Is Star Trek: Picard episode 6, “The Impossible Box,” the best episode yet of this series? Yes, and it’s because it’s the episode the fans have been waiting for. Previously, a retired Jean-Luc (Patrick Stewart) was approached by a young woman asking for help after she was attacked in her home. After finding out she was the “daughter” of his former second officer Data, created by a Starfleet colleague named Bruce Maddox (John Ales), he vowed to help her, only to watch her be murdered by a secret group of Romulans named the Zhat Vash. Maddox, however, always creates in pairs, and Picard soon found out that the deceased android had a twin named Soji (Isa Briones). With Soji’s creator missing, and all of Jean-Luc’s ties to Starfleet cut long ago, the former captain was forced to call in a few favors, and charter a non-Federation ship. His mission: find Bruce Maddox, and save Data’s daughter. Unfortunately, Bruce Maddox died as a result of foul play in his rescue mission, but not before he could give Picard Soji’s location. Now, Jean-Luc and his ragtag crew must make their way to a decommissioned Borg cube crawling with Romulans to find Soji before the Zhat Vash make their move against her.

Pacing has been an issue with this show since episode one, but it becomes less and less of a problem with each entry. Once Picard and company leave Earth at the end of episode 3, the plot kicks into gear, and things really start happening. Sure, they spent the fourth episode recruiting yet another member of the team, but it was still forward momentum. Follow it with episode 5, where Maddox finally makes it on screen, and episode 6, where Jean-Luc and Soji finally come face to face, and it seems like the show has become a practical rollercoaster, as opposed to the Tea Cups ride that was episodes 1 through 3. If this kind of upward trajectory of plot movement keeps up, watching the final episodes may have to be accompanied by warnings for those weak of heart.

The character work for Jean-Luc has also taken an upward turn in the last couple of episodes. Although it is still hard to believe that Picard would so easily walk away from helping people, and so thoroughly neglect his friends and loved ones, the show has made strides to remind you that this is still the man that fans know and love. Case in point: this episode revisits his lingering PTSD over being assimilated by the Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Upon having to enter a Borg cube, the audience sees that he can still be overcome with memories and fear from his abduction experience. This has been touched on before in Star Trek: First Contact, but it is a powerful moment in this episode, seeing how much he is still affected by his personal trauma.

Adding to the nostalgia factor, Picard and Hugh are reunited this episode, leading to one of the best scenes of the series, so far. For those not steeped in Star Trek history, Hugh was a young Borg that Jean-Luc and his crew were able to separate from the collective many years ago. These two, much like Picard and Seven-of-Nine, share a personal trauma and are victims/survivors/members of a very small club. To see them come together again, understand each other as so few could, and be genuinely happy in the moment, is enough to make any long-time Star Trek fan smile.

Overall, Star Trek: Picard has had a bit of a rocky start, but it is improving with each episode. If you jumped ship (pun intended), then it might be time to give it a second chance. It’s not perfect, but it seems to be aware of its flaws and dedicated to working them out as it moves forward.

Grade: A+