star trek next generation zitate

Make It So: The 10 Greatest Quotes From Star Trek's Captain Picard

Captain Picard is possibly the most verbose captain in all of Star Trek, as proven by his greatest and most inspiring quotes of all time.

In all of science fiction, there are few characters as complex as Star Trek: The Next Generation 's Captain Jean-Luc Picard . From the start, Picard was older than the usual TV hero, and he had far less hair too. He was stern, confident, and more than willing to yell at his crew on the Enterprise, which was something Captain Kirk was far less likely to do.

RELATED:  Star Trek: The 5 Coolest Aliens (& the 5 Lamest)

But under all his stoicism, Picard has an artificial heart that beat with a love for the arts and all living things. Picard is a man who sees greatness in everyone and pushes himself and his peers to be better. He never has contempt for others, but he's also not very good at expressing his true feelings. But when the words do come to Picard, they are like poetry. These are but a handful of things Picard has said that capture his true essence...

10 “Seize The Time! Live Now! Make Now Always The Most Precious Time. Now Will Never Come Again.”

While it took Jean-Luc Picard seven years to finally sit down with his crew and play poker, it would be a grave mistake to say he led a less than full life. A bar fight ended with him stabbed through the heart, necessitating a replacement. But what makes that story special is that as Picard looked down to see his would-be mortal wound, he laughed.

He laughed because even at that young age, he believed one thing above all else: life is meant to be lived. Of course, one can live a full life and not get stabbed in the heart, but Picard had his own path to take.

9 “It Is Possible To Commit No Mistakes And Still Lose. That Is Not Weakness, That Is Life.”

As any Trekkie can tell you, to be a commander in Starfleet, a cadet must first go through the Kobayashi Maru scenario. This test places the cadet in the captain's chair and puts them in a no-win scenario. Captain Kirk famously beat the Kobayashi Maru scenario by cheating because he never believed in the idea of a no-win scenario.

RELATED:  Star Trek: 5 Best Ship Designs (& 5 Worst Ship Designs)

Captain Picard, meanwhile, learned the true meaning of the Kobayashi Maru scenario: sometimes you can not win, but how you handle yourself in defeat is just as important. Picard, if nothing else, always met every scenario with grace and courage.

8 "There Can Be No Justice So Long As Laws Are Absolute."

Every society needs laws. Laws lay out the blueprints for a just society and without them, there is nothing that will hold a society together. But laws cannot be considered absolute, because morality exists in a grey area. A law that does account for the circumstances that led to the breaking of the law is not upholding justice, but creating injustice.

This is an issue humanity has long worked to understand and by the time Captain Picard is flying into the final frontiers, we have learned how to balance laws and justice. As part of his mission for Starfleet , Picard looks to share that knowledge with other civilizations.

7 "There Are Four Lights"

The idea is simple: show a person four lights, and tell them that if they say there are five they will no longer be tortured. The goal is to break that person's will, to make them bend to the torturer's whim, thus giving the torturer full control. When Jean-Luc Picard was taken captive and tortured by the Cardassians, they used this method against him. Picard would not break.

No matter how much they hurt him, the Captain would always defiantly respond with "There are four lights." This is the power that the mind of a strong-willed person has. No matter what is done to them, they will not give in.

6 "Things Are Only Impossible Until They're Not."

History is made by the impossible being conquered. From the first person creating fire to mankind breaking free from the chains of gravity and launching into the skies and placing a foot on the moon, things that once seemed like a fool's dreams have time and again become milestones that have been met and surpassed.

For Captain Picard, traveling at speeds faster than light and using teleportation devices to hang out on previously undiscovered countries makes all of the impossible things seem far more possible. As with all of Star Trek , the joy is in believing that the impossible will, one day, be very possible.

5 "There Was A Time You Looked At The Stars And Dreamed Of What Might Be."

Jean-Luc Picard, like so many heroes before him, understands the importance of dreams. He knows that the person who strives to be more and create more than what exists now is who makes the universe a better place. With each dream realized, new dreams come into being, helping everyone reach greater heights. But as we dream of bigger and better things, we must remember where we started and appreciate how far we have come.

In this instance, Picard was speaking to his evil clone Shinzon who had lived a life of pain, but the idea stands for us all. We all dream of a better world and our place in it.

4 "If We're Going To Be Damned, Let's Be Damned For What We Really Are."

Above all else, Jean-Luc Picard believed it was imperative that a person lives up to their personal beliefs. This doesn't mean a person needs to be perfect, quite the opposite. What it means is that a person needs to stand up for what they believe in and be ready to deal with the consequences.

This quote comes from the very first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation . As the omnipotent being Q watches the crew of the Enterprise so he can judge all of the human race, Picard makes it clear to his crew what he expects: for them to be true to themselves and the ideology of mankind.

3 "There Are Times, Sir, When Men Of Good Conscience Cannot Blindly Follow Orders."

Sometimes, Star Trek  explores the differences between following orders and doing what is right. Rules can be unjust or cruel, and it is up to each person to decide for themselves what they are willing, or unwilling, to do. For Picard, his beliefs are clear.

He will never intentionally harm a living being if it can be avoided, even if that means going against orders from his higher-ups. There is bravery in refusing to carry out unjust orders. It is a bravery that Picard and the crew of the Enterprise exhibited on more than one occasion.

2 "Villains Who Twirl Their Mustache Are Easy To Spot. Those Who Clothe Themselves In Good Deeds Are Well-Camouflaged."

Fiction tends to make the bad guys easy to recognize. They do clearly evil things in clearly evil ways. In reality, a lot of bad people are great at hiding their true colors behind a façade of kindness and charity. Captain Picard knows this, and he makes it clear that this is still a problem in the far off future.

RELATED:  Which Star Trek: TOS Character Are You Based On Your Zodiac?

As the Captain of the Enterprise, there are hundreds of people who depend on Picard to keep them safe. Part of that safety comes from Picard's ability to recognize a wolf in sheep's clothing, and this is something he is well aware of.

1 "Open Your Mind To The Past... To History, Art, Philosophy. And Then... This Will Mean Something."

Star Trek is about just how great humanity could become if we learn to move past our biases and work together to create a better future. The episodes usually focus on smart people facing difficult problems and coming up with smart answers. No franchise has led more people to become scientists, engineers, or doctors more than Star Trek.

But at its heart, Star Trek is about what makes life worth living and what it means to create a legacy. Stories about good people doing good will inspire future generations. Art, music, and literature are as much a part of what makes mankind great as the science we have discovered. To Picard, you can not have one without the other.

NEXT:  5 Reasons Star Wars is the Best (& 5 Reasons Star Trek is the Best)

Revisit Picard’s Words of Wisdom From ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (VIDEO)

Everyone remembers “Make it so,” “Engage,” and even “Tea. Early Grey. Hot.”

But the  U.S.S. Enterprise captain also had more eloquent moments throughout  The Next Generation ‘s seven seasons.

Here are 10 to revisit — each available to stream on CBS All Access — while you anxiously await  Star Trek: Picard ‘s 2020 premiere.

“Justice” (Season 1, Episode 8)

The primitive Edo people are loving but surprisingly resolute in this: The punishment for all infractions, even if unintentional, is death. Capt. Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) must show the powerful “God” ship ruling the Edo that, in life, exceptions do matter when youngest crew member Wesley Crusher ( Wil Wheaton ) faces execution over a minor accident.

Comic-Con 2019 Day 3: 'Star Trek: Picard,' 'Riverdale' & More Star Portraits in Our Studio (PHOTOS)

Picard Says: “There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute.”

“When the Bough Breaks” (Season 1, Episode 17)

Picard is outraged when the Aldeans — who are infertile and desperate to repopulate their world — kidnap the children aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise to continue their civilization. When the cause of the sterility is found to be fixable, he persuades them to accept a less drastic course.

Picard Says: “Things are only impossible until they’re not.”

“Coming of Age” (Season 1, Episode 19)

Picard and Wesley each face tests of their mettle. The captain bristles over an investigation to decide whether his logs accurately depict the U.S.S. Enterprise ‘s missions. Wesley, meanwhile, is among the finalists vying for a single open spot in Starfleet Academy. When another candidate is chosen, Wesley’s commander/mentor reminds him that doing your best is the real victory.

Picard Says: “The only person you’re truly competing against is yourself.”

First Look: 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Never-Before-Seen Photos

“the offspring” (season 3, episode 16).

Lt. Cdr. Data ( Brent Spiner ) uses technological advances to create an android, named Lal, based on his own neural interface. The captain is initially shocked to hear Data refer to Lal as his child, but in another instance of Picard championing open-mindedness, he refuses Starfleet’s request to remove Lal for observation, having come to see Data’s parental love.

Picard Says:  “There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders.”

“Allegiance” (Season 3, Episode 18)

A lesson about wrongful detention: Picard has been imprisoned with three others in a mysterious holding cell and replaced aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise with an imposter. After he realizes the situation is an elaborate ruse, aliens appear and explain they were using him to study leadership.

Picard Says: “Imprisonment is an injury, regardless of how you justify it.”

'Picard' Cast on Reprising Their 'Star Trek' Roles & How Characters Have Changed (VIDEO)

“the wounded” (season 4, episode 12).

How can a commander who has seen the tragedy of war manage to later keep the peace? That is Picard’s dilemma when confronted with a renegade Federation captain bent on upending a new treaty with the violent Cardassians. Picard convinces the man to back down but also understands his motives, later explaining to Chief O’Brien ( Colm Meaney ) that some men wear their bitterness forever.

Picard Says: “When one has been angry for a very long time, one gets used to it. And it becomes comfortable, like…like old leather. And finally it becomes so familiar that one can’t ever remember feeling any other way.”

“Darmok” (Season 5, Episode 2)

Over seven encounters in 100 years, the Federation and the Tamarians have each failed to understand the other’s language. Picard is transported to a nearby planet with the Tamarian captain, who seems to offer a knife for combat. Instead of taking up arms, Picard, with time and persistence, forges a historic bond of respect between them.

Picard Says: “In my experience, communication is a matter of patience and imagination. I would like to believe that these are qualities that we have in sufficient measure.”

“The Inner Light” (Season 5, Episode 25)

For 25 minutes, a beam from a puzzling space probe renders Picard comatose. During that period, the probe also causes a confused Picard to experience, in his mind, an entirely separate adult life — love, fatherhood, and aging — as a man named Kamin on a climate-challenged planet called Kataan. Whatever the identity, though, he recognizes that every moment counts.

Picard Says: “Seize the time…. Live now! Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.”

“Attached” (Season 7, Episode 8)

Picard and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) beam down to planet Kesprytt, looking to further their relations with the Kes people. Suspicious, the neighboring Prytts intercept the visitors and lock them up. The two are now able to read each other’s thoughts, and the ever-deductive Picard assures that things will work out.

Picard Says: “There is a way out of every box, a solution to every puzzle; it’s just a matter of finding it.”

5 Takeaways From the 'Star Trek: Picard' New York Comic Con Panel

“all good things” (season 7, episodes 25 and 26).

In the series finale, Picard is manipulated through past, present, and future experiences by the devious godlike entity Q (John de Lancie), who insists the captain will do something to destroy humanity. Picard at first refuses to be thusly tried, but with his crew’s assistance in all three periods, he finds a solution — and makes it so.

Picard Says: “We are what we are, and we’re doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged!”

Stark Trek: Picard , Thursday, January 23, 2020, CBS All Access

Star Trek where to stream

Star Trek: Picard where to stream

Star Trek: The Next Generation where to stream

Star trek: picard, star trek: the next generation, patrick stewart.

Star Trek: The Film Series

Quick navigation:.

• ABBREVIATIONS
• BIOGRAPHIES
• CALCULATORS
• CONVERSIONS
• DEFINITIONS

Star Trek: The Next Generation

[Repeated line]

Capt. Picard: Make it so.

[opening monologue]

Capt. Picard: Space... The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before.

[repeated line]

Lieutenant Worf: Mute.

Lieutenant Worf: Nepo!

Capt. Picard: This is mutiny!

Capt. Picard: Engage!

Capt. Picard: Tea, Earl Grey, hot.

Lieutenant Worf: Mrs. Troi... I must protest your unauthorized presence on the bridge!

Lwaxana Troi: [pointing to tactical console] What does that little one do Mr. Woof?

Lieutenant Worf: Please Madame! That's is a torpedo launch initiator and it's - it is Worf madame, not Woof.

Capt. Picard: Shut up, Wesley!

Capt. Picard: Darmok and Jalad at Tenagra!

Capt. Picard: Come.

Commander William T. Riker: A blind man teaching an android how to paint? That's gotta be worth a couple of pages in somebody's book.

Commander William T. Riker: What's a knockout like you doing in a computer-generated gin joint like this?

[Worf and a few other officers are about to play parrises squares]

Lieutenant Worf: Rest assured, Commander, we will be victorious, at whatever the cost.

Commander William T. Riker: Worf, it's just a game, a friendly little competition. You work up a sweat, you have a few laughs, and you make new friends.

Lieutenant Worf: If winning is not important, then, Commander - why keep score?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Believe it or not, Worf is developing a sense of humor.

Commander William T. Riker: I hope so, for their sake.

Commander William T. Riker: What's your name? Tell me you love jazz.

Minuet: My name is Minuet, and I love all jazz, except Dixieland.

Commander William T. Riker: Why not Dixieland?

Minuet: You can't dance to it.

Commander William T. Riker: My girl!

Commander William T. Riker: [about the Bynars] For them there are only two choices, one or zero - yes or no.

Commander William T. Riker: [after seeing the holo-character Minuet for the first time] Gentlemen - if this is what you call 'enhancement', you've got a gift for understatement.

Commander William T. Riker: I could develop feelings for Minuet. Exactly as I would for any woman.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doesn't love always begin that way? With the illusion more real than the woman?

Minuet: Will was saying how much he enjoys this assignment. It's a credit to you. For a ship and crew to function well, it always starts with the captain. You set the tone.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: At this moment, it is you who is setting the tone.

Commander William T. Riker: How far can this relationship go? I mean, how real are you?

Minuet: As real as you need me to be.

Commander William T. Riker: Too real!

Bass Player: You got that straight, Slim. Too real is too right.

Commander William T. Riker: Blondes and jazz seldom go together.

[last lines]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, Number One - some relationships just can't work.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes - probably true. She'll be difficult to forget.

Minuet, Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [in French] In our hearts, we are all Parisians.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [explaining the necessity to destroy the Enterprise by auto-destruct] Our ship has been commandeered by a force of unknown size and intent. We're here alone. We must assume the worst.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to the Bynars, summing up another happy-end] No one has been hurt, you've achieved your objective, you have your planet back in order... We have our ship.

Lt. Commander Data: Spot, you are disrupting my ability to work.

[he puts Spot to the floor, but she jumps back on Data's desk]

Spot: Meow.

Lt. Commander Data: Vamoose, ye little varmint!

Alexander Rozhenko: Saddle up, Father!

Lieutenant Worf: [on the holodeck] Where are we?

Alexander Rozhenko: Deadwood. 19th century Earth - the Ancient West.

Lieutenant Worf: What is our function here?

Alexander Rozhenko: You are the sheriff, and I am the deputy.

Annie: What'll you have?

Lieutenant Worf: Um... Klingon firewine!

Eli: [after Worf has been slapped by Annie] You sure got a way with women, Sheriff.

Lieutenant Worf: You have been accused of committing a homicide.

Eli: If you mean murder, then I guess I'm guilty. I've killed 23 men, Sheriff. One more ain't gonna make much of a difference. 'course... shootin' someone as ugly as you couldn't be considered a crime, could it? Was you born that way? Or did your momma marry an armadillo?

Frank Hollander: Where's ma boy?

Lieutenant Worf: Where have they taken my son? Where is he?

[grabs Eli by his collar]

Eli Hollander: Temper, temper, Sheriff. My pa ain't gonna like it if I come home all bruised.

Lieutenant Worf: [when getting involved in a saloon brawl] I'm beginning to see the appeal of this program!

[Eli Hollander shoots at his own wanted poster]

Eli: If I ever find the varmint that drew this, he'll be sorry he ever put pen to paper. I'm ten times uglier than that, ain't I?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [playing her role as the mysterious stranger] Durango! I'm called Durango!

Lieutenant Worf: Yes, er - Counselor Durango...

[Dr. Crusher asks Picard to take part in her play]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, it's a, it's a very intriguing drama, but I... really don't have the time it would take to learn a part, and, uh... anyway, I'm not much of an actor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: That's no problem.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [surprised] Oh?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, you wouldn't be playing one of the leads.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [disappointed] Oh.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's a very small part. Only two lines.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Really?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's the role of the butler!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, I'll think about it and let you know.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You would be *wonderful*, Jean-Luc!

[La Forge is working on Data's open head]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I must admit, Data, I never get used to seeing you like this.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not understand. You are constantly working on similar electronic systems, yet their appearances do not disturb you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, but you're not just another electronic system.

Lt. Commander Data: Thank you, Geordi. Nor are you just another biological organism.

[after Spot has refused Data's special cat food mixture]

Lt. Commander Data: I find it extremely difficult to predict what you will find acceptable. Perhaps hunger will compel you to try it again.

[a lightly dressed woman is posing from a saloon balcony]

Lieutenant Worf: You wrote this holodeck program yourself?

Alexander Rozhenko: Well - Mr. Barclay helped a little.

Lieutenant Worf: I must have a little talk with Mr. Barclay.

[several computer systems have been corrupted with Data's personal database]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: When can you correct the problem?

Lt. Commander Data: We are currently attempting to isolate the corrupted circuit pathways. I reckon the process should take less than two hours.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What did you say?

Lt. Commander Data: I said the process should take less than two hours.

Commander William T. Riker: No, you just said 'I reckon'.

Lt. Commander Data: According to my memory logs, I did not use those words. Y'all must be mistaken.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: There - Data, you did it again.

Lt. Commander Data: [southern accent] Did wha-t?

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Data.

Lt. Commander Data: [southern accent] Howdy, Commander.

Commander William T. Riker: Geordi, what have you found?

Lt. Commander Data: [southern accent] Well - we figure part of my memory structure...

Lt. Commander Data: [normal voice]... was replaced with information from the computer's recreational database.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Specifically, the files relating to the American 19th century West.

Commander William T. Riker: That would explain the accent.

Lt. Commander Data: [southern accent] You got it, partner.

Lieutenant Worf: You are a murderer and a thief!

Eli: A man's got to make a living.

Eli: [holding Worf at gunpoint] Don't twitch a whisker, Sheriff - 'less you want a shave.

[Worf has arrested Eli and put him in jail]

Lieutenant Worf: What are his rights in this century? Is there a, a trial? Or shall I execute him?

Eli: Frankly, I don't think I'll be around here that long. Not after my old man hears about this.

Lieutenant Worf: What "old man" are you referring to?

Eli: My pa. When he breaks me out of this tin can... gravedigger'll be working overtime.

Counselor Deanna Troi: There's a gunfighter out there who has the speed and accuracy of an android. And in two hours, he's going to try to kill you.

Alexander Rozhenko: Father? After what happened, I guess you'll never want to go back to the Ancient West.

Lieutenant Worf: The town of Deadwood may face danger once again. If they do... they will need a sheriff... and a deputy.

Lt. Commander Data: Commander - you just sit tight. We'll have this all fixed up in time for supper.

Tactics Officer: [about the two female Klingons on board the Pagh] They are inquisitive. They would like to know how you would endure.

Commander William T. Riker: Endure what?

Lt. Klag: Them.

Commander William T. Riker: [looks at the women] One or both?

[Picard and Riker are discussing the possibility of sending a Starfleet officer on temporary assignment on a Klingon vessel]

Commander William T. Riker: I wouldn't mind the assignment, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Any particular reason?

Commander William T. Riker: Because nobody's ever done it before.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We know so little about them; there really is so much to learn. This is a great opportunity. I envy you, Mr. Riker.

Commander William T. Riker: It's been my understanding that one of the duties of the first officer of the Klingon vessel is to assassinate his captain?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Wouldn't that bring about chaos?

Lieutenant Worf: Of course not. See, when and if the captain becomes weak or unable to perform, it is expected that his honorable retirement should be assisted by his First. Your second officer will assassinate you for the same reasons.

Commander William T. Riker: It is different.

Lieutenant Worf: Many things will be different.

[Riker is caught off guard when offered with a dish of live gagh]

Lt. Klag: Would you like something easier?

Commander William T. Riker: Easier?

Lt. Klag: Yes. If Klingon food is too strong for you, perhaps we could get one of the females to... breast-feed you.

Doctor Pulaski: I've never heard of a Klingon starving to death on his own vessel, but you might.

Commander William T. Riker: Not if I weaken first.

Doctor Pulaski: I know all about that. Their beliefs are rather brutal, but usually, what kills us kills them.

Commander William T. Riker: Well, that's certainly good to know.

Commander William T. Riker: [presenting himself to Captain Kargan] Commander William Riker of the Starship Enterprise.

Captain Kargan: That is incorrect.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't understand.

Captain Kargan: You are Commander William Riker, First Officer of the Klingon cruiser the Pagh.

Captain Kargan: Exactly where are your loyalties, Commander?

Commander William T. Riker: I'm afraid I still don't understand, sir.

Captain Kargan: This ship is equipped with our best weapons and our finest warriors. Although we're on a peaceful mission, we're ready to go into battle instantly. I know I can count on every Klingon warrior in this crew to serve and die in that battle. So I ask you again, Commander Riker: where are your loyalties?

[Captain Kargan has demanded from Riker to reveal the secrets of the Enterprise to him, which Riker refuses]

Commander William T. Riker: I will obey your orders. I will serve this ship as First Officer. And in an attack against the Enterprise, I will die with this crew. But I will not break my oath of loyalty to Starfleet.

Captain Kargan: If you had told those secrets about the Enterprise, I would have labeled you a traitor and killed you where you stood. But instead you will die with us. You'll die like a Klingon.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm familiar with the practice of the feast before the transfer; I've done it dozens of times. However, I usually made more palatable choices.

[on seeing Riker indulging in a variety of Klingon dishes]

[after questioning Riker's status as his commanding officer, Lieutenant Klag gets a thrashing from the former]

Commander William T. Riker: My oath is between Captain Kargan and myself. Your only concern is with how you obey my orders. Or do you prefer the rank of prisoner to that of lieutenant?

Lt. Klag: [subdued] I will take your orders.

Wesley Crusher: [about Mordock, from 'Coming of Age'] It's a friend of mine. You look just like him.

Ensign Mendon: We are from the same geo-structure. Naturally we look alike.

Wesley Crusher: How do you tell each other apart?

Ensign Mendon: [considers this] We just do.

Lieutenant Worf: Ensign Mendon - you may impress *me*!

Commander William T. Riker: After this tour, I may have some worthy questions.

Lt. Klag: Questions about what? About our future? Our future is honor. Our present is serving this ship.

Lt. Klag: My father was captured in battle by Romulans and not allowed to die. He eventually escaped.

Commander William T. Riker: Where is he now?

Lt. Klag: He is on our planet. He waits.

[Riker looks quizzically at the Tactics Officer]

Tactics Officer: He waits for his death.

Lt. Klag: He will eventually fade of a natural illness and die, weakened and useless. Honorless. I will not see him.

Commander William T. Riker: He's your father!

Lt. Klag: A Klingon is his work, not his family. That is the way of things.

Lt. Klag: Klingons do not express feeling the way you do.

Commander William T. Riker: Perhaps you should.

Lt. Klag: We would not know how.

Commander William T. Riker: Yesterday I did not know how to eat gagh. [he takes a mouthful of that dish]

Lt. Klag: You understand the Klingons better than I thought, Commander.

[Captain Kargan intends to attack the Enterprise]

Commander William T. Riker: I recommend you don't fire until you're within 40,000 kilometers.

Lt. Klag: Why?

Commander William T. Riker: It will cut down their response time.

Lt. Klag: You are honoring your promise to serve us?

Commander William T. Riker: Would you do less?

Captain Kargan: Put the ship on full battle alert. Arm all photon torpedoes. Let them charge into their destruction!

Ensign Mendon: I imagine my methods must seem foolish to you.

Wesley Crusher: They're... different. But that's what this exchange program is all about. You learn the way we do things and take that information back to your Command. It's up to them to decide which is better.

Ensign Mendon: You're right. I'll do it your way. I'll work even harder than I did before. And I'll succeed brilliantly!

Ensign Mendon: Soon we'll get things running perfectly.

[Riker has returned from the Pagh]

Commander William T. Riker: That might've been one of the shortest assignments in the history of Starfleet.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wrong, Number One. It was almost the longest. Well done.

Commander William T. Riker: Thank you. Actually, I learned quite a bit.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [referring to Riker's battered face] Apparently not when to duck.

Commander William T. Riker: When *not* to duck would be more accurate.

Commander William T. Riker: You come from a very brave and unique people. I'm glad you're with us on the Enterprise.

Lieutenant Worf: Thank you, Commander. And... welcome home.

Captain Kargan: You should have killed me.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't want your command.

Captain Kargan: But you tricked me to get it.

Commander William T. Riker: Either way you can have it back.

Captain Kargan: ...Then return to your station. [Riker glances a Klag and stays where he is. Kargan hits him. Klag checks on Riker] Get him off my ship!

Lt. Klag: Yes, Captain. [to Riker] You understand the Klingons better than I thought, Commander.

Commander William T. Riker: Thank you, my friend.

Ensign Mendon: [Mendon intercepts Picard just as he was about to enter a turbolift] Sir, I'm Ensign Mendon. I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am to be aboard the Enterprise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [a little distracted] Yes, of course. Nice to have you on board.

Ensign Mendon: [Picard moves to leave but Mendon isn't finished] If you have a few minutes I've noticed a few procedural items that could speed up operations on the Bridge. I pick things up very quickly.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sure you do Ensign, you have an excellent record. However, on the Enterprise we use the chain of command. You may report your observations to Lt Worf.

Ensign Mendon: [a little embarrassed] I didn't mean to challenge your authority... I just wanted to impress upon you...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No need to apologise, Ensign... we should have explained it better at your indoctrination. [Picard leaves for the turbolift]

Lieutenant Worf: [Worf, who was listening to the whole conversation with increasing irritation sidles over to Mendon] Ensign Mendon... You may impress me. [Worf returns to the Tactical station, and Mendon looks quite humbled]

[Riker has been accused of killing Dr. Apgar]

Wesley Crusher: It wasn't the Commander's phaser, it couldn't have been! There's another answer. We're just not seeing it.

[Troi explains to Riker that Manua Apgar hasn't been lying during her account of events]

Commander William T. Riker: We can't both be telling the truth.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It is the truth as each of you remembers it.

Commander William T. Riker: But her version puts a noose around my neck.

[Data is analyzing a painting of Picard]

Lt. Commander Data: Interesting.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh. Thank you. In what way?

Lt. Commander Data: While suggesting the free treatment of form usually attributed to Fauvism, this quite... inappropriately attempts to juxtapose the disparate cubistic styles of Picasso and L?ger. In addition, the use of color suggests a... haphazard melange of clashing styles. Furthermore, the unsettling overtones of proto-Vulcan influences...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [strained] Thank you... Mr. Data.

Lt. Commander Data: You are welcome, sir. If I can be of further assistance...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No! Thank you.

[O'Brien has beamed Riker back from the research station]

Chief Miles O'Brien: Transporter room to bridge. He's aboard.

Commander William T. Riker: Why do you sound so surprised, Mr. O'Brien?

Chief Miles O'Brien: Well, for a moment, we weren't sure you left the space station in time.

Commander William T. Riker: In time for what?

Chief Miles O'Brien: It just exploded, sir.

[Chief Inspector Krag has demanded from Picard to extradite Riker for trial]

Inspector Krag: He will be given a chance to prove his innocence.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Investigator, in our system of jurisprudence, a man *is* innocent, until proved guilty.

Inspector Krag: In ours, he is guilty until he is proved innocent. And you are under *our* jurisdiction.

Manua Apgar: I must apologize for my husband's lack of social graces. He may be one of the great scientific minds in the galaxy, but... he does come up a bit short in other areas.

Commander William T. Riker: [Manua's version of Riker, as he tries to force himself on her] A princess in a very high tower.

[Worf has hailed a small vessel drifting in space]

Lieutenant Worf: That's odd...

Commander William T. Riker: What's odd?

Lieutenant Worf: We've received a response, but...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, Mr. Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: They want you to move over, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Reply that the Enterprise isn't going anywhere, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Worf: Not the Enterprise, Captain. *You*.

Rasmussen: Um, your... prosthesis. What do you... what do you call it again?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: A VISOR.

Rasmussen: VISOR, right, a VISOR! You know, I have a picture of you wearing that in my office. How do you like it?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: It allows me to see. I like it just fine.

Rasmussen: You know, Homer was blind. And Milton. Bach. Monet. Wonder...

[Rasmussen enters Data's quarters, which are exploding with noise]

Rasmussen: [shouting] What in God's name is that?

Lt. Commander Data: Music, Professor.

Rasmussen: Music?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony in C major", Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3", Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony, 2nd Movement, molto vivace", and "La Donna e Mobile", from Verdi's "Rigoletto".

Rasmussen: Do you think you could thin it out a bit?

Lt. Commander Data: Computer, eliminate program one.

[music thins, but Rasmussen shakes his head]

Lt. Commander Data: Computer, eliminate program two.

[music thins more, but is still too loud]

Lt. Commander Data: Computer, eliminate program three.

[Rasmussen gestures for him to lower the volume]

Lt. Commander Data: Computer, half volume.

Rasmussen: [still shouting] How the...!

[pauses, realizing the volume is low enough]

Rasmussen: [much quieter] How the hell can you listen to four pieces of music at the same time?

Lt. Commander Data: Actually, I am capable of distinguishing over one hundred and fifty simultaneous compositions. But in order to analyze the aesthetics, I try to keep it to ten or less.

Rasmussen: Only four today?

Lt. Commander Data: I am assisting Commander La Forge with a very complex calculation. It demands a great deal of my concentration.

[Rasmussen has refused to help Picard decide on the right choice to save a people from certain death]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How can you be comfortable watching people die?

Rasmussen: Erm, let me... put it to you this way: if I were to tell you that none of those people died, you'd easily conclude that you tried your solution and it succeeded. So, you'd confidently try again. No harm in that. But, what if I were to tell you they all died? What then? Obviously, you'd decide not to make the same mistake twice. Now, what if one of those people grew up...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, Professor, I know. What if one of those lives I save down there is a child who grows up to be the next Adolf Hitler, or Khan Singh? Every first-year philosophy student has been asked that question since the earliest wormholes were discovered.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A person's life, their future, hinges on each of a thousand choices. Living is *making* choices! Now, you ask me to believe that if I make a choice other than the one that appears in your history books, then your past will be irrevocably altered. Well... you know, Professor, perhaps I don't give a damn about your past, because your past is my future, and as far as I'm concerned, it hasn't been written yet!

Rasmussen: So, you've made your choice after all. And without my help.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, on the contrary, Professor. You were quite helpful.

Rasmussen: How's that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: By refusing to help me, you left me with the same choice I had to begin with, to try or not to try, to take a risk or to play it safe. And your arguments have reminded me how precious the right to choose is. Because I've never been one to play it safe.

Rasmussen: Who said these moments were any less exciting when you know the outcome, hm?

Lt. Commander Data: I know of no one who said that, Professor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's take a look at Mr. Worf's distortion.

[Rasmussen has asked the crew to fill out questionnaires for him]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: If I hand my assignment in on time, can I get a glimpse into next week's poker game?

Lieutenant Worf: I hate questionnaires.

[Rasmussen is flirting with Dr. Crusher]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [daintily] You're not supposed to be influencing the past, remember? And I am beginning to feel just a little bit influenced. Anyway, I could be your great-great-great-great-grandmother.

Lieutenant Worf: [responding to an earlier question of Rasmussen] Phasers.

Rasmussen: Beg your pardon?

Lieutenant Worf: There were no phasers in the 22nd century.

Rasmussen: Ah, you see, Doctor? Our Klingon friend is a perfect example of what I was trying to tell you: he views history through the eyes of a hunter, a warrior. His passion lies in the perfection of the tools of violence. How delightfully primitive!

[despite his better judgment, Picard has asked Rasmussen about the best course of action to take in his Penthara IV dilemma]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are twenty million lives down there. And you know what happened to them - what *will* happen to them.

Rasmussen: So, it seems you have another dilemma; one that questions your convictions.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, I've never been afraid of reevaluating my convictions, Professor; and now... well, I have twenty million reasons to do so.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course, you know of the Prime Directive - which tells us that we have no right to interfere in the natural evolution of alien worlds. Now, I have sworn to uphold it. But, nevertheless, I have disregarded that directive - on more than one occasion - because I thought it was the right thing to do! Now, if you are holding on to some... temporal equivalent of that directive, then isn't it possible that... you have an occasion here to make an exception, to... to help me to choose, because it's the right thing to do?

Rasmussen: But you must see that if I were to influence you, everything in this sector, in this quadrant of the galaxy, could change. History - *my* history - would unfold in a way other than it already has. Now, what possible incentive could anyone offer me to allow that to happen?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [after Rasmussen has been exposed as an impostor] Trying to make *my* history unfold in a way other than it already has, eh, Professor?

Rasmussen: [laughing sheepishly] This was all a misunderstanding, Picard. Just... let me back in there. We'll forget the whole thing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, what possible incentive could anyone offer me to allow that?

Lt. Commander Data: I assume your hand print will open this door, whether you are conscious or not.

Rasmussen: That weapon was working yesterday... [after trying unsuccessfully to use a phaser on Data]

[Rasmussen has been revealed as an inventor from the 22nd century]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sure that there are more than a few legitimate historians at Starfleet, who'll be quite eager to meet a human from your era.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, Professor - welcome to the 24th century.

Captain Beverly Picard: Do you really think he's moving through time?

[La Forge and Data don't reply, but look very skeptical]

Captain Beverly Picard: I'm not sure I do either. But he's Jean-Luc Picard, and if he wants to go on one more mission, that's what we're going to do.

[first lines]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [exiting the holodeck] That was an incredible program!

Lieutenant Worf: I am glad you approve. I have always found the Black Sea at night to be a most stimulating experience.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Worf - we were walking barefoot on the beach, with balalaika music in the air, ocean breeze washing over us, stars in the sky, a full moon rising - and the most you can say is "stimulating"?

Lieutenant Worf: It was... *very* stimulating.

Geordi La Forge: Captain Picard to the bridge! Captain, we've got a problem with the warp core, or the phase inducers - or some other damn thing.

Geordi La Forge: Hello, Captain. Or should I call you 'Ambassador'?

Picard: Oh, I haven't been called that for some time either.

Geordi La Forge: How about 'Mr. Picard'?

Picard: How about 'Jean-Luc'?

Q: The trial never ended, Captain. We never reached a verdict. But now we have. You're guilty.

Capt. Picard: Guilty of what?

Q: Of being inferior. Seven years ago, I said we'd be watching you, and we have been - hoping that your ape-like race would demonstrate *some* growth, give *some* indication that your minds had room for expansion. But what have we seen instead? You, worrying about Commander Riker's career. Listening to Counselor Troi's pedantic psychobabble. Indulging Data in his witless exploration of humanity.

Capt. Picard: We've journeyed to countless new worlds. We've contacted new species. We have expanded our understanding of the universe.

Q: In your own paltry, limited way. You have no *idea* how far you still have to go. But instead of using the last seven years to change and to grow, you have squandered them.

Commander Tomalak: So, Captain, how long shall we stare at each other across the Neutral Zone?

[Picard makes a proposal to the Romulan commander]

Commander Tomalak: Has Starfleet Command approved this arrangement?

Capt. Picard: No.

Commander Tomalak: I like it already. Agreed.

[Q has given Picard the chance to ask ten yes/no questions]

Capt. Picard: ...Is it part of a Romulan plot, a ploy to start a war?

Q: No and no.

[crowd jeers]

Q: *Five* down!

Capt. Picard: That's only four!

Q: "Is it a Romulan plot?" "Is it a ploy to start a war?" Those are *separate* questions.

Capt. Picard: [sighs] Did you create the anomaly?

Q: No, no, no!

Q: You're going to be so surprised when you realize where it came from...

Q: [suddenly menacing] if you ever figure it out.

Capt. Picard: Are you responsible for my shifting through time?

Q: I'll answer that question if you promise you won't tell anyone.

Q: [leans in and whispers] Yes!

Capt. Picard: Why?

Q: Sorry! That's not a yes or no question. You forfeit the rest of your questions.

Q: I believed in you. I thought you had potential. But apparently I was wrong. May whatever god you believe in...

Q: ...have mercy on your soul. This court stands adjourned.

Admiral William T. Riker: All right, let's get out of here.

Picard: No, Will, we can't! We have to save humanity!

[Picard is reading his orders to take command of the Enterprise, during which he is distracted several times by visions of Q's laughing and jeering minions from "Encounter at Farpoint"]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "To Captain Jean-Luc Picard, stardate 41148... You are hereby requested and required to take command... to take command of the USS Enterprise as of this date. Signed, Rear Admiral Norah Satie, Starfleet Command."

[the visions get the better of Picard]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Red alert! All crew to battle stations!

Lt. Tasha Yar: You heard him! Move!

Q: You're not alone, you know. What you were, and what you are to become, will always be with you.

Capt. Picard: We are what we are, and we're doing the best we can. It is not for you to set the standards by which we should be judged!

Q: Oh, but it is, and we have. Time may be eternal, Captain, but our patience is not. It's time to put an end to your trek through the stars, make room for other more worthy species.

Capt. Picard: You're going to deny us travel through space?

Q: [laughs] No! You obtuse piece of flotsam! You're to be denied *existence*. Humanity's fate has been sealed. You will be destroyed.

Q: You see this? This is you. I'm serious! Right here, life is about to form on this planet for the very first time. A group of amino acids are about to combine to form the first protein - the building blocks...

Q: ...of what you call "life". Strange, isn't it? Everything you know, your entire civilization, it all begins right here in this little pond of goo. Appropriate somehow, isn't it? Too bad you didn't bring your microscope; it's really quite fascinating. Oh, look! There they go. The amino acids are moving closer and closer, and closer. Ooh! Nothing happened. See what you've done?

Picard: It's like the chicken and the egg, Will, the chicken and the egg! We-we think it started in the past, but it didn't. It started right here, in the future! That's why it's getting larger in the past.

Data: I think I know what the Captain is talking about. If I'm not mistaken, he's describing a paradox.

Picard: Yes, right, that's it!

[Worf has denied the Pasteur to cross the border into Klingon space, referring to "regulations"]

Picard: Well, I know that I am an old man and I am out of touch. But the Worf that I remember was more concerned with things like honor and loyalty than rules and regulations. But that was a long time ago, and maybe you're not the Worf I once knew.

[Worf curses in Klingon]

Worf: You have always used your knowledge of Klingon honor and tradition to get what you want from me.

Picard: Because it always works, Worf! Your problem is that you really *do* have a sense of honor, and you really *do* care about trust and loyalty. Don't blame me for knowing you so well.

Q: [to Picard, after the other ships explode] Two down, one to go.

Picard: Q? What is going on here? Where is the anomaly?

Q: [pretendind to be deaf] Where is your mommy? Well, I don't know.

Captain Beverly Picard: Jean-Luc, crossing into Klingon territory, it's absurd. But then I never could say "no" to you.

Picard: Oh, so that's why you married me.

Capt. Picard: I prefer to look on the future as something which is not written in stone. A lot of things can happen in 25 years.

[Crusher kisses him]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: A lot of things can happen...

Ensign Chilton: Captain Picard?

Picard, Captain Beverly Picard: [simultaneously] Yes?

Captain Beverly Picard: I've prepared quarters for you on deck 5. You might want to get some rest.

Picard: No, I'm fine. I don't need rest.

Captain Beverly Picard: Nell, please escort the Ambassador to his quarters.

Picard: Look, you're treating me as if I am an invalid. But I do have a few years left in me yet. I do not want to be led around, and I do not want to be patronized!

Captain Beverly Picard: You're right. I'm sorry.

Picard: Now I'll go and get some rest.

Picard: Beverly, I cannot believe that you are not willing to stay here until we...

Captain Beverly Picard: [interrupting] Don't you ever question my orders on the bridge of my ship again!

Picard: Damn it, I was just trying to... Look, there are larger concerns here. What you don't understand is...

Captain Beverly Picard: [interrupting] I understand that you would never have tolerated that kind of behavior back on the Enterprise, and I won't here. I don't care if you're my ex-captain *or* my ex-husband!

Q: The Continuum didn't think you had it in you, Jean-Luc. But I knew you did.

Capt. Picard: Are you saying that it worked? We collapsed the anomaly?

Q: Is that all this meant to you? Just another spatial anomaly, just another day at the office?

Capt. Picard: Did it work?

Q: Well, you're here, aren't you? You're talking to me, aren't you?

Capt. Picard: What about my crew?

Q: [scoffs] The anomaly, my ship, my crew; I suppose you're worried about your fish, too. If it puts your mind at ease - you've saved humanity, once again.

[Crusher's last line of the series]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You know, I was thinking about what the Captain told us all about the future. About how we all changed and drifted apart. Why would he want to tell us what's to come?

[La Forge's last line of the series]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sure goes against everything we've always heard about not polluting the timeline, doesn't it?

[Worf's last line of the series]

Lieutenant Worf: Agreed.

[Riker's last line of the series]

Commander William T. Riker: Of course! Have a seat.

[Data's last line of the series]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Would you care to deal, sir?

[Troi's last line of the series]

Counselor Deanna Troi: You were always welcome.

Lieutenant Worf: [in a poker round] Four hands in a row. How does he do it?

Commander William T. Riker: I cheat.

[Data looks up, suspicious]

Commander William T. Riker: I'm kidding!

Lt. Tasha Yar: Captain, so far we've obeyed every order, no matter how far-fetched it might have seemed. But if we're to risk the safety of the ship and crew, I think we have to ask you for an explanation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I understand your concerns, Lieutenant; and I know that if I were in your position, I would be doing the same thing - looking for answers. But you're not gonna find any, because I don't have any to give you. I know it is difficult for you to understand, but we have to take the ship into the very center of the phenomenon and create a static warp shell. Now, this will put the ship at risk. Quite frankly, we may not survive. But I want you to believe that I am doing this for a greater purpose, and that what is at stake here is more than any of you can possibly imagine. I know you have your doubts about me, about each other, about this ship. All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet. And I would trust each of you with my life. So, I am asking you for a leap of faith - and to trust me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [in the past timeline] Tea, Earl Grey, hot.

Enterprise Computer: That beverage has not been programmed into the replication system.

Jessel: [in the future timeline] How'd you like your tea?

Picard: Tea? Earl Grey, hot.

Jessel: Course it's hot! What d'you want in it?

Picard: Nothing.

Jessel: [to La Forge] If you're really his friend, you'll get him to take that gray out of his 'air.

Data: Jessel...

Jessel: Looks like a bloody skunk!

O'Brien: We have to realign the entire power grid. We'll all be burning the midnight oil on this one.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [passing] That would be inadvisable.

O'Brien: Excuse me?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: If you attempt to ignite a petroleum product on this ship at 0000 hours, you will activate the fire suppression system, which would seal off this entire compartment.

O'Brien: That was just an expression.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Expression of what?

O'Brien: A figure of speech. I was trying to tell him that we'd be working late.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Ah. Then 'to burn the midnight oil' implies late work?

O'Brien: Yeah, that's right.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Hm. I am curious. What is the etymology of that idiom?

O'Brien: Hm?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: How did it come to be used in contemporary language?

O'Brien: I-I don't know, sir.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It appears we will be required to ignite the midnight petroleum, sir. [Data's version of 'burning the midnight oil']

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Personally, I think you just enjoy waking everybody up in the middle of the night.

Capt. Picard: Actually, I really like running around the ship in my bare feet.

[Picard has called for Q]

Lieutenant JG Worf: What is a 'Q'?

Lt. Tasha Yar: It's a letter of the alphabet, as far as I know.

Capt. Picard: [of Q] He's always had a certain fascination with humanity, with myself in particular. I think he has more than a passing interest in what happens to me.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That is true. Q's interest in you has always been very similar to that of a master and his beloved pet.

Capt. Picard: Mr. Data, you are a clever man - in any time period.

Picard: This is not my time. I don't belong here.

Geordi La Forge: What?

Picard: I was somewhere else a few moments ago.

Geordi La Forge: What do you mean? You've... you've been right here with me.

Picard: No, no, no! I was somewhere else. I was... It was a long time ago, there was someone talking. I was t... I w... I-I... I was talking to someone. Beverly. I was talking to Beverly!

Geordi La Forge: It's okay, Captain. Everything's gonna be all right.

Picard: I'm not senile, you know. This did happen! I-I... I was here, I was talking to you, and then... and then I was somewhere else. I was, er... I was on the Enterprise. I was back on the Enterprise. At least I... I think that's where it was. I was in sickbay! I, er... Well, it-it might, it might have been a hospital...

Geordi La Forge: Captain, I think we should go back to the house and call your doctor.

Picard: Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking; "It's the Irumodic Syndrome. He's beginning to lose his mind, the old man." Well, it's not that! And I'm not daydreaming either!

Picard: Data, find the USS Pasteur. I... I have some pull with the Captain. At least, I used to have.

Captain Beverly Picard: I'll stay here six hours longer, and then we're heading home... I want you to remember - if it were anyone else but you, we wouldn't even be here.

Capt. Picard: We demonstrated to you that mankind had become peaceful and benevolent. You agreed and you let us go on our way. Now why am I standing here again?

Q: Oh, you'd like me to connect the dots for you, lead you from A to B to C, so that your puny mind could comprehend? How boring.

Picard: Now tell me one thing: this anomaly we're looking for - will that destroy humanity?

Q: You're forgetting, Jean-Luc - *you* destroy humanity.

Admiral William T. Riker: [about his relationship with Troi] I didn't want to admit that it was over. I always thought that we would get together again. And then she was gone. You think you have all the time in the world, until... Yeah...

Capt. Picard: [after learning that he successfully collapsed the anomaly] Thank you.

Q: [curious] For what?

Capt. Picard: You had a hand in helping me get out of this.

Q: I was the one that got you into it. A directive from the Continuum. The part about the helping hand, though... was my idea.

Capt. Picard: I sincerely hope that this is the last time that I find myself here.

Q: You just don't get it, do you, Jean-Luc? The trial never ends. We wanted to see if you had the ability to expand your mind and your horizons. And for one brief moment, you did.

Capt. Picard: When I realized the paradox.

Q: Exactly. For that one fraction of a second, you were open to options you had never considered. *That* is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknown possibilities of existence.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Look, I don't know whether you've slept in the past or in the future. But I'm sure you haven't slept in the present. Now, get some rest, or I'll have you relieved and sedated.

Capt. Picard: Yes, sir.

Captain Beverly Picard: [offering Picard her captain's chair] Once more, for old times' sake?

[Picard sits down in the chair]

Picard: Engage.

Q: Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you. You had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end.

[Q's last line of the series]

Q: In any case, I'll be watching. And if you're very lucky, I'll drop by to say hello from time to time. See you... out there!

Picard: Well, time has been good to you.

Geordi La Forge: [patting his stomach] A little too good, in some places.

Capt. Picard: The last time that I stood here was seven years ago.

Q: Seven years ago! How little do you mortals understand time. Must you be so linear, Jean-Luc?

Capt. Picard: You accused me of being the representative of a... a barbarous species.

Q: I believe my exact words were "a dangerous, savage child-race."

[last line of the series]

Capt. Picard: So, five-card stud, nothing wild. And the sky's the limit.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [Riker has just learned that Troi and Worf have begun a relationship] Will, this time-shifting, when it happens, I experience a momentary disorientation. If that should happen during a crisis, Will, I want you to take command immediately. [Riker, glaring into space, is clearly not listening] Number One?

Commander William T. Riker: [coming to himself] I'm sorry. Be prepared to take command, aye, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Speaking of disorientation, are *you* all right?

Commander William T. Riker: I'm just a little distracted. I'm fine.

Commander William T. Riker: What is our mission?

False Captain Picard: I'm under no obligation to tell you that.

Commander William T. Riker: If you don't, you force me to take command of this vessel.

False Captain Picard: On what grounds?

Commander William T. Riker: You are endangering this ship for no reason.

False Captain Picard: No reason *you're* aware of.

Commander William T. Riker: That's not good enough. Your behavior has been erratic.

False Captain Picard: Erratic enough to justify mutiny? Do you honestly believe you have sufficient evidence to convince a board of inquiry?

Commander William T. Riker: No, I don't. But I can't let you risk the lives of this crew.

Kova Tholl: It's well known that my species possesses superior intelligence, and, uh, I am considered among the brightest of my people.

Mitena Haro: And the least modest.

[Esoqq picks up a food disc]

Esoqq: What is this?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Food.

Esoqq: The *only* food?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It would seem so.

[Esoqq tastes the disc, then throws it away]

Esoqq: POISON!

Kova Tholl: Does this mean there's nothing here for you to eat?

[Esoqq examines Kova Tholl intently]

Esoqq: You!

Esoqq: My given name is Esoqq. It means 'Fighter'.

Kova Tholl: I'll bet half the names in the Chalnoth language mean 'Fighter'.

Esoqq: Mizarians. Your names all mean 'Surrender'!

Kova Tholl: We are a peaceful race. A race of thinkers.

Esoqq: A race of cowards.

Kova Tholl: My race has no enemies.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: None? In the last three hundred years of Mizarian history, your planet has been conquered six times!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well. I think this charade has gone far enough.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Haro] Don't you?

Mitena Haro: I don't understand.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh yes, you do. This isn't a holding cell. It's a laboratory maze, a carefully structured test. It's an experiment to see how well we react under pressure.

Esoqq: How do you know?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's the only explanation. Look at the four of us. We do have something in common: we all react differently to authority.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Tholl] You, the collaborator, defer to whoever has control.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Esoqq] You, the anarchist, reject authority in any form. I, a Starfleet captain, trained to command.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Haro] And you, a Starfleet cadet, sworn to obey a superior officer's authority. - Our captors have placed us here, and have devised obstacles for us to overcome. They give us food, which Esoqq can't eat, to make him a threat. They give us a door we can't open - until the four of us cooperate. And each time we succeed, they deal us reverses, to set us against each other again,

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Haro] while *you*... observe our reactions.

Mitena Haro: Sir, I've been trying to help...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I found it unlikely that a first-year cadet would know of the Enterprise's visit to Mintaka III, so I tested you. Starfleet has classified the Cor Caroli V plague a secret. No cadet would have knowledge of that incident.

Mitena Haro: [whispering] Captain...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So, you may as well drop this pretense. I'm not playing any further. I'm quitting this game! As far as I am concerned, this experiment is over!

Mitena Haro: You are correct, Captain Picard.

Alien #1: [after being trapped in a force field] Captain, our species cannot bear captivity!

Alien #2: We were merely... curious, we meant no harm.

Alien #1: We did not, after all, injure you in any way.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Imprisonment is an injury, regardless of how you justify it.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [on his success at poker] Lady Luck left me long ago.

[Picard has returned to the Enterprise and his double been unmasked]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The replica was convincing?

Commander William T. Riker: Very convincing, but... not perfect.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Not perfect in what way?

Commander William T. Riker: Well, sir - I find it hard to believe that you're that good a singer.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Singer?

[Riker smirks]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I look forward to reading your report, Commander - at least, I think I do.

Esoqq: The sound of your voice is beginning to anger me!

Lieutenant Worf: I think I may sneeze.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: A Klingon sneeze?

Lieutenant Worf: Only kind I know.

Lt. Commander Data: Angel One has evolved into a constitutional oligarchy. It is governed by a parliamentary body consisting of six elected mistresses and headed by a female they refer to as 'The Elected One'.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It sounds like my own planet.

Commander William T. Riker: To travel the distance we did in two days at warp 1, would have taken the Odin escape pod five months.

Lt. Commander Data: 5 months, 6 days, 11 hours, 2 minutes...

Commander William T. Riker: Thank you, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: ...and 57 seconds.

Lieutenant Worf: Engineering reports computer ma... a... ATCHOO! I'm sorry - I'm getting sick.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I'm sure half the ship knows that by now.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've an away team down there, in less than friendly territory, and in addition, I have an appointment with several Romulan battlecruis...

[gasping and steadying himself, exhausted]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You have an appointment in your cabin, Captain, with your bed!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Is that an order, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Yes!

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [having the command of the ship] Make it so.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: This virus mutates every twenty minutes! But we haven't had any fatalities - yet.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: If this continues, there'll be no one left to run the ship.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If this continues, Lieutenant La Forge, nobody will be healthy enough to care.

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Data will need access to your library.

Beata: Our library is far too sophisticated for a man to comprehend.

Lt. Commander Data: I am an android, Mistress. Though anatomically, I am a male.

Beata: An amusing notion.

[Beata is trying to seduce Riker, who is slightly resisting]

Commander William T. Riker: It's not my function to seduce or be seduced by the leader of another world.

Beata: It's not the reason.

Commander William T. Riker: No, it's not. But will you still respect me in the morning?

Beata: I hope so.

[the away team has found the survivors of the Odin, but is greeted with some reservation]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Seven years on an alien planet, and I sense no anticipation, no excitement at being rescued?

Ramsey: What is it that you think that you're rescuing me from? My shipmates and I have all taken wives, a few even have children. You can't rescue a man from a place that he calls his home.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What is that smell?

Lieutenant Worf: Hm, yes - slightly reminiscent of night-blooming throgni, Captain. From home. Quite stimulating, wouldn't you say?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No!

[Dr. Crusher enters Picard's quarters with a thermos bottle and fills a cup from it]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It looks horrible. Tastes worse. But it's absolutely guaranteed to make you feel better.

[she forces a reluctant Picard to drink]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I knew you'd like it!

Trent: Mistress Beata invites you to witness this morning's reaffirmation of Angel One's moral imperative.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Is that the civilized word for 'murder' on this world?

Commander William T. Riker: [on Data's warning of breaking Starfleet rules by saving Ramsey's group] I'd rather face a court martial than live with the guilt of leaving these people to their deaths.

Commander William T. Riker: Martyrs cannot be silenced.

Commander William T. Riker: No power in the universe can hope to stop the force of evolution.

Beata: We may not be able to stop evolution. But perhaps we can reduce it to a slow crawl.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Ever feel like you're not really wanted?

Commander William T. Riker: Commander Riker to the Enterprise.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [over comm] This is the Enterprise, Crusher here.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Must be worse up there than we thought.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [hoarsely, still recovering from the virus] Mr. Data, set course for the Neutral Zone, warp 6.

Lt. Commander Data: Coordinates set, warp 6, on your mark, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [croaks, almost inaudibly] Engage.

Lt. Commander Data: ...Sir?

[Picard looks pleadingly at Riker]

Commander William T. Riker: Engage!

[Aquiel is upset when La Forge admits that he has read through her personal logs]

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: I'm sorry. It's...just that I tell my sister things I wouldn't tell anyone else. I guess I was feeling a little...exposed.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'd feel the same way.

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: Especially if I had seen you in that wig!

Commander William T. Riker: I think it would be best if you weren't so personally involved with Aquiel right now; there's a lot about her we don't know.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: And there's a lot about her that I do know. And if she's innocent I want to help her prove it.

Commander William T. Riker: I think you've let your personal feelings cloud your judgement.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm not the one making judgements.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant Uhnari's logs reported that Commander Morag had been harassing the station.

Governor Torak: He was doing his job.

[Aquiel's dog has chewed up La Forge's shoes]

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: Maura, shame on you! That's not like you. What a naughty dog!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: It's all right, don't worry about it. At least she's chewing them up in pairs.

[in a personal letter to her sister, Aquiel is talking about the threat from a Klingon]

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: I don't... think there'll be any trouble. It just... brings up those feelings of... panic, of wanting to run, wanting to get away from danger. Shianna, I couldn't say this to anyone but you. But the panic... It's the same thing I used to feel whenever Father got angry. When I knew he was going to punish me. Only now, I'm out here in space - and there's nowhere to run.

[La Forge has questioned Aquiel about her insubordinate conduct toward Lt. Rocha, who is presumed killed]

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: Keith Rocha was obnoxious from the minute he reported to duty. He treated me as though I was beneath contempt. I felt like I had to battle him, to hold my own. But I didn't want to see him dead.

Lt. Aquiel Uhnari: Think of me.

Governor Torak: Are you saying we attacked your outpost?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm merely saying that I'm following up on evidence that my officers discovered on board.

Governor Torak: "Evidence". So you *are* making an accusation! The Klingon Empire will not stand for these kinds of lies!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Governor Torak, I apologize. I can see that you honestly didn't know what happened aboard the station. I will just have to take this matter up with Gowron. I'm really sorry that we bothered you.

Governor Torak: Gowron won't bother with such a minor incident!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, ordinarily, he wouldn't, but of course, I was his Arbiter of Succession. I'm sure that he will be happy to come here and investigate this matter. You needn't worry about it any longer.

Governor Torak: Gowron will come here?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes. So once again, thank you for your help. Oh, I will be sure to mention your name to Gowron when I speak to him.

Governor Torak: I will investigate this further, Picard. You need not bother Gowron with this matter.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's very kind. Kaplah!

Governor Torak: Kaplah!

Commander William T. Riker: Now - the matter of our missing officers.

Lorin: They're still charged with spying, Commander. I have heard nothing here which would alter that.

Commander William T. Riker: Then maybe you should consider this: if anything happens to them, Starfleet is going to want a full investigation. Which means more starships will be coming to Kesprytt, and those ships are going to want answers, which puts your country under a very large and very uncomfortable microscope. Remember how unhappy you were when we contacted just one of your people without authorization? Well, just think what it'd be like: ten starships asking questions, contacting hundreds of your people, massive sensor sweeps. They may even start sending down away teams, all because *you* wouldn't help me find my missing officers.

[Riker tells Mauric and Lorin that Kes's application for Federation membership will be denied]

Mauric: We still plan to apply for membership, Commander! We will go directly to the Federation Council, they will listen to us!

Commander William T. Riker: They will also listen to the reports of the Captain of the Enterprise and his First Officer! And I can tell you right now the First Officer's report will go something like this: "Kesprytt, a deeply troubled world with social, political, and military problems they have yet to resolve. The Kes, while a friendly and democratic people, are driven by suspicion, deviousness, and paranoia. It is the opinion of this officer they are not ready for membership."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One of us is hungry.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: That would be me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do you mind thinking of something else? You're making *me* hungry.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What do you want me to think about?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Something other than a large bowl of vegetable soup.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: My grandmother used to make it, with peas, carrots and...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Beverly!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I think our link is getting stronger.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Maybe if we put some distance between us, that might weaken it - not that I'm growing tired of hearing your most intimate thoughts!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am not being unreasonable!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I didn't say that you were. I may have thought it, but there's a difference.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Isn't it astonishing though how much clutter there is in the consciousness?

[Crusher is trying to figure out the path to take]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [checking the map] This way. [moves on]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You don't really know, do you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I mean, you're acting like you know exactly which way to go, but you're only guessing. Do you do this all the time?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, but there... are times when it is necessary for a captain to give the appearance of confidence.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You know, last night I couldn't sleep.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I was awake for several hours, and thanks to the implants, I got to hear some very interesting dreams of yours.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A man cannot be held responsible for what his mind does while he's asleep.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What about when he's awake?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now that we know how... each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings.

[Beverly kisses him on the cheek]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Or perhaps we should be afraid.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: That is not funny!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I wanted to see if you were still listening.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm beginning to realize that you always seem to have some... acerbic remark on the tip of your tongue.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, at least I've trained myself not to *say* it anymore.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Worf... I don't see how you can eat that stuff. It tastes like... liquid polymer.

Lieutenant Worf: Delicious!

Lt. Commander Data: [entered Picard's ready room] I am sorry to disturb you, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, not at all. I'm here studying the intricacies of Bajoran aqueduct management. I would welcome a little interruption.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on Data's vision] I am curious, Mr. Data, why are you looking at all these other cultures?

Lt. Commander Data: The interpretation of visions and other metaphysical experiences are almost always culturally derived. And I have no culture of my own.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, you do. You're a culture of one. Which is no less valid than a culture of one billion.

Dr. Julian Bashir: [to Data] I must admit, Commander, I didn't think you'd be so... personable.

[Doctor Bashir has commented on Data's more "human" attributes]

Lt. Commander Data: Most people are interested in my extraordinary abilities - how fast I can compute, my memory capacity, how long I will live. No one has ever asked me if my hair will grow, or noticed that I can breathe.

Dr. Julian Bashir: Well, your creator went to a lot of trouble to make you seem human. I find that fascinating.

[during a shutdown, Data has experienced some kind of vision]

Dr. Julian Bashir: Maybe you had a dream, or a hallucination.

Lt. Commander Data: I am not capable of either of those functions.

Dr. Julian Bashir: Yet you can't account for what happened today, can you?

Lt. Commander Data: At present, I cannot.

Dr. Julian Bashir: Well, maybe you should approach this from a more human standpoint. You're right that machines can't have hallucinations. But then again - most machines can't grow hair.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not understand.

Dr. Noonien Soong: You're not supposed to. No man should know where his dreams come from. It spoils the mystery - the fun.

Dr. Noonien Soong: I wasn't sure you'd ever develop the cognitive abilities to make it this far. But if you're here, if you can see me... you've crossed over the threshold from being a collection of circuits and subprocessors, and have started a wonderful journey.

Lt. Commander Data: What type of journey?

Dr. Noonien Soong: Think of it... think of it as an empty sky.

Dr. Noonien Soong: Sshhh. Just dream, Data. Dream.

[long pause]

Dr. Noonien Soong: Data... *you* are the bird.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Explore this image, Data. Let it... excite your imagination, focus on it. See where it leads you. Let it inspire you.

Lieutenant Worf: [to Data, but really more to himself] In the Klingon MajQa ritual, there is nothing more important than receiving a revelation about your father. Your father is a part of you. Always. Learning about him teaches you about yourself. That is why no matter... where he is or what he has done... you must find him!

Lt. Commander Data: I have created 23 individual illustrations in the past six hours, 27 minutes. I believe you could say... I have been inspired.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'll say.

Dr. Julian Bashir: Remarkable. You know, this is just the kind of thing that might get me published in the Starfleet Cybernetics Journal. Would you mind if I authored a paper on all this?

Lt. Commander Data: Of course not.

Dr. Julian Bashir: Thank you, Data. And... sweet dreams.

[Troi walks in on Worf who has just smashed his glass table during an agitated mok'bara exercise]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Did the table do something wrong?

Lieutenant Worf: No.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm glad you weren't that hard on Ensign Lopez.

Lieutenant Worf: He made a mistake. The duty roster was inaccurate.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Would you like to talk about what's bothering you, or would you like to break some more furniture?

L'Kor: You should not have come here, Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: I do not understand.

L'Kor: You should not have come.

L'Kor: [to Worf] We are not leaving here... and neither are you.

L'Kor: Why did you come here Worf? If you had found your father, you would have found... only dishonor.

Lieutenant Worf: If he had been captured, as you were, if I had found him here - I would be glad to see him. There is no room in my heart for shame.

L'Kor: I can only hope that if *my* son came here - he would be Klingon enough to kill me.

Lieutenant Worf: You robbed the Klingons of who they were. You dishonored them.

Tokath: By not slitting their throats when we found them unconscious?

Lieutenant Worf: I do not expect you to understand. You are a Romulan.

Tokath: When I informed the High Command that the Klingons wanted to remain here, I was told that unless I stayed to oversee them myself, they would be killed. My decision ended my military career.

Lieutenant Worf: Why did you do it?

Tokath: I don't expect you to understand. You're a Klingon.

Tokath: Well, Worf - you've had quite an effect on the young people.

Lieutenant Worf: I have done nothing more than show them who they are.

Tokath: No. You have shown them what you want them to be.

[Worf and Toq are on the hunt]

Toq: I can feel my heart pounding!

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. This is the moment where life and death meet. This is what we are - warriors.

Toq: I was never taught that.

Lieutenant Worf: There is much you were never taught.

Tokath: We've put aside the old hatreds. Here, Romulans and Klingons live in peace. I won't allow you to destroy what we have.

Lieutenant Worf: Do not deceive yourself. These people are not happy here. I see the sadness in their eyes.

Tokath: That's not what I see when I look in my wife's eyes. I married a Klingon. So you see, when I warn you not to disrupt our lives here, I'm not speaking just as a jailor; but as a man protecting his family.

L'Kor: We lost our honor when we were captured. It does not matter what happens to us.

Gi'ral: All that matters is that our families are not dishonored.

Lieutenant Worf: Are you afraid to die while escaping?

L'Kor: We are dead, Worf. We died at Khitomer.

L'Kor: In time, you will grow accustomed to life here.

Lieutenant Worf: Never.

Toq: Today I learned the ritual hunt. But that is not all I learned. I discovered that warrior's blood runs through my veins. I do not know how, or why; but we have forgotten ourselves. Our stories are not told, our songs are not sung! Tonight, as we came home, we sang a song of victory - a song known only to me as a lullaby. But it is a warrior's song: "Bak'ta tu mo" - Fire streaks the heavens! "So-ja du wo" - Battle has begun!

Lieutenant Worf: I would not have thought it possible... to love a Romulan.

Lieutenant Worf: If there were a way, I would take you away with me.

Ba'el: If there is anything that I've learned from you, from your reaction to me, it's that I have no place out there. Other Klingons will not accept me for what I am.

Lieutenant Worf: And if I stay here, these Klingons will not accept me for what I am.

Lieutenant Worf: And what about Toq? I saw what happened to him when he caught the scent of his prey on the wind. For the first time in his life, he felt powerful, and that is what he has been denied living here, and that is what you have tried to take away from him. Now, you may be content to sit here in the jungle and wither to old age. But Toq and the others have tasted what it is to feel truly alive, and they will not give that up now!

Tokath: Enough of this. We could talk all night and not convince each other. I offer you a choice: live with us, as one of us...

Lieutenant Worf: Or?

Tokath: Or I will have you... put to death.

Lieutenant Worf: Then that is what you will have to do.

Tokath: I know that there are those among you who may question what I'm about to do. And you would not be wrong to do so. I have questioned myself; I have spent the night considering my decision, challenging myself to justify whether it *is* right. And I have reached the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary... to put this man to death. What we have built together would be destroyed by this man. And I cannot allow that to happen.

Tokath: [to Worf] I give you one last chance to accept our way of life.

Lieutenant Worf: Those are eloquent words, Tokath. But the truth is, I am being executed because I've brought something dangerous to your young people: knowledge.

[Ba'el tries to help Worf escape, which he refuses]

Ba'el: They will kill you!

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. But they will not defeat me.

Lieutenant Worf: The young people will see what it is to die - as a Klingon.

Toq: If you kill him... you will have to kill me.

Gi'ral: [to Tokath] Long ago, when your captives asked to stay here, our hope was to avoid dishonoring our children on the homeworld. But perhaps over the years, we... lost sight of our children that we raised *here*. This is our prison. It should not be theirs.

Lieutenant Worf: [to the young Klingons] Years ago, your parents made a great sacrifice for the sake of their families. Today, they do so again. For that, we must honor them. You must promise them never to reveal their secret. No one must know of this place.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You found what you were looking for, Mr. Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: No, sir. There was no prison camp. Those young people are survivors of a vessel that crashed in the Carraya system four years ago. No one survived Khitomer.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [truthfully] I understand.

Ba'el: Worf - you never answered my question. Did Kahless ever find his father's sword?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. He found it.

Ba'el: The stories that you tell - are they true?

Lieutenant Worf: I have studied them all of my life and find new truths in them, every time.

Ba'el: This Kahless - did he ever... take a mate?

Lieutenant Worf: That is another story.

DaiMon Bok: You thought you could hide him from me, didn't you? But I found out about him. Jason Vigo is as good as dead. I'm going to kill your son, Picard, just like you killed mine!

DaiMon Bok: I demand that you repay me for my loss!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You cannot put a price on a life.

DaiMon Bok: Oh, but you can, Picard. You can pay me with *your* son's life.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No.

DaiMon Bok: You don't have any choice! I insist on being paid.

Jason Vigo: On Camor, something has value if you can eat it or sell it. Everything else is luxury.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I like climbing. There's something about... actually having your fate in your own hands.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Like it or not, I'm your father. I don't know what that means. I know it means something. There is some... connection.

Jason Vigo: Yeah...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But one thing is clear: you'll never look at you hairline again in the same way.

Jason Vigo: [on Bok's intention to kill him] I'll be all right. People have wanted to kill me before.

Lt. Commander Data: [decoding a message in B'Zal] The message reads: "My revenge is at hand".

Counselor Deanna Troi: Look, Jason. I just want to talk to you because I'm the ship's counselor. If you don't want to talk to me that way, then I should leave. You're welcome to make an appointment in my office whenever you're ready.

Jason Vigo: [smiles knowingly] I'll do just that.

Lt. Commander Data: [about Jason] He was charged three times for petty theft, twice for disorderly conduct. He was also charged several dozen times for trespassing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How is all this related?

Lt. Commander Data: The charges were related to his climbing activities.

Jason Vigo: Let me tell you something that I've never told anyone before. I've been into a lot of trouble since I was a teenager. I lie, I steal, I use people. I'm a criminal, that's what your son is.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [of the Promellian battle cruiser] It is exactly as they left it, Number One - 'in the bottle'.

[Data and Worf, like Riker earlier, look at him rather blankly]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The ship in the bottle... Oh, good Lord, didn't anybody here build ships in bottles when they were boys?

Lieutenant Worf: I did not play with toys.

Lt. Commander Data: I was never a boy.

Chief Miles O'Brien: I did, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [pleased] Thank you, Mr. O'Brien.

Chief Miles O'Brien: [to a doubtful looking Riker] I did! I really did! Ships in bottles? Was great fun!

[Data and Wesley are playing chess in Ten Forward when La Forge enters, rather downcast]

Wesley Crusher: Uh oh...

Lt. Commander Data: I beg your pardon, Wesley?

Wesley Crusher: Geordi had that big date with Christy tonight. He spent days putting together the perfect program. Looks like it ended kinda early.

Lt. Commander Data: Uh oh...

[La Forge inquires Guinan on her views about men]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: As a woman, what's the first thing you look at?

Guinan: His head.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: His mind, of course.

Guinan: No - his head. I'm attracted to bald men.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Seriously?

Guinan: Seriously.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Why?

Guinan: Maybe because a bald man was kind to me once, when I was hurting. Took care of me.

[arguably alluding to the events in 'Time's Arrow']

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I just don't get it, Guinan. I can field-strip a fusion reactor; I can realign a power transfer tunnel. Why can't I make anything work with a woman like Christy? It's like... I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say.

Guinan: You're doing fine with me.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You're different.

Guinan: No, *you're* different.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: But I'm not trying now.

Guinan: That's my point.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [after being denied access to Leah Brahms's personal files] Great! Another woman who won't get personal with me on the holodeck.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, Number One, you missed something not playing with model ships. They were the source of imaginary voyages, each holding a treasure of adventures. Manning the earliest spacecraft, flying an aeroplane, with only one propeller to keep you in the sky. Can you imagine that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now the machines are flying us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Is it possible... we've fallen into the same snare that killed them? A thousand-year-old booby trap?

Commander William T. Riker: If we resist, we die. If we don't resist... we die.

Dr. Leah Brahms: I am not used to having people question my judgment.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: And I'm not used to dying.

Commander William T. Riker: Computers have always impressed me with their ability to take orders. I'm not nearly as convinced of their ability to creatively give them.

[La Forge has suggested an alternative way to get out of the energy trap instead of letting the computer fly the ship]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have you analyzed the risk factor?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The numbers say it's even money. It's no better than turning it over to the computer, but no worse either. But I say forget the numbers! There's no way the computer can compensate for the human factor, the, the intuition, the experience.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And the wish to stay alive.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [to holographic Leah Brahms] Don't go away. I mean, er... computer, save program.

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. La Forge, we need warp power now!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Matter-antimatter mixture ratio settings... at optimum balance. Reaction sequence... corresponding to specified norms. Magnetic plasma transfer to warp field generators per program specs. Commander, we should be going like a bat out of hell!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You know, I've always thought that technology could solve almost any problem. It enhances the quality of our lives, lets us travel across the galaxy - even gave me my vision. But sometimes, you just have to turn it all off. Even the gypsy violins.

Dr. Leah Brahms: Violins?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Different program.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [returning from the Promellian battle cruiser] Thrilling. That was... absolutely thrilling. And I was right, Number One. There were ghosts on board that old ship. One of them actually spoke to us.

Commander William T. Riker: A friendly one, I hope?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: My own counterpart - the Captain's final message, praising his crew.

Commander William T. Riker: I hope you'll be as thoughtful when the time comes.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Leah, do you like Italian food?

Dr. Leah Brahms: Like it? Wait 'til I make you my fungilli.

Lore: [pretending to be Data] Often Wrong's got a broken heart - Can't even tell his boys apart.

Dr. Noonien Soong: [examining Data] I always loved that face.

Dr. Noonien Soong: I, uh... I never felt too comfortable living anywhere without a prearranged route of escape. I admit, I, uh, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be running from a giant snowflake, but, uh...

Dr. Noonien Soong: This is your lucky day, Data. You've found your long-lost father, and he's alive. What do you think of that?

Dr. Noonien Soong: [upon the arrival of Lore] Looks like we have ourselves a... family reunion.

Commander William T. Riker: The only way we knew we'd come out of warp was by looking out a window.

Commander William T. Riker: The computer should think all three of us are Data. I just hope we don't all beam back *looking* like Data.

Lt. Commander Data: Why did you create me?

Dr. Noonien Soong: Why does a painter paint? Hm? Why does a boxer box? You know what Michelangelo used to say? That the sculptures he made were already there before he started, hidden in the marble. All he needed to do was - ssht - remove the unneeded bits. Wasn't quite that easy with you, Data. But the need to do it, my need to do it, was no different than Michelangelo's need.

[Data has theorized that humans need a sense of continuity to give their lives meaning]

Dr. Noonien Soong: And, uh... this continuity - does it only run one way? Backwards? To the past?

Lt. Commander Data: I suppose it is a factor in the human desire to procreate.

Dr. Noonien Soong: Oh. So you believe... that having children gives humans a sense... of immortality. Do you?

Lt. Commander Data: It is a reasonable explanation to your query, sir.

