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
Why is the Prime Directive so bad?
I'm confused, does the Prime Directive prevent Star Fleet from preventing natural disasters on planets? Even if this will be completely unknown and cause no change to the culture, except to, you know, save it from extinction?
Picard mentions all sorts of natural disasters and everyone is in agreement that they should act, but then when he gets to war, they are, understandable, more reticent. That is because natural disasters are not at all under control of the culture - but war is.
The Prime Directive is there to protect cultures from advanced knowledge and technology, but it shouldn't be a lead weight tied to a culture so that it dies or suffers.
Star Fleet is starting to look like fair-weather friends. Willing to help societies that don't really need it but refusing to help those with a real need.
Picard mentions all sorts of natural disasters and everyone is in agreement that they should act, but then when he gets to war, they are, understandable, more reticent. That is because natural disasters are not at all under control of the culture - but war is.
The Prime Directive is there to protect cultures from advanced knowledge and technology, but it shouldn't be a lead weight tied to a culture so that it dies or suffers.
Star Fleet is starting to look like fair-weather friends. Willing to help societies that don't really need it but refusing to help those with a real need.
helpful•148
- fmbr-1
- Jan 7, 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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