star trek the next generation s03e25 transfigurations

Transfigurations (episode)

• View history
• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 1.6 Act Five
• 1.7 Log entries
• 2 Memorable quotes
• 3.1 Production history
• 3.2 Story and script
• 3.3 Production
• 3.4 Sets, props and costumes
• 3.6 Continuity
• 3.7 Reception
• 3.8 Video and DVD releases
• 4.1 Starring
• 4.2 Also starring
• 4.3 Guest stars
• 4.4 Co-star
• 4.5 Uncredited co-stars
• 4.6 Stunt double
• 4.7 Stand-ins
• 4.8.1 Other References
• 4.9 External links

Summary [ ]

Awkward conversation

The Enterprise is exploring an uncharted star system within the Zeta Gelis star cluster , when the ship discovers a faint life sign and debris from a small ship crashed on one of the planets.

La Forge is sitting at the bar in Ten Forward having drinks with Worf . La Forge says that he is interested in Christy Henshaw who is sitting at a nearby table with a friend, but he is too shy to approach her. Henshaw comes over to the bar to leave her and her friend's empty glasses. She tries to strike up a conversation, but La Forge is tongue-tied. Then Commander Riker contacts him from the bridge and he leaves Worf.

A strange burst of energy

On the surface, the away team locates the crashed vessel, with a single badly-injured occupant . Dr. Beverly Crusher scans him and says that his brain stem has been damaged and his involuntary nervous functions are not stable enough for transport up to the ship. She asks for a volunteer, and La Forge steps forward.

She establishes a neural link between La Forge and the alien, to allow La Forge's brain to regulate both nervous systems and stabilize the alien until they can beam up to the Enterprise . Crusher advises La Forge to breathe normally and that she will terminate the link between them if anything goes wrong. When the connection is made, an energy discharge enters La Forge's mind, and he inhales sharply, but assures Crusher that he's fine. As soon as the alien stabilizes, all three of them are beamed directly to sickbay .

Act One [ ]

In sickbay, Dr. Crusher works tirelessly with her staff to stabilize the severely wounded mystery man. On the bridge, Commander Riker reports to Captain Picard that the crashed vessel appeared to be an escape pod , which means that the ship it came from must have been attacked somewhere close by. Data detects debris and refined metals in orbit of the planet , indicating the ship was destroyed. Worf also picks up trace elements in the debris consistent with residual phaser fire. Riker shows Picard a small module which is all that is left of the pod's computer system, and Picard gives it to Data for analysis.

A speedy, fragile recovery

Picard visits sickbay to check on the patient's progress, and Crusher reports that he will make a full recovery, due in no small part to his body's quick recuperative powers. She is also troubled to note that his undamaged cells are mutating , a process that does not seem to be connected to his injuries.

La Forge is in Ten Forward sitting at a table with Worf and Data discussing the salvaged computer module. La Forge and Data present various theories on how to decode it, but Worf is unhappy they are talking shop and not relaxing. La Forge says he is relaxed and has never felt better. He then spots Henshaw and decides to escort her out of Ten Forward to the ship's arboretum . " I have been tutoring him. He learns very quickly ", a proud Worf tells Data.

In sickbay, the mysterious alien has been removed from intensive bio-support and most of his major organs are functioning on their own after only 36 hours. While Dr. Crusher monitors his life signs, he awakens and touches her hand, surprising the doctor. His first words to her are " I am alive ". Crusher remarks that he certainly is. He follows this up by asking " Who am I? "

Act Two [ ]

A smooth talker

When the alien finally recovers enough to awaken, he does not know who he is or what led him to be on that planet. The bridge crew attempt to ascertain the mystery of Doe's origins while continuing their work on the charting of the Zeta Gelis star cluster.

Doe has been aboard for over a month, his recuperation speedy and successful, but the doctor is still puzzled by his continuing mutation, which now elicits pain and a glowing energy pulse from his torso. Crusher is frustrated at her inability to solve the mystery or halt the pain, while Doe is contrite about not being able to remember.

" I'm the same old guy I always was. " " If you say so. "

Riker is waiting for the turbolift , and when it finally comes, he sees La Forge and Henshaw in a long kiss . Riker comments that he is having a lot of luck with her. La Forge says that he's still the same old Geordi, but Riker says he's changed. La Forge admits that for the last month, things seem to be going his way and he is a lot more confident than he used to be.

