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{{real world}}
{| class="wiki-sidebar"
 
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{{sidebar episode/temp
|-
 
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Image:Class7vessels.jpg|200px|The Coalition starships.]]
 
  +
|title = The Outrageous Okona
|-
 
  +
|series = TNG
| class="odd" | Series:
 
  +
|season = 2
| class="even" | [[TNG]]
 
  +
|episode = 4
|-
 
  +
|production = 40272-130
| class="odd" | Episode:
 
  +
|release year = 1988
| class="even" | [[TNG Season 2|2x04]] (#30)
 
  +
|release month = December
|-
 
  +
|release day = 12
| class="odd" | Original Airdate:
 
  +
|image = Thadiun Okona.jpg
| class="even" | 1988-12-12
 
  +
|teleplay = [[Burton Armus]]
|-
 
  +
|story = [[Les Menchen]] & [[Lance Dickson]] and [[David Landsberg]]
| class="odd" | Production Number:
 
  +
|director = [[Robert Becker]]
| class="even" | 130
 
  +
|date = 42402.7 ([[2365]])
|-
 
  +
|<!-- Navigation -->
| class="odd" | Year:
 
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|produced = 29
| class="even" | [[2365]]
 
  +
|released = 29
|-
 
  +
|all released = 135
| class="odd" | Stardate:
 
  +
|produced prev = Elementary, Dear Data (episode)
| class="even" | [[stardate|42402.7]]
 
  +
|released prev = Elementary, Dear Data (episode)
|-
 
  +
|all released prev = Elementary, Dear Data (episode)
| class="odd" | Story by:
 
  +
|timeline prev =
| class="even" | [[Les Menchen]] and [[Lance Dickson]], with [[David Landsberg]]
 
  +
|produced next = The Schizoid Man (episode)
|-
 
  +
|released next = Loud As A Whisper (episode)
| class="odd" | Teleplay by:
 
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|all released next = Loud As A Whisper (episode)
| class="even" | [[Burton Armus]]
 
  +
|timeline next =
|-
 
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}}
| class="odd" | Directed by:
 
  +
The ''Enterprise'' crew rescue a "roguish" freighter captain whose ship is malfunctioning, but his presence drags them into an interplanetary feud.
| class="even" | [[Robert Becker]]
 
|}
 
The ''Enterprise''-D crew rescue a roguish freighter captain whose ship is malfunctioning, but his presence drags them into an interplanetary feud.
 
   
 
==Summary==
 
==Summary==
  +
===Teaser===
[[Image:Erstwhile.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Erstwhile''.]]
 
[[Image:BG Robinson.jpg|thumb|right|Okona introduces himself to Lt. Robinson.]]
+
[[File:Okona on viewscreen.jpg|thumb|left|''"Is that a woman's voice I hear?"'']]
  +
:"''Captain's Log, Stardate 42402.7. We are traveling in the [[Omega Sagitta system]], traversing between the twin planets that form the [[Coalition of Madena]]. Both worlds are populated by a [[humanoid]] race which colonized the planets two centuries ago and which now coexist under a precarious but successful [[treaty]].''"
[[Image:TheComic.jpg|thumb|right|The holographic comic.]]
 
SUMMARY
 
   
  +
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, while traveling in the [[Omega Sagitta system]] between two twin [[planet]]s inhabited by [[humanoid]]s who have created a pact called the Madena Coalition, stumbles upon a [[Class 9 cargo vessel|Class 9]] [[starship]] with one humanoid inside. The ship is the [[cargo freighter]] ''[[Erstwhile]]'' commanded by {{Captain}} [[Thadiun Okona]], who has problems with the [[guidance system]]. The ''Enterprise'' offers Captain Okona help repairing his faulty guidance system. [[Deanna Troi]] establishes that he displays rogue-like characteristics, making him a suspicious character who should not be taken lightly.
==Background Information==
 
* One glaring nit-pick in this episode may be Data's refering to a fish as an amphibian.
 
   
===Memorable Quotes===
+
===Act One===
  +
[[File:Okona meets Data.jpg|thumb|''"You don't know what a joke is?"'']]
QUOTES
 
  +
Upon entry to the ship, Okona meets [[William T. Riker|Riker]], [[Data]], [[Worf]] and [[Wesley Crusher|Crusher]] and also the [[transporter chief]], [[Lieutenant]] [[B.G. Robinson|Robinson]], and begins to display characteristics of a scoundrel and a {{dis|rake|slang}}, charming Robinson. While the others observe this, Okona soon leaves the transporter room and he accompanies Data and Wesley to [[main engineering]] to observe the repairs to his guidance system. Okona questions Data's ability to comprehend [[humor]] and other [[Human]] characteristics, apparently finding the concept of an emotionless [[android]] fascinating. He then goes to spend time with Robinson.
   
