Star Trek: The Next Generation
“Cause and Effect”
Episode Number | 118 (5.18) |
Production Number | 218 |
Season | 5 |
Stardate | 45652.1 |
Original Airdate | 23-Mar-1992 |
Teleplay | Brannon Braga |
Director | Jonathan Frakes |
Synopsis
While mapping the Typhon Expanse, the Enterprise becomes trapped in a time loop: a distortion field appears, the ship's systems fail, and it collides with another ship emerging from the distortion field. A growing sense of déjà vu leads them to suspect what has happened and find a way to break free.
Guest CastKelsey Grammer (Capt. Morgan Bateson)
Michelle Forbes (Ensign Ro Laren)
Patti Yasutake (Nurse Alyssa Ogawa)
- A Federation time beacon indicates the Enterprise has been stuck in the loop for 17.4 days.
- The other ship is the U.S.S. Bozeman NCC-1941, Soyuz-class starship, commanded by Captain Morgan Bateson (Kelsey Grammer of NBC's "Cheers" and "Frasier"). Soyuz-class starships have not been in service for over 80 years. The Bozeman has been stuck for 90 years, since 2278.
- The Enterprise crew (especially Beverly Crusher) suffers from déjà vu, which grows with each loop. However, Captain Bateson does not appear to be aware that they were trapped in the time loop at all — even though they have been trapped for 90 years!
- Kirstie Alley as Lt. Saavik was originally to play the Bozeman's first officer, but could not due to scheduling conflicts. Kirstie Alley starred with Grammer on "Cheers" as well as previously playing Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
- Ensign Ro has apparently gone to a Vulcan hairdresser since her last appearance.
- The Bozeman is named for the city of Bozeman, Montana — the hometown of writer Brannon Braga.