Aquiel

Last updated
"Aquiel"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
Episode no.Season 6
Episode 13
Directed by Cliff Bole
Story by Jeri Taylor
Teleplay by
Featured music Jay Chattaway
Production code239
Original air dateFebruary 1, 1993 (1993-02-01)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Ship in a Bottle"		Next →
"Face of the Enemy"
Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6
List of episodes

"Aquiel" is the 139th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation , the 13th episode of the sixth season.

Contents

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise investigates a mysterious death on a remote station, and Commander La Forge falls for the main suspect.

This episode was written by Jeri Taylor, Brannon Braga, and Ronald D. Moore. [1] It was directed by Cliff Bole, and aired on television on February 1, 1993. [1]

Plot

The Federation starship Enterprise arrives at a subspace communications relay station near the Klingon border on a resupply mission. However, when an away team boards the relay there is no sign of the two officers assigned there. Lieutenant Aquiel Uhnari, Lieutenant Rocha, and the station's shuttlecraft are missing. While searching the station, the away team finds the dog that belongs to Lieutenant Uhnari. The away team also finds a substance on the floor, which Enterprise Chief Medical Officer Dr. Crusher determines is a type of cellular residue. [2]

The crew uncover evidence that a Klingon had been on the station leading Crusher and First Officer Riker to suspect that Uhnari and Rocha were the victims of a Klingon attack. Commander La Forge backs up this theory when he examines Uhnari's personal logs. He finds an entry in which Aquiel relays her fears to her sister Shianna about a Klingon named Morag. Captain Picard contacts the local Klingon governor, Torak, and learns that Morag is commander of one of the Klingon ships that patrols that section of the Klingon Empire's border. At this point, Torak refuses to cooperate further. Picard threatens to take his case to Chancellor Gowron, a threat scoffed at by Torak until Picard casually mentions that he served as Gowron's Arbiter of Succession. [note 1] Knowing Gowron would be in Picard's debt and how the former might frown upon the disrespect shown to the latter, a nervous Torak agrees to cooperate fully. [2]

The senior staff meets with Torak, and he produces Aquiel alive. She explains that Rocha attacked her and that her last memory was escaping from him. She doesn't remember precisely what happened. To help clarify what really occurred, Picard requests to speak to Commander Morag, the Klingon who was allegedly harassing the station. Attracted to her, La Forge befriends Aquiel, and takes her to the Ten-Forward lounge. He reveals to her that he surveyed her logs and personal correspondence as part of their investigation. Aquiel says she didn't like Rocha but did not wish to hurt him. She realizes she is a suspect in his death. [2]

Meanwhile, Dr. Crusher continues to examine the cellular residue found on the deckplate. Riker and Lt. Worf, who are examining the shuttlecraft, come across a phaser set to kill. La Forge gives moral support to Aquiel as she is questioned again. [2]

Commander Morag then arrives aboard the Enterprise and meets the senior staff. He admits that he was present on the station, and that he took priority Starfleet messages from its computer. La Forge returns to the station and discovers that Rocha's personal log has been tampered with. He confronts Aquiel who admits deleting messages from Rocha's log, because Rocha, as the senior officer, was going to declare her insubordinate and belligerent to Starfleet. Scared that this new evidence will condemn her as Rocha's killer, she agrees to stay aboard the Enterprise because La Forge has faith in her. He and Aquiel use an ancient method of her people to bond and share their thoughts. [2]

While Dr. Crusher examines the DNA found on the deck plate yet again, the material moves and touches her hand. It then withdraws and forms a perfect replica of her hand. Due to this, she suspects that the real Rocha might have been killed by this strange coalescent organism, and a replica of him then attacked Aquiel in search of a new body. Believing that the organism now has Aquiel's body, Riker and Worf race to Aquiel's quarters and stop the ritual she is conducting with La Forge, believing she was about to attack him. Morag is also arrested, as it is just as likely he is the organism. [2]

With Aquiel and Morag in the brig, the Enterprise proceeds to the nearest starbase as the crew keep a close watch on them both - in case the organism needs a new body soon. La Forge is in his quarters along with Aquiel's dog reminiscing about her. The dog transforms and attacks him, but he is able to kill it. Later, he explains to Aquiel, who has been released, that Rocha was replaced by the organism. When it attacked her, it began the takeover process (hence her lapse in memory); however, she managed to get away in time. The creature then turned to the only other life form on the station, her dog. [2]

The episode ends with Aquiel and La Forge in Ten-Forward, where she turns down his offer to help her join the Enterprise crew. She tells him she wants to earn her way there on her own merits. [2]

Reception

In retrospect, the episode is poorly rated. In a ranking of all 176 Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, "Aquiel" was ranked 155th by Medium in 2016. [3] In 2019, Screen Rant ranked it even lower, the ninth worst episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation based on IMDB ratings, which was 6.1 out of ten at that time. [4] They were critical of the Klingon subplot, and described Geordi as “pathetic at best and a sexual predator at worst“. [4]

Releases

The episode was released as part of the Star Trek: The Next Generation season six DVD box set in the United States on December 3, 2002. [5] A remastered HD version was released on Blu-ray optical disc, on June 24, 2014. [6] [7]

Notes

  1. ↑ See the episodes "Reunion" and "Redemption".

