Plot Your Course! 
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Star Trek:  The Next Generation 
Season Five Episode Summaries
Redemption, Part 2 
Darmok 
Ensign Ro 
Silicon Avatar 
Disaster 
The Game 
Unification, Part 1 
Unification, Part 2 
A Matter of Time 
New Ground 
Hero Worship 
Violations 
The Masterpiece Society 
Conundrum 
Power Play 
Ethics 
The Outcast 
Cause and Effect 
The First Duty 
Cost of Living 
The Perfect Mate 
Imaginary Friend 
I, Borg 
The Next Phase 
The Inner Light 
Time's Arrow, Part 1 
REGULAR CAST: 
Captain Jean-Luc Picard:  Patrick Stewart 
Commander Will Riker:  Jonathan Frakes 
Counselor Deanna Troi:  Marina Sirtis 
Dr. Beverly Crusher:  Gates McFadden 
Commander Data:  Brent Spiner 
Lt. Tasha Yar:  Denise Crosby 
Lt. Worf:  Michael Dorn 
Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge:  LeVar Burton 
Wesley Crusher:  Wil Wheaton 
Guinan:  Whoopi Goldberg (joins in season 2) 
Miles O’Brien:  Colm Meaney 
Dr. Katherine Pulaski:  Diana Muldaur (joins for season 2) 
Ensign Ro:  Michelle Forbes (joins in season 5) 
Redemption, Part 2 
GUEST STARS: 
Cmdr. Sela:  Denise Crosby 
Cmdr. Kurn:  Tony Todd 
Lursa:  Barbara March 
B'Etor:  Gwynyth Walsh 
Toral:  J.D. Cullum 
Gowron:  Robert O'Reilly 
Captain Larg:  Michael G. Hagerty 
Admiral Shanthi:  Fran Bennett 
General Movar:  Nicholas Kepros 
Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson:  Timothy Carhart 
Kulge:  Jordan Lund 
Ensign Craig:  Clifton Jones 
Picard suspects the Romulans are stirring up the civil war that threatens the Federation-Klingon alliance, and convinces the Federation to impose a blockade against the Romulan Empire. Darmok 
GUEST STARS: 
Captain Darmok:  Paul Winfield 
Tamarian First Officer:  Richard James 
The Enterprise makes contact with the Tamarians, whose language is incomprehensible to humans -- but the two groups are forced to find a way to communicate when Picard and the Tamarian captain unite to defend themselves against an angry creature. 
Ensign Ro 
GUEST STARS: 
Keeve Falor:  Scott Marlowe 
Gul Dolak:  Frank Collison 
Orta:  Jeffrey Hayenga 
Transporter Technician Collins:  Harley Venton 
Barber Mot:  Ken Thorley 
Admiral Kennelly:  Cliff Potts 
While investigating a terrorist attack on the Solarian planet, Captain Picard uncovers evidence of a conspiracy to wipe out the Bajorans, and exposes the dastardly deed with the help of a new officer, Ensign Ro. Silicon Avatar 
GUEST STARS: 
Dr. Kila Marr:  Ellen Geer 
Carmen Davila:  Susan Diol 
During a survey mission on Melona IV, the Enterprise is approached by the Crystalline Entity, a life form responsible for numerous deaths.  While Picard attempts to communicate with the entity, an Enterprise scientist insists that it should be destroyed.  The scientist is seeking revenge on the entity for the death of her son on Omicron Theta, Data's home planet.  Although initially hostile to Data -- accusing him of luring the entity to Melona IV as Lore had done on Omicron Theta -- Marr bonds with the android after realizing that his program comtains the memories of Omicron Theta's inhabitants, including those of her son. Disaster 
GUEST STARS: 
Keiko O'Brien:  Rosalind Chao 
Marissa:  Erika Flores 
Jay Gordon:  John Christian Graas 
Patterson:  Max Supera 
Ensign Mandel:  Cameron Arnett 
Lieutenant Monroe:  Jana Marie Hupp 
The Enterprise is caught in the path of a rare natural phenomenon, which severely damages the ship  and leaves Troi in command on the bridge, Picard trapped in a turbolift with three children, and O'Brien's wife about to give birth in Ten-Forward. The Game 
GUEST STARS: 
Wesley Crusher:  Wil Wheaton 
Ensign Robin Lefler:  Ashley Judd 
Etana Jol:  Katherine Moffat 
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa:  Patti Yasutake 
Ensign:  Diane M. Hurley 
When Wesley returns to the Enterprise on a vacation from Starfleet Academy, he finds the entire crew has become addicted to an electronic mind game which tampers with an individual's ability to reason.  Wesley and Ensign Lefler are left to discover how the game works, what its purpose is, and to stop the crew's addiction. 
Unification, Part 1 
GUEST STARS: 
Sarek:  Mark Lenard 
Perrin:  Joanna Miles 
Captain K'Vada: Stephen D. Root 
Klim Dokachin:  Graham Jarvis 
Senator Pardek:  Malachi Throne 
Procounsul Neral:  Norman Large 
B'iJik:  Erick Avari 
Admiral Brackett:  Karen Hensel 
Soup Woman:  Mimi Cozzens 
Spock:  Leonard Nimoy 
After learning that the Vulcan ambassador Mr. Spock has traveled to Romulus for a secret meeting with the Romulan Senator, Picard and Data follow -- disguised as Romulans -- to determine his intentions. 
