New Generation Episodes - Season 3

by Jonathan Burt (JEB2@vaxa.york.ac.uk) & Edward J. Lord   2 December 1991
Original Ideas (well almost original) Jonathan Burt.
Produced by John Nathan Turner (JNT, former Doctor producer)

Season Three of 'Star Trek - The New Generation'

JNT: This is the best season to date without question! I shall have to set my alarm clock to remind me to come in from the garden to watch some of these classics! A new race is introduced, and many return. Fantastic. Stay tuned!

3:01 NANITE KINGDOM

In a homage to the brilliant opener to the third season of "Next Generation", the Nanites return - and this time they bringing their brother the Ganites. Together they reap havoc with the Enterprise computer, but meet their match with the now naive and stupid Data, whose wiped brain contains the properties to kill Nanites. In so doing, Data miraculously recovers his memory much to the delight of Lt Commander Tasha Yar.

3:02 "BONES"

Dr Crusher and Dr Selar/Keleyr go off on a trip with the Medical Officer's Outing Society to visit the hallowed ground where Doctor Leonard McCoy, Saint of Starfleet, was laid to rest. When they get there, it is realized that Beverly is in desperate need of a bone graft, and the only bones at hand are those of Leonard McCoy - can Selar resolve so hideous a dilemma?

3:03 TRICORDER READING

A day in the life of a tricorder. Today it is lucky enough to be chosen by Beverly Crusher for a self-diagnostic. (JNT: We continue the run of "everyday" episodes. It is fascinating just what a tricorder gets up to in a day. There is some interesting camera angles too)

3:04 AN UNEARTHLY FERENGI

During peace negiotiations after the Condom War, the Enterprise witnesses the first illicit breeding of a Ferengi and a human.

3:05 SENTINENT SAUCEPAN

Riker's obsession with home cooking takes on a new, eerie aspect when his Banzite saucepan is overheated and comes magically to life.

3:06 MIRACLES

At last success for Tasha and Data as their first child is on its way. Other miracles occur too - the remains of Ensign Ro reassemble and become human and Lt Comm O'Brien turns up at Ten Forward, none the worse! What is more he claims never to have been away and remarks "The whole Universe knows I'm indestructible!"

3:07 QUING FOR A DRINK

The omnipotent Q returns once more after the newly resurrected Lt Comm O'Brien foolishly cracks the joke in Ten Forward, "if I had the power of Q, I wouldn't need to queue!" Q turns O'Brien into a brown ale bottle, and has a party, but soon relents.

3:08 PLASTIC PULASKI

Kate Pulaski's visit to the Enterprise coincides with an unfortunate practical joke played on Riker by Worf. When she finds the inflatable sex toy in Riker's room, her renowned temper explodes, and even Commander Picard cannot calm her down.

3:09 THE THREE DOCTORS

The three Doctors, Crusher, Pulaski and Selarkeleyr, go on holiday to Risa. There Beverly's purchase of a Horgon attracts a mysterious admirer ...

3:10 JACK'S BACK

Jack Crusher turns out to be alive and well, and working on a bar on Risa. His only comment to Beverly's frantic inquiries is to the effect that the whole Universe knows that he is indestructible. He agrees to take on a bar job on the Enterprise.

3:11 THE BEARD

In a riproaring story, Wil Riker decides to shave off his beard. After much agonizing and long conversations with Troi, Guinan and Jack he changes his mind and takes up pottery instead. (JNT: This character piece gives a unique insight into one of the most popular characters in the series. It is also slightly autobiographical in that it mirrors my own soul searching before I shaved off my own beard.

3:12 Q, Q, BARLEY, McGREW, CUTHBERT, DIBBLE AND GROVE

The five aforementioned are Enterprise crewmembers put out of work by the Geordis. They call on the Q continuum, to whom they had pacted their souls in "Qing for a Drink", to help them extract their revenge ...

3:13 NURSERY

Stepping back from recent hectic events, we see the Enterprise nursery in overcrowded operation - for James Riker is already showing some of his father's natural talents ... Meanwhile Data is kitting out a nursery of his own and Lal is getting rather jealous.

3:14 THE NAKED NOW (PART II)

The conclusion to the oddly unresolved second episode of the original series. Jack realises his relationship with Guinan has become more than merely professional and Picard and Beverly explore their relationship in a more intimate manner. (JNT: I had always thought that 'The Naked Now' was a poor story, but this wraps things up perfectly! As for Jack and Guinan, what can I say? I am sure that viewers will be hooked over their illicit love."

3:15 THE FATHERS

An action packed episode in which Beverly, realizing her attraction to Jack is dwindling, plans to reveal the true identity of the father of Wesley. Meanwhile Tasha goes into labour and the Geordis plan to visit their long lost father, Scotty.

