The Last Outpost (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Last Outpost" is the 5th episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
while it contends with a new alien threat.
vessel that has stolen a T-9 energy converter from an unmanned Federation
outpost. While the Ferengi race was known to the Federation, this is their first encounter with the species, and the Enterprise crew finds the Ferengi appear to be at a similar technology level as themselves. As the chase passes Gamma Tauri IV, both ships suffer from power drains causing them to come to a halt. Though the crews of both ships initially believe the power drain is caused by the other vessel, Captain Picard
realizes that the Ferengi are as confused as they are, and orders the crew to investigate Gamma Tauri IV. Data
reports that the planet seems to have once been a remote outpost of the "Tkon Empire" that became extinct 600,000 years ago. Picard contacts the Ferengi and gets them to agree to mutually explore the planet below to try to find the source of the energy drain, which has now started to affect the life support systems on both ships.
On the barren planet, the away team is momentarily separated due to planet's energy field effects on the transporters, but after regrouping, they are attacked and bound by the Ferengi, believing the Enterprise crew was planning an ambush of their own. The away team manages to get free, and begin to exchange weapon fire, but the shots from the Federation phasers and the Ferengi energy whips are adsorbed by a nearby crystalline tree. Data investigates the tree, believing it to be related to the energy field affecting the ships, and suddenly awakens an entity that displays itself as a humanoid and calls itself Portal 63, "a guardian of the Tkon Empire." Portal 63 asks the two groups if they seek to enter the Tkon Empire, and does not comprehend when it is told that the Tkon have long since disappeared. The Ferengi attempt to oust the Federation as a hostile force, which Commander Riker
admits to. Portal 63 steps forward, appearing ready to attack Riker with a bladed weapon, but after challenging Riker of claiming his species is barbaric, Riker quotes Sun Tzu
, "Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy." Portal 63 accepts this and stands down from its challenge, satisfied that the Federation is a civilized race, and allows the Enterprise to go free; it further offers Riker the opportunity to destroy the Ferengi vessel, but Riker declines on the grounds that the Ferengi would learn nothing from such an action. Both away teams return to their respective ships with power restored, and the Ferengi return the stolen energy converter. As a means of ironic thanks, Riker suggests sending the Ferengi a box of chinese finger trap
s, a toy that Data became fascinated by, and subsequently stuck in, earlier in the mission.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
.
Overview
An unknown force immobilizes the EnterpriseUSS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
while it contends with a new alien threat.
Plot
The USS Enterprise pursues a FerengiFerengi
The Ferengi are a fictitious extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. They first appeared in "The Last Outpost", the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, during which they made first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2364 on the planet Delphi Ardu,...
vessel that has stolen a T-9 energy converter from an unmanned Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
outpost. While the Ferengi race was known to the Federation, this is their first encounter with the species, and the Enterprise crew finds the Ferengi appear to be at a similar technology level as themselves. As the chase passes Gamma Tauri IV, both ships suffer from power drains causing them to come to a halt. Though the crews of both ships initially believe the power drain is caused by the other vessel, Captain Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
realizes that the Ferengi are as confused as they are, and orders the crew to investigate Gamma Tauri IV. Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
reports that the planet seems to have once been a remote outpost of the "Tkon Empire" that became extinct 600,000 years ago. Picard contacts the Ferengi and gets them to agree to mutually explore the planet below to try to find the source of the energy drain, which has now started to affect the life support systems on both ships.
On the barren planet, the away team is momentarily separated due to planet's energy field effects on the transporters, but after regrouping, they are attacked and bound by the Ferengi, believing the Enterprise crew was planning an ambush of their own. The away team manages to get free, and begin to exchange weapon fire, but the shots from the Federation phasers and the Ferengi energy whips are adsorbed by a nearby crystalline tree. Data investigates the tree, believing it to be related to the energy field affecting the ships, and suddenly awakens an entity that displays itself as a humanoid and calls itself Portal 63, "a guardian of the Tkon Empire." Portal 63 asks the two groups if they seek to enter the Tkon Empire, and does not comprehend when it is told that the Tkon have long since disappeared. The Ferengi attempt to oust the Federation as a hostile force, which Commander Riker
William Riker
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
admits to. Portal 63 steps forward, appearing ready to attack Riker with a bladed weapon, but after challenging Riker of claiming his species is barbaric, Riker quotes Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
, "Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy." Portal 63 accepts this and stands down from its challenge, satisfied that the Federation is a civilized race, and allows the Enterprise to go free; it further offers Riker the opportunity to destroy the Ferengi vessel, but Riker declines on the grounds that the Ferengi would learn nothing from such an action. Both away teams return to their respective ships with power restored, and the Ferengi return the stolen energy converter. As a means of ironic thanks, Riker suggests sending the Ferengi a box of chinese finger trap
Chinese finger trap
A Chinese finger trap is a gag toy used to play a practical joke on children and unsuspecting adults...
s, a toy that Data became fascinated by, and subsequently stuck in, earlier in the mission.
External links
- The Last Outpost reviewed by Wil WheatonWil WheatonRichard William "Wil" Wheaton III is an American actor and writer. As an actor, he is best known for his portrayals of Wesley Crusher on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gordie Lachance in the film Stand by Me and Joey Trotta in Toy Soldiers...
(Wesley CrusherWesley CrusherWesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
) - The Last Outpost rewatch by Keith R.A. DeCandido