Pen Pals
- Episode aired Apr 29, 1989
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
Data befriends an alien girl in distress, breaking the Prime Directive, while Wesley commands his first team.Data befriends an alien girl in distress, breaking the Prime Directive, while Wesley commands his first team.Data befriends an alien girl in distress, breaking the Prime Directive, while Wesley commands his first team.
Ann Gillespie
- Ensign Hildebrant
- (as Ann H. Gillespie)
Majel Barrett
- Enterprise Computer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
James G. Becker
- Youngblood
- (uncredited)
Jeffrey Deacon
- Command Division Officer
- (uncredited)
Randy James
- Ten Forward Waiter
- (uncredited)
Tim McCormack
- Ensign Bennett
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first episode where Picard actually drinks Earl Grey tea. He had previously ordered a cup of Earl Grey from the replicator in Contagion (1989), but because of a computer malfunction he instead received a small potted plant.
- GoofsThe entire crew act as if they have never seen an alien before, after Data brings his friend on board, and refer to her as "that".
- Quotes
[Data is about to beam down to the planet]
Commander William T. Riker: O'Brien, take a nap. You didn't see any of this, you're not involved.
Chief Miles O'Brien: Right, sir, I'll just be standing over here dozing off.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Mr. Plinkett's Star Trek 2009 Review (2010)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
Featured review
Exemplifies why the Prime Directive is required.
This show exemplifies why the Prime Directive is required because they NEVER discuss the possible implications of their actions!
What if the energy driving the volcanoes provides the heat that critical ocean plankton need to grow, so the plankton die off, the fish that feed on it die, resulting in a planet-wide famine that decimates the population?
They may well still decide to act but the fact that they do not consider the possible ramifications shows why Star Fleet must resort to a directive instead of letting people think for themselves.
Note: They broke the current lattice structures but presumably they will reform and the situation will become the same in the future, so if they really want to save these people, then need to visit every few millennia to break up the new lattices.
To have a directive that we will not help people unless they have warp drive is ridiculous even though a goal of non-interference is valid there are obviously times that interference is warranted.
What if the energy driving the volcanoes provides the heat that critical ocean plankton need to grow, so the plankton die off, the fish that feed on it die, resulting in a planet-wide famine that decimates the population?
They may well still decide to act but the fact that they do not consider the possible ramifications shows why Star Fleet must resort to a directive instead of letting people think for themselves.
Note: They broke the current lattice structures but presumably they will reform and the situation will become the same in the future, so if they really want to save these people, then need to visit every few millennia to break up the new lattices.
To have a directive that we will not help people unless they have warp drive is ridiculous even though a goal of non-interference is valid there are obviously times that interference is warranted.
helpful•21
- wwcanoer-tech
- Jan 6, 2022
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Filming locations
- Thousand Oaks, California, USA(outdoor ranch in holodeck scene)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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