TNG – Tin Man

Plot – A race against time between the Federation and the Romulans to reach a piece of alien technology with intelligence; that’s a premise strong enough to get the most hardcore Trek fan salivating. Tin Man is such an unknowable commodity that half the fun of the episode is trying to figure out what the purpose of such a vessel is. Instalments built around these kinds of mysteries always intrigue me, as long as the payoff is satisfying.

It also fascinates me how the writers have to bring in dysfunctional characters to the Enterprise rather than exploring the flaws of the established characters. Gene Roddenberry had a fixed vision that everybody on this ship should get along and be the best of their field. That’s a lovely idea in theory but it doesn’t leave much scope for drama. If your regulars are a bunch of perfect do-gooders then where do you go from there? What is interesting is when characters are brought onto the show who are deeply flawed and idiosyncratic (Dr Pulaski, Lwaxana Troi, Reg Barclay) they manage to stir up the nest a little and provide some of that much missing and much needed conflict. Suddenly Wesley isn’t being smothered by a wonderful mother but being watched over by a crabby old harridan who doesn’t have the best rapport with children. Picard turns into a terrified virgin when Mrs Troi is about because she is so sexually voracious that she will pin him to the wall and put her tongue down his throat as a mere hello. Barclay brings out the impatience in all of the regulars as they have to deal with his phobias and conditions. Here Tam is such a fine addition because he riles everybody with his forthright attitude and unhidden opinions. It’s a glorious turn of events to have the crew of the Enterprise having to guard their thoughts because perhaps they aren’t as innocent and as perfect as they appear. I certainly would have enjoyed his presence a little longer, perhaps a one season stretch like Pulaski.

Character – I love the idea that Picard, an absolute professional, would give the opinion that the latest assignment they have been given is ‘tedious.’

Finally, a decent reason to have Troi involved in an episode. Tin Man is not only linked to her work as a psychologist but reveals some of her backstory when she was being trained. We learn that Betazoid’s develop their psychic ability at adolescence, but some rare individuals have the ability from birth. I felt her connection with Tam was genuine and her empathy towards his situation fell on the right side of compassion. Sometimes she can come across as a know it all or a busybody, but their history meant she had a very natural reason to involve herself in Tam’s psychological affairs.

It’s a unique impression of Data from Tam’s point of view because his mind is so restful unlike all the loud, noisy humanoids he works with.

Performance – What a fine, twitchy performance Harry Groener gives as Tam. A few seconds after his arrival on the Enterprise and he has already started winding people up and I wished he was our resident Betazed rather than Troi. Here’s a character that could create really interesting conflict. He can read minds with pinpoint accuracy and has an alarming habit of saying out loud what everybody is thinking. Having a character who is so obstinate and outspoken reminds me of Pulaski and wish that she were still on board. Watch how Groener gets right in the face of the Enterprise crew who are so used to good relations and calm exchanges. Frakes’ Riker is particularly perturbed. I think we are supposed to find Tam abrasive and unlikeable but I found him to be quite the reverse, a refreshingly forthright individual on this show. People scare him because he can read all of their innermost thoughts and there are simply too many minds for him to keep a handle on them all. Their loves, fears and needs are constantly screaming at him.

Production – When we finally catch up with Tin Man it is filmed and scored with a sense of awe. The music when the Romulans turn up is so wonderfully dramatic that you cannot help but be impressed by their presence.

They truly discovered how to light this show in season three, in a way that makes it far more atmospheric than the first two seasons. It feels as if the lights have come down by a half and everything feels more atmospheric. It doesn’t last, the latter seasons of the TNG (especially season seven) feature the floodlighting approach again but for a couple of years TNG was stylistically vivid.

Tin Man himself is effectively realised; as an inoffensive looking piece of space flotsam on the outside and a living, breathing being on the inside. It reminds me of the aesthetic of Moya in Farscape, using curved corridors and pulsating lighting to suggest an organic structure.

Best moment – The final scene where Data expresses he has found his home on the Enterprise. Troi’s reaction brought tears to my eyes.

Worst moment – How the plot falls into place is perhaps a little too perfect and it feels as though all of the elements have been deliberately set up to allow them to slot together as seamlessly as they do. Tin Man is lonely because he has lost his crew. Tam is a socially awkward Betazoid who prefers isolation from humanoids. Why don’t you tell me how this narrative ends? I prefer my plots to have more frayed edges and to be sown up less neatly.

I wish they hadn’t done that – Levar Burton is an incredibly charismatic performer and he is wasted here on a sea of technobabble. There is no real interest to anything he is saying, no character development to be found. You may as well have a robot saying the same things for all the skill it requires to regurgitate scientific mumbo jumbo.

A reason to watch this episode again – I had no problem stopping Tin Man halfway through because something needed my attention and then coming back to a few days later. That’s not to say it was boring, just that it wasn’t an episode that commanded my attention. It’s pretty responsible as far as Trek goes; a mysterious artefact from the dawn of time, an outspoken telepath, a sinister Romulan presence. Exactly what you would expect from decent Star Trek. Where it really scores is Harry Groener’s performance as Tam, a character that is designed to get under the skin of the regulars and a performance that makes you realise how much the cast play it safe on this show. Groener really goes for it and I certainly wish he had stuck around for a bit longer to poke the ants nest a little more. The plot is fine, not gripping, but it well paced and with some pleasant surprises. I’d say this is the borderline above average TNG, with just enough elements to keep it from getting too bland. Certainly the scenes set on Tin Man itself are beautifully designed, scored and acted and elevate the episode considerably.

***1/2 out of *****

Clue for tomorrow's episode: