Birthright, Part I 

While visiting Deep Space 9, A Yridian tells Worf his father lives, and a discharge from an alien device puts Data in a dream state where he meets his own father.

Director:

Winrich Kolbe

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Brannon Braga

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patrick Stewart	...	Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Cmdr. William Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data / Dr. Noonien Soong
Alexander Siddig	...	Doctor Bashir (as Siddig El Fadil)
James Cromwell	...	Jaglom Shrek
Cristine Rose	...	Gi'ral
Jennifer Gatti	...	Ba'el
Richard Herd	...	L'Kor

Storyline

While the Enterprise helps repair Cardassian damages to space station Deep Space Nine, an alien approaches Worf, claiming his father was not killed in the battle of Khitomer decades ago but is still alive and held in a Romulan prison camp. Initially, Worf rebuffs this, for the dishonor it would bring his family, but changes his mind and resolves himself after talking to Troi and Data. Worf forces the alien to take him to the predator-infested forest surrounding the Romulan camp but, on arrival, discovers it's not what he expects. Meanwhile, Geordi helps brilliant station scientist Dr. Julian Bashir conduct an experiment with unknown alien technology that unintentionally knocks out Data with a serious plasma shock. As a result, Data experiences a vision of his creator, Dr. Noonien Soong, which he is unable to understand.

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Plot Keywords:

to be continued ending | plasma shock | romulan | prison camp | deep space nine | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Klingon

Release Date:

20 February 1993 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

46 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first time that the "DS9-style" uniform is seen on TNG. It was seen once again in TNG: "Firstborn." The Enterprise crew wear the uniforms in the movie Star Trek Generations.

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Goofs

Geordi La Forge plugs a cord into the side of Data's head before intentionally rendering Data unconscious to start his "dream." The cord is also in place when Data wakes up again. The cord disappears when he falls unconscious, but this moment is part of Data's fantasy POV, in which he would not visualize the cord.

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Quotes

[last lines]
L'Kor: [to Worf] We are not leaving here... and neither are you.

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Connections

References Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation End Credits
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

Unlike most two-parters, this isn't particularly good or special

"Birthright: Part 1" is an episode meant to connect "Star Trek: The Next Generation" with its new spin-off series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" which debuted around the same time as this episode. Oddly, however, the only real tie-in is seeing the station as well as Dr. Bashir and NONE of the other station regulars. This is quite odd-- like a half-hearted tie-in show.

When the show begins, Dr. Bashir and Data are talking a lot about stuff. Then, unexpectedly, their little experiment in engineering runs amok and zaps Data with a bazillion volts. He's inoperable for about 30 seconds and during that time he has what seems like a near- death experience with his creator, Dr. Soong. During the rest of the show, Data tries to come to terms with this.

The other plot involves Worf. Some alien approaches him and says that Worf's father did NOT die years ago during a Romulan attack but is STILL being held prisoner. He then gets this mercenary guy to take him to this planet to investigate.

Overall, we have two plots that are just okay...nothing more. The show is odd for a two-parter because not a lot of consequence occurs.