Under an Officers Exchange Program, Riker serves aboard a Klingon ship, whose aging captain seeks an unwarranted bloody retaliation for suspected Enterprise treachery.Under an Officers Exchange Program, Riker serves aboard a Klingon ship, whose aging captain seeks an unwarranted bloody retaliation for suspected Enterprise treachery.Under an Officers Exchange Program, Riker serves aboard a Klingon ship, whose aging captain seeks an unwarranted bloody retaliation for suspected Enterprise treachery.
- Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
- (credit only)
- Counselor Deanna Troi
- (credit only)
- Youngblood
- (uncredited)
- Security Officer
- (uncredited)
- Command Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Ten Forward Waiter
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBrian Thompson was hired for his role, and then let go without notice before it was filmed. When he sought out a reason why, he was told that he was too large to fit into the costume Christopher Lloyd had worn for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). He quickly volunteered to make any necessary alterations himself.
- GoofsIn Coming of Age (1988), in which several young students fight for a place in Starfleet Academy, the Benzite Mordock gains the honor of becoming the first of his race to enter Starfleet. In this episode, less than a year later, Mendon, another Benzite, appears, not as an already graduated Starfleet ensign but as an officer from the Benzite fleet (in the same sort of exchange program as with Riker and the Klingon ship). Mendon is unfamiliar with Starfleet procedures. He instead continues to quote how it is done in his own fleet and, early on, how much better their way is, which would likely not have happened if he had attended the Academy.
- Quotes
Tactics Officer: [about the two female Klingons on board the Pagh] They are inquisitive. They would like to know how you would endure.
Commander William T. Riker: Endure what?
Lt. Klag: Them.
Commander William T. Riker: [looks at the women] One or both?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shades of Gray (1989)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
This is a very strong episode with some great insight into the Klingons and some superb character moments for Riker.
The story has an excellent premise and unfolds in a compelling way with some strong themes of the alienation individuals encounter when living in a racially and culturally different environment.
There is a strong build up to the exchange with a number of solid moments such as Riker and Picard on the phaser range, Riker sampling Klingon food and O'Brien in the transporter.
Riker's scenes on board the Pagh are all excellent and without going into detail, it is safe to say these are probably my favourite moments for this character in the franchise. These are also some good Klingon moments, although there are plenty more to come in TNG and Deep Space Nine.
There is a great sub-plot that mirrors what Riker is going through but in a very different way aboard Enterprise. Eventually the plots collide and we have a pretty cheer-worthy conclusion as Enterprise and Pagh hail each other.
All visuals are excellent with a great atmosphere aboard the Pagh. The makeup effects are some of the strongest examples in Star Trek and hold up against modern day filmmaking.
This episode very much belongs to Jonathan Frakes and the guest actors who play the Klingon warriors. Frakes portrays Riker as an action hero with an iron will and a sense of adventure to rival the best moments of Captain Kirk. Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart also contribute well.
For me it's an 8.5/10, but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- May 30, 2021
Details
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1