Top 50 Episodes #38-36

EPISODES 38-36

# 38. BALANCE OF TERROR

The Original Series, Season 1

Episode Number 9

Info and General Credits

Directed by Vincent McEveety

Written by Paul Schneider

Aired 1966

Stardate 1709.2

Guest Cast

Romulan Commander Mark Lenard

Lt. Stiles Paul Comi

Decius Lawrence Montaigne

Janice Rand Grace Lee Whitney

Lt. Tomlinson Stephen Mines

En. Martine Barbara Baldavin

Comm. Hansen Garry Walberg

Centurion John Warburton

Premise

An unidentified alien ship with the ability to render itself invisible attacks a series of Federation outposts along the Neutral Zone. Sent to intercept the intruder, the crew of the Enterprise discover that the Romulans are active again, and have sent their finest ship to test Federation resolve.

Comments

What ensues is a fascinating battle of tactical wits between Kirk, and the Romulan flagship captain - the best of both races. For fans of modern Trek there's little in the way of special effects, with only a few externals of the Enterprise and the Romulan ship in the distance. But this matters not, as the episode pans out to an engrossing 'Hunt for Red October'-style experience. The fiery Lieutenant Stiles plays a role analogous to O'Brien in TNG's 'The Wounded', being haunted by the loss of relatives in the Romulan wars a century earlier, and expecting treachery at every turn, even from Mr. Spock whose Vulcan roots seemingly hold uncertain loyalties in regards to his Romulan cousins. Although the Trek connoisseur may have questions surrounding the mysterious plasma-based Romulan weapon which could apparently overtake the Enterprise even at Warp, it takes nothing away from a tense and enjoyable slice of original Trek.

This episode saw the introduction of the Romulan Star Empire in Star Trek.

Trekania Image Archive:

Soundbites:

It's pretty much the same in the 24th century as well:

Spock: "Earth believes the Romulans to be warlike, cruel, treacherous. And only the Romulans know what they think of Earth."

Stiles is wise to the threat:

Lt. Stiles: "May I respectively remind the Captain what has happened: the Romulans have crossed the Neutral Zone, attacked our outposts, killed our men !"

Kirk: "Mr. Stiles....."

Lt. Stiles: "Add to that the fact that it was a sneak attack.....!"

Kirk: "...Mr. Stiles, are you questioning my orders?"

Lt. Stiles: "Negative sir. I'm pointing out that we could have Romulan spies aboard this ship !!"

But the Romulans never had the nerve to openly declare war:

Romulan Commander: "...And when he attacks we will destroy him.....Our gift to the Homeland - another war."

Centurion: "If we are the strong, is this not the signal for war?"

Spock looks too much like a Romulan for Stiles' taste:

Lt. Stiles: "These are Romulans! You run away from them and you guarantee war! They'll be back, not just one ship, but with everything they've got! And you know that Mister Science Officer, you're the expert on these people....!"

# 37. CONTAGION

The Next Generation, Season 2

Episode Number 37

Info and General Credits

Directed by Joseph L Scanlan

Written by Steve Gerber and Beth Woods

Aired 1989

Stardate 42609.1

Guest Cast

Dr. Pulaski Diana Muldaur

Subcommander Taris Carolyn Seymour

Cap. Donald Varley Thalmus Rasulala

Miles O'Brien Colm Meaney

Williams Dana Sparkes

Premise

The USS Yamato mysteriously self destructs in the Neutral Zone. Heading the investigation, the crew of the Enterprise stumble across the remnants of the ancient Iconian civilization. It soon comes to light that the Yamato's destruction was due to the intrusive scans of an Iconian probe which caused system wide malfunctions, and hence breaching the integrity of matter/anti-matter containment. Fearing a similar fate for the Enterprise the race is on to find a solution on the surface of Iconia, whilst preventing information on the advanced gateway technology of the Iconian civilization to fall into Romulan hands.

Comments

The Next Generation's second season was a big improvement on the first, and it was episodes such as these that made the difference. Other than the short sequence in Nagilum's inter-dimensional lair ('Where Silence Has Lease'), this episode saw the first representation of another Galaxy Class starship. Not that it lasted long though, but its destruction still looks impressive today, (see Video Clips) even back in the eighties they could do cool effects you know! As things get going and really kick off we see the Enterprise degenerate into a dangerous state of constant random malfunction. Picard then claims away team rights, leaving poor Riker to fend for the Enterprise, and it isn't long before he's saying "What the hell," here there and everywhere. Add a bold and excitable Picard, fascinated with the Iconian's since academy days, Romulan arrogance, and a very interesting 'extinct' alien race and you have a second season winner.

