Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Star Trek: The Next Generation
S4.E8
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Future Imperfect

  • Episode aired Nov 10, 1990
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, and Patti Yasutake in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Les Landau
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • J. Larry Carroll
    • David Carren
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Les Landau
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • J. Larry Carroll
    • David Carren
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos16

    Chris Demetral in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    April Grace in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes and Chris Demetral in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michael Dorn in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes and LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Marina Sirtis and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, and Natalie Wood in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Capt. Jean-Luc Picardas Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
    Jonathan Frakes
    Jonathan Frakes
    • Cmdr. William Rikeras Cmdr. William Riker
    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forgeas Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
    Michael Dorn
    Michael Dorn
    • Lt. Worfas Lt. Worf
    Gates McFadden
    Gates McFadden
    • Dr. Beverly Crusheras Dr. Beverly Crusher
    Marina Sirtis
    Marina Sirtis
    • Counselor Deanna Troias Counselor Deanna Troi
    Brent Spiner
    Brent Spiner
    • Lt. Cmdr. Dataas Lt. Cmdr. Data
    Wil Wheaton
    Wil Wheaton
    • Ensign Wesley Crusheras Ensign Wesley Crusher
    • (credit only)
    Andreas Katsulas
    Andreas Katsulas
    • Cmdr. Tomalakas Cmdr. Tomalak
    Chris Demetral
    Chris Demetral
    • Jean-Luc Rikeras Jean-Luc Riker…
    Carolyn McCormick
    Carolyn McCormick
    • Minuetas Minuet
    Patti Yasutake
    Patti Yasutake
    • Nurse Alyssa Ogawaas Nurse Alyssa Ogawa
    Todd Merrill
    • Gleasonas Gleason
    April Grace
    April Grace
    • Transporter Technician Hubbellas Transporter Technician Hubbell
    George O'Hanlon Jr.
    George O'Hanlon Jr.
    • Transporter Chiefas Transporter Chief
    Joyce Agu
    Joyce Agu
    • Ensign Gatesas Ensign Gates
    • (uncredited)
    Rachen Assapiomonwait
    • Crewman Nelsonas Crewman Nelson
    • (uncredited)
    Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett
    • Enterprise Computeras Enterprise Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Les Landau
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • J. Larry Carroll
      • David Carren
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The turbo-lift scene with Riker and young Jean-Luc was added because the show was running short and was written only the night before it was to be shot.
    • Goofs
      When Riker first wakes from his coma, Crusher first wears a badge with four rank pins, then no badge, then suddenly a badge appears on her uniform.
    • Quotes

      "Ambassador" Jean-Luc Picard: Captain - perhaps it would be best if we discussed this...

      Commander William T. Riker: Shut up!

      "Ambassador" Jean-Luc Picard: I beg your pardon?

      Commander William T. Riker: I said 'shut up'. As in 'close your mouth and stop talking'!

    • 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".
    • Connections
      Featured in re: View: Rich and Mike's Second TNG Top Ten Video part 2 (of 2) (2020)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews13

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Rip Van Riker
    This is one of those episodes that keeps us engaged all the way along. I have to say that I am bothered by how it ends (but I won't spoil that). This is a case of parry and thrust throughout. Riker is on a planet where suspected Romulan shenanigans are going on. The away team is overcome by heavy methane gas and pass out. When Riker wakes up, he is on board the Enterprise, but the crew (except for Data) have grown older. He, himself, has wrinkled skin and a bit of gray in his hair. Beverly looks older. He is told that he has been leading a life on board the ship, but has had a recurrence of a fever. He has lost sixteen years of his life. He can only remember that which happened before they went to that planet. It turns out he has a son and had a wife who died. The Romulans have become allies with the Federation and are kindly and outgoing. Something is wrong. There is a touching scene where he meets his son and tries to bond with him. Unfortunately, nothing brings back a single memory. Fascinating effort.
    helpful•15
    0
    • Hitchcoc
    • Aug 22, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in June
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.