Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Time's Arrow, Part II (1992)

Jerry Hardin: Samuel Clemens

Photos 

Quotes 

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I wish... I wish time would've allowed me to know you better.

  Samuel Clemens : Well, you'll just have to read my books. What I am is pretty much there.

  [Picard then turns towards Guinan] 

  Guinan : I'll see you in 500 years, Picard.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : And I'll see you... in a few minutes.

• Counselor Deanna Troi : Poverty was eliminated on Earth, a long time ago. And a lot of other things disappeared with it - hopelessness, despair, cruelty...

  Samuel Clemens : Young lady, I come from a time when men achieve power and wealth by standing on the backs of the poor, where prejudice and intolerance are commonplace and power is an end unto itself. And you're telling me that isn't how it is anymore?

  Counselor Deanna Troi : That's right.

  Samuel Clemens : Hmmm... Well... maybe... it's worth giving up cigars for, after all.

• Samuel Clemens : Where are we? And when?

  Commander William T. Riker : This is the 24th century, we're on Devidia II, and you're not supposed to be here.

  Samuel Clemens : Well, it seems to me I have as much right to be in your time as you had to be in mine. I wanted to see how you've conducted my future affairs.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Your future affairs?

  Samuel Clemens : The affairs of mankind.

  Commander William T. Riker : But the disappearance of Mark Twain, one of the most noted literary figures of the 19th century...

  Samuel Clemens : Thank you.

  Commander William T. Riker : That's not supposed to happen.

  Samuel Clemens : I only took advantage of an irresistible opportunity, as any good writer would.

• [London has asked Clemens to help him write his own life story] 

  Samuel Clemens : Young man, I have a maxim that I have always lived by: no one is more qualified to write your story than you are.

• Samuel Clemens : [to Troi]  So, this is a spaceship. You ever run into Halley's Comet?

• [before returning to the 19th century] 

  Samuel Clemens : [pumps Data's hand]  I'm glad I have a chance to thank you!

  Lt. Commander Data : For what, sir?

  Samuel Clemens : Why, for starting me out on the greatest adventure a man's ever had!

  [whoops and laughs, then sobers] 

  Samuel Clemens : And for helping a bitter old man to open his eyes, and see that the future... turned out pretty well after all.

• [Clemens enters the cave holding the alien time travel device] 

  Samuel Clemens : [panting]  This thing put me down in the middle of Market Street! Took forever to get here.

• [last lines] 

  Samuel Clemens : Don't worry, Madam Guinan. You're gonna be fine.

• Samuel Clemens : You got any passions, boy, any dreams?

  Jack London : Well, I'd like to do some traveling, maybe go to sea. And Alaska - I've had the strangest notion to go see Alaska!

  Samuel Clemens : That's a great idea, son, that's exactly what I would do if I were your age. Alaska, the Klondike, the aurora borealis, that's it! Follow your dreams, and write about them.

  Jack London : Thank you, Mr. Clemens. You know, that is exactly what I'm gonna do.

  Samuel Clemens : You do that, son.

  Jack London : You'll see my name in print, too.

  Samuel Clemens : I'm sure I will.

  Jack London : And don't forget - the name's London, Jack London!

• Samuel Clemens : [seeing Worf for the first time]  A werewolf!

• [Clemens mentions to Data an employee of the county assayer's office Data has spoken to earlier] 

  Lt. Commander Data : I have spoken to several people in that office.

  Samuel Clemens : Yes, I know. And in the hall of records, and in the Geological Society, and in a little-known mineral shop in Chinatown. You do get around, don't you?

  Lt. Commander Data : As apparently you do, Mr. Clemens.

• Samuel Clemens : I know what you say, that this is a vessel of exploration, and that your mission is to discover new worlds. That... that's what the, the Spanish said... and the Dutch, and the Portuguese...

• Samuel Clemens : I suspect that even time travelers are vulnerable to the Colt .45.

• Samuel Clemens : Any place that doesn't stock a good cigar doesn't rank high in my book.

• Samuel Clemens : All this technology, it only serves to take away life's simple pleasures. You don't even let a man open the door for a lady.