Star Trek: The Next Generation

Summary

Captain Jean - Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) delivered several now - iconic quotes onStar Trek : The Next propagation , including"There are four light ! " , but what does this particular quote mean ? While this citation nominate little good sense when take out of context , it remains one of Jean - Luc Picard ’s most herculean moment , even 32 years after theTNGepisode aired . As Captain of the USS Enterprise - D , Jean - Luc Picard was imperturbable , persist calm and layer - headed while coming face to look with the strange . Aside from the Borg , few foe could rattle Picard , and he almost never let his fear show , especially in front of his crew .

InStar Trek : The Next Generationseason 6 , episodes 10 and 11 , " chain of mountains of Command , " Cardassians abduct Captain Picard when he is on a covert mission . What follow is one ofStar Trek’smost brutal and difficult - to - watch sequences , as Cardassian Gul Madred ( David Warner ) tortures Picard for information about the United Federation of Planets . With unbelievable operation fromPatrick Stewart and David Warner , Madred employs a range of tactics , including straining and gaslighting , to break-dance down Picard , but the Enterprise Captain refuses to give . To asset his power , Madred blinds Picard with four bright lights , arrange him to say that there are five lights , and then causing Picard pain when he insists:“There are four lights ! "

Patrick Stewart and screenwriter Frank Abatemarco both consult with Amnesty International to ensure the distortion scenes were naturalistic and precise .

03111464_poster_w780.jpg

Captain Jean - Luc Picard anchored every installment of Star Trek : The Next Generation , but some episodes let him take more of a glare .

What Star Trek: TNG’s “There Are Four Lights” Means & Why It’s So Important For Picard

“Tell me how many lights you see. How many? How many lights? This is your last chance.”

While on a covert mission to reveal and destroy a Cardassian biological artillery , Captain Picard , Lt . Worf ( Michael Dorn ) , and Dr. Beverly Crusher ( Gates McFadden ) inadvertently walk into a snare . After Picard ’s capture , Gul Madred works hard to weaken the Enterprise Captain ’s will , using various mean value of straining and brute interrogation . Even while have intense pain , Picard refuses to say there are five lights when there are only four . As a final effort , Gul Madred recite Picard that theUSS Enterprise - D has been destroyedin a battle with the Cardassians . Picard can either remain in captivity for the rest of his life story or say there are five lights and be a well-off animation .

In the midst of the torture , Picard separate Madred:“In spite of all you ’ve done to me , I find you a pitiable man . "

Picard hesitates before safety come in and let on that a ship is ready to take him back to the enterprisingness . Before he leaves the room , Picard rebelliously shouts"There are four lights!“Safely back on the USS Enterprise - D , in the terminal picture of the episode , Picard sits in his quick room with Counselor Deanna Troi ( Marina Sirtis ) . In a heartbreaking moment , Picard include that , if his rescuers had not go far when they did:“I would have told him anything . Anything at all . But more than that , I believe that I could see five lights . “Picard has never been so break , but he restrain his equanimity just long enough that Madred and the Cardassians never saw him bust .

Captain Picard nude and yelling in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: TNG’s “Chain Of Command” Also Introduced Captain Jellico

“Forgive me for being blunt, but the Enterprise is mine now.”

When Picard , Worf , and Dr. Crusher left on their cloak-and-dagger mission , Captain Edward Jellico ( Ronny Cox ) took over bidding of the USS Enterprise - D. Jellico then get negotiations with the Cardassians regarding the strategically important Federation planet Minos Korva . Jellico had experience dealing with the Cardassians , as he had previously aid establish an armistice between the Federation and the Cardassian Union . With his by - the - book bidding dash and tendency to micro - manage , Jellico jar with Commander William Riker ( Jonathan Frakes ) .

Jellico has been mentioned several fourth dimension since his appearance onTNG , and the type render inStar Trek : Prodigyas an Admiral post at Starfleet Headquarters .

When the Cardassians inform the Enterprise that they have Picard , Jellico refuse to admit the Captain was on a Starfleet mission , which would have given him the rights of a prisoner of war . Riker dissent strongly , query Jellico ’s orders , and the Captain relieves Number One of duty , assigning Lt . Commander Data ( Brent Spiner ) as First Officer . Jellico later needs Riker ’s help to establish mine in the nebula where Cardassian ships are hide . With the scourge of the minefield , the Cardassians withdraw their fleet and release Picard . With its tense scenes and memorable characters , the " Chain of Command " two - parter stay one ofStar Trek : The Next Generationand one of Captain Picard ’s best storyline .

_captain-picard-best-star-trek-tng-episodes-ranked

Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.

Star Trek : The Next Generation is available to teem on Paramount+ .

Your Rating

Your comment has not been saved

Cast

Star Trek : The Next Generation follows Captain Jean - Luc Picard and his work party aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations , seek out fresh globe and civilizations .

Captain Jellico sitting in a chair on the Enterprise

Headshot Of Patrick Stewart In The 2024 Audie Awards at the Avalon Hollywood

Headshot Of Jonathan Frakes IN The Paramount+ ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ FYC And Finale Event

Star Trek: The Next Generation