Overview of Season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Abductions
Following the events of “The Neutral Zone”, the Enterprise gains a new chief medical officer, Dr. Katherine Pulaski, and is tasked with identifying what destroyed the Federation outposts near the Neutral Zone, in conjunction with the Romulan ship I.R.W. Terix, and its captain Commander Tomalak. They are able to determine a point of origin, but find that it is many thousands of light years away, and thus out of their reach. [1]
Where Silence Has Lease
The Enterprise is trapped in a spatial phenomenon, and is subjected to unusual experiments by a strange entity known as Nagillum (played by Richard Mulligan). Eventually, the Enterprise escapes after Captain Picard activates the self-destruct sequence, asserting that they would rather die than to submit. After they escape, Picard is contacted by Nagillum, who criticises humanity, and claims that they have nothing in common with it. Picard retorts by showing that both are curious. Nagillum concedes the point and leaves. [2]
Elementary, Dear Data
After Data solves a Sherlock Holmes holonovel easily, LaForge tasks the computer with creating an adversary that will provide Data a real challenge. The resulting Moriarty proves to be more powerful than expected however, and after kidnapping Pulaski, reveals that he knows that his reality is a simulation, having gained access to the holodeck computer. Moriarty attempts to hijack the ship, but relents after Picard agrees to try to find a way to allow Moriarty to exist in the real world.
The Outrageous Okona
As the Enterprise passes through the space of the Coalition of Madena, they encounter a cargo ship under manual control, whose pilot, Captain Okona, asks for assistance. Upon boarding the vessel, Okona takes a keen eye to the women of the ship, especially Transporter Chief Robinson (played by Teri Hatcher), and actually has little interest in his repairs. The Enterprise soon encounters two ships, each wanting Okona. After Picard invites them aboard the Enterprise to settle the dispute, it becomes clear that Okona is acting as a go-between for two of the persons, and the situation is resolved. In a sub-plot, Data attempts to learn more about comedy through a holodeck recreation of an old comedian. [3]
Loud as a Whisper
The Enterprise is transporting a renowned negotiator, Riva, to resolve a conflict between two tribes on a planet. Riva is deaf and mute due to a hereditary condition, and communicates through a chorus of people who communicate with him telepathically. When the negotiations begin, the chorus is killed, and Riva is unable to communicate. Picard suggests that the two parties learn sign language in order to communicate with Riva, and Riva departs, after suggesting that the process may take several months.
The Schizoid Man
The Enterprise travels to provide medical assistance to the dying scientist Dr. Ira Graves. Upon arrival, Graves recognises Data as a creation of Dr Noonien Soong, and revels that he taight Dr. Soong, suggesting that Data call him “grandfather”. Graves and Data spend time together, where Graves reveals that he has found a way to upload his consciousness to a computer, and Data reveals that he has an off switch. When Graves appears to have died, Data begins taking on many of his mannerisms, revealing that Graves has put himself into Data, which could cause Data to be lost. After a plea from Picard, Graves uploads himself to the ship’s computer, but only his knowledge, his consciousness is gone.
Unnatural Selection
The Enterprise arrives to assist the USS Lantree, finding it adrift, and the crew rapidly ageing. They go to the Lantree’s last port of call, a genetic research station. While investigating one of the subjects, Pulaski becomes affected by the ailment, and attempts to find a cure for the ailment. The cause is revealed to be the children, who have been genetically engineered, and now have immune systems so potent that they attack other people. The Enterprise is able to save Pulaski and the others by using samples of their DNA from before they were infected and transporting them, reconstituting their DNA.
A Matter of Honor
As a Benzite Ensign comes aboard the Enterprise as part of an officer Exchange program, Picard suggests a similar system with the Klingons. Commander Riker is temporarily transferred to the I.K.S. Pagh, where he is quickly accepted after winning a fight against the second officer. An organism begins attacking the Enterprise and the Pagh’s hulls, and while the Enterprise is able to quickly remove it, it takes Riker mutinying on the Pagh to allow for it to be removed from the Pagh.
