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{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
| aSelf = Contagion
+
|image = Data zapped by Iconian probe.jpg
| sTitle = Contagion
+
|writer = [[Steve Gerber]] & [[Beth Woods]]
| sSeries = TNG
+
|director = [[Joseph L. Scanlan]]
| nSeason = 2
+
|date = 42609.1 ([[2365]])
| nEpisode = 11
 
|sProductionSerialNumber = 40272-137
 
| nAirdateYear = 1989
 
| sAirdateMonth = March
 
| nAirdateDay = 20
 
| sImage = Data zapped by Iconian probe.jpg
 
| wsWrittenBy = [[Steve Gerber]] & [[Beth Woods]]
 
| wsTeleplayBy =
 
| wsStoryBy =
 
| wsDirectedBy = [[Joseph L. Scanlan]]
 
| nNthProducedInSeries = 36
 
| nNthReleasedInSeries = 36
 
| nNthReleasedInAll = 142
 
| bFeatureLength = 0
 
| nSerialAirdate = 19890320
 
| wsDate = 42609.1 ([[2365]])
 
| aNextReleasedInAll = The Royale (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInAll = The Dauphin (episode)
 
| aNextReleasedInSeries = The Royale (episode)
 
| aPrevReleasedInSeries = The Dauphin (episode)
 
| aNextProducedInSeries = The Royale (episode)
 
| aPrevProducedInSeries = The Dauphin (episode)
 
|aNextInUniverseTimeline = The Royale (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Dauphin (episode)
 
 
}}
 
}}
The ''Enterprise'' and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that claimed another Federation starship &ndash; one of the same class as the ''Enterprise''.
+
The ''Enterprise'' and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that has already destroyed one Federation starship of the same class as the ''Enterprise''.
   
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
 
=== Teaser ===
[[File:USS Yamato explodes.jpg|thumb|''Yamato'' explodes]]
+
[[File:USS Yamato explodes.jpg|thumb|The ''Yamato'' explodes]]
The ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|Enterprise]]'' responds to an urgent call from [[Captain]] [[Donald Varley]], a friend of Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]. Varley's ship, the {{USS|Yamato}}, which is the sister ship of the ''Enterprise'', has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while near the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]. Upon rendezvousing with the ''Enterprise'', Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors...that started making the [[Iconian]]s sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the [[planet]] [[Iconia]] in the Neutral Zone.
+
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D}} responds to an urgent call from [[Captain]] [[Donald Varley]], an old friend of Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]. Varley's ship, the {{USS|Yamato}}, the [[sister ship]] of the ''Enterprise'', has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while in the [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]. Upon rendezvousing with the ''Enterprise'', Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors&hellip; that started making the [[Iconian]]s sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the [[planet]] [[Iconia]] in the Neutral Zone.
   
As Varley continues, revealing his goal of preventing the [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulans]] from gaining [[Iconian]] technology, his transmission to the ''Enterprise'' cuts in and out. [[Worf]] detects a failure in the ''Yamato''{{'}}s [[antimatter containment]] chamber. Before the ''Enterprise'' crew can act, the ''Yamato'' explodes and all 1,000+ crew members are killed. Meanwhile, a [[Romulan warbird]] ([[D'deridex class]]) enters the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s sensor range.
+
As Varley continues through the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s [[viewscreen]], he reveals his goal of preventing the [[Romulan]]s from gaining Iconian technology. However, his transmission to the ''Enterprise'' keeps cutting in and out. [[Worf]] detects a failure in the ''Yamato''{{'}}s [[antimatter containment]] chamber, and Picard desperately tries to warn Varley of the impending catastrophe, but the transmission is too garbled for Varley to make out his warnings. Seconds later, the ''Yamato'' explodes and all 1,000+ crew members and their families are killed with the saucer section of its ship disintegrating, all watched by a stunned ''Enterprise'' bridge crew. Meanwhile, a Romulan {{class|D'deridex}} warbird enters the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s sensor range.
   
 
=== Act One ===
 
=== Act One ===
[[File:Romulans threaten Enterprise.jpg|thumb|left|Romulan threats]]
+
[[File:Romulans threaten Enterprise.jpg|thumb|left|Romulan threats from Taris]]
The ''Enterprise'' is unable to ascertain whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the ''Yamato''. After Picard and [[Subcommander]] [[Taris]] of the ''[[IRW Haakona|Haakona]]'' exchange accusations, the ''Haakona'' cloaks, and the ''Enterprise'' crew begins investigating the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction. They determine that the [[antimatter containment]] failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} [[starship]]s was responsible.
+
The ''Enterprise'' needs to find out whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the ''Yamato''. After Picard and [[Sub-Commander]] [[Taris]] of the ''[[Haakona]]'' exchange accusations, the ''Haakona'' [[cloak]]s, and the ''Enterprise'' crew begins investigating the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction. With a graphic of the ''Yamato'' on display in the [[observation lounge]], [[Chief Engineer]] [[Geordi La Forge]] and [[Data]] determine that the [[antimatter containment]] failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in {{class|Galaxy}} [[starship]]s was responsible. With the Romulans cleared, [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] suggests they should leave the Neutral Zone, but Picard states they'll remain where they are because, if it is a flaw, what happened to the ''Yamato'' could also happen to the ''Enterprise''.
   
As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's [[personal log]] to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent. In the archived logs, Varley describes finding [[Iconian]] artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian [[probe]] scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the [[Federation]].
+
As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's [[personal log]] from his [[desktop monitor]] in his [[captain's ready room|ready room]] to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent, asking the computer to look for log entries containing the words "Romulan" and/or "Iconian". In the archived logs, Varley describes finding Iconian artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian [[probe]] scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the [[Federation]].
   
 
[[File:Varley personal log.jpg|thumb|Searching for clues]]
 
[[File:Varley personal log.jpg|thumb|Searching for clues]]
Picard's [[ready room]] door fails to immediately open as he approaches, the first sign of trouble on the ''Enterprise''. The Bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and [[Data]] determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the ''Enterprise'' to this planet, on the far side of the [[Romulan Neutral Zone|Neutral Zone]], and assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission.
+
Picard's ready room door fails to immediately open as he approaches. He's a bit surprised by the malfunction but doesn't give it too much weight. The bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and Data determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the ''Enterprise'' to this planet, even though it is dangerously close to the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone, and they will assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission &ndash; a mission that Picard hopes will prevent a [[war]].
   
 
=== Act Two ===
 
=== Act Two ===
[[Wesley Crusher]] talks privately with Captain Picard about the [[Iconia]]ns, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the ''Yamato'' were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, Picard starts to remark about how the death of a single individual fails to move them, then is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered [[Earl Grey tea]] from the [[replicator]], and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "''Now that should not have happened,''" he remarks to Wesley.
+
[[Wesley Crusher]] talks privately with Captain Picard about the Iconians, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the ''Yamato'' were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others can handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that it's not easy for anyone, but they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, as Picard starts to talk about not forgetting the importance of every single life, he is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered [[Earl Grey tea]] from the [[replicator]], and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "''Now that should not have happened,''" he remarks to Wesley.
   
[[File:Turbolift wild ride.jpg|thumb|left|''"Stop, dammit!"'']]
+
[[File:Turbolift wild ride.jpg|thumb|left|"''Stop, dammit!''"]]
[[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] begins to suspect that the [[Iconian]] probe had something to do with the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the ''Enterprise''. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the ''Enterprise'' finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years ago. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the ''Enterprise''.
+
La Forge begins to suspect that the Iconian probe had something to do with the ''Yamato''{{'}}s destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the ''Enterprise''. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the ''Enterprise'' finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years prior. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the ''Enterprise''.
   