" The pain is gone! "

Chief Miles O'Brien comes into sickbay with a dislocated shoulder , after kayaking on the holodeck . While Crusher is preparing the necessary equipment, Doe drifts over and touches his shoulder. There is another glowing energy pulse, and O'Brien's arm is completely healed, to Beverly and her son Wesley 's astonishment.

Over dinner with Wesley, Beverly admits that there is something oddly compelling about the mysterious man but denies anything like a " Florence Nightingale " effect (i.e., that she is falling in love with her patient). She feels that she has a spiritual connection with Doe that is different than a romantic one. She tells her son she probably is not making much sense, but Wesley tells her he understands somewhat.

As the bridge crew grow closer to discovering the origins of John Doe, including discovering the coordinates of the planet from which he came from, the alien is starting to remember fragments of his past, namely that he was escaping his planet and that there were others with him. He asks Picard not to return him, at least not yet. Picard states that the Enterprise will not be in the vicinity of the planet's star system for three weeks, giving Doe ample time to discuss the problem further. After Picard and Crusher leave Doe alone, a powerful yellow glow briefly appears on his body.

Act Three [ ]

Doe and Dr. Crusher have some drinks in Ten Forward celebrating Doe's first day out of sickbay. Doe marvels at the diversity of the Enterprise crew, many different species all working together freely. He tells Crusher that his species is different from this philosophy somehow. Crusher tells Doe how fond she has become of him and he vice-versa. Doe tells Crusher that he believes he is on some kind of journey and that his mutation in his body is connected to it. He knows he must complete his journey before anything else.

Worf announces to Picard that the Enterprise will soon be joined by a ship heading to intercept the Enterprise at high warp. It refuses to answer hails and will intercept in ten hours. Riker tells Picard that whoever is aboard that ship is in a big hurry to intercept the Enterprise .

" …no life signs. "

Now nearly two months on board, Doe's painful and accelerating cellular mutations cause him to fear that what is happening to him may hurt people around him. He flees sickbay after telling Dr. Crusher he must leave the Enterprise . While chasing him down a corridor , Dr. Crusher reluctantly calls for security. As he tries to escape in the shuttlepod El Baz , Worf is mortally injured by Doe when he accidentally unleashed his power on him. Worf's neck breaks on impact after falling hard from high up onto the shuttlebay's floor. Dr. Crusher urgently calls for a resuscitation team to Shuttlebay 2 as John walks over to Worf. He places both of his hands on Worf's neck, and he is miraculously healed by John.

Act Four [ ]

In Picard's ready room , Picard gets Doe to admit he was going to steal a shuttle and asks what is happening to him. Doe does not know, but believes he has to leave the ship before he harms another individual. Picard asks that Doe be kept under constant surveillance.

The Zalkonian Commander Sunad finally answers the Enterprise 's hails and demands the delivery of the stranger from Captain Picard. Allegedly, he is a dangerous criminal who is disturbing the normal order of society on Zalkon and deserves death. Sunad demands that the Enterprise leave the Zalkonian system and return John Doe to them. He gives them two hours to make their decision before he fires. Captain Picard, Riker, Troi , and Dr. Crusher discuss in the observation lounge what Doe could be accused of and whether or not they can let personal relationships affect their decision to return this so-called criminal. Crusher remarks on the irony of having saved Doe's life and now to give him back to his people to die for his alleged crimes.

Act Five [ ]

" I… can't breathe… "

Picard tries to negotiate with Sunad, telling him that Doe has exhibited some extraordinary abilities, and would like to know more about the nature of his alleged crimes. Declaring that Doe has "corrupted" the Enterprise 's crew as well, Sunad motions to his bridge crew, and the Zalkonian ship creates some kind of effect that causes every member of the crew to suffocate.

In sickbay, Doe is the only one not affected. He finds Crusher suffocating on the floor and heals her. Helping her to her feet, he declares that he finally remembers who he is and why he is there. Finding another crew member on the floor outside sickbay, Doe heals him as well, then touches a panel, spreading his power throughout the Enterprise and freeing everyone from the Zalkonian weapon.

