The Nth Degree

TNG Season 4 Episode 19
Air Date: April 1st, 1991

The Argus Array is a giant telescope and radio antennae in deep space. The Enterprise is investigating why it had shutdown. La Forge and Barclay take a shuttle craft to investigate when they discover an alien probe that knocks out Barclay. Barclay then starts exhibiting unusually behaviour, for Barclay. His intelligence starts skyrocketing and he comes out with a way to fix the Argus Array more quickly. When things start going wrong, Barclay creates a neural interface in the holodeck and replaces the ships computer with his own consciousness.

He even invents a new propulsion system and is able to take the Enterprise to the center of the galaxy where they meet the alien race that created the probe. They use the probe to give others the ability to come visit them. They explore the galaxy by bringing the galaxy to them instead of going out into the galaxy. Afterwards they revert Barclay to his old self.

Quotes

"We could confine him to his quarters." - Cmdr. Riker
"How can we do that? What's he done? I mean, we're talking about locking a man up for being too smart." - Lt. Cmdr. La Forge

"I couldn't even guess at your IQ level now." - Doctor Crusher
"Probably somewhere between 1200 and 1450." - Lt. Barclay

"Computer, begin new program. Create as follows: workstation chair. Now, create a standard alphanumeric console, positioned for the left hand. Now an iconic display console, positioned for the right hand. Tie both consoles into the Enterprise main computer core, utilizing neural-scan interface." - Lt. Barclay
"There is no such device on file." - Computer
"No problem. Here's how you build it." - Lt. Barclay

Identity Crisis

TNG Season 4 Episode 18
Air Date: March 25th, 1991

The away team from a mission that Lt. Cmdr. La Forge went on when he served on the USS Victory start disappearing, La Forge and the only other remaining team member Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten start investigating what happened that could have led to the disappearances. Originally they were investigating the disappearance of colonist of Tarchannen III.

It turns out that they are infected with a parasite that changes the DNA of the host to convert them into a primitive and translucent species that is driven to return to Tarchannen III. Doctor Crusher is able to figure out how to remove the parasite and saves Lt. Cmdr. Leijten and Lt. Cmdr. La Forge.

Quotes

"You know I'm not a threat. The others, Mendez, Brevelle, they don't exist as Humans anymore. But a part of you still does. You're not one of them yet, Geordi. I can help you if you'll just trust me. I know what's going on inside of you, the war you're fighting with yourself. Your Humanity slipping away. The instinct to run. It's overpowering. But they know how to beat it now, Geordi. Look at me! I've come back, Geordi. Let me take you back, too." - Lt. Cmdr. Leijten

Night Terrors

TNG Season 4 Episode 18
Air Date: March 18th, 1991

While looking for the USS Brittain, it gets stuck in a phenomenon known as a Tyken's Rift. The only way out would be to create a large explosion, bigger then even what a photon torpedo can generate. They do find the USS Brittain in tact but with all but one crew member dead. The survivor is a Betazoid who seems to be suffering major mental trauma.

Meanwhile, Counselor Troi is experiencing nightmares that is preventing her from getting sleep. Eventually the crew of the Enterprise starts hallucinating, getting irritable and even violent. Doctor Crusher discovers that they aren't experiencing REM during sleep which is an important part of mental health. She suspects that is what caused the demise of the crew of the Brittain.

Counselor Troi realizes that there must be another ship trapped on the other side of the Tyken's Rift that is trying to communicate with them and that is what is causing the crew to not have REM sleep. They discover a message in her dreams that they needed hydrogen to create the explosion.

There are a few interesting pieces in this episode but overall it is considered one of the weaker episodes.

Quotes

"Eyes in the dark. One moon circles." - Dream Voice

"We have to dream in order to survive. If we don't reach REM sleep, we don't dream, we begin to lose our cognitive abilities, we find it hard to concentrate, we forget how to do the most ordinary task. Then we become irritable, paranoid. Some people experience hallucinations." - Doctor Crusher

"Sir. As my final duty as Acting Captain, I order you to bed." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

Galaxy's Child

TNG Season 4 Episode 16
Air Date: March 11th, 1991

The second episode with Dr. Leah Brahms, only the first time she was a holographic program representing the real Brahms. This time Brahms is coming on board to inspect the modifications that have been done to the Enterprise's engines. Lt. Cmdr. La Forge is very excited to meet her due to his infatuation with the holodeck representation. It doesn't go well, they almost immediately start fighting and every time La Forge tries to get close to Brahms she pushes him away.

Meanwhile, the Enterprise comes across a new space based life form which thinks the Enterprise is a threat and attacks. The Enterprise has no choice but to defend itself and ends up killing the creature. Captain Picard is visibly shaken by this. But all his not lost, they soon discovered that the creature was pregnant and with a little help from the Enterprise, is born. It thinks the Enterprise is it's mother, and attaches to it and starts draining energy.

La Forge and Brahms are tasked with figuring out how to get the creature off the Enterprise before they run out of power. This is when Brahms discovers the holodeck program. After the biggest fight between the two, they realize the way to get the creature off of the Enterprise is to make the power less appetizing, effectively weaning the baby.

Turns out Dr. Leah Brahms is married.

Quotes

"We're out here to explore, to make contact with other life forms, to establish peaceful relations but not to interfere, and absolutely not to destroy, and yet look at what we have just done." - Captain Picard

"Captain, I'd like to announce the birth of a large baby, something." - Doctor Crusher

"I'm with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me. Every time you touch it, it's me." - Dr. Leah Brahms Hologram

"All right, look. Ever since you came on board, you've been badgering me, and I've taken it. I've shown you courtesy, and respect, and a hell of a lot of patience. Oh, no, no, no, wait a minute! I've tried to understand you, I've tried to get along with you, and in return, you accused, tried and convicted me without even bothering to hear my side of it. So, I'm guilty okay, but not of what you think! Of something much worse. I'm guilty of reaching out to you, of hoping we could connect. I'm guilty of a terrible crime, Doctor. I offered you friendship." - Lt. Cmdr. La Forge

"If the baby is nursing, perhaps what we need is to find a way to sour the milk." - Dr. Leah Brahms

"I really owe you an apology." - Dr. Leah Brahms
"No, you don't. I should have told you straight out." - Lt. Cmdr. La Forge
"Well if you had, then I never would've got a chance to see the look on your face when you walked in on me and me in the holodeck." - Dr. Leah Brahms
"The look on my face? How about the look on your face? I will remember that for a long, long time." - Lt. Cmdr. La Forge

First Contact

TNG Season 4 Episode 15
Air Date: February 18th, 1991

Cmdr. Riker is wheeled into a hospital with severe injuries. The hospital on the world Malcor III, that is before first contact. This is the first time they ever seen a Human let alone any alien. The Malcor are on the verge of building their first warp capable ship which is around the time that first contact is initiated by the Federation. Captain Picard and Councilor Troi beam down to the office of science minister Mirasta Yale to both make the first contact and to see if she can help them find Cmdr. Riker.

While Malcor III is a world that is technically ready for space travel, they still are a little behind on the social aspect. Many of the population isn't ready to change it's role from the center of the universe to being one planet in a Federation. The security minister even tries to kill himself using Cmdr. Riker's phaser to create fear in the population. Because of this, the chancellor decides he wants the Federation to leave and give them more time to mature. Minister Mirasta leaves with the Enterprise.

This episode shares the same name as the second TNG movie, which was about Earth's first contact with the Vulcans.

Quotes

"Our ideology is based on the assumption that the Malcorian is a supreme life form, and our world is the center of the universe. Your arrival will change our entire understanding of life - and some will not want it to change." - Minister Mirasta

"I go home each night to a loving wife, two beautiful daughters. We eat the evening meal together as a family. I think that's important, and they always ask me if I've had a good day." - Chancellor Durken
"And how will you answer them tonight, Chancellor?" - Captain Picard
"I will have to say, this morning I was the leader of the universe as I know it. This afternoon, I'm only a voice in a chorus, but I think it was a good day." - Chancellor Durken

Clues

TNG Season 4 Episode 14
Air Date: February 11th, 1991

While surveying the Ngame nebula the Enterprise sensors picks up the presence of a class M planet. They set course to investigate but a wormhole appears and the entire crew save Lt. Cmdr. Data is knocked out. When they come to, Data says they were out for less then a minute, but the Enterprise is almost a day away from the class M planet.

