"Star Trek: The Next Generation" Unification: Part 1 (1991)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Les Landau

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator)
Jeri Taylor (teleplay)

TV Series:

"Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987)

Original Air Date:

2 November 1991 (Season 5, Episode 7)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Picard and Data follow Spock into Romulan space on a dangerous mission.

Plot Keywords:

Captain | Warp Speed | Commanding Officer | Doctor | Tea

Cast

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
Leonard Nimoy	...	Spock
Joanna Miles	...	Perrin
Stephen Root	...	Captain K'Vada
Graham Jarvis	...	Klim Dokachin
Malachi Throne	...	Senator Pardek
Norman Large	...	Proconsul Neral
Daniel Roebuck	...	Jaron
Erick Avari	...	B'Ijik

Trivia:

This episode marks the death of Ambassador Sarek. Its the first time a major TOS character dies, not counting Spock's death since he was resurrected.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Dokachin access the Enterprise computer and downloads the registry of the Vulcan ship they were looking for, he says the Stardate of arrival was "41344", although the computer display clearly shows "41334".

Quotes:

Sarek: I gave Spock the benefit of experience... of logic. He never listened... never listened...

Movie Connections:

References "Star Trek: Yesteryear (#1.2)" (1973)

Unification with the Original Series.

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

ST:TNG:108 - "Unification, Part II" (Stardate: 45236.4) - this is the 7th episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation (as a NOTE, this is the 108th episode to go into production, whereas "Unification, Part II" was the 107th episode to go into production).

This is a pivotal 2-part episode, which aired in November 1991, coming at the time of Star Trek's 25th anniversary and tying it into Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (which was released a month after this episode in December). It also occurred at the time of Gene Roddenberry's death (he died in October 1991.

It concerns Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy), now an ambassador, who has seemingly defected over to the Romulan side. The Enterprise is sent to investigate this seeming defection. Traveling to Vulcan, Picard first meets dying Sarek (Mark Lenard is his last TNG appearance) for the last time, who informs Picard of Spock's relationship with a Romulan Senator Pardek of Romulus. Sarek also wants Picard to express his love for his son (since Sarek is in no condition to do so anymore).

Returning to the Enterprise, Picard concocts a plan where he and Data will go to Romulus in search of Spock and his real motives aboard a cloaked Klingon Vessel, while Riker in command of the Enterprise investigates a theft of a Vulcan Vessel.

An intriguing first part of the historic "Unification" episode, to be cherished by fans and non-fans alike.

Trivia note: Picard reemphasizes his role as Arbitor of Succession. Joanna Miles also returns as Perrin, Sarek's wife. And, there's mention of the talkative barber Mr. Mott.

Also, the Romulan Imperial Senate is seen (just like in Star Trek: Nemesis).