Unification, Part 2 
GUEST STARS: 
Spock:  Leonard Nimoy 
Cmdr. Sela:  Denise Crosby 
Captain K'Vada:  Stephen D. Root 
Senator Pardek: Malachi Throne 
Procounsul Neral:  Norman Large 
Omag:  William Bastiani 
D'Tan:  Vidal Peterson 
Amarie:  Harriet Leider 
Picard and Data locate Spock, who reveals the reason for his journey to Romulus -- an attempt to unify the Romulans and the Vulcans -- but his efforts are thwarted with the discovery of a Romulan plot to invade Vulcan. A Matter of Time 
GUEST STARS: 
Berlingoff Rasmussen:  Matt Frewer 
Dr. Hal Moseley:  Stefan Gierasch 
Ensign Felton:  Sheila Franklin 
Female Scientist:  Shay Garner 
While on a mercy mission to the Penthara IV planet, which has been stuck by a massive asteroid, the Enterprise is visited by a man "from the future."  It is discovered, however, that Rasmussen is really from the past, and when Data realizes this, he is kidnapped as Rasmussen attempts to return with his treasures to his own time. New Ground 
GUEST STARS: 
Alexander:  Brian Bonsall 
Helena Rozhenko:  Georgia Brown 
Dr. Ja'Dar: Richard McGonagle 
Kyle:  Jennifer Edwards 
Ensign Felton:  Sheila Franklin 
As the Enterprise makes its way to Bilana III to test a new propulsion system, Worf's son, Alexander, arrives on the Enterprise  -- intending to stay permanently. Hero Worship 
GUEST STARS: 
Timothy:  Joshua Harris 
Transporter Chief:  Harley Venton 
Ensign Felton:  Sheila Franklin 
Teacher:  Steven Einspahr 
After rescuing a tramatized young boy from the wreckage of a research vessel, the Enterprise crew strives to discover what caused the destruction of the small ship. Violations 
GUEST STARS: 
Keiko O'Brien:  Rosalind Chao 
Jev:  Ben Lemon 
Tarmin:  David Sage 
Dr. Martin:  Rick Fitts 
Inad:  Eve Brenner 
Lt. Cmdr. Jack Crusher:  Doug Wert 
Crewman Davis:  Craig Benton 
As the Enterprise escorts a group of telepathic Ullians to Kaldra IV planet, crew members begin to lapse into comas, which are seemingly caused by the delegation of telepathic aliens. The Masterpiece Society 
GUEST STARS: 
Aaron Conor:  John Synder 
Hannah Bates:  Dey Young 
Martin Benbeck:  Ron Canada 
Ensign Felton: Sheila Franklin 
A stellar core fragment threatens to destroy a genetically engineered human colony on an otherwise deserted planet.  The crew of the Enterprise attempts to avert the natural disaster, without realizing that their assistance could be just as damaging. Conundrum 
GUEST STARS: 
Cmdr. Kieran MacDuff:  Erich Anderson 
Kristin:  Liz Vassey 
Crewman:  Erick Weiss 
After being scanned by an alien ship, the Enterprise crew members lose their memories and find they have a new officer on board, one who insists they are at war.  Since they have no memories, the crew must also try to determine who did what before:  Worf is the new captain, Picard becomes a navigator, Data is a comical bartender, and Riker and Ro share a mutual attraction. Power Play 
GUEST STARS: 
Keiko O'Brien:  Rosalind Chao 
Transporter Technician:  Ryan Reid 
After investigating a subspace distress signal coming from an uninhabited moon, Troi, Data, and O'Brien stage a violent takeover on the bridge and force Picard to change the direction of the Enterprise. Ethics 
GUEST STARS: 
Dr. Toby Russell:  Caroline Kava 
Alexander:  Brian Bonsall 
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa:  Patti Yasutake 
Dr. Crusher calls in a neurogeneticist after Worf is paralyzed in an accident, but she begins to regret the decision after Dr. Russell suggests experimental surgery that could cost Worf his life. The Outcast 
GUEST STARS: 
Soren:  Melinda Culea 
Krite:  Callan White 
Noor:  Megan Cole 
While working together to locate a missing shuttlecraft, Riker and a J'naii member become attracted to each other, despite the fact that a relationship is prohibited because the androgynous J'naii race prohibits male-female relationships. Cause and Effect 
GUEST STARS: 
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa:  Patti Yasutake 
Captain Morgan Bateman:  Kelsey Grammer 
The Enterprise is caught in a time warp while charting the unexplored region known as the Typhon Expanse, inducing dizziness and déjà vu in the crew, and causing the Enterprise to collide repeatedly with another ship. 
