Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 1, Episode 1

Encounter at Farpoint (26 Sep. 1987)

TV Episode  -   -  Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
6.9
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On the maiden mission of a new Enterprise, the God-like being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in a truly intelligent & civilized fashion.

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Title: Encounter at Farpoint (26 Sep 1987)

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Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
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Q
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Mandarin Bailiff (as Cary-Hiroyuki)
Timothy Dang ...
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Storyline

In the first "Star Trek" story set in the 24th Century, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is the commander of the new Federation flagship, the fifth U.S.S. Enterprise. En route to the distant Farpoint Station, the Enterprise is captured by a capricious, omnipotent being who calls himself Q. In a court of his own devising, Q judges that, based on its past, humanity is unfit to exist. Picard argues that the human race has outgrown its infancy, and should be judged on its current actions. Q relents, and agrees to monitor the Enterprise's new crew as it investigates a mysterious force at Farpoint Station. Written by Anonymous

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26 September 1987 (USA)  »

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1.33 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The battle bridge set was originally built as the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge for Star Trek: The Motion Picture. See more »

Goofs

Riker tells Data that he checked Data's records. Apparently he didn't read them very well. He doesn't realize that Data's rank is real, not honorary, and that he graduated from Starfleet. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 41153.7 - Our destination is planet Deneb IV, beyond which lies the great, unexplored mass of the galaxy. My orders are to examine Farpoint, a starbase built there by the inhabitants of that world. Meanwhile, I am becoming better acquainted with my new command, this Galaxy-class USS Enterprise. I am still somewhat in awe of its size and complexity. As for my crew, we are short in several key positions, most notably a first officer. But I'm informed that a ...
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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: The Next Generation: True Q (1992) See more »

Soundtracks

"Star Trek: The Next Generation End Credits"
(uncredited)
Written by Jerry Goldsmith & Alexander Courage
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User Reviews

 
Welcome to the 24th Century!
21 September 2001 | by (Home is where the heart is...) – See all my reviews

"Encounter at Farpoint" is set a century after the original Enterprise's historic 5-year mission. A new starship, the Galaxy class USS Enterprise-D is launched under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his courageous first officer Commander William T. Riker.

Captain Picard and his crew's first assignment is to investigate the mystery of Farpoint station, built by the inhabitants of planet Deneb IV. Along the way, the crew encounters an omni-potent being known as "Q," who puts mankind on trial for its history of barbarism. When Commander Riker and his away team eventually discover that Farpoint station is actually an alien lifeform, it's up to them to resolve the conflict with benevolent means...or face the wrath of Q.

Review:

I remember watching this episode in its original broadcast. Halfway into the episode, I realized that Commander Riker was poised as the focus of the new show. Frakes's performance as Riker reminded me of the second coming of "James T. Kirk" with his charisma and bravado. John de Lancie performed admirably as Q, with his wit and malevolence, and it was good to see Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) again in his surprising cameo. I especially loved the exciting saucer separation sequence, as well as the scene where Riker calls Data "Pinnochio" in reference to Data's yearning to become human. This was a brand new crew for a new generation, and although the show did not involve Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, I was in awe of the long mission ahead of them...

Rating: 4/4 stars (4 stars: Excellent. 3 stars: Good. 2 stars: Average. 1 star: Poor.)


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