Part II, Chapter XXVIII: "...Do As Darmok and Jalad Do"
“While people know me better from Deep Space Nine, this season was where I first appeared in the universe. It’s interesting, to have gone through both sides, being a main cast member and a guest star. Looking back, I think a lot of the drama involving Deep Space Nine began that season.”
- Famke Janssen speaking about her guest role on episode “The Perfect Mate”. [1]
The fifth season of
Star Trek: The Next Generation continued the string of successes for the show. Although the season as a whole would be seen as a slight step down from Season 4, many episodes considered to be among the greatest, particularly “Darmok” and “The Inner Light”, were in this season.
Much of the first half of the season would focus on the Klingon Civil War which had broken out at the end of the last season. As a result, the dynamic between the main cast would be somewhat shifted, as various characters took command of other ships or in Worf’s case, had resigned their commission. [2]
The fifth season would be met with largely positive reviews, though the extended Klingon Civil War arc divided critics at the time. Particular praise would be given to episodes like “Darmok” and “The Inner Light”, while “The Outcast” would gain praise from many LGBT communities.
List of Episodes of Season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation:
- Redemption (Part II) [3]
- Blockades [4]
- Leadership Qualities [5]
- Ensign Ro
- Unification (Part I)
- Unification (Part II)
- Disaster
- Redeemed [6]
- Darmok
- My Inky Cloak [7]
- A Matter of Time
- The Masterpiece Society
- New Ground
- Conundrum
- Silicon Avatar
- Hero Worship
- The Outcast
- Ethics
- Cause and Effect
- Power Play
- The Perfect Mate
- I, Borg
- Somewhen [8]
- The Next Phase
- The Inner Light
- Time’s Arrow (Part I)
Main Cast of Season 5 of Star Trek: The Next Generation:
- Captain Julien Picard – Patrick Stewart
- Commander William Riker – Jonathan Frakes
- Lt. Cmdr. Data – Brent Spiner
- Dr. Amelia Henderson – Stephanie Beacham
- Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge – LeVar Burton
- Counselor (Lt. Cmdr.) Deanna Troi – Marina Sirtis
- Lt. Worf – Michael Dorn
- Ensign Andrew Kelly – Christian Slater
- Ensign Leslie Crusher – Carla Gugino
During the fifth season, Paramount would order a sixth. In addition, Paramount would unofficially agree to seventh and eighth seasons, providing that ratings held. As the fifth film remained stuck in “development hell”,
The Next Generation provided the only real source of income for the franchise. [9]
[1] You can guess what role she might be playing. I'm laying the groundwork for DS9 here. DS9 will be largely the same as OTL, and will be the last show that isn't changed radically.
[2] Worf is absent for a few episodes because of this.
[3] Largely the same as OTL, but the Romulans break through the sensor net without being detected.
[4] Deals with the continuing blockade, and the declining morale among the troops as they feel like they serve no purpose.
[5] Focusses on Data's command of the USS Sutherland. At the end of the story, the crew are relieved of their positions, and return to the Enterprise.
[6] The end of the Klingon Civil War arc. Main focus is on Worf, as he works with Gowron to finish off the House of Duras.
[7] Follows Picard dealing with fellow Captains jockeying for a major position when a well known Admiral dies unexpectedly.
[8] The Enterprise is tasked with investigating a series of energy spikes. As the Enterprise investigates the spikes, it finds itself thrown into a series of alternate realities where certain events have gone differently.
[9] This is my excuse for not having come up with a story for Star Trek V just yet. I had some ideas, but I neglected to write them down, and now they're gone. STV will happen when it happens for now.