While retrieving radioactive metal fragments from a Federation probe crashed on Barkon IV, a power surge erases Data's memory. He wanders into a village carrying the container full of the radioactive metal and is soon befriended by Garvin and Gia. When the village is accidentally exposed to the radiation, Data works to find a cure. Meanwhile, Troi takes the bridge officer's exam.

Ronnie Claire Edwards (Talura)
Michael Rothhaar (Garvin)
Kimberly Cullum (Gia)
Michael G. Hagerty (Skoran)
Andy Kossin (Apprentice)
Richard Ortega-Miro (Ensign Rainer)
Majel Barrett (Computer Voice)

• Gia names Data "Jayden."
  
• It's very odd that Data can understand and speak English, can analyze and reason, build primitive microscopes and x-rays, but does not know what "radioactive" means.
  
• Deanna returns from her class reunion and decides to go for a promotion to keep up with her classmates.
  
• Dr. Crusher commands the bridge on night shift while Data is away. She enjoys volunteering from time to time to keep up on operations and tactical procedures.
  
• Deanna was in command of the bridge during the quantum filament disaster in "Disaster".
  
• Deanna does well on all the tests (Diplomatic Law, First Contact, Bridge Operations) except the Engineering Qualification, which she had to re-take 4 times. (She had to send a crewman — Geordi — to his death in order to save the ship. "A bridge officer's first duty is to the ship.") Deanna passes, allowing her bridge command duty. She is also promoted from Lt. Commander to Commander.
  
• Will refers to Deanna as his "imzadi", which we haven't heard since the 4th season in "The Loss".
  
• Patrick Stewart only appears briefly at the end with one line. He was away performing in "A Christmas Carol."
  
• Ronnie Claire Edwards was best known for playing Corabeth Godsey on "The Waltons."
  
• This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction.