An error occurred while getting the content

Section Actions: Edit | Talk

  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews

Transfigurations

  • Episode aired Jun 2, 1990

Gates McFadden and Mark La Mura in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

The Enterprise finds a deserted planet where a ship has crashed, and, with it, the lone survivor with no memory, but extraordinary healing powers. The Enterprise finds a deserted planet where a ship has crashed, and, with it, the lone survivor with no memory, but extraordinary healing powers. The Enterprise finds a deserted planet where a ship has crashed, and, with it, the lone survivor with no memory, but extraordinary healing powers.

  • Gene Roddenberry
  • René Echevarria
  • Ronald D. Moore
  • Patrick Stewart
  • Jonathan Frakes
  • LeVar Burton
  • 15 User reviews
  • 9 Critic reviews

Gates McFadden, Patrick Stewart, and Mark La Mura in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

  • Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes

  • Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

LeVar Burton

  • Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn

  • Lieutenant Worf

Gates McFadden

  • Doctor Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis

  • Counselor Deanna Troi

Brent Spiner

  • Lieutenant Commander Data

Wil Wheaton

  • Wesley Crusher

Mark La Mura

  • (as Mark Lamura)

Charles Dennis

  • Cmdr. Sunad

Julie Warner

  • Christy Henshaw

Colm Meaney

  • Chief Miles O'Brien

Patti Tippo

  • Nurse Temple

Joyce Agu

  • Ensign Gates
  • (uncredited)
  • Crewman Nelson

Majel Barrett

  • Enterprise Computer
  • Crewman Garvey
  • Crewman Martinez
  • All cast & crew
  • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

  • Trivia In what will become a character trademark on both TNG and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) , Miles O'Brien reports to Sick Bay after injuring his shoulder in a Holodeck kayak simulation. It's not his first accident, because Wesley asks "Kayaking again?"
  • Goofs After Data and the away team beam to the planet to investigate the crashed vessel, Data does a scan and says that the radiation levels are all right. The team did not beam to the planet wearing any special equipment, so the scan should have been done before they transported.

Lieutenant Worf : Less talk - more synthehol!

  • Connections Featured in Top 10 Star Trek Technobabbles (2008)
  • Soundtracks Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User reviews 15

  • Jul 9, 2019
  • June 2, 1990 (United States)
  • United States
  • Official site
  • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (Studio)
  • Paramount Television
  • See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

  • Runtime 46 minutes
  • Dolby Digital

Related news

Contribute to this page.

  • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
  • Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Production art

Recently viewed

Memory Beta, non-canon Star Trek Wiki

A friendly reminder regarding spoilers ! At present the expanded Trek universe is in a period of major upheaval with the continuations of Discovery and Prodigy , the advent of new eras in gaming with the Star Trek Adventures RPG , Star Trek: Infinite and Star Trek Online , as well as other post-57th Anniversary publications such as the ongoing IDW Star Trek comic and spin-off Star Trek: Defiant . Therefore, please be courteous to other users who may not be aware of current developments by using the {{ spoiler }}, {{ spoilers }} OR {{ majorspoiler }} tags when adding new information from sources less than six months old (even if it is minor info). Also, please do not include details in the summary bar when editing pages and do not anticipate making additions relating to sources not yet in release. THANK YOU

  • Starship classes
  • Destroyer classes

Zalkonian destroyer

  • View history

The Destroyer class was a type of starship used by the Zalkonians for defense. These ships had a maximum warp speed of 9.75. ( CCG set: Q-Continuum )

A ship of this class pursued the fugitive " John Doe " into the Zeta Gelis Cluster . ( TNG episode : " Transfigurations ")

External link [ ]

  • Zalkonian destroyer article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .

Log in or Sign up

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser .

Discussion in ' Star Trek: The Next Generation ' started by Tesophius , Mar 11, 2017 .

Tesophius

Tesophius Captain Captain

It's said that their ship is as maneuverable and has similar set of weapons as the Galaxy class Starfleet starship, indicating that they're on par, technologically, with the Federation. If so, why don't we hear more of them? Are they mentioned anywhere in the literature (I haven't read much of it)?  

