| Series: | TNG |
| Season: | 2 |
| Original Airdate: | 1989-03-27 |
| Production Number: | 138 |
| Year: | 2365 |
| Stardate: | 42625.4 |
| Story by: | Keith Mills |
| Directed by: | Cliff Bole |
The Enterprise investigates the wreckage of a 21st century Earth spaceship orbiting a distant planet and the appearance of a casino with inhabitants based on a paperback novel.
Summary
SUMMARY
Memorable quotes
What do you call this planet?
I beg you pardon.
This planet. What do you call it?
Earth... What do you call it?
We call it Theta 8.
How charming.
Background Information
Fermat's last theorem is mentioned as being unproved for 800 years. This is now false by Wiles's proof the mid 1990s. However, the proof uses methods unknown in Fermat's time, so perhaps this statement refers to proving the theorem in a manner that Fermat might have used. It was later corrected for in a comment made between Tobin and Jadzia Dax in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Facets" by making the comment that many others have tried more original approaches to Fermat's Last Theorem since Wile's original proof in the 1990s. Cliff Bole also directed "Facets".
The idea of an advanced alien race recreating a suitable environment from a wayward astronaut's cultural artifacts to for him live out his finals days was first detailed by notable science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke at the end of 2001: A Space Odyssey. A somewhat similar concept is also explored in the Voyager episode, "Displaced".
Links and References
Guest Stars
- Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
- Diana Muldaur as Katherine Pulaski
- Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien
- Sam Anderson as The Assistant Manager
- Jill Jacobson as Vanessa
- Leo Garcia as The Bellboy
- Noble Willingham as Texas
- Gregory Beecroft as Mickey D
References
blackjack; Cadillac; Charybdis; class K; Colonel; craps; Fermat's last theorem; "The Hotel Royale"; Jacob; Klingon; Las Vegas; Lubbock; Todd Matthews; methane; NASA; Nevada; neon; nitrogen; Stephen G. Richey; Rita; Room 727; Sol system; Texas; Theta 116 VIII; Theta 116 system; United States Air Force; United States of America; Zen.
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