Last Time on ‘Star Trek Prodigy’
With Gwyn’s help deciphering a protective security system, the Protostar’s crew found out that they were not the first crew of the Protostar. They also found out that whatever happened to the first crew, under the command of Captain Chokotay, it didn’t go well. Even Janeway had no idea of what she was seeing in the ship’s partially recovered log. In the meantime, while Gwyn and Zero were intrigued by the mystery, the Protostar’s young crew found other things to amuse themselves.
Transportation is a Piece of “Pie”
This consisted of discovering what their transporter could do. They were all fascinated by the technology that converted an object into energy and reassembled it in another place. Even something special…like a piece of pie. With their first transporter experiments being a piece of cake (or pie), they decided to test it on a living volunteer. Although, I’m not sure that Murf exactly volunteered for the opportunity. They were basically depending on Rok-Tahk’s theory that Murf was indestructible, due to last week’s photon grenade consumption. Fortunately for them and Murf, the experiment was a success, and he was safely transported, eventually. After they retrieved him from OUTSIDE the Protostar. Much to the relief of Rok-Tahk.
Damon Nandi
However, their research into further transporter use would have to wait, as they received a distress signal from a distant ship. Come to find out, the supposed “damsel in distress” was in fact, an old friend of Dal’s, Daimon Nandi. In fact, she was as close to a mother as Dal had ever had. The fact that she was a Ferengi probably explained a lot of why Dal was like he WAS. Especially since Ferengi are well known for their self-centeredness in pursuit of profit. As for Dal, the only part that sunk in was the self-centered part. Regardless, his relationship with Nandi made him trust her when probably no one else would. She IS a Ferengi, after all. And it’s not like a Ferengi would take advantage of someone’s trust? Right??
So, the crew transports over to the Ferengi ship Damsel, making sure all body parts came along for the ride. There, they are shown Dal’s bedroom, having been left unchanged since he left. Not that there was much to do with a hammock hanging under the ship’s engines. I’m not sure that Harry Potter’s closet wasn’t posher than Dal’s sleeping arrangements. As they looked around, they found an unattached Klingon cloaking device. Gwyn identified it from the Klingon writing on the outer shell. Damon Nandi said that it would probably work too, if they had any Chimerium. Not realizing who they were dealing with, Rok-Tahk told Nandi that the Protostar had lots of Chimerium, not recognizing the chopping motion that Dal was sending her way. Dal, more than any of them knew what Nandi was capable of. He asked to speak to her alone.
Diplomatic Exchange
Once away from the crew, Dal and Daimon Nandi entered into negotiation. They wanted the cloaking device, and she wanted something from them. An unexplored and untouched planet in the Skeralyx system, who had never met alien life, had a large supply of Remalite crystals. More than they could possibly need, at least in her opinion. All she wanted was just one. If Dal and his crew could help her retrieve one, she would give them the cloaking device. Consider it, a diplomatic exchange. She would give them a fabulous Ferengi Spit pan, and they would give her a crystal. At least, that was the sales pitch Dal would give to the crew.
As Dal presented Nandi’s proposal about the “diplomatic exchange,” Zero could sense that Dal was not as enthusiastic about this mission than either Nandi or the crew. All the crew could see was the possibility of being the first to communicate with a new species. However, Janeway was even MORE unsure of the wisdom of this. First Contact was one of the most important jobs that the Federation undertook. And under any possible first contact situation, the Prime Directive was always their guiding principle. At no time were they to interfere with the natural progression of a planet or society. Despite Dal’s insistence that they would be careful, with an inexperienced crew, Janeway saw disaster written all over this mission.
First Encounter
Regardless of the possible obstacles, the Protostar entered planet’s atmosphere and landed. Dal and crew were fascinated by the unusual environment but saw no one. Eventually, the planet appeared to react to their presence started swirling sand around them. As the sand intensified, Gwyn realized whoever the aliens were, they were using harmonics and electrical frequencies to communicate. She suggested to the team that they adjust their tricorders off the frequency she gave them. Soon, the swirling sand subsided, and a structure appeared. Gwyn surmised that they were being invited to enter it.
Uninvited Guest
Back on the Protostar, Janeway was still reviewing the ships logs from the previous crew. She had just told Captain Chakotay that the ship had been boarded. Behind them, the door to the bridge started to open. But at normal speed, it was difficult to recognize who it was that was seeking entrance. Janeway repeated that section of the log a number of times before freezing the frame and zooming in. It appeared that the Diviner’s henchman Drednok was the one making his way into the bridge. This would certainly explain why the Diviner and Drednok were so interested in the Protostar. But not what caused the ship to be buried. At least, not yet.
The Ramalite Crystals
Meanwhile, on the planet, the crew are walking into the offered chamber, discussing the possibilities of the aliens’ technologies. However, once they reach a point, the walls close off their entrance and a drain like hole opens on the floor, sucking them all down into it. The crew finds themselves sliding down some chutes and landing unceremoniously face down in the dirt. In the chamber they have landed in, numerous examples of the Remalite crystals that Damon Nandi had wanted were hanging from the ceiling. One by one they lit up and illuminated the chamber, bring with them, a number of ethereal aliens. Each of the crystals emitted a different frequency creating their harmonic resonance. No doubt providing the power for their abilities. Each one of the crystals were of importance to the aliens.