Data suggests that they launch a probe to investigate to avoid risk that the wormhole introduces. The probe shows that the once class M planet is now a gas giant. Other things start occurring that makes the crew suspect what really happened. Things like Lt. Worf's wrist showing evidence of being broken or Doctor Crusher's flowers that she just put in an incubator being fully developed. Most of all, it is clear that Data is lying about it.

Finally getting the truth from Data once they arrive back at the class M planet, they find out that the race that lives there was going to destroy the Enterprise to protect their privacy and that the crew decided to have a memory wipe and to think the wormhole took them a day away. This is what the aliens would normally do but since Data is an android he was unaffected. The problem is they left too many clues and Human's are naturally curious.

Captain Picard suggests that they try the plan one more time only this time they will remove the clues. The aliens reluctantly agree and this time it works.

Quotes

"Do you believe him? I want a frank answer, Commander." - Captain Picard
"Not for a second." - Lt. Cmdr. La Forge

"Clues were left behind that suggested a mystery. And to many humans, a mystery is irresistible. It must be solved." - Captain Picard

Devil's Due

TNG Season 4 Episode 13

Air Date: February 4th, 1991

The Enterprise responds to a distress call from the planet Ventax II. They are experiencing extreme tremors and believe their world will end. The away team learns that the people of Ventax II made a deal with what would be considered their Devil, Ardra a thousand years ago that they would have peace, but after the thousand years their entire planet and all who live on it will be owned by Ardra. The away team tries to convince the leaders of Ventax II that it will be ok, when Ardra appears.

Captain Picard challenges Ardra's to a trial which she agrees to with Lt. Cmdr. Data as arbiter. She uses her powers to create tremors, change her form and even make Picard disappear. But Lt. Cmdr. La Forge was able to find her ship at the pole and take it over giving Picard the same powers proving she was a fraud.

Picard made sure that Ventax II knows that their thousand years of peace came from their people wanting peace and working hard, not because of some contract. The contract may have been the catalyst but it was always the people.

Quotes

"A wise man once said, there is a sucker born every minute." - Captain Picard

"P.T. Barnum." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"Please do not take any offense to these questions, Captain. You know how fond I am of you." - Ardra

"Objection." - Captain Picard

"Sustained. The advocate will refrain from expressing personal affections for her opponent." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"The advocate will refrain from making her opponent disappear." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

The Wounded

TNG Season 4 Episode 12
Air Date: January 28th, 1991

The Enterprise is attacked by a Cardassian warship that claims they are at war with the Federation even though there is a treaty, The reason for war is a rogue Federation starship has been flying around Cardassian space destroying Cardassian outposts and freighters. Captain Picard invites Gul Macet onto the Enterprise to supervise the Enterprises investigation into the matter, as a sign of good faith that it is a rogue ship.

They learn that the USS Phoenix captained by Benjamin Maxwell is the ship in question and that Chief Miles O'Brien had served with him. During the war between Caadassia and the Federation O'Brien's and Maxwell had defended a colony attacked by the Cardassians and saw the death and destruction of innocent civilians. Because of this, O'Brien spends a good part of the episode hating the Cardassians on the Enterprise though he is in conflict over this hate.

When the Enterprise finally catches up to the Phoenix, only O'Brien is able to convince Maxwell that he can't win in his mission to prove the Cardassians can't be trusted and Maxwell gives up.

The episode is a parallel for racism between two people that have been at war. I can't comment on what parallels Roddenberry was using in the early 90s, but today it is very similar to the general hatred that we are seeing against people of the Muslim faith primarily due to a few radicals that make the rest look bad. There is a conversation O'Brien has with a Cardassian in Ten Forward where you can see the Cardassian is trying to be nice and O'Brien is inches away from fighting.

This is the episode that introduces us to the Cardassians. There were a few sublet differences between the Cardassians in DS9 but overall they are a pretty close representation. The actor that played Gul Macet is the same that plays Gul Dukat in DS9, Marc Alaimo.

Quotes

"What is it?" - Chief O'Brien
"Kelp buds, plankton loaf and sea berries." - Keiko
"Sweetheart, I'm not a fish." - Chief O'Brien

"When one has been angry for a very long time, one gets used to it. And it becomes comfortable like, like old leather. And finally becomes so familiar that one can't ever remember feeling any other way." - Picard

"This has been hard on all of us. I know I'll be happy when I'm back on my own ship." - Daro
"I guess that's true. I hadn't thought of it like that. I was on Setlik three with Captain Maxwell the morning after the massacre. We were too late, of course. Almost everyone was dead." - Chief O'Brien
"That was a terrible mistake. We were told the outpost was a launching place for a massive attack against us." - Daro
"The only people left alive were in an outlying district of the settlement. I was sent there with a squad to reinforce them. Cardassians were advancing on us, moving through the streets, destroying, killing. I was with a group of women and children when two Cardassian soldiers burst in. I stunned one of them. The other jumped me. We struggled. One of the women threw me a phaser, and I fired. The phaser was set at maximum. The man just incinerated, there before my eyes. I'd never killed anything before. When I was a kid, I'd worry about swatting a mosquito. It's not you I hate, Cardassian. I hate what I became because of you." - Chief O'Brien

"Maxwell was right. Those ships were not carrying scientific equipment, were they? A research station within arm's reach of three Federation sectors? Cargo ships running with high-energy subspace fields that jam sensors?" - Captain Picard
"If you believe the transport ship was carrying weapons, Captain... why didn't you board it, as Maxwell requested?" - Gul Macet
"I was here to protect the peace, a peace that I firmly believe is in the interests of both our peoples. If I had attempted to board that ship, I'm quite certain that you and I would not be having this pleasant conversation, and that ships on both sides would now be arming for war." - Captain Picard
"Captain, I assure you" - Gul Macet
"Take this message to your leaders, Gul Macet. We'll be watching." - Captain Picard

Data's Day

TNG Season 4 Episode 11
Air Date: January 7th, 1991

Lt. Cmdr. Data is creating a report for Cmdr. Bruce Maddox, who tried to take away Data's rights in the episode The Measure of a Man. He is compiling his daily routine in hopes it helps Cmdr. Maddox in his research.

The side plot involves the Enterprise transporting the Vulcan ambassador T'Pel to the Romulans in hope that negotiations of peace can be made. But while she is being transported there is a malfunction and T'Pel is killed. But in researching the malfunction they realize the Romulans faked the accident and actually kidnapped the ambassador. When confronted in the neutral zone they learn that T'Pel is actually a Romulan spy. Two more Romulan Warbirds decloak and the Enterprise returns to Federation space with it's tail between it's legs.

This episode introduces a lot of firsts. It is the episode where Keiko marries Miles O'Brien. We haven't seen her on the show yet but she does become a reoccurring character in TNG and a regular on DS9. They introduce the Bolian barber Mot who is in a few episodes a season.

The episode is shot completely from the perspective of Lt. Cmdr. Data. There are more then one creepy moment where you are watching another persons scene, with data standing awkwardly in the background. It was overall a really good episode as we get to see Data's perspective of everything through voice overs.

Quotes

"My friend Chief O'Brien often says that above all else, he wants to make Keiko happy. Since cancelling the wedding will make her happy, I must conclude the Chief will be pleased at her decision." - Data

"This is the 1,550th day since the Enterprise was commissioned. Besides the arrival of Ambassador T'Pel, other events occurring today include four birthdays, two personnel transfers, a celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights, two chess tournaments, one secondary school play, and four promotions. Overall, an ordinary day." - Data

"He still won't talk. So they put the count's head on the chopping block. One more chance, says the queen. No, says the count. Then, just as the headsman swings the axe and the blade is about to fall, the count says, Wait, wait! I'll talk! But too late. And the moral to the story? Never hatchet your counts before they chicken." - Riker
"Commander Riker's easy-going manner and sense of humor is fascinating to me. I believe it to be one reason he is so popular among the crew. It may also be partly responsible for his success in matters of love. There may be a correlation between humor and sex. The need for more research is clearly indicated." - Data

"My hair does not require trimming, you lunkhead." - Data

"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without a cause." - Data
"A wild-goose chase?" - Doctor Crusher

"The safest and most logical decision in this situation is to contact Starfleet and await further instructions. However, based on past experience, I project only a seventeen percent chance Captain Picard will choose that alternative." - Data
"Red alert! All hands stand to battle stations!" - Picard

"In the game of poker, there is a moment when a player must decide if an opponent is being deceptive, or actually holds a winning hand. This decision is based not only on the odds, but also on an appraisal of the man. Is he bluffing, or does he have the cards?" - Data

"Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you." - Riker

Week Seventeen

April 21st - April 27th

Another big week. Watched 20 episodes finishing season 3 and getting a third of the way into season 4. I have fallen behind in my write ups of the episodes and even this weeks summary. Because of this, I am going to slow down on week nineteen and try to just do the needed 14 episodes so I can catch up on the writing side.

