[Petrarch]

Episode Discussion

"Surrender"

US Airdate: 06/04/2023 (Paramount+)
International: 07/04/2023 (Amazon Prime/Paramount+)

This thread is for the pre and post discussion of the eighth episode "Surrender" - this will be a spoiler filled discussion so if you've found your way past the warnings in the activity stream and the spoiler tag on the thread, this is your last chance to turn back, or at least it will be at the end of this first post. You have been warned!

Vadic forces Picard to make an impossible choice: deliver what he can never give… or watch his crew perish. Their only salvation lies in the mind of an old friend and old foe.

Written by: Deborah Kampmeier
Directed by: Matt Okumura

You can find a sneak peek of the episode here.

Surrender is the eighth episode, 8 of 10.

[Brunocsf]

What an episode. Seeing Data giving his memories to Lore, so Lore would become Data was genial. And finally seeing TNG crew fully together again brings strong emotions .
Also the Titan flyby with Nemesis music, just like the Enterprise E flyby was amazing too. At any rate one of the best episodes of this season.
And Data is alive again, that makes me feel extreme happiness, after all he is a character that lives in our hearts.
I'm curious about how the story will progress and what exactly is behind the "Red Door" in Jack's visions.
At any rate, this season is worthy to compete with old trek to be fully honest. Top level acting, with top level writing...

[WoorLord]

Well - now that WAS a Star Trek episode for the ages. I love the pacing of these episodes, it isn't all wham bam - there's time for subtle nods and reflection. It's like a waltz, quick - quick - slow. In many ways Picard Season 3 could be considered a film rather than an episodic streaming series, it's certainly been shot and produced that way.

Star moments and stand outs for me

Amanda Plummer - what an incredible performance. Always a hair's breadth from losing control entirely, verbally dancing on the edge of madness just long enough to make everyone feel uncomfortable. A true Star Trek villain to be proud of - reminiscent of so many that have gone before including the maniacal fanaticism of Ricardo Montalban's Khan and I think there is a homage being played out here to her own father's portrayal of General Chang - the use of the captains chair so much, the long delicate but devastating monologues - whilst she might not have been speaking Shakespeare - there was more than a hint of the dogs of war being let slip occasionally. Not sure if we have seen the end of her truly - who knows what these new Changelings are capable of - but if you're going to go out, you better go out in style with a killer last line (nailed it).

Marina Sirtis - not going to lie I was concerned about her return the most, Troi was always so delicate (especially in Nemesis) - and I was loathe to see another weak and feeble, overly emotionally led Deanna. I need not have worried - Sirtis knocked this out of the park too. It was like Troi had grown up, toughened up and was so much more rounded and complete. I enjoyed her being back, holding her own dialogue and adding to the whole piece rather than just scenes which was the problem before.

The Data/Lore struggle I guessed exactly how this would turn out, but I was not disappointed in the least. A perfect way for Data to get around his programing, a great way to "complete" data emotionally and leave us with the finished product. I will say I got a big old warm emotional hug from seeing Denise Crosby again as Tasha, and of course... Spot.

We have our most loved actors all huddled around the ready room table again - who knows, for the last time possible. Nemesis didn't come close to giving me anything close to closure - but that scene did. If we never see them together again - that scene alone gave me the credits scene to TNG era trek.

So what's behind the door - what is Jack? Or what have the changelings done with him and why? In my head there's a pre-Jurati borg link here somewhere, that voice ancient and weak... would that be be the old hive mind? The body of Picard would have original nanoprobes floating about in it would it not.

Or is it something entirely different... Undine? or have the changelings been up to no good with their Jem'Hadar DNA research?

I can't wait to find out.

[Solace]

Wow! What an episode, this is just getting better and better. I’m beyond overjoyed that we got Data back and saw him once again outwit Lore, it was a fitting and emotional way to complete Data and his quest to become more human.

The nemesis music and the titan flyby just made feel so many things, excitement being the big one. It felt like such a good throwback, the TNG crew back together at the same table once again was perfect in every way.

I’m really curious as what the entity is behind the red door, described as “ancient and weak”… hmm.

[Heyallo]

Wow! What an episode, this is just getting better and better. I’m beyond overjoyed that we got Data back and saw him once again outwit Lore, it was a fitting and emotional way to complete Data and his quest to become more human.

The nemesis music and the titan flyby just made feel so many things, excitement being the big one. It felt like such a good throwback, the TNG crew back together at the same table once again was perfect in every way.

I’m really curious as what the entity is behind the red door, described as “ancient and weak”… hmm.

DITTO! on all of it! Also very sad panda it ends in 2 weeks =(

[RavenSplat]

That Data and Lore scene was perfect. I admit I was worried Deanna would be a changeling a few episodes ago and appreciated the Picard and La Forge check scene. The emergency exit from the bridge is certainly a choice from the Starship designers but it came in useful I suppose.

Amanda Plumber is perfect as always and I think she might be gone but what a way to go. Same for the Shrike, I will miss that horn but wow what a ship.

And that Red Door tease at the end, ancient and weak entity doesn't really narrow it down to anyone specific so will have to see what happens. Also wondering if we get to see Hangar 12 next week to go all un-networked (is this Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica). I better see some in person Odyssey class soon and not the three seconds we see in the trailer. I need more.

I am sad this is ending so soon but I'm sure it is going to be a great sendoff to a number of these characters.

[Bridger]

It would be great if the restored Enterprise-D or E would be stored there.

[Petrarch]

Here's a thought, suppose it's neither the D or E, it's already mentioned that the Enterprise is slated for early decommissioning - what if it's the F stored there awaiting restoration for the museum and that's what Geordi is hiding?

[JCarrill0]

Here's a thought, suppose it's neither the D or E, it's already mentioned that the Enterprise is slated for early decommissioning - what if it's the F stored there awaiting restoration for the museum and that's what Geordi is hiding?

That would be amazing!