  +
[[File:William T. Riker helps Geordi La Forge up.jpg|thumb|"''Destroy the probe, sir! Quickly!''"]]
Picard initially intends to capture the probe in a [[tractor beam]], but a frantic La Forge, now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge due to an [[intercom]] failure, takes a wild [[turbolift]] ride to the Bridge, being thrown all about the turbolift as it races through the turbolift shafts including being stuck at the top and bottom of the lift car. Upon arriving on the bridge, Geordi is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and after he does so, Geordi tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the ''Enterprise'', there would have been no chance of saving the ship.
+
Picard tells La Forge that he will assist him in his investigation by capturing the probe in a [[tractor beam]], but the [[intercom]] fails before La Forge can say "''No!''" Now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge, La Forge runs frantically to the [[turbolift]]. It races wildly through the shafts, throwing La Forge about the lift car. At one point he is stuck to the ceiling, then he falls so violently that his [[VISOR]] is knocked off of his face. Upon arriving on the bridge, La Forge is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and, after he does so, La Forge tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the ''Enterprise'', there would have been no chance of saving the ship.
   
 
=== Act Three ===
 
=== Act Three ===
In the [[observation lounge]], La Forge explains that the Iconian probe was [[Iconian software transmission|transmitting]] an alien computer program to rewrite software in its own image. That was the cause behind the ''Yamato''{{'}}s systems failures. The ''Enterprise'' was not scanned by the probe, but did download the [[ship's log|''Yamato''{{'}}s log]] before its destruction, and contained within the log was the alien program. This means the ''Enterprise'' has a little breathing room, but likely not enough.
+
In the observation lounge, La Forge explains that the Iconian probe was [[Iconian software transmission|transmitting]] an alien computer program to rewrite software in its own image. That was the cause behind the ''Yamato''{{'}}s systems failures. The ''Enterprise'' was not scanned by the probe, but did download the [[ship's log|''Yamato''{{'}}s log]] before its destruction, and contained within the log was the alien program. The alien program started to spread out from that single location (while on the ''Yamato'' the probe could affect a number of systems from the get go), which means the ''Enterprise'' has a little breathing room, but not that much.
   
[[File:LaForge electrocuted.jpg|thumb|''"What happened!?"'']]
+
[[File:LaForge electrocuted.jpg|thumb|Another example of random results]]
As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. He decides to lead an [[away team]] to the planet's surface &ndash; over [[William T. Riker|Riker]]'s objection &ndash; to find this information. As soon as Picard, Data, and [[Worf]] [[transporter|beam]] down to the surface, a [[Romulan warbird]] decloaks in orbit near the ''Enterprise''.
+
As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. Considering his familiarity with what is known of Iconia, he decides to lead an [[away team]] himself to the planet's surface &ndash; over Riker's objection &ndash; to learn more. As soon as Picard, Data, and Worf [[beam]] down to the surface, a [[Romulan warbird]] decloaks in orbit near the ''Enterprise''.
   
The warbird attempts to fire [[photon torpedo]]es but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the ''Enterprise'', leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the ''Yamato'' log. When another probe is launched from [[Iconia]], Riker informs [[Taris]] to destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the [[deflector shield|shields]] to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.
+
The ''Haakona'' attempts to fire [[photon torpedo]]es but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the ''Enterprise'', leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the ''Yamato''{{'}}s log. When another probe is launched from Iconia, Riker instructs [[Taris]] to immediately destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the [[deflector shield|shields]] to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.
   
 
=== Act Four ===
 
=== Act Four ===
[[File:Picard Data and Worf on Iconia.jpg|thumb|left|''"Let's see what sense we can make of this."'']]
+
[[File:Picard Data and Worf on Iconia.jpg|thumb|left|"''Let's see what sense we can make of this.''"]]
On the surface of [[Iconia]], the [[away team]] cannot establish contact with the ''Enterprise''. Picard and Data attempt to make sense of a large console in the Iconian control room. Data determines that the Iconian language shares enough common roots with other languages to enable him to develop a working understanding of the controls. This understanding proves to be somewhat less than ''working'', as Data's attempts to engage "manual override" result in the appearance of a [[Iconian gateway|gateway]]. A series of landscapes and architectures cycles through the gateway.
+
On the surface of Iconia, the [[away team]] cannot establish contact with the ''Enterprise''. Picard and Data attempt to make sense of a large console in the Iconian control room. Data determines that the Iconian language shares enough common roots with Dinasian, Dewan, and Iccobar to enable him to develop a working understanding of the controls. This understanding proves to be somewhat less than ''working'', as Data's attempts to engage "manual override" result in the appearance of a [[Iconian gateway|gateway]]. A series of landscapes and architectures cycles through the gateway.
   
Picard concludes that the Iconians traveled to distant worlds through this gateway "as easily as we would cross a room." This is what [[Donald Varley|Captain Varley]] was investigating and hoping to keep out of [[Romulan Star Empire|Romulan]] hands. As the team continues to stare into the gateway, an image of the ''Enterprise'' bridge appears briefly, offering a potential means of return to the ship. Meanwhile, Data appears to gain access to an underground power source activated by the gateway's appearance, but as he works the controls, an energy surge similar to the Iconian probe's transmission cripples him.
+
Picard concludes that the Iconians traveled to distant worlds through this gateway "as easily as we would cross a room." This is what Captain Varley was investigating and hoping to keep out of Romulan hands. As the team continues to stare into the gateway, an image of the ''Enterprise'' bridge appears briefly, offering a potential means of return to the ship. Meanwhile, Data appears to gain access to an underground power source activated by the gateway's appearance, but as he works the controls, an energy surge similar to the Iconian probe's transmission zaps him with blue electrical energy and cripples him.
   
 
=== Act Five ===
 
=== Act Five ===
Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launchbay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes (''blue-amber-amber-red'') and for overriding the doors (''blue-blue-blue''). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the ''Enterprise'' appears.
+
Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all of the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. He also orders Worf to destroy the [[Starfleet tricorder|tricorder]] containing everything they have learned thus far about the Iconians, to keep the information from getting into enemy hands. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launch bay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes ("blue-amber-amber-red") and for overriding the doors ("blue-blue-blue"). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the ''Enterprise'' appears.
   
[[File:Worf carries Data through portal.jpg|thumb|''"You must get Data back to the Enterprise."'']]
+
[[File:Worf carries Data through portal.jpg|thumb|"''You must get Data back to the ''Enterprise''.''"]]
Worf arrives on the ''Enterprise'' with Data and takes him to [[Engineering]]. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. The beeping emanating from La Forge's [[tricorder]] turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.
+
Worf arrives on the ''Enterprise'' with Data and takes him directly to [[engineering]]. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. He laments not having an expert on [[Soong-type android]]s such as [[Bruce Maddox|Maddox]] on the ''Enterprise'' to help with Data. The beeping emanating from La Forge's [[tricorder]] turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.
   
 
On [[Iconia]], Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".
 
On [[Iconia]], Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".
   
In Engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot": thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the ''Enterprise'': a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the ''Yamato'' logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central [[computer core]]. Despite the risks of doing so while facing a [[Romulan warbird]], Riker decides to proceed.
+
In engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional, but confused as to why he's on the ''Enterprise''. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot", thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the ''Enterprise'': a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the ''Yamato'' logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central [[computer core]]. Riker is worried about doing this while the ''Haakona'' is nearby, but La Forge points out if they don't do this, they'll die anyway when antimatter containment inevitably fails, and Riker authorizes the procedure.
   
 
[[File:Picard on Haakona.jpg|thumb|left|Wrong address]]
 
[[File:Picard on Haakona.jpg|thumb|left|Wrong address]]
Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the ''Haakona''. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.
+
Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the ''Haakona''. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.
   
