11001001
- FIRST SHOWN (US)
- 1 February 1988
- ON
- First-run syndication
- STARDATE
- 41365.9
- DIRECTED BY
- Paul Lynch
- PRODUCTION NO.
- 116
WRITTEN BYWritten by Maurice Hurley & Robert Lewin
While the Enterprise is in dock for an upgrade by the computer-minded Bynars, Riker discovers an enchanting new holodeck character, and Picard is equally intrigued.
Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS
The Enterprise docks at Starbase 74 for maintenance, carried out by the Bynars, a species who work in pairs and live closely linked to their computers. With most of the crew on leave, Riker tries the upgraded holodeck and creates a jazz club where he meets Minuet, a character so lifelike that both he and Picard are captivated. Then a warp core problem forces Data and Geordi to evacuate the ship, which leaves the starbase on its own. Picard and Riker, still in the holodeck, emerge to find the Enterprise empty and heading for the Bynar homeworld. Fearing a hijacking, they start the self-destruct, then cancel it when they find the Bynars unconscious. Minuet explains: a supernova threatened to wipe the Bynars' planetary computer, so they stored its data in the Enterprise. Picard and Riker restore it and the Bynars recover, but Minuet's magic does not survive the return.
- 01Won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series.
- 02The Bynars were played by young actresses in extensive make-up. Children were considered, but limited working hours and the need for teachers made it impractical.
- 03Carolyn McCormick later became a regular on Law and Order, and returned as Minuet in the fourth season episode “Future Imperfect”.