A Quarantine Life: Random Thoughts on Life in a Crisis

Are you hanging in there?

I’ve been wanting to write some blog posts on the health crisis sweeping the globe. I wasn’t quite sure how I should approach the subject. I didn’t really know what to do. 

I thought, “Should I go with a forward-thinking, uber-positive ‘self help’ post for coping with the quarantine and ‘social distancing’…?” (Which might annoy the hell out of people!?!?)

Then I wondered, “Maybe I should write some sort of brooding essay about this being our ‘new normal’… and all the perils that entails.” (Which would leave everyone depressed.) 

In the end, I decided to simply write about how I’m living my life — and some of the things I’ve seen my friends doing — during the COVID-19 crisis.

I recently published my 300th blog post. It was a TV show review. I’ve written A LOT of reviews on this blog. Truth be told, that wasn’t my intention when I started out.  

When I started this blog in 2016, it wasn’t supposed to solely be a “review blog.” 

I wanted to write about daily life — the things I was doing, mixed with random observations about the state of our world. I mean, I love various facets of pop culture, and knew I’d talk about movies, books, and TV. 

But a number of the posts that seem to resonate with people are ones that are more down to earth and personal. I’d really like to include more of that sort of content going forward. 

SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WORKING AT HOME

Bridget and I have a marketing communications company that we started in 1996. We’ve done work for businesses and organizations as well as “personal branding” (in the form of career services) over the past 24 years. 

We’ve worked from home since 2004. 

We don’t have kids of our own, so we don’t have to worry about school assignments and the like (Bridget did oversee school lessons for our niece Scotland and nephew Blaise for one day early on during this crisis). As a result, the idea of hunkering in place for awhile isn’t all that jarring to our life. 

I tease Bridget that she trained me to be a good shut-in for global calamities such as this. 

Many of our clients have been scrambling to “reinvent” their businesses to generate revenue during this crisis. 

For example, we do a website for a company called ACasseroleToGo.com that sells casseroles online (along with quiches, sides, salads, and other dishes) as an adjunct to their catering and venue rental business. 

When local government restrictions were put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the casserole business suddenly became the priority (as it was the one aspect of the business that remained logistically “doable” during the crisis). 

In addition, I also received an e-mail from a client (who I hadn’t heard from in nearly a year) wanting me to update some printed pieces for an event they are hoping to hold this summer. It’s a hopeful feeling seeing businesses and organizations starting to think ahead.

The challenge to help as many of our clients “pivot” in an effort to sustain themselves has filled our days the past few weeks. 

One of the ways I stay focused is to go for a 45-minute walk each day around lunchtime (I walked 108 miles last month). It is something I started doing years ago when we worked at an office building. If you’re able to leave your home to get some exercise (while still social distancing), I’d recommend it. 

I typically listen to a podcast when I exercise, and have been enjoying the “Comm Majors Podcast” (centered on the discussion of movies) and “The CREW Reviews Podcast” (interviews with mystery/thriller writers each week).

HOW PEOPLE OCCUPY THEIR TIME

For many of my friends and relatives, working from home “full time” is a new experience. On top of that, they’re also having to oversee the education of their kids. That can be a lot to juggle at once. 

Others — who don’t have a job that can be done remotely at home — are fighting off boredom, monotony, and frustration.  

It’s been interesting to observe what people are doing to cope with a homebound life. Here are some of the trends that have developed over the past month: 

ZOOM MEETINGS: Who knew a major pandemic would make Zoom a household word? Welp, it has, as businesses and schools have turned to it (and other services) to stay connected. I heard last week that the Zoom videoconference service jumped from 10 million active users every month to ~200 million as social distancing has taken hold. 

Bridget gets paid to teach training sessions using Zoom to self-employed individuals trying to gain a foothold in the “gig economy,” so we’ve used it for a few years now. 

PUZZLE SOLVING: I’ve seen a significant number of my Facebook friends working on jigsaw puzzles. I like puzzles. They are good diversions and keep your mind engaged. That said, I haven’t worked one in ages. I’m worried if I spent too much time solving them I’d be one step closer to signing up for Medicare and Social Security. 

