Star Trek: The Next Generation s04e02 Episode Script
Family
Captain's log, stardate 44012.
3.
The Enterprise remains at McKinley Station, undergoing an overhaul following the Borg incident.
I am confident the ship and her crew will soon return to service.
Thank you.
Please take that to Engineering.
- Phaser upgrades are complete.
- Already? We have begun power-supply calibration.
- You're too damned efficient.
- Thank you, sir.
Continue testing.
Here's the shore leave and personnel transfers.
I look forward to meeting your parents.
- Sir? - They're on the visitors' list.
- You didn't know? - No, sir.
It is inappropriate for a Klingon to receive family while on duty.
As humans, my parents do not understand.
I'm not sure that l would either, since this isn't a Klingon ship.
If you don't want to see your parents, OK.
But we don't often get to Earth.
Go off-duty while they're here.
No, sir.
That will not be necessary.
Dismissed.
Mr Worf? You're worried they'll learn what happened on the Klingon planet? Not at all.
I have already informed them of my discommendation.
I do not believe any human can truly understand my dishonour.
- So, where have you decided to go? - What? France.
Labarre.
- My home village.
- Really? - Yes.
First time in almost 20 years.
- lnteresting.
Counsellor I just find it interesting.
Capt Jean-Luc Picard, who wouldn't take a vacation for three years! It's Earth.
It's home.
Do l need another reason? I don't know.
What do you think? Your help has been invaluable during my recovery.
But, look.
I'm I'm better! - The injuries are healing.
- Those you can see in the mirror.
The nightmares have ended.
All l need now is a little time to myself.
I agree.
In fact, I'm delighted you're going.
It's just that the choice of where you're going could stand some scrutiny.
If you wish to believe that my going home is a result of being captured by the Borg, be my guest.
Is that what you believe? I hate it when you do that.
Captain.
You do need time.
You cannot achieve complete recovery so quickly.
It's normal, after what you've been through, to spend a great deal of time trying to find yourself again.
And what better place to do it than in one's home village? Interesting.
Have a good trip, Captain.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds, .
.
to seek out new life and new civilisations, .
.
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
- They still have not signalled? - No, sir.
My mother is never on time.
It is so human of her.
Well, you know women.
I am not looking forward to this.
I wish they'd come so it would end sooner! - l know what you mean, sir.
- Unlikely.
Last time my old man was on board, he chased Nurse Stanton round a bio bed.
My father doesn't chase nurses.
It's always something, isn't it? Enterprise, this is Earth Station Bobruisk.
Two to transport aboard.
Energising.
Mother.
Father.
- Worf.
- You look good, son.
- Put on a little weight.
- No.
Sure you have.
Looks good.
Still working out with holodeck monsters? Let me take you to Always good to meet another chief petty officer! Sergey Rozhenko, formerly of USS lntrepid.
Miles Edward O'Brien, sir.
Don't call me "sir".
I used to work for a living.
He's joking.
His proudest moment was when Worf earned his commission.
Imagine.
An old enlisted man like me raising a boy to be an officer! Come along, Sergey.
There is plenty of time to chat with the boys.
Your father has been so looking forward to this.
Yes, l want to see everything.
The whole ship.
I have all the specs and diagrams of the Galaxy-class starships.
We are in the midst of a repair.
I cannot give you a complete tour! - l'm sure if you ask the Captain - You agreed not to embarrass him.
Besides, we have come to see Worf, not the ship.
Fine.
OK.
Your hair is a little longer, isn't it, Worf? Alright.
Whoever you are, l can hear you.
- Good Lord! A highwayman! - A what? A highwayman.
A robber who attacks travellers.
But none have been reported here for centuries.
- But l'm not a robber! - l'm much relieved, sir.
- l know who you are.
- Then you have the advantage.
You're my nephew, Jean-Luc, from the Starship Enterprise.
- You must be my Uncle René.
- l'm not your uncle.
- lt's the other way around.
- Too bad.
I enjoyed the idea.
- Why have you been away so long? - Starfleet keeps me very busy.
- Father says you don't like it here.
- You misunderstood.
No, l didn't.
He said so.
Well, Robert and l, we Perhaps it's time to change all that.
You know, you don't seem so arro Arro You know.
- Arrogant? - Yes, arrogant.
You don't seem that way to me.
What does it mean anyway, "arrogant son of a"? Let's talk about that later, shall we? Mummy, he's here! Mummy! He's here! - Jean-Luc.
- Marie.
It is so good to finally meet you.
For me, too.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
Robert and l are delighted you've come to stay.
I was I was thinking I might be imposing.
I could stay in the village.
I wouldn't hear of it.
It's your home and always will be.
- Do things look that different? - No.
In fact, it's amazing how little it has changed.
Everything is exactly as l remember it.
The house, hills Every tree, every bush .
.
seems untouched by the passage of time.
Robert's worked hard to keep it that way.
It's very important to him.
As it was to our father.
Someday, l'm going to be a starship captain.
You look exactly like Robert when he was your age.
I half expect to see myself as a boy, come running out of that door to play.
- Robert can't wait to see you.
- René has already told me.
- Where is he? - As usual.
With his vines.
So, you arrived at last.
- Welcome home, Captain.
- Hello, Robert.
You've .
.
shuttled in from the village? No, l decided to walk.
- l met Marie and René.
- Good.
Good.
It's .
.
good to see you.
- Are you tired? - No.
Make yourself at home.
You know where everything is.
We generally eat about eight.
I must try and cure this poor, sick vine.
I'll see you shortly.
You'll have a chance to visit the surface? Maybe.
Will and l have talked about going back to Angel Falls.
Venezuela's beautiful.
Come in.
Great.
Thank you.
Something from home? I stored it here a long time ago, after Jack died.
Odds and ends, mostly.
How to Advance Your Career Through Marriage? It was a joke.
Jack sent it to me in medical school.
It was his way of proposing.
- What's that? - lt's for Wesley, from Jack.
I'd forgotten it.
Maybe l was just trying to forget it.
Why? Jack recorded a holographic message just after Wesley was born.
It was a gift for him when he grew up.
Jack was going to make many more of them.
He never had the chance.
Afraid of what it might say? No, but it could do more harm than good.
Wesley's finally come to terms with his father's death.
Wesley has questions about his father, things you can't answer.
Perhaps seeing this will help him understand.
Check completed, sir.
So we walked into the school not knowing what to expect.
Is Worf hurt? ls he in trouble? The door opens and there is our little seven-year-old sitting on the chair, glaring at five teenage boys with bloody noses! The Principal looked up and said, "Please, tell me he's an only child!" We have taken enough of the Commander's time.
- No.
We're ahead of schedule.
- l wanted to tell the story Enough stories, Sergey.
OK.
Enough stories.
Well, how about a look at the new engine core? - l was a warp-field specialist.
- l'd be delighted.
- Mrs Rozhenko? - No.
You two go ahead.
Your father will be hours.
Worf, why don't you show me the arboretum? Cmdr La Forge, call me when you when my father wishes to leave.
I can find my own way.
Turbolift four is just over there, right? I have all the specs and diagrams at home.
The theta-matrix compositor makes recrystallisation ten times more efficient than before.
Amazing.
Commander, if you have time, there is something else l want to ask.
- Sure, Chief.
- lt's about my son.
Your friend Louis wants you to call as soon as you're settled.
Is he still trying to raise the ocean floor? Yes.
He's very excited about it.
He's a supervisor now, as his wife constantly reminds anyone who'll listen.
I see no good reason why the Earth should have another subcontinent.
It's exciting, the potential of exploring a new world on our own planet.
Well, l'm afraid that l do not understand this potential.
The Mayor wants to give you a parade.
Thank you.
- A parade? - Give you the keys to the city.
No.
He just needs a little arm-twisting.
Some coaxing.
No, he does not.
I'm here to rest and spend time with my family.
I told the Mayor not to make plans without talking to us.
Thank you.
So - Salut.
- Salut.
Is this the '46? '47.
You've been drinking too much artificial stuff.
What do you call it? Synthehol? It's spoiled you.
Ruined your palate.
On the contrary.
It heightens one's appreciation for the genuine article.
Delicious, Marie! Thank you.
Leave it to Robert to find the best cook in France and marry her.
Yes, but sadly, cooking is becoming a lost art.
Your wretched technology again.
Robert and l have discussed getting a replicator in the house.
I remember the same discussions between Mother and Father.
Father understood better than anyone the danger of losing those values which we hold most precious.
Why do you have to lose anything just by adding a convenience? Well, you wouldn't, but in my view, life is already too convenient.
This is a very old argument.
It is.
I wrote a report on starships for school.
And he won a ribbon for it.
The teacher said it was the best he'd heard.
Good for you, Uncle.
I once wrote a report on starships when l was your age.
- Did you win a ribbon, too? - l don't recall.
And l don't find your modesty very convincing, brother.
Of course you won.
You always did.
Do you still have it? - Your report.
- No, l don't think so.
Well, l still have mine.
Why don't you get it? Then you can read it to your uncle.
It's hard enough to protect him .
.
to protect him from all that's out there without you encouraging him.
I'm not encouraging him.
If you weren't so narrow-minded, and let him see the world as it is You raise your own sons as you would wish and allow me to do the same with mine.
One man's idea of paradise.
No, Louis, two men.
Robert's and my father's.
Never did l know anyone less interested in grapes than you.
No.
Not true! l was interested.
And l was proud that my family were helping to preserve traditions.
I just didn't feel bound by those traditions.
You always reached for the future and your brother for the past.
There should be room for both in this life.
What about you, you old rascal? You've shifted into the future, too.
