Data and Jean-Luc Picard discover Ensign Dern's body.
Picard and Data return to the Enterprise to discover it adrift, filled with prehistoric creatures.
Summary
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Lieutenant Reginald Barclay, having self-diagnosed himself with a lethal illness, goes to see Doctor Beverly Crusher - who gives him a treatment for Urodelan flu, a mild illness... Which made him much more lively. At the time moment, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Data were off the ship for a mission - but several crewmembers started displaying strange behaviours: Commander Deanna Troi would find the atmosphere too dry and cold, Commander Riker would have memory troubles... And Worf would act much more animalistic, ending up biting Deanna on the face and spitting a fast-acting venom into Dr Crusher's face, causing the latter to be rapidly put into stasis.
Three days later, Picard and Data come back to a visibly unmanned Enterprise, and quickly discover the bridge in shambles with a dead ensign at conn, a Neanderthal Riker, a spider Barclay, an aquatic Deanna, and a monster Worf.
Spot, having been expecting a litter of kitten, had given birth - and mutated into a reptile...
Background
- This episode marks the final appearance of Dwight Schultz (Reginald Barclay) on the series, with exception of his appearance with the crew in Star Trek: First Contact.
- This is the only episode of the series directed by Gates McFadden (Beverly Crusher) and the first episode of Star Trek directed by a female cast member.
- It was written into the script that Gates McFadden's character, Beverly Crusher, would be severely disfigured by Worf. She was promptly put into stasis to prevent the injuries from worsening. The absence of Dr Crusher from much of the episode gave Gates more time to spend directing the episode.
Goofs
- Upon discovering Troi in her quarters, transformed into an amphibious lifeform, Data says that she is "no longer human"...which seems odd since Counselor Troi is in fact half Betazoid.
- Before Data and Picard enter Troi's quarters one can see that the sign on the door says "Lt. Cmdr. Troi: Counselor"; even though she had been promoted to Commander by that time.
- Data's pet, the cat named 'Spot', changes gender from time to time. For example, in 'In Theory' Geordi refers to Spot as 'him', but then, in 'Genesis', Spot gives birth to some kittens.
Memorable Quotes
"What is it?"
"It is large."
- - A terrified Picard to Data upon discovering the devolved Worf
Links and References
Guest Stars
References
amniotic scan; aquatic lab; arachnid; arboretum; australopithecine; Barclay's Protomorphosis Syndrome; Betazoid; biobed; bioscan; biospectral scan; caviar; cholic acid; Beverly Crusher; Cyprion cactus; Enterprise-D, USS); Hacopian; hypochondria; hypothalamic series; intron; K-3 cell; Klingon; Livingston; medical tricorder; mutation; Pheromones; photon torpedo; Andrew Powell; reconstructive surgery; William T. Riker; sebaceous gland; Selar; sickbay; Rebecca Smith; Spot; Starfleet Medical Database; stasis; Symbalene blood burn; Deanna Troi; type-6 shuttlecraft; Urodelan flu; Worf
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Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 7 |
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