“Future Imperfect” is episode eight of season four of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is patrolling through the Neutral Zone, but it’s been quiet and eventful. In Ten Forward, Riker is having his birthday party, and struggling with a note on his trombone. On the bridge, Captain Picard tells Data that they need to hurry, or they will miss the party. As they are leaving, a crewman says that there are unusual fluctuations on the subspace frequencies. Data looks and says they are being probed. The probe originates from a planet currently uninhabited, according to their records. The captain wonders if rumours of a secret Romulan base are true. He contacts Riker and says he needs an away team.
With Riker on the bridge, the Enterprise is now orbiting the planet. No lifesigns have been detected, but there are energy readings coming from a cavern 2kms below the surface. Riker takes Worf and Geordi down to the cavern. There are volcanic gasses, though not at toxic levels, and magnetic clutter interfering with readings. Connection with the Enterprise is poor and the captain recommends they transport out. Geordi agrees; the gasses are building up. The transporter has trouble getting a solid lock. Riker collapses, then wakes in sickbay. Which looks different. As does Dr Crusher, who is pleased Riker remembers her. What else does he remember? Captain.
Riker insists he is a commander and asks why everything has changed. Including him. The doctor asks the last thing he remembers. Collapsing in the cavern. That was 16 years ago. They’ve been expecting this. Riker was infected with a retrovirus, one that lays dormant for many years. It became active 10 days ago; Riker has been in a coma. The virus causes memory loss back to the moment of infection. The doctor insists it’s true; Riker has been captain of the Enterprise for 9 years. They can try to get his memory back, but in some cases it’s permanently lost.
Neither Geordi nor Worf was affected. The doctor wants to start ion Riker’s quarters but he wants to go to the bridge. The computer is a little sluggish. On the bridge, Geordi doesn’t have a VISOR; he has cloned eyes. Worf and a Ferengi are at the bridge stations and Data is first officer. A Romulan warbird uncloaks and Riker orders red alert, only to be told they were expecting the ship. The warbird is hailing them and the admiral wants to speak to Riker. Admiral Picard, accompanied by Troi.
They head to the transporter room where Picard and Troi beam over, then head to the observation lounge. The admiral says they are in the final days of the treaty negotiations. Four years ago, a Romulan battlecruiser strayed into Federation space. It was in poor shape and Riker and the Enterprise saved it. The Romulans finally started to talk. Now, they are on the verge of an alliance and they are to escort the Romulan ambassador to Outpost 23 to sign the treaty. Riker is concerned he isn’t fit, given his memory loss. Picard reassures him.
Troi escorts Riker to his quarters; he says he’s had enough surprises for one day. There’s one more; he has a son in his quarters. His son knew his father might not remember him. Troi didn’t warn Riker, because Dr Crusher hoped this might help Riker remember. His son is called Jean-Luc, and his mother, the ship’s counsellor, died in a shuttle accident two years ago.
The Romulan ambassador is Tomalak, which causes Riker some distress. Obviously, what’s going on isn’t what appears to be going on, and Riker starts noting various small errors. But the truth is even more complicated.