The Bonding

[Takara_Soong 4]

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season: 3

Episode #: 5

Production #: 153

Episode Name: The Bonding

Original Air Date: 10.23.89

 

On an away mission lead by Worf, a member of the team, Lt. Marla Aster, is killed by a mine from a long ago war. The Koinonians had destroyed themselves in the wars however a species made up of energy still inhabits the planet. Feeling guilty over the death of Marla Aster, the species tries to bring her now orphaned son, Jeremy, to the planet to care for him by creating a duplicate Marla Aster. The crew must convince this species to leave Jeremy Aster in their care. In the end, Worf asks Jeremy to perform the R'uustai, a Klingon bonding ceremony, with him.

 

Cast:

 

Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes as William Thomas 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

Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher

 

Guest Cast:

 

Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien

Gabriel Damon as Jeremy Aster

Susan Powell as Maira Aster

Raymond D. Turner as Teacher

 

Director: Winrich Kolbe

Written By: Ronald D. Moore

 

Related Item:

Koinonians

[HRH The KING 0]

Another excellent episode.

 

Beautiful character interaction between the orphaned boy and Worf, which further developed Klingon culture.

 

A bit scary too, especially the way the alien lifeform would take the appearance of the boy's mother which made it even more difficult for him to accept her loss.

 

You honestly felt real sorrow for everything this boy was being put through, even though the alien never really meant any harm, except for a sense of guilt over his mother's accidental death.

 

Very good.

 

Rating = 4

[youbroughtheryouRiker 2]

4 from me. You can't fault the boy too much for his lackluster acting... he's still just a kid, and they can't all be flawless. Good episode with Worf. The actress playing "Marla Aster" did well as well.