The Outrageous Okona 

The Enterprise rescues the captain of a broken-down freighter, only to become involved in a dispute between feuding worlds--each demanding custody of their guest. Data seeks help from Guinan in understanding humor.

Director:

Robert Becker

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Burton Armus (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
Michael Dorn	...	Lt. Worf
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Commander Data
Wil Wheaton	...	Wesley Crusher
Billy Campbell	...	Capt. Thadiun Okona (as William O. Campbell)
Douglas Rowe	...	Debin
Albert Stratton	...	Kushell
Rosalind Allen	...	Yanar (as Rosalind Ingledew)
Kieran Mulroney	...	Benzan
Joe Piscopo	...	The Comic
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Guinan

Storyline

The Enterprise comes to the assistance of Captain Thadiun Okona when his ship malfunctions. Okona is a quick-witted and charming rogue who entertains everyone with his humor and is vastly popular with the ladies. While the Enterprise crew rebuilds the parts he needs to continue his journey, they are approached by the leaders of two planets accusing Okona of being a thief, or worse, and demanding that Picard turn him over to them. One is particularly incensed as he has accused Okona of impregnating his daughter. Not all is as it seems however. Data meanwhile tries to better understand humor. He seeks advice from Guinan and on the holodeck also gets advice from a stand up comic.

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Plot Keywords:

cargo freighter | freighter | freighter starship | acting starfleet ensign | cargo ship | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1988 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to some sources, Jerry Lewis was invited to play the holodeck comic. The role eventually went to Joe Piscopo who included a Lewis impersonation.

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Goofs

When Data and Okona get off the Turbolift, it shows they are on Deck 10. However, when Okona approaches Lt. Robinson's quarters, it shows they are on Deck 8.

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Quotes

Guinan: [explaining to Data why his joke was not funny] Data... you spoiled the joke. But it could have been your timing.
Lt. Cmdr. Data: My timing is digital.
[Guinan laughs softly]
Lt. Cmdr. Data: What?
Guinan: That's funny.

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation End Credits
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

quality episode

although this greatly differs from the usual format,this still has quality acting and an interesting storyline. Data steals the show trying to search for the most endearing human quality-humour.Assisted by guinan he attempts in his own original way to discover it.With the aid of the holodeck a comedy club is created complete with comic(joe piscopo)and an audience.Original use of the hollow deck like this showed why it's addition to the series was a fantastic idea.Also the appearance of the lovable rogue Captain Okona is a breath of fresh air for this episode.without a doubt data's performance in the comedy club is one of my favourite star treking moments