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Star trek: picard: zhat vash origin & synthetic armageddon explained.

Star Trek: Picard episode 8 revealed the origin of the Romulan villains, the Zhat Vash, and the details of the original Armageddon caused by androids.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Picard  season 1, episode 8.

At last, Star Trek: Picard  episode 8 explained the mysterious origins of the villainous Zhat Vash and offered fascinating details about the synthetic Armageddon the evil sect of Romulans are trying to prevent. The sequel series to Star Trek: The Next Generation starring Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard has centered on the future of artificial lifeforms in the galaxy. At the heart of the intrigue is Soji (Isa Briones), the synthetic daughter of the late Commander Data (Brent Spiner). All throughout Star Trek: Picard , the Zhat Vash have been attempting to find Soji's hidden homeworld - where more synthetics like her live - in order to stop another cataclysm in the galaxy identical to one that happened hundreds of millennia ago.

The Zhat Vash are an older faction of the Romulan secret police, the Tal Shiar, but one so secret that even the Tal Shiar consider them a myth. However, the Zhat Vash have been so effective at keeping their secret that they have been operating in dozens of star systems - including the Klingon Empire, the Gorn Hegemony, and even the United Federation of Planets - undetected for an unknown number of years. One of the Zhat Vash's leaders, the half-Vulcan/half-Romulan Commodore Oh (Tamlyn Tomita), is a mole within Starfleet who assumed the high-level position of Head of Starfleet Security - and Oh masterminded the attack on Mars by rogue androids in 2385 that banned synthetics and altered the fate of the Federation. However, the Zhat Vash's shroud of secrecy on Earth was lifted when they killed Dahj, Soji's twin sister, in full-view of Jean-Luc Picard, making their existence known to the Starfleet legend.

Related: Star Trek: Picard's Threat Is The Same As Discovery Season 2's

On the Artifact, the Borg Cube controlled by the Romulans that houses the Borg Reclamation Project, Soji was manipulated by Narek (Harry Treadaway), a Zhat Vash devotee and the younger brother of Commodore Oh's top lieutenant, Narissa (Peyton List). Narek successfully learned the location of Soji's homeworld, which set the Zhat Vash's endgame of annihilating all of the synthetics built in secret by Dr. Bruce Maddox (John Ales) in motion. Star Trek: Picard episode 8, "Broken Pieces", filled in compelling new information about the Zhat Vash's origins and the Armageddon caused by synthetics hundreds of thousands of years ago that the Zhat Vash are trying to prevent, which includes the rise of the Destroyer, whom they believe is Soji herself.

What Was The Original Synthetic Armageddon?

Approximately 200-300,000 years ago, synthetics evolved to the point where they threatened all organic life in the galaxy. This may have happened in the Beta Quadrant since it was the Romulans who first learned of this ancient history. It's not clear what happened or who caused the original synthetic Armageddon, but the survivors left behind a warning. Somehow, they brought eight suns together and, at the center of this octonary star system, they left a machine behind on a planet named Aia, The Grief World. This storehouse of memories at the center of the eightfold stars was a warning to future civilizations about the "horrors and annihilation" would happen again if synthetic life is allowed to evolve.

The Zhat Vash's Origins Explained

Hundreds of years ago, a sect of Romulan women discovered the octonary star system and investigated it. These were the foremothers of what would become the Zhat Vash. When they arrived on Aia, The Grief World, the foremothers activated the machine and learned of the ancient devastation caused by synthetics. Most of the foremothers were driven insane by the knowledge but those were endured it called the machine the Admonition. The foremothers then founded the Zhat Vash with the mission to stop synthetic life at any cost.

The Zhat Vash wiped the octonary star system from all Romulan star charts to preserve its secrets but, over the centuries, future members of the Zhat Vash ritually traveled to Aia and endure the Admonition. In 2385, Oh brought a group including Narissa and her aunt Ramdha (Rebecca Witsocky) to the Admonition. Most of the women, including Ramdha, were driven insane by the experience but Narissa survived it. Narissa then became Oh's lieutenant - literally, as Narissa later took on the role of Lieutenant Rizzo as a Romulan mole in Starfleet under Commodore Oh. In 2399, Oh showed Dr. Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill) a vision of the Admonition via meld-meld in order to sway her to join Picard's mission as a Romulan spy  and kill Bruce Maddox.

Related: Star Trek: Picard's Romulan Warrior Nuns Explained

It's worth noting that the founders of the Zhat Vash were all women and they are the opposite number of the Qowat Milat, their ancient enemies who are an order of Romulan warrior nuns. While the Zhat Vash practice extreme secrecy, the Qowat Milat embraced a philosophy of absolute candor and openness in all things - but it's likely that the Qowat Milat don't know the ancient secrets of the synthetic Armageddon the Zhat Vash built their belief system of fear around.

All Of The Zhat Vash's Plans To Stop Synthetics

As a sect that predated the Tal Shiar , the Zhat Vash's unassuageable hatred of artificial life filtered into Romulan society. Besides quelling synthetics on Romulus, the Zhat Vash also took clandestine steps to stop artificial life from rising in other parts of the galaxy. To the Zhat Vash, the gravest threat arose when cyberneticist Dr. Noonien Soong successfully created the positronic android  Data , who then joined Starfleet and eventually became Operations Officer on the U.S.S. Enterprise-D.

To counteract Data, the Zhat Vash planted Oh in Starfleet, and over the years, she rose up the ranks to become a Commodore and the Head of Starfleet Security - an ideal post to carry out secret plans against synthetics. In 2365, Commander Bruce Maddox (Brian Brophy) of the Daystrom Institute attempted to have Data declared the property of Starfleet so that he could study the android and build a race of Datas. Whether or not Maddox was doing so under Oh's instructions isn't clear, but had he succeeded, Oh could have taken steps to have Data destroyed once he was removed from the Enterprise-D. Instead, Captain Picard won the trial that defined Data's rights as a free and sentient being - the opposite result of what the Zhat Vash wanted.

20 years later, in 2385, the Zhat Vash achieved their greatest successes after Narissa survived the Admonition. Despite the Romulan supernova set to destroy Romulus, Commodore Oh and Narissa caused synthetic workers on Mars to go rogue and destroy the Federation's rescue fleet, devastating the red planet. As Oh intended, the Federation's response was to ban all synthetic life in the Alpha Quadrant. The ramifications of this included Admiral Picard quitting Starfleet in protest, the reclaimed Borg Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) leaving Earth to join the Fenris Rangers , and Bruce Maddox vanishing to build a new race of synthetics even more advanced than Data from one of his positronic neurons using fractal neuronic cloning. Meanwhile, a Borg Cube assimilated the Zhat Vash scout ship Shaenor but suffered a submatrix collapse when it was infected by Ramdha's madness. The Romulans then took possession of the Borg Cube and turned it into a Reclamation Site they labeled the Artifact.

Related: Star Trek: Picard's Prophecy Explained: Will Data's Daughter Destroy The Romulans?

In 2390, the U.S.S. Ibn Majid encountered a starship containing two synthetics built by Maddox: an Ambassador calling himself Beautiful Flower and Jana, a forerunner of Soji and Dahj. Under Starfleet's orders, Captain Alonzo Vandermeer killed both synths and then committed suicide, which was covered up by his First Officer Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera). Finally, in 2396, Maddox sent the synthetic twins Dahj and Soji to find out the truth behind the Romulan/Starfleet conspiracy that caused the synthetics ban. However, the Zhat Vash murdered Dahj soon after she met Jean-Luc Picard on Earth, who then launched a mission to find Soji aboard the Artifact. Meanwhile, Narissa's brother Narek (Harry Treadaway) tortured Soji until she unwittingly revealed the location of her homeworld - where Maddox built more synthetics like her.

Is Soji Really The Destroyer - Or Is It Someone Else?

The Admonition also warned of the coming of the Destroyer who would lead the synthetics to destroy organic life. It is believed that when synthetic life is allowed to evolve, eventually they reach a threshold and once that's crossed, the synthetics will decide to eliminate and replace organics. Upon meeting Soji on the Artifact, Ramdha believed that she "knew [Soji] from tomorrow" and identified Data's daughter as the fabled Destroyer - but is she? Sohi does meet the prophecy of the "two sisters... one who died and one who lived."  Ramdha especially fears an event called Ganmadan, which is The Day of Annihilation. Ganmadan is the moment  "when the beasts break their shackles and answer the call of the Destroyer." Essentially, the prophecy contends that on the designated Day of Annihilation, the Destroyer will raise an army made up of imprisoned "beasts" and wage war on all life.

While Soji could be the Destroyer, there are also other options who could fit the bill, such as one of Soji's synthetic brothers and sisters who exist on their homeworld. Another possibility is that Seven of Nine could be the Destroyer; after all, she allowed herself to be assimilated and essentially became the Borg Queen of her own micro-Collective of XBs aboard the Artifact - and these reassimilated Borg could be the prophecized "beasts" of Ganmadan. Ironically, Narissa is a possibility to become the Destroyer because the Zhat Vash agent was swarmed by the XBs at the conclusion of Star Trek: Picard episode 8. If Narissa was assimilated then perhaps, like her aunt Ramdha, her sheer hatred could overwhelm the Artifact and she could take it over to become the Destroyer she feared all along.

Next: Picard Is Great Because It Does What Other Star Trek Shows Never Could

Star Trek: Picard streams Thursdays on CBS All-Access and Fridays internationally on Amazon Prime Video.

Qpid (episode)

• View history
• 1.2 Act One
• 1.3 Act Two
• 1.4 Act Three
• 1.5 Act Four
• 1.6 Act Five
• 2 Log entries
• 3 Memorable quotes
• 4.1 Production history
• 4.2 Story and script
• 4.3 Production
• 4.4 Cast and characters
• 4.5 Continuity
• 4.6 Reception
• 4.7 Video and DVD releases
• 5.1 Starring
• 5.2 Also starring
• 5.3 Guest stars
• 5.4 Co-star
• 5.5 Uncredited co-stars
• 5.6 Stunt doubles
• 5.7 Stand-ins and photo doubles
• 5.8.1 Other references
• 5.8.2 Unused production references
• 5.9 External links

Summary [ ]

The entire senior staff of the USS Enterprise -D is attending a lecture on archaeology , presented by Jean-Luc Picard . It is being held in orbit over Tagus III , a planet with extensive archeological ruins that have been closed off to any excavations or study for the last century . Picard is nervously reviewing his speech at his desk in his ready room when Counselor Troi walks in and reassures him that his speech is fine, and he should get some sleep. When Picard returns to his quarters and dims the lights, one light remains on, shining on a horga'hn sitting on his table. When he picks it up, Vash reveals herself in the doorway to Picard's bedroom and they passionately kiss .

Act One [ ]

Vash and the captain discuss why she is at Tagus III over tea the next morning. Vash's responses are vague, not admitting to being a member of the archeology council, but Picard is pleased to see her. Then, Doctor Crusher arrives unexpectedly. Picard is caught off-guard and stammers when introducing Vash. Beverly is surprised that Jean-Luc never mentioned that he met Vash while on vacation on Risa the year before . Crusher offers to give her a tour of the Enterprise while Picard is busy. Picard reluctantly agrees, and Vash promises the captain that she will "behave herself."

Crusher takes her to Ten Forward and, while getting them drinks, Commander Riker sees Vash from the bar while he is having a drink. Riker walks over and tries to make a pass at her. She turns the tables on him completely and introduces herself but is disturbed that neither Riker nor Crusher knew of her or of the captain meeting her on Risa. Riker agrees to continue her tour, which takes them to the bridge, where she runs into Picard again and promises to see him at the reception later.

" Is this where Jean-Luc sits? "

At the reception, it is obvious that no one in Picard's crew knew of her or her previous involvement with the captain, particularly when even the ship's counselor knew nothing about Vash. She confronts Picard about this. He insists that it wasn't appropriate for him to discuss their involvement, but she accuses him of being embarrassed by her presence. Picard returns to the bridge and angrily goes straight to his ready room, where Q is waiting for him, sitting at his chair reading his speech on a PADD .