Mojochi

Mojochi Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

I haven't read much on them either, but they were heretofore undiscovered until Sunad dropped by, & afterward? I imagine a pretty difficult period in their history unfolding, with major portions of their population transforming into non-corporeal life-forms... & if that ended up happening to all of them eventually, I imagine it's possible traditional relations with them would be less likely than before, when Sunad claims they didn't want any relations to begin with  

Timo

Timo Fleet Admiral Admiral

Also, the Galaxy class operates on the distant frontier, or at least is reputed to have been designed for that. Its Zalkonian counterpart may well do likewise, and the two star empires are indeed far, far away from each other, with only the bravest of their deep space explorers ever having chance meetings. Sunad's "You are trespassing on our turf" may have to be taken with a grain of salt, possibly being more in the lines of "You are within our sphere of influence, as evidenced by our long chase of that freak and criminal bringing us and our mighty warship to this location" ... Timo Saloniemi  
Timo said: ↑ Also, the Galaxy class operates on the distant frontier, or at least is reputed to have been designed for that. Its Zalkonian counterpart may well do likewise, and the two star empires are indeed far, far away from each other, with only the bravest of their deep space explorers ever having chance meetings. Sunad's "You are trespassing on our turf" may have to be taken with a grain of salt, possibly being more in the lines of "You are within our sphere of influence, as evidenced by our long chase of that freak and criminal bringing us and our mighty warship to this location" ... Timo Saloniemi Click to expand...

Nerys Myk

Nerys Myk A Spock and a smile Premium Member

Tesophius said: ↑ It's said that their ship is as maneuverable and has similar set of weapons as the Galaxy class Starfleet starship, indicating that they're on par, technologically, with the Federation. If so, why don't we hear more of them? Are they mentioned anywhere in the literature (I haven't read much of it)? Click to expand...

publiusr

publiusr Admiral Admiral

Their ship: http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Zalkonian_warship Now, I cannot help but wonder if they were equal to the Ancients of Stargate--except with a natural ascending ability.  

Leviathan

Leviathan Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

The ending had Energy-John fly out of the bridge window...rather slowly....while the Ent-D was in deep space. I can think of 2 outcomes: 1. Turns out Energy-John didn't know how to fly at Warp speed and spent the next several thousand years plodding back home. 2. Energy-John goes back in time 800 years and embeds himself in a candle inherited by all the Howard women....the horror.  
Leviathan said: ↑ Energy-John goes back in time 800 years and embeds himself in a candle inherited by all the Howard women....the horror. Click to expand...

JirinPanthosa

JirinPanthosa Admiral Admiral

Zalkonians were portrayed as isolationist, so it's likely they just didn't care to meet us. Even if after they transcended they became less isolationist, it probably took several hundred years to convince the rest of the planet to become that way, and after they were, the only contact they'd need to have with the Federation is friendship for friendship's sake. That's more the Federation's bag.  

Finn

Finn Bad Batch of TrekBBS Admiral

Leviathan said: ↑ 2. Energy-John goes back in time 800 years and embeds himself in a candle inherited by all the Howard women....the horror. Click to expand...
That ref' went over my head.  
publiusr said: ↑ That ref' went over my head. Click to expand...
...to be fair, Sub Rosa is usually located below the head region. Mostly it's in the colon.  
  • Log in with Facebook
  • No, create an account now.
  • Yes, my password is:
  • Forgot your password?
  • Search titles only

Separate names with a comma.

  • Search this thread only
  • Display results as threads

Useful Searches

  • Recent Posts
  • Live Action Species
  • Spacefaring Civilizations
  • Energy Beings
  • 1990 Debuts
  • Evolved Species
  • View history

Zalkonian

The Zalkonians are a reclusive race native to the planet of Zalkon. In the 24th century, many individuals of the race were transforming into non-corporeal beings. The government dealt with these individuals harshly. Zalkonian warships are relatively advanced, and pose a risk to a Galaxy-class Federation vessel. The warships also possess some sort weapon which is able to suffocate crews of enemy vessels. First Contact with the United Federation of Planets occurred in 2366. The Zalkonians seem to occupy a region of space of unknown size. The Federation has apparently not been aware of the Zalkonians or their space as of 2366.

Ex Astris Scientia

Observations in TNG: "Transfigurations"

A joint project with TrekCore , by Jörg Hillebrand and Bernd Schneider

star trek zalkonian

https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/observations/transfigurations.htm

Last modified: 08 Jun 2023

star trek zalkonian

© Ex Astris Scientia 1998-2024, Legal Terms

This website is not endorsed, sponsored or affiliated with CBS Studios Inc. or the Star Trek franchise.

Fleet Yards

Star Trek home

  • More to Explore
  • Series & Movies

Coming Soon

Blast, that page isn’t here yet. Return to the homepage or try a search .

If you think there should be something here, please reach out for support .