HOME OFFICE UPGRADES: Two couples Bridget and I are friends with purchased new desk chairs for their work-at-home setups. I’ve been thinking about replacing my 24-year-old office chair, and thought it was neat to see my friends upgrading their chairs (it also serves as research for my eventual chair replacement). 

In addition to a new chair, my buddy Mike also set up a “standing desk” for his wife Lindsay. He posted this picture of the setup on FB, and told me I could share it (the chair is from Nebraska Furniture Mart and looks very comfortable): 

SIDEWALK CHALK ART: I’m sure you’ve seen a number of chalk art pictures online during the past few weeks. A number of people have done “stained-glass designs” like this one by Lexi and Madi (the daughters of our friends Jason and Jolene): 

I also enjoyed seeing this sidewalk chalk art in front of St. Thomas More Church (in Omaha) when I was out walking by a couple weeks ago. One of our lifeguards at Robin Hill Pool — Anna — drew the inspiring message (we should all “Radiate Love & Positivity”) on the cement: 

BINGE WATCHING ENDLESSLY: It goes without saying that people are spending a lot of time watching movies and TV series during the quarantine. As of this writing, the most popular selections seem to be Netflix’s docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” and the Pixar movie “Onward” (which was released early for streaming on Disney+). 

I’ll be reviewing both of those soon, and hope to do a post about “binge-worthy” series that might not be on your radar.  

MAKING MASKS: It’s interesting to see people wearing masks in public. It’s not something you typically see in our culture during a health scare (let’s face it, we’ve never seen something like this in our lifetime). We were fortunate to have a few face masks leftover from when I redid the deck last summer.  

In recent days, our friend Jolene has been making homemade masks on her sewing machine. 

We were talking on our group texts about the fact that elastic is in short supply. If Kevin Costner ever reboots “Waterworld,” I guess they could always change the focus and call it “Elasticworld.” 

I must say, I really appreciate the creativity we’ve seen pop up all over the nation. It’s pretty inspiring to see all the effort people are putting in to make people smile during the quarantine. 

FEELINGS OF AWKWARDNESS

To be honest, most of the “social distancing” measures don’t seem particularly difficult when you’re sitting at home, avoiding social interaction in an effort to thwart the virus. 

But yesterday, our niece Scotland and nephew Blaise (along with their mom, dad, and brother Anson) dropped off an Easter basket on our front porch. 

It was exciting to see all of them. Under normal circumstances, we typically spend time together on multiple days each week, and go out to lunch each Sunday after church. 

It was awkward maintaining a 6-foot distance, knowing we couldn’t give them hugs. (I really, really wanted to.)

Our friend Tracy also left a couple of fun Easter baskets (full of all sorts of essential household cleaning items) on our porch. She is very thoughtful, and brings us gifts throughout the year (her candy cane cookies are an annual tradition we look forward to each Christmas). 

Normally, we sit down and chat when she comes over. I shouted “Hi” to her as she was walking toward her car. She had on pink bunny ears and a face mask. We exchanged greetings, but it just wasn’t the same. 

These are the difficult things to deal with, and “social distancing” goes against human nature. 

But we need to be smart. The sooner we get through this, the sooner life goes back to something closer to normal. 

LOOKING FORWARD

We know this won’t last forever, but it’s all sort of surreal right now. It’s been hard on a lot of people. Like all of you, I want nothing more than terms like “social distancing” and “flatten the curve” to be distant memories of the past. 

I’ve had to re-orient my brain to focus on the short term as much as possible. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. 

Whatever comes from 2020’s COVID-19 crisis, I hope people use it as an opportunity to approach life in a more thoughtful manner. 

Stay safe. Stay home. Be smart. Hang in there!

Previous post: Is Kellogg’s Peeps Cereal Like Easter in a Box? 

Is Kellogg’s Peeps Cereal Like Easter in a Box?