The Measure of a Man
While the Enterprise is undergoing repairs, they are visited by Commander Maddox, who takes an interest in Data. It soon becomes clear that Maddox intends to study Data, and get him transferred off of the ship. When Data refuses, Maddox turns to Starfleet, who rule that Data must hand himself over or resign. Picard challenges this, and begins a legal battle, where Riker is forced to represent Maddox. While Picard wins, Riker is ashamed for having to try to get his friend dismantled. Data reassures the Commander by telling him that had Riker not represented Maddox, Starfleet would likely have not accepted a legal battle.
The Dauphin
The Enterprise is tasked with transporting Salius, the heir to Daled IV. His parents are leaders of two opposing factions, and his return might bring unity. Onboard, he and Leslie crusher soon become smitten with each other. Salius’ governess, Anya, disapproves of this, and shows herself of being able to transform into a monstrous beast. After it is revealed that Salius also possesses this ability, Leslie refuses to speak with him. When Salius is about to leave however, Leslie returns to give him a parting gift.
Contagion
The Enterprise receives a distress call from its sister ship the USS Yamato. Shortly after the Enterprise’s arrival, the Yamato explodes, with no survivors. Shortly thereafter, a Romulan vessel, the Haakona decloaks and demands that the Enterprise leave the Neutral Zone. Picard studies that Yamato’s captain’s logs, and discovers that it is believed that the planet they orbit is the legendary lost planet Iconia, the home of the Iconians, an incredibly advances species. After a probe from the planet disables the Enterprise and the Haakona, an away team is sent to the surface. A gateway to various places in the galaxy is discovered, and Data is infected with the computer virus disabling the ships. When Data reboots after he is nearly overcome, he appears to have removed the virus. A similar procedure is undergone on the Enterprise and Haakona, and the two ships depart after the Iconian base self-destructs.
The Royale
The Enterprise follows a tip from a Klingon ship, arriving at a planet where they find an old American ship’s debris orbiting. The distance it has travelled is impossible for the era, and the planet seems to have one small area capable of hosting human life, suggesting that outside forces may be at play. Riker, Worf and Data beam down to investigate, discovering an Earth-style hotel, named The Royale. Upon entering, they find themselves unable to leave. It becomes clear that it is a recreation of an old novel carried by the last survivor of the ship. When it becomes clear that the novel is playing out, the away team decides to gather enough money in the simulation by Data rigging the games, and buying out the Hotel. They succeed, and are able to leave the hotel, returning to the Enterprise.
Time Squared
The Enterprise detects a lone shuttle drifting with no power or fuel. Upon bringing it aboard, they discover that it is a perfect copy of one of the Enterprise’s shuttles, and that it contains a duplicate of Picard, barely alive. The shuttle is determined to be from six hours in the future, and the logs contain a recording of the Enterprise falling into an energy vortex and being destroyed. The future Picard is woken, though is incoherent and seems to be unaware of his surroundings. The vortex appears, and seems to be controlled by an entity with an interest in Picard. It becomes clear that the future Picard flew the shuttle to try to distract the vortex. The Picards meet by the shuttle, where the present one incapacitates his future self, stating that “the cycle must be broken”. Picard returns to the bridge, ordering the Enterprise to fly through the centre of the vortex. The Enterprise survives and the alternate Picard and shuttle disappear.
The Icarus Factor
The Enterprise is en-route to a space station to undergo engine repairs. While underway, Riker receives an offer to command the Aries, on an exploration mission in a distant sector. The matter is complicated when the civilian advisor turns out to be his father, with whom he has an antagonistic relationship. The tension between the two boils over, and they settle the matter over a match of Anbo-Jitsu, where it becomes clear that Riker’s father is using an illegal move. Roker’s father confesses that that was the only way he was ever able to beat Riker, and the two repair their relationship. Meanwhile, Worf acts particularly agitated, apparently because he hissed an important Klingon ritual recently. The crew recreates the ritual in the holodeck for him.