As Doe and Crusher enter the bridge, Sunad furiously orders his ship's weapons targeted on the Enterprise . Before it can fire, Doe simply raises a hand, instantly transporting Sunad from his ship's bridge to the Enterprise . Sunad insists to Picard that Doe and his kind are a severe danger to society, but Doe tells Picard the truth: the Zalkonian species is on the verge of an amazing evolutionary change, but Sunad and their society's other leaders, fearful of something they don't understand and perceiving a threat to their authority, have decried the changes as "evil" and been murdering any members of their society who exhibit them. Doe and three of his fellows decided to flee Zalkon and let the changes take their course, but only Doe has survived, with the help of the Enterprise crew.

Doe gasps in sudden pain and undergoes the final metamorphosis , becoming a luminous being of pure energy. He tells Sunad there is nothing to fear, but Sunad recoils in terror. Doe says that they can no longer prevent him from telling the rest of Zalkon what is happening to them. He returns Sunad to his own ship, which quickly departs and heads back to Zalkon.

Leaving for parts unknown

Doe expresses how glad he was to have found people like those on the Enterprise but also apologizes to the people on the bridge for needing to leave, especially to Dr. Crusher. Captain Picard states his pride in being present at the birth of a new species, and the new energy life form says goodbye to Crusher before he wafts up and out of the ship into space.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366
• Medical log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)

Memorable quotes [ ]

" You must let her see the fire in your eyes. "

" But what would I say?! " " Words come later. It is the scent that first speaks of love. " " Thanks, Worf. That helps a lot. "

" What happened to you? " " Oh, I was kayaking on the holodeck again... "

" I have much to teach you about women. "

" Less talk, more synthehol . We came here to relax. "

" I've been tutoring him. He learns very quickly. "

" Well, maybe I am a little bit more confident than I used to be. "

" Hey, Doc! I'm dying out here! "

" Damn it, you nearly killed a member of my crew... " " And healed him. " " I'm not forgetting that. That's the reason he's here and not in the brig . "

" It is our mission to seek out life in all forms. We are privileged to have been present at the emergence of a new species. "

Background information [ ]

Re-editing the remastered episode in 2012

Production history [ ]

• First draft script: 16 March 1990
• Revised final draft script: 27 March 1990 [1]
• Technical notes by David Krieger : 28 March 1990
• Filmed: 29 March 1990 – 6 April 1990 (7 days)
• Premiere airdate: 4 June 1990
• First UK airdate: 22 April 1992

Story and script [ ]

• This was the second episode written by René Echevarria . He recalled, " After selling " The Offspring " to the show, I went back to New York and Michael called me a couple of weeks later and said he had a story that was dead in the water. It was a premise they had bought involving us finding some crashed ship on a little moon and there's a man who's basically dead and we use miraculous 24th century medicine and bring him back to life. We practically grow him back, but who is he and what's the story? I thought about it for awhile and came up with the basic idea of 'Transfigurations,' that someone was evolving out of their Human form into an energy being. We've seen both of those stories before, but we've never seen the intermediate step. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 198)
• After completing the first draft, Echevarria was called back to help on the rewrite, which was divided by acts among the writing staff. The script then received a polish by Piller. ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 198)
• Michael Piller commented, " We wanted to do a show where we get to see 24th century medicine up close and personal. Beverly Crusher uses all her skills to save an alien, reconstructing him and putting him back together and sort of falling in love with him. It's a very spiritual kind of show. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 198)

Production [ ]

Director Tom Benko with Julie Warner and LeVar Burton

The injured John Doe

• The scene with John Doe transformed was in fact done live with only minor post-production touch-up. Actor Mark La Mura wore a fluorescent orange suit that glowed on the special film used. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 129))

Sets, props and costumes [ ]

• This episode marks the first appearance of the large laboratory set, later re-used as stellar cartography and a number of other laboratories.
• A large transparent interface seen on the bridge of the Zalkonian warship was previously seen on the surface of Risa in the teaser of " Captain's Holiday ". A second display that is seen behind the Risian one first appeared in Picard's alternate ready room in " Yesterday's Enterprise " and would later reappear in Benjamin Maxwell 's ready room aboard the USS Phoenix in " The Wounded ".
• The musical score in the final scene as John Doe leaves the ship was reused by composer Dennis McCarthy in the series finale " All Good Things... " as the poker game continues and we leave the ship; the rolling suspended cymbal and the trumpet solo of the fanfare portion of the Alexander Courage 's Star Trek: The Original Series theme tune were added for the finale.

