Star Trek: The Next Generation
(1987–1994)
On Velara III, Geordi and Data discover a microscopic life form responsible for the death of an engineer stationed on the base.
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Title: Home Soil (20 Feb 1988)
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Cast
| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
| Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
| LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Geordi La Forge | |
| Denise Crosby | ... | Lt. Tasha Yar | |
| Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
| Gates McFadden | ... | Dr. Beverly Crusher | |
| Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
| Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
| Wil Wheaton | ... | Wesley Crusher | |
| Walter Gotell | ... | Kurt Mandl | |
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Elizabeth Lindsey | ... | Louisa Kim |
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Gerard Prendergast | ... | Bjorn Benson |
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Mario Roccuzzo | ... | Arthur Malencon |
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Carolyne Barry | ... | Female Engineer |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The Enterprise visits a team of scientists and engineers terraforming on Velara III. The team's leader, Kurt Mandl, isn't very welcoming stating that they are very busy but Picard insists with Riker, Data and Geordi beaming down to the planet. Velara III was selected because of its complete absence of any life forms and the terraforming initiative takes about 30 years. The team is now in the process of removing salts from the natural water supply as the first step in creating a sustainable environment. Geordi and Data come across a non-carbon based object that glows and give the appearance of life. When it attempts to communicate with the crew, it is obvious they have encountered a life form like no other. Written by garykmcd
Plot Keywords:
laser drill | terraforming station | terraformer | director | male director |Parents Guide:
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Computer Voice: Silicon, germanium.
Lt. Commander Data: Transistor material.
Computer Voice: Gallium arsenide.
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Emits light when charged.
Computer Voice: Cadmium selenide, sulfide.
Lt. Commander Data: Emits charge when lit.
Computer Voice: Water, impurities, sodium salts.
Lieutenant Worf: Conductor.
Lieutenant Worf: [to Data and Geordi] But is it alive?
[...]
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Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Of the story in general, Maurice Hurley said it was "An interesting idea, but the execution fell apart." He felt that in addition to the script, there were issues with casting, sets and the time in which to shoot. See more »Goofs
At least twice, Riker taps his comms badge to speak with someone, and it doesn't make its usual beep sound. See more »Quotes
Lt. Commander Data: Please show me spectral analysis, magnification 12k.Computer Voice: Silicon, germanium.
Lt. Commander Data: Transistor material.
Computer Voice: Gallium arsenide.
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Emits light when charged.
Computer Voice: Cadmium selenide, sulfide.
Lt. Commander Data: Emits charge when lit.
Computer Voice: Water, impurities, sodium salts.
Lieutenant Worf: Conductor.
Lieutenant Worf: [to Data and Geordi] But is it alive?
[...]
See more »
Soundtracks
Star Trek: The Next Generation End CreditsComposed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
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The Enterprise has been ordered to go to a planet that is being terraformed into new planet. For some odd reason, the planet has been ignoring contact from the Federation and they need to investigate. When the Captain contacts the base's leader (Walter Gotell), he is very evasive and unfriendly and it's obviously he does NOT want them coming to the planet's surface. Once there, it's obvious SOMETHING is up, as a laser seems to come to life on its own and kills one of the workers. Then, it tries to kill Data. Someone or something is controlling the laser--and Picard is determined to investigate further. Eventually the root cause is discovered--and inorganic life form! Gordi and Data bring the small speck-like being to the ship for examination--and soon it begins to grow, refuse to stay in containment and takes control of the computer systems. Obviously it IS intelligent. And, obviously the leader of the base was trying to create a new planet by destroying the inorganic life form--which clearly violates the Prime Directive.
In many ways, this episode reminds me of one from the original "Star Trek" series--the one where miners inadvertently are killing the eggs of an inorganic creature, the Horta. Here, the entity is of a much different form but the concept is quite similar. Overall, a very interesting episode and one that manages to be entertaining despite a very simple idea and a very non-traditional alien!