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|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Dauphin (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Dauphin (episode)
 
}}
 
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The ''Enterprise'' and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that claimed another Federation starship – one of the same class as the ''Enterprise''.
+
The ''Enterprise'' and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that has already destroyed one Federation starship of the same class as the ''Enterprise''.
   
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
 
=== Teaser ===
 
[[File:USS Yamato explodes.jpg|thumb|''Yamato'' explodes]]
 
[[File:USS Yamato explodes.jpg|thumb|''Yamato'' explodes]]
The ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|Enterprise]]'' responds to an urgent call from [[Captain]] [[Donald Varley]], a friend of Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]. Varley's ship, the {{USS|Yamato}}, which is the sister ship of the ''Enterprise'', has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while near the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]. Upon rendezvousing with the ''Enterprise'', Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors...that started making the [[Iconian]]s sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the [[planet]] [[Iconia]] in the Neutral Zone.
+
The ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|Enterprise]]'' responds to an urgent call from [[Captain]] [[Donald Varley]], an old friend of Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]. Varley's ship, the {{USS|Yamato}}, which is the sister ship of the ''Enterprise'', has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while near the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]. Upon rendezvousing with the ''Enterprise'', Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors...that started making the [[Iconian]]s sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the [[planet]] [[Iconia]] in the Neutral Zone.
   
As Varley continues, revealing his goal of preventing the [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulans]] from gaining [[Iconian]] technology, his transmission to the ''Enterprise'' cuts in and out. [[Worf]] detects a failure in the ''Yamato''{{'}}s [[antimatter containment]] chamber. Before the ''Enterprise'' crew can act, the ''Yamato'' explodes and all 1,000+ crew members are killed. Meanwhile, a [[Romulan warbird]] ([[D'deridex class]]) enters the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s sensor range.
+
As Varley continues, revealing his goal of preventing the [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulans]] from gaining [[Iconian]] technology, his transmission to the ''Enterprise'' cuts in and out. [[Worf]] detects a failure in the ''Yamato''{{'}}s [[antimatter containment]] chamber. Before the ''Enterprise'' crew can act, the ''Yamato'' explodes and all 1,000+ crew members are killed. Meanwhile, a [[Romulan warbird]] ({{class|D'deridex}}) enters the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s sensor range.
   
 
=== Act One ===
 
=== Act One ===
 
[[File:Romulans threaten Enterprise.jpg|thumb|left|Romulan threats]]
 
[[File:Romulans threaten Enterprise.jpg|thumb|left|Romulan threats]]
The ''Enterprise'' is unable to ascertain whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the ''Yamato''. After Picard and [[Subcommander]] [[Taris]] of the ''[[IRW Haakona|Haakona]]'' exchange accusations, the ''Haakona'' cloaks, and the ''Enterprise'' crew begins investigating the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction. They determine that the [[antimatter containment]] failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} [[starship]]s was responsible.
+
The ''Enterprise'' is trying to find out whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the ''Yamato''. After Picard and [[Subcommander]] [[Taris]] of the ''[[IRW Haakona|Haakona]]'' exchange accusations, the ''Haakona'' cloaks, and the ''Enterprise'' crew begins investigating the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction. [[Chief engineer]] [[Geordi La Forge]] and [[Data]] determine that the [[antimatter containment]] failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in {{class|Galaxy}} [[starship]]s was responsible.
   
As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's [[personal log]] to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent. In the archived logs, Varley describes finding [[Iconian]] artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian [[probe]] scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the [[Federation]].
+
As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's [[personal log]] to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent, asking the computer to highlight the words "Romulan" and/or "[[Iconian]]" in the log. In the archived logs, Varley describes finding Iconian artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian [[probe]] scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the [[Federation]].
   