Continuity [ ]

• This episode was the first to establish Miles O'Brien 's love of kayaking and the usual associated shoulder dislocation, both of which would be revisited many times in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .
• Though only seen briefly, John Doe has actually lost his left arm during the crash. It is apparently later replaced with an artificial arm; however, spoken dialogue suggests it was stored in stasis and later reattached. Furthermore, parts of his facial skin and skull have been torn off during his crash, revealing his brain and his molars.
• Christy Henshaw shows overt romantic interest in Geordi despite having rejected his previous overtures and claiming she wasn't interested in him "in that way" in " Booby Trap ".

Reception [ ]

• A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine  issue 14 , pp. 48-51.

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 37, 17 February 1992
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment ): Volume 3.8, 2 October 2000
• As part of the TNG Season 3 DVD collection
• As part of the TNG Season 3 Blu-ray collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
• Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker

Also starring [ ]

• LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
• Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf
• Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher
• Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
• Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data
• Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher

Guest stars [ ]

• Mark La Mura as John Doe
• Charles Dennis as Sunad
• Julie Warner as Christy Henshaw
• Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien

Co-star [ ]

• Patti Tippo as Nurse Temple

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• Rachen Assapiomonwait as Nelson
• Majel Barrett as USS Enterprise -D computer voice
• Joe Baumann as Garvey
• Michael Braveheart as Martinez
• Debbie David as Russell
• Jeremy Doyle as operations ensign
• Doug Drexler as command division officer
• Eben Ham as operations division ensign
• Kim as operations division officer
• Casey Kono as operations ensign
• Mark Lentry as science division officer
• Tim McCormack as Bennett
• John Milke as Zalkonian officer
• John Rice as science division officer
• Denise Lynne Roberts as Patti
• Joycelyn Robinson as Gates
• Joseph Michael Roth as Starfleet engineer
• Brian Tomlinson as Zalkonian officer
• Guy Vardaman as Darien Wallace
• Command division officer
• Female civilian
• Female command division officer
• Female operations division officer
• Female science division officer
• Science division officer
• Ten Forward waiter
• Ten Forward waitress
• Three female civilians

Stunt double [ ]

• Rusty McClennon as stunt double for Michael Dorn

Stand-ins [ ]

• Jeffrey Deacon – stand-in for Patrick Stewart
• Nora Leonhardt – stand-in for Marina Sirtis
• Tim McCormack – stand-in for Brent Spiner
• Lorine Mendell – stand-in for Gates McFadden
• Guy Vardaman – stand-in for Wil Wheaton

References [ ]

47 ; ability ; accusation ; alien ; amnesia ; arboretum ; arm ; arrival ; assignment ; ATP ; authority ; autonomic function ; battle ; bearing ; bingo ; biochemical storage medium ; bioscan ; blood plasma ; body ; brain ; brain stem ; brig ; capital offense ; cardiostimulation ; cc ; cell ; cell regeneration ; cell structure ; charm ; chemical element ; chest cavity ; citizen ; civilization ; code seven ; colleague ; computer ; computer system ; control booth ; control system ; cough ; course ; criminal ; cryogenic stasis ; culture ; data processing system ; day ; death ; death sentence ; debris ; defense ; device ; diagnostic center ; dinner ; dissent ; distance ; doctor ; Doe's ship ; El-Baz ; electrical field ; emergency bio-support unit ; energy pulse ; escape pod ; experiment ; extended orbit ; eye ; face ; false sense ; Federation ; feedback loop controller ; feeling ; flight path ; foot ; frame of reference ; friendship ; G-type star ; generation ; gratitude ; guest ; hail ; head ; heading ; heart ; hello ; holodeck ; hour ; humanoid ; hypothesis ; immune system ; inaprovaline ; infection ; information ; injury ( wound ); instinct ; intercept course ; intimacy ; joint dislocation ; judgment ; kayaking ; law ; leader ; leg ; lie ; life sign ; long range scanner ; love ; magnetic inducer ; matrix translator ; medical emergency ; medical log ; medical staff ; medical tricorder ; memory ; memory loss ; memory RNA ; memory pathway ; metabolic analysis ; metal ; metamorphosis ; minute ; mission ; month ; motive ; motor assist band ; muscle ; mutation ; nacelle ; natural order ; navigational chart ; neck ; nervous system ; neural net ; neuroendocrine function ; neurofeedback ; neurofibrowave ; neurolink ; neuromuscular function ; neurotherapy ; neutron star ; night ; non-corporeal lifeform ; nucleic acid ; organ ; osteotractor frame ; pain ; parsec ; patient ; phaser ; physical being ; physiology ; place ; plasma ; prisoner ; protodynoplaser ; pulsar ; quantity ; radiation level ; recovery ; recuperative power ; reflex ; refusion ; relapse ; resuscitation team ; rotational period ; scent ; Sector 9569 ; sensor range ; shipwreck ; shoulder ; shuttlebay 2 ; sickbay ; smile ; society ; sorrow ; spaceship ; speed ; star ; star chart ; starboard ; stellar object ; storage capsule (aka storage cube ); strength of will ; survivor ; symbol ; synaptic induction ; synthehol ; synthetic compound ; tactical analysis ; theory ; tissue ; tissue oxygenation ; trace element ; transfiguration ; transformational matrix calculation ; transgression ; transmutation ; transporter room three ; trauma ; treatment ; trespassing ; tricorder ; truth ; tutor ; value ; virus ; vital signs ; walking ; weapons range ; week ; Zalkon ; Zalkonians ; Zalkonian escape pod ; Zalkonian leaders ; Zalkonian prisoners ; Zalkonian space ; Zalkonian warship ; Zalkonian star system ; Zeta Gelis star cluster ; Zeta Gelis star cluster planet ; Zeta Gelis star cluster sector ; Zeta Gelis star cluster star ; Zeta Gelis star cluster star system

