Time Squared 

The Enterprise comes across its own shuttlecraft adrift in space - a duplicate - with an unconscious duplicate Capt. Picard inside.

Director:

Joseph L. Scanlan

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Maurice Hurley (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 (credit only)
Diana Muldaur	...	Doctor Pulaski
Colm Meaney	...	Chief Miles O'Brien

Storyline

Deep in space, the Enterprise comes across a Federation shuttle craft floating aimlessly and without power but exhibiting one human life sign aboard. They tow in the craft only to find it is one of their own, with, to their amazement, a duplicate, but unconscious, Captain Picard inside. Data and La Forge manage to restore power and determine that the craft comes from six hours into the future, with its shuttle log revealing the Enterprise' total destruction. As the Enterprise enters a dangerous vortex, and events in the recovered shuttle's log seem to be coming true, Picard and crew must find a way to break the time-warp cycle they seem to be in.

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Plot Keywords:

setting a table | door chime | beating an egg | ale | staff meeting | 

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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:

1 April 1989 (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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This takes place in 2365.

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Goofs

When the Enterprise flies into the vortex, La Forge is shown holding onto the console to keep from falling down, but O'Brien in the shuttle bay is shown standing straight and tall without difficulty.

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Quotes

Commander William T. Riker: Flair is what marks the difference between artistry and mere competence.

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Connections

Edited into Star Trek: The Next Generation: Descent (1993)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Unstuck in Time/Great Episode

Picard and the crew notice a Federation shuttlecraft careening through space. It is out of control. They use a tractor beam to pull it in. When they do, they realize it has the same designation as a shuttlecraft that rests in the bay. Not only that but aboard the thing is an unconscious Jean-Luc Picard. He is brought to sick bay and observed by the "actual" Captain. Various clues point to the fact that somehow the new Picard abandoned ship and the Enterprise was destroyed. It is also revealed that time is out of phase and the new Captain is surviving six hours into the future. How do they prevent the destruction of their ship? How do they change a future that has already taken place. While the whole thing is confusing, it brings out every nuance that Patrick Stewart can deliver. Are his decisions a change in the future, or are they just following that which will be? Everyone is affected by this but it will ultimately get back to Picard acting. There is a scene where he implores the new Picard to tell him what an alternate action would be. But there is no response, only panic. Watch this one a couple times. Very intelligent and very compelling.