" Jean-Luc, it's wonderful to see you again. How about a big hug? "

Act Two [ ]

Q reveals that he has come to repay his debt to Picard for helping him when he was stripped of his powers the year prior. Picard tells Q that leaving would be repayment enough, but Q insists that he has to do something to actually help the captain. After refusing Q's offers to help him with his speech, take him to the Taguan ruins, and take him to the ruins back before the official sanctions were in place billions of years before, Q vanishes. Picard informs Riker that Q is around and wants to do something 'nice'. Riker tells Picard he'll alert the crew.

Picard goes to visit Vash and apologize, but when he enters her quarters, he finds maps of the ruins on a PADD and mining equipment in the next room. When he confronts her about her habit of robbing archaeological sites, Vash states it's simply who she is, and she can't change that. Picard agrees with the sentiment and they say they have nothing more to say to each other. Picard leaves and Vash sits down in a chair, unaware of Q sticking his head in through the wall.

Q confronts Picard in his quarters while he is trying to sleep, gloating because he finally figured out why he noticed something different about Picard, then reveals that he observed Picard's "spat" with Vash and regrets not appearing as a female to him initially. He warns Picard that love is dangerous and offers to get rid of Vash for him. Picard reacts strongly and Q brings up his debt again, which Picard dismisses. Q vanishes.

At the speech the next day, the senior staff are all sitting in the back row as Picard starts speaking. Something is wrong however: Dr. Crusher and Troi acquire triangular hats, Commander Riker suddenly is holding a quarterstaff, and Data acquires a monastic robe. The changes cause a buzz in the audience and when Picard stops speaking, he is suddenly wearing a period costume and they all vanish and reappear in a woodland. The senior staff quickly recognize that they've been cast in the guise of Robin Hood and his Merry Men and identify Q as the culprit. Before they can guess further, a noble figure arrives with troops and confronts them.

Act Three [ ]

Worf attacks him and is wounded, while the others retreat into the forest. After eluding their attackers, Q arrives on a horse in the guise of the High Sheriff of Nottingham and explains that he set all of this up and it is quite real and beyond his control, except that Maid Marian will be executed unless Robin comes to save her. Picard realizes that Vash has been drafted by Q to play the role of Marian.

In the castle, Vash is angry and confused, ignoring her lady in waiting who assumes she is ill and insulting Sir Guy of Gisbourne . He asks once again if she will marry him, and she slaps him hard across the face. Sir Guy is about to storm out of the room but mentions her execution. After that revelation, she becomes more amiable to him.

" Do not be concerned, Counselor. I believe your aim is improving. "

Back in the forest, some of the crew try to fit into their roles with mixed success, including Worf accidentally breaking La Forge's mandolin in a fit of annoyance, and Data being accidentally shot at with an arrow by Troi at his sixth intercostal support, penetrating his secondary processor. Frustrated, the captain tells Riker that he will attempt to rescue Vash on his own, despite Riker's protests.

Act Four [ ]

At the castle, Q is surprised and frustrated at Vash and Sir Guy being so agreeable to each other. When Sir Guy dismisses her back to her chamber, Picard is standing in the shadows, disguised as a hooded worker in the castle. Back in her room, Picard climbs in through Vash's window and briefly explains the situation. However, Vash is reluctant to escape with him when she hears he has come alone. She says she will stay and marry Sir Guy if it comes to it, but Picard picks her up to carry her. When guards burst in, she pulls his sword on him, causing his capture. Q looks on in amusement.

That night, Vash calls her maid in and tells her to deliver a letter to Robin's men in Sherwood Forest. The maid is reluctant and stalls until Q interrupts and reveals that he is intrigued by Vash's actions, leading her to deduce his identity. Then he reads her letter to Picard's crew and compliments her for her duplicity, admitting she fooled him. Despite saying she's worth further study, he calls the guards and declares Vash will be executed.

Act Five [ ]

On the morning of the execution, Vash and Picard go to the block arguing about who was more foolish in their actions. Q asks Picard if he's learned anything, and Picard demands Q set Vash free. While all of this is going on, it is revealed that Data, La Forge, and Riker have disguised themselves in robes and are in the watching crowd. La Forge declares that there are too many guards and Riker asks Data for a diversion. Data removes a component from his wrist and tosses it into a nearby torch.

Meanwhile, Sir Guy calls for the execution to proceed. Momentarily shocked that Q is going to allow it to go on, Picard places his head on the block. Just as the headsman is going to bring the axe down, however, the torch explodes and the Enterprise crew attacks. Picard gets drawn into a duel with Sir Guy, eventually defeating him and going to the tower to find Vash. Picard calls for an end to the charade and Q appears and congratulates him on his performance, assuring him that his crew are all fine, but berates him for allowing Vash (the metaphor for love in Picard's case) to expose negative qualities in him. Vash disagrees, saying it brought out the best in the captain. Q dismisses them back to the Enterprise , though Vash is nowhere to be found on the ship when Picard asks the Enterprise 's computer for her whereabouts.

Returning to his ready room, Vash appears in safari garb and explains to Picard that she and Q had things to discuss, and that Q had proved he still cared about her. When Picard asks where she's going next, Q appears and reveals that they've decided to partner with each other. Picard objects, listing Q's negative qualities, then realizes that Q and Vash are more alike than he'd realized. Picard tells Q that he can repay his debt by guaranteeing Vash's safety. Q agrees, then leaves to give them a moment to say goodbye (although he briefly reappears, claiming to have forgotten his hat). Vash and the captain kiss, say goodbye, and Vash vanishes.

