TNG Spoiler: "Dark Page" [sflaaebs]
Sandra Guzdek
Congrats to Julia Kosatka on the birth
of her child!
Mikey the Moderator Guy
]]
TNG: Dark Page
Review by the Star Fleet Ladies Auxiliary and Embroidery/Baking Society
Submitted by Sandra Guzdek <sgu...@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu>
==========================================================
Plot:
SG
Terrific. I don't know what else to say about it.
KMS
Well... interesting, anyway. I won't say it was terrific, because the
first time through I found it a bit predictable. Oddly, when I watched it
again, I liked it a lot better! It still was predictable, but I didn't care.
Characterization:
SG
This has got to be the finest performance by Majel Barrett I've
seen. I was in actual tears at the end of the episode.
KMS
I cried too, however I actually thought Majel was better in "Half a Life"
That said, I think she did a great job in this one too! I really like it
when they let Lwaxana be something besides the Ship's Irritant. The only
part I felt really didn't ring true was the very last scene. I think the
show would have worked better if they had ended the show with the scene of
Deanna and Lwaxana waking in sickbay, with their hands clasped. BTW,
Marina Sirtis did a pretty decent job in this one, herself! I especially
liked her scene with her father... and I thought the singing was a nice
touch. I know other people gagged on it, but I liked it. Fathers
sometimes DO sing to their children! My husband does!
My only serious characterization complaint comes in the scene where Bev,
Jean-Luc and Deanna are in sickbay worrying over Lwaxana. Bev says they
should all go get some rest, Jean-Luc agrees. Deanna asks to spend the
night in Sickbay trying to contact her mother telepathically. Now do you
REALLY think that Bev would have just said "sure" and gone off and left
Deanna alone? When she thought it was probable that Lwaxana's condition
was due to using telepathy, and they had no way of knowing if it was
"contagious?" I don't think so, Tim! (NB: This refers to Home
Improvement, not Tim L!)
I had the thought that when Picard was talking with Deanna and she started
to cry, that he would have at least patted her on the shoulder or
something... in that sort of situation, a physical touch is often very
comforting.
Makeup/Costuming:
SG
Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I've seen it, and I can't
honestly remember any good or bad points either way.
KMS
I just watched the tape last night, so.... Deanna's ombre-shaded pink
and blue dress was kinda cool. Majel's costumes were much more subdued
than normal, which was quite fitting, and even mentioned in the dialogue.
The makeup was great! Lwaxana looked very worn and tired. And just a
mention, that Marina's makeup has been really nice this season, she really
is an astonishingly beautiful woman! The "temple pads" on Hedril seemed a
lot less realistic than the ones on Maquis. Perhaps because they had to
go over her long hair? And Maquis looked amazingly like Ted Danson!
One other piece of nice continuity... at one point Lwaxana was wearing the
same "latinum hair brooch" that she made such a fuss over on DS9!
SFX:
SG
Again, nothing notable. I hope KMS and JEK have something more
to say on these subjects. :) (That is, if JEK doesn't go into
labor!!!)
<Nota Bene: Julia DID go into labor. She is now the proud mommy of Ellan
Julia Kosatka, born Dec. 2, 1993. Which is why her comments are absent
from this review! Congratulations Julia and Scott, and Welcome Ellan!>
KMS
Not much to speak of... the voice modulators on the Kairn were a nice
touch. I did notice a set-dressing error, though. When Deanna asks
Lwaxana if the traumatic event "happened here, in El Nar?" the set is the
Arboretum, NOT the one they had previously used as the house at El-Nar.
Also, they used the exact same shot both times when Maquis was
establishing the telepathic bridge between Deanna and Lwaxana, I suspect
it was even the same piece of film! Lazy!
Misc.:
SG
I loved the rich symbolism . . . the little girl falling into
the pool in the arboretum, sending Lwaxana into the coma; the
various barriers (the wolf, her daddy) . . . This revelation
really gives another dimension to the character of Lwaxana.
SG
I can't remember who said this, but, now that we've seen Deanna's
father and he speaks perfectly normal, unaccented English-slash-
Federation standard, one question remains: where the hell did
Deanna get that accent from?????
KMS
Ditto! Maybe she studied abroad in Eastern Europe when she was at school?
Or maybe when Mr. Hom speaks, it's HIS accent!
KMS
Did anyone else think of the Omega Hedron (from Supergirl) every time
Hedril's name was mentioned? That, or Tippi Hedron? :-) Oh, and
Hedril's expression when she fell in the pool was perfect!
KMS
Why would Mr. Hom have lied about not knowing of any traumatic events in
Lwaxana's life?
KMS
And lastly... is it too cruel to mention the fact that Riker's wattles
(aka double-chin) really jiggled when he was acting outraged by Lwaxana's
accusations in 10-forward?
***************************
The Star Fleet Ladies Auxiliary and Embroidery/Baking Society is:
Catherine Cartwright CCar...@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
Janis Maria Cortese cor...@netcom.com
Sandra Guzdek SGu...@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu
Julia Kosatka JU...@Jetson.UH.EDU
Kellie Matthews-Simmons matt...@ucsu.colorado.edu
Lisa Beard lgb...@bsu-cs.bsu.edu
Melanie A. Miller-Fletcher m...@gremlin.demon.co.uk
Copyright retained by the authors, permission to distribute freely
(within reason) is granted. SFLaAE/BS reviews will be posted to
rec.arts.startrek.current and rec.arts.startrek.reviews on a semi-
regular basis.