Friends, I come to you today utterly melted by Star Trek: Picard 3×07 “Dominion.” I’ve got some big feels and we’ve got some big reveals. I’ve got more questions about who we’re actually fighting against, and not going to lie, I shed some real tears with this one. Let’s dig into Star Trek: Picard episode 3×07 “Dominion.”
More Voyager Callbacks
Listen up, you powers that be at Paramount+. Don’t do me like this. First, you keep name-dropping Janeway. Then in episode 3×06, “The Bounty,” you had Seven stare all starry-eyed at the original Voyager. NOW you show me Admiral Tuvok?! I thought I was going to spontaneously combust. My heart melted when Tuvok showed up. I try not to be too sentimental and let that cloud my judgment of the story, but man, that was such a surprise, and one that I didn’t know I wanted so deeply. Big props to the brilliant Tim Russ for keeping that bit under his hat.
And then when I realized it wasn’t Tuvok, my heart shattered. Tuvok better not be dead. Imma be big mad if he is. I’ll say again what I’ve said before. DON’T TEASE ME WITH VOYAGER REFERENCES EVERYWHERE AND WITHOUT GIVING ME JANEWAY. This is cruel and unusual, especially when they keep saying that Janeway’s got handlers. They’re keeping her alive but under lock and key. I best get some resolution on this by the end of the season. I don’t think I’ll be able to handle it otherwise.
A New Breed of Changelings
I am fascinated and disturbed by the genesis of these new Changelings. Their origin is sad and disgusting. It’s the result of compromising one’s moral standards due to fear of the other. I see how Starfleet got there. It doesn’t make it right. Genocide is always evil, but I suppose it’s easier for Starfleet to swallow because it’s not against humans. Again, this doesn’t make it right and it never will. I love that Vadic calls Picard on it too. Yes, Starfleet gave the Great Link a cure for the plague they infected, but it’s a plague that should never have happened. Project Proteus is a shameful chapter in Federation history. Let’s not repeat it. The best line in the entire episode comes from Vadic. “How remarkable it is that an enlightened species can ignore each other’s pain.” Yes, it is. And in light of the horrific shooting in Nashville this week, I think it’s a poignant reminder of how we should respond to each other.
Irumodic Syndrome(?)
I’ve got some questions here. Jack has telepathic abilities? And Jack was able to take control of Sidney’s body via some sort of telepathic shadowboxing? And maybe Picard doesn’t have Irumodic Syndrome? Consequentially, perhaps Jack doesn’t either?! Apparently, Picard has some magic genetics that he’s passed on. The explanation for this better be good. Otherwise, the zero hints that Picard even has these kinds of abilities previously makes this a simple, convenient, plot contrivance. And let’s be honest, if he were anyone else, you’d call him a Gary Stu. I don’t like that Picard gets to have all the superpowers. He’s not Jesus. Why are we treating him like he is? And don’t get me wrong, I love Picard. He’s a great man, but he’s not infallible, and I feel like the fact that the writers for Picard seem to deify him at every turn isn’t good for the show. We’ll see what becomes of this thread.
Final Thoughts
This bit of the story in Star Trek: Picard 3×07, “Dominion” has some interesting turns to it that I enjoy. There are tons of great action sequences. The fight sequence with Jack and Sidney is particularly good. The plan to lure Vadic and her crew onto the Titan is bold. Geordi and Data are breaking my heart. When Geordi begs Data to emerge and take control, I fully admit to getting a bit choked up. Also, Brent Spiner flipping between Data and Lore is absolute perfection. He’s never been better. Also, props to the music department for a great job with the musical cues this week. The musical callbacks to other shows and films are fine, albeit a bit heavy-handed, but it was wonderful to finally hear a good bit of original music. More of that, please, and thank you. Finally, Vadic taking the Captain’s chair? Frakkin’ scary. After this episode, Vadic has just made my cosplay wishlist. We’ll see if I can pull that off.
What did you think of Star Trek: Picard 3×07, “Dominion”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Picard will air on April 6, 2023, on Paramount+.
