The Loss

"The Loss" is the 84th episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the tenth episode of the fourth season. It originally aired on December 31, 1990.

"The Loss"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 10
Directed byChip Chalmers
Story byHilary J. Bader
Teleplay byHilary J. Bader
Alan J. Adler
Vanessa Greene
Featured musicDennis McCarthy
Production code184
Original air dateDecember 31, 1990 (1990-12-31)
Guest appearance(s)

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, the USS Enterprise becomes trapped within a field of two-dimensional lifeforms, while Counselor Troi struggles with the sudden unexpected loss of her empathic abilities.

Plot

Traveling through deep space, the Enterprise stops to investigate an odd phenomenon of phantom sensor readings. Meanwhile, ship's counselor Deanna Troi experiences pain and loses consciousness as her empathic abilities suddenly cease to work.

The crew discovers they cannot resume course, as the Enterprise is caught up in a group of two-dimensional lifeforms.

Without her powers, Troi suffers a tremendous sense of loss, and goes through several classic psychological stages, including denial, fear and anger. Ultimately, despite the reassurances of her friends, she resigns as ship's counselor, believing that without her empathic abilities she cannot perform her duties.

Commander Data and Commander Riker determine that the two-dimensional creatures are heading for a cosmic string, with the Enterprise in tow, and that once they reach the string the ship will be torn apart. Realizing that Troi's loss and the ship's predicament are somehow linked, Captain Picard pleads with her to try and communicate with the strange creatures.

After attempting to warn the creatures of the danger posed by the cosmic string, Troi posits that they are seeking out the cosmic string in much the way a moth is drawn to a flame. Working from this hypothesis, Data simulates the vibration of a cosmic string, using the deflector dish at a position well behind the Enterprise. The simulations eventually cause the creatures to briefly reverse their course, breaking their momentum long enough to allow the Enterprise to break free.

Freed from the two-dimensional creatures' influence, Troi's empathic ability is restored. She discovers that her powers were never lost, but were instead overwhelmed by the two-dimensional creatures' strong emotions. Troi returns to her old job with a renewed confidence.

Production

This episode was overall written by Hilary J. Bader. [1] Bader began as TNG season 3 writing intern, and would also write for "Dark Page" and one other episode "Hero Worship" (3 total for TNG).[2][3]

The teleplay was written by Hilary J. Bader, Alan J. Alder, and Vanessa Greene. [4]

Reception

In 2019, FanSided reviewed this episode, and noted that Deanna Troi whined more than Luke Skywalker when he was not able to go to Tosche Station to pick up power converters.[1] (referencing Star Wars (1977))

In 2019, ScreenRant ranked it the 8th worst episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation based on IMDB ratings, which was 6 out of 10 at that time.[5]

References
  1. ago, D. Goodman 1 week (2019-07-09). "A Look Back: Star Trek: The Next Generation – The Loss". Redshirts Always Die. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  2. Block, Paula M.; Erdmann, Terry J. (2012-11-16). Star Trek: The Next Generation 365. ABRAMS. ISBN 9781613124000.
  3. Reeves-Stevens, Judith; Reeves-Stevens, Garfield (1997). The Continuing Mission: A Tenth Anniversary Tribute. Pocket Books/Star Trek. ISBN 9780671874292. Hilary J. Bader star trek.
  4. Nemecek, Larry (2003-01-01). The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion: Revised Edition. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743476577.
  5. "10 Worst Episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, According to IMDb". ScreenRant. 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  • Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 4, disc 3, selection 2.
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