Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 4 (1990-91)

Star Trek: TNG: Season 4 (1990-91)

26 episodes, approx 44 minutes each.

TNG didn't have the same level of continuity as the subsequent DS9 and VOY incarnations of Star Trek had, but not all events passed without consequence and, more than any of the preceding years, Season 4 made an effort to address that situation.

It begins by concluding the Season 3 cliff-hanger, The Best of Both Worlds. The episode that follows directly after it explores the feelings that one key member of the crew was left to deal with after his ordeal at the hands of the Borg had ended. In the remaining episodes there are at least a dozen returning characters from previous years, most of whom upset the apple cart in some way.

Speaking of which, Lwaxana Troi is a wonderfully rich character. She gets an opportunity to show that she's more than just a Betazoid thorn with an elevated libido in Captain Picard's side. (Plus, it makes me grin when she converses with the ship's computer.)

The writers also capitalised on the level of trust that the crew had built up over the years. It's used not just to help the dialogue feel less formal, but the closeness and familiarly meant they were each able to anticipate what the other would do, and that in turn was often used as a catalyst for puzzle solving when one or more of the team got in trouble.

The uneasy peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire is further explored. Also, the Romulan and Cardassian races grow in significance, showing that the feelings of resentment toward the Federation's position within the Alpha quadrant are increasing; it's something that we were always supposed to assume was the case, but it was rarely shown so openly.

Everyone will have their favourite, but some of the best episodes are undoubtedly Data's Day, in which we're given an insight into the Android's daily life, and The Nth Degree, an episode that revolves around one of the more exciting returning characters that I alluded to above.

There are a small number of episodes that aren't up to the standard set by the others, but mostly it's another strong year for the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D).

Galor-class cruiser of the Cardassian Union

Length: 371.88 metres / Width: 192.23 metres / Height: 59 metres