Zalkonian Warship

  • VisualEditor
  • View history

The Zalkonian Warship is a Zalkonian (militia ship).

ZalkonianWarship

Zalkonian Warship.

  • 1 Description
  • 2 Performance
  • 3 Abilities
  • 6 External References

Description [ | ]

Performance [ | ], abilities [ | ], gallery [ | ], see also [ | ], external references [ | ].

Screen Rant

Star trek: discovery reveals a voyager enemy played a big role in the temporal wars.

Rayner reveals the links between Star Trek: Discovery's time bug and a deep-cut Star Trek: Voyager enemy, tying them to the Temporal Wars.

WARNING: Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange"

  • Commander Rayner reveals the Krenim's role in Temporal Wars in Star Trek: Discovery S5E4, connecting Star Trek's past to the future of the USS Discovery.
  • The Krenim's advanced technology creates a time bug in Discovery, tying them to Temporal Wars as arms dealers or major power.
  • Star Trek: Discovery raises questions about the Krenim's alignment in Temporal Wars, hinting at possible alliances with the Federation and the Delta Quadrant.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange", Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) confirms that a Star Trek: Voyager enemy played a huge role during the Temporal Wars. "Face the Strange", written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose, finds Rayner, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) cycling through moments from the USS Discovery's past and future. The trio's temporal predicament is caused by a time bug, a device that is designed to trap its target inside their own timestream, allowing Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) to get ahead of Discovery.

Star Trek: Discovery 's time bug was created by the Krenim, a technologically advanced species first encountered by the USS Voyager . In Star Trek: Voyager season 4, episodes 8 and 9, "Year of Hell", Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the USS Voyager were devastated by a year-long conflict with a temporal scientist called Annorax, (Kurtwood Smith). The Krenim's mastery of temporal technology was incredibly advanced even in the 24th century. Now Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4 reveals that, centuries later, they were still a force to be reckoned with during the Temporal Wars.

Voyager Is Why Star Trek Is Replacing Discovery’s Spore Drive

Discovery reveals voyager's krenim played a big role in star trek's temporal wars.

Star Trek: Discovery 's time bug is just a nickname, the device is referred to as a " Krenim chronphage " and Rayner states that they're " left over from the Temporal War ." This heavily implies that the Krenim were a big player in the Temporal Wars, first introduced in Star Trek: Enterprise . Whether the Krenim were involved in the fighting or merely providing weaponry is unclear, but the fact that the time bugs were being used in the conflict creates a direct link with Star Trek: Voyager 's race of temporal scientists.

It makes sense for the Krenim to be involved in Star Trek 's Temporal Wars , given how advanced their temporal technology must have become in the 500 years after their encounter with the USS Voyager. In "Year of Hell", the Krenim had built a weapon that could negate the existence of their enemies. Technology such as that would be of great interest to those involved in fighting the Temporal War. It's likely, therefore, that the Krenim were at least very successful arms dealers during the conflict, and at worst one of the Temporal War's major powers.

Whose Side Were Voyager's Krenim Enemies On In Star Trek's Temporal Wars?

Star Trek: Enterprise previously revealed that the Federation, the Na'kuhl, and the Sphere Builders were all in conflict during the Temporal War . The Krenim weren't named during Enterprise , so Star Trek: Discovery 's revelations about the use of their technology raises questions about whose side they were on during the Temporal Wars. If they weren't, as Enterprise suggests, an opposing power, then they must have been allied to someone. It's possible that once the Federation began expanding into the Delta Quadrant they formed an alliance with the Krenim, making them allies during the Temporal War.

In Star Trek: Discovery , Rayner specifically states that Krenim time bugs are sold on the black market, in reference to the Federation outlawing temporal technology. Non-Federation species wouldn't be tied to this restriction, suggesting that the Krenim would become members in the 500 years after Star Trek: Voyager . With Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 set to return to the Delta Quadrant, it's possible that fans could soon get an update on the Krenim, and their future relationship with Starfleet and the Federation in the centuries before the Temporal Wars.

Star Trek: Prodigy season 2 will be released on Netflix later in 2024.

Star Trek: Discovery streams Thursdays on Paramount+

Star Trek: Discovery

*Availability in US

Not available

Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.

Star Trek: Voyager

The fifth entry in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Voyager, is a sci-fi series that sees the crew of the USS Voyager on a long journey back to their home after finding themselves stranded at the far ends of the Milky Way Galaxy. Led by Captain Kathryn Janeway, the series follows the crew as they embark through truly uncharted areas of space, with new species, friends, foes, and mysteries to solve as they wrestle with the politics of a crew in a situation they've never faced before. 

