11001001
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Star Trek: TNG episode | |
| "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. The episode's title is a combination of the four appearing Bynars' names: One-one, Zero-zero, One-Zero, and Zero-One.
Overview: Curious little aliens, the Bynars, retrofit the Enterprise computer in a space dock.
[edit] Plot
 |
The plot summary in this article or section is too long or detailed compared to the rest of the article. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. |
On stardate 41365.9, the Enterprise arrives at Starbase 74, in orbit above Tarsus III, for a routine maintenance check. Captain Picard and Commander Riker greet Starbase Commander Quinteros and a pair of small humanoid aliens known as Bynars whose species have become so interconnected with their computer technology that their language and thought patterns have become as near to that of a computer's as a biological lifeform's can. Quinteros introduces the two Bynars as One Zero & Zero One, explaining they are neither male nor female, but a unified pair that are always together. Picard informs Quinteros that they have only 48 hours to conduct the repairs, since they have urgent business on Pelleus V. This draws concern from the aliens who thought they would have more time.
Meanwhile, most of the ship's crew disembarks for shore leave aboard the station, but Picard and Riker remain aboard. Riker, looking for a way to occupy himself, visits Geordi and Data, who are having Data paint to see "Can Data be creative?" Riker then runs into Beverly, who is rushing to meet a leading cyberneticist and doesn't have time to talk. Eventually Riker arrives at a Holodeck, where a pair of Bynars invite him to try out their new system enhancements.
Interested, Riker requests the holodeck to create "a place to play some music - a little atmosphere," specifically his favorite musical genre: jazz. With a date as "Circa 1958," he initially states the location as Kansas City but changes his mind to "New Orleans. Bourbon Street bar, New Orleans, around 2 a.m." The Holodeck doors then open to a dark, hazy Jazz lounge, called the "Low Note" and "Bourbon Street Barn" are written in the shooting script, but later referred to as "Bourbon Street Bar, New Orleans at 2:00 AM.
Delighted, Riker tells the computer, "Now I'll need someone to play with. A piano, drums, bass, and a bone [trombone] for me." After Riker requests an audience, he realizes the now-packed bar is too crowded. "Whoa, too many. I was thinking of something ... a little more intimate." They all vanish save for an attractive blonde standing at the bar in a red dress. Riker says, "Great job, boys. But computer, blondes & jazz seldom go together." She's replaced with an attractive brunette, who Riker finds, "Very impressive," but he wants something "more sultry." Her stunning replacement appears, Riker becomes infatuated with her beauty. He approaches and she gives her name as Minuet. The Bynars suspiciously talk with each other.
Riker plays "The Nearness of You" with the band as Minuet watches enthralled. Riker finishes his song and tells her that "duty calls" and he must be going, 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. As the song nears it ends, the camera segways to the holodeck entrance where we understand that Picard is pleasantly surprised by the locale Riker chose for relaxation & recreation. Picard enters the holodeck with a warm salutation of approval of Riker stating, ..."Astounding!" Riker turns to see Picard in the doorway. He apologizes for the interruption, but Minuet is pleased to meet the captain and invites him to join them.
Picard comments on the impressiveness of the simulation saying, the holodeck has given us woodland slopes and figures that fight, but the complexity of this program is remarkable, suggesting a compliment in how Minuet greeted Picard in French, thus adapting to the needs of the circumstances based on sensory data that is scanned, interpreted, comprehended, now "adapted" to by the computer program. Sensory adaptation is a key element in the augmentation of the Minuet holodeck character. Riker & Picard decide to sit & talk at Bourbon Street Bar, a diversion much needed and planned by the Bynars.
