Expert: Justin Case - 11/6/2009

Question
Which being would Picard feel more comfortable with in a secure room (even the entity cannot leave) for 1 hour?

A) Apollo
B) Trelane

A) Calamarain
B) Borg Queen

A) Lore
B) Early Worf

A) Gorn
B) Taurean

A) Admiral Quinn
B) Salt Vampire

A) Laas
B) Excalbian

More intelligent?
A) Early Riker from "Genesis"
B) Taurean

How would have Worf reacted had he been on the planet when Tasha was killed? I'd like to think, that if Worf had a bat'leth he would have started swinging at Armus.

Also, I'm not sure that Armus is 100%, pure evil. If he was, why didn't he slay Picard, Geordi, Riker, and Dr. Crusher (and attempt to kill Data)?

One could argue that Armus was content to imagine these crewmembers agonizing over the loss of a friend, but it would have been more agonizing for the rest of the crew had he killed the entire away team.

Answer
Hi John -

1. B - Trelane - I think Picard would feel that he was smarter than Trelane and could keep him under control more than the 'temper prone' Apollo.

2. Borg Queen - Despite the very real threat of assimilation she presents, Picard would know the Borg Queen better and have a more accurate means to predict her actions.  She has also shown a willingness to engage in dialogue whereas the Calamarain just wanted to attack.

3. A. Lore - Lore could be reasoned with and kept talking for a good portion of the hour whereas the Worf creature would be more likely to attack.

4. A. Gorn - The Gorn are allied with the Federation in the 24th century and Picard spent time on Cestus III so the two might have a common area of interest that they could talk about to pass the hour.

5. A. Quinn - Picard could at least converse with Quinn and his symbiont whereas the Salt Vampire views humans like some meat eaters view a cow.

6. A. Laas - I'm sure Picard would be fascinated by Laas's tales of the civilizations he's encountered.

7. My guess is the Taureans are more intelligent.  They showed the ability to make and utilize tools and coordinate attacks whereas the early Riker seemed just a slight step above an intelligent animal.

I think Worf definitely would have tried to attack Armus after witnessing Tasha's death.

Armus is an interesting mix of the evil psyches of an alien species.  Evil is a unique thing to define.  Look at Hannibal Lector in the movie Silence of the Lambs. Though most people would say he was definitely evil, he held a soft spot in his ice cold heart for Clarisse Starling, and even went so far as to help her catch another serial killer and, in doing so, save the life of a young girl.

So, while Lector does despicable things, obviously that 'evil' individual isn't completely and totally evil, but has some virtuous characteristics within him.

If Armus is composed of thousands (or millions) of individuals even remotely like Lector, he must have some spots of virtue within him.  I still wouldn't turn my back on him though.

I'm sure Armus is a thoroughly despicable being, but your point as to why he didn't then just kill the remainder of the crew is a valid one.

Does that make sense?

D. -