The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s computer, and [[Miles O'Brien|Chief O'Brien]] searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the [[transporter]] locks onto him, Picard vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the Romulan's [[auto-destruct]] sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the ''Enterprise'', Picard informs the Bridge to move the ''Enterprise'' away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers [[Taris]] the solution to purging her computer systems.
+
The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s computer, and [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]] searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the [[transporter]] locks onto him, Picard's signal vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the warbird's [[auto-destruct]] sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the ''Enterprise'', Picard orders the bridge to move the ''Enterprise'' away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers Taris the solution to purging her computer systems. After the warbird receives and acknowledges the solution, Picard jokes with Riker on how he now understands why he wants to keep away missions to himself, as that is where all the excitement is. Before leaving the transporter room, Picard asks Riker if everything on the ''Enterprise'' is still the same old routine. After Picard leaves, Riker gives an incredulous look to O'Brien, who returns it.
   
Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the ''Enterprise'' leaves orbit of the now entirely barren [[Iconia]], as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. Eventually, the ''Haakona'', apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.
+
Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the ''Enterprise'' leaves orbit of the now entirely barren Iconia, as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. The ''Haakona'', apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.
   
=== Log Entries ===
+
=== Log entries ===
 
*[[Personal log, Donald Varley]]
 
*[[Personal log, Donald Varley]]
*[[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365#Mission to Iconia|Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365]]
+
*[[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365#Mission to Iconia|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2365]]
  +
 
== Memorable quotes ==
  +
"''Donald, what's a nice Starfleet captain like you doing in a place like this?''"<br />
  +
"''It's good to see you again Jean-Luc, despite your antique humor.''"
  +
: - '''Picard''' and '''Donald Varley''', greeting each other as old friends, unaware this will be their final conversation
  +
   
== Memorable Quotes ==
 
 
"''The risk would be allowing the Romulans to locate Iconia. Fortunately, I got there first. It's a virtually dead planet, but enough technology remains to give the Romulans an edge if they should find it.''"
 
"''The risk would be allowing the Romulans to locate Iconia. Fortunately, I got there first. It's a virtually dead planet, but enough technology remains to give the Romulans an edge if they should find it.''"
: - '''Donald Varley'''
+
: - '''Varley'''
  +
  +
  +
"''We're going to assume the ''Yamato''{{'}}s mission.''"<br />
  +
"''And risk a war?''"<br />
  +
"''Perhaps&hellip; prevent one.''"
  +
: - '''Picard''' and '''Riker'''
  +
  +
  +
"''It's the ''Yamato'', Captain. I can't stop thinking about her. All those people...dead. I don't know how you and Commander Riker and Geordi, how you handle it so easily.''"<br />
  +
"''Easily? Oh no, not easily. We handle it because we're trained to, as you will be.''"
  +
: - '''Wesley Crusher''' and '''Picard''', about the ''Yamato''
  +
  +
  +
"''Didn't you order tea, sir?''"<br />
  +
"''Now, that should not have happened.''"
  +
:- '''Wesley Crusher''', when '''Picard''' receives a potted plant instead of Earl Grey
  +
  +
  +
"''The knitter isn't working.''"<br />
  +
"''Try a splint.''"<br />
  +
"''Doctor?''"<br />
  +
"''Splint. It's a very ancient concept. You take two flat pieces of wood or plastic, a bandage. The broken limb is kept immobile.''"<br />
  +
"''That's crazy! That's not practicing medicine!''"<br />
  +
"''Oh, yes it is! It's a time honored way to practice medicine: with your head, and your heart, and your hands. So jump to it.''"<br />
  +
:- A '''nurse''' and '''Pulaski'''
   
   
(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him)<br />
+
(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him, causing him to fly through the air and land on his face)<br />
 
"''Data?''"<br />
 
"''Data?''"<br />
 
"''Yes?''"<br />
 
"''Yes?''"<br />
 
"''What happened?''"<br />
 
"''What happened?''"<br />
"''Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results.''"<br />
+
"''Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results.''"<br />
"''Thanks, Data... I noticed.''"
+
"''Thanks, Data&hellip; I noticed.''"
 
: - '''Data''' and '''Geordi La Forge'''
 
: - '''Data''' and '''Geordi La Forge'''
   
Line 109: Line 116:
 
"''Impeccable timing.''"<br />
 
"''Impeccable timing.''"<br />
 
"''Sir, the shields are back down.''"<br />
 
"''Sir, the shields are back down.''"<br />
: - '''Wesley Crusher''' to '''William T. Riker'''
+
: - '''Wesley Crusher''', to '''William T. Riker'''
   
   
 
"''If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?''"
 
"''If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?''"
: - '''Riker''', frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the [[IRW Haakona|IRW ''Haakona'']].
+
: - '''Riker''', frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the ''[[Haakona]]''
   
   
"''Fate: Protects fools, little children, and ships named ''Enterprise''.''"
+
"''Fate protects fools, little children, and ships named ''Enterprise''.''"
: - '''Riker'''
+
: - '''Riker''', after the '''Haakona'''{{'}}s weapon systems fail
   
   
 
"''I have claimed this planet for the Romulan Empire.''"<br />
 
"''I have claimed this planet for the Romulan Empire.''"<br />
 
"''This is the Neutral Zone. No one can claim anything.''"<br />
 
"''This is the Neutral Zone. No one can claim anything.''"<br />
"''You will withdraw, or I will be forced to destroy your ship and your Away Team!!''"
+
"''You will withdraw, or I will be forced to destroy your ship and your away team!!''"
 
: - '''Taris''' and '''Riker'''
 
: - '''Taris''' and '''Riker'''
   
Line 131: Line 138:
   
 
"''This would appear to be manual override.''"<br />
 
"''This would appear to be manual override.''"<br />
(Data presses a button and a portal appears.)<br />
+
(Data presses a button and a portal appears)<br />
"''That was ''not''...manual override.''"<br />
+
"''That was ''not''&hellip; manual override.''"<br />
: - '''Data''' to Worf and Picard
+
: - '''Data''', to Worf and Picard
  +
  +
  +
"''Blue-blue-blue.''"<br />
  +
"''I hope that's not a [[stutter]].''"<br />
  +
: - '''Data''' and '''Picard''', as Data struggles to tell Picard how to destroy the installation
   
   
 
"''I am accessing!''"<br />
 
"''I am accessing!''"<br />
: - '''Data''', after apparently shutting down.
+
: - '''Data''', reviving after apparently shutting down
   
   
 
"''May I help?''"
 
"''May I help?''"
: - '''Data''', after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival.
+
: - '''Data''', after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival
   
== Background information ==
 
=== Story and production ===
 
[[File:Contagion script review.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Dorn]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] review the script]]
 
* This episode was conceived by computer technician and ''Star Trek'' fan [[Beth Woods]], who at the time worked on the Trek offices' computers. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* [[Gene Roddenberry]] was not initially keen on the story, having written in the TNG bible that Federation technology was so advanced that there was no possibility of it ever malfunctioning, but Woods brought him round to the idea by explaining the idea of computer viruses and how they could bring even the most well-designed computer system to its knees. {{incite|This was cited to the TNG Companion but is not in there}}
 
   
  +
"''Do you wish to evacuate all non-essential personnel to the ''Enterprise'', sir?''"<br />
=== Continuity ===
 
  +
"''No, that'd be premature.''"
* This is the first time a {{ShipClass|Galaxy}} [[starship]] is destroyed on screen.
 
  +
: - '''Riker''' and '''Varley''', seconds before the ''Yamato'' explodes
* The {{IRW|Haakona}} is the first [[Romulan]] starship named on screen.
 
* This is the first appearance of an [[Iconian gateway]]. The idea will be revisited in the [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]] [[DS9 Season 4|season four]] episode {{e|To the Death}}, where another gateway is discovered by the [[Dominion]] in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. [[Worf]] also refers to the events of this episode. They were also used as the basis for [[Pocket Books]]' [[Star Trek: Gateways|Gateways]] crossover series.
 
* Picard uses his catch-phrase "[[Tea]], [[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]], hot" for the first time. He is not able to drink it, as the [[replicator]] gives him a potted plant rather than the tea.
 
* Geordi La Forge references [[Bruce Maddox]] in Engineering while trying to diagnose what is happening to Data.
 