- Hydroponics turned out to be dull.
- You should have listened to me.
If l'd listened to you, I'd never have gone cycling with the Bloom sisters.
- And broken your leg.
- And got married twice.
So you're supervisor of the Atlantis Project.
One of 200 supervisors.
My wife would have you believe I run the entire project.
Well, it's very exciting work.
I've kept up on it in the journals.
Really? It's only There's just one thing l don't understand.
You were such a rotten swimmer, Louis.
Thinking of you working on the ocean floor I suppose we all find ways to confront our greatest fears.
How will you accelerate the build-up under the mantle without stressing the tectonic plates? You really have kept up, haven't you? The truth is, we don't know yet.
On the Enterprise, we used harmonic resonators to relieve tectonic pressures on Drema lV.
- lt's not the same, but - lt's such a shame.
The government wants someone to take over.
A leader who'll get things moving.
And they are looking for you.
I know, you'd never leave Starfleet.
No, l'd never leave Starfleet.
That's what l thought, but why don't l send over some of the studies, since you're interested? - We could use any thoughts you have.
- Alright.
It's a great crew, son.
And they think the world of you.
They really do.
Mother, Father, l I wish you would be a little more reserved while you are on board.
I know.
We go too far, sometimes.
We're just excited to be here.
- Riker to Lt Worf.
- Worf here.
I need to talk about the phaser test results.
On my way, sir.
Have Guinan call me if you need anything.
- Maybe we should leave it alone.
- l can't just leave it alone.
I'm his mother.
Sooner or later, everyone comes in here.
They stand by those windows and look out and they stare.
They're looking for that little star they call home.
It doesn't matter how far away it is.
Everybody looks anyway.
I'm Guinan.
Pleased to meet you.
- You're Worf's parents? - Sergey and Helena.
Welcome.
Sit, please.
There's something l want to ask you.
Please.
How come you never gave him prune juice? I beg your pardon? He never had it till he came here.
Now he can't get enough.
Worf? He never wanted human food while he was growing up.
Everything had to be Klingon.
I learned to cook rokeg blood pie.
However, we never quite learned how to eat it! - lt was a difficult adolescence.
- But you got through it.
- We did nothing special.
- Didn't you? Just look at him.
I think he's pretty special.
We knew it wouldn't be easy for him, growing up without other Klingons to turn to.
We had to let him discover and explore his heritage by himself, let him find his own path.
So many parents could learn so much from the two of you.
Well, l'm afraid that Worf feels that we do not understand him.
Well, part of him may feel that way.
But there's another part that l've seen.
A part that comes in and drinks prune juice.
A part that looks out the window towards home.
He's not looking towards the Klingon Empire.
He's looking towards you.
Jean-Luc? Are you alright? I seem to have made a rather disturbing discovery.
Louis mentioned that the Atlantis Project needed a director.
I found myself actually thinking about it! Why shouldn't you? Leaving my career, the Enterprise? - After what you've been through - No, no.
It's not that.
Or is it? It would be wonderful to have you back home.
Given time, maybe you and Robert might get to like one another.
I already like his choice in wives.
Thank you for your correspondence.
It made me feel like part of the family.
You're not like part of the family.
You are part of the family.
Don't worry, dear.
I've got it.
- Robert.
- Louis.
Come in.
Let me get you some wine.
- You can talk business.
- Business? Not much to talk about.
I'm interested in what you thought of our plans.
I've only glanced at them.
I've had a few ideas.
Wonderful! We should discuss them.
I've set up a meeting.
- Meeting? - Just a preliminary conversation.
- Tomorrow morning? - Preliminary to what? They want you.
I mentioned your interest in the project.
- They jumped at the prospect.
- There isn't a prospect.
At least listen to them.
Alright.
Good.
- Fine.
I'll listen.
- You won't regret it.
I promise.
See you in the morning.
I don't understand, Mom.
What kind of message? I don't know exactly.
Your father made it a few weeks after you were born.
Why? He felt it was important to say certain things.
And to make sure he didn't forget to tell you them later.
- Do you know what it says? - No.
But he wanted you to have this when you turned 1 8.
I want you to have it, too.
Enter.
- Are we disturbing you? - No.
- l thought you were going to sleep.
- We just came to tuck you in.
Please.
When l heard you were on the visitors' list, .
.
l was not sure I wanted you to come.
- l am glad you are here.
- We had to come.
Our boy was in trouble.
We read your letter about the discommendation from the Klingons.
- We didn't understand it all.
- We didn't have to.
We know what kind of man you are.
Whatever you did, we know it was for a good reason.
- l must bear my dishonour alone.
- That is not true.
I'm sorry if this is too human of us, but whatever you are suffering, you must remember we are with you.
And that we're proud of you.
And that we love you.
You are our son.
Careful! You're not used to drinking the real thing.
This synthehol never leaves you out of control.
- ls that so? - That's so.