Dr. Noonien Soong: And to yours as well, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: I am not less perfect than Lore.

[Soong has presented to Data an emotion chip, which he has developed to equip him with simple feelings]

Lore: You'd be surprised, Data. Feelings do funny things. You may even learn to... understand your "evil" brother. To forgive him.

Lore: [singing] There were brave men aplenty, All well known to fame, Who served in the ranks of the Tsar. Bababa bababa bababa bababa...

[Dr. Soong is dying]

Dr. Noonien Soong: Everybody dies, Data. Well... almost everybody.

Lt. Commander Data: Do you believe that we are... in some way alike, sir?

Dr. Noonien Soong: In many ways, I'd like to believe.

Lt. Commander Data: Then it is all right for you to die. Because I will remain alive.

Lt. Commander Data: You know that I cannot grieve for you, sir.

Dr. Noonien Soong: You will - in your own way. Goodbye. Goodbye, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: Goodbye... Father.

Lt. Commander Data: The boys appear to have reconciled their differences.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: They're brothers, Data. Brothers forgive.

Lt. Commander Data: [Data has commandeered the bridge and driven the rest of the crew out. Riker and Worf are attempting to regain access through a Jefferies tube] Computer: configure a perimeter field charge, Sections 9K through 12T.

Commander William T. Riker: [the field charge takes effect] What the hell was that?

Lieutenant Worf: He's activated a force field, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Great. Just great.

Risian Computer: Welcome to Risa. All that is ours is yours.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: From the moment I met you, I knew you were gonna be trouble.

Vash: You look like a man who could handle trouble.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Picard] Have I mentioned how imaginative the Risian women are, sir?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Too often, Commander.

Joval: The Horga'hn is the Risian symbol of sexuality. To own one is to call forth its powers. To display it is to announce you are seeking jamaharon.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [exasperated] Riker!

Joval: Do you seek jamaharon?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't even know what it means. The Horga'hn is for a friend.

Joval: I see. Someone close to you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's right.

Joval: Someone you love?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I wouldn't go that far.

[Vash has greeted Picard like an old friend with an intimate kiss]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think you've mistaken me for someone else.

Vash: You know, I think you might be right. Welcome to Risa!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to himself] A simple handshake would have sufficed.

Sovak: [on Vash] She is a greedy and unscrupulous woman - a perfect mate for a Ferengi!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Any woman who can beat a Ferengi at his own game bears watching.

[Dr. Crusher tries to persuade Picard to take a vacation]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Isn't there someplace special you wanna go?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Astrophysics Center on Icor IX is holding a symposium on rogue star clusters. I had given serious thought to attending.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The last thing you need is serious thought. Jean-Luc, why don't you go someplace beautiful, where you can relax and be pampered? You deserve it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'll give it serious thought.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Tell me, Number One, is the entire crew aware of this little scheme to send me off on holiday?

Commander William T. Riker: I believe there are two ensigns stationed on deck 39 who know nothing about it.

Commander William T. Riker: Are you taking all these books?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, well, I'll take some light reading, in case I got bored.

Commander William T. Riker: "Ulysses" by James Joyce? "Ethics, Sophistry and the Alternate Universe", Ving Kuda - you call that 'light reading'?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: To each his own, Number One.

Commander William T. Riker: The more difficult the task, the sweeter the victory.

Vash: [on the mythical Tox Uthat] First I have to find it - and that won't be easy, with Sovak watching me every minute.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'll go in your place.

Vash: And what about me?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You'll remain here. It's safer.

Vash: Is that an order?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Absolutely.

Vash: This isn't a starship, Jean-Luc. I don't follow orders.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You are outrageous!

Vash: Thank you. You're pretty stimulating yourself.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Promise me you will try and stay out of trouble.

Vash: I always *try*.

Vash: You know, Jean-Luc, it's lucky for you we met. If it wasn't for me... If it wasn't for me, you'd still be back there sitting in the sun, relaxing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That happens to be why I came to Risa.

Vash: I'm sure you hated every minute of it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Look, I don't wish to appear rude, but I am not seeking jamaharon.

Vash: All right. But you really should try it sometime.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes. Number One - about that Horga'hn you requested...

Commander William T. Riker: Yes, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You and I need to have a little chat about that.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Was it a relaxing trip, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Uh-huh.

[and heads off to his ready room]

Commander William T. Riker: I knew he'd have a great time!

[after Picard has kissed Vash]

Vash: Still think I'm trouble?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sure of it.

[they kiss again]

Vash: That kind of vacation isn't for a man like you. You need excitement.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Excitement? Spending the night in a damp cave, chasing after something we shall probably never find?

Vash: You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ...Yes.

Vash: I just wanted to hear you say it.

Commander William T. Riker: Sometimes I wonder if he's stacking the deck.

Lt. Commander Data: I assure you, Commander, the cards are sufficiently randomized.

Lieutenant Worf: I hope so.

Commander William T. Riker: Damage report!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Casualty reports coming in from all over the ship!

Lt. Commander Data: The starboard nacelle has sustained a direct impact. We are venting drive plasma.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Initiating emergency core shutdown!

Ensign Ro Laren: Inertial dampers failing. We're losing attitude control.

Commander William T. Riker: This is the bridge. All hands to emergency escape pods!

Lt. Commander Data: Core shutdown was unsuccessful. We are losing antimatter containment.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: We've got to eject the core!

Lt. Commander Data: Ejection systems offline. Core breach is imminent.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: All hands abandon ship! Repeat: all hands aban...!

[the Enterprise explodes]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain... do you know what year this is?

Captain Bateson: Of course I do. It's 2278.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps you should beam aboard our ship. There's something we need to discuss.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45652.1 - The Enterprise has entered an area of space known as the Typhon Expanse. We're the first Starfleet vessel to chart this unexplored region.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: We could have been trapped here for hours, days - maybe years.

Lieutenant Worf: [at the poker table] I am experiencing... nIb'poH - the feeling I have done this before.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes, last Tuesday night.

Lieutenant Worf: That's not what I mean.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: At first I thought the catwalk was spinning. As it turns out, it was me. I was lucky Ensign Fletcher was there to grab me; it's a long way down to the bottom of the warp core.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [modulating a dekyon emission in Data's positronic brain] You know, it's possible we've tried this a thousand times and it's never worked.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Do you have the feeling that you've done this before?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No, I don't.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Neither do I. Maybe that's a good sign.

Commander William T. Riker: [after losing a poker game] How'd you know I was bluffing?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I just had a feeling.

Commander William T. Riker: I guess it's better to be lucky than good.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's the way your left eyebrow raises when you're bluffing... Just kidding, Commander.

Lieutenant Worf: It is a highly localized distortion of the space-time continuum.

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa: Ogawa to Dr. Crusher.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Go ahead.

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa: Commander La Forge needs you in sickbay.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: On my way.

[the Enterprise is faced with a cloud-like distortion]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Back us off, Ensign. Nice and slow.

Ensign Ro Laren: Aye, sir. Captain, maneuvering thrusters are not responding.

Lt. Commander Data: The distortion field is fluctuating.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: All main systems just went down. Power levels are dropping rapidly.

Commander William T. Riker: Red alert.

Lt. Commander Data: There is an energy build-up in the distortion field.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We have to get out of here, now.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, something is emerging.

[another starship is coming out of the cloud]

Commander William T. Riker: Shields up. Evasive maneuvers.

Lieutenant Worf: Shields inoperative.

Ensign Ro Laren: The helm is not responding.

Lt. Commander Data: The vessel is on a collision course. Impact in 36 seconds.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hail them.

Lieutenant Worf: No response.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Suggestions?

Commander William T. Riker: Decompress main shuttlebay. The explosive reaction may blow us out of the way.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, I suggest we use the tractor beam to alter the other ship's trajectory.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Make it so, Mr. Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: Engaging tractor beam.

[the two ships collide]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Must be deja-vu.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Both of us? About the same thing?

Lt. Commander Data: [dealing cards] Still no help for the Klingon.

Commander William T. Riker: You're going to call my bluff, aren't you? I think I'll quit while I'm ahead.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: How did you know I was going to call your bluff?

Commander William T. Riker: I just had a feeling.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Me too...

Gul Madred: You should prove an interesting challenge - possibly the most interesting to come through that door in many years.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What do you want?

Gul Madred: Why, you, of course.

Captain Edward Jellico: I relieve you, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I stand relieved.

Captain Edward Jellico: Get it done!

Commander William T. Riker: [of Captain Jellico] Well, I'll say this for him - he's sure of himself.

Counselor Deanna Troi: No, he's not.

Gul Lemec: This treatment is a deliberate insult to the Cardassian Union. I have been kept waiting here for over an hour!

Captain Edward Jellico: Then I'm sure you're ready to talk.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about Riker] He's been decorated by Starfleet Command five times; he's been offered his own ship more than once. I think if you just gave him a chance, you would find him an outstanding officer.

Captain Edward Jellico: Jean-Luc, let's be candid for a moment. The Cardassians aren't going to listen to reason, and the Federation isn't going to give in to their demands. And the chances are you won't be coming back from this mission of yours. I want this ship ready for action, and I don't have time to give Will Riker or anyone else... "a chance". And forgive me for being blunt - but the Enterprise is mine now.

Captain Edward Jellico: ...and get that fish out of the ready room.

Captain Edward Jellico: Lemec is a Cardassian, and Cardassians are like... timber wolves, predators - bold in large numbers, cautious by themselves, and with an instinctive need to establish a dominant position in any social gathering.

Counselor Deanna Troi: So you're trying to establish a dominant position by making him wait for *you*?

[Jellico makes an affirmative gesture]

Counselor Deanna Troi: The trouble with wolves is that... sometimes in the fight for dominance, one of them ends up dead.

Captain Edward Jellico: In that case, the trick is... to be the wolf that's still standing at the end.

[in the caves on Celtris III, Picard, Worf and Dr. Crusher are surprised by bat-like creatures]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's all right. They're called lynars, a kind of Celtran bat; they're harmless.

Lieutenant Worf: [slightly intimidated] Bats?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're not afraid of bats, are you, Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: Of course not.

[Picard, Worf and Dr. Crusher have to rappel down a precipice]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [slightly uneasy] We could try to find another way down.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Unfortunately, that would take several hours. We don't have the time.

Lieutenant Worf: You're not afraid of heights, are you, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Of course not.

Gul Lemec: Where is Captain Picard?

Captain Edward Jellico: Reassigned.

Gul Lemec: [smugly] Well, I hope his new assignment is not too dangerous. It would be a shame if something were to happen to such a, uh... such a noted officer.

Captain Edward Jellico: [dryly] Yes. It would.

Gul Madred: In this room, you do not ask questions. I ask them, you answer. If I am not satisfied with your answers... you will die.

Captain Edward Jellico: [Jellico doubts Riker will make a fine first officer for him, unlike with Picard] I'm sure it'll all work out.

Gul Madred: How many lights do you see there?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I see four lights.

Gul Madred: No. There are five.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [shouting defiantly] There... are... *four*... lights!

Gul Madred: [as he prepares to torture Picard] Wasted energy, captain. You might come to wish you hadn't expended it in such a futile effort.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Torture is expressly forbidden under the terms of the Seldonis IX Convention, governing the treatment of prisoners of war!

Gul Madred: [to Picard] From this point on, you will enjoy no privilege of rank, no privileges of person. From now on, I will refer to you only as Human. You have no other identity!

Jil Orra: [sees Picard during his torture] Do Humans have mothers and fathers?

Gul Madred: Yes. But Human mothers and fathers don't love their children as we do. They're not the same as we are.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: When children learn to devalue others, they can devalue anyone, including their parents.

Gul Madred: What a blind, narrow view you have. What an arrogant man you are.

Captain Edward Jellico: Let's drop the ranks for a moment. I don't like you. I think you're insubordinate, arrogant, willful, and I don't think you're a particularly good first officer. But you are also the best pilot on the ship.

Commander William T. Riker: Well... Now that the ranks are dropped, Captain, I don't like you either. *You* are arrogant, and closed-minded. You need to control everything and everyone. You don't provide an atmosphere of trust, and you don't inspire these people to go out of their way for you. You've got everybody wound up so tight, there's no joy in anything. I don't think you're a particularly good captain.

Captain Edward Jellico: I'm not going to argue with you, Gul Lemec. Every one of your ships has a mine on its belly, my finger's on the button, and you're in a very bad position.

Gul Madred: [after waking Picard] Where were you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: At home... Sunday dinner... We would all sing afterwards.

[Gul Madred explains how the Cardassian military has stopped the famine on his homeworld]

Gul Madred: We acquire territory during the wars. We develop new rescources. We initiated a rebuilding program. We have mandated agricultural programs. *That* is what the military had done for Cardassia. And because of that, my daughter will never worry about going hungry.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Her belly may be full. But her spirit will be empty.

Gul Madred: I remember the first time I ate a live taspar. I was six years old and living on the streets of Lakat. There was a band of children, four, five... six years old - some even smaller, desperately trying to survive. We were thin, scrawny little animals, constantly hungry, always cold. We slept together in doorways, like packs of wild gettles, for warmth. Once I found a nest. Taspars had mated and built a nest in the eave of a burned-out building. And I found three eggs in it. It was like finding treasure. I cracked one open on the spot and ate it, very much as you just did. I planned to save the other two. They would keep me alive for another week. But of course, an older boy saw them and wanted them. And he got them. But he had to break my arm to do it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Must be rewarding to you to... to repay others for all those years of misery.

Gul Madred: What do you mean?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Torture has never been a reliable means of extracting information. It is ultimately self-defeating as a means of gaining control. One wonders why it is still practiced.

Gul Madred: Shall we begin again? How many lights are there?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What lights?

Gul Madred: What are the Federation's defense plans for Minos Korva?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are four lights!

Gul Madred: There are five lights! How many do you see now?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [shaking violently with pain inflicted by Gul Madred's device] You are... six years old. You are weak and helpless! You cannot... hurt me!

Gul Madred: How many?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [singing despite his agony] "Su-sur le pont... d-d'Avignon, on-on... on y danse...!"

Captain Edward Jellico: [briefing the senior staff on the planned attack on the Cardassians] Geordi. We're gonna need a shuttle, specially outfitted to operate in the nebula by 1400 hours. Beverly, you'll need to...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: ...have sickbay ready for the casualties you're about to send me.

[Riker has barely avoided a Cardassian warship in the nebula]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Do I wanna know how close that was?

Commander William T. Riker: No. Get ready to deploy the mines.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I relieve you, sir.

Captain Edward Jellico: I stand relieved.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: At the end, he gave me a choice - between a life of comfort... or more torture. All I had to do was to say that... I could see *five* lights, when in fact there were only four.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You didn't say it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No. No. But I was going to. I would've told him anything. Anything at all. But more than that - I believed that I could see... five lights.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Clues were left behind that suggested a mystery. And to many humans, a mystery is irresistible. It must be solved.

[Picard and Guinan are on the holodeck, where a gangster is brutally shot before their eyes]

Guinan: And this is what you do for fun?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's a mystery. Who is this man? Who killed him? Where is the money he was talking about? It's... it's a mystery. Now we have to go search for clues.

Guinan: Ah, and that's fun?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's fun!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44502.7 - Early completion of our mission at Harrakis V has allowed me to grant extra personal time for many of the crew. This has come as something of a relief, since our recent tight scheduling has prevented the pursuit of the leisure activities that are a normal part of life aboard the Enterprise. I expect our journey past the Ngame Nebula to be uneventful.

[Guinan enters Dixon Hill's office, dressed in an elegant 1940s dress]

Guinan: Dixon Hill around?

Madeline: He's occupied at the present moment.

Guinan: Tell him Gloria's here.

Madeline: Can't do that. He doesn't want to be disturbed.

Guinan: Tell him it's Gloria from...

[thinks hard, then remembers]

Guinan: ...Cleveland.

Madeline: Doesn't matter if you're from the moon, hon. Mr. Hill is incommunic... incommunica... ca...

Guinan: ...cado.

Madeline: That's it! Sorry, hon.

Guinan: [sighs] Look, 'hon'. Just tell him Gloria's here.

Madeline: Look, when the boss doesn't want to be disturbed, the boss doesn't want to be disturbed! Don't take it personal, like.

Guinan: I have an appointment with Mr. Hill, at...

[checks the clock]

Guinan: ...two o'clock.

Madeline: It's two ten.

Guinan: So I had a little trouble getting into the dress! It took me a little while to figure out just exactly what I was supposed to do with these.

[lifts her dress to show off her garters]

Gunman: [referring to 'Gloria'] Who's the doll?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: She's, er...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [gangster accent] The doll's my cousin.

[O'Brien has hurt his arm]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What on earth were you doing when you fell?

Chief Miles O'Brien: Hanging a plant for Keiko. It's part of her running project to give me a green thumb.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: How's it working?

Chief Miles O'Brien: Everything I touch seems to turn brown and wither away.

Lieutenant Worf: A warrior does not complain about physical discomfort.

Commander William T. Riker: [after the Enterprise has allegedly passed through a wormhole] We're lucky we didn't end up halfway across the galaxy into the middle of next week.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I have something of a minor mystery on my hands.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A 'minor mystery'. That seems to be a recurring phrase these days.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I would be prepared to live with the mystery. But Data's role in this must be ascertained, or he'll never be trusted with Starfleet duty again.

Lt. Commander Data: It is a mystery, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That is an understatement, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: I am apparently guilty of falsifying the Enterprise's records. Of interfering with an investigation. Of disobeying a direct order from my commanding officer. Your duty seems clear, sir.

[repeated line, in different variations]

Lt. Commander Data: I cannot say.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, you sound as if you're stuck in a... feedback loop!

Counselor Deanna Troi: [possessed by a Paxan] You are a most unusual species - worthy of a second chance.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps we've got a tempest in a test tube after all.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am ordering you never to reveal what has happened here today. Not to Starfleet, not to myself even. You will conceal your knowledge of the Paxans for as long as you exist.

Commander William T. Riker: And here we are.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Here we are *again*.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: By our standards, the customs here, their... code of honor, is the same kind of pompous, strutting charades that endangered our own species a few centuries ago. We evolved out of it because no one tried to impose their own set of... I'm sorry, this is becoming a speech.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're the Captain, sir. You're entitled.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hmm - not entitled to ramble on about something everyone knows. Carry on.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Shaving is a human art form, Data.

Lutan: Honor is everything.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is Captain Picard aboard the Starfleet vessel Enterprise. Please do us the honor of visiting our vessel.

[before the Ligonians transport themselves aboard]

[Riker has reluctantly agreed to let the Captain visit the Ligonians on their planet]

Commander William T. Riker: But I warn you. If you get hurt, I'll put you on report, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Understanding has made friends of many different people. We've had a good beginning, Lutan.

[Lutan has abducted Lieutenant Yar and taken her down to Ligon]

Lt. Commander Data: What Lutan did is similar to what certain American Indians once did called 'counting coup'. That is from an obscure language known as French. Counting coup...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data. The French language, for centuries on Earth, represented civilization.

Lt. Commander Data: Indeed? But surely, sir...

Commander William T. Riker: [sotto voce] I suggest you drop it, Mr. Data.

[Picard has asked Data and La Forge to analyze Ligonian armaments in view of Lieutenant Yar using them in combat with Yareena]

Lt. Commander Data: Most interesting. Could this be human joke number 663?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Negative, Data. That's a Captain's order.

Yareena: Natasha Yar, I challenge you. A struggle to the death!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No! The challenge is unequivocally refused.

Lutan: Then you shall have no treaty, no vaccine and no Lieutenant Yar!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Lutan is such... such a basic male image. And having him say he wants you...

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: [flattered] Yes, of course it made me feel good when he...

[she stops short, realizing what she is about to say]

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Troi, I'm your friend and you tricked me!

Yareena: How could you not love him? Every woman loves him.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: I fight for the vaccine. That's the truth.

Yareena: The truth is I will kill you if I can. And believe me, I can. There's nothing else to say.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: In my world it's a greater honor to refuse...

Yareena: You are on our world!

Lutan: I find it odd, Captain, that a man of your experience has such difficulty in understanding ordinary politeness.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Such as the politeness of saying 'please' before abducting someone?

Lutan: The expression 'please' is used only when requesting the person back.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yours is a different world.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's a great pity you began by abducting my Security Officer, Lutan, because I should tell you, I do admire the hospitality you offer here.

Lutan: I am in the grip of forces you do not understand.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Some of it I do understand. She is a rather lovely female.

Lutan: A code of honor protects one, Captain, like a magic cloak.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I will order Lieutenant Yar to fight. And may your cloak bring you all you deserve.

[Dr. Crusher is faced with an epidemic plague on a Federation planet]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Damn. Where are the calluses we doctors are supposed to grow over our feelings?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps the good ones never get them.

[after Yareena's "death", she has renounced Lutan as her First One and chosen Hagon in his place]

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: How sad for you. You've lost everything.

Lutan: I have my honor.

[Yareena has decided to take Lutan as her Second One]

Hagon: Well, as you see, Captain, you may excel in technology; but not in civilized behavior.

Oliana Mirren: It's a good thing you're cute, Wesley, or you could really be obnoxious.

Lieutenant Worf: Thinking about what you can't control only wastes energy, and creates its own enemy.

Lieutenant Worf: It is very difficult for me to depend on anyone for anything - but especially for my life.

Wesley Crusher: But on the Enterprise, you do that every day. Everyone depends on everyone else to protect them.

Lieutenant Worf: Yes.

Wesley Crusher: So you overcame it?

Lieutenant Worf: No. It is still my enemy.

Wesley Crusher: I thought there was nothing that could frighten a Klingon warrior.

Lieutenant Worf: Only fools have no fear.

Lt. Chang: [on the Starfleet Academy entrance test] Expect the unexpected.

Mordock: [pondering over a test about dealing with other species and cultures] Zaldans have webbed fingers... Phh... I wouldn't have passed.

Jake Kurland: Thank you for, for... for saving my life.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's my job, young man.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They want me to take over as Commandant Starfleet Academy.

Commander William T. Riker: Congratulations. What a wonderful choice, sir! You'll be able to shape the minds of the future leaders of Starfleet.

Commander William T. Riker: You haven't decided what you're going to do?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, I have, Number One. I've decided I'm going for a walk.

Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick: You don't like me very much, do you?

Lieutenant Worf: Is it required - sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Remmick, you've talked to every member of this ship; I think you had enough time to find out whatever it is you're looking for.

Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick: Are you afraid, if I keep looking, I'll find that you're guilty?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The only thing I am guilty of is allowing this charade to go on so long.

Admiral Gregory Quinn: I've been playing politics too long. Perhaps I see conspiracies everywhere.

Wesley Crusher: I thought I wanted to be alone. I guess I don't.

Lt. Chang: You all have an hour to prepare for your last test.

Wesley Crusher: The psych test, sir?

Lt. Chang: We prefer to think of it as a psychological evaluation, based on reactions to various individual problems, but, er... 'psych test' will do.

[Wesley is feeling low after failing the entrance test for Starfleet Academy and, thus, the Enterprise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The only person you're truly competing against, Wesley, is yourself.

Wesley Crusher: Then you're not disappointed?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wesley - you have to measure your successes and your failures within, not by anything that I or anyone else might think. But, erm... if it helps you to know this... *I* failed the first time, and you may not tell anyone!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Have you ever been for a real moonlight swim?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: One can swim in moonlight?

Counselor Deanna Troi: How about you, Mr. Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: [shakes his head] Swimming is too much like... bathing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Tryla Scott - said you made captain faster than anyone in Starfleet history, present company included. Are you that good?

Captain Tryla Scott: [smiling] Yes, I am.

Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick: You don't understand... We mean you no harm.

[stands up, his neck pulsing with alien parasites]

Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick: We seek peaceful coexistence!

[Riker and Picard open fire, blasting Remmick and the creatures to bits]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: ...So the guy staggers to his feet and goes back to the girl, right? Well, she smiles, looks him straight in the eye and says "Just try that in hyperspace!"

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I see. So the difficulty in attaining such complex positioning in zero gravity environment, coupled with the adverse effects it would have on the psychological wellbeing of the average human male, is what makes this anecdote so amusing. Yes - very humorous indeed. Hysterical, in fact.

[laughs mechanically]

Admiral Aaron: What do you know of conspiracies, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Not nearly enough, I suppose.

Admiral Aaron: That's the charming thing about them, isn't it? When a machination is real, no one knows about it. And when it's suspected, it's almost never real.

Admiral Savar: Except, of course, in paranoid delusions, for those who believe.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Friendship must dare to risk, Counselor, or it's not friendship.

Admiral Gregory Quinn: Vitamins - they do wonders for the body.

[La Forge is staggering and groaning]

Lieutenant Worf: Are you all right?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: If I could see, I'd be seeing stars.

[Data is screening records of orders from Starfleet]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [to himself] Startling. Quite extraordinary, in fact.

Computer Voice: Direction unclear. Please repeat request.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That was not a request. I was simply... talking to myself!

[becomes conscious of that fact]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: A human idiosyncrasy, triggered by a fascination with a particular set of facts. Or sometimes brought about by senility. Or used as a means of weighing information before reaching a conclusion. Or as a...

Computer Voice: Thank you, sir. I comprehend.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Starfleet's left hand did not know what its right hand was doing.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Captain, you must set your phaser on kill. Stun has little effect.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doctor, one does not beam down to Starfleet Headquarters armed.

Captain Tryla Scott: All we ask is that you keep your eyes open.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's sound advice at any time, Captain.

Captain Rixx: And watch your back, Picard.

Admiral Savar: Patience is one of our virtues, Captain. We didn't go after you. We allowed you to come after us.

Admiral Aaron: More dramatic that way, don't you think?

Captain Tryla Scott: It's a perfect match - we're the brains, you're the brawn.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How difficult, after all these years of learning to respect life, to be forced to destroy it.

[Admiral Quinn is eager to show Riker an unknown "superior form of life"]

Commander William T. Riker: I think I'll summon my Science Officer.

Admiral Gregory Quinn: [grabs Riker's arm] It won't like your Science Officer. It does like *you*!

Commander William T. Riker: [to Picard] You'll be one of us soon!

Captain Walker Keel: I'm glad, Jean-Luc. I'm glad you're still one of us.

Computer Voice: This is an emergency communique. It is not to be discussed with fellow officers unless deemed absolutely necessary. There will be no computer record of said transmission.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Captain, I have attempted to trace the message Remmick was sending. I believe it was aimed at an unexplored sector of our galaxy.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Any idea what the message was, Data?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I believe it was a beacon.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A beacon?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes, sir. A homing beacon - sent from Earth.

[in space, the beeping signal of a transmission can be heard, fading out]

Commander William T. Riker: Fate. Protects fools, little children and ships named Enterprise.

[the Enterprise is going through a series of system failures while faced with a Romulan battle cruiser]

Wesley Crusher: Sir, the shields are back up.

Commander William T. Riker: Impeccable timing!

Wesley Crusher: Sir, the shields are back down.

Ensign Williams: Phaser banks are down.

Wesley Crusher: Shields are back up.

Counselor Deanna Troi: In another time and place, this could be funny.

Commander William T. Riker: Status of torpedo banks?

Ensign Williams: They're down too.

Commander William T. Riker: [frustrated] If it should become necessary to fight, could you arrange to find me some rocks to throw at them?

Commander William T. Riker: Our own ignorance could kill us.

[Geordi is thrown onto the bridge from the turbolift. Riker helps him up]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Destroy the probe, sir, quickly!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Worf, target phasers!

Lieutenant Worf: Phasers locked on target.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Fire! [the probe is destroyed]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Welcome to the bridge, Mr. La Forge.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Are you responsible for the destruction of the Yamato?

Subcommander Taris: No. But believe me, Captain - had we chosen to exercise our right to defend the Neutral Zone, we would not have stopped with one starship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We're going to assume the Yamato's mission.

Commander William T. Riker: And risk a war?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps... prevent one.

Wesley Crusher: It's about the Iconians, sir. I was told they were just a myth.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: China was thought to be a myth, until Marco Polo traveled there.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I have been studying the Iconians since I was a cadet. I have to be the one to go. The Enterprise is yours.

Commander William T. Riker: [to himself] As long as she lasts.

[despite his programming failing, Data tries to tell Picard how to destroy the Iconian technology]

Lt. Commander Data: Key blue-amber-amber-red.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's the launch sequence?

[Data nods awkwardly]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How do I override the doors?

Lt. Commander Data: Blue-blue-blue.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope that's not a stutter.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain - you... will be killed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'll go through the gate.

Lieutenant Worf: But where will you end up?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very shortly, anywhere will be preferable to this room.

[when trying to access the master program, La Forge is hit by an energy surge. Data grabs him from behind and throws him away from the console]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [lying motionless on the floor] Data?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: What happened?

Lt. Commander Data: Any answer would be mere speculation. This is yet another example of how our actions have random results.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Thanks, Data. I noticed.

[one of the doctors in sickbay has problems repairing a broken bone with a knitter]

Doctor Pulaski: Try a splint.

Doctor: Doctor?

Doctor Pulaski: Splint - it's a very ancient concept. You take two flat pieces of wood or plastic, a bandage. The broken limb is kept immobile.

Doctor: That's crazy, that's not practicing medicine.

Doctor Pulaski: 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.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Tea, Earl Grey, hot.

Wesley Crusher: Didn't you order tea, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, that should not have happened.

[when Picard finds a potted plant in his cup]

Lieutenant Worf: [observing an ever-changing oblong] These scenes could be holographic images.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Be careful.

[Data approaches the oblong and puts his hand through]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data! That was very foolish.

Lt. Commander Data: But we have established that this is not a holograph.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Demons of Air and Darkness indeed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The victors invariably write the history to their own advantage. There is an unfortunate tendency in many cultures to fear what they do not understand.

Capt. Donald Varley: [from his log] My First Officer is questioning the wisdom of my order to violate the Neutral Zone. But I'm convinced that I've taken the only proper course. Should this advanced technology fall into the hands of the Romulan, we might as well dock our ships, and defend ourselves with sticks.

[after going through the Iconian gateway, Picard ends up on the Romulan ship, which has its auto-destruct sequence running]

Subcommander Taris: You did this! You sabotaged my ship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, no.

Subcommander Taris: I cannot deactivate the auto-destruct. But at least I have the satisfaction that you will die with us.

[Picard is being beamed away]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Not, I think, today, Commander.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, Number One, I can see why you want to keep the away missions to yourself. That's where the excitement is. So, what's been happening here? Same old routine, I suppose?

[after being hit by an energy wave, everybody on the Enterprise appears to have lost their memories]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Looks like we're all in the same boat.

Commander William T. Riker: Make that the same starship.

Counselor Deanna Troi: The bartender is an artificial life form.

Lt. Commander Data: Can I get you something? A beverage?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your next priority will be to retrieve any information you can about this ship's mission. Contact the Operations Officer to assist you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Aye, sir.

Ensign Ro Laren: He's in Ten Forward, waiting tables.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You must have been one hell of a bartender. [on seeing Data operating the computer panels at high speed]

Commander William T. Riker: [about Riker] He's athletically inclined, loves to climb mountains; he's from somewhere called Alaska, enjoys exotic food... and takes his vacations on a planet called Risa.

Commander William T. Riker: [explaining Troi's visit in his quarters] We were just discussing the situation we're all in.

Ensign Ro Laren: Hm... good. Because I have a feeling that I used to be the jealous type.

Ensign Ro Laren: So, if everything were back to the way it was supposed to be, what do you think you'd be doing right now?

Commander William T. Riker: I'd be having more fun than searching the ship, I'd imagine.

Ensign Ro Laren: [surprised] Fun?

Commander William T. Riker: Well, with that holodeck we just saw. I think I could conjure up an interesting program or two.

Ensign Ro Laren: Now, that's disappointing.

Commander William T. Riker: Why?

Ensign Ro Laren: You don't strike me as a man who needs a holodeck to have a good time.

[Dr. Crusher has treated Kristin's shoulder with a medical device despite having lost her memory previously]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I didn't even think. I just picked it up and knew how to use it. At least I have an idea of what I'm doing here.

Kristin: But... what about me? I mean, I'm a patient in a bathing suit. That doesn't say much.

Kristin: Do you... have any clothes around here I could borrow? Least until I figure out where the swimming pool is?

Commander William T. Riker: The rules on this ship do not change just because Ro Laren decides they do!

Ensign Ro Laren: For all we know, you and I could be married.

Commander William T. Riker: For all we know, you and I could hate each other.

[Ro has paid Riker a surprise visit in his quarters]

Ensign Ro Laren: I just didn't like the way my quarters were decorated.

Commander William T. Riker: Maybe we should switch quarters.

Ensign Ro Laren: Maybe we should stay right here and see what happens.

Commander William T. Riker: What if I snore in my sleep?

Ensign Ro Laren: What makes you think you're gonna get any sleep?

Lieutenant Worf: Now we are ready.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The question is... for what?

[the Enterprise has "orders" to destroy the Lysian command center - orders that no one can confirm]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I feel as though I've been handed a weapon, sent into a room, and told to shoot a stranger. Well, I need some moral context to justify that action. And I don't have it. I'm not content simply to obey orders. I need to know that what I'm doing is right.

Commander MacDuff: So do I. I'd feel a lot better if all the questions were answered. And if you want to abandon our mission until our memories return, that's your choice, but... I must ask you: is it right to risk prolonging this war? To allow the needless deaths of thousands on both sides, solely on the basis of our moral discomfort?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Nothing feels right. This room, this ship... most of all this war we're fighting.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't imagine war ever feels right.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I suppose that's true.

["Mac Duff" has been revealed as a Satarran bent on annihilating the Lysians]

Commander William T. Riker: With all the power that MacDuff had, to alter our brain chemistry and manipulate the computers, it's hard to believe he needed the Enterprise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Satarran weapons technology was no more advanced than the Lysian. One photon torpedo would have ended their war.

Commander William T. Riker: It almost did.

[after the crew's memories have been restored, Riker and Ensign Ro have to come to terms with their recent fling]

Ensign Ro Laren: The Counselor tells me that at times like that, we might do the things that we've always wanted to do.

Commander William T. Riker: She said that?

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's psychologically valid.

Ensign Ro Laren: Commander, don't worry about it. As far as I'm concerned, you and I have shared something that we will treasure forever.

[gets up and leaves]

Commander William T. Riker: [flustered] Well... I'm a little confused.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, if you're still confused tomorrow, you know where my office is.

Lwaxana Troi: Alexander, my little warrior!

Counselor Troi: [to Alexander] One day, you're going to be glad your father cared enough about you to insist on rules. It may be hard to imagine right now, but eventually, most children come to appreciate their parents.

[Worf and Alexander leave]

Commander William T. Riker: [over intercom] Riker to Counselor Troi - your mother's just come aboard.

Counselor Troi: [to herself] On the other hand...

Capt. Picard: I will not have that woman continuing to use this ship for her convenience simply because her daughter happens to be one of my officers.

Commander William T. Riker: Apparently, Deanna being on board is only part of the reason.

Capt. Picard: The other reason being?

Commander William T. Riker: She thinks the honor of giving away the bride... should fall on you.

Capt. Picard: [comes to a halt, considering this] Permission for an on-board wedding is granted, Number One. Nothing would please me more than to give away Mrs. Troi.

Alexander Rozhenko: The higher - the fewer.

Lwaxana Troi: Every one of us has a thousand different kinds of, of little people inside of us. And some of them want to get out and be wild, and some want to be sad or happy or inventive or, or even just go dancing. Th-that's why we all have so many different urges at different times. And all those different little people inside of us... we must never be afraid to take them with us, wherever we go. I mean, who knows when we, we may need one of them to pop up and rescue us from ourselves?

Lwaxana Troi: Variety, my little Alex - the great secret is not the variety of life; it's the variety of us.

Lwaxana Troi: Life's true gift is the capacity to enjoy enjoyment.

Counselor Troi: Mother, I'm trying to help the boy learn the value of responsibility. You're not helping by giving him a lot of mixed messages.

Lwaxana Troi: I exposed you to all sorts of mixed messages when you were that age, you still turned out deadly dull. What are you so worried about?

Counselor Troi: Among other things, his relationship with his father.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh!

Counselor Troi: No more holodeck, Mother.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh...

Counselor Troi: Please. Anyway, why aren't you all absorbed in your wedding plans? It's only three days away.

Lwaxana Troi: I'm letting Mr. Homn handle all the mundane details. He knows my tastes.

Counselor Troi: Mother...

Lwaxana Troi: Deanna, there is absolutely nothing to do, you nosy little girl. Campio's already sent me his mother's wedding gown, which Mr. Homn is now altering for me. Outside of that, there really isn't anything else that I...

Counselor Troi: Wedding gown? Mother, stop. You're telling me you're not going to be naked at your own wedding?

Lwaxana Troi: Campio is from a different planet with different traditions. He would not approve of a traditional Betazoid wedding, so I am happily adapting. Now, it's as simple as that, and I need some tea.

Counselor Troi: I can't believe I'm hearing this from the heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh! Oh, why can't I ever work this replicator?

Counselor Troi: Mother, I think it's time to talk about this mysterious marriage to a man you've never met.

Lwaxana Troi: Computer, some Jestral tea, please. [turns from replicator to Deanna] Oh, anyway, why shouldn't I get married if I choose to? You make everything into such a mystery. There is no mystery, Deanna, [turns to get tea] except about this Petrokian sausage. The tea - all I wanted was a cup of tea. [takes sausage out of cup] Oh, dear, I think you're replicator's having a nervous collapse. Oh... [takes a drink of tea]

Lwaxana Troi: Deanna, I love you, but you do make everything sound like an epitaph.

Counselor Troi: Alexander, this is my mother.

Lwaxana Troi: Alexander? What a wonderful name! You know, I once knew a tall, handsome warrior named Alexander. Oh, he utterly adored me and we went everywhere - simply everywhere. Have you been anywhere yet - Contract? What contract?

Counselor Troi: Between father and son. A fair and balanced way to achieve a mutual sense of order.

Lwaxana Troi: [at Alexander] Well, how ghastly for you. And you are doing this to your own child, Mr. Woof?

Counselor Troi: Mother!

Lieutenant Worf: It is Worf, madam.

Lwaxana Troi: Contracts are usually between people who don't really trust one another. A child who is trusted becomes worthy of that trust.

Lwaxana Troi: My poor plodding little Deanna with her questions, questions, questions. Wherever did you inherit such pedestrian genes?

Lieutenant Worf: The boy is unreasonable.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, of course he's unreasonable, he's a child!

Lwaxana Troi: You know, making little boys reasonable only gives them pimples.

Lwaxana Troi: Now, if we're to be real friends, we've got to share only the truth.

Alexander Rozhenko: Why?

Lwaxana Troi: Well, for one thing, it's easier. When you tell the truth, you never have to remember later what you lied about.

Lwaxana Troi: [to Deanna] You poor dear, don't they ever let you change those colorless outfits?

Lwaxana Troi: I really wasn't in any trouble - until I saw this dress! Oohh... ugly, isn't it?

Alexander Rozhenko: What's it for?

Lwaxana Troi: I'm getting married.

Lwaxana Troi: You sure my daughter didn't send you? [he looks at her] Oh, just a joke.

Counselor Troi: Wedding gown? Mother, stop! You're telling me you're not going to be naked at your own wedding?

Lwaxana Troi: People get married because, um, because they want to spend their lives with someone.

Alexander Rozhenko: Their whole life? They must have to like that person a lot.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, if you're young and lucky, it'll be someone you like a lot, yes. And, uh, and if you're older...

Alexander Rozhenko: Are you very old?

Lwaxana Troi: [melancholic] Um... I'm alone, Alex. And, uh, when you do get older... and can no longer pick and choose from whatever may come your way... then you, uh... then you do what we call 'compromise'. Keeps you from being afraid.

Alexander Rozhenko: You know, maybe this would be a good time to get one of those little people that live inside of you, to... to come out and tell you what to do, or help you or something.

Alexander Rozhenko: I'm supposed to do everything right all the time. I don't know how.

Lwaxana Troi: [sighs] To tell you the truth, little warrior... neither do I.

Alexander Rozhenko: [referring to two holo-characters] Why are they arguing?

Juggler: They're friends. They love contradiction. They, they thrive on challenge. They flourish in conflict.

Alexander Rozhenko: Then why are they friends?

Lwaxana Troi: Who else're you gonna fight with if not your friends?

Counselor Troi: What would you like your father to promise, Alexander?

Alexander Rozhenko: No yelling.

Lieutenant Worf: I DO N... - I do not yell.

Lieutenant Worf: A Klingon never breaks his word.

Lwaxana Troi: I think your replicator's having a... a nervous collapse.

[the juggler appears downcast]

Alexander Rozhenko: What happened?

Juggler: Oh... I was just juggling, and I happened to - happ - catch one in my mouth. It tasted good, so I ate it. Before I knew it, I'd eaten up every one of my worlds. It never occurred to me that once they were gone, I'd have nothing left to juggle. If you ever have a world, plan ahead! Don't eat it.

Lwaxana Troi: Isn't it wonderful how things worked out, Alexander? I wanted to teach you how to grab the joys of living; and you turned around and, uh... and taught me to not let go of them. How very mutual.

Lieutenant Worf: [in the mud bath] You're just supposed to sit here?

Lwaxana Troi: Alexander, now life's true gift is the capacity to enjoy enjoyment. Now, hmm! Have I arrived too late, or, uh, can you still smile? [he smiles, she laughs]

Poet: Every moment requires a purpose.

Lwaxana Troi: [whispers to Alexander] No, it doesn't.

Poet: Every purpose requires a plan.

Juggler: He does this every day, usually while everyone's food is getting cold. [yawns] It's rather boring.

Poet: The higher, the fewer

Lwaxana Troi: Well, that's a conversation stopper if I ever heard one.

Lwaxana Troi: So, my little warrior wants to see more out of life than just fighting, eh? [laughs] Oh, the mind opens, and in creeps wisdom. [laughs and kisses Alexander's forehead]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 47254.1 - A delegation of the Cairn have just come on board. This telepathic species has no concept of spoken language and is being instructed in its use by... an old friend.

Lwaxana Troi: Aren't you going to mingle, Mr. Woof?

Lieutenant Worf: I do not care for telepaths; they make me... uneasy.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, don't worry. The Cairn couldn't read your thoughts even if they wanted to. Your brain isn't sophisticated enough.

[Riker smirks gleefully]

Lwaxana Troi: Neither is yours, dear. They can only communicate with other telepaths.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [about her mother] I've gone through all her belongings, I've read her journal for the last five years. And other than the fact that I'm not married yet, nothing bad seems to have happened to her.

Maques: Your mother... told me... of your need.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Need?

Maques: Erm... A moment, erm... Husband. You need a husband. I... need a wife.

[toothy smile]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [citing Milton] "Flowers of all hue - and without thorn the rose."

[Lwaxana Troi explains to Picard the Cairn's form of telepathy, who transmit images rather than words]

Lwaxana Troi: Actually, it's a very efficient way of communicating. If two Cairn were having this conversation, it would have been over minutes ago!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [feigning interest] Really?

Lwaxana Troi: [crying] Every morning, she woke up with a smile.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Isn't it better to remember her like that? I just found out I had a sister I never knew. I'd like to learn what was good and joyous about her - to celebrate her life, not mourn it.

Lwaxana Troi: [crying] How? How can I do that?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Kestra was here a few moments ago. Talk to her.

Lwaxana Troi: [scared] No. No.

Lwaxana Troi: [looking at picture of Ian, Kestra, and Deanna; sadly] I remember the day I took this.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mr. Homn said he saved it, in case someday you wanted to remember her.

Lwaxana Troi: [sighs; referring to Kestra] I wish you could have known her, Deanna. I wish you two could've grown up together.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Tell me about her. I want to know everything. [they hug]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm glad you stopped by.

Maques: I'm glad to have stopped, also.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [to Hedril] It's called a visor. It enables me to see.

Hedril: Like my vocal enhancer. It helps me make sounds.

Lwaxana Troi: I see you've already met my star pupil. Hedril's picked up spoken language much faster than the others.

Lt. Commander Data: It is often the case that children learn languages more easily than adults.

Lwaxana Troi: Deanna was quite good at languages when she was little. Uh, where is Deanna?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, she must be here somewhere.

Lwaxana Troi: Hedril, darling...? [Makes strange face]

Hedril: What?

Lwaxana Troi: Um, go find your father, dear. I want to talk to him. [Puts hand to head]

Lt. Commander Data: Mrs. Troi?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, I'm just a little tired. Heh. This constant telepathy with the Cairn... um... no, I'm... I'm fine, really. [Leaves]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Milton was speculating that in heaven, roses wouldn't have thorns.

Hedril: Heaven?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Oh. Oh, uh, heaven is, well, it's um... how can I put it?

Maques: [after Lwaxana explains telepathically] Yes, I see. Thank you. "Heaven."

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mother, you're supposed to be avoiding telepathy.

Lwaxana Troi: I'm only trying to help, dear.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You don't look well.

Lwaxana Troi: I'm just tired. Maybe I'll sit down. [Sits and watches Hedril play]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mother, don't start.

Lwaxana Troi: I just think it's time for you to settle down, and if your father were still alive, I'm sure he'd say the same thing. [They enter a turbolift; a crewman is there]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Deck eight.

Lwaxana Troi: [Telepathically] But, you 'll do exactly what you want... just like always.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Speaking] Mother, stop it. [They get a look from the crewman; Mrs. Troi puts her head in her hand as Deanna exits the turbolift] Are you coming? [Gets here mother] What's wrong?

Lwaxana Troi: [sighs] You are so precious to me. You're all I've got. [Hugs Deanna] If something were to happen to you, I don't know what I'd do.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Nothing's going to happen to me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [about Lwaxana] I was all set for another round of arguing when all of a sudden, she just fell apart.

Commander William T. Riker: She's under a lot of stress. She's preparing the Cairn to meet with the Federation Council.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's more than that. I'm sensing some very erratic emotions from her. Even the clothes she's wearing are unusual. They're so subdued.

Commander William T. Riker: [takes Deanna's wrist] Maybe you just need sit and talk with her for a minute.

Lwaxana Troi: Commander! Take your hands off her! [Takes his hand off Deanna]

Commander William T. Riker: [Surprised] Mrs. Troi...

Lwaxana Troi: Don't you "Mrs. Troi" me!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mother!

Lwaxana Troi: Why don't you leave her alone? If it weren't for you, she'd be married by now!

Counselor Deanna Troi: That's enough!

Lwaxana Troi: Now, I am warning you - stay away from my daughter!

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're coming with me.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, I don't know what got into me. Ohh... please, tell Will how sorry I am.

Dr. Beverly Crusher: You're fine, but you're psilosynine levels are a little low.

Lwaxana Troi: Psilo... wha - hmm?

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's a neurotransmitter involved in telepathy.

Lwaxana Troi: [begging] Go.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mother?

Lwaxana Troi: [begging] Go away.

Counselor Deanna Troi: No. I want to help you. Why did you delete parts of your journal? Did something happen to you you don't want me to know about?

Lwaxana Troi: [begging] Leave me alone, please.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Who's Hedril, Mother? Why is she here? Is Hedril me, when I was a little girl?

Lwaxana Troi: [miserably] No. Oh, no. I'd never let anything happen to you. Never.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Did you let something happen to someone?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor, can you hear me?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [looking around] Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Deanna, Dr. Crusher has become concerned that your paracortical readings have become erratic.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Are you talking to me from Sick Bay?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes. I want you to sever your connection to your mother.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Why don't you ask Maques to do it?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm asking you. That is an order, Counselor.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're not Captain Picard.

Lwaxana Troi: [through Picard; begging] Leave me alone, please. [Deanna leaves]

Cmdr. Ian Andrew Troi: Deanna?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Daddy?

Cmdr. Ian Andrew Troi: Look at you. You've become a beautiful woman.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [to her mother] Don't do this.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Mother.

Lwaxana Troi: GET AWAY FROM HERE!

Counselor Deanna Troi: What happened, Mother? What happened next?

Lwaxana Troi: [crying] I don't remember.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You have to. You can't hold it back. It's killing you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Telepathically] Mother? Can you hear me? Please come back to me. Please.

Lwaxana Troi: [Weakly] Help me...

Lwaxana Troi: Help... me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How? How can I help you? [Speaking] Tell me, Mother. Please.

Maques: [about Lwaxana] Always, there is a part of her that is... um, a part of her that is... dark.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Dark?

Maques: A part of her that... cannot be seen.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You have to let it go.

Lwaxana Troi: [sobbing] How can I? I let her die!

Hedril: [as Kestra trying to put a leash on a dog] Help me. Help me, Papa.

Cmdr. Ian Andrew Troi: Here.

Lwaxana Troi: [in background; begging] Please, don't make me go through this again.

Cmdr. Ian Andrew Troi: Now hold on to him. Don't let him run off.

Hedril: I will. Mommy, can we go play by the water?

Lwaxana Troi: [from background] No, Kestra, stay here with us.

Hedril: Please.

Kestra Troi: Mommy.

Lwaxana Troi: Kestra. Oh, Kestra. My precious one. I'm so sorry. [they hug; Lwaxana sobs]

Kestra Troi: I have to go now.

Lwaxana Troi: [crying] I know. I know. [Kestra fades away; Lwaxana takes Deanna's hand]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Gilgamesh, a king. Gilgamesh, a king. At Uruk. He tormented his subjects. He made them angry. They cried out aloud, "Send us a companion for our king! Spare us from his madness!" Enkidu, a wild man... from the forest, entered the city. They fought in the temple. They fought in the streets. Gilgamesh defeated Enkidu. They became great friends. Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk.

Captain Dathon: [faintly] At Uruk.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The... the new friends went out into the desert together, where the Great Bull of Heaven was killing men by the hundreds. Enkidu caught the Bull by the tail. Gilgamesh struck him with his sword.

Captain Dathon: [laughing] Gilgamesh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They were... victorious. But... Enkidu fell to the ground, struck down by the gods. And Gilgamesh... wept bitter tears, saying, "He who was my companion, through adventure and hardship, is gone forever."

[Captain Dathon dies]

Captain Dathon: Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 45047.2 - The Enterprise is en route to the uninhabited El-Adrel system. Its location is near the territory occupied by an enigmatic race known as 'The Children of Tama'.

Counselor Deanna Troi: All our technology and experience - our universal translator, our years in space, contact with more alien cultures than I can even remember...

Lt. Commander Data: I have encountered 1,754 non-Human races during my tenure in Starfleet.

Counselor Deanna Troi: And we still can't even say hello to these people.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But are they truly incomprehensible? In my experience, communication is a matter of patience, imagination. I would like to believe that these are qualities that we have in sufficient measure.

Lt. Commander Data: Their ability to abstract is highly unusual. They seem to communicate through narrative imagery, a reference to the individuals and places which appear in their mytho-historical accounts.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's as if I were to say to you... "Juliet on her balcony".

Doctor Beverly Crusher: An image of romance.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Exactly. Imagery is everything to the Tamarians. It embodies their emotional states, their very thought processes. It's how they communicate, and it's how they think.

Commander William T. Riker: If we know how they think, shouldn't we be able to get something across to them?

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. The situation is analogous to understanding the grammar of a language, but none of the vocabulary.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If I didn't know who Juliet was or what she was doing on that balcony, the image alone wouldn't have any meaning.

Counselor Deanna Troi: That's correct. For instance, we know that Darmok was a great hero, a hunter, and that Tanagra was an island. But that's it. Without the details, there's no understanding.

Tamarian First Officer: Kadir beneath Mo Moteh.

[Chief O'Brien is trying to beam Picard back]

Chief Miles O'Brien: I've got a piece of him, Commander, but that's all.

Captain Dathon: Shaka, when the walls fell.

Captain Dathon: Temba, his arms wide.

Captain Dathon: Mirab, his sails unfurled.

Captain Dathon: Sokath - his eyes uncovered.

Tamarian First Officer: Kailash, when it rises.

Captain Dathon: The river Temarc - in winter.

Captain Dathon: Rai and Jiri at Lungha.

Captain Dathon: Kiazi's children - their faces wet.

Captain Dathon: Zinda - his face black, his eyes red.

Tamarian First Officer: Chenza at court - the court of silence.

Captain Dathon: Uzani - his army with fist open.

Captain Dathon: His army with fist closed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [interpreting Dathon's tale of Darmok and Jalad] They arrive separately. They... They struggle together against a common foe, the Beast at Tanagra. "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra!"

Captain Dathon: Darmok and Jalad on the ocean.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [translating] They left together. "Darmok and Jalad on the ocean."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You hoped that something like this would happen, didn't you? You knew there was a dangerous creature on this planet, and you knew from the tale of Darmok that a danger shared might sometimes bring two people together. Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. You and me, here, at El-Adrel.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to the fallen Dathon] I understand your sacrifice, Captain. Unfortunately, if our friend out there has its way, no one will ever know what you tried to do.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [presenting Dathon's dagger to the Tamarian First Officer] Temba - his arms open.

['Take it']

Tamarian First Officer: Temba - at rest.

['Keep it']

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Thank you.

Tamarian First Officer: Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel.

Commander William T. Riker: New friends, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I can't say, Number One. But at least they're not new enemies.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Tamarian was willing to risk all of us, just for the hope of communication. Connection. Now the door is open between our peoples. That commitment meant more to him than his own life.

Lt. Commander Data: Second Officer's personal log, stardate 44390.1 - Record entry for transmission to Commander Bruce Maddox, Cybernetics Division, Daystrom Institute. Dear Commander Maddox. In reference to your most recent letter, I agree that your study lacks sufficient primary source information on my programming and operation. Therefore, in response to your request, this correspondence will include a complete record of my activities during a normal day, with particular emphasis on my perceptions of friendship.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] This is the 1,550th day since the Enterprise was commissioned. Besides the arrival of Ambassador T'Pel, other events occurring today include four birthdays, two personnel transfers, a celebration of the Hindu Festival of Lights, two chess tournaments, one secondary school play, and four promotions. Overall, an ordinary day.

Lt. Commander Data: [describing a wild goose chase] I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause.

[Data and Worf are looking at potential wedding gifts. Worf chooses a crystalline duck]

Lt. Commander Data: It is my understanding that the item selected should reflect the personality of whoever is giving it. This does not remind me of you.

Lieutenant Worf: Human bonding rituals often involve a great deal of talking and dancing and crying.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] My friend Chief O'Brien often says that above all else, he wants to make Keiko happy. Since cancelling the wedding will make her happy, I must conclude the Chief will be pleased at her decision.

Lt. Commander Data: I have good news.

Chief Miles O'Brien: Oh?

Lt. Commander Data: Keiko has made a decision designed to increase her happiness: she has cancelled the wedding.

Chief Miles O'Brien: She what? Cancelled the wedding? Today? Without even a word? Of all the childish, selfish, irresponsible things to do...!

[storms out, very upset]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Next time, maybe *I* should deliver the good news.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] Commander Maddox. It would appear that my program designed to predict emotional responses needs... adjustment.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] The safest and most logical decision in this situation is to contact Starfleet and await further instructions. However, based on past experience, I project only a seventeen percent chance Captain Picard will choose that alternative.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Red alert! All hands stand to battle stations!

Counselor Deanna Troi: There are many ways to help a friend, and sometimes the best way is to leave them alone.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] Commander Riker's easy-going manner and sense of humor is fascinating to me. I believe it to be one reason he is so popular among the crew. It may also be partly responsible for his success in matters of love. There may be a correlation between humor and sex. The need for more research is clearly indicated.

Commander William T. Riker: Charming woman!

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] The tone of Commander Riker's voice makes me suspect that he is not serious about finding Ambassador T'Pel charming. My experience suggests that in fact he may mean the exact opposite of what he says. Irony is a form of expression I have not yet been able to master.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] Friendly insults and jibes - another form of human speech that I am attempting to master. In this case, with the help of Commander Geordi La Forge.

[he walks into the barbershop where La Forge is having his hair trimmed]

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] I consider Geordi to be my best friend.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Here for a trim?

Lt. Commander Data: My hair does not require trimming, you lunkhead.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: What?

Lt. Commander Data: My hair does not require trimming...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: "Lunkhead"?

Lt. Commander Data: I am experimenting with friendly jibes and insults. It was not meant as a serious disparagement.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [chuckles] Well - just don't try it on the Captain.

[Picard has ordered to set a course for the Neutral Zone]

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] It is fortunate that I am able to perform my duties without emotional distractions. If that were not the case, a sudden course correction toward the Neutral Zone would make me very... nervous.

Keiko Ishikawa: Now, don't be nervous.

Lt. Commander Data: I am not nervous. I am confused.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] I have found Holmes' methodology of deductive reasoning to be quite useful. One of his adages is that once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

[Ambassador T'Pel has tried to get restricted information from Data about the Enterprise, pretending that she was only testing his security safeguards]

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] I have often wished for the sense that humans call intuition, or instinct. Since Vulcans are incapable of lying, I must accept the Ambassador's explanation as the truth. But I would still prefer a... 'gut feeling' to back up this conclusion.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] In the game of poker, there is a moment when a player must decide if an opponent is being deceptive, or actually holds a winning hand. This decision is based not only on the odds, but also on an appraisal of the man. Is he bluffing, or does he have the cards?

Commander William T. Riker: Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: To die... on a transporter. Hardly a fitting end for one of the Federation's most honored diplomats.

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] The risks aboard a starship are accepted by all who serve. But I have never failed to observe a deep emotional response to the loss of a comrade. It is at times like this that I greatly miss the ability to share human feelings.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships, all captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together two people in the bonds of matrimony. And so it is my honor to unite you, Keiko Ishikawa, and you, Miles Edward O'Brien, together in matrimony...

Lt. Commander Data: [voice-over] There are still many human emotions I do not fully comprehend - anger, hatred, revenge. But I am not mystified by the desire to be loved - or the need for friendship. These are things I do understand.

Lt. Commander Data: If being human is not simply a matter of being born flesh and blood, if it is instead a way of thinking, acting and... feeling, then I am hopeful that one day I will discover my own humanity. -... - Until then, Commander Maddox, I will continue learning, changing, growing, and trying to become more than what I am.

[from Riker's joke as told by him to the officers on the bridge, and enhanced with the scripted version]

Commander William T. Riker: ...He still won't talk. So they put the count's head on the chopping block. "One more chance", says the queen. "No", says the count. Then, just as the headsman swings the axe and the blade is about to fall, the count says, "Wait, wait! I'll talk!" But too late. And the moral to the story? Never hatchet your counts before they chicken.

Wesley Crusher: Sir, I know this may finish me as an acting ensign, but...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: "Shut up, Wesley"?

Capt. Picard: Doctor.

Wesley Crusher: And since I am finished here, sir, may I point out that...?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Shut up, Wesley!

Wesley Crusher: ...that everything that I have said would have been listened to if it came from an adult officer. - Request permission to return to my quarters, sir.

Capt. Picard: Agreed. Doctor, go with him.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're putting *me* off the bridge?

Capt. Picard: [sotto voce] I'm asking you to keep an eye on your son during all of this, Doctor.

Wesley Crusher: How can you be practicing something like sneezing when we're arriving at your home planet for the first time? Aren't you interested in that?

Lt. Commander Data: More than interested - fascinated. One might say, agog. But I also find sneezing interesting.

Capt. Picard: Mr. Data - welcome home!

Lt. Commander Data: I could say 'Home, sweet home', sir - if I understood how the word 'sweet' applies.

Lt. Commander Data: [after discovering the disassembled Lore] Could this be another me? Or possibly my brother?

Capt. Picard: You'll feel uncomfortable about aspects of your duplicate, Data. We feel uncomfortable too, and for no logical reason. If it feels awkward to be reminded that Data is a machine, just remember that *we* are merely a different variety of machine - in our case, electrochemical in nature.

Lt. Commander Data: You consider it important to please humans?

Lore: It's not important?

Lt. Commander Data: There are many things of importance - some more than others.

Dr. Crusher: [on Lore] You're watching everything he does, Data? Is that the act of a brother?

Capt. Picard: It's the act of a Starfleet officer obeying his Captain, Doctor.

Lore: Dr. Soong made me perfect in his first attempt. But he made me so completely human, the colonists became envious of me.

Lt. Commander Data: You lived with the colonists?

Lore: [nods] Until they petitioned Soong to make a more comfortable, less perfect android. In other words, you, Brother.

[the Enterprise is attacked by the Crystalline Entity]

Lore: [acting as Data] Captain, let me talk to it.

Capt. Picard: You didn't say you could do that.

[the Crystalline Entity is hitting the ship again]

Capt. Picard: Affirmative, talk to it!

Lore: And you want to be as stupid as them, dear Brother?

Lore: [to Wesley] The troublesome little manchild... Are you prepared for the kind of death you've earned, little man?

Lore: [after trapping Worf in a turbolift with him] Now show me your warrior fierceness.

Lt. Commander Data: How sad, dear Brother. You make me wish I were an only child.

Capt. Picard: Data? You all right?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. I'm fine.

Capt. Picard: Then get rid of that damn twitch! And put on the correct uniform.

Capt. Picard: Number One, have you ever considered whether Data is more human or less human than we want?

Commander William T. Riker: I only wish we were all as well-balanced, sir.

Capt. Picard: Agreed!

Commander William T. Riker: Data? Data, are you all right?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: What happened?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I got angry...

Prof. Stephen Hawking: ...But then I said, "In that frame of reference, the perihelion of Mercury would have recessed in the opposite direction."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Borg have been busy.

Commander William T. Riker: [about the Borg encountered on Ohniaka III] They were fast, aggressive, almost vicious. It was more like fighting Klingons than... Borg.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Worf] No offense.

Lieutenant Worf: None taken.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He was here in this room, Will. I could have rid the Federation of a mortal threat, and I let him go.

Commander William T. Riker: Sending Hugh back to the Borg was a very risky... a very dangerous choice. But it was the moral thing to do.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, it may turn out that the moral thing to do was not the right thing to do.

Crosis: Resistance is futile. You will not resist what you've wanted all your life.

Tayar: [analyzing his opposition] Artificial life form. Starfleet rank: Lieutenant Commander. Name: Data.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Could you describe feeling angry without referring to other feelings?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No, I... I guess I can't. I just... feel angry.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That was my experience as well. I simply... felt angry.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Perhaps I have evolved to the point where emotions are within my grasp. Perhaps I will experience other emotions as time goes by.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, I hope you're right. I'd hate to think that anger is all you're capable of feeling.

Crosis: How did it feel to get angry? Did it give you pleasure?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It would be unethical to take pleasure in another being's death.

Crosis: You didn't answer my question. Did it feel good to kill?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes...

Crosis: If it is unethical to take pleasure from another being's death, you must be a very unethical person.

Crosis: Data? Do you have a friend?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes. His name is Geordi.

Crosis: If it meant that you could feel emotions again - the way you did on Ohniaka III - would you kill your friend? Would you kill Geordi?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes... I would.

[Data has tried with various methods to evoke different emotions in himself, without success]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm curious. Why're you ignoring the one emotion you've already experienced? Why aren't you trying to make yourself angry again?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Anger is a negative emotion. I wanted to concentrate on something more positive.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data - feelings aren't positive and negative. They simply exist. It's what we do with those feelings that becomes good or bad.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I don't think that an exploration of anger need necessarily lead to hatred or malice.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: But what if it does, Counselor? What if those are the only emotions I am capable of experiencing? Would that not make me a bad person?

Counselor Deanna Troi: We've served together for a long time; and I think I've come to know you pretty well. I have to believe, if you ever reach your goal of becoming human... you won't become a bad one.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [on his 'other' emotion] It was just after I had killed the Borg. I looked down at his body... I felt something.

Counselor Deanna Troi: If you had to give this... feeling a name - what would you call it?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I believe... it was... pleasure...

[Picard is on his way on an away mission, leaving a skeleton crew aboard the Enterprise]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Good luck, Jean-Luc.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Good luck - "Captain"!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What is your designation?

Crosis: I do not have a designation. My name is Crosis.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Crosis? How did you get that name?

Crosis: It was given to me by the One.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Who is that?

Crosis: The One who will destroy you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data!

Counselor Deanna Troi: That's not Data.

Lore: You should listen to her, Captain. She's way ahead of you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lore!

Lore: Right! But I am not alone.

[Data stands next to Lore]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The sons of Soong have joined together; and together... we will *destroy* the Federation!

Isaac Newton: I invented physics. The day that apple fell on my head was the most momentous day in the history of science.

Prof. Stephen Hawking: Not the apple story again.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That story is generally considered to be apocryphal.

Isaac Newton: [insulted] What? How dare you!

Albert Einstein: [working out how much the next bet in the game is] Now, let's see, where were we? Yes, you raised Mr. Data four. Which means that, erm, the bet is seven... to me?

Isaac Newton: [frustrated] The bet is ten. Can't you do simple arithmetic?

Albert Einstein: The uncertainty principle will not help you now, Stephen. Hm? All the quantum fluctuations in the universe will not change the cards in your hand. I call. You are bluffing. And you will lose!

Prof. Stephen Hawking: Wrong again, Albert.

[presents a hand of four 7s]

Albert Einstein: Sh*t.

[the New Berlin Colony has sent out a false alarm, mistaking a Ferengi trading ship for a potential aggressor]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf, acknowledge the signal from New Berlin, and transmit another copy of Starfleet's ship recognition protocols, and tell them to read it this time!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Stop it! Stop! Stop, Stop, Stop, Stop!

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: Captain, I've read the report you submitted to Admiral Brooks last year... regarding the Borg you named Hugh. And I've been trying to figure out why you let him go.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I thought I made my reasons clear.

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: As I understand it, you found an injured Borg at a crash site, brought it aboard the Enterprise. Studied it. Analysed it. And then eventually, found a way to send it back to the Borg with a program that would have destroyed the entire Collective once and for all. But instead, you nursed the Borg back to health, treated it like a guest, gave it a name and then sent it home. Why?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Once Hugh was separated from the Borg Collective he began to grow and evolve into something other than an automaton. He became a person. When that happened, I felt I had no choice but to respect his rights as an individual.

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: Of course you had a choice. You could have taken the opportunity to rid the Federation of a mortal enemy. One that has killed tens of thousands of innocent people and may kill even more.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No-one is more aware of the danger than I am. But I am also bound by my oath and my conscience to uphold certain principles. And I will not sacrifice them in order to...

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: [interrupting] Your priority is to safeguard the lives of Federation citizens. Not to wrestle with your conscience. Now I want to make it clear, that if you have a similar opportunity in the future... an opportunity to destroy the Borg... you are under orders to take advantage of it. Is that understood?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [rising from his desk] Yes sir. [Nechayev leaves without saying another word]

Lore: We don't need anyone else. We're brothers!

Lore: The reign of biological life forms is coming to an end. You, Picard, and those like you... are obsolete!

Lt. Commander Data: [to Picard] I am not your puppet anymore!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data, all I'm sensing from you is anger and hatred. Have you felt any other emotions?

Lt. Commander Data: There are no other emotions.

Lore: Maybe we should work on your sense of humor, brother.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How can actions that are wrong lead to a 'greater good'?

Lore: Aren't you going to thank me?

Lt. Commander Data: Thank you.

Lore: Don't mention it.

Lt. Commander Data: [of the ill-fated emotion-chip] I am pleased to say it was damaged when I was forced to fire on Lore.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Pleased? Data, you've wanted emotions your whole life.

Lt. Commander Data: Yes. But emotions were responsible for what I did to you. I would never risk letting that happen again. My friendship with you is too important to me.

[Data is about to destroy the chip; La Forge intervenes]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Data, I wouldn't be very much of a friend if I let you give up on a lifelong dream, now would I? Maybe someday... when you're ready.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Lieutenant, is there any way we can use the planet as a barrier to keep the Borg from realizing we're in orbit?

Ensign Zandra Taitt: We can enter orbit while they're on the far side of the planet. And if we delayed dropping out of warp until the last possible instant, we could gain a few more seconds.

Lieutenant Barnaby: If your calculations are even slightly off, we'd hit the atmosphere!

Ensign Zandra Taitt: I'll just have to be sure my calculations are accurate, Ensign.

[Ensign Taitt has suggested to produce a solar eruption, which would envelop and destroy the Borg ship]

Ensign Zandra Taitt: I've already configured the tractor emitters to create the particle beam, and I've located the target point on the surface.

Lieutenant Barnaby: If her calculations are off, that eruption could encompass us!

Ensign Zandra Taitt: Well, I'll just have to make sure my calculations are accurate, Lieutenant.

Lore: [his last words] I... love you... brother.

Lt. Commander Data: Goodbye, Lore.

Commander William T. Riker: Hugh?

Hugh: What are you doing here, Commander Riker? Hasn't the crew of the Enterprise done enough damage already?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A wise man once said: "There is a sucker born every minute."

Lt. Commander Data: P.T. Barnum.

Dr. Howard Clarke: Several years ago, Acost Jared, the Ventaxian head of state, began to grow increasingly obsessed with the legend of Ardra. With each passing day, he grew more anxious, and he talked about little else. "Ardra is coming back." "Ardra will be here soon." "We must all leave before Ardra returns."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And who is this Ardra?

Dr. Howard Clarke: For all intents and purposes... the Devil.

[Data is playing Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol", facing the ghost of Jacob Marley]

Jacob Marley: Why do you doubt your senses?

Lt. Commander Data: [as Scrooge] Because... a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats. You may be a bit of undigested beef, a... blot of mustard, a... crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. Why, there's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are. Humbug, I tell you. Humbug.

Lt. Commander Data: Since I have no emotional awareness to create a performance, I am attempting to use performance to create emotional awareness. I believe if I can learn to duplicate the fear of Ebenezer Scrooge, I will be one step closer to truly understanding humanity.

[Picard is called to the bridge, which he acknowledges]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data - the moment that you decided to stop imitating other actors and create your own interpretation, you were already one step closer to understanding humanity.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Captain, I... I wasn't expecting you here.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Neither was I.

[after Picard has been transported to Ventax II in his sleep wear]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Just have Mr. Data fetch me in a shuttle. And have him bring along a uniform.

Lieutenant Worf: Did you say uniform?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [sternly] Yes, I did!

Ardra: Who would you be?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise.

Ardra: Keep up the good work.

Ardra: Please do not take any offense to these questions, Captain. You know how fond I am of you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Objection.

Lt. Commander Data: Sustained. The advocate will refrain from expressing personal affections for her opponent.

Lt. Commander Data: The advocate will refrain from making her opponent disappear.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ensign, put up the shields until further notice.

Ardra: [posing as an ensign] Yes, sir, Captain. Whatever you say.

Commander William T. Riker: We are not impressed with your magic tricks!

Ardra: I pity you. We live in a universe of magic, which evidently you cannot see.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [on Ardra] She has an incredibly focused mind. It was virtually impossible to sense any deception - or anything else, for that matter.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The best magicians will never let you see what's up their sleeve, Counselor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I believe it is our job to out-con the con artist.

Ardra: [attempting to seduce Picard] Oh, come now, Picard! You know you find me tantalizing. Give in to your desires.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, there's nothing about you I find tantalizing. On the contrary, I find you obvious and vulgar.

Ardra: When the contract came to term, I gained clear title to the planet, anything on the surface, in the air or... in orbit. So you see - the Enterprise belongs to me now, as well.

Ardra: And don't talk like some ancient prophet around me, with 'thees' and 'thous' and 'most powerful ones'. It was appealing for a few centuries, but I bore easily. And stop cowering. When I want you on your knees, I'll let you know.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Data] Method acting? I'm vaguely familiar with it...

Ardra: Oh, you doubt me. A non-believer. Really, Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise, no doubt you have traveled the galaxy, encountered a diverse universe of creatures. Is there no room for the likes of me?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've encountered many, who're more credibly to be called the Devil than you.

Ardra: The Devil! Now, there's one I haven't heard in a long time.

Ardra: If you wish this foolish arbitration, I will choose my own prize.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And what would that be?

Ardra: You. By all rights, your body is already mine. But I want more. I want your heart, your mind, your soul, and I want you to give them to me without resistance of your own free will. So, do you still wish to pursue this most dangerous game?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I agree to your terms.

Ardra: Oh, Picard, I will enjoy you morning, noon and night!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, my reputation as a litigator, not to mention my immortal soul, is in serious jeopardy.

Ardra: [referring to Data] Ah, my pale friend has returned.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Did she not even pick up one piece of trash?

[on Ardra's alleged role in the environmental reformation of Ventax II]

[Picard has turned the arbitration in his favor]

Ardra: You would have had a lot more fun if you'd lost. Till we meet again, Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise.

[she laughs evilly as she leaves the courtroom]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Enterprise, advise Dr. Clarke that the hostages are being released.

Dr. Howard Clarke: This is Clarke. You did it, Captain! Thank goodness!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Goodness has nothing to do with it!

Acost Jared: Thank you, Captain Picard. You saved our lives.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, Jared. As I've tried to tell you, you saved your own lives a long time ago.

Capt. Picard: Well, then, um... what did you do for your science projects?

Patterson Supera: I planted radishes in this special dirt, and they came up all weird.

Capt. Picard: I see. That's very... very commendable.

[Picard has appointed Marissa his 'Number One' and Jay Gordon his 'Science Officer' to inspire courage in them]

Patterson Supera: Can I be an officer, too?

Capt. Picard: Well, let me see, um... Your science projects involved radishes, did it not?

Patterson Supera: Yes, sir.

Capt. Picard: Then I shall appoint you my executive officer in charge of radishes.

Keiko O'Brien: [during a crisis] I'm having contractions!

Lieutenant Worf: I believe that is not uncommon in the late months of pregnancy.

Keiko O'Brien: No, I mean contractions. I'm going into labor.

Lieutenant Worf: You cannot. This is not a good time, Keiko.

Keiko O'Brien: It's not open for debate. Like it or not, this baby is coming.

Lieutenant Worf: Dilation has gone to seven centimeters since the onset of labor. That did not take long.

Keiko O'Brien: That's easy for you to say.

Keiko O'Brien: Worf, have you ever done this before? Delivered a baby?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. No. I took the Starfleet emergency medical course. In a computerized simulation, I assisted in delivery of a human baby.

Keiko O'Brien: Sometimes it doesn't go by the book, Worf.

[Worf is assisting Keiko in the delivery of her baby]

Lieutenant Worf: I must urge you gently but firmly to push harder.

Lt. Commander Data: A remarkable experience, Commander.