 
[[File:Varley personal log.jpg|thumb|Searching for clues]]
 
[[File:Varley personal log.jpg|thumb|Searching for clues]]
Picard's [[ready room]] door fails to immediately open as he approaches, the first sign of trouble on the ''Enterprise''. The Bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and [[Data]] determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the ''Enterprise'' to this planet, on the far side of the [[Romulan Neutral Zone|Neutral Zone]], and assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission.
+
Picard's [[ready room]] door fails to immediately open as he approaches, the first sign of trouble on the ''Enterprise''. The bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and Data determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the ''Enterprise'' to this planet, on the far side of the [[Romulan Neutral Zone|Neutral Zone]], and assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission. A mission that Picard believes will prevent a war.
   
 
=== Act Two ===
 
=== Act Two ===
[[Wesley Crusher]] talks privately with Captain Picard about the [[Iconia]]ns, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the ''Yamato'' were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, Picard starts to remark about how the death of a single individual fails to move them, then is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered [[Earl Grey tea]] from the [[replicator]], and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "''Now that should not have happened,''" he remarks to Wesley.
+
[[Wesley Crusher]] talks privately with Captain Picard about the [[Iconia]]ns, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the ''Yamato'' were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others can handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, Picard starts to remark about how the death of a single individual fails to move them, then is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered [[Earl Grey tea]] from the [[replicator]], and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "''Now that should not have happened,''" he remarks to Wesley.
   
 
[[File:Turbolift wild ride.jpg|thumb|left|''"Stop, dammit!"'']]
 
[[File:Turbolift wild ride.jpg|thumb|left|''"Stop, dammit!"'']]
[[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] begins to suspect that the [[Iconian]] probe had something to do with the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the ''Enterprise''. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the ''Enterprise'' finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years ago. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the ''Enterprise''.
+
La Forge begins to suspect that the [[Iconian]] probe had something to do with the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the ''Enterprise''. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the ''Enterprise'' finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years ago. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the ''Enterprise''.
   
Picard initially intends to capture the probe in a [[tractor beam]], but a frantic La Forge, now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge due to an [[intercom]] failure, takes a wild [[turbolift]] ride to the Bridge, being thrown all about the turbolift as it races through the turbolift shafts including being stuck at the top and bottom of the lift car. Upon arriving on the bridge, Geordi is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and after he does so, Geordi tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the ''Enterprise'', there would have been no chance of saving the ship.
+
Picard initially intends to capture the probe in a [[tractor beam]], but a frantic La Forge, now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge due to an [[intercom]] failure, takes a wild [[turbolift]] ride to the Bridge, being thrown all about the turbolift as it races through the turbolift shafts including being stuck at the top and bottom of the lift car. He is thrown about so violently that his [[VISOR]] is knocked off of his face. Upon arriving on the bridge, Geordi is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and after he does so, Geordi tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the ''Enterprise'', there would have been no chance of saving the ship.
   
 
=== Act Three ===
 
=== Act Three ===
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As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. He decides to lead an [[away team]] to the planet's surface – over [[William T. Riker|Riker]]'s objection – to find this information. As soon as Picard, Data, and [[Worf]] [[transporter|beam]] down to the surface, a [[Romulan warbird]] decloaks in orbit near the ''Enterprise''.
 
As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. He decides to lead an [[away team]] to the planet's surface – over [[William T. Riker|Riker]]'s objection – to find this information. As soon as Picard, Data, and [[Worf]] [[transporter|beam]] down to the surface, a [[Romulan warbird]] decloaks in orbit near the ''Enterprise''.
   
The warbird attempts to fire [[photon torpedo]]es but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the ''Enterprise'', leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the ''Yamato'' log. When another probe is launched from [[Iconia]], Riker informs [[Taris]] to destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the [[deflector shield|shields]] to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.
+
The ''Haakona'' attempts to fire [[photon torpedo]]es but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the ''Enterprise'', leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the ''Yamato'' log. When another probe is launched from [[Iconia]], Riker informs [[Taris]] to destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the [[deflector shield|shields]] to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.
   