3:16 THE SONS

Beverly's information makes Picard look at Wesley in an entirely new light. Meanwhile its a boy for Data and Tasha, and Scotty is overwhelmed when the Geordis turn up on his doorstep. (JNT: I am absolutely delighted with this episode, and I'm sure the viewers will be too. The startling revelations about Picard in this episode help to create more mystery about the character.)

3:17 BANANA REPUBLIC

The Enterprise makes optimistic contact with a yellow planet torn by political strife and populated entirely by enourmous walking Bananas. (JNT: It was about time for a new race, and here they are! ILM have really surpassed themselves with the Banana VFX. Viewers will love this subtle allegory!)

3:18 FOR THE HEAD IS HOLLOW AND I HAVE TOUCHED THE SKULL

The Enterprise warps to the Skullery, planet of the Skulls. There Terbo, the chief skull, takes Jack hostage and tortures him with peculiar odours. Riker beams down at high afternoon for an encounter with the Skull. He takes with him Ensign Yo, Ensign Ro's sister. Meanwhile Wesley fails his pendulum examination. The crisis is resolved when Riker steals the Skull's religious icon, a painting of the Bones of Rucksack, and exchanges it for Jack. (JNT: A Christmas cracker of an episode. There are lots of in jokes in it too, and I think the Skulls are becoming one of the most persistent races yet!)

3:19 FUNERAL FOR THE CRUSHERS

Wesley dies after drowning his sorrows in Romulan whisky. Jack falls out of an airlock while in a passionate clinch with Guinan. Beverly is besides herself with grief, while Picard is besides himself with relief ... (JNT: A real tear-jerker.)

3:20 CHINACLAY

Recovering from yet another funeral, Riker throws himself into his pottery. Unfortunately, he is using Banzite Restricted Use Clay, which if too much is used, can take on sentinent life! It turns out that the Ferengi and the Romulans have been after the clay for years and they now attack the Enterprise while the clay vase goes on the rampage. (JNT: This is an all action thriller. It is very interesting the way that it is hinted that Banzite Clay was created by a man with thinning hair and a Roman nose many thousands of years ago.)

3:21 ENGAGED

The Enterprise is engaged by Captain Riker to full warp speed, while his first officer Picard gets hitched to widow Dr Crusher. (JNT: This episode beats even 'Gone with the Wind' for tear-jerking romance!)

3:22 GORN, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

The hostile Gorn are reintroduced, and they kidnap Dr Daylan Quaist, Beverly's mentor. Picard declares that to interfere would breach the Prime Directive and forbids Captain Riker from chasing. Oddly Riker obeys his first officer. Even more oddly, all the Enterprise crew can't remember a single detail of the incident.

3:23 BODYSWAP

Data conducts a strange experiment in which Lt Cmdr O'Brien swaps bodies with Lt Cmdr Worf! This causes all kinds of problems, not least with O'Brien's wife! Data races against time to reverse the process as Worf is due to appear on the Klingon gameshow "Know Your P'tac", but obviously cannot if he is really O'Brien. (JNT: O'Brien and Worf are two very popular characters, which is why I am sure that viewers will be thrilled with this episode. It is particularly amusing that Worf is still only three foot tall, and so Keiko is taller than he! I am very keen to develop Data as an eccentric professor, and this is the first step along that road.)

3:24 DECK OF CARDASSIANS

There are only 52 Cardassians left after a terrible war with the Ferengi. They appeal to Riker for help, but which is the Joker in the pack?

3:25 I MARRIED A ROMULAN

In a bid to help Federation-Romulan relations, it is decided that one of the Enterprise's officers must marry a Romulan. After Worf steadfastly refuses, Troi gets the honour. Her husband is to be Commander Tomalok and she is to leave at once. There are a fistful of moving scenes before Deanna is finally bid farewell. Marina Sirtis leaves the programme with this episode, while Majel Barrett guests as her mother. (JNT: We are obviously very sorry to see Marina go, but once more this story has a strong emphasis on family.)

3:26 TRIBBLES VS BORG

In this stunning season finale, two classic foes return. Captain Riker's crew discover the frozen form of Harry Mudd floating in space. Unfortunately he has a Tribble on his person, which soon multiplies. It also transpires (as the Tribbles can now talk) that they have been waging war against the Borg for centuries and are comandeering the Enterprise to finish the job off. (JNT: A real corker of an episode to finish the season off. Viewers may be disappointed that the Borg don't actually appear in the episode, but I am sure that seein Harry Mudd will ease their disappointment. Roll on next season!)