Log entries [ ]

• Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2367

Memorable quotes [ ]

" Bring back any memories? "

" Nice legs… for a Human. "

" Well, don't just stand there. Say something. " " Get out of my chair! " " And I was hoping for something along the lines of 'welcome back, Q. It's nice to see you again my old friend.' " " We're not friends. " " You wound me, mon capitaine . " (Q snaps his fingers and they switch places) " There, perhaps now your manners will show some improvement. "

" I suppose we could travel back in time. You could see what Tagus was like two billion years ago. They really knew how to party back in those days. "

" Without your assistance on our last encounter I would never have survived. I would have taken my own life but for you. " " We all make mistakes. "

" Tell me what is it you wish, and I'll be gone. " " Just be gone. That'll do nicely. " " No, no, no, no, no. It has to be something more, more… constructive! That's my new word for the day. "

" Some other time Q, right now, I have other matters to attend to. " " Oh yes, your speech. I read it, it's dull, plodding, pedantic, much like yourself. "

" I've just been paid a visit from Q. " " Q? Any idea what he's up to? " " He wants to do something nice for me. " " I'll alert the crew. "

" I knew there was something different about you. You seem tense, preoccupied, somewhat smaller. At first, I thought it was that horrible lecture of yours, but I was mistaken. "

" I had such high hopes for you, Picard. I thought that you were a bit more… evolved than the rest of your species but now I realize you're just as weak as all the others. Still it pains me, to see the great Jean-Luc Picard brought down… by a woman. "

" She's found a vulnerability in you… a vulnerability I've been looking for years. If I had known sooner, I would have appeared as a female. "

" Sir, I protest! I am not a merry man ! "

" I will not play the fool for Q's amusement! "

" I'll have you know I'm the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham! " " Very impressive. There's something you should know. " " And what would that be? " " I'm not from Nottingham! "

" He 's devious, and amoral, and unreliable, and irresponsible, and--and definitely not to be trusted! " " Remind you of anyone you know? " " As a matter of fact, it does. "

Background information [ ]

Production history [ ].

• Final draft script: 31 January 1991 [1]
• Filmed: 6 February 1991 – 15 February 1991
• Second-unit insert shot filmed: 10 April 1991
• Premiere airdate: 22 April 1991
• First UK airdate: 2 November 1994

Story and script [ ]

Michael Dorn and LeVar Burton rehearse

• The idea for the Picard-Vash-Q love triangle was proposed by Randee Russell . ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 161))
• According to Michael Piller , " While we were trying to break it, someone said let's throw these characters into one of the classic love stories. " Ira Steven Behr had initially proposed setting this episode at Camelot . On Behr's suggestion, Piller changed it to Sherwood Forest to capitalize on the popularity of Robin Hood at the time, thanks to the release of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves , in which Christian Slater performed. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 161); Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 219)
• Ira Steven Behr thought the Camelot idea would have been boring. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 , p. 201)
• Michael Piller gave the idea to Ira Steven Behr to develop, as Behr was a huge fan of Robin Hood and, in particular, the Errol Flynn film The Adventures of Robin Hood . ( Mission Overview: Year Four , TNG Season 4 DVD special features) Behr, who had left the writing staff at the end of the third season , remembered, " I got a call from Michael about doing 'Qpid', and he wanted to know if I wanted to do it. I came in, we met, went off, wrote it. " ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 28)
• Michael Piller elaborated, " It just seemed to be that Robin Hood and his band of merry men was a very nice group to put our guys into, and then we just played it for fun. That was what was so great about the fourth season and wasn't so great about the fifth season . Each week you were never quite sure what was going to come on. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 219)
• Ira Steven Behr wrote Worf's smashing of La Forge's mandolin, and subsequent non-sequitur apology, as an homage to National Lampoon's Animal House . ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 161))

Production [ ]

LeVar Burton on set

• "Qpid" was filmed between Wednesday 6 February 1991 and Friday 15 February 1991 on Paramount Stage 8 , 9 , and 16 , as well as on location. A second unit insert shot with Brent Spiner 's photo double Guy Vardaman was filmed on Wednesday 10 April 1991 on Paramount Stage 8 .
• During filming, Michael Piller and Ira Steven Behr made a short visit to the set. ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 28)
• The scenes of Sherwood Forest were filmed with one day location shooting on Tuesday 12 February 1991 in the Descanso Gardens , northeast of northeastern Los Angeles suburb Glendale. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 161)) Several close-ups of the actors were later filmed outside Paramount Stage 16 .
• On the call sheets for this episode are several notes. On Thursday 14 February 1991 , Merri Howard wished everyone a "Happy Valentine's Day". The call sheet for the last day of filming, Friday 15 February 1991 reminded everyone about the long weekend, being Monday 18 February 1991 company holiday due to the President's Day Weekend. Also on 15 February 1991, actress Jean Simmons had her wardrobe fitting and the transportation department was informed to drive her to her 8:00 a.m. appointment.
• During the filming of this episode, Jonathan Frakes suffered a cut eye when his prop quarterstaff broke after being hit by a sword and had to be taken to the hospital by Merri Howard . However, due to the rush, he was taken in his Robin Hood -era clothes. ( Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion  (2nd ed., p. 161); Selected Crew Analysis: Year Four – Profile: Vash , TNG Season 4 DVD special features)
• While filming one scene where Vash paces back and forth, Jennifer Hetrick tripped over her dress. According to Hetrick, the shot was kept as the producers figured that Vash would not be comfortable in a period costume. ( Mission Overview: Year Four , TNG Season 4 DVD special features)
• McFadden commented, " Marina and I have always laughed about the fact that both of us can do fencing and that sort of thing. We're the ones who bash pots over warrior's heads, instead of doing karate or whatever. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 219)
• Director Cliff Bole noted, " I got a few letters about 'Qpid' that the women who wrote asked why weren't the ladies involved in a more modern way with the fighting. It was my feeling that we went back to the 12th century and we were doing the 12th century, and I can't change history. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 219)
• Picard's reaction to the first encounter between Vash and Beverly Crusher in the finished episode differs markedly in tone from the script. In the final draft script, he simply introduces Crusher and also immediately confirms they met on Risa. [2] In the actual episode, he stumbles " Beverly…Dr. Beverly…Dr. Beverly Crusher " and initially exclaims " No " about the Risa suggestion, until affirming it two times.

