'Star Trek: Picard' Episode 7: Soji's angst fits into the show's overarching themes of betrayal and pain
Betrayal, distrust and resounding pain are the overarching emoticons of 'Star Trek: Picard'. Since the beginning of the CBS All Access show, there has been a sense of angst that has pervaded through the show, with a good helping of bittersweet nostalgia.
There is pain expressed at a world that no longer exists, disgust for the new one that does, and ringing hurt through it all. The show commenced with Picard's life far away from the Starfleet, after he was so broken that they turned their back on a race that needed their help.
This wasn't the only wound that he was nursing — he still missed his friend Data (Brent Spiner), who made the ultimate sacrifice in 'Nemesis'. However, as the show progressed, we learned that it's not just Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) who has unhealed scars, many of the other characters are stewing in their own misery.
Jeri Ryan's Seven Of Nine extracted her pound of flesh for the murder of her "son" Icheb, while Raffi Musiker's (Michelle Hurd) son doesn't want to stay in touch with her, due to a sense of abandonment.
And now, there's Soji (Isa Briones). Soji's whole world has turned upside down as she realizes that she has been living a lie for years now. She's not human, she's an android.
The memories that she has of her mother and sister are mostly false and have been implanted. Her boyfriend Narek, had been exploiting her and left her to die. In the latest episode of 'Star Trek: Picard', she expresses her hurt and confusion.
She is apprehensive about the love and care she is receiving at the hands of the Rikers and Picard — is it real? Or is this another mind game? Deanna Troi understands these emotions quickly. After all, she's literally just found out about her real father Data, and that he was a synthetic too.
While many are seething from the hurt of betrayal, there are those on the other side too, one of them being Dr Jurati (Alison Pill). Jurati has been compelled to play a dangerous game, as the Romulans are keen on tracking Picard's movements.
She had to murder Bruce Maddox a few episodes ago and lie about it to Picard. Jurati does not wish to be deceitful or hurt anyone, but unfortunately, she has no choice.
'Star Trek: Picard' airs on CBS All Access on Thursdays at 12.01 am.