==Links and References==
+
===Act Two===
  +
[[File:Jerry Lewis impersonation.jpg|thumb|left|''"That is considered to be funny?"'']]
===Guest Stars===
 
  +
Data is inspired by Okona's questions and insights about humor, and goes to [[Ten Forward]] to seek counsel from [[Guinan]] regarding his difficulty grasping the concept. Data then travels to the [[holodeck]] to view a comedy show by a [[Ronald B. Moore (comedian)|holographic comedian]]. Data inquires about a series of comedic acts and performances to further his understanding of comedy. They begin a series of improvisations which include [[20th century]] [[Jerry Lewis]], and continue to examples of stand-up comedy, which Data views at maximum speed. Data then returns to Guinan to try out his new comedy material, but his first attempt fails miserably. His second attempt is abruptly interrupted by a call to the [[bridge]]: an unidentified ship is approaching the ''Enterprise''.
*[[William O. Campbell]] as [[Thadiun Okona]]
 
*[[Douglas Rowe]] as [[Debin]]
 
*[[Albert Stratton]] as [[Kushell]]
 
*[[Rosalind Ingledew]] as [[Yanar]]
 
*[[Kieran Mulroney]] as [[Benzan]]
 
*[[Joe Piscopo]] as [[Comic|The Comic]]
 
*[[Whoopi Goldberg]] as [[Guinan]]
 
*[[Teri Hatcher]] as [[B.G. Robinson]] (uncredited)
 
*[[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Dianna Giddings]] (uncredited)
 
   
===References===
+
===Act Three===
  +
[[File:Splitscreen argument.jpg|thumb|''"I'll have Okona now!"'']]
[[Gracie Allen|Allen, Gracie]]; [[Altec]]; [[Altec vessel]]; [[George Burns|Burns, George]]; [[Charnock's Comedy Cabaret]]; [[class 7 vessel]]; [[class 9 vessel]]; [[Coalition of Madena]]; ''[[Erstwhile]]''; ''[[glob fly]]''; [[humor]]; [[Jewel of Thesia]]; [[laser weapon]]s; [[Legation of Unity]]; [[Jerry Lewis|Lewis, Jerry]]; [[navigation shields]]; [[New York City]]; [[Omega Sagitta system]]; [[Tip O'Neill|O'Neill, Tip]]; [[Stano Riga|Riga, Stano]]; [[Roxy Theater]]; [[Straleb]]; [[Straleb security ship]]; [[Teaneck]]; [[tricellite]]; [[yellow alert]]; [[zelebium]].
 
  +
[[Debin]], the captain of the ship, warns the ''Enterprise'' that they are entering their territory. Debin establishes that Okona is, in fact, a rogue who committed [[crime]]s on the planet [[Atlec]]. While the entire confrontation is occurring, another ship of similar classification is approaching. This ship is commanded by Captain [[Kushell]] from the planet [[Straleb]], who also states similar issues relating to Okona.
   
  +
[[Jean-Luc Picard]] calls Okona up to the bridge to understand what crimes he has committed. After brief deliberation, Okona hedges his response, stating that he isn't aware that he committed any crime on either world. A skeptical Picard asks Debin what crimes has been committed. Debin, infuriated, explains that Okona had impregnated Debin's daughter, [[Yanar]].
===Additional References===
 
[[Burt Armus (comedian)|Armus, Burt]]; [[Jon Koslowsky (comedian)|Koslowsky, Jon]]; [[Dan Curry (comedian)|Curry, Dan]]; [[Monty de Graft (comedian)|de Graft, Monty]]; [[Farouk El-Baz (comedian)|El-Baz, Farouk]]; [[Sam Freedle (comedian)|Freedle, Sam]]; [[Mike Gray (comedian)|Gray, Mike]]; [[Merri Howard (comedian)|Howard, Merri]]; [[Maurice Hurley (comedian)|Hurley, Maurice]]; [[Gary Hutzel (comedian)|Hutzel, Gary]]; [[Heidi Julian (comedian)|Julian, Heidi]]; [[David Livingston (comedian)|Livingston, David]]; [[John Mason (comedian)|Mason, John]]; [[Robert Metoyer (comedian)|Metoyer, Robert]]; [[Ronald D. Moore (comedian)|Moore, Ronald D.]]; [[Wendy Neuss (comedian)|Neuss, Wendy]]; [[Diane Overdiek (comedian)|Overdiek, Diane]]; [[Gene Roddenberry (comedian)|Roddenberry, Gene]]; [[Scott Rubenstein (comedian)|Rubenstein, Scott]]; [[Adele Simmons (comedian)|Simmons, Adele]]; [[David Takemura (comedian)|Takemura, David]]; [[Tracy Tormé (comedian)|Tracy Tormé]].
 
   
===External link===
+
===Act Four===
  +
[[File:Okona and Wesley.jpg|thumb|''"I seem to have a way of using up a place."'']]
*[http://www.agonybooth.com/extras/trek/okona/ the agony booth - "The Outrageous Okona" Review] - The Worst of Trek
 
  +
:"''Captain's Log, supplemental. Some of the mystery surrounding this ancient morality play we've been dragged into has been revealed. One of Captain Okona's pursuers is an outraged father with a heartfelt, if archaic, sense of righteousness.''"
   
  +
Kushell has claimed that Okona stole the national treasure, the [[Jewel of Thesia]]. Picard and Okona discuss the matter at hand. If Okona is handed to Debin, the Thesians will use the slight to declare war, while if Picard gives him to the Thesians, the same result will occur. Picard and Okona agree that the only way to resolve the situation is to let Okona continue on the ''Erstwhile'' and find a place of refuge.
   
  +
After a long talk with [[Wesley Crusher]] in engineering, in which it's revealed that Okona has become tired of living the nomadic lifestyle and just wants the entire mess surrounding Yanar and the Jewel to be settled, he has made a decision to "take a stand."
<br clear="all">
 
  +
{| class="browser"
 
  +
===Act Five===
|-
 
  +
[[File:Okona crisis averted.jpg|thumb|Family crisis averted]]
| class="prev" | Previous episode:<br />[[Elementary, Dear Data]]
 
  +
Okona tells Picard he decided to voluntarily turn himself in. This choice allows Picard to use the ''Enterprise'' as a neutral meeting place for both parties to settle their claims. The two families are antagonistic towards each other, both claiming that Okona has infringed their laws and both expressing an equally valid claim on the wayward freighter captain.
| class="topic" | Episodes of [[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]<br />[[TNG Season 2]]
 
  +
| class="next" | Next episode:<br />[[The Schizoid Man]]
 
  +
The story unfolds when they discover that Kushell's ''son'' [[Benzan]] has actually impregnated Yanar, rather than Okona, and that Okona was the go-between for Yanar and Benzan's courtship (which was disapproved by both families). The jewel was stolen to be used in the wedding between Yanar and Benzan, who agree to marriage, and their fathers continue their quarrels in a more light-hearted manner (this time about the details of the wedding) as Picard invokes the [[Prime Directive]] as an excuse to make a discreet exit from what has now officially become an internal matter of the respective families' governments.
|}
 
  +
  +
[[File:Data as a comic.jpg|thumb|left|''"Being able to make people laugh, or being able to laugh, is not the end all and be all of being Human."'']]
  +
Data and Guinan participate in a comedy show with the holo-comedian. They resolve the issues of Data's ability to deliver a joke by giving Data an audience. Unfortunately, Data discovers that the [[Charnock's Comedy hologram audience|holographic audience]] is programmed to laugh at ''anything'' he says or does, regardless of whether or not it's actually humorous, and that his delivery is still flawed. Data asks the computer to erase the audience as well as the comic. Guinan assures Data that being able to laugh or to make people laugh is not the final result to becoming Human. Data agrees, but notes that there is nothing more "''uniquely Human.''"
  +
  +
Later, on the bridge, the crew sees Okona off. Data inadvertently delivers a joke that causes the bridge crew to break into laughter, but later the crew gets annoyed after Data begins to make bad joke after bad joke, and Okona (having resolved his differences with the Thesians and Yanar's father) continues on his way.
  +
  +
=== Log entries ===
  +
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365#Passing through the Omega Sagitta system|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2365]]
  +
  +
{{clear}}
  +
  +
==Memorable quotes==
  +
"''You spoiled the joke. It could have been your timing.''"<br />
  +
"''My timing is digital.''"
  +
: - '''Guinan''' and '''Data'''
  +
  +
  +
"''You're a droid and I'm a 'noid.''"
  +
: - '''Guinan''', telling a joke to Data
  +
  +
  +
"''A Klingon security officer?''"<br />
  +
"''Yes.''"<br />
  +
"''No wars available, eh?''"
  +
: - '''Okona''' and '''Worf'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Wesley, Wesley Crusher.''"<br />
  +
"''Nice to meet you, Acting Ensign Wesley Wesley Crusher.''"
  +
: - '''Wesley Crusher''' introducing himself to '''Thadiun Okona'''
  +
  +
  +
"''You have the majestic carriage and loveliness that could surely be traced back to the noblest of families.''"
  +
: - '''Okona''', to B.G. Robinson, the ''Enterprise''{{'}}s female transporter chief
  +
  +
  +
"''Say goodbye, Data.''"<br />
  +
"''Goodbye Data.''"
  +
: - '''Wesley Crusher''' and '''Data'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Now, ''that's'' sex appeal!''"
  +
: - '''Okona'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Captain, they are now locking lasers on us.''"<br />
  +
"''Lasers?''"<br />
  +
"''Yes, sir.''"<br />
  +
"''Lasers can't even penetrate our navigation shields. Don't they know that?''"<br />
  +
"''Regulations do call for yellow alert.''"<br />
  +
"''Hmm, a very old regulation. Well, make it so Number One. And, reduce speed&hellip; drop main shields, as well.''"<br />
  +
"''May I ask why, sir?''"<br />
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"''In case we decide to surrender to them, Number One&hellip; ''"
  +
: - '''Worf''', '''Riker''', and '''Picard'''
  +
  +
  +
"''So&hellip; if you put funny teeth in your mouth and jump around like an idiot, that is considered funny!''"
  +
: - '''Data'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Guy walks into the doctor's office. The doctor tells him you need an operation. Guy says "I want a second opinion." Doc tells him "Okay you're ugly too". Badoom Boom!
  +
: - '''Data''', telling his first joke to Guinan
  +
  +
  +
"''Life is like loading twice your cargo weight on to your spacecraft. If it's canaries and you can keep half of them flying all the time, you're all right.''"
  +
: - '''Okona''', making a joke to Data
  +
  +
  +
"''Take my Worf&hellip; please!''"
  +
: - '''Data''', making a bad joke
  +
  +
==Background information==
  +
* Final draft script: {{d|4|October|1988}} {{Star Trek Minutiae|resources/scripts/130.txt}}
  +
* Final day of production: {{d|1|November|1988}}. ("Lost & Found", {{STM|148}})
  +
* Premiere airdate: {{d|12|December|1988}}
  +
* First UK airdate: {{d|24|April|1991}}
  +
  +
=== Cast and characters ===
  +
[[File:Piscopo, Goldberg, Spiner.jpg|thumb|Joe Piscopo, Whoopi Goldberg, and Brent Spiner]]
  +
* According to [[Joe Piscopo]], he was allowed to improvise much of his own jokes and dialogue as the holographic comic, including the [[Jerry Lewis]] impersonation. {{st.com|joe-piscopo-looks-back-with-laughter||article}}
  +
* {{w|Jerry Lewis}} himself was approached to play the comic, but there was a scheduling conflict caused by Lewis' guest role on {{wt|Wiseguy}}. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 70)
  +
* This is the first of two second-season episodes in which Dr. [[Katherine Pulaski|Pulaski]] [[TNG main character non-appearances|doesn't appear]]. The other is {{e|Q Who}}.
  +
  +
=== Sets and props ===
  +
[[File:Roddenberry during Outrageous Okona.jpg|thumb|[[Gene Roddenberry]] visits the set during filming]]
  +
* The holodeck terminal lists the name of the comic as {{dis|Ronald B. Moore|comedian}}, a reference to Visual Effects Supervisor [[Ronald B. Moore]], who helped assemble the graphic. ({{ste|1|54}}) He is not to be confused with writer and producer [[Ronald D. Moore]], who had not yet joined the staff.
  +
* The window or display "frame" behind Debin while speaking on the ''Enterprise'' viewscreen is a slightly modified re-use of the [[battle bridge]] viewscreen of the ''Enterprise''-D.
  +
  +
=== Continuity ===
  +
* When Okona asks Data if he's ever been drunk, Data claims "not from alcohol," a reference to {{TNG|The Naked Now}}, in which the [[polywater intoxication]] acted on his programming like alcohol would on a Human brain.
  +
  +
=== Reception ===
  +
* A mission report for this episode, by John Sayers, was published in {{STNG|6|11-14}}.
  +
* The damaged prop guidance system from the ''Erstwhile'' was sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay. {{stala|9288}}
  +
  +
===Video and DVD releases===
  +
*Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): [[TNG Season 2 UK VHS|Volume 15]], catalog number VHR 2468, {{d|3|June|1991}}
  +
*US VHS release: {{d|31|May|1995}}
  +
*UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 2.2, catalog number VHR 4738, {{d|12|April|1999}}
  +
*As part of the [[TNG Season 2 DVD]] collection
  +
* As part of the [[TNG Season 2 Blu-ray]] collection
  +
  +
== Links and references ==
  +
=== Starring ===
  +
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as {{dis|Captain|rank|Capt.}} [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
  +
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander|Cmdr.]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
  +
  +
=== Also starring ===
  +
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant|Lt.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
  +
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lt.]] [[Worf]]
  +
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
  +
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
  +
* [[Wil Wheaton]] as [[Wesley Crusher]]
  +
  +
=== Guest stars ===
  +
* [[William O. Campbell]] as [[Thadiun Okona]]
  +
* [[Douglas Rowe]] as [[Debin]]
  +
* [[Albert Stratton]] as [[Kushell]]
  +
* [[Rosalind Ingledew]] as [[Yanar]]
  +
* [[Kieran Mulroney]] as [[Benzan]]
  +
  +
=== Special guest stars ===
  +
* [[Joe Piscopo]] as [[Ronald B. Moore (comedian)|the Comic]]
  +
;And
  +
* [[Whoopi Goldberg]] as [[Guinan]]
  +
  +
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
  +
* [[Arratia]] as [[Alfonse Pacelli]]
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* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
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* [[James G. Becker]] as [[Youngblood]]
  +
* [[Juliet Cesario]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female operations/science division officer (2364-2365)|science division officer]]
  +
* [[Dexter Clay]] as [[USS Enterprise-D tactical operations 008|operations division officer]]
  +
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] as [[USS Enterprise-D conn officers command 002|command division officer]]
  +
* [[Teri Hatcher]] as [[B.G. Robinson]]
  +
* [[Tim McCormack]] as {{dis|Bennett|Ensign}}
  +
* [[Lorine Mendell]] as [[Diana Giddings]]
  +
* [[Randy Pflug]] as [[Ten Forward personnel#Human Ten Forward waiter (2365)|Ten Forward waiter]]
  +
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
  +
* [[Unknown performers]] as
  +
** [[Charnock's Comedy hologram audience|Charnock's Comedy Cabaret audience]]
  +
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Medical assistants (2365)|Female science division officer]]
  +
** [[Atlec officer 001|Atlec officer 1]] and [[Atlec officer 002|2]]
  +
** [[Straleb bridge officer 001|Straleb officer 1]] and [[Straleb bridge officer 002|2]]
  +
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Vulcan science division officer (2365)|Vulcan science division officer]]
  +
  +
=== Stand-ins ===
  +
* [[James G. Becker]] &ndash; [[stand-in]] for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
  +
* [[Darrell Burris]] &ndash; stand-in for [[LeVar Burton]]
  +
* [[Dexter Clay]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
  +
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
  +
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
  +
* [[Tim McCormack]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
  +
* [[Guy Vardaman]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
  +
  +
=== References ===
  +
[[20th century]]; [[1932]]; [[2165]]; [[23rd century]]; [[2364]]; [[acting ensign]]; [[advice]]; [[alcohol]]; {{revname|Gracie|Allen}}; "[[Idiom|all right]]"; "[[Idiom|all the time]]"; [[amphibian]]; [[android]]; [[anger]]; [[annoyance]]; [[arbitration]]; [[arm]]; "[[Idiom|as well]]"; [[Atlec]]; [[Atlec vessel]]; "[[Idiom|at stake]]"; "[[Idiom|at your service]]"; [[audience]]; [[audio signal|audio]]; [[authority]]; [[bar]]; [[bastard]]; [[bird call]]; [[bon mot]]; [[bowling]]; [[bow tie]]; [[brazen]]; [[briefcase]]; [[brother]]; "[[Idiom|brought the house down]]"; [[burnout]]; {{revname|George|Burns}}; [[cad]]; [[call sign]]; [[canary]]; [[car]]; [[cargo]]; [[cargo carrier]]; [[cargo hold]]; [[cargo ship]]; [[case]]; [[communication channel|channel]]; [[charm]]; [[Charnock's Comedy Cabaret]]; [[choice]]; [[cigar]]; [[Class 7 vessel]]; [[Class 9 cargo vessel]]; [[clone]]; [[colloquialism]]; [[comedian]]; [[complaint]]; [[Coalition of Madena]]; [[Coalition of Madena species]]; [[computer]]; [[conference room]]; [[context]]; [[conversation]]; [[course]]; [[craftsman]]; [[crew complement]]; [[crew quarters]]; [[crime]]; [[criminal]]; [[custody]]; [[danger]]; [[daughter]]; [[Denkir II]]; [[dictionary]]; [[dilemma]]; [[physician|doctor]]; [[doctor's office]]; [[dog]]; [[dress]]; [[Earth]]; [[embarrassment]]; [[emergency assistance]]; [[emotion]]; [[engine]]; ''[[Erstwhile]]''; [[evening]]; [[existence]]; "[[Idiom|excuse me]]"; [[exploration]]; "[[Idiom|face-to-face]]"; [[family]]; [[farmhouse]]; [[Federation]]; [[feeling]]; [[Ferengi]]; [[fish]]; "[[Idiom|for once]]"; "[[Idiom|for the record]]"; [[fraction]]; [[French language]]; [[friend]]; [[fun]]; {{dis|gag|joke}}; [[Galaxy class decks|''Galaxy'' class decks]]; [[gender]]; [[gesture]]; ''[[glob fly]]''; [[godfather]]; [[grandson]]; [[Greek]]; [[guest]]; {{dis|guilt|law}}; ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]''; [[hailing