Cast and characters [ ]

Patrick Stewart and Jennifer Hetrick

• Jennifer Hetrick made her second of three appearances as Vash . She appears again in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, " Q-Less ". In "Q-Less", O'Brien refers to "Qpid" when Commander Sisko asks him how Vash knows Q. O'Brien tells him: " I believe they actually met in Sherwood Forest ".
• After the comedic " Deja Q ", John de Lancie asked the producers to give his character more "bite", as in early appearances. " Then came the Robin Hood one and I tried quite a bit actually to bend the words and the story to make it as malevolent as possible, but it had quite a bit of a fantasy quality to it. It really didn't lend itself to that 'mad, bad, and dangerous to know' quality, but I tried to make it that. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 263)
• Clive Revill ( Sir Guy of Gisbourne ) appeared in both an episode of Star Trek and a Star Wars film. He supplied the voice of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , although in the DVD release he was replaced by Ian McDiarmid , who played the emperor in all the other movies.
• On the call sheets of "Qpid", Patrick Stewart was listed as "Picard/Tinker".
• Stewart later portrayed King Richard in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights as a parody of Sean Connery 's portrayal in the aforementioned Prince of Thieves .
• Background actor John Copage made his second Star Trek appearance after 24 years following his role as Elliott in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode " The Doomsday Machine " in 1967 .
• According to stuntman John Nowak , Patrick Stewart was engaged to Jennifer Hetrick during filming of this episode. Nowak remembered how he and Stewart fooled Hetrick due to their likeness. ( Information provided by John Nowak )

Continuity [ ]

• Several costumes were re-used and worn by various members of the Federation Archaeology Council . One member wears Palor Toff 's robe while the Vulcan delegate wears Ki Mendrossen 's Vulcan outfit. John Copage wears Reittan Grax 's Betazoid outfit combined with Sovereign Marouk 's sash. Two Tanugan outfits were also re-used: A Human wearing Krag 's outfit sits next to a Bolian , played by Buddy Daniels Friedman , in Doctor Nel Apgar 's suit. Finally, there's one delegate in an Angosian suit, complete with the Angosian badge.
• Q's statement to Vash that she's "…good. Really good" is very similar to something Quark said about her in DS9 : " Q-Less ".
• Picard's skills and experience in fencing , first shown in " We'll Always Have Paris ", holds him in good stead.

Reception [ ]

• Director Cliff Bole remarked, " It had everything that I liked as a director. It had Q, who's a very entertaining guy and character. What more would I love to do than Robin Hood: The Movie ? Here I was able to do that. I stepped back in time, there was sword fighting, some boisterous 12th century characters and also the spaceship. What more can you get? That's the ultimate as a director. Some guys like to do the man in the gray flannel suit, and I like to do fantasy. It was a show where Picard falls out of character a little bit. He's not as stoic as he usually is and falls for a beautiful woman, who was raised to do that. " ( Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages , p. 219)
• Patrick Stewart commented, " I think that episode probably gave us as a group more fun than any other. We got to dress up for one thing. And the whole Robin Hood myth and the way the familiar characters of Robin Hood were divided among the regular characters was very entertaining…It was light-hearted and romantic and sexy and we got to wear these fancy costumes. " ( Mission Overview: Year Four , TNG Season 4 DVD special features)
• Marina Sirtis remarked, " Any time a woman sees a man in tights, all bets are off. We just had such a blast. I loved some of the one-liners in that show from Michael [Dorn]. Just brilliant. The writing was really good on that show. " ( Mission Overview: Year Four , TNG Season 4 DVD special features)
• This episode was accused of sexism. ( Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages , p. 17)
• A mission report for this episode by John Sayers was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine  issue 17 , pp. 7-12.

Video and DVD releases [ ]

• Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video ): Volume 47, May 1992
• As part of the UK VHS collection Star Trek: The Next Generation - Q Continuum : 5 December 1994
• UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment ): Volume 4.7, 3 September 2001
• As part of the TNG Season 4 DVD collection
• As part of the Star Trek: Fan Collective - Q collection

Links and references [ ]

Starring [ ].

• Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
• Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William Riker

Also starring [ ]

• LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
• Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf
• Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher
• Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
• Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data

Guest stars [ ]

• Jennifer Hetrick as Vash
• Clive Revill as Sir Guy of Gisbourne
• John de Lancie as Q

Co-star [ ]

• Joi Staton as servant

Uncredited co-stars [ ]

• Rachen Assapiomonwait as Nelson
• Auman as servant
• Auriano as Medieval guard
• Majel Barrett as USS Enterprise -D computer voice
• Karin Baxter as operations division ensign
• Berle as servant
• Thomas J. Booth as operations division officer
• R. Bruce as Human Archaeology Council member
• Debbie David as Russell
• Kelly Burris as Human Archaeology Council member
• B.K. Byron as Vulcan archaeologist
• Cameron as Kellogg
• Mike Cassidy as Medieval guard
• Max Cervantes as operations division officer
• Larry Clardy as Medieval guard
• John Copage as Human Archaeology Council member
• Crow as Human Archaeology Council member
• Curry as Algolian archaeologist
• Buddy Daniels Friedman as Bolian archaeologist
• Mitchell Danton as Medieval guard
• B.J. Davis as Medieval guard
• Denise Deuschle as science division officer
• Chris Doyle as Medieval guard
• Michele Gerren as science division officer
• Grace Harrell as operations division officer
• Melanie Hathorn as sciences officer
• Arvo Katajisto as Nottingham Castle courtier
• Ken Lesco as Medieval guard
• David B. Maccabee as Human Archaeology Council member
• Betty Matsushita as Human Archaeology Council member
• Greg Mazzy as Medieval guard
• Teri Noel as operations division officer
• Perceval as Medieval guard
• Ivonne Perez as civilian
• Randy Pflug as Jones
• Rex Pierson as executioner
• David Rivolier as Nottingham Castle courtier
• Seals as Medieval guard
• Steele as Medieval guard
• Talbot as Ten Forward waitress
• Tim Trella as Medieval guard
• Guy Vardaman as Darien Wallace
• Dru Wagner as Nottingham Castle courtier
• Williams as Human Archaeology Council member
• Anne Woodberry as Nottingham Castle courtier
• Harry Young as science division officer
• Operations crewman
• Sciences officer (voice)
• Ten Forward crewmember
• Ten Forward waiter

Stunt doubles [ ]

• Ken Lesco as stunt double for Clive Revill
• Dennis Madalone as stunt double for Clive Revill
• Rusty McClennon as stunt double for Michael Dorn
• John Nowak as stunt double for Patrick Stewart

Stand-ins and photo doubles [ ]

