Cause and Effect (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
| "Cause and Effect" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 18 |
| Directed by | Jonathan Frakes |
| Written by | Brannon Braga |
| Featured music | Dennis McCarthy |
| Production code | 218 |
| Original air date | March 23, 1992 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
| Episode chronology | |
"Cause and Effect" is the 18th episode of the fifth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 118th overall. It was originally released on March 23, 1992, in broadcast syndication. It was written by Brannon Braga, who sought to write an unusual type of time travel related plot, and directed by cast member Jonathan Frakes.
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Federation starship Enterprise. In this episode, the Enterprise is caught in a time loop which results in the destruction of the ship and the loss of all hands after a collision with the USS Bozeman. As events re-occur, they begin to feel a sense of déjà vu and upon investigating, realize their predicament. Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) realizes how to a pass a brief message to himself in the next loop, which allows him to save the ship from destruction.
Cheers actor Kelsey Grammer was offered the role of Captain Morgan Bateson and accepted. Due to scheduling conflicts, Kirstie Alley was unable to appear in her Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan role as Lt. Saavik. Plans for the USS Bozeman were changed due to the budget, which resulted in a modification to the USS Reliant model created for The Wrath of Khan and the use of the movie-era Enterprise bridge. "Cause and Effect" received Nielsen ratings of 13.0 percent, making it the sixth most watched episode of the season. Critics praised the episode, specifically the opening sequence in which the Enterprise is destroyed, the writing of Braga and the direction of Frakes.
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