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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S5.E22
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  • User reviews
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IMDbPro

Imaginary Friend

  • Episode aired May 2, 1992
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
Shay Astar and Noley Thornton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
A powerful, potentially dangerous energy life form, intent on scouting out the Enterprise, steps into the role of a girl's imaginary friend.A powerful, potentially dangerous energy life form, intent on scouting out the Enterprise, steps into the role of a girl's imaginary friend.A powerful, potentially dangerous energy life form, intent on scouting out the Enterprise, steps into the role of a girl's imaginary friend.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gabrielle Beaumont
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Edithe Swensen(teleplay by)
    • Brannon Braga(teleplay by)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gabrielle Beaumont
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Edithe Swensen(teleplay by)
    • Brannon Braga(teleplay by)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 16User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos33

    Shay Astar in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Shay Astar and Noley Thornton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michael Dorn, Patrick Stewart, and Jeff Allin in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Patrick Stewart, and Jeff Allin in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Marina Sirtis in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Marina Sirtis and Noley Thornton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Marina Sirtis and Noley Thornton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Brian Bonsall and Noley Thornton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    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
    Noley Thornton
    • Clara Sutteras Clara Sutter
    Shay Astar
    Shay Astar
    • Isabellaas Isabella
    Jeff Allin
    Jeff Allin
    • Ensign Daniel Sutteras Ensign Daniel Sutter
    Brian Bonsall
    Brian Bonsall
    • Alexander Rozhenkoas Alexander Rozhenko
    Patti Yasutake
    Patti Yasutake
    • Nurse Alyssa Ogawaas Nurse Alyssa Ogawa
    Sheila Franklin
    Sheila Franklin
    • Ensign Feltonas Ensign Felton
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Guinanas Guinan
    Rachen Assapiomonwait
    • Crewman Nelsonas Crewman Nelson
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Braveheart
    • Crewman Martinezas Crewman Martinez
    • (uncredited)
    John Copage
    • Gardeneras Gardener
    • (uncredited)
    Debbie David
    Debbie David
    • Ensign Russellas Ensign Russell
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Gabrielle Beaumont
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Edithe Swensen(teleplay by)
      • Brannon Braga(teleplay by) (show staff writer)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In early drafts, Isabella was much more benign and curious. This was changed in part due to the producers feeling the resulting story was dull, and also because they felt it was too similar to The Child (1988).
    • Goofs
      When Troi confronts "Isabella" and Clara tells Troi "Isabella's" threatening response, Clara is clearly scared--and Troi, being an empath, should be able to sense Clara's fear. Yet in the next scene, she acts as if Clara was just acting out.
    • Quotes

      Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to "Isabella," the energy life form] You are seeing this ship, all of us, from a unique perspective - from a child's point of view. It must seem terribly unfair and restrictive to you. As adults, we don't always stop to consider how everything we say and do shapes the impressions of young people, but if you're judging us, as a people, by the way we treat our children - and I think there can be no better criterion - then you must understand how deeply we care for them. When our children are young, they don't understand what might be dangerous. Our rules are to keep them from harm, real or imagined, and that's part of the continuity of our Human species. When Clara grows up, she will make rules for *her* children, to protect them - as we protect her.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Star Trek: Voyager: Collective (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews16

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    It is clearly a bunny rabbit
    Enterprise investigates a nebula containing a powerful entity that takes the form of a little girl's imaginary friend.

    This is a so so episode with some decent moments but it generally feels quite uninspired.

    It contains a reasonably good premise of an alien posing as the imagery friend, but the story is not told in a particular compelling or interesting way. Everything is known from the start so there is no sense of mystery and the resolution is weak.

    The characters seem like good concepts on paper, but the script renders their scenes quite flat. I sympathised with the performers having quite bland dialogue. Not just the child actors (who do a good job everything considered), but the likes of Marina Sirtis and Jeff Allin have nothing particularly interesting to say or do.

    Visually it showcases some great 90s TV effects, but on modern viewing they cannot make the episode cinematic seem better than it actually is.

    Easily the bests scenes belong to Caryn Johnson as Guinan putting Counsellor Troi to shame with her laid back charm and useful counselling sessions.

    For me it is a 5.5/10 but I round upwards.
    helpful•1
    1
    • snoozejonc
    • Oct 14, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 1992 (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
      45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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