NationMaster - Encyclopedia: The Battle (TNG episode)

"The Battle" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast November 16, 1987. It is episode #9, production #110, written by Herbert Wright, based on a story by Larry Forrester, and directed by Rob Bowman. Image from Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, The Battle © 1987 Paramount Pictures, produced by Gene Roddenberry. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Screenwriters, scenarists or script writers, are authors who write the screenplays from which movies and television programs are made. ... Herbert Wright (born November 9, 1947 in Columbus, Indiana) was a science fiction writer and producer. ... A television director is usually responsible for directing the actors and other taped aspects of a television production. ... Rob S. Bowman (Born: May 15, 1960 in Wichita County, Texas, USA) is an American prolific filmmaker most notable for his work on sci-fi series such as The X-Files and Star Trek. ... A year is the time between two recurrences of an event related to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. ... Stardate is one of the dating conventions used in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... Justice is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast November 9, 1987. ... Hide and Q is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast November 23, 1987. ... The title as it appeared in most episodes opening credits. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Herbert Wright (born November 9, 1947 in Columbus, Indiana) was a science fiction writer and producer. ... Rob S. Bowman (Born: May 15, 1960 in Wichita County, Texas, USA) is an American prolific filmmaker most notable for his work on sci-fi series such as The X-Files and Star Trek. ...

The episode strongly featured Captain Picard, and reunites him temporarily with his old ship the Stargazer, laid as a trap by a vengeful Ferengi. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Starfleet officer in the Star Trek universe. ... The USS Stargazer, NCC-2893, is a Federation starship in the fictional world of Star Trek: The Next Generation. ... Ferengi on Star Trek: The Next Generation The Ferengi are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. ...

Overview: Captain Picard is reunited with his old ship, the Stargazer, and is lured into a trap by a vengeful Ferengi. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Starfleet officer in the Star Trek universe. ... The USS Stargazer, NCC-2893, is a Federation starship in the fictional world of Star Trek: The Next Generation. ... Ferengi on Star Trek: The Next Generation The Ferengi are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. ...

Plot

On stardate 41723.9, the USS Enterprise, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, has rendezvoused with a Ferengi vessel in the Xendi Sabu system. Responding to a request for communication, The Enterprise has been waiting for three days since its arrival for that communication to commence. Despite Federation hails, all Ferengi dispatches so far have consisted of little more than requests for the Enterprise to "stand by". By now, Picard is annoyed and ready to leave. He is fatigued and plagued by annoying headaches to which Dr. Crusher expresses concern. She suggests he undergo a full examination. Stardate is one of the dating conventions used in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) (or Enterprise-D, to distinguish it from prior starships with the same name) is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series. ... Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Starfleet officer in the Star Trek universe. ... Ferengi on Star Trek: The Next Generation The Ferengi are a fictional extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. ... Dr. Beverly Crusher, played by actress Gates McFadden, was a character on the TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation and the films which followed. ...

The Ferengi finally respond without stating a reason for the delay. The Ferengi Captain, Daimon Bok, calls for Picard, sounding anxious to meet him. Bok claims to have summoned Picard about a mutual problem, insisting on discussing the matter face-to-face. Bok is aware of the high level of distrust between them and grants Picard the choice of location: his ship or theirs. It is the consensus of the bridge crew that the Enterprise is the better location, to which Bok seems all too quick to agree, indicating he'll beam over in one hour. In Star Trek, Daimon is a Ferengi military rank that equates approximately to that of a Starfleet captain. ...

Picard goes to sickbay where Dr. Crusher conducts some medical scans. She has no idea what is causing the headaches but gives him something for the pain. In the meantime, Wesley, having made booster modifications to the ship's long range sensors, detects a second vessel approaching shortly before the bridge does. Geordi confirms the signal, identifying the ship as an old Constellation Class starship, one of theirs. Riker is puzzled by the ship's presence, more so when Enterprise receives no response to hails. Indeed, the ghost ship seems to be flying itself. Picard is notified of the approaching ship just as Bok arrives. A sick bay is a nautical term for the location in a ship that is used for medical purposes[1]. Categories: Stub ... Wesley Eugene Crusher is a character on the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. ... The USS Hathaway (NCC-2593), a Constellation class starship The Constellation class is a class of starships once used by United Federation of Planetss Starfleet organization in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... The fictional starship Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) from Star Trek: The Next Generation. ...