• Karin Baxter – stand-in for Jennifer Hetrick
• Bernie – stand-in for Clive Revill
• Brett – stand-in for LeVar Burton
• Michael Echols – stand-in for Michael Dorn
• Margaret Flores – stand-in for Marina Sirtis
• Nora Leonhardt – stand-in for Marina Sirtis & Jennifer Hetrick
• Tim McCormack – stand-in for Brent Spiner & John de Lancie
• Lorine Mendell – stand-in for Gates McFadden & Jennifer Hetrick
• Randy Pflug – utility stand-in
• Richard Sarstedt – stand-in for Jonathan Frakes & John de Lancie
• Dennis Tracy – stand-in for Patrick Stewart
• Guy Vardaman – stand-in for John de Lancie & photo double for Brent Spiner
• James Washington – stand-in for Michael Dorn
• James Williams – stand-in for Clive Revill

References [ ]

47 ; Two billion years ago ; 22,000 years ago ; 12th century ; 23rd century ; 2366 ; " a bit "; Achilles' heel ; adventure ; adversary ; advice ; air ; Alan-a-Dale ; " all right "; amateur ; anguish ; answer ; anticipation ; archaeological expedition ; archaeological excavation ( excavation ); archaeology ; argument ( arguing ); arrow ; artifact ; " as a matter of fact ": As You Like It ; " as you wish "; " at first "; " at last "; " at least "; " at stake "; banishment ; benevolence ; Betazoid ; bewitched ; " big chair "; bleeding ; blood ; bow and arrow ; brain ; brain sickness ; bridge clearance ; " by all means "; bycocket ; castle ; chair ; character ; charge ; choice ; " come on "; computer ; confession ; confiscation ; costume ; counselor ; courage ; cowl ; " damn it "; dandy ; day ; death penalty ( execution ); debt ; decapitation ; deduction ; destruction ; detective story ; " don't worry "; Earth ; emotion ; England ; environment ; eternity ; ethics ; evolution ; " excuse me "; executioner's block ; existence ; eye ; face ; fantasy ; feather ; Federation ; Federation Archaeology Council ; feeling ; feigning madness ; female ; fever ; fiction ; fool ; foolishness ; " for one thing "; " for sure "; " for that matter "; forest ; French language ; friend ; Friar Tuck ; game ; gesture ; gift ; glade ; greenwood ; guard ; guest ; guilty ; hat ; head ; hedge robber ; hell ; " hello "; High Sheriff of Nottingham ; homework ; horga'hn ; horse ( illusory black horse ; illusory white horse ); host ; hug ; Human ; hundred ; husband ; " I don't understand "; " I see "; idea ; imagination ; imitation ; " in league with "; " in love with "; information ; insanity ; insect ; intention ; intercostal support ; jackal ; jerkin ; keynote address ; kiss ; Klabnian eel ; Klarc-Tarn-Droth ; lamb ; lecture ; leech ; leg ; letter ; liar ; lie ; Lincoln green ; list ; Little John ; location ; London ; long sword ; longbow ; love ; Maid Marian ; maiden ; mandolin ; manners ; map ; " mark my words "; marriage ; McFarland ; memory ; Merry Men ; milady ; mind ; misery ; mission ; mistake ; mood ; " more or less "; morning tea ; mystery ; name ; night ; " no thank you "; " not at all "; Nottingham ; Nottingham Castle ; Number one ; oak ; " of course "; offer ; " on board "; " on the contrary "; " once and for all "; order ; " out of the question "; outlaw ; outsider ; pain ; partner ; pith helmet ; place ; plan ; poison ; poverty ; prisoner ; profit ; puncture ; Q Continuum ; quarterstaff ; reason ; reception ; religion ; Risa ; rob ; Robin Hood ; rogue ; room ; ruins ; safari jacket ; Sarthong V ; Scarlet, Will ; secondary subprocessor ; sector containing Tagus III ; self-sacrifice ; sentence ; Sherwood Forest ; shorts ; shovel ; slap ; sleep ; snare ; sociology ; speculation ; speech ; spell ; sorcery ; spirits ; staff ; star ; Starfleet regulation ; strategy ; stubborn ; suicide ; suffering ; suggestion ; surface ; Switzer ; sword ; swordsman ; symposium ; Taguans ; Taguan law ; Tagus III ; " tell me "; " that's all right "; " that's right ": theft ; theory ; thing ; throw rug ; toast ; tour ; tower ; traitor ; treason ; truth ; universe ; vacation ; victory ; visit ; Vulcans ; vulnerability ; " wait a minute "; wedding gift ( wedding present ); " well done "; " welcome aboard "; welcoming reception ; " what the hell "; " who the hell "; wife ; wimple ; window ; word ; year ; " you know "

Other references [ ]

• Tagus III Archaeological Notes: American Continent Institute ; Arnold Era ; Daboub-Magdaleno Excavation ; Jacobson Excavation ; Memory Alpha Cultural Institute ; Palinski Excavation ; Post-Ramirez Era ; Pre-Neskoromny Era ; Sepulveda Period ; Sordal-Palka Excavation ; Speckman Excavation ; University of Alpha Centauri ; University of Betazed ; University of Hawaii ; Vulcan Science Academy ; Y'zjete H'ieh City

Unused production references [ ]

microfusion cell

External links [ ]

• " Qpid " at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• " Qpid " at Wikipedia
• "Qpid" at StarTrek.com
• " "Qpid" " at MissionLogPodcast.com , a Roddenberry Star Trek podcast
• 3 Ancient humanoid

Star Trek: The Next Generation

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The Intriguing World Of Entertainment

Whatever Happened To Beth Toussaint, ‘Ishara Yar’ On Star Trek: The Next Generation?

By Nick Lee | December 9, 2022

American actress and model Elizabeth “Beth” Toussaint is best known for her various appearances including Dallas, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Red Eye. How did she make her claim to fame and what is she up to now?

Background 

Beth Toussaint was born September 25th, 1962 in Pleasant Hill, California to her parents Maynard Toussaint and Leona Toussaint.

Toussaint has a younger brother, David Toussaint who is known for his work as a writer, commentator, theater critic, playwright and author. 

Beth attended Pleasant Hills High School. During this time, she proved herself as an athlete and became a member of the school’s track team.

