A Matter of Perspective

"A Matter of Perspective" is a Rashomon themed third season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation first broadcast on February 25, 1990. The USS Enterprise visits the Botanica Four research space station, in orbit around Tanuga Four, where Commander William Riker is checking on the progress of Dr. Nel Apgar, a Tanugan scientist supposedly willing to provide the Federation with a new energy source. Riker, obviously agitated, transports back to ... more

"A Matter of Perspective" is a Rashomon themed third season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation first broadcast on February 25, 1990. The USS Enterprise visits the Botanica Four research space station, in orbit around Tanuga Four, where Commander William Riker is checking on the progress of Dr. Nel Apgar, a Tanugan scientist supposedly willing to provide the Federation with a new energy source. Riker, obviously agitated, transports back to the Enterprise - at which point the station explodes, killing Dr. Apgar. Riker is considered a prime suspect, and under Tanugan law is considered "guilty until proven innocent". Tanugan investigator Krag wants to extradite Riker immediately, but Captain Picard requests that a hearing be held aboard the Enterprise. Krag agrees to the hearing, which will involve the use of the ship's holodeck to recreate Botanica Four and the events aboard it from the point of view of Riker, Dr. Apgar, Apgar's wife Manua, and Tayna (Apgar's assistant). Each... less