 
=== Act Four ===
 
=== Act Four ===
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=== Act Five ===
 
=== Act Five ===
Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launchbay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes (''blue-amber-amber-red'') and for overriding the doors (''blue-blue-blue''). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the ''Enterprise'' appears.
+
Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. He also orders Worf to destroy his [[Starfleet tricorder|tricorder]] containing everything they have learned thus far about the Iconians to keep the information from getting into enemy hands. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launchbay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes (''blue-amber-amber-red'') and for overriding the doors (''blue-blue-blue''). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the ''Enterprise'' appears.
   
 
[[File:Worf carries Data through portal.jpg|thumb|''"You must get Data back to the Enterprise."'']]
 
[[File:Worf carries Data through portal.jpg|thumb|''"You must get Data back to the Enterprise."'']]
Worf arrives on the ''Enterprise'' with Data and takes him to [[Engineering]]. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. The beeping emanating from La Forge's [[tricorder]] turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.
+
Worf arrives on the ''Enterprise'' with Data and takes him to [[Engineering]]. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. He laments not having an expert on [[Soong-type android]]s such as [[Bruce Maddox|Maddox]] on the ''Enterprise'' to help with Data. The beeping emanating from La Forge's [[tricorder]] turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.
   
 
On [[Iconia]], Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".
 
On [[Iconia]], Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".
   
In Engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot": thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the ''Enterprise'': a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the ''Yamato'' logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central [[computer core]]. Despite the risks of doing so while facing a [[Romulan warbird]], Riker decides to proceed.
+
In Engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot": thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the ''Enterprise'': a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the ''Yamato'' logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central [[computer core]]. Despite the risks of doing so while facing a [[Romulan warbird]], Riker decides to proceed.
   
 
[[File:Picard on Haakona.jpg|thumb|left|Wrong address]]
 
[[File:Picard on Haakona.jpg|thumb|left|Wrong address]]
 
Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the ''Haakona''. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.
 
Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the ''Haakona''. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.
   
The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s computer, and [[Miles O'Brien|Chief O'Brien]] searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the [[transporter]] locks onto him, Picard vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the Romulan's [[auto-destruct]] sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the ''Enterprise'', Picard informs the Bridge to move the ''Enterprise'' away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers [[Taris]] the solution to purging her computer systems.
+
The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s computer, and [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]] searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the [[transporter]] locks onto him, Picard vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the Romulan's [[auto-destruct]] sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the ''Enterprise'', Picard informs the Bridge to move the ''Enterprise'' away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers Taris the solution to purging her computer systems.
   
 
Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the ''Enterprise'' leaves orbit of the now entirely barren [[Iconia]], as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. Eventually, the ''Haakona'', apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.
 
Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the ''Enterprise'' leaves orbit of the now entirely barren [[Iconia]], as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. Eventually, the ''Haakona'', apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.
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  +
"''We're going to assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission.''"<br />
(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him)<br />
 
  +
"''And risk a war?''"<br />
  +
"''Perhaps... prevent one.''"
  +
: - '''Picard''' and '''Riker'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Didn't you order tea, sir?''"<br />
  +
"''Now, that should not have happened.''"
  +
: - '''Wesley Crusher''' when '''Picard''' receives a potted plant instead of Earl Grey
  +
  +
  +
"''The knitter isn't working.''"<br />
  +
"''Try a splint.''"<br />
  +
"''Doctor?''"<br />
  +
"''Splint. It's a very ancient concept. You take two flat pieces of wood or plastic, a bandage. The broken limb is kept immobile.''"<br />
  +
"''That's crazy! That's not practicing medicine!''"<br />
  +
"''Oh, yes it is! It's a time honored way to practice medicine: with your head, and your heart, and your hands. So jump to it.''"<br />
  +
: - A '''nurse''' and '''Pulaski'''
  +
  +
 
(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him, causing him to fly through the air and land on his face)<br />
 
"''Data?''"<br />
 
"''Data?''"<br />
 
"''Yes?''"<br />
 
"''Yes?''"<br />
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"''If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?''"
 