* This is the first episode where the number for the [[LCARS]] is not 40271. The number that appears is 40272.
 
* A stock photograph of [[Toronto City Hall]] was viewed through the Iconian gateway as a possible destination for the Iconians. Due to the advanced age of the gateway, it seems unlikely that this photograph was intended to represent the [[Earth]] city.
 
   
 
==Background information==
=== Cast and characters ===
 
  +
===Production history ===
* [[Carolyn Seymour]], who plays Romulan commander [[Taris]] in this episode, went on to play a different Romulan commander in {{TNG|Face of the Enemy}}. According to the ''Companion'', the production staff created a new character for her in the belief that Taris was likely dead.
 
   
  +
*Final draft script: {{d|28|December|1988}}
=== Reception ===
 
  +
*Second revised final draft script: {{d|4|January|1989}} {{Star Trek Minutiae|resources/scripts/137.txt}}
* A mission report by [[Robert Greenberger]] was published in ''[[The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine]]'' Vol. 8, pp. 43-48.
 
  +
*Premiere airdate: {{d|20|March|1989}}
  +
*First UK airdate: {{d|12|June|1991}}
   
=== Video and DVD releases ===
+
===Story and production===
 
[[File:Contagion script review.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Dorn]] and [[Patrick Stewart]] review the script with Director [[Joseph L. Scanlan]] and Script Supervisor [[Cosmo Genovese]]]]
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): [[TNG Season 2 UK VHS|Volume 19]], catalogue number VHR 2472, {{d|12|August|1991}}.
 
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 2.4, catalogue number VHR 4740, {{d|24|May|1999}}.
 
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 DVD]] collection.
 
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 Blu-ray]] collection.
 
   
 
*This episode was conceived by computer technician and [[Trekkie|''Star Trek'' fan]] [[Beth Woods]], who at the time worked on the ''Star Trek'' offices' computers. ({{tngc|2|80}})
== Links and references ==
 
  +
*This episode uncharacteristically includes several shots that appear to have been shot with a steadicam or handheld camera including, for example, all of the bridge shots in the teaser after Picard leaves his Ready Room up to Picard Varley's line about "grasping at straws" (other than the rear views that include the viewscreen). The first shot follows Picard as he travels the bridge rather than relying on the usual cuts between multiple takes. It results in an unusual tilt in portions of the shot. The early reaction shots of Riker and Picard during the communication with the Yamato that would usually be static or smooth shots by a camera on a stand, instead have noticeable handheld shake/drift. This similarly occurs for a portion of the sequence in the Iconian control room. Steadicam or handheld shots are often utilized in cinematography to emphasize tension and uncertainty, with one notable example being the Steadicam's extensive use in the 1980 ''The Shining'' film.
=== Starring ===
 
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain|Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander|Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
 
   
=== Also starring ===
+
=== Sets ===
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant|Lt.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lt.]] [[Worf]]
 
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
 
* [[Wil Wheaton]] as [[Wesley Crusher]]
 
   
  +
* When La Forge is pinned to the ceiling of the Turbolift, spots where the paint has peeled are briefly visible.
=== Special appearance by ===
 
* [[Diana Muldaur]] as [[Doctor]] [[Katherine Pulaski|Pulaski]]
 
   
=== Guest stars ===
+
===Continuity===
* [[Thalmus Rasulala]] as [[Donald Varley]]
 
* [[Carolyn Seymour]] as [[Taris]]
 
* [[Dana Sparks]] as [[Williams (Female Ensign)|Williams]]
 
   
 
*This is the first time a {{class|Galaxy}} [[starship]] is destroyed on screen.
=== Co-stars ===
 
 
*The ''[[Haakona]]'' is the first [[Romulan]] starship named on screen.
* [[Colm Meaney]] as [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]]
 
 
*This is the first appearance of an [[Iconian gateway]]. The idea will be revisited in the {{s|DS9}} [[DS9 Season 4|season four]] episode {{e|To the Death}}, where another gateway is discovered by the [[Dominion]] in the [[Gamma Quadrant]]. [[Worf]] also refers to the events of this episode. They were also used as the basis for [[Pocket Books]]' ''[[Star Trek: Gateways|Gateways]]'' crossover series. They are also featured extensively in ''[[Star Trek Online]]''.
* [[Folkert Schmidt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Doctor (2365)|Doctor]]
 
 
* Picard uses his catch-phrase "''[[Tea]], [[Earl Grey tea|Earl Grey]], hot''" for the first time. However, he is not able to drink it, as the [[replicator]] gives him a potted plant rather than the tea.
  +
*Riker points out cloaked vessels cannot fire, and Worf responds "Unless they have overcome that deficiency", which could be a reference to [[General]] {{dis|Chang|General}}'s [[Chang's Bird-of-Prey|Bird-of-Prey]] from {{film|6}}.
  +
*This episode is the first in the series to mention Picard's interest in [[archaeology]].
 
*Geordi La Forge references [[Bruce Maddox]] in engineering while trying to diagnose what is happening to Data.
 
*This is the first episode where the number for the [[LCARS]] is not 40271. The number that appears is 40272.
 
*A stock photograph of [[Toronto City Hall]] was viewed through the Iconian gateway as a possible destination for the Iconians. It is unknown whether this footage was meant to represent the [[Earth]] city.
  +
*A photograph of {{w|Mount Temple (Alberta)|Mount Temple}} near {{w|Lake Louise, Alberta)|Lake Louise}}, [[Canada]] is also seen in the Iconian gateway.
  +
*Other locations seen through the Iconian gateway are the {{w|Parthenon}} in {{w|Athens}}, the {{w|Temple of Bacchus}} and the {{w|Temple of Jupiter (Roman Heliopolis)|Temple of Jupiter}} in {{w|Baalbek}}, Turret Arch in {{w|Arches National Park}}, and a kasbah in {{w|Morocco}}.
   
 
===Cast and characters===
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[James G. Becker]] as [[Youngblood]]
 
* [[Juliet Cesario]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science division officer|science division officer]]
 
* [[Dexter Clay]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Security officer (2364-2365)|operations division officer]]
 
* [[David Eum]] as [[Wright (Ensign)|Wright]]
 
* [[Tim McCormack]] as [[Bennett (Ensign)|Bennett]]
 
* [[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Diana Giddings]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
** Female [[Iconian gateway]] [[computer voice]]
 
** Male {{IRW|Haakona}} [[computer voice]]
 
** [[IRW Haakona personnel#Security officers|Three Romulan officers]]
 
** [[USS Yamato personnel#Bridge officers|Three USS ''Yamato'' officers]]
 
   
 
*[[Carolyn Seymour]], who plays Romulan commander [[Taris]] in this episode, went on to play a different Romulan commander in {{TNG|Face Of The Enemy}}. According to the {{tngc|2|234}}, the production staff created a new character for her in the belief that Taris was likely dead.
=== Stunt double ===
 
* [[Unknown stunt performer]] as [[stunt double]] for [[LeVar Burton]]
 
   
=== Stand-ins ===
+
===Reception===
* [[James G. Becker]] - [[stand-in]] for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
 
* [[Darrell Burris]] - stand-in for [[LeVar Burton]]
 
* [[Dexter Clay]] - stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
 
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] - stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
 
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] - stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
 
* [[Tim McCormack]] - stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] - stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
 
   
 
* A mission report for this episode, by [[Robert Greenberger]], was published in {{STNG|8|43-48}}.
=== References ===
 
