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Parallels: Directed by Robert Wiemer. With Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn. On his return from a bat'leth competition in the Klingon Empire, Worf finds himself shifting realities where events and details are in a constant state of flux and only he is aware of the changes.
- (3.9K)
- Action, Adventure, Drama
- Robert Wiemer
- 1993-11-27
Nov 29, 1993 · In-depth critical reviews of Star Trek and some other sci-fi series. Includes all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds. Also, Star Wars, the new Battlestar Galactica, and The Orville.
- Overview
- Summary
- Memorable quotes
- Background information
- Links and references
After Worf returns from a bat'leth tournament, he is the only person who notices subtle changes on the Enterprise.
Teaser
Worf dictates a log entry while on a Type 6 shuttlecraft, the Curie. "Personal log, stardate 47391.2. I am returning from the bat'leth tournament on Forcas III. The conditions were difficult. Several contenders were maimed. But I was triumphant. I won Champion Standing." He picks up a Klingon trophy. "I am looking forward to resuming my duties aboard the Enterprise, however, I am anticipating a troubling situation." Back on the Enterprise, Riker and Worf walk down a corridor. Worf carries his bat'leth and trophy as Riker tells him that they are returning to the Argus Array. The subspace telescope has stopped transmitting data for the third time that year. He wants Worf to start a long range scan when he notices Worf's attention wandering and remarks that the Klingon seems extremely tense, considering the fact that he has just returned from a vacation. Worf replies that today is his birthday. They reach Worf's quarters, but Worf is hesitant to enter. He cautiously looks around and Riker worriedly asks what's wrong. Worf is afraid that someone might have set up a surprise party for him. Riker says that he hates surprise parties and would never do something like that to him. Worf apologizes and Riker exits. Worf proudly studies his trophy, places it on a table and heads to the bedroom. Out of the darkness, happy shouts of "Surprise!" erupt. Lights come up and several crew members are revealed. As Deanna Troi and Beverly Crusher rush to kiss Worf, Riker comes in, puts a silly party hat on Worf's head and announces, "I love surprise parties!"
Act One
The guests sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" modified with Klingon lyrics. During the song, Crusher arrives with a chocolate cake for Worf (with at least fifteen candles). Worf blows them out and complains that the song was not Klingon. Troi replies that it was not easy to translate; there seems to be no Klingon word for "jolly." Crusher offers Worf a knife to cut the cake. Riker explains to Worf that Captain Picard was needed on the bridge, but sends along his birthday wishes. Worf cuts a piece of the cake and offers it to Crusher, as Data arrives with a gift and presents it to Worf, who rips off the paper, revealing a colorful, abstract painting. He does not quite know what to make of it. Data explains that he has entered his expressionist phase and the painting is his interpretation of the Battle of HarOs. Worf is not impressed. Troi says that the painting is wonderful. She grabs it (turning it right-side up) and remarks, "And I know just where to put it". Riker takes down a shield from the wall and Troi hangs up the painting in its place. Worf is not pleased. Geordi La Forge enters the party, sees the painting, and comments that it is nice. He approaches Worf, who suddenly feels dizzy. The Klingon thinks that Data's painting is making him dizzy. Crusher offers pieces of cake to La Forge, but now, strangely, it's a yellow cake instead of a chocolate one. Worf wonders about it aloud and Troi remarks, "Don't I wish." Troi gives a present to Worf, saying that it is a gift from Alexander, who gave it to her before he left to visit Worf's parents. Worf opens it, revealing a cast of Alexander's forehead made into plaster. He proudly explains that it is "the ridges of a warrior." Troi says that Alexander wished to be at Worf's party and had "stayed up all night talking about how proud he was of his father." Worf thanks her for watching Alexander while he was away. Suddenly, Worf hears Picard ask, "So, how old are you, Mr. Worf?" He turns and there Picard is, enjoying some cake. Worf is puzzled and says, "I was told that you could not attend." Smiling, Picard answers, "I wouldn't miss this for the world. How old are you?" Worf starts to tell the captain but stops himself. The guests wait eagerly for his response. Finally, he finishes by saying, "Old enough". Troi, Riker, and Picard laugh heartily. In space, the Enterprise is stationary, positioned next to the gigantic Argus Array, a massive subspace telescope. On the bridge, the senior staff man the primary stations as lower-ranking officers work the aft consoles. Picard demands a report from Lieutenant Commander Data, who tells the captain that the Array is working normally. Riker doesn't believe the android, as Starfleet reported that the Array had stopped transmitting data six days ago. Data explains that the Array is still sending data, but not to the Federation. He notes that the imaging systems have been re-directed. When Picard inquires where the information is being sent, Data replies that it is being directed to Sector 19658 and that he can't access the Array's main computer. Riker asks Worf about the sector. The Klingon reports that it is an uninhabited region, but there could be someone there receiving the data. Riker suggests beaming a repair team on board the Array, so they can download their imaging logs and find out where the information is being sent. Picard agrees with Riker, who exits the bridge with Data. Meanwhile, Worf enters Ten Forward, which is full of busy officers. He soon notices Troi, sitting at a table. He goes to sit with her and tells her that he wants to talk about Alexander. He begins to say that it has never been easy for him to have the child on board. He has tried to be a good father and to give Alexander guidance. However, his son has his own mind about things. Troi replies that most children do. Worf continues by explaining that he could not have brought Alexander up without her and that sometimes she is like a mother to his son. Troi happily replies "That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me." Worf reminds her about how he once asked Troi to watch over Alexander when he thought he was going to die after the spinal injury. He asks if she would like to formalize it. He wants Troi to be Alexander's Soh-chIm, a surrogate mother. Troi tells that it would be a great honor for her. Worf says that the closest approximation for a Soh-chIm would be his stepsister. Troi playfully remarks that it would make her mother Worf's stepmother. Worf's shocked reply is in a whisper: "I had not considered that." He thinks it over for a moment and says confidently, "It is a risk I'm willing to take." Just as Troi is accepting Worf's suggestion, Data asks Worf to accompany him to engineering. He leaves Troi happily sipping her drink. Down in engineering, Worf, Data, La Forge, and Picard study the Array's imaging logs at the master systems display table. Data tells that the Array had been re-programmed to observe several Federation sites. From a monitor in the table, La Forge points out two space stations, Deep Space 5 and Starbase 47, and two planetary bases, Iadara colony and Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards on Mars. Picard notes that they are responsible for new starship development. Worf suggests that the array is being used to engage in covert surveillance of the Federation. Data tells that the Array was accessed six days ago. He shows a video of a Cardassian Galor-class cruiser approaching the station. La Forge says that the telescope is only three light years away from Cardassian space. Picard orders Worf to scan for Cardassians. La Forge offers a PADD to Worf and suddenly he feels dizzy again. When he regains his bearing, La Forge and Data have switched positions and Picard is gone. La Forge thinks that Worf should go to sickbay. He agrees. At sickbay, Dr. Crusher asks if Worf has had any nausea or blurred vision as she scans him with a medical tricorder. Worf tells that he felt dizzy earlier that day at his birthday party. Crusher diagnoses him with the aftereffects of a concussion and offers vertazine medication for vertigo. As she is about to give him a hypospray, Worf stops her from administering it and tells her that he has no concussion. Crusher is puzzled and says that Worf came to sickbay that morning complaining about ringing in his ears. She asks if he doesn't remember it. Worf states he doesn't. Crusher says that Worf may have temporary memory loss resulting from the concussion. She tells Worf that he told her about how he lost the bat'leth tournament because someone hit him over the head. Worf says that he can prove definitively that he won the tournament. They go to Worf's quarters where he finds a new trophy on the table. It has changed; it is now less decorated and reads "Ninth Place".
Act Two
Worf, angered now, thinks that someone is playing a trick on him. Crusher tries to calm him by explaining that memory loss can be very disorienting. Still agitated, Worf says that he recorded a log on his way back to the Enterprise. When accessed at a desktop monitor, the log plays out just as Worf dictated it while on his way back to the Enterprise for the first part of the log, but then Worf tells how someone used the illegal T'Gha maneuver on him and how the judges failed to notice it. He also presents the changed trophy to the camera. Then the log continues normally. Worf can't understand. Crusher still tries to convince him that he has lost his memory and again offers medication. Meanwhile, the Enterprise still monitors the Argus Array. On the bridge, Data asks Worf if he has finished the metallurgical scan of the Array. Worf can't remember being ordered to conduct such a scan. The tactical console alerts and Worf informs that a Galor-class ship is approaching. Picard orders to open a channel. He greets the captain and demand him to explain their presence on the Federation territory. The Cardassian, Gul Nador asks why the Enterprise is so close to the Cardassian border. Picard explains that they are repairing the telescope. Nador offers assistance but Picard declines the offer. Then Gul Nador inquires the purpose of the telescope. After Picard's explanation about scientific observation Nador adds: "I'm certain it would never be used to observe neighboring species." He gives his best wishes for the repairs but ends threateningly: "Just try to make sure that your studies are limited to astronomical phenomena." "Charming fellow," Riker notes. Worf says that the ship was responsible for reprogramming the Argus Array. Picard doesn't know what he is talking about. As Worf explains seeing the ship at imaging logs, Picard is even more puzzled. Neither he nor Riker knows anything about the logs. Worf requests Data to show the logs, but like the others he doesn't know anything about them. Picard orders Data to re-examine the Array in case they would find evidence to support Worf's claims. At Worf's quarters, Worf is agitated. Troi is present, wearing a blue dress. He tells that he remembers the logs very clearly. Troi doesn't believe what he is saying. She asks if he thinks that everyone else's memories have been altered. The door chime interrupts Worf. La Forge enters and says that they didn't find any signs of the Cardassian ship or any evidence of tampering from the logs. He thinks that the array simply suffered a mechanical failure. As Worf starts to speak, he once again nearly blacks out. Things have changed again. Data's painting is on the opposite wall. Troi tells him that she hung it there at Worf's birthday party. As Worf looks back, the painting has changed to show a Klingon Vor'cha-class starship. Now Troi wears her blue standard duty uniform and different hair style. As Worf's temper rises, La Forge takes his arm and suggests going to sickbay. Worf experiences another loss of orientation and finds himself standing at the bridge of the Enterprise. The ship is under red alert as Picard exclaims "Now!" to Worf as a Cardassian ship approaches.
