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Contents (5 sections)
| Code | S01E18 (episode 18 overall) |
| Aired | 1988-02-22 (Wikipedia · Memory Alpha) |
| Stardate | 41463.9 |
| Director | Corey Allen (Wikipedia · Memory Alpha) |
| Writer | Story by: Karl Geurs & Ralph Sanchez (Memory Alpha) and Robert Sabaroff (Memory Alpha) Teleplay by: Robert Sabaroff |
| Arcs | First contact |
| Transcript | read the transcript |
Synopsis
Picard investigates a terraforming station on Velara Three after an engineer is killed by a drill. Data finds an inorganic, intelligent life form the terraformers' water pumping threatens. It takes over the Enterprise's Medical Lab and computer and declares war; Picard negotiates a truce and sends it home.
Log entries
Captain's log, stardate 41463.9. While mapping the Pleiades Cluster, we've been asked by the Federation to visit a group terraforming Velara Three. Communications have been erratic and there is some concern about their welfare.
First Officer's log, stardate 41464.3. What began as a routine visit to a terraforming site has turned into something far more serious. Arthur Malencon, the hydraulics engineer, has been critically injured by a laser drill which appears to have malfunctioned.
Captain's log, supplemental. On my order, Data's startling discovery of a possible life form has been beamed aboard so that its true nature might be uncovered. But unlike life on Earth and elsewhere, it appears to be completely inorganic.
Captain's log, supplemental. The inorganic life form from Velara Three has apparently taken over our Medical Lab.
Captain's log, supplemental. The life form, which has significantly increased in size, is again attempting to communicate with us.
Captain's log, supplemental. We have regained visual contact with the lab, but our attempts to restore communication with this microbrain, as we have come to call it, has been unsuccessful. One thing that is certain, however. This life form has declared war on us.
Captain's log, stardate 41464.8. I have declared an indefinite quarantine for Velara Three, and we are now returning to Starbase with the three surviving terraformers. Perhaps the lesson we have learned from this near tragedy will prevent it from happening elsewhere.
Characters (18 speaking)
| Character | Lines |
|---|---|
| Captain Jean-Luc Picard | 98 |
| Lieutenant Commander Data | 58 |
| Commander William T. Riker | 39 |
| Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge | 37 |
| Mandl | 37 |
| Dr Beverly Crusher | 26 |
| Luisa | 20 |
| Counselor Deanna Troi | 17 |
| Computer | 16 |
| Bensen | 16 |
| Lieutenant Natasha 'Tasha' Yar | 14 |
| Voice | 11 |
| Lieutenant Worf | 8 |
| Malencon | 5 |
| Crewwoman | 5 |
| Wesley Crusher | 3 |
| Benson | 1 |
| Chief | 1 |
Locations (51 scenes)
| Location | Scenes |
|---|---|
| Bridge | 16 |
| Control room | 10 |
| Hydraulics room | 9 |
| Corridor | 4 |
| Medical lab | 3 |
| Engineering | 3 |
| Ready room | 2 |
| Observation lounge | 2 |
| Luisa's quarters | 1 |
| Observation Lounge | 1 |
Cast
From Memory Alpha. Linked where the credit could be matched to a transcript label.
Starring
- Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Captain Jean-Luc Picard)
- Jonathan Frakes as Commander William T. Riker (Commander William T. Riker)
Also starring
- LeVar Burton as Lt. Geordi La Forge (Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge)
- Denise Crosby as Lt. Tasha Yar (Lieutenant Natasha 'Tasha' Yar)
- Michael Dorn as Lt. Worf (Lieutenant Worf)
- Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher (Dr Beverly Crusher)
- Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi (Counselor Deanna Troi)
- Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data (Lieutenant Commander Data)
- Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher (Wesley Crusher)
Guest stars
- Walter Gotell as Kurt Mandl
- Elizabeth Lindsey as Luisa Kim
- Gerard Prendergast as Bjorn Bensen
Co-stars
- Mario Roccuzzo as Arthur Malencon
- Carolyne Barry as Female Engineer
Uncredited co-stars
- Majel Barrett as Computer Voice
- James G. Becker as Youngblood
- Darrell Burris, Dan Campise, Dexter Clay, Susan Duchow, James McElroy, Susan Raborn as operations officer (6 performers)
- David Eum as Wright
- Nora Leonhardt as sciences officer
- Tim McCormack as Bennett
- Lorine Mendell as Diana Giddings