Unnatural Selection
- Episode aired Jan 28, 1989
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
Enhanced DNA developments trigger an epidemic of rapid aging. Caught among its victims - Dr. Pulaski.Enhanced DNA developments trigger an epidemic of rapid aging. Caught among its victims - Dr. Pulaski.Enhanced DNA developments trigger an epidemic of rapid aging. Caught among its victims - Dr. Pulaski.
Majel Barrett
- Enterprise Computer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
George Baxter-Holder
- Darwin 'Child'
- (uncredited)
James G. Becker
- Youngblood
- (uncredited)
Michael Braveheart
- Crewman Martinez
- (uncredited)
Cibby Danyla
- Medical Staff
- (uncredited)
Larry Guthrie
- Darwin Scientist
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaChief O'Brien was a last-minute addition to the teleplay. Originally, the story featured a young engineering genius named Rina, whose beauty caused male colleagues to repeatedly experience pratfalls, which led to a romantic subplot with La Forge. Showrunner Maurice Hurley found the character obnoxious and deleted her when he rewrote the teleplay, replacing her with Colm Meaney's until-then nameless character, who was finally named and his personality expanded upon.
- GoofsThe Darwin Station crew are experimenting with genetic engineering, which violates Federation laws that were enacted due to the lesson of the Eugenics Wars. This issue is a recurring theme in Trek, yet is never once addressed in this case.
Although the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022) episode Ad Astra Per Aspera (2023) might give a possible explanation for this. In the episode, it is said that the law that forbids genetic manipulation within Starfleet is going to be altered to allow genetically altered species to exist within the federation. It is very well possible that the law was further lifted by the 24th century to allow for genetic manipulation when certain conditions are met.
- Quotes
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And, Doctor, God knows I'm not one to discourage input, but I would appreciate it if you'd let me finish my sentences once in a while.
- 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
Featured review
Decent medical focussed episode
Enterprise responds to a distress call from another Starfleet ship.
This is a solid episode that reworks an original series episode but does a better job of the concept.
The plot is reminiscent of 'The Deadly Years' with the rapid ageing condition affecting one of the crew members. It has quite a technobabble-heavy script that works well for nerds like me who like it in the right circumstances. It's not as silly as the original story, but the end solution is rather convenient and a stretch in plausibility.
I like the exchanges Dr Pulasky has with Cpt Picard and Cmdr Data, plus the scenes where the crew work to find the solution. The hairbrush idea was a good one.
This is one of many meditations Star Trek does on eugenics and for me it is done in an interesting, but not entirely cinematic way.
The visuals are a mixed bag, with some ropey makeup effects on Dr Pulasky.
All performances are strong with Diana Muldaur and Patrick Stewart standing out. Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and Colm Meaney also give good support.
This is a solid episode that reworks an original series episode but does a better job of the concept.
The plot is reminiscent of 'The Deadly Years' with the rapid ageing condition affecting one of the crew members. It has quite a technobabble-heavy script that works well for nerds like me who like it in the right circumstances. It's not as silly as the original story, but the end solution is rather convenient and a stretch in plausibility.
I like the exchanges Dr Pulasky has with Cpt Picard and Cmdr Data, plus the scenes where the crew work to find the solution. The hairbrush idea was a good one.
This is one of many meditations Star Trek does on eugenics and for me it is done in an interesting, but not entirely cinematic way.
The visuals are a mixed bag, with some ropey makeup effects on Dr Pulasky.
All performances are strong with Diana Muldaur and Patrick Stewart standing out. Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and Colm Meaney also give good support.
helpful•31
- snoozejonc
- May 31, 2021
Details
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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