Line #33 Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E1411001001


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tng_11001001_hd_178.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[HiveMind The Bynars. certainly have.]] [[FinishingEachOthersSentences an interesting. rapport.]]]]
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4	'''Original air date:''' February 1, 1988
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6	The Bynars (pictured) upgrade the ''Enterprise'''s computers in spacedock. Riker and Picard become distracted by a surprisingly realistic holodeck character.
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8	----
9	!!Tropes featured in this episode:
10	* AbandonShip: The Bynars make it look like the ''Enterprise'''s warp core is going to fail, [[BatmanGambit leading the crew]] to evacuate the ship and autopilot it out of spacedock to minimize possible casualties.
11	* AsYouKnow: Picard reminds Riker that arming the auto-destruct is the one decision that requires them to be in total agreement.
12	* CallBack: Picard mentions that they've had problems with their holodecks. Well, [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E11TheBigGoodbye a man almost died in a holodeck the last time it was used]], which would count as a problem.
13	* ContinuityNod: When discussing the sophistication of Minuet's program, Picard notes that the holodeck has previously given them [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E1EncounterAtFarpoint woodlands]] and [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E13AngelOne ski slopes]], [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E3CodeOfHonor figures that fight]] and [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E11TheBigGoodbye fictional characters with which they can interact]].
14	* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: When it's all over, Riker tells the four Bynars they could've asked for help and that Starfleet would've likely said yes. When they say their need was too great and that they might've been rejected, Riker chalks it up to their binary thinking.
15	* DidNotThinkThisThrough:
16	** As pointed out at the end of the episode, the Bynar could have just ''asked'' for Starfleet's help, which in all probability would have been granted instantly! Somewhat justified, as their binary thinking meant they only saw two options and they simply couldn't risk "No" being the answer.
17	** Two humans are needed to operate the system to reboot the Bynar planet, yet they only kidnap one, Riker, and Picard only ends up on board by accident.
18	* DistractedByTheSexy: Minuet is made to distract Riker, and later Picard, from realizing the Bynars' plans.
19	* TheDividual: Bynars are like this by nature.
20	* DullSurprise:
21	** Wesley says that there's a problem with the antimatter magnetic containment field in a very unconcerned tone, when such a problem could mean the ship's destruction.
22	** The look on the crew's faces when the ''Enterprise'' finally returns to spacedock.
23	** When Data orders all hands to abandon ship, the initial reaction is people stopping, listening to the announcement, then casually walking in another direction.
24	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
25	** The ''Enterprise'' computer has both a male and female voice, due to the production team having not yet settled on Creator/MajelBarrett as the standard Starfleet computer voice.
26	** The whistling sound effect from [=TOS=] is heard in this episode.
27	** The realism of Minuet is considered to be beyond the capacity of the ship's computer to simulate, but later episodes have the computer creating characters at least on par with her. One is realistic enough for another crew member to [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS3E6BoobyTrap fall in love with]]. Another [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E3ElementaryDearData gains sentience]].
28	** Also, Minuet freezes when Picard calls for the exit rather than "Computer, freeze program."
29	** The auto-destruct is stated to be fixed at a five-minute countdown. Later, the Captain is shown able to choose the delay. In addition, Picard and Riker activate it with handprint recognition, instead of simply giving their clearance codes.
30	* {{EMP}}: According to Minuet, this is why the Bynars need help. A nearby star was about to go supernova, and it would generate a burst that would permanently knock out their main computer. Picard surmises they intended for a temporary shutdown and to store the data in a safe place in the meantime, but things went wrong when the supernova occurred faster than expected and the ''Enterprise'' was late arriving at the starbase.
31	* EscortDistraction: Minuet was made by the Bynars to be this to the ''Enterprise''.
32	* EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: Or at least a French accent.
33	* FinishingEachOthersSentences: Bynars do this all the time.
34	* ForgotAboutHisPowers: As the ''Enterprise'' is exiting spacedock, Worf and Yar ask where the transporter room is, causing the starbase commander to state that there's no time as the ship is almost clear of the station. Apparently, their transporters can't do site-to-site transport the way a starship's can. Also, this ''is'' a massive starbase designed for servicing starships, and is several miles tall, but apparently it does not have tractor beams.
35	* InformedAttribute: Riker and Picard marvel at how lifelike Minuet is, but she doesn't seem any more lifelike than the characters we just saw two episodes ago in "The Big Goodbye." [=McNary=] even had an existential crisis about his status as a fictional character, something Minuet doesn't have the presence of mind to do.
36	* InnocuouslyImportantEpisode: This episode introduces the idea of self-aware holographic programs with Minuet, which would be explored more with Professor Moriarty in season 2's "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E3ElementaryDearData Elementary Dear Data]]", and pave the way for characters like the Doctor on ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' and Vic Fontaine on ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''.
37	* ItsAllMyFault: Lieutenant Commander Data blames ''himself'' for the whole mess, feeling that because he doesn't require rest or recreation, he was neglecting his duties. The others are quick to reassure him otherwise.
38	-->'''Tasha:''' That's a ''pointless'' argument, Data. You could've been on the bridge and it still may have happened.
39	* LadyInRed: Minuet.
40	* MagicCountdown: Occurs during the autodestruct sequence.
41	* MeaningfulName: "Minuet" is a slow ballroom dance, which is her metaphorical purpose with music-loving Riker -- to keep him occupied in a long dance.
42	* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: The four Bynars' actions helped save their entire planet, but they still stole the ship, so they are taken away and expected to stand trial. They said they expected this and leave without complaint.
43	* ThePasswordIsAlwaysSwordfish: The code to begin transferring data from the ''Enterprise'' computers to the Bynar master computer (and unlock normal functions) is a short sequence in binary that Picard and Riker figure out quite quickly. Data says it's likely to be a name or other significant phrase. In this case, the Bynars probably ''meant'' for it to be easily guessed.
44	* SelfDestructMechanism: Picard and Riker arm the auto-destruct system to prevent the ship from falling into hostile hands. They then deactivate it once they regain control of the ship.
45	* StockFootage:
46	** The spacedock footage from ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'' is used greatly here, modified to feature the ''Enterprise''-D model instead of the original ''Enterprise''.
47	** Several shots of crewmembers in engineering and on corridors during alert are recycled from "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E5WhereNoOneHasGoneBefore Where No One Has Gone Before]]", including a crewman wearing the infamous "male skant" costume.
48	* TakeAThirdOption: [[{{Irony}} Ironically]], this is what the Bynars did. They knew if they asked the Federation for help, the only possible answers were "Yes" or "No".
49	* ThisIsNotADrill: The AbandonShip order.
50	* TitleDrop: "11001001" is the password used to reboot the Bynars' homeworld and named for each of the Bynars on the ''Enterprise'' (One-One, Zero-Zero, One-Zero, and Zero-One).
51	* WhamLine: "Please...try, to...''Help...us.''"
52	* WhamShot: Picard and Riker beam onto the bridge expecting a firefight and instead find the four Bynars collapsed in a corner and dying.

Context Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E1411001001