TNG is getting into it's prime. A few of my favorite episodes came up this week.

Recomendations

Sins of the Father: Worf meets his brother whom he didn't know he had and goes to Kronos to fight for his family name.
Captain's Holiday: Captain Picard visits Risa for a vacation where he meets Vash.
Hollow Pursuits: Barclay and his holo fantasies
Sarek: Sarek mind melds with Picard to suppress his emotions. Plays a big part in the episode to come Reunification.
Best of Both Worlds: My favorite Star Trek episode. Second encounter with the Borg where Picard becomes Locutus.
Family: Aftermath of the Borg encounter. Picard making up with his brother, which has significance with the first TNG movie Generations.
Brothers: Data and Lore meet their father, Dr. Noonien Soong
Remember Me: One of my favorites. Doctor Crusher gets stuck in a static warp bubble. Return of the Traveler.
Reunion: Worf finds out he has a son. Picard must pick a Klingon worthy of leading the Klingon High Council.

Red Shirts

No crew deaths were seen on screen in these episodes.

Episodes

TNG S3E17: Sins of the Father
TNG S3E18: Allegiance
TNG S3E19: Captain's Holiday
TNG S3E20: Tin Man
TNG S3E21: Hollow Pursuits
TNG S3E22: The Most Toys
TNG S3E23: Sarek
TNG S3E24: Ménage à Troi
TNG S3E25: Transfigurations
TNG S3E26: The Best of Both Worlds, Part I
TNG S4E1: The Best of Both Worlds, Part II
TNG S4E2: Family
TNG S4E3: Brothers
TNG S4E4: Suddenly Human
TNG S4E5: Remember Me
TNG S4E6: Legacy
TNG S4E7: Reunion
TNG S4E8: Future Imperfect
TNG S4E9: Final Mission
TNG S4E10: The Loss

The Loss

TNG Season 4 Episode 10
Air Date: December 31st, 1990

The Enterprise gets caught in some unknown phenomenon that causes them to be dragged towards a cosmic string, which will certainly destroy the Enterprise. They discover they are caught in a herd of flatlanders, a being that lives and perceives only two dimensional space.

Meanwhile when they first encountered these flatlanders, Counselor Troi loses her emphatic abilities. To us this doesn't seem that big a deal. Since humans don't have emphatic powers beyond what we can observe with our existing senses, the crew believes she can still do her job. But for Troi, this is like losing an arm or a leg and that the loss to her is as traumatic.

They soon discover that the flatlanders may be the cause of her loss of her powers, and that she is still able to sense the flatlanders. She realizes that they are drawn to the cosmic string like a bug would head towards a light. Data is able to simulate a cosmic string in another direction which gives the Enterprise the chance they need to escape. Afterwards, Troi gets her powers back and realizes that the cosmic string isn't the destruction of the flatlanders, but rather it is their home.

Quotes

"You have no idea! No idea what this is like. How can you know what it's like to lose something you never had?" - Counselor Troi

"Do you want to talk about it?" - Guinan
"No." - Counselor Troi
"Good. I get so tired of people coming in with their problems. They come in, they want a shoulder to cry on, and generally it turns out to be mine." - Guinan

"Guinan, people come to you to talk about things they want to reveal. As ship's counselor, you have to get them to talk about things they don't want to reveal." - Counselor Troi

"Is this how you handle all your personnel problems?" - Counselor Troi
"Sure. You'd be surprised how far a hug goes with Geordi, or Worf." - Cmdr. Riker

"Right now, I feel as two-dimensional as our friends out there - in the universe, but barely aware of it. Just trying to survive, on instinct." - Counselor Troi

"Mr. Data, what velocity would put us back on schedule?" - Captain Picard
"A resumption of our present course at warp six will place us in the T'lli Beta system in six days, thirteen hours, 47 minutes." - Lt. Cmdr. Data
"What, no seconds?" - Cmdr. Riker
"I have discovered, sir, a certain level of impatience when I calculate a lengthy time interval to the nearest second. However, if you wish." - Lt. Cmdr. Data
"No, no. Minutes is fine." - Cmdr. Riker

Final Mission

TNG Season 4 Episode 9
Air Date: November 19th, 1990

There is an opening at Starfleet Academy and Wesley Crusher is told he has the spot. He and Captain Picard are being shuttled to Pentarus V where Wesley will meet another ship to Earth and Captain Picard is to mediate a mining dispute. Instead of taking a Federation shuttle, they go in one of the Pentarus V mining shuttles captained by Dirgo.

On the way, Dirgo's shuttle malfunctions and they crash land on one of the moons in the Pentarus system. The moon is a desert planet and they don't have any water. They make their way to the nearby mountains hoping to find water which they do, but it is protected by a force field. When they try to use phasers to take down the force field it somehow attacks back and destroys one of the phasers. In the attack, the cave they are in partially collapses and Captain Picard gets hurt and is dying.

Dirgo things they can outsmart the counter attack and it gets him killed, but Wesley figures out how to get around the force field and is able to get him and Captain Picard water.

The Enterprise hears about the shuttle going missing but they were responding to a distress call where a garbage scow is falling into a planets atmosphere releasing deadly radiation. They have to tow the scow through an asteroid field and send it into the sun before they can start a search. After, they are able to find Captain Picard and Wesley.

This is Wesley Crushers last episode as a regular on Star Trek. He shows up a few more times in future seasons as a guest.

Quotes

"Mr. Dirgo, I would appreciate it if you didn't bury me before I'm gone." - Captain Picard

"If there is one thing that I've learned from you, it's that you don't quit. And I'm not gonna quit now. I've seen you think yourself out of worse situations than this, and I'm gonna think us out of this. You're not gonna die. I'm not gonna let you die. I'll get to the water. And I'll keep you alive, until they find us. I promise." - Ensign Crusher

"Sir, you don't know this. No one knows this. Because I've never told anyone. All of the things that I've worked for school, my science projects, getting into the Academy. I've done it all because I want you to be proud of me." - Ensign Crusher
"Wesley, you remember. I was always proud of you." - Captain Picard

"Mr. Crusher." - Captain Picard
"Yes, sir?" - Ensign Crusher
"What are you doing in such a filthy uniform?" - Captain Picard
"You don't look so shipshape yourself, sir." - Ensign Crusher

Future Imperfect

TNG Season 4 Episode 8
Air Date: November 12th, 1990

On Cmdr. Riker's birthday, he goes on an away mission on Alpha Onias III that goes wrong. The away team encounters some kind of toxic gas that knocks them out. They get transported away before they die. When Cmdr. Riker wakes up, it is 16 years later. He is captain of the Enterprise. Doctor Crusher explains that while he was on the Alpha Onias III he picked up a parasite that when activated erases all memory up the point the parasite infects the body. In this case, Captain Riker loses 16 years.

Data is his first officer and he has a son, a teenager named Jean-Luc. Only things start seeming odd. He notices a picture of Jean-Luc and his mother. His mother is Minuet, a holodeck character from Season 1. He challenges the Romulans that were guests on the Enterprise and even Admiral Picard himself. Then he discovers that he is on a Romulan base and that they were simulating everything trying to get Federation secrets from him.

When they take him to his cell, he meets a boy that was also in Klingon custody. It is Jean-Luc. Riker still doesn't believe it and realizes Jean-Luc, now going by Ethan is the key. Turns out his people were attacked and he is the last surviving member. His mother hid him with simulation equipment to keep him entertained, only it eventually still gets boring. He was hoping that Riker would be a friend for him. Riker offers to take him to the Enterprise and he agrees.

In this episode we get a peek into a possible future of the Federation. Some things were very plausible and attention to detail was really good. The simulation software had to speculate how things would change. Things as subtle as the comm badge changing. Instead of being the Starfleet symbol with an oval behind it, the comm badge itself contains the person's rank. In the present, the rank is displayed by pips on the collar.

