Power Play (22 Feb. 1992)

A long-lost ship is found on a planet where cosmic storms prevented detection for 200 years. When a surface landing goes wrong, the away team is beamed back...with a few extra surprises.

Director:

David Livingston

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Rene Balcer (teleplay),

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
Rosalind Chao	...	Keiko O'Brien
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien
Michelle Forbes	...	Ensign Ro Laren
Ryan Reid	...	Transporter Technician
Majel Barrett	...	Enterprise Computer (voice)

Storyline

The end of two centuries of storms on a planet allows the Enterprise to discover the USS Essex, a Federation starship missing for that long, and investigates its system. Riker is the only one of his away team on a moon who, after having been knocked unconscious by another electric storm and touched by an electric phenomenon, remains himself: suddenly Troi, O'Brien and even Data, apparently possessed by aliens, grab their guns on the bridge and taken five hostages, including Keiko and her baby, demanding the ship steers to the southern pole, where the Essex is. Picard has himself exchanged for the five and Dr. Crusher figures out the away team was probably affected by an ionic phenomenon, which didn't affect Riker because of his wound-caused pain, which inspires Geordi to prepare and man a pain-gun...

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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:

22 February 1992 (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

Seatbelts make a rare appearance in this episode, which are seen inside the shuttlecraft.

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Goofs

(at around 6 mins) Boom mic appears above and between Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher.

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Quotes

[Picard has offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the injured in Ten Forward]
Commander William T. Riker: Sir, putting you down there only strengthens their position.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Number One, so long as they're on board this ship, I'm a hostage no matter where I am. We all are.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Assignment (1996)

User Reviews

Great action episode!

ST:TNG:115 - "Power Play" (Stardate: 45571.2) - this is the 15th episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

When an Away Team consisting of Riker, Troi, Data, and soon Chief O'Brien to look for the survivors of the Essex (a Federation ship that disappeared 200 years ago), the latter 3 are taken over by energy beings. Once onboard the Enterprise, they commandeer Ten Forward with an agenda of their own.

I have to admit, of all the TNG episodes, I place this one close to my heart. It's a great action-oriented episode, with great phaser play in the Ten Forward scene.

Trivia note: Rosalind Chao makes another appearance as Keiko O'Brien, with daughter Molly. Also, Michelle Forbes also makes another appearance as Ensign Ro Laren.