Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 2

1988
22 episodes
45m

In season two, the Enterprise continues on its journey across the galaxy with the birth of a new member. Picard once again leads the team as unknown civilizations take notice of the ship and wishes to know more about the crew and their operations. Riker struggles with his loyalty to the Enterprise as his life is threatened and Data tries to become more human to understand his role upon the Enterprise. This season looks closer into the relationship of man vs. machine as Q once again tries to test Picard against a new enemy. The Ferengi threatens the Enterprise and the mystery of the holodeck pits the crew against the clock as lives hang in the balance.

Season 2 of Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered on November 21, 1988 and has 22 episodes, from "The Child" to "Shades of Gray". The last episode aired on July 17, 1989.

Where to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation

In the United States, you can stream Star Trek: The Next Generation on Paramount Plus. It is also free on Pluto TV. You can also buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and Fandango At Home. It is on streaming services in 13 countries.

Where to watch

Episodes

Episode 1The ChildAired November 21, 1988
Stardate: 42073.1. Troi undergoes a mysterious pregnancy when the Enterprise tries to escape from a system that has recently fallen victim to a deadly plague.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Maurice Hurley, Jon Povill and Jaron Summers
Guest stars
- Whoopi Goldberg Guinan
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- R.J. Williams Ian Andrew Troi
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Seymour Cassel Lt. Cmdr. Hester Dealt
- Dawn Arnemann Ms. Gladstone
- Zachary Benjamin Young Ian Andrew Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
Episode 2Where Silence Has LeaseAired November 28, 1988
Stardate: 42193.6. A mysterious life form known as the 'Nagilum' threatens the life of the crew in his attempt to understand humanity.
- 46m
- Directed by Winrich Kolbe
- Written by Jack B. Sowards
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Earl Boen Nagilum (voice)
- Charles Douglass Haskell
Episode 3Elementary, Dear DataAired December 5, 1988
Stardate: 42286.3. Data and Geordi become involved with a holodeck program about Sherlock Holmes and his investigations, when they create Sherlock's arch nemesis, Moriarty; however, modifications to the Moriarty character include the capability of out-smarting Data, which leads to some unexpected consequences.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Brian Alan Lane
Guest stars
- Daniel Davis Professor James Moriarty
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Alan Shearman Inspector Lestrade
- Biff Manard Ruffian
- Diz White Prostitute
- Anne Ramsay Ensign Clancy
- Richard Merson Pie Man
Episode 4The Outrageous OkonaAired December 12, 1988
Stardate: 42402.7. The Enterprise is placed in a compromising situation when the captain of a disabled starship places the crew in the middle of a love triangle.
- 46m
- Directed by Robert Becker
- Written by Burton Armus
Guest stars
- Whoopi Goldberg Guinan
- Teri Hatcher Chief B. G. Robinson, Transporter Operator
- Joe Piscopo The Comic
- Rosalind Allen Yanar
- Billy Campbell Capt. Thadiun Okona
- Douglas Rowe Debin
- Albert Stratton Kushell
- Kieran Mulroney Benzan
Episode 5Loud as a WhisperAired January 9, 1989
Stardate: 42477.2. A deaf-mute mediator meets with disaster while being escorted by the Enterprise.
- 46m
- Directed by Larry Shaw
- Written by Jacqueline Zambrano
Guest stars
- Howie Seago Riva
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Randy Oglesby Scholar / Artist
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Juliet Cesario Lt. Baji
- Marnie Mosiman Balance / Harmony
- Leo Damian Warrior / Adonis
- John Robert Garrett Lieutenant
Episode 6The Schizoid ManAired January 23, 1989
Stardate: 42437.5. Data is possessed by the consciousness of a brilliant scientist. However, it has a disturbing impact on Data's personality.
- 46m
- Directed by Les Landau
- Written by Richard Manning, Hans Beimler and Tracy Tormé
Guest stars
- Barbara Alyn Woods Kareen Brianon
- William Morgan Sheppard Dr. Ira Graves
- Suzie Plakson Lt. Selar, M.D.
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Lorine Mendell Crewman Diana Giddings (uncredited)
- Guy Vardaman Darien Wallace (uncredited)
- Rachen Assapiomonwait Crewman Nelson (uncredited)
- Denise Crosby Tasha Yar (uncredited) (archive footage)
Episode 7Unnatural SelectionAired January 30, 1989
Stardate: 42494.8. A mysterious hyper-ageing sickness kills the crew of a Federation cargo ship, and Dr. Pulaski must race against time to find a cure.
