11001001 (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"11001001"
The Bynars, in "11001001".
Episode no.	15
Prod. code	116
Airdate	February 1, 1988
Writer(s)	Maurice Hurley Robert Lewin
Director	Paul Lynch
Guest star(s)	Alexandra Johnson, Katy Boyer, Carolyn McCormick, Gene Dynarski
Year	2364
Stardate	41365.9
Episode chronology
Previous	"Angel One"
Next	"Too Short a Season"

"11001001" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast February 1, 1988. It is episode #15, production #116, teleplay written by Maurice Hurley and Robert Lewin, and directed by Paul Lynch.

Overview: Curious little aliens, the Bynars, retrofit the Enterprise computer in a space dock.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

On stardate 41365.9, the Enterprise arrives at Starbase 74, in orbit above Tarsus III, for a routine maintenance check. Captain Picard looks forward to a series of additional computer upgrades, including repairs to the holodeck. Picard and Commander Riker greet Commander Quinteros and a pair of small, large-skulled humanoid aliens who Quinteros introduces as Bynar. Picard addresses them as "gentlemen", but Quinteros points out that the Bynars are neither male nor female. They are a unified pair, always together. He introduces them as One Zero and Zero One. When the aliens speak, one begins the sentence and the other finishes it. The aliens express their honor to service the Enterprise, referring to the ship as a "mobile computer".

Picard informs Quinteros that they have only 48 hours to conduct the repairs, since they have urgent business on Pelleus V to attend to. This draws concern from the aliens who thought they would have more time. Picard says it can't be helped and suggests they can return later, but the aliens claim the time allotted is sufficient. Picard approves the repairs stating he and Riker will remain aboard in case there are any questions to be answered. Meanwhile, most of the ship's crew disembarks for shore leave aboard the station. Picard is delighted at the Bynars' offer to upgrade the ship. They are a recently-discovered species by the Federation. They've become so interconnected with the master computer on their planet that their language and thought patterns have become as near to that of a computer's as is possible for organic beings. Riker is interested in seeing their results. In the meantime, Picard excuses himself to the pages of a good book.

Riker goes to the bridge where another pair of Bynars have joined One Zero and Zero One. The aliens talk in rapid, nervous bursts as they look over exposed systems panels. Riker had assumed that only two Bynars were aboard, but they explain that others were required to complete the job in the time allotted. They seem agitated, and Riker asks if there is a problem, but they indicate nothing is wrong. Riker tells Wesley to keep an eye on them, but Crusher doesn't share Riker's distrust, surmising that the frantic pace of Bynar communications is a natural aspect of their behavior. Riker wanders the corridors, eventually running into Lt Worf, and Lt. Yar, both in athletic gear and on the way to a game of Parrises Squares onboard the station. They invite Riker to come along but he declines, wishing them a win. As they depart, the lights of the corridor suddenly dim. Riker checks a nearby computer terminal which explains unoccupied areas of the ship are being powered down to clear space in the computer banks in order to facilitate the upgrades.

Riker is satisfied, and continues to the forward lounge where Data, and La Forge are appraising a painting of Data's. Riker isn't sure what the painting is supposed to be until Geordi points out a pair of Zylo eggs, added per his suggestion. Riker tells them to keep notes as a blind man teaching an android how to paint may be of interest to scholars some day. Riker continues on, watching more of his colleagues leave the ship, including Dr. Crusher who is hurrying to catch a lecture on the station by a leading cybernetics designer.

Riker eventually comes to the holodeck, where a pair of Bynars are wrapping up their work. He asks the aliens how everything is proceeding. They indicate the new holodeck "enhancement" is ready, and after chattering amongst themselves invite him to try it out. Interested, Riker requests the holodeck to re-create an Earth Jazz lounge called "Low Note" in New Orleans, circa 1958. The doors open to the dark, hazy club. Riker is delighted. He tells the computer to create a band and a piano player, drummer, and upright bass player appear on the bandstand, along with an audience seated at several small tables. Riker requests a trombone for himself. The Bynars watch, curious, from the doorway.