Star Trek: Enterprise

Star Trek: Enterprise acts as a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, detailing the voyages of the original crew of the Starship Enterprise in the 22nd century, a hundred years before Captain Kirk commanded the ship. Enterprise was the sixth series in the Star Trek franchise overall, and the final series before a twelve-year hiatus until the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. The series stars Scott Bakula as Captain Jonathan Archer, with an ensemble cast that includes John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, and Connor Trinneer.

Memory Alpha

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 [ ]

Worf, La Forge, and Henshaw

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.

Energy transfers to La Forge

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.

John Doe physical therapy

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 [ ]

Henshaw and La Forge

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.

Geordi La Forge and William T

" 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.

O'Brien and John Doe

" 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 .

Worf killed

" …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 [ ]

Beverly suffocating

" 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.

John Doe leaves Enterprise

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 [ ]

Transfigurations remastering

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 [ ]

Benko directing Transfigurations

Director Tom Benko with Julie Warner and LeVar Burton

Injured John Doe

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
  • 1 Abdullah bin al-Hussein

COMMENTS

  1. Zalkonian

    In 2366, the USS Enterprise -D discovered a crashed Zalkonian escape pod, and rescued one survivor that had suffered critical injuries. According to Dr. Beverly Crusher, the survivor suffered major trauma to his head and chest cavity, massive plasma loss, and severe damage to most of his organs. Dr. Crusher claimed that the survivor's body had ...

  2. Arkonian

    The Arkonians were a warp-capable humanoid species. In the early 2050s, the Arkonians achieved warp capability and the Vulcans soon made first contact with them. The first contact mission wasn't successful in establishing good relations. The Arkonians proved to be suspicious and deceitful and the Vulcans were soon recalled. For more than a century after that, the Arkonians and Vulcans had ...

  3. Zalkonian

    The Zalkonians were a reclusive humanoid race native to the planet of Zalkon. In the 24th century, many individuals of the race were transforming into non-corporeal lifeforms. The government dealt with these individuals harshly. Zalkonian warships were relatively advanced, and posed a risk to a Galaxy-class Federation vessel. The warships also possessed some sort of weapon which was able to ...

  4. Transfigurations

    Transfigurations. " Transfigurations " is the 25th episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 73rd episode of the series overall. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D.

  5. Star Trek Lives

    The Zalkonian government, fearful of these new beings, persecuted and attempted to kill everyone who experienced these mutations. One Zalkonian, who became known John Doe (pictured), escaped his homeworld, and was successful in allowing the metamorphosis aboard the Enterprise-D in 2366, becoming the first of his race to transmute into a ...

  6. Zalkonian

    John Doe evolving and his final form as a non-corporeal lifeform. The Zalkonians were an advanced warp-capable humanoid species native to the planet Zalkon.. By 2366, many Zalkonians began to undergo a process in which their DNA would mutate, causing them to transform into powerful non-corporeal lifeforms.They began experiencing isoelectric bursts as part of this process.

  7. star trek

    In Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Transfigurations," the Enterprise was intercepted by "Sudan," a Zalkonian tracking down "John Doe," the mutating Zalkonian. When Picard questioned Sudan's motives even after Sudan demanded John be turned over, he is seen on the viewscreen giving one of his crew members a look.

  8. star trek

    In the final scenes of TNG: "Transfigurations" (after meeting with Zalkonian ship), The Zalkonian Commander Sunad explains, that they have hunted down small ship, on which the alien ("John Doe") and three others escaped Zalkonian home planet, destroyed it and killed all abroad. The fact, that Enterprise crew has rescued John Doe was a real surprise to Sunad.

  9. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Transfigurations (TV Episode 1990)

    Transfigurations: Directed by Tom Benko. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn. The Enterprise finds a deserted planet where a ship has crashed, and, with it, the lone survivor with no memory, but extraordinary healing powers.

  10. Zalkonian space

    Zalkonian space was the territorial region of space claimed by the Zalkonians. This space was in Sector 9569 and at least one other sector. The planet Zalkon was also found in this region. In 2366, the USS Enterprise-D became the first Federation vessel to enter this space. They were transporting the Zalkonian "John Doe" to his people. (TNG: "Transfigurations")

  11. Remembering TNG Guest Star, Mark La Mura, 1948-2017

    Back in 1990, La Mura -- officially credited as Mark Lamura -- stepped into the Trek universe as a Zalkonian refugee, dubbed John Doe, who was treated aboard the Enterprise-D. Doe's breed was transmutating into energy-based beings while the Zalkonian junta attempted to annihilate them. Doe was successful, with Dr. Crusher's help. La Mura is survived by his wife and daughter.