[[200,000 years ago]]; [[antimatter chamber]]; [[antiproton injection seal]]; [[antiproton injection subsystem]]; [[antiproton injector]]; [[archaeology]]; ''[[As You Like It]]''; [[auto-destruct]]; [[battle cruiser]]; [[biobed]]; [[Bussard collector]]; [[Bussard collector coil]]; [[caveman]]; [[China]]; [[cloaking device]]; {{ShipClass|D'deridex}}; [[deuterium injection subsystem]]; [[deuterium injector]]; [[deuterium tank]]; [[Denius III]]; [[Dewan]]; [[dilithium crystal chamber|dilithium regulation chamber]]; [[Dinasian]]; [[Earl Grey tea]]; [[Federation]]; [[fusion reactor]]; {{ShipClass|Galaxy}}; [[Steven Gerber|Gerber, Steven]]; [[IRW Haakona|''Haakona'']]; [[hiccup]]; [[humor]]; [[hydrogen]]; [[Iccobar]]; [[Iconia]]; [[Iconian]]; [[Iconian gateway]]; [[Iconian language]]; [[Iconian probe]]; [[Iconian software transmission]]; [[impulse power]]; [[Jefferies tube]]s; [[knitter]]; [[Bruce Maddox|Maddox, Bruce]]; [[matter-antimatter reactor]]; [[meter]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[orbital bombardment]]; [[plasma injector]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[Marco Polo|Polo, Marco]]; [[power transfer tunnel]]; [[Ramsey (Doctor)|Ramsey, Dr.]]; [[red alert]]; [[rocket]]; [[Rosetta Stone]]; [[Romulan cruiser]]; [[Romulan language]]; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[Romulan]]s; [[spin reversal system]]; [[splint]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[stellar drift]]; [[Stone Age]]; [[tribe]]; [[tricorder]]; [[warp field coil]]; [[Beth Woods (Lieutenant Commander)|Woods, Beth]]; [[USS Yamato|''Yamato'', USS]]
 
   
  +
===Video and DVD releases===
== External links ==
 
* {{NCwiki|Contagion}}
 
* {{wikipedia|Contagion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Contagion}}
 
*{{Startrek.com|contagion|Contagion}}
 
   
 
*Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): [[TNG Season 2 UK VHS|Volume 19]], catalog number VHR 2472, {{d|12|August|1991}}
{{TNG nav|season=2|last={{e|The Dauphin}}|next={{e|The Royale}}}}
 
 
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 2.4, catalog number VHR 4740, {{d|24|May|1999}}
 
*As part of the [[TNG Season 2 DVD]] collection
 
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 Blu-ray]] collection
   
 
==Links and references==
 
===Starring===
  +
 
*[[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 
*[[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
  +
  +
===Also starring===
  +
 
*[[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant|Lt.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 
*[[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lt.]] [[Worf]]
 
*[[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 
*[[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
 
*[[Wil Wheaton]] as [[Wesley Crusher]]
  +
 
===Special appearance by===
  +
 
*[[Diana Muldaur]] as [[Doctor]] [[Katherine Pulaski|Pulaski]]
  +
 
===Guest stars===
  +
 
*[[Thalmus Rasulala]] as [[Donald Varley]]
 
*[[Carolyn Seymour]] as [[Taris]]
 
*[[Dana Sparks]] as [[Williams (Female Ensign)|Williams]]
  +
 
=== Co-stars===
  +
 
*[[Colm Meaney]] as [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien|O'Brien]]
 
*[[Folkert Schmidt]] as [[Enterprise-D science doctor 001|Doctor]]
  +
 
===Uncredited co-stars===
 
*[[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
*[[James G. Becker]] as [[Youngblood]]
 
*[[Juliet Cesario]] as [[USS Enterprise-D ops sci 001|science division officer]]
 
*[[Dexter Clay]] as [[USS Enterprise-D tactical operations 008|operations division officer]]
 
*[[David Eum]] as {{dis|Wright|Ensign}}
 
*[[Tim McCormack]] as {{dis|Bennett|Ensign}}
 
*[[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Diana Giddings]]
 
*[[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
 
*[[Unknown performers]] as
  +
**[[Enterprise-D command crewman 005|Command officer]]
  +
**[[USS Enterprise-D engineer 027|Engineer]]
 
**Female [[Iconian gateway]] [[computer voice]]
 
**Male ''[[Haakona]]'' [[computer voice]]
  +
**[[Romulan 24th Haakona security 001|Haakona security officer 1]]
  +
**[[Romulan 24th Haakona security 002|Haakona security officer 2]]
  +
**[[Romulan 24th Haakona security 003|Haakona security officer 3]]
  +
**[[USS Enterprise-D operations crew woman 010|operations crew woman]]
  +
**[[USS Enterprise-D operations officer 001|Operations officer]]
  +
**[[USS Enterprise-D operations technicians 007|Two operations technicians]]
 
**[[Yamato bridge officers 001|Three USS ''Yamato'' officers]]
  +
 
=== Stunt double===
  +
 
*[[Unknown stunt performer]] as [[stunt double]] for [[LeVar Burton]]
  +
  +
===Stand-ins===
  +
 
*[[James G. Becker]] &ndash; [[stand-in]] for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
 
*[[Darrell Burris]] &ndash; stand-in for [[LeVar Burton]]
 
