Rapid Progress

"Rapid Progress"

Episode 1 & 2: Encounter at Farpoint

Captain's log, Stardate 41153.7 (Year 2364)

USS Enterprise travels to Planet Daneb IV to examine Farpoint, a starbase built there by the inhabitants of that world.

Picard is getting acquainted with his new ship, the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise and is still in awe of its size and complexity. Picard is still lacking a first officer, but the highly experienced, One Commander William Riker, will be joining the ship at their destination.

The crew encounters a wall and is forced to come to a full stop. A humanoid dressed in 16th century clothing appears and calls himself Q. As Lieutenant Torres takes out his phaser, Q freezes him. He threatens they return back to Earth or they will die.

The crew is growing tired of Q's mockery of Human behavior. Picard defends Humans, saying we have made "rapid progress", especially in the last four centuries. Picard compares Q to other "self-righteous lifeforms who are eager, not to learn, but to prosecute and judge anything they don't understand or can't tolerate".

Picard's crew is requesting to fight or escape. Troi recommends they avoid further contact. Picard agrees to perform a saucer separation to protect those on board. While it is possible to do at warp speed, it is not advisable. Picard is confident they can accelerate beyond safety limits in order to outpace Q and his field. Either this or "tuck tail between our legs and return to Earth as they demand".

As soon as they take off, the field forms into a ball and begins to follow the Enterprise. As it begins to catch up, Picard demands they continue to accelerate. At extreme risk, Picard commands they perform a saucer separation. The crew is shocked by the command, but reluctantly goes along with it.

After a successful saucer separation, the battle ship bridge decelerates. Anxious, Yaw is ready to fight and destroy. Picard rejects, "Lieutenant, are you recommending that we fight a lifeform that can do all those things? I'd like to hear your advice." She backs off and Picard decides to surrender and has Troi interpret the message in all languages and frequencies.

They suddenly appear to be in a courtroom, which Data claims to be a mid-21st century, post-atomic war period. Q appears as the judge. Their lives are threatened until Picard pleads guilty for the Human race being grievously savage criminals. Picard reluctantly does under one provision that they test if the Human race is presently savage as represented by the Enterprise's crew. Q agrees to the test for 24 hours and sends them back to their ship.

They are back en route to Farpoint station, where they are to join Commander Rider. Riker doesn't receive the warmest of welcomes from Captain Picard. Riker catches up to speed with a video recording of their encounters with Q. Picard gives Riker his first task: to dock the battle bridge back to the saucer section. Once completed, the crew shows satisfaction with Riker's work.

Picard has a meeting with Rider and congratulates his good work. He proceeds to question a time when Riker refused Captain Robert DeSoto's order to beam down to Altair III to which Rider responded his decision was to protect the safety of the Captain. Picard questions Riker's position of respecting authority to which Riker candidly holds his position that he will respect all orders, short of compromising the captain's safety. Picard's first request is that Riker upholds the Captain's image of "geniality" around the families aboard the ship, something Picard is uncomfortable with. He then formally welcomes Riker onboard with a handshake.

When Q appears on the main view screen, Worf pulls points his phaser at him to which Picard interjects him, asking, "do you intend to blast a hole in our viewer?" Worf apologizes, saying he reacted fast and that he will learn to do better. Picard's responds, "Of course you will. We have a long voyage ahead of us." Picard commands the crew continue to proceed as if the Q is not watching and judging them.
"If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for what we really are."

Personal log, Stardate 41153.8
Of the 24 hours Q allotted us to prove ourselves 11 have now passed without incident and yet I cannot forget Q's prediction that we will face some critical test.

Wesley and his mother, Dr. Crusher discuss Picard's sternness. While Wesley is enthusiastic about meeting Picard, he knows Picard to be "a pain". Dr. Crusher describes most explorers to be "lonely with no chance to have a family" but that his father liked him very much. She reluctantly agrees to take him on the bridge to meet the Captain properly. When they arrive, Captain appears upset to see a child on the bridge, but Dr. Crusher's presence softens him as he realizes that Wesley is the son of Picard's late friend. He allows Wesley to look around, but then abruptly yells, "don't touch anything!" When Wesley unintentionally answers a signal on the Captain's panel, Picard yells at both of them to get off the bridge.

