The battle for paradise has begun.|Dec. 11, 1998|United States|103 Min.|PG
Genre: Action;Adventure;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: Lieutenant Commander Data is temporarily assigned to an undercover mission to observe the peaceful Ba’ku people. During his time on their planet, Data malfunctions and exposes the presence of a joint Federation–Son’a task force monitoring the Ba’ku. Admiral Matthew Dougherty contacts the USS Enterprise-E to retrieve Data’s schematics for recovery but insists that the Enterprise’s presence is unnecessary. Ignoring these orders, the Enterprise crew sets out to capture Data. Captain Jean-Luc Picard grows suspicious of Dougherty’s insistence and orders an investigation into Data’s malfunction. The crew uncovers that the Ba’ku possess advanced technology but choose to live simpler lives, rejecting its use.
The planet’s rings emit unique “metaphasic particles,” granting the Ba’ku effective immortality. In contrast, the Federation’s allies, the Son’a, are a decaying race dependent on medical technology to stave off death, with their excessive cosmetic surgeries giving them a mummified appearance. The Enterprise crew begins to experience the rejuvenating effects of the planet: Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge’s eyes regenerate, eliminating his need for ocular implants; Commander William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi rekindle their past relationship; and Picard develops a romantic connection with the Ba’ku woman Anij.
Data and Picard discover a submerged, cloaked Federation ship equipped with a massive holodeck replicating the Ba’ku village. Data’s malfunction results from a Son’a attack after he accidentally uncovers the vessel. Picard confronts Dougherty and learns that high-ranking Federation officials conspired with the Son’a to forcibly relocate the Ba’ku, allowing the mass collection of the planet’s particles, which would ultimately poison their home. Dougherty orders the Enterprise to leave, but Picard argues that the medical benefits of the particles do not justify violating the Prime Directive.
Cast director: Jonathan Frakes
Cast actor: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Gregg Henry, F. Murray Abraham, Anthony Zerbe
Original name: Star Trek: Insurrection