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Star Trek: The Next Generation
S4.E21
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IMDbPro

The Drumhead

  • Episode aired Apr 27, 1991
  • TV-PG
  • 45m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Jean Simmons and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
ActionAdventureDramaSci-Fi

A retired admiral boards the Enterprise in an effort to determine the actions aboard the ship surrounding an act of sabotage and possible treason.A retired admiral boards the Enterprise in an effort to determine the actions aboard the ship surrounding an act of sabotage and possible treason.A retired admiral boards the Enterprise in an effort to determine the actions aboard the ship surrounding an act of sabotage and possible treason.

  • Director
    • Jonathan Frakes
  • Writers
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Jeri Taylor
    • Ronald D. Moore
  • Stars
    • Patrick Stewart
    • Jonathan Frakes
    • LeVar Burton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    4.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jonathan Frakes
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Jeri Taylor
      • Ronald D. Moore
    • Stars
      • Patrick Stewart
      • Jonathan Frakes
      • LeVar Burton
    • 31User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos11

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    Top cast29

    Edit
    Patrick Stewart
    Patrick Stewart
    • Captain Jean-Luc Picard
    Jonathan Frakes
    Jonathan Frakes
    • Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker
    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
    Michael Dorn
    Michael Dorn
    • Lieutenant Worf
    Gates McFadden
    Gates McFadden
    • Doctor Beverly Crusher
    Marina Sirtis
    Marina Sirtis
    • Counselor Deanna Troi
    Brent Spiner
    Brent Spiner
    • Lieutenant Commander Data
    Bruce French
    Bruce French
    • Sabin Genestra
    Spencer Garrett
    Spencer Garrett
    • Simon Tarses
    Henry Woronicz
    Henry Woronicz
    • J'Ddan
    Earl Billings
    Earl Billings
    • Adm. Thomas Henry
    Jean Simmons
    Jean Simmons
    • Adm. Nora Satie
    Ann Shea
    • Nellen Tore
    Rachen Assapiomonwait
    • Crewman Nelson
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Baumann
    • Crewman Garvey
    • (uncredited)
    Michael Braveheart
    • Crewman Martinez
    • (uncredited)
    Cameron
    • Ensign Kellogg
    • (uncredited)
    Debbie David
    Debbie David
    • Ensign Russell
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Jonathan Frakes
    • Writers
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Jeri Taylor
      • Ronald D. Moore
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews31

    8.44.6K
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    Featured reviews

    10srredbeard-630-6710

    A Lesson to Learn

    This episode should be required viewing for everyone studying history. In this episode we see exactly what can happen when fear is allowed to cloud judgement. This has been a recurring theme throughout history, the Salem Witch hunts, the McCarthy hearings, and too many more times to count.

    I think people can learn from fiction, oftentimes more effectively than through documentaries.

    The acting in this episode was great. My wife and I recently rewatched this episode. We had both forgotten how much we each grew to hate the character played by Jean Simmons. It takes a great talent pull that kind of emotion from an audience.
    9davidnewell-1

    One of the best

    One of the best episodes of thg

    Jean Simmons masteclass

    It's very apt now to heed the message in the program People being accused on social media and judged guilty and having to prove innocence rather than other way around.

    Silence seen as guilt rather than any other reason.
    9stonehomemedia

    This is what good episodes look like

    Writing 9/10 Acting 9/10 Directing 10/10

    It really is an episode that shows us that no matter what a trial by jury and within the bounds of the law need to be upheld.

    One of the first eps that frakes directed and he doesn't disappoint. Again Sir Patrick delivering one of his monologues in the way only a Shakespearean actor can deliver it.

    You won't see the modern day ST writers pulling episodes like this out.
    8sloopnp

    Someone needs to study Admirals.

    I'm pretty much going to assume every admiral we see on this show is out of their dagum mind.
    9garrard

    Emmy-worthy performance from guest star Simmons

    Oscar nominee Jean Simmons is outstanding in this emotionally and politically charged episode. She plays "Nora Satie," a retired admiral who heads a Star Fleet investigative team that must determine whether or not treasonous activities have been done by members of the Enterprise, including Capt. Picard.

    The episode is marvelously paced, never losing any of the tension, with outstanding performances from not only Simmons and Stewart but other featured players, including Spencer Garrett as novice crewman first class "Simon Tarses".

    This particular installment of the series shows how science fiction can make commentary on the machinations of the government and how we all can fall victim to the paranoia that develops when mistrust is placed above faith.

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    Sci-Fi

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The events of Conspiracy (1988), Sins of the Father (1990), The Best of Both Worlds (1990), The Best of Both Worlds Part II (1990), Family (1990), and Data's Day (1991) are referenced in this episode. It reveals that 39 Federation starships were annihilated and 11,000 personnel were lost at the Battle of Wolf 359.
    • Goofs
      While the warp drive is inactive during the first part of the episode, there should be no warp plasma generated, which means the nacelles should not glow with their characteristic blue glow in the exterior shots.
    • Quotes

      Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, there are some words I've known since I was a schoolboy: "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie, as wisdom and warning. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. I fear that today...

      Admiral Nora Satie: How dare you! You who consort with Romulans, invoke my father's name to support your traitorous arguments. It is an offense to everything I hold dear. And to hear those words used to subvert the United Federation of Planets. My father was a great man! His name stands for integrity and principle. You dirty his name when you speak it! He loved the Federation. But you, Captain, corrupt it. You undermine our very way of life. I will expose you for what you are. I've brought down bigger men than you, Picard!

    • Connections
      Featured in Star Trek: First Contact Review (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
      Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 27, 1991 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 45m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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