"''If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?''"
: - '''Riker''', frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the [[IRW Haakona|IRW ''Haakona'']].
+
: - '''Riker''', frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the {{IRW|Haakona}}
   
   
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"''I am accessing!''"<br />
 
"''I am accessing!''"<br />
: - '''Data''', after apparently shutting down.
+
: - '''Data''', after apparently shutting down
   
   
 
"''May I help?''"
 
"''May I help?''"
: - '''Data''', after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival.
+
: - '''Data''', after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival
  +
  +
  +
"''Do you wish to evacuate all non-essential personnel to the ''Enterprise'', sir?''"<br />
  +
"''No, that'd be premature.''"
  +
: - '''Riker''' and '''Varley''', seconds before the ''Yamato'' explodes
   
 
== Background information ==
 
== Background information ==
 
=== Story and production ===
 
=== Story and production ===
[[File:Contagion script review.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Dorn]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] review the script]]
+
[[File:Contagion script review.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Dorn]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] review the script with director [[Joseph L. Scanlan]] and script supervisor [[Cosmo Genovese]]]]
 
* This episode was conceived by computer technician and ''Star Trek'' fan [[Beth Woods]], who at the time worked on the Trek offices' computers. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* This episode was conceived by computer technician and ''Star Trek'' fan [[Beth Woods]], who at the time worked on the Trek offices' computers. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
  +
* First UK airdate: 12th June 1991
* [[Gene Roddenberry]] was not initially keen on the story, having written in the TNG bible that Federation technology was so advanced that there was no possibility of it ever malfunctioning, but Woods brought him round to the idea by explaining the idea of computer viruses and how they could bring even the most well-designed computer system to its knees. {{incite|This was cited to the TNG Companion but is not in there}}
 
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
* This is the first time a {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} [[starship]] is destroyed on screen.
+
* This is the first time a {{class|Galaxy}} [[starship]] is destroyed on screen.
 
* The {{IRW|Haakona}} is the first [[Romulan]] starship named on screen.
 
* The {{IRW|Haakona}} is the first [[Romulan]] starship named on screen.
* This is the first appearance of an [[Iconian gateway]]. The idea will be revisited in the [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]] [[DS9 Season 4|season four]] episode {{e|To the Death}}, where another gateway is discovered by the [[Dominion]] in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. [[Worf]] also refers to the events of this episode. They were also used as the basis for [[Pocket Books]]' [[Star Trek: Gateways|Gateways]] crossover series.
+
* This is the first appearance of an [[Iconian gateway]]. The idea will be revisited in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' [[DS9 Season 4|season four]] episode {{e|To the Death}}, where another gateway is discovered by the [[Dominion]] in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. [[Worf]] also refers to the events of this episode. They were also used as the basis for [[Pocket Books]]' [[Star Trek: Gateways|Gateways]] crossover series. It would also lead to a much more extensive use in ''[[Star Trek Online]]''.
* Picard uses his catch-phrase "[[Tea]], [[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]], hot" for the first time. He is not able to drink it, as the [[replicator]] gives him a potted plant rather than the tea.
+
* Picard uses his catch-phrase "[[Tea]], [[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]], hot" for the first time. Ironically, he is not able to drink it, as the [[replicator]] gives him a potted plant rather than the tea.
  +
* This episode is the first in the series to mention Picard's interest in [[archaeology]].
 
* Geordi La Forge references [[Bruce Maddox]] in Engineering while trying to diagnose what is happening to Data.
 
* Geordi La Forge references [[Bruce Maddox]] in Engineering while trying to diagnose what is happening to Data.
 
* This is the first episode where the number for the [[LCARS]] is not 40271. The number that appears is 40272.
 
* This is the first episode where the number for the [[LCARS]] is not 40271. The number that appears is 40272.
* A stock photograph of [[Toronto City Hall]] was viewed through the Iconian gateway as a possible destination for the Iconians. Due to the advanced age of the gateway, it seems unlikely that this photograph was intended to represent the [[Earth]] city.
+
* A stock photograph of [[Toronto City Hall]] was viewed through the Iconian gateway as a possible destination for the Iconians. Due to the advanced age of the gateway, it seems unlikely that this photograph was intended to represent the [[Earth]] city.
   