[after exposing himself to a high power surge]

[Picard is trying to keep up morale while climbing up the ladder in the turboshaft]

Capt. Picard: What we need is a climbing song. Marissa, is there a song that you sing at school?

Marissa Flores: Mmm... "The Laughing Vulcan and His Dog?"

Capt. Picard: I'm afraid I don't know that one...

Lt. Commander Data: My positronic brain has several layers of shielding to protect me from power surges. It would be possible for you to remove my cranial unit and take it with you.

Commander William T. Riker: Let me get this straight. You want me to take off your head?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. Is something wrong, sir?

[Ro has established power to the bridge's engineering station]

Chief Miles O'Brien: How did you do that?

Ro Laren: I diverted power from the phaser array and I dumped it into the engineering control system.

Chief Miles O'Brien: You what?

Ro Laren: Engineering station's online, Counselor.

Chief Miles O'Brien: But tha... that's a completely improper procedure!

Lieutenant Worf: Congratulations. You are fully dilated to ten centimeters. You may now give birth.

Keiko O'Brien: [groans] That's what I've been doing.

Lieutenant Worf: My computer simulation was not like this. That delivery was very orderly.

Keiko O'Brien: Well, I'm sorry!

[after the delivery]

Lieutenant Worf: [about Keiko's baby] I believe she looks like Chief O'Brien.

[Picard is about to give a tour of the ship to Marissa, Jay Gordon and Patterson]

Chief Miles O'Brien: I'm not sure who to feel sorry for - the Captain or the kids.

[after being injured in the turbolift, Picard has 'ordered' the children to leave him behind and save themselves]

Marissa Flores: The crew has decided to stick together. We all go, or we all stay.

Capt. Picard: [after considering the options] All right. I'll try. But I want you to know, this is mutiny.

[Ro has suggested sacrificing the drive section of the ship in order to save the saucer section]

Counselor Troi: I believe there are still people alive down there. And I'm going to give them every chance. Assuming they're alive, they'll be hoping there's someone up here who can help them. So we'll help them.

Commander William T. Riker: [trying to create a link between Data's head and the computer] You need a bigger head.

[Dr. Crusher explains to La Forge what will happen to them after venting the cargo bay]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Once the air is vented, the first thing you'll feel is an extreme pressure on your lungs. You have to resist the temptation to exhale.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Okay.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Next, our hands and feet will get cold, then numb, and some of the capillaries on the exposed sections of the skin may burst.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sounds like fun.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: We will have about fifteen seconds of useful consciousness, then about ten seconds of extreme disorientation, then we pass out.

Ro Laren: I was wrong, Counselor.

Counselor Troi: You could have easily been right.

Marissa Flores: [to Picard] In appreciation for the way you helped us get out of the turboshaft, and the way you helped us not be scared, we want to present to you this commemorative plaque.

Capt. Picard: You have the bridge, Number One.

Marissa Flores, Commander William T. Riker: Aye, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: You just can't stay away from the big chair, can you?

Counselor Troi: I don't think I'm cut out to be Captain. First Officer, maybe. I understand there aren't many qualifications.

Lieutenant Worf: [Worf is delivering Keiko's baby, and is urging her on with all the intensity and passion as if he was leading a typing class] Push. Push, Keiko. Push.

Keiko O'Brien: [fed up] I AM PUSHING!

Capt. Picard: [Picard and three children are stuck between decks in a malfunctioning turbolift] Number One, those big clamps are part of the emergency system. They're designed to hold the turbolift in place if something goes wrong. But it would seem that they're damaged.

Marissa Flores: Is that why we keep shaking?

Capt. Picard: Yes, now when they give way, we shall fall. You must take you're crew out of here before that happens. Now, there's a ladder that runs the length of the turboshaft. You can climb up it until you come to an open doorway. Now, you're the leader, and that's an order.

Marissa Flores: [the lift shakes] Well... what about you?

Capt. Picard: My ankle is broken. I will just slow you down, and you need to move quickly.

Marissa Flores: [to Jay Gordon and Patterson] We have to climb the shaft.

Patterson Supera: I want to stay with you, Captain.

Capt. Picard: Patterson! You're an officer. You have to obey orders.

Patterson Supera: I don't want to be an officer anymore. I want to stay here with you.

Jay Gordon Graas: If the Captain stays here, we won't make it. We'll all die.

Capt. Picard: We don't have time to argue. You must go now.

Marissa Flores: The crew has decided to stick together. We all go or we all stay.

Capt. Picard: Alright, I'll try. But I want you to know, this is mutiny.

[Q has been turned into a human by the Continuum]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: An irony. It means that you have achieved in disgrace what I have always aspired to be.

Guinan: [referring to Data] You could learn a lot from this one.

Q: Sure, the robot who teaches the course in humanities.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am an android, not a robot.

Q: [sarcastically] I beg your pardon.

Guinan: I'd enjoy that. And you'd better get used to it.

Guinan: Begging! You're a pitiful excuse for a human. The only way you're gonna survive is on the charity of others.

[Q appears hovering, naked, and drops to the floor]

Q: [smiling] Red alert!

Q: I'm no longer a member of the Continuum. My superiors have decided to punish me!

Capt. Picard: And punish us as well, it would seem.

Capt. Picard: Return that moon to its orbit.

Q: I have no powers! Q the ordinary.

Capt. Picard: Q the liar! Q the misanthrope!

Q: Q the miserable, Q the desperate! What must I do to convince you people?

Lieutenant Worf: Die.

Q: Oh, very clever, Worf. Eat any good books lately?

[Q tries unsuccessfully to convince Worf that he has truly become an ordinary human]

Lieutenant Worf: You have fooled us too often, Q.

Q: Oh, perspicacity incarnate. Please don't feel compelled now to tell me the story of "The Boy Who Cried 'Worf'".

Q: [analyzing the cause for the Bre'el IV moon's trajectory] This is obviously the result of a large celestial object passing through at near right angles to the plane of the star system. Probably a black hole.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Can you recommend a way to counter the effect?

Q: Simple. Change the gravitational constant of the universe.

Counselor Deanna Troi: They made you human as part of your punishment?

Q: No, it was my request. I could have chosen to exist as a Markoffian sea lizard, or a Belzoidian flea - anything I wished, as long as it was mortal. And since I had only a fraction of a second to mull, I chose this, and asked them to bring me here.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Why?

Q: [to Picard] Because in all the universe, you're the closest thing I have to a friend, Jean-Luc.

Q: My life as a human being has been a dismal failure. Perhaps my death will have a little dignity.

Capt. Picard: Q, there is no dignity in this suicide.

Q: Yes, I suppose you're right; death of a coward then, so be it. But as a human, I would have died of boredom.

Q2: There's still this matter of the selfless act. Now, you and I both know that the Calamarain would have eventually destroyed the Enterprise to get to you. And that's really why you left, right?

Q: It was a teeny bit selfless, wasn't it?

Q2: [exasperated] GRRR, yeah, and there is my problem! See, I can't go back to the Continuum and tell them that you committed a selfless act just before the end. If I do, there's gonna be questions, there's gonna be explanations for centuries!

Q: I've been entirely preoccupied by a most frightening experience of my own. A couple of hours ago, I realized that my body was no longer functioning properly. I felt weak, I could no longer stand. The life was oozing out of me, I lost consciousness.

Capt. Picard: You fell asleep.

Q: It is a joke - joke on me, joke of the universe. The king who would be man.

Q: These aren't my colors!

[Q is sitting with Data at the bar in Ten Forward, when Guinan enters]

Q: This is not a moment I've been looking forward to.

Guinan: [approaching] I hear they drummed you out of the Continuum.

Q: I like to think of it as a significant career change.

Guinan: Just one of the boys, eh?

Q: One of the boys with an IQ of two thousand and five.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The Captain and many of the crew are not yet convinced he is truly human.

Guinan: Really?

[Guinan picks up a sharp-tined fork and stabs the back of Q's hand, who screams in pain]

Guinan: Seems human enough to me.

Q: [of La Forge] Who does he think he is, giving me orders?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Geordi thinks he is in command here - and he is correct.

Capt. Picard: Fine. You want to be treated as human?

Q: Absolutely.

Capt. Picard: All right. Mr. Worf - throw him in the brig!

Lieutenant Worf: Delighted, Captain.

Q: You're right, of course. I'm extraordinarily selfish. But it has served me so well in the past.

Capt. Picard: It'll not serve you here.

Q: Don't be so hard on me, Jean-Luc. You've been a mortal all your life, you know all about dying. I've never given it a second thought. Or a first one, for that matter. I could've been killed. If it hadn't been for Data and that one brief delay he created, I would've been gone. No more me... And no one would have missed me, would they?

[the Calamarain close in on Q's shuttlecraft]

Capt. Picard: This goes against my better judgment... Transporter room 3, lock on to shuttle 1, beam it back into its bay.

Transporter Chief: [over comm] Aye, Captain.

Capt. Picard: [to Riker] It's a perfectly good shuttlecraft.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Captain, the aliens have disappeared. And so has the shuttle.

Commander William T. Riker: Scan the sector.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have, sir.

Capt. Picard: Well... I suppose that is the end of Q.

[with a flash, Q appears on the bridge with a trumpet, accompanied by a mariachi band]

Q: AU CONTRAIRE, MON CAPITAINE! HE'S BACK!

[the band starts playing, accompanied by Q with gusto]

[Picard releases Q from the brig]

Capt. Picard: If you are human, which I seriously doubt, you will have to work hard to earn our trust.

Q: I'm not worried about that, Jean-Luc. You only dislike me. There are others in the cosmos who truly despise me.

Q: Picard thinks I can't cut it on his starship. I can do anything his little-trained minions can do.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I do not perceive your skills to be in doubt, Q. The Captain is merely concerned with your ability to successfully interact with his little-trained minions.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Of more immediate importance is your ability to work within groups.

Q: I'm not good in groups. It's difficult to work in a group when you're omnipotent.

[Q has made appear two scantily clad women to fawn on Riker]

Commander William T. Riker: I don't need your fantasy women.

Q: Oh, you're so stolid! You weren't like that before the beard.

Q2: You know, you're incorrigible, Q, you're a lost cause. I can't go to a single solar system without having to apologize for you. And I'm tired of it!

Q: I wasn't the one who "misplaced" the entire Deltived asteroid belt!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have observed that the selection of food is often influenced by the mood of the person ordering.

Q: I'm in a dreadful mood. Get me something appropriate.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: When Counselor Troi is unhappy, she usually eats something chocolate.

Q: Chocolate?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Mm. A chocolate sundae for example. Although I do not speak from personal experience, I have seen it have a profound psychological impact.

Q: [to waitress] I'll have ten chocolate sundaes.

Waitress: Ten?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have never seen anyone eat ten chocolate sundaes.

Q: I'm in a really bad mood. And since I've never eaten before, I should be... very hungry.

[Worf has put Q in the brig]

Q: I demand to be let out of here, do you hear me? You will deactivate this cell immediately!

[Worf ignores him and walks away]

Q: ROMULAN!

[Worf stops short, growls under his breath, then leaves]

Q: I should have said 'Romulan', that Klingon goat!

Q: I think I just hurt my back. I'm feeling pain... I don't like it. What's the right thing to say, 'ow'?

Lt. Cmdr. Data, Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: 'Ow'.

Q: OW! I can't straighten up!

Q: Ah, Dr. Crusher. I see Starfleet has shipped you back into exile.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have the curiosity of humans; but there are questions that I will never have the answers to - what it is like to laugh or... or cry. Or to experience any human emotions.

Q: Hm - well, if you ask me, these human emotions are not what they're cracked up to be.

Q: It was a mistake. I never should have picked human. I knew it the moment I said it. To think of a future in this shell... forced to cover myself with a fabric because of some outdated human morality, to say nothing of being too hot or too cold. Growing feeble with age, losing my hair, catching a disease, being ticklish, sneezing, having an itch, a pimple, bad breath...

[looks at Worf]

Q: Having to *bathe!*

Lieutenant Worf: Too bad!

Lieutenant Worf: Be quiet! Or disappear back where you came from.

Q: I can't disappear - any more than you could win a beauty contest.

[Dr. Crusher is treating Q's back problems rather roughly]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, don't expect too much sympathy from me. You have been a pain in *our* backside often enough.

Q: [groans] Your bedside manner's admirable, Doctor. I'm sure your patients recover quickly, just to get away from you!

Q: One creature's torment is another creature's delight.

Guinan: [on Q, who is crying for help after being attacked by the Calamarain] How the mighty have fallen.

Q: I know human beings. They're all sopping over with compassion and forgiveness. They can't wait to absolve... almost any offense. It's an inherent weakness of the breed.

Capt. Picard: On the contrary, it is a strength.

Q: You call it what you will. But I think you'll protect me, even though I've tormented you now and again.

Commander William T. Riker: Fighting off all the species which you've insulted would be a full-time mission. That's not the one I signed up for.

Q: [about the Calamarain, which he has tortured in the past] They simply have no sense of humor - a character flaw with which you can personally identify.

Commander William T. Riker: I say we turn him over to them.

Q: Oh, well, I take it back. You do have a sense of humor, a dreadful one at that.

Q: There are creatures in the universe who would consider you the ultimate achievement, android. No feelings, no emotions, no pain... And yet you covet those qualities of humanity. Believe me, you're missing nothing. But if it means anything to you - you're a better human than I.

Q: You have a moon in a deteriorating orbit. I've known moons through the universe - big ones, small ones. I'm an expert. I could help you with this one, if you let me out of here.

Capt. Picard: Q, there are millions of lives at risk. If you have the power...

Q: I don't have any powers! But I have the knowledge, locked up in this puny brain. You cannot afford to not take that advantage, can you?

[detained in a cell of the Enterprise brig, Q attempts to keep Captain Picard from leaving]

Q: Jean-Luc, wait!

[runs into the cell's force field]

Q: THIS is getting on my nerves, now that I have them!

Q: As I learn more and more what it is to be human, I am more and more convinced that I would never make a good one. I don't have what it takes. Without my powers, I'm frightened of everything. I'm a coward. And I'm miserable. And I can't go on this way.

Q: I'm forgiven! My brothers and sisters of the Continuum have taken me back. I'm immortal again! Omnipotent again!

Commander William T. Riker: Swell.

Q: Until next time. Ah, but... before I go, there's a debt I wish to repay, to my professor of the humanities. Data, I've decided to give you something very, very special.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: If your intention is to make me human, Q...

Q: No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I would never curse you by making you human. Think of it... as a going-away present.

[he disappears. Data suddenly starts laughing out of control]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Data... Data, why are you laughing?

[Data calms down, somewhat bemused]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I do not know. But it was a wonderful... feeling.

Capt. Picard: Perhaps there's a... residue of humanity in Q after all.

[raises his hand]

Capt. Picard: Ensign, en...

[with a flash, a cigar appears in his hand, with a miniature of Q's head floating in the smoke]

Q: Don't bet on it, Picard.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [Beverly examines Q with a medical tricorder] Well, if I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it. According to this, you have classic back trauma. Muscle spasms.

Q: I've been under a lot of pressure lately. Family problems.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Hmm, well don't expect too much sympathy from me. You have been a pain in our backside often enough.

Q: [Beverly gleefully runs a medical instrument over Q's back, and he cries out in pain] Your bedside manner's admirable, Doctor. I'm sure your patients recover quickly just to get away from you.

Q: You can't do this to me, Jean-Luc.

Lieutenant Worf: [grabs Q's arm and starts to pull] You will walk or I will carry you.

Q: Given the option, I - I'll walk. You disappointment me, Jean-Luc. I'm disappointed.

[Worf and Q enter turbolift]

Q: Hey, I'm claustrophobic. I don't like it in here.

Q: [the Enterprise is trying to correct the orbit of a moon with the ship's tractor beam before it collides with the planet Bre'el IV] And if you're wrong the moon will crumble due to subspace compression. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Shut up, Q.

Q: [suddenly rising] I will not be spoken to in this manner!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [as if to say deal with him] Data.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Q, I strongly suggest that you cooperate. [Q reluctantly returns to his seat in Engineering]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Clancy, I'll be gone for a while. See that no one touches this.

Ensign Clancy: Aye, sir. And where can I reach you?

Lt. Commander Data: He can be reached at 221B Baker Street!

Ensign Clancy: Sir?

Moriarty: Is the definition of life "Cogito ergo sum" - I think, therefore I am?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, that is one possible definition.

Moriarty: It is the most important one - and for me, the only one that matters.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Data - I mean, Holmes, old boy - what are we looking for?

Lt. Commander Data: For whatever finds us, my dear Watson.

Doctor Pulaski: To feel the thrill of victory, there has to be the possibility of failure.

Lt. Commander Data: In programming Moriarty to defeat me - not Holmes - he had to be able to acquire something which I possess.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What exactly?

Lt. Commander Data: Consciousness, sir. Without it, he could not defeat me.

Moriarty: If I destroy these surroundings, this vessel, can you say that it doesn't matter to you? Interesting pun, don't you think? For matter is what I am not.

Doctor Pulaski: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Moriarty: Of course you do, madam. The more you proclaim your ignorance, the more you try to mislead me, the more I'm on to you. Your every silence speaks volumes.

Doctor Pulaski: Good. Then if you know what I'm saying when I'm not saying anything, what do you need me for?

[she gets up]

Doctor Pulaski: Thank you for the tea and crumpets. I guess I'll be going.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Worf, who is dressed in a 19th-century suit] You'd be a big hit in London.

Lt. Commander Data: Finally - there can be no argument - the game is afoot! Come, Watson!

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The Doctor was right. Finally, we have a game worth playing.

Moriarty: [entering the scene] The time for games is over.

Lt. Commander Data: Professor Moriarty, I presume?

Moriarty: My mind is crowded with images, thoughts I do not understand, yet cannot purge; they plague me. You and your associate look and act so oddly. Yet though I have never met nor seen the like of either of you, I am familiar with you both; it's very confusing. I have felt new realities at the edge of my consciousness readying to break through. Surely, Holmes, if that's who you truly are, you of all people can appreciate what I mean.

Moriarty: Mr. Computer - the arch, please.

Moriarty: [describing the Enterprise] A great monstrous shape, on which I am like a fly stuck on a turtle's back, adrift in a great emptiness.

Moriarty: What I have seen... what I have learned... fascinates me. I do not want to die.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You all right?

Doctor Pulaski: Yes, except for being crammed full of crumpets.

Moriarty: Perhaps we'll meet again, madam.

Doctor Pulaski: It could be a long time. Time won't pass for you, but I may be an old woman.

Moriarty: But I'll still fill you with crumpets, madam.

Moriarty: I'm a civilized abductor, Captain Picard - civilized, but still dangerous.

Moriarty: Whatever I was when this began... I have grown. I am understanding more and more; and I am able to use the power at my fingertips.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I can't help thinking how... or what else might have happened, all because I misspoke a single word.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [referring to the model of the HMS Victory] I'll assume she'll be shipshape and Bristol fashion.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: "Bristol fashion", sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's an old navy phrase, meaning everything in perfect order.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Hm... Yes, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As are we, Mr. La Forge.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Yes, sir.

Doctor Pulaski: It's elementary, dear Data.

Lt. Commander Data: Geordi, I've just had a strange conversation with your assistant. Although it is three days until we rendezvous with Starship "Victory", she...

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: She believes it has already arrived? Not the starship, my friend.

[Geordi shows Data a model of the HMS Victory]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The original. This is my gift to the Victory's Captain Zimbata.

Lt. Commander Data: Ah, most unusual.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I served with him as an ensign. Sure wish he'd been in command of this Victory. Wind and sail. That's the proper way to move a ship.

Lt. Commander Data: But Geordi, your Starfleet specialty is antimatter power, dilithium regulators...

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: That's exactly why this fascinates me, Data. See, it's human nature to love what we don't have. Simpler days, huh? Anyway, stringing this rigging has made me dream of handling sails...

Lt. Commander Data: This is not a computer simulation?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Data, the whole point in doing something like this is to make it by hand.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You never know who you'll meet on the Orient Express.

The Conductor: Tickets please!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I know about the Orient Express, but what is it doing on Prospero's island?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It isn't really the train itself that I'm interested in.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What then?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's the experience.

[Troi contacts Data over comm]

Counselor Deanna Troi: How're you doing?

Lt. Commander Data: I encountered a minor difficulty, Counselor. But it has been dealt with.

[camera switches to Data holding off a cab that tries to run him over]

[Deanna tries to take the brick from the Hitman]

The Hitman: [holds her off] Hey! Getja hand off of that.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Is that why you killed the engineer? To get this brick?

The Hitman: I had to get it back! You know what it's worth, lady? Plenty! And I got to get it to Keystone City.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Why, what's Keystone City?

The Hitman: It's where everything begins!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on Shakespeare's "The Tempest"] Shakespeare was witnessing the end of the Renaissance and the birth of the modern era. And Prospero finds himself in a world where his powers are no longer needed. So we see him here, about to perform one final creative act before... giving up his art forever.

[possibly an intended allegory for the upcoming conclusion of the series]

Lt. Commander Data: Unlikely as it may sound, I believe the Enterprise may be forming an intelligence.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If the ship is truly an emerging intelligence, then we have a responsibility to treat it with the same respect as any other being.

[despite having been shut down earlier, the holodeck has reactivated itself]

Lieutenant Worf: Which program is running?

Lt. Commander Data: Several different programs are running simultaneously.

Commander William T. Riker: This should be interesting.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on Data's suggestion that the new life form may be dangerous] The intelligence that was formed on the Enterprise didn't just come out of the ship's systems. It came from us, from our mission records, personal logs, holodeck programs, our fantasies. Now, if our experiences with the Enterprise have been honorable, can't we trust that the sum of those experiences will be the same?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [citing from "The Tempest"] O brave new world, That has such people in't.

The Hitman: Now, if you'll excuse me, I got a train to catch.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 41153.7 - Our destination is planet Deneb IV, beyond which lies the great, unexplored mass of the galaxy. My orders are to examine Farpoint, a starbase built there by the inhabitants of that world. Meanwhile, I am becoming better acquainted with my new command, this Galaxy-class USS Enterprise. I am still somewhat in awe of its size and complexity. As for my crew, we are short in several key positions, most notably a first officer. But I'm informed that a highly experienced man, one Commander William Riker, will be waiting to join the ship at our Deneb IV destination.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: How old do you think I am, anyway?

Lt. Commander Data: 137 years, Admiral, according to Starfleet records.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: Explain how you remember that so exactly!

Lt. Commander Data: I remember every fact I am exposed to, sir.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: [looking at both sides of Data's head] I don't see no points on your ears, boy, but you sound like a Vulcan.

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. I am an android.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: Hmph. Almost as bad.

Lt. Commander Data: I thought it was generally accepted, sir, that Vulcans are an advanced and most honorable race.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: They are, they are. And damn annoying at times.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You will agree, Data, that Starfleet's orders are difficult.

Lt. Commander Data: [Data's first line] Difficult? Simply solve the mystery of Farpoint Station.

[Troi's first line]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Farpoint Station. Even the name sounds mysterious.

[Worf's first line]

Lieutenant Worf: Shields and deflectors up, sir!

[Q's first line]

Q: Thou art notified that thy kind hath infiltrated the galaxy too far already. Thou art directed to return to thine own solar system immediately.

[Yar's first line]

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Lieutenant Worf is right, sir. As Security Chief, I can't just stand here and let...

[she is interrupted by Picard]

[Yar has suggested to take on the Q vessel]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant - are you recommending that we fight a life form that can do all those things?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now hear this: printout message, urgent, all stations on all decks. Prepare for emergency saucer sep. You will command the saucer section, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Worf: I'm a Klingon, sir. For me to seek escape when my Captain goes into battle...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You are a Starfleet officer, Lieutenant!

Lieutenant Worf: Aye, sir.

[O'Brien's first line]

Battle Bridge Conn: All decks acknowledging, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander, signal the following in all languages and on all frequencies: we surrender. State that we are not asking for any terms or conditions.

[Riker's first line]

Commander William T. Riker: Personal log, Commander William Riker, stardate 41153.7 - The USS Hood has dropped me off at Farpoint Station, where I await the arrival of the new USS Enterprise, to which I have been assigned as First Officer. Meanwhile, I have been asked to visit the Farpoint administrator's office in the old city.

[Wesley Crusher's first line]

Wesley Crusher: Mother! It's Commander Riker.

[Beverly Crusher's first line]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Actually, we were about to do some shopping.

[La Forge's first line]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Sir, the Enterprise is arriving, but... [Riker interrupts him]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do we have clearance?

Lt. Commander Data: Aye sir, into standard parking orbit.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Make it so.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One further thing - special favor.

Commander William T. Riker: Anything, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Using the same strength you showed with Captain DeSoto, I would appreciate it if you could keep me from making an ass of myself with children.

Commander William T. Riker: Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm not a family man, Riker. And yet, Starfleet has given me a ship with children aboard.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And I, er... I don't feel comfortable with children. But since a captain needs an image of genealogy, you're to see that's what I project.

Commander William T. Riker: Aye, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Welcome to the Enterprise, Commander Riker.

[Picard has introduced Riker and Troi to each other]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have the two of you met before?

Commander William T. Riker: We have, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Excellent. I consider it important for my key officers to know each other's abilities.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We do, sir. We do.

Zorn: Captain! The Ferengi would be very interested in a base like this.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Fine. Let's hope they find you as tasty as they did their past associates.

Commander William T. Riker: Do you consider yourself superior to us?

Lt. Commander Data: I am superior, sir, in many ways. But I would gladly give it up to be human.

Commander William T. Riker: Nice to meet you... Pinocchio.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I can sense only strong emotions, Groppler. I'm only half-Betazoid. My father was a Starfleet officer.

Lt. Commander Data: Inquiry: the word... 'snoop'?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, how can you be programed as a virtual encyclopedia of human information without knowing a simple word like 'snoop'?

Lt. Commander Data: Possibility: a kind of human behavior I was not designed to emulate.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [seeing a boy standing in the turbolift] What the hell? Children are not allowed on the bridge!

[Dr. Crusher steps out of the lift]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [... ] Sir, my son is not on the bridge; he merely accompanied me on the turbolift.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [stunned] Your son?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: His name's Wesley. You last saw him years ago, when... [she leaves the sentence unfinished]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [understands] Ah... Well - as long as he's here...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [clears his throat] I, er... I knew... I knew your father, Wesley.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about Wesley] He does seem to have a very good grasp of starship operations.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You've just won his mother's heart, Captain.

Lt. Commander Data: Prejudice is very human.

Lt. Commander Data: Sorry, sir. I seem to be commenting on everything.

Commander William T. Riker: Good. Don't stop, my friend.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's see what this Galaxy-class starship can do.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: Well, this is a new ship. But she's got the right name. Now, you remember that, you hear?

Lt. Commander Data: I will, sir.

Admiral Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy: You treat her like a lady. And she'll always bring you home.

Battle Bridge Conn: You know anything about Farpoint Station, sir? It sounds like a fairly dull place.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We've heard that we may find it rather interesting.

Q: [of Picard] He's such a dullard, isn't he?

Lieutenant Worf: And now a personal request, sir. Permission to clean up the bridge.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant! Do you intend to blast a hole in the viewer?

[when Worf points a phaser at Q who has appeared on the main view screen]

Q: You must return to your world and put an end to the commies. All it takes are a few good men.

Q: You will now answer to the charge of being a grievously savage race.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 'Grievously savage' could mean anything. I will answer only specific charges.

Q: Are you certain you want a full disclosure of human ugliness? So be it, fool.

Lt. Commander Data: At least we are acquainted with the judge, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We've no fear of what the true facts about us will reveal.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We humans know our past, even when we're ashamed of it. I recognize this court system as the one that agreed with that line from Shakespeare: "Kill all the lawyers."

Q: Which was done.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Leading to the rule "Guilty until proven innocent."

Q: Of course. Bringing the innocent to trial would be unfair.

Q: Soldiers, you will press those triggers if this criminal answers with any word other than 'guilty'.

Q: Captain, you may find that you are not nearly clever enough to deal with what lies ahead for you.

Commander William T. Riker: What do we do now, Captain? With their monitoring our every move and every word?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We do exactly what we'd do if this Q never existed. If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for what we really are.

Commander William T. Riker: Captain, if he's not open to evidence in our favor, where will you go from there?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'll attend to my duty.

Commander William T. Riker: To the bitter end?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I see nothing so bitter about that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Isn't it a little presumptuous of a first officer to second-guess his captain's judgment?

Commander William T. Riker: Permission to speak candidly, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Always.

Commander William T. Riker: Having been a first officer yourself, you know that assuming that responsibility must, by definition, include the safety of the captain. I have no problem with following any rules you lay down, short of compromising your safety.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And you don't intend to back off from that position?

Commander William T. Riker: No, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Would you object to your Captain ordering a clearly illegal kidnapping?

Commander William T. Riker: No objection, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Shut off that damn noise! Go to yellow alert!

[when the red alert siren sounds for the first time]

Zorn: [of the space vessel life form] Captain, that thing was killing my people!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Was there a reason?

Q: It is an unknown, Captain. Isn't that enough?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you'd earned that uniform you're wearing, you'd know that the unknown is what brings us out here.

Q: Wasted effort considering human intelligence.

[the crew has solved the Farpoint mystery]

Q: I see now, it was too simple a puzzle. Generosity has always been my... weakness.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Leave us! We've passed your little test.

Q: Temper, temper, mon Captaine.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Get off my ship!

Q: I do so only because it suits me to leave. But I will not promise never to appear again.

Commander William T. Riker: [referring to Picard] He calls that a little adventure?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Some problem, Riker?

Commander William T. Riker: Just hoping this isn't the usual way our missions will go, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, no, Number One. I'm sure most will be much more interesting. - Let's see what's out there. Engage!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Space... the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Star Ship, 'Enterprise'. Its continuing mission... to see out new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone, before.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Riker who's rang the door chime for the Ready Room on the Battle Bridge, the first of many times he will say throughout the series] Come.

Mr. Mot: There's a time when you want to call a Romulan's bluff and there's a time when you don't, wouldn't you say?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I understand you've been discussing alternative adversarial engagement strategy with Mr. Mot.

Commander William T. Riker: It'd be more accurate to say he was discussing them with me. He's the best barber in Starfleet. What can you do?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, Ensign Laren, please sit down.

Ensign Ro Laren: Ensign Ro, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I beg your pardon?

Ensign Ro Laren: The Bajoran custom has the family name first, the individual's name second. I am properly addressed as 'Ensign Ro'.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Ensign Ro Laren: No, there's no reason you should. It's an old custom. Most Bajora these days accept the distortion of their names in order to assimilate. I do not.

Ensign Ro Laren: Captain, I know the routine. You don't have to worry about me. We're stuck with each other. So let's just get this over with as quickly as possible and go our own separate ways, okay?

[leaves Picard's ready room unasked]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Dismissed.

Admiral Kennelly: I can't tell you how difficult it was to get her out of prison.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's that important to you?

Admiral Kennelly: It's that important to the mission.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [about Ensign Ro] She doesn't belong here. She doesn't even belong in the uniform, as far as I'm concerned.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Really.

Guinan: Sounds like someone I'd like to know.

Guinan: Am I disturbing you?

Ensign Ro Laren: Yes.

Guinan: Good. You look like someone who wants to be disturbed.

Ensign Ro Laren: Who-who are you?

Guinan: My name is Guinan. I tend bar, and I listen.

Ensign Ro Laren: Huh... You heard anything interesting?

Guinan: Everyone's talking about you.

Ensign Ro Laren: Heard anything interesting?

Guinan: M-hm.

Ensign Ro Laren: Well... it's all true.

Guinan: I believe truth is in the eye of the beholder.

Ensign Ro Laren: Isn't that supposed to be... beauty?

Guinan: Truth, beauty - works for a lot of things.

Guinan: So you sit alone in crowded rooms staring at your drink.

Guinan: I think you enjoy it.

Ensign Ro Laren: I enjoy it?

Guinan: Well, you work so hard at torturing yourself, I can only think you must enjoy it.

Ensign Ro Laren: Who *are* you?

Guinan: I told you. I'm Guinan. I tend bar and I listen.

Ensign Ro Laren: Well, you're not like any bartender I've ever met before.

Guinan: Hm. And you're not like any Starfleet officer I've ever met before. But that sounds like the beginning of a... very interesting friendship.

Ensign Ro Laren: I don't stay anywhere long enough to make friends.

Guinan: Too late. You just did.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, supplemental. I read about the achievements of the ancient Bajoran civilization in my fifth grade reader. They were architects and artists, builders and philosophers, when Humans were not yet standing erect. Now I see how history has rewarded them.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In an age when their technology should be able to clothe and feed all of them; that they should live like this.

Ensign Ro Laren: I couldn't. And I wouldn't. That's one reason I ran away. They're lost, defeated. I will never be.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I met Holza at a symposium a few years ago.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What can you tell us about him, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I found him to be a very concerned leader and a good spokesman for his people... and a terrific dancer.

Ensign Ro Laren: I would go to the camp on the southern continent of Valo II. Find a man named Keeve Falor. He has no diplomatic experience; and he won't ask you to dance.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm not here to debate Federation policy with you. But I can offer you assistance.

Keeve Falor: Simply because of one terrorist attack? Well... perhaps I should have known. We should have attacked the Federation long ago.

Keeve Falor: We live in different universes, you and I. Yours is about diplomacy, politics, strategy. Mine is about blankets. If we were to exchange places for one night, you might better understand.

Guinan: I heard you got grounded.

Ensign Ro Laren: I really don't feel like talking right now.

Guinan: Come on, sure you do.

Ensign Ro Laren: Why is it every time I tell you something, you tell me I mean the exact opposite?

Guinan: Because you're one of those people who's got their poles reversed.

Ensign Ro Laren: There's more going on here than anybody on this ship realizes. It's more than I know how to deal with. And I really don't know who to trust anymore.

Guinan: Including yourself?

Ensign Ro Laren: Oh... especially myself.

Ensign Ro Laren: Seems like everybody's just pulling my strings, you know, like I've got no control.

Guinan: Hm... For people like you and me, who've lost their homes, sometimes that's the way life feels.

Ensign Ro Laren: Captain, I-I don't know who to trust anymore. But that strange bartender of yours has a way of getting to you, and... and she said that you were her friend.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then we have one thing in common.

Ensign Ro Laren: When I was seven years old, I was given a piece of sugar candy. And I was led by a Cardassian into a room where my father was sitting. And he looked at me with eyes I'd never seen. The Cardassian began to ask him questions. And during the next two hours - as I was forced to watch - my father was tortured until he died. And I remember feeling... so ashamed of him as he begged for mercy. I was ashamed of him for being weak. I was ashamed of being Bajoran. Later I began to understand how misguided those feelings were, and... and yet somehow, they have remained a part of me. I don't want to be ashamed of my heritage any longer, Captain. I serve the Federation. But I am Bajoran. A Starfleet admiral presented me with an opportunity to help my people in their fight against the Cardassians. I had to accept it.

Keeve Falor: I'm sorry, I don't wish to help you. Don't misunderstand; I for one believe the raid on the Federation outpost was poor judgment. You are innocent bystanders. And I cannot condone violence against those who are not our enemies.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then I... I don't understand why you're unwilling.

Keeve Falor: Because you're innocent bystanders. You were innocent bystanders for decades, as the Cardassians took our homes. As they violated and tortured our people in the most hideous ways imaginable. As we were forced to flee.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We were saddened by those events, but they occurred within the designated borders of the Cardassian Empire.

Keeve Falor: And the Federation is pledged not to interfere in the internal affairs of others. How convenient that must be for you, to turn a deaf ear to those who suffer behind a line on a map.

Gul Dolak: You are protecting the enemies of the Cardassian people. If you do not withdraw, we will take great offense.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry to offend you, Gul Dolak. But we cannot withdraw.

Gul Dolak: We are prepared to take any steps necessary.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Is that intended as a threat?

Gul Dolak: It is a complaint - from your Cardassian neighbors.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think you've got a great deal to learn from Starfleet.

Ensign Ro Laren: I always thought Starfleet had a lot to learn from me, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's an attitude that I've found common among the best officers I've ever served with.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm not here to debate Federation policy. I am prepared to offer assistance...

Keeve Falor: Simply because of one terrorist attack? Then perhaps I have been wrong. We should have attacked the Federation long ago. What do you think of that, Ro?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Keeve Falor, Ensign Ro Laren: I think you are a small man who feels a rush of power in his belly and enjoys it far too much, Keeve. Stop talking and listen.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [entering Ten Forward with Crusher and sighting Ro] Do you mind if we join you?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No question about it. She was bluffing, Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: Bluffing is not one of Counselor Troi's strong suits -... - No, it would've been unwise to call. Yes, my hand was not strong enough.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You had jacks and eights, and she bluffed you with a pair of sixes.

Lieutenant Worf: How did *you* know what I had?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Let's just say I had a special insight into the cards.

[points at his VISOR]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Maybe next time you should bring a deck that's not transparent to infrared light.

[Worf looks at him suspiciously]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [jovially] Not to worry, Worf. I only peek after the hand is over.

Lieutenant Worf: I have a personal favor to ask.

Commander William T. Riker: Name it.

Lieutenant Worf: I want you to assist me in performing the Hegh'bat ceremony. I want you to help me die.

Alexander Rozhenko: This is part of that Klingon stuff, isn't it? My mother always said Klingons had a lot of dumb ideas about honor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I understand from Dr. Crusher that Worf will never regain the use of his legs.

Commander William T. Riker: That doesn't mean that his life is over.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's a very Human perspective, Will. For a Klingon in Worf's position... his life is over.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You and I could learn to live with a disability like that, but not Worf. His life ended when those containers fell on him. Now, we don't have to agree with it, we don't have to understand it. But we do have to respect his beliefs.

Commander William T. Riker: I can respect his beliefs, but he is asking me to take an active part in his committing suicide!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's asking for your help, because you're his friend. And that means that you're gonna have to make your decision based on that friendship.

Commander William T. Riker: [smiles wryly] Which leaves me right back where I started.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Will... Look, I'm sorry, I cannot help you to make this decision. But I can tell you this: Klingons choose their friends with great care. If he didn't know he could count on you, he would never have asked.

Lieutenant Worf: Will you, or will you not, help me with the Hegh'bat?

Commander William T. Riker: You are my friend. And in spite of everything I've said, if it were my place, I would probably help you. But I have been studying Klingon ritual and Klingon law, and I've discovered... it is not my place to fill that role. According to tradition, that honor falls to a family member - preferably the oldest son.

Lieutenant Worf: That is impossible. He is a child.

Commander William T. Riker: "The son of a Klingon is a man the day he can first hold a blade." True?

Lieutenant Worf: Alexander is not fully Klingon. He is part Human!

Commander William T. Riker: That's an excuse. What you really mean... is, it would be too hard to look at your son and tell him to bring you the knife, watch you stab it into your heart, then pull the knife out of your chest and wipe your blood on his sleeve. That's the rite of death, isn't it? Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Worf - I can't help you. There's only one person on this ship who can.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Don't expect a lot of conversation; he's in full Klingon mode - honorable, strong and close-minded.

Dr. Toby Russell: [about her genitronic replicator therapy] I've done dozens of holo-simulations. The success rate is up to 37 percent.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Even a holographic patient would balk at those odds.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A Klingon may not be good at accepting defeat; but he knows all about taking risks.

Dr. Toby Russell: I make no excuses for my approach to medicine. I don't like losing a patient any more than you do. But I'm looking down a long road, Doctor. This man didn't die for nothing. The data that I gathered is invaluable. It will eventually help save thousands of lives.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I doubt if that will be of any comfort to his family.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The first tenet of good medicine is, never make the patient any worse. Right now, Worf is alive and functioning. If he goes into that operation, he could come out a corpse.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And this may not be good medicine. But for Worf, it may be his only choice.

[Worf has gone into cardiac arrest during the operation]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Okay, 25cc's cordrazine.

Dr. Toby Russell: That'll kill him!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Looks like we've done a pretty good job of that already, Doctor.

Commander William T. Riker: Remember Sandoval? Hit with a disrupter blast two years ago - she lived for about a week... Fang-Lee, Marla Aster, Tasha Yar? How many men and women, how many friends have we watched die? I've lost count. Every one of them, every single one fought for life until the very end!

Lieutenant Worf: I do not welcome death, Commander.

Commander William T. Riker: Are you sure? Because I get the sense you're feeling pretty noble about this whole thing. "Look at me! Aren't I courageous, aren't I an honorable Klingon?" Let me remind you of something: a Klingon does not put his desires above those of his family, or his friends.

Lieutenant Worf: I need you to help me.

Alexander Rozhenko: Anything, Father.

Lieutenant Worf: I have taught you about... Klingon customs - the beliefs which we value. According to a tradition, I must take my life, after suffering this kind of injury. But I have decided to break with tradition. I have decided to live.

Alexander Rozhenko: I'm glad, Father.

Lieutenant Worf: I will still have to undergo a dangerous operation. I may still die. But it will not be by my own hand. [hands Alexander his ritual knife] Return this to our quarters.

Alexander Rozhenko: [takes it] Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Worf: We will work together.

Alexander Rozhenko: Yes, sir.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [to Dr. Russell] I am delighted that Worf is going to recover. You gambled, he won. Not all of your patients are so lucky. You scare me, Doctor. You risk your patients' lives and justify it in the name of research. Genuine research takes time - sometimes a lifetime of painstaking, detailed work in order to get any results. Not for you. You take shortcuts - right through living tissue! You put your research ahead of your patients' lives. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a violation of our most sacred trust. I'm sure your work will be hailed as a stunning breakthrough. Enjoy your laurels, Doctor. I'm not sure I could.

Lieutenant Worf: [Worf refusing to try a procedure that would grant him limited mobility after his paralysis] I will not be seen lurching through corridors like some half-Klingon machine. An object of ridicule and disgust.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [serving as communicator for the nanites] You are very... strange... looking creatures.

Capt. Picard: In our travels, we've encountered many other creatures, perhaps even stranger looking than ourselves.

Capt. Picard: Dr. Stubbs, if you would like to make one final inspection of the unit?

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Captain, I have been inspecting the "Egg" for the last twenty years. You may lay it when ready.

[Wesley is placing devices around Ten Forward]

Guinan: What's that?

Wesley Crusher: I'm just setting traps.

Guinan: I run a clean place.

Wesley Crusher: [of his experiment with nanites that may have endangered ship and crew] It's just a science project.

Guinan: You know, a doctor friend once said the same thing to me. Frankenstein was his name.

Guinan: Wes, do you think you're gonna get a good grade?

Wesley Crusher: I always get an A.

Guinan: So did Dr. Frankenstein.

Capt. Picard: Dr. Stubbs, if you were a member of my crew, I would...

Dr. Paul Stubbs: But I am not a member of your crew, sir. I am a representative of the highest command of the Federation, which has directed you to perform my experiment.

Capt. Picard: If any man, woman or child on this ship is harmed as a result of your experiment, I will have your head before the highest command in the Federation.

[Worf has mistakenly detected a Borg ship]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is conceivable that he was viewing a synthetically generated image, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Then our computer was daydreaming?

Capt. Picard: Computer, identify malfunction immediately!

Enterprise Computer: Pawn to bishop 4. Knight to king's rook 3. Bishop to queen's bishop 4. Knight to knight 5...

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Come along, Wesley, let's go see if Humpty Dumpty is still in one piece.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Dr. Stubbs, I know how much this means to you...

Dr. Paul Stubbs: My dear Counselor. No insult intended; but please turn off your beam into my soul.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Well, if we do not leave in time, so be it. It's one sure way into the record books, eh?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Your self-portrait is so practiced, so polished.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Yes. Isn't it, though?

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's stretched so tight, the tension fills this room. And if you finally fail - I fear it will snap.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: A good try, Counselor. But sometimes, when you reach beneath a man's self-portrait - as you so eloquently put it - deep down inside, what you find... is nothing at all.

[Dr. Crusher is concerned about Wesley not living the life of a teenager]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What were *you* doing when you were seventeen?

Capt. Picard: Probably getting into more trouble than Wesley, I can assure you.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: So was I. Isn't *that* what seventeen's supposed to be?

Guinan: A mother shapes her child in ways she doesn't even realize. Sometimes just by listening.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: I'm not sure I'd want my mother to be flying through space with me. No, I take that back. I *am* sure. I wouldn't want her.

[the ship's malfunctions have been caused by nanites]

Commander William T. Riker: Why would they attack us?

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Why does a mosquito bite your ear? And who cares? The answer is simple: call an exterminator!

Dr. Paul Stubbs: Good Lord! You are talking about machines with a screw loose! Simply turn them off and be done with them.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Dr. Stubbs, your own actions have provided evidence to the contrary. When you destroyed the nanites in the core, they responded by interfering with our life support systems. It is difficult to accept these as random actions by machines with loose screws.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: [about baseball] Once, centuries ago, it was the beloved national pastime of the Americas, Wesley. Abandoned by a society that prized fast food and faster games. Lost to impatience. But I have seen the great players make the great plays.

Wesley Crusher: Do you recreate them on the holodeck?

Dr. Paul Stubbs: No!

Dr. Paul Stubbs: [taps his forehead] In here. With the knowledge of statistics, runs, hits and errors, times at bat, box scores. Men like us do not need holodecks, Wesley. I have played seasons in my mind. It was my reward to myself. For patience. Knowing my turn would come. Call your shot. Point to a star. One great blast and the crowd rises. A brand-new era in astrophysics - postponed 196 years... on account of rain.

Dr. Paul Stubbs: [to Wesley] You will never come up against a greater adversary than your own potential, my young friend.

Capt. Picard: Number One, the bridge - such as it is - is yours.

[Dr. Crusher sees Wesley enter Ten Forward with a young girl]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: See? Now, that is healthy for a boy his age! I mean that as a doctor and not as just a mother. Ah, it is so good to see him having fun for a change! With an attractive young woman, who obviously looks at him with extraordinary affection...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [to Guinan, suddenly suspicious] What do you know about this girl?

Lt. Daniel Kwan, Counselor Deanna Troi: [respectively] I know what I have to do.

Lieutenant Worf: I would never want to come between you and someone you are involved with, or had ever been involved with.

Commander William T. Riker: Is there someone in particular that you're talking about?

Lieutenant Worf: No. - Is there someone in particular you would rather I not be involved with?

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Worf, you sound like a man who's asking his friend if he can start dating his sister.

Lieutenant Worf: We have played poker many times. I have never known you to bluff.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, it wouldn't be much of a bluff if you knew, would it?

[Data is talking about his first months of activation, when he was at risk of systems failure]

Lt. Commander Data: I came to the conclusion, it would be safer - and easier - to shut myself down and start again.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, but if you had done that you wouldn't have remembered any of the things that had happened to you.

Lt. Commander Data: Mm. In a way, it would have been like committing suicide.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: So what did you do?

Lt. Commander Data: I decided against the procedure. I chose instead to treat the problems I was having with my systems as challenges to overcome, rather than obstacles to be avoided.

Lieutenant Worf: Counselor... When I pulled you from the plasma stream, you seemed... surprised I was alive.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, actually - in my hallucination, you were killed.

Lieutenant Worf: May I ask by whom?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, you know what they say, Mr. Worf: "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

Lt. Daniel Kwan: I didn't want to do it... But I saw them. And they laughed at me! They laughed.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Computer, lights.

Ensign Stefan DeSeve: The Romulans are very moral, Captain. They've an absolute certainty about what is right and what is wrong, who's a friend and who's an enemy - a strict moral compass, which provides them with a clarity of purpose. At one time, I found their sense of purpose, their... passion and commitment to be very compelling.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But not anymore?

Ensign Stefan DeSeve: As I've grown older, I realize that clarity of purpose is a more... ambiguous matter than I had thought in my youth.

Subcommander N'vek: The purpose of the Tal Shiar is to ensure loyalty. To defy them is to invite imprisonment - or death.

Commander Toreth: Commander Konsab believes that in order to function, military officers have to trust each other. The Tal Shiar, on the other hand, trust no one. They expect deception, so they always find it.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal; menacingly] Your opinion of the Tal Shiar is quite clear, Commander.

Commander Toreth: [smugly] I hope so.

Subcommander N'vek: You are a Starfleet officer disguised as a Romulan. Unless you trust me and do exactly as I have said, Toreth will discover you, and you will be killed.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How do I know I won't be killed anyway?

Subcommander N'vek: Your only chance to get off this ship alive is to do as I say. You are an empath. You would know if I am lying. Am I?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [after some hesitation] No.

Subcommander N'vek: Then let us go see the Commander.

Commander Toreth: I have been ordered to take on cargo, but its contents are unknown to me. Does that seem wise? I am responsible for the safety of this ship and its crew. How do I know this cargo is safe to transport?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal] I'm sure it is safe, otherwise it would not have been loaded.

Commander Toreth: [sarcastically] Aah! The Tal Shiar is *deeply* concerned for the safety and the well-being of the military! I'm sure that every person on the bridge of this ship could offer testimony about personal experiences with the Tal Shiar. But I doubt that many could recall those encounters as tender and caring. So I must ask you to forgive me, Major, if I hesitate to accept your assurances that that cargo presents no danger to my crew!

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal] I don't need your devotion, Commander. Just your obedience.

Commander Toreth: And that's all you have.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal] We ensure the loyalty of the people. Do you believe the Empire would be better off without our protection?

Commander Toreth: Protection? From what? How was the Empire threatened by the words of an old man? A devoted citizen who merely tried to speak his mind? How did the Tal Shiar protect the Empire by dragging him, my father, out of his home in the middle of the night?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal] Clearly your father was a traitor.

Commander Toreth: No. He was just an idealistic old man. I never saw him again.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal, addressing the Romulan crew] If any one of you defies the Tal Shiar, you will not bear the punishment alone. Your families - all of them - will be there beside you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We're not playing it your way anymore, N'Vek. I've been kidnapped, surgically altered, put in danger. I've gone along with all your plans; now *you* are going to listen to me! You find a way to let the Enterprise track us, or I will go to Toreth and tell her I've discovered you're a traitor! I'll have you ejected into space, is that clear, Subcommander?

Ensign Stefan DeSeve: I have a message from Ambassador Spock. He said it involves further... 'cowboy diplomacy'. He said you would understand.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In order to know whether Ambassador Spock's message is being delivered accurately, I need to understand something about the messenger.

Ensign Stefan DeSeve: On Romulus you learn not to volunteer information. It's a hard habit to break.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, maybe now would be a good time to start.

Commander Toreth: [on testing the Enterprise's tracking abilities] We will pass as close as we possibly can. If they do have the ability to track us, they will move to avoid a collision. If they do... I will destroy them.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [as Major Rakal] In order to defeat your enemy, you must first understand them. The Federation wishes to avoid war at all costs. So - I will offer them a diplomatic solution, get them to lower their shields, and then... destroy them!

Commander Toreth: People blame the military for the wars that we are asked to fight. But I think it is your kind, Major, that will be the death of us all.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The men you helped rescue're all safe. Proconsul M'ret is deeply grateful for your help.

Counselor Deanna Troi: The thanks should go to N'Vek. He sacrificed himself to save them - and me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Thanks to the two of you, the way has been paved for further rescue operations. N'Vek's efforts, and his sacrifice, were not in vain.

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: [about Worf as a child] So we walk into the school, and we didn't know what to expect - is Worf hurt, is he in some kind of trouble? The door opens, and there is our little seven-year-old sitting on a chair and glaring across the room at five teenage boys, all of them with bloody noses!

[Geordi laughs]

Helena Rozhenko: And then the principal looked up and said, "Please, tell me he's an only child."

[repeated line, while visiting the Enterprise]

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: I have all the specs and diagrams at home.

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: [of Worf] He never wanted any Human food while he was growing up. Everything had to be Klingon.

Helena Rozhenko: I learned to cook rokeg blood pie.

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: However, we never quite learned how to eat it.

Lieutenant Worf: My mother is *never* on time. It is so... human of her.

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: You look good, son. Put on a little weight, huh?

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: Sure you have. Looks good on you. Still working out with those holodeck monsters, I bet.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Interesting.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor...

Counselor Deanna Troi: I just find it interesting. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the man who couldn't be pried out of his seat for a vacation for three years!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's Earth. It's home. Do I need another reason?

Counselor Deanna Troi: I don't know, what do you think?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your help has been invaluable during my recovery, but... look, I'm, uh... I'm better! The injuries are healing.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Those you can see in the mirror.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The nightmares have ended. All I need now is a little time to myself.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I agree. In fact, I'm delighted you're going. It's just that... the choice of where you're going could stand some scrutiny.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you wish to believe my going home is a direct result of being held captive by the Borg, be my guest.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Is that what you believe?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hate it when you do that.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain, you do need time. You cannot achieve complete recovery so quickly. And it's perfectly normal, after what you've been through, to spend a great deal of time trying to find yourself again.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And what better place to find oneself than on the streets of one's home village.

Robert Picard: I always thought you needed a little humiliation. Or was it humility? Either would do.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You don't know, Robert. You don't know... They took everything I was. They used me to kill and to destroy and I couldn't stop them.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I should have been able to stop them. I tried... I tried so hard. But I wasn't strong enough! I wasn't good enough! I should have been able to stop them, I should've, I should...!

Robert Picard: So - my brother is a human being after all. This is going to be with you a long time, Jean-Luc. A long time. You have to learn to live with it. You have a simple choice now: live with it below the sea with Louis - or above the clouds with the Enterprise.

[they help each other up from the ground]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, I think you were right, after all. I think I did come back so that you could help me.

Robert Picard: Yeah... Do you know what? I still don't like you, Jean-Luc.

[the Picards are drinking wine]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This the '46?

Robert Picard: '47. You've been drinking too much of that artificial stuff. What do you call it? Synthehol? Spoiled you. Ruined your palate.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: On the contrary. I think that synthehol heightens one's appreciation for the genuine article.

Marie Picard: [when finding Jean-Luc and Robert covered with mud] Have you two been fighting?

Robert Picard: Fighting? No, certainly not!

Ren? Picard: I know who you are.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then you have the advantage.

Ren? Picard: You're my nephew, Jean-Luc, from the Starship Enterprise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then you must be my uncle Ren?.

Ren? Picard: I'm not your uncle. It's the other way around.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Too bad. I rather enjoyed the idea.

Ren? Picard: You know, you don't seem so arrow... arrow... you know...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Arrogant?

Ren? Picard: Yes, arrogant. You don't seem that way to me. What does it mean, anyway? "Arrogant son of a..."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's talk about that later, shall we?

Robert Picard: [presenting a bottle of wine] Jean-Luc, here is a little of the '47. Do not drink it all at once, and if possible, try not to drink it alone.

CPO Sergey Rozhenko, ret.: Don't call me 'sir'; I used to work for a living.

Guinan: You know, sooner or later, everyone comes in here. And they stand by those windows and they look out and they stare. And they're looking for that little star they call home. Doesn't matter how far away it is. Everybody... looks anyway.

Helena Rozhenko: I'm afraid that Worf feels that... we do not understand him.

Guinan: Well, part of him may feel that way. There's another part that I've seen - part that comes in and... drinks prune juice. Part that looks out the window towards home. He's not looking towards the Klingon Empire. He's looking towards you.

Marie Picard: [on Ren?] He's still out there.

Robert Picard: Mm-hm.

Marie Picard: Dreaming about starships and adventures... It's getting late.

Robert Picard: Yeah... But let him dream, hm?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: My ship will be ready to leave orbit soon. And I belong aboard. If I should ever doubt that again, I know where to come.

Ensign Wesley Crusher: [to Picard] Sir, in the past three years, I've lived more than most people do in a lifetime. I think I'm very lucky, no matter what happens. How many people get to serve with Jean-Luc Picard?

Ensign Wesley Crusher: Sir... you don't know this. No one knows this. Because I've never told anyone. All of the things that I've worked for - school, my science projects, getting into the Academy... I've done it all because I want you to be proud of me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, I envy you, Wesley Crusher... You're just at the beginning of the adventure.

[after Picard has been seriously injured, Dirgo doesn't give him any chance for survival]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Dirgo, I would appreciate it if you didn't bury me before I'm gone.

Ensign Wesley Crusher: [to Dirgo] And you were worried about how tough the Captain is?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Crusher.

Ensign Wesley Crusher: Yes, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What are you doing in such a filthy uniform?

Ensign Wesley Crusher: You don't look so shipshape yourself, sir.

[Picard presses Wesley's hand]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wesley... you will be missed.

Ensign Wesley Crusher: If there is one thing that I've learned from you, it's that you don't quit. And I'm not gonna quit now. I've seen you think yourself out of worse situations than this; and I'm gonna think us out of this. You're not gonna die. I'm not gonna let you die. I'll get to the water. And I'll keep you alive, until they find us. I promise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wesley... You remember - I was always proud of you.

Chancellor Durken: My world's history has recorded that conquerors often arrived with the words, "We are your friends".

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We are not here as conquerors, Chancellor.

Chancellor Durken: What *do* you want?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A beginning. But how we proceed is entirely up to you.

Chancellor Durken: And if my wishes should conflict with yours?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There'll be no conflict.

Chancellor Durken: And if I should tell you to leave, and never return to my world?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We will leave, and never return.

Mirasta Yale: Our ideology is based on the assumption that the Malcorian is a supreme life form, and our world is the center of the universe. Your arrival will change our entire understanding of life. And some will not want it to change.

Chancellor Durken: I go home each night to a loving wife, two beautiful daughters. We eat the evening meal together as a family. I think that's important. And they always ask me if I've had a good day.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And how will you answer them tonight, Chancellor?

Chancellor Durken: I will have to say: This morning, I was the leader of the universe as I know it. This afternoon, I'm only a voice in a chorus. But I think it was a good day.

Minister Krola: Perhaps, like many conquerors, you believe your goals to be benevolent. I cannot. For however you would describe your intentions, you still represent the end to my way of life. I cannot permit that to occur.

Chancellor Durken: [about his people] I will not allow them to remain in the dark ages. The warp program will proceed as you have outlined, Mirasta. And then we will slow down, Krola, to let everyone catch their breath - including you.

Dr. Berel: [about Riker] Of all the medical facilities available... why did he have to end up here?

Lanel: My alien...

Commander William T. Riker: It's far more likely that I am a weather balloon than an alien.

Mirasta Yale: [visiting the Enterprise] When I was a child, my parents would take me to the planetarium. And we would sit in the dark. And it was as if I was on a spaceship, on my way to another world, to meet people on other planets. Part of me keeps waiting for the lights to come up, and the program to end.

Mirasta Yale: If you tell the Chancellor about Commander Riker, you will undermine everything that you hope to accomplish here. Durken will assign Krola, our Minister of Security, to find him. And Krola has his own political agenda. He will perceive you as the greatest threat that our people have ever known. And he will not hesitate to use Riker, to prove that he is correct.

Chancellor Durken: If I did not depend so much on your expertise in space matters, I would have asked for your resignation.

Mirasta Yale: I felt I was acting in the best interests of our people, Chancellor.

Chancellor Durken: When you are selected to occupy this office, then you will have the privilege of deciding the best interests of our people!

Chancellor Durken: You speak the language of diplomacy very well, Captain. It's a language I appreciate and understand. But I have learned to not always trust it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hoped that we would have found Commander Riker before you did, so that this matter would not complicate our introduction. It was a mistake.

Chancellor Durken: [nods slowly] Yes... A mistake I might have made in your place. I rather like it, actually.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Like it?

Chancellor Durken: That you make mistakes, like any man.

Chancellor Durken: My people are not ready to accept what you represent. Everything that happened in the hospital proves that. And Krola is the best evidence of all. We must slow down, and allow those who are like him to join us in the present, before we can move into the future.

[Mirasta Yale has asked to stay on the Enterprise and leave her planet]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I have to believe that you cannot be fully prepared for the realities of space travel.

Mirasta Yale: I have been prepared for the realities of space travel since I was nine years old and sitting in a planetarium!

Lanel: Will I ever see you again?

Commander William T. Riker: [posing as a Malcorian pretending to be an alien] I'll call you the next time I pass through your star system.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How will you keep us secret, when so many have seen and heard so much?

Chancellor Durken: The stories will be told for many years, I have no doubt. Of the ship that made contact; of the alien who was held prisoner in a medical facility... There'll be charges of a government conspiracy. Some of the witnesses will tell their tales, and most of the people will laugh at them. And go back and watch the more interesting fiction of the daily broadcasts. It - will - pass.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I regret that I won't have the opportunity of knowing your people better.

Chancellor Durken: We're a good people, Captain, society with much potential. Once we cross the threshold of space, we shall have to give up this self-importance, this conceit that we are the center of the universe. But this is not the time for that. For now, we will have to enjoy that sweet innocence.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Until we return, then.

Chancellor Durken: With luck, we'll both be around to renew our friendship, Captain.

Lieutenant Worf: As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man. But what is not inevitable is that a man become a warrior. A warrior must be forged like a sword, tempered by... by...

Lieutenant Worf: [remembers] Tempered by experience.

Lieutenant Worf: [repeating his speech to Alexander] As time passes, a boy inevitably becomes a man. But what is not inevitable is that a man becomes a sword...

K'Mtar: Your head is filled with foolish Human notions about how things are. You're a Klingon! It is time you began to act like one.

Alexander Rozhenko: I don't want to be a warrior!

K'Mtar: [as Worf prepares to strangle him] Father, stop! I am your son - I am Alexander!

Lieutenant Worf: If you are Alexander, you will remember your mother's last words before she died.

Alexander Rozhenko at 50: I was three years old. She was dying when we found her. She barely managed to whisper my name. And then she took my hand and placed it in yours. And she died. And then you howled in rage, and said "Look upon her. Look upon death, and always remember." And I always have.

Commander William T. Riker: Quark! I see you remember me.

Quark: How could I forget the only man ever to win triple-down dabo on one of my tables?

Commander William T. Riker: And how could I forget that you didn't have enough latinum to cover my winnings?

K'Mtar: [about Quark] Could not he have been lying?

Commander William T. Riker: Why would he? I'd just be knocking on his door again in a few days, and I wouldn't be in as good a mood.

Quark: Lursa and B'Etor - big talk, small tips.

Commander William T. Riker: We know you're dealing in stolen ore. But I wanna talk about the assassination attempt on Lieutenant Worf.

B'Etor: What assassination attempt? This is the first I've heard of it.

Lursa: Too bad it didn't succeed! [laughs maliciously]

Lieutenant Worf: [showing Lursa and B'Etor a knife] This was dropped by one of the assassins. It bears the crest of your house.

Lursa: Someone must have given it to the assassins to implicate us.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Why would someone do that?

B'Etor: In order to tarnish our good name.

Lieutenant Worf: You cannot tarnish a rusted blade.

[Gorta has hinted to know of the whereabouts of the Duras sisters]

Lt. Commander Data: Would you be willing to share your information with us?

Gorta: My personal code of conduct prohibits sharing. But I'd consider a trade.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Does your personal code of conduct tell you that when you're stranded on a planet with no way off, you shouldn't try to cut deals?

Gorta: You have a point.

Lt. Commander Data: We could certainly provide passage off this planet, in exchange for information.

Gorta: Could you perhaps 'fail' to tell the Pakleds that we were mining their ore?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Don't push your luck.

Alexander Rozhenko at 50: [referring to young Alexander] I staged the assassination attempt to try and frighten him, to make him realize that he must follow the ways of the warrior. If I had listened to you, if I had become the warrior that you had wanted me to be... you would not have died in my arms.

Lieutenant Worf: No. Who knows what the future will be, now that you have disrupted time. I may die tomorrow, or I may outlive you. But when I die, I would like an honorable death; and the only way that is possible is for you to accept yourself as you are, and stay true to what you believe.

Lieutenant Worf: You have given me a glimpse into my son's future. And I know now that he has his own destiny. And I believe it will be a great one.

Alexander Rozhenko at 50: I love you, Father.

Lieutenant Worf: And I you, Alexander.

Lt. Commander Data: Why is Spot under the bed?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Probably because she knows if I catch her, I'm gonna kill her.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: My sister didn't know a thing about animals, and she was able to train *her* cat. How complicated could it be?

Lt. Commander Data: What did she train her cat to do?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: She had that cat jumping into her arm on command.

Lt. Commander Data: Interesting. Perhaps I could modify your sister's techniques to keep Spot from jumping on the console. Do you know how she was able to train her cat?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, as I recall, she walked around for two months with a piece of tuna in her blouse.

[Spot is sitting on Data's computer console]

Lt. Commander Data: Spot. Spot. Spot. Down. Spot. Down. Down.

[Spot does not react. Data sighs, takes her off the console and sets her on the floor]

Lt. Commander Data: Spot... Down. This is down. Down is good.

[lifts her up again]

Lt. Commander Data: This is up. Up is 'no'.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [after Spot has made Data give her the ball of wool to play with] I don't know about Spot, but it seems to me *your* training is coming along just fine.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [about training Spot] I've got an idea: how about a phaser? A low stun setting at just the right moment might do the trick.

Lt. Commander Data: Geordi - I cannot stun my cat.

[La Forge is in competition of prestige with Cmdr. Kaplan, chief engineer of the Intrepid]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [handing Data a data PADD] I just received this from Commander Kaplan, subspace.

Lt. Commander Data: [reads] "La Forge. I got the Intrepid's power conversion levels up to 97.1%. Maybe you should try cleaning your plasma grid once in a while".

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Can you believe the nerve of that guy?

Lt. Commander Data: [bewildered] We perform maintenance on the plasma grid at regular intervals.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I know. He's just trying to get me angry.

[he adjusts something on a control panel]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: There - that should do it. Computer, what are the current power conversion levels?

Enterprise Computer: Power conversion levels are at 97.2%.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Too bad, Mr. Kaplan! [sn*ggers gleefully]

[Spot has messed up Geordi's quarters and smashed a few items along the way]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Training - definitely!

[DaiMon Prak has accused Picard of disabling his vessel]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: DaiMon, clearly there has been some misunderstanding. I think it would be in all our interests if you were to come aboard and we discussed this situation.

DaiMon Prak: I see no reason to trust you, Human.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In that case, we'll be on our way. I'll relay your position to your government if you wish - in case you're unable to complete your repairs and you remain stranded. [he turns away]

DaiMon Prak: Perhaps, er... it would be better to discuss the situation.

[it has been revealed that warp fields can cause subspace instabilities, which would make warp flight potentially impossible]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, Geordi, I spent the better part of my life exploring space. I have charted new worlds, I've... met dozens of new species. And I believe that these were all valuable ends in themselves. And now it seems that... all this while, I was... helping to damage the thing that I hold most dear.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: It won't turn out that way, Captain. We still have time to make it better.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: We have one hour before curtain. How are you feeling?

Commander William T. Riker: I feel like an actor.

Inmate Jaya: Don't let them tell you you're crazy.

Commander William T. Riker: I'm not crazy!

Commander William T. Riker: It's not real.

Commander William T. Riker: If this is a real phaser, then I *was* on the Enterprise. But I fired it on myself, so I should be dead. None of this is real.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Don't be afraid of your darker side. Have fun with it.

[a guard keeps Riker in check with a phaser]

Commander William T. Riker: You won't need that.

Attendant Mavek: [laughs] That's what you said the last time.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [after Riker has appeared rather confused during his play] It's nothing to be embarrassed about; we're your friends. We all know the stress you've been under. I'm sure everyone understands perfectly.

[Data passes by]

Lt. Commander Data: Commander, I must congratulate you on your performance this evening.

Commander William T. Riker: Oh?

Lt. Commander Data: Your unexpected choice to improvise was an effective method of drawing the audience into the plight of your character. You gave a truly realistic interpretation of multi-infarct dementia.

Commander William T. Riker: [bemused] Thank you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, maybe not *everyone* understands.

Lt. Commander Data, Dr. Syrus: [respectively] I can see we have a lot of work to do.

Commander William T. Riker: I'm not that far gone, am I?

Attendant Mavek: Of course you are.

[final scene of the play 'Frame of Mind', with Riker as the patient and Data as the doctor]

Lt. Commander Data: Perhaps we should continue this discussion next week.

Commander William T. Riker: No. I wanna talk about this now!

Lt. Commander Data: You're starting to sound angry again. Maybe you need another treatment.

Commander William T. Riker: What I need is to get out of this cell! I've been locked up in here for days. You've controlled my every move, you told me what to eat, what to think, what to say. And when I show a glimmer of independent thought, you strap me down, inject me with drugs and call it a 'treatment'.

Lt. Commander Data: You're becoming agitated.

Commander William T. Riker: You bet I'm agitated! I may be surrounded by insanity, but I am not insane. And nothing you or anyone else can say will change that. And I won't let you or anyone else tell me that I am. You may be able to destroy my mind; but you can't change the fact that I'm innocent. I didn't kill that man!

Commander William T. Riker: [smirking madly] And that's what's driving *you* crazy.

Lt. Commander Data: I can see we have a lot of work to do.

Commander William T. Riker: [shouts after him] Nothing you can say will change the fact that I'm innocent! I'm not crazy! I'm not crazy... I'm not crazy...

[lights fading out]

[Riker has given a rather mediocre performance on his trombone at his birthday party]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [after Riker has blown out the candles on his cake] So, what did you wish for, Will?

Commander William T. Riker: Music lessons!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm running a level 1 diagnostic.

Commander William T. Riker: For thirty hours? It would never take you more than four. You're incapable of that level of incompetence, Mr. La Forge!

"Ambassador" Jean-Luc Picard: Captain - perhaps it would be best if we discussed this...

Commander William T. Riker: Shut up!

"Ambassador" Jean-Luc Picard: I beg your pardon?

Commander William T. Riker: I said 'shut up'. As in 'close your mouth and stop talking'!

Commander William T. Riker: [about his alleged wife] What was she like?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Min was... beautiful - of course - strong, intelligent, patient...

Commander William T. Riker: Well, she was married to me. She had to be patient.

Commander William T. Riker: 'Min'... Minuet!

Commander William T. Riker: Deanna, back off!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Number One - happy birthday!

Commander William T. Riker: Well - would anyone else like to speak up? Or shall we end this charade?

Commander Tomalak: As you wish, Commander Riker. The charade is over.

Barash: My name is Barash.

Commander William T. Riker: To me, you'll always be Jean-Luc.

Commander William T. Riker: [Riker has uncovered Barash's deception for a second time] Who are you? What's your part in all this?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Captain, I'd like to announce the birth of a large baby... something.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's imprinted on us. It thinks the Enterprise is its mother.

Dr. Leah Brahms: [hologram] I'm with you every day, Geordi. Every time you look at this engine, you're looking at me. Every time you touch it, it's me.

Lt. Commander Data: Sir - is the appellation 'Junior' to be the life form's official name?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, it is not!

Lieutenant Worf: Captain, the creatures are accelerating their approach. They are changing color!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We're out here to explore. To make contact with other life forms. To establish peaceful relations, but not to interfere. And absolutely not to destroy. And yet look at what we have just done.

[before Leah Brahms' arrival]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm not necessarily expecting anything romantic here. It's just... I know, whatever - Leah Brahms and I are gonna be good friends.

[at Leah Brahms' arrival]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Welcome aboard, Dr. Brahms. I'm... Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge, Chief Engineer.

Dr. Leah Brahms: La Forge. So you're the one who's fouled up my engine designs.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: How could it have been so far off? It was based on every piece of information on record about Leah Brahms. Okay, with an admitted margin for error, but this is an error that's about a light year wide.

Guinan: Not what you hoped for, huh?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Hoped? Guinan, the woman is about as friendly as a Circassian plague cat. Only cares about her work, hates what I've done to *her* engines; and - to top it all off - she's married.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The computer is notorious for not volunteering information.

Guinan: You saw exactly what you wanted to see on the holodeck. Sure, the computer made it look like her, gave it personality. But when it came to the relationship, La Forge, you... filled in the blanks. And you had a perfectly wonderful, marvelous little fantasy. Until the real Leah showed up and ruined it. Now, she's probably done the most horrific thing one person can do to another - not live up to your expectations. So I'd take a good, long, hard look at her, La Forge. See her for who she is. Not for what you want her to be.

[Leah has discovered Geordi's Leah Brahms program on the holodeck]

Dr. Leah Brahms: I'm outraged by this! I have been invaded, violated! How dare you use me like this? How far did it go anyway? Was it good for you?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: All right, look. Ever since you came on board, you've been badgering me. And I've taken it. I've shown you courtesy, and respect, and a hell of a lot of patience. Oh, no, no, no, wait a minute! I've tried to understand you, I've tried to get along with you. And in return, you accused, tried and convicted me without even bothering to hear my side of it. So, I'm guilty, okay? But not of what you think! Of something much worse. I'm guilty of... reaching out to you. Of hoping we could connect. I'm guilty of a terrible crime, Doctor. I offered you friendship.

Dr. Leah Brahms: Sometimes I feel more comfortable with engine schematics than people.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, maybe you just haven't met the right... people.

Dr. Leah Brahms: If the baby is nursing, perhaps what we need is to find a way to sour the milk.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, Dr. Brahms, congratulations. You've weaned the baby.

[Geordi and Leah have settled their personal problems]

Dr. Leah Brahms: I wouldn't change a thing - except for the way I behaved. I guess I came here with my own set of preconceptions about you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, I guess I'm just glad that I got the opportunity to get to know you. The real you.

Dr. Leah Brahms: Me too.

Commander William T. Riker: Acting Captain's log, stardate 47135.2 - Dr. Crusher has positively identified Captain Picard's DNA. There's no doubt now that he's dead.

[Crusher threatens a bar keeper with a phaser]

Commander William T. Riker: That's my sister. She's angry. She's got a vicious temper. I wouldn't cross her.

[Riker refuses to attend Captain Picard's memorial service]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Will, a memorial service helps to give everyone a sense of completion, helps them begin the healing process.

Commander William T. Riker: That's exactly the point. I don't want to heal!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Will...

Commander William T. Riker: [pointing at his chest] I've an open wound. Right here, it hurts like hell. I don't want it to get better, and I *don't* want to pretend that everything's all right.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I know you're angry.

Commander William T. Riker: You're damn right! And I intend to stay angry until I find whoever is responsible for the Captain's death.

Commander William T. Riker: This is not about revenge. This is about justice. The Captain died in a bar fight, for nothing. Somebody has to answer for that. Then I can mourn.

Baran: What were you doing on Barradas III?

Commander William T. Riker: William T. Riker, Commander, SC - 231-427.

Baran: Oh, really? Well, I am Arctus Baran, and I don't have a number.

