Future Imperfect

Fans of Star Trek prime will see some resemblances to the original pilot with Jeffrey Hunter as as Captain Christopher Pike. For myself In see a strong resemblance to the James Garner classic film 36 Hours.

Jonathan Frakes is overcome with methane gas and gets quite an opening surprise in that he's aged 17 years and is now Captain of the Enterprise. and that he was about to enter delicate negotiations with the Romulans, ???????But that's hardly the end of it.

Riker in that time was married and widowed and now has a son Chris Demetral. But like James Garner there's a slip made and we get part of the real story.

As for Chris Demetral he has the Eva Marie Saint role from 36 Hours and the Susan Oliver role from Star Trek prime.

See 36 Hours and you''ll know what I tak about.

While conducting a security sweep on a planet suspected of harbouring a secret Romulan base, Riker is knocked out by toxic gases. When he wakes up, he is shocked to find himself sixteen years in the future and captain of the Enterprise - but with no memory of anything happening since.

Plotwise, this has strong TOS vibes to it but otherwise, this is a decent episode that gives Frakes a rare opportunity for the spotlight - his first focused episode since the debacle that was 'Shades Of Grey' in season two. The story is a solid one and well told, we get a welcome return for Katsulas' slimy Romulan Tomalak and Frakes gives his best performance in ages despite unconvincing grey flashes streaked into his hair. The ending felt a little weak but otherwise, this isn't too bad.

'Future Imperfect' relies on a sci-fi hook that I'd seen years earlier on an episode of "Batman: The Animated Series" (Mad Hatter tried something very similar), so the big twist during the closing moments was robbed of some of its impact. Although, it's still pretty sad.

Either way, this is all about Riker living out a fantasy; the Enterprise is his, he has a son, everything's all sunshine and waffle cones. But in the end, it's all a ruse; a tragic one, but artificial nonetheless.

I guess I've always liked this episode because I like this character; or maybe it's Jonathan Frakes I've taken to, I'm not sure). And it's nice to have a glimpse into his idea of domestic bliss and how he'd act in a parental capacity, comparing himself to his own father and whatnot.

After all is said and done, the real appeal isn't how the fantasy is constructed, but why.

7/10

Wil Rikers the birthday-boy and he's got his trombone out. We're conducting a security survey in the Onias sector near the Neutral Zone. Despite our proximity to Romulan territory, all is quiet, all is calm. Unusual fluctuations in subspace frequencies, are we being probed? Could it be a secret Romulan base on the third planet of the Alpha Onias system?

Number One assembles an away team and pops down to the surface. Suffocating toxic-gasses knock the away team out. When Wil regains consciousness he is in sick bay back on board the Enterprise. But things do seem a little off.

It has to be accepted that Season Four is a leap-forward in quality stories. Characters have more depth, plot lines have many layers to them. It is clear that the ensemble cast are comfortable in their roles and at ease with the characters that they portray. Step by step we also get to learn a little more about each of these characters. Every nuance, smell, sound... Would I rate this episode among the better episodes of this season?

NO. But only because there are already so many nuggets to choose from.

So, what did Riker wish for?

This is one of those episodes that keeps us engaged all the way along. I have to say that I am bothered by how it ends (but I won't spoil that). This is a case of parry and thrust throughout. Riker is on a planet where suspected Romulan shenanigans are going on. The away team is overcome by heavy methane gas and pass out. When Riker wakes up, he is on board the Enterprise, but the crew (except for Data) have grown older. He, himself, has wrinkled skin and a bit of gray in his hair. Beverly looks older. He is told that he has been leading a life on board the ship, but has had a recurrence of a fever. He has lost sixteen years of his life. He can only remember that which happened before they went to that planet. It turns out he has a son and had a wife who died. The Romulans have become allies with the Federation and are kindly and outgoing. Something is wrong. There is a touching scene where he meets his son and tries to bond with him. Unfortunately, nothing brings back a single memory. Fascinating effort.