Quotes

"I'm running a level 1 diagnostic." - Cmdr. La Forge
"For thirty hours? It would never take you more than four. You're incapable of that level of incompetence, Mr. La Forge!" - Captain Riker

"Captain, perhaps it would be best if we discussed this" - Admiral Picard
"Shut up!" - Captain Riker
"I beg your pardon?" - Admiral Picard
"I said, shut up. As in close your mouth and stop talking." - Captain Riker
"Will, I sense how upset you are. You're angry and impatient." - Troi
"Deanna, back off. Well, would anyone else like to speak up? Or shall we end this charade?" - Captain Riker
"As you wish, Commander Riker." - Tomalak

Reunion

TNG Season 4 Episode 7
Air Date: November 5th, 1990

Ambassador K'Ehleyr beams to the Enterprise from a Klingon ship. She tells Picard that there is turmoil in the Empire and that the Chancellor needs to see him. Picard beams to the Klingon ship and discovers that the Chancellor is dying and that two leaders of two noble Klingon houses will show up to challenge each other for the position of Chancellor. Captain Picard is to be the one to decide if they are worthy to make the challenge. He wants Captain Picard to do it because he believes he was poisoned and doesn't trust any Klingon with this responsibility.

Meanwhile when K'Ehleyr arrives, she transports to the Enterprise with a child Alexander, Worf's child. Worf refuses to accept the child as his since doing so would mean he would bear Worf's dishonour.

The two Klingons that show up are Duras, the one who caused Worf to accept family dishonour and Gowron. Worf immediately suspects Duras as his father was a Romulan collaborator, but Captain Picard needs proof. During a ceremony to verify the Chancellor is dead, an explosion occurs killing some Klingons and minor injuries to others.

Lt. Cmdr. Data and Lt. Cmdr. Geordi discover that the bomb was of Romulan design and worn by one of Duras' guards. K'Ehleyr does some digging and realizes that it was Duras' father that betrayed the Klingon empire to the Romulans at Khitomer and when she confronts him about it, he kills her. When Worf finds K'Ehleyr close to death, she tells him that it was Duras and makes Worf promise to look after Alexander. Worf then finds Duras and kills him. This means Gowron wins by default and becomes the next Chancellor of the Klingon empire. This was the first episode that we see a bat'leth, a Klingon sword that is held in the middle.

Quotes

"Lieutenant, you are a member of this crew, and you will not go into hiding whenever a Klingon vessel uncloaks!" - Captain Picard

"I'm the only one Worf, the only one who can prove your innocence. Kill me and you're a traitor forever." - Duras
"Then that is how it shall be!" - Lt. Worf

"Sir, I have acted within the boundaries of Klingon law and tradition." - Lt. Worf
"The High Council would seem to agree; they consider the matter closed. I don't. Mister Worf, the Enterprise crew currently includes representatives from thirteen planets. They each have their individual beliefs and values, and I respect them all, but they have all chosen to serve Starfleet. If anyone cannot perform his or her duty because of the demands of their society, they should resign. Do you wish to resign?" - Captain Picard
"No, sir." - Lt. Worf

Legacy

TNG Season 4 Episode 6

Air Date: October 22nd, 1990

Plot

A Federation freighter explodes and the two crew members are able to escape in an escape pod. They end up landing on the planet Turkana IV, the home planet of Tasha Yar. The planet is controlled by two rival forces, the Coalition and the Alliance. The Alliance are holding the two men hostage and the Coalition offer help to recover them. They use Tasha Yar's sister Ishara as a liason to the Federation.

The Alliance and Coalition are unable to attack each other without the other's knowledge as they all have implants that set off proximity alerts. Doctor Crusher is able to remove Ishara's implant so she can assist in infiltrating the Alliance base But she has ulterior motives. She plans to destroy the power generators for the proximity detectors so the Coalition can perform a surprise attack. Lt. Cmdr. Data realizes that something is amiss and confronts her preventing her plan from happening.

In the end, Cmdr. Riker wants to hold her for her crimes but Picard lets her go.

Commentary

Lt. Cmdr. Data was close to Tasha Yar which is an anomaly for him as he has no emotions. In this episode that closeness transferred to Tasha's sister which made it hard for him to stop her from destroying the generator.

Quotes

"I don't run away when things get tough, like some people, like my sister did." - Ishara

"Let me tell you about your sister. The first time I saw Tasha Yar, she was making her way through a Carnelian minefield to reach a wounded colonist. Her ship had responded to their distress call, as had mine. When it was all over, I requested that she be assigned to the Enterprise, her ship's captain owed me a favor. In the months that followed, she never once failed to put the safety of the crew before her own. And she died doing the same. I'm sorry you never knew the woman Tasha became. I think you would have been proud of her, and she of you." - Captain Picard

"In all trust, there is the possibility of betrayal. I'm not sure you were, prepared for that." - Cmdr. Riker

"Were you prepared, sir?" - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"I don't think anybody ever is." - Cmdr. Riker

"Hm, Then it is better not to trust?" - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"Without trust, there's no friendship, no closeness. None of the emotional bonds that make us who we are." - Cmdr. Riker

"And yet you put yourself at risk." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"Every single time." - Cmdr. Riker

Remember Me

TNG Season 4 Episode 5

Air Date: October 22nd, 1990

Plot

An old mentor and friend of Doctor Crusher, a Doctor Dalen Quaice comes aboard the Enterprise while they are docked at starbase 133. When the Enterprise leaves the starbase, Dotor Quaice is nowhere to be found. Doctor Crusher is worried that in his old age he may have gotten hurt. They do a full search of the ship and don't find him. They send a message to starbase 133 in case he returned but they have no record of his existence. Then other people start disappearing, but only Doctor Crusher notices.

As time goes on, the Enterprise loses more and more people until it is only her and Captain Picard. From the Captain's perspective that is how it has always been, even though it sounds absurd to run a galaxy class starship with only two people. Meanwhile we then learn that Wesley was experimenting with creating a static warp bubble which he believes his mother got trapped in, and it is collapsing.

When it appears all is lost, the Traveler appears and tells Wesley that there is still hope. He teaches Wesley how to use his cognitive abilities to create a doorway back to their reality and is able to rescue his mother.

Commentary

This was one of my favorite episodes. The idea of people disappearing but to everyone else they never existed is fascinating and scary. It is the second and last episode with the Traveler. I had hoped we would see more of him but Wesley's story line in Star Trek is coming to an end.

Quotes

"You know what the worst part of growing old is? So many of the people you've known all your life are gone; and you realize you didn't take the time to appreciate them while you still could." - Doctor Quaice

"I'd like Lieutenant Worf to program on-board sensors to monitor all personnel. If we can catch the mom" - Doctor Crusher
"I'm sorry, whom did you say?" - Picard
"Worf. Chief of Security. The big guy who never smiles?" - Doctor Crusher

"Will Riker, your First Officer! He's very good at playing poker, loves to cook. He listens to jazz music, plays the trombone. Commander Data, the android who sits at Ops. Dreams of being human. Never gets the punch line of a joke. Deanna Troi, your ship's counselor, half-Betazoid, loves chocolate. The arrival of her mother makes you shudder. O'Brien, Geordi, Worf. Wesley, my son! They all have been the living, breathing heart of this crew for over three years! They deserve more than to be shrugged off, brushed aside, just pinched out of existence like that. They all do. They deserve so much more." - Doctor Crusher

"Computer, read the entire crew roster for the Enterprise." - Doctor Crusher
"Dr. Beverly Crusher." - Computer
"Have I always been the only member of the crew on the Starship Enterprise?" - Doctor Crusher
"Affirmative." - Computer
"If this were a bad dream, would you tell me?" - Doctor Crusher
"That is not a valid question." - Computer
"Like hell it's not." - Doctor Crusher

"What is the primary mission of the Starship Enterprise?" - Doctor Crusher
"To explore the galaxy." - Computer
"Do I have the necessary skills to complete that mission alone?" - Doctor Crusher
"Negative."  - Computer
"Then why am I the only crew member? Aha. Got you there." - Doctor Crusher

Suddenly Human

TNG Season 4 Episode 4
Air Date: October 15th, 1990

Plot

The Enterprise receives a distress call from a Talarian ship and discover the survivors, all male teenagers includes one human named Jono. Jono was a sole survivor of a Talarian attack on a Federation colony 10 years ago when the Talarians and Federation were at war. When a Talarian warship shows up Captain Picard agrees to return the Talerian survivors but the question of Jono's fate remained a mystery.

Councillor Troi tells Captain Picard that he should be responsible for Jono while he is on board as he only seems to respond and respect the Captain of a ship. Over the course of the episode he makes strides improves their relationship but in the end, Jono stabs Picard in the chest while he is sleeping.

