S2.E1

The Child

Episode aired Nov 21, 1988
TV-PG
45m

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Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Deanna is impregnated by an unknown alien life-form, and Dr. Katherine Pulaski joins the Enterprise as the ship's new Chief Medical Officer.Deanna is impregnated by an unknown alien life-form, and Dr. Katherine Pulaski joins the Enterprise as the ship's new Chief Medical Officer.Deanna is impregnated by an unknown alien life-form, and Dr. Katherine Pulaski joins the Enterprise as the ship's new Chief Medical Officer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

4.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
This episode marks the first appearance of Worf's silver baldric, which he would keep throughout the remainder of The Next Generation, throughout his stint on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), and in all four TNG movies. His previous (gold fabric) baldric was of the type worn by Klingon commanders in the classic Star Trek series. This episode also shows that Worf is now the official permanent security chief, having been made "acting" chief of security following the death of Natasha Yar in Skin of Evil (1988).

Goofs
On the computer screen which continues the history of the mysteriously mutating virus, the word "growth" is erroneously repeated. ("...with growth GROWTH proceeding exponentially.")

Quotes
Dr. Kate Pulaski: Dah-ta, look at this.
Lt. Commander Data: [looking slightly confused] 'Day-ta'.
Dr. Kate Pulaski: What?
Lt. Commander Data: My name. It is pronounced 'Day-ta'.
Dr. Kate Pulaski: Oh?
Lt. Commander Data: You called me "Dah-ta".
Dr. Kate Pulaski: [laughing] What's the difference?
Lt. Commander Data: One is my name. The other is not.
Dr. Kate Pulaski: Is this possible?
[stands up and begins to run a scan on Data]
Dr. Kate Pulaski: With all of your neuro nets and heuristics? Is there some combination of circuits that make up a network for bruised feelings? Possible?
Lt. Commander Data: [Data smiles at the idea]

Connections
Featured in The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next (1988)

Soundtracks
Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User reviews36

Review

Featured review

3/10

Ridiculous Episode

I just watched this episode for probably the third time in my life. As others have written, it is forgettable, and I remembered only bits and pieces of it as I watched it.

I understand why Marina Sirtis hated it. The story is ridiculous, and it lacks real, genuine tension. It's also implausible, even for a futuristic science fiction setting.

This episode also marks the introduction of Diana Muldaur as Doctor Pulaski. Almost every Trek fan hated her because she replaced the sexy and talented Gates McFaddden then whined about her experience on the show years later.

I'm going to rank it 3 stars only because Sirtis's acting is believable despite the fact that she knew that her character's situation was ridiculous, which makes her performance even more impressive.