frequency]]; "[[Idiom|hands-on]]"; [[heir]]; "[[hello]]"; [[heritage]]; "[[Idiom|hired and fired]]"; [[holodeck]]; [[home]]; [[homeland]]; [[honor]]; [[Human]]; [[Human cannonball]]; [[humanoid]]; [[humor]]; [[idiot]]; "[[Idiom|ill will]]"; "[[Idiom|in case]]"; [[inertial guidance system]]; "[[Idiom|in fact]]"; [[innocence]]; "[[Idiom|in order]]"; [[instruction]]; [[intercept course]]; "[[Idiom|in truth]]"; "[[Idiom|in turn]]"; [[investigation]]; [[Irish]]; [[Jew]]; [[Jewel of Thesia]]; [[jewelry]]; [[joke]]; [[judge]]; [[juggling]]; [[juxtaposition]]; [[kidney]]; [[Klingon]]; [[knave]]; [[language]]; [[laser weapon]]s; [[laughing]]; [[legal right]]; [[legation]]; [[Legation of Unity]]; {{revname|Jerry|Lewis}}; [[liar]]; [[libido]]; [[life sign]]; [[lion]]; [[love]]; [[main shield]]; [[main viewer]]; [[malevolence]]; [[marriage]]; [[mercy killing]]; [[message]]; [[microphone]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[minute]]; [[mister]]; [[monk]]; [[month]]; [[morality]]; [[mosquito]]; [[mouth]]; [[mystery]]; [[name]]; [[navigation shield]]; [[neck]]; [[nephew]]; [[New York City]]; [[night]]; [[nudist colony]]; [[number one]]; {{revname|Tip|O'Neill}}; [[obligation]]; "[[Idiom|of course]]": [[office]]; [[Omega Sagitta system]]; "[[Idiom|one at a time]]": [[operation]]; [[operator]]; [[opinion]]; [[order]]; [[owner]]; [[parrot]]; [[performer]]; [[phaser]]; [[pilot]]; [[place]]; [[plan]]; [[planet]]; [[play]]; [[politician]]; [[pork chop]]; [[prestige]]; [[procreation]]; [[problem]]; [[programming]]; [[prop]]; [[quantum mechanics]]; [[quarrel]]; [[race]]; {{dis|rake|slang}}; [[rascal]]; [[reason]]; [[repairs]]; [[reputation]]; {{revname|Stano|Riga}}; [[road]]; [[rogue]]; [[robot]]; [[room]]; [[Roxy Theatre]]; [[rule]]; [[Saint Peter]]; [[salesman]]; [[seat]]; {{dis|secretary|title}}; [[sector]]; [[security officer]]; [[sensor]]; [[sentence]]; [[sex appeal]]; [[sexual attraction]]; [[shopkeeper]]; [[show]]; [[size]]; [[sound]]; [[spacecraft]]; [[speed]]; [[Starfleet Regulations]]; [[sector]]; [[shame]]; [[smuggling]]; [[son]]; [[star]]; [[status]]; [[stealing]]; [[sting]]; [[shop|store]]; [[Straleb]]; [[Straleb security vessel]]; [[stress test]]; [[subject]]; [[surrender]]; [[talent]]; [[Teaneck]]; [[teeth]]; "[[Idiom|thank you]]"; [[thief]]; [[thing]]; [[tone]]; [[tool]]; [[towing]]; [[town]]; [[tractor beam]]; [[transporter chief]]; [[transporter room]]; [[treasure]]; [[treaty]]; [[tricellite]]; [[truth]]; [[valise]]; [[victimization]]; [[villain]]; [[eyesight|vision]]; [[voice]]; [[war]]; [[warmth]]; [[weapon]]; "[[Idiom|whoa]]"; [[wife]]; [[wild element]]; "[[Idiom|with all due respect]]"; [[witticism]]; [[word]]; [[year]]; [[yellow alert]]; [[zelebium]]; [[ZIP code]]
  +
  +
==== Other references ====
  +
*'''Erstwhile graphic:''' [[fusion reactor|fusion propulsion]]; [[gross vehicle mass]]; [[megawatt]]; [[metric ton]]; [[tritanium]]
  +
*'''Holodeck programming simulations (original version)''': {{dis|Burt Armus|comedian}}; {{dis|Daryl Baskin|comedian}}; {{dis|Dan Curry|comedian}}; {{dis|Monty de Graff|comedian}}; [[Farouk El-Baz]]; {{dis|Sharyl Fickas|comedian}}; {{dis|Sam Freedle|comedian}}; {{dis|Mike Gray|comedian}}; {{dis|Merri Howard|comedian}}; {{dis|Maurice Hurley|comedian}}; {{dis|Gary Hutzel|comedian}}; {{dis|Heidi Julian|comedian}}; {{dis|Jon Koslowsky|comedian}}; {{dis|David Livingston|comedian}}; {{dis|Terri Martinez|comedian}}; {{dis|John Mason|comedian}}; {{dis|Robert Metoyer|comedian}}; {{dis|Ronald B. Moore|comedian}}; {{dis|Wendy Neuss|comedian}}; {{dis|Ernie Over|comedian}}; {{dis|Diane Overdiek|comedian}}; {{dis|Gene Roddenberry|comedian}}; {{dis|Scott Rubenstein|comedian}}; {{dis|Michael Schoenbrun|comedian}}; {{dis|Adele Simmons|comedian}}; {{dis|Tracy Tormé|comedian}}
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*'''Holodeck programming simulations (remastered version)''': {{dis|Ryan Adams|comedian}}; {{dis|Daryl Baskin|comedian}}; {{dis|Phil Bishop|comedian}}; {{dis|Dan Curry|comedian}}; {{dis|Monty de Graff|comedian}}; {{dis|Doug Drexler|comedian}}; {{dis|Sam Freedle|comedian}}; {{dis|David Grant|comedian}}; {{dis|Douglas E. Graves|comedian}}; {{dis|Mike Gray|comedian}}; {{dis|Jim Hardy|comedian}}; {{dis|Merri Howard|comedian}}; {{dis|Gary Hutzel|comedian}}; {{dis|Jon Koslowsky|comedian}}; {{dis|David Livingston|comedian}}; {{dis|John Mason|comedian}}; {{dis|Ronald B. Moore|comedian}}; {{dis|Wendy Neuss|comedian}}; {{dis|Ken Ross|comedian}}; {{dis|Scott Rubenstein|comedian}}; {{dis|Wendy Ruiz|comedian}}; {{dis|Adele Simmons|comedian}}; {{dis|David Takemura|comedian}}; {{dis|Tracy Tormé|comedian}}; {{dis|Steve Wiener|comedian}}; {{dis|Craig Weiss|comedian}}; {{dis|Jayme Wing|comedian}}
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=== Log entries ===
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* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2365#Passing through the Omega Sagitta system|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2365]]
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=== External links ===
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* {{Startrek.com|outrageous-okona|"The Outrageous Okona"}}
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* {{mbeta-quote|The Outrageous Okona}}
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* {{wikipedia-quote|The Outrageous Okona}}
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* {{ml|the-outrageous-okona|"The Outrageous Okona"|external}}
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{{TNG nav|season=2|last={{e|Elementary, Dear Data}}|next={{e|Loud As A Whisper}}}}
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[[Category:TNG episodes|Outrageous Okona, The]]
 
