Take it easy with Earl Grey.

Hey isn't important to treat yourself and relax with your favourite beverage once in a while?

Theres nothing quite like a sip of Earl Grey hot in the morning to kick start the nerves.. It got that magic mix of delicate bergamot tea leaves and lavender oil which makes you feel like reaching for the stars. So go on take a chance and spoil yourself with a finely brewed cup of Earl Grey tea. Or maybe you've already taken the plunge? Captain Picard loves the stuff. My first sip got me to pull myself together and made me realize... Just whats all the fuss about?. . Its got that special quality blend which tea lovers expect in a hot cup of tea that tastes so darn good. Its only a little thing but it makes me happy. So sit back and enjoy the rich flavour and blend of earl grey tea. Its refreshing formula will help revitalize you right through to the end of your day.

Would you like some tea, Earl Grey Hot?

USS Defiant NX 74205

Image via Wikipedia

Starfleet's first true warship is the USS Defiant NX-74205 launched in 2366. What makes this tough little ship so special is it ablative armour capable of deflecting Borg firepower. The defiant class is incorporated with a state of the art multi targeting array, capable of reacting rapidly with modulating phaser frequencies designed to cut through even the toughest enemy shields. It was developed and built at the Mars Utopia Planitia Fleetyards under the watchful eyes of Commander Benjamin Sisco.

Sisco's Defiant was originally intended to fight the Borg thick skins with its multiple torpedo launchers. Earlier prototypes had a more conventional design, with the warp nacelles on out riggers. However this design is later abandoned in favor of a more compact disc shape which encases the nacelles. Work on the Defiant is halted after the Borg threat is averted in 2367.

In 2371 Starfleets finest engineers resume construction amid fears Dominion forces are invading Federation space. The prototype USS Defiant is far from ready to enter service, but because of the serious nature of the threat, she is assigned to Deep Space Nine where the engineering staff finalize Commander Sisco's design. Development of its quantum torpedo proves so effective in deepspace combat that it becomes standard issue and replaces all photon torpedoes in Starfleet vessels.

In direct violation of the treaty of Algeron, the Defiant is loaned a Romulan cloaking device which doesn't always work well with its ablative armour technology. In fact when in stealth mode or "Blue Alert" the crew has to avoid using the "high tech stuff" which generates emissions easily detected by enemy sensors.

This stealthy, highpowered craft enters production and plays a pivotal role in the Dominion war. In 2375, four years later we see the destruction of our heroic little fighter in the Chin'toka system when Commander Sisco engages the Breen. Dominion forces close in on the crippled Defiant by employing a sneaky dampening weapon which drains and overloads critical systems. Sadly for Sisco its the end of another starship under his command. So its game over!. All hands to the escape pods, abandon ship. Just look at her blow. I think I'll have a little cry now.

The Great Crystalline Entity

The Crystalline Entity is a fascinating space born lifeform whose amazing structure is quite beautiful to look at. Its elegant mass sparkles like a giant snowflake, allowing it to travel through the galaxy at high warp. However its exact origin and purpose is unknown.

In Star Trek's TNG "Datalore" fans encounter Data's deadly brother Lore and the great Crystalline Entity who've been in cahoots together all along!

 The entities constant hunger for energy meant it thrived by feeding off the organic energy patterns of unsuspecting human lifeforms! I believe the creatures hungry appetite for living energy was its major weakness.


It needed to convert entire civilizations, vegetation and bacteria to power its electromagnetic anatomy. Humans were in essence its main source of food with crippled starships and a trail of carnage usually left behind in its wake.

In Star Treks TNG Silicon Avatar the race is on to stop the crystalline entities interstellar feeding frenzy. Starfleet calls in xenologist expert Dr Kilia Marr to locate and establish communication with it. Captain Picard was initially enchanted with the space creature but Dr Marr had other ideas.

 Her son was "consumed" along with the other unfortunate inhabitants of Omicron Theta Colony in 2336, home planet of androids Commander Data and Lore.



The big breakthrough came when Dr Marr emitted a series of graviton pulses from the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D science station. A sparkling Christmas tree structure rushes up the Enterprise view screen in response to the doctors signal. The bait worked, its the Crystalline Entity!

