Future Imperfect

Altarian Encephalitis--16 year gap

Riker is on an away team mission when they're beaming back to the ship. The beam-out appears to be going badly. Suddenly, Riker finds himself in the sick bay...and when he looks in the glass, he sees gray in his hair. He's now 16 years older...with no recollection of the last 16 years. Most of the crew looks familiar but older. There are also a few changes--such as a Ferengi bridge officer and Picard is an Admiral on a Romulan ship!! Obviously things have changed a lot...or, perhaps someone is just jerking with Riker for some ulterior motive. What's next?

As I watched this show, I kept thinking of the wonderful James Garner film "36 Hours". In it, Nazis capture and allied soldier and try to convince him that the war is over...in order to trick him into betraying secrets. It's all very complex and very exciting...as is this "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode. So what is REALLY happening in this case? Watch it yourself--it's well made and very interesting.

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.

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...

'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

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.