After completing high school, she went on to continue her education at Duke University. She then studied acting at Brian Reese Studios.

Early Career

Before making her way into the world of acting, Toussaint was working as a model. Through these experiences, she managed to land a role in the Bon Jovi "She Don’t Know Me” music video.

Her appearance in music videos continued with Bob Seger’s 1986 video "Like a Rock", SAGA’s 1987 music video "Only Time Will Tell", and Peter Cetera’s 1987 music video for the song “Big Mistake.”

Beth Toussaint made her debut as an actress that same year of 1987 as Shelly in the horror film “Berserker.” She was then selected for a minor role in the action horror-comedy film “Dead Heat”, which starred Treat Williams, Joe Piscopo and Lindsay Frost.

Toussaint continued her career with a single episode appearance in the TV series “Monsters.”

Acting Career

Following these more minor roles, she had her big break in 1988 when she was cast in the role of Tracy Lawton in the soap opera “Dallas,” aired on CBS. After her recurring role on “Dallas,” she went back to taking smaller characters on series such as “Growing Pains” and “Booker.” In 1994 she was offered a guest role in the Emmy Award-winning series “Babylon 5.”

Some of Toussaint’s other most notable television roles include her appearance on the action-adventure series “MacGyver,” her character on the Fox police series “21 Jump Street,” as well as one of her most recent roles where she appeared as the recurring Hope Adams Wilson on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”

Toussaint also has a variety of experience in the movie industry, particularly in the horror and thriller genres. She appeared in films such as the 1991 film “Blackmail,” the action, comedy, and horror movie “Dead Heat,” an action and scifi film “Project Shadowcaster II,” the notorious “Scream 3” horror movie, in addition to the 2005 thriller “Red Eye.”

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Another minor role included that of Ishara Yar on the Star Trek: The Next Generation fourth season episode titled "Legacy".

Ishara Yar was a complex character. She was the sister of Natasha Yar ( Denise Crosby ) and grew up on Turkana IV where she was active in the Coalition.

In this episode, Ishara appeared to grow close to the Enterprise-D crew and indicated she wanted to leave the Coalition and perhaps one day join Starfleet. Ishara, in a dramatic turn of events, essentially sabotaged the Alliance, allowing for the Coalition to invade. 

Instead of holding her for her actions which endangered Starfleet officers, Captain Picard sent her back.

As she left, Ishara told Data that the time they had spent together was the closest thing to friendship that she had ever known, wrapping the episode up with a bittersweet tone.

This particular episode and the performance given by Toussaint as Ishara Yar was given much praise and acclaim by the Star Trek fandom.

What is Beth Toussaint doing now?

(photo: Instagram )

Toussaint is married to Jack Coleman and has been since 1996. Coleman is an American actor, most well known for his roles in the 1980s “Dynasty” soap opera, the science-fiction drama series “Heroes,” as well as his portrayal of two different state senators on both the hit comedy mockumentary series “The Office” and the crime mystery drama “Castle.”

The couple had a daughter together in 1999 and named her Tess . Around this time, Toussaint decided to retire her career as an actress and focus primarily on raising her daughter. Still, she continued to appear in television and films for several years after this. Her last acting credit came in 2006 when she appeared for 6 episodes of The Young And The Restless.

More recently, in June of 2021, Toussaint posted to Instagram regarding a serious surgery she had undergone for her cervical spine.

She had been experiencing “debilitating head and spinal pain,”  which ultimately led to having a three disc replacement.

She expressed much gratitude for the support of her husband and daughter during this time.

Related Posts:

About Nick Lee

Nick is a Senior Staff Writer for Ned Hardy. Some of his favorite subjects include sci-fi, history, and obscure facts about 90's television. When he's not writing, he's probably wondering how Frank Dux got 52 consecutive knockouts in a single tournament. More from Nick

• Cast & crew
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• Episode aired Apr 20, 1991

Aiming to get out of Jean-Luc's debt, Q forces Capt. Picard and his officers to live out the Legend of Robin Hood - with a past acquaintance as Maid Marian. Aiming to get out of Jean-Luc's debt, Q forces Capt. Picard and his officers to live out the Legend of Robin Hood - with a past acquaintance as Maid Marian. Aiming to get out of Jean-Luc's debt, Q forces Capt. Picard and his officers to live out the Legend of Robin Hood - with a past acquaintance as Maid Marian.

• Gene Roddenberry
• Ira Steven Behr
• Randee Russell
• Patrick Stewart
• Jonathan Frakes
• LeVar Burton
• 27 User reviews
• 8 Critic reviews

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard

• Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

• Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

• Lieutenant Worf

• Doctor Beverly Crusher

• Counselor Deanna Troi

• Lieutenant Commander Data

• Sir Guy of Gisbourne

• Enterprise Computer
• (uncredited)
• Enterprise-D Ops Officer
• Federation Archaeology Council Member
• Vulcan Archaeologist
• Ensign Kellogg

• Medieval Guard
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Did you know

• Trivia While filming a fight with the castle guard, Jonathan Frakes was injured from the stuntman's sword after it broke through the Little John Quarterstaff and he had to be taken to the hospital in his Robin Hood-era clothes. Frakes later remarked how funny it was that no one in the Hollywood hospital thought it was a weird thing to have happened.
• Goofs As Robin Hood is about to be beheaded, Friar Tuck attempts to create a distraction by throwing a device into a fire grate, but the object bounces a couple of times and falls out of the grate through a hole at the bottom.

Lieutenant Worf : Sir, I protest. I am *not* a merry man!

• Connections Featured in Star Trek: First Contact Review (2009)
• Soundtracks Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User reviews 27

• Apr 21, 2017
• April 20, 1991 (United States)
• United States
• Official site
• Descanso Gardens - 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada-Flintridge, California, USA (Sherwood Forest)
• Paramount Television
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

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• Runtime 45 minutes
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Star Trek: Discovery’s TNG Connection Explained - "The Chase" & Who Are The Progenitors?

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episodes 1 & 2!

