History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E11Contagion

* TemptingFate: When Picard asks if Captain Varley would like the all the ''Yamato'''s non-essential personnel to be beamed around the ''Enterprise'' as a safety measure, Varley declines, saying it would be too "presumptive". It's only a short minute later that the entire ship explodes.

'''Varley:''' It's good to see you again, Jean-Luc, despite your antique humor.

-->'''Picard:''' If ever the time comes when the death of a single individual fails to move us...

* TheWorfEffect: The ''USS Yamato'', a starship of identical build and design to the ''Enterprise'', being destroyed (complete with the saucer separating and then ''disintegrating'' in front of the main characters!), is meant to show us and the crew that the Iconian computer virus is serious business.

* AutomaticDoorMalfunction: The ''Enterprise'' crew witnesses its sister ship, the ''Yamato'', explode with all hands lost due to a failure of its antimatter fuel containment.[[note]]Antimatter + Matter + No way to keep them from contacting each other = boom.[[/note]] The clue leading them to the cause is within the ''Yamato'' Captain's personal log; a long-abandoned planet known as Iconia, and an alien scanning probe that the ship encountered while in orbit. As the ''Enterprise'' travels towards Iconia, they begin having systems problems, including the invoked trope of the automatic doors failing at random times. When they arrive, the ''Enterprise'' encounters an identical probe launched from the surface, and Captain Picard plans to tractor it into the ship to study it. Geordi, suddenly discovering the cause of the malfunctions, desperately tries to hail the bridge, but the communication systems go down at that very moment. The trope is then invoked for drama, as he also tries to use a turbolift in Main Engineering to quickly get to the bridge, but the doors fail to open there as well. Geordi is only able to just get to the bridge in time, after being thrown about in the malfunctioning turbolift on his way, to warn Picard and the bridge crew of the danger that the probe poses.

* ElevatorFailure: When the comm system fails before Geordi tells Picard to destroy the probe, he hurriedly tries to take the turbolift to get to the bridge in time. However, the turbolifts are also messed up, so he's thrown around upwards, downwards, and ''sideways'' before being flung out of once it miraculously reaches the bridge.

* GreatOffscreenWar: The war that destroyed Iconia. The only known facts is that it happened 200,000 years ago and that Iconia was heavily bombarded by OrbitalBombardment, wiping out all life on Iconia.

* ItNeverGetsAnyEasier: When Wesley has trouble accepting the deaths of everyone on the ''Yamato'', Picard tells him that it's no less painful for senior officers.

* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Data's positronic brain purges the Iconian programming from his system by shutting him down and deleting the affected memory files, leaving Data with a small gap in his memory from when he was on Iconia to when he awoke aboard the ''Enterprise''. Justified due to Data's artificial nature and the fact that it's very specific memories that have been deleted.

* NarrowAnnihilationEscape: Picard, Worf, and Data beam down to the complex the probe was launched from on Iconia and find a control room for the probes, as well as a gateway that can transport individuals to distant planets and places. To keep the technology there from falling into Romulan hands, and prevent the probes from ensnaring anyone else, Picard jams the system by launching a probe, but keeping the bay doors shut. He is only just able to use the doorway to transport to the Romulan Warbird as the complex self-destructs. (Thankfully, the Enterprise crew have figured out the problem and are able to beam Picard away safely.)

-->'''Picard:''' Explain your illegal presence in the Neutral Zone.
-->'''Taris:''' Explain ''yours.''

** The Romulans have to deal with theirs being triggered (and then locked) by the Iconian Trojan horse.
* SkewedPriorities: Several Romulan officers take the time to surround Picard when he appears on their ship... which is about to explode.

* CharacterizationClickMoment: In amongst the main plot and some world-building, another important moment in this episode is the establishment of Picard's fondness for tea, earl grey (hot).

* NarrowAnnihilationEscape: A variation, but later played straight. The sister ship to the Enterprise, the U.S.S. Yamato, is destroyed by an antimatter breach, when its computer systems are infected with an alien program that rewrites them. Picard decides to investigate its planetary origin, but finds that the program has followed them from the Yamato Captain's Logs. In orbit of the planet Iconia, the Enterprise encounters a probe launched from the surface. The variation occurs when Geordi discovers that the probe was the source of the alien program, and barely makes it to the bridge to order Picard to destroy it. Later, Picard, Worf, and Data beam down to the complex the probe was launched from on Iconia and find a control room for the probes, as well as a gateway that can transport individuals to distant planets and places. To keep the technology there from falling into Romulan hands, and prevent the probes from ensnaring anyone else, Picard jams the system by launching a probe, but keeping the bay doors shut. He is only just able to use the doorway to transport to the Romulan Warbird as the complex self-destructs. (Thankfully, the Enterprise crew have figured out the problem and are able to beam Picard away safely.)

