The Enterprise docks at station Deep Space 9 to assist in repairing the aqueduct system on Bajor. A Yridian approaches Worf, telling him that his father Mogh is still alive in a Romulan prison colony. For a price, he will lead Worf to him. Meanwhile, Dr. Bashir boards the Enterprise with a piece of equipment, enlisting Data and La Forge's help in analyzing it. After the device sends a power surge through Data, he has a "dream" about his father, Dr. Soong.

Brent Spiner (Dr. Noonien Soong)
Siddig El Fadil (Lt. Julian Bashir, M.D.)
James Cromwell (Jaglom Shrek)
Cristine Rose (Gi'ral)
Jennifer Gatti (Ba'el)
Richard Herd (L'Kor)

• DS9's chief medical officer Dr. Bashir comes aboard to analyze the piece of equipment found in the Gamma Quadrant. The computers on the Enterprise are much more sophisticated than the ones on the Cardassian-built station. He is surprised to learn that Data can grow hair, has a pulse, and breathes to regulate temperature.
  
• Bashir is the first Deep Space Nine character to appear on The Next Generation (not counting O'Brien, of course).
  
• Dr. Soong created a program that would allow Data to dream once he reached a certain level of development. The plasma shock prematurely activated the circuits. Data begins a daily sleep cycle in this episode so he can dream. Dr. Bashir asks permission to write a paper on the subject.
  
• Spot is now a totally different cat breed. Apparently, the original cat who played Spot was lost and there was not time to find an identical replacement.
  
• James Cromwell went on to play Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact.
  
• This is the only time the station Deep Space 9 is seen on Next Generation.