Joyous Easter celebrations have been thwarted by the global outbreak of COVID-19. 

Most of the eggs being hunted are in picked-over grocery stores across the nation. The Easter Bunny is likely locked in a hutch somewhere. 

Aside from being a tentpole Christian holiday, Easter also serves as an annual marker that spring is upon us. 

What is a person to do in times of distress like this?

My answer: EAT BREAKFAST CEREAL! 

A few weeks ago Bridget bought me a box of Kellogg’s Limited Edition Peeps Cereal to review. As many of you know, I like to review novelty cereals on this blog. Heck, I just like cereal in general. 

I also love Peeps (is it a candy?). Bridget didn’t get me any Peeps marshmallows this time out. She thinks they’re disgusting. (She also doesn’t think I need to consume any additional sugar during this quarantine.)

For me, those marshmallow critters — with the crunchy sugar coating — are to Easter what the candy cane is the Christmas. 

When my mom was alive, she was the master of Easter baskets. She would put together beautiful creations that included all sorts of savory treats. For Easter 1989, she had one of those egg-shaped balloons (with the confetti in the bottom) made for me at a card shop at Crossroads Mall (City Limits). In addition to candy, she included a pale green sweater and a “Star Trek” novel in it. 

My mom is no longer with us — and we are all living the quarantined life — so this box of cereal will have to make do!

The box says Peeps Cereal is “Marshmallow Flavored Cereal With Marshmallows.” That’s like a package of bacon saying it’s “Bacon Flavored Bacon With Bacon.” 

In other words, “Delicious Flavored Delicious With Delicious.” 

Plus, the cereal is “artificially flavored” and we all know that anything labeled “artificially flavored” tastes awesome!

So what’s the verdict on Kellogg’s Limited Edition Peeps Cereal??

Kellogg’s Peeps Cereal tastes sort of like the Kellogg’s Unicorn Cereal I reviewed in 2018. It had a mild sweetness that tasted like donuts. The crunchy “Os” in the Peeps version aren't quite as sweet, though. So, not particularly spectacular, but it won’t offend me when I have a bowl in the middle of the night. 

Kellogg’s, thankfully, has finally included marshmallow pieces in one of its novelty cereals. This is a welcome development. 

Unfortunately, the “marshmallow-to-cereal ratio” is pretty lackluster. This is Peeps cereal for crying out loud! This thing should be full of marshmallows. 

If you look at this picture, you'll see how few marshmallows there are. Here’s hoping there are more lurking in the bottom of the box:

As is the case with cereals like this, Kellogg’s Peeps Cereal has a fun game you can play on the box. In this case, each player selects a cereal piece (be sure to wash your hands for the suggested 20 seconds prior to selecting your piece). Then you draw additional cereal pieces to determine how many spaces to move. (If you draw a marshmallow, you eat it and draw again.)

The game board has the Peep characters saying fun things like “I wonder if I lay marshmallow eggs” and “My best friend is an egg. Her name is Shelly.” So I guess that’s fun... 

I’ll bet my nephew Blaise and niece Scotland would like to play this game (their little brother Anson would likely rip the box apart). If we weren’t currently social distancing, that might happen. Sadly, they won't get to experience this game until next Easter. 

I wish I could say Kellogg’s Limited Edition Peeps Cereal was the sugar-filled equivalent of “Easter in a Box” — something to salve your wounds during “Quarantine Easter.”

It is definitely better than some of the other novelty cereals the manufacturer has produced, but it could have been so much better. 

Until the next time I open a box, grab a bowl, and pour the milk, I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter! 

Previous post: Book Review: Jack Carr’s “Savage Son” is a Modern Thriller With Retro Flair” 

Book Review: Jack Carr’s “Savage Son” is a Modern Thriller With Retro Flair

By Jon Brooks 

“I’m going hunting…” 

Many moons ago, I started reading the brand of high-concept espionage thriller that would become a lifelong interest of mine. 