This was the Enterprise's first successful contact with the Crystalline Entity and hello from the people from earth. I can only imagine how overjoyed snowflake felt when it realized the Enterprise was calling it.

The graviton pulse emissions make direct communication between the ship and Crystalline Entity entirely possible except something goes terribly wrong.... Does Data possess the secret to the Silicon Avatars deadly power? Can the Enterprise-D crew find an alternate source of energy for the creature before its too late? What do you think of the Blu-Ray remastering?

Borg Collective

Remember when the Borg first beamed aboard the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D? Its 2265 and Q pays his good old buddy Jean Luc Picard a little visit. Mr omnipotence has quite the fun at Picard's expense and snaps his fingers. Suddenly the Enterprise-D is whisked out of the Federations comfort zone and hurled into the flightpath of a Borg cube. It always exciting exploring galactic space unless its uncharted Borg territory. Spooky stuff for the Enterprise kiddies.

Captain Picard's confidence takes a serious nosedive when it becomes apparent, that the Federation's mighty Flagship Enterprise is unprepared for the unknown Alpha Quadrant. Picard is quaking in his boots when out of the blue, cybernetically enhanced humanoids from the Delta Quadrant take a keen interest in the USS Enterprise-D and her crew. Of course Q shook up the Enterprise bridge crew to teach Picard a lesson who grovelled for forgiveness in the end. ("Q Who" TNG)

The Borg have one mission, one hive mind and belong to one collective. Do not cross the Borg unless pain is something you enjoy. The Borg collective seek only pure perfection. "We are the Borg. You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. Resistance is futile." The Borg became the United Federations of Planets most ruthless enemy with the loss of 39 ships and 11,000 lives at Wolf 359. Captain Jean Luc Picard's capture and assimilation by the Borg struck a killer blow at the beating heart of the Federation.

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet. You speak for your people."

"I have nothing to say to you. And I will resist you with my last ounce of strength!"

"Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours."

"Impossible! My culture is based on freedom and self-determination!"

"Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant. You must comply."

"We would rather die."

"Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority driven. To facilitate our introduction into your societies, it has been decided that a human voice will speak for us in all communications. You have been chosen to be that voice."

The crew of the Enterprise-D are gutted when their rescue attempt discovers Captain Picard turned into a Borg! How could this be happening? LOL. Hundreds of thousands of Star Trek fans were glued to their TV screens for the trek ultimate climax wayback in 1990! Its seems so long ago now but I still remember this extraordinary episode with terrifying fascination. So began the famous Enterprise-D battle pitted against the Borg Collective. Everything now rested in Commander Riker's hands giving Captain Blackbeard an even chance to prove himself in the captain's chair. But what about Shelby? At first, I wasn't so sure about her either but Shelby's tactics gifted the Enterprise-D diehards with enough cutting edge technosteam to fight the Borg!

Which side had the superior firepower to obliterate the other ship? What about Captain Picard? The shocking Borg Picard calling the shots from the enemy Borg ship tested my trek allegiance to the core. At the time I thought I was the only one torn in half but my trekkie friends put me right. Best of Both Worlds has two part episodes (in Season 3&4) nominated for the Special Visual Effects Emmy, however the Enterprise's battle yielded little awards for the actors. This suspense thriller is one of my favorite TNG Trek episodes with its spine chilling music winning two Emmys for Star Trek The Next Generation.

Live Long and prosper, Star Trekkers.

Anya the Allasomorph

What is an Allasomorph? Who could have guessed that these females are in fact two bug eyed monsters!!!

All blazes breaks loose when these shapely lovelies beam aboard the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D. Take a hard look at the shorter allasomorph Anya from Daled IV. Don't you just want to give her a hug? Don't be fooled by her height either because beneath her skin lurks one mighty powerful lass. Yup, thats right. Anya is one mean, beastly governess who can shapshift and kick ass! In any case, she made me split my sides laughing!

