Episode 7 of Picard is here, and we are finally getting some details into the intrigue goings-on behind the scenes! The theme of this episode seems to be the same as the title: Nepenthe. Nepenthe is from Homer’s Odyssey and described as medicine that banishes grief or trouble from a person’s mind. Given what Soji, Picard, Agnes, et al. are going through, it is an apt title.

Quick note: these recaps are not a play-by-play review (there are plenty of those out there); rather, they contain my thoughts on what makes the episode special, goosebump moments, things I loved and hated, Easter eggs, and other fun stuff.

Episode 7: “Nepenthe”

I love a good double agent story and guess what? Agnes is a double agent! (Clearly conflicted and tormented, but still!)

Guess who’s back! Counselor Troi and Commander Riker!

Goosebumps, Cringes, and Laughs

Goosebumps #1

Rios: Hey Mano? Time to go

Elnor: Go without me, this will not happen again. My help is needed here.

Rios: Everybody here thinks you’re crazy.

Agnes: And brave.

Rios: And brave. Adios Kid.

Also just a moment to mention the amazing musical score for Picard. This scene was so powerfully built: dialogue, music, and visuals.

Goosebumps #2

Before your sister came to me, I was haunted by my past. Marking time. Wasting my life. But now, I’m alive. And I have a mission. Which means there’s not a hell of a chance that you or anyone else can stop me.

Phew, what a powerful scene. OK, maybe this was also Tears #2. Honestly, even the look he gives her afterward was perfect. This whole scene is perfect.

Tears

Watching Picard come around the corner to see Troi, I choked up. I missed these people so damn much.

Troi: You’re in trouble. How bad?

JL: Bad enough.

And then again when he saw Riker was just so damn Riker! The way he just shields up and scans to protect his friend… Right in the feels!

Laugh Out Loud #1

So you want to be ass-deep in Romulans for the rest of your life?

HAHAHA… Bravo, Riker.

Laugh Out Loud #2

Classic Picard arrogance. You get to make decisions about who gets to take the chances and who doesn’t, and who’s in the loop and who’s out of the loop, and naturally, it always ends up with you.

Writing in this episode and last week’s is just phenomenal. The writers aren’t just taking pokes at old TNG archetypes. They are dismantling them.

Memory Alpha (aka Things I Loved)

This episode was an amazing episode with a lot of depth.

• Troi and Riker: Your domestic bliss is better than I could have imagined for you. I love the Wild Girl of the Woods!
• Troi: I missed her counseling sessions and long talks. Her discussion with Soji was beautiful. Even her dressing down of Riker and Picard was perfect.
• Hugh: I am so sorry you are gone, but what a story. I could not have imagined a more noble end to your tale.

Hugh, 1992-2020

Easter Eggs!

This episode had some fun references and nods to the past. Here are my favorites:

• Picard’s Heart: Waaaay back in the land before time, Picard was a young, brash Starfleet officer and was stabbed in the heart in a bar fight. He survived, but ultimately the mechanical heart he had was inadequate. It wasn’t until Q helped him get a new heart that he found the mettle to be the captain he has become.
• Kestra: Digging deep into TNG lore here, but Deanna had a sister that died when she was a baby, and her name was Kestra.
• Discovery: The Gormagander is a gigantic space whale that Mudd hit on during an episode of Discovery. Reminds me of another plucky crew who hid inside a giant space worm while the Empire hunted above…

Set Phasers to Kill

The writers of this episode were absolutely on fire. Nearly every scene was artfully crafted with dialogue to support it. At this point, it doesn’t even feel like we are watching a Star Trek series; this is something different.

Ten Forward (aka What I Want)

We once again have reference to the Fenris Rangers when Elnor finds the SOS beacon at the end of the episode. I hope we get much more in depth with them and that they rain holy terror down on the Romulans!

Alternate Timelines – Conspiracy Theories

Last week, I made this prediction:

“I think Agnes is a triple agent working for Starfleet, the Romulans, and her own interests!”

Turns out I was right, sort of. Agnes is a double agent but is also (unknowingly) working for the Romulans.

See you next week!