*[[Dexter Clay]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
 
*[[Jeffrey Deacon]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
 
*[[Nora Leonhardt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
 
*[[Tim McCormack]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
 
*[[Guy Vardaman]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
  +
 
===References===
  +
[[200,000 years ago]]; [[access tunnel]]; [[accident]]; [[air]]; [[alien]]; {{dis|amber|color}}; [[analysis]]; [[answer]]; [[antimatter]]; [[antimatter chamber]]; [[antimatter containment]]; [[archaeology]]; [[archaeological dig]]; [[area]]; [[artifact]]; [[assumption]]; ''[[As You Like It]]''; [[attention]]; [[auto-destruct]]; [[automated system]]; [[away mission]]; [[away team]]; [[bandage]]; {{revname|Romulan|battle cruiser}}; [[biobed]]; [[blindness]]; {{dis|blue|color}}; [[body]]; [[bomb]]; [[bypass]]; "[[Idioms|breathing space]]"; [[cadet]]; [[caveman]]; [[China]]; [[child]]; [[cloaking device]]; [[composition]]; [[computer]]; [[computer program]]; [[computer system]]; [[concept]]; [[conjecture]]; [[conqueror]]; [[console]]; [[containment seal]]; [[continent]]; [[control center]]; [[control room]]; [[conversation]]; [[coordinates]]; [[course]]; [[culture]]; [[curiosity]]; [[cycle]]; {{class|D'deridex}}; [[darkness]]; [[database]]; [[death]]; [[deck]]; [[demon]]; [[Denius III]]; [[descendant]]; [[design flaw]]; [[destruction]]; [[detonation]]; [[device]]; [[Dewan]]; [[Dinasian]]; [[door]]; [[download]]; [[drawing board]]; [[dream]]; [[Earl Grey tea]]; [[effect]]; [[emergency call]]; [[enemy]]; [[energy build up]]; [[energy source]]; [[engineer]]; [[engineering section]]; [[engineering team]]; [[ETA]]; [[evacuation]]; [[evidence]]; [[expert]]; [[explosion]]; [[exploration]]; [[event]]; [[family]]; [[fate]]; [[father]]; [[fear]]; [[Federation]]; [[food]]; [[fool]]; [[force field]]; [[fracture]]; [[friend]]; {{class|Galaxy}}; {{revname|Steven|Gerber}}; "[[Idioms|grasping at straws]]"; [[grief]]; ''[[Haakona]]''; [[hailing frequency]]; [[hand]]; [[head]]; [[heart]]; [[hiccup]]; [[hide and seek]]; [[history]]; [[hobby]]; [[holograph]]; [[holographic image]]; [[home]]; [[homeworld]]; [[hour]]; [[humor]]; [[hydrogen]]; [[hypothesis]]; [[Iccobar language|Iccobar]]; [[Iconia]]; [[Iconian]]; [[Iconian city 001|Iconian cities]]; [[Iconian gateway]]; [[Iconian planets 001|Iconian gateway planets]]; [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant star systems#Iconian influenced systems|Iconian influenced systems]]; [[Iconian language]]; [[Iconian probe]]; [[Iconian software transmission]]; [[idea]]; [[ignorance]]; [[illusion]]; [[image]]; [[individual]]; [[injury report]]; [[instinct]]; [[interval]]; [[involuntary system]]; [[Jefferies tube]]s; [[knitter]]; [[knowledge]]; [[language family]]; [[launch]]; [[launch bay]]; [[launch sequence]]; [[launch site]]; [[legend]]; [[life]]; {{dis|life support|system}}; [[limb]]; [[light year]]; [[location]]; [[machinery]]; {{revname|Bruce|Maddox}}; [[magic]]; [[magnetic coil]]; [[magnetic seal]]; [[main core]]; [[mainframe]]; [[main viewer]]; [[malfunction]]; [[manual override]]; [[master program]]; [[matter-antimatter reactor]]; [[matter-antimatter scan]]; [[medical team]]; [[medicine]]; [[meter]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[minute]]; [[mission]]; [[mister]]; [[mountain]]; [[mother]]; [[myth]]; [[non-essential personnel]]; [[number one]]; [[orbit]]; [[orbital bombardment]]; [[order]]; "[[Idioms|out of thin air]]"; [[overload]]; [[parent tongue]]; [[phaser]]; [[phaser bank]]; [[percent]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[photon torpedo bank]]; [[physical manifestation]]; [[place]]; [[planet]]; [[plastic]]; {{revname|Marco|Polo}}; [[positronic brain]]; [[power grid]]; [[power level]]; [[power source]]; [[problem]]; [[projectile]]; {{dis|Ramsey|Doctor}}; [[record]]; [[red]]; [[red alert]]; [[rendezvous]]; [[research]]; [[resident]]; [[result]]; [[right]]; [[risk]]; [[rock]]; [[rocket]]; [[Romulan cruiser 001|Romulan cruiser]]; [[Romulan language]]; [[Romulan Neutral Zone]]; [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant star systems#Romulan Neutral Zone solar systems|Romulan Neutral Zone solar systems]]; [[Romulan]]s; [[room]]; [[root language]]; [[root word]]; [[Rosetta Stone]]; [[rumor]]; [[sabotage]]; [[scanner]]; [[scene]]; [[search parameter]]; [[second]]; [[sector]]; [[Unnamed Alpha and Beta Quadrant sectors#Sector containing three systems|sector containing three systems]]; [[self-correcting mechanism]]; [[sensor]]; [[sensor range]]; [[series]]; [[shield]]; [[shield control interface]]; [[shuttlebay]]; [[sister ship]]; [[size]]; [[software]]; [[soil]]; [[solution]]; [[spaceship]]; [[speculation]]; [[splint]]; [[staff meeting]]; [[starfield]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[starship]]; [[state of the art]]; [[status]]; [[stellar drift]]; [[stick]]; [[Stone Age]]; [[straw]]; [[stutter]]; [[surface]]; [[symbol]]; [[symptom]]; [[system failure]]; [[target]]; [[tea]]; [[technology]]; [[text]]; [[thing]]; [[thinking]]; [[thousand]]; [[threat]]; [[time]]; [[tractor beam]]; [[transmission]]; [[Iconian software transmission|transmitter]]; [[transporter room]]; [[trauma team]]; [[triangular]]; [[tribe]]; [[tricorder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[Underground (geography)]];[[unscientific]]; [[visual range]]; [[visual record]]; [[voluntary system]]; [[war]]; [[warp engine]]; [[warp factor]]; [[warp speed]]; [[weapon]]; [[weapons system]]; [[wisdom]]; [[wood]]; [[word]]; [[world]]; [[worry]]; {{USSr|Yamato}}; [[Yamato engineering team 001|''Yamato'' engineering team]]; [[Yamato engineers 001|''Yamato'' engineers]]; [[Yamato first officer 001|''Yamato'' first officer]]
  +
  +
==== Library computer references====
  +
'''USS ''Yamato'' schematic:''': [[antimatter chamber|antimatter confinement]]; [[antimatter injection seal]]; [[antiproton]]; [[antiproton injection seal]]; [[antiproton injection subsystem]]; [[Bussard collector]]; [[Bussard collection coil]]; [[deuterium tank|deuterium confinement tankage]]; [[deuterium injection subsystem]]; [[deuterium injector]]; [[dilithium crystal chamber|dilithium regulation chamber]]; [[fusion reaction subsystem]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[impulse power system]]; [[matter-antimatter reactor system]]; [[nanosecond]]; [[overpressure]]; [[plasma injector]]; [[plasma vent]]; [[power transfer tunnel]]; [[spin reversal system]]; [[system failure analysis]]; [[warp coil|warp field coil]]
  +
  +
'''USS ''Yamato'' log entries:''' {{revname|Beth|Woods|Lieutenant Commander}}
  +
  +
'''Other:''' [[systems integration analysis]]
  +
 
===External links===
  +
  +
* {{startrek.com|database_article/contagion|"Contagion"|external}}
 
*{{mbeta-quote|Contagion}}
 
*{{wikipedia-quote|Contagion (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Contagion}}
 
*{{ml|contagion|Contagion|external}}
  +
 
{{TNG nav|season=2|last={{e|The Dauphin}}|next={{e|The Royale}}}}
 
[[cs:Contagion]]
 
[[cs:Contagion]]
[[de:Die Iconia-Sonden]]
+
[[de:Die Iconia Sonden]]
 
[[es:Contagion]]
 
[[es:Contagion]]
[[fr:Contagion]]
+
[[fr:Contagion (épisode)]]
[[ja:TNG:埋もれた文明]]
+
[[ja:埋もれた文明(エピソード)]]
 
[[nl:Contagion]]
 
[[nl:Contagion]]
 
[[Category:TNG episodes]]
 
[[Category:TNG episodes]]

Latest revision as of 03:12, 29 January 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

The Enterprise and a Romulan warbird are attacked by the same computer virus that has already destroyed one Federation starship of the same class as the Enterprise.

Summary

Teaser

USS Yamato explodes

The Yamato explodes

The USS Enterprise responds to an urgent call from Captain Donald Varley, an old friend of Captain Picard. Varley's ship, the USS Yamato, the sister ship of the Enterprise, has been plagued by a series of system malfunctions while in the Romulan Neutral Zone. Upon rendezvousing with the Enterprise, Varley explains to Picard that he was investigating "rumors… that started making the Iconians sound a lot less like legend" and had, in fact, located the planet Iconia in the Neutral Zone.

As Varley continues through the Enterprise's viewscreen, he reveals his goal of preventing the Romulans from gaining Iconian technology. However, his transmission to the Enterprise keeps cutting in and out. Worf detects a failure in the Yamato's antimatter containment chamber, and Picard desperately tries to warn Varley of the impending catastrophe, but the transmission is too garbled for Varley to make out his warnings. Seconds later, the Yamato explodes and all 1,000+ crew members and their families are killed with the saucer section of its ship disintegrating, all watched by a stunned Enterprise bridge crew. Meanwhile, a Romulan D'deridex-class warbird enters the Enterprise's sensor range.

Act One

Romulans threaten Enterprise

Romulan threats from Taris

The Enterprise needs to find out whether this Romulan warbird is responsible for the destruction of the Yamato. After Picard and Sub-Commander Taris of the Haakona exchange accusations, the Haakona cloaks, and the Enterprise crew begins investigating the Yamato's destruction. With a graphic of the Yamato on display in the observation lounge, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge and Data determine that the antimatter containment failure was not caused by the Romulans, and even entertain the possibility that a design flaw in Galaxy-class starships was responsible. With the Romulans cleared, Counselor Troi suggests they should leave the Neutral Zone, but Picard states they'll remain where they are because, if it is a flaw, what happened to the Yamato could also happen to the Enterprise.

