Introduction

“Rascals” is the seventh episode of the sixth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 133rd overall. It was originally released on 30 October 1992, in broadcast syndication.

“Rascals” was credited to Alison Hock from a story by Ward Botsford, Diana Dru Botsford, Michael Piller, although the script was revised by several writers with Ronald D. Moore conducting the final draft. It marked the directorial debut of Adam Nimoy.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, the bodies of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and three other crewmembers are reduced to those of 12-year-old children in a transporter accident. When a group of Ferengi pirates boards the Enterprise, the “children” must work with Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to take back the ship while coming to terms with their newly found youth.

“Rascals” was not a popular episode with the staff, with scientific adviser Naren Shankar deriding the science proposed for the script. Several of the guest cast had appeared in other roles within the series before; David Tristan Birkin, Mike Gomez, Tracey Walter and Michael Snyder. The episode also marked the final appearance within the series for Rosalind Chao as Keiko O’Brien and the only appearance of Hana Hatae as Molly O’Brien. The episode received a Nielsen Rating of 13.5 percent, and received a mixed response from critics. The scene with Keiko and Miles O’Brien was praised, while the Ferengi were seen in both positive and negative lights.

Outline

Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes) and Keiko O’Brien (Rosalind Chao) are returning to the Enterprise from the planet Marlonia, but a transporter accident results in them changing into 12-year-old children. Although the four still retain an adult mind, the crew have trouble taking them seriously, and Picard (David Tristan Birkin) is convinced by Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) to temporarily relinquish command of the ship. After turning over command of the Enterprise to Commander William Riker, Picard ponders resigning his Starfleet commission, albeit temporarily, in order to pursue other interests. Meanwhile, Keiko (Caroline Junko King) is dismayed by her husband Miles’s (Colm Meaney) reluctance to be with her and is further saddened her daughter (Hana Hatae) does not recognise her. While Ro (Megan Parlen) is at first upset after being reminded of her unpleasant childhood, once Guinan’s (Isis Carmen Jones) enthusiasm causes her to soften, the duo begin jumping on a bed and other childish pursuits.

Dr. Crusher works out how to reverse the de-ageing under controlled conditions. Before further tests can be run, two Klingon warships decloak and attack the Enterprise. Ferengi pirates board the ship and take control, but Riker locks out the main computer. The Ferengi beam most of the adults on board to a nearby planet and corral the children, including Picard and his party, into the schoolrooms on board. Picard and his group try to use the classroom computers to regain control of the ship, but are prevented by the limited functionality and condescending interface. Picard pretends to be Riker’s son and demands the Ferengi take him to his “father,” throwing a tantrum until his demand is met. He asks Riker to unlock the computer console in the schoolroom, using the ruse that none of the computer games will work.

After Picard is returned to the schoolroom, the lead Ferengi threatens to harm the children if Riker does not unlock the computer and teach his lieutenant how to operate the Enterprise. Riker pretends to instruct the Ferengi officer, but only spouts deliberately meaningless technobabble as he unlocks the computer console in Picard’s schoolroom. With command functions enabled, Picard is able to activate a transporter safety function. With help from Worf’s son, Alexander Rozhenko (Brian Bonsall), Guinan, and Ro, they use communication badges to trap most of the Ferengi on a transporter pad with their weapons disarmed and the exit blocked by a force field. Once most of them are detained, the children and Riker are able to overpower the remaining members and retake the Enterprise. After the events, the transporter is used to return Picard, Guinan and Keiko to their adult states. Buoyed by her experience, Ro decides to remain a child for just a little while longer and draw some pictures, something she never did during her childhood.

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Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Adam Nimoy.
• Writer(s): Ward Botsford, Diana Dru Botsford, and Michael Piller.
• Release Date: 30 October 1992.
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.