The U.S.S. Enterprise
returns to the planet Nervala IV to retrieve data left
behind by Starfleet researchers when they were forced to
evacuate eight years ago. It has taken this long for a
transport window to open in the planet's distortion
field, finally allowing a brief attempt for people to
beam down. Riker led the evacuation operation while a
lieutenant on the U.S.S. Potemkin, and returns to
oversee the retrieval. However, when he beams down to
the surface, he is met with an unexpected surprise — a
man who appears to be his identical twin. Both Rikers
claim they led the evacuation eight years ago, but while
the Enterprise's Riker says he was transported back
safely, Lieutenant Riker claims his transport failed,
and the planet's distortion field kept him on the
surface. Lieutenant Riker beams up to the Enterprise,
and Beverly pronounces the two men genetically
indistinguishable. Geordi then fills them in on the
reason for the unusual situation - a second containment
beam was initiated to get Riker transported through the
distortion field, but that beam reflected back to the
surface, materializing another Riker. From that moment
on, two different Will Rikers — both very real — lived
two separate lives.
Lieutenant Riker is ready to pick up his life where he
left off — in the middle of a romance with Troi. But
Troi's broken relationship with Commander Riker, who
returned only to choose career over love, forced her to
move on with her life. Lieutenant Riker is disappointed,
but not ready to give up. Later, he agrees to help the
crew retrieve the data from the computer system on
Nervala IV, but when they can't access the computer
core, he and Commander Riker clash over possible options
during the mission. Lieutenant Riker feels resentment
when the superior-ranking double gives him a direct
order.
Back on the
Enterprise, Lieutenant Riker romances Troi by leading
her on a treasure hunt that brings them together in
Ten-Forward. They talk, and Troi admits how disappointed
she was when the love affair ended. Meanwhile, tension
mounts between Riker and his double when Picard chooses
the lieutenant's computer retrieval plan over that of
the first officer. Later, with Beverly's encouragement,
Troi gives in to her feelings for Lieutenant Riker,
seeing his arrival as a second chance at their
relationship.
Soon afterward, she
talks with Commander Riker, worried that her
relationship with his double will upset him. He says he
accepts their romance, but warns Troi to be careful.
Whatever part of his personality drove them apart since
his return from Nervala IV also exists within Lieutenant
Riker, and she could end up being hurt again. Troi keeps
this in mind when Lieutenant Riker returns with news
he's been posted on the starship Gandhi. He asks Troi to
accompany him on this exciting appointment, but Troi is
unsure she can give up the life she has built without
him.
The two Rikers beam
down to Nervala IV, entering the dangerous underground
caverns to access the computer core directly. The
scaffolding they attempt to cross collapses, but despite
their differences, Commander Riker saves Lieutenant
Riker from plunging to his death. Later, they return to
the Enterprise to prepare for their rendezvous with the
Gandhi. Lieutenant Riker approaches Troi for her answer,
and she gently explains that she won't be coming with
him — at least not yet. Commander Riker enters the
lieutenant's quarters to see his double off, and gives
him a memento of his past — the old trombone on which he
first learned to play. Troi and the double reluctantly
part, but Commander Riker promises to watch over her.
|
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Production: 250
Season: 6 Episode: 24
Air Date: 05.24.1993
Stardate: 46915.2 |
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|
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Patrick Stewart as
Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Riker
Brent Spiner as Data
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi |
 |
|
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|
|
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Dr. Mae Jemison as Lt.
Palmer |
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|
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| Originally, Will Riker was
going to be killed off in this episode. Will's
transporter created duplicate, Thomas, would have joined
the crew of the Enterprise as a low-ranking officer,
with Data moving up to the first officer position. The
idea was abandoned. |
|
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Second Chances"
#40276-250
Story by
Mike Medlock
Teleplay by
Rene Echevarria
Directed by
LeVar Burton
THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Copyright 1993 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.
FINAL DRAFT
MARCH 17, 1993
STAR TREK: "Second Chances" - 3/17/93 - CAST
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Second Chances"
CAST
PICARD PALMER
RIKER
(LIEUTENANT RIKER)
DATA
BEVERLY
TROI
WORF
GEORDI
Non-Speaking
N.D SUPERNUMERARIES
N.D. WAITERS
TWO N.D. TECHNICIANS
TWO SECURITY GUARDS
STAR TREK: "Second Chances" - 3/17/93 - SETS
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Second Chances"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
BRIDGE
TEN FORWARD
TRANSPORTER ROOM
ENGINEERING
CORRIDOR
READY ROOM
SHIP'S GYMNASIUM
SICKBAY
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
RIKER'S QUARTERS
TROI'S QUARTERS
LT. RIKER'S QUARTERS
RESEARCH STATION
CAVERN
STAR TREK: "Second Chances" - 03/17/93 - PRONUNCIATION
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Second Chances"
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
NERVALA ner-VAHL-uh
IMZADI im-ZAHD-ee
JANARAN jn-AIR-'n
TAI-CHI-CHUAN tie-chee-chwahn
KOH-MAN-ARA koh-mahn-ARE-uh
Click this link to view the
complete script in a TXT format |