Riker informs the computer that the room is too bit crowded. The audience vanishes save for an attractive woman standing at the bar in a red dress. Riker doesn't like her blonde hair and the woman changes to a green-eyed redhead. Riker requests that the woman be "more sultry." The redhead changes to a brunette in a sparkling dress. Riker, suddenly infatuated, reveals to the Bynars his pleasure with their improvements. Riker approaches the brunette who informs him that her name is Minuet, and that she likes all Jazz except Dixieland, as it is un-danceable. Using an old pick-up line, Riker inquires at the purpose of her existence and Minuet replies that she has been waiting there for him. The Bynars suspiciously conspire amongst themselves, overjoyed at Riker's distraction, revealing that their "plan" is "working".

Back on the bridge, Wesley grows curious about the Bynars. They chatter so fast and he doesn't understand how biological entities can process information so quickly. The aliens display to him small electronic prostheses on their heads, which they use to process and relay information between each other. Picard enters and asks Wesley where his first officer is. Wesley replies that Riker is in Holodeck 4. There, Riker stands upon the bandstand, playing trombone. Minuet watches enthralled. A member of the simulated band informs Riker that he is admired by the women of this reality. Riker finishes his song and walks back over to Minuet. He tells her that he has to go, that "duty calls", but she insists upon a dance before he leaves. He agrees, amazed at how real she appears to him. The band plays a slow song as the couple dances. Riker wonders aloud at how far a relationship between them could go. Minuet replies as far as he'd like it to. A voice booms from behind them: "Astounding!" Riker turns to see the Captain in the doorway. Picard apologizes for the interruption, and commends the locale as something he might have chosen himself. Minuet and the Captain flirt. Minuet speaks French to Jean-Luc's amazement. She invites him to join her and the Commander. Picard says he is honored, and Riker appears vaguely jealous. The three converse, and Picard comments on the impressiveness of the simulation. Minuet asks him to elaborate and Picard explains the holodeck has been able to recreate almost every environment thinkable, but its characters have always remained somewhat static. Unlike those characters, Minuet is adaptive, he says, denoting her ability to speak French. Minuet smiles, saying she was able to immediately access the language bank upon recognizing Picard's French name.

On the bridge, Wesley finds that the antimatter containment field is weakening and notifies Geordi and Data, who rush to engineering to check it out. They find the section abandoned with some systems still running on low power. Geordi checks the computer and is troubled by its readings. Geordi asks Wesley if the Bynars are running tests, but aliens are not. The computer indicates total failure of antimatter containment in less than five minutes. Data indicates the resulting explosion would destroy not only the Enterprise, but the space station as well. Geordi sounds Red Alert, has Wesley initiate the automated departure sequence, and updates the station crew of the situation. Wesley wishes to contact Riker and Picard, but Geordi stresses there is no time and that all hands must abandon ship immediately. The remaining crew hurriedly disembark to safety.

Still on the Enterprise, Data asks the computer for the location of Picard and Riker and is told that all decks are empty. Data finds this puzzling as the Captain is usually the last to leave but beams with Geordi to the station where Dr. Crusher, Yar, and Worf are assembled. The Enterprise begins to back out of the station. The group quickly notices that Riker and Picard are absent, and Worf is certain they're not aboard the station. Yar insists that they should beam back and find them, but Quinteros says it is too late. A message comes in from the station crew informing the group that the Enterprise's containment field has miraculously repaired itself just as the ship clears its moorings and turns to warp away, leaving its bewildered crew behind.

Completely unaware of what is going on outside the holodeck, Riker and Picard are lost in conversation with Minuet. Picard is still amazed at the advanced nature of the Bynars' improvements. Riker cannot believe his emotional response to the simulation. Picard announces his imminent departure from the holodeck, and Minuet appears saddened, attempting to hold Picard's interest as he repeatedly excuses himself to leave. Minuet becomes distressed, suddenly pleading with him to remain. Picard is stunned by the forceful demand. Something is wrong.