 
=== Cast and characters ===
 
=== Cast and characters ===
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* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 2.4, catalogue number VHR 4740, {{d|24|May|1999}}.
 
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 2.4, catalogue number VHR 4740, {{d|24|May|1999}}.
 
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 DVD]] collection.
 
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 DVD]] collection.
  +
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 Blu-ray]] collection.
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
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=== Co-stars ===
 
=== Co-stars ===
 
* [[Colm Meaney]] as [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]]
 
* [[Colm Meaney]] as [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]]
* [[Folkert Schmidt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Doctor (2365)|Doctor]]
+
* [[Folkert Schmidt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Doctor (2365)|Doctor]]
   
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[James G. Becker]] as [[Youngblood]]
 
* [[James G. Becker]] as [[Youngblood]]
* [[Juliet Cesario]] as a [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female science division officer|science division officer]]
+
* [[Juliet Cesario]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science division officer|science division officer]]
* [[Dexter Clay]] as an [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Security officer (2364-2365)|operations division officer]]
+
* [[Dexter Clay]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security officer (2364-2365)|operations division officer]]
* [[David Eum]] as [[Wright (Ensign)|Wright]]
+
* [[David Eum]] as {{dis|Wright|Ensign}}
* [[Tim McCormack]] as [[Bennett (Ensign)|Bennett]]
+
* [[Tim McCormack]] as {{dis|Bennett|Ensign}}
 
* [[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Diana Giddings]]
 
* [[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Diana Giddings]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
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=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[200,000 years ago]]; [[antimatter chamber]]; [[archaeology]]; ''[[As You Like It]]''; [[auto-destruct]]; [[battle cruiser]]; [[biobed]]; [[caveman]]; [[China]]; [[cloaking device]]; {{ShipClass|D'deridex}}; [[Denius III]]; [[Dewan]]; [[Dinasian]]; [[Earl Grey tea]]; [[Federation]]; {{ShipClass|Galaxy}}; [[Steven Gerber|Gerber, Steven]]; [[IRW Haakona|''Haakona'']]; [[hiccup]]; [[humor]]; [[hydrogen]]; [[Iccobar]]; [[Iconia]]; [[Iconian]]; [[Iconian gateway]]; [[Iconian language]]; [[Iconian probe]]; [[Iconian software transmission]]; [[Jefferies tube]]s; [[knitter]]; [[Bruce Maddox|Maddox, Bruce]]; [[magnetic seal]]s; [[meter]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[orbital bombardment]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[Marco Polo|Polo, Marco]]; [[Ramsey (Doctor)|Ramsey, Dr.]]; [[red alert]]; [[rocket]]; [[Rosetta Stone]]; [[Romulan cruiser]]; [[Romulan language]]; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[Romulan]]s; [[splint]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[stellar drift]]; [[Stone Age]]; [[tribe]]; [[tricorder]]; [[Beth Woods (Lieutenant Commander)|Woods, Beth]]; [[USS Yamato|''Yamato'', USS]]
+
[[200,000 years ago]]; [[antimatter chamber]]; [[archaeology]]; ''[[As You Like It]]''; [[auto-destruct]]; [[battle cruiser]]; [[biobed]]; [[caveman]]; [[China]]; [[cloaking device]]; {{class|D'deridex}}; [[Denius III]]; [[Dewan]]; [[Dinasian]]; [[Earl Grey tea]]; [[Federation]]; {{class|Galaxy}}; [[IRW Haakona|''Haakona'', IRW]]; [[hiccup]]; [[humor]]; [[hydrogen]]; [[Iccobar]]; [[Iconia]]; [[Iconian]]; [[Iconian gateway]]; [[Iconian language]]; [[Iconian probe]]; [[Iconian software transmission]]; [[Jefferies tube]]s; [[knitter]]; [[Bruce Maddox|Maddox, Bruce]]; [[matter-antimatter reactor]]; [[meter]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[Number one]]; [[orbital bombardment]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[Marco Polo|Polo, Marco]]; [[power transfer tunnel]]; [[Ramsey (Doctor)|Ramsey, Dr.]]; [[red alert]]; [[rocket]]; [[Rosetta Stone]]; [[Romulan cruiser]]; [[Romulan language]]; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[Romulan]]s; [[splint]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[stellar drift]]; [[Stone Age]]; [[tribe]]; [[tricorder]]; [[USS Yamato|''Yamato'', USS]]
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==== Library Computer References ====
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: '''USS ''Yamato'' Schematic''': [[antimatter chamber|antimatter confinement]]; [[antiproton]]; [[antiproton injection seal]]; [[antiproton injection subsystem]]; [[antiproton injector]]; [[Bussard collector]]; [[Bussard collection coil]]; [[deuterium injection subsystem]]; [[deuterium injector]]; [[deuterium tank]]; [[dilithium crystal chamber|dilithium regulation chamber]]; [[fusion reaction subsystem]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[impulse power]]; [[nanosecond]]; [[plasma injector]]; [[spin reversal system]]
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: '''USS ''Yamato'' log entries''': [[Steven Gerber|Gerber, Steven]]; [[Beth Woods (Lieutenant Commander)|Woods, Beth]]
   