Once Captain Picard recovers he realizes that the crime committed wasn't Jono's but rather his. He makes the hard decision to return Jono to the man he knows as his father.

Commentary

This episode deals with a very difficult moral quandary. Jono's only surviving blood relative is his grandmother, a Starfleet Admiral and he was abducted as a young child. Both his parents are dead and he spent most of his youth knowing a different man as his father. Picard made the hard choice of letting Jono choose and accepting that decision even if it goes against what he wanted.

Quotes

"You know Captain, almost no one is born being a good parent. Most people just have to muddle through and do the best that they can." - Counselor Troi

"I fail to understand why this is amusing." - Lt. Cmdr. Data
"Access your data banks under humor subheading slapstick." - Cmdr. Riker
"Comedy stressing farce and horseplay. Ah. This, no doubt, is a variation on pie in the face." - Lt. Cmdr. Data
"Now do you see why it's funny?" - Cmdr. Riker
"No, sir. But I will take your word for it. This is very amusing." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"What I want to know is why? You seemed so happy just a few hours ago." - Captain Picard
"I was. But then I thought about my father. I felt I had betrayed him. I'd be throwing away all that he'd given me, all that I'd learned from him. My home. Running along the river. Playing in the games. Sharing victory with my brothers. All the things that are part of my life. As I grew closer and closer to you, I knew that meant leaving more and more of that life behind. Forgive me Captain, but I could not allow myself to do that." - Jono

"There was a crime committed on board this ship, but it was not Jono's, it was mine. When we found Jono, it seemed so clear what had to be done. We knew that if we could only, persuade him to make the decision to stay, then you would most likely let him. So with the best of intentions, we tried to convince him. And in so doing we thoroughly failed to listen to his feelings, to his needs. That was the crime. And it has, taken a huge toll on a strong and a very noble young man. And it must be rectified. He will return home, to the only home he's ever known. And to the father that he loves. To you, Endar." - Captain Picard

Brothers

TNG Season 4 Episode 3
Air Date: October 8th, 1990

Plot

The Enterprise is rushing to a star base for a medical emergency. One of the children on the ship played a prank on his brother that resulted in him getting a parasite. But as the Enterprise is making it's trip, Lt. Cmdr. Data takes over the bridge and brings the Enterprise to Terlina III where he meets his creator, Dr. Noonien Soong.

Soong had activated a homing beacon to bring Data to him. What neither expected was for Lore to show up as well. Soong had designed a emotion chip specifically for Data but Lore deactivates Data, takes his place and the chip. Finally killing Soong, he escapes. The crew of the Enterprise finally regain control and rescue Data and gets the boy to the star base.

Commentary

Data, Lore and Soong are all played by Brent Spinner. We learn more about both Data and Lore, specifically that both are pretty much the same in every way save for some programming. The episode showed how easily Data can take over the Enterprise. He was able to suck the air out of the bridge, emulate Picard's voice to lock out engineering control and create force fields to restrict movement throughout the ship.

Quotes

"I never felt too comfortable living anywhere without a prearranged route of escape. I admit, I, uh, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be running from a giant snowflake." - Soong

"Why did you create me?" - Lt. Cmdr. Data
"Why does a painter paint? Hm? Why does a boxer box? You know what Michelangelo used to say? That the sculptures he made were already there before he started, hidden in the marble. All he needed to do was remove the unneeded bits. Wasn't quite that easy with you, Data. But the need to do it, my need to do it, was no different than Michelangelo's need." - Soong

"I am not less perfect than Lore." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

"For all these years, I've been plagued by what went wrong with all of your complexities, Lore. Your nuances. Basic emotion seemed almost simple by comparison. But the emotion turned, twisted, became entangled with ambition. Lore, if I had known that you weren't lying in pieces on some distant shelf. If I had known I could simply press a button and bring you here, I would have spent those years trying to make things right for you as well." - Soong

"They're brothers, Data. Brothers forgive." - Doctor Crusher

Family

TNG Season 4 Episode 2
Air Date: October 1st, 1990

Plot

After the Borg attack, the Enterprise is in space dock getting repairs and a minor refit. Captain Picard takes some shore leave to visit his brother Robert, his wife Marie and their son Renee. It is quickly made clear that Robert and Jean-Luc have had a falling out, which we learn is based on a philosophical different in opinion. Robert has always been a traditionalist, choosing to do everything by hand instead of relying on technology, while Jean-Luc joined the Federation and explores the stars.

While visiting, he meets a good friend from his youth who offers him a job leading a job at the bottom of the ocean. Picard seriously considers it and only after having a fist fight with his brother does he break down and share his feelings of his Borg experience.

Meanwhile on the Enterprise, Worf's adoptive parents Sergey and Helena Rozhenkho visit the Enterprise. Doctor Crusher retrieves some belongings which includes a message that Jack Crusher left for Wesley when Wesley was born.

Commentary

The episode was a slow one for Star Trek but played with our emotions. Lt Worf's irritation for his parents, but you can still see he loves them, in his Klingon way. Wesley getting a message from his father 15 years after his death. And Jean-Luc making amends with his brother after his experiences with the Borg.

Quotes

"I know who you are." - Rene
"Then you have the advantage." - Jean-Luc
"You're my nephew, Jean-Luc, from the star ship Enterprise." - Rene
"Then you must be my uncle Rene." - Jean-Luc
"I'm not your uncle. It's the other way around." - Rene
"Too bad. I rather enjoyed the idea." - Jean-Luc

"I'm afraid that Worf feels that, we do not understand him." - Helena
"Well, part of him may feel that way. There's another part that I've seen - part that comes in and... drinks prune juice. Part that looks out the window towards home. He's not looking towards the Klingon Empire. He's looking towards you." - Guinan

"You don't know, Robert. You don't know, they took everything I was. They used me to kill and to destroy and I couldn't stop them. I should have been able to stop them. I tried, I tried so hard. But I wasn't strong enough! I wasn't good enough! I should have been able to stop them, I should've, I should" - Jean-Luc
"So, my brother is a human being after all. This is going to be with you a long time, Jean-Luc. A long time. You have to learn to live with it. You have a simple choice now, live with it below the sea with Louis or above the clouds with the Enterprise." - Robert
"You know, I think you were right, after all. I think I did come back so that you could help me." - Jean-Luc
"Yeah, do you know what? I still don't like you, Jean-Luc." - Robert

"My ship will be ready to leave orbit soon. And I belong aboard. If I should ever doubt that again, I know where to come." - Jean-Luc

"Hello, Wesley. As I make this recording, you are about ten weeks old. I wanted you to know who I am today. You see, this Jack Crusher won't exist by the time you're grown up. I'll be older, more experienced, and hopefully a little wiser. But this person will be gone and I want you to know who your father was when you came into the world. When I see you lying there in your crib, I realize I don't know the first thing about being a father. So let me just apologize for all the mistakes I'm about to make as you grow up. I hope you don't grow up resenting the fact that I was gone so much. That comes with this uniform. I don't know if I can explain why Starfleet means so much to me. Maybe you'll understand when you get this recording. Maybe you'll even want to try one of these on. But you'll probably be a doctor like your mother. You're only a baby, but it's remarkable. I can see in your face all the people I've loved in my lifetime. Your mother, my father and mother. Our family. I can see me in you, too. And I can feel that you're my son. I don't know how to describe it, but there's this connection, this bond. I'll always be a part of you, Wesley. Well, I hope this made some sense to you. I'm not sure that it does to me, but maybe I'll do better next time. I love you, Wesley." - Jack
"Goodbye, Dad." - Wesley

The Best of Both Worlds, Part II

TNG Season 4 Episode 1

Air Date: September 24th, 1990

Plot

With Captain Picard assimilated as the Borg Locutus, Cmdr. Riker gives the order to destroy the Borg cube. But with Captain Picard's knowledge, the Borg already adapted to the vulnerability. The Enterprise burns out their deflector dish in the process and the Borg continues on it's course to Earth.

When the Borg arrives at Wolf 359 they destroy the entire fleet. The Enterprise makes repairs and catches up with the Borg but uses Lt. Cmdr. Shelby's proposed strategy of separating the saucer section to create multiple targets. This strategy was proposed before Captain Picard was taken but they alter it slightly. Instead of trying to destroy the Borg cube, they mount a rescue operation and recover Locutus.

