centuries prior. An away team consisting of Riker, Data, and Troi, along with Chief O'Brien, beams down to the surface, where they are hit by a mysterious energy wave. Disembodied alien criminals, who were trapped in a penal colony on the moon, take over the bodies of Troi, Data, and O'Brien.

With the three possessed crew members holding a number of hostages in Ten Forward, including Keiko and baby Molly O'Brien, Captain Picard must figure out a way to retake his ship and save his crew without harming them. The possessed trio's lack of familiarity with their new bodiesrCoData and O'Brien are not aware of the other's relationship to Keiko and MollyrComakes them an unpredictable and dangerous threat.

Picard's crew must use their wits and knowledge of their possessed comrades' personalities to outmaneuver them, leading to a tense standoff and a dramatic climax where Picard, Worf, and Keiko are willing to sacrifice themselves to save the ship.

Strengths
Character-Driven Conflict: The episode's greatest strength is the opportunity it gives Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Colm Meaney to play against type. Seeing Troi and Data as cold, malevolent villains is genuinely unsettling and allows the actors to showcase their range.

High Stakes and Tension: The hostage situation in Ten Forward is a gripping and suspenseful sequence. The action feels immediate and the threat feels real, which is not always the case in TNG.

Clever Plot: The twist that the aliens are not the spirits of the Essex crew but rather imprisoned criminals is a nice touch that raises the stakes and makes the villains more interesting.

Weaknesses
Convenient Plot Devices: The plot relies on a few convenient devices, such as Riker's broken arm preventing his possession. The resolution also feels a bit too clean and straightforward.

Limited Scope: The episode is a standard "action-adventure" story and doesn't delve into the deeper philosophical questions that often make TNG so compelling.

Overall Impression
"Power Play" is an exciting and well-executed episode that excels due to the standout performances of its cast. While it doesn't offer the deep philosophical exploration of some other episodes, it is a highly entertaining and suspenseful adventure.

Rating: 8/10

This video offers a reaction and review of the episode that delves into the performances of the cast. DATA & CREW POSSESSED! | TNG Power Play Reaction & Review

ChatGPT

HererCOs a breakdown/review of **rCLPower PlayrCY** (TNG Season 5, Episode 15) with what works, what doesnrCOt, and a rating.

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## What the Episode Does / Plot Summary

* The *Enterprise* picks up a distress signal from a moon (Mab-Bu VI) near where the old starship *USS Essex* has been lost for over 200 years. ([Wikipedia][1])
* Riker, Data, Troi go to investigate; their shuttle crashes, OrCOBrien beams down to help them. A lightning storm (or similar interference) knocks them unconscious. ([Ex Astris Scientia][2])
* Afterward, alien entities (disembodied) possess Data, Troi, and OrCOBrien. These rCLpossessedrCY crew members try to take over parts of the ship, hold hostages in Ten Forward, etc., demanding the ship be moved to another location (near the storm) without fully revealing why. ([Ex Astris Scientia][2])
* Picard and remaining crew figure out the ruse and confront the threat; eventually the entities are forced out of the hosts and returned to their penal-colony moon. The crisis ends without too much permanent damage. ([Ex Astris Scientia][2])

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## What Works

1. **Strong Performances when Out of Character**
The chance to see Troi, Data, and OrCOBrien rCLturned evilrCY (or at least alien-possessed) gives the actors room to stretch. Their strange behavior is unsettling and gives dramatic tension. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])

2. **Suspense / Hostage Scenario**
The hostage setup (Ten Forward, etc.) adds stakes. ThererCOs enough mystery (rCLwho are these entities really?rCY, rCLwhy do they want the ship moved?rCY) to keep viewers engaged. ([Ex Astris Scientia][2])

3. **Atmosphere & Direction**
The alien storm effects, lighting, and direction contribute to a darker mood than some typical TNG fare. The sense of danger is palpable when crew are acting unpredictably. ([Memory Alpha][4])

4. **Not Just Action rCo Some Moral / Ethical Texture**
Though not deeply philosophical, rCLPower PlayrCY raises issues: what happens when trusted crewmates are no longer in control; what lengths does one go to protect innocents; how much can appearances deceive? These add some depth beyond just rCLaliens attack.rCY ([Jammer's Reviews][3])

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## What DoesnrCOt Work / Weaknesses

1. **Villains Lack Depth / Credibility**
Many reviews point out that the alien entities arenrCOt fleshed out much. Their motivations are murky, and their logic (why possess these three, why demand the shiprCOs movement, etc.) is vague. That weakens empathy or dread. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])

2. **Plot Convenience / Sci-Fi Logic Strains**
Some of the story depends on rCLthey couldnrCOt use transporters properly,rCY or rCLwhy didnrCOt they detect something earlier,rCY or rCLData gets possessed despite being an androidrCY etc.rCoelements that require a generous suspension of disbelief. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])

3. **Safety Valve Feel**
Even though the situation looks dire, thererCOs seldom a moment where you feel the Enterprise is truly at risk. The hostage scenario has tension, but the resolution tends to reassure rather quickly, which reduces the emotional punch. ([Ex Astris Scientia][2])

4. **Underuse of Some Characters & Subplots**
Some supporting or secondary character opportunities are minimal; the personal stakes, especially for Keiko, OrCOBrien, baby Molly, etc., feel a bit shoehorned in. ItrCOs enough to raise tension but not deeply explored. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])

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## Final Rating: **6.5 / 10**

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## Overall Verdict

*Power Play* is solid as an rCLalien possessionrCY / hostage scenario TNG episode. ItrCOs enjoyable, especially for seeing the regulars behave erratically, for suspense, and for the atmospheric tension. It doesnrCOt quite reach the storytelling or thematic heights of the best of TNG, largely because the antagonists are thinly sketched and many plot conveniences weaken the stakes. But itrCOs far from badrCoitrCOs entertaining and has moments of genuine menace.


[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Play_%28Star_Trek%3A_The_Next_Generation%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Power Play (Star Trek: The Next Generation)"
[2]: https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/episodes/tng5.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ex Astris Scientia - The Next Generation (TNG) Season 5"
[3]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-tng/s5/powerplay.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Power Play\" | Star Trek: TNG | Jammer's Reviews"
[4]: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Play_%28episode%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Power Play (episode) | Memory Alpha | Fandom"
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