Yesterday's Excelsior
From Hidden Frontier
| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "Yesterday's Excelsior" | |
| |
| Episode no. | 2.02 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 2 |
| Release Date | 2002 |
| Writer(s) | Rob Caves |
| Story Elements by | Rob Caves |
| Director | Jennifer Cole |
| Year | 2378 |
| Stardate | 55xxx |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous
"Refugees" | |
| Next | |
Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
A glimpse at what could have happened if the original Excelsior, under Captain Hikaru Sulu, had found itself falling through a temporal anomaly on its way to assist Captain Kirk at Camp Khitomer. The Federation has fallen to the Borg, having been punished by the Q Continuum for their massive retaliatory strike against the weakened Klingon Empire after the assassination of the Federation President. What remains is being lead by the Battlestar-class USS Excelsior, as they search for a safe haven, but the arrival of the original Excelsior may provide a way to do more then simply survive.
Unexpected Encounters
"Fleeing from the Borg tyranny, the last Federation Battlestar, Excelsior, leads a rag-tag, fugitive fleet on a lonely quest. To seek out other survivors of the Borg holocaust and seek a place of refuge from our nemesis."
In Knapp's ready room, Ensign McFarland is informed that she is being appointed as the new ambassador to the Son'a. After some back-and-forth about the fair-mindedness of Admiral Nechayev, Knapp admits that he has not yet told her of the appointment, leaving McFarland to wish that someone would shoot her. Knapp tells her to get used to that feeling. Suddenly, Nechayev barges in and declares that she will kill people, first with a "ridiculous vial" given to her by the Tzenkethi ambassador and then she will kill them again with her own hands. Apparently, the Tzenkethi are apparently ready to make accusations that the Federation has been hoarding food rations on the medical frigate unless they can provide proof. She demands that this not happen again, as she has the information in her hands and it should be sent as soon as it is asked for. Nechayev was ready to take a vacation on the holo-ship, but now it's been ruined because "the circus is in town." Knapp then introduces Nechayev to McFarland as her new ambassador, a piece of news the Admiral does not take well.
Suddenly, Captain Darwin calls from the bridge, requesting Knapp's presence. The fleet is approaching a swirling vortex. Lieutenant Martinez reports that they are reading a massive tachyon surge, possibly some sort of temporal anomaly. Darwin suggests that it might be an advanced Borg transwarp conduit and that the Excelsior should lock weapons. Knapp takes the ship to battlestations and readies weapons. Suddenly, a ship appears from the vortex. Recognizing it as a Federation starship, Knapp orders the ship to stand down. Martinez and Rawlins both report that the ship's systems appear to be offline. Knapp orders the ship to yellow alert and for Darwin to beam over with an away team.
In Engineering, Ensign Ro confirms that the phenomenon is definitely a temporal anomaly. Chief Engineer Melik verifies the ship's identity as the USS Excelsior - the original NCC-2000, which disappeared at Khitomer.
"Is This Some Kind of Nightmare?"
In Knapp's ready room, Darwin returns from his away mission and introduces Captain Hikaru Sulu of the Excelsior. Sulu is confused at the ship being named the same as his own. Knapp confirms the ship's name and tells Sulu that his Excelsior had just come through a time rift. Sulu noted that his ship barely survived and was a shambles - the time rift nearly tore his Excelsior to pieces. Knapp indicates that he'd have his damage control teams inspect the ship, but if it cannot be repaired, it would have to be scuttled. Sulu then tells Knapp that he was on a very important mission to assist Captain Kirk and the Enterprise-A at Khitomer. A lot was at stake.
Knapp informs Sulu that the Enterprise-A failed in her mission and war broke out as a result, eventually leading to the mass genocide of the Klingons. Knapp describes that period as a "sad time for the Federation." He notes that they got their due, however. The Q introduced the Federation to the Borg, which led to the collapse of the Federation and the Borg takeover of most of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Sulu is stunned and then asks how long they have been gone. Darwin responds that the Excelsior is nearly 75 years in the future. Knapp notes that the Borg are getting closer to the fleet, having barely escaped them last month by using one of their transwarp conduits.
Sulu then demands to go back in time - they don't belong there. Knapp suggests that would be impossible, as the Excelsior is a shambles. Darwin suggests that her shields could be modified to better withstand the time rift, but that this would take time. Knapp objects, fearing that the Borg would detect them if they stay where they are much longer. Darwin then reminds Knapp that Admiral Nechayev is in command of the fleet and needs to be told of the situation. Knapp concurs, but expresses his opinion that Nechayev will side with him in this decision. Sulu asks for Knapp's leave to check on his crew and gather some personal belongings. Darwin escorts him out of the ready room, offering him a tour of the newer Excelsior before beaming back over to his own. In the meantime, Captain Knapp decides to have a drink.
