The Big Goodbye

ST episode
name = The Big Goodbye


series = TNG
ep_num = 12
prod_num = 113
date = January 11, 1988
writer = Tracy Torme

director = Joseph L. Scanlan
guest = Lawrence Tierney,
Harvey Jason,
William Boyett,
David Selsburg,
Gary Armagnac

stardate = 41997.7
year = 2364
prev = Haven
next = Datalore

"The Big Goodbye" is a first-season episode of "", first broadcast January 11, 1988. It is episode #12, production #113, teleplay written by Tracy Torme, and directed by Joseph L. Scanlan. The episode won a Peabody Award for 1987.

Overview: A computer malfunction traps Picard, Data, and Beverly in a 1940s gangster holodeck program.

Plot

On stardate 41997.7, the USS "Enterprise" heads to Torona IV, to meet the insectoid Jaradan (HA-RAH-DAN), a reclusive race that the Federation has tried to establish relations with. Known for their idiosyncratic attitude towards protocol, they demand a precise greeting where any mispronunciation is considered an insult. Picard has been selected to open the diplomatic talks and has been rehearsing the complex greeting.

Exhausted, Picard then decides to take a break and heads to the recently upgraded Holodeck 3. He activates a program set in the world of his favorite fictional character, Dixon Hill, a private detective in Earth's San Francisco, circa 1941.

Picard's holographic secretary tells "Dix" that Mr. Leech called twice, and a woman named Mrs. Jessica Bradley is waiting for him in his office. Bradley tells Dix that she needs his help because someone is trying to kill her. She mentions potential suspects, one of them being Cyrus Redblock, who thinks she has something he is looking for. Hill takes the case and when Jessica leaves, Picard exits the holodeck to meet with his officers about the Jaradan rendezvous.

Commander Riker shifts the discussion toward their mission stipulations, stating that the Federation wishes to establish relations because of the strategic military value the Jaradan world offers. The last starship to greet them made a mistake which cost them 20 years of silence. Data indicates that he has a recording of the event, in case the Captain would like to see the graphic results of what happened when they performed the greeting wrong, but Picard declines. Data is puzzled by the Captain's unwillingness to see this information, but La Forge interjects; "Once you've seen the Jaradan get angry, you don't ever have to see it again". Excited about the realism of the holodeck, Picard invites Dr. Crusher to join him on his next visit, and also asks for their on-staff historian, Dr. Whalen, to accompany them. Intrigued about Dixon Hill, Data reads the novels, comparing the character to a 20th Century Sherlock Holmes who is worth investigating.

Meanwhile, Picard and Dr. Whalen prepare to experience the 1940s. Dressed in period clothing, the two arrive at the holodeck but are surprised when Data shows up unannounced dressed in a suit and fedora, fashionably tilted over one eye. He requests permission to accompany them, indicating that he has mastered the lingo of the time. The group enters, and the three men walk through the historic streets. They come to a news stand where Picard spots the headline "Wealthy Socialite Murdered", along with an accompanying photo of Jessica Bradley. Saddened, Picard mentions the woman had said someone was after her, but Whalen reminds him she was just a character from a book. Two men then approach, homicide detectives Bell and McNary, and Bell testily questions Picard (as Dixon Hill) regarding where he was last night. Picard replies that it's a bit hard to explain. Bell states that Dix will have plenty of time to come up with a story as he's under arrest for the murder of Jessica Bradley.

Back in the real world, Lt. Yar signals Riker of an incoming message. Suddenly, the computer terminals and deck lights dim momentarily. Riker accepts the hail, hearing the Jaradan's buzzing voice stating they're impatiently awaiting the greeting; Riker informs them the Captain will give the greeting momentarily. The Jaradan become offended at having to talk to a "lowly subordinate" and abruptly sign off. Riker tells Geordi to summon the Captain from the holodeck.

Elsewhere, Beverly has arrived at the holodeck in full '40s fashion, but finds the doors repeatedly open and shut. Shrugging it off, she enters the holodeck and finds herself in a police station where Data and Dr. Whalen wait for the Captain. Data mentions he is currently "on ice" and "bein' grilled". Whalen explains that the Captain is being interrogated regarding a murder, but assures her that he is having the time of his life.