[[Category:TNG episodes|Outrageous Okona, The]]
[[de:Der unmögliche Captain Okona]] [[nl:The Outrageous Okona]]
 

Revision as of 15:14, 11 June 2020

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Template:Sidebar episode/temp The Enterprise crew rescue a "roguish" freighter captain whose ship is malfunctioning, but his presence drags them into an interplanetary feud.

Summary

Teaser

Okona on viewscreen

"Is that a woman's voice I hear?"

"Captain's Log, Stardate 42402.7. We are traveling in the Omega Sagitta system, traversing between the twin planets that form the Coalition of Madena. Both worlds are populated by a humanoid race which colonized the planets two centuries ago and which now coexist under a precarious but successful treaty."

The USS Enterprise-D, while traveling in the Omega Sagitta system between two twin planets inhabited by humanoids who have created a pact called the Madena Coalition, stumbles upon a Class 9 starship with one humanoid inside. The ship is the cargo freighter Erstwhile commanded by Captain Thadiun Okona, who has problems with the guidance system. The Enterprise offers Captain Okona help repairing his faulty guidance system. Deanna Troi establishes that he displays rogue-like characteristics, making him a suspicious character who should not be taken lightly.

Act One

Okona meets Data

"You don't know what a joke is?"

Upon entry to the ship, Okona meets Riker, Data, Worf and Crusher and also the transporter chief, Lieutenant Robinson, and begins to display characteristics of a scoundrel and a rake, charming Robinson. While the others observe this, Okona soon leaves the transporter room and he accompanies Data and Wesley to main engineering to observe the repairs to his guidance system. Okona questions Data's ability to comprehend humor and other Human characteristics, apparently finding the concept of an emotionless android fascinating. He then goes to spend time with Robinson.

Act Two

Jerry Lewis impersonation

"That is considered to be funny?"

Data is inspired by Okona's questions and insights about humor, and goes to Ten Forward to seek counsel from Guinan regarding his difficulty grasping the concept. Data then travels to the holodeck to view a comedy show by a holographic comedian. Data inquires about a series of comedic acts and performances to further his understanding of comedy. They begin a series of improvisations which include 20th century Jerry Lewis, and continue to examples of stand-up comedy, which Data views at maximum speed. Data then returns to Guinan to try out his new comedy material, but his first attempt fails miserably. His second attempt is abruptly interrupted by a call to the bridge: an unidentified ship is approaching the Enterprise.

Act Three

Splitscreen argument

"I'll have Okona now!"

Debin, the captain of the ship, warns the Enterprise that they are entering their territory. Debin establishes that Okona is, in fact, a rogue who committed crimes on the planet Atlec. While the entire confrontation is occurring, another ship of similar classification is approaching. This ship is commanded by Captain Kushell from the planet Straleb, who also states similar issues relating to Okona.

Jean-Luc Picard calls Okona up to the bridge to understand what crimes he has committed. After brief deliberation, Okona hedges his response, stating that he isn't aware that he committed any crime on either world. A skeptical Picard asks Debin what crimes has been committed. Debin, infuriated, explains that Okona had impregnated Debin's daughter, Yanar.

Act Four

Okona and Wesley

"I seem to have a way of using up a place."

"Captain's Log, supplemental. Some of the mystery surrounding this ancient morality play we've been dragged into has been revealed. One of Captain Okona's pursuers is an outraged father with a heartfelt, if archaic, sense of righteousness."

Kushell has claimed that Okona stole the national treasure, the Jewel of Thesia. Picard and Okona discuss the matter at hand. If Okona is handed to Debin, the Thesians will use the slight to declare war, while if Picard gives him to the Thesians, the same result will occur. Picard and Okona agree that the only way to resolve the situation is to let Okona continue on the Erstwhile and find a place of refuge.

After a long talk with Wesley Crusher in engineering, in which it's revealed that Okona has become tired of living the nomadic lifestyle and just wants the entire mess surrounding Yanar and the Jewel to be settled, he has made a decision to "take a stand."

Act Five

Okona crisis averted

Family crisis averted

Okona tells Picard he decided to voluntarily turn himself in. This choice allows Picard to use the Enterprise as a neutral meeting place for both parties to settle their claims. The two families are antagonistic towards each other, both claiming that Okona has infringed their laws and both expressing an equally valid claim on the wayward freighter captain.

The story unfolds when they discover that Kushell's son Benzan has actually impregnated Yanar, rather than Okona, and that Okona was the go-between for Yanar and Benzan's courtship (which was disapproved by both families). The jewel was stolen to be used in the wedding between Yanar and Benzan, who agree to marriage, and their fathers continue their quarrels in a more light-hearted manner (this time about the details of the wedding) as Picard invokes the Prime Directive as an excuse to make a discreet exit from what has now officially become an internal matter of the respective families' governments.

Data as a comic

"Being able to make people laugh, or being able to laugh, is not the end all and be all of being Human."

Data and Guinan participate in a comedy show with the holo-comedian. They resolve the issues of Data's ability to deliver a joke by giving Data an audience. Unfortunately, Data discovers that the holographic audience is programmed to laugh at anything he says or does, regardless of whether or not it's actually humorous, and that his delivery is still flawed. Data asks the computer to erase the audience as well as the comic. Guinan assures Data that being able to laugh or to make people laugh is not the final result to becoming Human. Data agrees, but notes that there is nothing more "uniquely Human."

Later, on the bridge, the crew sees Okona off. Data inadvertently delivers a joke that causes the bridge crew to break into laughter, but later the crew gets annoyed after Data begins to make bad joke after bad joke, and Okona (having resolved his differences with the Thesians and Yanar's father) continues on his way.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"You spoiled the joke. It could have been your timing."
"My timing is digital."

- Guinan and Data


"You're a droid and I'm a 'noid."

- Guinan, telling a joke to Data


"A Klingon security officer?"
"Yes."
"No wars available, eh?"

- Okona and Worf


"Wesley, Wesley Crusher."
"Nice to meet you, Acting Ensign Wesley Wesley Crusher."

- Wesley Crusher introducing himself to Thadiun Okona


"You have the majestic carriage and loveliness that could surely be traced back to the noblest of families."

- Okona, to B.G. Robinson, the Enterprise's female transporter chief


"Say goodbye, Data."
"Goodbye Data."

