Future Imperfect
"Future Imperfect" | |
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Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 8 |
Directed by | Les Landau |
Written by | J. Larry Carroll David Bennett Carren |
Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
Production code | 182 |
Original air date | November 12, 1990 |
Guest appearances | |
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"Future Imperfect" is the 82nd episode of the American
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, during an away mission, Riker falls unconscious and awakens to discover that sixteen years have passed, and he is now captain of the Enterprise.[2] Having no memory whatsoever of the time that has passed, he begins to suspect that the future he finds himself in may not be real.
Plot
Commander Riker's birthday celebration is interrupted as he, Geordi La Forge, and Worf are sent down to a huge cavern on Alpha Onias III, an uninhabited Class M planet, to investigate unusual readings. After their arrival, the cavern suddenly fills with toxic gases, and the three officers fall unconscious.
Riker awakens in
Riker learns that he was married, is now widowed, and has a son (
As Riker struggles to adjust to his new life, numerous inconsistencies arise. The Enterprise computer is uncharacteristically slow, numerous systems experience minor technical
Riker is put in a holding area, where he meets the boy whose image the Romulans had used to create his "son". The boy identifies himself as "Ethan". Together, they manage to escape and briefly elude their Romulan guards. However, as the two are hiding from their pursuers, Ethan inadvertently refers to Tomalak as "Ambassador", instead of "Commander". Riker realizes that he is still in a simulation; confronting Ethan over it, he demands that the game end immediately and that he be allowed to leave.[3]
Everything disappears once more, leaving only Riker and Ethan back in the cavern on Alpha Onias III. Riker is then able to contact the ship and learns that Worf and La Forge had beamed up without incident, but the Enterprise was unable to locate him. After Riker advises the captain that he will presently report back after learning more about his situation, Ethan confesses that he had created the simulations, using sophisticated scanners to read his mind and create the "reality" they experienced. Ethan's planet had been attacked and his people killed; his mother had hidden him in the cavern for his own safety, with all the simulation equipment, before she died; and Ethan, all alone, had been yearning for real companionship. Realizing Ethan's intentions were not hostile, Riker offers him refuge on the Enterprise. Ethan accepts Riker's offer and after Ethan reveals his true form as a grey alien named Barash, the two beam onto the ship.[4]
Reception
Zach Handlen of The A.V. Club gave the episode a grade A−.[5]
In 2017, Popular Mechanics said that "Future Imperfect" was one of the top ten 'most fun' episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.[6] In 2019, CBR rated "Future Imperfect" the 5th best 'holodeck' episode of the Star Trek franchise.[7]
In 2016,
In 2020,
Continuity
The character Minuet was previously introduced in "11001001" (S1E15, aired February 1, 1988).[10]
Releases
"Future Imperfect" was released in the United States on September 3, 2002, as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation season four DVD box set.[11]
References
- ^ ""Star Trek: The Next Generation" Future Imperfect". IMDb.com. IMDb, Inc. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, James (March 6, 2015). "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Future Imperfect". denofgeek.com. Den of Geek. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, James (March 6, 2015). "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Future Imperfect". denofgeek.com. Den of Geek. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, James (March 6, 2015). "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Future Imperfect". denofgeek.com. Den of Geek. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ "Star Trek: The Next Generation: "Future Imperfect"/"Final Mission"". The A.V. Club. December 9, 2010.
- ^ popularmechanics.com
- ^ "Star Trek: Ranking the 20 Best Holodeck Episodes". CBR. January 4, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ "The 50 best Star Trek episodes ever". Empire. July 27, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- ^ Honorof, Marshall (February 8, 2020). "A guide to Star Trek: Picard's Next Generation characters". Tom's Guide. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, James (March 6, 2015). "Revisiting Star Trek TNG: Future Imperfect". denofgeek.com. Den of Geek. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- ^ Ordway, Holly E. (September 9, 2002). "Star Trek the Next Generation – Season 4". DVD Talk. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- Star Trek The Next Generation DVDset, volume 4, disc 2, selection 4.
External links
- "Future Imperfect" at IMDb
- "Future Imperfect" rewatch by Keith R. A. DeCandido
- Future Imperfect at Memory Alpha