4.08 Future Imperfect

Rating: 4

On an away mission to investigate a possible hidden Romulan base, a virus infects Riker. 16 years later, the dormant virus springs into action, causing him to suddenly forget those years. He ‘awakens’ to find he is on board the Enterprise and that he and Admiral Picard are about to negotiate a peace treaty with the Romulan Ambassador Tomalak. He also has a son  - and he had a wife who died two years ago. But there’s more to this future than meets the eye.

Comments

It was about 16 years (similar to the length of Riker’s memory loss, coincidentally) since I saw this episode the first time, and the ‘twist within a twist’ got me again.

Apparently, Jonathan Frakes can (kind of) play the trombone.

Andreas Katsulas returns again as Tomalak.

Jonathan Frakes is appealing and tries his best, but comes off just a little stiff at moments that required a bit more feelings to emote. Nonetheless, his is a great performance, and it is a clever script.

Nits

Some of the nits are alleviated when we find out this is all a fantasy world, such as how Ethan was able to overpower a big Romulan guard.

Memorable Moments

•    Riker’s thoughts on the shock of being a father touched home with me. Sometimes I wake up and am surprised to find out I am one too!

•    The doorway force field effect on the Romulan prison cell

•    The final scene, when Riker and Barash becomes friends. To me, this not only epitomizes the very core of the Star Trek philosophy (seek out and identify new life) but also shows the solution to most of the problems that still plague our society – to embrace the similarities, rather than polarizing on the differences – among diverse beings.

Quotable Quotes

Troi: What did you wish for?
Riker: Music lessons.

Picard: Captain, perhaps it would be better if we discussed this-
Riker: SHUT UP!
Picard: I beg your pardon?
Riker: I said SHUT UP, as in CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND STOP TALKING!

Alien: My name is ‘Barash’.
Riker: To me, you’ll always be Jean-Luc.