Other References [ ]

• Shuttlebay Operations: Ansel Adams ; approach vector ; Armstrong ; Chris Pike ; Clarke ; Cochrane ; Cousteau ; Curie ; Decartes ; Einstein ; El Baz ; Feynman ; Hangar 1 ; Hangar 2 ; Hangar 3 ; Hangar 4 ; Hangar 5 ; Heinlein ; Indiana Jones ; JF Kennedy ; Lindberg ; main shuttlebay ; McAuliffe ; Onizuka ; PT Farnsworth ; primary acquisition zone ; refit ; Sakharov ; Sam Freedle ; Shuttlebay 3 ; Starbase 515 ; Tereshkova ; tractor control zone ; Type 7 shuttlecraft ; Type 15 shuttlepod ; Von Braun

External links [ ]

• " Transfigurations " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Transfigurations " at Wikipedia
• "Transfigurations" at StarTrek.com
• " Transfigurations " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
• "Transfigurations" script  at Star Trek Minutiae
• " Transfigurations " at the Internet Movie Database
• 2 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Transfigurations

Cast & crew.

Mark Lamura

Charles Dennis

Cmdr. Sunad

Julie Warner

Christy Henshaw

Colm Meaney

Chief Miles O'Brien

Patti Tippo

Nurse Temple

Information

© 2013 CBS Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 3, Episode 25

Transfigurations, where to watch, star trek: the next generation — season 3, episode 25.

Watch Star Trek: The Next Generation — Season 3, Episode 25 with a subscription on Paramount+, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

More Like This

Cast & crew.

Patrick Stewart

Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes

Cmdr. William Riker

LeVar Burton

Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn

Gates McFadden

Dr. Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis

Counselor Deanna Troi

Episode Info

• Web Channels
• Star Trek: The Next Generation

Transfigurations

The Enterprise crew saves a badly injured humanoid who possesses remarkable powers.

Colm Meaney

Julie Warner

Mark La Mura

Patti Tippo

Charles Dennis

Cast appearances.

Patrick Stewart

Jonathan Frakes

Michael Dorn

Gates McFadden

Marina Sirtis

Brent Spiner

Episode discussion.

No comments yet. Be the first!

• Star Trek: The Next Generation

Transfigurations

Star trek: the next generation  - s3  - e25.

Stardate: 43957.2. Dr. Crusher becomes attracted to an injured alien with mysterious powers, who is being tracked down by his government like a wanted criminal.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 3 - 26 Episode s

3x1 - Evolution

September 25, 1989

Stardate: 43125.8. A system-wide computer malfunction places the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise in grave danger while they are escorting a scientist to a star in the process of exploding.

