The Enterprise makes way
toward a planet known as Penthara IV, where a massive
asteroid has struck an unpopulated continent. Fearing
that the resulting dust cloud could lead to a
devastating nuclear winter like the one that occurred on
Earth in the late 21st Century, the crew hopes to find a
way to counteract the cloud's effects. As they travel
toward the planet, a bright flash appears on the Bridge,
and a strange man materializes before the crew. The man
reveals that he is a Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen, an
historian from the late 26th Century Earth, who has
traveled from the future to study the Enterprise.
Although the crew is suspicious of Rasmussen, his
presence arouses their interest in the future, but
Picard insists they refrain from questioning their guest
so they don't end up changing the future.
The Enterprise arrives at Penthara IV and the widespread
devastation caused by the asteroid hit becomes apparent.
While Geordi La Forge and Data work to save the planet,
Rasmussen asks the crew to complete lengthy
questionnaires, ostensibly for his research. He also
asks to see several pieces of equipment, regarding them
as relics of a bygone era. The crew members are nothing
but polite, but privately they begin to lose patience
with Rasmussen and his methods. Troi is especially wary
of the man and what his true intentions might be after
picking up a vibration that he is trying to confuse
them.
When the crew's
initial plan to save Penthara IV backfires, Geordi comes
up with an alternative solution that will either
completely save the planet or kill every living thing on
it. Desperate, Picard asks Rasmussen for advice
regarding the plan, but Rasmussen refuses to help him on
the grounds that Picard is trying to manipulate the
future. Left only with his original choice to act or not
to act, Picard goes with his original impulse and orders
the crew to implement the risky plan.
The crew's efforts are
successful, and Penthara IV is saved. Rasmussen
immediately prepares to leave the Enterprise, but Picard
and the crew greet him outside his vessel with the
announcement that they plan to search his ship for
several objects that have mysteriously disappeared
during Rasmussen's stay. Rasmussen relents, but insists
that only Data be allowed on his vessel since, if so
instructed by Picard, he will never divulge what he
sees.
Once inside, Rasmussen
pulls a phaser on Data, revealing that he is not a
26th-century historian but a 22nd-century inventor. He
traveled to the Enterprise to steal technology that he
will take credit for creating, and he now plans to take
Data with him as well. Luckily, Picard has already
deactivated the phaser, and Data is able to outsmart his
foe. After disposing of Rasmussen's ship, the crew turns
him over to the authorities. |
 |
Production: 209
Season: 5 Episode: 9
Air Date: 11.18.1991
Stardate: 45349.1 |
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|
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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 |
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|
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|
|
Stefan Gierasch as Hail
Moseley
Sheila Franklin as Ensign
Shay Garner as Female Scientist
Matt Frewer as Berlingoff Rasmussen |
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|
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| Robin Williams was supposed to
make a guest appearance in the episode "A Matter of
Time" (#5.9) as Prof. Berlinghoff Rasmussen but he had
to pull out due to a scheduling conflict. Matt Frewer
stepped in to take his place. |
|
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"A Matter of Time"
#40275-209
Written by
Rick Berman
Directed by
Paul Lynch
THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Copyright 1991 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.
FINAL DRAFT
STAR TREK: "A Matter of Time" - REV. 9/25/91 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"A Matter of Time"
CAST
PICARD BERLINGOFF RASMUSSEN
RIKER HAL MOSELEY
DATA FEMALE SCIENTIST
BEVERLY
TROI
GEORDI
WORF
Non-Speaking
N.D. SCIENTISTS
AN ENSIGN
Non-Speaking
SUPERNUMERARIES
AN ENGINEER
ENGINEERING CREW
SECURITY GUARD
A NURSE
A BOY IN SICKBAY
A MALE PATIENT
STAR TREK: "A Matter of Time" - 9/20/91 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"A Matter of Time"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM RASMUSSEN'S VESSEL
ENGINEERING
TURBOLIFT PENTHARA FOUR
CORRIDOR CITY (MATTE)
TEN-FORWARD
SICKBAY
RASMUSSEN'S GUEST QUARTERS
SHUTTLEBAY
PENTHARA FOUR
SCIENCE LAB
RASMUSSEN'S VESSEL
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format |
