Lonely Among Us 

While distracted by two antithetical races applying for Federation membership, the Enterprise picks up a sentient entity that can alternately possess either man or machinery.

Director:

Cliff Bole

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), D.C. Fontana (teleplay by)

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

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
John Durbin	...	Ssestar
Colm Meaney	...	Security Guard 1
Kavi Raz	...	Singh

Storyline

Heading for Parliament, the sector's neutral conference planet, the Enterprise transports peace delegates from two malevolent races, the carnivorous Anticans and the reptilian Selay, both of which want to join the Federation but can't stand each other long enough to occupy neighboring suites. Traveling past a mysterious energy cloud, something curious boards the ship, jumping between machinery and crew members, as if seeking a suitable host and learning about the ship without revealing itself. The crew catches on slowly, as nobody seems seriously affected by the highly intelligent host entity (except Wesley's engineering mentor Singh, killed in a warp technology energy surge).

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Plot Keywords:

alien delegation | reptilian humanoid | cosmic cloud | death of crew member | reference to sherlock holmes | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Picard announces this episode to begin at Stardate 41249.3 in the Captain's Log.

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Goofs

Data says the energy cloud travels at warp velocity, but when the Enterprise makes its sensor pass, the stars aren't streaking in the background.

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Quotes

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: We can learn something from non-disclosure?
Lt. Commander Data: [smoking pipe] Indubitably, my good woman.
[Yar looks quizzically at Riker]
Commander William T. Riker: It's something the Captain mentioned. Sherlock Holmes. Indubitably, Data has been studying him.

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Connections

References Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

While passing a cloud

Later on we learn that the Enterprise while passing an energy cloud has taken on a being that exists as pure energy. It goes from being to being in the ship's crew and eventually it's Captain Picard on whom it settles as the host, obviously sensing this is the guy in charge.

As if this wasn't enough problems two delegations of aliens are on board who hate each other are being transported to Federation HQ to apply for membership. They are Commander Riker's responsibility if he can prevent them from killing each other.

The climax of course is separating Patrick Stewart with what is inhabiting his body. It's a close run thing.

This episode also introduces Data to whom he adopts as a human role model, Sherlock Holmes, pipe and all.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1987 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1