Well, this will.
Now, there is something I'd like to see.
What's that? The gallant Captain out of control.
Mind if l ask you a question? What the devil happened to you up there? - ls this brotherly concern? - No.
Curiosity.
What did they do to you? - You know what happened.
- Not precisely.
I gather you were hurt.
Humiliated.
I always thought you needed a little humiliation.
Or was it humility? Either would do.
Why do you walk away? - That isn't your style.
- l'm tired of fighting with you.
- Tired? - That's right! Yes.
Tired of the Enterprise, too? The great Capt Picard of Starfleet falls to Earth, ready to plunge into the water with Louis.
That isn't the brother that l remember.
Still, l suppose it must have seemed the ideal situation.
Local boy makes good.
Returns home after 20 years to a hero's welcome.
- l'm not a hero.
- Of course you are.
Admit it.
- You'd never settle for less.
- That's not true! - Cancel the parade? ln your favour? - No! I never sought that rubbish! Never sought? Never sought president of the school, valedictorian, athletic hero with your arms raised in victory? Valedictorian? Arms raised in victory? - Were you so jealous? - Yes, damn it! I was always so jealous and l had a right to be! A right? I was always your brother, watching you receive the cheers, watching you break every rule our father made and get away with it! Why didn't you break rules? I was the responsible elder brother.
- lt was my job to look after you.
- Look after me? You were a bully! Sometimes, maybe.
Sometimes l even enjoyed bullying you.
- Alright.
Try it now.
- Why did you come back, Jean-Luc? Did you come back because you wanted me to look after you again? Damn you! - You were asking for it, you know.
- Yes, but you needed it.
You have been terribly hard on yourself.
You don't know, Robert.
You don't know.
They took everything l was.
They used me to kill and to destroy, and l couldn't stop them.
I should have been able to stop them! I tried.
I tried so hard! But l wasn't strong enough! I wasn't good enough! I should have been able to stop them! I should! l should! So .
.
my brother is a human being after all.
This is going to be with you a long time, Jean-Luc.
A long time.
You have to learn to live with it.
You have a simple choice now.
Live with it below the sea with Louis.
Or above the clouds with the Enterprise.
You know, l think you were right after all.
I think l did come back so that you could help me.
You know what? I still don't like you, Jean-Luc! What in the world?! What happened here? It's entirely my fault, Marie.
- l fell down.
Then he fell down.
- Then we both fell down.
We both fell down together.
Have you two been fighting? - Fighting? No.
Certainly not.
- No.
Shame on you both.
What would your father say if he saw you like this? He'd probably send us to bed without supper.
Perhaps it's just as well you got it out of your systems.
Perhaps it was, Marie.
Perhaps it was.
I'll contact Louis and cancel the meeting.
- lt's time that l was going.
- Already? The ship will be ready to leave orbit soon.
I belong aboard.
If l should ever doubt that again, I know where to come.
Computer, load program, Crusher one.
Program complete.
Enter when ready.
Run program.
Hello, Wesley.
As l make this recording, you are about ten weeks old.
I wanted you to know who l am today.
This Jack Crusher won't exist by the time you're grown up.
I'll be older, more experienced and, hopefully, a little wiser.
But this person will be gone, and l want you to know who l was when you came into the world.
When l see you lying there, in your crib, I realise l don't know the first thing about being a father.
So let me apologise for all the mistakes l'm about to make.
I hope you don't grow up resenting the fact l was gone so much.
That comes with this uniform.
I don't know if l can explain why Starfleet means so much to me.
Maybe you'll understand when you get this recording.
Maybe you'll even want to try one of these on.
But you'll probably be a doctor, like your mother.
You're only a baby, but it's remarkable.
I see in your face all the people l've loved in my lifetime.
Your mother, my father and mother.
Our family.
I can see me in you, too.
And l can feel that you're my son.
I don't know how to describe it, but there's this connection, this bond.
I'll always be a part of you, Wesley.
Well, l hope this makes some sense to you.
I'm not sure that it does to me, but maybe l'll do better next time.
I love you, Wesley.
Goodbye, Dad.
Come back and see us again.
Goodbye, Jean-Luc.
And be careful.
- Take care, Uncle.
- You, too.
Someday, l'll leave for my starship, too.
Plenty of time for that.
You may decide to do something else.
Jean-Luc, here is a little of the '47.
Do not drink it all at once, and if possible, try not to drink it alone.
Is there anything you want us to send you from home? No.
Perhaps some of your rokeg blood pie.
It's been a while, but l think l still remember how.
- Captain.
Welcome back.
- Thank you.
These are my parents, Helena and Sergey.
Delighted.
Sir.
- Quite a ship you have, Captain.
- You had the full tour? There are still a few areas due to repairs - Sergey.
Time to go.
- Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
OK.
I have all the specs and diagrams at home.
He's still out there.
Dreaming about starships and adventures.
- lt's getting late.