Derelict
The Enterprise answers a distress call from a vessel while on their way to a space station for shore leave. The ship appears completely intact, although powered down, with no living occupants appearing on scans. An away team is sent to investigate. While there, they discover many of its walls covered in some sort of slime, which is determined to be a sort of creature using the ship like a shell, in the manner of a hermit crab. The ship detects the Enterprise, and attempts to latch itself on, and take the Enterprise as its new shell. The Enterprise is able to force the creature back into the other ship by emitting pulses of energy from the deflector dish, and attaches a probe to the ship sending out a warning for ships to stay away. [4]
Q Who
While on his way back to his quarters, Picard appears on a shuttlecraft with Q. Q transports them to Ten Forward, where Guinan seems to recognise him. Q reveals that he wishes to join the crew of the Enterprise to assist with a coming foe that they are “woefully underprepared for”. Picard refuses, and Q transports them thousands of light years away. Over two years from the closest starbase, Picard decides to explore the local area. He discovers that they are close to the source of the entity that they tracked in “Abductions”. A large cube shaped ship appears, which Guinan identifies as Borg, the group that nearly wiped out her species. A drone from the ship beams aboard, but is killed by Worf. Another beams over, and proves to be now invulnerable to phaser fire. The Borg ship cuts out a part of the hull, killing eighteen crewmembers. Picard returns fire, seemingly disabling the ship. He attempts to escape, though the ship regenerates and gives chase. When Q states that Picard cannot defeat the Borg and that they will never stop chasing, Picard admits that he needs Q’s help, and Q sends them back to their original location. Picard muses that Q may actually have helped, as they now know what they face in their future, and can prepare.
The Dream Pool
The Enterprise arrives at a planet that has seemingly had all of its population die out due to unknown circumstances. Riker, Worf and Data go to the surface to investigate, and discover that the bodies are only recently deceased, all seemingly having perished due to dehydration or starvation. As the planet is habitable, and it was reported that there were no food or water shortages, foul play is assumed. Riker discovers a device around which there are many more bodies, and when he activates it, he is seemingly sent to a paradisical place. Worf and Data find him, and deactivate the device. Riker seems agitated, and demands that they re-activate it. Riker is sent back to the ship to be examined, where it is determined that he has become addicted to a hallucinatory drug emitted by the device. Data finds a log from a civilian, which reveals that the device is a “Dream Pool”, and that people who use it keep on going back, forgetting their other needs, which led to the mass deaths. Riker is cured of his addiction, and the planet is placed under quarantine. [5]
Up the Long Ladder
The Enterprise discovers two colonies of humans, previously thought lost. One of them is discovered to be relatively primitive, and is of Irish culture. The other is more advanced, but comprised entirely of cloned individuals. The clones are all of only five people, and they are facing extinction as each new cloned individual introduces more flaws. The Enterprise crew visits the cloning area, and discovers that clones of them are being produced, produced from stolen DNA after the away team refused to donate their DNA. They destroy their clones, but suggest that they merge with the other colony to produce a stable gene pool.
Manhunt
The Enterprise is transporting two Antedean ambassadors who are kept in a self-induced catatonic state, in order to alleviate the stress of space travel. En route, they are ordered to rendezvous with a shuttle containing Lwaxana Troi, Deanna’s mother. Picard, less than pleased to have her aboard, is invited to dinner by Lwaxana, where she explains that she has entered a phase of Betazoid life where sex drive increases, and as a result, she seeks a new husband. She is rebuffed by both Picard and Riker however. When the Antedeans are revived, Lwaxana reveals that they are assassins. While the Antedeans deny it, they are found to be carrying bombs, intending to disrupt the conference. Lwaxana departs noting that she did some good, even if she was unable to find a husband.