The First Duty 
GUEST STARS: 
Wesley Crusher:  Wil Wheaton 
Cadet First Class Nicholas Locarno:  Robert Duncan McNeill 
Boothby:  Ray Walston 
Lt. Cmdr. Albert:  Ed Lauter 
Captain Satelk:  Richard Fancy 
Supt. Admiral Brand:  Jacqueline Brookes 
Cadet Second Class Jean Hajar:  Walker Brandt 
Cadet Second Class Sito:  Shannon Fill 
Wesley becomes involved in a coverup during the investigation of an in-flight accident which destroyed five Starfleet Academy ships and caused the death of his friend Joshua Albert.  Wesley comes of age when he realizes that loyalty to the truth -- which is the first duty of a Starfleet officer, Picard reminds him -- is worth more than friendship, leading him to testify against his squadron after Josh's death during an ill-fated attempt at a banned flight manuever. 
Cost of Living 
GUEST STARS: 
Lwaxana Troi:  Majel Barrett 
Mr. Homn:  Carel Struycken 
Campio:  Tony Jay 
Young Man:  David Oliver 
Juggler:  Albie Selznick 
Erko:  Patrick Cronin 
Young Woman:  Tracey D'Arcy 
Poet:  George Edie 
First Learner:  Christopher Halste 
After the Enterprise destroys an asteroid, a cloud of parasitic particles begins to destroy the ship's hull.  Meanwhile, Lwaxana Troi, Deanna's impossible mother, arrives on board with startling news for Troi:  She plans to marry a man she has never met.  Lwaxana befriends Alexander and teaches him about having fun with life, while Alexander in turn gives her a new perspective on her life, causing her to show up at her wedding in traditional Betazoid style:  nude;  her future husband flees in panic. The Perfect Mate 
GUEST STARS: 
Kamala:  Famke Janssen 
Briam:  Tim O'Connor 
Par Lenor:  Max Grodénchik 
Alrik:  Mickey Cottrell 
Qol:  Michael Snyder 
Transporter Chief Hubbell:  April Grace 
A Ceremony of Reconciliation is scheduled to take place on the Starship Enterprise, but the peace process between the Kriosians and the Valtese is jeopardized when the troublesome Ferengi try to steal the peace offering. 
Imaginary Friend 
GUEST STARS: 
Isabella:  Shay Astar 
Ensign Daniel Sutter:  Jeff Allin 
Clara Sutter:  Noley Thornton 
Alexander:  Brian Bonsall 
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa:  Patti Yasutake 
Ensign Felton:  Sheila Franklin 
A little girl's imaginary friend comes to life and threatens the ship and crew when the Enterprise enters a region of space containing a strange energy form. 
I, Borg 
GUEST STARS: 
Hugh:  Jonathan Del Arco 
The Enterprise discovers an injured adolescent Borg whose life Dr. Crusher saves, and whom Geordi befriends and names Hugh.  Although exhibiting human qualities, the crew is divided over the Borg and many reactions to his presence is unfavorable.  Picard is forced to make a critical decision:  Should Hugh be destroyed or returned to the collective which would expose the Federation to future risk? The Next Phase 
GUEST STARS: 
Mirok:  Thomas Kopache 
Varel:  Susanna Thompson 
Transporter Chief Brossmer:  Shelby Leverington 
Parem:  Brian Cousins 
Ensign McDowell:  Kenneth Meseroll 
After the Enterprise offers assistance to a Romulan science ship in distress, LaForge and Ro disappear during transport between the ships, and are assumed dead.  Data searches for an appropriate memorial service for the two officers and comes across many different cultural traditions:  for Worf, an honorable death is cause to celebrate, whereas Ro (or the Bajorans) would prefer the two-hour Bajoran death chant.  But the winning service is Riker's idea for a Mardi Gras-style wake, which Geordi and Ro are able to attend and eventually be discovered. 
The Inner Light 
GUEST STARS: 
Eline:  Margot Rose 
Batai:  Richard Riehle 
Administrator:  Scott Jaeck 
Meribor:  Jennifer Nash 
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa:  Patti Yasutake 
Young Batai:  Daniel Stewart 
Picard is struck by a primitive alien probe which renders him unconscience, and awakens to find himself on the planet Kataan, living the simple life of an iron weaver on the drought-stricken planet.   As Kamin, Picard has a wife, a loving relationship with his children, and a life-long  -- but ultimately futile -- mission to save the planet from drought.  As Kamin nears the end of his own life, the significance of the probe becomes clear:  It was launched by the long-dead Kataanians to record their story, and Picard was used as the witness through whom that story might be told.  Having lived Kataan's demise through Kamin's eyes, Picard awakens on the Enterprise 25 minutes later a changed man -- with Kamin's flute and the memories of that lifetime to carry forward.  This episode won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Time's Arrow, Part 1 
GUEST STARS: 
The Enterprise travels to Earth to investigate archeological evidence of aliens living on the planet as early as the 19th century.  When they uncover a very unusual artifact -- Data's head -- the Away Team transports itself to the late 1890's San Francisco to investigate, where they promptly meet Mark Twain, a young writer named Jack London, and Guinan as a wealthy socialite who doesn't recognize them.
 
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