"Insurrection?"
Darwin and Sulu enter Engineering, giving some of this Excelsior's history along the way. Darwin notes that she was the last dreadnaught launched from the Rigel system before the Borg assimilated the system. Later, the Romulans helped to upgrade her to "Battlestar" three years ago. Melik complains that the ship hadn't been in dock in five years and that dilithium is becoming harder to find.
Sulu then asks how this all came to be. Darwin tells him that the Q felt it was a fitting punishment for the Klingon genocide to introduce the Federation to the Borg. Melik agrees with that assessment, but Darwin reminds him that the Klingons were "kamikazi-ing" the Federation's planets - they responded the only way they could.
Ro then reports that the original Excelsior's warp engine overdrive may have caused the anomaly. Their shields could be easily modified to protect her from the worst of the anomaly's effects. Melik notes that would require quite a bit of new equipment to get her back to full operation. Sulu asks if his ship could be brought back up to the same level of technology that they were used to. Melik responds in the affirmative, but Ro reminds him that this would require a great deal of precious replicator energy. Melik suggests using the holo-ship and Ro "donating" his holo-ship time to help. Darwin interjects, telling them that Captain Knapp has already nixed the idea, but he might try to send the original Excelsior back through the rift anyways, believing that Sulu completing his mission might change make their current predicament "magically disappear." Knapp then calls Darwin to his ready room.
Change of Command
In his ready room, Knapp is blasting Admiral Nechayev's command of the fleet in a heated exchange regarding the readiness of the fleet. She suggests that his motivations are personal and that they should explore that. He suggests that her plan to take the fleet deep into Borg territory to secure dilithium is a bad idea. Nechayev eventually storms out, refusing to hear any more of Knapp's insubordination.
Darwin then enters the ready room, nearly run over in Nechayev's departure. Knapp orders Darwin to prepare the fleet to underway. Darwin asks about the other Excelsior. Knapp orders the ship abandoned and states that he is taking command of the fleet. Darwin refuses the order, demanding that the Excelsior be sent back through the rift to attempt to repair the timeline and end the war with the Borg before it ever started. Knapp refuses to risk the fleet and allow Nechayev time to rally her allies. Darwin is shocked that Knapp would take such actions to command "a few feeble starships". He notes that the fleet is in terrible shape and would probably be assimilated by the Borg "by this time next week." He again emplores Knapp to do something to prevent this from happening, suggesting that sending the Excelsior back is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Knapp again refuses to listen to reason, forcing Darwin to threaten relieving him of command.
Knapp calls Lieutenant Martinez in the ready room and orders him to escort Darwin to the brig for an indefinite confinement. Martinez silently refuses the order. Darwin then "suggests" that Knapp be escorted and confined to his quarters for the time being. As Martinez moves to take the Captain into custody, Knapp swings a bottle at him. In self-defense, Martinez fires his phaser, killing Knapp. Martinez apologizes and then asks if "we're on schedule." Darwin tells Martinez to contact Nechayev as they "have a deal for her."
Ends Justifying the Means
Later, in the conference room, Nechayev reports that they've detected a Borg transwarp conduit two light-years away. They are undoubtedly headed for the fleet. Melik reports that the Excelsior is nearly ready to go. Sulu tells them that they'll head immediately to Khitomer once they return to their own timeline and attempt to secure the Khitomer conference. He tells Nechayev that he trusts his crew and that they will keep the secret of their journey to the future in order to preserve the timeline. Martinez then reports from the bridge, informing them that three Borg ships have been detected on sensors and will intercept in 12 minutes.
As the Borg pyramids approach the fleet, Melik is finishing his work onboard the original Excelsior. Darwin gives him two minutes to finish. Sulu then approaches Melik and asks him about what happens to his daughter, Demora. Melik demures, refusing to risk contaminating the timeline further. Sulu understands and thanks him for his help.
The fleet deploys, preparing to take on the Borg. Darwin orders the fleet's destroyer screen to remain, as they'll need all available firepower to distract the Borg long enough to permit Sulu's Excelsior to enter the time rift. Suddenly, five Cardassian vessels jump to warp, causing one of the Borg vessels to break away in pursuit. Darwin demands that Melik return, but he hasn't completed his work yet.
