Lessons (3 Apr. 1993)

Picard falls for the new head of the stellar science services department, but has feelings of misgivings when he's forced to assign her to a dangerous mission.

Director:

Robert Wiemer

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Ronald Wilkerson,

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Patrick Stewart	...	Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Commander William T. Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Doctor Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Wendy Hughes	...	Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren
Majel Barrett	...	Enterprise Computer (voice)

Storyline

Wondering why an experiment at stellar cartography has most of the ship's resources reserved for hours, Picard goes see the stellar sciences section's obnoxiously assertive new head, Lieutenant Commander Nella Daren. Spending some time together they find they share several interests and enjoy playing music together. The relationship gets tested by balancing his authority and her tendency to sort of abuse his feelings for her. Then she suggests a way to help colonists about to suffer a severe stellar storm, and joins one of the rescue teams, which is badly hit...

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Plot Keywords:

24th century

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1993 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

We see the Stellar Cartography lab for the first time, but it looks a lot less elaborate than in would in Star Trek: Generations, with no 3D mapping or wall height star charts. The film's bigger budget must have allowed them to dress it up for the big screen.

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Goofs

The Enterprise beams the rescue team into a hot, dusty firestorm without basic safety equipment like work gloves or goggles, let alone respirators, self contained air supplies, or sealed, heat resistant environment suits.

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Quotes

[Picard is consulting Troi about his relationship with Lt. Cmdr. Daren]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You see, I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet...
Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain, are you asking my permission?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If I were, would you give it?
Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes.

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Connections

References Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Inner Light (1992)

User Reviews

Picard's new love interest.

ST:TNG:145 - "Lessons" (Stardate: 46693.1) - this is the 19th episode of the 6th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

While on a late night visit, Picard accidentally interrupts a Stellar Cartography experiment newly headed by Lt. Commander Daren, whom he immediately becomes infatuated is. It turns out the attraction is mutual and they soon become romantically entangled.

Picard soon contemplates whether he should pursue a romance with someone under his command, and this comes to a test when she is part of an Away Team on Bersallis III that may threaten her existence.

Trivia note: we see the flute from "The Inner Light" again (when Picard and Daren play together - she is on her portable piano). And EXCELLENT use of music when Picard and Daren are playing together (especially of the theme from "The Inner Light". We also see another concert that Data is part of, playing the violin again.