The Big Goodbye (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Big Goodbye" is the 12th episode
of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
, Data
, and Beverly
in a 1940s gangster holodeck
program.
heads to Torona IV to open negotiations with the insectoid Jaradan race on behalf of the Federation
. The Jaradan are meticulous on protocol, and when the Federation last attempted to negotiate twenty years ago, a simple mispronunciation in the Federation's greeting led to the Jaradan refusal to talk until the present. Captain Picard
has been given the honor to give the greeting, but rehearsing the statement has become tiring and he opts to spend some time in the holodeck
in a Dixon Hill story. On the holodeck, as Detective Hill, Picard takes up the case of Jessica Bradley, who believes Cyrus Redblock is trying to kill her. Picard leaves the holodeck to continue the program later, and affirms the Enterprises estimated arrival at Torona. Picard offers both Dr. Crusher
and visiting historian Dr. Whalen to join him on his next visit to the holodeck. While Dr. Crusher is still preparing, Picard and Whalen are ready to enter the holodeck when Data
, also dressed in period garb, arrives, having overheard Picard's invitation. Entering the holodeck, the three discover that Jessica has been murdered, and when Picard explains that she was at his offices the day before, they are arrested by police officer McNary on suspicion of her murder. As they are taken away, Dr. Crusher enters the holodeck and joins her friends at the police station.
Meanwhile, as the Enterprise enters communication range of the Jaradan, they are hailed by the beings, causing a momentary flicker of power. The Jaradan demand their greeting, and are insulted at having to talk to anyone other than the Captain. The crew try to communicate with Picard in the holodeck but find it impossible, and quickly realize the holodeck's functions have been affected by the Jaradan signal, preventing them from even opening the doors to the room. LaForge and Wesley
set to work on repairing the holodeck systems.
Inside the holodeck, the group are let free from their police interrogation and return to Dixon's office. There, Mr. Leech waits for Picard, demanding he turn over an object Jessica had given him. When Picard fails to understand, Leech shoots Dr. Whalen with a gun. As Dr. Crusher attempts to care for him, Picard and Data quickly recognize the holodeck is malfunctioning, its safety protocols disabled, and they are unable to leave. Mr. Leech is shortly joined by Redblock and continues to demand the object. Officer McNary also becomes involved in the standoff, having been wanting to follow up on the previous interrogation. Picard attempts to explain the nature of the holodeck but Redblock refuses to believe him.
Outside, Wesley finds that the holodeck may have converted the trapped crew as holographic signals, and cannot simply turn off the system for fear of losing them. Instead, he opts to reset the simulation, briefly causing Picard and the others to be in the environs of the middle of a winter storm before finding themselves back in Dixon's office. The reset, however, successfully cleared the malfunction, and the exit doors appear. Redblock and Leech, believing the doors to lead to a new world to ransack, exit the holodeck despite Picard's warnings and find themselves disintegrating as they were only holographic elements. Picard thanks McNary for his assistance but tells him this is the "big goodbye" as they leave the holodeck. Dr. Crusher races Dr. Whalen to Sick Bay while Picard is able to get to the bridge just in time to give the proper greeting to the Jaradan. The Jaradan accept the greeting, heralding the start of successful negotiations.
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
of the science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
.
Overview
A computer malfunction traps PicardJean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
, Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
, and Beverly
Beverly Crusher
Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
in a 1940s gangster holodeck
Holodeck
A holodeck, in the fictional Star Trek universe, is a simulated reality facility located on starships and starbases. The first use of a "holodeck" by that name in the Star Trek universe was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint", although a conceptually...
program.
Plot
The USS EnterpriseUSS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
heads to Torona IV to open negotiations with the insectoid Jaradan race on behalf of the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
. The Jaradan are meticulous on protocol, and when the Federation last attempted to negotiate twenty years ago, a simple mispronunciation in the Federation's greeting led to the Jaradan refusal to talk until the present. Captain Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
has been given the honor to give the greeting, but rehearsing the statement has become tiring and he opts to spend some time in the holodeck
Holodeck
A holodeck, in the fictional Star Trek universe, is a simulated reality facility located on starships and starbases. The first use of a "holodeck" by that name in the Star Trek universe was in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint", although a conceptually...
in a Dixon Hill story. On the holodeck, as Detective Hill, Picard takes up the case of Jessica Bradley, who believes Cyrus Redblock is trying to kill her. Picard leaves the holodeck to continue the program later, and affirms the Enterprises estimated arrival at Torona. Picard offers both Dr. Crusher
Beverly Crusher
Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
and visiting historian Dr. Whalen to join him on his next visit to the holodeck. While Dr. Crusher is still preparing, Picard and Whalen are ready to enter the holodeck when Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
, also dressed in period garb, arrives, having overheard Picard's invitation. Entering the holodeck, the three discover that Jessica has been murdered, and when Picard explains that she was at his offices the day before, they are arrested by police officer McNary on suspicion of her murder. As they are taken away, Dr. Crusher enters the holodeck and joins her friends at the police station.
Meanwhile, as the Enterprise enters communication range of the Jaradan, they are hailed by the beings, causing a momentary flicker of power. The Jaradan demand their greeting, and are insulted at having to talk to anyone other than the Captain. The crew try to communicate with Picard in the holodeck but find it impossible, and quickly realize the holodeck's functions have been affected by the Jaradan signal, preventing them from even opening the doors to the room. LaForge and Wesley
Wesley Crusher
Wesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
set to work on repairing the holodeck systems.
Inside the holodeck, the group are let free from their police interrogation and return to Dixon's office. There, Mr. Leech waits for Picard, demanding he turn over an object Jessica had given him. When Picard fails to understand, Leech shoots Dr. Whalen with a gun. As Dr. Crusher attempts to care for him, Picard and Data quickly recognize the holodeck is malfunctioning, its safety protocols disabled, and they are unable to leave. Mr. Leech is shortly joined by Redblock and continues to demand the object. Officer McNary also becomes involved in the standoff, having been wanting to follow up on the previous interrogation. Picard attempts to explain the nature of the holodeck but Redblock refuses to believe him.
Outside, Wesley finds that the holodeck may have converted the trapped crew as holographic signals, and cannot simply turn off the system for fear of losing them. Instead, he opts to reset the simulation, briefly causing Picard and the others to be in the environs of the middle of a winter storm before finding themselves back in Dixon's office. The reset, however, successfully cleared the malfunction, and the exit doors appear. Redblock and Leech, believing the doors to lead to a new world to ransack, exit the holodeck despite Picard's warnings and find themselves disintegrating as they were only holographic elements. Picard thanks McNary for his assistance but tells him this is the "big goodbye" as they leave the holodeck. Dr. Crusher races Dr. Whalen to Sick Bay while Picard is able to get to the bridge just in time to give the proper greeting to the Jaradan. The Jaradan accept the greeting, heralding the start of successful negotiations.
External links
- The Big Goodbye reviewed Wil WheatonWil WheatonRichard William "Wil" Wheaton III is an American actor and writer. As an actor, he is best known for his portrayals of Wesley Crusher on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gordie Lachance in the film Stand by Me and Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers...
(Wesley CrusherWesley CrusherWesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
) - The Big Goodbye rewatch by Keith R.A. DeCandido