The Neutral Zone
- Episode aired May 14, 1988
- TV-PG
- 46m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
While assigned to investigate missing outposts in the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise revives three cryogenically frozen people found aboard a wayward derelict Earth vessel.While assigned to investigate missing outposts in the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise revives three cryogenically frozen people found aboard a wayward derelict Earth vessel.While assigned to investigate missing outposts in the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise revives three cryogenically frozen people found aboard a wayward derelict Earth vessel.
Denise Crosby
- Lieutenant Natasha 'Tasha' Yar
- (credit only)
Wil Wheaton
- Wesley Crusher
- (credit only)
Majel Barrett
- Enterprise Computer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Dexter Clay
- Operations Division Officer
- (uncredited)
Jeffrey Deacon
- Command Division Officer
- (uncredited)
Susan Duchow
- Operations Division Officer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the writers and directors' guide for the series, written by Gene Roddenberry prior to the first season, Romulans were covered by one of the main writing rules which stated "No stories about warfare with Klingons and Romulans and no stories with Vulcans. We are determined not to copy ourselves and believe there must be other interesting aliens in a galaxy filled with billions of stars and planets." Following the perceived failure of the Ferengi as the main villains of TNG by the production staff, the Romulans became the main villains during the early years of the series. This was in addition to the Borg, who were originally developed as an insectoid race for this episode but became a race of cyborgs by the time they first appeared in Q Who (1989).
- GoofsRiker shows little interest in the ancient Earth ship they encounter, which is a somewhat peculiar attitude considering he and the rest of the Enterprise crew are usually fascinated by all manner of things from Earth's past.
- Quotes
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.
Ralph Offenhouse: Then what's the challenge?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The challenge, Mr. Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mr. Plinkett's Star Trek 2009 Review (2010)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
Featured review
A strong indication of the Roddenberry ideal...naive as it sounds.
According to IMDb, because of the writers strike, the end of the episode and some subsequent episodes were re-written. Originally, this final episode of season one was supposed to introduce the Borg. Now, they are just alluded to as some force that is wiping out Federation AND Romulan bases along the Neutral Zone. And, because much of the original episode was excised, they substituted a 'funny plot' involving three late 20th century people who were in suspended animation and were awakened by the Enterprise.
So is the new melange any good? Well, yes. Having Q introduce the Borg later worked well. As for the funny subplot about suspended animation, it's only partially successful. This is because towards the very end, the audience is assaulted with a HUGE dose of Roddenberry and his Star Trek philosophy. The Captain goes off on a harangue about how in the the 25th century, there is no want, no greed, no worries about property and everyone is 100% equal. As a lifelong pessimist, this sort of preaching actually made me laugh a bit--and DID come off as very heavy-handed. It didn't ruin the episode but it sure did take you out of the moment.
So is the new melange any good? Well, yes. Having Q introduce the Borg later worked well. As for the funny subplot about suspended animation, it's only partially successful. This is because towards the very end, the audience is assaulted with a HUGE dose of Roddenberry and his Star Trek philosophy. The Captain goes off on a harangue about how in the the 25th century, there is no want, no greed, no worries about property and everyone is 100% equal. As a lifelong pessimist, this sort of preaching actually made me laugh a bit--and DID come off as very heavy-handed. It didn't ruin the episode but it sure did take you out of the moment.
helpful•1815
- planktonrules
- Nov 10, 2014
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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