  12. John Doe

    "John Doe" was the name given to a Zalkonian discovered among the wreckage of an escape pod by the USS Enterprise-D in 2366. "Doe" was one of many who represented the next evolutionary step for Zalkonians as they shed their corporeal forms and became beings of pure energy. "Doe" and three others fled his homeworld due to persecution by Zalkonian authorities, who viewed the evolution of ...

  13. Zalkonian destroyer

    Sci-fi. Star Trek. The Destroyer class was a type of starship used by the Zalkonians for defense. These ships had a maximum warp speed of 9.75. (CCG set: Q-Continuum) A ship of this class pursued the fugitive "John Doe" into the Zeta Gelis Cluster. (TNG episode: "Transfigurations") Zalkonian destroyer article at...

  14. Zalkonians

    Forums > Star Trek Series | 2364 - 2378 > Star Trek: The Next Generation > Zalkonians. ... Its Zalkonian counterpart may well do likewise, and the two star empires are indeed far, far away from each other, with only the bravest of their deep space explorers ever having chance meetings. Sunad's "You are trespassing on our turf" may have to be ...

  15. Zalkonian

    The Zalkonians are a reclusive race native to the planet of Zalkon. In the 24th century, many individuals of the race were transforming into non-corporeal beings. The government dealt with these individuals harshly. Zalkonian warships are relatively advanced, and pose a risk to a Galaxy-class Federation vessel. The warships also possess some sort weapon which is able to suffocate crews of ...

  16. Ex Astris Scientia

    The Zalkonian escape pod is a re-use of Kivas Fajo's shuttle, seen aboard the Jovis in "The Most Toys". Redresses of the Nenebek. The piece of debris in front of Geordi has been part of the ceiling of the Enterprise refit since "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". "The Most Toys" "Star Trek I" We can recognize more details, such as the ...

  17. Doe

    Name given to a Zalkonian refugee treated aboard the Enterprise-D. Doe's breed was transmutating into energy-based beings while the Zalkonian junta attempted to annihilate them.With Dr Crusher's help, Doe was successful.

  18. motor assist bands

    In 2366, the Zalkonian John Doe used these devices to rehabilitate his injured muscles following the reattachment of one of his arms. Two years later, Worf used and rejected them when he was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident.

  19. How "Long Range" are Long Range Sensors? : r/startrek

    In the engineering circles, basically, in canon, long range sensors are active, not passive. So a pulse of energy will travel at near infinite subspace velocity (canon speed is warp 9.9997) would still take about 45 minutes to travel 17+ light years. In short, active long range sensor pulses can scan out to 20 light years with enough resolution ...

  20. Zalkonian Warship

    The Zalkonian Warship is a Zalkonian (militia ship). TBD TBD TBD. Star Trek Armada 3 Wiki. Explore. Main Page; All Pages; Interactive Maps; navigation. Main page; Community portal; ... More Star Trek Armada 3 Wiki. 1 Borg Collective; 2 Romulan Star Empire; Explore properties. Fandom Muthead Fanatical Follow Us. Overview. What is Fandom? ...

  21. Zalkon

    Zalkon was an inhabited planet in an unknown star system in Sector 9569. This was the homeworld of the warp-capable humanoid Zalkonians. The Zeta Gelis star cluster, a star cluster in a neighboring sector, was located 3.2 parsecs from Zalkon. In 2366, John Doe and three other Zalkonians fled their homeworld in order to undergo the complete metamorphosis of their species from corporeal to non ...

  22. Star Trek: Discovery Reveals A Voyager Enemy Played A Big Role In The

    In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 4, "Face the Strange", Commander Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie) confirms that a Star Trek: Voyager enemy played a huge role during the Temporal Wars. "Face the Strange", written by Sean Cochran and directed by Lee Rose, finds Rayner, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) cycling through moments from the ...

  23. Transfigurations (episode)

    The Enterprise rescues a critically injured amnesiac who is undergoing a mysterious transformation. "Captain's log, Stardate 43957.2. We are charting an unexplored star system within the Zeta Gelis cluster. This routine assignment has made for a refreshingly quiet time aboard the Enterprise." The Enterprise is exploring an uncharted star system within the Zeta Gelis star cluster, when the ship ...