Episode 101 & 102: "Encounter At Farpoint"

Picard convinces Q that the upcoming mission at Farpoint will be the perfect opportunity to prove his point. Q accepts Captain Picard's proposal but gives him only 24 hours and a reminder that failing this test will mean death for the Enterprise crew. While docked at Farpoint, Picard is introduced to his new first officer, Commander Riker, and the rest of his crew. As they begin to investigate the station, they are startled by the seemingly magical qualities of the planet where one's wish becomes reality.

While the away team searches through tunnels beneath the Farpoint station, an unidentified ship begins firing on the old Bandi city, causing heavy damage and numerous casualties. As it turns out, the ship is a living alien being who is attacking the city because the people of Deneb IV have captured its mate.

Not only have the Bandi been holding the being against its will, but they have used its energy source, which converts energy into matter, to create the Farpoint station and its magical qualities.

After assisting the reunion of the estranged aliens, the crew learns that it has passed Q's test. Relieved, they head off for their next mission.

Production: 101 & 102 Season: 1 Episode: 1

Air Date: 09.28.1987

Stardate: 41153.7

Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes as William Riker

Brent Spiner as Data

LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn as Worf

Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi

Denise Crosby as Natasha (Tasha) Yar

Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher

John de Lancie as Q

Michael Bell as Zorn

The battle bridge set was originally built as the U.S.S. Enterprise bridge for Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).

Following its initial airing, "Encounter at Farpoint" was re-edited into two hour-long episodes for reruns. The original two-hour version would not be seen again until the entire Next Generation series was released on DVD in 2002, 17 years later.

While on the battle bridge, Picard says, "Thank you, Colm," to the unnamed Battle Bridge Conn, played by Colm Meaney. His character would later be named Miles O'Brien.

In the original premiere script, Geordi was going to be gay.

The transporter effect is a glass globe paperweight Peter Lauritson and Rick Berman improvised for the Zimmerman and the effects team.

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format

               STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

                    "Encounter at Farpoint"

                              by 
                         D.C. Fontana 
                              and 
                       Gene Roddenberry

This script is not for publicaion or reproduction.
No one is authorized to dispose of the same. If lost or
destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

                         FINAL DRAFT

                        April 13, 1987

                            TEASER

	FADE IN:

1    EXT. SPACE - STARSHIP (OPTICAL)

	The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-D traveling at warp speed
	through space.

					PICARD V.O.
			Captain's log, stardate 42353.7.
			Our destination is planet Cygnus
			IV, beyond which lies the great
			unexplored mass of the galaxy.

2    OTHER INTRODUCTORY ANGLES (OPTICAL)

	on the gigantic new Enterprise NCC 1701-D.

					PICARD V.O.
			My orders are to examine Farpoint,
			a starbase built there by the
			inhabitants of that world.
			Meanwhile ...

3    INT. ENGINE ROOM

	Huge, with a giant wall diagram showing the immensity
	of this Galaxy Class starship.

					PICARD V.O.
				(continuing)
			... I am becoming better
			acquainted with my new command,
			this Galaxy Class U.S.S.
			Enterprise.

4    CLOSER ON VESSEL DIAGRAM

	Showing the details and size of this enormous starship.

					PICARD V.O.
			I am still somewhat in awe of its
			size and complexity.

5    INT. LOUNGE DECK

	With its huge windows revealing the immense span of the
	Starship's outer surface.

5    CONTINUED:

					PICARD V.O.
				(continuing)
			... my crew we are short in
			several key positions, most
			notably ...

6    INT. BRIDGE - WIDE ANGLE

	PICARD, TROI, and DATA seated in the command area.
	Starfleet LIEUTENANT WORF, a young Klingon, is at the
	"Ops" station and a SUPERNUMERARY is at "Conn".

					PICARD V.O.
				(continuing)
			... a first officer, but I am
			informed that a highly experienced
			man, one Commander William Riker,
			will be waiting to join our ship
			when we reach our Cygnus IV
			destination.

7    ANGLE EMPHASIZING PICARD AND DATA

	As Picard turns to Data:

					PICARD
			You will agree, Data, that
			Starfleet's instructions are
			difficult?

					DATA
			Difficult ... how so? Simply
			solve the mystery of Farpoint
			Station.

					PICARD
				(smiles)
			As simple as that.

					TROI
			Farpoint Station. Even the name
			sounds mysterious.

					PICARD
			The problem, Data, is that another
			life form built that base. How
			do I negotiate a friendly
			agreement for Starfleet to use
			it while at the same time snoop
			around finding how and why they
			built it?

7    CONTINUED:

					DATA
			Inquiry ... the word snoop ... ?

					PICARD
			Data, how can you be programmed
			as a virtual encyclopedia of human
			information without knowing a
			simple word like snoop?

					DATA
			Possibility ... a kind of human
			behavior I was not designed to
			emulate?

	It is all Troi can do to keep from smiling.

					PICARD
			It means 'to spy, to sneak' ...

					DATA
				(interrupting;
				 delighted)
			Ah! To seek covertly, to go
			stealthily, to slink, slither ...

					PICARD
				(wanting to cut it off)
			Exactly, yes ...

					DATA
			... to glide, creep, skulk,
			pussyfoot, gumshoe ...

	Data trails off his words, finally becoming aware of
	the annoyance registering on Picard's face. Troi cannot
	keep back the smile now ... then suddenly her face is
	contorted in pain.

					TROI
			Captain ... I'm sensing a ... a
			powerful mind ...

	Interrupted by the sound of a BRIDGE ALARM.

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format