"The Child" was the 26th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the premiere episode of the show's second season, first aired on 21 November 1988. The episode was written by Jaron SummersMA, Jon PovillMA, and Maurice HurleyMA, and directed by Rob BowmanMA.
Summary
Log entries
- Captain's log, stardate 42073.1
- There has been an outbreak of an unclassified plasma plague in the Rachelis system. We're on an emergency run to collect specimens of the deadly plague and transport them to Science Station Tango Sierra where hopefully an antidote can be produced.
- Captain's log, supplemental
- We have finally arrived at 'aucdet IX where we will pick up the specimens of plasma plague for transport to Rachelis. It is only because so many lives are at stake that I'm willing to put this ship and crew at great risk. Meanwhile, Counselor Troi's pregnancy continues to progress at an astonishing rate.
- Captain's log, supplemental
- Although it's been nearly 14 hours since we arrived at 'aucdet IX, Hester Dealt has still not completed his inspection of the containment unit. The transfer will not be permitted until he is assured of zero growth during our voyage. Meanwhile, the desperate pleas from the Rachelis system continue.
- Captain's log, supplemental
- We are faced with two major problems–Troi's child and the deadly cargo we're about to take on. In the hours since his birth, Troi's baby has continued his rapid growth and now appears physically and mentally to be a child of eight. Still, there is no indication as to who he is or why he is here.
- Captain's log, supplemental
- For reasons as yet unknown one of the deadly specimens of plasma plague has begun to grow.
References
Characters
- Boliska • Wesley Crusher • Daneeka • Data • Hester Dealt • Diana Giddings • Gladstone • Guinan • Geordi La Forge • Martinez • Miles O'Brien • Alfonse Pacelli • Jean-Luc Picard • Katherine Pulaski • William T. Riker • Deanna Troi • Ian Andrew Troi II • Darien Wallace • Worf • USS Enterprise-D computer • unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel and residents (USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel)
- Referenced only
- Rob Bowman • Maurice Hurley • Susan Nuress • Jon Povill • Jaron Summers • Ian Andrew Troi • Lwaxana Troi
Starships and vehicles
- USS Enterprise (Galaxy-class explorer) • D'Alison (type-7 shuttlecraft) • USS Repulse (Excelsior-class cruiser)
- Referenced only
- USS Stargazer (Constellation-class cruiser) • NCC-7100
Locations
- 'aucdet IX ('aucdet star system, the galaxy's Alpha or Beta Quadrant) • Science Station Tango Sierra (Rachelis star system, the galaxy's Alpha or Beta Quadrant)
- Referenced only
- Arneb • Earth (Sol, sector 001, Alpha Quadrant) • Epsilon Indi • Oby VI (Oby) • Alvacorn Major • Nova Kron • Denkir IV (Denkir system) • Lorenze Cluster • Morgana Quadrant • Prometheus
Shipboard locales
- USS Enterprise-D
- bridge • transporter room (#3) • ten-forward • cargo bay • corridor • quarters (Troi's) • sickbay • shuttlebay (#3) • ship's school • nursery
Races and cultures
Science
- anatomy • beaming • Eichner radiation • etiology • lifeform • matter • mutation • orbit • planet • space • standard orbit • star • star system • trimester • universe • weapon
Technology and weapons
- communicator • biobed • intercom • combadge • tricorder • sensors • starship • viewscreen • transporter • phaser • containment module • microscope • subspace phase inverter
Lifeforms
Materials and substances
Food and drink
- Delovian soufflé • Mareuvian tea • nectar
Medical conditions
- Hutzel infection • Legato infection • plasma plague
States and organizations
Ranks and titles
- captain • chief engineer • chief medical officer • commander • commanding officer • counselor • doctor • engineer • Federation Starfleet ranks • Federation Starfleet ranks (2350s-2360s) • first officer • lieutenant • lieutenant commander • lieutenant junior grade • medical practitioner • operations manager • flight controller • officer • scientist • second officer • security chief • weapons officer • tactical officer • acting ensign • medical trustee
Other references
- abortion • boot • captain's log • captain's log, USS Enterprise-D (2365 captain's log, USS Enterprise-D • clothing • government • jumpsuit • language • log entry • nation-state • pants • quadrant • races and cultures • rank • science • stardate • Starfleet uniform • Starfleet uniform (2350s-2366) • technology • title • uniform • slang • litter • The Merchant of Venice • number one • rape • saucer separation
Chronology
- 2294–2295
- The research team of Susan Nuress investigates an outbreak of plasma plague on the northern continent of Oby VI. To counter the outbreak, Doctor Nuress and her team developed a mutated strain which grew more rapidly when exposed to Eichner radiation. The research developed by her team was listed in an etiological report and was still viable in 2365. (prior to episode)
- 2364
- Beverly Crusher leaves the Enterprise to become the head of Starfleet Medical. (prior to episode)
- stardate 42073.1, 2365 (2360s chronology, Enterprise-D voyages)
- Rendezvous of Enterprise and Repulse.
Appendices
Related media
- TNG episode: "The Arsenal of Freedom"
- The Lorenze Cluster, mentioned in "The Arsenal of Freedom", is mentioned again in "The Child".
- TNG episode: "The Neutral Zone"
- The previous episode was the TNG season 1 finale, and was the last appearance of Beverly Crusher until TNG episode: "Shades of Gray". "The Neutral Zone" was also the last appearance of Worf in his 2350s command division bridge officer uniform and his 23rd century-style Klingon baldric, until "Shades of Gray" and "All Good Things". The season 1 finale was also the last episode where Geordi La Forge served as flight controller and wore his 2350s command division uniform until "Shades of Gray" and "Identity Crisis". TNG video game: The Transinium Challenge takes place on the interim between "The Neutral Zone" and "The Child", after those changes were made, but before the departure of Beverly Crusher, and before William T. Riker grew his beard.
- TNG episode: "Where Silence Has Lease"
- The next episode mentions the trip to Morgana Quadrant that was first referenced in "The Child".
- TNG episode: "Unnatural Selection"
- Captain Taggert references Pulaski's reasons for taking her shuttlecraft voyage seen in "The Child".
- TNG episode: "Shades of Gray"
- The TNG season 2 finale featured flashbacks to Ian Troi's death in this episode.
- TNG novel: Vendetta
- The next appearance of the Repulse
- TNG - Strange New Worlds IV short story: "Prodigal Son"
- TNG movie: Generations
- The Lorenze Cluster is seen in a graphic.
- ST - Destiny novel: Gods of Night
- Troi learns her reproductive system was damaged by Eichner radiation.
Video releases
VHS release with "Where Silence Has Lease".
Images
Episode image.
Repulse and Enterprise.
'aucdet IX.
Ian.
Shuttle D'Alison.
Gladstone.
Shuttlebay #3.
Containment module.
Pacelli and Daneeka followed by entity.
Sleeping crewman.
Engineer.
Boliska.
Wesley enjoys a Delovian soufflé.
Connections
Timeline
| published order | ||
|---|---|---|
| Previous episode: The Neutral Zone |
TNG episode produced | Next episode: Where Silence Has Lease |
| Previous episode: The Neutral Zone |
TNG episode aired | Next episode: Where Silence Has Lease |
| chronological order | ||
| Previous Adventure: The Transinium Challenge |
Memory Beta Chronology | Next Adventure: Lifesigns |
| Previous Adventure: Vulcan's Soul: Exodus Chapter 1 |
Next Adventure: Strike Zone | |
| Previous Adventure: The Transinium Challenge |
Voyages of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) |
Next Adventure: Lifesigns |
External links
- "The Child" article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- The Child article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.