This episode is a lighthearted diversion, which is good after the heavy, dark episode last week. Don't expect to find a lot of serious discussions or deep morality in it, 'cuz it ain't there. But what it does have is a good look at one of the early themes on the show, namely being the differences between the military and civilians aboard seaQuest. This has been hit on several times already and the season is only in its fifth week. You get the extreme for the military side in Captain Clayton, and Bridger takes on the roll (as usual) of defending the scientists. Combined with the little pissing match between the two, it makes a quite amusing B-plot, unlike last week. And the best part is the way that in the end, it takes a civilian scientist to save the ship. Just goes to show that you need both parts of the crew. I'm also impressed by the creative ways they found to fill extra time this week. I'm talking mostly of the swimming race between Bridger and Clayton. It's a great way to waste a couple minutes of tape without being overly boring.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
OK, I have to say it, the giant squid is awesome! I know it gets a little hokey toward the end when it's attacking the ship, but I still love it. There are all kinds of new and undiscovered species living under the sea, and probably some monstrously big ones. Unlike giant alligators (see second season), this is one creature that is more than possible.
And on a related note, I crack up every time I watch the fish poop scene. I just adore the fact that Krieg's gold turns out to be anything but.
This is a very creative use for the HR probe this week. It's nice to see it used for something other than reconnaissance. Creative thinking always gets a round of applause from this corner.
CHARACTERS:
I enjoy the interactions between Krieg and Hitchcock here. I get the feeling their divorce was fairly amicable. And we know who wore the pants in that house. She certainly doesn't take any garbage from him.
I really like Krieg's speech about friendship and being mature adults rather than being selfish and greedy. Every so often, he has moments of brilliance and comes across as 30 instead of 13. But the best part of that scene is the way it just blows up in his face.
It's good to see that Bridger's into creative punishments. Quite appropriate, especially since officers are always held to a much higher standard than the enlisted personnel. Because they're in command, they're supposed to set an example for those men (and women) under them.
Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz:
Though it seems natural to focus on Krieg with this episode, I'm instead going to look at Ortiz. He's an easily overlooked character. This is the first time we get to see him off of the bridge and away from his station. In fact, that only happens in eight episodes -- that's only a third of the season, and even in half of those it's still business. Now granted, Ortiz is enlisted, so he's not going to be in on the majority of the goings on unless it involves his sensor station. But he does get his name on the opening credits, and that's got to count for something. I remember seeing one profile of him which claimed that he was fairly shy when he began serving on the ship, but the longer they're down there the more confidence he gains. And I can definitely see that happening with him as the season goes on. And by the second season, he's a much more outspoken character. Early on, the writers seem to have problems figuring out how to best utilize him. He gets a handful of good scenes in the middle of the season, but it isn't really until the last couple weeks that they really start to use him a lot. And that's a shame, because I like Ortiz.
QUICK QUESTIONS, QUERIES, QUANDRIES AND COMMENTS:
Drills are pretty common on Navy ships, so it's nice to see them here. The intensity due to Clayton's presence reminds me a bit of the movie Run Silent, Run Deep, staring Clark Gable. It's a pretty good sub movie. Gable's character spends much of the ship's cruise running drills to ready the crew. The drills here are a little more routine, but the desire for perfection in them is the same.
Ever notice how Krieg is just a naturally speedy talker?
BOB BALLARD MOMENT:
We get introduced to the coelacanth this week. He's a relative of the shark who was thought for many years to be extinct until they recently found a live one. And there's a brief discussion of bioluminescence as well.