- Yes.
But let him dream.
3.
The Enterprise remains at McKinley Station, undergoing an overhaul following the Borg incident.
I am confident the ship and her crew will soon return to service.
Thank you.
Please take that to Engineering.
- Phaser upgrades are complete.
- Already? We have begun power-supply calibration.
- You're too damned efficient.
- Thank you, sir.
Continue testing.
Here's the shore leave and personnel transfers.
I look forward to meeting your parents.
- Sir? - They're on the visitors' list.
- You didn't know? - No, sir.
It is inappropriate for a Klingon to receive family while on duty.
As humans, my parents do not understand.
I'm not sure that l would either, since this isn't a Klingon ship.
If you don't want to see your parents, OK.
But we don't often get to Earth.
Go off-duty while they're here.
No, sir.
That will not be necessary.
Dismissed.
Mr Worf? You're worried they'll learn what happened on the Klingon planet? Not at all.
I have already informed them of my discommendation.
I do not believe any human can truly understand my dishonour.
- So, where have you decided to go? - What? France.
Labarre.
- My home village.
- Really? - Yes.
First time in almost 20 years.
- lnteresting.
Counsellor I just find it interesting.
Capt Jean-Luc Picard, who wouldn't take a vacation for three years! It's Earth.
It's home.
Do l need another reason? I don't know.
What do you think? Your help has been invaluable during my recovery.
But, look.
I'm I'm better! - The injuries are healing.
- Those you can see in the mirror.
The nightmares have ended.
All l need now is a little time to myself.
I agree.
In fact, I'm delighted you're going.
It's just that the choice of where you're going could stand some scrutiny.
If you wish to believe that my going home is a result of being captured by the Borg, be my guest.
Is that what you believe? I hate it when you do that.
Captain.
You do need time.
You cannot achieve complete recovery so quickly.
It's normal, after what you've been through, to spend a great deal of time trying to find yourself again.
And what better place to do it than in one's home village? Interesting.
Have a good trip, Captain.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds, .
.
to seek out new life and new civilisations, .
.
to boldly go where no one has gone before.
- They still have not signalled? - No, sir.
My mother is never on time.
It is so human of her.
Well, you know women.
I am not looking forward to this.
I wish they'd come so it would end sooner! - l know what you mean, sir.
- Unlikely.
Last time my old man was on board, he chased Nurse Stanton round a bio bed.
My father doesn't chase nurses.
It's always something, isn't it? Enterprise, this is Earth Station Bobruisk.
Two to transport aboard.
Energising.
Mother.
Father.
- Worf.
- You look good, son.
- Put on a little weight.
- No.
Sure you have.
Looks good.
Still working out with holodeck monsters? Let me take you to Always good to meet another chief petty officer! Sergey Rozhenko, formerly of USS lntrepid.
Miles Edward O'Brien, sir.
Don't call me "sir".
I used to work for a living.
He's joking.
His proudest moment was when Worf earned his commission.
Imagine.
An old enlisted man like me raising a boy to be an officer! Come along, Sergey.
There is plenty of time to chat with the boys.
Your father has been so looking forward to this.
Yes, l want to see everything.
The whole ship.
I have all the specs and diagrams of the Galaxy-class starships.
We are in the midst of a repair.
I cannot give you a complete tour! - l'm sure if you ask the Captain - You agreed not to embarrass him.
Besides, we have come to see Worf, not the ship.
Fine.
OK.
Your hair is a little longer, isn't it, Worf? Alright.
Whoever you are, l can hear you.
- Good Lord! A highwayman! - A what? A highwayman.
A robber who attacks travellers.
But none have been reported here for centuries.
- But l'm not a robber! - l'm much relieved, sir.
- l know who you are.
- Then you have the advantage.
You're my nephew, Jean-Luc, from the Starship Enterprise.
- You must be my Uncle René.
- l'm not your uncle.
- lt's the other way around.
- Too bad.
I enjoyed the idea.
- Why have you been away so long? - Starfleet keeps me very busy.
- Father says you don't like it here.
- You misunderstood.
No, l didn't.
He said so.
Well, Robert and l, we Perhaps it's time to change all that.
You know, you don't seem so arro Arro You know.
- Arrogant? - Yes, arrogant.
You don't seem that way to me.
What does it mean anyway, "arrogant son of a"? Let's talk about that later, shall we? Mummy, he's here! Mummy! He's here! - Jean-Luc.
- Marie.
It is so good to finally meet you.
For me, too.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
Robert and l are delighted you've come to stay.
I was I was thinking I might be imposing.
I could stay in the village.
I wouldn't hear of it.
It's your home and always will be.
- Do things look that different? - No.
In fact, it's amazing how little it has changed.
Everything is exactly as l remember it.
The house, hills Every tree, every bush .
.
seems untouched by the passage of time.
Robert's worked hard to keep it that way.
It's very important to him.