3x2 - The Ensigns of Command

October 2, 1989

Stardate: 43133.3. A human colony is forced to evacuate a planet when the original inhabitants return and threaten the colonists with annihilation if they do not leave within four days.

3x3 - The Survivors

October 9, 1989

Stardate: 43152.4. The Enterprise discovers a planet that has had all life eradicated, except for two mysterious residents and their home, which has been left in perfect condition.

3x4 - Who Watches the Watchers

October 16, 1989

Stardate: 43173.5. An away team inadvertently breaks the Prime Directive and reveal themselves to a primitive culture on Mintaka III, causing the inhabitants believe that Captain Picard is a God.

3x5 - The Bonding

October 23, 1989

Worf and Wesley must help a 12 year old boy cope with the death of his mother; an archaeologist killed during an away mission to a deserted planet.

3x6 - Booby Trap

October 30, 1989

Stardate: 43205.6. While investigating an ancient ship left adrift in space, the Enterprise accidentally trips the ancient booby trap that disabled the old vessel over 1000 years ago.

3x7 - The Enemy

November 6, 1989

Stardate:43349.2. A blind Geordie is trapped on a hazardous planet with a paranoid and severely injured Romulan. In orbit, a Romulan Warbird is preventing the Enterprise from attempting a rescue mission.

3x8 - The Price

November 13, 1989

Stardate: 43385.6. The Enterprise hosts the negotiations for the rights to a newly discovered, stable wormhole to the Delta Quadrant. One of the negotiators, Devinoni Ral, becomes attracted to Deanna Troi, but he holds a dubious secret.

3x9 - The Vengeance Factor

November 20, 1989

Stardate: 43421.9. The Enterprise crew tries to mend the relationship between a race known as the Acamarians and a faction known as the Gatherers.

3x10 - The Defector

January 1, 1990

Stardate: 43462.5. A defecting Romulan warns the Federation about an impending attack by the Romulans, who are secretly establishing bases within the Neutral Zone.

3x11 - The Hunted

January 8, 1990

Stardate: 43489.2. A potentially new member of the Federation enlists the help of the Enterprise to track down a wanted criminal who has a reputation for his excessive violence. However, the fugitive's actions may not be of his own will.

3x12 - The High Ground

January 29, 1990

Stardate: 43510.7. Dr. Crusher is abducted by a group of terrorists while delivering crucial medical supplies to a planet ravaged by civil war.

3x13 - Déjà Q

February 5, 1990

Stardate: 43539.1. A Calamarian starts attacking the Enterprise while seeking revenge on a powerless Q.

3x14 - A Matter of Perspective

February 12, 1990

Stardate: 43610.4. Riker is accused of murder when a scientist is killed in an explosion. Picard must recreate the recent events in the holodeck to prove his commander's innocence.

3x15 - Yesterday's Enterprise

February 19, 1990

Stardate: 43625.2. A rift in the space/time continuum brings the U.S.S. Enterprise - C forward into the 24th Century, and alters the timeline. In this future, the Federation is at war with the Klingons, Tasha Yar is on the bridge, Worf did not join the Federation, and only Guinan's unique perception of reality may restore the timeline.

3x16 - The Offspring

March 12, 1990

Stardate: 43657.0. Data becomes a father when he creates a Soong-type android in the form of a daughter named Lal. Issues are complicated when Lal starts showing signs of a more evolved consciousness, including the ability to feel emotions, which attracts the attention of Starfleet scientists who want to take her away from Data and examine her advanced systems.

3x17 - Sins of the Father

March 19, 1990

Stardate: 43685.2. Worf is reunited with his long-lost brother when their father is charged with treason for helping the Romulans. Together they make an appeal to the Klingon High Council to challenge the charges, and have them revoked.

3x18 - Allegiance

March 26, 1990

Stardate: 43714.1. Picard is secretly abducted and switched with an alien double. The crews' suspicions are raised when he starts exhibiting unusual behaviour, and is relieved of command.

3x19 - Captain's Holiday

April 2, 1990

Stardate: 43745.2. While on vacation on Risa, Captain Picard encounters two Vorgons from the 27th Century who claim they are searching for a powerful weapon hidden somewhere on the planet.

3x20 - Tin Man

April 23, 1990

Stardate: 43779.3. The Enterprise encounters a 'living' ship in the Neutral Zone, and risks breaking the Romulan Federation alliance in order to bring it into contact with a Betazoid emissary.

