Encounter at Farpoint
- Episode aired Sep 26, 1987
- TV-PG
- 1h 32m
On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashi... Read allOn the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion.On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion.
- Mandarin Bailiff
- (as Cary-Hiroyuki)
- Main Bridge Security
- (as Timothy Dang)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDeForest Kelley's cameo as an aged McCoy was a late addition to the script and was devised by Gene Roddenberry. "It came about as a result of, I think, a meeting between him and De," remembered producer Robert H. Justman. "I think it had been on Gene's mind and he invited De to lunch and he says, 'How would you feel about it?', expecting De to say, 'No. NO'-and De said, 'I'd be honored.' And not only that, not only did he say 'I'd be honored,' but he refused to take any more than SAG scale [salary]. He could have held us up for a lot of money, and he didn't. And it was just great; it really got to me, the way he did it [the scene]. It really got to me; it was a beautiful, beautiful scene."
- GoofsWesley is dripping wet when talking to Captain Picard outside the holodeck. As holographic matter cannot exist outside of the holodeck, the water should have disappeared once he stepped through the door. However, just moments before, Data explains to Riker that the holodeck uses a combination of holograms and actual material that is materialized (similar to the way the food replicators create food) so the water could very well be real.
- Quotes
Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: How old do you think I am, anyway?
Lt. Commander Data: 137 years, Admiral, according to Starfleet records.
Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: Explain how you remember that so exactly!
Lt. Commander Data: I remember every fact I am exposed to, sir.
Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: [looking at both sides of Data's head] I don't see no points on your ears, boy, but you sound like a Vulcan.
Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. I am an android.
Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: Hmph. Almost as bad.
- Alternate versionsThe original Columbia House video release had the episode cut into two parts, as it was re-aired, while later releases has the episode in its original two hour cut that was on the Paramount Home Video release.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hide and Q (1987)
This is long-winded but interesting introduction to The Next Generation with a strong theme and some decent character moments.
Even for a two-part episode spanning ninety minutes the story packs a lot in. The two main plot threads involving Q and Farpoint station are great but unfortunately there are many character introductions with background information that slow everything down destroying the flow developed in the early scenes. I felt a retread of themes from original series episodes like 'The Squire Of Gothos' and 'The Devil In The Dark', which work well. Some parts of the trial sequence are unintentionally funny as it mixes social commentary, absurdity and emotive performances.
Picard has a fairly aggressive introduction, thrown into immediate conflict with Q and these scenes are compelling due to the themes and characters. He is also pretty combative in his leadership style.
Riker makes a cinematic entrance with an immediate test of ability and a candid conversation with Picard. This is probably the best of all character intros for me and sets the scene for what is to come in the series.
Introductory exposition dialogue is pretty clunky and contributes to the pace being laboured. There is also a substantial amount of time spent introducing the technology and environment which clutters the episode up too much.
The scene involving a character from the Original Series is a nice bit of fan service but it adds to the unnecessary screen time as it is fairly irrelevant in the grand scheme of the series.
I find some of the dramatic camera movements and extreme angled shots on the bridge a bit distracting. The musical score is pretty dramatic and changes in tone on multiple occasions depending on the emotional theme of each sequence. The well crafted saucer-section sequence is reminiscent of the 'The Cage' episode where the show theme is used during the sequence where the warp drive is engaged. In one scene you can clearly see a stunt-player standing in for Tasha Yar.
Performances are mostly great with Patrick Stewart standing out significantly with a powerful presence and masterful delivery of dialogue. All supporting cast are solid with Marina Sirtis having just one or two ropey moments.
- snoozejonc
- May 12, 2021
- Permalink
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- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
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- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1