As the investigation continues, Picard searches through Captain Varley's personal log from his desktop monitor in his ready room to more thoroughly understand his friend's intent, asking the computer to look for log entries containing the words "Romulan" and/or "Iconian". In the archived logs, Varley describes finding Iconian artifacts, locating their homeworld, a puzzling Iconian probe scan, and the increasingly dangerous systems failures affecting his ship. In his final entry, he is determined to convince Picard of the importance of this mission to the safety of the Federation.

Varley personal log

Searching for clues

Picard's ready room door fails to immediately open as he approaches. He's a bit surprised by the malfunction but doesn't give it too much weight. The bridge crew observes a visual record of the Iconian probe scan mentioned in Varley's log, and Data determines the coordinates at which this event occurred. Picard decides to take the Enterprise to this planet, even though it is dangerously close to the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone, and they will assume the Yamato's mission – a mission that Picard hopes will prevent a war.

Act Two

Wesley Crusher talks privately with Captain Picard about the Iconians, who were remarkably technologically advanced and were rumored to be able to magically appear on planets throughout the galaxy. However, Picard sees through Wesley's cover and asks him what really brought him into Picard's ready room. Wesley confesses that he can't stop thinking about how all the people on the Yamato were just suddenly dead and he states he doesn't know how Picard and Riker and the others can handle that so easily. Picard reassures Wesley that it's not easy for anyone, but they are able to handle it because they have been trained to do so, as Wesley will be. However, as Picard starts to talk about not forgetting the importance of every single life, he is interrupted by a malfunction in the replicator. Picard has ordered Earl Grey tea from the replicator, and instead of tea, a potted plant materializes. "Now that should not have happened," he remarks to Wesley.

Turbolift wild ride

"Stop, dammit!"

La Forge begins to suspect that the Iconian probe had something to do with the Yamato's destruction, but has no explanation for the apparently random problems being experienced on the Enterprise. Upon arrival at the Iconian homeworld, the Enterprise finds the planet largely destroyed from orbit approximately 200,000 years prior. One small energy signature remains, however, and soon a probe is launched toward the Enterprise.

William T

"Destroy the probe, sir! Quickly!"

Picard tells La Forge that he will assist him in his investigation by capturing the probe in a tractor beam, but the intercom fails before La Forge can say "No!" Now aware of the imminent danger but unable to contact the bridge, La Forge runs frantically to the turbolift. It races wildly through the shafts, throwing La Forge about the lift car. At one point he is stuck to the ceiling, then he falls so violently that his VISOR is knocked off of his face. Upon arriving on the bridge, La Forge is literally thrown out of the turbolift and is assisted to his feet by Riker just in time to warn Picard to destroy the probe. Picard orders Worf to destroy the probe and, after he does so, La Forge tells Picard that if the probe had successfully scanned the Enterprise, there would have been no chance of saving the ship.

Act Three

In the observation lounge, La Forge explains that the Iconian probe was transmitting an alien computer program to rewrite software in its own image. That was the cause behind the Yamato's systems failures. The Enterprise was not scanned by the probe, but did download the Yamato's log before its destruction, and contained within the log was the alien program. The alien program started to spread out from that single location (while on the Yamato the probe could affect a number of systems from the get go), which means the Enterprise has a little breathing room, but not that much.

LaForge electrocuted

Another example of random results

As La Forge and Data work on correcting the problems, Picard realizes that information on the planet may be useful. Considering his familiarity with what is known of Iconia, he decides to lead an away team himself to the planet's surface – over Riker's objection – to learn more. As soon as Picard, Data, and Worf beam down to the surface, a Romulan warbird decloaks in orbit near the Enterprise.

The Haakona attempts to fire photon torpedoes but appears to be experiencing problems similar to those of the Enterprise, leading Riker to conclude that they too have tapped into the Yamato's log. When another probe is launched from Iconia, Riker instructs Taris to immediately destroy it, which she does. But because of the remaining Romulan threat, Riker wants the shields to stay up, meaning that the away team cannot return to the ship.

Act Four

Picard Data and Worf on Iconia

"Let's see what sense we can make of this."

On the surface of Iconia, the away team cannot establish contact with the Enterprise. Picard and Data attempt to make sense of a large console in the Iconian control room. Data determines that the Iconian language shares enough common roots with Dinasian, Dewan, and Iccobar to enable him to develop a working understanding of the controls. This understanding proves to be somewhat less than working, as Data's attempts to engage "manual override" result in the appearance of a gateway. A series of landscapes and architectures cycles through the gateway.

Picard concludes that the Iconians traveled to distant worlds through this gateway "as easily as we would cross a room." This is what Captain Varley was investigating and hoping to keep out of Romulan hands. As the team continues to stare into the gateway, an image of the Enterprise bridge appears briefly, offering a potential means of return to the ship. Meanwhile, Data appears to gain access to an underground power source activated by the gateway's appearance, but as he works the controls, an energy surge similar to the Iconian probe's transmission zaps him with blue electrical energy and cripples him.

Act Five

Picard and Worf try to assist Data, but his software is being rewritten by the Iconian program. Picard realizes that he must destroy all of the Iconian technology, and asks Data how to go about that. He also orders Worf to destroy the tricorder containing everything they have learned thus far about the Iconians, to keep the information from getting into enemy hands. Deciphering Data's broken speech, Picard surmises that he can launch all the Iconian probes but override the launch bay doors, so that the backwash from the rockets spills into the power grids to create an overload. Data is able to give Picard the correct key sequence for launching the probes ("blue-amber-amber-red") and for overriding the doors ("blue-blue-blue"). Picard orders Worf to take Data through the gateway the next time the Enterprise appears.

Worf carries Data through portal

"You must get Data back to the Enterprise."

Worf arrives on the Enterprise with Data and takes him directly to engineering. La Forge ascertains that all of Data's systems "are just going crazy" but cannot help him. He laments not having an expert on Soong-type androids such as Maddox on the Enterprise to help with Data. The beeping emanating from La Forge's tricorder turns into a continuous tone, and it appears that Data has died.

On Iconia, Picard presses "blue-amber-amber-red" on the console, waits a moment, then enters "blue-blue-blue".

In engineering, Data's eyes suddenly open and he sits up, apparently fully functional, but confused as to why he's on the Enterprise. La Forge surmises that Data's self-correcting mechanism wiped all memory affected by the Iconian program in order to save him; this had required a "cold boot", thus why Data had briefly shut down and why he knows nothing of events since he was infected. La Forge proposes a similar procedure for the Enterprise: a complete shutdown, a wipe of all affected memory (including the Yamato logs), and then a reload of systems from the protected archives in the central computer core. Riker is worried about doing this while the Haakona is nearby, but La Forge points out if they don't do this, they'll die anyway when antimatter containment inevitably fails, and Riker authorizes the procedure.

Picard on Haakona

Wrong address

Picard appears to have been successful. Seeing that the control room itself will be destroyed in moments, he decides to go through the gateway rather than die on Iconia. As he approaches it, the scenery switches from a pristine planet to the bridge of the Haakona. Given the options, he quickly makes his decision.

The Iconian program has been successfully removed from the Enterprise's computer, and Chief O'Brien searches for Picard on the planet. But as soon as the transporter locks onto him, Picard's signal vanishes. O'Brien soon locates him on the warbird, where Picard learns that the warbird's auto-destruct sequence is active and cannot be disengaged. When O'Brien beams him back to the Enterprise, Picard orders the bridge to move the Enterprise away because of the impending explosion of the warbird, but Riker intervenes and offers Taris the solution to purging her computer systems. After the warbird receives and acknowledges the solution, Picard jokes with Riker on how he now understands why he wants to keep away missions to himself, as that is where all the excitement is. Before leaving the transporter room, Picard asks Riker if everything on the Enterprise is still the same old routine. After Picard leaves, Riker gives an incredulous look to O'Brien, who returns it.

Having succeeded in preventing war with the Romulans, the Enterprise leaves orbit of the now entirely barren Iconia, as explosions continue to detonate on the horizon. The Haakona, apparently able to purge its systems, leaves as well.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"Donald, what's a nice Starfleet captain like you doing in a place like this?"
"It's good to see you again Jean-Luc, despite your antique humor."