 
== External links ==
 
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Revision as of 07:08, 30 December 2014

Template:Realworld

The Enterprise and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that has already destroyed one Federation starship of the same class as the Enterprise.

Summary

Teaser

USS Yamato explodes

Yamato explodes

The Enterprise responds to an urgent call from Captain Donald Varley, an old friend of Captain Picard. Varley's ship, the USS Yamato, which is the sister ship of the Enterprise, has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while near the Romulan Neutral Zone. Upon rendezvousing with the Enterprise, Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors...that started making the Iconians sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the planet Iconia in the Neutral Zone.

As Varley continues, revealing his goal of preventing the Romulans from gaining Iconian technology, his transmission to the Enterprise cuts in and out. Worf detects a failure in the Yamato's antimatter containment chamber. Before the Enterprise crew can act, the Yamato explodes and all 1,000+ crew members are killed. Meanwhile, a Romulan warbird (D'deridex-class) enters the Enterprise's sensor range.

Act One

Romulans threaten Enterprise

Romulan threats

The Enterprise is trying to find out whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the Yamato. After Picard and Subcommander Taris of the Haakona exchange accusations, the Haakona cloaks, and the Enterprise crew begins investigating the Yamato's destruction. Chief engineer Geordi La Forge and Data determine that the antimatter containment failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in Galaxy-class starships was responsible.

As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's personal log to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent, asking the computer to highlight the words "Romulan" and/or "Iconian" in the log. In the archived logs, Varley describes finding Iconian artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian probe scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the Federation.

Varley personal log

Searching for clues

Picard's ready room door fails to immediately open as he approaches, the first sign of trouble on the Enterprise. The bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and Data determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the Enterprise to this planet, on the far side of the Neutral Zone, and assume the Yamato's mission. A mission that Picard believes will prevent a war.

Act Two

Wesley Crusher talks privately with Captain Picard about the Iconians, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout the galaxy. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the Yamato were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others can handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, Picard starts to remark about how the death of a single individual fails to move them, then is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered Earl Grey tea from the replicator, and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "Now that should not have happened," he remarks to Wesley.

Turbolift wild ride

"Stop, dammit!"

La Forge begins to suspect that the Iconian probe had something to do with the Yamato's destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the Enterprise. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the Enterprise finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years ago. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the Enterprise.

Picard initially intends to capture the probe in a tractor beam, but a frantic La Forge, now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge due to an intercom failure, takes a wild turbolift ride to the Bridge, being thrown all about the turbolift as it races through the turbolift shafts including being stuck at the top and bottom of the lift car. He is thrown about so violently that his VISOR is knocked off of his face. Upon arriving on the bridge, Geordi is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and after he does so, Geordi tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the Enterprise, there would have been no chance of saving the ship.