While Salia and Anya appear to be normal sentient lifeforms all is not what it seems. These female bug eyes have strange transformational abilities according to the Galactic Zoological Catalogue. Salia is the future leader and last hope for uniting the warring factions on Daled IV. Anya is Salia's vigilant mother/protector and companion. In Star Trek TNG "the Dauphin" episode we discover just how dangerous this creature really is, when Anya changes her molecular shape and tosses Lt Worf around in a fight.

Owner/Creator Paramount Pictures and or CBS Studios.

Anya is touring the flagship Enterprise NCC 1701-D when she discovers a slightly contagious patient in sickbay. In Anya's mind the diseased Hennesy poses a significant threat to Salia's life. She demands action! "Kill the Patient, Destroy the Patient immediately!!!" Rather drastic wouldn't you say?

Dr Pulaski is horrified and tells her to cool her heels. Picard and Worf are understandably baffled by Anya whose mysterious transformation catches Worf completely off guard! Shapeshifting no doubt takes alot of effort but the trouble doesn't end there. Anya the bug eyed furry creature confronts Wesley in his quarters! Just when the poor Enterprise whizkid thought he had it made with the perfect dreamgirl! LOL She spooks the holy crap out of Wesley who been courting and drooling over Salia on the sly. But it gets even better when the young and beautiful Salia springs into a hairy, bug eyed shapeshifter too!

A to Z Challenge.

Its the daily blogging A to Z challenge! 26 wee letters in the alphabet starting with A on April 1st. Sounds simple doesn't it?

Guess what my topics will be about? Now set your phasers on stun, sit back and engage your warped hive mind because its time for some trek delights. I discovered the A to Z challenge on Alex J Cavanaugh's blog. I'm hoping this trip doesn't overload my little grey cells too much or I'll be heading straight to Dr McCoy's sickbay for a good shot of Saurian Brandy. A good slug of the good stuff usually does the trick.

Meanwhile back in the Galactic realm of Star Trek reality, Spacerguy will attempt to expound on every letter in the alphabet for the month of April. Wheres Data when you need him?

Hey, Alex suggested using a theme and I know a good A to Z spin off. Remember the librarian MrAtoz from the planet Sarpeidon in All Our yesterdays? We could launch it as Mr Atoz's Trek Challenge!

Star Trekkin' across the Universe.

I love this original version of the Firm's song "Star Trekking across the Universe." So I've added the lyrics so you can join in the fun and sing along. What I can't figure out is what happened to the Klingons? Weren't they supposed to appear off the starboard bow? maybe they're hiding somewhere.... Enjoy your Star Trekking, Trekkers.


Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Lt. Uhura, report.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Analysis, Mr. Spock.

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know it,

not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, still can't find reverse.

Medical update, Dr. McCoy.

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know it,

not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Starship Captain, James T. Kirk:

Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men.

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know

it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, scrape 'em off, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, and things are getting worse!

Engine room, Mr. Scott:

Ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics;
ye cannae change the laws of physics, laws of physics, Jim.

Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill; Scotty, beam me up!

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it; it's life, Jim, but not as we know

it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow Jim!

You can not change the strength Jim of the engines.

It's worse than that, it's physics, Jim.

Bridge to engine room, warp factor 9.

Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!
Red Alert Red Alert
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Boldly going forward, still can't find reverse.

The Battle TNG

The Battle is the ninth episode in Star Trek TNG written by Larry Forrester and Herbert Wright, directed by Rob Bowman. The USS Enterprise NCC 1701 enters the Xendi Sabu Star System where it waits patiently for three days at the request of a mysterious Ferengi message, "Stand by, Enterprise." Meanwhile Beverly is in the captains quarters aboard the USS Enterprise-D servicing a grouchy, bedridden Captain Picard completely drained from a unnatural headache. For a moment its looking real cosy between them. Picard's oratory defenses fail him making him powerless to spurn the advances of Beverly's Crusher's inept administrations. The Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise takes pleasure ordering the captain to sickbay. You can blame Q for the "inept" bit. Captain Picard puts on a big brave face and is prepared to accept his fate when Commander Riker's hail spoils all the good fun.


Picard "Duty calls doctor."

