Future Imperfect

Riker wakes to find himself 15 years into the future.

This is an enjoyable episode with a compelling plot and some fun characterisations.

The story contains a clever idea that twists and turns very well as it unfolds. Although you know better than to take any of what's happening to Riker at face value, it is entertaining watching his interaction with regular characters in a different circumstance and to see him figure everything out.

I enjoyed the concept of the TNG characters fifteen years beyond the show's timeline, particularly Admiral Picard, the crew's set-up and the attitude towards the Romulans.

The final resolution is quite satisfying and I have to admit that I never guessed what was coming. Whether that means the writing is good or that I was slow on the uptake is debatable.

Visually it works well with some decent creature costuming and subtle makeovers to the regular cast. Picard looks like Lenin, which is ironic in the fact that Patrick Stewart once played him.

All performances are solid, with Jonathan Frakes leading well and other cast members playing a slight variation on their usual characters. Chris Demetral and Andreas Katsulas both give strong guest performances.

Homage to the 1964 James Garner movie 36 Hours. Nazis tried to get the D Day landing information. Obviously the scriptwriter of this episode has seen the movie...

While conducting a security sweep on a planet suspected of harbouring a secret Romulan base, Riker is knocked out by toxic gases. When he wakes up, he is shocked to find himself sixteen years in the future and captain of the Enterprise - but with no memory of anything happening since.

Plotwise, this has strong TOS vibes to it but otherwise, this is a decent episode that gives Frakes a rare opportunity for the spotlight - his first focused episode since the debacle that was 'Shades Of Grey' in season two. The story is a solid one and well told, we get a welcome return for Katsulas' slimy Romulan Tomalak and Frakes gives his best performance in ages despite unconvincing grey flashes streaked into his hair. The ending felt a little weak but otherwise, this isn't too bad.

Fans of Star Trek prime will see some resemblances to the original pilot with Jeffrey Hunter as as Captain Christopher Pike. For myself In see a strong resemblance to the James Garner classic film 36 Hours.

Jonathan Frakes is overcome with methane gas and gets quite an opening surprise in that he's aged 17 years and is now Captain of the Enterprise. and that he was about to enter delicate negotiations with the Romulans, ???????But that's hardly the end of it.

Riker in that time was married and widowed and now has a son Chris Demetral. But like James Garner there's a slip made and we get part of the real story.

As for Chris Demetral he has the Eva Marie Saint role from 36 Hours and the Susan Oliver role from Star Trek prime.

See 36 Hours and you''ll know what I tak about.

Wil Rikers the birthday-boy and he's got his trombone out. We're conducting a security survey in the Onias sector near the Neutral Zone. Despite our proximity to Romulan territory, all is quiet, all is calm. Unusual fluctuations in subspace frequencies, are we being probed? Could it be a secret Romulan base on the third planet of the Alpha Onias system?

Number One assembles an away team and pops down to the surface. Suffocating toxic-gasses knock the away team out. When Wil regains consciousness he is in sick bay back on board the Enterprise. But things do seem a little off.

It has to be accepted that Season Four is a leap-forward in quality stories. Characters have more depth, plot lines have many layers to them. It is clear that the ensemble cast are comfortable in their roles and at ease with the characters that they portray. Step by step we also get to learn a little more about each of these characters. Every nuance, smell, sound... Would I rate this episode among the better episodes of this season?

NO. But only because there are already so many nuggets to choose from.

So, what did Riker wish for?