Bok transports directly to the Enterprise bridge, along with his first officer Kazago, and second officer Rata. Kazago immediately scrutinizes Data, asking if the android is for sale. Riker jokes that Data is "second-hand" merchandise, and he wouldn't want him. Tasha alerts that the second vessel is closing, still no contact. Bok announces the ship is under his control, a "gift" for the "Hero of Maxia". The word "gift" stirs concern from Kazago and Rata who thought their leader was going to sell the ship back to them. Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, is a character in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... The android Data, portrayed by Brent Spiner, from the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation An android is a robot made to resemble a human, usually both in appearance and behavior. ... It has been suggested that Picard maneuver be merged into this article or section. ...

Picard is confused, not sure of what Bok is referring too. Bok says he is certain Picard remembers his famous battle at Maxia. Data reminds the Captain that seven years ago, at Maxia, Picard was attacked by an unidentified aggressor. Bok quickly interjects that the ship in question was a Ferengi ship, and Data indicates that Picard destroyed the ship in battle. At this, Bok suddenly shows anger, but quickly offers an apology, that "such mistakes happen in space." Data deems it hardly a mistake, as records indicate the Ferengi ship attacked first. Suddenly, Picard clutches his head, struck by another wave of pain. Troi senses something too, and Bok exclaims, "perhaps it's his conscience".

Bok offers a closer look at the old ship. The viewer magnifies, and Picard squints at the hull nomenclature which reads: "U.S.S. STARGAZER NCC-2893". He is struck in awe for a moment realizing it's his old ship. Bok explains they found the derelict adrift at the edges of the system, but now offer it as a memento to Picard's "victory" at Maxia. The Ferengi kindly leave, but everyone remains suspicious over the their sudden gesture of hospitality.

In the observation lounge, Picard retells the tale of the incident at Maxia. He recalls the final moments of the Stargazer; they encountered an unknown ship and offered greetings, but the vessel attacked without provocation. The aggressor pounded the Stargazer, shields were dropping, there was a fire in engineering, and as the enemy ship came in for another pass the Stargazer executed what went down in history as the "Picard Maneuver". Picard gathered up remaining warp power and made a short burst of speed ahead of the enemy ship. The effect made the Stargazer appear to be in two places at once. The enemy attacked their ghost, and Picard went in for the kill. Unfortunately, the Stargazer was heavily damaged, and he and the surviving crew abandoned the ship in a shuttle craft. They drifted for weeks before another starship found them. In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Battle of Maxia was an altercation in 2355 between a Federation ship and a Ferengi vessel; it was the first contact between the two nations. ... In the fictional universe of Star Trek, the warp drive is a form of faster-than-light (FTL) propulsion. ... The fictional starship Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) from Star Trek: The Next Generation. ...

An away team is sent over to the Stargazer to check for any Ferengi "surprises". Finding the ship clean, Picard and Beverly Crusher join them. Picard says hello to his old friend, walking about the devastated bridge, left just like it was when his crew abandoned it seven years earlier. Geordi restores minimal power, surprised the energy reserves still work. Picard decides to visit his old cabin, reuniting himself with some personal items. He finds his old academy diploma, some award plaques, and a wooden chest still containing a neatly folded uniform. What he doesn't notice is a peculiar glowing sphere also hidden inside.

Somewhere on the Ferengi ship, Bok sits at a strange console. Next to him is a sphere identical to the one in Picard's chest. He laughs vengefully, "Try this, hero of Maxia". The sphere in Picard's chest glows brighter, and the Captain is struck by another wave of pain. He falls, knocking the chest closed. Beverly hears his groans and come to his aid. Picard is disoriented but insists he's alright. Beverly has him sent back to the Enterprise. Picard insists his personal effects should come as well and the doctor assures him they will be sent to his quarters.

The Ferengi finish their transfer of the logs and the Enterprise puts a tractor beam on the Stargazer, deciding to tow the wreck to Xendi Starbase 9. The Ferengi remain with the two Federation ships, offering an uneasy escort. Meanwhile, Picard takes time to rest. He is still ravaged by pain. As he tries to sleep, voices enter his mind: "Torpedoes ready Captain... shields weakening... My God! Who are they? ... Sir, they're coming back around... Orders sir? SIR?" Picard's eyes pop open; he lies in terror.

