child star trek generation child episode second season american science fiction television series star trek generation 27th episode overall originally released november broadcast syndication story originally written cancelled late 1970s series star trek phase tight caused writers guild america strike producers generation searched records earlier television project resulting script amended runner set 24th century series follows adventures crew federation starship enterprise episode ship pregnant alien entity gives birth mysterious child causes problems enterprise transporting dangerous plague strains child presence ship begins crew effects virus sample transported ship sacrifices physical body turning energy telling visited departing episode second season child episode feature doctor director allowed use additional camera equipment improve style filming resulting change opening shot episode watched million viewers critics held negative opinion episode saying ongoing effect criticism compared means character pregnancy rape reactions crew plot new chief medical officer brought aboard enterprise prepares travel order dangerous virus samples carried station order cure plague epidemic captain meets forward lounge ship new leaving ball energy passes hull enters ship unnoticed eventually settling ship counselor quarters day finds pregnant developing accelerated rate fully developed hours know father aware presence entering body night senior staff debate terminating pregnancy decides carry child term enterprise arrives begins transport samples highly secure storage vessel gives birth apparently normal boy names father continues develop rapidly day appears year old child corresponding mental observe purposely putting harm way seemingly experience asked ready explain responds having completed transfer virus samples enterprise heads crew finds plague strains growing continue growing storage vessel result catastrophic exposure board discover unknown source radiation causing growth separately appearing year old source crew problems leave realizes dying calls medical assistance tries alive commander data discovers source radiation dies arms turns ball energy hands communicating moment leaves ship told wished experience childhood living crew gone plague sample returns normal crew continues starfleet medical production phase origins episode based female crew member pregnant initial pitch star trek original series entitled infection episode described female crew member discovered pregnant growing realization larvae alien body like insects plant eggs living insects similar idea created star trek phase television series late 1970s pitched premise child meeting assistant producer suggested changes meeting summers subsequently submitted revised draft treatment asked write complete write space week subsequently impressed efforts demanded story editor refused threatened quit didn job changed mind found seriously damaged working relationship story seen pregnant alien entity ship passes near gives birth baby girl names enterprise suffers multiple near disasters resolved intervention child ship hull slowly vessel break apart matter hours new vulcan science officer mind child discovers needs transported directly bright light pursuing enterprise procedure completed child enters light transforms higher life form episode ends crew acted enterprise second series cancelled went initial production pilot image rewritten star trek motion picture script phase version child later reprinted book star trek phase lost series summers adapted script use fan series star trek phase known star trek directed episode generation response success season increased budget episode star trek generation changed financing structure funds carried episode episode writers guild america strike work second season delayed length overall reduced producers sought production immediately strike lifted studied story ideas forward child held possibility position story changed praised development felt overlooked season presence runner later admitted looked phase script executive producer later explained writers time script restricted time scale imposed strike despite director wanted fans good episode start second season idea agreed said direction went bit normally order compensate script difficulties allowed use additional cameras equipment improve style filming including opening shot episode making appearances generation child doctor previously appeared episodes original series characters written replace officially chosen leave didn like character development reason given departing season actually fired intended bring doctor vibe series academy_award winner actively pursuing role portrayal original series inspired actress agent initially ignored producers believe wanted called character named texas prohibition era owner reception child released broadcast syndication november watched million viewers highest series season episode short season broadcast february year composition episode nominated primetime emmy award outstanding music composition series lost episode episode described uneven start second season book complete trek generation duo praised addition lack follow episode criticised felt events type lasting effect suggested want child wary general impact loss pointed changes start season child rest run generation review included moving chief engineer placing miles brien chief growing beard criticised calling abortion mentioned added discussed non canon novel review den geek surprised episode reacted undergoing saw form rape felt child type mind control crew consider possibility said crew failed act sake plot pet television adding replace main character episode outcome unchanged hunt described introduction new elements wonder doesn nice facial hair level subtlety zack_handlen reviewing episode gave score criticising passive nature pregnancy rape entire life child presented life experience handlen described lack issues day pregnancy felt episode better served concentrating hard science fiction concept plague home media release child vhs cassette appearing august united_states canada episode later included star trek generation season dvd box set released recent release season blu ray set december
The Child (Star Trek: The Next Generation)