Readers of my generation typically cite stalwarts who came to fore in the 1970s and 80s — like Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum — as being among their favorites. There’s little doubt that reading Clancy’s novel “Patriot Games” in 1989 had an impact on my literary habits as I entered adulthood. 

But it was the books I read during my elementary school years that planted the seeds of interest in the genre. 

A book I read in third grade called “Radar Commandos” by Bernard Glemser was the first thriller I remember consuming. I found a tattered copy in my school’s library and absolutely loved it. 

The World War II story tells the tale of a 15-year-old boy whose family farm is occupied by the Germans. The British contact the boy because reconnaissance photos have discovered technology on the farm that will make it difficult for Allied aircraft to maneuver over the area. As a result, the boy aids in planning a commando raid to infiltrate the property. 

The book is uses a classic “men on a mission” structure — a narrative technique that has epitomized numerous thrillers over the years. 

Having followed author Jack Carr on Twitter the past few years, you can see he also shares a passion for that brand of story. It’s no secret that the books he enjoyed growing up influence his writing, and he often shares selections from his youth with his followers. 

Those sturdy underpinnings provide the foundation his latest novel “Savage Son.” 

Carr has quickly become a favorite in the world of high-tech espionage thrillers. 

It isn’t a plethora of technical anecdotes that sets his writing apart from his contemporaries. Carr's watermark is an “analog sensibility” that imbues the visceral action sequences in his stories. 

“Savage Son” finds former Navy SEAL James Reece in scenic Montana environs recovering from brain surgery (to remove a tumor that was diagnosed in Carr’s first novel “The Terminal List” — read my review). 

Reece is recuperating at Kumba Ranch in Flathead Valley, Montana. The ranch is the homestead of former college classmate and SEAL teammate Raife Hastings and his family (who emigrated from southern Africa in the 1980s). 

The Hastings clan has quickly become an integral part of Carr’s novels. In his second novel “True Believer” (read my review), Reece spends quite a bit of time with Raife’s uncle at his safari operation on the Niassa Game Reserve in Mozambique.

I’m someone who grew up in an era when sweeping family sagas were a staple of primetime television. As a kid, I remember my family watching the epic 1983 miniseries “The Winds of War” on ABC. In some respects, the Hastings family is something akin to Victor “Pug” Henry’s brood in Herman Wouk’s story. 

(Jack Carr — if you’re reading this — I wouldn’t mind at all if you decided to write a family saga centered around the Hastings family during the Rhodesian Bush War.) 

Reece’s interactions with the Hastingses add depth to the character. The early sequences in “Savage Son” find our hero bowhunting with Raife, attending cozy family dinners, grilling elk tenderloin, and serving love interest Kate Buranek stylish pinot noirs from the Sonoma coast named “Semper.” 

These are moments where the protagonist — who has lost so much during his journey — finds a sense of place and belonging. 

Unfortunately, Reece’s idyllic respite is tossed asunder when hitmen hired by the Bratva (an umbrella term for the Russian mafia) are sent to murder our hero for his handiwork in events that took place during “True Believer.” The hit is orchestrated by a former CIA analyst named Oliver Grey who is working for mob boss Ivan Zharkov. 

This sets into motion a series of events that shape the remainder of “Savage Son.” 

Carr has mentioned that Richard Connell’s 1924 short story “The Most Dangerous Game” served as one of his inspirations for this novel. 

I first read “The Most Dangerous Game” in eighth grade English class. I then revisited it in a literature course called “Short Story” I took as an undergrad at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I read it again a few years ago when my niece was studying it in her high school English class (she asked for assistance filling in a worksheet on the story). 

The short story’s inspiration is first seen in “Savage Son’s” prologue — a foreshadowing sequence that takes place in the frigid climate of Russia’s Medny Island. 

The intriguing aspect of “The Most Dangerous Game” is its raw illustration of the “man vs. man” struggle between protagonist and antagonist — a big-game hunter named Sanger Rainsford finds himself the prey of a fellow hunter named Zaroff. 

In Carr’s “Savage Son” prologue, we see Aleksandr Zarkhov (son of the aforementioned Ivan) hunting a human target on Medny Island. 