3x21 - Hollow Pursuits

April 30, 1990

Stardate: 43807.4. A nervous and insecure officer, Lt. Reginald Barclay, places the Enterprise in great danger when he neglects his duties in Engineering, and instead spends his time acting out his fantasies on the holodeck.

3x22 - The Most Toys

May 7, 1990

Stardate: 43872.2. The crew are shattered by the apparent death of Data in a shuttle explosion, and are prevented from carrying out a detailed investigation when Starfleet gives them orders for a new mission elsewhere. However, the crew don't realize that he was actually abducted and placed on display as part of a collection of rare and valuable items held by a disreputable character.

3x23 - Sarek

May 14, 1990

Stardate: 43917.4. Spock's Vulcan father, Sarek, boards the Enterprise to negotiate political relations with the Legaran. However, Sarek has contract Bendii syndrome, which causes a Vulcan to gradually lose control, and become overpowered with emotions.

3x24 - Ménage à Troi

May 28, 1990

Stardate: 43930.7. Riker and Deanna, both on shoreleave, are unexpectedly joined by Deanna's mother, Lwaxana, on Betazed. Shortly, all three are kidnapped by the Ferengi who want to study Lwaxana's telepathic abilities.

3x25 - Transfigurations

June 4, 1990

3x26 - The Best of Both Worlds (1)

June 18, 1990

Stardate: 43989.1 An Starfleet expert on the Borg, Lt. Cmdr. Shelby, is assigned to the Enterprise to investigate the disappearance of a Federation colony. Picard is abducted by the Borg and assimilated into the Collective, which forces Riker to attempt a rescue mission.

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Mark Watches ‘The Next Generation’: S03E25 – Transfigurations

In the twenty-fifth and penultimate episode of the third season of The Next Generation , Dr. Crusher helps rehabilitate a mysterious person who is part of a larger conflict. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Star Trek .

This isn’t the best ending to an episode, but it’s actually one of the better uses of a common storytelling trope in fiction. I have written about it before, but I often bore of having to watch amnesia stories because writers often rely on the same twists and turns when telling a story. And it’s simply not all that interesting when a real phenomenon is used in such condescending or pointless ways.

I think what makes this feel so different is that John Doe’s amnesia isn’t just a plot point. He’s brought into the show with a grievous injury, one that he nearly dies from, and his amnesia is part of his physical disability, one that puts him in weeks worth of rehabilitation. There is a mystery attached to his identity, but it’s not invoked within that familiar trope of someone we already know losing their identity and then ~wacky capers~ happen or they get a chance for the writers to write them utterly out of character. It’s part of a genuine journey for himself, one that’s frustrating, scary, and uncomfortable. It doesn’t feel like an insubstantial part of who he is, and I think that’s a vital part of why this episode is such a genuine experience.

You know, I couldn’t quite put my finger on why this episode was so entertaining for me, and I realized after it ended that John Doe’s charm was part of everything here. This is a charming episode because it’s just so nice . From Dr. Crusher’s compassion and dedication to John’s behavior, this is a story about people believing in the best possible world and then making that happen . Despite knowing nothing about John Doe, the Enterprise crew take him in and use their resources him to nurse him back to health. Picard constantly checks in on him and is utterly gracious towards him. No one makes him feel odd or out of place, at least not until John begins to exhibit some dangerous side affects of his transformation. Even then? Picard and the others try to understand him, you know?

Despite that it’s uncomfortable at times, the writers even manage to develop a believable “romance” of sorts between John and Dr. Crusher. It’s hard for an episodic television show like The Next Generation to develop a romance that makes me feel anything . I mean, I’m still going to ship Dr. Crusher and Picard because THAT’S CLEARLY THE BEST SHIP HERE. But I understood why Dr. Crusher had such complicated feelings for John Doe. First of all, the script did a fine job of communicating just how much time they’d spent together. By the time Geordi realizes that John Doe may have done something to help his confidence (we still don’t know if he actually did), more than a month has passed. And Dr. Crusher has been with John Doe every day that whole time. Just in terms of logistics, it’s totally possible for someone to start to develop feelings in that amount of time.