An unknown vessel joins in orbit and begins to fire at Deneb IV and the Bandis. Picard makes a difficult decision to abduct Zorn, who may know more about the alien life form than he is letting on. Picard asks Riker if he would be opposed to the illegal kidnapping. Meanwhile, he questions the decision with Counselor Troi who assures him he isn't violating the Prime Directive and must protect the Bandi. He orders phasers to be prepared for attack.

Q appears and questions the Captain's motives on using phasers instead of aiding the casualties on Bandi City. Picard confirms that Dr. Crusher and the medical team are already prepared to beam down to the city to give medical assistance. Picard shifts the savage behavior back onto Q.

Meanwhile, Zorn is abducted right before Riker's eyes, but not by anyone on the crew. Q mocks the Captain for not knowing who adducted Zorn. Picard raises his voice at Q who continues to interfere with Picard's commands. Q suggests he beam his away team to the unknown vessel, but Picard won't risk his team. Riker volunteers to go and the away team accompanies him.

Picard visits Dr. Crusher to apologize for his harsh behavior, admitting that he was unwelcoming and unprofessional. He shares his admiration of Wesley's knowledge. He approves a transfer for her to avoid any reminders of her late husband's tragedy. She rejects the transfer, stating that she requested the assignment and that her husbands death will not affect how she serves the mission.
"I, eh, I hope we can be friends."

The away team finds a tortured Zorn and frees him with a phaser. They lose communication with the Enterprise. When Picard tries to rescue his away team from the vessel, Q returns in a Starfleet Captain's uniform and tells him his time is up. Picard pleas to let him rescue his team first, willing to do whatever he's told. The away team reappears after he made the bargain, although Troi claims it wasn't Q that brought them back, so the bargain is not valid.

Q wants Picard to destroy the vessel that was firing at the Bandis. Yet Zorn gives away the answer that they need. The vessel is not a vessel after all, it is a morphed life form similar to that which the Bandis captured and used to give Farpoint Station energy. The vessel returns to its normal alien state and they learn it is the mate of the Zorn's captured alien. The Enterprise assists in allowing the alien to break free and condemns Zorn for his wrong-doing.

Troi tells the Captain the aliens are projecting feelings of great joy and gratitude from both of them. Picard demands Q leave the ship as they have passed his test. He leaves, but doesn't promise he won't return again.

Riker questions if all of their missions will be like this. Picard calls Riker "Number One" for the first time and assures him that, no, they should be much more interesting.
"Let's see whats out there. Engage."



What did I learn about Picard's leadership?

• Picard is not afraid to test the limits. He would rather attempt a dangerous task with high risk involved than be a coward. 
• Picard doesn't take well to his crew's rash reactions. But instead of telling his crew not to take the action, he'll ask a simple question about their motive so that they come to their own conclusion that it's a bad idea. 
• Picard questions Riker's ability to respect a captain's orders. Picard feels a Captain's orders should be followed and never undermined. 
• During each episode, we get a small snippet of the Captain's log, where Picard will document the status of the ship's missions and record events for future reference. In this episode, we also get a glimpse into Picard's personal log, which is like a personal diary for self-reflection and growth. A good leader will use both types of journaling to record work-related events as well as reflection for personal growth. 
• We get a first glimpse into Picard's distaste for children, admitting he is not a family man. While this is definitely not true for all leaders, there is some truth to Dr. Crusher's statement that many explorers are "lonely with no chance to have a family", which could explain his discomfort around children. 
• A good leader will seek counsel, especially when faced with a difficult decision. Counselor Troi serves this role often for Captain Picard, although he seeks counsel from many others during the series. It is important to bounce ideas off someone else before taking big steps. When dealing with an ethical or moral conflict, it is especially important to act with a clear conscious and many times counsel can help a leader make good decisions.
• Picard is accountable for his actions and is willing to apologize for bad behavior. He respects his team and if he has unintentionally treated anyone poorly, he will be the first to apologize.