(It is interesting to note the similarities between the name “Zarkhov” in Carr’s novel and “Zaroff” in Connell’s short story.) 

Carr has also Tweeted that Louis L’Amour’s Cold War adventure “Last of the Breed” influenced the narrative in “Savage Son.”  

Astute readers will notice an homage to “Last of the Breed” in the third act of “Savage Son.” 

I read “Last of the Breed” in the summer of 1996 (right after I graduated from college). I’d been a fan of L’Amour’s “horse operas,” and decided to try out one of his “non-western” stories. If you haven’t had a chance read it, I’d definitely recommend it. 

In “Savage Son,” Carr writes: “The Teams had a saying: ‘Don’t rush your death.’” 

By the same token, Carr doesn’t rush his plotting in “Savage Son.” There is a richness to his battle-scarred prose that recalls masters of the past.

I know Carr’s fans love the author’s descriptions of tactical gear and ballistics (the man exquisitely describes Jonathan Hastings’s battered FN FAL rifle). That said, the conflict in “Savage Son” excels when the author deals with the more primitive elements of combat — and the motivations behind those who mete them out. 

Speaking of weaponry, Carr posted a video of Reece’s compound bow (made by John Dudley at NockOn Archery) on his YouTube channel:

Carr’s loyal cadre of followers will also recognize many of the Easter eggs strewn throughout the novel (some of the author’s favorite brands are mentioned, along with references to classic movies he enjoys, like “Young Guns”). 

Carr is Toyota Land Cruiser aficionado, and the author’s recently restored 1988 FJ62 Land Cruiser makes an appearance in the novel (it kind of reminds me of when Clive Cussler featured cars from his vintage collection in his Dirk Pitt novels). 

The Land Cruiser was restored by ICON 4x4 and the results can be seen in this YouTube video:  

Considering everything going on the the world right now, it might be time for you to escape into Jack Carr’s James Reece series.

The first six chapters of “Savage Son” are available on the author’s website. If you haven’t read a James Reece thriller before, I’d recommend starting with “The Terminal List” and working your way forward. Each book builds on its predecessor. 

(It was recently announced that actor Chris Pratt is set to star in — and executive produce — a TV series based on “The Terminal List,” so it is a good time to jump in.)

“Savage Son” epitomizes the modern thriller and infuses it with retro flair. 

The CREW Reviews podcast (a weekly show you should subscribe to if you are interested in mysteries and thrillers) has a terrific interview with Jack Carr where he talks about his influences, inspirations, and writing process:

If you’d like to learn more about Jack Carr and his series of James Reece thrillers, visit his website at www.officialjackcarr.com. 

>> If you enjoyed my review of Jack Carr’s “Savage Son,” be sure to follow me on Twitter/X – @TheJonCrunch  

Related blog posts on Jack Carr:

> Book Review: Jack Carr’s “The Devil’s Hand” is an Infectious Thriller 

> TV Review: Pratt’s Performance Elevates Visceral “The Terminal List” 

> Book Review: “True Believer” By Jack Carr 

> Book Review: “The Terminal List” By Jack Carr 

Previous post: Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 10 (CBS All Access Series) 

Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 10 (CBS All Access Series)

“To say you have no choice is a failure of imagination.” 

Jean-Luc Picard in “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2” 

SPOILERS AHEAD (You know the drill...)

Finally. The last episode of the first season of “Star Trek: Picard” has aired (is it even proper to say that “streaming-only” shows “aired” when they really don’t?).

The episode was titled “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2” and continued where the ninth episode left off. 

This 10-episode season had a slow build. There were times when you wished the folks involved could put the narrative in a higher gear. 

The season finale was entertaining. I just wished that there had been a “bigger” payoff as it regarded the much foreshadowed showdown between the outlawed synthetic beings on Ghulion IV and the Romulan forces led by the sinister Starfleet officer Commodore Oh (played by Tamlyn Tomita… who also played Ralph Macchio’s love interest in the 1986 movie “The Karate Kid Part II”). 

