1x21 The Arsenal of Freedom - Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode Guide

Star Trek: The Next Generation

- Episode 01x21

Episode: 01x21
Title: The Arsenal of Freedom
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 121
First Aired: Apr. 11, 1988

Season 1 » Episode #21 - The Arsenal of Freedom

Star Trek: The Next Generation - 01x21 The Arsenal of Freedom

Summary: Stardate: 41798.2 Enterprise is sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the U.S.S. Drake. The trail leads them to the planet Minos, where an ancient pre-recorded message appears on the ship’s main viewer stating that the planet trades in advanced weapons. Upon investigation, Capt. Picard and the away team discover that the apparently barren world is really a testing ground to demonstrate the ancient race’s weapons. Unfortunately, it turns out the weapons are demonstrated on any one on the surface of the planet. Plus, each time a weapons attack is defeated by the away team, the defeated weapon is replaced by a more improved weapon. Capt. Picard and the away team, both now on the surface, must find a quick solution, as they only have a limited time before the improving weapons eventually kill them all.

Who appeared in this episode?

Guest Stars:

Captain Jean-Luc Picard	played by Patrick Stewart
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge	played by LeVar Burton
Lieutenant Tasha Yar	played by Denise Crosby
Doctor Beverly Crusher	played by Gates McFadden
Counselor Deanna Troi	played by Marina Sirtis
Lt. Commander Data	played by Brent Spiner
Wesley Crusher	played by Wil Wheaton
Sobi	played by Judson Earney Scott
T'Jon	played by Merritt Butrick

Season 1 / Episode 21: - The Arsenal of Freedom

Lieutenant Tasha Yar: On my home planet there was so much poverty and violence that for some the only escape was the drugs.
Wesley Crusher: How can a chemical substance provide an escape?
Lieutenant Tasha Yar: It doesn't. But it makes you think it does.

Season 1 / Episode 21: - The Arsenal of Freedom

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.

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

CONT: Picard suggests that the biofilter in the transporter may have removed the disease, implying that it can screen out bacteria and viruses. But in the earlier story, Angel One, people from a field trip brought back a disease.
FAIR: Warf says that the freighter has entered the "planet's" atmosphere. They are orbiting a star, not a planet. However, the distress signal was coming from the 4th planet of the star system, not the star itself.
PLOT: Mr Data is an electrical system, yet he is unaffected by the electromagnetic bursts from the sun flares at the beginning of this episode. If he has shielding that blocks this electromagnetic interference, then there's no reason why they could not have used the same material on the Enterprise in preparation for this mission.

TRIVIA

In the original production order, skin of evil was episode 1.22. The order was changed. This was because Denise Crosby had asked Gene Roddenberry if she could remain on the show for symbiosis. She had gotten a hold of the script, and thought it was interesting, so she asked if her character's death could be delayed for one more episode. Gene Roddenberry granted her request, and had the production orders for the two episodes switched, so there would be no continuity issues. Also explains why she's waving goodbye at the end of this episode.
Merritt Butrick (T'Jon) and Judson Earney Scott (Sobi) also appeared together in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982) as, respectively, Kirk's son David and Khan's right hand man, Joachim.
Near the end of this episode when Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher walk out of the Cargo Bay, look in the background and you'll see Tasha Yar (Denise Crosby) waving bye to the camera. This was the last episode she filmed before leaving the series (as a regular cast member).