The battle does not go well for the fleet - Nechayev's ship is hit and is assimilated by the Borg. Finally, Melik completes his work. Sulu orders the Excelsior into the rift at best possible speed. Melik resists the suggestion to beam back over, suggesting that the Borg would take advantage of the shields dropping. Darwin demands Melik come back, refusing to contaminate the timeline any further.
Martinez reports that the fleet has lost an additional 12 vessels and that four more Borg vessels are en route. The Excelsior will enter the rift in three minutes. Darwin orders Melik beamed back aboard immediately, but Rawlins is unable to establish a transporter lock. Suddenly, there is an explosion on the bridge and Darwin orders the shields raised. The Borg fire on Sulu's Excelsior, but she takes no serious damage - she continues towards the rift, with Melik along for the ride. Meanwhile, the Borg pummel the unshielded battlestar. The ship's power fails and a Borg drone beams aboard the bridge. McFarland fires at it with a phaser and it is killed. Another drone beams aboard. This time, Martinez's phaser fire is blocked by the Borg's shields - they have adapted. More drones beam aboard and set about the task of assimilating the crew. Finally, the original Excelsior crosses through the rift, which subsequently closes.
Back to the Future
On Deep Space 12, Admiral Nechayev and Captain Knapp celebrate the conclusion of another successful peace accord with a tot of Romulan Ale. Knapp insinuates that he thought Nechayev would take all the credit. She responds that she still might with a twinkle in her eye. Nechayev then asks Knapp where he gets his ale - he replies that it was a dealer his brother once knew, noting that he swore by the stuff. Nechayev apologizes after Knapp tells her that his brother was killed during the Dominion War.
Nechayev then asks how Commander Shelby is working out. Knapp defends Shelby, noting that his "nose isn't bent out of shape" over her. Nechayev seems surprised at this. He continues, suggesting that it isn't that Shelby is a bureaucrat from Starfleet Command, it's that she's a bureaucrat and a good-looking woman. He comes down on her side, seeing it as "sexist in a bad way". Nechayev offers her assistance, but Knapp refuses. She also reminds him that he moved up the ranks fairly quickly and so he shouldn't be so hard on Shelby.
Background Information
- John Edward Knapp was a character in the USS Angeles adventures, and has been mentioned several times in the series. He was the brother of Captain Ian Quincy Knapp.
- Darwin mentions that the Excelsior was the last dreadnaught to be constructed in Rigel, and the Romulans upgraded her to Battlestar-status. That, along with the fact she is leading a "rag-tag bunch of ships" is a tip of the hat to the two hit series of Battlestar Galactica.
Memorable Quotes
- McFarland: "Oh God, just shoot me now!"
- Knapp: "Don't worry - you'll get used to that feeling around here."
- Nechayev: "I will kill people today, Captain! I will kill people with this ridiculous vial which was given to me personally by the Tzenkethi ambassador! And then I will kill them with my own hands!"
- Knapp: "Nice to see you again, Admiral."
- Nechayev: "I was ready to take a vacation. I was ready to use the holo-ship to go someplace warm, with a beach. Someone bringing me drinks with little umbrellas in them. I had this thing closed. But now I have to go back over there, hat in hand, because the circus is in town."
- Sulu: "Is this some kind of nightmare?"
- Darwin: "We wish it was."
- Sulu: "You treat a ship well, she'll always return the favor."
Production Notes
- This episode was an early attempt that many of the production staff called the "HF movie". We seen many of our favourite characters in the same role but different somehow - Ro is a command officer assigned to Engineering as a science specialist, while Knapp is a drunk. We also see Larry LaVerne's first role on HF as the Bajoran Chief Engineer on the future Excelsior, Lieutenant Melik, a couple of years before he joined as Tolian Naros. It also features David W. Dial playing John Edward Knapp, brother to Ian Quincy Knapp, who was killed by the Dominion in the regular HF timeline.
Cast
Regular Cast
| Actor | Role |
| David W. Dial | Captain John Edward Knapp Captain Ian Quincy Knapp |
| Anthony Diaz | Lieutenant William Martinez |
| Adrianne Lange | Ensign Jenna McFarland |
| Tristan Clark | Ensign Brad Rawlins |
| Arthur Bosserman | Ensign Ro Nevin |
Guest Stars
| Actor | Role |
| Randall Mark | Captain Hikaru Sulu |
| Cliff Gardner | Captain James Darwin |
| Reneé Huberstock | Admiral Alynna Nechayev |
| Larry LaVerne | Lieutenant Melik |
| Barbara Clifford | "Borg Drone" |
| Anthony Diaz | "Borg Drone" |
| Jennifer Cole | USS Excelsior (NCC-2000) Bridge Officer |
References
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