Picard calls for the holodeck exit. The door appears, opening to a corridor of flashing red lights. He attempts to contact the bridge, but there is no response. He asks the computer to explain the red alert. The computer reports that the antimatter field collapsed and the ship was abandoned by all crew but the Captain and First Officer. He asks why he and the first officer weren't notified, but the computer is unsure. The computer explains the field has been restored, that the ship is operating at normal levels and is now on a course for the planet Bynaus. He asks the computer if the Bynars have stolen the Enterprise, and the computer replies that such information is unavailable. Picard turns to Minuet for answers and she quickly admits her part in the deception. The Bynars created her in order to keep them lured in the holodeck, but cannot explain why. Riker and Picard rush out to regain control of the ship.

Back on the station, the others try to make sense of what is going on. They have tracked the ship's course to Byanus, and realized the aliens are missing. Quinteros indicates the nearest starship to intercept is the USS Trieste, but it is 66 hours away. On the Enterprise, Riker and Picard arm themselves at a weapons locker, anticipating hostile resistance, and head to Engineering. Picard explains they are dealing with an unknown force which has commandeered the ship and initiates with Riker the Auto-Destruct sequence, to prevent the ship from falling into enemy hands. The computer recognizes their access codes and initiates a 5 minute countdown. Before they proceed to the bridge, Riker notices a computer terminal displaying a cascade of alien symbols. An incredible amount of data is being uploaded and archived to the Enterprise's central computer banks. Riker and Picard find the turbo lift doors are locked out. Picard suggests beaming to the bridge, but Riker modifies the plan - they will beam to the bridge in two separate locations to take the aggressors by surprise.

Picard and Riker assume a defensive formation and beam in, but find no resistance. Instead, they discover the four Bynars huddled together on the floor, unconscious. One Bynar opens its eyes. Picard squats beside them and demands an explanation of the theft of his ship. The aliens whisper, "help us." Picard cancels auto-destruct. Riker notices that they are in orbit of Byanus. The Byanus central computer is down, and the planet shows no activity. Riker postulates that all Bynars might be in a similar state of near-death. He checks the computer to find every free bit of space taken up by alien data, and guesses that the Bynar central computer has dumped its memory to the Enterprise's data banks. However, he cannot access the information since it is protected by a password. Picard stares at the dying aliens, at a loss of what to do. Riker wishes the Bynars had left a "note". Picard exclaims that perhaps they did - Minuet!

The two run to the holodeck, where the program is still running. Minuet explains that the Bynars meant no harm. A star in their system had gone supernova, and the resulting electromagnetic pulse would have wiped out their central computer. They had miscalculated when the event would take place, and as a result had no choice but to find a mobile computer large enough to back up their data, the Enterprise. The puzzle solved, the two ask Minuet for further guidance. Minuet explains they must upload the data back to the Byanus computer. Riker says that they still need a password to access the data, but Minuet doesn't know what it is. She says they must hurry, as the aliens are dying.

Riker calls Starbase 74 to converse with Data. Riker explains the situation, asking Data's assessment on the question of the password. Data recommends using binary numbers, ones and zeros, in groups of eight or sixteen. Riker wonders if it could be that simple. He has the computer run a series of binary codes, finding that the binary numeral 11001001 unlocks the file. Suddenly the computer display halts. The code seems right but nothing happens. Picard decides to join him at another terminal, noting that the Bynars always work in pairs. The two simultaneously enter the code. At that, the Enterprise begins to transmit data back to the Byanus computer. The aliens on the floor stir back to life, expressing the gratitude of their people. The Bynars humbly request to return to Starbase to answer for their crime. When Picard asks the Bynars why they didn't simply ask for help, the aliens reply that the Federation might have said no and that the need was too great to risk rejection. Riker suggests that this polar analysis might be an outcome of the race's binary way of thinking. Picard takes the conn and sets course back to the Starbase.

Upon arrival, Riker returns to the holodeck, seeing a brunette sitting again at the bar, but realizes that it is not Minuet. Later, he reports to Picard that despite trying various iterations within the program, Minuet is gone. Picard suggests that perhaps she was a part of the Bynars' programming and was removed when the data was sent back to Byanus. Riker muses about the transient nature of love, and is saddened.

[edit] Trivia

Minuet would later appear as Commander Riker's "wife" in the episode "Future Imperfect"
The names (from cast list) of the four binars on the Enterprise were: 10 & 01, and 11 & 00. Their "names" form the title of the episode 11001001