S4.E8

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Future Imperfect

Episode aired Nov 10, 1990
TV-PG
46m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.4K

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.

See production, box office & company info

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

3.4K

YOUR RATING

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)

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and LeVar Burton in 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)

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)

Storyline

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Did you know

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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
[Riker has given a rather mediocre performance on his trombone at his birthday party]
Counselor Deanna Troi: [after Riker has blown out the candles on his cake] So, what did you wish for, Will?
Commander William T. Riker: Music lessons!

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 reviews14

Review

Featured review

7/10

REVIEW 2022

Wil Rikers the birthday-boy and he's got his trombone out. We're conducting a security survey in the Onias sector near the Neutral Zone. Despite our proximity to Romulan territory, all is quiet, all is calm. Unusual fluctuations in subspace frequencies, are we being probed? Could it be a secret Romulan base on the third planet of the Alpha Onias system?

Number One assembles an away team and pops down to the surface. Suffocating toxic-gasses knock the away team out. When Wil regains consciousness he is in sick bay back on board the Enterprise. But things do seem a little off.

It has to be accepted that Season Four is a leap-forward in quality stories. Characters have more depth, plot lines have many layers to them. It is clear that the ensemble cast are comfortable in their roles and at ease with the characters that they portray. Step by step we also get to learn a little more about each of these characters. Every nuance, smell, sound... Would I rate this episode among the better episodes of this season?

NO. But only because there are already so many nuggets to choose from.

So, what did Riker wish for?

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