In the next segment, we are returned to the main bridge where Wesley gets a computer alert that the antimatter containment field is weakening and notifies Geordi and Data who rush to engineering to check it out. Geordi is troubled by the readings and asks Wesley if the Bynars are running tests, but the 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. Data sounds Red Alert, has Wesley initiate the automated departure sequence, and alerts the station to the situation. The remaining crew hurriedly disembark to safety as the Enterprise backs out of the station. When the senior officers gather, they notice that Riker & Picard are absent. A message comes in from the station crew informing them that the Enterprise's containment field has miraculously repaired itself, but it is too late - the ship clears the station and warps away.
Completely unaware of what is going on outside the holodeck, Riker and Picard are lost in conversation with Minuet. Picard has enjoyed Minuet's company but says he has duties to return to; 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 realizes that she is stalling him on purpose and calls for the holodeck exit. The doors open to a corridor of flashing red lights.
He attempts to contact the bridge, but there is no response. He then asks the computer to explain the red alert which reports that the antimatter field collapsed and the ship was abandoned. The computer explains the field has been restored and is now at warp on a course for the planet Bynaus. Picard turns to Minuet for answers and she quickly admits her part in the deception. The Bynars created her in order to keep them in the holodeck, but she 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 Bynaus and realized the aliens are missing. On the Enterprise, Riker & Picard arm themselves at a weapons locker and head to engineering. Picard explains they are dealing with an unknown force which has commandeered the ship and initiates the auto-destruct sequence with Riker's help to prevent the ship from falling into enemy hands. The system is set for 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 main computer. The two head out but find access to the lifts and doors has been locked out. Picard suggests beaming to the bridge, but Riker modifies the plan and suggests they beam there in two separate locations to take the aggressors by surprise.
Picard & Riker assume a defensive formation and beam in, but find no resistance. Instead, they discover four Bynars unconscious and huddled together on the floor. Two Bynars opens their eyes and Picard squats beside them to demand an explanation of the theft of his ship. The aliens only whisper, "help us." Picard cancels auto-destruct as Riker notices that they are in orbit of Bynaus. The Bynaus 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 Bynars made a core dump. However, he cannot access the information since it is protected by a password and wishes the Bynars had left a "note". Picard thinks that perhaps they did - Minuet.
The two run to the holodeck where the program is still running. Minuet explains that 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. She explains they must upload the data back to the Bynaus computer. Riker says that they still need a password, but Minuet doesn't know what it is.
Picard calls Starbase 74 to speak with Data and explains the situation. He asks Data's assessment on the question of the password where he recommends using binary numbers, ones & zeros, in groups of eight or sixteen. Riker runs a series of binary codes finding that the binary numeral 11001001 unlocks the file. The code seems right, however nothing happens. Picard decides to join him at another terminal noting that the Bynars always work in pairs. The two simultaneously enter the code. Picard appears to have extensive experience with information systems and considerable experience in computer science as he was able to analyze and understand the fundamentals of the Bynar programming data on the screen. Then he remarks with wonder and confidence, "the sophistication of the Bynar's program is amazing."
At that, the Enterprise begins to transmit data back to the Bynaus computer. The aliens on the floor stir back to life, expressing the gratitude of their people and humbly request to be returned to the Starbase to answer for their crimes. When Picard asks the Bynars why they didn't simply ask for help, the aliens reply, "You might have said no." 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 a 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 Bynaus. Riker muses about the transient nature of love, and is saddened.
[edit] Notes
|
|
Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- The opening background shots of the Enterprise docking within Starbase 74 are a reuse from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. The ship, the Enterprise bridge, and starbase extras were replaced with TNG era shots, but all else remained the same.
- The set used in the scenes where the Enterprise is viewed outside vertical Starbase windows is a simple redressing of the main engineering set.
- The Big Goodbye was originally to be shown after "11001001", thus explaining the malfunction of the holodeck with the previous tampering of the Bynars. The idea was changed with the episode shown earlier explaining the problem with a power spike. The stardate, however, remained the same, and jumbled up the order in which the shows were to have occurred. After the second season, all episodes of The Next Generation began to appear in the order of their stardate.
[edit] External links
- 11001001 article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
- 11001001 at StarTrek.com
