Future Imperfect

Altarian Encephalitis--16 year gap

Riker is on an away team mission when they're beaming back to the ship. The beam-out appears to be going badly. Suddenly, Riker finds himself in the sick bay...and when he looks in the glass, he sees gray in his hair. He's now 16 years older...with no recollection of the last 16 years. Most of the crew looks familiar but older. There are also a few changes--such as a Ferengi bridge officer and Picard is an Admiral on a Romulan ship!! Obviously things have changed a lot...or, perhaps someone is just jerking with Riker for some ulterior motive. What's next?

As I watched this show, I kept thinking of the wonderful James Garner film "36 Hours". In it, Nazis capture and allied soldier and try to convince him that the war is over...in order to trick him into betraying secrets. It's all very complex and very exciting...as is this "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode. So what is REALLY happening in this case? Watch it yourself--it's well made and very interesting.

Fans of Star Trek prime will see some resemblances to the original pilot with Jeffrey Hunter as as Captain Christopher Pike. For myself In see a strong resemblance to the James Garner classic film 36 Hours.

Jonathan Frakes is overcome with methane gas and gets quite an opening surprise in that he's aged 17 years and is now Captain of the Enterprise. and that he was about to enter delicate negotiations with the Romulans, ???????But that's hardly the end of it.

Riker in that time was married and widowed and now has a son Chris Demetral. But like James Garner there's a slip made and we get part of the real story.

As for Chris Demetral he has the Eva Marie Saint role from 36 Hours and the Susan Oliver role from Star Trek prime.

See 36 Hours and you''ll know what I tak about.

While conducting a security sweep on a planet suspected of harbouring a secret Romulan base, Riker is knocked out by toxic gases. When he wakes up, he is shocked to find himself sixteen years in the future and captain of the Enterprise - but with no memory of anything happening since.

Plotwise, this has strong TOS vibes to it but otherwise, this is a decent episode that gives Frakes a rare opportunity for the spotlight - his first focused episode since the debacle that was 'Shades Of Grey' in season two. The story is a solid one and well told, we get a welcome return for Katsulas' slimy Romulan Tomalak and Frakes gives his best performance in ages despite unconvincing grey flashes streaked into his hair. The ending felt a little weak but otherwise, this isn't too bad.

Riker wakes to find himself 15 years into the future.

This is an enjoyable episode with a compelling plot and some fun characterisations.

The story contains a clever idea that twists and turns very well as it unfolds. Although you know better than to take any of what's happening to Riker at face value, it is entertaining watching his interaction with regular characters in a different circumstance and to see him figure everything out.

I enjoyed the concept of the TNG characters fifteen years beyond the show's timeline, particularly Admiral Picard, the crew's set-up and the attitude towards the Romulans.

The final resolution is quite satisfying and I have to admit that I never guessed what was coming. Whether that means the writing is good or that I was slow on the uptake is debatable.

Visually it works well with some decent creature costuming and subtle makeovers to the regular cast. Picard looks like Lenin, which is ironic in the fact that Patrick Stewart once played him.

All performances are solid, with Jonathan Frakes leading well and other cast members playing a slight variation on their usual characters. Chris Demetral and Andreas Katsulas both give strong guest performances.

This is one of those episodes that keeps us engaged all the way along. I have to say that I am bothered by how it ends (but I won't spoil that). This is a case of parry and thrust throughout. Riker is on a planet where suspected Romulan shenanigans are going on. The away team is overcome by heavy methane gas and pass out. When Riker wakes up, he is on board the Enterprise, but the crew (except for Data) have grown older. He, himself, has wrinkled skin and a bit of gray in his hair. Beverly looks older. He is told that he has been leading a life on board the ship, but has had a recurrence of a fever. He has lost sixteen years of his life. He can only remember that which happened before they went to that planet. It turns out he has a son and had a wife who died. The Romulans have become allies with the Federation and are kindly and outgoing. Something is wrong. There is a touching scene where he meets his son and tries to bond with him. Unfortunately, nothing brings back a single memory. Fascinating effort.