Altan and Sutra seem to be in charge on Ghulion IV. Where the Zhat Vash see synthetic life as something to be stopped at all costs, Sutra sees an opportunity. After a mind-meld with Jurati in which she sees the Admonition, Sutra sees a premonition of sorts for android domination, as does Altan. (This same premonition is seen as a warning by Romulans.) There are other synthetics out there, the two note, and it’s time to bring them altogether. Screw organic life, Sutra says, much to Picard’s chagrin.

Soji even turns on Picard, allowing him to be placed under house arrest. This wouldn’t be the first time an android had less-than-noble intentions in Trek, of course. Data’s brother Lore was a thorn in Picard’s side multiple times in the course of “The Next Generation.” It appears that Sutra takes more after him than Data.

Much of this series has been set up to end in a battle between the Romulans and Picard. Now, we have a new layer to deal with: Picard isn’t trying only to save the synthetics from the Romulans, he also has to save them from themselves. But it feels a little late in the game to introduce a new villain when the first ones have barely been fleshed out. I realize there is another season of “Picard” coming, but I would have liked to learn a bit more about Narek and Rizzo.

Picard’s relentless optimism, which somehow seems to be increasing with each episode, is one example of the show’s creators staying true to his core. On one hand, it seems that the androids should definitely follow Picard and let him lead them to a safe place. After all, he is true to his convictions and righteous. On the other, Sutra and Altan make a good point: Why would Starfleet ever listen to Picard if they haven’t in the past? Particularly after the Mars incident? If anything, the smart thing to do is to throw your lot in with synthetics who are smarter, stronger and quicker than anything coming their way.

One way or another, fun episode, and I have no idea where this season ends.

Odds and Ends:

Jurati rightly asks if she’s still under arrest near the beginning of the episode. Rios says there’s been a change of plans. I imagine Jurati, in a very “Arrested Development” way, saying, “Well that was a freebie.” (Of course, she ends up siding with possibly homicidal androids by the end of the episode, so maybe Picard will regret not locking her up.)