Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The Neutral Zone (1988)

Peter Mark Richman: Ralph Offenhouse

Photos 

Quotes 

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.

  Ralph Offenhouse : Then what's the challenge?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : The challenge, Mr. Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : A lot has changed in the past three hundred years. People are no longer obsessed with the accumulation of things. We've eliminated hunger, want, the need for possessions. We've grown out of our infancy.

  Ralph Offenhouse : You've got it all wrong. It has never been about possessions. It's about power.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Power to do what?

  Ralph Offenhouse : To control your life, your destiny.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : That kind of control is an illusion.

  Ralph Offenhouse : Really? I'm here, aren't I? I should be dead, but I'm not.

• Ralph Offenhouse : [over comm]  This is the worst run ship I have ever been on. You should take some lessons from the QE2. Now, that's an efficient operation!

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Data, identify: what is a QE2?

  Lt. Commander Data : It was a passenger liner, which mostly traveled Earth's Atlantic Ocean during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : He's comparing the Enterprise to a *cruise ship*?

• Ralph Offenhouse : Captain, I didn't mean to come on so strong. It's just that I've built my whole life on knowing what's going on, and for the first time I feel... completely out of touch. It's, uh, making me crazy. You can understand that?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : That's the first thing you've said I do understand. And, please, stay off the com panels.

• Ralph Offenhouse : [Riker orders Security to escort Offenhouse from the Bridge]  I'm not going anywhere!

• [several Federation and Romulan outposts along the Neutral Zone have been destroyed] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [to the Romulans]  Who is responsible?

  [the Romulans look at each other] 

  Ralph Offenhouse : They haven't got a clue! They're hoping *you* know, but they're too arrogant to ask!

  Commander William T. Riker : You're out of line, Mister!

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Yes, but it's a correct assessment.

• Lieutenant Geordi La Forge : [referring to the Romulans]  The last time we encountered them was decades ago. Cost thousands of lives.

  Ralph Offenhouse : [looking at the Romulan warbird on the viewscreen]  I can believe that!

• Capt. Picard : [informing the Castaways of developments while in the briefing room]  Here is what I propose; you can't stay on the Enterprise, but I have arranged for us to rendezvous with the USS Charleston, bound for Earth. They will deliver you there.

  Ralph Offenhouse : Then what will happen to us? There's no trace of my money, my office is gone... What will I do? How will I live?

  Capt. Picard : This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.

  Ralph Offenhouse : Then, what's the challenge?

  Capt. Picard : [pauses]  The challenge, Mr Offenhouse, is to improve yourself! To enrich yourself! Enjoy it.

• Ralph Offenhouse : [Entering turbolift]  Ah, let's see. I want to go to the, er... Where would the Captain be?

  Enterprise Computer : Captain Picard is located on the main bridge.

  Ralph Offenhouse : Well then, take me to the main bridge.