Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 4
Region A/1 Blu-ray cover art
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes26
Release
Original networkBroadcast syndication
Original releaseSeptember 24, 1990 (1990-09-24) –
June 17, 1991 (1991-06-17)
Season chronology
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Season 3
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Season 5
List of episodes

The fourth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation commenced airing in broadcast syndication in the United States on September 24, 1990 and concluded on June 17, 1991 after airing 26 episodes. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet starship Enterprise-D.

This season saw the show embracing the notion of serialized storylines. A recurring theme throughout the season is the notion of a brewing Duras-Romulan plot against the Federation, coupled with Worf's effort to reclaim his family honor. Both storylines were introduced in Season 3's "Sins of the Father". Worf's discommendation is a major theme in "Family" and "The Drumhead", while his dishonor and the Duras-Romulan plot take center stage in the episodes "Reunion", "The Mind's Eye", and "Redemption".

A second recurring storyline in the season is the growth of Miles O'Brien as a character. His first and middle name are revealed in "Family", he marries in "Data's Day", his past is revealed in "The Wounded", and his marriage is explored in "In Theory".

Season 4 featured many family-themed episodes. The first episode following "The Best of Both Worlds" deals with Picard and Worf's family, and the second with Data's. Worf's son Alexander appears later in the season, as does Tasha Yar's sister, and the Enterprise encounters an infant alien space entity.

While a stand-alone syndicated series, the series was paired with other shows for the two night syndicated programming block Hollywood Premiere Network from Chris-Craft TV and MCA TV.[1]

Cast

Recurring characters

Episodes

See also: List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes

In the following table, episodes are listed by the order in which they aired.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		Nielsen rating
751"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"Cliff BoleMichael PillerSeptember 22, 1990 (1990-09-22)17512.3[2]
Picard is rescued from the Borg as the Enterprise races to save Earth. Data interfaces with the half-Borg Picard and finds a way to shut down the Borg ship. Guest star Elizabeth Dennehy as Starfleet Commander Shelby.
762"Family"Les LandauRonald D. MooreSeptember 29, 1990 (1990-09-29)1789.6[2]
While the Enterprise is undergoing repairs at Earth, Captain Picard visits his brother's family in France, Lt. Worf's adoptive human parents come to see him aboard the ship, and Dr. Crusher gives her son Wesley a personal holo-recording left by his late father shortly after his birth.
773"Brothers"Rob BowmanRick BermanOctober 6, 1990 (1990-10-06)17710.9[2]
Data is summoned by his creator Noonien Soong. They are joined by Data's brother, Lore.
784"Suddenly Human"Gabrielle BeaumontStory by : Ralph Phillips
Teleplay by : John Whelpley and Jeri Taylor		October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)17610.3[2]
Picard must help a human boy, raised by aliens, to decide his fate.
795"Remember Me"Cliff BoleLee SheldonOctober 20, 1990 (1990-10-20)17911.4[2]
After an apparent failure of a warp-field experiment, people begin to disappear from the Enterprise with only Dr. Crusher remembering that they ever existed.
806"Legacy"Robert ScheererJoe MenoskyOctober 27, 1990 (1990-10-27)18012.0[2]
Tasha Yar's sister Ishara seeks to restore order on their conflict-ridden colony world.
817"Reunion"Jonathan FrakesStory by : Drew Deighan and Thomas Perry & Jo Perry
Teleplay by : Thomas Perry & Jo Perry and Ronald D. Moore & Brannon Braga		November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03)18112.2[2]
Worf's former lover returns, and along with Picard, the two mediate a Klingon power dispute. Worf discovers more family.
828"Future Imperfect"Les LandauJ. Larry Carroll & David Bennett CarrenNovember 10, 1990 (1990-11-10)18212.0[2]
Riker finds himself sixteen years in the future. His memory of the interim is erased by a dormant virus.
839"Final Mission"Corey AllenStory by : Kacey Arnold-Ince
Teleplay by : Kacey Arnold-Ince & Jeri Taylor		November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17)18311.5[2]
Wesley sets off on his final mission with the Enterprise accompanied by Picard. They become stranded on a desert planet.
8410"The Loss"Chip ChalmersTeleplay by : Hilary J. Bader and Allan J. Adler & Vanessa Greene
Story by : Hilary J. Bader		December 29, 1990 (1990-12-29)18412.2[2]
An unknown force captures the Enterprise and causes Deanna to lose her empathic powers.
8511"Data's Day"Robert WiemerStory by : Harold Apter
Teleplay by : Harold Apter and Ronald D. Moore		January 5, 1991 (1991-01-05)18511.7[2]
Data gets dancing lessons from Dr. Crusher in preparation of Chief O'Brien's wedding as the Enterprise brings Ambassador T'Pel to the Romulans for negotiations.
8612"The Wounded"Chip ChalmersStory by : Stuart Charno & Sara Charno and Cy Chermak
Teleplay by : Jeri Taylor		January 26, 1991 (1991-01-26)18612.1[2]
A rogue Starfleet Captain (Bob Gunton) jeopardizes the Cardassian peace treaty.
8713"Devil's Due"Tom BenkoStory by : Philip LaZebnik & William Douglas Lansford
Teleplay by : Philip LaZebnik		February 2, 1991 (1991-02-02)18713.0[2]
A powerful mythic figure from a millennium ago returns to enslave a planet in accordance with a contract. However, Picard is convinced she is an opportunistic charlatan. Guest star Marta DuBois as Ardra.
8814"Clues"Les LandauStory by : Bruce D. Arthurs
Teleplay by : Bruce D. Arthurs and Joe Menosky		February 9, 1991 (1991-02-09)18812.3[2]
The crew, with the exception of Data, is rendered unconscious for 30 seconds after going through a localized wormhole. However, various clues suggest they were unconscious for an entire day.
8915"First Contact"Cliff BoleTeleplay by : Dennis Bailey[a] & David Bischoff and Joe Menosky & Ronald D. Moore and Michael Piller
Story by : Marc Scott Zicree		February 16, 1991 (1991-02-16)18911.4[2]
Riker is hospitalized during a botched pre-first contact mission. Xenophobia results in increasing hostility toward his presence.
9016"Galaxy's Child"Winrich KolbeStory by : Thomas Kartozian
Teleplay by : Maurice Hurley		March 9, 1991 (1991-03-09)19011.7[2]

The Enterprise accidentally kills a space creature, and the crew rush to save its unborn offspring. Meanwhile, Geordi meets the engineer he fell in love with and finds to his shock that she's nothing like the woman he encountered on the holodeck.

Guest star: Susan Gibney as Dr. Leah Brahms.
9117"Night Terrors"Les LandauStory by : Shari Goodhartz
Teleplay by : Pamela Douglas & Jeri Taylor		March 16, 1991 (1991-03-16)19111.2[2]
The Enterprise is trapped in a rift, the crew succumbs to REM sleep deprivation, and Deanna has a recurring nightmare.
9218"Identity Crisis"Winrich KolbeStory by : Timothy DeHaas
Teleplay by : Brannon Braga		March 23, 1991 (1991-03-23)19210.9[2]
Geordi transforms into an alien creature with a strong instinct to return to its planet of origin.
9319"The Nth Degree"Robert LegatoJoe MenoskyMarch 30, 1991 (1991-03-30)19311.0[2]
After an encounter with an alien probe, Barclay experiences great leaps in confidence and intelligence.
9420"Qpid"Cliff BoleStory by : Randee Russell and Ira Steven Behr
Teleplay by : Ira Steven Behr		April 20, 1991 (1991-04-20)19410.8[2]
Q returns to test Picard's love for an old flame.
9521"The Drumhead"Jonathan FrakesJeri TaylorApril 27, 1991 (1991-04-27)19510.5[2]
A witchhunt ensues for suspected Romulan spies aboard the Enterprise. Guest star Jean Simmons as Rear Admiral Norah Satie.
9622"Half a Life"Les LandauStory by : Ted Roberts and Peter Allan Fields
Teleplay by : Peter Allan Fields		May 4, 1991 (1991-05-04)196Unknown[2]
Lwaxana Troi finally finds love but discovers her man must undergo a ritualistic suicide. Guest star David Ogden Stiers as Timicin.
9723"The Host"Marvin V. RushMichel HorvatMay 11, 1991 (1991-05-11)19711.3[2]
Dr. Crusher falls in love with Odan, a peace negotiator, only to discover that he is a symbiont. When his original host dies, he is implanted into Riker temporarily to finish his negotiations.
9824"The Mind's Eye"David LivingstonStory by : Ken Schafer and René Echevarria
Teleplay by : René Echevarria		May 25, 1991 (1991-05-25)19810.1[2]
The Romulans brainwash Geordi to carry out a covert mission.
9925"In Theory"Patrick StewartJoe Menosky & Ronald D. MooreJune 1, 1991 (1991-06-01)1999.8[2]
Data participates in a romantic relationship with a fellow crew member.
10026"Redemption, Part I"Cliff BoleRonald D. MooreJune 15, 1991 (1991-06-15)20010.9[2]
Worf leaves the Enterprise to fight on behalf of Gowron in a Klingon civil war.
  1. ^ Credited as Dennis Russell Bailey

Home media

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season 4
Set details Special features
  • Episodes: 26
  • Discs: 7 (DVD) / 6 (Blu-Ray)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
  • Dubbed: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

DVD and Blu-ray

  • Mission Overview: Year Four
  • Selected Crew Analysis: Year Four
  • Departmental Briefing, Year Four: Production
  • New Life and New Civilizations
  • Chronicles from the Final Frontier
Release dates
DVD Blu-ray
Region 1 Region 2 United States (Region free) United Kingdom (Region free)
Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown

Reception

In 2019, CBR rated Season 4 of Star Trek: The Next Generation as the 12th best season of all Star Trek seasons up to that time.[3]

References

  1. ^ CERONE, DANIEL (October 7, 1990). "Ready for Prime Time? : With Three New Nighttime Shows, Independent KCOP Tries To Take On The Networks". Los Angeles Times. p. 2. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Star Trek: The Next Generation Nielsen Ratings – Seasons 3–4". TrekNation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2000. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  3. ^ "Every Star Trek Season of TV Ever, Ranked from Worst to Best". January 4, 2019.

External links

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes
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