As it was to our father.
Someday, l'm going to be a starship captain.
You look exactly like Robert when he was your age.
I half expect to see myself as a boy, come running out of that door to play.
- Robert can't wait to see you.
- René has already told me.
- Where is he? - As usual.
With his vines.
So, you arrived at last.
- Welcome home, Captain.
- Hello, Robert.
You've .
.
shuttled in from the village? No, l decided to walk.
- l met Marie and René.
- Good.
Good.
It's .
.
good to see you.
- Are you tired? - No.
Make yourself at home.
You know where everything is.
We generally eat about eight.
I must try and cure this poor, sick vine.
I'll see you shortly.
You'll have a chance to visit the surface? Maybe.
Will and l have talked about going back to Angel Falls.
Venezuela's beautiful.
Come in.
Great.
Thank you.
Something from home? I stored it here a long time ago, after Jack died.
Odds and ends, mostly.
How to Advance Your Career Through Marriage? It was a joke.
Jack sent it to me in medical school.
It was his way of proposing.
- What's that? - lt's for Wesley, from Jack.
I'd forgotten it.
Maybe l was just trying to forget it.
Why? Jack recorded a holographic message just after Wesley was born.
It was a gift for him when he grew up.
Jack was going to make many more of them.
He never had the chance.
Afraid of what it might say? No, but it could do more harm than good.
Wesley's finally come to terms with his father's death.
Wesley has questions about his father, things you can't answer.
Perhaps seeing this will help him understand.
Check completed, sir.
So we walked into the school not knowing what to expect.
Is Worf hurt? ls he in trouble? The door opens and there is our little seven-year-old sitting on the chair, glaring at five teenage boys with bloody noses! The Principal looked up and said, "Please, tell me he's an only child!" We have taken enough of the Commander's time.
- No.
We're ahead of schedule.
- l wanted to tell the story Enough stories, Sergey.
OK.
Enough stories.
Well, how about a look at the new engine core? - l was a warp-field specialist.
- l'd be delighted.
- Mrs Rozhenko? - No.
You two go ahead.
Your father will be hours.
Worf, why don't you show me the arboretum? Cmdr La Forge, call me when you when my father wishes to leave.
I can find my own way.
Turbolift four is just over there, right? I have all the specs and diagrams at home.
The theta-matrix compositor makes recrystallisation ten times more efficient than before.
Amazing.
Commander, if you have time, there is something else l want to ask.
- Sure, Chief.
- lt's about my son.
Your friend Louis wants you to call as soon as you're settled.
Is he still trying to raise the ocean floor? Yes.
He's very excited about it.
He's a supervisor now, as his wife constantly reminds anyone who'll listen.
I see no good reason why the Earth should have another subcontinent.
It's exciting, the potential of exploring a new world on our own planet.
Well, l'm afraid that l do not understand this potential.
The Mayor wants to give you a parade.
Thank you.
- A parade? - Give you the keys to the city.
No.
He just needs a little arm-twisting.
Some coaxing.
No, he does not.
I'm here to rest and spend time with my family.
I told the Mayor not to make plans without talking to us.
Thank you.
So - Salut.
- Salut.
Is this the '46? '47.
You've been drinking too much artificial stuff.
What do you call it? Synthehol? It's spoiled you.
Ruined your palate.
On the contrary.
It heightens one's appreciation for the genuine article.
Delicious, Marie! Thank you.
Leave it to Robert to find the best cook in France and marry her.
Yes, but sadly, cooking is becoming a lost art.
Your wretched technology again.
Robert and l have discussed getting a replicator in the house.
I remember the same discussions between Mother and Father.
Father understood better than anyone the danger of losing those values which we hold most precious.
Why do you have to lose anything just by adding a convenience? Well, you wouldn't, but in my view, life is already too convenient.
This is a very old argument.
It is.
I wrote a report on starships for school.
And he won a ribbon for it.
The teacher said it was the best he'd heard.
Good for you, Uncle.
I once wrote a report on starships when l was your age.
- Did you win a ribbon, too? - l don't recall.
And l don't find your modesty very convincing, brother.
Of course you won.
You always did.
Do you still have it? - Your report.
- No, l don't think so.
Well, l still have mine.
Why don't you get it? Then you can read it to your uncle.
It's hard enough to protect him .
.
to protect him from all that's out there without you encouraging him.
I'm not encouraging him.
If you weren't so narrow-minded, and let him see the world as it is You raise your own sons as you would wish and allow me to do the same with mine.
One man's idea of paradise.
No, Louis, two men.
Robert's and my father's.
Never did l know anyone less interested in grapes than you.
No.
Not true! l was interested.
And l was proud that my family were helping to preserve traditions.
I just didn't feel bound by those traditions.
You always reached for the future and your brother for the past.
There should be room for both in this life.
What about you, you old rascal? You've shifted into the future, too.
- Hydroponics turned out to be dull.
