STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
Season 5, Episode 4

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Series: The Next Generation - (1987-1994)
Season: 5
Episode #: 5.04
Production #: 40275-204
Original Airdate: 10/14/1991

Writer(s): Lawrence V. Conley & Jeri Taylor
Director(s): Cliff Bole

Guest Stars
Ellen Geer as Doctor Kila Marr
Susan Diol as Carmen Davila

Uncredited Guest Stars
Anthony as Melona IV Technician
Joe Bauman as Crewman Garvey
Cullen Chambers as a Command Division Officer
Tracee Lee Cocco as Ltjg. Jae
Cooper as Ensign Reel
Tony Cruz as Ensign Lopez
W. Dixon as a Melona IV Colonist
Gina Gallante as Melona IV scientist
Goldie Ann Gareza as a Melona IV Technician
Michele Gerren as a Sciences Division Officer
Huang as a Melona IV Colonist
Gary Hunter as a Sciences Division Officer
Jason Marsden as the Voice of Raymond Marr
Betty Matsushita as a Melona IV Colonist
Jay Montalvo as an Operations Division Officer
Wilfred Moore as a Melona IV Colonist
Murph as a Melona IV Scientist
Terry Noel as an Operations Division Ensign
Nova as a Melona IV Colonist
R. Park as a Melona IV Colonist
R. Perez as a Melona IV Colonist
Randy Pflug as Lt. Jones
Reed as a Melona IV Colonist
Bill E. Rogers as an Operations Division ensign
Richard Sarstedt as a Command Division Ensign
Eric Schwartz as Melona IV technician
Victor Sein as a Melona IV Techncian
Sissy Sessions as a Melona IV Colonist
Stedman as a Melona IV Colonist
Noriko Suzuki as an Operations Division Ensign
John Tampoya as a Melona IV Colonist
Uchizono as a Command Division Officer
Robin Van Sharner as a Melona IV Colonist
Guy Vardaman as Lt. Darien Wallace
Dru Wagner as a Melona IV Colonist
Wagoner as a Melona IV Colonist
Webb as a Melona IV Scientist

Stardate: 45122.3

Synopsis

While surveying land on a Federation colony known as Melona IV, Riker, Data and Dr. Crusher are suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a massive, crystal-like structure which begins to descend toward the planet. Riker recognizes the object as the Crystalline Entity, and immediately begins herding the colonists together to search for shelter. The group watches in horror as the entity destroys the countryside with brilliant beams of light. All but two survive to find shelter inside a small cave - but the cave has a limited air supply. Riker tries to contact the U.S.S. Enterprise, but ultimately fails. Meanwhile, on board the Enterprise, the rest of the crew grow increasingly concerned over the violent disturbances detected near Melona IV.

Just as Beverly insists that the cave be opened to let in more air, Worf appears at the entrance, much to everyone's relief. The crew and colonists are transported back to the U.S.S. Enterprise, where they are greeted by scientist Kila Marr, who has spent her life studying the Crystalline Entity. Picard suggests that Data aid Marr in her investigation. Marr, however, opposes the idea, reminding Picard that Data's brother Lore lured the Crystalline Entity to the planet Omicron Theta where it ruthlessly killed every living thing. Picard, however, insists on Data's inclusion. Later, when the unhappy partners begin their investigation on Melona IV, Marr accuses Data of collaborating with the Entity as his brother did. She also tells Data that her son was among those killed on Omicron Theta.

[ Screencap Index ]

Back on board the U.S.S. Enterprise, Marr begins to relax as Data uncovers information that is invaluable to their investigation. However, she becomes even more upset when she learns that Picard intends not to destroy the Entity, but to communicate with it. Later, knowing that Data carries specific information regarding the events on Omicron Theta, Marr asks him to access her son's daily journals. Through Data, she learns her son did not blame her for the disaster on the planet. Her joy, however, is interrupted by a distress call from a ship being pursued by the Crystalline Entity.

The crew sets a course for the ship and discovers that there are no survivors. At this point even Riker wonders if perhaps the Entity should be destroyed, but Picard does not flinch. Meanwhile, Data keeps up his desperate attempts to communicate with the Entity before it kills again.

The crew manages to lure the Entity toward the ship, and the being seems to respond to their attempts to reach it. But at the same time, Marr begins trying to destroy it by sending harmful transmissions. Although the crew notices a change in the Entity and realizes what Dr. Marr is doing, they are ultimately unable to save the Entity. The being explodes into space, leaving Dr. Marr to wonder if revenge was worth the price of her career as a scientist.

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