#benzite

[kendallgoode]

Mordock from Star Trek The Next Generation.

[chernobog13]

The title is a bit misleading, as about half the book is dedicated to hostile and neutral worlds not belonging to the Federation.

Author Shane Johnson did his best to include as many alien races as he could from Star Trek: The Original Series, The Animated Series, the films, and The Next Generation.  Though this was published early in TNG’s run (1989),  even at that time it was nowhere near comprehensive (especially since TNG introduced at least one new species/world each episode).

Johnson had assistance from many people at the Star Trek production offices when he created this book.  However, like so many Star Trek books, it is considered outside canon.  There is even a disclaimer stating that “the facts and background details...as presented in (this book) are solely the author’s interpretation.”

[thegreaterlink]

Reviewing Star Trek TNG - S2E8 "A Matter of Honor"

^ I know what it looks like, but I promise this screenshot does not occur moments before these two start passionately making out. I'm sure there's fanart of that somewhere, but you won't find it on this blog. Sorry.

THE PREMISE

As part of an officer exchange program, the Benzite Ensign Mendon is brought aboard the Enterprise. Captain Picard suggests a similar officer exchange with a nearby Klingon vessel, and Commander Riker volunteers. Riker is assigned to the Klingon ship IKS Pagh, captained by Kargan. He quickly embraces his role as the ship's temporary first officer, getting along well with the crew and earning their respect.

Before the two ships separate, Mendon scans the Klingon ship and discovers a patch of strange organic material on its hull; Worf then detects a similar patch attached to the Enterprise, which is slowly eating away at the hull.

MY REVIEW

I want to point out that when Ensign Mendon comes aboard the Enterprise, Wesley Crusher mistakes him for Mordock, the Benzite who he had taken exams alongside back in "Coming of Age." Even though Mendon is identical to Mordock, right down to being played by the same actor, John Putch, for some reason they're different characters. I guess Mordock is still in Starfleet Academy.

How about I actually review the episode now?

The episode takes full advantage of the officer exchange. After a brilliant scene between Picard and Riker in the phaser firing range, Riker agrees to the reassignment. Worf then educates Riker on Klingon etiquette, such as Klingon crewmen assassinating their superiors when they are deemed too weak to continue. Riker also gets a taste of Klingon cuisine, and surprisingly actually likes it. Props to Jonathan Frakes for actually eating whatever the hell that stuff actually was.

Riker also has some enjoyable interactions with the Klingon crew, holding his own in their verbal sparring sessions and proving his self-worth, particularly when they're eating together. Turns out having such a magnificent beard can do wonders for your personality.

His temporary placement is also interesting for providing a new perspective on a familiar crew dynamic: the one alien being among an otherwise unified crew. In TOS it was Spock, and in TNG we have Worf. Here, Worf's situation is flipped on its head, with Riker being the one human in a crew of Klingons. It's like a Worf-focused episode which isn't actually focused on Worf.

The difference in cultures is also seen in the Benzite Mendon, who does not inform Picard about the organism due to following Benzite protocol of not reporting a problem until he'd discovered a solution. Picard is understandably annoyed, but Menden is clearly remorseful and later redeems himself by finding a solution. Good for him.

When the Klingons discover the organism on their hull, they assume that it's a new weapon from the Federation, and decide to attack the Enterprise. Obviously Riker sides with the Enterprise, but is unable to talk Captain Kargan out of it, even after Picard sends instructions on how to remove the organism. When Kargan asks Riker for confidential information about the Enterprise, Riker is torn between his oath to Kargan and his oath of loyalty to Starfleet. When he refuses, Kargan tells him that if he had agreed then he would’ve killed Riker on the spot for betraying Starfleet. It’s these constant mind games and the twisted societal norms of the Klingons that help to keep things interesting.

Even as the Klingon ship prepares to attack, it’s obvious that Riker has something up his sleeve - he convinces them to get within the Enterprise’s transporter range, allowing them to beam Kargan over and stun him. Riker assumes command and the Enterprise agrees to surrender, disgracing Kargan even further. But some semblance of their previous friendship remains as Riker allows Kargan to strike him and order him off the bridge before he departs, allowing the Klingon to regain some of his lost dignity. The day is saved. Fade to black, roll credits.

The one major complaint I have is the missed potential for conflict, maybe with Riker being more indecisive about where his loyalty lies. As much as I enjoy Riker’s interactions with the Klingons, part of me wishes that Worf had been in his place, serving with a ship and crew of his own culture and seeing how his human upbringing might have affected him. Just an idea.

7/10 - Maybe not quite as good as it could've been, but I would still recommend it.

Previous Episode | TNG Masterpost | Next Episode

[deepspacenightshift]

It’s a near-universal truth that humanoids like to look at aquatic environments, preferably with aquatic animals moving around in them. Accordingly, the Federation installed “fish tanks” in the walls of DS9. They’re nothing too complicated, just little self-contained environments with blue- or green-glowing walls.

Each fish tank is a unique ecosystem. The plants are slow-growing, hardy plants, like Tarkalean coral and crystal reeds. Most of the tanks only have one or two animal species, usually including sea snails, tiny green creatures with long eyestalks that wobble determinedly around cleaning the walls and plants.

The fish tank next to the Bajoran temple is one of the ones that the night shift cleans; someone checks it every day for changes in nutrients and temperature and other environmental changes, then resets the environmental regulation systems. Then we feed its two animal residents: a water lizard from Kelvas named Yishi, and Puzrog, a Benzite moss swatch. I still have trouble thinking of the moss swatch as an animal. It just looks like a fuzzy green carpet.

[lunar-lord]

Just my gut reaction every time I see a Benzite

[defconprime]

Playmates action figure for Mordok the Benzite, 1993.

[spockvarietyhour]

This is the most diverse crew Sisko’s ever taken out on a survey. We have a Tiburonian and a Benzite (minus the Breathing Apparatus favoured by Mendon/Mordok).

They will be the first to die however.

Also welcome to DS9′s Annual Desert Episode, now in its permanent slot of 2nd episode of the season!

[transparentredoxide]

Here's Ensign Mendon, not to be confused with Starfleet Academy candidate Mordock. The Mordock action figure shows a photo of Mendon; I guess Wesley isn't the only one who has trouble telling them apart.