LaForge confirms that the Romulans weren't responsible for the ''Yamato'''s destruction, but Picard isn't convinced. After a thorough study of the ship's logs, Picard determines its previous mission: its captain believed he had found Iconia, a [[CounterEarth mythological planet]] of "Demons of Air and Darkness," on the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone. They met... something... that seems to have caused their system failures. Since Iconia is said to have insanely powerful technology that the Romulans could use to crush the Federation, Picard sets course to the planet the other ship's captain believed was the fabled planet.

Unfortunately, the ''Enterprise'' starts coming down with its own set of systems failures, which Data and LaForge fail to solve or determine the cause of. Once they get to what is believed to be Iconia, a probe is launched from the planet's surface, which LaForge--finally realizing what's going on by that time--convinces Picard to destroy before it has a chance to do anything. [[IfMyCalculationsAreCorrect By his calculations]], the probe contained an Iconian computer program that transferred itself into the ''Yamato's'' systems when it visited the planet, then into the ''Enterprise'' with the ship's logs, and which is attempting to rewrite all of the ''Enterprise's'' software in its own image. If they can't get rid of the contagion, the ship will likely explode just like ''Yamato''.

While trying to access the Iconian computer, Data becomes infected with the virus as well, shutting down most of his processes instantly, but he's still able to tell Picard how to destroy the compound and the technology within it. Picard manages to use the rip in space and time to escape onto the Romulan ship (stuck on auto-destruct, at this point) before being beamed off. When Data performs a cold boot of his system, the contagion is wiped, and the crew use the same tactic to clean out the ship. LaForge shares the solution with the Romulans before the ship heads back to Federation space.

* ContinuityNod: LaForge references Bruce Maddox from "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E9TheMeasureOfAMan The Measure of a Man]]" after futilely attempting to repair Data, saying someone with his level of expertise on androids might have had a better chance at figuring out how to set up a proper repair.
* ElevatorFailure: When the comm system fails before LaForge tells Picard to destroy the probe, he hurriedly tries to take the turbolift to get to the bridge in time. However, the turbolifts are also messed up, so he's thrown around upwards, downwards, and ''sideways'' before being flung out of once it miraculously reaches the bridge.

* FlawedPrototype: Picard asks if the recurring malfunctions that destroyed the ''Yamato'' are an inherent issue with the newly-designed ''Galaxy''-class starships. LaForge isn't able to rule the possibility out until they actually start experiencing the malfunctions for themselves.

* HaveYouTriedRebooting: After Data's "self-correcting program" resets him, LaForge reasons they can do the same thing with the ''Enterprise'' computers to wipe out the Iconian programming.

* MortonsFork: Riker isn't keen on LaForge's reboot plan, since it involves turning everything off including the deflector shields while they're "nose-to-nose with a Romulan Warbird." LaForge points out whether it's Romulan disruptors or their own malfunctioning warp engines, they're just as dead if they don't do this.

* NarrowAnnihilationEscape: A variation, but later played straight. The sister ship to the Enterprise, the U.S.S. Yamato, is destroyed by an antimatter breach, when its computer systems are infected with an alien program that rewrites them. Picard decides to investigate its planetary origin, but finds that the program has followed them from the Yamato Captain's Logs. In orbit of the planet Iconia, the Enterprise encounters a probe launched from the surface. The variation occurs when LaForge discovers that the probe was the source of the alien program, and barely makes it to the bridge to order Picard to destroy it. Later, Picard, Worf, and Data beam down to the complex the probe was launched from on Iconia and find a control room for the probes, as well as a gateway that can transport individuals to distant planets and places. To keep the technology there from falling into Romulan hands, and prevent the probes from ensnaring anyone else, Picard jams the system by launching a probe, but keeping the bay doors shut. He is only just able to use the doorway to transport to the Romulan Warbird as the complex self-destructs. (Thankfully, the Enterprise crew have figured out the problem and are able to beam Picard away safely.)

* OhCrap: When LaForge realizes that Picard was about to take the Iconian probe in tow.

The ''Enterprise'' is called into the Neutral Zone to help a fellow ''Galaxy''-class ship, the USS ''Yamato'', which is in the grip of a series of system malfunctions. They arrive LateToTheTragedy and [[RocksFallEveryoneDies the ship explodes]]. A Romulan warbird decloaks moments later, denying that they had anything to do with the ''Yamato'''s explosion but threatening that the ''Enterprise'' will go the same way if she doesn't leave the Neutral Zone.

Geordi confirms that the Romulans weren't responsible for the ''Yamato'''s destruction, but Picard isn't convinced. After a thorough study of the ship's logs, Picard determines its previous mission: its captain believed he had found Iconia, a [[CounterEarth mythological planet]] of "Demons of Air and Darkness," on the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone. They met... something... that seems to have caused their system failures. Since Iconia is said to have insanely powerful technology that the Romulans could use to crush the Federation, Picard sets course to the planet the other ship's captain believed was the fabled planet.

