Descent, Part II 

Before Lore can run risky experiments on Geordi, Troi and Picard, the three seek a way to re-boot Data's ethical program that Lore switched off to pull Data to his side.

Director:

Alexander Singer

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), René Echevarria

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	...	Lt. Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Cmdr. Data / Lore
Jonathan Del Arco	...	Hugh
Alex Datcher	...	Ensign Zandra Taitt
James Horan	...	Lieutenant Barnaby
Brian Cousins	...	Crosis
Benito Martinez	...	Salazar
Michael Reilly Burke	...	Goval

Storyline

Picard, Geordi and Troi try to find a way to escape their cell after being imprisoned by Lore, whilst attempting to convince Data to do what is right as opposed to what his negative emotions (which Lore is feeding him) are compelling him to do. Meanwhile, Riker and Worf attempt to lead a rebellion against the self-aware Borg with help from an old friend.

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Plot Keywords:

opening recap | lore character | villain | season premiere | recap | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Geordi mentions that, while attempting to swim at Devala Lake, Data sank to the bottom, though in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), it is shown that Data has been designed to act as a flotation device.

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Goofs

Soon after Picard, Geordi, and Troi are captured, Data removes their Starfleet Comm Badges (and Geordi's visor), presumably to prevent them from being tracked and contacted by other crew members; however, Data does not remove his own Starfleet badge, possibly running the risk of being tracked and located by the search teams by not doing this. Reasons are not stated for taking the com badges. Data, in leaving Picard, Troi and Geordi in their holding cell, is likely removing their best chances for fashioning tools to break themselves out. Geordi's visor was taken because Lore asked for it.

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Quotes

Commander William T. Riker: Hugh?
Hugh: What are you doing here, Commander Riker? Hasn't the crew of the Enterprise done enough damage already?

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek: Lower Decks: Cupid's Errant Arrow (2020)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

Overcoming Your Programming

There are two issues at work here. The future of the Borg (disconnected) and the futures of Data and Lore. Data has been neutralized and a chip producing negative emotions installed. He has hooked up with Dr. Soon's miscreant throwaway child, Lore, who has become a threat to the Universe by engaging independent Borg (the product of Hugh's leaving the hive). This is mostly about Data and his ability to function (not unlike the Borg with his analytical side butting up against the good side). The problem for Lore is that he is unprincipled and evil and has no redeeming qualities. He destroys everything in his path for power, and because he is so transparent, he alienates those he must enlist in his schemes. Data begins to see the illogic of these actions, and while he longs to experience emotions again and to advance his humanity, there are things within him that block the pathways. Simply stated, he is only partially sure of things and that becomes a dilemma for him. This is a neat episode, even if one is concerned only with the fate of the crew members and Captain PIcard.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 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