• Star Trek: Discovery season 5 continues the story of the Progenitors discovered by Captain Picard 800 years ago.
• Captain Burnham embarks on a treasure hunt to uncover the Progenitors' technology with potential for peace or conflict.
• The legacy of the Progenitors in Star Trek: Discovery raises questions of power, unity, and morality in the 32nd century.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is a surprising sequel to the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Chase", continuing the story of the enigmatic Progenitors 800 years after they were discovered by Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). As Discovery is set 800 years after the TNG era, it can often feel forced when the show tries to marry up these two ends of the Star Trek timeline . However, the magnitude of Picard's discovery about the Progenitors justifies the secret being hidden for centuries, and it could have fascinating implications for the future of Star Trek 's 32nd century.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 1, "Red Directive" opens with Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) exploring an 800-year-old Romulan scout ship at the behest of Dr. Kovich (David Cronenberg). Kovich was less forthcoming than usual with information about the USS Discovery's "Red Directive" mission , forcing Burnham to seek help from Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) in learning more. Tilly uncovered recordings left by the Romulan scientist Dr. Vellek (Michael Copeman), revealing Discovery 's links to Star Trek: The Next Generation 's original Progenitor treasure hunt, led by Captain Picard.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide

Picard’s original progenitor treasure hunt in tng explained.

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 6, episode 20, "The Chase", Picard's former archeology teacher, Professor Galen (Norman Lloyd) asked the Enterprise captain to join him in solving a 4.5 billion-year-old mystery. Picard initially declined Galen's offer, but circumstances forced him to reconsider when his mentor's shuttle was attacked. Galen left behind files that contained huge blocks of numbers that were indecipherable without further information . Picard had the Enterprise retrace Galen's journey in the hope of finding out more about the archeology professor's strange code.

"The Chase" was directed by Jonathan Frakes, who returned to direct the penultimate episode of Star Trek: Discovery season 5.

Eventually, Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) discovered that the numbers refer to DNA strands of multiple different alien species. The combined strands form a shape that resembles an algorithm, a program implanted in the DNA of multiple species, for reasons unknown . It quickly became clear that Picard was not the only person seeking answers about Galen's mystery, as the Cardassians and Klingons also sought to understand what this ancient program could be. Negotiating a truce between the two factions, Picard and Crusher gained enough information to lead the Enterprise, Cardassians, Klingons, and Romulans to the planet Vilmor II, where they make a monumental discovery.

TNG’s Progenitors Created All Humanoid Life In The Star Trek Universe

The treasure on Vilmor II was knowledge about life itself, delivered via a holographic message left behind by an ancient humanoid species. The sole humanoid species in the universe, these aliens wanted to leave a lasting legacy after their own extinction. And so, 4.5 billion years earlier, the ancient humanoids seeded their DNA across multiple planets in the Star Trek universe , influencing the evolution of countless species. Star Trek: Discovery reveals that since Picard revealed his findings, Starfleet have been calling the ancient humanoid species The Progenitors.

The Ancient Humanoid in Star Trek: The Next Generation was played by Salome Jens, who would go on to play the Female Changeling in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .

Not unlike the broken treasure map from Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 2, "Under the Twin Moons" , the Progenitors' message was broken into fragments and contained within multiple alien species' DNA. The Progenitors' intention was that, upon coming together to piece the fragments together, the disparate alien races would unite under their common origins. Sadly, this wasn't the case in Star Trek: The Next Generation , as the Klingons and Cardassians refused to believe that they could possibly originate from the same species . However, the Romulans were more thoughtful, setting up Discovery 's season 5 premiere.

Star Trek: Discovery's Huge Season 5 TNG Connection Explained By Showrunner

Discovery’s romulan scientist and his tng link explained.

At the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation 's "The Chase", Captain Picard discusses the Progenitors' message with a surprisingly open-minded Romulan commander. The message has had an effect on the Romulan, who tells Picard that he hopes to one day stand alongside humanity as friends. Star Trek: Discovery reveals that one of the members of TNG 's Romulan landing party, Dr. Vellek, continued to research the Progenitors and eventually found where their ancient technology was hidden. However, Vellek was very aware that such technology could be as deadly as it is profound, and went to extraordinary lengths to hide his findings .

Both the crew of the USS Discovery and intergalactic outlaws Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis) have access to Vellek's journals. However, both parties have very different intentions for the Romulan scientist's life's work. Captain Burnham hopes that recovering the Progenitors' technology will provide a sense of meaning, while Moll and L'ak are attracted by the price tag . Vellek remained hidden for 800 years, until his corpse was discovered in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, which proves just how desperate he was to keep the location of the Progenitors' technology a secret.

What Does Star Trek: Discovery’s Progenitor Link Mean For Its Final Season?

In Star Trek: The Next Generation , the Progenitors had hoped the truth about humanoid life in the galaxy would bring a new era of peace and understanding . However, rather than become inspired by their commonality, the Klingons and Cardassians instead feud with each other, disgusted that they could be somehow genetically related. 800 years later, and in the wake of the hostilities caused by The Burn, the Progenitors' message could be the very thing that finally unites the galaxy in Star Trek: Discovery 's finale . However, it may not be that simple.

For one thing, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will continue the story of the 32nd century, and the Progenitors' message of commonality will dramatically reduce any sense of conflict in the universe. More interestingly, Dr. Kovich seems to want to get his hands on the technology, not the message. The Progenitors' technology would allow Starfleet to influence the evolution of other species , power that would set them up among the gods. This feels like too much power for a shifty character like Kovich to possess.

Whoever possesses the Progenitors' tech in Star Trek: Discovery season 5 has the very building blocks of life itself. In the right hands, that could lead to profound discoveries that lead to renewed peace and prosperity for the Federation in the 32nd century. In the wrong hands, enemies of the Federation could use those building blocks for their own nefarious purposes. That's a huge concern as Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery continue their treasure hunt. Sooner or later, Captain Burnham will have to make a choice about how she deals with the legacy of Star Trek: The Next Generation 's Progenitors.

Star Trek: Discovery streams Thursdays on Paramount+

Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation is the third installment in the sci-fi franchise and follows the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew members of the USS Enterprise. Set around one hundred years after the original series, Picard and his crew travel through the galaxy in largely self-contained episodes exploring the crew dynamics and their own political discourse. The series also had several overarching plots that would develop over the course of the isolated episodes, with four films released in tandem with the series to further some of these story elements.