The Truth Revealed
Damon Nandi was unimpressed by these proclamations and proceeded to make her “diplomatic exchange” offer. Once she had made a point of offering the Ferengi Spit pan, she requested something in return. But instead of one of the crystals, they offered up a harmonic song. While the crew was appreciative of the offer, Nandi was not. She wanted what she came for and plucked a number of crystals from the vines that held them. Needless to say, the aliens did not take kindly to this transgression, as the ground once again began to shake.
Dal told Nandi that taking the crystals was not what they had agreed to. Much to the surprise of his crew. They had thought this would be a simple “diplomatic exchange.” Now they realized that Dal and Nandi had something else in mind. Dal immediately knew this was wrong and tried to get Nandi to return the crystals. She refused, dropping most of them but keeping one for herself, escaping back the way they had come. Realizing his error, Dal and the other crew members scooped up the fallen crystals and put them back on their vines. However, they needed the lone crystal that Nandi had taken. Each of the crystals were important. So, Dal sent the rest of the crew toward the exit as he pursued Nandi.
Only Profit
He caught up to her, tackling her and knocking the crystal from her grasp. As they fought for it, he told her that it needed to be returned. Nandi, being a Ferengi, recited Rule of Acquisition #1: “Once you have their money, NEVER give it back.” As they struggled, Nandi bemoaned how weak Dal was. She would have thought that his time in the mines would have toughened him up. Upon hearing this, he wanted to know how she knew he had spent time in the mines. He found out, as she bit him on the hand. Come to find out, Nandi had SOLD Dal to the mines. This was a devastating blow to him as he actually though Nandi had cared about him. But instead, she was a credit to her profit seeking race. No loyalty…only Profit.
Restoring the Crystal
The betrayal didn’t stop there. He also realized as Damon Nandi’s ship materialized that she had not only taken the crystal but had also stolen their Chimerium to power the cloaking device. Now she was getting away with not only the Crystal but with their Chimerium as well. With the cloak, they would not be able to track her. Was there NO ONE he could trust? Here’s a hint, Dal…a Ferengi should be the LAST person on that list. But just as despair was sinking in, Dal was transported back to the Protostar. But before Jankom could finish bragging how he had locked on to Dal WITHOUT his comm badge, Dal also stepped over to the transporter. Apparently, Nandi had taught Dal a little subterfuge as he had place his comm badge on the crystal. So, right after Nandi place the crystal down, feeling smug about herself, Dal locked the transporter on it and beamed it back where it belonged. Along with a Federation comm badge. All much to the chagrin of Nandi. So close…
Failing First Contact
Janeway however, was not pleased about the outcome. Regardless of the fact that they had returned the crystals, the first impression they had left with the new alien species was that visitors couldn’t be trusted. They had not followed the Prime Directive and had betrayed Starfleet’s trust…and hers. While this may be true, it seems a bit harsh for a crew who had no knowledge or training in first contact protocol. Perhaps it will serve as a learning experience for all involved.
Opportunity
As for Dal, he was still disappointed that Nandi had let him down like that. He had thought she had considered him like a son. Gwyn understood his feelings more than most. She had been just as disillusioned by HER father. However, he had learned who his true friends were. The ones that would follow him no matter how foolish it seemed. He should never take that for granted. As for when the betrayal would stop hurting, she wasn’t able to tell him that. Not until her own had stopped. Besides, it appeared Damon Nandi wasn’t finished betraying them. She had found out that the Diviner had put out a reward for information on the whereabouts of the Protostar. She would contact this Diviner. Always listen to your lobes when they tingle with opportunity.
Thoughts
After a sojourn into the Star Treks of the past, First Contact once again pushes the storyline a bit further. While at the same time, giving the viewer a bit more background into the past of “Captain” Dal. Somehow, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a Ferengi was a major influence on him. What did come as a surprise was that he didn’t learn enough to know that Ferengi’s can’t be trusted. His Holodeck Security Officer Odo could have told him all about that. Although, Odo and Quark’s relationship developed into one of trust…kind of. Needless to say, this will not be the last we see of Damon Nandi. I would hope that Dal has learned enough to get the upper hand on their next encounter.
Other than knowing that Drednok (or someone that looks like him) had invaded the Protostar when Captain Chakotay ran the ship, we still have some open storyline holes to fill. Perhaps those will begin to take shape in Episode 8. Because the Diviner and Drednok are no doubt on their way. It will be interesting how Gwyn handles that reunion. Perhaps both Dal and Gwyn can get some closure. Then again, perhaps one of them will betray the crew when push comes to shove. The next season needs to be set up in some fashion. Just spit balling there.
As for First Contact, it was steady as she goes for the show as little by little, pieces are being assembled. With that steadiness in mind, I give this episode a 3.75 out of 5. Nothing as fun as last week but still a solid episode and pushing the narrative forward. Star Trek Prodigy can be seen on Paramount+ with new episodes on Thursdays.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