- Picard and Donald Varley, greeting each other as old friends, unaware this will be their final conversation


"The risk would be allowing the Romulans to locate Iconia. Fortunately, I got there first. It's a virtually dead planet, but enough technology remains to give the Romulans an edge if they should find it."

- Varley


"We're going to assume the Yamato's mission."
"And risk a war?"
"Perhaps… prevent one."

- Picard and Riker


"It's the Yamato, Captain. I can't stop thinking about her. All those people...dead. I don't know how you and Commander Riker and Geordi, how you handle it so easily."
"Easily? Oh no, not easily. We handle it because we're trained to, as you will be."

- Wesley Crusher and Picard, about the Yamato


"Didn't you order tea, sir?"
"Now, that should not have happened."

- Wesley Crusher, when Picard receives a potted plant instead of Earl Grey


"The knitter isn't working."
"Try a splint."
"Doctor?"
"Splint. It's a very ancient concept. You take two flat pieces of wood or plastic, a bandage. The broken limb is kept immobile."
"That's crazy! That's not practicing medicine!"
"Oh, yes it is! It's a time honored way to practice medicine: with your head, and your heart, and your hands. So jump to it."

- A nurse and Pulaski


(Data pulls La Forge away from a computer access panel that is shocking him, causing him to fly through the air and land on his face)
"Data?"
"Yes?"
"What happened?"
"Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results."
"Thanks, Data… I noticed."

- Data and Geordi La Forge


"Sir, the shields are back up!"
"Impeccable timing."
"Sir, the shields are back down."

- Wesley Crusher, to William T. Riker


"If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?"

- Riker, frustrated over the systems failures while facing down the Haakona


"Fate protects fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise."

- Riker, after the Haakona's weapon systems fail


"I have claimed this planet for the Romulan Empire."
"This is the Neutral Zone. No one can claim anything."
"You will withdraw, or I will be forced to destroy your ship and your away team!!"

- Taris and Riker


"In another time and place, this could be funny."

- Deanna Troi, on the system failures


"This would appear to be manual override."
(Data presses a button and a portal appears)
"That was not… manual override."

- Data, to Worf and Picard


"Blue-blue-blue."
"I hope that's not a stutter."

- Data and Picard, as Data struggles to tell Picard how to destroy the installation


"I am accessing!"

- Data, reviving after apparently shutting down


"May I help?"

- Data, after a plan is formed from his very recent death and revival


"Do you wish to evacuate all non-essential personnel to the Enterprise, sir?"
"No, that'd be premature."

- Riker and Varley, seconds before the Yamato explodes

Background information

Production history

Story and production

Contagion script review

Michael Dorn and Patrick Stewart review the script with Director Joseph L. Scanlan and Script Supervisor Cosmo Genovese

  • This episode was conceived by computer technician and Star Trek fan Beth Woods, who at the time worked on the Star Trek offices' computers. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 80))
  • This episode uncharacteristically includes several shots that appear to have been shot with a steadicam or handheld camera including, for example, all of the bridge shots in the teaser after Picard leaves his Ready Room up to Picard Varley's line about "grasping at straws" (other than the rear views that include the viewscreen). The first shot follows Picard as he travels the bridge rather than relying on the usual cuts between multiple takes. It results in an unusual tilt in portions of the shot. The early reaction shots of Riker and Picard during the communication with the Yamato that would usually be static or smooth shots by a camera on a stand, instead have noticeable handheld shake/drift. This similarly occurs for a portion of the sequence in the Iconian control room. Steadicam or handheld shots are often utilized in cinematography to emphasize tension and uncertainty, with one notable example being the Steadicam's extensive use in the 1980 The Shining film.

Sets

  • When La Forge is pinned to the ceiling of the Turbolift, spots where the paint has peeled are briefly visible.

Continuity

Cast and characters

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Special appearance by

Guest stars

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins

References

200,000 years ago; access tunnel; accident; air; alien; amber; analysis; answer; antimatter; antimatter chamber; antimatter containment; archaeology; archaeological dig; area; artifact; assumption; As You Like It; attention; auto-destruct; automated system; away mission; away team; bandage; battle cruiser, Romulan; biobed; blindness; blue; body; bomb; bypass; "breathing space"; cadet; caveman; China; child; cloaking device; composition; computer; computer program; computer system; concept; conjecture; conqueror; console; containment seal; continent; control center; control room; conversation; coordinates; course; culture; curiosity; cycle; D'deridex-class; darkness; database; death; deck; demon; Denius III; descendant; design flaw; destruction; detonation; device; Dewan; Dinasian; door; download; drawing board; dream; Earl Grey tea; effect; emergency call; enemy; energy build up; energy source; engineer; engineering section; engineering team; ETA; evacuation; evidence; expert; explosion; exploration; event; family; fate; father; fear; Federation; food; fool; force field; fracture; friend; Galaxy-class; Gerber, Steven; "grasping at straws"; grief; Haakona; hailing frequency; hand; head; heart; hiccup; hide and seek; history; hobby; holograph; holographic image; home; homeworld; hour; humor; hydrogen; hypothesis; Iccobar; Iconia; Iconian; Iconian cities; Iconian gateway; Iconian gateway planets; Iconian influenced systems; Iconian language; Iconian probe; Iconian software transmission; idea; ignorance; illusion; image; individual; injury report; instinct; interval; involuntary system; Jefferies tubes; knitter; knowledge; language family; launch; launch bay; launch sequence; launch site; legend; life; life support; limb; light year; location; machinery; Maddox, Bruce; magic; magnetic coil; magnetic seal; main core; mainframe; main viewer; malfunction; manual override; master program; matter-antimatter reactor; matter-antimatter scan; medical team; medicine; meter; Milky Way Galaxy; minute; mission; mister; mountain; mother; myth; non-essential personnel; number one; orbit; orbital bombardment; order; "out of thin air"; overload; parent tongue; phaser; phaser bank; percent; photon torpedo; photon torpedo bank; physical manifestation; place; planet; plastic; Polo, Marco; positronic brain; power grid; power level; power source; problem; projectile; Ramsey; record; red; red alert; rendezvous; research; resident; result; right; risk; rock; rocket; Romulan cruiser; Romulan language; Romulan Neutral Zone; Romulan Neutral Zone solar systems; Romulans; room; root language; root word; Rosetta Stone; rumor; sabotage; scanner; scene; search parameter; second; sector; sector containing three systems; self-correcting mechanism; sensor; sensor range; series; shield; shield control interface; shuttlebay; sister ship; size; software; soil; solution; spaceship; speculation; splint; staff meeting; starfield; Starfleet Academy; starship; state of the art; status; stellar drift; stick; Stone Age; straw; stutter; surface; symbol; symptom; system failure; target; tea; technology; text; thing; thinking; thousand; threat; time; tractor beam; transmission; transmitter; transporter room; trauma team; triangular; tribe; tricorder; turbolift; Underground (geography);unscientific; visual range; visual record; voluntary system; war; warp engine; warp factor; warp speed; weapon; weapons system; wisdom; wood; word; world; worry; Yamato, USS; Yamato engineering team; Yamato engineers; Yamato first officer

Library computer references

USS Yamato schematic:: antimatter confinement; antimatter injection seal; antiproton; antiproton injection seal; antiproton injection subsystem; Bussard collector; Bussard collection coil; deuterium confinement tankage; deuterium injection subsystem; deuterium injector; dilithium regulation chamber; fusion reaction subsystem; fusion reactor; impulse power system; matter-antimatter reactor system; nanosecond; overpressure; plasma injector; plasma vent; power transfer tunnel; spin reversal system; system failure analysis; warp field coil

USS Yamato log entries: Woods, Beth

Other: systems integration analysis

External links

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"The Dauphin"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2
Next episode:
"The Royale"