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‘Picard’ S3E8 'Surrender' will win you over with nostalgia
Paramount+

Television

‘Picard’ S3E8 ‘Surrender’ will win you over with nostalgia

‘Picard’ S3E8 ‘Surrender’ is saved by nostalgia and great Worf and Riker moments.

Picard and his crew are trapped on the U.S.S. Titan, and the villain, Vadic (Amanda Plummer), has all the control. The last episode frustratingly set this episode up, but that doesn’t mean things can’t turn around and continue to be the highly entertaining show that is Picard season three.

Answers about Jack (Ed Speleers) continue to be revealed in this episode, with his abilities being a major focus and a cliffhanger that promises all will be revealed. So far this season, he’s slowly become a super fighter to what seems to be a super god. The last episode revealed he could read minds and even control others, but this episode adds leaving his body to check on things on the ship. It’s a convenient way to catch us up on Vadic being in complete control, and the forced nature of that continues.

Thankfully the episode switches gears with a check-in with Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Deanna (Marina Sirtis). They add a little hope and positivity as we’re reminded of their love. Unfortunately, they’re gone too soon as we zip back to the terrorist kidnapping by Vadic, but they return later in the episode.

This episode keeps viewers waiting for something to happen as Vadic somehow can’t find Jack. Sure, sensors would likely find him quickly, but instead, she allows him 10 minutes to show up, or she’ll kill a random crew member. The search allows Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Beverly (Gates McFadden) to connect with Jack and set up their plan, albeit that’s off camera. It also lets Jack gain more control of his abilities as he slowly becomes more superhero than the rebel hero he was set up as earlier in the season.

picard 308 vadic

Photo: Trae Patton/Paramount+.

Regardless of how slow this episode is, it’s amazing to see Plummer lean into loving that evil lifestyle. She truly relishes being bad and playing with the crew who stand by with phasers pointed at them. Every line she speaks gets an added eye twitch, nod, or head bob. She’s really playing up the dialogue to the point where the writers would probably not take credit at all. It’s super fun to see and adds a lot to her character, even if she was set up as a sympathetic victim last episode.

Thank god for Worf (Michael Dorn), who steals multiple scenes in this episode. Once again, he and Riker play off each other extremely well when Worf shows up to save Riker and Deanna. It also adds a bit of respite for the endless hopelessness of Vadic. If Riker and Worf don’t get a show together, that’d be criminal. They’re just that good together.

Things speed along once the halfway point of the episode kicks into gear. Picard needs Data/Lore (Brent Spiner) to take over the ship, Jack needs to buy them time, and Worf needs to escape Vadic’s ship. Spiner does a good job playing Lore and Data as they review Data’s memories. It’s a nice way to reminisce with Data as he reviews baubles seen in TNG, but also shows his love and thoughtfulness make him who he is, gaining an edge over Lore forever.

For fans of the Next Generation, you’ll be happily rewarded in one of the final scenes. We get our favorite crew back together again in the ready room, and each character gets to say something that rekindles the joy of TNG. You’ll have a big smile on your face, especially since it’s so well-acted and written. However clunky this episode is, it’s scenes like this that will make you forgive any long-winded subplot or unearned win for the heroes.

Closing out the episode is a key scene between Deanna and Jack, finally facing the visions he’s been haunted by. Sadly we’ll need to wait for answers next episode, but with Vadic out of the way, we’ll likely be in for a setup of who the big bad behind it always was.

“Surrender” is not the best episode of the season by far, but it’s also not the worst. It’s aided by the excellent acting of the TNG crew and also the obvious nods to the past and nostalgic moments that will bring fans joy. Episodes seven and eight were definitely a two-parter to give Plummer plenty to chew on in her scenes as Vadic while closing her out of the show but at the cost of feeling bloated, slow, and unnecessary. That said, with Vadic out of the way, here’s hoping Picard season three ends its last two episodes on a high note. I have faith!

‘Picard’ S3E8 'Surrender' will win you over with nostalgia
‘Picard’ S3E8 ‘Surrender’ will win you over with nostalgia
Picard S3E8 'Surrender' review
"Surrender" is not the best episode of the season by far, but it's also not the worst. It's aided by the excellent acting of the TNG crew and also the obvious nods to the past and nostalgic moments that will bring fans joy. Episodes 7 and 8 were definitely a two-parter to give Plummer plenty to chew on in her scenes as Vadic while also closing her out of the show but at the cost of feeling bloated, slow, and unnecessary. That said, with Vadic out of the way, here's to Picard season 3's writers and showrunners in, hopefully, ending the series as strong as previous episodes have been.
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Plummer is great again as the over the top villain Vadic
Worf and Riker need a TV show together, they are so damn good
Fan service scene in the end finally gets our TNG crew back together, and in the ready room no less
The Data vs. Lore stuff is good
Odd no explanation is given as to why Vadic can't just scan the ship to find Jack
Feels slow and overly drawn out
This and the last episode feel stuffy as their entire episodes are in cramped ships
7
Good

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