in a nutshell: while seaQuest endures a rigorous assessment, Krieg excites the crew with his discovery of a remarkable treasure – which turns out to be no more than fool's gold.

The episode begins with Ben Krieg out in a sea-crab, flirting mildly with an unimpressed Kate Hitchcock, back on seaQuest. We quickly learn from their conversation that she had agreed to help him prepare for a proficiency test, and that seaQuest is currently undergoing an assessment from the punctilious Captain C (whose full name I can't for the life of me recall). The chemistry between Krieg and Hitchcock is fantastic, as always, making their history as a divorced couple wonderfully believable. Krieg pushes too far, as usual, and Hitchcock punishes him by taking control of his sea-crab and spinning it mercilessly. But then she becomes alarmed when Ben starts crying out in fear, and his sea-crab starts to move erratically, disappearing from her scanner with the speed of its movements. The viewer is able to see that the sea-crab has in fact been snared by a massive sea-creature. When it drops the craft, the terrified Krieg opens his eyes to see a trench full of glowing orbs …

After the credits, Kreig is just arriving back aboard seaQuest, while for all her apparent concern earlier, Hitchcock is now away from her station and assisting a Random Extra Engineer repair a fault. However, on seeing Krieg she hurries after him, demanding to know what happened out there. Still looking shaken, Krieg fobs her off with excuses about random currents, which leave her far from convinced. Managing to shake her off, Krieg heads straight for the bridge, where to my delight he goes straight to the WSKR station to ask Ortiz for a favour. Ortiz is willing, as long as he clears it with C first, as the visiting captain has had him running drills all morning. Krieg wants to know if Ortiz has spotted any large biologics. And nope, he hasn't. But then he restores Krieg's hope by telling him that he has been working solidly with Mother and Junior, and will check Loner's memory to see if anything was spotted while he wasn't monitoring. Ah. Such lovely insight into the routine work of the WSKR station.

Captain Bridger and Commander Ford are suffering, meanwhile, as they put their crew through a series of drills under the watchful and critical eye of Captain C. They make a wonderful double act, united in their despair and determination to get through this ordeal. C is equally determined – to find fault.

Later, Ortiz comes knocking at Krieg's door, and is alarmed to be summarily yanked inside by a nervous Krieg. This is an excellent scene between the two of them, and the difference in their rank is clear. I think this is the first time in the series that we see Ortiz away from the bridge, and he clearly doesn't know Krieg well enough to be at ease with him, calling him 'Mr Krieg' and 'Lieutenant', while Krieg pulls rank on him. But although he is reserved with his senior officer, there are flashes of his laid-back humour beneath the surface here. See the look on his face when Krieg tells him to sit, and he glances around the cluttered room before asking, "where?" He has come to tell Krieg that Loner didn't spot anything – it was patrolling north while Krieg went south, and deep south too. Krieg is still agitated enough for Ortiz to notice and ask if he is all right. He then dismisses the younger man, only to haul him back (physically), saying that he has to tell someone, and it might as well be him.

Ortiz is clearly surprised to be taken into Krieg's confidence like this, and looks a bit alarmed as well, although that has more to do with Krieg's agitation. It is fairly clear that these two characters don't know each other that well, at least at this stage. This makes little difference to Krieg, who treats everyone pretty much the same anyway, but we see that Ortiz is reserved with someone he doesn't know well. Krieg is such a drama queen, spinning his story. "Have you ever known, been absolutely certain, that you were going to die…?" Ortiz still looks slightly alarmed about being taken into Krieg's confidence. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about this to a priest?" But Krieg continues to spin his tale about the terrible sea monster that attacked him. And Ortiz still looks slightly alarmed, but it is becoming clear that this is not about the supposed sea monster, but because he thinks Krieg is completely mad. "Maybe you should talk to Dr Westphalen." He tries to make a sharp exit, but Krieg manhandles him again, preventing him from leaving, and then produces the treasure he has brought back from the deep – a glowing orb. Now Ortiz is interested, and Krieg offers to split his treasure in exchange for help, insisting that nobody else must know. It is their secret.

So then we jump straight into a vid-phone conversation between Krieg and a contact in the jewellery business, Murray. Krieg is calming down after his scare, getting into his stride, and spinning an even taller story for Murray about the virtues of his discovery and its potential value in the jewellery industry. He really has got the gift of the gab, and this ability is used wonderfully well in this episode. And then we see that Lucas is with him – it is clear that Krieg has spun Lucas the same story that he gave Ortiz about being the only one who knows, in exchange for setting up the private line. Krieg is nothing if not an opportunist.

Bridger and Ford are still tied up with the punctilious Captain C, as he announces a spot test in the kitchens. We learn thus that Petty Officer Riley, who is in charge of the kitchen, is 'donating his spare time' to take the sea-crab proficiency test, and is therefore out in a sea-crab right now. Meanwhile Hitchcock is still puzzling over Krieg. He can't avoid her forever, and eventually she pins him down (not literally) and forces him to tell her what really happened.