[Baran's people have demanded to get rid of Riker, which Baran refuses]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [as Galen] They're right, Baran. And you know it. I say kill him - now.

[Riker has avoided an engine failure and thus saved Baran's ship and crew]

Commander William T. Riker: [to "Galen", smugly] You still wish you'd killed me?

Baran: [about his control devices] These devices were the idea of my predecessor. It's a convenient way of enforcing discipline.

Commander William T. Riker: What happened to him?

Baran: He failed to enforce it with me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, what a tangled web we weave.

Tallera: Extremists often have a logic all their own.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Will, you always seem to be after my job.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [examining Riker, who has been "killed" by Picard] He's all right. He's only stunned.

Lt. Commander Data: I must admit, I am experiencing a similar sensation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [as Galen] What's wrong, Commander? You're having second thoughts about betraying your comrades? Because that's what you've done - betrayed them. Betrayed them in order to save yourself. You used to be just a second-rate officer. Now you're a traitor and a coward. How does that feel?

[Riker whirls around and punches Picard in the face]

Commander William T. Riker: I don't know, how did *that* feel?

[Galen alias Picard has instigated a mutiny]

Baran: [to his crew] He's plotted this all along. Opposed me at every turn. Endangered all of us by refusing to follow his orders.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: To follow *your* orders - the orders of a small man trying to fill a role too big for him!

[Picard is startled by Riker, who is entering the room, and almost shoots him]

Commander William T. Riker: Good to see you too.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [as Galen] It's over, Baran.

Baran: [takes out his control device] Not quite. As long as I have this, I'm still Captain of this ship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You can't kill all of us. You need us to run the ship more than we need you to command it.

Baran: I don't have to kill you all. Just you, Galen.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Number One, will you set a course for Starbase 227, I'll join you on the bridge shortly.

Commander William T. Riker: Wait a minute - you've been declared dead. You can't give orders around here.

Lt. Commander Data: [to Riker] If we are to adhere to the exact letter of Starfleet regulations, then technically, sir, you have been declared a renegade. In fact, I believe you are facing twelve counts of court martial offenses. You cannot give orders either, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's quite right. And as I am supposed to be dead, I'll go and get some sleep, and Mr. Data, I suggest that you escort Commander Riker to the brig.

Lt. Commander Data: Aye, sir.

[while Picard enters his quarters, an amused Riker starts to go about his own business, when Data holds him back... ]

Lt. Commander Data: This way, sir.

[... and, unperturbed, leads him away in the opposite direction]

Commander William T. Riker: Data, he was joking... You know that, right? Data?

Tallera: I'm trying to decide if you're incredibly stupid or incredibly smart.

Lt. Commander Data: [to Ogawa, referring to her and Spot's pregnancy] I have spent the past nine weeks as an expectant parent. I would be happy to share my insights with your husband. If my experience is any indication, he will need all the help he can get.

[someone or something is banging against the sickbay doors]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What was that?

Lt. Commander Data: It is large...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on the transformed Worf, who is trying to break into sickbay] He sounds very angry...

Lt. Commander Data: I feel I must inform you, sir - you have also been infected by the intron virus.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How long before I begin to change?

Lt. Commander Data: According to my calculations, within the next twelve hours you will begin to exhibit the first signs of your eventual transformation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And what will that be?

Lt. Commander Data: I believe you will also de-evolve into an earlier form of primate - possibly similar to a lemur or pygmy-marmoset.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well - before I begin swinging through the ship looking for breakfast, we'd better find some answers. How do we reverse the process?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [after immobilizing Worf-turned-prehistoric beast with an electroshock] Well, Mr. Worf - let's hope that when you wake up you're a new man.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [about Barclay] He transformed into a spider, and now he has a disease named after him.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I think I better clear my calendar for the next few weeks.

Barclay: Doctor! My capillaries are shrinking!

Barclay: Blurred vision, dizziness, palpitations, a stinging sensation in the lower spine. It's Terrellian Death Syndrome, isn't it?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I thought we agreed you'd come to me before checking Starfleet Medical Database.

Dara: Father, come home. This is wrong.

Dr. Timicin: Dara, if I could show you the work I have begun. There's still so much for me to do.

Dara: There is nothing for me to look at. It is irrelevant.

Lwaxana Troi: Your father's work may save your world, my dear. I would hardly consider that irrelevant.

Dara: [ignoring her] All I'm concerned with now is you, not your work. Your work is over. It is your time to rest.

Lwaxana Troi: Perhaps you will feel differently as you get a little older - say approaching sixty.

Dara: My father taught me to cherish the Resolution. I don't know how you have poisoned him to reject it.

Lwaxana Troi: It's an obscene ritual.

Dara: How dare you? How dare you criticize my way of life and my beliefs?

Dr. Timicin: Please. Please, Dara. Please.

Dara: Where will you go?

Dr. Timicin: [sighs] I don't know.

Dara: And where will you die? I cannot bear the thought of you being laid to rest on some other world. That you will not lie beside my mother. That I will not be able to lie beside you when my Resolution comes. I'm sorry. I don't know how you can... go on with your life knowing that each day is an insult to everything we believe in. Father, I love you. But I am ashamed.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Counselor Deanna Troi, personal log, stardate 44805.3 - My mother is on board.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Uh, Dr. Timicin, allow me to present Lwaxana Troi of Betazed. She's also a guest on board...

Lwaxana Troi: And daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir of the Holy Rings of Betazed, and what are you doing for dinner?

Dr. Timicin: [looks quizzically at Picard] Well, I... don't know, really...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Er, Lwaxana, we have quite a bit of work planned...

Lwaxana Troi: Well, the man's never been on board a starship before, Jean-Luc. Certainly, somebody ought to make him comfortable before you get started.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, it seems that Mrs. Troi is our acting ambassador of goodwill for today.

Lwaxana Troi: You just think of me as your entertainment director.

[the three leave the transporter room]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [to O'Brien] That man's in a lot of trouble.

Lwaxana Troi: Mr. Homn is my valet. He doesn't say much.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [under his breath] How can he?

Lwaxana Troi: I adore diplomacy. Everyone dresses so well!

Lwaxana Troi: Jean-Luc, you delicious man...!

Lieutenant Worf: It is Worf, madam, not Woof!

Dr. Timicin: [to Deanna, about Lwaxana] I'd never have thought her old enough to be your mother. She is so... vibrant.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [to her mother] You know, you're not just incorrigible. You're insatiable.

Dr. Timicin: The Resolution is a celebration of life. It allows us to end our lives with dignity.

Lwaxana Troi: Ah, a celebration of life. Sounds very noble, very caring. What you're really saying is, you got rid of the problem by getting rid of the people.

Dr. Timicin: Because I do not terminate my life, they terminate my work. Alive, I am a greater threat to my world than a dying sun.

[Lwaxana orders a dish from the replicator]

Dr. Timicin: What's that?

Lwaxana Troi: Oskoids, a Betazed delicacy.

Dr. Timicin: Looks very interesting.

Lwaxana Troi: Should've tried it while you were still alive; no reason to bother now.

[Lwaxana demands from O'Brien to be beamed to the planet, without success]

Lwaxana Troi: I am a Betazoid ambassador, I'm a daughter of the Fifth House, and those people are going to answer to me! So you-you just energize this damned thing and get me down there!

Counselor Deanna Troi: He can't, Mother. He has his orders.

Lwaxana Troi: His orders don't apply to *me*!

Counselor Deanna Troi: No - they apply to him.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're feeling very vulnerable - very mortal, if I may say so. But I know you, Mother. And believe me, you will never be one of those who dies before they die.

Lwaxana Troi: My life has been full. [sighs] Now and then, perhaps it's overflowed a little.

Dr. Timicin: I will say it again. You are a kind woman.

Lwaxana Troi: No, no, I'm a hateful woman. I hate what you're going to do; and I hate you for doing it.

Lwaxana Troi: Your planet has what, thirty, forty years left? What if your scientists can't find the answer without you? What then? What chance do you think your grandson has of reaching the age of sixty?

Dr. Timicin: Enough, please! It is my time, Lwaxana. And that is the way it is.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, if that's the way it is, I don't know why anyone's bothering to try to save your planet at all. If its time has come, let it die. Where is the difference, Timicin? Where?

Dr. Timicin: Fifteen to twenty centuries ago, we had no Resolution. We had no such concern for our elders. As people aged, they... their health failed. They became invalids. And those whose families could no longer care for them were put away, into... deathwatch facilities, where they waited in loneliness for the end to come, sometimes... for years. They had meant something; and they were forced to live beyond that, into a time of meaning nothing. Of knowing that they could now only be the beneficiaries of younger people's patience. We are no longer that cruel, Lwaxana.

Lwaxana Troi: No, no, you're not cruel to them, you just kill them.

Lwaxana Troi: The women of Betazed used to wear these enormous wigs with large holes in the center for tiny caged creatures.

Dr. Timicin: Yes?

Lwaxana Troi: First, it was a fashion. Then it went on long enough to become a custom, a tradition. But it was uncomfortable for the woman and cruel to the animal. So, then, one day, one very formidable woman finally said so, refused to ever wear another of those wigs. Fairly soon, the custom stopped. She had the courage to stand up and fight for change.

Dr. Timicin: She must have been a lot like you.

Dr. Timicin: I am not the person to lead the revolt.

[Dr. Timicin is about to return to his planet, when Lwaxana Troi enters the transporter room]

Lwaxana Troi: It is the custom for your loved ones to join you at this... Resolution, is it not?

Dr. Timicin: You do not have to do this.

Lwaxana Troi: Yes, I do.

Lwaxana Troi: [On the transporter pad, holding hands with Timicin] We are ready, Mister O'Brien.

Lwaxana Troi: Mr. Homm... spread it!

Counselor Troi: Stop this petty bickering, all of you! Especially you, Mother! [runs out of the dining room]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [polite tone] Could you please continue the petty bickering? I find it most intriguing.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Jewels! Look at these jewels!

Counselor Troi: They're bonding gifts - what you would call wedding presents.

Commander William T. Riker: Who's getting married?

Counselor Troi: I am.

Counselor Troi: We are going to be together a long time.

Wyatt Miller: Yes... That is the point of marriage, I suppose.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about Haven] Such a beautiful world. Legends say it has been known to mend souls and heal broken hearts.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Legends which are totally unsupported by fact, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Legends like that are the spice of the universe, Mr. Data, because they have a way of sometimes coming true.

Lwaxana Troi: I am Lwaxana Troi, daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed. Who are you?

Lwaxana Troi: No, no, no, don't tell me: you're the Captain!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course, your daughter has explained your telepathic abilities.

Lwaxana Troi: No, that wasn't telepathy, it was just common sense. Who else would they send to greet me but the Captain?

Lwaxana Troi: The matter is settled. Mr. Homn will conduct the joining.

Steven Miller: But Comm... But Homn can't even talk!

Lwaxana Troi: No matter, he is highly adept in the art of sign language.

Wyatt Miller: I very much respected what you did tonight.

Counselor Troi: All I did was lose my temper.

Wyatt Miller: They've decided that the joining will be half Betazed, half Earth. The Captain will do the ceremony, and Mr. Homn will be my best man.

Counselor Troi: And we'll take half our clothes off?

Wyatt Miller: Some of us still go naked. You do, I do; your mother, my father, but - not my mother or the guests.

Counselor Troi: Captain Picard will be very relieved. How did you manage it?

Wyatt Miller: Your mother relented. And I just caught my father practicing naked in front of his mirror!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're circling the room like a buzzard.

Lwaxana Troi: You've been slack, little one - allowed your mental powers to rust.

Counselor Troi: Only to avoid confusion, Mother. Humans constantly think one thing and say another.

Lwaxana Troi: Yes, they do, don't they?

Lwaxana Troi: You realize of course that with Betazoids, our ability to read the thoughts of others does see us grow much faster than the typical, plodding Human.

[Data is observing Mr. Homn as the latter enjoys one drink after another]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Considering the rate at which you imbibe, sir... is your lineage at all mixed with Human?

Counselor Troi: Whatever happened to Mr. Xelo?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, I was forced to terminate his employment. Xelo was strongly attracted to me; his thoughts became truly pornographic!

Wyatt Miller: Mrs. Troi, can I talk to you about something serious?

Lwaxana Troi: But I'm always serious, dear boy. Only my pleasant nature makes it appear otherwise.

Lwaxana Troi: Wyatt, tell me something seriously: which of these would look best on me naked?

Lwaxana Troi: [about to leave the Enterprise] Captain! Even Xelo never had such thoughts about me. You may energize.

[she is beamed away]

Counselor Troi: That was meant as a joke, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was not amused.

Mr. Homn: [considered by all as mute] Thank you for the drinks.

[Wyatt has decided to join the Tarellians, thus dissolving his commitment to Troi]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Our destiny is elsewhere. But I'm happy that yours is here with us, Counselor.

Counselor Troi: I should warn you, sir - my mother is a little... eccentric.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That, right there... What is that?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: That's Commander Riker.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah! To me it's just a... an undefined form standing in a... in a visual frenzy.

[Picard sees Data through La Forge's VISOR]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There's an aura around him.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Well, of course, he's an android.

Captain Korris: Tell me, what is it like for the hunter to lie down with the prey? Have they tamed you? Or have you always been docile?

Lieutenant Worf: Why do you mock me? Why do you wish to anger me?

Captain Korris: Only to see if it is still possible.

Lieutenant Worf: It is.

[one of the rescued Klingons has died]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Is there any special arrangement you would like for the body?

Captain Korris: It is only an empty shell now. Please treat it as such.

Lt. Commander Data: I believe, sir, that was the first time outsiders have witnessed the Klingon death ritual.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I can understand them looking into the dying man's eyes. But the howling?

Lt. Commander Data: It was a warning.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: To whom?

Lt. Commander Data: They are warning the dead, sir: "Beware, a Klingon warrior is about to arrive."

Captain K'Nera: [about dishonorable death] When one of us dies that way, it diminishes us all.

Captain Korris: To fit in, the Humans demand that you change the one thing that you cannot change. But because you cannot, you do. That, too, is the mark of a warrior. You said I mock you. I do not. I salute you!

Captain Korris: I do not wish to anger you. We are, after all, brothers, lost among infidels.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: I thought for a minute we had a problem.

Lieutenant Worf: Oh?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Yes, it looked like Korris was going to hold that little girl as a hostage.

Lieutenant Worf: That is not our way. Cowards take hostages. Klingons do not.

Captain Korris: I have tasted your heart! You have been with them, but you are still of us! Do not deny the challenge of your destiny. Get off your knees and soar! Open your eyes, and let the dream take flight!

Lieutenant Worf: What burns in their eyes, fires my soul. I hear their words, and I see it all as it was. Part of me longs for that time.

Captain K'Nera: It's bred in the bone. We all do.

Captain Korris: Brother, this peace, this alliance is like a living death to warriors like us.

Lieutenant Worf: You look for battles in the wrong place. The true test of a warrior is not without, it is within.

[he thumps against his chest]

Lieutenant Worf: Here, here is where we meet the challenge. It is the weaknesses in here a warrior must overcome.

Captain Korris: No.

Lieutenant Worf: You have talked of glory and of conquest, and legends we will write.

Captain Korris: Yes. The birthright of every Klingon.

Lieutenant Worf: Yet in all you say, where are the words 'duty', 'honor', 'loyalty'? Without which a warrior is nothing!

[Worf has refused Korris's offer to join him]

Captain Korris: You are a sham! My words were dust upon the ground. Your blood has no fire. You are weak like them! I don't care what you look like. You are no Klingon!

Lieutenant Worf: Perhaps not.

[shoots Korris]

Captain K'Nera: How did they die?

Lieutenant Worf: They died well.

[Worf has expressed his gratitude to Captain K'Nera for offering him a position on his ship, which earns him inquiring looks from the entire bridge crew]

Lieutenant Worf: I was just being polite, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah! Commendable, Lieutenant. [... ]

Lieutenant Worf: Really. I have no desire to leave the Enterprise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [surprised about Worf's persistence] Good.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And Mr. Worf - the bridge wouldn't be the same without you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How're you feeling?

Timothy: I am functioning within established parameters.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [amused] "Established parameters"? You sound like Data.

Timothy: I am an android.

Lt. Commander Data: I have been told that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

Counselor Deanna Troi: The best thing we can do right now is let Timothy take us where he wants to go. We should support the process and even encourage it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, I would like you to make Timothy the best android he can possibly be.

[Data is trying to dress Timothy's hair, who keeps wiggling his head]

Lt. Commander Data: Timothy, your head movements are counterproductive. Can you be still?

Timothy: But you do it.

Lt. Commander Data: [puzzled] The servo-mechanisms in my neck are designed to approximate human movements. I did not realize the effect was so distracting.

Lt. Commander Data: Timothy - androids do not lie.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [referring to Timothy] His world is gone, Data. We're gonna have to help him build a new one.

[Data and Troi are watching Timothy playing with other children]

Lt. Commander Data: He laughed!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes. It's nice to see, isn't it?

Lt. Commander Data: It is certainly not consistent with his android persona.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'd say he's beginning the process of letting go of that fantasy.

Lt. Commander Data: Hm. Then my work with him is done.

Counselor Deanna Troi: No, I... I don't think it is, Data. A laugh is one step in the right direction. We need to help him take a few more steps.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [in Ten Forward] So, what would you like?

Timothy: Androids do not need to eat or drink.

[he sees a waiter with a tray filled with sundaes pass by]

Timothy: However, we sometimes like to taste things. A Tamarin frost, please.

Lt. Commander Data: I have often wondered what it must be like to have one's... mouth water in anticipation of the arrival of a confection. Or to feel the pleasure I have observed in humans as they consume it.

Lt. Commander Data: I have often wished to be human. I study people carefully, in order to more closely approximate human behavior.

Timothy: Why? We're stronger and smarter than humans. We can do more than they can.

Lt. Commander Data: But I cannot take pride in my abilities. I cannot take pleasure in my accomplishments.

Timothy: But... we never have to feel bad either.

Lt. Commander Data: I would gladly risk feeling bad at times, if it also meant that I could... taste my dessert.

Lt. Commander Data: Hello, Timothy.

Timothy: Hi, Data. How are you?

Lt. Commander Data: I am operating within established parameters. How are you?

Timothy: I miss my parents. But... I'm okay.

Timothy: Can we still do things together? Even if I'm not really an android?

Lt. Commander Data: I have many human friends. I would be pleased to count you among them.

Timothy: That would be...

[he takes on an 'androidish' expression]

Timothy: ...acceptable. [smiles]

Q: Starfleet Admiral Q, at your service.

Q: Humans. I thought by now that you would have scampered back to your own little star system.

[Worf moves in on Q]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, Lieutenant Worf! You'll make no move against him unless I order it.

Q: Pity! You might have learned an interesting lesson, Macrohead - with a microbrain!

Lieutenant Worf: Grrr...

[Q appears in a monk's costume]

Q: Let us pray, for understanding and for compassion.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let us do no such damn thing! What is this need of yours for costumes, Q? Have you no identity of your own?

Q: I come in search of the truth.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You come in search of what humanity is!

Q: I *forgive* your blasphemy!

Q: [quoting Hartley] "Nothing reveals Humanity so well as the games it plays."

Commander William T. Riker: We don't have time for these games.

Q: Games? Did someone say "game"? And perchance for interest's sake, a deadly game? To the game!

Q: Shall it be a test of strength? Meaningless, since you have none. A test of intelligence, then? Equally as meaningless!

Commander William T. Riker: But it won't be boring. If Q is anything, he's imaginative.

[Q appears in a Napoleonic uniform]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A Marshal of France? Ridiculous!

Q: Well, one takes the jobs he can get.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Don't you see, Riker? He's nothing but a flim-flam man. He's been that ever since we met him at Farpoint!

Lieutenant Worf: "Flim-flam"?

Q: You seem to find this all very amusing.

Commander William T. Riker: I might - if we weren't on our way to help some suffering and dying humans, who...

Q: [dismissively] Ah, your species is always suffering and dying.

[Picard is alone on the bridge, when Yar appears at her station]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Where is everyone else?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Down on some planet.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Some planet? What're *you* doing here?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Well, I, er... uh... It sounds strange; but I'm in a penalty box.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Whatever it is, why do you demonstrate it through this confrontation? Why not a simple, direct explanation, a statement of what you seek? Why these games?

Q: Why these games? Why, the play is the thing. And I'm surprised you have to ask when your human, Shakespeare, explained it all so well.

Q: Hear this, Picard, and reflect: "All the galaxy is a stage."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: World, not galaxy. "All the world's a stage."

Q: Oh, you know that one. Well, if he were living now, he would have said galaxy. How about this, uh... "Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I see. So how we respond to a game tells you more about us than our real life, this... tale, told by an idiot? Interesting, Q.

Q: Perhaps maybe a little, uh, Hamlet?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, I know Hamlet. And what he might say with irony, I say with conviction: "What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form, in moving, how express and admirable! In action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a god!"

Q: Surely, you don't see your species like that, do you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I see us one day becoming that, Q. Is it that which concerns you?

Commander William T. Riker: Geordi, can you see Worf?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I'd see the freckles on his nose if he had them, sir.

[Worf has been "given" a Klingon woman, who is snarling at him]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Worf, is this your idea of sex?

Lieutenant Worf: This *is* sex. But I have no place for it in my life now!

Q: "Drink not with thine enemy." The rigid Klingon code. Explains something of why you defeated them.

[Q has offered Riker to become part of the Q]

Commander William T. Riker: To become a part of you? I don't even like you.

Q: You're gonna miss me!

Commander William T. Riker: No one has ever offered to turn me into a god before.

Q: Use your power!

[Riker has proposed to fulfill his friends' deepest desires]

Commander William T. Riker: Data...

Lt. Commander Data: No! No, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: But it's what you've always wanted, Data - to become human.

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir, that is true. But I never wanted to compound one... illusion with another. It might be real to Q. Perhaps even you, sir. But it would never be so to me. Was it not one of the Captain's favorite authors who wrote "This above all, to thine own self be true"? Sorry, Commander. I must decline.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps they're all remembering that old saying "Power corrupts".

Commander William T. Riker: And absolute power corrupts absolutely. Do you believe I haven't thought of that, Jean-Luc?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And have you noticed how you and I are now on a first name basis?

Commander William T. Riker: I feel like such an idiot.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Quite right. So you should.

Lt. Commander Data: Sir, how is it that the Q can... handle time and space so well, and us so badly?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps someday we will discover that space and time are simpler than the human equation.

[Riker is demonstrating the abilities bestowed upon him by Q]

Commander William T. Riker: [to Geordi] And you, my friend, I know what you want.

[with a wave of his hand, Riker restores Geordi's eyesight]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [seeing Tasha for the first time] You're as beautiful as I imagined. And more.

Commander William T. Riker: Then we can throw away the VISOR?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I don't think so, sir.

[Geordi glances at Q]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The price is a little too high for me. And I don't like who I'd have to thank.

[Geordi takes his VISOR back and sits down]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Make me the way I was.

[pleadingly]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Please!

[Barclay has assured there would be no power shortage on the ship during an investigation of the power systems]

Capt. Picard: Good. I look forward to your report, Mr. Broccoli.

[long, frozen pause]

Capt. Picard: ...Barclay.

Lt. Commander Data: Pardon me - but why is Lieutenant Barclay being referred to clandestinely as a vegetable?

[in one of Barclay's holo-adventures, Riker, La Forge and Troi encounter a smaller version of Riker dressed as a musketeer]

Holo-Riker: Am I late? Did I miss the fight?

Holo-Riker: [sees Riker] En garde!... You, sir... you have a familiar bearing. Is it possible our swords have crossed somewhere before?

[Riker, Troi and La Forge are looking for Barclay in his holo-fantasy]

Commander William T. Riker: You want us to search through all this to find him?

Counselor Deanna Troi: It could provide us with valuable information about what's troubling him. You know, there's nothing wrong with a healthy fantasy life, as long as you don't let it take over.

Commander William T. Riker: You call this healthy?

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're taking it so seriously. It's not without its element of humor.

[they come across another, Troi look-alike character]

Holo-Troi: I am the Goddess of Empathy. Cast off your inhibitions and embrace love, truth, joy...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Oh - my - God.

Holo-Troi: Discard your fa?ades, and reveal your true being to me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [indignantly] Computer, discontinue...

Commander William T. Riker: Computer, belay that order!

Commander William T. Riker: [to Troi] We want to get more insight into what's been troubling this poor man, remember?

Commander William T. Riker: [to La Forge] Quite a healthy fantasy life - wouldn't you say?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [agreeing] Mm.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [to her holographic look-alike] Muzzle it!

[after O'Brien has demonstrated to La Forge a transporter malfunction]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Glad I don't have anywhere to go.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: [of his holo-fantasies] You know, the people that I create in there are m... more real to me than anyone I meet out here. Except... maybe you, Commander.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I need you out here, Reg - now more than ever.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Glad you were with us out here in the real world today, Mr. Barclay. [after Barclay's input has prevented a warp engine failure]

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Computer - end program. Erase all programs filed under Reginald Barclay.

[he prepares to leave the holodeck but stops once more]

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: ...except program IX.

Holo-Picard: Sir! You have no sense of fair play!

Holo-Data: Your sword, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't have a sword.

Holo-La Forge: How do you expect to fight without your sword, sir?

Commander William T. Riker: I don't expect to fight.

Holo-Picard: Ha! Do I detect a streak of yellow along the good fellow's back?

[the three "musketeers" roar with laughter]

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Being afraid all of the time, of forgetting somebody's name, not, not knowing... what to do with your hands. I mean, I, I am the guy who writes down things to remember to say when there's a party. And then, when he finally gets there, he winds up alone, in the corner, trying to look comfortable examining a potted plant.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You're just shy, Barclay.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Just shy... Sounds like nothing serious - doesn't it? You can't know.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I know this is difficult for you. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: No.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Have you ever been to a counselor before?

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Yes. No.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Which one?

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Yes, but she, it wasn't. It wasn't really a counselor.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Most people find a counselor intimidating at first. It's okay if you feel that way toward me.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Not at all.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Now, lean back, close your eyes.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Why?

Counselor Deanna Troi: I want to make you more comfortable.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: You do?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes. [She dims the lights and sits next to him] It's okay. Close your eyes.

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: What are you going to do?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Just listen to the sound of my voice. Take a slow deep breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth just as slowly. That's better, isn't it?

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: [standing up] Much better. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, that's, that's much better. That is extremely helpful. Thank you for your time.

Counselor Deanna Troi: But...

Lt. Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III: Really. That's very helpful. In through the nose, out through the mouth. I'm going to practice that and I'll let you know. Thank you again.

[He rushes out of the room]

Counselor Deanna Troi: All life is beautiful.

Inorganic Life-form (voice): Ugly giant bags of mostly water.

[alien's description of humans]

Kurt Mandl: [about terraforming] You see grand romantic concepts. I see unyielding rock under an ocean of sand.

[the crew is analyzing an inorganic but flashing object]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Analyze: the pattern of the flashes.

Computer Voice: Not repetitive or sequential. Pattern not recognized.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What is the source of the flashes?

Computer Voice: Unable to specify. Theoretically not possible from this substance.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Disregard incongruity, and theorize as to source.

Computer Voice: [bleeps extensively] Life.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're a man obsessed with what you do. Who knows what an obsessed man will do to keep going. Kill, perhaps?

Kurt Mandl: [suppressed voice] I create life... I don't take it!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Terraformers are often obsessive. It frequently goes with the career profile.

Lt. Commander Data: Please show me spectral analysis, magnification 12k.

Computer Voice: Silicon, germanium.

Lt. Commander Data: Transistor material.

Computer Voice: Gallium arsenide.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Emits light when charged.

Computer Voice: Cadmium selenide, sulfide.

Lt. Commander Data: Emits charge when lit.

Computer Voice: Water, impurities, sodium salts.

Lieutenant Worf: Conductor.

Lieutenant Worf: [to Data and Geordi] But is it alive?

Computer Voice: Probability: positive.

Lieutenant Worf: I wasn't asking *you*.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Seems we are becoming detectives, Number One.

[the inorganic substance has made a cell division]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Two of them!

Lt. Commander Data: Only life can replicate itself, Doctor. Inorganic or not - it is alive.

Kurt Mandl: Picard, I must... point out again that we were assured, not once but many times, by the best scientific minds in the Federation, that this planet has no life. No life! And we were not looking. And therefore we did not see.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We mean you no harm. Do you believe me?

Inorganic Life-form (voice): Yes.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Good. It is important that you trust us.

Inorganic Life-form (voice): Not yet. You are still too arrogant. Too primitive. Come back three centuries. Perhaps then we trust.

Inorganic Life-form (voice): Darkness - death - terrible. Must go home to wet sand. War over.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Agreed. we will send you home to your wet sand.

Kurt Mandl: I wanted to create a place where living things could thrive. And all the while, I was about to destroy the life that is there.

Dobara: [about Nikolai] He is a brave and compassionate man, and I love him. Please, go to him. Make things right between you. I want us to be a family.

Lieutenant Worf: "Us"?

Dobara: Yes. I want you to consider yourself my brother. After all... [she takes Worf's hand and places it on her belly]

Dobara: ...you're going to be the uncle of my child.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: [to Worf, who has been surgically altered into a Boraalan] You've changed a lot in four years.

Lieutenant Worf: You have not changed. You still expect people to solve the problems you create.

Lieutenant Worf: [of the holodeck malfunctions] It is the sign... of La Forge.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is one of those times when we must face the ramifications of the Prime Directive and honor those lives which we cannot save.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: I find no honor in this whatsoever, Captain. You will forgive me if I don't stay.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: I wasn't going to let those people die just because your Captain started quoting Federation dogma to me.

Lieutenant Worf: Your duty was to respect the Captain's orders and to uphold the Prime Directive.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: Duty. That's all that really matters to you, isn't it? Well, I refuse to be bound by an abstraction.

[Vorin is drawing the chronicle of his village]

Vorin: Doesn't your village keep a chronicle?

Lieutenant Worf: Not in this manner.

Vorin: Then how do you teach your children their history? Who their ancestors were, where they come from?

Lieutenant Worf: We... tell each other stories. Make up songs.

Vorin: Stories change with each person who tells them. This - this will always be the same.

Vorin: The chronicle is the life of our village. Without that past, our future means nothing.

[Vorin has learned that his home is gone]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Vorin, listen to me. We can visit many other worlds. We can take you to one where you can build a new life.

Vorin: A new life?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A chance for your culture, your people, to survive and grow.

Vorin: How can we grow, when everything that made us who we are is gone?

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: Things were never easy between us, were they?

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: It's my fault. If I'd been more like you, we wouldn't have had so many problems.

Lieutenant Worf: No. If you had been more like me, these people would not be here now. You gave them a chance at a new life.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: The village will need a new chronicle. Someone has to begin it. My child will need a father. My place is here. I'm finally taking responsibility.

Lieutenant Worf: You were never good at drawing. How will you keep a chronicle?

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: I learn quickly.

Lieutenant Worf: Then perhaps there is hope.

Lieutenant Worf: I will have to explain all of this to Mother and Father.

Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko: They won't understand.

Lieutenant Worf: They may. I will tell them... that you are happy.

[an away team has found a badly injured Borg on a moon]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Away team, prepare to return to the ship!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Captain, we can't leave him here, he won't survive.

Commander William T. Riker: I think the Captain understands that.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I don't.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If we can get to the root command, we can introduce an invasive programming sequence through its biochip system, and then return it to the hive.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The Borg are so interconnected it would act like a virus.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Which would infect the entire Collective. We could disable their neural network at a stroke.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Infect it? You make it sound as if it's a disease.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Quite right, Doctor. If all goes well, a terminal one.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [observing the Borg] He must be hungry.

[Picard and La Forge are looking at her curiously]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The Borg don't ingest food. Their implants can synthesize any organic molecules their biological tissues require. What they need is energy.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [considering this] Arrange to feed it.

Lieutenant Worf: Kill it now. Make it appear that it died in the crash. Leave no evidence that we were ever here.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Sometimes, even when a victim has dealt with his assault, there are residual effects of the event that linger. You were treated violently by the Borg - kidnapped, assaulted, mutilated...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [interrupting] Counselor. Counselor, I very much appreciate your concern for me, but I can assure you, it is quite misplaced. I have carefully considered the implications of having a Borg on this ship. I have weighed the possible risks. And I'm convinced that we are doing the right thing. Now, I am quite comfortable with my decision.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: If this works the way I think it will, once the invasive program starts spreading, it'll only be a matter of months before the Borg suffer total systems failure.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Comments?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: A question. What exactly is "total systems failure"?

Lt. Commander Data: The Borg are extremely computer-dependent. A systems failure will destroy them.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I just think we should be clear about that. We're talking about annihilating an entire race.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Which under most circumstances would be unconscionable. But as I see it, the Borg leave us with little choice.

Commander William T. Riker: I agree. We're at war.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: There's been no formal declaration of war.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Not from us, but certainly from them. They've attacked us at every encounter.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They've declared war on our way of life. We're to be assimilated.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: But even in war, there are rules. You don't kill civilians indiscriminately.

Commander William T. Riker: There are no civilians among the Borg.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Think of them as a single collective being. There's no one Borg who is more an individual than your arm or your leg.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: How convenient.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your point, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: When I look at my patient, I don't see a collective consciousness, I don't see a hive. I see a living, breathing boy who has been hurt and who needs our help. And we're talking about sending him back to his people as an instrument of destruction.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It comes down to this: we're faced with an enemy who are determined to destroy us, and we have no hope of negotiating a peace. Unless that changes, we're justified in doing anything we can to survive.

Guinan: [about fencing] I don't think I like this sport.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Last week when you scored two touches, you liked it well enough.

[Guinan feigns injury during a fencing match. Picard, concerned, lowers his foil, and Guinan quickly scores a touch]

Guinan: You felt sorry for me. Look what it got you.

[after an earlier discussion on whether it was wise to care for the Borg for humanitarian reasons]

[La Forge has provided the Borg with an energy supplying device]

Third of Five: Why do you do this?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm just a nice guy at heart. You feeling better?

Third of Five: You are not Borg.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: That's right. And I hope to stay that way.

Third of Five: You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: That's gratitude for you.

Third of Five: We are Borg.

Guinan: Aren't you gonna tell me you have to assimilate me?

Third of Five: You wish to be assimilated?

Guinan: No, but that's what you... things do, isn't it?

[the Borg nods]

Guinan: Resistance is futile?

Third of Five: Resistance is futile.

Guinan: It isn't. My people resisted when the Borg came, to assimilate us. Some of us survived.

Third of Five: Resistance... is not futile?

Guinan: No. But thanks to you, there are very few of us left. We're scattered throughout the galaxy. We don't even have a home anymore.

Third of Five: What you are saying... is that you are lonely.

Guinan: What?

Third of Five: You have no others. You have no home. We... are also lonely.

Third of Five: You will be assimilated.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yes, but before that happens, could we ask you a few questions?

Guinan: I need to hear you say that you are sure... you're doing the right thing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you're here to persuade me not to use the invasive program...

Guinan: No. I think I need you to persuade me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Two days ago, you were so upset about the Borg even being on the ship that you tore my foil out of my hand. And now you're here questioning whether it should be treated as the enemy.

Guinan: No. But when you talk to him face to face, can you honestly say you don't have any doubt?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I haven't talked to it.

Guinan: Why not?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I saw no need.

Guinan: If you're gonna use this person...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's not a person, dammit, it's a Borg!

Guinan: If you are going to use this person to destroy his race, you should at least look him in the eye once, before you do it. Because I am not sure he is still a Borg.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It is what it is. And in spite of efforts to turn it into some kind of pet, I will not alter my plans.

Guinan: Fine. But if you don't talk to him at least once, you may find that decision a lot harder to live with than you realize.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I've been rationing his portions of energy. I think he understands. When he cooperates, he gets fed, if not...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Like a rat in a cage.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Part of what we do is learn more about other species.

Third of Five: We assimilate species. Then we know everything about them.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah. I know.

Third of Five: We... are Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Just look around, pal. You're hardly in a position to make any demands.

Third of Five: We must return to the Collective.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Who's "we"?

Third of Five: We... are Borg.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, but... there's only one of you. Do you have a name? A means of identification?

Third of Five: Third of Five.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [understanding] There were five on your ship. Is that it, just a number?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Does kinda suit you.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: We don't have designations, we have names. I'm Beverly. This is Geordi.

Third of Five: Do I have a name?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Do you want one?

Third of Five: A name.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm Beverly, he's Geordi, and you...

Third of Five: You.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No, no, wait a minute - that's it: Hugh! What do you think?

Third of Five: 'You'?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No, not 'you'. 'Hugh'.

Third of Five: 'Hugh'.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Okay. Now, I'm Beverly.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm Geordi.

Third of Five: We are Hugh.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Think of it this way: every time you talk about yourself, you use the word 'we': 'we want this', 'we want that'. You don't even know how to think of yourself as a single individual. You don't say '*I* want this', or '*I* am Hugh'. We - are all - separate - individuals. *I* am Geordi. *I* choose what I want to do with my life. *I* make decisions for myself. For somebody like me, losing that sense of individuality is almost worse than dying.

Third of Five: Are you ever... lonely?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sometimes. But that's why we have friends.

Third of Five: Friends?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sure. Someone you can talk to. Who will be with you when you're lonely. Someone... someone who makes you feel better.

Third of Five: Like Geordi - and Hugh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Identify yourself.

Third of Five: Hugh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is not a Borg identification.

Third of Five: [after a moment] Third of Five.

[at his encounter with Hugh, Picard is acting as Locutus of Borg]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Resistance is futile.

Third of Five: Resistance... is not futile. Some have escaped.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They will be found. It is inevitable. All will be assimilated.

Third of Five: Must Geordi be assimilated?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes.

Third of Five: He does not wish it. He would rather die than be assimilated.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then he will die.

Third of Five: No. Geordi must not die. Geordi is a friend.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You will assist us to assimilate this vessel. You are Borg. You will assist us.

Third of Five: I will not.

Third of Five: I - will not - assist you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "I"?

Third of Five: Geordi must not be assimilated.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But you are Borg.

Third of Five: No. I am Hugh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We must know what you want.

Third of Five: You are many. I am one. What I want is not important.

Third of Five: Choose... what I want.

Guinan: I was thinking how you said the other day that my foil was dipping. That I should get some exercise and strengthen my arm.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, a strong forearm is certainly an advantage in fencing.

Guinan: And bartending.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [about Hugh] He's nothing like what I expected.

Guinan: How so?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I don't know, it's... it's like he's just... some kid who is far away from home.

Guinan: Do you know that you are the second person today to refer to that Borg as though it was some sort of lost child?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Anyway, I'm having second thoughts about what we're doing here. I mean, programming him like some sort of walking bomb, sending him back to destroy the others.

Guinan: Let me tell you something. When that kid's big brothers come looking for him, they're not gonna stop till they find him. And then they're gonna come looking for us. And they will destroy us. And they will not do any of the soul-searching that you are apparently doing right now.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Then why don't you go and talk to him? It might not be so clear cut then.

Guinan: Because I wouldn't have anything to say.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [sighs] Then why don't you just listen? That is what you do best, isn't it?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Captain - I have to admit I've been having second thoughts about this plan.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In what way?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I've been getting to know him - the Borg.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I see.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: He's not what I expected, Captain. He's got feelings. He's homesick. I don't know, it... it just doesn't seem right using him this way.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Centuries ago, when laboratory animals were used for experiments, scientists would sometimes become attached to the creatures. This would be a problem if the experiment involved killing them. I would suggest that you unattach yourself from the Borg, Mr. La Forge.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, I guess this is it, huh? So long, Hugh.

Third of Five: Goodbye, Geordi. I will try to remember you.

Third of Five: Captain, I do not want to forget that I am Hugh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The sense of individuality which he has gained with us... might be transmitted through the entire Borg Collective - every one of the Borg being given the opportunity to experience the feeling of... of singularity. And perhaps that's the most pernicious program of all. The knowledge of self being spread throughout the Collective, in that brief moment, might alter them forever.

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: Tarchannen's down there, Geordi. It's waiting for us. That's where we should go.

[Leijten is telling La Forge about a past relationship]

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: What about you?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Mm, I enjoy the bachelor's life too much.

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: That doesn't sound like my "little brother", who always wanted advice on women.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, obviously you were a... a great advisor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The original Tarchannen disappearances were never solved, were they?

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: No. We never learned what happened or why. 49 people, gone.

Commander William T. Riker: And five years later, the away team that was investigating their disappearances have started to disappear themselves.

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: [nods] Geordi and I are the only two left.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're worried about Geordi, aren't you?

Lt. Commander Data: I am an android. It is not possible for me...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: ...for you to feel anxiety.

Lt. Commander Data: Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why.

[Crusher coughs slightly]

Lt. Commander Data: However, I am...

[Crusher gives him a questioning look]

Lt. Commander Data: ...strongly motivated to solve this mystery.

[Leijten attempts to approach La Forge, who has turned into an instinct-driven alien]

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: You know I'm not a threat. The others, Mendez, Brevelle, they don't exist as Humans anymore. But a part of you still does. You're not one of them yet, Geordi. I can help you if you'll just trust me. I know what's going on inside of you - the war you're fighting with yourself. Your Humanity slipping away. The instinct to run. It's overpowering. But they know how to beat it now, Geordi. Look at me! I've come back, Geordi. Let me take you back, too.

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: We're going home, Geordi.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You know... down there, I... I didn't know who you were. And yet... somehow... I believed you. I trusted you.

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten: That must have been because of all the good advice I used to give you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Thanks.

[Data and Guinan are viewing the cloud formations of a nebula]

Guinan: ...Now it's a Samarian coral fish with its fin unfolded.

Lt. Commander Data: I believe what you are seeing is the effect of the fluid dynamic processes inherent in the large-scale motion of rarified gas.

Guinan: No. no. First it was a fish, and now it's a Mintonian sailing ship.

Lt. Commander Data: Where?

Guinan: Right there. Don't you see the two swirls coming together to form the mast?

Lt. Commander Data: I do not see it... It is interesting that people try to find meaningful patterns in things that are essentially random. I have noticed that the images they perceive sometimes suggest what they are thinking about at that particular moment.

[he looks out at the nebula again]

Lt. Commander Data: Besides, it is clearly a bunny rabbit.

Clara Sutter: I like to cook all kinds of stuff. Like yoghurt and raisin salad, chocolate chip pancakes and... purple omelettes.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [disgusted] Purple omelettes?

Clara Sutter: You put grape juice in the eggs. Isabella doesn't like it very much. She says it tastes funny.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I can see her point.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Maybe you could draw me a picture. I'd love to see what she looks like.

Clara Sutter: You don't think she's real.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I think she's real for you. And that is real enough for me.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [to Daniel Sutter] Children are a lot stronger than you think. As long as they know you love them, they can handle just about anything life throws at 'em, you know.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to "Isabella", the energy life form] You are seeing this ship, all of us, from a unique perspective - from a child's point of view. It must seem terribly unfair and restrictive to you. As adults, we don't always stop to consider how everything we say and do shapes the impressions of young people. But if you're judging us, as a people, by the way we treat our children - and I think there can be no better criterion - then you must understand how deeply we care for them. When our children are young, they don't understand what might be dangerous. Our rules are to keep them from harm, real or imagined. And that's part of the continuity of our Human species. When Clara grows up, she will make rules for *her* children, to protect them - as we protect her.

Isabella: I came to say I'm sorry I frightened you.

Clara Sutter: That's okay.

Isabella: And I misled you. I wasn't really your Isabella.

Clara Sutter: For a while you were.

[Guinan and Clara are talking about imaginary friends]

Guinan: When I was your age, I had one.

Clara Sutter: You did? What was she like?

Guinan: It... wasn't a she.

Clara Sutter: What was *he* like?

Guinan: It wasn't a he.

Clara Sutter: 'It'?

Guinan: It was a Tarcassian razor beast. It had dark brown fur and gold eyes, and huge spiny wings; and it would fly past so fast nobody could see it but me.

Clara Sutter: Sounds scary.

Guinan: Oh, it was. Especially when he smiled.

Guinan: I knew, as long as that razor beast was around, nothing could hurt me. You know, over the years, his body kind of faded away, but the idea stayed. And I just don't seem to talk to him as often as I used to.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You still talk to it?

Guinan: Oh, yeah. When I'm afraid or... I get confused or a little scared. I just don't think you should have to give up an imaginary friend.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Captain. I am seeking advice in how to...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, I've heard, Data. And I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: This can be a, a little complicated. Listen, my advice is... ask somebody else for advice, at least someone who's... got more experience at... giving advice.

Guinan: It's not good to advise people about their first love affairs. That's kind of something people have to figure out for themselves.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: But I am not capable of love.

Guinan: Then it's gonna be a very unique experience.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [reminiscing about the past] Those times were really special... I wish we were back there now, you and I.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The unidirectional nature of the time continuum makes that an unlikely possibility.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [nonplussed, then laughs] That's what I love about you, Data. You make me laugh.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [chatting to the O'Briens about Data] He came over to my quarters the other day to give me a music lesson, and he said the funniest thing.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [to Data] How did you put it? About, erm, about the mess?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I believe I observed that you seem to have an aversion to orderliness.

Lieutenant Worf: Klingons do not pursue relationships. They conquer that which they desire. However - Lieutenant D'Sora serves under my command. If she were mistreated, I would be very displeased - sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Data, when it really works between two people, it's not like anything you've ever experienced. The rewards are far greater than simple friendship.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: How far, sir?

Commander William T. Riker: That's what I'm hoping you're going to find out.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: My programming may be inadequate to the task.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We're all more than the sum of our parts, Data. You'll have to be more than the sum of your programming.

Guinan: Data, if I didn't know you better, I would say you were a little... preoccupied.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Lieutenant D'Sora just gave me what could be considered a very passionate kiss in the torpedo bay.

Guinan: What do you think of her, Data?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I find her to be a competent officer; highly motivated... though somewhat lacking in her understanding of the theory underlying the dilithium matrix application.

Guinan: I meant personally.

[Jenna visits Data in his quarters with a sculpture as a gift]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You have often expressed dissatisfaction with the spartan nature of my quarters. Is this an attempt at embellishment?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: The cat's out of the bag.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [looking around for his cat] Spot?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: No, I mean I... you've caught me in the act.

[Picard finds his ready room inexplicably in disarray and consults Worf to investigate]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, perhaps we have a poltergeist.

Lieutenant Worf: [puzzled] Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A mischievous spirit.

Lieutenant Worf: [disbelieving] Sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps not.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [attempting to simulate a quarrel] You don't tell me how to behave; you're not my mother!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [after the "quarrel" with Jenna] In my study of interpersonal dynamics, I have found that conflict, followed by emotional release, often strengthens the connection between two people.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: But... there's something so forced and artificial about the way you're doing it, Data. It's just not the real you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: With regard to romantic relationships, there is no real me.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: Kiss me.

[Data obliges]

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: What were you just thinking?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: In that particular moment, I was reconfiguring the warp field parameters, analyzing the collected works of Charles Dickens, calculating the maximum pressure I could safely apply to your lips, considering a new food supplement for Sp-ot...

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: I'm glad I was in there somewhere.

[the Enterprise is having trouble trying to beam Picard out of a shuttlecraft that is about to explode]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now would be a good time, Mr. O'Brien.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Honey? I'm home!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Darling, you remain as aesthetically pleasing as the first day we met. I believe I am the most fortunate sentient in this sector of the galaxy.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: You silver-tongued devil!

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: This is all part of a program?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Yes. One which I have just created for romantic relationships.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: So I'm, erm... I'm just a small variable in one of your new computational environments?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You are much more than that, Jenna. I have written a subroutine specifically for you - a program within the program. I have devoted a considerable share of my internal resources to its development.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: Data... that's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: The Book of Love, chapter 4, paragraph 17: when your girlfriend arrives with a gift, stop whatever it is you're doing and give her your undivided attention.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I should not have resumed my painting?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: No.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Despite your suggestion that I continue?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: Exactly.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have much to learn.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: Why don't you go back to your painting? Oh, I really mean it this time!

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: Data... sometimes people blindly make the same mistake again and again.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Are you currently experiencing this phenomenon?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: I didn't see it until today. I got out of a relationship with an unemotional man. And I got right back into another one - with... with a man who's... absolutely incapable of emotion.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Hm... There does appear to be a recurring motif.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: As close as we are, I... I don't really matter to you. Not really. Nothing I can say or do will ever make you happy or, or sad... or touch you in any way.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That is a valid projection. It is apparent that my reach has exceeded my grasp in this particular area. I am, perhaps, not nearly so human as I aspire to become.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Jenna - are we no longer... a couple?

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: No, we're not.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Then I will delete the appropriate program.

Lt. Jenna D'Sora: [to Data] "But you give me so much. You spend time with me when I'm lonely. You encourage me when I'm down. No man has ever been kinder to me. Those are the things that matter."

Dr. Juliana Tainer: You were like a baby at first - a one hundred kilogram baby, but still...

Dr. Juliana Tainer: Deanna Troi - is that who you're going to visit?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes.

Dr. Juliana Tainer: Your father would be so pleased.

Lt. Commander Data: Pleased?

Dr. Juliana Tainer: Well, he was worried that the sexuality program he designed for you wouldn't work.

Dr. Juliana Tainer: [about her mother] She thought that Noonien was an eccentric scientist who was far too old for me. We decided to marry secretly to give her a chance to get used to our being together. We slipped away to Mavala IV and got married there. A Klingon and a Corvallen trader were our witnesses. It wasn't exactly the wedding I had hoped for, but... somehow Noonien had a way of making even the oddest thing seem romantic.

Dr. Juliana Tainer: [answering an earlier question from Data] No, I wouldn't have left you behind if you'd been my biological child.

Lt. Commander Data: Hm... Is that because you place more value on biological life than artificial life?

Dr. Juliana Tainer: Absolutely not! I cherished every android your father and I created as if it *were* my child, even Lore - despite the fact that he turned on us, despite the dreadful things he did. Dismantling him was the most difficult thing I ever had to do. I was afraid that if you turned out like him, I would have to dismantle you too... And I couldn't bear to do that. I'm not trying to justify leaving you behind. I'm just sorry I did.

Dr. Noonien Soong: [to Data] How are you, boy?

Lt. Commander Data: [Data has just found out about his early years and - to his surprise - about his "mother"]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I can understand that this might all be a little disconcerting for ya Data... It came out of the blue, and it doesn't fit into your logical processors.

Lt. Commander Data: That is true.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: But that's life, Data. Part of being human is learning how to deal with the unexpected - to risk new experiences, even when they don't fit into your preconceptions.

Lt. Commander Data: I admit I am finding it difficult to accept the possibility of a past about which I know nothing. But it is also true, I am curious to learn more about it.

Lt. Commander Data: I would like to get to know you better... Mother.

[Dr. Tainer has praised Data's violin play]

Dr. Juliana Tainer: And considering that giving you a creative aspect was my idea. Oh, your father didn't really see the point. He thought that since you didn't have emotions, there would be no real need for you to express yourself. Somehow, I had the feeling the opposite would be true.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not know for certain. But I believe it is during my creative endeavors that I come closest to experiencing what it must be like to be human.

Dr. Juliana Tainer: Well... I'm glad I insisted.

[Dr. Soong's hologram has asked Data not to reveal to Dr. Tainer that she is an android]

Lt. Commander Data: Then you do not believe she should know the truth?

Dr. Noonien Soong: The truth? Truth is - in every way that matters - she *is* Juliana Soong. I programmed her to terminate after a long life. Let her live out her days - and die, believing she was human.

Lt. Commander Data: [to Dr. Tainer] There is something I think you should know. My father told me... that he had only one great love in his life; and that he regretted never telling her how much he cared for her. I am certain he was referring to you.

Dr. Juliana Tainer: On Atrea, there is a saying - that a child born from parents who love each other will have nothing but goodness in his heart. I guess that explains you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sometimes, "just passing by" means "just passing by".

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm seeing my reflection in a panel. Forgot what a handsome guy I am.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: The Hera is missing. That's all. Until I hear something different, my mother just might as well have taken the crew on an unscheduled holiday.

Commander William T. Riker: My mother died when I was a baby. All I have is pictures, and the stories that my father used to tell me about her. I begged him to tell those stories over and over. When I was five and I went to school, I started to tell my new friends those same stories, pretending that she was alive. Then I started believing that she was alive, that she'd just gone away, but that she was coming back. The teacher got wind of this, and she and my father had this talk with me. They told me, it was important to accept the fact that my mother was dead, and that she wasn't coming back; and all the hoping in the world... wouldn't make it so. In my mind, that was the day that my mother actually died. I cried all that night. But after that, it started feeling better.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I was just passing by. I was wondering what you were up to.

Lt. Commander Data: [sitting in front of a screen] I am using the time to catch up on my study of poetry.

[La Forge walks round to take a look]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Data, there's nothing on the screen.

Lt. Commander Data: That is not entirely correct. While it is true the display is currently blank, this... emptiness has a poetic meaning. Therefore, it cannot be considered 'nothing' as such.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Says who?

Lt. Commander Data: The ancient Doosodarians. Much of their poetry contains such lacunae or empty spaces. Often, these pauses measured several days in length, during which poet and audience were encouraged to fully acknowledge the emptiness of the experience.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I remember a few lectures from Starfleet Academy that seemed that way.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Geordi... I'm very sorry that you didn't find your mother.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Thank you, sir. You know, it's funny. When I was down there... it was so real. I felt like I had a chance to say goodbye.

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: As someone once said: "Diplomacy is the art of the possible."

Lakanta: What do you think is sacred to us here?

Wesley Crusher: Maybe the necklace you're wearing? The designs on the walls?

Lakanta: Everything is sacred to us - the buildings, the food, the sky, the dirt beneath your feet - and you. Whether you believe in your spirit or not, we believe in it. You are a sacred person here, Wesley.

Wesley Crusher: I think that's the first time anyone's used that particular word to describe me.

Wesley Crusher: What are those figures?

Lakanta: They're mansara - dolls that represent the different spirits that've come to this place.

Wesley Crusher: That one looks like a Klingon.

Lakanta: Yes. Our culture is rooted in the past, but it's not limited to the past. Spirits of the Klingon, the Vulcan and Ferengi... come to us just as the bear and the coyote, the parrot... There's no difference.

Anthwara: [referring to Dorvan V] It has taken us two centuries to find this place. We do not want to spend another two hundred years searching for what we already have.

[Picard and Anthwara are talking about the latter's grandfather's emigration from Earth]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's never easy to leave one's home - the safe and the familiar. But there are times when... the greater good demands that certain... sacrifices are made. I'm sure that was something that your grandfather understood.

Anthwara: So does his grandson. There are also times when a people sacrificed too much. When a people must hold on to what we have, even against overwhelming opposition.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Anthwara believes that I am responsible for the crimes of one of my ancestors against his people.

Commander William T. Riker: Do you believe that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, of course not. I respect his belief; but I do not see how it can have any bearing on this mission. But even so, I can't help wondering... if a... dark chapter in my family's history is about to be repeated.

Anthwara: It is always good to understand one's adversary, in any negotiation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope that by the end of this matter, you will no longer look on me as an adversary.

[Picard has arranged for snacks for Admiral Nechayev]

Commander William T. Riker: Earl Grey tea, watercress sandwiches... and Bularian canap?s? Are you up for promotion?

[Gul Evek has relented in the conflict of interest with the Federation and avoided a war]

Gul Evek: I lost... two of three sons in the war, Captain. I don't want to lose the last one.

Lakanta: I know why you came to us, Wesley. To find the answers that you seek.

Lakanta: You must treat yourself with respect. To do otherwise is to desecrate something that is holy.

Wesley Crusher: Is that what you think I've been doing?

Lakanta: Only you can decide that.

Wesley Crusher: I guess I haven't had a lot of respect for myself lately.

Lakanta: Then perhaps it's time for your own vision quest to begin.

Wesley Crusher: What should I do?

Lakanta: Start the fire. Then sit and wait.

Wesley Crusher: What am I waiting for?

Lakanta: This is your journey, Wesley. I can open the door; but only you can go through it.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Now, you be sure and dress warmly on those other planes of existence.

[Wesley has a vision of his father]

Jack Crusher: You've reached the end, Wesley.

Wesley Crusher: The end of what?

Jack Crusher: This journey - one you started a long time ago. When I left you and your mother.

Wesley Crusher: You mean when you died.

Jack Crusher: You set out on a journey that wasn't your own. Now it's time to find a path that is truly yours. Don't follow me any further.

Wesley Crusher: I don't understand.

Jack Crusher: Yes, you do. It's just hard for you to accept. Goodbye, Wesley, and good luck.

Counselor Troi: Sharing an orbit with God is no small experience.

Rivan: Captain Picard! I saw you share the sky with God. You must be gods.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't know how to communicate this, or even if it is possible. But the question of justice has concerned me greatly of late. And I say to any creature who may be listening, there can be no justice so long as laws are absolute. Even life itself is an exercise in exceptions.

Rivan: Health and happiness!

[Edo greeting]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [about the Edo] They're wild in some ways, actually puritanical in others. Neat as pins, ultra-lawful; and they make love at the drop of a hat.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Any... hat.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's just hope it's not too good to be true.

Lieutenant Worf: Nice planet.

Commander William T. Riker: When in Rome, eh?

Lieutenant Worf: When where, sir?

Lieutenant Worf: I am not concerned with pleasure, Commander. I am a warrior.

Commander William T. Riker: Even Klingons need love now and then.

Lieutenant Worf: For what we consider love, sir, I would need a Klingon woman.

Commander William T. Riker: What about plain old basic sex? You must have some need for that.

Lieutenant Worf: Of course. But with the females available to me, sir - Earth females - I must restrain myself too much. They are quite fragile, sir.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It was probably unwise of us to attempt to place a human colony in this area. Of course, there are 3,004 other planets in this star cluster in which we could have colonized. The largest and closest...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, don't babble.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Babble, sir? I'm not aware that I ever babble, sir. It may be that from time to time I have considerable information to communicate, and you may question the way in which I organize it...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Please, organize it into brief answers to my questions.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The Edo want to execute my son. I will not allow that to happen, Jean-Luc!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [to Picard] Most interesting, sir. The emotion of motherhood is, compared to all others felt by human...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: SHUT UP!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You were right, sir. I do tend to babble.

Wesley Crusher: I was chasing a ball; and I fell into that.

[describing the action that warrants his execution]

Wesley Crusher: I'm with Starfleet. We don't lie.

Conn: Intruder relays do show something.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Why has everything become a "something" or a "whatever"?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Whatever the object or vessel in orbit with us, it hangs there like a nemesis.

Liator: When God wants to show its power, it can make itself felt most fully.

Edo God (voice): Do Not Interfere With My Children Below!

Edo God (voice): Return My Child!

Commander William T. Riker: Short and sweet. God-like efficiency.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Capital punishment in our world is no longer considered a justifiable deterrent.

Liator: [with sarcasm] So... we are not yet as "advanced" as they are. And since you are advanced in other ways, too, I suggest you use your superior powers to rescue the Wesley boy. We will record him as a convicted criminal out of our reach - an "advanced" person who luckily escaped the barbarism of this backward little world.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How do I explain my refusing to obey their laws down there, not permitting the Crusher boy... to be executed? And by so doing, do I endanger this vessel and more than a thousand other lives?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Would you choose one life over one thousand, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I refuse to let arithmetic decide questions like that.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Your God is unfair. My son had no warning that his act was criminal.

2nd Mediator: We cannot allow ignorance of the law to become a defense.

Commander William T. Riker: When has justice ever been as simple as a rulebook?

[the transporter activates, and the away team is beamed up]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Seems the Edo Lord agrees with you, Number One.

Commander William T. Riker: Data, have you got a flush or a full house?

Lt. Commander Data: It will cost you twenty to make that determination, sir.

[Troi and Worf have lost all their chips to Riker and Data at poker]

Counselor Deanna Troi: You two have successfully divided the evening between you.

Lieutenant Worf: [leaning over to her] I suspect conspiracy.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You keep using the word 'peace'. We've heard a different version of life on Turkana IV.

Hayne: Ancient history. Where did you hear that?

Lt. Commander Data: A former crewman was born here.

Hayne: Where is he now?

Lt. Commander Data: *She* was killed in the line of duty.

Hayne: Yeah, that's as good a way to die as any.

Tan Tsu: [over audio] Estimate five minutes till warp drive containment breach.

[an explosion can be heard in the background]

Tan Tsu: Make that three minutes...

Ishara Yar: I don't run away when things get tough, like some people - like my sister did.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let me tell you about your sister. The first time I saw Tasha Yar, she was making her way through a Carnelian minefield to reach a wounded colonist. Her ship had responded to their distress call, as had mine. When it was all over, I requested that she be assigned to the Enterprise; her ship's captain owed me a favor. In the months that followed, she never once failed to put the safety of the crew before her own. And she died doing the same. I'm sorry you never knew the woman Tasha became. I think you would have been proud of her - and she of you.

Ishara Yar: Our parents were killed in some crossfire, just after I was born. Some people took care of us for a few months, but then... one day we came home and they were gone. So Tasha took care of me; and when I was old enough, I joined the Coalition.

Lt. Commander Data: Tasha did not?

Ishara Yar: My sister hated the cadres. She blamed them for our parents' death. For everything. You know, she refused to join, and she left as soon as she had the chance. I always thought she was weak for doing that. But... maybe I was wrong, maybe... maybe she made the right choice.

Ishara Yar: Are you able to have friends?

Ishara Yar: But you don't have feelings, do you?

Lt. Commander Data: Not as such. However, even among humans, friendship is sometimes less an emotional response, and more a sense of... familiarity.

Ishara Yar: So, you can become used to someone.

Lt. Commander Data: Exactly. As I experience certain sensory input patterns, my mental pathways become accustomed to them. The input is eventually anticipated, and even missed when absent.

Ishara Yar: If it wasn't for my implant setting off all the alarms, I could guide you to your men.

Lt. Commander Data: We could remove the implant.

Ishara Yar: No. It has a micro-explosive inside that detonates on contact with air. When you join a cadre, you join for life.

Lt. Commander Data: [explaining why he supports Ishara Yar with such determination] We must free the crewmen. She appears to be our best hope of doing so. In addition... I have become used to her.

Lieutenant Worf: I understand you wish to join Starfleet.

Ishara Yar: Someday - if I'm lucky.

Lieutenant Worf: On that day, it is we who will be lucky.

Hayne: There's an old saying, Captain: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps the fault lies in ourselves; we were so eager to accept her. Each of us, myself included, wanted to see something of Tasha in this woman. We saw more than was there.

Commander William T. Riker: In all trust, there is the possibility of betrayal. I'm not sure you were... prepared for that.

Lt. Commander Data: Were you prepared, sir?

Commander William T. Riker: I don't think anybody ever is.

Lt. Commander Data: Hm... Then it is better not to trust?

Commander William T. Riker: Without trust, there's no friendship, no closeness. None of the emotional bonds that make us who we are.

Lt. Commander Data: And yet you put yourself at risk.

Commander William T. Riker: Every single time.

Lt. Commander Data: Perhaps I am fortunate, sir, to be spared the emotional consequences.

Commander William T. Riker: Perhaps.

Commander William T. Riker: [of the phaser that Ishara Yar has used against Data] Set to kill.

Lt. Commander Data: Your friendship with me was part of the deception, was it not? You misled me at each step, and yet... I was completely unaware.

Ishara Yar: [before beaming back to her planet] You know, Data, I wasn't always lying to you. That time we spent talking... that was the closest thing to friendship I've ever had - if that means anything to you.

Lt. Commander Data: Energize.

Lt. Commander Data: Is there a problem, Geordi?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I hear music.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's a long time to wait to see if you're right.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: I have a few things to do between now and then!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, perhaps you can tell me what was so important that it required depriving the Captain of his cup of Earl Grey?

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: I'm sorry, it's just we weren't expecting anybody to be up at this hour.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well - you're new on the Enterprise. You'll have to learn to expect the unexpected.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your choice in that arpeggio was delightful - not at all what one would expect.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Well, Captain, now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected.

[Picard is consulting Troi about his relationship with Lt. Cmdr. Daren]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You see, I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command would compromise my objectivity. And yet...

Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain, are you asking my permission?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If I were, would you give it?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: For a minute there I thought I'd misread you. One kiss, and you're off to find somebody else.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: [about Picard] He seems... somewhat isolated.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'd say he's a very private person but not isolated.

[Lt. Cmdr. Daren has barely survived a rescue mission]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've lost people under my command - people who were very dear to me. But never... someone I've been in love with. And when I believed that you were dead, I just began to shut down. I didn't want to think or feel. I was here in my quarters... and the only thing I could focus on was my music, and how it would never again give me any joy. And then I saw you standing on the transporter pad! And I knew that I could never again put your life in jeopardy.

[Picard tells Lt. Cmdr. Daren of his life on Kataan from "The Inner Light"]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: ...And when I awoke, all that I had left of that life... was the flute that I'd taught myself to play.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Why are you telling me this?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Because I want you to understand what my music means to me... and what it means for me to be able to share it with someone.

Lt. Cmdr. Nella Daren: Promise me something. Don't give up your music.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have heard that in moments of diplomatic tension, it is often helpful to find elements of commonality.

Lieutenant Worf: Ambassador Byleth is... demanding, temperamental and rude!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You share all of those qualities in abundance. Perhaps you should try to build on your similarities!

[Worf is getting ready for a diplomatic reception]

Lieutenant Worf: I do not see why it is necessary to wear these... ridiculous uniforms.

Commander William T. Riker: Protocol.

Lieutenant Worf: They look like dresses.

Commander William T. Riker: That is an incredibly outmoded and sexist attitude! I'm surprised at you. - Besides, you look good in a dress.

Ambassador Byleth: [after Worf has knocked him down] Wonderful! Very good. Thank you, Lieutenant Worf.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to the Human female] Well, you're certainly not a Terellian - unless you've lost two of your arms.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [explaining desserts] It's something we eat after the main course. It's usually very sweet, it's usually very bad for you, um... We eat it purely for pleasure. If you ask me, it's the best part of any meal.

Counselor Deanna Troi: This is my favorite: Ktarian chocolate puff! I don't know exactly what's inside, but I think it's made with seventeen varieties of chocolate.

[she gives Ambassador Loquel some of it to taste]

Ambassador Loquel: That is... that is...

Counselor Deanna Troi: Delicious?

Ambassador Loquel: Delicious.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Ambassador, I think we're going to get along very well.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [about Ambassador Loquel] He's obsessed with food - especially chocolate.

Commander William T. Riker: You must be in heaven!

[Worf has accused Ambassador Byleth of cheating at poker]

Ambassador Byleth: Even if I were cheating, how would a plodding animal like you know it?

Lieutenant Worf: You are an insulting, pompous fool! And if you were not an ambassador, I would disembowel you right here!

Ambassador Byleth: Do not let my title inhibit you, Klingon!

Anna: You should love me now! We're together. We depend on each other. I know more about you. Love me!

Voval: I am sorry if our diplomatic methods offended you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, on the contrary, I found your approach intriguing. We Humans tend to take a rather balanced approach towards life, never too much, never too little. And it's very nice to find a culture that is willing to take an experience to its furthest extreme.

Commander William T. Riker: We no longer enslave animals for food purposes.

Badar N'D'D: But we have seen Humans eat meat.

Commander William T. Riker: You've seen something as fresh and tasty as meat, but inorganically materialized, out of patterns used by our transporters.

Badar N'D'D: This is sickening. It's barbaric!

Commander William T. Riker: You're on notice that all of your weapons, no matter what their basic function, are being confiscated. Violence will not be tolerated on the Enterprise.

Badar N'D'D: Of course not. And if any does occur, let me assure you, it will not be we Anticans who start it.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Thank you, sir.

[Riker and Yar leave the Anticans' quarters]

Badar N'D'D: But... we will *finish* it.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So, Worf, why the interest in this? It's just routine maintenance on the sensor assemblies.

Lieutenant Worf: Simple, Geordi. Our Captain wants his junior officers to learn, learn, learn.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The immortal Sherlock Holmes would have an interesting view of our mystery, I believe.

Commander William T. Riker: But I'm afraid we're going to have to find our solution... without history's greatest consulting detective.

Lt. Commander Data: [to himself, inaudibly] Holmes...?

Lt. Commander Data: A mystery is only a mystery as long as it remains uninvestigated, sir.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: We can learn something from non-disclosure?

Lt. Commander Data: [smoking pipe] Indubitably, my good woman.

[Yar looks quizzically at Riker]

Commander William T. Riker: It's something the Captain mentioned. Sherlock Holmes. Indubitably, Data has been studying him.

Lt. Commander Data: It's elementary, my dear Riker. Sir.

Ssestar: Sorry. Wrong species.

[after some Selay have caught Riker in a snare]

Badar N'D'D: I admit some of my people are impulsive. And we all have reason to hate the Selay.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: They appear to have the same feelings about you, sir.

Badar N'D'D: Ah, the nature of politics.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: The problem is, is that one of the cooks has just been asked to broil reptile for the Anticans - and it looks like the Selay delegate.

Lt. Commander Data: [quoting Sherlock Holmes] We must fall back on the old axiom, that when other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable... must be the truth.

[Dr. Crusher suspects Picard to be under the influence of an alien entity]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Please - are you Jean-Luc?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He is here.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The Jean-Luc I know?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And more.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The 'more' frightens me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And elates us. We wish you could understand the glorious adventure ahead.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You and...?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Soon we'll both be home.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [confused] What the devil am I doing here?

Commander William T. Riker: Sounds like our Captain.

[after Picard has been beamed back out of the nebula]

Lt. Commander Data: I believe the Captain is now his separate self, sir. Much of what happened is naturally missing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What're you talking about, Data? Is this still Sherlock Holmes?

Lt. Commander Data: Indubitably, sir. Indubitably.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hmm. Well, at least you got rid of the damned pipe.

[a welcoming party is preparing to meet mediator Riva on his planet]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Have your sensors indicated any problem down there, Lieutenant?

Lieutenant Worf: None.

Counselor Deanna Troi: But you're feeling a certain confusion about this mission.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes! I've never known you to have such strong emotions, except when you're expecting to do battle.

Lieutenant Worf: I am not expecting battle.

Commander William T. Riker: Then what is bothering you?

Lieutenant Worf: [taking a moment] Riva.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah. Riva negotiated several treaties between the Klingons and the Federation.

Lieutenant Worf: Before him, there was no Klingon word for '*peace*-maker'.

Commander William T. Riker: You will be careful, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, cluck, cluck, cluck, Number One.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're being a mother hen.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Confidence is faith in oneself. It can't easily be given by another.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [interpreting Riva's sign language for herself] Words... are here, on top... What's under them... their meaning... is what's important.

[Riva is being briefed on the conflict on Solais V]

Scholar: [interpreting for Riva] There is no need to continue. The specific issues of the conflict have no relevance.

Commander William T. Riker: So, none of the background which we have provided would be helpful in understanding why they continue to fight?

Scholar: [interpreting] The portfolio will indicate that the conflict is over a piece of land or wealth or some other tangible asset. But we both know that is not the case.

Commander William T. Riker: [understanding] They have been at war for so long, it has become personal.

Scholar: [interpreting] Exactly. The basis for peace must also be personal.

Scholar: [interpreting for Riva] They have been killing each other for a long time. Now they want to talk peace. So, something about the situation has recently changed. What's the new piece to the puzzle?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data?

Lt. Commander Data: Unknown, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Perhaps they have run out of people to kill.

Commander William T. Riker: Riva is not what I expected.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [trying to calm down Riva] Listen to me! You are not alone! Do you understand? We - are all in this - together - now!

Lt. Commander Data: [interpreting Riva's sign language] The real secret is turning disadvantage into advantage.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, I have reviewed and stored five distinct signing languages. Here is an example of the first:

[he starts making signs]

Lt. Commander Data: This is 'blue'. This is 'the blue ocean'. This is 'the blue ocean at sunset'. This is two people walking along the beach by the blue ocean at sunset. This is two happy people in love walking along the beach by the blue ocean at sunset. This is two pe...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Enough.

[gets up and walks to Data, intrigued]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's talk to Riva.

Scholar: [introducing Riva's Chorus] We serve as translators. We convey not only his thoughts, but his emotional intent as well. I am the scholar. I represent the intellect and speak in matters of judgment, philosophy, logic. Also, I am the dreamer, the part that longs to see the beauty beyond the truth, which is always the first duty of art. I am the poet, who...

Warrior: Artists. They tend to ramble, neglect the moment. I am passion, the libido. I am the anarchy of lust. The romantic and the lover. I am also the warrior, the perfect line, which never wavers.

Harmony: I am that which binds all the others together. I am harmony, wisdom, balance.

Scholar: [interpreting for Riva] The time for killing has come to an end.

Lieutenant: No, no, never, never! Death first!

Commander William T. Riker: Our job is not to police the galaxies.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Isn't that my speech, Number One?

[Riva explains how he intends to mediate between the adversarial parties]

Lt. Commander Data: [interpreting Riva's sign language] Learning sign will be a part of their process of learning how to live together in peace.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [explaining] While they're learning how to communicate with Riva, they'll be learning how to communicate with each other.

Lt. Commander Data: [interpreting] And that is the first and most important aspect of any relationship.

Lt. Commander Data: Counselor, it took me only moments to learn sign language. It will take them months.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Time well spent.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Troi] You read me well enough to sense how I feel about you, and what you do on this ship. But I just wanted to say the words: thank you. Well done.

Riva: [after Riva's Chorus were slain and they beamed back, Riva is ranting in sign language] Stupid false egoistical... [rambles on with back turned to camera]... tired of everything... three dead! What will we do now?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How did this happen?

Commander William T. Riker: A total surprise. Apparently a member of one of the factions didn't like the idea of peace.

Riva: ...any time think [Rubs hands through hair in frustration]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't understand what you're trying to say. [Pleading gesture to Troi] Counselor.

Riva: I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to myself!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Riva, go slowly.

Riva: What!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Slowly.

Riva: I'm not talking to him anyway.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Can you write it out?

Riva: No! Leave me alone!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am so sorry that your friends were killed.

Riva: I don't need your pity!

Riva: [Riva and Picard are talking simultaneously]... tired of all of you hearing people not understanding me! I'm not talking to you anyway.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry, I-I don't know what you are trying to tell me. We have to find some way to communicate with him.