Unfortunately, the ''Enterprise'' starts coming down with its own set of systems failures, which Data and Geordi fail to solve or determine the cause of. Once they get to what is believed to be Iconia, a probe is launched from the planet's surface, which Geordi--finally realizing what's going on by that time--convinces Picard to destroy before it has a chance to do anything. [[IfMyCalculationsAreCorrect By his calculations]], the probe contained an Iconian computer program that transferred itself into the ''Yamato's'' systems when it visited the planet, then into the ''Enterprise'' with the ship's logs, and which is attempting to rewrite all of the ''Enterprise's'' software in its own image. If they can't get rid of the contagion, the ship will likely explode just like ''Yamato''.

While trying to access the Iconian computer, Data becomes infected with the virus as well, shutting down most of his processes instantly, but he's still able to tell Picard how to destroy the compound and the technology within it. Picard manages to use the rip in space and time to escape onto the Romulan ship (stuck on auto-destruct, at this point) before being beamed off. When Data performs a cold boot of his system, the contagion is wiped, and the crew use the same tactic to clean out the ship. Geordi shares the solution with the Romulans before the ship heads back to Federation space.

* ContinuityNod: Geordi references Bruce Maddox from "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E9TheMeasureOfAMan The Measure of a Man]]" after futilely attempting to repair Data, saying someone with his level of expertise on androids might have had a better chance at figuring out how to set up a proper repair.
* ElevatorFailure: When the comm system fails before Geordi tells Picard to destroy the probe, he hurriedly tries to take the turbolift to get to the bridge in time. However, the turbolifts are also messed up, so he's thrown around upwards, downwards, and ''sideways'' before being flung out of once it miraculously reaches the bridge.

* FlawedPrototype: Picard asks if the recurring malfunctions that destroyed the ''Yamato'' are an inherent issue with the newly-designed ''Galaxy''-class starships. Geordi isn't able to rule the possibility out until they actually start experiencing the malfunctions for themselves.

* HaveYouTriedRebooting: After Data's "self-correcting program" resets him, Geordi reasons they can do the same thing with the ''Enterprise'' computers to wipe out the Iconian programming.

* MortonsFork: Riker isn't keen on Geordi's reboot plan, since it involves turning everything off including the deflector shields while they're "nose-to-nose with a Romulan Warbird." Geordi points out whether it's Romulan disruptors or their own malfunctioning warp engines, they're just as dead if they don't do this.

* NarrowAnnihilationEscape: A variation, but later played straight. The sister ship to the Enterprise, the U.S.S. Yamato, is destroyed by an antimatter breach, when its computer systems are infected with an alien program that rewrites them. Picard decides to investigate its planetary origin, but finds that the program has followed them from the Yamato Captain's Logs. In orbit of the planet Iconia, the Enterprise encounters a probe launched from the surface. The variation occurs when Geordi discovers that the probe was the source of the alien program, and barely makes it to the bridge to order Picard to destroy it. Later, Picard, Worf, and Data beam down to the complex the probe was launched from on Iconia and find a control room for the probes, as well as a gateway that can transport individuals to distant planets and places. To keep the technology there from falling into Romulan hands, and prevent the probes from ensnaring anyone else, Picard jams the system by launching a probe, but keeping the bay doors shut. He is only just able to use the doorway to transport to the Romulan Warbird as the complex self-destructs. (Thankfully, the Enterprise crew have figured out the problem and are able to beam Picard away safely.)

* OhCrap: When Geordi realizes that Picard was about to take the Iconian probe in tow.

-->'''Taris:''' Explain ''yours.'''

* FlawedPrototype: Picard asks if the recurring malfunctions that destroyed the ''Yamato'' are an inherent issue with the newly-designed ''Galaxy''-class starships. Geordi says that if that were the case, she would never have made it out of the shipyard.

While trying to access the Iconian's computer, Data becomes infected with the virus as well, shutting down most of his processes instantly, but he's still able to tell Picard how to destroy the compound and the technology within it. Picard manages to use the rip in space and time to escape onto the Romulan ship (stuck on auto-destruct, at this point) before being beamed off. When Data performs a cold boot of his system, the contagion is wiped, and the crew use the same tactic to clean out the ship. Geordi shares the solution with the Romulans before the ship heads back to Federation space.

* BlindJump: Played with. Picard sets the gateway console to explode, planning to use the gateway to escape. Even if he can't get to ''Enterprise'', which the gateway will cycle to eventually, wherever he ends up it'll be better than being blown up. Fortunately, the gateway cycles to the nearby Romulan ship, which Picard figures is better than nothing. By this point, the Romulans have computer failure so bad that their ship is going to blow itself up, and the commander doesn't feel shooting Picard is even worth the effort. He's beamed off when ''Enterprise'' detects his signal.
* ChekhovsGun: In his CaptainsLog, Varley mentions being scanned by an Iconian probe. This turns out to be the cause of his ship's malfunctions, as well as those on the ''Enterprise''.

** Wesley references this trope during his conversation with Picard when he says the ancient Iconian's technology sounds more like magic.

* MortonsFork: Riker isn't keen on Geordi's reboot plan, since it involves turning everything off including the deflector shields while they're "nose-to-nose with a Romulan Warbird." Geordi points out whether it's Romulan disruptors or their own warp engines, they're just as dead if they don't do this.