Unification (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Template:ST episode "Unification" is the title of a two-part Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, from the fifth season. This is a notable episode in that it garnered one of the highest ratings in all 7 seasons of TNG's run.

Part 1

A partial summary of Part 1

This is a summary of a beginning portion of Part 1. The teaser (the portion of the episode preceding the opening title sequence) consists of two scenes. The first scene is simple: it is merely a shot of the Enterprise approaching what would appear to be an M-class planet. During this shot, Picard states in his captain's log that the Enterprise has been summoned to one of the Federation's starbases for an undisclosed reason. The final scene before the title sequence is a conversation between Picard and a female Admiral (Fleet Admiral Brackett), in Picard's ready room. In this conversation, the Admiral reveals that a high-ranking Federation person is missing, and it is possible that he has joined a group with political interests inconsistent with the Federation's. In such a case, she adds, the security risk to the Federation would be significant. Next, she shows Picard a photograph taken on Romulus; Picard is surprised to see that a humanoid in the scene of the image is Spock.

Part 2

In the beginning of the episode, Spock is confronted by Picard in an underground location on Romulus. The episode continues the story of Spock's attempt to unify Vulcan and Romulus.

Background

File:ST-TNG Gene Roddenberry homage.jpg

Homage paid to Gene Roddenberry after his death

The episode begins with an homage to Gene Roddenberry who died (October 24) less than two weeks previous to the first airing of "Unification" on the November 4, 1991.

This episode was aired in the weeks before the release of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Spock makes reference to the events of the movie when he asks Picard if he was aware of Spock's role in the first peace overtures to the Klingons. Picard is aware of the public history of Spock's role, but not the whole story. Spock says that he forced Captain Kirk to accept the mission, and that he felt responsible for what happened to Kirk and his crew. This time, Spock only wants to risk his own life, which is why he came to Romulus on his own.

Bloopers

• In the final scenes inside the Romulan office, the reflections of camera crew personnel can be seen in the view screen of a computer terminal, and on various shiny decorations upon the desk.

Trivia

• Part 2 was filmed first to accomodate Leonard Nimoy's (Spock) schedule. Spock was only seen for a few seconds at the end of Part 1.

References

The following references are sorted in alphabetical order.

• Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Unification, Part 1"
• Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Unification, Part 2"

External link

• Unification I at Memory Alpha
• Unification II at Memory Alpha