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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S5.E24
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IMDbPro

The Next Phase

  • Episode aired May 16, 1992
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 46m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Michelle Forbes and LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi
A transporter malfunction, combined with a Romulan ship under stress and a damaged cloaking device, creates the illusion that Ensign Ro and Geordi are dead, but Geordi doesn't believe it to ... Read allA transporter malfunction, combined with a Romulan ship under stress and a damaged cloaking device, creates the illusion that Ensign Ro and Geordi are dead, but Geordi doesn't believe it to be so, and he acts accordingly.A transporter malfunction, combined with a Romulan ship under stress and a damaged cloaking device, creates the illusion that Ensign Ro and Geordi are dead, but Geordi doesn't believe it to be so, and he acts accordingly.
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • David Carson
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Ronald D. Moore
    • Brannon Braga(show staff writer)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Carson
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Ronald D. Moore
    • Brannon Braga(show staff writer)
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos33

    Michael Dorn and Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michelle Forbes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michelle Forbes and LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michelle Forbes and LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Michelle Forbes in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Jonathan Frakes and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
    Thomas Kopache 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
    Michelle Forbes
    Michelle Forbes
    • Ensign Ro Larenas Ensign Ro Laren
    Thomas Kopache
    Thomas Kopache
    • Mirokas Mirok
    Susanna Thompson
    Susanna Thompson
    • Varelas Varel
    Shelby Leverington
    • Chief Brossmeras Chief Brossmer
    Brian Cousins
    Brian Cousins
    • Paremas Parem
    Kenneth Meseroll
    Kenneth Meseroll
    • Ensign McDowellas Ensign McDowell
    Joyce Agu
    Joyce Agu
    • Ensign Gatesas Ensign Gates
    • (uncredited)
    K.C. Amos
    • Operations Division Officeras Operations Division Officer
    • (uncredited)
    David Keith Anderson
    • Ensign Armstrongas Ensign Armstrong
    • (uncredited)
    Rachen Assapiomonwait
    • Crewman Nelsonas Crewman Nelson
    • (uncredited)
    Lena Banks
    Lena Banks
    • Starfleet Ensignas Starfleet Ensign
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • David Carson
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Ronald D. Moore
      • Brannon Braga(show staff writer) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode was originally intended to be a cost-cutting "bottle show". It wound up being one of the most expensive episodes of the season.
    • Goofs
      A commonly stated plot error is that LaForge and Ro are supposedly out of sync with the real world and cannot touch objects, yet they can still walk and move normally without falling through the floor. Star Trek writers and producers later explained this by stating that the ship's inertial dampers and gravity plating had somehow kept Ro and LaForge in vertical alignment with the ship, even in a phased state, yet horizontally they could still pass through bulkheads and solid objects.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Commander Data: In almost all societies, it is traditional to say a ritual farewell to those you call friends. I never knew what a friend was until I met Geordi. He spoke to me as though I were human. He treated me no differently from anyone else. He accepted me for what I am. And that, I have learned, is friendship.

      [pause]

      Lt. Commander Data: But I do not know how to say goodbye.

    • Connections
      Featured in re: View: More Rich and Mike's Top Ten TNG Episodes (2020)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    A senior Trekker writes...............
    The Fifth Season of TNG contains some remarkably strong episodes while continuing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved within an episodic television format. It is notable for the tragic loss of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died on 24th October 1991 at the age of 70. His influence upon the positive depiction of humanity and diversity in Science Fiction endures to this day. Senior Trekker continues to score all episodes with a 5.

    This is an exciting and visually interesting episode which takes the old not-dead-but-everybody-else-thinks-we-are trope and mixes it with some great Romulan intrigue. The tech doesn't make a lot of sense, so lets just enjoy Ro and Geordi walking through walls, eavesdropping on the rest of the crew and attending their own memorial as this conceit unfolds.

    The special effects are superb, so much so that they serve to fully support the story and add verisimilitude rather than take centre stage. It was cutting edge for the time, especially on a television budget. That's a whole lot of money and effort expended so that something can be taken for granted; a hallmark of good film-making.

    All three Romulan guest actors, Thomas Kopache, Brian Cousins and Susanna Thompson are Star Trek regulars and deserve our thanks for fitting so well into their prosthesis. Having actors who are familiar with the Star Trek universe and can adopt the mannerisms of known alien races serves as a type of shorthand for the viewers without having to slow down the plot with lengthier scenes. The long hours in the make-up chair were worth it and the sacrifice appreciated.
    helpful•1
    2
    • celineduchain
    • Feb 13, 2022

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 16, 1992 (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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