Masaka is Waking
"Masaka is Waking"
Episode 169: Masks
Episode 169: Masks
Captain's Log Stardate 47615.2 (Year 2370)
The Enterprise encounters a rogue comet in sector 1156. Picard asks Data to begin a full sensor analysis of the rogue comet and log the findings with the Federation Astrophysical survey. After an intense sensor echo hits the spaceship, weird stuff starts happening. An artifact with engraved symbols appears in Troi's quarters, Data begins to sculpt a mask with similar symbols in Troi's pottery class and similar symbols pop up randomly on computer screens.
Captain Picard orders Worf to fire a phaser beam onto the comet. It evaporates the outer shell and reveals an inner structure. The crew is unsure of what the object is, but learns it is 87 million years old. Data thinks it might be an informational archive and he may be in communication with the object.
More artifacts appear in the ship. While Riker seems to think they are primitive and non-functional, Picard interjects and states they are ceremonial and deceptively primitive. Using his archeological background, Picard tries to understand the significance of the symbols on the artifacts, only recognizing the compass symbol commonly used by many cultures. Another symbol, a U-shape, is not clear to Picard.
La Forge performs a diagnostic on Data. Data begins to feel different, experiencing a curious sensation. He asks, "Geordi, what does it feel like when a person is losing his mind?" He turns around, revealing a compass symbol on his forehead and in a strange voice says, "Masaka is waking!"
The crew meets to discuss Data's multiple personalities. Picard directs La Forge to continue to scan the archive and try to access it while he gets to know Data's personalities. As he tries to hold a conversation with many of Data's personalities, he is interrupted by the crew on the Bridge reporting an emergency of an tractor beam coming from the archive, unable to disengage. Data firmly grabs Picard's wrist in fear crying, "she's going to hurt us all". After letting go, Ihat returns saying, "Now you've done it, Captain. Masaka is awake."
The weapons control system is inoperative and Wolf suggests they re-configure a photon torpedo to destroy the archive. Picard tells him to "make it so." However, Picard regrets not having more time to learn about the archive and its artifacts.
As La Forge and Worf are busy reconfiguring the torpedo, the power system stops working and the room begins to transform into stone slabs and artifacts. Picard asks Geordi for ideas, however he feels that Masaka holds the answers.
"I am not going to permit this ship to be turned into an alien city!"
Picard returns to Data's quarters. This time Data is an old man, Masaka's father. Picard asks how he can reach Masaka. Since Korgano is the only one that can talk to Masaka, he tries to reach him but Ihat returns and makes it difficult for him. The deck transforms into Masaka's temple and the symbols of the sun and U-shape are paired together, which Picard finds significant. Picard thinks the relationship is the sun and the moon, each taking turns being the prominent symbol, just like the sun setting and moon rising.
Data appears again, this time wearing the sun-mask and claiming to be Masaka. Picard tells Geordi to find the U-shaped moon symbol and enter it into the transformation program. A moon mask appears and Picard decides incorporate himself into their ritual and wear the mask to pose as Korgano. Picard is confident he can improvise well enough to convince Masaka that he is Korgano.
Picard, posing as Korgano convinces Masaka to tire so that he can return as the hunter when he wakes again. Masaka falls asleep and suddenly the ship and Data transforms to their original state. When Picard asks if Data is alright, he does not remember anything and asks if he has been dreaming again.
"Well Data, you never may become fully human, but you've had an experience that transcends the Human condition. You've been an entire civilization."
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
The Enterprise encounters a rogue comet in sector 1156. Picard asks Data to begin a full sensor analysis of the rogue comet and log the findings with the Federation Astrophysical survey. After an intense sensor echo hits the spaceship, weird stuff starts happening. An artifact with engraved symbols appears in Troi's quarters, Data begins to sculpt a mask with similar symbols in Troi's pottery class and similar symbols pop up randomly on computer screens.
Captain Picard orders Worf to fire a phaser beam onto the comet. It evaporates the outer shell and reveals an inner structure. The crew is unsure of what the object is, but learns it is 87 million years old. Data thinks it might be an informational archive and he may be in communication with the object.
More artifacts appear in the ship. While Riker seems to think they are primitive and non-functional, Picard interjects and states they are ceremonial and deceptively primitive. Using his archeological background, Picard tries to understand the significance of the symbols on the artifacts, only recognizing the compass symbol commonly used by many cultures. Another symbol, a U-shape, is not clear to Picard.
La Forge performs a diagnostic on Data. Data begins to feel different, experiencing a curious sensation. He asks, "Geordi, what does it feel like when a person is losing his mind?" He turns around, revealing a compass symbol on his forehead and in a strange voice says, "Masaka is waking!"
The crew meets to discuss Data's multiple personalities. Picard directs La Forge to continue to scan the archive and try to access it while he gets to know Data's personalities. As he tries to hold a conversation with many of Data's personalities, he is interrupted by the crew on the Bridge reporting an emergency of an tractor beam coming from the archive, unable to disengage. Data firmly grabs Picard's wrist in fear crying, "she's going to hurt us all". After letting go, Ihat returns saying, "Now you've done it, Captain. Masaka is awake."
The weapons control system is inoperative and Wolf suggests they re-configure a photon torpedo to destroy the archive. Picard tells him to "make it so." However, Picard regrets not having more time to learn about the archive and its artifacts.
As La Forge and Worf are busy reconfiguring the torpedo, the power system stops working and the room begins to transform into stone slabs and artifacts. Picard asks Geordi for ideas, however he feels that Masaka holds the answers.
"I am not going to permit this ship to be turned into an alien city!"
Picard returns to Data's quarters. This time Data is an old man, Masaka's father. Picard asks how he can reach Masaka. Since Korgano is the only one that can talk to Masaka, he tries to reach him but Ihat returns and makes it difficult for him. The deck transforms into Masaka's temple and the symbols of the sun and U-shape are paired together, which Picard finds significant. Picard thinks the relationship is the sun and the moon, each taking turns being the prominent symbol, just like the sun setting and moon rising.
Data appears again, this time wearing the sun-mask and claiming to be Masaka. Picard tells Geordi to find the U-shaped moon symbol and enter it into the transformation program. A moon mask appears and Picard decides incorporate himself into their ritual and wear the mask to pose as Korgano. Picard is confident he can improvise well enough to convince Masaka that he is Korgano.
Picard, posing as Korgano convinces Masaka to tire so that he can return as the hunter when he wakes again. Masaka falls asleep and suddenly the ship and Data transforms to their original state. When Picard asks if Data is alright, he does not remember anything and asks if he has been dreaming again.
"Well Data, you never may become fully human, but you've had an experience that transcends the Human condition. You've been an entire civilization."
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
- Picard was an archeological student and values ancient artifacts because of his studies. But more importantly, Picard respects ceremonial artifacts, rituals and cultural mythology.
- Picard once again draws conclusions from symbols. He has a good understanding of commonly used symbols, but also looks for relationships between two different symbols.
- Picard is ever-curious. When it is decided they will need to destroy the archive, he seems disappointed that he won't be able to learn more about it.
- Picard is not afraid to confront Data as he exhibits different personalities. He is willing to engage with each personality with compassion and understanding.
Comments
Post a Comment