The Chase (TNG episode)

"The Chase" is the 146th episode of the science fiction television series '.

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In this episode, four competing expeditions -- Federation, Klingon, Cardassian, and Romulan -- attempt to solve a genetic puzzle that proves to be the key to why Star Trek's version of the galaxy contains so many humanoid life forms. They are similar in appearance to the "generic humanoid" form taken by Odo and his shapeshifting race from . Whether there is any connection is unknown.

Related Topics:
Federation - Klingon - Cardassian - Romulan - Humanoid - Odo

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While not explicitly said on screen, the alien at the end of the episode is thought to be one of Gene Roddenberry's Preservers. They are known to fans as the Progenitors.

Related Topics:
Gene Roddenberry's - Preservers - Progenitors

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Picard has always enjoyed Archaeology, and is contacted by a mentor of his. His mentor states that he has come across a terrible problem, which has now politicised several Alpha Quadrant races, namely the Klingons and the Romulans (blood enemies at the best of times). He believes he has discovered an embedded genetic pattern in Earth lifeforms, and it is speculated that this was left by an early race that pre-dates all other civilisations. This would explain why so many races are 'humanoid'. The information may be a message about advanced weapons or technology.

Related Topics:
Picard - Archaeology - Alpha Quadrant - Klingons - Romulans - Humanoid

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The Enterprise agrees to investigate, and shares information with the Romulans and Kilingons (since they all have a piece of the puzzle that the others cannot find). The determine a pattern in how the 3 planets were aligned millions of years ago and extrapolate the position of a fourth. The Romulans warp off ahead of the others. After they have doen this Picard tells the Klingons the location of the real planet, and they set off together , having bamboozled the Romulans.

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Arriving at the planet they discover that almost all life is dead, but scans by the Enterprise detect a small fragment of moss on one of the continents, and they beam down to investigate with their tricorders containing all previously known information. The Romulans arrive and a standoff happens. Picard and Dr. Crusher secretly scan the moss. The Data creates a program that re-configure the tricorders emmiter. An alien 'humanoid' is projected to the assembled company, who explain that they are the true creators of life in the Alpha Quadrant, since when they first explored it there was non. The Alien ends saying that she(?) hopes that this knowledge will help produce peace.

Related Topics:
Tricorder - Dr. Crusher

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The Romulans are outraged at this (considering themselves a superior race), as are the Klingons (who hate the Romulans and are disgusted to be related to those 'without honour'). Only the Federation representatives seem optimistic. The episode ends with all parties diverging.

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