I mean, it was cool when Captain William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) led a fleet of Federation ships to do battle with the Romulans. The issue is that there really wasn’t much of a battle. 

In that regard, the climactic point in the story felt sort of anti-climactic. It felt like the Romulan zealots threw in the towel too easily. 

The entire narrative this season was basically building to a point where Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) dies, and his “soul” (via mind transfer) is put into an android golem. What we have is a reconstituted Picard who has the subtlety and nuance that android sisters Dahj and Soji Asha (Isa Briones) exhibited throughout the season. 

This potentially opens up some intriguing possibilities moving forward. Moreover, Picard can act as a surrogate parent for Soji as both learn about who they are and find their place in the universe. 

The question is whether future seasons are going to be focused on the conflict between organic and synthetic lifeforms (assuming their is still a conflict). Honestly, I don’t know how many times you want to try and tap that well.

While I know Data was a popular character in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” he wasn’t my favorite. He was good in a supporting role, but I never felt the character could have (or should have) carried a “Star Trek” series on own. 

The first season of “Star Trek: Picard” felt like an elongated movie when you consider the narrative underpinnings of the show. While I enjoyed the serialized nature of the season, I also think the storyline could have been stronger. 

There’s been considerable debate online regarding this season. My opinion is largely mixed. I liked seeing Jean-Luc Picard back in action. In the past, part of that character’s appeal was buoyed by “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s” talented supporting cast. 

I found the supporting players in “Star Trek: Picard” to be somewhat lacking this season (the exception being Isa Briones’s Soji Asha). Ultimately, I think that fact hurt Jean-Luc Picard in this current incarnation of the franchise. 

As I wind down this review, my mind contrasts the “Picard" season finale with that of “The Mandalorian” (another streaming series I reviewed episode-by-episode). 

“The Mandalorian’s” finale left me wanting more, looking forward to delving into additional adventures with the cast of characters and mythology established. I thoroughly enjoyed doing individual blog posts for each episode of that series. 

Overall, I’m torn as it regards “Star Trek: Picard.” 

Had I not made a commitment to review it on the blog each week, I’m not sure I would have stuck with it. There were some episodes that were pretty underwhelming. 

That said, I’m glad I had the motivation to see it through. There were some nice moments along the way (in particular, I enjoyed the episode titled “Nepenthe”).

My hope is that the current crew of “Star Trek” writers (as they create more content for CBS All Access) can find the authentic spark that made “Trek” what it was decades ago. 

I’m not talking about style or structure. Rather, I’m talking about the intangible je ne sais quoi that embodies the best the franchise has to offer. 

Jon Favreau tapped into the “Star Wars”-equivalent of that in “The Mandalorian.” 

Let’s hope the “Picard” showrunners can find that spark in the second season — the thing that makes the whole feel greater than the sum of its parts.  

Data suggests in the closing moments of the finale, “a butterfly that lives forever is really not a butterfly at all.”

A “Star Trek” series that feels forced and manufactured isn’t as compelling as something more genuine and organic.  

As I said earlier, there were some nice moments throughout the season, and I think there are possibilities for some nice adventures down the road. 

Read all my episode reviews of “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1:

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 1

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 2

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 3

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 4

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 5

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 6

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 7

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 8

> Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 9

Previous post: Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 9 

Review: “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 9 (CBS All Access Series)

“Maybe all rationales for killing just boil down to fear.” 

Soji Asha in “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1” 

The penultimate episode of the first season of “Star Trek: Picard” is titled “Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1.” 

The title is a reference to a 17th century oil painting by Nicolas Poussin. Translated, it means, “Even in Arcadia, there I am.” The “I” refers to death. “Arcadia” refers to a utopian land. 

My translation: Even in a utopia, death is a reality. 

What’s significant — as it regards this particular episode — is that Poussin painted two (2) paintings under the title “Et in Arcadia Ego.”  