Once they have Locutus, Lt. Cmdr. Data is able to hack into the Borg collective conscious and with Captain Picard's suggestion is able to put the Borg cube into a regeneration cycle which caused a power feedback loop that destroys the cube.

Commentary

Season 4 starts strong with the second half of the Borg invasion. Riker gets promoted to Captain and takes Shelby as his first officer. The episode shows how the Human race's creativity is one of our advantages. The Borg is analytical and can adapt to any situation but they don't have the ability to predict possibilities.

Quotes

"When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn this around is you." - Guinan

"If the Borg know everything he knows, it's time to throw that book away. You must let him go, Riker. It's the only way to beat him. The only way to save him." - Guinan

"We are prepared to meet to discuss your terms." - Captain Riker

"It is unlikely you are prepared to discuss terms. It is more likely that this is an attempt at deception." - Locutus

"Come now, Locutus. If Picard's knowledge and experience are part of you, than you know I've never lied to him. You should also implicitly trust me, is that not so?" - Captain Riker

"Picard implicitly trusted you." - Locutus

"Your people will be assimilated as easily as Picard has been. Your attempt at delay will not be successful, Number One. We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene we will destroy you." - Locutus

"Then take your best shot, Locutus, 'cause we are about to intervene." - Captain Riker

"Worf, Klingon species. A warrior race. You, too, will be assimilated." - Locutus

"The Klingon Empire will never yield!" - Lt. Worf

"Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life, for all species." - Locutus

"I like my species the way it is!" - Lt. Worf

"I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep." - Lt. Cmdr. Data

The Next Generation: Season Three

Finished season 3 with a huge cliffhanger. There were so many great episodes this season that I was able to fly through the entire season in just over a week. I am almost half way done the series and there are so many great episodes I am still anticipating.

Guinan

I forgot to mention her in the last season summary. She was introduced in the beginning of season two, and with portrayed by Whoopi Goldburg. She is a El-Aurian which is a nomadic race of listeners. She knows Captain Picard from before she joined the Enterprise. She has first hand experience with both Q and the Borg.

Doctor Crusher

Doctor Crusher is back.

Lt. Cmdr. Geordi Laforge and Lt. Cmdr. Data

Geordi got another promotion this season. I remember him and Lt. Cmdr. Data having a closer relationship then they did in season three, though maybe that is something we see more in season five and beyond.

Red Shirts

This season had low death count on screen. There were many deaths caused by battles where the casualties were not explicitly identified. Of the ones I could identify, there were one death for each color.

The Best of Both Worlds: Part 1

TNG Season 3 Episode 26
Air Date: June 18th, 1990

Plot

The Federation lost contact with an outpost on a planet in the outer edges of the Federation border. The initial suspect is the Borg. The Enterprise arrives and finds the colony completely destroyed, with nothing but a giant crater. Admiral Hanson and Lt. Cmdr. Shelby meet the Enterprise since they have been coming up with defensive strategies and technologies to use against the Borg. They confirm that it is the Borg.

When another Federation star ship comes into contact with the Borg and gets destroyed, the Enterprise goes to intercept. It's mission is to slow the Borg down long enough for the Federation to bring the fleet together. When they encounter the Borg, the only option they are given is to give Captain Picard to them and stay out of their way. They refuse and the Borg transport onto the bridge and take Captain Picard. In the pursuing battle, Lt. Cmdr. Shelby suggests that Lt. Cmdr. Data rotate the phaser frequencies randomly to keep the Borg off balance. It works and one frequency destroys the Borg tractor beam. The cube then goes to warp heading towards Earth.

Analyzing the data they realize which frequency the Borg were susceptible to and devise a plan to use the main deflector as a weapon. Only it would require the Borg to be going at impulse speed. Lt. Cmdr. Shelby takes an away team to both find Captain Picard and try to take the cube out of warp. They were successful at the latter, but only briefly saw Captain Picard, but as a Borg.

When they get back to the Enterprise the Borg makes contact and we see Captain Picard, as a Borg who names himself Locutus. When Cmdr. Riker realizes that there is no saving him, he orders the deflector dish to fire.

Commentary

This is the first part of my favorite Star Trek episode. The Borg is an enemy that creates real suspense as you know there is no reasoning with them. They want to do one thing, assimilate cultures and technology then destroy them. They are able to rapidly repair their ships, they can adapt to attacks and their most advantageous features is they are part of a collective. So one drone doesn't really matter to the big picture. Ultimately this means they have nothing to lose, so they will show no fear.

This episode also brings up Cmdr. Riker's pending promotion to Captain. Once again he is offered his own command but he had been slow in accepting. It is quickly made obvious that Lt. Cmdr. Shelby has been eyeing his job as first officer and throughout the episode she has challenged Cmdr. Riker's authority by going directly to Captain Picard or just ignoring order.

It ends on a huge cliffhanger with Locutus on the Borg cube and Cmdr. Riker ordering it to be destroyed knowing full well that it will kill Captain Picard.

There were many deaths in this episode, but none on camera so I cannot attribute the color of their uniforms.

Quotes

"Tell me, Commander, is serving aboard the Enterprise as extraordinary an experience as I've heard?" - Lt. Cmdr. Shelby
"Every bit." - Cmdr. Riker
"Good. Because I intend to convince Captain Picard that I'm the right choice for the job." - Lt. Cmdr. Shelby
"Job? Which job?" - Cmdr. Riker
"Yours, of course." - Lt. Cmdr. Shelby

"This isn't the end." - Guinan
"You say that with remarkable assuredness." - Captain Picard
"With experience. When the Borg destroyed my world, my people were scattered throughout the universe. We survived - as will humanity survive. As long as there's a handful of you to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail, even if it takes a millennium." - Guinan

"You disagree with me, fine. You need to take it to the Captain, fine - through me. You do an end run around me again, I'll snap you back so hard you'll think you're a first-year cadet again." - Cmdr. Riker
"May I speak frankly, sir?" - Lt. Cmdr. Shelby
"By all means." - Cmdr. Riker
"You're in my way." - Lt. Cmdr. Shelby
"Really? How terrible for you!" - Cmdr. Riker
"All you know how to do is play it safe. I suppose that's why someone like you sits in the shadow of a great man for as long as you have, passing up one command after another." - Lt Cmdr. Shelby

"Trouble sleeping?" - Guinan
"It's something of a tradition, Guinan. Captain touring the ship before a battle." - Captain Picard
"Hmm. Before a hopeless battle, if I remember the tradition correctly." - Guinan
"Not necessarily. Nelson toured the HMS Victory before Trafalgar." - Captain Picard
"Yes, but Nelson never returned from Trafalgar, did he?" - Guinan
"No, but the battle was won." - Picard

"Mister Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg." - Captain Picard

"Sir, the coordinates they have set, they're on a direct course to sector zero zero one. The Terran system." - Lt. Worf
"Earth." - Cmdr. Riker

"I am Locutus of Borg. Resistance is futile. Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us." - Locutus
"Mister Worf. Fire." - Riker

Transfigurations

TNG Season 3 Episode 25
Air Date: June 4th, 1990

Plot

The Enterprise discovers a crashed escape pod on a planet with one survivor in critical condition. He is transported to the Enterprise and Doctor Crusher saves his life. When he comes to, he doesn't have any memories so she calls him John Doe. John heals at an incredible rate throughout the episode and even starts emanating energy. Once he is fully healed, an alien ship intercepts the Enterprise and threatens to destroy them if they don't hand over John. But now John has powers. His race is evolving to another form of existence and those that don't have this power kill those that show signs. But John progressed further then any other and now cannot be stopped.

Quotes

"I have much to teach you about women!" - Worf

Ménage à Troi

TNG Season 3 Episode 24
Air Date: May 28th, 1990

Plot

Riker and Deanna take shore leave on Betazed, which gets crashed by Lwaxanna which gets crashed by the Ferengi Daimon Tog. Daimon Tog takes a romantic and business interest in Lwaxanna. Lwaxanna pretends to be interested in Tog to lead him astray while Riker plots he escape. But Tog's second in command realizes the ruse and convinces Tog to let him study the Betazed brain. He realizes that if he puts love above business he would lose his command.

The Enterprise learns about the kidnapping and pursues the Ferengi vessel and when they finally catch up, Riker and Troi get caught again. Lwaxanna Troi makes a deal with Tog that she will stay with him if he lets Riker and Deanna go. He agrees. But after returning Riker and Deanna, Picard uses poetry to convince Tog that he loves Lwaxanna and would do anything, including destroying both their ships if he can't get her back. Tog believes Picard and returns Lwaxanna.

