First Contact (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

This article is about theStar Trek: The Next Generationepisode. For the feature film, seeStar Trek: First Contact.

"First Contact"is the 15th episode of thefourth season(and the 89th episode overall) of the Americanscience fictiontelevision seriesStar Trek: The Next Generation.

"First Contact"
Star Trek: The Next Generationepisode
Episodeno.	Season 4 Episode 15
Directed by	Cliff Bole
Story by	Marc Scott Zicree
Teleplay by	Dennis Russell Bailey David Bischoff Joe Menosky Ronald D. Moore Michael Piller
Featured music	Ron Jones
Production code	189
Original air date	February 18, 1991(1991-02-18)
Guest appearances
George Coe- Avel Durken Carolyn Seymour- Mirasta Yale George Hearn- Berel Michael Ensign- Krola Steven Anderson - Nilrem Sachi Parker- Tava Bebe Neuwirth- Lanel

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of theStarfleetcrew of theFederation starship Enterprise-D.In this episode, during an away mission to observe a pre-warp civilization,Commander Rikeris injured and brought to a hospital, where the locals quickly realize he is not from their world. Despite the attempted intervention of the planet's sympathetic science minister,PicardandTroi's efforts to retrieve Riker are stymied by the government's concern about the social crisis that a widespread revelation of his presence could trigger.

Plot

The humanoid race of Malcor III is preparing to developwarp drivetechnology. CaptainPicardandDeanna Troisuddenly visit Science Minister Mirasta Yale, lead researcher on their warp experiments. They calm her and explain that they come in peace. It is normal Federation policy to makefirst contactwith a world when it reaches this level of technology; however, they have had to move ahead of schedule becauseRiker,disguised as a Malcorian, has gone missing. After touring the USSEnterprise,Mirasta agrees to help and arranges a private meeting with Chancellor Durken. After the meeting, Picard returns with Durken to theEnterpriseand explains the benefits of a relationship with theFederation.Durken expresses some concerns, most notably with the Federation's unwillingness to share their technology, as well as how their arrival will change his society. Picard assures him that how contact proceeds will be up to him, and if asked to leave, the Federation will do so.

Meanwhile, Riker has been detained by security forces in a hospital, where he is barely conscious following an accident. Differences in Riker's physiology make the hospital administrator believe that he is an extraterrestrial. Riker is aided in his escape by Lanel, a nurse who expresses her wish to "make love with an alien". Riker accepts her offer, but the escape attempt fails: he is spotted, and the guards catch and beat him, worsening his condition. Riker's presence at the hospital is reported to Security Minister Krola, who accuses Durken of hiding the truth about the "alien" presence. The Chancellor expresses his concerns to Picard about the Federation's covert intrusions, but accepts Picard's explanation of why the Federation does this. Krola, fearing a hostile invasion by the Federation, endangers Riker's health by reviving him prematurely so he may be interrogated. He tries to frame Riker as a murderer by shooting himself with Riker's phaser. Meanwhile, Durken is made aware that Riker is in danger of dying and tells Picard where he is. TheEnterprisecrew bring both Riker and Krola back to the ship. They are able to save Riker's life, and discover that his phaser was only set to stun, so Krola was in no real danger.

After Krola is returned to the planet, Durken regretfully tells Picard that he feels Malcor is not ready for first contact. He fears his people are not mature enough to handle the startling announcement that they are not alone in the universe. He requests that theEnterpriseleave the planet, in hopes that they may be able to return at a later time. He agrees to delay Malcor's development of warp drive technology until its people are ready. With Mirasta's project cancelled, she asks Picard if she can leave Malcor on the Enterprise for a new life in the Federation. Both Durken and Picard agree to her request.

Reception

The episode ranked eighth inEntertainment Weekly's list of top 10Star Trek: The Next Generationepisodes.In 2016,The Washington Postranked "First Contact" the tenth best episode of allStar Trektelevision.They highlight a funny cameo byBebe Neuwirth,amidst complications when Riker is lost on a first contact mission to the nearly warp-capable Malcorians.

In 2017,Den of Geekranked Bebe Neuwirth casting as one of the top ten guest stars onStar Trek: The Next Generation.In 2017,Business Insiderlisted this episode as one of the most underrated episodes of theStar Trekfranchise.

In 2020,ScreentRantranked "First Contact" the 15th best episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation.They note how this episode excels at world building theStar Trekfictional universe, exploring its hallmarkStarfleet,United Federation of Planetsand alien contact concepts.

Home video

This episode was released in the United States on September 3, 2002, as part of theStar Trek: The Next Generationseason fourDVDbox set.

On May 28, 1996, episodes "First Contact" and "Galaxy's Child" were released onLaserDiscin the United States.Published byParamount Home Video,the single 12 "double sided disc retailed for 34.95USD.The disc video wasNTSCformat with aDolby Surroundaudio track.

This episode was streamed for free on April 5, 2021, as part of the First Contact Day event on Startrek, along with several other episodes and roundtable discussions withStar Trekactors.

See also

• "Who Watches the Watchers",a first contact–related plot line in episode 4 of season 3 of Star Trek: The Next Generation
• First contact (disambiguation)

References

• Star Trek The Next Generation DVDset, volume 4, disk 4, selection 3.

External links

• "First Contact"atIMDb
• "First ContactArchivedApril 9, 2015, at theWayback Machine"rewatch byKeith R. A. DeCandido
• "First Contact"atMemory Alpha