Act Three

In the observation lounge, La Forge explains that the Iconian probe was transmitting an alien computer program to rewrite software in its own image. That was the cause behind the Yamato's systems failures. The Enterprise was not scanned by the probe, but did download the Yamato's log before its destruction, and contained within the log was the alien program. This means the Enterprise has a little breathing room, but likely not enough.

LaForge electrocuted

"What happened!?"

As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. He decides to lead an away team to the planet's surface – over Riker's objection – to find this information. As soon as Picard, Data, and Worf beam down to the surface, a Romulan warbird decloaks in orbit near the Enterprise.

The Haakona attempts to fire photon torpedoes but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the Enterprise, leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the Yamato log. When another probe is launched from Iconia, Riker informs Taris to destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the shields to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.

Act Four

Picard Data and Worf on Iconia

"Let's see what sense we can make of this."

On the surface of Iconia, the away team cannot establish contact with the Enterprise. Picard and Data attempt to make sense of a large console in the Iconian control room. Data determines that the Iconian language shares enough common roots with other languages to enable him to develop a working understanding of the controls. This understanding proves to be somewhat less than working, as Data's attempts to engage "manual override" result in the appearance of a gateway. A series of landscapes and architectures cycles through the gateway.

Picard concludes that the Iconians traveled to distant worlds through this gateway "as easily as we would cross a room." This is what Captain Varley was investigating and hoping to keep out of Romulan hands. As the team continues to stare into the gateway, an image of the Enterprise bridge appears briefly, offering a potential means of return to the ship. Meanwhile, Data appears to gain access to an underground power source activated by the gateway's appearance, but as he works the controls, an energy surge similar to the Iconian probe's transmission cripples him.

Act Five

Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. He also orders Worf to destroy his tricorder containing everything they have learned thus far about the Iconians to keep the information from getting into enemy hands. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launchbay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes (blue-amber-amber-red) and for overriding the doors (blue-blue-blue). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the Enterprise appears.

Worf carries Data through portal

"You must get Data back to the Enterprise."

Worf arrives on the Enterprise with Data and takes him to Engineering. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. He laments not having an expert on Soong-type androids such as Maddox on the Enterprise to help with Data. The beeping emanating from La Forge's tricorder turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.

On Iconia, Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".

In Engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot": thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the Enterprise: a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the Yamato logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central computer core. Despite the risks of doing so while facing a Romulan warbird, Riker decides to proceed.

Picard on Haakona

Wrong address

Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the Haakona. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.

The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the Enterprise's computer, and Chief O'Brien searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the transporter locks onto him, Picard vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the Romulan's auto-destruct sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the Enterprise, Picard informs the Bridge to move the Enterprise away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers Taris the solution to purging her computer systems.

Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the Enterprise leaves orbit of the now entirely barren Iconia, as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. Eventually, the Haakona, apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.

Log Entries

Memorable Quotes

"The risk would be allowing the Romulans to locate Iconia. Fortunately, I got there first. It's a virtually dead planet, but enough technology remains to give the Romulans an edge if they should find it."

- Donald Varley


"We're going to assume the Yamato's mission."
"And risk a war?"
"Perhaps... prevent one."

- Picard and Riker


"Didn't you order tea, sir?"
"Now, that should not have happened."

- Wesley Crusher when Picard receives a potted plant instead of Earl Grey


"The knitter isn't working."
"Try a splint."
"Doctor?"
"Splint. It's a very ancient concept. You take two flat pieces of wood or plastic, a bandage. The broken limb is kept immobile."
"That's crazy! That's not practicing medicine!"
"Oh, yes it is! It's a time honored way to practice medicine: with your head, and your heart, and your hands. So jump to it."