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The Ferengi are finally ready to talk shop with Picard who makes a quick getaway from Beverly's diabolical concoctions and she knows it! So off he goes to the bridge which gets Crusher temporarily off the hook. Consider, why doesn't the Chief Medical Officer just shoot the captain with a few drops of cordrazine which has been known to rejuvenate countless Starfleet mortals? I suspect Doctor Beverly was bluffing and wanted an excuse to well ehm...you know, roll about in the hay with her Captain!!...How very naughty of her, but you never know. Maybe just maybe, she gets off torturing her patients in a roleplay scenario...with the weaker ones who can't fight back! Hehe....Still, she doesn't give up hope on mon capitan and we see the two lovebirds meeting up later on in Sickbay for another round of Crushers "medical fakery."

Picard finally gets to talk with one of the beastly little Ferengi creatures calling himself "DaiMon Bok." The commander of the Ferengi marauder, Bok makes his sales pitch and arranges to rendezvous with the USS Enterprise and beamover in one hour. Its interesting to note Counsellor Deanna Troi cautions Picard that she detects "considerable deception on Bok's park and danger" I guess Troi is having a good betazed day! At last Bok presents Picard with his old Federation starship, the constellation class USS Stargazer last commanded by Jean Luc Picard nine years ago in Maxia Zeta.

I have to admit, its just too hard to swallow the Ferengis lame story with the little toads behaving themselves just totally out of character. Its all wrong. Counsellor Troi should have chimed in with "Captain the Ferengi toads are hiding something..." right? Ferengis are extreme capitalists at heart and beam straight aboard the USS Enterprise-D bridge. The mind twister here is why Bok donates the Stargazer for absolutely no financial gain? His unprofitable venture was enough to freak out his Ferengi playmates and violate the Ferengi Rules of Aquisition. It obvious to viewers everywhere that this little toad was definitely not on the level.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

I guess its a little difficult to fully appreciate the Ferengi approach to commerce ... wait I've changed my mind.... Actually trekkers, forgive me but I'm just having a laugh. One thing is certain, interpreting their facial expressions immersed behind all their makeup gew is a challenge for any dedicated trekker. At least "the battle" elevates their characters to a degree of prominence surpassing the Ferengi caricatures rolled out in Star Trek TNG in "the last outpost" episode. In the course of Picard's, Data's and Riker's exchange with the hob goblins it emerges that Bok's son was killed during a surprise attack when the Stargazer outwitted "an unidentified craft" with the exceptional 'Picard Maneuver.' The captain of the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D apologizes but alas his words are in vain and fall on the dumb ears of the Ferengi.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The game is afoot when evil DaiMon Bok played by Rob Bowman gifts Picard's old ship in an act of friendship at no cost to the Federation! Strange but true. Bok's greedy eyed companions are mortified but DaiMons peaceful overtures blows away Picard who can't take his eyes off the Stargazer. Lets face it, Picard isn't exactly firing on all thrusters. Dr Beverly Crusher has already applied a counteragent to "mask" Picard's headache but sadly it just doesn't do the trick. If only Dr "Bones"McCoy was around, I'm sure his Saurian Brandy would work wonders.

The entire bridgecrew of the flagship Enterprise actually entertain DaiMon Bok's bountiful Ferengi spirit. I mean whats the matter with them? Are the Enterprise bridge officers juiced up on crack cocaine? All except maybe Commander Riker who attacks Kazagos greedy capitalist beliefs to the extreme limit. "Enterprise now taking possession of the Stargazer, Kazago."The Ferengi first Officer has little choice but to part with his Federation prize.. "Granted Riker" But Riker persists. "Actually it was quite a bargain Kazargo, I thought the Ferengi always made a profit on things." beams Riker cruelly at the wolfish looking Ferengi. Kazago ends the transmission with a sickening growl from his stomach. The Enterprise takes possession of the USS Stargazer NCC 2893 "in honor of the hero of maxima" but the scoop just seems too good to be true.
Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The news overwhelms beleagured Jean Luc Picard who finds himself in Crusher's Sickbay with yet another setback. Meanwhile Commander Daimon Bok has been busy. The sneaky toad has hidden a glowing mind control device in Picard's old Stargazer quarters. The magic ball treatment is all part of Bok's elaborate scheme to mortally wound Picard for snuffing out his son! Bok boosts the signal controlling Picard nightmares with his glowing ball of evil. He nearly drives poor baldy beserk with headaches. Amid the chaos of mind control devices, Wesley's geeky predictions, forged Stargazer log entries, Riker and Data playing Detective Inspector Columbo, friendly Ferengi peace offerings and a nostalgic Starfleet captain, Bok's revenge plan to lure Picard aboard the USS Stargazer pays off.


Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The Hero of Maxima relives his past in a desperate struggle to save the Stargazer and her crew but sadly Picard loses all sense of reality. The Enterprise-D captain is aboard his old starship giving orders to former crewmates as they fight for survival in the battle of maxima. Next, Picard sets his sights on the USS Enterprise-D. Take a deep breath Trekkies because we're blessed to withness a sensational strategist sit into the Enterprises captains chair. Fortunately for the crew Commander Riker doesn't blow it. He knows about the celebrated Picard Manevuer used in the original battle allowing the Stargazer to be in two places at once with the attacker firing upon the phantom starship. Good old Riker fails to turn the Federation's flagship into a fireball....what a relief!!! and manages to seize the Stargazer in a tractorbeam before all hell breaks loose. Its a sweet ending when swashbuckler Riker emerges as the hero and seeing the captain Picard bounce back to reality after his trippy Stargazer sleighride.

Live long and Prosper, Trekkies.

Worf's Klingon Literature

What type of literature does Lt. Worf from Star Trek The Next Generation enjoy reading?

1. The quotations of Kahless the Unforgettable.

2. Klingon love poetry.

3. Science fiction novels by Earth author Isaac Asimov.

4. The Irish Unification of 2024.

5. Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planet Development.

6. None of the above.

Live Long and Prosper, Trekkies and Trekkers!

Lonely Among Us TNG

Lonely Among Us is the sixth episode of Star Trek The Next Generation written by D.C. Fontana and Michael Halperin directed by Cliff Bole. Stardate 41249.3. The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D beams aboard delegates from two alien civilizations in the Beta Renna system who have become deadly adversaries. Since achieving space flight the Seley and Antican lifeforms have naturally applied for Federation membership. In the Enterprise transporter room, Captain Picard, Commander Riker and Chief of Security Tasha Yar patiently await the arrival of the Seley delegation to beam up. The snake creatures materialize with the chief Seley delegate stepping off the transporter pad sniffing the air.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

"I'm Captain Picard, welcome aboard. We hope your journey will be pleasant and comfortable, arranging that will be my First Officer, Commander Riker."

Riker: "Welcome aboard. If you follow me, I will show you the accommodation that we....."

Chief Seley Delegate: "We can already smell the Anticans. They were taken aboard first?" Rikers mouth falls open in complete shock.

Picard steps in to the rescue: "Only because their world was first on this heading to Parliament."

Chief Seley Delegate:"Will our quarters be near the Anticans?" The creatures nervousness resonates throughout the transporter room.

Riker: "About one hundred meters appart."

Picard:" Is that alright?" Tasha Yar makes an effort to keep a straight face.

Chief Seley Delegate:"No! Unsatisfactory." The Seley delegate is extremely peeved about the guest quarters.

Riker:" I believe we can accommodate your wishes and rearrange the suite assignments."

Chief Seley Delegate: " And we must be upwind from the Anticans."

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Tasha Yar and Picard realize that the Seley and Antican candidates have a serious beef with each other which is in danger of spiralling out of control. Its the Enterprise's job to deliver the aliens safely to the neutral conference planet. The hope is Parliaments Peacemakers will get the aliens to play nice with each other before establishing ties with the United Federation of planets.

Meanwhile on the Bridge, Data's shortrange scanners detect a mysterious energy cloud closing in at warp speed. Captain Picard tweaks the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D flightpath in order to bypass the cloud so they can reach parliament on time. However all is not what it seems. Routine maintenance on the ships sensor assembly seems peaceful enough with Geordi reporting all sensor maintenance equipment online and functioning. Perfect! Right? Guess again!!!! The Enterprise's plight deepens when Data's bridge sensor scanners reveal absolutely no lifeform or matter readings emanating from within the energy cloud.