The Emissary
The Enterprise is sent to a set of co-ordinates with no given instructions. When Picard asks Starfleet Command why they are being sent, they reply that the mission is a “top security matter”. An ambassador is sent to the Enterprise, revealed to be a half-human, half-Klingon named K’Ehleyr, with whom Worf has a history. The Enterprise is revealed to be travelling to the location of a Klingon ship whose crew has been in stasis for 75 years, and believes that the Federation is still at war with the Klingons. They are to try to keep the crew in stasis until a Klingon ship can arrive, but if unable to, destroy the ship. The crew of the ship have awakened, and fire on the Enterprise. Picard refuses to kill them, letting Worf and K’Ehleyr manage to convince them to surrender. K’Ehleyr departs with the Klingons to help them adjust to 24th Century life.
Peak Performance
The Enterprise conducts a simulated combat exercise to prepare for the Borg threat. Riker is temporarily given command of the USS Hathaway, an old vessel, to conduct the exercise. He chooses Sonia Gomez, Worf and Leslie Crusher for his senior staff. While the exercise is underway, a Ferengi vessel enters the system and disables the Enterprise’s phasers, leaving them unable to attack. Given the situation, the Ferengi believes that the Hathway is valuable, but Riker and Picard conspire to make it look as though the Enterprise has destroyed the Hathaway by firing photon torpedoes at it, and the Hathaway performing a short warp jump just before detonation. The ruse works, and Worf tricks the Ferengi into believing that another Federation ship is on the way, leading to the Ferengi fleeing. [6]
Icons
After a signal matching the one sent to a distant part of the galaxy in “Conspiracy” is detected by Federation listening posts near the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise is sent to investigate. The destination of the signal is revealed to be Iconia, the planet visited in “Contagion”. Covertly sending a shuttle to the planet to see if there is another Iconian base remaining, the Enterprise ends up in a stand-off with the Terix, under Commander Tomalak, who enters the Neutral Zone after the Romulans also detect the signal. Riker and Data, who have been sent on the shuttle, beam down to an area that seems to be emitting large amounts of energy. There they discover another gateway, which shows locations of high importance, suggesting that the Iconians may sill be alive somewhere, and may be behind the infiltration of Starfleet the year prior. Riker sets charges at the base, detonating them after he and Data return to the shuttle. They return to Federation space, but the discovery that they had been sent into the Neutral Zone increases tensions with the Romulans. [7]
[1] I've introduced Tomalak earlier here, but he is fundamentally the same character. A nice Romulan foil to Picard.
[2] The original casting sticks, and therefore so does the original name. (Nagillum is Mulligan backwards)
[3] Hatcher was in this episode in OTL, but was uncredited. Her character will be a recurring one. This season introduces a couple of characters who will recurr in the manner of Guinan, Broccol-I mean Barclay, and Ro Laren.
[4] Based on a script that didn't get produced. I think it's a neat idea, so I used it here.
[5] Another idea that didn't get produced in OTL. I wasn't able to find a story for it beyond that it would feature addiction, so I took inspiration from the Bliss plague in Gridlock from Series 3 of Doctor Who.
[6] Ensign Gomez was supposed to be a recurring character, but only appeared in two episodes of OTL. That's not the case here, and she'll be back in the future.
[7] I wanted to give a continuation from "Conspiracy", so I took the STO idea of the parasites working for the Iconians. Don't worry, we won't see them in person for years, but they'll be there in the background, scheming. I really like the idea of a race that uses other species for their dirty work. Also, more tension between the Romulans and Federation, so we'll see what happens with that...
In all, this is the biggest update yet at around 3k words. It took me a couple days to write, but I'm good to go now. Might not do them quite so large in the future, or could split it into multiple updates. I'll see what you think. The next update covers the first two seasons of another science fiction show, one of my favourites. You may already have an idea, but I'll drop the title of it now: "It's Cold Outside". See you then.