New kids in the class. Let's watch and discuss, Star Trek: The Next Generation

[Lord Vukodlak]

I despise this episode. Restricting the reasons to board-appropriate criticisms, the entire plot not only relies on a ludicrous level of coincidence (that the Starfleet officer witnessed mid-transport by a native just happens to have the same name as a mostly-forgotten local deity is patently absurd),

You’re absolutely correct except that didn’t happen in the episode.
The deity was called “The Overseer” he only got the name Picard. Because Liko heard them call the captain by name.
“I believe I have seen the Overseer. He is called the Picard”
And Liko and his daughter would have been written off as dreaming if they hadn’t found Palmer.

NURIA: “Remarkable. You were speaking the truth“

For a comparison, two of your friends claim they were just abducted by aliens, then someone comes in dragging the body of and unconscious alien.