-The Iconians' legacy returned in the DS9 episode 'To The Death', which saw a group of renegade Jem'Hadar trying to refine the gateway technology. They've had casual mentions in others as well, such as Voyager's 'Inside Man'.

-Strange fact: For those residing in the good Canadian State of Ontario, one of the destinations displayed in the Iconian Gateway is none other than Toronto City Hall !

Trekmania Image Archive:

(Slightly rough capture quality on this one, sorry -I have to tape it again)

Soundbites:

Being flung to the floor by Data, Geordie is reminded that Data has the strength of ten men:

La Forge: "Data, what happened?"

Data: "Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results."

La Forge: "....Thanks Data, I noticed."

Thankfully this is so, otherwise there'd be no show from week to week:

Riker: "Fate....protects fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise."

For once Riker doesn't say "What the hell !" :

Wesley: "Sir, the shields are back up....."

Riker: "Impeccable timing."

Wesley: "Sir, the shields are back down."

Williams: "Phaser banks are down."

Wesley: "Sir, the shields are back up."

Troi: "...In another time and place this could be funny."

Riker: "Status of torpedo banks?"

Williams: "They're down too...."

Riker: "If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them !?"

Picard beams off the Romulan ship in the nick of time:

Taris: "I cannot deactivate the auto-destruct. But at least I have the satisfaction that you will die with us !"

Picard: "......Not I think today, Commander."

Trekmania Video Clip: See here

# 36. RELICS

The Next Generation, Season 6

Episode Number 130

Info and General Credits

Directed by Alexander Singer

Written by Ronald D Moore

Aired October 1992

Stardate 46125.3

Guest Cast

Cap. Montgomery Scott James Doohan

En. Kane Erik Weiss

En. Rager Lanei Chapman

Lt. Bartel Stacie Foster

Premise

After discovering the enormous 'Dyson Sphere' the crew find a crashed Federation ship on the surface; a ship reported missing 75 years ago. The biggest discovery of all is that of Captain Montgomery Scott stored in the ship's transporter buffer. When the Enterprise gets trapped inside the sphere, Scotty has to put adapting to 24th century life on hold, and aid Commander La Forge in freeing the stricken flagship using the antiquated USS Jenolen, in tandem with his years of engineering knowledge.

Comments

This is what the fans had waited for a long time, and when it came it didn't disappoint. 'Flashback' was okay, as was Star Trek 'Generations', but behind 'Trials and Tribble-ations', this was best modern/classic Trek crossover. The story has holes in it, such as when the Enterprise is falling helplessly into the unstable star, only to correct itself a little later without explanation. Even more blatant is how Scotty and La Forge beamed off the Jenolen prior to its destruction while the shields were up. But these flaws don't diminish a memorable and enjoyable hour with one of Trek's oldest and best friends. The scene with the original Enterprise bridge recreated on the holodeck is nothing less than remarkable, and still remains one of my all time favourite scenes. This episode will stand up to being checked out again and again.

Trekania Image Archive:

(Again, sorry about the poor quality -I'll be retaping it for recapture asap..)

Soundbites:

Best line of the season:

Scotty: "You're not quite human, are you?"

Data: "No sir, I am an android - Lieutenant Commander Data."

Scotty: "....Synthetic scotch, synthetic Commanders."

You'd imagine Scotty would choose to view the Enterprise Engine Room, rather than the bridge...:

Scotty: "The android at the bar said you could show me my old ship. Let me see it !"

Computer: "Insufficient data. Please specify parameters."

Scotty: "The Enterprise, show me the bridge of the Enterprise, yah chatterin' piece of...."

Computer: "There have been five Federation ships with that name. Please specify by registry number."

Scotty: "N-C-C 1-7-0-1. No bloody A, B, C or D.......!"

Picrard can of course now add the Enterprise-D to his old 'girlfriends' list:

Scotty: "To the Enterprise and the Stargazer. Old girlfriends we'll never meet again."

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