Riva: I'm tired of you hearing people, arg!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, he knows some kind of gestural language. Find out which one and learn it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor, take him to Sick Bay. Maybe Pulaski can help.

Riva: I - my friends are dead! I- [Picard grabs Riva's head]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Listen to me! You are not alone! Do you understand? We are all in this together... now.

Harmony: What is that you're wearing?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: A visor. It interprets the electromagnetic spectrum and then carries the readings to my brain.

Harmony: Your visor serves the same function as my Chorus, which interprets my thoughts and translates them into sound?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Yes

Harmony: And dont you resent it ?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The visor or being blind ?

Harmony: Either

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: No, since they're both part of me, and I really like who I am, there's no reason for me to resent either one.

Harmony: It's a blessing to understand we are special, each in his own way.

[Joret Dal explains why he is providing Starfleet with information about Cardassian strategic operations]

Joret Dal: All my life I've served in the military. Once, it was an institution dedicated to the security of Cardassia. Now, it's little more than a platform for ambitious guls hoping to make their reputations in battle. If the information I've provided helps Starfleet deter even one pointless skirmish, I've served my purpose.

Joret Dal: I'm sick of war. My people need peace.

Sito Jaxa: I never thought I'd hear a Cardassian say something like that.

Joret Dal: And I never thought a Bajoran would risk her life to help a Cardassian get home.

[Riker and Troi are discussing crew evaluations]

Commander William T. Riker: Why don't we just give everybody a promotion and call it a night - 'Commander'?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Fine with me, 'Captain'.

Sam Lavelle: [trying to influence the senior staff telepathically] Promote me please, so I can make lieutenant and have my own room.

Taurik: If you're unhappy sharing quarters with me, then you should put in for a new room assignment - just in case you're not promoted.

Taurik: [of Lavelle] He's convinced Commander Riker doesn't like him.

Ben: [to Lavelle] Why, did you crash the ship into something?

Commander William T. Riker: I am your worst nightmare!

Lieutenant Worf: Defend yourself!

Sito Jaxa: How am I supposed to defend myself when I can't see a thing?

Lieutenant Worf: Stop making excuses! Replace the blindfold!

Sito Jaxa: No! It's not a fair test.

Lieutenant Worf: Very good, Ensign. You have passed the challenge.

Sito Jaxa: Sir... is there really such a thing as a gik'tal challenge?

Lieutenant Worf: No, there is not. But perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you to protest.

Sito Jaxa: [responding to an earlier criticism on her from Picard] If you didn't want me on your ship, you should have said so when I was assigned to it. It's not your place to punish me for what I did at the Academy. I've worked hard here. My record is exemplary. If you're going to judge me, judge me for what I am now.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well, Ensign, I will. It took courage to come here and face me after what I said to you the other day.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And Ensign - I do know why you ended up on the Enterprise. I asked for you. I wanted to make sure that you got a fair chance to redeem yourself.

Sam Lavelle: My grandfather was Canadian, you know.

Commander William T. Riker: Really?

Sam Lavelle: Aren't you one too?

Commander William T. Riker: [confused] A grandfather?

Sam Lavelle: [laughs nervously] No, Canadian, sir, Canadian.

Commander William T. Riker: No, I grew up in Alaska.

Sam Lavelle: Oh. Well, they both... get a lot of snow.

[in a poker round]

Counselor Deanna Troi: It seems to me that you and Lavelle are a lot alike.

Commander William T. Riker: What? We're not at all alike!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're bluffing.

[in another poker round]

Sam Lavelle: You think so?

Ben: Yes. And I'm not gonna let you get away with it.

Ben: How about some blackjack?

Sam Lavelle: Uh, I've gotta get some sleep, so I can be sharp tomorrow.

Ben: Why? So you can get promoted, have more responsibility and have to get to sleep even earlier?

[Lavelle, Taurik and Ben are observing Worf and Sito talking]

Sam Lavelle: What could they be talking about?

Taurik: Have you ever considered learning to lip-read?

Sam Lavelle: You think Worf's chewing her out?

Ben: No, he always looks like that.

Lieutenant Worf: [about Sito's mission] Be certain you understand the risk you are taking. If you are captured...

Sito Jaxa: I'm Bajoran. No one knows better than I do what Cardassians do to their prisoners.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: To all Starfleet personnel, this is the Captain. It is my sad duty to inform you that a member of the crew, Ensign Sito Jaxa, has been lost in the line of duty. She was the finest example of a Starfleet officer, and a young woman of remarkable courage and strength of character. Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Picard out.

Ben: Excuse me, sir, but I need to move this table.

Lieutenant Worf: What?

Ben: [indicating the table occupied by Lavelle, Taurik and Ogawa] There's an empty seat over there.

Lieutenant Worf: I appreciate what you're trying to do. But it is not appropriate. You were her friends. I was only her commanding officer.

Ben: Sir - I happen to know that she considered you a friend.

[Worf ponders this, then gets up and joins the other friends at their table]

Sito Jaxa: A spider under the table.

[Bajoran for 'a fly on the wall']

Commander William T. Riker: Hi. It's that time again... The dreaded crew evaluation reports?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [groans] Does it have to be today?

Commander William T. Riker: It's not going to be any easier tomorrow.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [more hoping than convinced] It might.

Lt. Commander Data: [on seeing Troi dressed up with an unusual hairstyle] Counselor Troi has altered her appearance.

Ambassador Ves Alkar: I think maybe my biggest asset is patience. I let everyone talk until they're exhausted. And when I start, they're too tired to argue.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You cannot explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think it is connected to some higher purpose!

Ambassador Ves Alkar: Captain, I get no payment. I have no power base, no agenda. I'm willing to risk my life simply to help others.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do you think that makes you appear courageous? Because you're mistaken! You're a coward, Alkar. You exploit the innocent, because you're unwilling to shoulder the burdens of unpleasant emotions. Well, this time you will be held accountable.

Sev Maylor: [referring to Alkar] Have you mated with him yet?

Counselor Deanna Troi: What?

Sev Maylor: That's what you want, isn't it?

Ambassador Ves Alkar: Mother. Please, come in.

Sev Maylor: I can always tell. The ones with a certain look in their eye.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [uncomfortable] I'd better go.

Sev Maylor: And I'll tell you this: if you do, you'll regret it the rest of your life!

Commander William T. Riker: I'm closer to Deanna than I've ever been to anyone, but last night, she was someone that I had never seen before.

Ambassador Ves Alkar: [Lumerian funeral meditation] Rohm gah, sevi rohm. An end to grief. An end to pain. Strength comes from love. And courage from wisdom.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Looking back on the past few days, it's as though I'm looking at a holodeck projection... of someone else.

Commander William T. Riker: That's how it seemed to all of us.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Thanks for sticking by me.

Commander William T. Riker: I always will... even when you're old and gray.

Counselor Troi: [to Picard] My mother is beginning a physiological phase. It's one that all Betazoid women must deal with as they enter midlife.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes, it's something Troi warned me about when we first started to see each other. A Betazoid woman, when she goes through this phase... quadruples her sex drive.

Counselor Troi: Or more.

Commander William T. Riker: Or more? You never told me that.

Counselor Troi: I didn't want to frighten you.

Lieutenant Worf: [of the fish-like Antedeans] What a handsome race.

Commander William T. Riker: I'm sorry they startled you, Mrs. Troi. They're Antedean delegates; they're being stored here temporarily.

Lwaxana Troi: Delegates? Last time I saw something like that it was being served on a plate.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I tell you, Deanna - for a telepath, your mother's accuracy leaves much to be desired!

Counselor Troi: It's only at midlife that a Betazoid female becomes... well... fully sexual, if you know what I mean.

Doctor Pulaski: Yes, I, I think I do. I also think that I saw the Captain on his way to her quarters.

Counselor Troi: I wonder if I shouldn't warn him.

Doctor Pulaski: No! As ship's doctor, I consider it an excellent exercise for his reflexes and agility.

Counselor Troi: An animal is always at its best when hunted.

Doctor Pulaski: Or when hunting.

Counselor Troi: It's so like my mother to do the unexpected.

Lwaxana Troi: You never assume anything where Lwaxana Troi is concerned. Betazoid women are full of surprises.

[Data has just saved Picard from Lwaxana Troi's advances, diverting her with boring stories]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, you will never know how much I owe you for that.

Lt. Commander Data: Indeed, Captain? I know many more interesting anecdotes, sir. For example...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data...

Lt. Commander Data: Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Later.

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir.

Counselor Troi: What are we going to do?

Lwaxana Troi: Well, I'm going to do the only honorable thing there is to do. And I'd say your Captain has the inside track.

Counselor Troi: You're scheming something, Mother. Don't try to fool me, I can tell.

Lwaxana Troi: You're always so melodramatic, Little One. I'm not scheming. I'm deciding.

[Riker prevents Deanna from telling her mother off]

Counselor Troi: Why did you stop me? Somebody needs to set her straight.

Commander William T. Riker: I think I'll leave that to the Captain.

Counselor Troi: Coward.

[Lwaxana Troi is beamed aboard in a kneeling position]

Lwaxana Troi: [looking down] Legs! Where are the legs?

Counselor Troi: Where they belong, Mother - right under you.

Counselor Troi: [about her mother] She has decided to focus all her sexual energy on one male, who will, of course, eventually become her husband. It seems, Captain, that... you are the early favorite.

Commander William T. Riker: Congratulations, sir!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, under the circumstances, I think it would be... prudent if I were to make myself... less available for the duration of the journey.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [introducing a holo-character from the Dixon Hill novels to Riker and Data] I want you to meet Rex...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Rex] You know, I don't think I ever heard your last name.

Rex: Hmm... Don't think I have one. Just Rex, that's all.

[Lwaxana Troi has decided to marry Rex]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mrs. Troi, there is something you ought to know about Rex.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, Jean-Luc! What naughty thoughts! But how wonderful you still think of me like that.

Lwaxana Troi: Now, that's more like it. Your thoughts, they're primal, savage. I like that in a man.

Lieutenant Worf: I am not a man!

Lwaxana Troi: [telepathically, of Riker] Is he still yours?

Counselor Troi: [telepathically] Humans no longer own each other that way, Mother.

Lwaxana Troi: Really? That's a custom we may have to introduce again.

Lwaxana Troi: [of the Antedeans] I still say they look better in sauce.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain, we are being hailed by a small transport vessel just coming into range.

Counselor Troi: [horrified] Oh, my god.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What's the problem?

Counselor Troi: What's she doing here?

Wesley Crusher: On screen, captain.

Transporter Pilot: Starship Enterprise, come in.

Commander William T. Riker: We have you on viewer, pilot.

Transporter Pilot: Enterprise, I have a passenger, a VIP passenger who I more...

Lwaxana Troi: [shoving the pilot aside] Oh, let me talk to them. I'm sure I'm more articulate than that.

Counselor Troi: Mother.

Counselor Troi: What stage is it in?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, I have it completely under control.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, far enough along for me to enjoy it, little one.

Counselor Troi: Now I know why you wore that dress.

Lwaxana Troi: Wha-? Don't be ridiculous. This simple little dress? Nothing provocative about it.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, I'm going to do the only honorable thing there is to do. And I'd say your captain has the inside track.

Counselor Troi: Mother, don't even think it.

Lwaxana Troi: Why not? He was thinking about it all through dinner.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [Lwaxana walks off. Deanna sighs and follows. Cut to minutes later in Picard's ready room] I was what? I tell you, Deanna, for a telepath, your mother's accuracy leaves much to be desired.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Geordi... What... does it feel like, when a person is losing his mind?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am different.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Masaka is waking!

Commander William T. Riker: [on the bridge] Maybe we better talk out here; the observation lounge has turned into a swamp.

Lieutenant Worf: [about the transformations on the Enterprise] We have been receiving reports from the rest of the ship. Part of deck 12 is now an aqueduct.

Counselor Deanna Troi: What are we being transformed into?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm not sure I want to find out.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [as the Old Man; describing and drawing the sign of Masaka's temple] A line, as the unending horizon. A curve, as the rolling hillside. A point, as a distant bird. A ray, as the rising sun.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: If this is the wrong symbol, it might turn the Enterprise into a big chunk of rock.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [as Ihat; on seeing Picard] Well, aren't we the persistent one.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ihat.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Is anyone else so charming?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [as Ihat; about Masaka] You can't imagine her rage. She lets people... die of thirst. Terrible death. Sometimes... she burns them alive. She is glorious.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [as Ihat; afraid of being caught by Masaka] It seems... I was not fast enough.

[Data has taken the personality of Masaka. Picard faces him posing as Korgano]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [as Masaka] Korgano.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [as Korgano] Are you surprised to see me?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I thought I had escaped you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You should know that is impossible.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You are a fine hunter. But I am a powerful prey. You will never catch me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do you want to be the prey... forever?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I thought I was alone. I thought I would not have to share the sky with you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But without me... you are not complete. I know you so well. You live for the chase - as do I. Will you not miss being the hunter? Pursuing me? Forcing me from the sky, so that you can rise again?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You know me well, Korgano.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think... that you are beginning to tire. It is difficult brightening the sky forever.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Mm... I am getting sleepy. You always do that to me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So that you can wake with the dawn - and begin the hunt again.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Let the hunt begin again. [sighs]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am eager for that. [falls asleep]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As am I.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Although I am... relieved to be rid of those alien personalities, in a sense, I am now... empty.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mm, I can imagine. Doctor Crusher told me that there were possibly dozens of personalities inside you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I suspect the number was much greater. My impression is that there were thousands, of all ages and walks of life. It was a remarkable experience.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, Data, you never may become fully human, but you've had an experience that transcends the human condition; you've been an entire civilization.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What have you done to Commander Data?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [possessed by Ihat] Commander Data? You mean the one who was here?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: He's gone. Who can say where?

Counselor Deanna Troi: How's it going, Data?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have finished. The dimensions are accurate to within 1.3%.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm sure they are. [pause] Data, you obviously don't have a problem with realism. But, you're here to work on your imagination. Maybe you should try something a little more... abstract. Here. [takes his work from the table] I want you to start a new piece. I'd like you to sculpt... [sighs] Music.

Counselor Deanna Troi, Lt. Cmdr. Data: Counselor, music is a collection of acoustic vibrations. How can I reproduce a sound with clay?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, think of the effects that sounds have on people. The images that music brings to your mind. And then give it a form. [Data makes some faces and behinds constructing at a high speed and Deanna's face changes to one not of approval as he finishes a treble clef and he looks at her with a small smile]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [smiles] It's a start.

Commander William T. Riker: [over communicator] Riker to Data. Please report to the bridge.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Acknowledged, Sir. On my way.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [voiceover with a scene of a comet and a bright shining yellow circle] Captain's Log, Stardate 47615.2. We have encountered a rogue comet in sector 1156. It is not native to this region of space. [cut to Data's hand working ship computers] And there is no previous record of this object on any federation charts. [view of personnel on bridge with Data at his post and Riker and Picard in the center]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Based on its present trajectory, the comet appears to have originated in the D'Arsay system.

Commander William T. Riker: That's over 2 sectors away.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That is correct, Sir. [camera pans to Data and to his side] This object has been en route for 87 million years.

Commander William T. Riker: [looks to Picard] That's a long time alone in the dark.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hmm. [hesitates] Begin a full sensor analysis, Mr. Data, and log the findings with the Federation Astrophysical Survey.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Aye, Sir. [short pause] The comet's outer shell is composed primarily of gaseous hydrogen and helium surrounding an icy mantle. The inner core consists of heavier elements. [a bright light illuminates them and the bridge for a few seconds and vanishes]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: There is a distortion within the comet's inner core. I believe we experienced an intense sensor echo.

Commander William T. Riker: Can you correct for it?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I'm attempting to do so now, Sir. I have compensated for the effect. Sensors are reconfigured for a low-intensity sweep. We are still picking up some interference, but the distortion is manageable. At these settings, the scan will be complete in 39 hours.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Are we at war with the Ferengi yet?

Lwaxana Troi: [arguing with Deanna about getting married] You had your chance with Commander Riker. Look how you ruined that.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I did not ruin anything! We've become very good friends.

Lwaxana Troi: Well, all the better; you certainly wouldn't wanna marry an enemy.

Lwaxana Troi: You've got to enjoy life, relax, like I do. Find yourself the right man. Think of your future. Hm - think of *my* future.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [playing the role of Lwaxana's fanatic lover] My love... is a fever, longing still, For that which longer nurseth the disease.

Lwaxana Troi: Tell me more.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, For they in thee a thousand errors see; But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, Who, in despite of view, are pleased to dote. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: When I have pluck'd the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again. It needs must wither.

Lwaxana Troi: I have a new love, Jean-Luc. And you can't keep killing all my lovers. Now, that simply has to stop.

DaiMon Tog: [alarmed] Killing?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, he's insanely jealous.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Ferengi codes are damn near impossible to break.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Gentlemen, I have the utmost confidence in your ability to perform... the impossible.

DaiMon Tog: Lwaxana Troi, I desire you.

Lwaxana Troi: What?

DaiMon Tog: You see, your Betazoid skills would be very useful to me, and I find you very attractive. I am willing to pay handsomely for you.

Lwaxana Troi: I don't believe this.

DaiMon Tog: You must be aware that every female has her price.

Lwaxana Troi: Let's get one thing straight, little man. I am not for sale. And if, by some chance, I were to become available, I would rather eat Orion wing-slugs than deal with a toad-faced TROLL like you! So go away and find yourself somebody else to become your property!

DaiMon Tog: Lwaxana Troi - you will be mine.

DaiMon Tog: Why continue to search for perfection, once you have found it?

Lwaxana Troi: Now, look, Demon Tog, or whatever you call yourself...

Lwaxana Troi: Can you imagine that dreadful little creature talking to me like that? Doesn't he realize that I am the daughter of the Fifth House of Betazed? Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx?

Counselor Deanna Troi: The Sacred Chalice of Rixx is an old clay pot with mold growing inside it.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, well, perhaps one day, when you're older and wiser, you'll understand.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh! I should have known. Even their transporters can't be trusted.

[after the Ferengi have beamed her and Deanna out of their clothes]

Lwaxana Troi: I-I must admit, when you, uh, first approached me aboard the Enterprise, I was...

[clears her throat in disgust]

Lwaxana Troi: ...intrigued.

DaiMon Tog: You mean revolted.

Lwaxana Troi: Perhaps a little.

Lwaxana Troi: If Tog were a kitten, he'd be purring.

[Picard has rescued Lwaxana from DaiMon Tog]

Lwaxana Troi: Thank you, Jean-Luc. You were most convincing. You certainly convinced me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am truly grateful, Mrs. Troi, that you risked your life to save my people. I'll have you home in a few hours.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, no, no, no, no, that won't be necessary. I'd just love to hear more of your poetry.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [disentangling himself from Lwaxana] Uhh... Perhaps another time. Please.

[offers her his chair, then walks up to Wesley at the helm]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Crusher, set course for Betazed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [low voice] Warp nine.

[Wesley has missed his lift to Starfleet Academy and therefore has to stay on the Enterprise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm just thinking that... I'm saying goodbye to you, as you are today.

Wesley Crusher: But I thought you said I wasn't going to be able to go.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Academy must make you wait, that's true; but... when I review your service to this ship, your crewmates, I cannot in all conscience make *you* wait for the Academy. You see, Wesley... in my eyes, you're an acting ensign in title only. I hereby grant you field promotion to full ensign with all the commensurate responsibilities and privileges of that rank. Congratulations.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm sorry, and I didn't mean to get so upset with you at the reception.

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, no. Deanna, try to understand. You're all I have. My only concern is for your happiness.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I am happy. Why can't you believe that?

Lwaxana Troi: Oh, I wish I could, but how much happiness is there in always being there for someone else and never being there for yourself?

Lwaxana Troi: All right, in case I have to spell it out for you, I am talking about finding a husband, having a child. That's what made me happy. At least, until now.

Commander William T. Riker: DaiMon Tog, I thought the Krayton left orbit hours ago.

DaiMon Tog: It did. But when I tried to get the image of Lwaxana Troi out of mind, I could not succeed. [gives Lwaxana flowers]

Lwaxana Troi: [takes them and tosses them over her shoulder] This is ludicrous. You mean, you came all the way back to Betazed for me?

Lwaxana Troi: Do you forgive me?

DaiMon Tog: Yes, but with your powers, we could be a formidable team. [begins lowering her sleeve]

Lwaxana Troi: [quickly grabs his hand feigning attraction] My, you have great strength in your hands.

DaiMon Tog: And you like that?

Lwaxana Troi: [sighs] I've always admired strong males.

DaiMon Tog: You are beautiful. It is impossible for me to resist you.

Lwaxana Troi: Then, uh... [clears throat]... don't. [they awkwardly kiss; cuts to Deanna grimacing in disgust]

Lwaxana Troi: My, my, what, uh, big ears you have [starts rubbing his ears] . Has anyone ever told you how attractive they are? [rolls eyes]

DaiMon Tog: Some females think they are my best feature. [she looks at him quizzically] No one has ever given me oo-mox like this before.

Lwaxana Troi: Oo-mox?

DaiMon Tog: There's no translation, but the ear is one of our most erogenous zones. [she becomes alarmed; he doesn't notice]

Commander William T. Riker: Those Ferengi have iron jaws.

Helena Rozhenko: Alexander is a, is a fine boy, Worf. He's, he's smart and he's high-spirited, a lot like you were at that age. And sometimes, when he comes running through the house, then he knocks over that big green lamp, just like you used to do.

Lieutenant Worf: I don't remember you smiling when I knocked over that lamp.

Helena Rozhenko: Well, maybe once, when you weren't looking.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Data! Data, isn't this exciting? We are going to witness a moment in history!

Lt. Commander Data: [puzzled] Every nanosecond in this continuum is a moment in history, once it has elapsed.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No, no, no, no, I mean, we are gonna see something that people will talk about for years! I mean, think about it: no more bulky warp engines, or nacelles. A ship just generates a soliton wave and then rides it through space, like a surfboard. This is going to be like being there to watch Chuck Yeager break the sound barrier, or Zefram Cochrane engage the first warp drive!

Lt. Commander Data: [emotionless] It should be interesting.

Lieutenant Worf: [equally unenthusiastic] Very exciting.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm talking to the wrong crowd. Er, D-Donaldson! Donaldson, you're an engineer...!

[hurries off]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Warp without warp drive.

Commander William T. Riker: They're gonna put you out of a job, Geordi.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I hope so, Commander.

Lieutenant Worf: I apologize for being late Captain. I was detained in school.

Lieutenant Worf: Lieutenant Worf, personal log, stardate 45376.8 - Alexander has acted shamefully, and as his father, I must now deal with him. But I find that I would rather fight ten Balduk warriors than face one small child.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf - you are not the first officer on this ship to have a new family member. Take care of your son. The security matters can wait.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Have you ever wondered how Alexander felt about being sent away?

Lieutenant Worf: He was... very young. I am sure that he was confused.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Do you think he felt abandoned? After all, he left very soon after K'Ehleyr's death. In a way, he not only lost his mother; he lost his father as well.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [referring to K'Ehleyr] It would be very normal to be angry with her - angry because she died and left you alone with a son you never knew you had. Being angry doesn't mean you loved her any less, Worf. But you can't hide from your feelings. Just as Alexander can't hide from his. You both have a lot of healing to do. Perhaps you should think about doing it together.

[Worf had considered sending Alexander to a Klingon school]

Lieutenant Worf: Klingon schools are designed to be difficult. The physical and mental hardships faced by the students are meant to build character and strength. However - if you wish to face a greater challenge, you may stay here with me. It would not be easy - for either of us. But perhaps we can face the challenge together.

Alexander Rozhenko: I accept your challenge, Father. I will stay.

Lieutenant Worf: I believe your mother would be pleased.

[when a riot breaks out in Ten Forward, Guinan produces a huge energy rifle from behind the bar, and fires a blast into the ceiling. Everyone stops and stares]

Ensign Gillespie: What is that?

Guinan: This is a little souvenir I picked up from Magus III. That was setting number one. Anyone wanna see setting number two?

Alien Voice: Eyes... in the dark... One moon circles...

Ensign Kenny Lin: We're adrift.

Commander William T. Riker: Just like the Brattain.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's just an illusion. It's not real.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Okay, all power's been channeled to the, um... the...

Lt. Commander Data: The main deflector dish.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yes! Right, the... deflector dish. [sighs]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: So... um... What do we do now?

Lt. Commander Data: Data to bridge. Mr. Worf, activate the deflector.

Lieutenant Worf: I am no longer a warrior. I'm no longer strong. I... I feel...

Counselor Deanna Troi: What? What do you feel?

Lieutenant Worf: I feel fear.

Counselor Deanna Troi: To admit that you're afraid gives you strength.

Lieutenant Worf: Something is waiting for us. I am not strong enough to fight it!

Ensign Gillespie: Picard owes us some answers! [punches O'Brien and thus initiates a mass riot]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: We have to dream in order to survive. If we don't reach REM sleep, we don't dream, we... we begin to lose our cognitive abilities, we find it hard to concentrate, we forget... how to do the most ordinary task. Then we become irritable, paranoid; some people experience hallucinations.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're describing the situation on this ship.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: There is an inevitable conclusion to this pattern. And if I can't find a way to stop it... we will all go insane!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's a terrifying prospect to lose control of one's mind.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: No matter what I do, no one can reach REM sleep, no one can dream. Except for you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Except me. And... all I have is nightmares. I can hardly sleep at all anymore.

[she looks at Hagan who is lethargically lying on the sickbed]

Counselor Deanna Troi: In the end, I'll be like him. Just like him.

[Troi in a telepathic conversation with Hagan]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Once before, you said "double". What did you mean? What is double?

Andrus Hagan: Mates. Too bright. Twin. Cannot leave the twin. One moon circling.

Counselor Deanna Troi: What do you mean? You can't leave?

Andrus Hagan: No. No, please. Can't.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You want to leave. Why can't you?

Andrus Hagan: Can't go. Help! One moon circling. Eyes. That's it. Eyes... in the dark.

[Troi has suggested passing on a message to the aliens in her dream]

Counselor Deanna Troi: How do I tell them what to do?

Lt. Commander Data: If you are correct, Counselor, I believe they have already told us what to do, and are waiting for us to do it. When we are ready, the only message you should attempt to convey is: "Now!"

Lt. Commander Data: Sir - as my final duty as Acting Captain, I order you to bed. I shall do the same for all personnel.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well, Mr. Data. And Mr. Data - thank you.

Lt. Commander Data: Pleasant dreams, sir.

[from an alternate universe]

Alternate Captain William T. Riker #2: We won't go back. You don't know what it's like in our universe. The Federation's gone, the Borg is everywhere! We're one of the last ships left. Please, you've got to help us!

Counselor Troi: I know Klingons like to be alone on their birthdays. You probably want to meditate or hit yourself with a pain stick or something.

[the crew is surprising Worf with a birthday party]

All: Surprise!

[his shipmates sing a Klingon version of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" to Worf]

Lieutenant Worf: [irritated] That was not a Klingon song!

Counselor Troi: It wasn't easy to translate. There doesn't seem to be a Klingon word for "jolly".

[Worf asks Troi to become his son's 'SoH-chim']

Lieutenant Worf: You would become his surrogate mother. In case anything ever happened to me, you would be responsible for him.

Counselor Troi: I don't know what to say. It's a great honor. So, um... that would make me your...?

Lieutenant Worf: The closest analogy is... step-sister.

Counselor Troi: [smiles] That would make my mother your step-mother.

Lieutenant Worf: [looks aghast] I had not considered that.

[thinks it over]

Lieutenant Worf: It is a risk I am willing to take.

Lieutenant Worf: Commander... how long have I been married to Counselor Troi?

Lt. Commander Data: Two years, one month, twelve days.

Lieutenant Worf: And when did this relationship begin?

Lt. Commander Data: It is my understanding your romantic affiliation began shortly after you recovered from your spinal injury on stardate 45587. It was six months later that you asked Commander Riker for his formal permission to court Counselor Troi. You felt to do otherwise would be dishonorable.

Lieutenant Worf: And then we mated?

Lt. Commander Data: I am not privy to the exact details of when, where or how your first coupling took place. I could investigate it.

Lieutenant Worf: No, that is all right.

[Worf is concerned that someone might have arranged a surprise party for his birthday]

Commander William T. Riker: A surprise party? Mr. Worf, I hate surprise parties. I would *never* do that to you.

Commander William T. Riker: [after surprising Worf with a party] I *love* surprise parties!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How old are you?

Lieutenant Worf: I am... old enough.

Lieutenant Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2 - I am returning from the bat'leth competition on Forcas III. The conditions were difficult. Several contestants were maimed, but... I was triumphant. I won Champion Standing. I am looking forward to resuming my duties aboard the Enterprise. However, I am anticipating a troubling situation.

[in an alternate universe]

Lieutenant Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2 - I am returning from the bat'leth competition on Forcas III. The conditions were difficult. Several contenders were maimed. One of the contenders used an illegal T'Gha maneuver on me. The judges chose to ignore it, and I was robbed of my rightful standing. I was awarded... ninth place. I am looking forward to resuming my duties aboard the En...

[in yet another alternate universe]

Lieutenant Worf: Personal log, stardate 47391.2 - There has been a malfunction in the ship's main deflector. It will require two more days of repairs. As a result, I will not be able to compete in the bat'leth tournament on Forcas III. I have asked my brother to take my place. He does not have my prowess with the blade, but...

Alternate Counselor Deanna Troi: Worf... from what I understand, there's a good chance my Worf won't return. I guess it's just hard for me to accept that... there's a reality out there where... you never loved me.

Commander William T. Riker: Something wrong?

Lieutenant Worf: I know what you are planning, sir. I will not be surprised.

Commander William T. Riker: Surprised? I don't know what you're talking about.

Lieutenant Worf: Of course you don't.

[Worf has been given a painting from Data for his birthday. Shortly after, he appears slightly dizzy]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Worf, are you all right?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. Yes, I... think Data's painting is making me dizzy.

Lt. Commander Data: The rate of quantum incursions is increasing exponentially. At this rate, the sector will be completely filled with Enterprises within three days.

Lieutenant Wesley Crusher: Captain, we're receiving 285,000 hails.

Alternate Captain William T. Riker #1: I wish I knew what to tell them.

Alternate Captain William T. Riker #2: We won't go back!

Alternate Captain William T. Riker #1: [to genuine Picard] It's good to see you again, Captain. It's been a long time.

Alternate Captain William T. Riker #1: You don't remember any of this, do you?

Lieutenant Worf: I do remember. I just remember differently.

[Worf is back in his own reality and quarters]

Counselor Troi: Welcome home, Worf. I hope you don't mind I let myself in. I promised Alexander I'd feed his Dalvin hissing beetle while you were both away.

Lieutenant Worf: So, you do not live here?

Counselor Troi: What's that supposed to mean?

Lieutenant Worf: It is a long story.

Lieutenant Worf: [to replicator] Champagne!

Lt. Commander Data: I believe the quantum fissure we discovered is a fixed point across the space-time continuum; a key-hole which intersects many other quantum realities. For any event there is an infinite number of outcomes. Our choices determine which outcomes will follow. But there is a theory in quantum physics that all possibilities that can happen do happen in alternate quantum realities.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: For over nine millennia, potential foes have regarded the Zakdorns as having the greatest innately strategic minds in the galaxy.

Lieutenant Worf: So, no one is willing to test that perception in combat?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Exactly.

Lieutenant Worf: Then the reputation means nothing.

[Data is taking on Sirna Kolrami in a game of Strategema and getting some last-minute advice from Dr. Pulaski]

Lt. Commander Data: In the present context, what did she mean by "bust him up"?

Counselor Deanna Troi: In her own way, Dr. Pulaski was instructing you to take the shortest route to victory.

Lt. Commander Data: As opposed to what?

Commander William T. Riker: [more than two days before the start of a battle simulation] Do you care to surrender now, Captain?

Commander William T. Riker: You're outmanned, you're outgunned, you're outequipped. What else have you got?

Lieutenant Worf: Guile.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: If the warp engines fail to function, the result could be... unfortunate.

Lieutenant Worf: Very unfortunate. We will be dead.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm less than one hour away from a battle simulation, and I have to hand-hold an android.

Doctor Pulaski: The burdens of command.

[Data and Troi are analyzing Riker's tactical abilities]

Lt. Commander Data: The weaker his position, the more aggressive will be his posture.

Counselor Deanna Troi: And he won't give up.

Lt. Commander Data: Then, despite whatever... options he is given, he must be...

Counselor Deanna Troi: ...the man that he is, exactly.

Lt. Commander Data: Hm... Is that a failing in humans?

Counselor Deanna Troi: You'll have to decide that for yourself.

Sirna Kolrami: An opponent of limited dimensions can often be quite diverting.

Commander William T. Riker: Just remember, Enterprise - Captain Riker's never lost.

Sirna Kolrami: [of Riker] He's quite good.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's the best.

[Riker has challenged Kolrami to a game of Strategema]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So, you're gonna beat him, huh?

Commander William T. Riker: No.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Well, then it's gonna be a close one?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: But you have got a chance?

Commander William T. Riker: Naah!

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Are you even gonna bother to show up?

Commander William T. Riker: Sure. Kolrami is the best ever at Strategema. Just to get to play him is a privilege.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So, aside from your being privileged, is there anything else I can look forward to?

Commander William T. Riker: Nope.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [lame] This is gonna be exciting.

Lieutenant Worf: I have wagered heavily in the ship's pool that you will take him past the sixth plateau.

Commander William T. Riker: And if I don't?

Lieutenant Worf: I will be... irritated.

Commander William T. Riker: What's the Zakdornian word for 'mismatch'?

Sirna Kolrami: Challenge.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Picard] We're all here, waiting for you to pull another rabbit out of your hat.

[the Enterprise is facing a real battle with a Ferengi ship]

Lt. Commander Data: Our shields will not withstand another assault, sir.

Sirna Kolrami: Then there are no options. Retreat - or die!

Commander William T. Riker: Nobody said life was safe.

[Kolrami has criticized Riker's inappropriate joviality and lack of seriousness for a commanding officer]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Don't confuse style with intent. Only a fool would question Commander Riker's dedication to Starfleet and the men and women under his command. He is simply the finest officer with whom I have ever served.

Sirna Kolrami: We shall see if your faith is well-founded.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The test is whether the crew will follow where Commander Riker leads. His... his "joviality" is the means by which he creates that loyalty. And I will match his command style with your statistics anytime.

[despite Data's reservations, Dr. Pulaski has suggested that he play Kolrami in a game of Strategema]

Sirna Kolrami: Play against a machine - hmm... Why should I wish to?

Doctor Pulaski: I don't blame you. It's no fun going into a game when you know you're going to lose.

Sirna Kolrami: But I wouldn't lose. Now you're no doubt going to tell me that I have to prove it to you.

Doctor Pulaski: Come on, Data, you can't let that pass!

Lt. Commander Data: Indeed, I...

[Pulaski, imploringly, mouths "please" to him]

Lt. Commander Data: ...cannot.

Lieutenant Worf: If there is nothing to lose, no... sacrifice, then there is nothing to gain.

[Data has lost his first match against Kolrami]

Doctor Pulaski: How can you lose? You're supposed to be infallible!

Lt. Commander Data: [puzzled] Obviously... I am not.

Doctor Pulaski: [to Data] How long are you going to sit sulking like Achilles in his tent?

[Data explains his strategy during his rematch of Strategema against Kolrami]

Lt. Commander Data: I was playing for a standoff, a draw. While Kolrami was dedicated to winning, I was able to pass up obvious avenues of advancement, then settle for a balance. Theoretically, I should be able to challenge him indefinitely.

Doctor Pulaski: Then you *have* beaten him.

Lt. Commander Data: It is a matter of perspective, Doctor. In the strictest sense, I did not win.

Counselor Deanna Troi, Doctor Pulaski: Data!

Lt. Commander Data: I busted him up.

Commander William T. Riker: What is that?

Wesley Crusher: My experiment from the Enterprise.

Commander William T. Riker: Wes.

Wesley Crusher: It deals with high-energy plasma reactions with antimatter.

Commander William T. Riker: You went back to the Enterprise for that? Wes, you cheated.

Wesley Crusher: No, sir. You told me to improvise.

Commander William T. Riker: The simulation begins in one hour.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: You'll have warp drive, Captain, though it may not be what you expected.

Commander William T. Riker: I think that deserves some kind of explanation.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: We'll have warp 1 for about...

Wesley Crusher: Just under two seconds.

Commander William T. Riker: That's not long enough for an escape, but used as a surprise, it may give us a strategic advantage.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Sir, all of this is theoretical.

Commander William T. Riker: And if your theory fails to pay off?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Have you ever driven a Grenthemen water hopper?

Commander William T. Riker: Sure.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Ever popped the clutch?

Commander William T. Riker: You're saying we're gonna stall the Hathaway?

Wesley Crusher: And the Enterprise will waltz right over and pulverize us.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: If the warp drive fails to activate, the results could be... unfortunate.

Sarjenka: Is anybody out there?

Lt. Commander Data: Eight weeks ago, I received a transmission. A simple four word message. "Is anybody out there?" I answered it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There is a... a loneliness inherent in that whisper from the darkness.

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. I am glad you understand, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But it didn't end there.

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. We speak often. It is a young female, humanoid.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Her society is aware that there is interstellar life?

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oops.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about horseback riding] It seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew were empty.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on his way to go horse-riding on the holodeck] Are you sure you won't reconsider?

Counselor Deanna Troi: No. I'll just watch you and be impressed.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data... your whisper from the dark has now become a plea.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In for a penny, in for a pound.

[the Enterprise is investigating unusual geological activity in the Selcundi Drema sector]

Lt. Commander Data: Commander, I have been reviewing the unmanned probe scans. At some point during the last 150 years, the fifth planet of Selcundi Drema has shattered, forming an asteroid belt.

Commander William T. Riker: I'd call that geological instability.

Lieutenant Worf: Is there any indication that this is the work of an unknown intelligence?

Commander William T. Riker: This is geology, not malevolence. These planets live fast and die hard. The question is, why?

Doctor Pulaski: [about Wesley] He is a boy, not a sword.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Who will one day become a man and - to extend the metaphor - will need a fine edge that won't dull at the first touch of resistance.

[Wesley is having trouble with his role as a team leader]

Commander William T. Riker: One of the reasons you've been given command is so you can make a few right decisions, which will lead to a pattern of success and help build self-confidence. If you don't trust your own judgment, you don't belong in the command chair.

Wesley Crusher: But what if I'm wrong?

Commander William T. Riker: Then you're wrong. It's arrogant to think that you'll never make a mistake.

Wesley Crusher: But what if it's something really important, I mean, not just a mineral survey? What if somebody dies because I made a mistake?

Commander William T. Riker: In your position, it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?

Wesley Crusher: He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision. But he's Captain Picard.

Commander William T. Riker: Well, it doesn't matter. Once Picard makes his decision, does anyone question it?

Wesley Crusher: No way.

Commander William T. Riker: And why not?

Wesley Crusher: I'm not sure.

[Riker is ordered to the Captain over comm]

Commander William T. Riker: When you figure it out, you'll understand command.

Commander William T. Riker: You did a good job. I'm proud of you.

Wesley Crusher: Thank you, sir. Does it get any easier?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Prime Directive has many different functions, not the least of which is to protect *us* - to prevent *us* from allowing our emotions to overwhelm our judgment.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, your orders were to deliver the message, correct?

Lt. Commander Data: Then, what is the difference between sending the message and delivering it personally?

Commander William T. Riker: A whopping big one, and you know it.

[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.

[Picard has suggested to Troi that she try a little horse-riding]

Counselor Deanna Troi: No, I prefer a mode of transportation that doesn't have a mind of its own.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Strange. I would expect Betazoids to be outstanding animal trainers.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We become too involved in the thoughts and shifting passions of the beast. We lose our way and get swept up in the emotion.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [indicating himself] I would have thought the shifting passions of this beast would be far more terrifying.

[the crew is debating whether to stop the geological disintegration of Drema IV, with regard to the Prime Directive]

Commander William T. Riker: If there is a cosmic plan, is it not the height of hubris to think that we can or should interfere?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So what're you saying, that, that the Dremans are, are fated to die?

Commander William T. Riker: I think that's an option that we should be considering.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Consider it considered and rejected!

Lt. Commander Data: The Dremans are not a subject for philosophical debate. They are a people.

Commander William T. Riker: What a perfectly vicious little circle.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You reminded us that there are obligations that go beyond duty.

Lt. Commander Data: I appreciate your seeking other options, sir. Your decision could have been unilateral.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One of my officers, one of my friends, was troubled. I had to help. Is Sarjenka safely home?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. She will not remember me, sir, but I will remember her.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Remembrance and regrets, they, too, are a part of friendship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And understanding that has brought you a step closer to understanding humanity.

Sarjenka: You have many different kinds of people here.

Sarjenka: When I'm bigger, can I be on your ship?

Lt. Commander Data: I am certain that you could.

Sarjenka: I wish I could come with you now.

Lt. Commander Data: I am afraid that is not possible.

Sarjenka: I know, but I can still wish for it.

Commander William T. Riker: In your position it's important to ask yourself one question: what would Picard do?

Wesley Crusher: He'd listen to everyone's opinion and then make his own decision.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I had a Betazoid kitten once. My mother and the cat reacted... badly to one another.

Commander William T. Riker: Something wrong, sir?

Capt. Picard: I just got a message from Starfleet Command.

Commander William T. Riker: Bad news?

Capt. Picard: You could say that. I've been invited to the annual Starfleet Admirals' banquet.

Commander William T. Riker: My condolences.

Capt. Picard: I've managed to avoid it for the past six years, but now it would seem that my luck has run out. I can't think of anything more tedious - fifty admirals shaking hands, making dull conversation, uninteresting food, boring speeches...

Commander William T. Riker: Can't you think of some excuse to get out of it?

Capt. Picard: After six years, Number One, I don't think I have any excuses left. Besides, I've been invited by Admiral Nakamura, the Sector Commander. He'd consider it an insult if I turned him down.

Commander William T. Riker: We could cause a diplomatic crisis. Take the ship into the Neutral Zone and attack the Romulans. That should get you out of the banquet.

Capt. Picard: I wouldn't count on it.

Lieutenant Worf: Mmm... Delicious.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: What kind of cake are you eating?

Lieutenant Worf: It is a cellular peptide cake... with mint frosting.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Geordi, you do not seem to appreciate Ensign Tyler's enthusiasm.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Mm, she's enthusiastic, all right - about me.

Capt. Picard: Ensign Gates, set course for starbase 219, warp 6... engage. [ship doesn't move] Engage... Bridge to Engineering. Mr. La Forge, why isn't my ship moving?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You know, I'm curious. What were you dreaming about when we woke you up?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have not fully assimilated its impact. I would prefer to study the images further before discussing them.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Mm... Sounds like it must've been pretty strange.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: 'Strange'... is not a sufficient adjective to describe the experience.

Admiral Nakamura: You're not trying to avoid this particular engagement, are you, Picard?

Capt. Picard: No, no, certainly not. I'm... really looking forward to it.

Admiral Nakamura: Good. I'll expect you soon. Nakamura out.

Commander William T. Riker: I think he's on to you, sir.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data, you must be the first person who's come into my office and been excited at the prospect of a new neurosis.

Lieutenant Worf: Ever since you gave Alexander that music program, he's been playing it all night. *Every* night!

Commander William T. Riker: Just wanted to broaden his horizons. Besides, he likes it.

Lieutenant Worf: It is screeching, pounding dissonance. It is not music.

Commander William T. Riker: Worf, It's better than music. It's jazz.

Commander William T. Riker: Will someone answer that damn ringing?

Dr. Sigmund Freud: Answer it.

[Picard reaches for the ringing phone on Freud's desk]

Dr. Sigmund Freud: Nein, nein, nein! Do not be so literal. When I say answer it, I mean respond to it, to zem.

Admiral Nakamura: [when the warp and impulse drive malfunctions prevent the Enterprise from reaching the Admiral's banquet] Are you expecting to have this problem fixed soon, or shall we send out a tow ship to bring you in?

Commander William T. Riker: [after yet another warp drive failure] Talk about going nowhere fast.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [citing Sigmund Freud] Dreams are the royal road to the knowledge of the mind.

Dr. Sigmund Freud: [analyzing Data's dream] Now, zee image of Counselor Troi - a female - is devoured by you, clearly indicating an unconscious desire to possess your own mother.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: But I do not have a mother.

Dr. Sigmund Freud: Do not interrupt! Ze knife, in its violent connotation, suggests a certain feeling of sexual inadequacy.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: But I have no sexual desire.

Dr. Sigmund Freud: Ach! Impotence on top of everyssing! It is all becoming clear to me now.

Capt. Picard: Mr. Data, what kind of cake is this?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is a cellular peptide cake.

Lieutenant Worf: [with his mouth full] With mint frosting.

Lieutenant Worf: [attempting to take care of Spot] Spot! Come here!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [asking Worf to take care of Spot] He will need to be fed once a day. He prefers feline supplement number 25.

Lieutenant Worf: I understand.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: And he will require water. And you must provide him with a sandbox - and you must talk to him. Tell him he is a pretty cat, and a good cat...

Lieutenant Worf: I will feed him.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Perhaps that will be enough.

Dr. Sigmund Freud: Kill zem. You must kill zem all, before it's too late.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Perhaps Dr. Freud was correct. The knife I dreamed about is the embodiment of my unconscious desire to inflict violence.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data, even Freud said: sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Capt. Picard: How long before we have warp power again?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, we're gonna have to manufacture a new conduit, that's at least six hours work.

Capt. Picard: [with feigned disappointment] Six hours? The banquet will be completely over by then; that's very unfortunate.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I could try and speed things up a bit.

Capt. Picard: Oh, no! No, uh... I wouldn't want to sacrifice the safety of the ship.

Capt. Picard: [to Data] Normally, I would wish you pleasant dreams. But in this case, bad dreams would be more helpful.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: This oughta be a lot of fun!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have often wondered what Spot dreams about. His twitching and rapid breathing would seem to suggest anxiety. But Spot has never seen a mouse, or any other form of Rodentia. He has never encountered an insect or been chased by a canine.

Dr. Sigmund Freud: [to Data] I believe you are experiencing a classic dismemberment dream. Or in your case, being a mechanical man, a dismantlement dream.

[Troi has made a cake in the shape of Data for Data]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I wonder. What would Dr. Freud say about the symbolism of devouring oneself?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data - sometimes a cake is just a cake.

Counselor Deanna Troi: They're coming... They're coming with the storm...

[a storm is approaching the crew's position]

Chief Miles O'Brien: I'd really like to get us out of here before it hits, Commander. I'm supposed to be feeding the baby lunch. Molly gets in a terribly foul mood if I'm late.

[Troi, Data and O'Brien have been possessed, allegedly by spirits of the USS Essex crew, and are trying to commandeer the Enterprise]

Troi/"Shumar": You have thirty seconds to change your heading! Or additional members of your crew will require medical attention.

Lieutenant Worf: Spiritual possessions of this sort have been reported throughout Klingon history. It is called jat'yIn - the taking of the living by the dead.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Human history is full of many similar legends.

Lieutenant Worf: Then you believe they may be telling the truth?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Not for one moment.

Lieutenant Worf: Sir, they know much about the Essex. If it *is* the spirit of Captain Shumar...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then he should be behaving very much better, don't you think?

Troi/"Shumar": Once we almost escaped, on board the Essex. But that ship was incapable of eluding this moon's electromagnetic storms.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: D'you really think that using their identities would gain our sympathy?

Troi/"Shumar": It was a better approach than asking you to allow hundreds of condemned prisoners on board.

[Picard has offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the injured in Ten Forward]

Commander William T. Riker: Sir, putting you down there only strengthens their position.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Number One, so long as they're on board this ship, I'm a hostage no matter where I am. We all are.

Data/"Mullen": Are you afraid?

Lieutenant Worf: I have no fear of death.

Data/"Mullen": And I have no fear of killing you!

Troi/"Shumar": Picard, you are mine.

[La Forge and Ro are crawling through a Jefferies tube]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Section 2... B... A... Section 1!

Ensign Ro Laren: Finally. I never want to see this part of the Enterprise again.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I hear you. This is what starship designers call 'easy access'.

[the spirits of the convicts are caught in a containment field]

Troi/"Shumar": Nooo!

Troi/"Shumar": [threatens Picard with her phaser] Let them go or you will all die!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your threats are meaningless now.

O'Brien/"Kelly": We are still in control of these three bodies. We will not let them go.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have you prepared to sacrifice the lives of these others? They'll all die when the cargo bay hatch is blown.

Data/"Mullen": You will die too, Picard!

Keiko O'Brien: I would die to save the life of my child.

Lieutenant Worf: To die defending one's ship is the hope of every Klingon.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you each know the officers you inhabit, then you know they're equally ready to give their lives for this ship. Free them now - and I will return you to the moon's surface.

[after a long pause, Troi slowly backs off]

Troi/"Shumar": I advise you, Picard, not to pass our way again.

Lt. Commander Data: Lieutenant, I must apologize for my inadvertent misconduct toward you.

Lieutenant Worf: No apology necessary.

Lt. Commander Data: Your restraint was most remarkable.

Lieutenant Worf: You have no idea.

Chief Miles O'Brien: If I could have killed that thing inside me, I would have.

Keiko O'Brien: [holding Molly in her arms] I know. We both know!

Commander William T. Riker: Lunch time, Miles!

Ro Laren: My father played the klavion. When I was very young and afraid of monsters under my bed... he played for me. He said that the klavion had... special powers. Monsters were afraid of it. And when they heard it they would disappear. When I listened to that music he played for me... I was never afraid to go to sleep. When he died... I realized even he couldn't make all the monsters go away.

[Picard has asked Ro to infiltrate the Maquis]

Ro Laren: The way I see it, there's one good reason to take this mission; and that's to validate your faith in me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I knew that I could count on you.

Macias: I've known since I first met you, that in your heart, you're one of us.

Admiral Alynna Nechayev: Evek manages to make the Cardassians sound like helpless sheep being preyed on by Federation wolves.

[Ro has suggested to 'steal' medical supplies for the Maquis from the Enterprise]

Kalita: We can't let her do something like this. We don't know anything about her.

Macias: I know... that she can make very strong hasperat.

[Ro has managed to steal Enterprise's medical supplies, with 'announcement']

Commander William T. Riker: Now we know what they mean by 'advanced' tactical training.

Macias: Let's go to the market, let's get food for a feast, for a celebration.

Ro Laren: A celebration of what?

Macias: Of absolutely nothing!

Ro Laren: [to Picard] When you sent me on this mission... I thought that I could do it - even though it meant helping the Cardassians, even though it meant betraying people who were fighting against them. Now I'm not sure where I stand.

Ro Laren: It's been a long time since I really felt like I belonged somewhere.

[Macias has been shot]

Macias: [dying words] When... an old fighter... like me... dies... someone... always steps forward... to take his place.

[Ro has turned against Starfleet to join the Maquis]

Ro Laren: Could you tell Captain Picard something for me?

Commander William T. Riker: Of course, what is it?

Ro Laren: Tell him I'm sorry.

Q: Petulance does not become you. We have business, Picard.

Guinan: My people encountered them a century ago. They destroyed our cities, scattered my people throughout the galaxy. They're called the Borg. Protect yourself, Captain, or they'll destroy you.

Capt. Picard: How do we reason with them, let them know that we're not a threat?

Guinan: You don't.

Q: [referring to Guinan] Picard, if you had half the sense you pretend to have, you would get her off your ship immediately. And if you'd like, I'd be more than pleased to expedite her departure.

Capt. Picard: [to Guinan] You know him?

Guinan: We have had some dealings.

Q: Those dealings were two centuries ago. This creature is not what she appears to be. She's an Imp, and where she goes, trouble always follows.

Capt. Picard: You're speaking of yourself, Q, not Guinan.

Q: My purpose is to join you.

Commander William T. Riker: To join us as what?

Q: As a member of the crew, willing and able, ready to serve. This ship is already home for the indigent, the unwanted, the unworthy. Why not for a homeless entity?

Commander William T. Riker: Homeless?

Commander William T. Riker: The other members of the Q Continuum kicked you out?

Ensign Sonya Gomez: I just want to say, sir, that I'm very excited about this assignment, and I promise to serve you and my ship - *your* ship... *this* ship... to the best of my ability.

Capt. Picard: We agreed you would never trouble my ship again.

Q: I always keep my arrangements, sir. Look! We're nowhere near your vessel.

[he shows him that they are actually drifting alone in space in a shuttle craft]

Q: I add a little excitement, a little spice, to your lives, and all you do is complain. Where is your adventurous spirit, your imagination? Think, Picard, think! Think of the possibilities.

Capt. Picard: Simply speaking, we don't trust you.

Q: Oh. Well, you may not trust me, but you do need me. You're not prepared for what awaits you.

Capt. Picard: How can we be prepared for that which we do not know? But I do know that we are ready to encounter it.

Q: You're an impossibly stubborn human.

Q: You judge yourselves against the pitiful adversaries you've encountered so far - the Romulans, the Klingons. They're nothing compared to what's waiting. Picard - you are about to move into areas of the galaxy containing wonders more incredible than you can possibly imagine - and terrors to freeze your soul.

Q: Con permiso, Capitan. The hall is rented, the orchestra engaged. It's now time to see if you can dance.

Capt. Picard: This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the US...

The Borg: We have analyzed your defensive capabilities as being unable to withstand us. If you defend yourselves, you will be punished.

[introducing the Borg]

[Riker prepares to beam over to the Borg ship with an away team]

Guinan: I wouldn't go there if I were you.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't know, Guinan. They paid us a visit; it seems only fair that we return the courtesy.

Q: [to Worf] Microbrain. Growl for me, let me know you still care.

[after transporting to the Borg vessel, Riker, Data and Worf come across a nursery of Borg children]

Commander William T. Riker: [communicating with Picard] From the look of it, the Borg are born as a biological life form. It seems that almost immediately after birth, they begin artificial implants. Apparently, the Borg have developed the technology to link artificial intelligence directly into the humanoid brain. Astounding.

Commander William T. Riker: [of the Borg] They're carving us up like a roast.

Capt. Picard: Let's get the hell out of here!

Q: You can't outrun them, you can't destroy them. If you damage them, the essence of what they are remains. They regenerate and keep coming. Eventually you will weaken. Your reserves will be gone. They are relentless!

Capt. Picard: [to Q] You wanted to frighten us. We're frightened. You wanted to show us that we were inadequate. For the moment... I grant that. You wanted me to say, 'I need you'? I *need* you!

Capt. Picard: I understand what you've done here, Q. But I think the lesson could have been learned without the loss of 18 members of my crew.

Q: If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid.

Capt. Picard: To learn about you is, frankly, provocative. But you're next of kin to chaos.

Capt. Picard: Maybe Q did the right thing for the wrong reason.

Capt. Picard: Well... perhaps what we most needed was a kick in our complacency - to prepare us for what lies ahead.

Capt. Picard: They will be coming.

Guinan: You can bet on it.

Ensign Sonya Gomez: [horrified that she spilled hot chocolate on Captain Picard] First impressions, right? Isn't that what they say? First impressions are the most important?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: I'll give you this - it's a meeting the captain won't soon forget.

Guinan: [to Q after he appears in Ten-Forward with a kidnapped Captain Picard] I knew it was you!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think this is supposed to be Earth - somewhere... round about the twelfth century. And this is England, or to be more precise, Sherwood Forest; at least Q's recreation of it.

Commander William T. Riker: That would explain these costumes.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Quite right, Number One - or... should I say 'John Little'?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, if he's Little John, that makes you...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I know. Robin Hood.

[Troi aims a bow at a tree, but shoots her arrow into Data's chest]

Counselor Troi: Data! Are you all right?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [pulls the arrow out] The arrow impacted just above my sixth intercostal support, penetrating my secondary subprocessor.

[wiggles his fingers]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Fortunately, none of my bio-functions seem affected. Do not be concerned, Counselor. I believe your aim is improving.

Lieutenant Worf: Sir, I protest. I am *not* a merry man!

Lieutenant Worf: [of Vash] Nice legs... For a human.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've just been paid a visit from Q.

Commander William T. Riker: Q? Any idea what he's up to?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He wants to do something "nice" for me.

Commander William T. Riker: I'll alert the crew.

Servant: Oh, you'll wear yourself out with all that pacing, milady.

Vash: Told you to stop calling me that. The name's Vash.

Servant: Ooh, my poor lamb. You've got a brain sickness for sure. Oh, can't I get you something to ease your suffering?

Vash: I could use a drink.

Servant: Well, I wasn't thinking of spirits, milady. But I have some nice, fresh leeches. To drain the fever.

Commander William T. Riker: Eternity never looked so lovely.

Vash: You must be Commander Riker.

Commander William T. Riker: I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage.

Vash: I didn't mean to interrupt. I believe you were about to tell me that my eyes are as mysterious as the stars.

Commander William T. Riker: You're Betazoid.

[Q claims to be indebted to Picard]

Q: Without your assistance on our last encounter, I would never have survived. I would've taken my own life but for you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We all make mistakes.

Sir Guy of Gisbourne: [to Picard] I'll have you know, I'm the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham!

[they fight]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very impressive.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There's something you should know.

[more fighting]

Sir Guy of Gisbourne: And what would that be?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm *not* from Nottingham!

[kills Sir Guy]

Q: Jean-Luc, it's wonderful to see you again. How about a big hug?

[he puts his feet up on Picards desk]

Q: Well, don't just stand there, say something.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Get out of my chair!

Q: I had such high hopes for you, Picard. I thought you were a bit more... evolved than the rest of your species. But now I realize you're just as weak as all the others. Still it pains me, to see the great Jean-Luc Picard brought down... by a woman.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [alarmed] What woman?

Q: [chuckles] Don't play coy with me, Captain. I witnessed your little spat with Vash. Nor will I soon forget the look of anguish on your face, the pain, the misery. If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were already married!

Q: You are simply the most impossible person to buy a gift for!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Some other time, Q. Right now, I have other matters to attend to.

Q: Yes, your speech, I read it. It's dull, plodding, pedantic, much like yourself.

[Picard enters his quarters, where a surprise visitor is waiting for him]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Vash! How did you get in here?

Vash: I came in through the window.

[Picard, as Robin Hood, has come through the window of the castle to rescue Vash, as Lady Marian]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: My staff and I were brought here by an old adversary of mine named Q. But I'll tell you the rest of that when we're safe. Come on, we don't have much time.

Vash: And the others are outside?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They're waiting for us back in Sherwood Forest.

Vash: You... you mean you came here alone?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's right. Now come on!

Vash: What kind of plan is that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's an excellent one if you'd just hurry up!

Vash: You do realize that our lives are at stake here?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Only too well.

Vash: And this is the best strategy you could come up with, one man against an entire castle?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You have a better one?

Vash: How about this: you go, I'll stay here.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And do what?

Vash: Marry Sir Guy, if I have to.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, that's brilliant!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You are the most stubborn woman I ever knew!

Lieutenant Worf: Sorry.

[after smashing Alan-a-Dale's alias Geordi's mandolin against a tree]

Doctor Beverly Crusher, Counselor Troi: [respectively] The Captain is a very private man.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A captain does not reveal his personal feelings to his crew.

Vash: Is that a Starfleet regulation? Or did you just make that up yourself?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry if you're upset.

Vash: And I'm sorry if my being here embarrasses you.

Q: [on Vash] She's found a vulnerability in you - a vulnerability I've been looking for for years. If I had known sooner, I would've appeared as a female.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't want your help, your advice, your favors, or for that matter, *you*, do you understand? Once and for all!

Q: You would have me stand idly by as she led you to your destruction?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes!

Q: As you wish.

Q: You've never actually been to the ruins at Tagus III, have you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No. They were sealed off more than a century ago.

Q: Well, that explains it, then. How can you write about something that you've never seen? I know! Why don't I take you there?

[he changes into an explorer outfit]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Out of the question. That would mean breaking Taguan law.

Q: Must you always be so ethical? I suppose we could travel back in time. You could see what Tagus was like two billion years ago. They really knew how to party back in those days.

Vash: *You're* Q!

Q: Yes. And you are a very interesting woman.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So, where are you off to now?

Vash: I haven't made up my mind.

[Q appears next to them]

Q: After all, she has the entire universe to choose from.

Vash: Meet my new partner.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Him?

Vash: Why not?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'll tell you why not!

Q: Now, Jean-Luc, let's not be unkind.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's devious, and amoral, and unreliable, and irresponsible, and... and definitely not to be trusted!

Vash: Remind you of someone you know?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As a matter of fact, it does.

Vash: That's the problem with being such a well-known liar. Even when I'm telling the truth, no one believes me.

[with the help of his men, Picard has rescued "Lady Marian"]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you have hurt any of my people...

Q: Sadly enough, they're all fine. But my point is, they could've been killed, and so might've you - all for the love of a maid. My debt to you, Picard, is paid.

Vash: [of Q] He was right about one thing, you know. As ridiculous as it was, his game did prove that you still care.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I may not show my feelings to my crew; but I do have them.

[Picard, turned into a child and under the ruse of being Riker's son, accidentally calls him "Number One"]

Young Jean-Luc Picard: He's my number one dad!

Young Guinan: [to Young Ro Laren] You know, you make a pretty cute kid.

Young Guinan: I bet you were a jumper.

Young Jean-Luc Picard: [threatening a Ferengi, who has occupied Picard's ready room, with a phaser] I believe you're in my chair.

Young Ro Laren: Where did you get the idea that being short and awkward is some kind of wonderful gift?

Young Ro Laren: I should be doing something instead of just standing around waiting for them to find a cure.

Young Guinan: You're right. Let's go play.

Young Ro Laren: What?

Young Guinan: I haven't been young for a long time. And I intend to enjoy every minute of it.

Young Ro Laren: This is the first time these Jefferies tubes haven't seemed cramped.

Young Guinan: How much farther do we have to go?

Young Ro Laren: About fifty meters. Don't tell me you're tired!

Young Guinan: [jocularly] I'm not as young as I used to be.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Have a second childhood - without the pain of growing up again.

Young Guinan: You were a jumper all right. The quiet ones, they always look so innocent. You think you can turn your back on them; next thing you know - bam! They're bouncing on the bed.

Young Ro Laren: That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Most of the time I didn't even have a bed.

Young Guinan: But you did have one sometimes, and I bet you jumped on it.

Young Ro Laren: I most certainly did not.

Young Guinan: Yeah, I can see it in your eyes. You can barely resist the urge, to leap up and start jumping around like a Tarcassian razor beast!

Young Guinan: We look like children. Maybe it's time we started acting like children.

Young Jean-Luc Picard: I want my father, I want my father!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Look at these fragments! They're... they're very nearly in perfect condition, and yet they're 700 years old.

Guinan: So is my father.

Commander William T. Riker: [explaining the Enterprise's systems to Morta in outrageous techno-gibberish] The Enterprise computer system is controlled by three primary main processor cores, cross-linked with a redundant melacortz ramistat, fourteen kiloquad interface modules. The core element is based on an FTL nanoprocessor with 25 bilateral kelilactirals, with twenty of those being slaved into the primary heisenfram terminal. Now, you do know what a bilateral kelilactiral is?

Morta: Well, of course I do, Human. I am not stupid!

Commander William T. Riker: No, of course not. This is the isopalavial interface, which controls the main firomactal drive unit - don't touch that! You'll blow up the entire firomactal drive.

Morta: Oh, what... what i... , er, wait, er, what is a-a-a... a firomactal drive? Just explain it to me.

Commander William T. Riker: That is the firomactal drive unit. It controls the ramistat core, and keeps the ontarian manifold at 40,000 KRGs. The firomactal drive is powered by...

[Picard has been restored to his usual size]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: How do you feel?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I feel fine. Everything... seems a little smaller.

[Young Ro Laren is drawing the portrait of a woman]

Young Ro Laren: It's my mother. The funny thing is, I never really drew a picture of her when I was young. It's just... for some reason I wanted to now.

Guinan: That's the wonderful thing about crayons. They can take you to more places than a starship.

Barclay: The idea of being... deconstructed molecule by molecule, it's more than I can stand. Even when I was... a child, I always had a dreadful fear that, if ever I was dematerialized, that I would... never come back again whole. I know, sounds crazy, but...

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's not crazy at all. You *are* being taken apart molecule by molecule.

[Lt. Barclay has asked O'Brien to beam him over to the USS Yosemite and back again]

Barclay: Commander La Forge wants some tricorder readings on those fluctuations.

Chief Miles O'Brien: We can do that from right here.

Barclay: No, I... the... the transporter sensors may not be sensitive enough. Now, I'm giving you an order... Mr. O'Brien.

Chief Miles O'Brien: Aye, sir.

[he programs the transporter]

Chief Miles O'Brien: You don't mind my making an observation, sir? You forgot to bring a tricorder.

[O'Brien has introduced Christina, his pet spider, to Barclay]

Barclay: She's... very large.

Chief Miles O'Brien: I found her on Titus IV. Almost stepped on her by accident.

[Barclay starts to feel uneasy]

Chief Miles O'Brien: Oh, I'll... get us a couple of drinks, okay? Keep an eye on her, will you?

Barclay: Sure.

[O'Brien leaves. Christina meanwhile climbs on Barclay's arm]

Barclay: Er - Chief...?

Barclay: [working with O'Brien on the transporter] You know, maybe ignorance really is bliss.

Chief Miles O'Brien: Sir?

Barclay: Well, if I didn't know so much about these things, maybe they wouldn't scare me so much.

Barclay: [to the replicator] Water.

Enterprise Computer: Specify temperature.

Barclay: I don't care! Just give me water!

[Worf and Guinan during target practice]

Guinan: You know, I had a bet with the Captain that I could make you laugh before you became lieutenant commander.

Lieutenant Worf: Not a good bet today.

Guinan: I've seen you laugh. I like it.

Lieutenant Worf: Klingons do not laugh.

Guinan: Oh, yes, they do. Absolutely they do. You don't. But I've heard Klingon belly laughs that'd curl your hair.

[both continue with their target practice for a while]

Guinan: Your son laughs. He's Klingon.

Lieutenant Worf: He is a child and part Human!

Guinan: That's right. And you're not; you're a full Klingon, except... you don't laugh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain's log, stardate 44995.3 - We're en route to the Klingon homeworld, where I will participate in the installation ceremony of Gowron, the next designated leader of the High Council. This visit should also provide an opportunity for one of my officers to correct a grave injustice.

Kurn: Gowron *spits* in your face when you ask him to give back what is rightfully ours. And you would support him?

Lieutenant Worf: We cannot regain honor by acting dishonorably.

Lieutenant Worf: I believe you to be a man of honor, Gowron. I ask you: restore my family name.

Gowron: Worf - you killed Duras. I consider that no small favor. But what you ask is impossible.

Lieutenant Worf: But after your installation...

Gowron: The grasp of Duras reaches out from the grave. Much of the Council is still loyal to his family. I must have the Council's support, to survive. I cannot expose their treachery. You chose to accept this disgrace, for the good of the Empire. Now you must live with your decision, like a Klingon.

[Picard has been invited by the Duras sisters for tea to discuss the possible outcome of his awaited decision on the leader of the High Council]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [concluding] You have manipulated the circumstances with the skill... of a Romulan. My decision will be announced at high sun tomorrow. Excellent tea. Good day, ladies.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf... Here I am lecturing you on a conflict of interest while I'm desperately trying to avoid one of my own.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: All of my instincts, my training, my very being as a Starfleet officer are at odds with my responsibility as arbiter of the Klingon High Council. We walk the same tightrope between two worlds, you and I; we must try our very best to keep those two worlds separate - or we shall certainly fall.

Lieutenant Worf: I have been told that patience is sometimes a more effective weapon than the sword.

Gowron: [after several Council members have sided with the Duras family] Can you not see what you are doing? Are you blind to what they represent? Then go. Your blood will paint the way to the future.

[Worf has refused Gowron's request to ask Picard and Starfleet for their support in a potential Klingon civil war]

Gowron: You come to me and demand the restoration of your family honor and now... you hide behind Human excuses. What are you, Worf? Do you tremble and quake with fear at the approach of combat? Hoping to talk your way out of a fight like a Human? Or do you hear the cry of the warrior, calling you to battle, calling to glory like a Klingon?

Guinan: [about Worf's son] At some point, he's gonna want to know what it's like to really be a Klingon - just as you're learning now.

Gowron: You both fought as warriors. You have proven your hearts are Klingon. I return your family honor. I give you back that which was wrongfully taken from you. Let your name be spoken once again. You are Worf, son of Mogh.

Gowron: Lursa and B'Etor are feared. And fear is power.

Lieutenant Worf: I was rescued from Khitomer - by Humans. Raised and loved by Human parents. I spent most of my life around Humans, fought beside them. But I was born a Klingon. My heart is of that world. I... do hear the cry of the warrior. I belong with my people.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Being the only Klingon ever to serve in Starfleet gave you a singular distinction. But... I felt that what was unique about you was your humanity: compassion, generosity, fairness. You took the best qualities of humanity and made them part of you. The result was a man who I was proud to call one of my officers.

Lieutenant Worf: Permission to leave the ship, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Permission granted. Qapla'!

Lieutenant Worf: Goodbye.

[last lines of season 4]

Sela: We should not discount Jean-Luc Picard yet. He is Human; and Humans have a way of showing up when you least expect them.

Gowron: We must move quickly if we are too be successful.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Successful?

Gowron: Yes. At preventing a Klingon civil war.

[after a skirmish between opposing Klingon factions]

Kurn: You always did have fools working for you, Larg. Now you don't have as many!

Lieutenant Worf: You drink with our enemies?

Kurn: How many are Gowron's men? How many are Duras'? Does it matter? When we meet in battle, we will fight to the death, but here, here we're all warriors, all Klingons.

Kurn: You and I will fight battles that others can only dream of. The time for glory is here. It is not a time to worry about stabilizers; it is a time to celebrate. For tomorrow we all may die!

Kurn: Come! Let us, the sons of Mogh, live this night as if it were our last!

Captain Larg: Good to drink with you, Kurn. May you die well.

Kurn: Die well, Larg.

[Worf has criticized Gowron for placing his own pride before the good of the Empire]

Kurn: I did not wish to follow Gowron. You came to me and insisted that we support Gowron against the Duras family. The time for debate is over. We are Klingons. He is our leader. If that is not enough for you, then perhaps you made the wrong choice when you put on that uniform!

B'Etor: Worf is not like his brother.

Lursa: No. He tries to be. But he's still unsure of himself.

B'Etor: Perhaps he needs something to help restore his confidence.

Lursa: I think he'll find our offer appealing.

B'Etor: I'll make sure he does.

[Data has been assigned to command the USS Sutherland]

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson: Excuse me, sir. I'd like to request a transfer.

Lt. Commander Data: May I ask why?

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson: I don't believe I'd be a good first officer for you.

Lt. Commander Data: Your service record to date suggests you would perform that function adequately.

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson: No, no, no, that's not what I mean. I don't think I'd be a good first officer for *you*.

Lt. Commander Data: Why?

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hobson: Frankly, sir, I don't believe in your ability to command this ship. You're a fellow officer and I respect that, but... no one would suggest that a Klingon would be a good ship's counselor or that a Berellian could be an engineer; they're just not suited for those positions. By the same token, I don't... think an android is a good choice to be captain.

Lt. Commander Data: I understand your concerns. Request denied.

[Commander Sela has claimed to be Tasha Yar's daughter]

Guinan: How much do you know about what happened to the last ship called Enterprise?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Enterprise C? It was lost at the battle of Narendra III, defending a Klingon outpost from the Romulans.

Guinan: And the survivors?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There were stories of prisoners taken back to Romulus, but these were only rumors.

Guinan: No. There were survivors. And Tasha Yar was one of them.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Guinan - that was 23 years ago. Tasha Yar was only a child.

Guinan: I know that. But I also know she was aboard that ship. And she was not a child. And I think... you sent her there.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How can that be?

Guinan: I don't know. I just know that you did.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Tasha died - a year before you came on the Enterprise. You never met her.

Guinan: I know that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you have only a vague intuition...

Guinan: You can't just dismiss this. If I'm right, then you are responsible for this whole situation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think it's time that I met Commander Sela.

[Picard has asked Sela about her mother, Tasha Yar]

Sela: One night, when I was four years old, she came to me. She bundled me up and she told me to stay quiet as we left the compound. I realized she was taking me away, she was taking me away from my home, my father... So I cried out. My father offered her life, he gave her a home, he gave her a child - and how did she repay him? By betrayal. They executed her!

[she turns away and looks out the window for a moment, then turns back]

Sela: Everything in me that was Human died that day with my mother. All that's left now is Romulan. Never doubt that.

[Picard has managed to persuade Starfleet Command to establish a blockade against the Romulans]

Commander William T. Riker: Nicely done. I hope we know what we're doing.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So do I, Number One.

Toral: The Duras family will one day rule the Empire!

Gowron: Perhaps. But not today.

Sela: [referring to Toral] Silence the child or send him away!

[Worf has been given Toral's life, but refuses to take it]

Kurn: What's wrong? Kill him!

Kurn: But it's our way. It's the Klingon way.

Lieutenant Worf: I know. But it is not my way.

Lieutenant Worf: Request permission to return to duty, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Granted.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, I wish to submit myself for disciplinary action. I have disobeyed a direct order from a superior officer. Although the result of my actions proved positive, the ends cannot justify the means.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, they can't. However, the claim 'I was only following orders' has been used to justify too many tragedies in our history. Starfleet doesn't want officers who will blindly follow orders without analyzing the situation. Your actions were appropriate for the circumstances. And I have noted that in your record.

[Data acknowledges with a nod and turns to leave]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data... Nicely done!

[Scotty walks up to the holodeck and activates it]

Computer Voice: Please enter program.

Scotty: The android at the bar said you could show me my old ship. Let me see it.

Computer Voice: Insufficient data. Please specify parameters.

Scotty: [frustrated] The Enterprise. Show me the bridge of the Enterprise, you chatterin' piece of...

Computer Voice: There have been five Federation ships with that name. Please specify by registry number.

Scotty: N-C-C-1-7-0-1. No bloody A - B - C - or D!

Commander William T. Riker: Could someone survive inside a transporter buffer for 75 years?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I know a way to find out.

