Future Imperfect 

Riker awakens sixteen years after an away mission where he contracted a disease which destroyed his memory back to the point of infection - or so he's told.

Director:

Les Landau

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), J. Larry Carroll

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
Wil Wheaton	...	Ensign Wesley Crusher (credit only)
Andreas Katsulas	...	Cmdr. Tomalak
Chris Demetral	...	Jean-Luc Riker / Ethan
Carolyn McCormick	...	Minuet
Patti Yasutake	...	Nurse Alyssa Ogawa
Todd Merrill	...	Gleason
April Grace	...	Transporter Technician Hubbell
George O'Hanlon Jr.	...	Transporter Chief

Storyline

As the Enterprise conducts a security sweep near the Neutral Zone, Picard thinks there may be a secret Romulan base and pulls Riker from his birthday party to lead an away team. When they're overcome by methane gas, Riker awakens in Dr. Crusher's sick bay - and told h is 16 after the incedent, and is captain of Enterprise;

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Plot Keywords:

man playing a trombone | playing trombone | ferengi | ferengi starfleet officer | service record | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode takes place sixteen years into Riker's future. This would be 2383, four years after the events seen in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). Admiral Picard states that the peace talks with the Romulans originated in an event four years prior, the same time period as Nemesis. And Riker's ship was in charge of the task force handling discussions with the Romulans.

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Goofs

As Admiral Picard talks with Captain Riker in the Conference room and says "Will, you're sound of mind and body. If you are properly briefed, you'll still be able to perform your duty," you can see either a gnat, fly or mosquito buzz around his uniform.

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Quotes

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm running a level 1 diagnostic.
Commander William T. Riker: For thirty hours? It would never take you more than four. You're incapable of that level of incompetence, Mr. La Forge!

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Alternate Versions

In the original broadcast and the Columbia House VHS version, when Riker discovers the Romulan deception and says, "Shall we end this charade," he pronounces the word "sha-rad". This line was later ADR'd by Jonathan Frakes for the DVD to say "charade" pronounced "sha-RADE".

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Connections

References 36 Hours (1964)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Future Unwanted

'Future Imperfect' relies on a sci-fi hook that I'd seen years earlier on an episode of "Batman: The Animated Series" (Mad Hatter tried something very similar), so the big twist during the closing moments was robbed of some of its impact. Although, it's still pretty sad.

Either way, this is all about Riker living out a fantasy; the Enterprise is his, he has a son, everything's all sunshine and waffle cones. But in the end, it's all a ruse; a tragic one, but artificial nonetheless.

I guess I've always liked this episode because I like this character; or maybe it's Jonathan Frakes I've taken to, I'm not sure). And it's nice to have a glimpse into his idea of domestic bliss and how he'd act in a parental capacity, comparing himself to his own father and whatnot.

After all is said and done, the real appeal isn't how the fantasy is constructed, but why.

7/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1990 (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