| "The Ensigns of Command" | |
|---|---|
| Series Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, Episode 2 | |
| |
| Air date | September 30th, 1989 |
| Writers | Melinda M. Snodgrass |
| Director | Cliff Bole |
| Producers | Hans Beimler; Rick Berman; Peter Lauritson; David Livingston; Richard Manning; Gene Roddenberry; Michael I. Wagner |
| Starring | Patrick Stewart; Jonathan Frakes; LeVar Burton; Michael Dorn; Gates McFadden; Marina Sirtis; Brent Spiner; Wil Wheaton |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous "Evolution" |
Next "The Survivors" |
"The Ensigns of Command" is the second episode of season three of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the forty-eighth episode of the series overall (forty-ninth if one counts the two-part pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint" as two episodes). Combining the episode count of all Star Trek-related TV shows to date, it is the 156th episode of the entire franchise. This episode was directed by Cliff Bole and written by Melinda Snodgrass. It first aired in syndication in the United States on September 30th, 1989.
Cast[]
Principal Cast[]
Guest Stars[]
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Eileen Seeley | Ard'rian McKenzie |
| Mark L. Taylor | Haritath |
| Richard Allen | Kentor |
| Colm Meaney | Chief Miles O'Brien |
| Mart McChesney | Sheliak |
| Grainger Hines | Gosheven |
Crew[]
Notes & Trivia[]
- Michael I. Wagner is uncredited as co-executive producer for this episode.
- This is the last television appearance of actor Mart McChesney. McChesney also played the role of Armus in the season one episode, "Skin of Evil".
- Actor Richard Allen will return in season five to play the alien first officer on the Tamarian ship in "Darmok".
- Actor Grainger Hines is uncredited for his participation in this episode.
Quotes[]
- Beverly Crusher: Data, telling us why you are going to fail before you make the attempt is never wise.
- Lt. Commander Data: But... is not honesty always the preferred choice?
- Jean-Luc Picard: Excessive honesty can be disastrous, particularly in a commander.
- Lt. Commander Data: Indeed?
- Jean-Luc Picard: Knowing your own limitations is one thing. Advertising them to a crew can damage your credibility as a leader.
- Lt. Commander Data: Because you will lose their confidence.
- Beverly Crusher: And you may begin to believe in those limitations yourself.
....
(After Picard cuts communications with the Sheliak)
- William T. Riker: You enjoyed that.
- Jean-Luc Picard: You're damn right.
....
- Jean-Luc Picard: They don't have to answer, they just have to listen.
....
- Ard'rian: You don't really understand human behavior, do you?
- Lt. Commander Data: That is something of an understatement.
....
- Wesley Crusher: He wants the impossible.
- Geordi La Forge: That's the short definition of Captain.