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worf</span> Fictional character from Star Trek

Worf, son of Mogh is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, portrayed by actor Michael Dorn. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), seasons four through seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) and the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, as well as the feature films Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deanna Troi</span> Fictional character from Star Trek

Deanna Troi is a main character in the science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and related TV series and films, portrayed by actress Marina Sirtis. Troi is half-human, half-Betazoid, and has the psionic ability to sense emotions. She serves as the ship's counsellor on USS Enterprise-D. Throughout most of the series, she holds the rank of lieutenant commander. In the seventh season, Troi takes the bridge officer's examination and is promoted to the rank of commander, but continues as counsellor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordi La Forge</span> Star Trek character

Geordi La Forge is a fictional character who appeared in all seven seasons of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its four feature films as well as the third season of Star Trek: Picard. Portrayed by LeVar Burton, he served as helmsman of the USS Enterprise-D in the first season of The Next Generation, then occupied the role of the chief engineer for the rest of the series and in the films before appearing as a commodore in Picard. La Forge has been blind since his birth and uses technological devices that allow him to see – a VISOR in the series and the first film, replaced by ocular prosthetic implants in the last three films and in Picard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ro Laren</span> Fictional character

Ro Laren is a fictional character appearing on a recurring basis in the fifth, sixth and seventh seasons of the American science-fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The character returned for the third season of Star Trek: Picard. Portrayed by Michelle Forbes, she is a member of the Bajoran species who joins the crew of the USS Enterprise-D over the fervent objection of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who cited her previous court-martial. Ro, too, was against joining the Enterprise crew but said, "It is better than prison." The character was intended both to be at odds with the series regulars and to replace Wesley Crusher in the conn officer post on the bridge. Forbes was cast to portray Ro after previously appearing in the series as Dara in the episode "Half a Life".

"Redemption" is a two-part episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Parts I and II of "Redemption" comprise the 100th and 101st episodes of the series, also being the fourth season finale and the fifth season premiere.

"The Enemy" is the seventh episode of the third season of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 55th episode overall, first broadcast on November 6, 1989.

USS <i>Enterprise</i> (NCC-1701-E) Fictional starship from Star Trek: First Contact

The USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E is a fictional starship belonging to the United Federation of Planets, commonly known as the Federation, in the Star Trek franchise. It appears in the films Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis, where it serves as the primary setting. It is the sixth Federation starship to carry the name Enterprise. The ship's captain during the 2370s and early 2380s was Jean-Luc Picard. He was transferred to the Enterprise-E after the Enterprise-D was destroyed in The Next Generation spin-off movie Star Trek Generations.

"The Chase" is the 146th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 20th episode of the sixth season. It is directed by series cast member Jonathan Frakes.

<i>Star Trek: Titan</i> Book series

Star Trek: Titan is a series of science fiction novels set within the Star Trek media franchise, which detail the adventures of the USS Titan under the command Captain William T. Riker, who was part of the main cast the 1987-1994 TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its spinoff films. The series was published by Simon & Schuster imprints Pocket Books, Pocket Star, and Gallery Books from 2005 to 2017. The novels are set after the events depicted in the 2002 film Star Trek: Nemesis.

"Hide and Q" is the tenth episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and originally aired on November 23, 1987, in broadcast syndication. The story was originally written by Maurice Hurley but went under numerous re-writes by the show's creator Gene Roddenberry. The episode was directed by Cliff Bole, and saw the return of John de Lancie as Q.

"Samaritan Snare" is the seventeenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 43rd episode overall. It was first released on May 15, 1989, in broadcast syndication.

"Manhunt" is the nineteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 45th episode overall, originally broadcast on June 19, 1989.

"The Emissary" is the twentieth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 46th episode overall, first airing on June 26, 1989.

"The Arsenal of Freedom" is the twenty-first episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, originally aired on April 11, 1988, in broadcast syndication. The teleplay was written by Richard Manning and Hans Beimler, based on a story by Beimler. The episode was directed by Les Landau.

"A Matter of Honor" is the eighth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 34th episode overall, first broadcast on February 6, 1989. The teleplay is written by Burton Armus, based on a story by Armus, Wanda M. Haight and Gregory W. Amos, and directed by Rob Bowman.

"Reunion" is the 81st episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is the seventh episode of the fourth season.

Rightful Heir is the 149th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the 23rd episode of the sixth season.

The Minds Eye (<i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>) 24th episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation

"The Mind's Eye" is the 98th episode of the American syndicated science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 24th episode of the fourth season. David Livingston made his directoral debut at the helm of this episode.

"Preemptive Strike" is the 176th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is the 24th episode of the seventh season, and penultimate episode of the series overall, directed by cast member Patrick Stewart.

References

  1. 1 2 DeCandido, Keith R. A. (2012-10-31). "Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: "Aquiel"". Tor.com. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Aquiel". Star Trek: The Next Generation. 1 February 1993. CBS.
  3. ↑ Andrew (2016-07-29). "Ranking All the Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes (Part 1)". Medium. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  4. 1 2 "10 Worst Episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, According to IMDb". ScreenRant. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  5. ↑ Ordway, Holly E. (December 6, 2002). "Star Trek the Next Generation – Season 4". DVD Talk. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  6. ↑ Marnell, Blair (June 20, 2014). "Exclusive Video: Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6 Gag Reel". Crave Online. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  7. ↑ Lipp, Chaz (February 28, 2015). "Blu-ray Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Six". The Morton Report. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.