Encounter at Farpoint

(Star Trek: The Next Generation)
by
David Gerrold

Pocket, October 1987, 192 pp.
ISBN: 0-671-65241-9

Genre: Science Fiction
Subgenre: TV Tie-In
Reviewed: 3/18/2001

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Read Part of the Book

Suddenly, the cracking, roaring power of a lightning strike flashed across the bridge. A searing, blinding flash of light poured out of a hole in space next to Picard. Instinctively, the bridge personnel backed away from it, shielding their eyes.

The column of light shook and then resolved itself into the semblance of a human figure directly in front of Picard's command chair. There was a brief moment when the outline shimmered uncertainly--and then stabilized into a figure.

A human figure.

Picard blinked, scarcely able to believe that what he saw before him was what appeared to be a man dressed in Elizabethan costume and ceremonial body armor. The clothing details, all in black and white and silver, were perfect--embroidery-edged neck and sleeve ruffs, tight-sleeved doublet laced up the front, paned trunk hose, patterned canions, and the netherstocks covered by knee-high cuffed boots. A short cape was slung over his left shoulder; a ceremonial sword hung at his side. The being had short hair, a pointed beard, and a moustache. The helmet was cradled in his left arm.

As soon as he realized he had coalesced into an identifiable form, the being offered an elaborate court bow toward Picard. The forward turbolift doors snapped open, and the security team that Tasha had signaled began to lunge forward onto the bridge. The alien merely nodded toward them, and a miniature version of the grid spanned the turbolift door and thrust the security team back. The lift doors snapped shut on their surprised faces.

The Elizabethan turned mockingly toward Picard and extended another bow in his direction. The voice of the creature, however, was anything but courteous. "Thou art notified that thy kind hath infiltrated the galaxy too far already. Thou are directed to return to thine own solar system immediately."

Picard tilted his head almost quizzically. He considered his words carefully, decided to stall for time while he figured out who or what he was dealing with. "That's quite a directive," he said calmly. "Who are you and what gives you the right to issue such an order?"

"In words thou may understand, we call ourselves the Q."

Review

During the initial voyage of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701D), on the way to Cygnus IV to pick up the rest of the crew and to check out Farpoint Station, the Enterprise is stopped by Q. He demands that Picard atone for the atrocities of mankind. Picard declares that humans have changed and are no longer the violent race that they once were. Q whisks Picard, Data, Tasha and Troi off to a trial. Picard demands that he prove that humans have changed. Q agrees to assess them when they arrive at Farpoint Station. Upon arrival at Cygnus IV, Picard finds a very advanced station that was built in 14 months by a people that do not appear to have any resources except geothermal heat. And mysterious occurrences are noticed whenever somebody wishes aloud for something. When another ship approaches and starts firing on the old city, Picard has to make a decision: stand by and watch people die, or fire on the unknown ship.

This is a Star Trek: The Next Generation book. It is the book based on the first two-hour episode of the television show. The characters are a little rough, as their development has not fully occurred. Picard is quick to anger. Wesley is not seen for the genius he is to become. Dr. Crusher is a little standoffish. Tasha and Worf and ready to attack everything. Geordi is fresh out of the Academy. And Data is very robot-like in his responses to questions.

I originally read this book back in 1988, a little over a year after the Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired. The book is well-written, as it portrays the character's perfectly. Yes, the characters are rough, but they were like this in the first episode. One thing this book does, that the first episode didn't, is that it gives you a lot of background information on the characters...mostly what they are thinking while they are performing actions. I always love this. Movies and television shows are fun to watch, but you often do not know what is going on in the character's minds. That is what books are for. And this one does a good job of telling the story. If you are a Star Trek Next Generation fan, you can't miss this one. It is the story that started it all, and of course, introduced us to Q, the omnipotent being you love to hate.

I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.