“Family” is episode two of season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is at McKinley Station for a major overhaul and refit after the events of the previous episode, “The Best of Both Worlds, Part II”. Commander Riker is in the conference room when Worf comes in to tell him the phasor upgrades are complete. Riker is pleased about how fast this has been done. He’s scheduling shore leave and transfers and is looking forward to meeting Worf’s parents. Worf didn’t know they were coming; it’s inappropriate for a Klingon to receive his family whilst on duty. As humans, his parents don’t understand. Riker isn’t sure he does either; this isn’t a Klingon ship. He can arrange for more off duty time for Worf if he wishes. Worf does not wish. Is Worf worried about his parents’ reaction to finding out about his discommendation in “Sins of the Father”? Worf has already informed them.
Troi is in the captain’s quarters asking where he’s decided to go. France; his home village. For the first time in almost 20 years. Interesting. Picard hasn’t shown any interest in a vacation in 3 years. It’s Earth. Home. Does he need another reason? Troi doesn’t know. She’s probing about the aftereffects of his assimilation by the Borg. The wounds are healing. The ones he sees in a mirror, yes. Picard needs a little time to himself. Troi agrees wholeheartedly; she just thinks the destination could use some scrutiny. Picard does need some time. After Troi leaves, the captain follows her. Looking back at his quarters as he leaves, as if wondering if he’ll return.
Worf arrives in the transporter room to wait for his parents. He chats to O’Brien; O’Brien agrees parents can be problematic. His father was chasing one of the nurses around a biobed last time. Sergey and Helena Rozhenko beam aboard; Sergey greets O’Brien. He was a CPO too, on the Intrepid, (first time O’Brien has been called a CPO and he’s given a middle name). But don’t call him sir; he used to work for a living. Helena says to ignore her husband; he was proud when Worf gained his commission. Worf’s father wants to see the whole ship; he may be retired but he’s still interested in starships.
Picard is walking down a road. He tells someone they should come out; he can hear them. A young boy does. The captain suggests he may be a highwayman. The boy denies it. He thinks he knows who Picard is; his nephew, Jean-Luc. Then he must be Picard’s uncle René. No, it’s the other way around. Why has he been away so long? René’s father says Picard doesn’t like it here. And called Picard arrogant. Followed by other words.
Picard is greeted by René’s mother, Marie, who he has never met in person before. He says he could stay at the village. Marie will not have it. Picard finds his home exactly as he remembered. His brother, Robert, keeps everything as it was, just like their father did. Robert is in the vines. Picard heads to see him. By the way the conversation goes, the brothers are not on the best of terms.
Dr Crusher is talking to Troi in her quarters when a crewman brings a case. With Jack Crusher’s name on it. She left it in storage after Jack died. There’s a book; How to Advance Your Career Through Marriage. Jack’s way of proposing. And there’s a holo that Jack made for Wesley just after he was born. He was going to make more. The doctor is uncertain whether she should give it to Wesley. Troi thinks she should.
Worf and his parents are in the engine room with Geordi. Sergey is telling a story about Worf. He’s also like to take a look at the engine core. Helena would rather not, and leaves with Worf. When they’re gone, Sergey says he wants to ask Geordi about Worf.
At the Picards’ over dinner, Marie mentions a friend of Picard’s, Louis, who is working on the Atlantis Project to raise a new continent. Robert does not think much of the idea. Picard guesses the wine’s year, but is one out. Robert says that synthohol has ruined his palate for the genuine stuff. Picard disagrees; it’s raised his appreciation for the genuine article. Robert is not fond of technology at all.
The relationship between Jean-Luc and Robert is rocky to say the least. Jean-Luc always excelled in school and Robert sounds like he felt shadowed by his younger brother. This episode is about family; Picard’s, Worf’s who are concerned about how discommendation has affected him – and Wesley’s father, a minor thread. Captain Picard is still recovering from the effects of assimilation and he’s taken a lot of damage from it. So much so that he’s considering leaving Starfleet and his career.