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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S3.E10
All episodes
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Defector

  • Episode aired Jan 1, 1990
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
James Sloyan in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
When a Romulan officer defects to the Federation with a warning of a impending invasion, Capt. Picard struggles to decide if he is to be believed.When a Romulan officer defects to the Federation with a warning of a impending invasion, Capt. Picard struggles to decide if he is to be believed.When a Romulan officer defects to the Federation with a warning of a impending invasion, Capt. Picard struggles to decide if he is to be believed.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Scheerer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Ronald D. Moore
    • Richard Danus(executive story editor)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Scheerer
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Ronald D. Moore
    • Richard Danus(executive story editor)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos15

    James Sloyan in The Defector (1990)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    James Sloyan in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Patrick Stewart and James Sloyan 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)
    Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    John Hancock in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    James Sloyan 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. 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
    Wil Wheaton
    Wil Wheaton
    • Wesley Crusheras Wesley Crusher
    • (credit only)
    James Sloyan
    James Sloyan
    • Setolas Setol…
    Andreas Katsulas
    Andreas Katsulas
    • Cmdr. Tomalakas Cmdr. Tomalak
    John Hancock
    John Hancock
    • Adm. Hadenas Adm. Haden
    Simon Templeman
    Simon Templeman
    • John Batesas John Bates
    • (as S.A. Templeman)
    Rachen Assapiomonwait
    • Crewman Nelsonas Crewman Nelson
    • (uncredited)
    Majel Barrett
    Majel Barrett
    • Enterprise Computeras Enterprise Computer
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    James McElroy
    • Operations Division Officeras Operations Division Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Oliver Theess
    • Command Division Officeras Command Division Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Natalie Wood
    • Baileyas Bailey
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Scheerer
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Ronald D. Moore
      • Richard Danus(executive story editor)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The original large scale model of the Enterprise D, created for the pilot, was six feet long. Its size made it difficult to work with, and it was decided to create a new, four-foot model, which appears for the first time in this episode. The new model had greater surface detail, and was much easier to work with. There were a number of subtle changes to the ship, including the addition of a row of windows on the leading edge of the saucer to match the location of Ten Forward.
    • Goofs
      Setol asks Data if the replicator can create a Romulan Ale, and Data gives a dissertation on the options available. It is a running gag in this series that Romulan Ale is prohibited in the Federation, so that various characters find loopholes around this ban in humorous ways. It is odd that the overly precise Data fails to mention the ban.
    • Quotes

      [Picard's secret backup of cloaked Klingon warbirds has materialized surrounding the Romulans]

      Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What shall it be, Tomalak?

      Commander Tomalak: You will still not survive our assault.

      Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And you will not survive ours. Shall we die together?

    • Connections
      Featured in The Chronic Rift: The 1990 Roundtable Awards (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Flawless script, Brilliant acting.
    This is one of my favorite ST-TNG episodes. I found the script flawless and the premise gripping. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The climax and ending are brilliant. In my opinion, the writers did their best work here. It's a match of wits in this story, highlighting the core traits of the main characters and of the intergalactic races. Guest star Sloyan is excellent. Stewart does some of his best work as Picard. {Though this episode is of a serious nature, Data has some humorous and endearing moments.} Burton, as LaForge, has thoughtful commentary on analytical thinking. The visuals and special-effects are superb, as only ST can do. I've seen this episode several times in reruns and I don't tire of it. If you are a Star-Trek fan, but haven't yet seen this one, you should. It's one of the most celebrated episodes of the series.
    helpful•33
    0
    • emswan2004
    • Aug 19, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Klingon
    • 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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