Elsewhere, Data looks over the Stargazer's logs. He alerts Riker when he finds a discrepancy. The Captain's personal logs recount a much different version of the battle than official historic records. It appears the vessel Picard attacked, was in fact under a flag of truce. Riker thinks it to be impossible and asks what caused the fires. Data says an accident in engineering, and the proof lies in the Captains own recorded words. Riker listens to Picard's voice. He still cannot believe the Captain would be guilty of falsifying a battle report.

Riker confronts the Captain, replaying the reports. Picard listens to himself say he mistook a subspace antenna for a weapons cluster and fired upon the ship. Riker believes the voice has been simulated and the Ferengi have been tampered with the logs. It probably explains why they offered escort, they're waiting for something. However, without clear evidence of Ferengi misdeeds, Riker indicates he still has a duty to perform: to notify Starfleet of the discrepancy. Picard sits dismayed, guessing Starfleet will relieve him of command, especially as the Ferengi have been making peace overtures. Riker tells him the report will take a day to reach Starfleet, with another day for their reply. In the meantime, he assures he will do everything he can to prove the logs were tampered with. Starfleet Command In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet is the paramilitary defense, research, diplomacy, and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets (UFP) with â€“ as of the late 24th century â€“ hundreds of starships and starbases at its disposal. ...

In privacy, Riker calls over to the Ferengi ship to talk with Kazago, "first officer to first officer". Kazago is quite aware of Picard's infamy; what he calls "the wanton destruction of an unarmed vessel". Riker explains he will find evidence that the logs were tampered with, but Kazago expects as much; a cover up the decadent humans would use to defend such disgrace. Riker asks the question, if the Ferengi knew of Picard's deception, then why offer the Stargazer as a peace gesture? Kazago is insulted, the Ferengi kindly return the derelict ship and now they are accused of a crime. He terminates the communication, leaving Riker bewildered.

In the meantime, Beverly looks over Picard. His headaches grow worse and nothing the doctor does seems to help. She believes the pain is connected to the emotional stress he has been under, but Picard explains the pain started before finding the Stargazer. He tells Beverly that he has been hearing voices, and that he is unsure if he was in his right mind at Maxia, or even if he is in his right mind now.

In his lair, Bok sits at a screen, somehow distorting Picard's mind. "And now my dear Captain, you are ready to relive the past." The voices turn to visions. Picard dreams he is in the center seat of the Stargazer's bridge, he sees fire everywhere, smoke and sparks fill the air. The ship rocks back and fourth. He sees glowing apparitions of his old crew manning their stations. "What should we do sir?... Fire sir, Fire!" Bok manipulates his controls, hissing "You will injure yourself as you injured me." The action in Picard's mind intensifies; "Clear the debris!... Damage report!... Power systems failing... Ready phasers and lock!... FIRE!"

Elsewhere, Data and Geordi report to Riker. They have found the evidence that the Stargazer logs were faked. The forger made a crucial mistake, forgetting proper timecode stamps, proving the logs are a deliberate fabrication. Picard suddenly appears. He seems back to normal. Riker informs him of the log tampering. Oddly, the news barely affects Picard. He orders Riker to disable the tractor beam on the Stargazer, indicating the ship's inertia will keep it with the Enterprise and thus conserve power. Riker thinks the request is odd but disengages the beam.

Dr. Crusher tells the Captain he should be resting, but Picard informs her that his headaches are gone and that he can return to duty. The doctor meets with Troi, wondering about the Captain's peculiar recovery. Troi feels something odd in the Captain; overlapping patterns of thought, as if there is disorder in his mind. Suddenly Wesley interrupts them. He shows them a strange frequency he detected coming from the Ferengi ship. When compared to the model of Picard's brainwaves, the frequency model is an exact match. Beverly and Troi race to Riker informing him of the transmissions. The two believe they are affecting the Captain's judgment. Alarmed, Riker asks for a location of Captain Picard. The computer indicates he went to transporter room three and beamed to the Stargazer. A transporter platform aboard the USS Enterprise-D. The illuminated circles at the top are on the bottom of the transporter platform used in the original Star Trek. ...

