Future Imperfect

Homage to the 1964 James Garner movie 36 Hours. Nazis tried to get the D Day landing information. Obviously the scriptwriter of this episode has seen the movie...

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.

Riker wakes to find himself 15 years into the future.

This is an enjoyable episode with a compelling plot and some fun characterisations.

The story contains a clever idea that twists and turns very well as it unfolds. Although you know better than to take any of what's happening to Riker at face value, it is entertaining watching his interaction with regular characters in a different circumstance and to see him figure everything out.

I enjoyed the concept of the TNG characters fifteen years beyond the show's timeline, particularly Admiral Picard, the crew's set-up and the attitude towards the Romulans.

The final resolution is quite satisfying and I have to admit that I never guessed what was coming. Whether that means the writing is good or that I was slow on the uptake is debatable.

Visually it works well with some decent creature costuming and subtle makeovers to the regular cast. Picard looks like Lenin, which is ironic in the fact that Patrick Stewart once played him.

All performances are solid, with Jonathan Frakes leading well and other cast members playing a slight variation on their usual characters. Chris Demetral and Andreas Katsulas both give strong guest performances.

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.

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?