Commentary

This episode has one of the few episodes where Deanna and Riker kiss. While the poetry Picard uses to convince Tog that he loves Lwaxanna was only a ruse in itself, it was a side of Picard we have yet to see.

In this episode, Wesley gives up a chance to take a test to get into Starfleet Academy to help in the search for Riker and Deanna. Because of this, Picard decides it is time to give Wesley a full commission with the rank of Ensign.

Quotes

"I am the daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed? Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?" - Lwaxanna
"The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it." - Deanna
"Oh, well, perhaps one day, when you're older and wiser, you'll understand." - Lwaxanna

"My love, is a fever, longing still, For that which longer nurseth the disease. In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, For they in thee a thousand errors see. But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, Who, in despite of view, are pleased to dote. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. When I have pluck'd the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again. It needs must wither." - Picard

"I'm just thinking that, I'm saying goodbye to you, as you are today." - Picard
"But I thought you said I wasn't going to be able to go." - Wesley
"The Academy must make you wait, that's true; but, when I review your service to this ship, your crew mates, I cannot in all conscience make you wait for the Academy. You see, Wesley... in my eyes, you're an acting ensign in title only. I hereby grant you field promotion to full ensign with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations." - Picard

Sarek

TNG Season 3 Episode 23
Air Date: May 14th, 1990

Plot

Ambassador Sarek is being transported by the Enterprise for transportation to negotiate an agreement between the Federation and the Legarans. While on board, the crew start experiencing bouts of anger and aggression. Picard notices that Sarek cried during a concert and Doctor Crusher and Councillor Troi believes he is experiencing Bendii syndrome, a disease that effects Vulcans over 200 where they lose their ability to suppress their emotions.

One of Sarek's aids was able to deflect these emotions so Sarek could perform his final negotiation and retire with dignity. But these deflections is what was causing the crew's violent outbreaks. Sarek's aid suggested that if someone were to mind meld with Sarek and take his emotions temporarily he could finish the negotiations. Picard agrees to do this.

Quotes

"It's ironic, isn't it? All this magnificent technology, and we still find ourselves susceptible to the ravages of old age, loss of dignity, the slow betrayal of our bodies by forces we cannot master. Do you still want to be one of us, Data?" - Picard

"No! This weakness disgusts me! I hate it! Where is my logic? I'm betrayed by, desires. Oh, I want to feel, I want to feel, everything. But I am, a Vulcan. I must feel nothing! Give me back my control!" - Picard

"We shall always retain the best part of the other, inside us." - Sarek
"I believe I have the better part of that bargain, Ambassador. Peace and long life." - Picard
"Live long and prosper." - Sarek

The Most Toys

TNG Season 3 Episode 22
Air Date: May 6th, 1990

Plot

Gathering supplies from a trading ship that is needed to help a colony, Data is killed in a shuttle explosion. At least that is what the Enterprise thinks. He is really kidnapped by the trader Kivas Fajo and added to his collection of rare items.

Data tries to escape and only at the end was able to convince one of the Fajo's employees that she wopuld be better off without Fajo. But he catches up with them, kills his employee. Data is able to obtain a weapon and threatens to kill Fajo if he doesn't let him go. Meanwhile the Enterprise during their grieving process also investigate the shuttle explosion. Wesley discovers that there was something amiss and tells Picard that Data wasn't on the shuttle. They intercept the trading ship and beam Data back on board.

Commentary

Data has never killed someone. Watching the series from the beginning it is something I had never realized before. In this episode it appears he made the decision that the galaxy would be safer if Fajo were killed. When he was transported back to the Enterprise O'Brien comments that the disruptor was in mid firing. Data claims it must have been an error, and it is left up to the audience.

Quotes

"Data. You will be catered to, fawned over, cared for, as you never have been before. Your every wish will be fulfilled." - Fajo
"I wish to leave." - Data

"A Varon-T disrupter. It belongs to Fajo." - Data
"Mr. O'Brien says the weapon was in a state of discharge." - Riker
"Perhaps something occurred during transport, Commander." - Data

" Your collection has been confiscated. All of your stolen possessions are being returned to their rightful owners. You have lost everything you value." - Data
That must give you great pleasure." - Fajo
"No, sir. It does not. I do not feel pleasure. I am only an android." - Data

Hollow Pursuits

TNG Season 3 Episode 21
Air Date: April 30th, 1990

Plot

Lt. Barclay has a holodeck addiction problem and it is interfering with his work. It drives Lt. Cmdr La Forge crazy. Picard insists that instead of passing him off to another ship as was obvious happened with them, that La Forge should befriend Barclay. Reluctantly La Forge agrees.

Meanwhile, the ship starts experiencing random ship malfunctions. When the ship's antimatter injectors lock up causing the ship to accelerate beyond the safe speeds. Barclay realizes that all the affected systems had come into contact with just a few people that were in a cargo bay when a canister broke. They figure out what substance could be in the container that can cause the issue and narrow it to one. They are able to avert disaster and Barclay proves himself.

Comments

While the main danger of the episode was around the malfunctions, the real plot was regarding Barclay and his holo addiction. Barclay would recreate crew members of the Enterprise on the holodeck and play the role of hero. In real life, Barclay suffers from a lack of confidence that results in stuttering and self doubt. But once in the holodeck, he acts as a different person, almost arrogant.

Eventually the crew finds out what Barclay and object to it. While in the end Barclay does gain some confidence and deletes all his holo adventures but one, he still suffers from anxiety but with a crew that supports him, he is more willing to take on the challenge.

Quotes

"Pardon me, but why is Lieutenant Barclay being referred to clandestinely as a vegetable?" - Data

"Good. I look forward to your report, Mr. Broccoli." - Picard

"I am the goddess of Empathy. Cast off your inhibitions and embrace love, truth, joy." - Troi (Hologram)

"Glad you were with us out here in the real world today, Mr. Barclay." - La Forge

Tin Man

TNG Season 3 Episode 20
Air Date: April 23rd, 1990

Plot

A Federation Betazoid emissary Tam Elbrun is beamed on the Enterprise from the USS Hood with a mission to go into the neutral zone and recover an alien ship that is in a system that is about to go supernova. Deanna knows Tam from when she was studying psychology on Betazed who was a patient she worked with. Tam is more telepathic then most Betazoid which is distracting and even painful at time.

Tam knows that Tin Man is a engineered life form used as a ship by an extinct race. Tin Man is the last of its kind. They are racing two Romulan warbirds to the system since it is assumed that there is a technological value to recovering it. When Tam boards Tin Man he mentally binds with it and is able to knock the Enterprise and the Romulan warbird away and the two go off and live in the galaxy together.

Commentary

Tin Man was a living being more then it was a ship. It was in the star system with the intention of dying when the star went supernova. In a sense Tam saved Tin Man and Tin Man saved Tam.

Quotes

"I witnessed something, remarkable. Individually, they were both so" - Data
"Wounded. Isolated." - Troi
"Yes. But no longer. Through joining, they have been healed. Grief has been transmuted to joy, loneliness to, belonging." - Data
"Data? You do understand?" - Troi
"Yes, Counselor. When Tin Man returned me to the Enterprise, I realized, this is where I belong." - Data

Captain's Holiday

TNG Season 3 Episode 19
Air Date: April 2nd, 1990

Plot

Picard is coerced in taking a vacation on the resort planet Risa. While there he meets a human tomb raider named Vash and a Ferengi named Sovack. They are searching for the mythical Tox Uthat, a device that can cause a star to go supernova. Picard learns about it from two Vorgons who claim to be from the 27th century who know Picard is the one that finds it.

Picard teams up with Vash and finds the dig site but is unable to find the Tox Uthat and end up leaving Sovack digging for it. But Picard knows that Vash had already retreived it the day before and is using this ruse to make everyone think it wasn't there at all. Once confronted, Vash reveals the Tox Uthat and the Vorgons show up. But Picard doesn't trust them either and has the Tox Uthat destroyed.

Commentary

This episode introduces the character Vash who is a love interest of Picards. She makes more appearences in TNG and even one episode of DS9. The Ferengi Sovack is played by Max Grodénchik who is known as playing Rom in DS9. They used the same prosthetic in this episode as they used in DS9.