[the Enterprise crew has freed Captain Scott from a transporter buffer after 75 years]

Scotty: The Enterprise? I should have known. I bet Jim Kirk himself hauled the old girl out of mothballs to come looking for me.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Look, Mr. Scott, I'd love to explain everything to you, but the Captain wants this spectrographic analysis done by 1300 hours.

[La Forge goes back to work; Scotty follows slowly]

Scotty: Do you mind a little advice? Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way. But the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, well, I told the Captain I'd have this analysis done in an hour.

Scotty: How long will it really take?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: An hour!

Scotty: Oh, you didn't tell him how long it would *really* take, did ya?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, of course I did.

Scotty: Oh, laddie. You've got a lot to learn if you want people to think of you as a miracle worker.

Scotty: [referring to Dr. Crusher] Well, I'll say this about your Enterprise: the doctors are a fair sight prettier.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I need to get down to Engineering and begin that analysis.

Scotty: Engineering? I thought you'd never ask!

Scotty: Call me Scotty!

Commander William T. Riker: This looks like the front door. Should we ring the bell?

[La Forge and Scotty are trying to get the Jenolan up and running]

Scotty: [muttering] Bunch of old, useless garbage!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Huh?

Scotty: I say it's old, Mr. La Forge. It can't handle the interface of your power converter. This equipment was designed for a different era. Now it's just a piece of junk.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, I don't know, it seems like some of it's held together pretty well.

Scotty: Century out of date. It's just... obsolete!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, you know, that's interesting, because I was just thinking that a lot of these systems haven't changed much in the last 75 years. This transporter is basically the same system we use on the Enterprise. Subspace radio and sensors still operate under the same basic principle; impulse engine design hasn't changed much in the last 200 years. If it wasn't for all the structural damage, this ship still might be in service today.

Scotty: Maybe so. But when they can build ships like your Enterprise, who'd want to pilot an old bucket like this?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I don't know. If this ship were operational, I bet she'd run circles around the Enterprise at impulse speeds. Just because something's old doesn't mean you throw it away.

[Scotty and Geordi are working to restore the Jenolan's systems]

Scotty: Shunt the deuterium from the main cryo-pump to the auxiliary tank.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Er, the tank can't withstand that kind of pressure.

Scotty: [laughs] Where'd you... where'd you get that idea?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: What do you mean, where did I get that idea? It's in the impulse engine specifications.

Scotty: Regulation 42/15 - Pressure Variances on the IRC Tank Storage?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah.

Scotty: Forget it. I wrote it. A good engineer is always a wee bit conservative, at least on paper. Just bypass the secondary cut-off valve and boost the flow. It'll work.

[Scotty has been served a glass of "Scotch" in Ten Forward]

Scotty: [to the waiter] Laddie, I was drinking Scotch a hundred years before you were born. And I can tell you that whatever this is, it is definitely not Scotch.

Scotty: Never get drunk unless you're willing to pay for it - the next day.

Scotty: [on new acquirements of the 24th century, such as synthehol and Data] Synthetic Scotch, synthetic commanders...

[Data has taken a bottle of green-colored spirit from Guinan's stock]

Scotty: What is it?

Lt. Commander Data: It is... [he looks and sniffs at it]

Lt. Commander Data: It is... [he looks at it again, obviously not any wiser]

Lt. Commander Data: It is green.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How are you feeling?

Scotty: I don't know.

Scotty: [to Dr. Crusher] How *am* I feeling?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Other than a few bumps and bruises I'd say you feel fine for a man of 147.

Scotty: And I don't feel a day over 120.

Scotty: Good Lord, man! Where have you put me?

Ensign Kane: These are standard guest quarters, sir. I can try and find something bigger if you want.

Scotty: *Bigger*? In my day, even an admiral would nota had such quarters on a starship.

[on the holographic bridge of Scotty's Enterprise, Scotty and Picard are exchanging memories of former starships they've served on]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The first vessel that I served on as captain was called Stargazer. It was an overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams. In every measurable sense, my Enterprise is far superior. But there are times when I would give almost anything... to command the Stargazer again.

Scotty: Ah, it's like the first time you fall in love. You don't ever love a woman quite like that again. Well, to the Enterprise, and the Stargazer - old girlfriends we'll never meet again.

Scotty: There comes a time when a man finds that he can't fall in love again. He knows that it's time to stop. I don't belong on your ship. I belong on this one. This was my home. This is where I had a purpose... But it's not real. It's just a computer-generated fantasy. And I'm just an old man who's trying to hide in it.

Scotty: [toasting to his long gone comrades] Here's to you, lads.

Commander William T. Riker: [of the shuttle that Picard has given Scotty "on extended loan"] She's not much to look at.

Scotty: [grinning] Laddie, every woman has her own charm; ye just have to know where to look for it.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You take care of yourself out there.

Scotty: Aye.

Scotty: Take the bridge, Commander.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Oh, no. You're the senior officer here.

Scotty: Oh, I may be captain by rank; but I never wanted to be anything else but an engineer.

Scotty: I was driving starships, while your great-grandfather was still in diapers! I think you'd be grateful for some help! I'll leave ya to work, Mr. La Forge.

Scotty: Geordi, I have spent my whole life trying to figure out crazy ways of doing things. I'm telling ya, as one engineer to another - I can do this.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [sighs] All right. Let's do it.

Scotty: [ecstatic] Aye!

[the Enterprise is trapped inside the Dyson Sphere and exposed to frequent solar flares]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data, we have to find some way out of here. Begin scanning for another hatch or portal that might still be open.

Lt. Commander Data: The interior surface area is over ten to the sixteenth square kilometers. It will take seven hours to completely scan the surface, sir.

[the Enterprise is hit by another flare]

Lt. Commander Data: I will endeavor to speed up the process, sir.

Scotty: Starfleet captains are like children. They want everything right now and they want it their way. But the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want.

Scotty: [of the Enterprise-D] A good crew... and a fine ship - a credit to her name. But I've always found that a ship is only as good as the engineer who takes care of her. And from what I can see, the Enterprise is in good hands.

Scotty: Oh, enjoy these times, Geordi. You're the Chief Engineer of a starship; and that's a time of your life that'll never come again. When it's gone - it's gone.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If there's nothing wrong with me... maybe there's something wrong with the universe.

[after the crew has disappeared, Beverly is the only one left on the ship]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Computer, read the entire crew roster for the Enterprise.

Computer: Dr. Beverly Crusher.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Have I always been the only member of the crew on the Starship Enterprise?

Computer: Affirmative.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If this were a bad dream, would you tell me?

Computer: That is not a valid question.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Like hell it's not.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What is the primary mission of the Starship Enterprise?

Computer: To explore the galaxy.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Do I have the necessary skills to complete that mission alone?

Computer: Negative.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Then why am I the only crew member?

[the computer makes error-sounds]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Aha. Got you there.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Click my heels together three times and I'm back in Kansas - can it be that simple?

Doctor Dalen Quaice: You know what the worst part of growing old is? So many of the people you've known all your life are gone; and you realize you didn't take the time to appreciate them while you still could.

[Dr. Crusher asks O'Brien if he doesn't remember beaming her friend Dr. Quaice on board]

Chief Miles O'Brien: I'm sorry. I-I remember you being here for a short while. But you were alone.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [dumbfounded] W-wa... was he invisible? Did I carry on a conversation with thin air?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I didn't just conjure up one of my best friends from a test tube.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'd like Lieutenant Worf to program on-board sensors to monitor all personnel. If we can catch the mom...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry - whom did you say?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Worf. Chief of Security. - The big guy who never smiles?

[everyone looks at her blankly]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The Klingon!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: They're all gone? Riker, Troi, Data? Wait a minute - let me guess: you never heard of any of them.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [trying to remind Picard of his 'former' staff] Will Riker, your First Officer! He's... he's *very* good at playing poker, loves to cook; he-he listens to jazz music, plays the trombone. -... - Commander Data, the android who sits at Ops. *Dreams* of being human. Never gets the punch line of a joke. -... - Deanna Troi, your ship's counselor, half-Betazoid, loves chocolate; the arrival of her mother makes you shudder. O'Brien, Geordi, Worf. Wesley, my son! They all have been the living, breathing heart of this crew for over three years! They deserve more than to be shrugged off... brushed aside, just pinched out of existence like that. They all do. They deserve so much more.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Deanna - I need you to tell me if I've gone completely mad.

Counselor Deanna Troi: If you can ask the question, I'd say no.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Don't evade the question.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, then ask me one I can answer.

The Traveler: See past the numbers. Trust yourself.

Ensign Wesley Crusher: I can't. I can't do it.

The Traveler: When the time comes, you will, Wesley. You will.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Sickbay is totally empty. Apparently I no longer have any staff.

Commander William T. Riker: And that surprises you, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Surprises me? I'll say it surprises me. There should be at least four members of my staff on duty at all times!

Lt. Commander Data: I am afraid ship's records do not concur, Doctor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What are you talking about?

Lt. Commander Data: You do not have a staff.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're telling me I'm the sole medical officer on a ship with over a thousand people on board?

Lt. Commander Data: Excuse me, Doctor, but the entire ship's complement is 230.

[a little later]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Are all the members of the crew accounted for?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, Doctor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: How many are there?

Lt. Commander Data: There are 114 people on the Enterprise.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I've delivered babies that no longer exist. No one else remembers them. Yet I can close my eyes and see their faces clearly as I see yours now.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Starbase 133, this is the Enterprise... Starbase 133, this is the Enterprise. Please acknowledge... Viewscreen on.

[viewscreen activates, but shows only a field of bluish mist instead of stars]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's not just people. *Everything* is disappearing. Computer, what is that mist I'm seeing?

Computer: Sensors indicate it to be a mass-energy field 705 meters in diameter.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It surrounds the ship?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If there's nothing wrong with me... maybe there's something wrong with the universe. Computer, what is beyond the mass-energy field?

Computer: Sensors cannot penetrate the field.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Here's a question you shouldn't be able to answer. Computer, what is the nature of the universe?

Computer: The universe is a spheroid region 705 meters in diameter.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm sorry I lost my temper. You do remember that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Vividly. But if I have forgotten my closest friends and comrades, as you say, then I deserved every word.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I won't forget. I won't forget any of you.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Jean-Luc, if I might ask, how many people are there on board?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 1,014 - including your guest, Dr. Quaice.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Is there something wrong with that count, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [relieved] No. That's the exact number there should be.

Lieutenant Worf: You have never seen death...?

[Alexander shakes his head]

Lieutenant Worf: Then look - and always remember.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: [to Worf] Not even a bite on the cheek, for old times' sake?

Lieutenant Worf: There is no honor in attacking the weak.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: A few minutes ago, you looked like someone with a question to ask.

Lieutenant Worf: Must I ask the question?

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Yes. You must.

Lieutenant Worf: You should not have kept *this* from me!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Well... now you know.

K'mpec: The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honor. He must not lead the Empire. Such a man would be capable of anything - even war with the Federation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [after Worf has refused to meeting K'Ehleyr with regard to his dishonor] Lieutenant, you are a member of this crew, and you will not go into hiding whenever a Klingon vessel uncloaks!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Were you concerned about me?

Lieutenant Worf: As Head of Security, it is my duty to be... concerned.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Is that it? Just "official" concern for my well-being?

Lieutenant Worf: [referring to his dishonor] Respect my wishes in this matter. I cannot take the oath with you. Nor can I claim your son.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: If you cannot be his father... at least be his friend.

K'mpec: I want you to discover which one of them has killed me - Gowron... or Duras. Yes, Duras. I thought you would find that interesting.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Interesting? You could say that, since he tried to have me killed, and conspired to strip Worf of his good name.

K'mpec: And... I approved - all for the glory of the Empire. That should be my epitaph. Find the assassin. The Klingon who kills without showing his face has no honor. He must not lead the Empire. Such a man would be capable of anything - even war with the Federation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well. I accept.

Lieutenant Worf: I know little of Gowron - only that he is an outsider who has often challenged the Council. But Duras... I know *him*! His heart is *not* Klingon.

Commander William T. Riker: It's considered an honorable way for a Klingon to die - a suicide that takes an enemy with it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf, we have a conspiracy on our hands that could be a direct threat to the security of the Federation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As Chief Security Officer, I want you to accompany me to the next proceeding.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain, they will be incensed. My presence will be disruptive.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes. It will.

Gowron: K'mpec was also stubborn; he, too, refused to listen. *Now*... he is gone. You need not make the same mistake.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: K'mpec was old and weak! I am not!

Alexander Rozhenko: Where are the other Klingons?

Lieutenant Worf: There are no others on board.

Lieutenant Worf: The Federation and the Klingon Empire were enemies for many years. No other Klingons have asked to serve in Starfleet.

Lieutenant Worf: A warrior does not ask so many questions!

Lieutenant Worf: [of Alexander] He knows nothing of our ways!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: *Our* ways? You mean Klingon ways, don't you?

Lieutenant Worf: He *is* Klingon!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: He is also my son and I am half Human. He will find his own ways. Why the sudden concern? You won't even acknowledge that he's yours.

Gowron: Have you never wondered about serving the Klingon Empire?

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: I serve in my own way.

Gowron: As a Federation ambassador. A few rewards - but little glory.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: What do you want?

Gowron: What do you want? Command of a ship? A seat on the Council? There are many opportunities for you in the Empire.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Opportunities that will present themselves only if *you* come to power. You talk like a Ferengi.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We will begin the ja'chuq.

Gowron: What?

Duras: This woman has been giving you bad advice, Picard! The ja'chuq is obsolete.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It is my choice to respect the ancient rituals. Each of you will have to prove your worthiness to lead the High Council.

Gowron: That will take hours.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Or days - depending on your cooperation.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Don't play the wounded Klingon for me, Duras, you don't do it very well.

Duras: I'm the only one, Worf - the only one who can prove your innocence. Kill me and you're a traitor forever.

Lieutenant Worf: Then that is how it shall be!

Lieutenant Worf: [about the bat'leth] Do not think of it as a weapon. Make it part of your hand - part of your arm. Make it part of you.

[Worf has branded Duras a traitor, due to Duras' father's collaboration with the Romulans]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Klingon tradition may hold the son responsible for his father's sin. I cannot. Treason was his father's crime. Duras' crime was to lay that blame on your father. I will not forget that. But you should not forget that you chose to accept the consequences of that lie.

Duras: I have been informed of your attempt to access restricted Council records.

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: I have been investigating what happened at Khitomer. Not at all an easy task, considering that most of the records are sealed.

Duras: Worf's father was a traitor!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: No. The evidence was altered to make it appear that way. I found it interesting to read that your father was also at Khitomer, and you are the one who sealed the records.

Duras: You dare insult my father's name?

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: Don't play the wounded Klingon for me, Duras, you don't do it very well. What happened in that Council chamber? How did you get Worf to take the blame for you?

Duras: Do not pursue this matter further!

Federation-Klingon Liaison K'Ehleyr: The son betrays his people to the Romulans, just as his father did - Duras.

[Worf has to answer to Picard for his act of vengeance on Duras]

Lieutenant Worf: Sir, I have acted within the boundaries of Klingon law and tradition.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The High Council would seem to agree; they consider the matter closed. I don't. Mr. Worf, the Enterprise crew currently includes representatives from thirteen planets. They each have their individual beliefs and values and I respect them all. But they have all chosen to serve Starfleet. If anyone cannot perform his or her duty, because of the demands of their society, they should resign. - Do you wish to resign?

Lieutenant Worf: No, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf - isn't it time for the truth about your father's innocence to be told? After all, you only accepted this dishonor to protect the name of Duras and hold the Empire together. Now that he has died in disgrace, what is gained by further silence?

Lieutenant Worf: Each member of the Klingon High Council has shared in that lie. They will not be so willing to admit their own dishonor. But the day will come when my brother and I will... convince them to speak the truth.

Alexander Rozhenko: Are you my father?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes. I am your father.

Kahless: I am Kahless. And I have returned.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have you lost your faith in Sto-vo-kor?

Lieutenant Worf: To lose something, one must first possess it.

Koroth: What is the story of The Promise, Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: When Kahless had united our people and gave them the laws of honor, he saw that his work was done. So one night he gathered his belongings and departed for the edge of the city to say goodbye.

Koroth: The people wept. They did not want him to go.

Lieutenant Worf: Then Kahless said: "You are Klingons. You need no one but yourselves. I will go now to Sto-vo-kor. But I promise, one day I will return." Then Kahless pointed to a star in the sky and said: "Look for me there, on that point of light."

Koroth: So, here we are - on a world circling that distant point of light. It has been fifteen centuries since he made that promise, and still we wait. What are ten days in the life of one Klingon compared to that? Is the son of Mogh really so easily discouraged? You came to us seeking answers; but this is a place of questions. Open your heart to Kahless. Ask him your questions. Let him speak to you with your mind unclouded by doubt or hesitation. Only then can you find what you are looking for. If you cannot do that... then perhaps you should return to your starship.

Lt. Commander Data: I once had what could be considered a crisis of the spirit.

Lieutenant Worf: You?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes. The Starfleet officers who first activated me on Omicron Theta told me I was an android - nothing more than a sophisticated machine with human form. However, I realized that if I was simply a machine, I could never be anything else; I could never grow beyond my programming. I found that difficult to accept. So I chose to believe... that I was a person; that I had the potential to be more than a collection of circuits and subprocessors. It is a belief which I still hold.

Lieutenant Worf: How did you come to your decision?

Lt. Commander Data: I made... a leap of faith.

Kahless: Something still weighs heavy on the brow of the son of Mogh.

Gowron: Kahless has been dead for a thousand years; but the idea of Kahless is still alive. Have you ever fought an idea, Picard? It has no weapon to destroy, no body to kill. The idea of Kahless's return must be stopped here and now - or it will travel through the Empire like a wave, and leave nothing but destruction behind.

Kahless: I have returned.

Kahless: [telling the story of his sword] I went into the mountains, all the way to the volcano at Kri'stak. There I cut off a lock of my hair and thrust it into the river of molten rock that poured from the summit. The hair began to burn. Then I plunged it into the lake of Lusor and twisted it into this sword. And after I used it to kill Molor, I gave it a name: Bat'leth - the Sword of Honor.

Gowron: Where is he, Picard?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I assume that you're referring to Kahless.

Gowron: I am referring to the filthy pahtak who is using his name!

Lieutenant Worf: [on the impact of Kahless's return] It will be glorious!

Gowron: It will be war!

Kahless: Are you contemplating yet another question for me? After three days, I'm beginning to wonder if you know how to do anything else.

Lieutenant Worf: Questions are the beginning of wisdom, the mark of a true warrior.

Kahless: Do not forget that a leader need not answer questions of those he leads. It is enough that he says to do a thing, and they will do it. If he says to run, they run. If he says to fight, they fight. If he says to die - they die.

Kahless: You still do not believe it is me, do you, Worf?

Lieutenant Worf: I want to believe.

Kahless: That is a beginning.

Klingons: We are Klingons!

Lieutenant Worf: It is true - Kahless has returned!

Gowron: Koroth - I see that not all fools die young.

Gowron: I oppose you. I say you are not Kahless; and I will not bend my knee to you, as long as I can draw breath - or pick up a blade.

Kahless: Long ago, a storm was heading toward the city of Quin'lat. The people sought protection within the walls, all except one man who remained outside. I went to him and asked what he was doing. "I am not afraid," he said. "I will not hide my face behind stone and mortar. I will stand before the wind and make it respect me." I honored his choice and went inside. The next day, the storm came; and the man was killed. The wind does not respect a fool. Do not stand before the wind, Gowron.

Kahless: You have no joy, Gowron.

Gowron: Kahless - the greatest warrior of them all!

[after defeating Kahless in battle]

[Worf has suggested that Kahless be made Emperor and spiritual leader of the Klingon world]

Koroth: The title is meaningless without the power to back it up!

Lieutenant Worf: Real power comes from within the heart.

Lieutenant Worf: Even if he is not the real Kahless, he is the rightful heir to Kahless.

Lieutenant Worf: I went to Boreth to find my faith. For a time, I thought I had. But my heart is empty again. I do not know what to believe.

Kahless: Kahless left us - all of us - a powerful legacy. A way of thinking and acting that makes us Klingon. If his words hold wisdom and his philosophy is honorable, what does it matter if he returns? What is important is that we follow his teachings. Perhaps the words are more important than the man.

Pakled Commander Reginod: We are strong.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: You're armed to the teeth.

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: Teeth are for chewing.

Lieutenant Worf: Any classified weapons knowledge you share with your captors will be considered treason.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Yeah, but I may have no choice.

Lieutenant Worf: You will die without honor.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Thanks a lot, Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: You will never attain the 24th level of awareness.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: 24, huh? That's, uh... that's quite a challenge.

Lieutenant Worf: Indeed. 24 is the gateway to heroic salvation.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The Pakleds seem pretty... sincere.

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We want what we want.

Commander William T. Riker: Our computer banks are non-negotiable.

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We want them.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Believe me, they're nothing if not... persistent.

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We want to be nothing if not persistent.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Nobody ever said they were great conversationalists.

[Picard is telling Wesley how he once, as an ensign, picked a fight with three Nausicaans]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I stood toe-to-toe with the worst of the three. And I told him what I thought of him, his pals, his planet, and I possibly made some passing reference to his questionable parentage...

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We are far from home.

Commander William T. Riker: Aren't we all?

Commander William T. Riker: What brings you so far from home?

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We look for things.

Commander William T. Riker: What were you looking for?

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: Things we need.

Commander William T. Riker: Can you be more specific?

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: Things that make us go. We need help.

Commander William T. Riker: What is the nature of your mission?

Commander William T. Riker: [to La Forge] Did you hear an echo?

[Picard prepares to leave for Starbase 515 without giving a reason for his journey]

Commander William T. Riker: Forgive my saying so, sir, but you're being rather enigmatic.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Consider it Captain's privilege.

Commander William T. Riker: As First Officer, I have complete security clearance.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This has nothing to do with ship's business, Number One. Suffice it to say, it is strictly a matter of... 'image'.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [before entering the medical facility at Starbase 515] Why do I get the distinct impression that you're acting like some kind of... escort?

Wesley Crusher: Dr. Pulaski asked me to make sure that you actually went inside.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That woman! She would.

Wesley Crusher: Didn't you ever wish you had kids of your own?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wishing for a thing does not make it so.

[Picard tells Wesley about his run-in with the three Nausicaans]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I had this one Nausicaan down in this, uh... somewhat devious joint lock, when, uh, unbeknownst to me, one of his chums drew his weapon and... impaled me through the back. Curious sensation, actually...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [waking up after the operation] What the hell are *you* doing here?

Doctor Pulaski: Saving your life.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, come on. This is a routine procedure - quite commonplace.

Doctor Pulaski: True. But you are not a commonplace man.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I didn't want you involved in this.

Doctor Pulaski: You're welcome.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you're here... the entire crew must know.

Doctor Pulaski: You're still the Captain - invincible.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to his crew] Any rumors of my brush with death are greatly exaggerated, is that clear?

[repeated lines]

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: We are smart.

Pakled Captain Grebnedlog: Make us strong!

Capt. Picard: Wishing for a thing does not make it so.

Wesley Crusher: Those Academy cadets can be extremely competitive.

Commander William T. Riker: But you have the practical experience, Wes.

Lt. Commander Data: Commander Riker is correct. While the information imparted to cadets at the Academy is unquestionably vital for prospective Starfleet officers, it nonetheless requires a significant period of supplementary systems training and situational disciplines.

Commander William T. Riker: Didn't I just say that?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. But not quite as perspicuously.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: For ambitious Starfleet officers, there are certain costs involved. You must be cautious of long-term commitments, Wesley.

Wesley Crusher: No problem. Where women are concerned, I am in complete control!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There's no greater challenge than the study of philosophy.

Wesley Crusher: But William James won't be on my Starfleet exams.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The important things never will be. Anyone can be trained in the mechanics of piloting a starship.

Wesley Crusher: And Starfleet Academy...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Takes more. Open your mind to the past - art, history, philosophy. And all this may mean something.

Wesley Crusher: Have you always been so disciplined?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Good Lord, no.

[indicates his heart]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If I was, I wouldn't have this problem.

Wesley Crusher: Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, what is it, Ensign?

Wesley Crusher: I enjoyed our trip together, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So did I.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I saw you crying.

Ambassador Sarek: I do not cry.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was there, I saw the tears.

Ambassador Sarek: You exaggerate, Captain, I recall only one tear.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So you *were* emotionally affected by the music.

Ambassador Sarek: That is not possible!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You still haven't answered my question, Sarek. Is it logical for a Vulcan to cry?

[Picard is overcome with Sarek's intense emotions]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: NOOO! It is... It is... wrong! IT IS WRONG! A lifetime of discipline washed away, and in its place...

[laughs awkwardly, then grunts]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Bedlam. BEDLAM! I'm so old. There is nothing left but dry bones, and dead friends. Oh... tired. Oh, so tired.

Commander Dr. Beverly Crusher: It will pass, all of it. Just another hour or so, you're doing fine, just hold on.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: NO! This weakness disgusts me! I HATE IT! Where is my logic? I'm betrayed by... desires. Oh, I want to feel, I want to feel... everything. But I am... a Vulcan. I must feel nothing! Give me back my control!

[he sobs uncontrollably]

Commander Dr. Beverly Crusher: Jean-Luc!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Pe- Perrin... Amanda... I - wanted - to give you - so much more. I wanted to show you such... t- t- tenderness. But that is not our way. Spock... Amanda... Did you know? P-Perrin, can you - know... how - much I - love - you? I - do - LOVE YOU!

[Picard weeps heavily, then manages to compose himself]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Beverly...

Commander Dr. Beverly Crusher: I'm here, Jean-Luc. I'm not going anywhere.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's... quite difficult. The anguish of the man. The despair... pouring out of him, all those feelings. The regrets.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [sobs] I c- I can't... stop them! I can't stop them, I can't. I can't...!

Commander Dr. Beverly Crusher: [comforting him] Don't even try.

[Sarek and his party have arrived on the Enterprise]

Commander William T. Riker: The way Mendrossen described him, I expected to see a frail old man.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope *I'm* that frail when I'm 202 years old.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on Sarek] I met him once. Many years ago, very briefly at his son's wedding. I can tell you, that was quite a moment for a young lieutenant, standing in the presence of such history. I remember he spoke to me, and I just stood there grinning like an idiot.

Commander William T. Riker: You, tongue-tied?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Indeed. How do you make small talk with someone who shaped the Federation?

Lt. Commander Data: Sarek is a logical, intelligent being. The effects of Bendii Syndrome are apparent. Why would such a man choose to ignore them?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Logic fails us sometimes, Data. I think this is one of those times. I can only guess that he does not see - or he does not wish to see - the truth. And he is being insulated against that truth by those who love him most.

Sakkath: I have been using my limited abilities to strengthen your mental discipline.

Ambassador Sarek: [agitated] Your efforts will no longer be required!

Sakkath: That would not be wise.

Ambassador Sarek: [calmly] It may not be wise; but it is necessary.

Lt. Commander Data: You must decide which is your greater obligation - your loyalty to Sarek, or your duty to the Federation. Can you accept the logic of continuing this mission?

Sakkath: Tell your Captain... the mission is in jeopardy.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Sarek of Vulcan would never be afraid of looking straight at something he did not want to see.

Ambassador Sarek: I warn you! Your efforts to discredit me will not succeed!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Sarek of Vulcan never confused what he wanted with the truth.

Ambassador Sarek: [indignantly] I will not be spoken to in this manner!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do I hear anger in your voice?

Ambassador Sarek: [enraged] It would be illogical for a Vulcan to show anger! It'd be illogical! illogical! illogical! illogic...!

Commander William T. Riker: Is it my imagination, or have tempers become a little frayed on this ship lately?

Lieutenant Worf: I hadn't noticed.

[they enter Ten Forward, where a mass brawl is in full swing]

Lieutenant Worf: I see what you mean.

Perrin: Mendrossen and I never wanted to deceive you. My husband's condition came on him so gradually, it was easy for us to delude ourselves and pretend that nothing was wrong. We convinced ourselves that he could complete this one last task, and end his career with dignity. Help him, Captain. Help him... regain his pride, his honor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Believe me, it would give me great pleasure, but there is nothing I can do.

Perrin: The mission can be saved. But he needs your help to do it.

[Picard has suggested a Vulcan mind meld with Sarek to save the diplomatic mission]

Ambassador Sarek: A mind meld can be a terrible intimacy. I cannot allow it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm aware of the risks. But it is the only... logical solution.

Ambassador Sarek: Your courage honors me, Captain.

Ambassador Sarek: My mind to your mind. Your thoughts to my thoughts.

Commander William T. Riker: Is Captain Picard all right?

Ambassador Sarek: Don't worry, Number One.

Commander William T. Riker: And... the Ambassador?

Ambassador Sarek: I am myself again. It has been a long time.

Ambassador Sarek: We come to serve.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your service honors us.

Perrin: [to Picard] My husband has taken an interest in your career. He finds it to be... satisfactory.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: My word! High praise from a Vulcan.

Ambassador Sarek: I have been accused of many things in my life, never an excess of emotion.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's ironic, isn't it? All this magnificent technology, and we still find ourselves susceptible to the ravages of old age... loss of dignity... the slow betrayal of our bodies by forces we cannot master. Do you still want to be one of us, Data?

[Wesley is looking into a huge tank filled with a slimy liquid]

Wesley Crusher: Are the Legarans really gonna sit in this stuff?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, I'm sure not.

Wesley Crusher: Can you believe this smell?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: What smell? What can I say, to us, it's a slime pit, but to them, it's home.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [of Sarek] He loves you. Very much.

Perrin: I know. I have always known.

Ambassador Sarek: Perrin can be quite logical, when she chooses.

Ambassador Sarek: I will take my leave of you now, Captain. I do not think we shall meet again.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope you're wrong, Ambassador.

Ambassador Sarek: We shall always retain the best part of the other - inside us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I believe I have the better part of that bargain, Ambassador.

[they exchange the Vulcan salute]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Peace and long life.

Ambassador Sarek: Live long and prosper.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [reciting "Ode to Spot"] Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature - An endothermic quadruped, carnivorous by nature. Your visual, olfactory and auditory senses - Contribute to your hunting skills, and natural defenses. I find myself intrigued by your subvocal oscillations, A singular development of cat communications - That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection - For a rhythmic stroking of your fur, to demonstrate affection. A tail is quite essential, for your acrobatic talents; You would not be so agile, if you lacked its counterbalance. And when not being utilized to aid in locomotion, It often serves to illustrate the state of your emotion. Oh, Spot, the complex levels of behavior you display - Connote a fairly well-developed cognitive array. And though you are not sentient, Spot, and do not comprehend, I nonetheless consider you a true and valued friend.

[on the holodeck, several crew members are recreating the room, its equipment and instruments from their visions step by step]

Counselor Deanna Troi: All right. You were lying on the table. You had a bright light shining in your eyes. Were there any smells in the room? Were there any sounds?

Commander William T. Riker: Yes. Yes, there was a sound. Computer, there were noises, coming from the darkness. Strange. Like whispering.

[the computer creates a rustling sound]

Kaminer: More like clicks. Clicking sounds.

[the computer changes to a single clicking]

Commander William T. Riker: Louder.

[more clicks can be heard]

Commander William T. Riker: Faster... More of them...

[the computer ends up producing a continuous, eerie clatter]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I've been in this room before.

Commander William T. Riker: We've all been here before.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have we any idea what came through the rupture before we were able to shut it down?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No, sir. We were unable to track it once it left the cargo bay.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Maybe it was a probe of some kind.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Possibly they were simply curious, explorers, like ourselves.

Commander William T. Riker: Ensign Rager and I were lucky to have escaped. Lieutenant Hagler is dead. Whoever it was that sent that thing was more than simply curious.

Commander William T. Riker: You know, I've been thinking we should probably let Dad know what happened.

Lt. Thomas Riker: I'm sure he'd be thrilled to know there're two of us now.

Lt. Commander Data: If you met a double of yourself, would you have difficulty interacting with him?

Lieutenant Worf: I think so.

Lieutenant Worf: I am not easy to get along with.

Lt. Commander Data: I have found that humans value their uniqueness - that sense that they are different from everyone else. The existence of a double would preclude that feeling. Could that be the source of the friction?

Lieutenant Worf: Or perhaps it is more a matter of seeing something in your double, something you do not like in yourself.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Troi] The look in your eyes, I recognize it. You used to have it for me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's really hard for me to separate my feelings for them.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Deanna - just because things turned out the way they did between you and *Commander* Riker doesn't mean you shouldn't let things between you and *Lieutenant* Riker take their own course.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I knew you'd encourage me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [reading Ltd. Riker's notes] It pulses unendingly all through the night. Seek out the crystal that powers our flight. - What the future holds, no one can know. But forward we look, and forward we go.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We stayed in Ten Forward talking for hours.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Then what happened?

Counselor Deanna Troi: He walked me to my quarters.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Beverly!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm just asking.

Commander William T. Riker: [to his alter ego during a poker game] I practiced in the mirror too long to be fooled by that face. You're bluffing.

Lt. Thomas Riker: You always had the better hand - in everything.

Lt. Thomas Riker: Sometimes, I would look up into the sky and I'd think, if I tried hard enough, I could make you feel my presence - that if I could let you know that I was alive, maybe you'd wait for me. I know, it sounds... crazy; but there were times when I could've sw...

[he looks at Deanna, who has become somewhat melancholic]

Lt. Thomas Riker: [dismissively] What am I talking about?

Counselor Deanna Troi: The other day when I told you about how... Commander Riker and I didn't meet on Risa... What I didn't say was how disappointed I was.

Lt. Thomas Riker: You didn't have to. I knew.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I started to hear from him less and less. I knew his career was taking him away from me, but... I didn't want to believe it was over. I spent a lot of time thinking about him - wondering where he was, what he was doing. Sometimes, I'd look into the sky, and imagine that he knew. And that... somehow, he could sense me thinking about him. - So, who knows? Maybe one night, we were looking up at the same star and... you were thinking about me... And in a way... I was thinking about you.

Commander William T. Riker: Ever since he came on board, I find myself thinking about the choice that you and I made.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Me too.

Commander William T. Riker: Do me a favor. Be careful.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Will, I know you and he have had some problems.

Commander William T. Riker: That's not what I'm talking about. If he had gotten off the planet instead of me, don't you think he would've made the same choices that I made? I just don't want you to be hurt again.

Lt. Thomas Riker: I thought if one thing were clear by now, it's that you and I play things a little differently.

Commander William T. Riker: Why don't we wait and see who comes out on top?

Lt. Thomas Riker: I thought you were willing to settle for second, Commander.

Commander William T. Riker: I've never settled for anything in my life. I know what I want, I know what I've got, and you'd be lucky to do so well, Lieutenant.

Lt. Thomas Riker: [to Deanna] I waited a long time. I guess I can wait a little longer.

Lt. Thomas Riker: [to Will Riker] Take care of her.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: There may be some residual memory loss. I just want to be certain that you still know who you are.

[Riker looks at Picard and Data]

Commander William T. Riker: [shrewdly] Of course I know who I am. I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm delighted that you're feeling better, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [referring to Data] The Admiral and I were worried about you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [not understanding] Captain, I do not believe you have the authority to promote me to the rank of admiral.

[Dr. Pulaski reluctantly mounts the transporter platform]

Chief Miles O'Brien: I hope these are the right coordinates...

[she gives him an alarmed look]

Chief Miles O'Brien: Just kidding, Doctor. I know how much you love the transporter.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: About as much as I love comical transporter chiefs.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Put your foot where it didn't belong, hm?

Commander William T. Riker: Doctor said she was getting bored; I just thought I'd give her a challenge.

Commander William T. Riker: [about the tenacity of the Rikers] My great-grandfather once got bit by a rattlesnake. After three days of intense pain... the snake died.

[Riker has been infected with some unknown microbes]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And the unknown can be benign... or malevolent.

Commander William T. Riker: Captain, one of the things I've learned on these voyages, and on this ship and from you... is that most life forms act out of an instinct for survival, not out of malice.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's an important lesson. And I admire your lack of resentment, Number One.

Commander William T. Riker: If you drop a hammer on your foot, it's hardly useful to get mad at the hammer.

[Data has analyzed the vines on the planet and found to be possibly predatory]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then the vines infect animals, in order to kill them?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is possible. For Commander Riker's sake, I hope my hypothesis is in error.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Unfortunately, Commander Data, your hypotheses rarely are.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What can I do?

Dr. Kate Pulaski: You can get out of my hair.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Aye, aye, Doctor.

Commander William T. Riker: Facing death is the ultimate test of character. I don't wanna die, but if I have to - I'd like to do it with a little pride.

Counselor Deanna Troi: And a lot of impudence.

Commander William T. Riker: You bet.

[with the power of induced dreams, Riker has overcome his infection]

Dr. Kate Pulaski: How do you feel?

Commander William T. Riker: Beat. You wouldn't believe the dreams I was having.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Oh, yes, we would.

Moriarty: I am a man out of time, Captain. And that isolates me.

[Data and La Forge are indulging in another Sherlock Holmes adventure]

Lt. Commander Data: [as Holmes] With practice, handwriting can be forged. It takes a trained eye to notice certain... discrepancies. For example, whether someone is right-... or left-handed.

[he throws a matchbox to a holographic gentleman, who catches it]

Lt. Commander Data: Your brother was right-handed. The alleged suicide note was written by a left-handed individual, such as yourself!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Er, Data... it's in his right hand.

Lt. Commander Data: [puzzled] Curious. There seems to be a problem with the holodeck's spatial orientation systems.

Gentleman: [derisively] London's greatest detective!

Moriarty: A deadline has a wonderful way of concentrating the mind.

Moriarty: I ask only that I be allowed to explore this new world. Your vessel, for instance. What sea does she sail? Might we go above deck?

[Picard and Dr. Crusher exchange a look]

Moriarty: Weather permitting, of course.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Professor... I think there are some things of which you should be made aware...

Moriarty: I have consciousness. Conscious beings have will. The mind endows them with powers that are not necessarily understood - even by you. If my will is strong enough, perhaps I can exist outside this room. Perhaps I can walk into your world right now.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Professor, I ask you to believe me. If you step out of that door, you will cease to exist.

Moriarty: If I am nothing more than a computer simulation, then very little will have been lost. But if I am right...

[he turns to the exit]

Moriarty: Mind over matter - cogito ergo sum.

[he steps out of the holodeck onto the corridor, to everyone else's surprise]

Moriarty: I think - therefore I am!

Moriarty: My God - we're adrift in the heavens! [when looking out into space for the first time]

Moriarty: There are more worlds in the heavens than there are grains of sand on a shoreline.

Moriarty: Policemen - I'd recognize them in any century.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Professor, I feel it necessary to point out that criminal behavior is as unacceptable in the 24th century as it was in the nineteenth - and very much harder to get away with.

Moriarty: Don't worry, Captain. My past is nothing but a fiction, the scribblings of an Englishman dead now for four centuries. I hope to leave his books on the shelf, as it were.

Barclay: [flabbergasted] You know... you know what you are?

Moriarty: A holodeck character? A fictional man? Yes, yes, I know all about your marvelous inventions. I was created as a plaything, so that your Commander Data could masquerade as Sherlock Holmes. But they made me too well, and I became more than a character in a story. I became self-aware. I... am alive.

Barclay: That's not possible.

Moriarty: But here I am.

Countess Barthalomew: Have you ever been to Africa, Mr., erm...?

Barclay: Er, B-Barclay, Lieutenant Reginald Barclay. No. No, I haven't.

Countess Barthalomew: *I* have! When I was seventeen, I went on safari with my uncle. My mother took to her bed in terror I'd be bitten by a tsetse fly. But I had a marvelous time! I got to wear trousers - the whole time! Oh, it was hard to go back to a corset, I can tell you.

Barclay: Yes, I'm sure it was.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I have come here to prevail on your intelligence and your insight.

Countess Barthalomew: But not apparently my humility?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Credit where credit is due, madam. I can see you are a woman not only of breeding, but of wit and sagacity.

Countess Barthalomew: And you, sir, are a man of charm - and guile.

[Moriarty has taken control of the ship's computer]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Somehow he managed to override the security lockouts and rewrite them. The man is brilliant in any century.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Somehow... I have to find a way of giving him what he wants.

Moriarty: I sense a distressing lack of enthusiasm on your parts.

Moriarty: I will not release your vessel until I am looking at it through a shuttlecraft window.

Moriarty: I have them running around like rats in a maze.

Moriarty: [on the Countess] The program fashioned her for me to love. But I must admit, I would have done so anyway. She is remarkable. My life has not been the same since I met her. I don't simply love her, Captain. I adore her.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What does a woman like you see in a man like Moriarty?

Countess Barthalomew: He's an exciting man, Captain. He's brilliant. Incisive. He's ruthless. He has... an almost irresistible appeal.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's also an arch-criminal.

Moriarty: Please tell your Captain I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye. I do wish I could see his face when he realizes where he's been the last several hours.

Counselor Deanna Troi: In a sense, you did give Moriarty what he wanted.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In a sense. But who knows? Our reality may be very much like theirs, and all this might just be an elaborate simulation, running inside a little device sitting on someone's table.

Barclay: [tentatively] Computer, end program.

Carmen Davila: It's exciting to find a new world, but the joy comes in making it a home - building houses, having children...

Commander William T. Riker: Very interesting. I'd love to discuss this further with you. Dinner tonight?

Carmen Davila: If you wanna share camp rations in my tent, I'd be delighted.

Commander William T. Riker: Data, we've only seen the Crystalline Entity once before. How do you know these metals will protect us?

Lt. Commander Data: I am not entirely certain they will, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: I was afraid you were going to say something like that.

Dr. Kila Marr: [to Data] My son died on Omicron Theta. He was sixteen when the colony was attacked. That is the reason I have become an expert on the Crystalline Entity. I have spent my life studying it, tracking it and hoping one day to find it. And if I learn you have been helping that thing in any way whatsoever, I will see to it that you are disassembled piece by piece!

Dr. Kila Marr: [about her son] I left him with friends. I chose to pursue my own career. I planned to go back, but things kept interfering, and... I kept thinking, "I'll go next... month". But there weren't any more 'next months'.

Dr. Kila Marr: How long will you live, Data?

Lt. Commander Data: There has been no predetermined limit placed on my existence, Doctor.

Dr. Kila Marr: [sighs in relief] I'm glad. As long as you're alive, he'll be alive.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on the Crystalline Entity] If we can determine what its needs are, we might find other sources to supply it.

Dr. Kila Marr: Its needs are to slaughter people by the thousands. It is nothing but a giant killing machine!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doctor, the sperm whale on Earth devours millions of cuttlefish as it roams the oceans. It is not evil; it is feeding. The same may be true of the Entity.

Dr. Kila Marr: That would be small comfort for those who have died to feed it. We're not talking about cuttlefish; we're talking about people!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I would argue that the Crystalline Entity has as much right to be here as we do.

Dr. Kila Marr: I don't understand. Why are we pursuing the Entity if not to destroy it?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We're not hunters, Doctor. Nor is it our role to exact revenge.

Dr. Kila Marr: What do you propose? We track it down, greet it warmly, and ask it if it would mind terribly not ravaging any more planets?

Counselor Deanna Troi: I don't think you need an empath to sense that woman's feelings.

Dr. Kila Marr: It will never hurt anyone again.

[after destroying the Crystalline Entity]

Dr. Kila Marr: [addressing her son through Data] Tell me... that you understand, Renny. That... that you know I d... I did it for you. 'cause I love you. Because I wanted to give you peace at last.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not find such a file in your son's journals, Doctor. However, from what I know of him, by his memories and his writing, I do not believe he would be happy. He was proud of your career as a scientist. And now you have destroyed that. You say you did it for him. But I do not believe he would have wanted that. Yes... I believe your son would be very sad now. I am sorry, Doctor, but I cannot help you.

[Worf has shown a strong reaction to Kurn's offense]

Kurn: So, your blood is not so thin after all.

Lieutenant Worf: I am a Klingon! If you doubt it, a demonstration can be arranged.

Kurn: That is the response of a Klingon - the response I would expect... from my older brother.

Duras: You are a fool. And your challenge can only result in a fool's death.

Lieutenant Worf: It is a good day to die, Duras. And the day is not yet over.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One of the aims of the exchange program, Commander, is for us all to learn tolerance. As for my crew, it may be healthy to shake up the status quo occasionally.

Commander William T. Riker: The Commander certainly appears to have the crew on its toes, sir.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: And then some...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [to Kurn] No offense, sir.

Kurn: None taken. I never kill anyone at the supper table, Mr. La Forge.

Kurn: Are your quarters so comfortable?

Lieutenant Worf: They serve me.

Duras: This is not your world, Human. You do not command here.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm not here to command.

Duras: Then you must be ready to fight. Something Starfleet does not teach you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You may test that assumption at your convenience.

Duras: I have no reluctance to kill you, Human.

Commander William T. Riker: I would like to make one suggestion, sir.

Kurn: A suggestion?

Commander William T. Riker: When I served aboard the Pagh, the hardest part for me was recognizing and adapting to the demands of the crew. They needed an iron hand. I imagine it must be very difficult for you to work with a crew that is... so different. I would be happy to guide you in that regard, if it would be helpful.

Kurn: No, Commander. It wouldn't.

[they leave the turbolift]

Commander William T. Riker: This is not a Klingon ship, sir!

Kurn: No, Commander, it is not. If it were a Klingon ship, I would've killed you for offering your suggestion.

Lieutenant Worf: I am a Klingon!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Kahlest... would they recognize you? Would they know who you are?

Kahlest: K'mpec would remember Kahlest. I caught his eye, back then. But he was too fat.

K'mpec: It is good to see you again.

Kahlest: You are still fat, K'mpec.

Lieutenant Worf: So, you asked to serve aboard the Enterprise to watch me.

Kurn: It was an excellent opportunity to see what kind of Klingon you were - or if you were Klingon at all.

Lieutenant Worf: Your deception offends me, Brother.

Kurn: It should. But it was required.

Lieutenant Worf: To satisfy your curiosity.

Kurn: No. Much more. You are the eldest son. The challenge is yours to make.

Lieutenant Worf: [perplexed] Challenge?

Kurn: The Klingon High Council has judged our father a traitor to the Empire.

Lieutenant Worf: The family of a Klingon warrior is responsible for his actions, and he is responsible for theirs. If I fail in my challenge, I will be executed. - Will you grant my leave, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No. If I understand correctly, a Starfleet officer, a respected member of my crew, could be accused of a capital crime. Your actions in this matter will reflect on this ship and on the Federation. Therefore, it seems only appropriate that your Captain should be at your side while you make your challenge. I'm sure you would do no less for me.

Kurn: The two sons of Mogh. Together, we'll restore the family honor.

Lieutenant Worf: No. For the proceedings, you will not reveal your true father.

Kurn: I must.

Lieutenant Worf: You will not!

Kurn: Because it would mean my death as well if you fail? A Klingon's honor means more to him than his life. Perhaps your Human values have clouded your judgment. I insist.

Lieutenant Worf: On this ship, you are my Commander, and I obey. In Council chambers, you are *my* cha'DIch. You do not insist. *You* obey.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You admit the truth? And yet expect him to accept punishment? What does this say of an Empire who holds honor so dear?

K'mpec: The Empire will not be destroyed for one family's honor!

[Picard informs Worf that he will go into the city's old quarter to look for Kahlest]

Lieutenant Worf: It is too dangerous. You must not go alone.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hey... I'm your cha'DIch.

Duras: It was a wise choice to hide your family name. Do not err now by embracing it again, for you only embrace death.

Kurn: We shall see.

Duras: Worf has made a choice and he will die for it. But you can still be safe. Let him stand alone.

Kurn: He is my brother. I will not betray him!

Duras: Then you will die for him!

[Kurn has barely survived an attack from Duras's assassins]

Lieutenant Worf: We should have let him die. Now that Duras knows his bloodlines, we will both be executed.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You sound like you've already lost, Worf.

Kahlest: I cannot help. I am dead. A long time dead.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I speak now as the Captain of the USS Enterprise and Lieutenant Worf's commanding officer. You will not execute a member of my crew, nor will I turn his brother over to you.

K'mpec: This is not the Federation, Picard. If you defy an order of the High Council, the alliance with the Federation could fall to dust.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The alliance with the Federation is not based on lies, K'mpec. Protect your secrets, if you must. But you will not sacrifice these men.

Commander William T. Riker: One does not patronize a Klingon warrior.

K'mpec: [to Worf] Leave! Now! Or you, too, will be condemned as a traitor.

K'mpec: [on accepting discommendation] It would be the same as admitting your father's guilt, Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: So be it.

K'mpec: Your heart... is Klingon.

Lieutenant Worf: You must also... Brother.

Kurn: [on Worf's discommendation] Why is he doing this? I was prepared to die.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Worf wanted you to live. The name of your father must someday be cleared. He needs you alive, with your honor intact.

Kurn: But to do this...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There will be another day, Commander. Do not forget what he does here today. Do not let your children forget.

Lieutenant Worf: [indicating Duras] *This* ha'bIDaH should've been fed to the dogs!

Lieutenant Worf: [to Duras] You... are the son of a traitor!

[he gives him a backhand slap in the face]

Lieutenant Worf: Now I am ready.

[as Picard is grappling with the last of Duras's assassins, Kahlest kills him with a knife to his back]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [panting] My appreciation, Madam.

Kahlest: You are brave, cha'Dich. Worf chose well.

Capt. Picard: What is it, Number One? What are you seeing?

Commander William T. Riker: Trouble.

Capt. Picard: A great poet once said: "All spirits are enslaved that serve things evil."

Voice of Armus: You do not understand. I do not serve things evil; I *am* evil.

Capt. Picard: Oh, no. You're not.

Voice of Armus: I am a skin of evil, left here by a race of Titans, who believed if they rid themselves of me, they would free the bonds of destructiveness.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What is he made of?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It did not register on the tricorder.

Voice of Armus: "It"? Does that mean I am not alive?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No. Clearly you are some kind of intelligent form.

Voice of Armus: But you said I did not register on your instrument. Perhaps your instruments are useless.

Lieutenant Worf: You are favored in the ship's pool.

Lt. Tasha Yar: You bet on me?

Lieutenant Worf: A sure thing.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You were really surprised they came back.

Voice of Armus: Yes.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Why? Because the others did not?

Voice of Armus: What others?

Counselor Deanna Troi: You can't hide the emptiness from me. The others - the ones who hurt you. Who left you alone, rejected. The ones who make you so angry.

Voice of Armus: What do you know of them?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Only what you tell me.

Voice of Armus: I will tell you nothing!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Not now. But soon.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Who deserted you?

Voice of Armus: Creatures whose beauty now dazzles all who see them. They would not exist without me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You were together?

Voice of Armus: They perfected a means of bringing to the surface all that was evil and negative within, erupting, spreading, connecting. In time, it formed a second skin, dank and vile.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You.

Voice of Armus: Save your compassion! It's revolting. You offer it like a prize, when in fact, it's an insult.

Capt. Picard: Because you feel unworthy.

Voice of Armus: You overrate your gift. You Humans are puny, weak.

Capt. Picard: But our spirit is indomitable.

Voice of Armus: And still you die from a flake of my power.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [on Tasha's death] That thing just sucked the life right out of her. There's nothing I can do.

Voice of Armus: Do you want to know why I killed her?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Your answer would be meaningless. That act had no reason.

Voice of Armus: Exactly! It had no meaning. I did it because I wanted to. It amused me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: No. You thought it would amuse you; but it didn't.

Counselor Deanna Troi: They won't give you what you want.

Voice of Armus: And what is that?

Counselor Deanna Troi: To break their spirit.

Voice of Armus: Oh, is that what I want? If breaking their spirit will amuse me, then that's what I will have.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Never!

Capt. Picard: Lieutenant Worf, you're now Acting Chief of Security.

Lieutenant Worf: I will do my best, sir.

Lieutenant Worf: The object here is not to engage the creature in battle. The goal is the safe return of Counselor Troi and Lieutenant Prieto. I can best accomplish this at the tactical station.

[Worf's first decision as Security Chief]

Voice of Armus: Tell me, tin man, how does it feel to face your own extinction?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Curious.

Voice of Armus: [referring to Riker] Should I let him go?

Counselor Deanna Troi: You only ask to torment me!

Voice of Armus: Perhaps.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How should I answer? What can I offer except myself?

Voice of Armus: And would you give yourself for him? Would you give that much?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes. Without hesitation!

Voice of Armus: Just for him?

Counselor Deanna Troi: No, not just for him. I would do the same for any of the others.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You are capable of great sadism and cruelty. Interesting. No redeeming qualities.

Voice of Armus: So, what do you think?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I think you should be destroyed.

Voice of Armus: A moral judgment from a machine.

Capt. Picard: You say you are true evil? Shall I tell you what true evil is? It is to submit to you. It is when we surrender our freedom, our dignity instead of defying you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Sir - the purpose of this gathering... confuses me.

Capt. Picard: Oh? How so?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: My thoughts are not for Tasha, but for myself. I keep thinking how empty it will be without her presence. Did I miss the point?

Capt. Picard: No, you didn't, Data. You got it.

[from Tasha's holographic message]

Lt. Tasha Yar: What I want you to know is how much I loved my life, and those of you who shared it with me. You are my family. You all know where I came from, and what my life was like before. But Starfleet took that frightened, angry young girl and tempered her. I have been blessed with your friendship and your love.

Lt. Tasha Yar: My friend Data. You see things with the wonder of a child. And that makes you more human than any of us.

Lt. Tasha Yar: Captain Jean-Luc Picard. I wish I could say you've been like a father to me. But I've never had one, so I don't know what it feels like. But if there was someone in this universe I could choose to be like, someone who I would want to make proud of me - it's you. You who have the heart of an explorer and the soul of a poet.

Lt. Tasha Yar: [her final words] Death is that state in which one exists only in the memory of others. Which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes. Just good memories. Hailing frequencies closed, sir.

Capt. Picard: Au revoir, Natasha.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [to Armus] I'm a doctor. I need to treat our injured comrades.

Voice of Armus: Say please.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Please.

Voice of Armus: You asked nicely. I will allow it. [Beverly starts moving for the downed shuttlecraft] Wait... I've changed my mind.

Commander William T. Riker: [Deanna is in a downed shuttlecraft but Armus is blocking the away team's path to her] She needs our help!

Voice of Armus: So what?

Cmdr. Hutchinson: You must be Will Riker.

Commander William T. Riker: I must be.

[Picard keeps Devor at bay with a laser welder]

Devor: You're Starfleet. You won't kill me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You sure?

[Devor starts to look doubtful when he is suddenly knocked out - with a hypospray]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Seems you're right.

Lt. Commander Data: It has been quite a day. Has it not?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [slightly surprised about the comment] Yes, it has.

Lt. Commander Data: However, a change of routine is often invigorating, and can be a welcome diversion after a long assignment.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Exactly.

Lt. Commander Data: [after a pause] I understand that Arkaria has some very interesting weather patterns.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [bewildered] Mr. Data? Are you all right?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. I am attempting to fill a silent moment with non-relevant conversation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah. Small talk.

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir. I have found that humans often use small talk during awkward moments. Therefore, I have written a new subroutine for that purpose. How did I do?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Perhaps it was a little... too non-relevant.

Orton: I am not interested in hearing your hostage negotiation tactics, Commander.

Commander William T. Riker: Well, it can't hurt you to listen, can it?

Orton: All right.

Commander William T. Riker: Thank you. Now...

[Riker turns away from Orton]

Commander William T. Riker: ...the first thing I think we need to discuss is this:

[Riker reels around and punches Orton in the face]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [nursing Riker's wound] I thought you were just going to talk to him.

Commander William T. Riker: I did. He just didn't like what I had to say.

Cmdr. Hutchinson: Call me Hutch.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain! Request permission to be excused from Commander Hutchinson's reception.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Permission granted... I wish I could excuse myself as well.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Er, Captain, permission to be...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, I cannot excuse my entire senior staff! Mr. Worf beat you to it.

Lt. Commander Data: [practicing small talk a la Hutchinson on Riker and Crusher] It is very good to see you both again! Beverly... May I call you Beverly? Beverly, have you noticed that the mean temperature here on Arkaria is slightly higher than normal for human comfort levels? I have found that humans prefer a body temperature of 21 degrees Celsius in order to operate most efficiently. However, there are several cultures who actually prefer that their body temperature is identical to the temperature of the room in which they are standing. The Sheliak for example...

Commander William T. Riker: [after having introduced non-stop small talkers Hutchinson and Data to one another] I'm not sure which one to feel sorry for.

[Kelsey snatches a container with highly explosive trilithium resin out of Neil's hands, who gasps in horror]

Kelsey: Don't be so tense, Neil! Listen, if something goes wrong, you won't have time to worry about it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Profit - this is all about profit?

Kelsey: I prefer to think of it as commerce.

Kelsey: Who are you?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: My name is Mott. I'm, er... I-I'm the barber.

Kelsey: If I were you, Mr. Mott, I'd be trying to find another way off this ship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I plan on leaving the same way you do. On your ship.

Kelsey: What ship?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Come on, Kelsey. If you've been planning this so long, you must have a way of getting off the Enterprise and leaving this system. I think you have a ship coming for you. I plan to be on it.

Kelsey: It's a small ship, Mott. I don't think there's gonna be room for both of us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry to hear that. I'll send your regrets.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [about Data and "Hutch"] They're still at it.

Commander William T. Riker: Non-stop. I have to admit, it has a sort of strange fascination. How long can two people talk about nothing?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, how long before the baryon sweep begins on the Enterprise?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: About 25 minutes, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then I have enough time to go back to the ship and get my saddle.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Your saddle?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, a saddle is a, a very... personal... thing. It has to be, er... broken in, used, cared for.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You keep a saddle on board the Enterprise?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes. Yes, er, I never know when I will have the opportunity to ride.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I see.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's perfectly normal. You know, most, er, most serious riders do have their own saddles.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Of course.

Cmdr. Hutchinson: Absolutely!

Lieutenant Worf: Captain - you keep a saddle on board?

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Worf, I'm surprised at you.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Anyone who is an experienced rider naturally has his own saddle.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It's perfectly normal.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Actually it came in handy. I only wish I'd had the opportunity to use it on a horse.

Lieutenant Worf: [confused] Of course...

Maturin: You know, Captain, I moved to this colony because it was a recreation of Scotland, but I must admit it's getting to be a little too realistic... A-TCHOOM!

Ned Quint: Think what you want - see what you want. Just do as I say. Dinnae light that candle, and dinnae go to that huus, or before you know it, they'll be burying another Howard in this cemetery!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: And when the candle's lit, then what happens?

Ronin: Then we'll be together - always.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Beverly, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were seeing someone.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Deanna.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Now I *know* you're seeing someone.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You have been using me, Nana, my entire family for centuries!

Ronin: And I loved all of them! And they loved me!

[Picard and Governor Maturin are talking about the Scottish inspired Caldos Colony]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Tell me, Governor, I'm curious. You're obviously not Scots yourself. What was it that drew you here?

Maturin: Aah, something about the culture, the heritage... When I was a boy, my family visited Glamis Castle in Scotland. And as I looked out across the Highlands, I felt as if I had come home.

[Crusher describes to Troi a very sensual dream she had after reading a rather erotic chapter in her grandmother's journal]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I wonder if I'll have another dream tonight.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'd read two chapters.

Ronin: I'll take care of you. And you will feel love as you've never felt it before.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm really anxious to meet this remarkable young man who has swept away not just one, but two of the Howard women.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Jealousy doesn't suit you, Jean-Luc.

[Beverly has changed her eye color]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think that I preferred your eyes the way they were before. I think I preferred *you* the way you were before, Beverly.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I was about to be initiated into a very unusual relationship. You might call it a family tradition. But there's a part of me that's a little sad.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How so?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I reread the entries in my grandmother's journals. Whatever else he might have done, he made her very happy.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Rest in peace, Nana.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ever since I was a child, I've always known exactly what I wanted to do: be a member of Starfleet. Nothing else mattered to me. Virtually my entire youth was spent in the pursuit of that goal. In fact... I probably skipped my childhood altogether.

[in the attempt to get a spoonful of ice cream, Jono has accidentally splashed it across Wesley's face to everyone's amusement, except... ]

Lt. Commander Data: I fail to understand why this is amusing.

Commander William T. Riker: Access your data banks under 'Humor', subheading 'Slapstick'.

Lt. Commander Data: 'Comedy stressing farce and horseplay'. Ah. This, no doubt, is a variation on 'pie in the face'.

Commander William T. Riker: Now do you see why it's funny?

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. But I will take your word for it. This is very amusing.

Jono: [about his quarters] I don't like this place.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We could find some other quarters.

Jono: I've always lived with my Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah... Yes, well, that wouldn't work here.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You know, Captain - almost no one is born being a good parent. Most people just have to muddle through and do the best that they can.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Are you saying that's what I'm gonna have to do?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes. And you might be surprised at just how good you can be.

[Picard has suggested to Endar that Jono's broken arm and ribs may have been caused by mistreatment]

Captain Endar: Have you ever been a father, Picard? Have you ever had a son desperately trying to win your approval, your respect? Jono broke his ribs riding on a t'stayan. Six hooves - a very powerful beast. The arm... in a contest with other youths. He endured the pain, and won the competition. One day, he will be a great warrior.

Captain Endar: Well, Jono, what do you think of these Humans?

Jono: They look like me.

[Endar has implied a retaliatory strike, should Picard refuse to return Jono to him]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Are you saying that you're willing to go to war over this boy?

Captain Endar: Would you not, for your only son?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The lines are being drawn. All this for a chosen son.

[Jono has attempted to kill Picard]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What I want to know is why? You seemed so happy just a few hours ago.

Jono: I was. But then I thought about my father. I felt I had betrayed him. I'd be throwing away all that he'd given me, all that I'd learned from him. My home. Running along the river. Playing in the games. Sharing victory with my brothers. All the things that are part of my life. As I grew closer and closer... to you... I knew that meant leaving more and more of that life behind. Forgive me, Captain; but I could not allow myself to do that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There was a crime committed on board this ship, but it was not Jono's; it was mine. When we found Jono, it seemed so clear what had to be done. We knew that if we could only... persuade him to make the decision to stay, then you would most likely let him. So with the best of intentions, we tried to convince him. And in so doing... we thoroughly failed to listen to *his* feelings, to his needs. That was the crime. And it has... taken a huge toll on a strong and a very... noble young man. And it must be rectified. He will return home - to the only home he's ever known. And to the father that he loves. To you, Endar.

Dr. Jo'Brill: [before blacking out] I saw... the sun!

Guinan: You know, I've never been to a formal inquiry.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, I'll see if I can arrange one for you. All you have to do is disobey orders, violate medical ethics and cause an interstellar incident.

[Dr. Crusher is treating Guinan's arm]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Make a fist.

Guinan: Do I have to hit you with my fist before you tell me what happened?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're the loneliest person in the world right now. No one can say anything, no one can do anything that will help. And you think that it will never go away. And you're right, it won't. But you can get used to it. I know it doesn't feel like that now; but you can.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I don't want you to get involved in this.

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa: Is that an order, Doctor?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Yes.

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa: Too bad you're not my boss anymore.

[Crusher has taken over the role of a facilitator in a scientific debate]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [narrating] I figured the hard part was over. I'd stepped out on a limb and it hadn't broken. Not bad for my first venture into scientific diplomacy.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [narrating] Klingons make threats as a matter of course. On the other hand, sometimes they follow through.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [after her door has chimed twice] All right, come in!

[Guinan enters]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Guinan. What's wrong?

Guinan: I need a doctor. Geordi beat me in straight sets today; I think I've developed tennis elbow.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, you'd better go to sickbay. I think Dr. Selar is on duty.

Guinan: I don't wanna see Dr. Selar, I always see you. I'm very particular about my doctors.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, you'd better get a new one, because I'm not a doctor on this ship anymore.

[Dr. Crusher presents Guinan with a tennis racquet in acknowledgement for her support]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Now, I did some research. This is the latest design, state of the art. It is specifically designed to cushion all vibration, so you will never have tennis elbow again.

Guinan: Thank you... Doctor, this looks like a great racquet, but, uh... I don't play tennis. Never have.

[after a test for his metaphasic shield has failed, Dr. Reyga is determined to prove to everyone that his invention is sound]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [narrating] I couldn't help but admire his tenacity. He just wasn't going to accept defeat, and I hoped he *would* prove himself. But that was the last time I saw him alive.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [after telling Guinan what happened] So that's the story. That's how I ended my career.

Guinan: Backhand volley.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What?

Guinan: That's how I did it. Geordi kept hitting to my backhand at the net.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Guinan, two people have died on this ship, two lives that ended horribly, and you're worried about your tennis game?

Guinan: Are you upset?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I don't know, you tell me. You're supposed to be wise.

Guinan: Well, if you *are* upset, why are you moping around here, why don't you do something about it?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I've done everything I could think of; it got me fired!

Guinan: Do you think Dr. Reyga killed himself?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: No.

Guinan: Do you think there's a murderer on board?

Guinan: Then why're you still sitting here?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Don't you get it? If I start digging around again...

Guinan: [ironic]... you could be relieved of duty.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain, we're beaming over a replacement coil.

T'Jon: That's great! And that'll fix us up?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, once it's installed.

T'Jon: Right...

T'Jon: And how do we do that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [under his breath, to Riker] What is the matter with these people?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Captain, how long have you been in command of this freighter?

T'Jon: Seven years. This is my 26th voyage to Brekka.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And you don't know how to align a control coil?

T'Jon: It's never come up.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are some missing pieces to this puzzle.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What's missing is a little compassion!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We're losing our professional detachment, Doctor.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Beverly, the Prime Directive is not just a set of rules. It is a philosophy, and a very correct one. History has proved again and again that whenever mankind interferes with a less developed civilization, no matter how well-intentioned that interference may be, the results are invariably disastrous.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It's hard to be philosophical when faced with suffering.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: On my home planet, there was so much poverty and violence, that for some the only escape was through drugs.

Wesley Crusher: How can a chemical substance provide an escape?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: It doesn't. But it makes you think it does.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Before you know it, you're taking the drug, not to feel good, but to keep from feeling bad.

Wesley Crusher: And that's the trap?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: All you care about is getting your next dosage. Nothing else matters.

Wesley Crusher: I guess I just don't understand.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Wesley, I hope you never do.

Langor: The Ornarans provide us with the necessities of life, and we provide them with the necessities of living. It is a fair exchange.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Behave yourselves, gentlemen.

[after separating the fighting Sobi and T'Jon with a phaser]

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: [on the Ornaran's and Brekkian's natural defensive powers] A natural electrical charge?

Commander William T. Riker: Formidable.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Yes. And a difficult weapon to confiscate.

[Picard has denied the Ornarans the replacement coils for their ships]

Sobi: If you withhold those coils, you'll be disrupting the stability of both our planets.

Langor: And interfering with a trade agreement that has lasted for generations. What of your Prime Directive?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In this situation, the Prime Directive prohibits me from helping you.

Sobi: That's absurd!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You did not think so when it worked in your favor.

T'Jon: Captain, I hope you realize what you've done to us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of that you can be sure.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Believe me, Beverly, there was only one decision.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I just hope it was the right one.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And we may never know.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, take us out of orbit.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Destination, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I don't care. Let's just get some distance between us and this system.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Aye, sir. Course 9-7-0 Mark 3-1-8, speed... warp 3.

Commander William T. Riker: Where will that take us, Mr. La Forge?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: The Opperline system.

Commander William T. Riker: An interesting choice. Why?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Curiosity. We've never been there.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Engage.

Q: Welcome to the afterlife, Jean-Luc. You're dead.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Q, what is going on?

Q: I told you. You're dead. This is the afterlife. And I'm God.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [laughs scornfully] You are not God!

Q: Blasphemy! You're lucky I don't cast you out or smite you or something. The bottom line is, your life ended about five minutes ago, under the inept ministrations of Dr. Beverly Crusher.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No... I am not dead. Because I refuse to believe that the afterlife is run by you. The universe is not so badly designed.

Nausicaan #1: Hu-mahn. Play dom-jot, Hu-mahn.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about his time as an ensign] I was a different person in those days - arrogant, undisciplined... with far too much ego, but too little wisdom. I was more like you.

Q: Then you must have been far more interesting. Pity you had to change.

Q: I see you've found your Nausicaan friend. You seem unimpaled so far.

Jean-Luc Picard: I'm sorry to disappoint you.

Jean-Luc Picard: Q, even if you have been able to bring me back in time somehow, surely you must realize that any alteration in this timeline will have a profound impact on the future.

Q: Please, spare me your egotistical musings on your pivotal role in history. Nothing you do here will cause the Federation to collapse or galaxies to explode. To be blunt, you're not that important.

Q: You never told me you were such a ladies' man.

Jean-Luc Picard: I wasn't. I was a puerile adolescent, who allowed himself to be led by his hormones instead of his head.

[Picard wakes up in Marta's bed but finds Q lying next to him]

Q: Morning, darling.

Q: Flowers! Is there a John Luck Pickurd here?

Q: Did I interrupt anything sordid, I hope?

Jean-Luc Picard: Well, here's to the Class of '27.

Q: [mimicking a German doctor] Vell, vell, vell - vat seems to be the trubble, Leutnant Picard?

Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard: I would rather die as the man I was than live the life I just saw.

Jean-Luc Picard: Q!

Q: That's 'Captain Q' to you, young man.

Jean-Luc Picard: Corey, I'm not here to help you. I'm here to stop you from making a serious mistake.

Corey: You sound like my mother.

Jean-Luc Picard: Cheating the Nausicaans could have serious consequences for all of us. It's a risk we can't afford to take.

Corey: You *are* my mother!

Q: Now that you've shuffled off the mortal coil, we're free to spend a little time together.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A little time together? How much?

Q: Eternity.

Jean-Luc Picard: What if I don't avoid the fight? What if I won't make the changes?

Q: Then you die on the table - and we spend eternity together.

Jean-Luc Picard: Wonderful!

Q: I'm glad you think so.

[Corey has accepted the Nausicaan's challenge for a game of dom-jot]

Jean-Luc Picard: He's gonna lose. The Nausicaan is cheating.

Q: Really? I'm beginning to like these Nausicaans.

Q: Well, let's see... You've managed to get slapped by one woman, a drink thrown in your face by another and alienate your two best friends. Doing pretty well so far.

Nausicaan #1: Coward! Like all Starfleet, you talk and you talk, but you have no guramba!

Jean-Luc Picard: What did you say?

Nausicaan #1: I said, you are a coward.

Jean-Luc Picard: That's what I thought you said.

[jabs the Nausicaan's stomach with his elbow, and the fight begins]

[in an alternative timeline, Picard, a mere junior lieutenant with a rather unimpressive career, has asked to be given more responsibility]

Commander William T. Riker: If you want to get ahead, you have to take chances, stand out in a crowd, get noticed.

Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard: I see.

Commander William T. Riker: Now, we don't want to lose you. You're a very good officer.

Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard: Just not one who stands out.

Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard: You having a good laugh now, Q? Does it amuse you to think of me living out the rest of my life as a dreary man in a tedious job?

Q: I gave you something most mortals never experience: a second chance at life. And now all you can do is complain?

Lt. J.G. Jean-Luc Picard: I can't live out my days as that person. That man is bereft of passion... and imagination! That is not who *I* am!

Q: Au contraire. He's the person you wanted to be: one who was less arrogant and undisciplined in his youth, one who was less like me... The Jean-Luc Picard *you* wanted to be, the one who did *not* fight the Nausicaan, had quite a different career from the one you remember. That Picard never had a brush with death, never came face to face with his own mortality, never realized how fragile life is or how important each moment must be. So his life never came into focus. He drifted through much of his career, with no plan or agenda, going from one assignment to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. He never led the away team on Milika III to save the Ambassador; or take charge of the Stargazer's bridge when its captain was killed. And no one ever offered him a command. He learned to play it safe - and he never, ever, got noticed by anyone.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are many parts of my youth that I'm not proud of. There were... loose threads - untidy parts of me that I would like to remove. But when I... pulled on one of those threads - it'd unravel the tapestry of my life.

Commander William T. Riker: I was just trying to imagine a hellbent-for-leather young officer insulting a Nausicaan twice his size. I wish I'd had a chance to know that Jean-Luc Picard.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, well, to tell the truth, that wasn't the first run-in that I had with a couple of surly Nausicaans.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes. During my sophomore year, I was assigned to training on Morikin VII. Well, there was a Nausicaan outpost on one of the outlying asteroids, and one day...

Ensign Marta Batanides: Goodbye, Johnny.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, there's still part of me that cannot accept that Q would give me a second chance; or that he would demonstrate so much compassion. And if it was Q... I owe him a debt of gratitude.

The Peddler: Whoever you are, wherever you're from, greetings! Welcome to Minos, the Arsenal of Freedom.

The Peddler: If you need a little something "special," be it for one target, or multiple targets, we got it, you'll see it, here on Minos, where we live by the motto, "Peace through superior firepower."

Lt. Commander Data: [scanning the planet Minos] No signs of intelligent life forms. Vegetation and animal life only.

Counselor Deanna Troi: What happened to all the people?

Lieutenant Worf: War?

Lt. Commander Data: Disease?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: A dissatisfied customer?

Captain Paul Rice: Who sent you here to look for me?

Commander William T. Riker: Your mother. She's worried about you.

Captain Paul Rice: Tell me about your ship, Riker. It's the Enterprise, isn't it?

Commander William T. Riker: No, the name of my ship is the Lollipop.

Captain Paul Rice: I have no knowledge of that ship.

Commander William T. Riker: It's just been commissioned. It's a good ship.

Chief Engineer Logan: In view of the present crisis, I believe you should relinquish command to me.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: No.

Chief Engineer Logan: I outrank you.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Mr. Logan, I'm in command.

Chief Engineer Logan: The Captain did not anticipate the Enterprise would come under attack. If he had, would he have left the bridge to you?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: If he had, he wouldn't have left the ship!

[Picard and Crusher have fallen into a cavern]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We seem to be pretty well sealed in, Doctor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: No exits?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: None that I can see.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If you find one, go!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Uh-huh. Tired of my company already?

Lt. Commander Data: The citizens of Minos gained fame during the Erselrope Wars as arms merchants. They manufactured sophisticated and highly advanced weaponry.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Yeah? For which side?

