NB Spoilers in this review

When devastating truths behind the Mars attack are revealed, Picard realizes just how far many will go to preserve secrets stretching back generations.

There’s a lot going on in this this episode written solely by Michael Chabon, but at times it’s weighed-down by the sort of exposition that is easier to process on the page. It’s as if the execs decided that we all deserved a hefty info dump, but that’s not always the most elegant way to propel a story. Luckily there’s a decent sub-plot or two on board.

Right from the outset, on Aia, the Grief World, we discover that Commodore Oh is actually a member of the all-female Zhat Vash secret organisation (she’s half-Vulcan/half-Romulan), and that by staring into The Admonition you can discover what future hell awaits should the synths take over. Oh, and Narissa is there too, and survives the ordeal. Romulan Ramdha is also there, and she’s Narissa’s aunt. Still there?

More engaging is the return of Fenris Ranger Seven (hurrah!), summoned by Elnor in the Borg Cube Artefact, and he’s really pleased to see her. Jeri Ryan is just great in this role, taking the risky step of re-connecting with the Borg and creating a mini-Collective; does she really still have a glowing Borg spine? The ship starts coming back to life and the Borg begin reviving, though Narissa has a solution to this.

Meanwhile on La Sirena, Rios is freaked that the newly-arrived Soji is the spitting image of an android that his former captain in Starfleet was ordered to kill – there were more than twins? – and Agnes has confessed to both carrying a tracker for the Tal Shiar to follow them, and to killing Maddox. She’s resigned to hand herself in at DS12, but Soji takes over the ship and plots a course to her homeworld.

Verdict: After the emotions of the previous week, Patrick Stewart’s Picard steps back as his supporting crew lead the drama. It’s not as good as the previous two episodes, but it’s still a solid hour for those still up for the ride and finding it futile to resist. 8/10

Nick Joy