Quotes

"Tell me, Number One, is the entire crew aware of this little scheme to send me off on holiday?" - Picard
"I believe there are two ensigns stationed on deck 39 who know nothing about it." - Riker

"The Horga'hn is the Risian symbol of sexuality. To own one is to call forth its powers. To display it is to announce you are seeking jamaharon." - Joval

"You know, Jean-Luc, it's lucky for you we met. If it wasn't for me, If it wasn't for me, you'd still be back there sitting in the sun, relaxing." - Vash
"That happens to be why I came to Risa." - Picard
"I'm sure you hated every minute of it." - Vash

"Was it a relaxing trip, Captain?" - Troi
"Uh-huh." - Picard
"I knew he'd have a great time!" - Riker

Allegiance

TNG Season 3 Episode 18
Air Date: March 26th, 1990

Plot

While reading in his quarters Picard is transported off of the Enterprise into an enclosed room with two other captives. One is a Bolarus Starfleet cadet Haro and the other is Kova Tholl of Mizar II. A fourth captive appears Esoqq of a warrior race known as the Chalnoth. The four work together to try to escape though each deals with their situation in the same way. Picard eventually figures out that Haro is actually one the captures due to a trap he sets for her. The capturers reveal themselves and say that now that they are discovered their research on how other races deal with authority would not be useful and they would need new subjects.

Meanwhile a dupicate Picard is left on the Enterprise. While the duplicate seems to know almost everything Picard does, he does act different enough and even puts the Enterprise in danger. The crew does realize something is wrong and mutinies. At this point Picard is returned to the ship.

Picard then traps his capturers to show them what it is like to hold someone without their permission.

Commentary

The first season of TNG toyed with the idea that there was a romantic interest between Picard and Doctor Crusher. It was only skirted around due to the relationship being mildly inappropriate. In this episode the duplicate Picard asks Beverly to dinner, dances with her and at the end kisses her. She feels awkward at the whole series of events, not because she doesn't reciprocate but more that it is very sudden.

Quotes

"My race has no enemies." - Kova
"None? In the last three hundred years of Mizarian history, your planet has been conquered six times!" - Picard

"The replica was convincing?" - Picard
"Very convincing, but not perfect." - Riker
"Not perfect in what way?" - Picard
"Well, sir, I find it hard to believe you're that good a singer." - Riker
"A singer? I look forward to reading your report, Commander. At least, I think I do." - Picard

Sins of the Father

TNG Season 3 Episode 17
Air Date: March 19th, 1990

Plot

The Enterprise takes on a Klingon first officer as part of an exchange program like the one Riker went on last season. Only it turns out this Klingon is Worf's brother Kurn. Kurn had kept his identity secret and now their father's honour is being questioned. As the older brother, Worf goes to the Klingon high council and challenges the claim on his father's honour. He learns that his father is accused of collaborating with the Romulans on the attack at Khitomer.

Kurn stands with Worf but still keeps his identity hidden. Worf is encouraged by the Klingon supereme chancellor that he should give up this challenge and go back. They later learn that it was the Duras that had betrayed the Klingodn empire, but revealing this could bring the Empire to civil war. So Worf agrees to accept the charges publicly and be outcast without honour.

Commentary

This is the first time in Star Trek where we get a glimpse into the Klingon leadership and how much honour means to them. For Worf to accept dishonour shows how bad it would get if he pressed his challenge.

Quotes

"I am a Klingon! If you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged." - Worf

"This is not a Klingon ship, sir!" - Riker
"No, Commander, it is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would've killed you for offering your suggestion." - Kurn

"You are a fool. And your challenge can only result in a fool's death." - Duras
"It is a good day to die, Duras. And the day is not yet over." - Worf

Week Sixteen

This week was a big week. I had some time off so I was able to catch up a bit. I started the week with the fifth movie, The Final Frontier and was able to watch 20 episodes of TNG. I am starting to get into a binge mode too where I want to watch them two or three in a row.

Recommendations

I watched a lot of episodes so there are few more recommendations then usual.

The Emissary: We finally get to see a little bit into Worf's history outside of the Klingon Empire. An important episode for what is to come.
Peak Performance: Riker vs Picard, need I say more?
The Ensigns of Command: Picard trying to figure out how to stop the slaughter of a lost Federation colony by using legal loop holes. Even if you dislike the episode watching him hang up on the Sheliak makes it worth it.
The Survivors: The Enterprise meets a being that could be more powerful the Q. Thankfully he isn't a jerk.
Who Watches the Watchers: An episode where it shows the cost of interference with an undeveloped culture and how it can effect their society.
Booby Trap: Geordi falls in love. Enterprise falls into a pretty cool booby trap.
The Defector: The tactics Picard employs in this episode to outsmart the Romulans reminded me a lot of The Original Series episode Balance of Terror
The Hunted: The episode has a few segments where a genetically engineered soldier is trying to escape from the Enterprise. It was fun to watch it play out. You almost want to cheer for him instead of the Enterprise crew.
Deja Q: Best Q episode. So many good quotes.
Yesterday's Enterprise: Denise Crosby's return to Star Trek. Seeing the Enterprise in a time of war was an interesting twist.
The Offspring: Data has a daughter. This episode had me in tears at the end.

Red Shirts

An even split this time. In the episode The High Ground, a red shirt and a gold shirt were killed when they terrorist used their inter-dimensional transporter to infiltrate the Enterprise. In the Bonding, the episode is centered around the death of a science officer during an away mission.

Episodes

TOS Movie 5: The Final Frontier
TNG S2E19: Manhunt
TNG S2E20: The Emissary
TNG S2E21: Peak Performance
TNG S2E22: Shades of Gray
TNG S3E1: Evolution
TNG S3E2: The Ensigns of Command
TNG S3E3: The Survivors
TNG S3E4: Who Watches the Watchers
TNG S3E5: The Bonding
TNG S3E6: Booby Trap
TNG S3E7: The Enemy
TNG S3E8: The Price
TNG S3E9: The Vengeance Factor
TNG S3E10: The Defector
TNG S3E11: The Hunted
TNG S3E12: The High Ground
TNG S3E13: Déjà Q
TNG S3E14: A Matter of Perspective
TNG S3E15: Yesterday's Enterprise
TNG S3E16: The Offspring

The Offspring

TNG Season 3 Episode 16
Air Date: March 12, 1990

Plot

Data has a daughter. After coming back from a cybernetics conference he has an idea and builds an android modeled after him, even using his memory and programs as a basis. He calls her Lal, after the Hindi word for beloved. Data takes on the role of parent as almost an experiment, letting Lal go to school and even letting her work in Ten Forward.

When Starfleet finds out about Lal, they send out Admiral Haftel to evaluate her education and development and if needed to bring her back to Starfleet for better training. When confronted about this, Lal ends up having a break down after feeling emotions such as fear. Haftel and Data try to fix the problem but eventually they have to shut Lal down.

Commentary

I remember this episode as being pretty powerful as a teenager but watching it again today, it brought me to tears. Data was granted the rights of any sentient being in the episode The Measure of a Man but Starfleet still threatens his rights by trying to take his daughter away from him. Watching Lal realize that she was going to be taken away and going into what can only identify as an anxiety attack was heart breaking.

Quotes

"Commander, what are your intentions toward my daughter?" - Data
"Your daughter?" - Riker

"The Admiral is taking the position that Lal's development should be overseen by the most experienced personnel." - Picard
"Then he is questioning my ability as a parent?" - Data
"In a manner of speaking." - Picard
"Does the Admiral have children?" - Data
"Yes, I believe he does, Data. Why?" - Picard
"I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his first child was born." - Data

"Admiral. When I created Lal, it was in the hope that someday, she would choose to enter the Academy and become a member of Starfleet. I wanted to give something back, in return for all that Starfleet has given me. I still do. But Lal is my child. You ask that I volunteer to give her up. I cannot. It would violate every lesson I have learned about human parenting. I have brought a new life into this world. And it is my duty - not Starfleet's - to guide her through these difficult steps to maturity. To support her as she learns. To prepare her to be a contributing member of society. No one can relieve me from that obligation. And I cannot ignore it. I am, her father." - Data

"There are times, sir, when... men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but... you ignore their personal liberties... and freedom. Order a man to hand his child over to the state? Not while I'm his Captain." - Picard

"Lal, I am unable to correct the malfunction." - Data
"I know, Father." - Lal
"We must say goodbye now." - Data
"I feel" - Lal
"What do you feel, Lal?" - Data
"I love you, Father." - Lal
"I wish I could feel it with you." - Data
"I will feel it for both of us. Thank you for my life. Flirting, Laughter, Painting, family, Female, Human." - Lal