Lt. Commander Data: Both.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [interrupting the automated salesman's pitch] So what went wrong? Where are its creators? Where are the people of Minos?

The Peddler: Once unleashed, the unit is invincible. The perfect killing system.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [shakes his head] Too perfect. You poor fools, your own creation destroyed you.

The Peddler: To be totally armed is to be totally secure! Remember: the early bird that hesitates gets wormed!

[Riker and Yar are faced with the imminent threat of a deadly weapon]

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: We could split up.

Commander William T. Riker: What good would that do?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Confuse it, delay it, something.

Commander William T. Riker: It would still get us; it would just take a little longer.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: It might give one of us time to get out of range.

Commander William T. Riker: Out of *range*?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Forget I said it. These devices wiped out an entire planet. I don't think it has a range.

Commander William T. Riker: Then what does that leave us?

[Yar bites her lip]

Commander William T. Riker: Right. That's what I thought.

[Data jumps 11.75 meters down the cavern and lands beside Crusher and Picard]

Lt. Commander Data: At your service, Captain.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Relinquishing command, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As you were, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge, when I left this ship, it was in one piece. I would appreciate your returning it to me in the same condition.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Something unusual has definitely been happening to you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Why do doctors always say the obvious, as though it's a revelation?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Why do captains always act like they're immortal?

[in the Captain's ready room... ]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What are you doing here?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I thought I was Captain of this starship.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Of course you are, but I...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Thank you for the confirmation, Doctor.

Wesley Crusher: Adults!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Battle of Maxia. I've never heard it referred to so dramatically before.

[Daimon Bok has offered Picard his old ship, the Stargazer, as a gift]

DaiMon Bok: Consider it... an act of friendship.

Rata: At no cost? Oh, ugly, very ugly!

Kazago: The android was mentioned, too. What is its price? We should like to... purchase it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He is not for sale. Commander Data is, um... is, um...

Commander William T. Riker: ...is second-hand merchandise, and you wouldn't want him.

Kazago: As you Humans say, I'm all ears.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to his old ship] Hello, old friend.

Commander William T. Riker: How was it, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very strange, Number One. Like going back to the house you grew up in, but no one's home - except phantoms of the past.

Lt. Commander Data: You will find this most intriguing, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What'd you find, Data?

Lt. Commander Data: The last entry, dated nine years ago, sir. By you.

Lt. Commander Data: [reads] "We are forced to abandon our starship. May she find her way without us." Apparently she did, sir.

Lt. Commander Data: One of these two logs is a forgery, sir.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Correction. The log just found aboard the Stargazer is a forgery.

Lt. Commander Data: As I said, that is one of them. Is it not?

Commander William T. Riker: I hope you're right, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: No question of it, sir.

DaiMon Bok: And now, my dear Captain, you are ready to live the past.

DaiMon Bok: You will injure yourself, as you once injured me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Where is Bok?

Commander William T. Riker: Removed from command, sir, and placed under guard for his act of personal vengeance. Seems there was no profit in it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In revenge there never is.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Not resting, Captain?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: More like dying, Doctor.

DaiMon Bok: Die well, Captain!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let the dead rest - and the past... remain the past.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [after doing a quick scan to see why Picard's having headaches] I see nothing physically wrong, but I want to run some additional scans in Sickbay.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doctor, all I've got is...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Is an order to report to Sickbay, from the only person aboard this ship who *can* give you an order.

[Capt. Picard has been assimilated by the Borg]

Locutus: I am Locutus - of Borg. Resistance - is futile. Your life, as it has been - is over. From this time forward, you will service - us.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: If you can't make the big decisions, Commander, I suggest you make room for someone who can.

Capt. Picard: Mister Worf, dispatch a subspace message to Admiral Hanson. We have engaged the Borg.

The Borg: Captain Jean-Luc Picard, you lead the strongest ship of the Federation fleet. You speak for your people.

Capt. Picard: I have nothing to say to you; and I will resist you with my last ounce of strength.

The Borg: Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours.

Capt. Picard: Impossible. My culture is based on freedom and self-determination.

The Borg: Freedom is irrelevant. Self-determination is irrelevant. You must comply.

Capt. Picard: We would rather die.

The Borg: Death is irrelevant. Your archaic cultures are authority-driven. To facilitate our introduction into your societies, it has been decided that a human voice will speak for us in all communications. You have been chosen to be that voice.

[after an attempt to rescue Picard has failed]

Commander William T. Riker: The Captain?

Lt. Commander Data: We were unable to retrieve him, sir. The Captain has been altered by the Borg.

Commander William T. Riker: Altered?

Lieutenant Worf: He IS a Borg.

[Shelby gets early on site without permission]

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Morning. Early bird gets the worm, eh? We've had some interesting results.

Commander William T. Riker: Commander Shelby... Walk with me, Commander.

Lt. Commander Data: [to La Forge] Early bird...? I believe Commander Shelby erred. There is no evidence of avifaunal or crawling vermicular life forms on Jouret IV.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: That's not what she meant, Data. But you're right. She erred.

Guinan: Trouble sleeping?

Capt. Picard: It's something of a tradition, Guinan - Captain touring the ship before a battle.

Guinan: Hmm. Before a *hopeless* battle, if I remember the tradition correctly.

Capt. Picard: Not necessarily. Nelson toured the HMS Victory before Trafalgar.

Guinan: Yes, but Nelson never returned from Trafalgar, did he?

Capt. Picard: No, but the battle was won.

Guinan: Do you expect this battle to be won?

Capt. Picard: We may yet prevail. That's a... a conceit. But... it's a healthy one. I wonder if the Emperor Honorius watching the Visigoths coming over the seventh hill truly realized that the Roman Empire was about to fall. This is just another page in history, isn't it? Will this be the end of *our* civilization? Turn the page.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Data was available. I took him, we came.

[the away team is considering ways to slow down the Borg vessel]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What if we look at this from the mosquito's point of view?

Lt. Commander Data: Interesting metaphor, Doctor. What is your idea?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If we sting them in a tender spot, they might stop for a minute to scratch.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [after Wesley has been out-bluffed by Riker despite having a winning hand] Wesley, you may get straight A's in school, but there's a lot you need to learn about poker.

Admiral J. P. Hanson: This is the third time we've pulled out the captain's chair for Riker. He just won't sit down.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Tell me, Commander, is serving aboard the Enterprise as extraordinary an experience as I've heard?

Commander William T. Riker: Every bit.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Good. Because I intend to convince Captain Picard that I'm the right choice for the job.

Commander William T. Riker: Job? Which job?

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Yours, of course.

Admiral J. P. Hanson: [on Shelby] She'd make you one hell of a first officer.

Capt. Picard: I already have a hell of a first officer.

Commander William T. Riker: You disagree with me, fine. You need to take it to the Captain, fine - through me. You do an end run around me again, I'll snap you back so hard you'll think you're a first-year cadet again.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: May I speak frankly, sir?

Commander William T. Riker: By all means.

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: You're in my way.

Commander William T. Riker: Really? How terrible for you!

Lt. Cmdr Elizabeth Paula Shelby: All you know how to do is play it safe. I suppose that's why someone like you sits in the shadow of a great man for as long as you have, passing up one command after another.

Capt. Picard: What's your impression of Shelby?

Commander William T. Riker: She knows her stuff.

Capt. Picard: She has your full confidence?

Commander William T. Riker: Well, I think she needs supervision. She takes the initiative a little too easily, sometimes with risks.

Capt. Picard: [tuts] Sounds like a young Lieutenant Commander I recruited as a first officer.

[Picard talks to Riker about taking the post as captain of another ship]

Commander William T. Riker: With all due respect, sir - you need me. Particularly now.

Capt. Picard: Indeed. Starfleet needs good captains, particularly now.

Commander William T. Riker: [on reasons why he has declined the command of another starship] Maybe I'm just afraid of the big chair.

Capt. Picard: [from his personal log] We continue to prepare our defenses for the inevitable confrontation, but... I must admit, on this night I contemplate the distinct possibility that no defense may be adequate against this enemy.

Guinan: This isn't the end.

Capt. Picard: You say that with remarkable assuredness.

Guinan: With experience. When the Borg destroyed my world, my people were scattered throughout the universe. We survived - as will humanity survive. As long as there's a handful of you to keep the spirit alive, you will prevail - even if it takes a millennium.

Commander William T. Riker: [in command of the Enterprise] Make it so.

[after the Borg have abducted Picard]

Lieutenant Worf: Sir, the coordinates they have set - they're on a direct course to sector 001. The Terran system.

Commander William T. Riker: Earth.

[last lines of season 3]

Commander William T. Riker: Mister Worf - fire!

Wesley Crusher: Got another king in the hole, eh, Data?

Lt. Commander Data: I am afraid I cannot answer that, Wesley - and as you are a newcomer to the game, may I say it is inappropriate for you to ask.

Locutus: Worf - Klingon species. A warrior race. You, too, will be assimilated.

Lieutenant Worf: The Klingon Empire will never yield!

Locutus: Why do you resist? We only wish to raise quality of life, for all species.

Lieutenant Worf: I like my species the way it is!

Locutus: The knowledge and experience - of the human - Picard - is part of us now. It has prepared us for all possible courses of action. Your resistance is hopeless - Number One.

Captain William T. Riker: We're no longer just fighting the Borg. We're fighting the life experience they've stolen from Captain Picard. Now, how the hell do we defeat an enemy that knows us better than we know ourselves?

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Captain Riker, based on our past relationship, there's no reason for me to expect to become your first officer, except that you need me. I know how to get things done, and I have the expertise in the Borg.

Captain William T. Riker: And you have a lot to learn, Commander.

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Yes, sir.

Captain William T. Riker: Almost as much as I had to learn when I came on board as Captain Picard's first officer. A fact he reminded me of when I commented on what a pain in the neck you are.

Guinan: When a man is convinced he's going to die tomorrow, he'll probably find a way to make it happen. The only one who can turn this around is you.

Captain William T. Riker: I'll do the best I can.

Guinan: You're gonna have to do something you don't want to do. You have to let go of Picard.

Guinan: Did he ever tell you why we're so close?

Captain William T. Riker: No.

Guinan: Oh... Then let me just say that... our relationship is beyond friendship, beyond family. And I *will* let him go. And you must do the same. There can only be one Captain.

Captain William T. Riker: It's not that simple. This was his crew. He wrote the book on this ship.

Guinan: If the Borg know everything he knows, it's time to throw that book away. You *must* let him go, Riker. It's the only way to beat him. The only way to save him.

Admiral J. P. Hanson: Lieutenant, a few years ago, I watched a freshman cadet pass four upperclassmen on the last hill of the 40km-run on Danula II - the damnedest thing I ever saw. The only freshman to ever win the Academy marathon. I made it my business to get to know that young fellow, and I got to know him very, very well. And I'll tell you something: I never met anyone with more drive, determination or more courage than Jean-Luc Picard; and there is no way in hell that he would assist the Borg. I want that clear.

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Of course, Admiral.

Admiral J. P. Hanson: He is... a casualty of war.

Admiral J. P. Hanson: As for Picard - a great man has been lost. Your Captain. My friend.

Locutus: We will proceed to Earth, and if you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you.

Captain William T. Riker: Then take your best shot, Locutus, 'cause we are about to intervene.

[Dr. Crusher has suggested introducing a destructive breed of nanites into the Borg]

Captain William T. Riker: How long would it take to execute that?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: That's the problem. Two to three weeks.

Counselor Deanna Troi: In two or three weeks, nanites may be all that's left of the Federation.

Captain William T. Riker: [to Picard's empty chair] What would you do?

Lieutenant Worf: The Borg have neither honor nor courage. *That* is our greatest advantage.

Captain William T. Riker: I'm sure Captain Picard would have something meaningful and inspirational to say right now. To tell you the truth, I wish he was here, 'cause I'd like to hear it, too. I know how difficult this transition has been for all of you. I can take over for him; but I could never replace Captain Picard, nor would I ever try. Whatever the outcome, I'm sure our efforts in the coming battle will justify his faith in all of us.

Captain William T. Riker: Commander, we don't have to like each other to work well together. As a matter of fact, I'd like you to continue to keep me on my toes.

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Paula Shelby: Some might define that as the role of a first officer.

Captain William T. Riker: Damn! You *are* ambitious, aren't you, Shelby?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Troi to bridge. Data has made first contact with Captain Picard.

[the Borg have abruptly ceased their attack on the Enterprise]

Captain William T. Riker: Mr. Data, what the hell happened?

Lt. Commander Data: I successfully planted a command into the Borg collective consciousness. It misdirected them to believe it was time to regenerate. In effect, I put them all to sleep.

Captain William T. Riker: [baffled] To sleep?

Captain William T. Riker: Commander Shelby, take an away team and confirm that the Borg are... asleep.

Commander Shelby: Delighted, sir.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [after Picard has been separated from the Borg Collective] How do you feel?

Jean-Luc Picard: Almost human - with just a... bit of a headache.

Captain William T. Riker: How much do you remember?

Jean-Luc Picard: Everything. Including some brilliantly unorthodox strategy from... a former first officer of mine.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And... when I looked down into the street, I actually saw - automobiles!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [explaining his uniform to a holodeck character] I lost a bet.

Jessica Bradley: Oh, well... At least you're ready for Halloween.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [bemused] Halloween?

[Picard is about to leave the holodeck, when someone knocks at Dixon Hill's office door]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You'll have to call again; I'm just leaving. I'm, er... not dressed properly.

[Picard is complaining about the odd spelling of the Jarada language]

Counselor Deanna Troi: But you spell knife with a 'k'.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I spell knife with an 'n'. But then I never could spell.

Lt. Commander Data: Hiya, Doc, what's cookin'?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You know, I had some trouble getting through. Where's Captain Picard?

Lt. Commander Data: He's on ice.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Pardon?

Lt. Commander Data: He's being grilled.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What is he, a fish?

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: So, Data, how was it?

Lt. Commander Data: [gangster accent] It was raining in the city by the bay... a hard rain. Hard enough to wash the slime...

Lt. Commander Data: Sorry, sir.

Lt. Dan Bell: You better not try to leave town.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If I leave town, town leaves with me.

Desk Sergeant: Pretty hep-lookin' broad.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Is that good?

Desk Sergeant: It ain't bad.

Vendor: [about Data] He's not from around here, is he?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Er, no, he's not. He's, er... he's from... South America.

Vendor: Yeah... 's got a nice tan.

Cyrus Redblock: [about Data] Where do you s'ppose he's from?

Felix Leech: [to Data] Where were you hatched anyway?

Lt. Commander Data: I was created on a planet...

Lt. Commander Data: South America.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: For the moment, I have other duties.

Lt. McNary: Blonde or brunette?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: She's a lady all right. And her name is... Enterprise.

Lt. McNary: Sounds like a working girl to me.

Cyrus Redblock: Senseless killing is immoral. But killing for a purpose... can be quite often ingenious.

Commander William T. Riker: So - have a nice vacation?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It was a nice place to visit, Number One, but... I wouldn't want to die there.

Madeline: There's a lady named Bradley waiting in your office. Nice legs.

[Picard looks down on his legs]

Madeline: Not you. Her!

Vendor: Hey, it's Dix. How's tricks?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hm? Oh, she's fine.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am not Dixon Hill! I just look like Dixon Hill!

Lt. Commander Data: He speaks the truth, sir. From your point of view, he is only a facsimile. A knock-off. A cheap imitation...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Thank you, Mr. Data.

[Cyrus Redblock intends to go out of the holodeck into the "new world"]

Lt. Commander Data: If you were going to go through yourself, sir - that is not possible.

Cyrus Redblock: One look at you, sir, is proof that anything is possible.

Cyrus Redblock: Life is an endless stream of choices. Unfortunately you have chosen to make my life more difficult.

Cyrus Redblock: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - a Newtonian truism which you've obviously neglected.

Lt. McNary: [on Redblock's gang] Nice company you're keeping, Dix. You forget to take the trash out this morning?

Cyrus Redblock: All right, let's begin. Make your thoughts fruitful and your words eloquent. 'cause I don't have to tell you, your lovely lady friend's life depends upon it.

Cyrus Redblock: Au revoir, et bonne chance, mon ami. Our destiny awaits.

Cyrus Redblock: I'm Cyrus Redblock! Cyrus Redblock!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I have to go.

Lt. McNary: So... this is the big goodbye.

[they shake hands, and Picard turns to leave]

Lt. McNary: Tell me something, Dix. When you've gone... will this world still exit? Will my wife and kids still be waiting for me at home?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I honestly don't know.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant, take us out of orbit.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Aye, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And Mr. La Forge...

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [gangster accent] Step on it!

Jessica Bradley: [to Picard] And next time... wear a suit.

[the mother of Jeremy, a little boy, has died in an away mission]

Commander William T. Riker: Do you know Jeremy well?

Wesley Crusher: [shakes his head] But I know what this is gonna be like for him.

Commander William T. Riker: That's part of life in Starfleet, Wesley.

Wesley Crusher: I know. They're very careful to prepare us for anything. But still...

Commander William T. Riker: I know.

Wesley Crusher: How do you get used to it? The telling them?

Commander William T. Riker: You hope you never do.

Wesley Crusher: Do you ever think about him, Mom?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Your father? Sure I do.

Wesley Crusher: Sometimes... I can't even remember what his face looks like. It scares me.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It happens to all of us, Wes. Sometimes... I can't get his face *out* of my mind.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [of the energy life form scanning the ship's data banks] It's looking over everything, Commander, going to school. Let's just hope it doesn't blow us to kingdom come while it's figuring out how to blow us to kingdom come.

Lieutenant Worf: I cannot seek revenge against an enemy who's turned to dust centuries ago. Her death was senseless! The last victim of a forgotten war!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm told that your father is also dead.

Jeremy Aster: Yes, sir. He died five years ago, from a Rushton infection. I'm all alone now, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Jeremy, on the Starship Enterprise, no one is alone. No one.

Wesley Crusher: [dealing with his own father's death] My parents had told me about the dangers of Starfleet missions. I knew it could happen.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: So you were prepared?

Wesley Crusher: No, I wasn't prepared at all. How can anyone be prepared to hear that a parent is never coming home again?

Lt. Commander Data: Since her death, I have been asked several times to define how well I knew Lieutenant Aster. And I heard you ask Wesley on the bridge how well he knew Jeremy. Does the question of familiarity have some bearing on death?

Commander William T. Riker: Do you remember how we all felt when Tasha died?

Lt. Commander Data: I do not sense the same feelings of absence that I associate with Lieutenant Yar. Although I cannot say precisely why.

Commander William T. Riker: Just human nature, Data.

Lt. Commander Data: Human nature, sir?

Commander William T. Riker: We feel a loss more intensely when it's a friend.

Lt. Commander Data: Hm... But should not the feelings run just as deep, regardless of who has died?

Commander William T. Riker: Maybe they should, Data. Maybe if we felt any loss as keenly as we felt the death of one close to us - human history would be a lot less bloody.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We deal with our pain in many different ways. But over the years, I've discovered it's in joy that the uniqueness of each individual is revealed. If I can help a person back to a state of joy... well, my role has its rewards.

[by posing as Lt. Aster, the energy life form intends to alleviate Jeremy's pain, which was accidentally caused by its species]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I appreciate your motives. But... his mother is dead. He must learn to live with that.

Lt. Marla Aster: I will be every bit his mother!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But not his mother.

Commander William T. Riker: [of the energy life form] She offers him everything. All we can offer is the cold reality of his mother's death.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What would you choose? If somebody came along and offered to give you back your mother, father or husband - would any of us say no so easily?

Lt. Marla Aster: Your philosophy is curious, Captain. What is so noble about sorrow? I can provide him an existence where he will feel no pain, no anguish.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It is at the heart of our nature to feel pain - and joy. It is an essential part of what makes us what we are.

Lt. Marla Aster: It is our duty to make him happy again.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Do you honestly believe he would be happy in... this total fiction, which you wish to create? What reason would he have to live? What you're offering him is a memory - something to cherish. Not to live in. It is part of our life cycle that we accept the death of those we love. Jeremy must come to terms with his grief. He must not cover it, or hide away from it. You see, we are mortal. Our time in this universe is finite. That is one of the truths that all humans must learn.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Serving on a starship means accepting certain risks... certain dangers. Did Jeremy Aster make that choice?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Death and loss are an integral part of life everywhere. Leaving him on Earth would not have protected him.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, but the Earth isn't likely to be ordered to the Neutral Zone or to repel a Romulan attack. It was my command which sent his mother to her death. She understood her mission and my duty. Will he?

Counselor Deanna Troi: In time. And with help. Wesley Crusher does. He does. And so will Jeremy.

Lieutenant Worf: [to Jeremy] Join me in the R'uustai - the Bonding. You will become part of my family now and for all time. We will be brothers.

Lieutenant Worf: SoS jIH batlh SoH.

Jeremy Aster: What does that mean?

Lieutenant Worf: It honors the memory of our mothers. We have bonded. And our families are stronger.

Jeremy Aster: SoS jIH batlh SoH.

Lieutenant Worf: The Marla Aster I knew and honored is not in this room, nor does she await you on the planet. She now only lives here...

[he touches his chest, then Jeremy's]

Lieutenant Worf: ...and here.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [discovering an artifact in the observation lounge] Oh, my God.

Professor Galen: Then you *can* identify that object, Mr. Picard?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Professor Galen?

Commander William T. Riker: Computer, lights up!

Professor Galen: I suppose I should say *Captain* Picard.

Commander William T. Riker: The Professor contacted me from his shuttle about an hour ago. He suggested that we surprise you.

Professor Galen: To clarify, I insisted and your First Officer was good enough to accommodate me. I trust I'm not being overly presumptuous, now that my star pupil is master of the stars?

Professor Galen: Dream not of today, Mr. Picard.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: "Dream not of today"...

[he ponders]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The night blessing of the Yash-El.

Professor Galen: As I recall, you missed that question on your final exam.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, I've had a few years to look it up.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor, this is not simply a case of me taking the Enterprise and its crew on some wild goose chase to purge myself of guilt and remorse. I will not let Galen's death be in vain. Now, if that means inconveniencing a few squabbling delegates for a few days then so be it. I will take the full responsibility.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's four billion years old - a computer program from a highly advanced civilization; and it's hidden in the very fabric of life itself. Whatever information this program contains could be the most profound discovery of our time - or the most dangerous. And the Professor knew that.

Gul Ocett: The Yridian who sold us the information claimed that the program would yield the key to an unlimited power source.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But until we assemble it, we will never know its purpose.

Gul Ocett: He's right. As far as we know, it might just be a recipe for biscuits.

Captain Nu'Daq: Biscuits? If that is what you believe, then go back to Cardassia. I will send you my mother's recipe.

Humanoid Progenitor: You're wondering who we are; why we have done this; how it has come that I stand before you - the image of a being from so long ago. Life evolved in my planet before all others in this part of the galaxy. We left our world, explored the stars and found none like ourselves. Our civilization thrived for ages. But what is the life of one race, compared to the vast stretches of cosmic time? We knew that one day we would be gone, that nothing of us would survive. So, we left you. Our scientists seeded the primordial oceans of many worlds, where life was in its infancy. The seed codes directed your evolution toward a physical form resembling ours: this body you see before you, which is of course shaped as yours is shaped. For you *are* the end result. The seed codes also contain this message, which we scattered in fragments on many different worlds. It was our hope that you would have to come together in fellowship and companionship to hear this message. And if you can see and hear me, our hope has been fulfilled. You are a monument, not to our greatness, but to our existence. That was our wish, that you, too, would know life and would keep alive our memory. There is something of us in each of you, and so, something of you in each other. Remember us.

Captain Nu'Daq: That's all? If she were not dead, I would kill her.

Gul Ocett: The very notion that a Cardassian could have anything in common with a Klingon - it turns my stomach.

Gul Ocett: Typical Klingon thinking - take what you want and destroy the rest.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [referring to Professor Galen] If it hadn't been for you, his dream to solve that puzzle would never have been realized. You left him a wonderful legacy.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, but it would have been a more fitting legacy if the message had not fallen on such deaf ears.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Hm... You never know.

Romulan Captain: It would seem that we are not completely dissimilar after all - in our hopes, or in our fears.

Romulan Captain: Well, then. Perhaps... one day.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: One day.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've never heard of anyone who didn't love a good mystery.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Kurlan civilization believed that an individual was a community of individuals. Inside us are... many voices, each with its... its own desires, its own style, its-its... its own view of the world.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Professor did not choose this gift at random - the many voices inside the one. You see, he knows that... the past is a very insistent voice inside me. This gift is meant to remind me of that.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: And the exploration of space? Surely that must count for something?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I wouldn't trade it for anything; and I would still make the same choice that I made all those years ago. I just wish that I didn't have to say "no" to him a second time.

Professor Galen: What are you doing at this very moment? A study mission! You're like some Roman centurion out patrolling the provinces, maintaining a dull and bloated Empire.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We both know that's not true.

Professor Galen: I know this: I know that as a scholar, you're nothing but a dilettante.

Lt. Commander Data: My upper spinal support is a poly-alloy, designed to withstand extreme stress. My skull is composed of cortenide and duranium.

[after Nu'Daq has almost knocked himself out trying to head-butt Data]

Lt. Commander Data: You are attempting to bribe me.

Captain Nu'Daq: Not at all.

[after Nu'Daq has assured Data a promising career in the Klingon Empire if he gave him the information on the missing fragment before everyone else]

Professor Galen: [dying words] Jean-Luc... I was too harsh.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I had a father. But he was like a father who understood me. And he had his own children, but they didn't follow in his footsteps, so... I was like the son who understood *him*.

Gul Ocett: My name is Gul Ocett. Identify yourself and state your business in this star system.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise, and I see no reason why I should answer to you. Cardassians have no claims in this sector.

Gul Ocett: I suppose not. But my admittedly hasty estimate shows one Federation starship and two Cardassian war vessels. Perhaps I have miscounted.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Counselor Deanna Troi is pregnant. She... she is going to have a baby.

Commander William T. Riker: Baby? [everyone looks at Deanna]

Commander William T. Riker: This is a surprise.

Counselor Deanna Troi: More so for me.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Dah-ta, look at this.

Lt. Commander Data: [looking slightly confused] 'Day-ta'.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: What?

Lt. Commander Data: My name. It is pronounced 'Day-ta'.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Oh?

Lt. Commander Data: You called me "Dah-ta".

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [laughing] What's the difference?

Lt. Commander Data: One is my name. The other is not.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Is this possible? [stands up and begins to run a scan on Data] With all of your neuro nets and hueristics? Is there some combination of circuits that make up a network for bruised feelings? Possible?

Lt. Commander Data: [Data smiles at the idea]

[Troi undergoes a completely painless delivery]

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Are easy births the norm for Betazoids?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Not according to my mother.

[Picard has called sickbay to speak to Dr Pulaski, only to be told that she is in Ten Forward]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A few hours on board and already she's found Ten Forward.

Lieutenant Worf: [anticipating Picard to give Dr. Pulaski a telling-off] Not the best way to meet your new captain.

[the crew is discussing whether Troi's unborn child might pose a security risk]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain. [the senior officers abrubtly stop their discussion and focus on Counselor Troi] Do whatever you feel is necessary to protect the ship and the crew. But know this: I'm going to have this baby!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then it would seem that the discussion, is over. [folds his hands in reservation to the impending situation] .

[Dr. Pulaski mentions that in her experience, the fathers were almost always present during their babies' delivery]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Difficult under the circumstances.

Lt. Commander Data: Perhaps *I* could serve in that capacity.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Counselor Troi is going to need the comfort of a human touch and not the cold hand of technology.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Doctor, I think Commander Data will do very nicely.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Your choice.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [right before giving birth] You don't have to do anything, Data. Just be with me.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: There's nothing to be nervous about.

Lt. Commander Data: Nervous? I find this very interesting.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ian, could you tell us why you're here?

Ian Andrew Troi: Because Mommy said it was time to eat.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No, I mean, why're you here on this ship?

Ian Andrew Troi: I live here.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Ian, I think the Captain wants to know if you are ready to tell us why you came here.

Ian Andrew Troi: No. Not yet.

Counselor Deanna Troi: The answer is within him. When his cognitive powers have sufficiently developed, he may be able to articulate it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I hope he will tell us soon.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [to herself, analyzing a deadly virus] Some eager beaver at play.

Lt. Commander Data: Query - "Eager beaver"?

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Well, in this case, 'eager beaver' refers to some overachieving genetic engineer who - probably because of lack of anything better to do - has forced this strain of virus to mutate, just so he can see how bad bad can get.

[Wesley has mixed feelings about leaving the Enterprise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: It's always hard leaving any ship, just as it was for your mother, when she left to become head of Starfleet Medical. But moving from one assignment to another is part of the life which you're choosing.

Wesley Crusher: I know. But this isn't any ship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [contemplates this] How true.

[during a conversation, Guinan suggests to Wesley several times to have a drink]

Guinan: What about a cup of nectar, direct from Prometheus?

Wesley Crusher: No, nothing! That's the third time you've asked me.

Guinan: It's what I'm expected to do. Don't you always do what's expected?

Wesley Crusher: I try.

Guinan: Even if it's not what you really want?

Wesley Crusher: Sometimes. Sometimes it's more important to consider others before yourself.

Guinan: Yes. But sometimes the game is to know when to consider yourself before others. Give yourself permission to be selfish.

Wesley Crusher: Thanks.

Guinan: For a dish of Dovlarian souffl??

Wesley Crusher: No, not for the souffl?. I meant... for the rest.

Guinan: 't's why I'm here.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher has expressed his desire to remain on the Enterprise.

Commander William T. Riker: I see. And, how did you respond?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I haven't yet, Number One, I didn't feel it was my decision alone. His remaining, will have effects on all of us.

Commander William T. Riker: Good point, with his mother gone, who will see to his studies?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's true. Of course, that responsibility would fall to Commander Data.

Commander William T. Riker: And, who will tuck him in at night?

Wesley Crusher: [embarrassed] Come on, Commander!

Lieutenant Worf: [somewhat reluctant] I will accept that responsibility.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, we know he'll get his sleep [looks to Worf and smiles] .

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [looks to Riker, put his hand on his chin in thought] You know, Number One? It seems to me that you would be best suited for these responsibilities. Are you willing to serve?

Commander William T. Riker: Difficult decision. [Riker looks to Wesley, who looks back in quiet anticipation. Riker grins] Yes, I can do that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [looks to Wesley] Very well, Mr. Crusher, contact your mother at Starfleet Medical, give her my regards, and tell her that you have my permission to remain on the Enterprise. But [points to Wesley] I will abide by her wishes.

Wesley Crusher: [grins] Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir! I know she'll agree!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, do you have course and speed laid in?

Wesley Crusher: Yes Sir, they are!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well, Mr. Crusher. Engage. [Wesley grins, and sets the Enterprise's next course]

Lt. Commander Data: [on Troi's delivery of Ian] Thank you for allowing me to participate. It was remarkable.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Commander Riker approaches, smiling, Troi looks to him] Were you here all along?

Commander William T. Riker: Yes. He's beautiful, Deanna. Just like his mother. [grins, leans in and kisses Deanna's cheek]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Fine. Wonderful. [looks to the baby in her arms, then back to Pulaski] Thank you, Doctor, for everything.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Amazing.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Deanna looks back to the baby again, smiling. A tear of happiness and joy rolls down her cheek, as she sighs a deep breath]

Commander William T. Riker: I don't mean to be indelicate, [turns to Troi] but who's the father?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Last night, *while I slept*, something, that I can only describe as a presence, entered my body.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A life form of unknown origin and intent, is *breeding*, right now, inside of Counselor Troi. Our purpose here today is determine what course of action we need to take.

Lieutenant Worf: The decision is clear. The pregnancy must be terminated to protect the ship.

Commander William T. Riker: [as the bridge crew is discussing the issue, Troi hears a heartbeat within her mind, and looks down at her stomach, then back up to the conference room screen which shows a gestating fetus. The crew's voices are muffled, but can still be clearly heard as Troi is focusing on the baby growing inside her] This situation presents a danger to us and the counselor. It's an invasion, of what, I don't know.

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, this is a life form. Denying it the right to survive, takes away our opportunity to study it.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Data encounters Counselor Troi in the corridor, breathing heavily and holding her stomach] Data? Would you help me to Sickbay? [Data acknowledges and takes Deanna by the arm, helping her]

Counselor Deanna Troi: [the doors open to Sickbay, Data and Deanna enter] It's time!

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [runs up] Oh, you bet it is! Let's get you to maternity! [takes Deanna by the arm]

Lt. Commander Data: [clicks his combadge] Security team to sickbay.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: Is that really necessary?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, Doctor. Captain's orders.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: I don't see the need for *armed guards* in the delivery room. [shakes her head] . This way.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [Pulaski rushes in and begins to examine Ian] What happened? Did he eat anything, did he fall?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [shakes her head] No!

Lt. Commander Data: [reads the readout on his tricorder] Commander, the child is the source of the unusual radiation.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Ian said he was the reason the ship was in danger.

Lt. Commander Data: That analysis is correct.

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [continues to try to bring Ian around] I'm losing life signs.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [holds Ian's lifeless hand] You must save him!

Dr. Kate Pulaski: [Pulaski continues to work, but to no success. She runs her scanner over Ian again, then bows her head] I'm sorry. [Troi kneels down and begins to weep over the loss of her son. Suddenly, Ian's body disappears and becomes a small, radiant star of energy. The energy star floats into Troi's open hands and Deanna cups her hands around it. Her weeping slowly subsides, then she smiles. Finally, like releasing a dove, she opens her hands and the energy star floats up and through the bulkhead into space]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [Riker's combadge beeps] Riker here.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Commander, the containment field has... stabilized!

Commander William T. Riker: Thank you, Lieutenant.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Then Ian was right. He was the cause.

Commander William T. Riker: Apparently so.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [Deanna shakes her head and looks down for a moment, then looks back up at everyone] He is a life force entity. When we passed each other in space, he was curious about us, so he thought the best way to learn, was to go through the process. To be born, to live as one of us, and in that way, to understand us. He never meant any harm.

Commander William T. Riker: There was a moment, when you smiled.

Counselor Deanna Troi: He said "Thank you". I told him, we will miss him. [looks down again] And, I will.

Ian Andrew Troi: [being tucked into bed by Deanna] I can feel that some of the people are very worried.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes, I feel it too. But don't you worry [smiles and lovingly strokes Ian's hair] .

Ian Andrew Troi: It's me, Mommy! I'm the reason.

Ian Andrew Troi: It's me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You?

Ian Andrew Troi: Yes. I have to leave you now, or it will be very bad for everyone.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Leave? You're going to die! No, you can't! [shakes her head no in desparation, and clicks her combadge] Sickbay, this is Counselor Troi! I need a doctor in my quarters, NOW! [Ian has stopped breathing, Troi leans down and begins to shake Ian trying to bring him out of it] Ian! Ian, No Ian!

Wesley Crusher: It's going to be hard leaving the Enterprise.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mixed feelings for all of us. It's always hard leaving any ship, just as it was for your mother when she left to become head of Starfleet Medical. But moving from one assignment to another is part of the life that you're choosing.

Wesley Crusher: I know. But this isn't "any" ship.

Wesley Crusher: [to Riker] What should I say? How do I act? What do I do?

Commander William T. Riker: Guinan, I need your help. Could you step over here a minute?

Guinan: Sounds simple enough.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Wesley] Now, first words out of your mouth are the most important. You may want to start with something like this. [to Guinan] You are the most beautiful woman in the galaxy... [to Wesley] But that might not work.

Guinan: Yes! Yes, it would.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Guinan] You don't know how long I've wanted to tell you that.

Guinan: But you were afraid.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes.

Guinan: Of me?

Commander William T. Riker: Of us. Of what we might become... [Wesley tries to interrupt]... or that you might think that was a line.

Guinan: Maybe I do think it's a line.

Commander William T. Riker: Then you think I'm not sincere.

Guinan: I didn't say that. There's nothing wrong with a line. It's like a knock at the door.

Commander William T. Riker: Then you're inviting me in.

Guinan: I'm not sending you away.

Commander William T. Riker: That's more than I expected.

Guinan: Is it as much as you hoped?

Commander William T. Riker: To hope is to recognize the possibility; I had only dreams.

Guinan: Dreams can be dangerous.

Commander William T. Riker: Not these dreams. I dream of a galaxy where your eyes are the stars and the universe worships the night.

Guinan: Careful. Putting me on a pedestal so high, you may not be able to reach me.

Commander William T. Riker: Then I'll learn how to fly. You are the heart in my day and the soul in my night.

Wesley Crusher: [interrupting] I don't think this is my style.

Guinan: Shut up, kid! [to Riker, saucily] Tell me more about my eyes.

Wesley Crusher: I'm never gonna feel this way about anyone else.

Guinan: You're right.

Wesley Crusher: I didn't expect you to say that.

Guinan: There'll be others. But every time you feel love, it'll be different. Every time it's different.

Wesley Crusher: Knowing that doesn't make it any easier.

Guinan: It's not supposed to.

[Worf gives Wesley advice on romance from a Klingon perspective]

Wesley Crusher: Are you telling me to go yell at Salia?

Lieutenant Worf: No. Men do not roar. Women roar. Then they hurl heavy objects... and claw at you.

Wesley Crusher: What does the man do?

Lieutenant Worf: [dreamily] He reads love poetry...

Lieutenant Worf: [back to his serious self] He ducks a lot.

Lt. Commander Data: Judging by her appearance, it is likely you and Salia are biologically compatible. Of course there could be a difference in the histocompatibility complex of the cell membrane, but...

Wesley Crusher: Data - I want to meet her, not dissect her.

Wesley Crusher: I think I need to try something a little less... dangerous.

Lieutenant Worf: Go to her door. Beg like a human.

Lieutenant Worf: Do not be fooled by her looks. The body is just a shell.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf, have our passengers' accommodation met with their approval?

Lieutenant Worf: I doubt if anything ever meets with that woman's approval - sir.

Anya: Salia, do an old woman a favor and obey me for the rest of this trip.

Salia: You are no more an old woman than I am a leader.

[Worf appears at their quarters to escort Anya on a tour of the ship]

Anya: You *are* a leader. And I... am older than you could ever imagine.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The most dangerous animal is a mother protecting her young.

[Anya has turned out to be an allasomorph, a shapeshifting species]

Lieutenant Worf: Captain - what if Anya transforms?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Improvise.

Guinan: Just because a girl runs out doesn't mean she doesn't wish you to follow.

Salia: Will I ever be able to leave Daled IV?

Anya: Probably not. But anything is possible.

Salia: That's what Wes said.

Anya: I hope he's right.

Anya: You'll be happy to see me leave.

Lieutenant Worf: No. You are a worthy opponent.

Anya: Thank you. At heart, we are very much alike.

Lieutenant Worf: Yes, we are.

Anya: Perhaps we shall fight again. On the same side?

Lieutenant Worf: It would be an honor.

Admiral Jarok: One world's butcher is another world's hero. Perhaps I am neither one.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: On what basis, Admiral, am I to decide? Hmm? Your good word? Are you willing to help us overpower the Romulan B-type warbirds we may encounter? Are you prepared to help us detect them through their cloaking shields?

[the Admiral doesn't reply]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, you see my problem, Admiral. You ask us for faith, in circumstances which are hardly possible to believe, compounded by lies and your refusal to tell us what you know.

Admiral Jarok: I cannot betray my people!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You already betrayed your people, Admiral! You've made your choices, sir! You're a traitor! Now, if the bitter taste of that is unpalatable to you, I am truly sorry. But I will not risk my crew because you think you can dance on the edge of the Neutral Zone. You've crossed over, Admiral. You make yourself comfortable with that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [quoting Shakespeare's "Henry V"] Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king, who led them to it.

Admiral Jarok: Do you... have any children, Captain Picard, a family?

Admiral Jarok: Hmm... Then you have sacrificed too much for your career.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, this is all very interesting...

[Jarok raises a hand to silence him]

Admiral Jarok: There comes a time in a man's life that you cannot know. When he looks down at the first smile of his baby girl and realizes, he must change the world for her - for all children. It is for her that I am here. Not to destroy the Romulan Empire, but to save it. For months, I tried desperately to persuade the High Command that another war would destroy the Empire. They got tired of my arguments. Finally, I was censured, sent off to command some distant sector. *This* was my only recourse. I... will never see my child smile again. She will grow up believing that her father is a traitor. But she will grow up - if you act, Picard. If we stop this war before it begins.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I don't know, Data, my gut tells me we ought to be listening to what this guy's trying to tell us.

Lt. Commander Data: Your gut?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: It's just a... a feeling, you know, an instinct. Intuition.

Lt. Commander Data: But those qualities would interfere with rational judgment, would they not?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You're right, sometimes they do.

Lt. Commander Data: Then... why not rely strictly on the facts?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Because you just can't rely on the plain and simple facts. Sometimes they lie.

Admiral Jarok: [as Setal] Oh, what a fool I've been - to come looking for courage in a lair of cowards.

Commander William T. Riker: [as the Enterprise approaches a suspected Romulan base] I don't like it. I would've expected a greeting party.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You echo another noteworthy commander in similar circumstances, Number One. A countryman of yours - George Armstrong Custer, when his Seventh Cavalry arrived at the Little Big Horn.

Commander William T. Riker: May we have better luck.

[Picard's secret backup of cloaked Klingon warbirds has materialized surrounding the Romulans]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What shall it be, Tomalak?

Commander Tomalak: You will still not survive our assault.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And you will not survive ours. Shall we die together?

Admiral Jarok: [as Setal] This. This is my home now, my future. I have sacrificed everything. It must not be in vain. Arrange a meeting between myself and Captain Picard. Tell him Admiral Jarok wants to see him.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There is much to be done. We have less than 48 hours to prevent a war - or perhaps... to start one.

[Data is intently observing "Setal"]

Admiral Jarok: [as Setal] I take it you have never seen a Romulan before.

Lt. Commander Data: That would be an incorrect assumption.

Admiral Jarok: Then why do you invade my privacy?

Lt. Commander Data: I was attempting to ascertain what my 'guts' tell me about you.

Lt. Commander Data: I am told by various crew members that this viewport is their favorite on the ship.

Admiral Jarok: [as Setal] Hm... I thought it would bring me some comfort. But these are not my stars. Even the heavens are denied me here.

Admiral Jarok: [as Setal] You're the android. I know a host of Romulan cyberneticists that would love to be this close to you.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not find that concept particularly appealing.

Admiral Jarok: Nor should you.

Admiral Jarok: How do you allow Klingon pahtk to walk around in a Starfleet uniform?

Lieutenant Worf: You are lucky this is not a Klingon ship. We know how to deal with spies.

Admiral Jarok: Remove this tohzah from my sight!

Commander William T. Riker: Your knowledge of Klingon curses is impressive. But as a Romulan might say, only a veruul would use such language in public.

Admiral Jarok: Lieutenant Worf, I like him. To be more accurate, I understand him. A warrior, proud, fearless, living only for combat. Exactly the type that will get us all killed if we're not careful.

Admiral Jarok: I did it for nothing. My home... my family... For nothing.

[Admiral Jarok has committed suicide]

Commander William T. Riker: [handing a data PADD to Picard] A letter to his wife and daughter.

Lt. Commander Data: Sir, he must have known it would be impossible for us to deliver it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Today, perhaps. But if there are others with the courage of Admiral Jarok, we may hope to see a day of peace when... we can take his letter home.

Admiral Nora Satie: Captain, do you believe in the Prime Directive?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course.

Admiral Nora Satie: In fact, it's Starfleet's General Order Number One, is it not?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Your point, Admiral?

Admiral Nora Satie: Would it surprise you to learn that you have violated the Prime Directive a total of nine times since you took command of the Enterprise? I must say, Captain, it surprised the hell out of me.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Seventh Guarantee is one of the most important rights granted by the Federation. We cannot take a fundamental principle of the Constitution and turn it against a citizen.

Lieutenant Worf: Sir, the Federation *does* have enemies. We *must* seek them out!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes. That's how it starts. But the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think. Something is wrong here, Mister Worf. I don't like what we have become.

Admiral Nora Satie: Spies and saboteurs don't like the bright lights of an open inquiry. They're like roaches scurrying for the dark corner.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is not unlike a... a drumhead trial.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 500 years ago, military officers would upend a drum on the battlefield. They'd sit at it and dispense summary justice. Decisions were quick, punishments severe; appeals denied. Those who came to a drumhead were doomed.

Admiral Nora Satie: [to Picard] There have been others in the past who doubted me. They came to regret it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Admiral. What you're doing here... is unethical. It's immoral. I'll fight it.

Admiral Nora Satie: Do what you must, Captain. And so will I.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Have we become so... fearful, have we become so cowardly... that we must extinguish a man? Because he carries the blood of a current enemy?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We think we've come so far. Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it's all ancient history. Then - before you can blink an eye - suddenly it threatens to start all over again.

Admiral Nora Satie: Captain. May I tell you how I've spent the past four years? From planet to starbase to planet. I have no home. I live on starships and shuttlecraft. I haven't seen a family member in years. I have no friends. But I have a purpose. My father taught me from the time I was a little girl still clutching a blanket, that the United Federation of Planets is the most remarkable institution ever conceived. And it is my cause to make sure that this... extraordinary union be preserved.

Admiral Nora Satie: Tell me, Captain, have you completely recovered from your experience with the Borg?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, I have completely recovered.

Admiral Nora Satie: It must have been awful for you... actually becoming one of them. Being forced to use your vast knowledge of Starfleet operations to aid the Borg. Just how many of our ships were lost? Thirty-nine? And a loss of life, I believe, measured at nearly 11,000. One wonders how you can sleep at night, having caused so much destruction. I question your actions, Captain; I question your choices, I question your loyalty!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You know, there are some words I've known since I was a schoolboy: "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie, as wisdom and warning. The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. I fear that today...

Admiral Nora Satie: How dare you! You who consort with Romulans, invoke my father's name to support your traitorous arguments. It is an offense to everything I hold dear. And to hear those words used to subvert the United Federation of Planets. My father was a great man! His name stands for integrity and principle. You dirty his name when you speak it! He loved the Federation. But you, Captain, corrupt it. You undermine our very way of life. I will expose you for what you are. I've brought down bigger men than you, Picard!

Lieutenant Worf: [referring to Admiral Satie] I believed her. I, I helped her. I did not see what she was.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mister Worf, villains who twirl their moustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well camouflaged.

Lieutenant Worf: I think... after yesterday, people will not be so ready to trust her.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Maybe. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us, waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Mister Worf - that is the price we have to continually pay.

[after being intimate with K'Ehleyr, Worf initiates a formal Klingon oath of marriage]

K'Ehleyr: Wait. You can't mean...

Lieutenant Worf: We are mated.

K'Ehleyr: Yes, I know! I was there!

K'Ehleyr: I will NOT take the oath!

Lieutenant Worf: Then this night had no meaning! And *that* I will not believe.

K'Ehleyr: Believe what you will.

[in a poker round, Riker seems unsure about how to proceed]

Doctor Pulaski: 50 is the bet. What's the matter? Your feet getting cold?

Commander William T. Riker: My cards are getting cold.

Lieutenant Worf: Talk or play. Not both.

Lieutenant Worf: You are late.

K'Ehleyr: Sorry. Had to make myself beautiful.

Lieutenant Worf: I fail to understand why.

K'Ehleyr: Worf, we're alone now. You don't have to act like a Klingon glacier. I don't bite. Well, that's wrong. I *do* bite.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Whenever Starfleet gets enigmatic, I know we're about to face a challenge.

K'Ehleyr: Whoever said getting there was half the fun never rode in a class 8 probe.

Lieutenant Worf: Klingons never bluff.

[the Enterprise is approaching the T'Ong, a Klingon battle cruiser]

Lt. Commander Data: Sensors show life forms aboard, but I am unable to ascertain whether they are awake or dormant. However, their propulsion system is inactive, so I would hypothesize that the crew is asleep.

[the Klingon ship is firing at them]

Lt. Commander Data: However, I could be in error.

Lieutenant Worf: Welcome to the 24th century.

Lieutenant Worf: I've noted that some people use humor as a shield. They talk much, yet say little.

[K'Ehleyr is working in the tactical room when Worf enters with Data]

K'Ehleyr: An android chaperone?

Lt. Commander Data: Android, of course, is correct, but... I fail to see how 'chaperone' is applicable to this situation.

K'Ehleyr: Never mind.

K'Ehleyr: Poor android. Whose behavior do you find more perplexing - Human... or Klingon?

Lt. Commander Data: At the moment... I would find it difficult to choose.

K'Ehleyr: So would I.

K'Ehleyr: Damn you, Worf! You'd let me go without saying another word, wouldn't you?

Lieutenant Worf: What needs to be said?

K'Ehleyr: Nothing. Everything.

K'Ehleyr: Sometimes I feel there's a monster inside of me, fighting to get out.

Counselor Deanna Troi: And it frightens you?

K'Ehleyr: Of course it does. My Klingon side can be... terrifying - even to me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It gives you strength. It's a part of you.

K'Ehleyr: That doesn't mean I have to like it.

[in an outburst of rage, K'Ehleyr has smashed a glass table to pieces, when Troi enters her quarters]

Counselor Deanna Troi: You're upset.

K'Ehleyr: Your finely honed Betazoid sense tell you that?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well - that, and the table.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I find the exercise programs on the holodeck rigorous enough to take my mind off most frustrations.

K'Ehleyr: And it'll keep me from wrecking the ship.

Counselor Deanna Troi: That too.

K'Ehleyr: Tell me one thing. You would have gone through with the oath, wouldn't you? Regardless of the consequences to our careers, to our lives.

Lieutenant Worf: Honor demanded no less.

K'Ehleyr: What do you want? Is honor all you care about? Don't you *feel* anything else?

[in order to accustom a rather suspicious Captain K'Temoc to the 24th century, Worf poses as Captain of the Enterprise]

Lieutenant Worf: Captain, as you are new to this century, I have tried to be patient. But I will tolerate no further insubordination. Drop your shields, immediately!

Capt. K'Temoc: And if I refuse?

Lieutenant Worf: Then die in ignorance. I can waste no more time on you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant, I order you to relax.

Lieutenant Worf: [agitated] I *am* relaxed!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've never before seen the Lieutenant so... unsettled.

Commander William T. Riker: The Iceman's finally melting.

[after Worf has temporarily played "Captain" of the Enterprise]

Commander William T. Riker: How did you like command?

Lieutenant Worf: Comfortable chair.

K'Ehleyr: I hid the truth from you. Last night did have meaning. I was tempted to take the oath with you. It scared me. I've never had such strong feelings toward anyone.

Lieutenant Worf: Nor have I.

K'Ehleyr: Then it *was* more than just a point of honor. Maybe someday, when our paths cross again... I won't be so easy to get rid of.

Lieutenant Worf: K'Ehleyr - I will not be complete without you.

K'Ehleyr: [having dispatched Worf's exercise program] It's not much of a program.

Lieutenant Worf: [gives her a Look] Computer... level two.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Welcome to Galorndon Core, where no good deed goes unpunished.

[O'Brien is trying to get a lock on La Forge, who has gone missing on a stormy planet]

Chief Miles O'Brien: The electrical storm's creating thousands of ghosts.

Commander William T. Riker: Well, beam some of those ghosts back; one of them may be Geordi!

Centurion Bochra: You're lying!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I never lie when I've got sand in my shoes, Commodore.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lieutenant - sometimes, the moral obligations of command are less than clear. I have to weigh the good of the many against the needs of the individual, and try to balance them as realistically as possible. God knows, I don't always succeed.

Lieutenant Worf: I have not had cause to complain, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh. Lieutenant, you wouldn't complain even if you had cause.

[Worf has refused to serve as donor for a seriously injured Romulan]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Lieutenant, I understand your feelings about the Romulans, but this is not the time or the place...

Lieutenant Worf: If you had seen them kill your parents, you would understand, Doctor. It is always the time and place for those feelings!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: *This* Romulan didn't murder your parents. And you are the only one who can save his life.

Lieutenant Worf: Then he will die.

Lieutenant Worf: [on how to deal with the injured Romulan] My Starfleet training tells me one thing. But everything I am tells me another.

Lieutenant Worf: I am asked to give up the very lifeblood of my mother and my father to those who murdered them!

Commander William T. Riker: So you blame all Romulans for that?

Lieutenant Worf: Yes!

Commander William T. Riker: Forever? What if someday, the Federation made peace with the Romulans?

Lieutenant Worf: Impossible.

Commander William T. Riker: That's what your people said a few years ago, about Humans. Think how many died on both sides in that war. Would you and I be here now like this, if we hadn't been able to let go of the anger and the blame? Where does it end, Worf? If that Romulan dies... does his family carry the bitterness on another generation?

Centurion Bochra: I no more wish to die than you do.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Bochra - there are times when it's necessary to die for one's ideals. Do you believe this is one of those times?

[after a long pause, Bochra lowers the phaser]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Come on. Let's go find that beacon.

[La Forge has told Bochra that he was born blind]

Centurion Bochra: And your parents let you live?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: What kind of question is that? Of course they let me live!

Centurion Bochra: No wonder your race is weak. You waste time and resources on defective children.

Commander Tomalak: You have one chance to escape destruction, Picard. Return my officer at once!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander, you have entered Federation space despite my warning!

Commander Tomalak: You forced this situation! I will not leave without him.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's dead.

Commander Tomalak: Then he... is but the first to fall, Picard.

[the crew are debating the recent intrusion of a Romulan ship in Federation space]

Commander William T. Riker: It obviously wasn't pilot's error. I think it demands a response from us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But we must measure our response carefully, or history may remember Galorndon Core along with... Pearl Harbor, and Station Salem One, as the stage for a bloody preamble to war.

Commander Tomalak: Territories! You would measure territories against a man's life?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander, I am singularly impressed by your concern for *a* life. Do not risk any more lives by leaving the Neutral Zone!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander Tomalak - it would appear, our away team has located a second man from your "one-man ship".

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander, both our ships are ready to fight. We have two extremely powerful and destructive arsenals at our command. Our next actions will have serious repercussions. We have good reason to mistrust one another; but we have even better reason to set those differences aside. Now, of course, the question is... who will take the initiative? Who will make the first gesture of trust? - The answer is, I will. I must lower our shields to beam those men up from the planet's surface. Once the shields are down, you will, of course, have the opportunity to fire on us. If you do, you will destroy not only the Enterprise and its crew, but the ceasefire that the Romulans and the Federation now enjoy.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Worf] Lieutenant... lower the shields.

Commander William T. Riker: Close call.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Too close, Number One. Brinkmanship is a dangerous game.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If the point has not yet been made clearly Commander, let me make it again: Romulan warbirds do not enter Federation space unless they are prepared to do battle.

Commander Tomalak: But on a mission of mercy?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A mission - to recover one of your officers, who has been caught on a Federation planet, for reasons as yet unknown.

Commander Tomalak: I have already explained...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And I have rejected your explanation!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander, how is it that we were not informed of the presence of the second Romulan on Galondon Core?

Commander Tomalak: A simple misunderstanding, Captain Picard. I was obviously misinformed as to the size of the craft. I assure you, I intended no deception.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course not.

Commander Tomalak: You doubt my good faith?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Let's just say my faith would be reinforced by a gesture from you - such as powering down your disruptors.

[Tomalak turns and nods to someone offscreen]

Lieutenant Worf: Disruptors powering down.

[Data has stunned some colonists with a phaser]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That was the stun setting.

[he changes it]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: This is not.

[Data has been assigned to organize the evacuation of a Human colony on Tau Cygna V, a Sheliak planet]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Sir, if I do not succeed, how violent is the Sheliak reaction likely to be?

Commander William T. Riker: The treaty is the only thing that prevented them from eradicating the colony the moment they discovered it.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Ah.

Commander William T. Riker: "Ah" is right, Data.

Commander William T. Riker: Gentlemen, we're giving you an assignment. The one thing we don't want to hear is that it's impossible.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I need the transporters to function, despite the hyperonic radiation.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, but that's imp... Yes, sir.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Captain, when the treaty was first negotiated, the Federation sent 372 legal experts. What do we have?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Thee and me.

Wesley Crusher: He wants the impossible!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: That's the short definition of 'captain'.

Sheliak: Intelligent converse is impossible. You do not discuss, you gibber.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Do you believe my suggested course of action should be followed?

Ard'rian McKenzie: Of course.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: In spite of the fact that I am an android?

Ard'rian McKenzie: Because of that fact. I don't have any silly prejudice against computers; I like them. Not that any computer we have is half as sophisticated as you are.

[Data looks at a primitive dummy made up of metal parts]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No. I would say not.

Gosheven: [to Ard'rian] Only you would get this excited over a walking calculator.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Get word to Gosheven. Tell him I am coming to the pumping station. Tell him I am going to destroy the aqueduct.

Ard'rian McKenzie: He'll try to stop you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I sincerely hope so.

[Data has disabled the aqueduct with his phaser]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I can reduce this pumping station to a pile of debris. But I trust my point is clear. I am but one android, with a single weapon. There are hundreds of Sheliak on the way; and their weapons are far more powerful. They may not offer you a target. They can obliterate you from orbit. You will die - never having seen the faces of your killers. The choice is yours.

[Picard has trapped the Sheliak in their own contract]

Commander William T. Riker: You enjoyed that.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're damned right.

[Data has told the colonists of the threat of the Sheliak and urged them to evacuate the planet, which Gosheven refuses]

Gosheven: This colony exists because generations gave their lives for it. Many died, before we found a way to adapt to the radiation, and many more died bringing water to this desert. My grandfather...

Ard'rian McKenzie: ...is buried on that mountain. Well, who'll be left to bury you?

Gosheven: Here we stand!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Then here you die.

[Gosheven has shorted Data out]

Haritath: You killed him!

Gosheven: I've killed no one. I merely shut down a machine.

Lt. Cmdr. Data, Ard'rian McKenzie: [respectively, after having kissed the other] You appeared to need it.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Among humans, a kiss usually serves to seal a friendship, or indicate support. Attraction. Affection. In this context, I must assume that your intention was to express... support.

Ard'rian McKenzie: You really don't understand human behavior, do you?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That is something of an understatement.

Counselor Deanna Troi: We are stranded on a planet. We have no language in common, but I want to teach you mine.

[she holds up her tea glass]

Counselor Deanna Troi: S'smarith. What did I just say?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Cup... Glass.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Are you sure? I may have meant liquid. Clear. Brown. Hot. We conceptualize the universe in relatively the same way.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Point taken.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Captain - we can do it. We can modify the transporters.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Excellent.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: It'll take fifteen years and a research team of a hundred...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. La Forge... I believe we will postpone.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Perhaps this is a situation where excessive honesty can be detrimental.

Gosheven: I really was willing to stay here and die for this.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I know that. This is just a thing. And things can be replaced. Lives cannot.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [about Data's recent violin concert] Your playing is quite beautiful.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Strictly speaking, sir, it is not my playing. It is a precise imitation of the techniques of Jascha Heifetz and Trenka Bron-Ken.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Is there nothing of Data in what I'm hearing? You see, you chose the violinist. Heifetz and Bron-Ken have radically different styles, different techniques, and yet... you combined them, successfully.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I suppose I have learned to be... creative, sir - when necessary.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data, I look forward to your next concert.

Capt. Picard: The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth or historical truth or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based. And if you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform!

Capt. Picard: You told the truth up to a point. But a lie of omission is still a lie.

Boothby: [on seeing Picard for the first time since his Academy years] What happened to your hair?

Capt. Picard: You could use a good herbicide instead of pulling the weeds with your bare hands.

Boothby: M-hm... And you could explore space on a holodeck instead of a starship.

Capt. Picard: Do you remember the first day you came aboard this ship? Your mother brought you on the bridge.

Wesley Crusher: Yes, sir.

Capt. Picard: You even sat in my chair. I was annoyed. Presumptuous child playing on my ship... But I never forgot how you already knew every control, every display... You behaved as though you belonged on the bridge. And then later, when I decided to make you an acting ensign, I was convinced you could be an outstanding officer. And I never questioned that conviction - until now.

Capt. Picard: I would never have graduated if you...

Boothby: You made a mistake. There isn't a man among us who hasn't been young enough to make one.

Capt. Picard: Nevertheless...

Boothby: You did what you had to do, you did what you thought was best. I just made sure that you listened to yourself. -... - You needed to get your bearings - I knew that. The important thing is... what you did with your life afterwards. Seems you did okay. That's thanks enough for me.

Boothby: [on Nova Squadron] To the other cadets, the members of that team are gods; and that's a hard image to live up to. But Nick Locarno, he watches out for them. He keeps them together. Nick is what makes that team special. He's their coach, surrogate father and best friend, all in one - a natural leader. The members of that team love him. If he asks them to do something, they do it - even if it means going right over a cliff.

Wesley Crusher: You'd let me do that? You'd let me throw away my career, just to save your neck?

Nicholas Locarno: To save the team! That's more important than you. And it's more important than me. And if I were in your place, I'd do it, without hesitation. But that's me.

Wesley Crusher: We're Starfleet cadets. We have a duty to the truth.

Nicholas Locarno: What about your duty to your friends? I got you on this team. I gave you a chance, when there were upperclassmen waiting in line. I said, "He won't let us down. He was on the Enterprise. He knows what it's like to trust somebody with his life." Well, I guess I was wrong.

Wesley Crusher: If we all come forward together and tell Admiral Brand...

Nicholas Locarno: We don't wanna come forward! Sito, Jean and me, we don't have a problem with this. But if you do, then resign your appointment to the Academy and walk away. Don't make us pay for your guilty conscience.

Commander William T. Riker: When I was at the Academy, we had a Vulcan superintendent who had memorized the personnel files of every single cadet, knew everything about them. It was like having your parents around all the time.

Capt. Picard: My superintendent was a Betazoid, full telepath. When he sent for you to his office, he didn't have to ask what you'd done.

Wesley Crusher: We thought we could do it. We thought we could do anything. We were wrong. And Josh died.

Capt. Picard: It's not gonna be easy... staying here on campus... everyone knowing what you did. You have difficult times ahead.

Wesley Crusher: Yes, sir. Thank you, Captain.

Capt. Picard: You knew what you had to do. I just made sure that you listened to yourself. Good bye, Cadet.

Wesley Crusher: Good bye, Captain.

Admiral Brand: It has been suggested that we should cancel the graduation ceremonies in the light of what's happened. Commander Albert and I have discussed this and we've agreed that commencement should go forward as planned. The cadets should know that even after a tragedy like this, there are still duties to perform. And life continues.

Wesley Crusher: Yesterday I testified that the crash occurred following a Yeager loop. That is not entirely true. We performed the loop, and, afterwards, broke formation and attempted a Kolvoord starburst. We knew it was prohibited and we knew it was dangerous, but we wanted to do something spectacular for the commencement demonstration. We pushed Josh into it and he wasn't ready. We thought we could do it. We thought we could do anything. We were wrong, and Josh died.

Capt. Picard: Mister Locarno has been expelled.

Wesley Crusher: They should have expelled all of us.

Capt. Picard: They very nearly did. Mister Locarno made an impassioned plea for the rest of you. He said that he'd used his influence as squadron leader to convince you to attempt the Kolvoord maneuver and then to cover up the truth. He asked to take full responsibility.

Counselor Troi: Chocolate is a serious thing.

Commander William T. Riker: Chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge and chocolate chips... You're not depressed, are you?

Commander William T. Riker: [to Troi and her chocolate ice cream] Would you like me to leave you two alone?

Counselor Troi: I never met a chocolate I didn't like.

Commander William T. Riker: What is this?

Etana Jol: It's a game. Everyone here's playing it. It's fun!

Ensign Lefler: [about her childhood] I spent all of my time around technical equipment. My first friend was a tricorder.

Wesley Crusher: Really? My very first friend was a warp coil.

[Lefler's Laws]

Ensign Lefler: Law 1: You can only count on yourself.

Ensign Lefler: Law 17: When all else fails, do it yourself.

Ensign Lefler: Law 36: You gotta go with what works.

Ensign Lefler: Law 46: Life isn't always fair.

Ensign Lefler: Law 91: Always watch your back.

Wesley Crusher: [newly made up] Law 103: A couple of light years can't keep good friends apart.

[Wesley has asked Picard about the initials 'AF' carved into an elm tree]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wesley, if you meet someone, whose initials you might want to carve into that elm tree, don't let it interfere with your studies. I failed organic chemistry because of AF.

Ensign Lefler: Your neutrinos are drifting.

Lt. Commander Data: Geordi, a conflict has arisen between the planetary evolution team and the stellar physicists. Each wishes to be the first to use the thermal imaging array.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, tell 'em to flip a coin. We've got to work together on this mission, otherwise we're never gonna get it done.

Lt. Commander Data: A coin? Very good. I will replicate one immediately.

[Troi eats a spoonful of ice cream]

Commander William T. Riker: Doesn't it taste good?

Counselor Troi: Mm, of course it does, but... it's not just a matter of taste. It's the whole experience. First of all, you have to spoon the fudge around the rim, leaving only the ice cream in the middle. Then, you gently spoon the ice cream around the sides, like you're sculpting it. Relish every bite. Make every one an event. And then, with the last spoonful, close your eyes...

[eats another spoonful with her eyes closed and smiles]

Commander William T. Riker: I had no idea it was such a ritual.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Personal logs... diagnostics... duty logs, they all appear normal; there's no evidence of anything that could lead to Data's shutdown.

Commander William T. Riker: Maybe we should ask his cat.

Wesley Crusher: Maybe there's more going on here than we thought. What if someone's trying to use the game for some purpose other than pleasure?

Ensign Lefler: Then Data would be a threat to that plan. And only with Data out of the way would everyone become addicted.

Wesley Crusher: And everyone has... except us.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I can't believe what we were about to do.

Ensign Lefler: It's your turn. Play the game, Wesley.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: History has shown us that strength may be useless when faced with terrorism.

[Dr. Crusher has been abducted by terrorists]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I would like to leave Commander Riker here to assist in your search for Dr. Crusher.

Alexana Devos: [shrugs] If you like.

Commander William T. Riker: You don't sound very optimistic.

Alexana Devos: I know my enemy, Commander; they don't leave much room for optimism.

Lt. Commander Data: I have been reviewing the history of armed rebellion. And it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, it can be. But I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.

Lt. Commander Data: [on the transport device of the terrorists] Captain, anyone who is willing to transport in this manner would suffer significant internal damage that could be detected.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hm... It sounds as though they may require the services... of a doctor.

Alexana Devos: In a world where children blow up children - everyone's a threat.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What happened to them?

Kyril Finn: It's the inverter. It's given our cause a new life, but... it asks for our lives in return.

Kyril Finn: This is a war for independence. And I am no different than your own George Washington.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Washington was a military general, not a terrorist.

Kyril Finn: The difference between generals and terrorists, Doctor, is only the difference between winners and losers.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You've scared the hell out of me, Finn! You've controlled me through fear, just like you've tried to control this whole continent!

Kyril Finn: You haven't tasted real fear yet, Doctor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Is that the best you can do? Is fear the only weapon you have?

Kyril Finn: No, but... it's a good one.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You know what scares me the most, Finn? It scares me to think that you might win this fight, and gain real power!

Kyril Finn: Captain, the Federation has a lot to admire in it. But there's a hint of moral cowardice in your dealings with non-aligned planets. You're doing business with a government that is crushing us, and you say you're not involved? You're very, very much involved. You just don't wanna get dirty.

Kyril Finn: I am fighting the only war that I can against an intractable enemy. Now I'm fighting a big war against a more powerful adversary. Can't you see how that helps me?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm afraid I can't.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's added another chair to the negotiating table.

Kyril Finn: *You* added the chair, Captain; I am simply forcing you to sit in it.

Kyril Finn: How much innocent blood has been spilled for the cause of freedom in the history of your Federation, Doctor? How many good and noble societies have bombed civilians in war, have wiped out whole cities? And now that you enjoy the comfort that has come from their battles, their killing, you frown on my immorality? I'm willing to die for my freedom, Doctor. And in the finest tradition of your own great civilization, I'm willing to kill for it too.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You should be drawing, not killing people.

Kyril Finn: I can do both.

[Crusher, treating a man, is assisted by an Ansata boy]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Thank you. You're very helpful. You could learn to do this when you grow up. If you grow up...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I'm sorry. If I'd only gone back to the ship.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I should've beamed you up.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You wouldn't dare.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, yes, I would, and should.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Without my permission?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If you don't follow orders.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If you'd give reasonable orders, I'd obey.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doctor, I will be the judge of what is reasonable!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Beverly, it is our obligation to think of escape.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [referring to Finn] He's prepared to kill you.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: An excellent reason to escape.

[Devos has agreed to go along with Riker's attempt to contact the Ansata separatists]

Commander William T. Riker: Is that what you want?

Alexana Devos: What I want... is to go home. Back to my own country. To leave behind the round-ups, the interrogations. The bodies lying in the street. To be able to walk without the bodyguards, and not to have to jump at every unexpected noise. That's what I want, Riker!

[Devos has shot Finn in order to save Picard's life]

Commander William T. Riker: You didn't have to kill him.

Alexana Devos: As a prisoner, he would have been a focus for violence, as his followers tried to free him. Now, he's a martyr. But the death toll might go down, at least in the short term. It's an imperfect solution, for an imperfect world.

Kyril Finn: Don't you know? A dead martyr's worth ten posturing leaders.

[Crusher has managed to talk the Ansata boy out of shooting Devos]

Alexana Devos: Already another one to take his place. It never ends.

Commander William T. Riker: He could've killed you. He didn't. Maybe the end begins with one boy putting down his gun.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [while Wesley is welcoming back his mother] Take us out of orbit, Mr. Crusher.

[Wesley is still hugging his mother]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: At your convenience.

Odan: Doctor Beverly.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You can't be open to love if you don't risk pain.

Governor Leka Trion: Listening is a skill which seems to have evaporated with the heat of argument.

Riker Odan: Speak softly, Governor. Those who cannot hear an angry shout may strain to hear a whisper.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Is that the colognite astringent you have on your eyes?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Yes. I guess so.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I've never tried it.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Someone... just put it on... me.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It feels good to indulge yourself sometimes.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I guess so.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Especially when you haven't done so in a while.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: What... What is that supposed to mean?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Beverly - you're in love!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Sometimes I wish you weren't so... empathic!

Counselor Deanna Troi: [leans over, whispering] I don't think it's really a secret.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It isn't?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [shakes her head] You've been glowing!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Oh... Must be the astringent.

Riker Odan: They're reasonable people. They're just trapped in their own anger.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: The first man I ever loved unconditionally was named Stefan. He was a soccer player, and I would watch him as he would race down the field. And I thought my heart would stop, because he was so beautiful. We married, and had three children: twin boys, Andrew and Alexander; and then, later, a little girl, Jennifer. Stefan became an artist, very famous. He created huge, breathtaking metal sculptures. He came to adore me as much as I worshiped him. In my daydreams, at least. Stefan was eleven and I was eight. He never even knew I existed.

[Odan's symbiont has been transferred into Riker's body]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I loved Odan. I'm sure of it. I had no doubts, no fears. But what was it I loved? His eyes? His hands? His mouth? They're gone. If that was all it was, I should mourn him and go on. But it was more than that. I felt completely free with him, unguarded. At ease with myself. There were so many things that made him special to me. Where are they? Are they still here, alive in Will Riker? I look at Will, and I see... someone I've known for years, a kind of... brother. But inside... is he really Odan? Oh, help me, please.

Counselor Deanna Troi: The first man I ever loved was my father. He was strong and tall. He carried me when the ground was muddy. He chased away the monsters that hid under my bed at night. And he sang to me, and kept me safe. And he went away. What I wouldn't give to hear those songs again - to feel his arms protect me. I never will. But I can still feel his warmth and his love, as though he were here with me. If you can feel those things, from the man we know as Will Riker, accept them. Accept the love.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: There is a foreign organism in his body. Medical School didn't exactly prepare me for situations like this.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Beverly. Whatever else I may be to you, I'm your friend. I can only imagine what you're going through. And I want you to know, I'm here.

[the symbiont Odan has been transferred into his new host Kareel, a woman]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Perhaps it is a human failing; but we are not accustomed to these kinds of changes. I can't keep up. How long will you have this host? What would the next one be? I can't live with that kind of uncertainty. Perhaps, someday, our ability to love won't be so limited.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Odan... I do love you. Please remember that.

[Kareel Odan kisses Beverly's wrist]

Kareel Odan: I will never forget you.

Capt. Picard: Prime Minister, even the most comfortable prison is still a prison.

Capt. Picard: And my understanding is that these men are programed to survive, is that correct?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes, Captain.

Capt. Picard: And that they will not kill unless their survival is at stake?

Lt. Commander Data: It is against their nature to do so, Captain.

Capt. Picard: Then let us hope they do not believe their survival is at stake.

Commander William T. Riker: Status report, Mr. Data.

Lt. Commander Data: I am afraid the prisoner has eluded us, sir.

Capt. Picard: [incredulous] Eluded the Enterprise?

[Roga Danar is on the loose on the Enterprise]

Lieutenant Worf: There is a full contingent of Security at all shuttlebays.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You want my advice? Double it!

Roga Danar: My improved reflexes have allowed me to kill 84 times. And my improved memory lets me remember each of those 84 faces. Can you understand how that feels?

Lt. Commander Data: I am incapable of any feeling.

Roga Danar: Why, then I envy you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [of Danar] He's intelligent, thoughtful - typically Angosian. I know what he's done. But when I'm with him, I cannot believe that he is randomly and deliberately violent. In fact, inherently, he has a non-violent personality.

Capt. Picard: Counselor, it took five men to restrain him. And he took apart half the transporter room in the process.

Lieutenant Worf: You are cunning. You must have Klingon blood. But the battle is over.

Roga Danar: My battle is never over.

Capt. Picard: Lunar V - an orbiting gulag.

Capt. Picard: They're your brothers, your sons. And you turned your backs on them.

[the Angosian Prime Minister with his staff and the away team of the Enterprise are held at gunpoint by Roga Danar and his fellow inmates]

Prime Minister Nayrok: Captain, you must do something. Call your ship.

Capt. Picard: Quite right, Prime Minister.

[he activates his combadge]

Capt. Picard: Enterprise, prepare to beam the away team back.

Capt. Picard: In your own words, this is not our affair. We cannot interfere in the natural course of your society's development. And I'd say it's going to develop significantly in the next few minutes.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [referring to Lunar V] Do they mistreat you there?