- A nurse and Pulaski


(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him, causing him to fly through the air and land on his face)
"Data?"
"Yes?"
"What happened?"
"Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results."
"Thanks, Data... I noticed."

- Data and Geordi La Forge


"Sir, the shields are back up!"
"Impeccable timing."
"Sir, the shields are back down."

- Wesley Crusher to William T. Riker


"If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?"

- Riker, frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the IRW Haakona


"Fate: Protects fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise."

- Riker


"I have claimed this planet for the Romulan Empire."
"This is the Neutral Zone. No one can claim anything."
"You will withdraw, or I will be forced to destroy your ship and your Away Team!!"

- Taris and Riker


"In another time and place, this could be funny."

- Deanna Troi, on the system failures


"This would appear to be manual override."
(Data presses a button and a portal appears.)
"That was not...manual override."

- Data to Worf and Picard


"I am accessing!"

- Data, after apparently shutting down


"May I help?"

- Data, after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival


"Do you wish to evacuate all non-essential personnel to the Enterprise, sir?"
"No, that'd be premature."

- Riker and Varley, seconds before the Yamato explodes

Background information

Story and production

Contagion script review

Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart review the script with director Joseph L. Scanlan and script supervisor Cosmo Genovese

Continuity

  • This is the first time a Galaxy-class starship is destroyed on screen.
  • The IRW Haakona is the first Romulan starship named on screen.
  • This is the first appearance of an Iconian gateway. The idea will be revisited in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season four episode "To the Death", where another gateway is discovered by the Dominion in the Gamma Quadrant. Worf also refers to the events of this episode. They were also used as the basis for Pocket Books' Gateways crossover series. It would also lead to a much more extensive use in Star Trek Online.
  • Picard uses his catch-phrase "Tea, Earl Grey, hot" for the first time. Ironically, he is not able to drink it, as the replicator gives him a potted plant rather than the tea.
  • This episode is the first in the series to mention Picard's interest in archaeology.
  • Geordi La Forge references Bruce Maddox in Engineering while trying to diagnose what is happening to Data.
  • This is the first episode where the number for the LCARS is not 40271. The number that appears is 40272.
  • A stock photograph of Toronto City Hall was viewed through the Iconian gateway as a possible destination for the Iconians. Due to the advanced age of the gateway, it seems unlikely that this photograph was intended to represent the Earth city.

Cast and characters

  • Carolyn Seymour, who plays Romulan commander Taris in this episode, went on to play a different Romulan commander in TNG: "Face of the Enemy". According to the Companion, the production staff created a new character for her in the belief that Taris was likely dead.

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Special appearance by

Guest stars

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins

References

200,000 years ago; antimatter chamber; archaeology; As You Like It; auto-destruct; battle cruiser; biobed; caveman; China; cloaking device; D'deridex-class; Denius III; Dewan; Dinasian; Earl Grey tea; Federation; Galaxy-class; Haakona, IRW; hiccup; humor; hydrogen; Iccobar; Iconia; Iconian; Iconian gateway; Iconian language; Iconian probe; Iconian software transmission; Jefferies tubes; knitter; Maddox, Bruce; matter-antimatter reactor; meter; Milky Way Galaxy; Number one; orbital bombardment; photon torpedo; Polo, Marco; power transfer tunnel; Ramsey, Dr.; red alert; rocket; Rosetta Stone; Romulan cruiser; Romulan language; Romulan Neutral Zone; Romulans; splint; Starfleet Academy; stellar drift; Stone Age; tribe; tricorder; Yamato, USS

Library Computer References

USS Yamato Schematic: antimatter confinement; antiproton; antiproton injection seal; antiproton injection subsystem; antiproton injector; Bussard collector; Bussard collection coil; deuterium injection subsystem; deuterium injector; deuterium tank; dilithium regulation chamber; fusion reaction subsystem; fusion reactor; impulse power; nanosecond; plasma injector; spin reversal system
USS Yamato log entries: Gerber, Steven; Woods, Beth

External links

Previous episode:
"The Dauphin"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2
Next episode:
"The Royale"