- You should have listened to me.
If l'd listened to you, I'd never have gone cycling with the Bloom sisters.
- And broken your leg.
- And got married twice.
So you're supervisor of the Atlantis Project.
One of 200 supervisors.
My wife would have you believe I run the entire project.
Well, it's very exciting work.
I've kept up on it in the journals.
Really? It's only There's just one thing l don't understand.
You were such a rotten swimmer, Louis.
Thinking of you working on the ocean floor I suppose we all find ways to confront our greatest fears.
How will you accelerate the build-up under the mantle without stressing the tectonic plates? You really have kept up, haven't you? The truth is, we don't know yet.
On the Enterprise, we used harmonic resonators to relieve tectonic pressures on Drema lV.
- lt's not the same, but - lt's such a shame.
The government wants someone to take over.
A leader who'll get things moving.
And they are looking for you.
I know, you'd never leave Starfleet.
No, l'd never leave Starfleet.
That's what l thought, but why don't l send over some of the studies, since you're interested? - We could use any thoughts you have.
- Alright.
It's a great crew, son.
And they think the world of you.
They really do.
Mother, Father, l I wish you would be a little more reserved while you are on board.
I know.
We go too far, sometimes.
We're just excited to be here.
- Riker to Lt Worf.
- Worf here.
I need to talk about the phaser test results.
On my way, sir.
Have Guinan call me if you need anything.
- Maybe we should leave it alone.
- l can't just leave it alone.
I'm his mother.
Sooner or later, everyone comes in here.
They stand by those windows and look out and they stare.
They're looking for that little star they call home.
It doesn't matter how far away it is.
Everybody looks anyway.
I'm Guinan.
Pleased to meet you.
- You're Worf's parents? - Sergey and Helena.
Welcome.
Sit, please.
There's something l want to ask you.
Please.
How come you never gave him prune juice? I beg your pardon? He never had it till he came here.
Now he can't get enough.
Worf? He never wanted human food while he was growing up.
Everything had to be Klingon.
I learned to cook rokeg blood pie.
However, we never quite learned how to eat it! - lt was a difficult adolescence.
- But you got through it.
- We did nothing special.
- Didn't you? Just look at him.
I think he's pretty special.
We knew it wouldn't be easy for him, growing up without other Klingons to turn to.
We had to let him discover and explore his heritage by himself, let him find his own path.
So many parents could learn so much from the two of you.
Well, l'm afraid that Worf feels that we do not understand him.
Well, part of him may feel that way.
But there's another part that l've seen.
A part that comes in and drinks prune juice.
A part that looks out the window towards home.
He's not looking towards the Klingon Empire.
He's looking towards you.
Jean-Luc? Are you alright? I seem to have made a rather disturbing discovery.
Louis mentioned that the Atlantis Project needed a director.
I found myself actually thinking about it! Why shouldn't you? Leaving my career, the Enterprise? - After what you've been through - No, no.
It's not that.
Or is it? It would be wonderful to have you back home.
Given time, maybe you and Robert might get to like one another.
I already like his choice in wives.
Thank you for your correspondence.
It made me feel like part of the family.
You're not like part of the family.
You are part of the family.
Don't worry, dear.
I've got it.
- Robert.
- Louis.
Come in.
Let me get you some wine.
- You can talk business.
- Business? Not much to talk about.
I'm interested in what you thought of our plans.
I've only glanced at them.
I've had a few ideas.
Wonderful! We should discuss them.
I've set up a meeting.
- Meeting? - Just a preliminary conversation.
- Tomorrow morning? - Preliminary to what? They want you.
I mentioned your interest in the project.
- They jumped at the prospect.
- There isn't a prospect.
At least listen to them.
Alright.
Good.
- Fine.
I'll listen.
- You won't regret it.
I promise.
See you in the morning.
I don't understand, Mom.
What kind of message? I don't know exactly.
Your father made it a few weeks after you were born.
Why? He felt it was important to say certain things.
And to make sure he didn't forget to tell you them later.
- Do you know what it says? - No.
But he wanted you to have this when you turned 1 8.
I want you to have it, too.
Enter.
- Are we disturbing you? - No.
- l thought you were going to sleep.
- We just came to tuck you in.
Please.
When l heard you were on the visitors' list, .
.
l was not sure I wanted you to come.
- l am glad you are here.
- We had to come.
Our boy was in trouble.
We read your letter about the discommendation from the Klingons.
- We didn't understand it all.
- We didn't have to.
We know what kind of man you are.
Whatever you did, we know it was for a good reason.
- l must bear my dishonour alone.
- That is not true.
I'm sorry if this is too human of us, but whatever you are suffering, you must remember we are with you.
And that we're proud of you.
And that we love you.
You are our son.
Careful! You're not used to drinking the real thing.
This synthehol never leaves you out of control.
- ls that so? - That's so.
Well, this will.
Now, there is something I'd like to see.
