The Naked Now

TNG Season 1 Episode 3
Air Date: October 5th, 1987

Plot

A similar plot to The Original Series Episode The Naked Time, the Enterprise answers a distress call from a science vessel at a collapsing star. The collapsing star has an effect on water molecules that makes people effectively get drunk, and eventually causes people to do stupid things that get themselves killed. This episode shortcuts the discovery of the cure slightly by having Riker remember that it happened to the first Enterprise (well second) when he read all the old logs. But the cure wasn't quite right and Doctor Crusher had to figure it out, herself under the effects during some of it.

Commentary

A lot of the episode was derivative of the original, but they did create some character development out of it. We learn that Data has circulatory system that is effected, which means he can bleed. We also learn he is "fully functional" and that Data and Yar get intimate, something that will be very important later. Under the influence, Picard and Doctor Crusher have a moment that hints that there is an attraction.

Quotes

"If you were any more perfect, Data, I'd have to write you up in a Starfleet medical textbook." - Doctor Crusher

"I am already listed in several bio-mechanical texts, Doctor." - Data

"There was a rather peculiar limerick, being delivered by someone in the shuttle craft bay. I am not sure I understand it. There was a young lady from Venus, whose body was shaped like a" - Data

"Captain to Security, come in!" - Picard

"Did I say something wrong?" - Data

"I don't understand their humor either" - Worf

"What I want now is gentleness. And joy, and love. From you Data, you are fully functional, aren't you?" - Yar

Of course, but" - Data

"How fully?" - Yar

"In every way, of course. I am programmed in multiple techniques. A broad variety of pleasuring." - Data

"We are more alike than unlike, my dear Captain. I have pores, humans have pores. I have fingerprints, humans have fingerprints. My chemical nutrients are like your blood. If you prick me do I not, leak?" - Data

"Beverly." - Picard

"Yes, Jean-Luc?" - Doctor Crusher

"You will address me as Captain." - Picard

"Captain? Oh, well then, my dear Captain, you will address me as Chief Medical Officer, or Doctor." - Doctor Crusher

"I will? That's true. I started off by calling you Beverly, and, of course, naturally, you... I'm still not thinking straight." - Picard