In the meantime, Geordi cannot locate the Captain, gain access to the program, or open the holodeck doors. Riker says he's heading down and accepts Wesley's assistance, knowing his mother may also be in trouble.

Inside the holodeck, Detective Bell continues to question Picard about the murder, but Picard is growing tired of the scene as it should have ended by this point. He starts to rise from his chair but Bell angrily shoves him back into the seat, astonishing Picard. McNary tries to calm his partner down, but Bell furiously storms out of the room. McNary apologizes to Picard, explaining "his old lady's been giving him a hard time." Picard finally exits the interrogation room and Bell warns him not to leave town. Picard finds his friends waiting for him and thanks Beverly for joining them, but states it's time they return to the "Enterprise". Beverly Crusher asks if they could at least stop by and check out Dixon's office. Picard agrees and at the office they find Mr. Leech waiting for them. Leech demands to speak with Dixon about urgent business, but Picard tells him he has no time. Leech draws a firearm and holds it threateningly; "You're not going anywhere".

Outside the holodeck, Geordi and Wesley inspect the circuits. Tasha calls Riker to report they have reached Torona IV, and asks what they should do about the Jaradan. Riker says they must wait. Wesley believes the computer must have been affected by the Jaradan signal, but finding where will take time.

Inside the holodeck, Leech demands Jessica's "object". Picard tells Leech he can't help him, but Whalen tries to get Leech's gun. The gun goes off, and Whalen slumps to the floor. Beverly is surprised to see a pool of blood form on his chest, as the bullets aren't supposed to be real. Furiously, Picard knocks the revolver from Leech's hand and Leech runs for the door, warning Dixon that the "Fat Man ain't gonna like this". Picard then calls for the exit, and orders the computer to end the program, but nothing happens. Data conjures that the computer is obviously malfunctioning.

Leech returns, followed by another thug and the heavyset Cyrus Redblock. Redblock greets Picard as Dixon Hill, then demands the "object", ordering his men to search the office. Next, McNary unexpectedly enters, however Redblock's thugs take him by surprise and manage to disarm him. When they remark on Data's unusual pallor, Picard tries to convince them that they are from another world in the 24th century, however the holodeck characters view this as just a weak attempt to confuse them.

Picard continues, stating they come from a place with riches more valuable than the object they seek, explaining he is not Dixon Hill and that everything around them is a simulation of a fictional novel. Redblock again demands Hill hand over the item, but Picard insists he doesn't have it. Redblock tells Leech to shoot Beverly, but Picard hurriedly tells them he has the item. Redblock is impressed at how far Hill has gone to test his resolve. Picard then states he will explain where the item is only if Redblock's thugs put the weapons away and let them save Mr. Whalen's life.

Working on the Holodeck's circuitry, Wesley finds a way to shut the program down; however, it will also put the individuals inside at risk. He explains that the trapped crew have actually become part of the program and are now energy patterns like everything else around them. As shutting down the program could erase their patterns and delete them with the rest of the environment, Wesley decides to try resetting the program without stopping it. Inside the simulation, the environment momentarily switches to a snow covered wasteland in the midst of a howling blizzard.

The exit finally appears and Picard explains that it's the doorway to their world. Redblock becomes intrigued and approaches the door, but Data explains that it is impossible for Redblock or his thugs to leave. Redblock takes a look around and states "anything is possible". He summons Leech and the two gangsters walk out of the holodeck into the "Enterprise" corridor. Redblock is overjoyed about having a new world to plunder, but as Data warned the two gangsters quickly begin to dissolve, finally disappearing completely. As the third thug stares dumbfounded, Data snatches his gun and disables it; with Picard's permission, he then knocks the thug out with a well-placed right cross. Data and Beverly rush Whalen to safety. Finally, Picard looks to his new-found friend McNary. The cop wonders if his family will still exist after Picard leaves, saying "This is the big good-bye". Picard is sorry that he can't bring him along, but McNary jokes that someone has to book the thug.

Picard leaves the holodeck and proceeds in costume directly to the bridge. He hails the Jaradan and delivers the greeting. The aliens are honored and welcome a new era of relations. Riker asks Picard about his holodeck adventure, who responds that it was a nice place to visit, but he wouldn't want to die there.

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