Ghost Ship

Pros: Overall very strong first outing for the Next Generation novel series. Were this to be a filmed episode, it certainly would have ranked as one of the stronger first season entries. Unlike the early Original Series works, there seems to be fully formed characters here that in the main faithfully reflect their on screen counterparts. While Riker’s prejudice against Data is perhaps “dialed-up” for dramatic effect, it is in service of the narrative goals so it doesn’t distract. Deanna, and her relationship with Will, are also strengths here. A strange quirk that made its way into the work that isn’t reflected elsewhere in the series is Deanna’s calling Riker “Bill”, but this is also easily overlooked. Picard’s strictness and uncertainty about the idea of being less a starship captain and more governor of a floating colony are also done very well and echo the earliest episodes of the show. Capturing the newness of the crew, Riker’s discomfort in the role of second officer, Deanna’s struggles with filling a new role among the crew, and the crew’s distrust of a telepath (the story avoids the word empath) psychiatrist are all well done and immersive. 

The plot also finds a solid foundation in the mix of ideas and adventure that mark the best kinds of Star Trek story. The idea of an energy siphoning living machine that digitizes consciousness is an intriguing and terrifying one. However, even more important than this inexplicable menace that’s hiding out in the wider galaxy like a spider with a web is the moral confrontation that occurs when the Enterprise crew is faced with destroying the creature and simultaneously destroying the consciousness of all those trapped inside. The ensuing debate over the moral obligation of the crew to these trapped “souls” is very well done. I personally don’t feel that Dr. Crusher would take the side of the euthenasia camp, but the arguments Carey gives her are strong and well thought out. In fact this discussion is certainly the highlight of the novel. Both sides are given thoughtful consideration and no one viewpoint is given preference. Most importantly, and the value of this cannot be overstated (I’m looking at you Hunger Games), the moral question is not negated by the plot. Picard does his best to empathize with the trapped consciousnesses by chemical paralysis and a sensory deprivation environment before coming to the decision to destroy the machine. He makes this call knowing the prohibition of the Prime Directive, the incomplete knowledge of the sentience of the machine, and without knowing if the euthenasia desire is unanimous among the trapped minds. All of this leaves the entire moral weight of this decision upon Jean-Luc and the reader is left to decide for him or herself whether the act was just or unconscionable. 

Cons: The most notable weakness of the story as a whole is the characterization of Data. Here, Data is emotional to the point where he is riddled with self doubt over Commander Riker’s prejudiced opinion. Data’s language is colored with self pity and a melancholy that feels completely out of place. While Spock was similarly mischaracterized in the early original series novels, it seems in this instance that the emotionality that is added here is at least in service of the greater plot. Unfortunately, this plot tie does not go very thoroughly explored. In fact, there are several interesting questions raised about the machine that fall by the wayside. Is the machine conscious nor not? Why was it built? How is its apparent interdimensionality related to its function? While I don’t believe it is the responsibility of the novel to answer all of these questions, it is frustrating to have the characters bring up these topics just to have them slip away to no end. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Wesley Crusher. In this case it is not the character himself who is an issue, as I think he is admirably represented and successfully drawn, but rather the sudden appearance of his way too “on-the-nose” science experiment which of course ends up being just the thing needed to rescue the ship from danger. It would not be so distracting if it weren’t so blatant. As soon as Wesley appears and describes his experiment it’s clear how the ultimate conflict with the machine will be resolved. Credit should be given for the attempt to plant a plot element for later reaping, but the telegraphing of the event dulls the effect. Similarly, the Russian crew which is introduced in the de facto prologue does not factor into moral calculus other than the fact that they are identifiably human. There may have been an early idea to extend the interactions between them and Troi which could have led to a fulfilling explanation of why this particular ship was devoured in 1995, but despite their sentimental farewell at the end of the novel, they could just have easily been any other crew from any other time.

This is a very entertaining and well told story. Its characters are drawn intricately and faithfully. Though the theme does not coalesce until the end of the novel, it is worth the time of select sci-fi fans and all Star Trek fans, if not a wider general audience.