Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

 This is the first TREKKIE TUESDAY! I am a Star Trek fan, specifically the Next Generation. I grew up watching this with my dad so it has fond memories for me. It seems only fitting then that the episode I chose to start with is called "Family." It's episode 2 of season 4 and it just happened to be where I was in the series when I decided to start blogging about it. I don't intend to choose episodes in any particular order, just whatever I feel like talking about in any given week. The down side to this will be if you haven't seen any Next Gen. before. In order to keep you from feeling too out of the loop I will be posting which episode I plan on watching the next week at the end of the current weeks post. I would then recommend that you watch a couple episodes previous to that one to get caught up.

 The main story of the episode is that Jean-Luc is taking a little vacation to recoup after having been kidnapped by the Borg. He goes to visit his brother and family in France. As he is explaining his plans to Deanna Troi, Picard gets annoyed that she keeps saying "interesting" because Picard and his brother don't really get along. I would be feeling the same way as Picard in this scenario because Troi never says what she is really thinking, she just spouts off psycho-babble at Picard. Sadly, this is something that she regularly does throughout the entire series, which is especially frustrating knowing she is a Betazoid. Basically, she can tap into your feelings and thoughts.
In the show, this is seen as an asset for a counselor, which Deanna is, but I think she abuses her power too much and uses it to manipulate people into being more forthcoming than they want to be. But, I digress...

In this episode, we get to see Picard in a more relaxed tone. I find it interesting that even though his character is French he comes across as very English. I'm not sure if this is the writing or Patrick Stewart's acting. Either way, I find it kind of charming. Even the way he carries himself and how he speaks reminds me of some of  my favorite English intellectuals, like Stephen Fry (he's so effing adorable).
Jean-Luc goes to his family to get away. Isn't it interesting that as soon as we experience something challenging or life threatening we think of family. At least, that is true for those of us who have good family relations. I find the times I think of family the most is during the holidays and personal celebrations; times of happiness that I want to share with them. To be fair, I've had far fewer life threatening situations than Picard so when I do face life challenges really the first person I think about is my husband. With something as traumatizing as being captive by the Borg, Picard's certainty of where he belongs is temporarily shaken. In the end, of course, he returns to the Enterprise and continues to be captain (there are after all three more seasons).
Frankly, I think Picard is much stronger than he gives himself credit for. If I were captured by the Borg and made to kill and destroy against my will and still remember that I did those things, I would be right fucked up. Maybe not right away, but that kind of shit would leave a mark. Good on ya, Captain!
Well, that's really all I have to say about this episode. Please feel free to leave comments bearing in mind this is a positive atmosphere for open discussion. Join me next Tuesday for "Deja Q." 
Live long and prosper.