- Wesley Crusher and Data


"Now, that's sex appeal!"

- Okona


"Captain, they are now locking lasers on us."
"Lasers?"
"Yes, sir."
"Lasers can't even penetrate our navigation shields. Don't they know that?"
"Regulations do call for yellow alert."
"Hmm, a very old regulation. Well, make it so Number One. And, reduce speed… drop main shields, as well."
"May I ask why, sir?"
"In case we decide to surrender to them, Number One… "

- Worf, Riker, and Picard


"So… if you put funny teeth in your mouth and jump around like an idiot, that is considered funny!"

- Data


"Guy walks into the doctor's office. The doctor tells him you need an operation. Guy says "I want a second opinion." Doc tells him "Okay you're ugly too". Badoom Boom!

- Data, telling his first joke to Guinan


"Life is like loading twice your cargo weight on to your spacecraft. If it's canaries and you can keep half of them flying all the time, you're all right."

- Okona, making a joke to Data


"Take my Worf… please!"

- Data, making a bad joke

Background information

Cast and characters

Piscopo, Goldberg, Spiner

Joe Piscopo, Whoopi Goldberg, and Brent Spiner

Sets and props

Roddenberry during Outrageous Okona

Gene Roddenberry visits the set during filming

  • The holodeck terminal lists the name of the comic as Ronald B. Moore, a reference to Visual Effects Supervisor Ronald B. Moore, who helped assemble the graphic. (Star Trek Encyclopedia (1st ed., p. 54)) He is not to be confused with writer and producer Ronald D. Moore, who had not yet joined the staff.
  • The window or display "frame" behind Debin while speaking on the Enterprise viewscreen is a slightly modified re-use of the battle bridge viewscreen of the Enterprise-D.

Continuity

  • When Okona asks Data if he's ever been drunk, Data claims "not from alcohol," a reference to TNG: "The Naked Now", in which the polywater intoxication acted on his programming like alcohol would on a Human brain.

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Special guest stars

And

Uncredited co-stars

Stand-ins

References

20th century; 1932; 2165; 23rd century; 2364; acting ensign; advice; alcohol; Allen, Gracie; "all right"; "all the time"; amphibian; android; anger; annoyance; arbitration; arm; "as well"; Atlec; Atlec vessel; "at stake"; "at your service"; audience; audio; authority; bar; bastard; bird call; bon mot; bowling; bow tie; brazen; briefcase; brother; "brought the house down"; burnout; Burns, George; cad; call sign; canary; car; cargo; cargo carrier; cargo hold; cargo ship; case; channel; charm; Charnock's Comedy Cabaret; choice; cigar; Class 7 vessel; Class 9 cargo vessel; clone; colloquialism; comedian; complaint; Coalition of Madena; Coalition of Madena species; computer; conference room; context; conversation; course; craftsman; crew complement; crew quarters; crime; criminal; custody; danger; daughter; Denkir II; dictionary; dilemma; doctor; doctor's office; dog; dress; Earth; embarrassment; emergency assistance; emotion; engine; Erstwhile; evening; existence; "excuse me"; exploration; "face-to-face"; family; farmhouse; Federation; feeling; Ferengi; fish; "for once"; "for the record"; fraction; French language; friend; fun; gag; Galaxy class decks; gender; gesture; glob fly; godfather; grandson; Greek; guest; guilt; Gulliver's Travels; hailing frequency; "hands-on"; heir; "hello"; heritage; "hired and fired"; holodeck; home; homeland; honor; Human; Human cannonball; humanoid; humor; idiot; "ill will"; "in case"; inertial guidance system; "in fact"; innocence; "in order"; instruction; intercept course; "in truth"; "in turn"; investigation; Irish; Jew; Jewel of Thesia; jewelry; joke; judge; juggling; juxtaposition; kidney; Klingon; knave; language; laser weapons; laughing; legal right; legation; Legation of Unity; Lewis, Jerry; liar; libido; life sign; lion; love; main shield; main viewer; malevolence; marriage; mercy killing; message; microphone; Milky Way Galaxy; minute; mister; monk; month; morality; mosquito; mouth; mystery; name; navigation shield; neck; nephew; New York City; night; nudist colony; number one; O'Neill, Tip; obligation; "of course": office; Omega Sagitta system; "one at a time": operation; operator; opinion; order; owner; parrot; performer; phaser; pilot; place; plan; planet; play; politician; pork chop; prestige; procreation; problem; programming; prop; quantum mechanics; quarrel; race; rake; rascal; reason; repairs; reputation; Riga, Stano; road; rogue; robot; room; Roxy Theatre; rule; Saint Peter; salesman; seat; secretary; sector; security officer; sensor; sentence; sex appeal; sexual attraction; shopkeeper; show; size; sound; spacecraft; speed; Starfleet Regulations; sector; shame; smuggling; son; star; status; stealing; sting; store; Straleb; Straleb security vessel; stress test; subject; surrender; talent; Teaneck; teeth; "thank you"; thief; thing; tone; tool; towing; town; tractor beam; transporter chief; transporter room; treasure; treaty; tricellite; truth; valise; victimization; villain; vision; voice; war; warmth; weapon; "whoa"; wife; wild element; "with all due respect"; witticism; word; year; yellow alert; zelebium; ZIP code

Other references

Log entries

External links

Previous episode:
"Elementary, Dear Data"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2
Next episode:
"Loud As A Whisper"