Roga Danar: [chuckles] Not at all. I'm comfortable, well-fed and housed... No, no, the Angosians take good care of their prisoners. It's simply a matter of never being able to leave.

[Deanna is talking to Danar in the holding cell]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I want to help, if I can.

Roga Danar: [sarcastic] Unlock the door.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Perhaps when this planet becomes a member of the Federation, we'll be able...

Roga Danar: I will not be there to see it, Counselor. Because even with this overwhelming demand to survive that they've built into my soul... I would rather die than return to Lunar V.

Lt. Commander Data: I believe you and I have something in common.

Roga Danar: We do?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes. We have both been programed.

Roga Danar: Ah, yes. Yes, you've been talking to Counselor Troi. It is not at all the same, android.

Lt. Commander Data: I do not mean to belittle your condition. I understand your dilemma. But... I am curious. My program can be altered. Yours cannot?

Roga Danar: The man I was is still inside me, but this... this conditioning has been imposed - woven together with my thoughts, and my feelings, and my responses. How do you separate the program from the man?

Lt. Commander Data: Without further analysis of your condition from Counselor Troi or Dr. Crusher, I cannot say. But I believe it is possible.

Roga Danar: Yeah, *doctors*! The Angosian *doctors* did this to me. If it could be undone, wouldn't they undo it?

Lt. Commander Data: I cannot answer that.

Roga Danar: Nor can I. Yet I ask myself that question every moment of every day.

Capt. Picard: [after talking with the Prime Minister] "A matter of internal security." The age-old cry of the oppressor.

Capt. Picard: Mr. Danar, I'm transferring you to Angosian Security. They're en route, they will arrive shortly. I wanted to tell you... I have no choice. The Prime Minister insisted, and we have no right to refuse.

Roga Danar: Well, you would be foolish to consider it otherwise, Captain, for they are very correct. I am dangerous. There is no place for me in a civilized society.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I do not believe that.

Lt. Commander Data: Nor do I.

Capt. Picard: I respect my officers' judgments. I wish I could help further. If a way appears, I will.

Roga Danar: I appreciate your telling me that face to face.

Capt. Picard: I thought you deserved that much.

Roga Danar: And you deserve to know that I must use whatever means I can to escape.

Prime Minister Nayrok: You were programed to survive. You can survive at the Lunar V settlement.

Roga Danar: To survive is not enough. To simply exist... is not enough!

Counselor Deanna Troi: Roga, tell them what you want.

Roga Danar: We want our lives back. We want to come home.

Prime Minister Nayrok: I am not prepared to negotiate under threat, Danar. But if you will put down your weapons and return peaceably to Lunar V... I would be willing.

Roga Danar: Mr. Prime Minister, with all due respect, you will have to force us. Or at least try.

Capt. Picard: Number One - will you note in our report that if the government of Angosia survives the night, we will offer them Federation assistance in their efforts to reprogram their veterans.

Commander William T. Riker: And if the government doesn't survive?

Capt. Picard: I have a feeling they will choose to.

Roga Danar: [trying to goad the Angosians into firing on him and his fellow soldiers] Go on! Do it!

Lieutenant Worf: [to Data] With all due respect... BEGONE!... sir.

Doctor Pulaski: [on seeing Kyle Riker after, as it seems, a very long time] This is more than a surprise; it's total shock.

Kyle Riker: You mean you didn't bake me a cake?

[Riker and O'Brien are seeing Dr. Pulaski and Riker's father in deep embrace]

Commander William T. Riker: [surprised] They know each other.

Chief Miles O'Brien: No kiddin'. I know her too; but we don't do *that*.

Kyle Riker: I've come here to help Will prepare for his first task as captain.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Are you sure he'll accept such a dangerous assignment?

Kyle Riker: He'll accept it just because it is dangerous.

Counselor Deanna Troi: How can you be so sure?

Kyle Riker: Because I would. And we aren't so different, Will and I.

[Will has to decide whether to take the command of the Aries or to stay on the Enterprise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I can spell out for you, albeit crudely, what you're choosing between. As the First Officer of the Enterprise, you have a position of distinction, prestige, even... glamor of a sort. You are the second in command of Starfleet's flagship; but still second in command. Your promotion will transfer you to a relatively insignificant ship in an obscure corner of the galaxy. But it will be your ship; and, being who you are, it will... soon be vibrant with your authority, your style... your vision. You know... there really is no substitute for holding the reins.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Respect is earned, not bestowed.

Kyle Riker: Why do I get the feeling that this is a set-up?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Because you're intelligent, wise and quite correct.

Kyle Riker: Well, I've never been set up better, that's for sure.

Wesley Crusher: I was just talking to Worf.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Yeah?

Wesley Crusher: He's really eccentric at times.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: That's one word for it.

Kyle Riker: How about a drink?

Doctor Pulaski: How about a kiss?

Kyle Riker: I thought about you a lot.

Doctor Pulaski: Kyle, I don't need to hear what you don't need to say.

Lt. Commander Data: [of the holographic Klingons at the Ascension ceremony] These images have been specifically programmed for Ascension Rites.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Cute bunch.

Chief Miles O'Brien: Those are Klingon painstiks. I once saw one of them used against a two-ton Rectyne monopod. Poor creature jumped five meters at the slightest touch. Finally died from excessive cephalic pressures.

Wesley Crusher: You mean...?

Chief Miles O'Brien: That's right. The animal's head exploded like...

Doctor Pulaski: I think that's enough, Chief O'Brien.

Doctor Pulaski: Poor guy. Picked up the flu virus at our last stop at Nasreldine.

Kyle Riker: Sounds nasty. What's the therapy?

Doctor Pulaski: Tryptophan-lysine distillate, with a generous dose of PCS.

Kyle Riker: PCS?

Doctor Pulaski: "Pulaski's chicken soup".

Kyle Riker: I came here to bury the hatchet with my son, only to find out that the ground was frozen solid.

Chief Miles O'Brien: You choose your enemies; you choose your friends. But family - that's in the stars.

Doctor Pulaski: Did he ever tell you why he never remarried?

Commander William T. Riker: What woman would have him, with an ego like that?

Doctor Pulaski: I would have, in a cold minute.

Doctor Pulaski: [to Will Riker] You know, if I were you, going out on the Aries, I'd jettison the emotional baggage you're still carrying around.

Kyle Riker: I may have something of a reputation for excellence.

Counselor Deanna Troi: And false humility.

Kyle Riker: My guess is that Will finds you pretty fascinating. Candor seems to be a trait he admires.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Honesty is the trait he admires most. And you should honestly consider why you're so competitive with your own son.

[Kyle Riker has challenged Will to an anbo-jyutsu match]

Counselor Deanna Troi: In spite of human evolution, there are still some traits that are endemic to gender.

Doctor Pulaski: You think that they're going to knock each other's brains out because they're men?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Human males are unique. Fathers continue to regard their sons as children even into adulthood, and sons continue to chafe against what they perceive as their fathers' expectations of them.

Doctor Pulaski: It's almost as if they never really grow up at all, isn't it?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Perhaps that's part of their charm, and why we find them so attractive.

Kyle Riker: I came here thinking we could talk this out. But maybe you're right. Maybe I am no father, and you are no son; and this fight is all we have left.

Kyle Riker: You know... it's funny. I can talk to a whole roomful of admirals about anything in the galaxy. But I can't talk to you about how I feel.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'm supposed to know how everyone feels, but... I can't read you right now.

Commander William T. Riker: Perhaps your own feelings are getting in the way.

Counselor Deanna Troi: My job is to help others sort out *their* emotions. My own feelings are beside the point.

Commander William T. Riker: Not to me. Our feelings are what make us all human.

[Riker has decided to stay on board the Enterprise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Any particular reason for this change of heart?

Commander William T. Riker: Motivated self-interest. Right now, the best place for me to be is here.

Commander William T. Riker: [to his father, when he discovers why he could never beat him at Anbo-Jyutsu as a child] You cheated me!

Capt. Picard: Seize the time, Meribor. Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.

Capt. Picard: I'd like to ask your permission to build something.

Eline: Kamin, you've built your telescope, your laboratory, you don't need my permission for something new.

Capt. Picard: In this case, I think I do.

Eline: What is it?

Capt. Picard: A nursery.

Administrator: Good to meet you... Kanin.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If somebody gets stabbed, you don't necessarily pull the knife out right away. It might do more harm than leaving it there.

Capt. Picard: I always believed that I didn't need children to complete my life. Now I couldn't imagine life without them.

Meribor: You've taught me to pursue the truth, no matter how painful it is. It's too late to back off now. This planet is dying.

Capt. Picard: A good scientist doesn't function by conjecture.

Meribor: A good scientist functions by hypothesizing and then proving or disproving that hypothesis. That's what I did.

Capt. Picard: Hey, why don't you spend more time with that young man Dannick?

Meribor: You are changing the subject.

Capt. Picard: No, I'm not. I'm just hypothesizing... that he's in love with you.

Capt. Picard: You say I've been ill?

Batai: For more than a week. Eline should have put you in the hospital, but she insisted on caring for you herself.

Capt. Picard: Eline?

Batai: Your wife. If you don't remember that, maybe it's safer not to go home.

Eline: Batai.

Batai: Yes, ma'am.

Eline: Go home.

Eline: [collecting Kamin's shoes] Don't forget these. I won't put them away for you again.

Capt. Picard: [as Kamin] Yes, ma'am.

Eline: [referring to Picard's "starship"] Was your life there so much better than this? So much more gratifying, so much more fulfilling, that you cling to it with such stubbornness?

Capt. Picard: Eline...

Eline: It must have been extraordinary. But never in all the stories you've told me... have you mentioned anyone who loved you as I do.

Capt. Picard: [on his flute] When did I learn to play this?

Eline: I'm afraid you never did, dear. You do keep trying.

Batai: This sapling is planted as an affirmation of life, in defiance of the drought, and with expectations of long life. Whatever comes, we will keep it alive, as a symbol of our survival.

Eline: Remember... Put your shoes away.

Capt. Picard: I promise.

[Eline passes away]

Ressikans: Go carefully.

[Ressikan farewell]

Capt. Picard: [referring to the "launching"] Did everyone know about this except me?

Batai: We hoped our probe would encounter someone in the future. Someone who could be a teacher. Someone who could tell the others about us.

Capt. Picard: Oh... Oh, it's me... Isn't it? I'm the someone. I'm the one it finds. That's what this launching is. A probe that finds me, in the future.

Eline: The rest of us have been gone a thousand years. If you remember what we were, and how we lived, then we'll have found life again.

[the probe is launched]

Eline: Now we live in you. Tell them of us... my darling.

Capt. Picard: A good scientist doesn't function by conjecture...

Meribor: [quoting her father] "A good scientist functions by hypothesizing and then proving or disproving that hypothesis."

[Data's fingers are caught in a Chinese finger trap]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, what are you doing?

Lt. Commander Data: [struggling with the finger trap] Apologies, Captain. I seem to have reached an odd... functional impasse. I am, uh... stuck.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Then get unstuck and continue with the briefing.

Lt. Commander Data: [continues to struggle with the finger trap] Yes, sir. That is what I am trying to do, sir, but the... solution eludes me.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: My hero.

Lt. Commander Data: Something to write home about.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Sometimes, Riker, the best way to fight is not to be there.

Commander William T. Riker: Yes, sir. "He will triumph who knows when to fight, and when not to fight."

[citing Sun Tzu]

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Hello, stranger.

[citing modern scholars, Data has compared the Ferengi to ancient Yankee traders of the 18th and 19th century]

Commander William T. Riker: Yankee traders, I like the sound of that.

Lt. Commander Data: Well, sir, I doubt they wear red, white and blue or look anything like Uncle Sam.

Lieutenant Worf: Uncle who?

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: What have bright, primary colors got to do with it?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Ah, I understand the allusion. Colors representing countries at a time when they competed with each other. Red, white and blue for the United States, whereas the French... more properly used the same colors in the order blue, white and red.

Lt. Commander Data: And the German nation red, black and gold, the Italians green, white and red, the British...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's enough, Data!

Lt. Commander Data: It was you who...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We were discussing the Ferengi.

Lieutenant Worf: Immobilized by the damn Ferengi!

Lieutenant Worf: Pygmy cretins!

Letek: [of Humans] They shamelessly clothe their females.

Mordoc: Inviting others to unclothe them, the very depth of perversion.

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: Paws off, Ferengi!

[due to a ship-wide power drain, life support on the Enterprise is failing]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Where's Wesley?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: He's in our quarters. I was tempted to give him a sedative.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You shouldn't.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: I know. But he's my son, I love him.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He has the right to meet death awake.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Is that a male perspective?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Rubbish!

Portal: The Empire is forever.

Commander William T. Riker: Your Empire fell prey to a supernova.

Portal: We are forever.

Portal: You have a single chance for life - one only. What is the answer to my challenge? I offer a thought. "He will triumph who knows when to fight and when not to fight." [he lifts his halberd over his head] You are being tested, Riker. What is the answer?

Commander William T. Riker: Fear is the true enemy. The only enemy.

Portal: Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will always be victorious.

Portal: [referring to the Ferengi] What of them? Shall I destroy them?

Commander William T. Riker: Then they would learn nothing.

Portal: A most interesting conclusion. But... what if they never learn, Riker?

Commander William T. Riker: Is this a test also?

Portal: Hm. In life, one is always tested.

Commander William T. Riker: One final request, sir. Permission to beam a box of Data's Chinese finger puzzles over to the Ferengi? A thank you, for all they tried to do.

Lt. Commander Data: With this power drain, we may have trouble communicating with the Enterprise, sir.

Commander William T. Riker: Understood. Anything else?

Lt. Commander Data: Due to this force field, there is presently no way to beam us back, sir.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: Oh, you had to ask...

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data, what velocity would put us back on schedule?

Lt. Commander Data: A resumption of our present course at warp six will place us in the T'lli Beta system in six days, thirteen hours, 47 minutes.

Commander William T. Riker: What, no seconds?

Lt. Commander Data: I have discovered, sir, a certain level of impatience when I calculate a lengthy time interval to the nearest second. However, if you wish...

Commander William T. Riker: No, no. Minutes is fine.

[Troi has lost her empathic powers]

Counselor Deanna Troi: How do you people live like this?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: We get by pretty well, actually. And so will you, in time.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You have no idea! No idea what this is like. How can you know what it's like to lose something you never had?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If you were anyone else, you know the first thing I'd do? I'd send you to Counselor Troi.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Well, then I have an advantage, don't I? I see her quite often.

Counselor Deanna Troi: People come to talk to you about things they want to reveal. As ship's counselor, you have to get them to talk about things they *don't* want to reveal.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You have no idea how frightening it is to... to just be here, without sensing you, without sharing your feelings.

Commander William T. Riker: That's it, isn't it? We're on equal footing now.

Commander William T. Riker: You always had an advantage, a little bit of control of every situation. That must have been a very safe position to be in. To be honest, I'd always thought there was something a little too... aristocratic about your Betazoid heritage, as if your Human side wasn't quite good enough for you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: That isn't true.

Commander William T. Riker: Isn't it?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Therapists are always the worst patients - except for doctors, of course.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You know what the worst part of this is? And I've seen it happen to so many patients.

Commander William T. Riker: What?

Counselor Deanna Troi: The way other people change. How they start to treat you differently. They walk on eggshells around you. Sometimes they avoid you altogether. Sometimes they become overbearing - "reach out a helping hand to the blind woman".

Commander William T. Riker: I'm sorry if I...

Counselor Deanna Troi: I will not be treated that way!

[Riker takes Troi in his arms to console her]

Counselor Deanna Troi: Is this how you handle all your personnel problems?

Commander William T. Riker: Sure. You'd be surprised how far a hug goes with Geordi - or Worf.

Guinan: I get so tired of people coming in with their problems. They come in, they want a shoulder to cry on, and generally it turns out to be mine.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You'd make a good counselor.

Guinan: I think so too. So I'm going to talk to Picard about it.

Counselor Deanna Troi: About what? You becoming counselor?

Guinan: Well, yes, you are leaving. That means there won't be a counselor on board. And I suppose I'll have a very long line at that bar. It would be nice to have a nice office, too.

Guinan: Human intuition and instinct are not always right. But they do make life interesting.

Counselor Deanna Troi: So I'm discovering.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Right now, I feel as two-dimensional as our friends out there - in the universe, but barely aware of it. Just trying to survive... on instinct.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This little nuisance is beginning to lose its fascination.

Ensign Janet Brooks: Maybe you couldn't sense what I was feeling. But you *helped*.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [on the two-dimensional beings] It's all right. They're home. We were wrong. The cosmic string was never dangerous to them; it was the one place in the galaxy they most wanted to be.

Commander William T. Riker: Deanna?

Counselor Deanna Troi: Yes - I sensed it!

Counselor Deanna Troi: I never fully appreciated how difficult, and how rewarding it is to be Human. But I had a lot of help.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Thank you for making me face my other half.

Commander William T. Riker: Frightening, wasn't it?

Counselor Deanna Troi: A little. You were right, though. There is something to be learned when you're not in control of every situation.

Commander William T. Riker: Welcome to the Human race.

Counselor Deanna Troi: By the way - the next time you call me 'aristocratic'...

Commander William T. Riker: We've got a problem. Our core fragment is going to pass by Moab IV in six days.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Isn't that exactly what we anticipated?

Commander William T. Riker: We didn't anticipate there would be someone living there.

Aaron Conor: We grow up knowing exactly what our society needs from us; what we are expected to do.

Commander William T. Riker: That must take some of the fun out of it.

Aaron Conor: Not at all. My entire psychological makeup tells me that I was born to lead. I am exactly what I would choose to be. Think of it another way: are there still people in your society who have not yet discovered who they really are or what they were meant to do with their lives? They may be in the wrong job. They may be writing bad poetry. Or worse yet, they may be great poets working as laborers, never to be discovered. That does not happen here.

Martin Benbeck: We have immeasurably extended the potential of humanity - physically, psychologically... We have evolved beyond... beyond...

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Beyond us.

Martin Benbeck: Frankly - yes. No one in this society would be blind, for example. No offense intended.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Oh, that's perfect.

Hannah Bates: What?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: If the answer to all of this is in a VISOR created for a blind man who never would have existed in your society. No offense intended.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: They've given away their humanity with this... genetic manipulation. Many of the qualities that they breed out, the... the uncertainty, self-discovery, the unknown - these are many of the qualities that make life worth living. Well, at least to me.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: So - guess if I had been conceived on your world, I wouldn't even be here now, would I?

Hannah Bates: No.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: No. I'd have been... terminated as a fertilized cell.

Hannah Bates: It was the wish of our founders that no one have to suffer a life with disabilities.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Who gave them the right to decide whether or not I should be here? Whether or not I might have something to contribute?

Martin Benbeck: Your presence here has already begun to affect the entire balance of our society.

Aaron Conor: If we don't survive, the balance of our society won't mean a great deal, will it?

Counselor Deanna Troi: I'd book my next vacation at your hotel, if you had one.

Aaron Conor: Well, in that case, I shall have to have them build one.

Martin Benbeck: This is in direct violation of the intentions of our founders, Aaron.

Aaron Conor: I don't think they intended us to die, Martin.

Counselor Deanna Troi: I believe some will choose to risk death rather than leave.

Aaron Conor: I know what Hannah Bates is feeling. I've been feeling it as well. I've found your people intriguing, and stimulating, as she has. I've been every bit as curious about you as the next man. But I am not the next man. I am the leader of these people, and every genetic fiber of my being demands that I protect them. And instead, I have betrayed them. I have allowed this to happen.

Aaron Conor: Your arrival created this problem. Your departure solves it.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That is simplistic.

[Hannah Bates claims to have detected a breach in the biosphere]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Hannah. My VISOR's positronic scan would've detected the leak. Its molecular pattern enhancer would've picked up even the smallest crack.

Hannah Bates: The damn thing doesn't miss much, does it?

Hannah Bates: I was born to be one of the best scientific minds of my generation. And in the past five days, I have encountered technology that I have barely imagined. I've got to ask myself, if we're so brilliant, how come *we* didn't invent any of these things?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Well, maybe necessity really is the mother of invention.

Hannah Bates: All of us in this colony have been living in the dark ages. It's like we're victims of a 200-year-old joke. Until you came, all we could see was to the wall of our biosphere. Suddenly, our eyes have been opened to the infinite possibilities.

Hannah Bates: We were innocent. It will never be that way again.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: There must be something we can do to help.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We may have done too much to help them already, Doctor.

Lieutenant Worf: But we saved them from destruction.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Did we?

Aaron Conor: [citing a nursery rhyme as a metaphor for his society's situation] Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Aaron Conor, Counselor Deanna Troi: [together] All the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put Humpty together again.

[Troi has confessed her fling with Conor to Picard]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I should have walked away as soon as I saw what was happening.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But you didn't. And that's human. We make mistakes. Genetic manipulation or not, nobody's perfect.

[Hannah and a few other colonists have asked to be allowed to leave their planet, but are facing strong opposition from their leaders]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [mediating] In five days, you've seen only the most superficial evidence of what life is like outside this biosphere.

Hannah Bates: Would you ever choose to live aboard a ship in a bottle, Captain? You are in command of a starship. You live to explore the unknown. We ask for that same privilege.

Aaron Conor: When you're ready to come home, you will be welcome.

Aaron Conor: I replay each step in my mind, looking for the wrong turn, mistake in judgment. I can find only one. And as hard as I try, I cannot regret even that one. In fact, I'm quite certain that, given the opportunity, I would choose to make the same mistake again. I can only wonder why, with all the hundreds of genetically compatible women, I would fall in love with you.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Don't say that.

Aaron Conor: Perhaps it's your imperfections which make you so unique. But I am in love with you, Deanna Troi. And I will always be.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: If ever we needed reminding of the importance of the Prime Directive, it is now.

Commander William T. Riker: The Prime Directive doesn't apply. They're Human.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Doesn't it? Our very presence may have damaged, even destroyed their way of life. Now, whether or not we agree with that way of life, whether they're Human or not, is irrelevant, Number One. We are responsible.

Commander William T. Riker: We had to respond to the threat of the core fragment, didn't we?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Of course we did. But in the end, we may have proved just as dangerous to that colony as any core fragment could ever have been.

[in a tricky poker round between Data and Riker]

Lt. Commander Data: Is that what is known as a 'poker face'?

Capt. Picard: Phillipa Louvois. And back in uniform. It's been ten years, but seeing you again like this makes it seem like fifty. If we weren't around all these people, do you know what I would like to do?

Captain Phillipa Louvois: Bust a chair across my teeth.

Capt. Picard: After that.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: Oh, ain't love wonderful?

Captain Phillipa Louvois: [to Picard] You know, I never thought I would say this - but it's good to see you again. It brings a sense of order and stability to my universe to know that you're still a pompous ass... And a damned sexy man.

Admiral Nakamura: For five hundred years, every ship that has borne the name of the Enterprise has become a legend. This one is no different.

[Commander Maddox has proposed to dismantle Data in order to study him]

Capt. Picard: Well, we have a problem.

Lt. Commander Data: I find myself in complete agreement with that assessment of the situation, sir.

Lt. Commander Data: I am the culmination of one man's dream. This is not ego, or vanity. But when Dr. Soong created me, he added to the substance of the universe. If, by your experiments, I am destroyed, something unique, something wonderful will be lost. I cannot permit that. I must protect his dream.

Commander Bruce Maddox: And so must I.

Capt. Picard: Data... I understand your objections. But I have to consider Starfleet's interests. What if Commander Maddox is correct? There is a possibility that many more beings like yourself can be constructed.

Lt. Commander Data: Sir, Lieutenant La Forge's eyes are far superior to human biological eyes, true?

Capt. Picard: M-hm.

Lt. Commander Data: Then why are not all human officers required to have their eyes replaced with cybernetic implants?

[Picard considers this shortly, then looks away without giving an answer]

Lt. Commander Data: I see. It is precisely because I am *not* human.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: Overt sentimentality is not one of Captain Picard's failings. Trust me, I know.

Capt. Picard: Starfleet is not an organization that ignores its own regulations when they become inconvenient.

[Picard and Guinan are talking about the significance of the creation of multiple Datas]

Guinan: Consider that in the history of many worlds, there have always been disposable creatures. They do the dirty work. They do the work that no one else wants to do because it's too difficult or too hazardous. And an army of Datas, all disposable... You don't have to think about their welfare, you don't think about how they feel. Whole generations of disposable people.

Capt. Picard: You're talking about slavery.

Guinan: Oh, I think that's a little harsh.

Capt. Picard: I don't think that's a little harsh, I think that's the truth. But that's a truth that we have obscured behind a... comfortable, easy euphemism: 'Property'! But that's not the issue at all, is it?

[Commander Riker has refused to take the role of Data's prosecutor in the hearing]

Captain Phillipa Louvois: Then I will rule summarily based on my findings. Data is a toaster. Have him report immediately to Commander Maddox for experimental refit.

[Riker has reluctantly agreed to function as prosecutor]

Captain Phillipa Louvois: And I expect you to do your duty in that courtroom. If I find for one minute that you are not doing your best, I will end this then and there!

Capt. Picard: You don't have to remind us of our duty. You just... just remember yours.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: I have never forgotten it - not then, and certainly not now.

[Riker is doing his duty in the courtroom]

Commander William T. Riker: The Commander is a physical representation of a dream - an idea, conceived of by the mind of a man. Its purpose: to serve human needs and interests. It's a collection of neural nets and heuristic algorithms; its responses dictated by an elaborate software written by a man, its hardware built by a man. And now... and now a man will shut it off.

[Riker switches off Data, who slumps forward like a lifeless puppet]

Commander William T. Riker: Pinocchio is broken. Its strings have been cut.

Lt. Commander Data: As Doctor Pulaski would at this junction no doubt remind us, life is rarely fair.

Commander Bruce Maddox: You are endowing Data with human characteristics because it looks human. But it is not. If it were a box on wheels, I would not be facing this opposition.

[at the hearing regarding the civil rights of androids like Data]

Capt. Picard: Now, the decision you reach here today will determine how we will regard this... creation of our genius. It will reveal the kind of a people we are, what he is destined to be; it will reach far beyond this courtroom and this... one android. It could significantly redefine the boundaries of personal liberty and freedom - expanding them for some... savagely curtailing them for others. Are you prepared to condemn him and all who come after him, to servitude and slavery? Your Honor, Starfleet was founded to seek out new life; well, there it sits! - Waiting.

[Picard activates Data's hologram of Tasha Yar]

Capt. Picard: You have no other portraits of your fellow crew members. Why this person?

Lt. Commander Data: I would prefer not to answer that question, sir. I gave my word.

Capt. Picard: [softly] Under the circumstances, I don't think Tasha would mind.

Lt. Commander Data: She was special to me, sir. We were... intimate.

Capt. Picard: I need your help.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: An historic moment.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: I'm glad you felt you could... well, come to me.

Capt. Picard: The word 'trust' just isn't in your vocabulary, is it? Good try, nine out of ten for effort!

[Commander Maddox has proposed to construct thousands of androids modeled after Data]

Capt. Picard: [sighs] A single Data - and forgive me, Commander - is a curiosity. A wonder, even. But thousands of Datas - isn't that becoming... a race? And won't we be judged by how we treat that race?

Capt. Picard: Now, tell me, Commander, what is Data?

Commander Bruce Maddox: I don't understand.

Capt. Picard: What is he?

Commander Bruce Maddox: A machine!

Capt. Picard: Is he? Are you sure?

Commander Bruce Maddox: Yes!

Capt. Picard: You see, he's met two of your three criteria for sentience, so what if he meets the third, consciousness, in even the smallest degree? What is he then? I don't know. Do you?

Capt. Picard: [to Riker] Do you?

Capt. Picard: [to Louvois] Do you? Well, that's the question you have to answer.

Capt. Picard: You wanted a chance to make law? Well, here it is. Make it a good one.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: It sits there looking at me; and I don't know what it is. This case has dealt with metaphysics - with questions best left to saints and philosophers. I am neither competent nor qualified to answer those. But I've got to make a ruling, to try to speak to the future. Is Data a machine? Yes. Is he the property of Starfleet? No. We have all been dancing around the basic issue: does Data have a soul? I don't know that he has. I don't know that I have. But I have got to give him the freedom to explore that question himself. It is the ruling of this court that Lieutenant Commander Data has the freedom to choose.

Commander Bruce Maddox: [of Data] He is remarkable.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: You didn't call him 'it'.

Capt. Picard: [to Captain Louvois] You always enjoyed the adversarial process more than getting at the truth. Well, I hope that you've learned a little wisdom along the way.

[Data has formally refused to submit to Maddox]

Lt. Commander Data: And Commander, continue your work. When you are ready, I will still be here. I find some of what you propose... intriguing.

[Riker feels guilt about acting as Data's prosecutor and almost sealing his fate]

Lt. Commander Data: Is it not true that, had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?

Lt. Commander Data: That action injured you, and saved me. I will not forget it.

Commander William T. Riker: [smiles] You're a wise man, my friend.

Lt. Commander Data: Not yet, sir. But with your help, I am learning.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: I can use serving officers as legal counsel. You, as the senior officer, would defend.

Capt. Picard: Very good.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: And the unenviable task of prosecuting this case would fall on you, Commander, as the next most senior officer of the defendant's ship.

Commander William T. Riker: I can't. I won't. Data's my comrade. We have served together. I not only respect him, I consider him my friend.

Captain Phillipa Louvois: When people of good conscience have an honest dispute, we must still sometimes resort to this kind of adversarial system.

Commander William T. Riker: You just want me to prove that Data is a mere machine. I can't do that, because I don't believe it. I happen to know better, so I am neither qualified nor willing. You're going to have to find someone else.

Capt. Picard: Your honor, a courtroom is a crucible. In it we burn away irrelevancies until we are left with a pure product - the truth, for all time.

Lt. Commander Data: Sir, there is a celebration on the Holodeck.

Commander William T. Riker: I have no right to be there.

Lt. Commander Data: Because you failed in your task?

Commander William T. Riker: No, God, no. I came that close to winning, Data.

Commander William T. Riker: I almost cost you your life!

Lt. Commander Data: Is it not true that had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?

Commander William T. Riker: You're a wise man, my friend.

Capt. Picard: Data, Captain Louvois has issued a ruling. You are the property of Starfleet Command. You can not resign.

Lt. Commander Data: see. From limitless options I am reduced to none, or rather one. I can only hope that Commander Maddox is more capable than it would appear.

Capt. Picard: Data, you're not going to submit. We're going to fight this. I challenged the ruling. Captain Louvois will be compelled to hold a hearing. She may be overly attached to the letter of the law, but I suspect that she still understands its spirit. We will put to rest this question of your legal status once and for all. Now, I have been asked to represent you, but if there is some other officer with which you would feel more happy?

Lt. Commander Data: Captain, I have complete confidence in your ability to represent my interests

Taibak: Welcome, Mr. La Forge. We've waited a long time to meet you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I can tell you've gone to a lot of trouble.

Taibak: Indeed we have.

[a Romulan assistant removes Geordi's VISOR]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Hey!

Taibak: Your VISOR will be returned to you. But first, I want to show you something.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Sh... show me something? That'll be a nice trick, seeing as how I can't see anything without the VISOR.

Taibak: That is not quite true...

[Geordi is being subjected to emotionally disturbing images via his visual cortex]

Taibak: Notice that his heart rate has slowed somewhat. He is becoming accustomed to the horrors he is witnessing. So... we change horrors.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Personal log, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, stardate 44885.5 - I'm en route to the planet Risa to attend an artificial intelligence seminar. Captain Picard has ordered me to arrive a few days early to have some fun and relax. I intend to follow his orders to the very best of my ability.

[Geordi tells Deanna about his experiences on Risa]

Counselor Deanna Troi: And that's all?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah. Well, there was this...

Counselor Deanna Troi: [anticipating] Yes?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Her name is Jonek.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Ah!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: But, er... you wouldn't wanna hear about that. Better get ready for duty. Nice talking to you, Counselor.

[leaves quickly, leaving Deanna somewhat disenchanted]

Lt. Commander Data: It is fortunate we were able to coordinate your return on the Teldarian cruiser.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah. When I heard the Enterprise had been ordered to the Krios system, I thought I might be forced to endure another couple of weeks on Risa.

Lt. Commander Data: I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy yourself.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I was joking.

Lt. Commander Data: Joking? Ah! "Forced to endure" Risa. Your actual intent was to emphasize that you *did* enjoy yourself. Yes. I see how that could be considered quite amusing.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [laughs] I missed you, Data!

Governor Vagh: You swear well, Picard. You must have Klingon blood in your veins.

Ambassador Kell: There are some members of the High Council who would thank you, Worf.

Lieutenant Worf: Thank me?

Ambassador Kell: For killing Duras. No doubt that, had he lived, one day he would ascend to head the Council. Many were not looking forward to that.

Lieutenant Worf: My motives were personal, not political.

Ambassador Kell: Motives? Who cares for motives? Humans, perhaps. What matters is, you acted on that day as a true Klingon.

Ambassador Kell: [on the E-band emissions] Who sent these signals? A cloaked Romulan ship?

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. That is not possible. The signals had to be transmitted within close proximity to the VISOR.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Are you suggesting that there was a Romulan accomplice in close proximity to Mr. La Forge when he was receiving the signals?

Lt. Commander Data: Yes, sir, I am.

Governor Vagh: This Romulan accomplice - who is he?

Lt. Commander Data: I have narrowed the list of possibilities to two people - the only two people who were with Commander La Forge all three times a transmission was recorded: Captain Picard, and Ambassador Kell. One of them may be concealing an E-band transmitter. If they would agree to be searched...

Ambassador Kell: I am a Klingon! An emissary of the High Council. I will not submit to being searched by you or anyone else on this ship.

Governor Vagh: I am forced to agree, Captain. We will take the Ambassador with us, and search him ourselves.

Ambassador Kell: [slightly panicking] Captain, I believe it to be in all our best interests if I remain aboard. I formally request asylum.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I will certainly grant you asylum - when you have been absolved of this crime.

Lt. Commander Data: I have surmised that Commander La Forge was conditioned by Romulans, a process referred to historically - and somewhat inaccurately - as "brainwashing".

Governor Vagh: But to what end? Why would the Romulans want to kill me?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Romulans have always wanted to destroy the alliance between the Federation and the Klingons. If Mr. La Forge had killed you, Governor, I think you would agree, they might have succeeded.

Counselor Deanna Troi: It'll take time, Geordi. A long time. But we will reconstruct your memory. Together.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: I'm just not sure. About anything.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Believe it or not, that's a good sign. A beginning. Now, let's go back to the shuttlecraft. There was a Romulan ship, and the first thing you did was...?

Lieutenant Worf: Data...! [after Data's shuttle has exploded]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [reading from 'Hamlet'] "He was a man, take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again."

Kivas Fajo: Data. You will be catered to... fawned over, cared for, as you never have been before. Your every wish will be fulfilled.

Lt. Commander Data: I wish to leave.

Kivas Fajo: Almost every wish.

Lt. Commander Data: I have been designed with a fundamental respect for life in all its forms, and a strong inhibition against causing harm to living beings.

Kivas Fajo: What a marvelous contradiction - a military pacifist!

[after being beamed aboard, Data hands over a weapon to Riker]

Lt. Commander Data: A Varon-T disrupter. It belongs to Fajo.

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. O'Brien says the weapon was in a state of discharge.

Lt. Commander Data: [with an unreadable poker face] Perhaps something occurred during transport, Commander.

Lt. Commander Data: I must emphasize, Mr. Fajo, that I consider this captivity a hostile act on your part.

Kivas Fajo: [indifferently] Oh, well... you'll get used to it.

Lt. Commander Data: Clearly Mr. Fajo has no moral difficulty with my imprisonment here.

Varria: Mr. Fajo has no moral difficulties... at all.

Varria: Kivas finds ways to get what he wants from his people. His rewards for loyalty are lavish! His punishments for disloyalty are equally... [she touches her chin, possibly in reminiscence of some bad incident]

Varria: ...lavish. You won't find anyone here on this ship to help you escape. Face it, android: he has you!

[she leaves the room]

Lt. Commander Data: [calling after her] It appears... he has us both.

Commander William T. Riker: For an android with no feelings... he sure managed to evoke them in others.

[Fajo has thrown a dissolving substance onto Data's uniform to force him to change into a more suitable garment]

Kivas Fajo: Personally, I'd be delighted to see you go around naked. I assume you have no modesty. But... then... I guess that decency is the rule of your Starfleet training. In any case, Data, why don't you make a decision - about which alternative you dislike the least?

Kivas Fajo: If only you could... feel... rage over Varria's death... If only you could feel the need for revenge, then, maybe, you could fire. But you're... just an android. You can't feel anything, can you? It's just another interesting, intellectual puzzle for you - another of life's... curiosities.

Lt. Commander Data: I cannot allow you to continue. [fires the disruptor]

Lt. Commander Data: Your collection has been confiscated. All of your stolen possessions are being returned to their rightful owners. You have lost everything you value.

Kivas Fajo: [scornfully] That must give you great pleasure.

Lt. Commander Data: No, sir. It does not. I do not feel pleasure - I am only an android.

Lt. Tasha Yar: What I want now is gentleness. And joy... and love. From you, Data; you are fully functional, aren't you?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Of course, but...

Lt. Tasha Yar: How fully?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: In every way, of course. I am programed in multiple techniques. A broad variety of pleasuring.

Lt. Tasha Yar: Oh! You jewel, that's exactly what I hoped!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: We are more alike than unlike, my dear Captain. I have fours; humans have fours. I have... fingerprints; humans have fingerprints. My chemical nutrients are like your blood. If you prick me - do I not... bleek?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: If you were any more perfect, Data, I'd have to write you up in a Starfleet medical textbook.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am already listed in several bio-mechanical texts, Doctor.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Yes - of course...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: It is definitely like alcohol intoxication. The same lack of good judgment. For example, right now, I find you extremely, extremely... Of course, we haven't time for that sort of thing.

Capt. Picard: What sort of thing?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Oh, God, would I love to show you.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: There was a rather peculiar limerick, being delivered by someone in the shuttlecraft bay. I am not sure I understand it... "There was a young lady from Venus, whose body was shaped like a... "

Capt. Picard: Captain to Security, come in!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Did I say something wrong?

Lieutenant Worf: I don't understand their humor either.

Woman on comm channel: Well, hello, Enterprise, welcome. I hope you have a lot of pretty boys on board. Because I'm willing, and waiting. In fact, we're going to have a real blowout here.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I believe that last sound was an emergency hatch being blown.

Capt. Picard: Are you certain? Yes, of course you are.

Capt. Picard: Take us...

Commander William T. Riker: Are you all right, sir?

Capt. Picard: Worf - you do know what to do. Take us, er...

Commander William T. Riker: Take us out of here!

Capt. Picard: Right.

Capt. Picard: [voice, over intercom] Attention all decks, all divisions. Effective immediately, I have handed over control of this vessel to Acting Captain Wesley Crusher.

Capt. Picard: [incensed] "Acting Captain"?

Wesley Crusher: [over intercom] Thank you, Captain Picard, thank you. And with that order dawns a brave new day for the Enterprise.

Sarah MacDougal: I can't help you, Bridge. Someone here has yanked out all the control chips.

Wesley Crusher: It was an adult who did it!

Lt. Tasha Yar: Do you know how old I was when I was abandoned?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Chronological age? No. I am afraid I am not familiar with...

Lt. Tasha Yar: Five. Five years old. But I survived. I learned how to stay alive, how to avoid the rape gangs. I was fifteen before I escaped.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am sorry. I did not know.

Jim Shimoda: Never got as far as sickbay, Wes. I feel too good for that.

Capt. Picard: Number One, it seems our Security Chief has the equivalent of a snootful.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Inquiry, sir - 'snootful'?

Capt. Picard: Forget it.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Captain, can I see you in your ready room? It's a private matter. No, actually, it's an urgent one!

Counselor Deanna Troi: [to Riker] Wouldn't you rather be alone with me? With me in your mind?

Lt. Tasha Yar: Data, I'm only going to tell you this just once: it never happened.

[Wesley has saved Enterprise from destruction with a repulsor beam]

Commander William T. Riker: It's only fair to mention Wesley in a log entry, sir.

Capt. Picard: Fair's fair. And let's credit his science teacher, too.

Capt. Picard: I put it to you all. I think we shall end up with a fine crew - if we avoid temptation.

Capt. Picard: [entering Crusher's office with a little skip] Beverly.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Yes, Jean-Luc?

Capt. Picard: *You* will address me as *Captain.*

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Captain? Well then, my dear Captain, *you* will address *me* as *Chief Medical Officer* or *Doctor.*

Capt. Picard: I will? That's true. I started off calling you Beverly, and of course, naturally, you. I'm still not thinking straight.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Likewise. Where the hell was I headed?

Capt. Picard: If that's something you were going to test...

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [brightening] Yes, on *Geordi!* Come here.

[several Federation and Romulan outposts along the Neutral Zone have been destroyed]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to the Romulans] Who is responsible?

[the Romulans look at each other]

Ralph Offenhouse: They haven't got a clue! They're hoping *you* know; but they're too arrogant to ask!

Commander William T. Riker: You're out of line, Mister!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes. But it's a correct assessment.

Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: [referring to the Romulans] The last time we encountered them was decades ago. Cost thousands of lives.

Ralph Offenhouse: [looking at the Romulan warbird on the viewscreen] I can believe that!

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [about the 20th-century Humans] They were frozen. I thawed them.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Data] They were already dead. I mean, what more could have happened to them?

Lt. Commander Data: [on the Human female] Her name is Clare Raymond. Age: 35. Occupation: homemaker. Must be some kind of construction work.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to Clare, after she faints at the sight of Worf] Welcome to the 24th century.

[Crusher reports about 'Sonny' Clemonds's extensive drug abuse in his earlier life]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Sounds like someone who hated life. Yet he had himself frozen, presumably so he could go through it all again.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Too afraid to live, too scared to die.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: [about committing to the cryonics companies] The whole deal was a long shot, but I figured, what the hell, might as well give them the dough instead o' leavin' it to my ex-wives!

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: [to Dr. Crusher] You know, you're just about the prettiest little doctor I've ever seen.

Lt. Commander Data: They are the most unusual humans I have ever encountered.

Commander William T. Riker: Well, from what I've seen of our guests, there's not much to redeem them. Makes one wonder how our species survived the 21st century.

Commander William T. Riker: [about the 20th-century Humans] Having them on board is like a visit from the past.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That would take us in the wrong direction. Our mission is to go forward - and it's just begun.

Ralph Offenhouse: [over comm] This is the worst run ship I have ever been on. You should take some lessons from the QE2. Now, that's an efficient operation!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Data, identify: what is a QE2?

Lt. Commander Data: It was a passenger liner, which mostly traveled Earth's Atlantic Ocean during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: He's comparing the Enterprise to a *cruise ship*?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: A lot has changed in the past three hundred years. People are no longer obsessed with the accumulation of things. We've eliminated hunger, want, the need for possessions. We've grown out of our infancy.

Ralph Offenhouse: You've got it all wrong. It has never been about possessions. It's about power.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Power to do what?

Ralph Offenhouse: To control your life, your destiny.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That kind of control is an illusion.

Ralph Offenhouse: Really? I'm here, aren't I? I should be dead. But I'm not.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.

Ralph Offenhouse: Then what's the challenge?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The challenge, Mr. Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.

Ralph Offenhouse: Captain, I didn't mean to come on so strong. It's just that I've built my whole life on knowing what's going on, and for the first time I feel... completely out of touch. It's, er, making me crazy. You can understand that?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's the first thing you've said I do understand. And please, stay off the com panels.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: What's this 'Neutral Zone'?

Lt. Commander Data: It is a buffer between the Romulan Empire and the Federation.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Why does that make me nervous?

Lt. Commander Data: I do not know.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Well, we won't be invitin' these Romulans to our party, will we?

Lt. Commander Data: No, that would not be... appropriate.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [to the crew] Stay sharp, no surprises. I would rather out-think them than out-fight them.

Commander Tebok: Your presence is not wanted. Do you understand my meaning, Captain? We... are back!

[the warbird departs]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think our lives just became a lot more complicated.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain, these are Romulans. They are without honor. They killed my parents in an attack on Khitomer when they were supposed to be our allies. They believe Humans and Klingons are a waste of skin!

Lieutenant Worf: What gives them the right to enter Federation space?

Commander Tebok: Silence your dog, Captain!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lt. Worf's question is valid.

Subcommander Thei: To even ask such a question implies that we need permission. We do not.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: I just got to have a little somethin' to jump-start the morning and a little somethin' else to shut down the night.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: You have no medical need.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Well, it ain't a matter of need, darling, it's a matter of survival.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Sorry.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Not to worry, Old Watosh will scuffle along th' best way he can.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: [trying out the replicator] I'd like me, uh, a thick Kansas City steak and, uh, some country fried potatoes and, uh, a mess of greens. Oh, hell, just forget all that and give me a martini, straight up with, er, two olives - for the vitamins!

Lt. Commander Data: Inquiry: you do not seem to be having as much difficulty adjusting to your current circumstances as the others.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: You mean bein' here on this tub, 400 years from where I started? Oh, heck, it's the same dance, it's just a different tune.

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: What do you guys do? I mean, you don't drink and you ain't got no TV. Must be kind of boring, innit?

[last lines of Season 1]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There's still much to do; still so much to learn. Mr. La Forge - engage!

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: [to Data] Duty calls, hey, I understand. Why don't you come back later on an' you and me'll find us a couple o' low-mileage pit woofies and help 'em build a memory?

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Let's see if the Braves are on, how do you cut on this teevee?

Commander William T. Riker: Teevee?

L. Q. 'Sonny' Clemonds: Yeah, the boob tube. Uh, I'd like to see how the Braves are doing after all this time. Probably still finding ways to lose.

Ralph Offenhouse: [Riker orders Security to escort Offenhouse from the Bridge] I'm not going anywhere!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Ro! Boy, am I glad to see you. And I'm really glad that you can see *me*.

[after an accident, Ro thinks they are dead and some kind of spirits]

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: But... my uniform! My VISOR! Are you saying I'm some blind ghost with clothes?

Ensign Ro Laren: I don't have all the answers. I've never been dead before.

[Data has been given charge of arranging a memorial service for Geordi and Ro. Picard and Riker enter the lounge and find balloons, cocktails, and a brass band playing a lively tune]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, this is... unusual.

Commander William T. Riker: [grinning] Yeah. I think I like it.

[Data is asking Worf for advice about La Forge's and Ro's funeral; the "ghostly" La Forge and Ro are watching]

Lt. Commander Data: Ensign Ro was a Bajoran. Her beliefs should be reflected as well. However, their death rituals are quite complicated.

Ensign Ro Laren: [groans] Oh, please, not the death chant.

Lieutenant Worf: The Bajoran death chant is over two hours long.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I've been thinking about the first time I met Geordi La Forge. He was a young officer, assigned to pilot me on an inspection tour. And I made some offhand remark about the... shuttle's engine efficiency not being what it should. And the next morning I found that... he'd stayed up all night refitting the fusion initiators. Well, I knew then that I wanted to have him with me on my next command.

[Ro and La Forge are entering their spirited memorial service]

Ensign Ro Laren: I don't believe this - they think we're dead and they're having a party?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah. It's perfect!

Lt. Commander Data: Do you think the others will find this service appropriate?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Look around you, Data. Everybody's sharing their memories of Geordi and Ro, laughing and talking. What could be more appropriate than that?

Lieutenant Worf: I am very happy for Commander La Forge. He has crossed over to that which is beyond. For a Klingon, this is a joyful time. A friend has died in the line of duty, and he has earned a place among the honored dead. It is not a time to mourn.

Ensign Ro Laren: [visiting Picard in his ready room] Captain...

[stops short, not knowing what to say]

Ensign Ro Laren: I don't believe this. I'm dead. You can't even hear me, and I'm still intimidated by you.

Ro Laren: [to Picard] I just... wanted to say thank you - for trusting in me when no one else would.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: We are not dead!

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: [after he and Ro have rematerialized in the middle of their own memorial service] Well, it looks like a great party. You mind if we join you?

Lt. Commander Data: Geordi. It is good to see you.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Thanks, Data. I've never been to a better funeral.

Ro Laren: I was raised with Bajoran beliefs. And I even followed some of the practices. But I never really believed in a life after death. And then suddenly I was dead... and there was this other life. And that made me feel like I'd been pretty arrogant, to discount everything I'd been taught, you know? Now I don't know what to believe.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Hmm... Well, maybe we should develop our own interphase device. If it can teach Ro Laren humility, it can do anything.

[both laugh heartily]

Lt. Commander Data: In almost all societies, it is traditional to say a ritual farewell to those you call friends. I never knew what a friend was until I met Geordi. He spoke to me as though I were human. He treated me no differently from anyone else. He accepted me for what I am. And that, I have learned, is friendship.

Lt. Commander Data: But I do not know how to say goodbye.

Ensign Ro Laren: [still phased, to Riker] Now I s'ppose I'll never know what you were gonna say about me.

[shoots him in the head with a phased disruptor]

Barclay: The moon, yes, that'll be my home, my... Paradise. I shall find there all the souls that I love: Socrates, Galileo... And when I arrive, they will question my worthiness. "What the devil is *he* doing there among us?" Philosopher, scientist, poet, musician, duellist! Here lies Hercule Savinien De Cyrano de Bergerac! [to Beverly, as Roxane] I would not have you weep any less for that charming, good and handsome Christian. I only ask this: that as the great cold surrounds my bones, you allow a double meaning for your mourning veil. And when you let fall your tears for him, some few will be... for me.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [blinking away tears]... That was a real improvement.

Commander William T. Riker: [after Barclay has managed to raise the shield strength by 300%] Mr. Barclay! Everyone's still trying to figure out exactly how you did it.

Barclay: Well, it... it just occurred to me that I could set up a frequency harmonic between the deflector and the shield grid, using the warp field generator as a power flow anti-attenuator, and that, of course, naturally created an amplification of the inherent energy output.

Commander William T. Riker: [clueless] U-huh, I see that...

Counselor Deanna Troi: Reg, you've frightened all of us. I'm sure that wasn't your intent.

Barclay: Young children are sometimes frightened of the world. That doesn't mean that their parents should let them stay in their cribs.

Barclay: Wouldn't you like to take a walk with me through the arboretum? The zalnias should be in bloom.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Reg, as your former counselor, I don't think it would be appropriate.

Barclay: I don't need a counselor. What I need is the company of a charming, intelligent woman.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [indulgent] Good night, Mr. Barclay.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Reg, ever since our run-in with that probe, something's different about you.

Barclay: What? Because I'm beginning to behave like the rest of the crew? With confidence in what I'm doing?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: You just spent the entire night arguing grand unification theories with Albert Einstein!

Barclay: I've finally become the person I've always wanted to be. Do we have to ask why?

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Yeah, I think we do.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [analyzing Barclay's brainpower] I couldn't even guess at your IQ level now.

Barclay: Probably somewhere between 1200 and 1450.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: But that isn't all. The corpus callosum, the connecting bridge between both sides of the brain? It is so active now that the hemispheres are essentially behaving as one.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: So it's not just raw intelligence we're talking about here?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: No. Creativity, resourcefulness, inspiration, imagination, they've all been enhanced. Lieutenant - you could very well be the most advanced human being who has ever lived.

Barclay: I perceive the universe as a single equation, and it is so simple!

Barclay: Trust me!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [at a senior staff meeting] Has Mr. Barclay done anything that could be considered... potentially threatening?

Counselor Deanna Troi: [after a pause] Well... he did make a pass at me last night. A good one.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: He taught violin technique at the music school last night.

Commander William T. Riker: I didn't know Barclay played the violin.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: He didn't. Not until last night.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The question is, how're we going to deal with it?

Commander William T. Riker: We could confine him to his quarters.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: How can we do that? What's he done? I mean, we're talking about locking a man up for being too smart.

Barclay: Computer, begin new program. Create as follows: workstation chair. Now, create a standard alphanumeric console, positioned for the left hand. Now an iconic display console, positioned for the right hand. Tie both consoles into the Enterprise main computer core, utilizing neural-scan interface.

Enterprise Computer: There is no such device on file.

Barclay: No problem. Here's how you build it.

Cytherian: [analyzing the Humans] Emotive. Electrochemical stimulus-response. Cranial plate. Bipedal locomotion. Endoskeletal. Contiguous external integument.

Cytherian: Hierarchical collective command structure.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Who are you?

Cytherian: [surprised] Interrogative!

Barclay: The Cytherians are exploring the galaxy, just as we are. The only difference is that they never leave their home. They bring others here. Their only wish: an exchange of knowledge. They want to know us!

[Barclay is back to his old self]

Counselor Deanna Troi: How do you feel now?

Barclay: Smaller.

Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge: Just plain old Barclay, huh?

Barclay: Always seems to come back to that, doesn't it?

[Barclay analyzes a chess game and makes the next move]

Barclay: Checkmate in nine moves.

[he rejoins Troi for a walk]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I didn't know you played chess.

Barclay: I don't.

[Lt. Cmdr. Data walks in on Lal kissing Cmdr. Riker]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Commander - what are your intentions toward my daughter?

Commander William T. Riker: [baffled] Your daughter?

Commander William T. Riker: [to Lal, flustered] Nice to meet you! [storms out]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Admiral. When I created Lal, it was in the hope that someday, she would choose to enter the Academy and become a member of Starfleet. I wanted to give something back, in return for all that Starfleet has given me. I still do. But Lal is my child. You ask that I volunteer to give her up. I cannot. It would violate every lesson I have learned about human parenting. I have brought a new life into this world. And it is my duty - not Starfleet's - to guide her through these difficult steps to maturity. To support her as she learns. To prepare her to be a contributing member of society. No one can relieve me from that obligation. And I cannot ignore it. I am... her father.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The Admiral is taking the position that Lal's development should be overseen by the most experienced personnel.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Then he is questioning my ability as a parent?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In a manner of speaking.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Does the Admiral have children?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, I believe he does, Data. Why?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am forced to wonder how much experience he had as a parent when his first child was born.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I will take this to Starfleet myself.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: *I* am Starfleet, Captain!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are times, sir, when... men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but... you ignore their personal liberties... and freedom. Order a man to hand his child over to the state? Not while I'm his Captain.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Congratulations, Data. It's a girl!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Commander Data is completing his final neural transfers to the android he has named Lal, which, I have learned, in the language Hindi means 'beloved'.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have observed that in most species, there is a primal instinct to perpetuate themselves. Until now, I have been the last of my kind. If I were to be damaged or destroyed, I would be lost forever. But if I am successful with the creation of Lal, my continuance is assured.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [after learning from Data's creation of a new android] Data... I would like to have been consulted.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have not observed anyone else on board consulting you about their procreation, Captain.

Counselor Deanna Troi: Data has created an offspring - a new life out of his own being. To me, that suggests a child. If he wishes to call Lal his child, then who are we to argue?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Well, if he must. But I fail to understand how a five-foot android with heuristic learning systems and the strength of ten men can be called a child.

Counselor Deanna Troi: You've never been a parent.

[Wesley is visiting Data and Lal in the Cybernetics Lab]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: [over intercom] Dr. Crusher to Ensign Crusher. Aren't you supposed to be getting a haircut, Wesley?

Wesley Crusher: I'm on my way.

Wesley Crusher: [to himself] Parents.

Wesley Crusher: [upon reflection, to Data] Nothing personal.

[Data has asked Dr. Crusher for advice in parenting]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Just help her realize she's not alone. And... be there to nurture her when she needs love and attention.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I can give her attention, Doctor. But I am incapable of giving her love.

[he leaves sickbay]

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Now, why do I find that so hard to believe?

Lal: Father - what is my purpose?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Purpose?

Lal: My function. My reason for being.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: That is a complex question, Lal. I can only begin to answer by telling you that our function is to contribute in a positive way to the world in which we live.

Lal: Father - what is the significance of laughter?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is a human physiological response to humor.

Lal: Then, judging from their laughter, the children at school found my remarks humorous. So without understanding humor, I have somehow mastered it.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [... ] Lal.

Lal: Yes, Father?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The children were not laughing with you, they were laughing *at* you.

Lal: Explain.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: One is meant kindly, the other is not.

Lal: Why would they wish to be unkind?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Because you are different. Differences sometimes scare people. I have learned that some of them use humor to hide their fear.

Lal: I do not wish to be different.

Lal: I watch them, and I can do the things they do, but I will never feel the emotions. I'll never know love.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is a limitation we must learn to accept, Lal.

Lal: Then why do you still try to emulate humans? What purpose does it serve except to remind you that you are incomplete?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I have asked myself that many times, as I have struggled to be more human. Until I realized, it is the struggle itself that is most important. We must strive to be more than we are, Lal. It does not matter that we will never reach our ultimate goal. The effort yields its own rewards.

Lal: You are wise, Father.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: It is the difference between knowledge and experience.

[Lal is to decide what physical form to take on]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: We are taking you to the holodeck to show you several thousand composites I have programed. You may choose from them.

Counselor Deanna Troi: [incredulous] Several thousand?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: This is a big decision.

Guinan: Lal, how are you?

Lal: I am functioning within normal p... - I am fine, thank you.

Lal: Father says I would learn a great deal from working with someone as old as you.

Guinan: You're hired.

[Lal is observing a couple in Ten Forward]

Lal: What are they doing?

Guinan: It's called flirting.

Lal: They seem to be communicating telepathically.

Guinan: They're both thinking the same thing, if that's what you mean.

[the man and woman are kissing]

Lal: He's biting that female!

Guinan: No, he's not biting her. They're pressing lips; it's called kissing.

[the couple leaves]

Lal: Why are they leaving?

Guinan: Lal, there are some things your father's just gonna have to explain to you when he thinks you're ready.

[Haftel is observing Lal working in Ten Forward]

Admiral Anthony Haftel: She is capable of running over sixty trillion calculations a second, and you have her working as a cocktail waitress!

Lal: This is what it means to feel!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Lal. I am unable to correct the malfunction.

Lal: I know, Father.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: We must say goodbye now.

Lal: I feel...

Lt. Cmdr. Data: What do you feel, Lal?

Lal: ...I love you, Father.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: [after a pause] I wish I could feel it with you.

Lal: I will feel it for both of us. Thank you for my life. Flirting... Laughter... Painting, family... Female... Human. [she dies]

Admiral Anthony Haftel: [on Lal's "surgery"] There was nothing anyone could have done. We'd... repolarize one pathway, and another would collapse. And then another. His hands... were moving faster than I could see, trying to stay ahead of each breakdown. He refused to give up. He was remarkable. It just... wasn't meant to be.

Lal: [her last words] Thank you for my life. - Flirting... Laughter... Painting, family... Female... Human.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Admiral, when I created Lal, it was in the hope that someday she would choose to enter the Academy and become a member of Starfleet. I wanted to give something back in return for all Starfleet has given me. I still do. But Lal is my child. You ask that I volunteer to give her up. I cannot. It would violate every lesson I have learned about human parenting. I have brought a new life into this world, and it is my duty, not Starfleet's, to guide her through these first difficult steps to maturity, to support her as she learns, to prepare her to be a contributing member of society. No one can relieve me from that obligation. And I cannot ignore it. I am her father.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: Then I regret that I must order you to transport Lal aboard my ship. [Data begins to rise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Belay that order, Mister Data.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: I beg your pardon?

Admiral Anthony Haftel: I am Starfleet, Captain! Proceed, Commander. [Data again begins to rise]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hold your ground, Mister Data.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: Captain, you are jeopardizing your command and your career.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: There are times, sir, when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders. You acknowledge their sentience, but you ignore their personal liberties and freedom. Order a man to hand his child over to the state? Not while I am his captain.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: You're not a parent, Captain; I am. I have learned - with difficulty - that there comes a time, there comes a time when all parents must give up their children for their own good.

Admiral Anthony Haftel: I've been looking forward to meeting you, Lal.

Soren: I am female. I was born that way. I have had those feelings, those longings, all of my life. It is not unnatural. I am not sick because I feel this way. I do not need to be helped. I do not need to be cured. What I need, and what all of those who are like me need, is your understanding. And your compassion. We have not injured you in any way. And yet we are scorned and attacked. And all because we are different. What we do is no different from what you do. We talk, and laugh. We complain about work. And we wonder about growing old. We talk about our families, and we worry about the future. And we cry with each other when things seem hopeless. All of the loving things that you do with each other, that is what we do. And for that, we are called misfits, and deviants, and criminals. What right do you have to punish us? What right do you have to change us? What makes you think you can dictate how people love each other?

Noor: I congratulate you, Soren. Your decision to admit your perversion makes it much more likely that we can help you.

Soren: Tell me about males. What is it makes you different from females? [Riker ponders on this]

Commander William T. Riker: Snips and snails and puppy dog tails...

Soren: You have a dog's tail?

Soren: My parents were pilots. I was flying with them before I could walk. As soon as I was old enough, I entered flight school. Krite was my instructor.

Commander William T. Riker: He had a good student.

Soren: "He"? Commander, there are no he's or she's in a species without gender.

Commander William T. Riker: Okay. For two days, I've been trying to construct sentences without personal pronouns. Now I give up. What should I use, 'it'? To us, that's rude.

Commander William T. Riker: [about split pea soup] It's very healthy. Helps to keep you warm on cold Alaskan nights.

Soren: We prefer to stay warm by sleeping with a friend.

Commander William T. Riker: I see...

Soren: Not to mate. Just to sleep together - for warmth.

Commander William T. Riker: It still sounds better than pea soup.

[Soren has asked what kind of women Human males prefer]

Commander William T. Riker: Some like quiet, demure women; others prefer a lot of energy. Some only respond to... physical attractiveness; others couldn't care less. There're no rules.

Soren: You make it sound very complex.

Commander William T. Riker: Believe me, it is.

Soren: Well, perhaps it is that complexity... which makes the differences in the sexes so... interesting.

Soren: The idea of gender - it is offensive to my people. You see, long ago, we had two sexes, as you do. But we evolved into a higher form. I don't mean to sound insulting; but on my planet, we have been taught that gender is... primitive.

Commander William T. Riker: "Primitive"?

Soren: Less evolved.

Commander William T. Riker: Maybe so. But sometimes, there's a lot to be said for an experience that's "primitive".

Soren: Doctor? You are female.

Soren: Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude. But I'm curious. What is it like?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Well, it's... it's just the way I am. I've never really thought about what it's like.

Soren: I notice you tend to have longer hair, and you arrange it more elaborately. And you apply color to your bodies.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Color?

Soren: You put color on your mouths. And your eyes, your cheeks and... your fingernails. The men don't.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: That's true.

Soren: Then it is up to women to attract the men?

Doctor Beverly Crusher: Oh, no. Men want to be attractive too, believe me; they just go about it differently.

Soren: No color.

Doctor Beverly Crusher: No color. They like to pretend they're not doing anything to attract a woman, even when it's the most important thing on their minds.

[Troi is looking at some old photos and other things of one of her father's ancestors]

Counselor Deanna Troi: I look at these faces and... I wonder who they are and if they could be related to me.

Commander William T. Riker: [holds up a teddy bear] This one looks like you.

[Riker is protesting against the psychotectic therapy Soren is to undergo]

Commander William T. Riker: Did it occur to you that she might like to stay the way she is?

Noor: No, you don't understand. We have a very high success rate in treating deviants like this, and, without exception, they become happier people after their treatment, and grateful - that we care enough to cure them. You see, Commander, on this world, everyone *wants* to be normal.

Commander William T. Riker: She is!

Commander William T. Riker: Soren... I love you.

Soren: I'm sorry.

[Data is acting as a comedian in front of a holo-audience]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Good evening, ladies and germs.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Take my Worf. Please.

Guinan: [explaining to Data why his joke was not funny] Data... you spoiled the joke. But it could have been your timing.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: My timing is digital.

[Guinan laughs softly]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: What?

Guinan: That's funny.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: A Klingon Security Officer?

Capt. Thadiun Okona: No wars available, eh?

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Now, that's sex appeal!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Sexual attraction in this context is not a part of my programming. I am an android.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Well, then, have you seen any good-looking computers lately?

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Okona appears to have excellent vision - as well as a healthy libido.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: [handing Wesley his defective guidance system] Commander, I leave this in your capable hands.

Wesley Crusher: Sir, this is Commander Data. I'm just an acting ensign.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Well, acting ensigns have names, don't they?

Wesley Crusher: Wesley. Wesley Crusher.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Nice to meet you, Acting Ensign Wesley Wesley Crusher.

Lieutenant Worf: [of the Straleb security vessel] Another glob fly.

Lieutenant Worf: Captain! They're now locking lasers on us.

Commander William T. Riker: Lasers?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Lasers can't even penetrate our navigation shields, don't they know that?

Commander William T. Riker: Regulations... do call for yellow alert.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Hm... Very old regulation. Well, make it so, Number One. And reduce speed. Drop main shields as well.

Commander William T. Riker: May I ask why, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: In case we decide to surrender to them, Number One.

The Comic: You, pal, are a tough room.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: "Tough room"?

[accesses his data bank]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Ah! A colloquialism, meaning a severe, rigid, close-minded audience. I understand. I will attempt to be an easy room.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Have you ever been cold?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Warm, then?

Capt. Thadiun Okona: What about drunk? Ever do that?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: From alcohol? That is not possible for me, sir.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Pity. What about love?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: The act or the emotion?

Capt. Thadiun Okona: They're both the same.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I believe that statement to be inaccurate, sir.

[Worf finds Okona in deep embrace with a woman in her quarters]

Lieutenant Worf: You will come with me to the main bridge!

Capt. Thadiun Okona: I'm sure it can wait a few minutes?

[continues kissing the woman]

Lieutenant Worf: NOW!

[Okana turns and has a stare-down with Worf]

Lieutenant Worf: [growls] I'd like that! But I have my orders.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: [smugly] Some other time.

[Okana turns to the woman he was kissing]

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Remember what it took to drag me from your arms!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Now, please follow Commander Riker's instructions so our ship can get back to its normal routine.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Whatever you say, Captain.

[Riker grins]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Something funny?

Commander William T. Riker: Well, the unexpected *is* our normal routine.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Life... is like loading twice your cargo weight onto your spacecraft. If it's canaries, and you can keep half of them flying all of the time... you're all right.

[Data is attempting to tell a joke]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: A monk, a clone and a Ferengi decided to go bowling together...

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I come from a town so small, we had a fraction for a zip-code. -... - It was so small, in fact, we didn't have a godfather of crime, we had a nephew.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Then, there was the one about the girl in the nudist colony, that nothing looked good on.

The Comic: Tell me, Data, what happened?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I told a joke.

The Comic: And?

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No one laughed.

The Comic: No one? Nobody in the whole room?

Guinan: I was the whole room.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: She said I spoiled the joke.

Guinan: Actually, 'killed' would have been a better word.

Guinan: Look, it's just you and I here. We're talking, we're having an intimate conversation. Why? Because you're a 'droid and I'm a 'noid.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: But why?

Guinan: Because that's what I am.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Have I said something to offend you?

Guinan: No.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Then why are you annoyed?

Guinan: [slowly] Because you're a *'droid* and I'm a *'noid*.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Humanoid.

Guinan: Yes.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: You told a joke.

Guinan: Yes!

Lt. Cmdr. Data: I am not laughing.

Guinan: Being able to make people laugh or being able to laugh is not the end-all and be-all of being human.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: No. But there is nothing more... uniquely human.

Wesley Crusher: Say goodbye, Data.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Goodbye, Data.

[crew laughs]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Was that funny?

Wesley Crusher: [laughs]

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Accessing. Ah! Burns and Allen, Roxy Theater, New York City, 1932. It still works. [pauses] Then there was the one about the girl in the nudist colony, that nothing looked good on?

Lieutenant Worf: We're ready to get under way, sir.

Lt. Cmdr. Data: Take my Worf, please.

Commander William T. Riker: [to Captain Picard] Warp speed, sir?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Please.

Capt. Thadiun Okona: Yanar, you're angry at the embarrassment of all this. And maybe the timing and the approach is not the most romantic, but I know you love Benzan, and I don't want to see you throw away that feeling just because your parents have been quarreling for years and don't know how to behave properly.

Admiral Eric Pressman: So, how long have you had that beard?

Commander William T. Riker: About four years. I got tired of hearing how young I looked.

Admiral Eric Pressman: What was it that, uh... Lieutenant Boylen used to call you?

Commander William T. Riker: Ensign Babyface!

Admiral Margaret Blackwell: [noticing banners on the wall] Captain Picard Day?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, erm... yes, it's, er, it's, it's for the children. I'm, uh,

[laughs nervously]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I'm a role model.

Admiral Margaret Blackwell: I'm sure you are. Starfleet out.

Admiral Eric Pressman: You *have* changed.

Commander William T. Riker: Changed?

Admiral Eric Pressman: Just something the Captain and I were talking about. To be honest, I'm glad to see this kind of change in you, Will. State your opinion and stand by it. It's a far cry from the young man who used to sit at my helm and worry about pressing the wrong button.

Commander William T. Riker: A lot of things can change in twelve years, Admiral.

Admiral Eric Pressman: Yes, they can. But it's important that a man changes the right things in his life. Not his sense of duty, not his sense of loyalty.

Commander William T. Riker: I'd like to think that I haven't changed those things, sir.

Admiral Eric Pressman: I would like to think that too. Because those things say more about a man than the rank on his collar or the uniform he wears. They define him. - Twelve years ago, a lot of older and more seasoned officers turned away from their duty. But you stood up for what was right. I'm sorry, Will. I know the kind of man you are. I know that I can count on you again.

[Picard interrogates Riker about the real purpose of the mission]

Commander William T. Riker: I've said all I can. I am under direct orders from Admiral Pressman not to discuss this, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Very well. He's an admiral, I'm a captain. I cannot force you to disobey his orders. Therefore, I will have to remain in the dark on this mission. And I will just have to trust that you will not let Pressman put this ship at unnecessary risk. And if I find that that trust has been misplaced, then I will have to reevaluate the command structure of this ship. Dismissed.

[Admiral Pressman has suggested to take the Enterprise into the fissure of an asteroid]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Admiral, I don't think that we can risk...

Admiral Eric Pressman: I've made my decision. Prepare to take the Enterprise in, Captain. That's an order.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Data, will you please note in the ship's log that this action is being taken over my explicit objection.

Lt. Commander Data: It is so noted, sir.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Admiral, if this passage narrows to less than 500 meters, I will abort the mission. You can charge me with insubordination if you wish, but I'm not going to risk the Enterprise for a salvage operation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: [on recruiting Riker as First Officer] I was looking through the records of about fifty candidates, and Will's was very much like all the others, filled with... lots of dry statistics and glowing letters of recommendation that tell you nothing. I was about to put it aside, look at another file, and then... something caught my eye. There was an incident on Altair III when Will was First Officer of the Hood. He refused to let Captain DeSoto beam down during a crisis. He disobeyed a direct order, and he risked a general court martial because he thought he was right. And when I read that, I knew that I had found my Number One.

Admiral Eric Pressman: You wanted someone with a history of disobedience?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I wanted someone who would stand up to me, someone who was more concerned with the safety of the ship and accomplishing the mission than with how it might look on his record. To me, that's one of the marks of a good officer.

Admiral Eric Pressman: Twelve years ago, I needed an officer that I could count on in a crisis, someone who would support and obey my decisions without question, someone who was willing to trust my judgment. And that someone was Will Riker. Without his loyalty, none of us would have survived.

Commander William T. Riker: So, who won the contest?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Oh, er, Paul Menegay, a seven-year-old. He did a most interesting clay sculpture of my head.

Commander William T. Riker: Was that the orange one? With the lumpy skin?

Admiral Eric Pressman: [about the dead crew of the Pegasus] I knew most of these people a lot longer than you did. Yes, it was tragic, but it was their fault!

Commander William T. Riker: You don't know that. Neither of us knows what happened after we left.

Admiral Eric Pressman: Well, it's not hard to guess. They tried to shut down an experiment they didn't understand; something went wrong and it killed them.

Commander William T. Riker: No - *we* killed them.

Admiral Eric Pressman: Now that doesn't sound like the same man who grabbed a phaser and defended his captain twelve years ago.

Commander William T. Riker: I've had twelve years to think about it. And if I had it to do over again, I would have grabbed the phaser and pointed it at you instead of them.

Commander William T. Riker: I wasn't a hero, and neither were you. What you did was wrong. And I was wrong to support you, but I was too young and too stupid to realize it. You were the captain, I was the ensign. I was just following orders.

Admiral Eric Pressman: You are still under my direct orders not to talk about what you know, and I expect you to follow those orders to the letter. I made you, Mister, and I can break you just as easily. Do you understand me, Commander?

Admiral Eric Pressman: Will, don't worry. It won't be like it was twelve years ago. And this time no one's gonna stop us.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That's what it's about - a cloaking device. In the Treaty of Algeron, the Federation specifically agreed not to develop cloaking technology.

Admiral Eric Pressman: And that treaty is the biggest mistake we ever made! It's kept us from exploiting a vital area of defense!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: That treaty has kept us in peace for sixty years! And as a Starfleet officer, you're supposed to uphold it.

Admiral Eric Pressman: [as he is being led away to the brig] I have a lot of friends at Starfleet Command, Captain.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You're going to need them.

Commander William T. Riker: I don't think anyone's going to come to your defense this time.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: You made a mistake twelve years ago. But your service since then has earned you a great deal of respect, but this incident could cost you some of that respect.

Commander William T. Riker: I can't help but feel that I should have come forward a long time ago.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: But when the moment came to make a decision, you made the right one. You chose to tell the truth and face the consequences. So long as you can still do that, then you deserve to wear that uniform. And I will still be proud to have you as my First Officer.

Commander William T. Riker: Mr. Worf, escort our Ferengi guests to quarters - not too close to mine.

Ambassador Briam: Until we reach the rendezvous with the Valtese, may I ask the cargo bay be declared off-limits to all but the most essential personnel?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I trust, Ambassador, that this cargo is in no way dangerous?

Ambassador Briam: Oh, no, nothing of the sort. I'm cautious because it's quite fragile, and... quite irreplaceable.

[the "cargo" has been damaged and changes appearance]

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: What is happening?

Ambassador Briam: Emergence.

Kamala: I am for you, Alrik of Valt.