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
I think this is an underrated episode
Data makes contact with a little girl on the surface of a planet being studied by Enterprise.
This is a strong episode with a great look at leadership and the ethical decisions leaders have to make.
The plot is heavy handed in how the themes are presented, but it's an effective look at command from the perspective of the a young inexperienced ensign and a seasoned ship's captain. In the same breath it makes good use of the prime directive in the story's main dilemma.
I imagine many young leaders have been in the position of commanding older and more experienced colleagues. I know I can identify with the position Wesley is put in during 'Pen Pals', so the episode is worth watching for the realism and good advice he receives during his moments of self doubt.
The Data story puts Picard in an equally difficult position but with enormous challenges in terms of ethical decision making and what's at stake. Data, Pulaski and the other commanders give strong contributions to the problems at hand.
I enjoyed this visuals, with decent use of locations for the holodeck scenes and some good set design for the planet surface sequences.
Personally I thought cast were on good form with all giving equally good contributions aside from Patrick Stewart who always stands out as an excellent performer.
This is a strong episode with a great look at leadership and the ethical decisions leaders have to make.
The plot is heavy handed in how the themes are presented, but it's an effective look at command from the perspective of the a young inexperienced ensign and a seasoned ship's captain. In the same breath it makes good use of the prime directive in the story's main dilemma.
I imagine many young leaders have been in the position of commanding older and more experienced colleagues. I know I can identify with the position Wesley is put in during 'Pen Pals', so the episode is worth watching for the realism and good advice he receives during his moments of self doubt.
The Data story puts Picard in an equally difficult position but with enormous challenges in terms of ethical decision making and what's at stake. Data, Pulaski and the other commanders give strong contributions to the problems at hand.
I enjoyed this visuals, with decent use of locations for the holodeck scenes and some good set design for the planet surface sequences.
Personally I thought cast were on good form with all giving equally good contributions aside from Patrick Stewart who always stands out as an excellent performer.
helpful•90
- snoozejonc
- Jun 5, 2021
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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