That is important because this episode finds Picard & Co. “finally” reaching Coppelius — the remote “nest” planet that is the home of android twins Soji and Dahj Asha (Isa Briones). 

The Romulan spy Narek (Harry Treadaway) followed the La Sirena on its journey to Coppelius. (Soji was able to lead her companions 25 light years in 15 minutes via the Borg transwarp conduit network.)

In addition, “7 of 9” (Jeri Ryan) “piloted” the Borg cube in pursuit. (Listen for an orchestral nod to the theme from “Star Trek: Voyager” when “7 of 9” appears in the downed vessel on the planet surface.) 

Coppelius has an interesting planetary defense system — giant space orchids that are capable of disabling and commandeering spacecraft. I’m not exactly sure how they disable ships... or Borg cubes. 

Anyhow, the reason the pair of 17th century paintings by Poussin is significant (as it regards the episode’s title) is that we discover the synthetic life forms on Coppelius were manufactured in pairs. 

The androids in “Synthville” (as Raffi refers to it) are living a seemingly idyllic life under the supervision of Dr. Altan Inigo Soong (Brent Spiner). He is the son of Dr. Noonien Soong.

Altan worked with Bruce Maddox on his synthetic endeavors. 

Many of the androids have sparkling skin and yellow eyes (like Lt. Commander Data). The synth named Sutra (also played by Isa Briones) has this look about her. Sutra is the sister of Jana — the synth referenced by Captain Rios (Santiago Cabrera) in Episode 8 (“Broken Pieces”).

It turns out that Sutra isn’t quite what she seems. As the episode progresses, we learn she likes Vulcan culture. She has apparently taught herself how to do the Vulcan mind meld. 

This is the first time I recall a “mind meld” happening without a Vulcan as a participant. 

The sequence yielded some interesting information for the audience: the idea that organic life’s pursuit of perfection ultimately leads to synthetic life… which ultimately leads to a desire to destroy it.

That said, Sutra’s ability to learn the technique seemed pretty convenient from a narrative perspective. 

There is a creepy vibe to the android community. The mysterious feel shrouding Coppelius harkens back to “Star Trek” episodes of yore when various crews came upon remote, utopian-like settlements. 

“I’m not sure how much I really trust them,” Rios confides in Jurati (Alison Pill) during the latter half of the episode. 

We see a somewhat nefarious side of Sutra when she frees Narek (who was captured after landing on the planet).  

I guess I should have mentioned (before now) how the first season of “Star Trek: Picard” draws a lot of inspiration regarding the ethical dilemmas posed by synthetic life forms in movies like “Blade Runner,” “Blade Runner 2049” (read my review), and “Aliens” (the android Bishop).  

Overall, it was a pretty solid episode. But because there was such a long buildup to this episode, the impact of Soji Asha returning home was a tad bit anti-climactic. 

This episode did, however, set up things for what will hopefully be an interesting season finale. 

“Apparently, there are some sort of higher synthetic beings out there, watching us,” says Dr. Altan Soong to Picard at the end of the episode. 

This nugget is based on information Sutra claims she gleaned from Jurati when she mind melded with her. At this point, we don’t know if Sutra is being truthful, or if she’s manipulating the situation for her own gain. 

Her rhetoric at the end of the episode suggests that “all” organic life is a threat to synthetics. As a result, she might become the leader of what is a self-fulfilling prophecy — where synthetics become the prophesied “Destroyer.” 

I’m curious to see how they'll conclude the first season. I think there have been some strong points to the first season. I also think there are aspects of the narrative structure that need to be tweaked going forward. 

CBS ALL ACCESS PROMOTION

Patrick Stewart tweeted yesterday that “Star Trek: Picard” will return for a second season on CBS All Access. 

In addition, Stewart announced that CBS All Access has made the service FREE (without a paid subscription) until April 23, 2020 — using promo code GIFT in the U.S. 

If you haven’t watched the first season of “Star Trek: Picard,” you might want to take advantage of the offer and check it out. 

Stay tuned for my review of “Star Trek: Picard” Season 1, Episode 9. 

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