"That was not a Klingon song!"
"It wasn't easy to translate. There doesn't seem to be a Klingon word for "jolly"."
- Worf to Troi, after he is serenaded by his birthday guests with the Klingon version of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow"
"I believe the quantum fissure we discovered is a fixed point across the space-time continuum. A keyhole which intersects many other quantum realities."
"What do you mean, quantum realities?"
"For any event, there is an infinite number of possible outcomes. Our choices determine which outcomes will follow. But there is a theory in quantum physics that all possibilities that can happen or could happen do happen in alternate quantum realities."
Production history
•First draft script: 27 September 1993 •Final draft script: 7 October 1993 •Premiere airdate: 29 November 1993 •First UK airdate: 20 March 1996
Story and production
•It was originally planned that Tasha Yar would be featured in the alternate timelines that Worf experienced, but it was decided that this would make the episode too similar to "Yesterday's Enterprise". Therefore, Wesley was included instead. Brannon Braga commented, "Wesley could have been explored in more depth, but I thought it would just be more interesting if he were just there." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages [page number? • edit]) •This episode is the first to suggest a relationship between Worf and Counselor Troi, which grew throughout the remainder of the season. The events of "Ethics", albeit a parallel universe's version of those events, are referenced as the catalyst for their relationship. Brannon Braga noted that the writers had been placing hints at a possible relationship since Season 5. "I think most people didn't pick up on the relationship we were trying to evolve, which was good – we wanted that surprise when we find out they're married." (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?)) In commentary for the episode released on the DVD Star Trek: Fan Collective - Alternate Realities and also included on the TNG Season 7 Blu-ray release, Braga stated that the romance between the two was initially conceived as a joke among the writing staff, but upon seeing the dailies, it was felt that the two actors had really good chemistry with each other. •On the "Worf-Troi thing", Jeri Taylor commented, "It's been kinda fun, but it infuriates some people. Some people are so upset that we didn't put Riker and Troi together and just get it over with, and how dare we introduce this!" (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?)) •Noting the future incarnations of the relationship, Braga observed, "This is a couple that only has relationships in alternate realities and timelines… even as creatures. They make normal couples look boring by comparison!" (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?)) •The last line of the episode – "Champagne" – was unscripted. It was added by Jeri Taylor after director Robert Wiemer asked for a more definitive ending. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?)) •Braga noted that he was careful to downplay the idea that the alternate realities could be a result of Worf losing his mind to avoid similarities with "Frame of Mind". (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages [page number? • edit]) •It was originally planned that the crew would sing "Happy Birthday" to Worf in Klingonese, but the producers decided it was not worth paying the fee demanded by the song's royalty holders. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?)) "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was substituted instead. In the commentary for the episode, Braga stated that this had the fortunate circumstance of allowing him to write the quip about there not being a Klingon word for "jolly." •In the "First Officer Worf" reality, a Cardassian ensign is seen at the helm of the Enterprise, marking the only appearance of a Cardassian wearing a Starfleet uniform until DIS: "Scavengers", set in the 32nd century. The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (? ed., p. ?) suggests that the roles of the Bajorans and Cardassians were reversed relative to their roles in the "real" universe.
Reception
•Jonathan Frakes disliked the Worf-Troi relationship started in "Parallels", commenting "The Worf/Troi idea is just absurd! It makes for great material at conventions but for real character development I think it's ridiculous". ("Looking Out for Number One", Star Trek: Communicator issue 105, p. 50) •In his commentary for the episode, writer Brannon Braga discussed the use of technobabble within the episode. While he felt that the explanation as why Worf shifted realities came off well, he was less-than-pleased with the solution for returning him, citing Wesley Crusher's line that "We could scan the quantum fissure using a subspace differential pulse" as a piece of technobabble that didn't work well and which he didn't really understand. Despite this, he felt that the rest of the episode worked well enough that it could be gotten away with.
Starring
•Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard •Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William T. Riker
Also starring
•LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge •Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf •Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher •Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi •Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data
Special appearance by
•Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Star Trek: The Next Generation. ) " Parallels " is the 11th episode of the seventh season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 163rd overall. It was originally released on November 29, 1993, in broadcast syndication. The episode was written by Brannon Braga, and directed by Robert Wiemer.
Nov 29, 1993 · In "Parallels" from "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a surprise party is held for Worf in an alternate timeline and Captain Picard has a question for him: "So, how old are you, Mister Worf?" Worf hesitates, then replies that he is "Old enough," prompting laugther. A page for describing Recap: Star Trek: The Next Generation S7E10 "Parallels".
Nov 29, 1993 · Series: 'The Next Generation' Episode Title: 'Parallels' Episode Number: 711 Synopsis: ... 'Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Complete Seventh Season' DVD - Amazon.co.uk
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