History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS1E5WhereNoOneHasGoneBefore

* InvisibleAliens: Face with the Traveler's explanation of his propulsion method, the crew points out that he must also be a {{time travel}}er, and he admits this is true. When asked why [[UsefulNotes/FermiParadox no records of his species exist in Earth's history]], he says that frankly, humans were too boring to pay much attention to before now.

* LudicrousSpeed: The Enterprise accidentally travels to another galaxy in less than a minute. Later, it travels to the edge of the universe in less than another minute.

* {{Technobabble}}: One of the few times in the franchise that it's actually ''deliberate'', as everyone is just confused at Kosinski's ramblings about how his invention works, and it turns out he has no idea what he's talking about.

* ReadingsAreOffTheScale: The ''Enterprise'' passes Warp 10. Later {{Jossed}} by one of the technical manuals. It's possible that the nature of the Traveller's effect is such that ReadingsAreOffTheScale, causing the computer to display a speed that is physically impossible because it would be greater than infinite. Later in the episode, the ''Enterprise'' travels even faster, while the readouts show the ship never exceeding Warp 1.5.\\\
Actually the warp scale they were using here was canonically different to the one that they used later on. A simple rule of thumb is that ''Enterprise'', The Original Series and the first season of ''The Next Generation'' uses the old scale, whereas ''Deep Space Nine'' and ''Voyager'' uses the new "warp 10 is infinite" model.

!'''This episode contains the following tropes:'''
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: A lot of fans, plus Wil Wheaton, love to talk about the Traveler as if he's a sexual predator with all those long, loving looks he gives Wesley.

* CharacterShilling: The Traveller goes out of his way to tell everyone how how super-duper-awesome Wesley Crusher is.
* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: According to the Traveller, this is actually how the universe works: thought literally can shape space and time for those who are advanced enough to master it, and the Traveller's species can act like a lense allowing {{muggles}} like the ''Enterprise'' crew to shape reality through him.
* ContinuityNod: It is said that it would take the ''Enterprise'' about three hundred years to return from Galaxy M33. This was intended as a reference to the Original Series episode "By Any Other Name", in which the extragalactic Kelvans modify the original ''Enterprise'' to travel to their home galaxy (albeit a different one) in 300 years, and Kirk is amazed because it should take thousands. The implication is that a hundred years after Kirk, the Federation has now advanced to the point that they can equal the Kelvans' technology.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This episode introduces Argyle, one of four chief engineers who would appear on the ''Enterprise'' in Season 1.

* LudicrousPrecision: When the ''Enterprise'' is stranded in Galaxy M33, Picard asks Data how long it will take them to get home and Data's answer goes down to the number of minutes before he gets cut off.

-->'''The Traveler''': You do understand, don't you that thought is the basis of all reality? The energy of thought, to put it in your terms, is very powerful.
-->'''Kosinski''': That's not an explanation.
-->'''The Traveler''': I have the ability to act like a lens which focuses thought.
-->'''Kosinski''': That's just so much nonsense. You're asking us to believe in magic.
-->'''The Traveler''': Well yes, this could seem like magic to you.

* ReadingsAreOffTheScale: The ''Enterprise'' passes Warp 10. Later {{Jossed}} by one of the technical manuals. It's possible that the nature of the Traveller's effect is such that ReadingsAreOffTheScale, causing the computer to display a speed that is physically impossible because it would be greater than infinite.
** Although later in the episode, the ''Enterprise'' travels even faster, while the readouts show the ship never exceeding Warp 1.5.
*** Actually the warp scale they were using here was canonically different to the one that they used later on. A simple rule of thumb is that Enterprise, The Original series and the first season of The Next Generation uses the old scale, whereas Deep Space Nine and Voyager uses the new ''warp 10 is infinite'' model.

* XMeetsY: Original Series "Is There in Truth, No Beauty?" (Enterprise thrown into a weird far off galaxy) meets "Shore Leave" (The Crew's thoughts become reality).

* PoorlyDisguisedPilot: A minor example; some of the discussions the crew have when the ''Enterprise'' is stuck 300 years from home seem to have influenced ''StarTrekVoyager''.

* KnowNothingKnowItAll: Kosinski claims to be able to improve warp speeds by using his special engine calibrations which come off as utter nonsense to all the experienced engineers on the ''Enterprise''. The calibrations are indeed as nonsensical as they look[[spoiler:, and the real magic is worked by the mysterious alien assistant.]]

* UnfortunateImplications: Oh, how the fans (and Wil Wheaton himself) love to point out how the Traveller's interest in Wesley can be taken the wrong way...

* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: According to the Traveller, this is actually how the universe works: thought literally can shape space and time for those who are advanced enough to master it, and the Traveller's species can act like a lense allowing {{muggles}} like the Enterprise crew to shape reality through him.

* KnowNothingKnowItAll: Kosinski claims to be able to improve warp speeds by using his special engine calibrations which come off as utter nonsense to all the experienced engineers on the Enterprise. The calibrations are indeed as nonsensical as they look[[spoiler:, and the real magic is worked by the mysterious alien assistant.]]

* ReadingsAreOffTheScale: The ''Enterprise'' passes Warp 10. Later {{Jossed}} by one of the technical manuals.

* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: According to the Traveler, this is actually how the universe works: thought literally can shape space and time for those who are advanced enough to master it, and the Traveller's species can act like a lense allowing {{muggles}} like the Enterprise crew to shape reality through him.

* Jerkass: Kosinski irritates absolutely everybody.

* SmallNameBigEgo: Kosinski.

* LudicrousSpeed: The Enterprise accidentally tracels to another galaxy in less than a minute. Later, it travels to the edge of the universe in less than another minute.

Warp efficiency tests send the Enterprise traveling far beyond known space, where the crew's imagination takes on real form. First appearance of Eric Menyuk as The Traveler.