What's that? The gallant Captain out of control.
Mind if l ask you a question? What the devil happened to you up there? - ls this brotherly concern? - No.
Curiosity.
What did they do to you? - You know what happened.
- Not precisely.
I gather you were hurt.
Humiliated.
I always thought you needed a little humiliation.
Or was it humility? Either would do.
Why do you walk away? - That isn't your style.
- l'm tired of fighting with you.
- Tired? - That's right! Yes.
Tired of the Enterprise, too? The great Capt Picard of Starfleet falls to Earth, ready to plunge into the water with Louis.
That isn't the brother that l remember.
Still, l suppose it must have seemed the ideal situation.
Local boy makes good.
Returns home after 20 years to a hero's welcome.
- l'm not a hero.
- Of course you are.
Admit it.
- You'd never settle for less.
- That's not true! - Cancel the parade? ln your favour? - No! I never sought that rubbish! Never sought? Never sought president of the school, valedictorian, athletic hero with your arms raised in victory? Valedictorian? Arms raised in victory? - Were you so jealous? - Yes, damn it! I was always so jealous and l had a right to be! A right? I was always your brother, watching you receive the cheers, watching you break every rule our father made and get away with it! Why didn't you break rules? I was the responsible elder brother.
- lt was my job to look after you.
- Look after me? You were a bully! Sometimes, maybe.
Sometimes l even enjoyed bullying you.
- Alright.
Try it now.
- Why did you come back, Jean-Luc? Did you come back because you wanted me to look after you again? Damn you! - You were asking for it, you know.
- Yes, but you needed it.
You have been terribly hard on yourself.
You don't know, Robert.
You don't know.
They took everything l was.
They used me to kill and to destroy, and l couldn't stop them.
I should have been able to stop them! I tried.
I tried so hard! But l wasn't strong enough! I wasn't good enough! I should have been able to stop them! I should! l should! So .
.
my brother is a human being after all.
This is going to be with you a long time, Jean-Luc.
A long time.
You have to learn to live with it.
You have a simple choice now.
Live with it below the sea with Louis.
Or above the clouds with the Enterprise.
You know, l think you were right after all.
I think l did come back so that you could help me.
You know what? I still don't like you, Jean-Luc! What in the world?! What happened here? It's entirely my fault, Marie.
- l fell down.
Then he fell down.
- Then we both fell down.
We both fell down together.
Have you two been fighting? - Fighting? No.
Certainly not.
- No.
Shame on you both.
What would your father say if he saw you like this? He'd probably send us to bed without supper.
Perhaps it's just as well you got it out of your systems.
Perhaps it was, Marie.
Perhaps it was.
I'll contact Louis and cancel the meeting.
- lt's time that l was going.
- Already? The ship will be ready to leave orbit soon.
I belong aboard.
If l should ever doubt that again, I know where to come.
Computer, load program, Crusher one.
Program complete.
Enter when ready.
Run program.
Hello, Wesley.
As l make this recording, you are about ten weeks old.
I wanted you to know who l am today.
This Jack Crusher won't exist by the time you're grown up.
I'll be older, more experienced and, hopefully, a little wiser.
But this person will be gone, and l want you to know who l was when you came into the world.
When l see you lying there, in your crib, I realise l don't know the first thing about being a father.
So let me apologise for all the mistakes l'm about to make.
I hope you don't grow up resenting the fact l was gone so much.
That comes with this uniform.
I don't know if l can explain why Starfleet means so much to me.
Maybe you'll understand when you get this recording.
Maybe you'll even want to try one of these on.
But you'll probably be a doctor, like your mother.
You're only a baby, but it's remarkable.
I see in your face all the people l've loved in my lifetime.
Your mother, my father and mother.
Our family.
I can see me in you, too.
And l can feel that you're my son.
I don't know how to describe it, but there's this connection, this bond.
I'll always be a part of you, Wesley.
Well, l hope this makes some sense to you.
I'm not sure that it does to me, but maybe l'll do better next time.
I love you, Wesley.
Goodbye, Dad.
Come back and see us again.
Goodbye, Jean-Luc.
And be careful.
- Take care, Uncle.
- You, too.
Someday, l'll leave for my starship, too.
Plenty of time for that.
You may decide to do something else.
Jean-Luc, here is a little of the '47.
Do not drink it all at once, and if possible, try not to drink it alone.
Is there anything you want us to send you from home? No.
Perhaps some of your rokeg blood pie.
It's been a while, but l think l still remember how.
- Captain.
Welcome back.
- Thank you.
These are my parents, Helena and Sergey.
Delighted.
Sir.
- Quite a ship you have, Captain.
- You had the full tour? There are still a few areas due to repairs - Sergey.
Time to go.
- Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
OK.
I have all the specs and diagrams at home.
He's still out there.
Dreaming about starships and adventures.
- lt's getting late.
- Yes.
But let him dream.