TNG · SEASON 11×04

The Last Outpost

NOMADIC PICK · FOR COMPLETISTSThe Ferengi's awkward debut.

FIRST SHOWN (US): 19 October 1987
ON: First-run syndication
STARDATE: 41386.4
DIRECTED BY: Richard Colla
PRODUCTION NO.: 107

WRITTEN BYTeleplay by Herbert Wright; story by Richard Krzemien

IN BRIEF

SPOILER-FREE

Chasing a Ferengi ship that has stolen Federation equipment, the Enterprise gets its first look at the Ferengi, just as both vessels are trapped by a mysterious power over a dead world.

SYNOPSIS

SPOILERS

Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS

The Enterprise pursues a Ferengi ship that has stolen an energy converter from a Federation outpost. Over the planet Delphi Ardu IV, both vessels are suddenly drained of power and held in place. Each crew blames the other, until Picard realises the Ferengi are just as baffled. Data learns that the planet was once an outpost of the Tkon Empire, which died out 600,000 years ago. Away teams from both ships beam down, and after a skirmish their weapons fire wakes Portal, a guardian of the long-vanished empire. The Ferengi accuse the humans of barbarism, and Portal tests Riker to decide who deserves to survive. Riker stands his ground without fear and quotes Sun Tzu, earning Portal's respect. Offered the chance to destroy the Ferengi, he declines. Power is restored, the converter is returned, and Riker suggests sending the Ferengi a gift of Chinese finger traps.

DID YOU KNOW?

01The Ferengi were devised as new adversaries because the series bible ruled out stories of war with the Klingons or Romulans.
02Armin Shimerman, later Quark on Deep Space Nine, plays Letek. His first filmed role in the series was the Betazoid gift box in “Haven”, broadcast later.
03Geordi La Forge reports from engineering here. Producers liked the image so much that he became chief engineer from season two.

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