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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S1.E17
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Home Soil

  • Episode aired Feb 20, 1988
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
On Velara III, Geordi and Data discover a microscopic life form responsible for the death of an engineer stationed on the base.On Velara III, Geordi and Data discover a microscopic life form responsible for the death of an engineer stationed on the base.On Velara III, Geordi and Data discover a microscopic life form responsible for the death of an engineer stationed on the base.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Corey Allen
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(showrunner)
    • Robert Sabaroff(teleplay by)
    • Karl Geurs(story by)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Corey Allen
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry(showrunner)
    • Robert Sabaroff(teleplay by)
    • Karl Geurs(story by)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

    Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gerard Prendergast, and Mario Roccuzzo in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Walter Gotell, Elizabeth Lindsey, and Gerard Prendergast in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart 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. Geordi La Forgeas Lt. Geordi La Forge
    Denise Crosby
    Denise Crosby
    • Lt. Tasha Yaras Lt. Tasha Yar
    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
    • Wesley Crusheras Wesley Crusher
    Walter Gotell
    Walter Gotell
    • Kurt Mandlas Kurt Mandl
    Elizabeth Lindsey
    Elizabeth Lindsey
    • Louisa Kimas Louisa Kim
    Gerard Prendergast
    • Bjorn Bensonas Bjorn Benson
    Mario Roccuzzo
    Mario Roccuzzo
    • Arthur Malenconas Arthur Malencon
    Carolyne Barry
    • Female Engineeras Female Engineer
    Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett
    • Enterprise Computeras Enterprise Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    James G. Becker
    • Youngbloodas Youngblood
    • (uncredited)
    Dexter Clay
    • Operations Division Officeras Operations Division Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Susan Duchow
    • Operations Division Officeras Operations Division Officer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Corey Allen
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry(showrunner)
      • Robert Sabaroff(teleplay by) (story by)
      • Karl Geurs(story by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First time there is a reference to a rest room (bathroom) on the Enterprise. As Riker and the engineer are talking she mentions that one of the colleagues is stuck in the restroom due to the aliens taking over the ship.
    • Goofs
      Everyone (including the ship's computer) acts like this is the first non-carbon-based life form the Federation has ever encountered. However, in The Devil in the Dark (1967), the obvious inspiration for this story, a silicon based life form (the Horta) was discovered on a Federation mining colony and identified by Mr. Spock.
    • Quotes

      Inorganic Life-form (voice): Ugly giant bags of mostly water.

      [alien's description of humans]

    • Connections
      Featured in re: View: Star Trek The Next Generation Season One (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews14

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Solid episode with some memorable moments
    Enterprise visits Velara III and a terraforming colony.

    This is an enjoyable episode with some familiar Star Trek themes and strong sci-fi elements.

    The story is reminiscent of the original series classic 'The Devil In The Dark' and also the Genesis project from 'The Wrath of Khan' with a mixture of concepts from both. It starts strongly with an intriguing premise and a lot of excellent scientific detail that for once does not come across like technobabble inserted for the convenience of a plot.

    There is one sequence involving one of the main characters and a laser drill that is quite cinematic for a 80s small screen production.

    I thought the ending was quite hit and miss. It is a classic Star Trek resolution to a problem, but in the same breath it's predictable and not the slightest bit cinematic. The communication element of it is obviously a morally sound message, but fairly naff to witness on screen.

    Generally the visuals are good with some creative ideas on display, but the life form in focus has no real tangible presence that is memorable.

    All performances are strong, especially Brent Spiner and Patrick Stewart. So far this is the best showing from LeVar Burton.
    helpful•2
    0
    • snoozejonc
    • May 22, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1988 (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

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