It also helps that Mark La Mura plays John Doe so well, because he’s actually likable. We don’t doubt his kindness or his compassion. And when he fucks up and harms people around him in the midst of his transformation, he doesn’t try to duck away from his responsibility. After healing O’Brien earlier in the episode, he turns his ability on Worf, bringing the Klingon back to life after accidentally killing him. Hell, even at the end of the episode, he uses his powers to save THE ENTIRE SHIP AT ONCE. So why wouldn’t Dr. Crusher develop feelings for him? I think that the writers validated this turn by having Wesley offer his support to his mother, one of the downright sweetest scenes in the whole season. (I would totally love more scenes with just the two of them.)

So when we finally learned what was actually happening here, it was meaningful. We were sad about the lost potential for a friendship for Dr. Crusher and John Doe. It also made John’s transformation to his final form all the most impressive. I mean, y’all: WE GOT TO SEE A NEW SPECIES FORM BEFORE OUR EYES. How cool is that shit? Not only that, but there was a neat anti-oppression theme to John Doe’s escape. The culture he grew up in believed him to be evil because of that metamorphosis he was going through, so they criminalized him and demonized his “disease.” There’s a part of me that wishes I’d seen more of the Zalkonians because the end of “Transfigurations” is unfortunately abrupt, but I still think this was a damn strong episode. Oh gods, I’ve made it to the end of the third season??? How did this happen???

The video for “Transfigurations” can be downloaded here for $0.99 .

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STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION Season 3, Episode 25

Transfigurations.

When the Enterprise discovers a severely injured humanoid in the wreckage of an escape pod, Geordi volunteers to have his nervous system hooked up to the stranger's, in order to stabilize him. During the process, a wave of visible energy is transmitted from the humanoid to Geordi. Dr. Crusher holds little hope for the recovery of the patient she has dubbed "John Doe," but he soon begins to exhibit amazing recuperative powers. While his damaged tissue is repairing itself at a remarkable rate, "John's" undamaged cells are mutating in a manner incomprehensible to the doctor. Evidence surrounding the pod's wreckage indicates that it was involved in a battle, but when "John" awakens, he is unable to remember anything from his past. When Picard tells him that they have nearly determined the coordinates of his origin and that he will soon be returned to his planet, "John" experiences a sense of fear and tells Picard that he thinks he was trying to escape his planet, but cannot remember why. Meanwhile, "John's" presence seems to bring a sense of serenity to the crew members he is in contact with, particularly Geordi. "John" then exhibits remarkable powers when he heals O'Brien's dislocated shoulder with a touch of his hand, which emits the same wave of visible energy that entered Geordi. jssor_1_slider_init(); [ Complete Screencap Index ] "John," however, is soon plagued by intermittent bouts of severe pain which frighten him into trying to steal a shuttlecraft. When Worf tries to stop him, "John" suddenly convulses in pain and then pulses into a large flare, knocking Worf off a catwalk to the deck below. Dr. Crusher's examination of Worf shows a broken neck and no vital signs, but when "John" touches him, a glow of light again emanates from his hand and Worf is completely healed. When Dr. Crusher reports that "John's" rate of cell mutation is increasing, he fears that he will be dangerous to the crew and asks Picard to let him leave. However, their conversation is interrupted by the approach of an unidentified vessel which begins scanning the U.S.S. Enterprise. The commander of the ship, Sunad of Zalkon, demands the return of "John," declaring that he is an escaped prisoner sentenced to death for acts of agitation. Having no memory of the past, "John" can neither confirm nor deny the accusation, but offers to surrender in order to prevent endangering the U.S.S. Enterprise. When Picard refuses to turn "John" over, the entire crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise is suddenly struck with paralysis. Realization of his past slowly dawns on "John" and he calmly departs for the Bridge where, by touching a console, his energy spreads to cover the entire starship and heals the crew. With a wave of his hand, "John" brings Sunad onto the Bridge and explains to Picard that his species is on the verge of an evolutionary change and that the rulers, fearing a loss of power, began to destroy the first members to go through the metamorphosis. Sunad is then returned to his ship and "John," having evolved into a form of energy, prepares to return to his people to spread the word of the coming rebirth.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Transfigurations (1990), full cast & crew.

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Trivia / Star Trek: The Next Generation S3E25 "Transfigurations"

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• Prop Recycling : The Zalkonian warship is a reuse of the Tarellian starship model from " Haven ".
• Star Trek: The Next Generation S3E24 "Ménage à Troi"
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