The Neutral Zone (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Neutral Zone" is the 26th episode of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
is sent to investigate the destruction of outposts near Romulan
space.
chambers occupied by humans, only three of whom survive. Data offers to move the survivors to the Enterprise and Commander Riker agrees.
Picard returns and orders the Enterprise to the Neutral Zone, as several Federation outposts nearby have not responded to communications. He explains that the conference was about the potential threat of the Romulans, docile for the last several decades on the other side of the Zone. As Data and Dr. Crusher work to thaw the cryonic survivors, Picard admonishes Riker and Data for bringing them aboard during a crucial time, and puts Riker in charge of them.
The three humans—Claire Raymond, a homemaker; Ralph Offenhouse
, a financier; and L. Q. "Sonny" Clemmons, a musician—are from the late 20th Century. All had "died" of incurable illnesses. They were placed in cryogenic suspension after their death in the hope that a cure might be found in the future. Dr. Crusher, in reviving them, successfully cures them of their illnesses. They deal with the culture shock
of awakening in a distant future, while Councilor Troi and Data search for their living descendants. Offenhouse is irritated by the loss of his wealth, and lack of access to news or other information. He demands to see Captain Picard. Picard assures him that all questions will be answered "in good time", but that their current situation is very tense and requires Picard's full attention.
The Enterprise reaches the Neutral Zone and confirms that the outposts have been destroyed. They are soon met by a Romulan Warbird, whose Captain questions why the Enterprise is near the Neutral Zone. As Picard tries to explain his actions, Offenhouse arrives on the bridge and threatens to disrupt the tense situation. Picard determines that the Romulans have also lost outposts near the Zone, and that the evidence suggests that the Federation cannot be responsible. Picard and the Romulan Captain agree to pool their resources to discover the culprit. Picard later comments that while the encounter went favorably, the Romulans may be a significant threat in future engagements. Picard arranges to transport the 20th Century humans to Earth, where one of Raymond's descendants lives. Clemmons expresses enthusiasm for the future, but Offenhouse has no idea what to do without money. Picard encourages him "...To improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it."
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 derelict ancient Earth satellite is found with cryonically frozen humans aboard as 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...
is sent to investigate the destruction of outposts near Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
space.
Plot
While Captain Picard is away at an emergency Federation conference, the Enterprise crew discovers an ancient space capsule from Earth. Inside they find twelve cryonicCryonics
Cryonics is the low-temperature preservation of humans and animals who can no longer be sustained by contemporary medicine, with the hope that healing and resuscitation may be possible in the future. Cryopreservation of people or large animals is not reversible with current technology...
chambers occupied by humans, only three of whom survive. Data offers to move the survivors to the Enterprise and Commander Riker agrees.
Picard returns and orders the Enterprise to the Neutral Zone, as several Federation outposts nearby have not responded to communications. He explains that the conference was about the potential threat of the Romulans, docile for the last several decades on the other side of the Zone. As Data and Dr. Crusher work to thaw the cryonic survivors, Picard admonishes Riker and Data for bringing them aboard during a crucial time, and puts Riker in charge of them.
The three humans—Claire Raymond, a homemaker; Ralph Offenhouse
Ralph Offenhouse
Ralph Offenhouse is a fictional human financier born in 1939, who featured in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode The Neutral Zone....
, a financier; and L. Q. "Sonny" Clemmons, a musician—are from the late 20th Century. All had "died" of incurable illnesses. They were placed in cryogenic suspension after their death in the hope that a cure might be found in the future. Dr. Crusher, in reviving them, successfully cures them of their illnesses. They deal with the culture shock
Culture shock
Culture shock is the anxiety, feelings of frustration, alienation and anger that may occur when a person is emplaced in a new culture.One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign country. Culture shock can be described as consisting of one or more distinct phases...
of awakening in a distant future, while Councilor Troi and Data search for their living descendants. Offenhouse is irritated by the loss of his wealth, and lack of access to news or other information. He demands to see Captain Picard. Picard assures him that all questions will be answered "in good time", but that their current situation is very tense and requires Picard's full attention.
The Enterprise reaches the Neutral Zone and confirms that the outposts have been destroyed. They are soon met by a Romulan Warbird, whose Captain questions why the Enterprise is near the Neutral Zone. As Picard tries to explain his actions, Offenhouse arrives on the bridge and threatens to disrupt the tense situation. Picard determines that the Romulans have also lost outposts near the Zone, and that the evidence suggests that the Federation cannot be responsible. Picard and the Romulan Captain agree to pool their resources to discover the culprit. Picard later comments that while the encounter went favorably, the Romulans may be a significant threat in future engagements. Picard arranges to transport the 20th Century humans to Earth, where one of Raymond's descendants lives. Clemmons expresses enthusiasm for the future, but Offenhouse has no idea what to do without money. Picard encourages him "...To improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it."
External links
- The Neutral Zone rewatch by Keith R.A. DeCandido