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