When the Enterprise sweeps by the edge of the mysterious space phenomena, something far-out happens. It changes shape and direction! Why the ship's sensors got it wrong only adds to the mystery. A sentient energy life pattern is accidentally snatched away from its natural habitat and absorbed through the USS Enterprise NCC1701-D energy systems. Clueless, Starfleet's finest continues on their way to Parliament. Alone and terrified the energy sentience tries to communicate with the Enterprise crew, alas it's met with resistance and very strange behaviour. The energy beings sentience is temporarily trapped in the Enterprise-D energy circuitry so it devises a plan to emerge with the human lifeforms on the Enterprise thing.

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

During the sensor sweep of the mysterious cloud a blue energy surge attacks Lt Worf during his routine inspection of a sensor console. The energy being leaps into the Klingon sending him crashing to the deckplates unconscious with quite a wallop! This is a brilliant stunt played out by the great Klingon Warrior Lt. Worf aka Michael Dorn and is thrilling Star Trek to watch. Geordi springs into action and alerts Dr. Beverly Crusher who also gets a zap from the weird and mysterious entity. Equally weird is the fact no-one notices the Doctors oddball behaviour including the empath Troi. Finally, our sentient energy being discovers the Enterprise's computer intelligence with the help of Dr Beverly Crusher who nearly blew it. On the bridge Data spots her assessing Helm Control instead of using the Science Station for completing a medical report on Lt Worf "Mental Aberrations." Datas android innocence fails to detect the doctors seeds of evil and expose her as a baddie! Later on further warp power disruptions affect the Enterprise so Captain Picard leans over Geordi's Helm station which immediately infects him with a blast of blue energy. "Everything is fine now." The alien energy being has big plans for Picard. It intends creating a new lifeform by merging him with the energy cloud. Yikes!

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

The bridge crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D are surprised when Picard diverts the ship back to the alien's energy "homeworld." Yep....its back to the cloud. Data logically points out "A mere change of direction hardly justifies mutiny." The Soong android refers to the great detectives credo, Sherlock Homes for the first time. "We must fall back on the old axiom that when other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable must be the truth." The Enterprise bridgecrew need to act fast in order to save Picard who has closed part of his mind to Counsellor Troi. Remember when Picard says:

"The search for knowledge is always our primary mission."

In my view Dr Beverly Crusher fails to assert her authority over Captain Picard as Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise when he first exhibited signs of alien possession in the Ready Room. Why didn't Beverly just whisk out her Medical Scanner and analyse Picards vital lifesigns?

Instead the good doctor goofs around with medical exams counting on Commander Riker to back her up "somehow." On the Bridge more chaos shocks the crew when Captain Picard announces his resignation in the face of Riker's defiant objection. The sentient entity being is responsible for sabotaging the ship, invading the crew and apologizes for killing Engineer Singh but its alien mind is resolute. So that leaves Picard to deliver the bad news to his senior bridge officers. But hey! what a speech even though its crazy B.S. Its so eloquent and dignified in substance that everyone is temporarily stunned into silence.

"Very soon after we had combined we had learnt much about each other. A passion for exploration and the unknown and we found we had similar dreams. It offered your captain a way to realize them beyond human expectation."

The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D bridge crew rise up against the captain but the sentient entity is ready for them with his secret jedi weapon. He immobilizes the entire bridge crew with blue flashes of lightning which gave him enough time to flee the ship.

Lets hear it now. Awwww (Please Captain don't go we need you!)

Image Owner/Creator: Paramount Pictures and/or CBS Studios.

Captain Picard merges with the energy life pattern by beaming out as pure energy into the alien energy cloud. Don't you just love new lifeforms? Counsellor Deanna Troi senses something has gone wrong when Picard's energy presence is abandoned by the aliens in the energy cloud. "The merging" with the energy patterns was a complete failure. Fortunately the captain's physical energy pattern was stored in the transporter buffer and because he was the last one to leave the ship.....Data, Riker and Troi are able to rematerialize the captain in body and spirit and proceed to Parliament minus one adorable Seley delegate.

Live Long and Prosper, trekkers.