On the Stargazer's bridge, Picard finds Bok waiting for him. The Ferengi activates his sphere causing Picard to wrench back in pain. Bok explains he is "collecting on an old debt". Picard wobbles in pain, disoriented, unsure of what Bok is talking about. Bok paces, explaining that the Ferengi ship Picard destroyed was commanded by his son, his first mission as DaiMon. He has been searching three years for a mechanism for a proper blood revenge, having found one on a distant world. He has spent a lifetime of riches to acquire the mind control devices. Bok explains the computers are set to respond to verbal commands. Picard struggles for control, as Bok sets the sphere on a seat. He utters, "Die well, Picard", then transports away leaving the Captain alone with the menacing sphere.

Back on the Enterprise, Tasha Yar and Worf rush to Picard's quarters and locate the sphere in the Captain's chest that was brought over from the Stargazer. They bring it to Riker, just as the Stargazer raises shields and maneuvers away. They look over the sphere knowing it must be connected to the thought-altering transmissions. It must have prepared Picard for whatever he is about to do. Tasha warns the Stargazer has powered up weapons and maneuvering to attack. Although the ship is heavily damaged, it is armed with enough firepower to bring down the Enterprise. Lieutenant Natasha Yar, played by Denise Crosby, is a Starfleet officer in the fictional Star Trek universe. ... Worf (Klingon: worIv) is a Klingon Starfleet officer in the Star Trek fictional universe. ...

Riker calls over to Kazago, demanding an explanation of what is going on. Kazago seems just as confused as Riker, but once shown the mind sphere, he becomes suspicious. He explains the sphere is "thought maker", a forbidden device, suggesting Picard is criminal to own one. Riker insists that Bok is involved and demands to speak with him. Kazago refuses to question his DaiMon and to Riker's annoyance, cuts off communication. On the Stargazer, Picard takes his old command chair. He sees the phantoms of his old crew manning their stations, and now sees the Enterprise as the unknown threat.

Back on the Enterprise, Riker tries to talk sense into the Captain. Picard replies "Do not attack, we are on a peaceful mission". Troi senses frustration and anger from Picard, as he is living the delusion. Picard responds, "Give us your identity! You force us to defend ourselves." They hear him relay orders to his imaginary crew then communications are cut off. Fearing the Picard Maneuver is imminent, Riker asks Data what defense there is against it. Data replies that there is none and Riker orders him to devise one, fast!

The Ferengi ship suddenly hails. Riker has his hands full, but Kazago informs him his DaiMon has been relieved from command, "for engaging in an unprofitable adventure." Kazago refuses to help the Enterprise, preferring not to get involved in their affairs. He wishes Riker luck and signs off. Data suggests a plan of action against the Picard maneuver, suggesting he can detect the immedate compression of stellar gases... but time is running short and Riker cuts him off; whatever plan Data has composed, it will have to do.

The Stargazer makes its abrupt jump to warp, and for an instant, appears in two places at once. With lightning speed, Data deflects the ship with the forward tractor beam. The force of the deflection nearly knocks Picard from his command seat. He hears Riker calling for him. Dazed, he responds. Riker tells him to look for a silver sphere and destroy it. It is controlling his mind. In a zombie daze, Picard finds the sphere. He hesitates then wills himself to blast the sphere with his phaser. He is finally released and quickly comes to his senses. Picard then requests to be beamed back home.

Trivia

The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) The Constitution class was a series of Starfleet vessel in the Star Trek fictional universe, first put into service in the mid-23rd century. ... The USS Hathaway (NCC-2593), a Constellation class starship The Constellation class is a class of starships once used by United Federation of Planetss Starfleet organization in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... The Battle Bridge is from the fictional Star Trek universe. ... USS Enterprise (NCC 1701-C) In the fictional Star Trek universe, the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C was the fourth Federation Starship Enterprise to carry that name. ... The Last Outpost is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. ...

External link

Category: Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes Memory Alpha (often abbreviated to MA) is a collaborative project to create the most definitive, accurate and accessible encyclopedic reference for topics related to the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Star Trek is an American science fiction franchise. ... A wiki (IPA: <WICK-ee> or <WEE-kee>[1]) is a type of Web site that allows the visitors themselves to easily add, remove, and otherwise edit and change some available content, sometimes without the need for registration. ... Justice is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast November 9, 1987. ... Hide and Q is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast November 23, 1987. ...

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Trivia

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