Cut to the launch bay, and it is teeming. Ortiz descends a ladder, having just returned to the boat from a trip out in a sea-crab, with a bag slung over his shoulder … so the seemingly shy and unassuming youngster of the bridge crew is starting to find his feet, putting one over on Krieg by getting out there on his own. So, maybe shy is the wrong word for him. Reserved, is probably closer to it, at least until he's sure about where he stands. He certainly seems confident enough later in the show. He is surprised to find the launch bay so busy, and is then accosted by O'Neill, Crocker and Lucas – and shocked to learn that the latter two know all about the treasure, as O'Neill was the only person he told. A quick-fire four-way exchange takes place as they soon cotton on that Krieg himself has told several people, who have each in turn told more, and now half the ship wants to go treasure hunting. O'Neill, Crocker and Lucas all want a peek at the orbs Ortiz has brought back, and scuffle over them … at which point Hitchcock and a horrified Krieg arrive to a scene of chaos. Krieg gives one of his patented speeches, pulling a guilt trip on them, and warning them about his sea monster. Ortiz points out that he has just been to the trench and saw no monster – only the orbs, brandishing one aloft. I think this is our first real glimpse of that beautiful Ortiz smile. Krieg gives in and organises them all into a collaborative effort. Hitchcock, meanwhile, insists that a sea-crab be recalled for her use: she is interested in the sea monster, not the shiny rocks.

Meanwhile, the overly competitive Captain C is slowly driving Bridger mad, with his derision of the science staff and, by association, Bridger himself. When C demands a spot test on the sea-crabs, there are none available. Ford promises to get to the bottom of the mystery, but before he can investigate there is a small aside as Bridger and C have a swimming race, as C is absurdly critical of Bridger's 'scientist' physique against his own 'military' appearance and strength. Bridger is not above getting drawn into this competetiveness, although he makes it clear he thinks it is ridiculous. Cheered on by his crew, Bridger is a gracious winner, but C a poor loser.

Hitchcock, meanwhile, is in Krieg's quarters interrogating him about his sea monster. She saw nothing while she was out, but has returned with two jewels, which she is determined to keep for her mother, insisting that they are the best of the bunch. They bicker mildly, Krieg moaning that it is like being married again. Yup, I can imagine they would have behaved in just this way when they were married. Then a deputation arrives: Lucas, O'Neill, Ortiz and a Random Extra, who remains nameless. They tell him they have decided that they don't trust him, and want custody of their own jewels. Krieg gives another of his overly sincere, guilt-tripping speeches about the importance of trust and loyalty over material desires. They are unimpressed. Krieg then tells them they can have their jewels, but not the contact. Again, they are unimpressed, having plans of their own. As they leave with their treasure, Lucas gleefully tells Krieg that greed is human nature. And comments on the smell in the room, as does Hitchcock on her way out.

Just then, another of Captain C's drills is announced – a black out. Carrying their glow-in-the-dark treasures, the conspirators are alarmed. Hitchcock hands hers to Lucas, muttering about losing her commission, and rushes off to the bridge. Presumably Ortiz and O'Neill take similar action, as the next time we see them they are also treasure-less and back at their stations. While Krieg rushes about his room covering up the jewels, Lucas runs for it with his armful – but is spotted by Bridger, Ford and C. And so the truth comes out.

Like Hitchcock before her, Westphalen is more interested in the sea monster than the shiny rocks, speculating about squids being known to grow to over 100 feet, and Krieg is surprised and delighted to have a second person believe his story. But then trouble strikes when the giant sea monster attacks seaQuest, wrapping its tentacles around the boat and preventing the closure of the sea doors. Everyone rushes to the moon pool, where Darwin is secured. In the outer pool, a glow-in-the-dark tentacle thrashes blindly (and what appalling special effects!) and Krieg is triumphant at his story being vindicated. Westphalen proves the worth of the science team by solving the problem without bloodshed, realising that the creature is attracted to the lights. So seaQuest goes dark again, while Hitchcock uses the HR Probe to lure the creature away, saving the day.

Captain C's inspection is finally over, and seaQuest has passed. He leaves bearing a bag full of Krieg's jewels, with Murray's contact details, and is delighted. This is very in keeping with his personality as displayed so far. And also Krieg's – he knows how to wriggle out of trouble. But then Westphalen identifies the jewels – as 'fish poop' from the sea monster. The glow will fade after 48 hours as the bacteria die. Krieg is dismayed, but philosophical – "easy come, easy go."

Back in his quarters, Krieg is clearing up the mess when Bridger comes to tell him his punishment, making the point that although others were involved, Krieg was the ringleader who started the whole thing. His punishment is 24 hours confined to quarters – effective immediately. No clean up of the mess (or smell) allowed. A dismayed Krieg is left to stew.

The end. Despite the at times ridiculous nature of the plot, this is actually a really good episode, cleverly written. It is a great showcase for Krieg, showing us many facets of his personality – the ex-husband outstripped by his former wife; the businessman; the clown; the eloquent speaker and con-artist; his fear on encountering the sea monster warring with his opportunistic business sense. He does really well, as the story follows him from his initial discovery of the monster and 'jewels', through his panic-stricken reactions to his calming down and taking charge of the situation, making use of the people around him to turn the discovery to his advantage. He is the ultimate opportunist. And from his first encounter with the sea monster, the story takes on a snowball-effect momentum of its own, leading to the final confrontation with the monster, which was inevitably connected with the 'treasure'.

There were a number of subplots simmering away beneath the surface, all connected and woven together nicely. The weakest of the lot is the absurd Captain C and his belligerent competition with Bridger, but even that plays a purpose, keeping the captain and his XO fully occupied while their crew gets carried away by the treasure hunt. The treasure-seeking is realistically played, as human greed does tend to override common sense. And for me, seeing so much of Ortiz is always a good thing, and this is the first episode where we see so much of him, and start to get a sense of who he is away from his station. We already know that he is a bright young thing, extremely good at his job. This episode gives us glimpses of another side of him, especially in the treasure-seeking scenes, showing us that beneath his quiet reserve is a light-hearted, laid-back guy with a great sense of humour. He is still reserved with his superiors, or at least those he doesn't know well, but is clearly good friends with O'Neill, who is just as senior to him as Krieg.

So overall, a fun episode with a lot of good character material.