The Neutral Zone

Next Generation Episode #26

Written by Maurice Hurley. Story by Deborah McIntyre and Mona Glee. Directed by James L Conway.

Stardate: 41986.0 First aired: 16 May 1988

While waiting for Picard to return from an emergency meeting at Starbase 718, the Enterprise discovers a derelict satellite with a number of cryogenic capsules containing 'sleepers' from the twentieth century. Picard returns with bad news - two outposts near the Neutral Zone have been destroyed. After 50 years, it looks like the Romulans have re-emerged as a threat. Beverly has revived the sleepers, all of whom were frozen when they became terminally ill. They're a businessman, a housewife and a country and western singer, all of whom struggle to adjust to life in the future, and make nuisances of themselves. The Enterprise arrives near the Neutral Zone to discover two  more colonies have been destroyed. A Romulan Warbird, a battleship even larger than the Enterprise, materialises - it had been using its cloaking device. Picard hails the ship and tells them they have committed an act of aggression - but it transpires that the Romulans have suffered the same sort of attacks on their outposts. The Romulans pledge to co-operate in uncovering the origin of the attacks.

Guest Cast

Marc Alaimo as "Tebok", Gracie Harrison as "Clare Raymond", Anthony James as "Thei", Peter Mark Richman as "Ralph Offenhouse", Leon Rippy as "LQ 'Sonny' Clemonds".

Quotes

'We have indeed been negligent, but no more. We are back.' - the Romulan commander.

Trivia

• Marc Alaimo later became prominent as Dukat in Deep Space Nine.

• A close examination of the computer screen reveals that Clare Raymond seems to be descended from the actors that played the first six Doctor Who's, as their names flash up.

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