- 45m
- Directed by Paul Lynch
- Written by Mike Gray and John Mason
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Patricia Smith Dr. Sara Kingsley
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- J. Patrick McNamara Capt. Taggert
- Scott Trost Ensign
- James G. Becker Youngblood
- Lorine Mendell Crewman Diana Giddings (uncredited)
Episode 8A Matter of HonorAired February 6, 1989
Commander Riker participates in an officer's exchange program which lands him an assignment on a Klingon Bird-of-Prey. Meanwhile, a Bezite ensign has trouble assimilating to the routines of the Enterprise.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Gregory W. Amos, Burton Armus and Wanda M. Haight
Guest stars
- Christopher Collins Captain Kargan
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Brian Thompson Second Officer Klag
- Peter Parros Tactical Officer
- John Putch Ensign Mendon
- Laura Drake Vekma
Episode 9The Measure of a ManAired February 13, 1989
Stardate: 42523.7. When Data's rights as a sentient individual are placed under trial, Starfleet forces Riker into a position where he must prove that Data is only an Android.
- 46m
- Directed by Robert Scheerer
- Written by Melinda M. Snodgrass
Guest stars
- Whoopi Goldberg Guinan
- Clyde Kusatsu Adm. Nakamura
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Amanda McBroom JAG Capt. Phillipa Louvois
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Brian Brophy Cmdr. Bruce Maddox
- Denise Crosby Tasha Yar (uncredited) (archive footage)
Episode 10The DauphinAired February 20, 1989
Stardate: 42568.8. Wesley falls in love with a passenger the Enterprise is escorting, who has the secret ability to shape-shift.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Leonard Mlodinow and Scott Rubenstein
Guest stars
- Whoopi Goldberg Guinan
- Paddi Edwards Anya
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Mädchen Amick Teenage Girl
- Jaime Hubbard Salia
- Peter Neptune Aron
- Cindy Sorensen Furry Animal
Episode 11ContagionAired March 20, 1989
Stardate: 42609.1. A strange power source disables the Enterprise's computer systems, damages Data's programming and leaves the ship and crew vulnerable to a Romulan attack.
- 46m
- Directed by Joseph L. Scanlan
- Written by Steve Gerber and Beth Woods
Guest stars
- Carolyn Seymour Subcommander Taris
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Thalmus Rasulala Capt. Donald Varley
- Dana Sparks Ensign Williams
- Folkert Schmidt Doctor
Episode 12The RoyaleAired March 27, 1989
Stardate: 42625.4. An away team is trapped in an alien environment based around a novel entitled 'The Hotel Royale.'
- 46m
- Directed by Cliff Bole
- Written by Tracy Tormé
Guest stars
- Noble Willingham Texas
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Greg Beecroft Mickey D
- Jill Jacobson Vanessa
- Leo Garcia Bellboy
- Sam Anderson Assistant Manager
- Norman Fessler The Royale Staffer (uncredited)
Episode 13Time SquaredAired April 3, 1989
Stardate: 42679.2. Picard encounters his double from six hours in the future, whose Enterprise had been destroyed.
- 46m
- Directed by Joseph L. Scanlan
- Written by Maurice Hurley and Kurt Michael Bensmiller
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
Episode 14The Icarus FactorAired April 24, 1989
Stardate: 42686.4. Riker is promoted to Captain of another Federation ship. Worf must confront his past and his Klingon heritage.
- 46m
- Directed by Robert Iscove
- Written by Robert McCullough and David Assael
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Mitchell Ryan Kyle Riker
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Lance Spellerberg Ensign Herbert
- James G. Becker Youngblood
- Lorine Mendell Crewman Diana Giddings (uncredited)
- John L. Bennett Starbase Montgomery Technician
Episode 15Pen PalsAired May 1, 1989
Stardate: 42695.3. Wesley must investigate the causes of strange tectonic activity on the planet where Data's pen pal lives.
- 46m
- Directed by Winrich Kolbe
- Written by Melinda M. Snodgrass and Hannah Louise Shearer
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Nikki Cox Sarjenka
- Nicholas Cascone Ensign Davies
- Ann Gillespie Ensign Hildebrant
- Whitney Rydbeck Ensign Alans
Episode 16Q WhoAired May 8, 1989
Stardate: 42761.3. Q hurls the Enterprise into the Delta Quadrant and introduces the Federation to a powerful new enemy that may destroy the Alpha Quadrant: The Borg.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Maurice Hurley
Guest stars
- Whoopi Goldberg Guinan
- John de Lancie Q
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Lycia Naff Ensign Sonya Gomez
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Michael Braveheart Crewman Martinez (uncredited)
- Rob Bowman Borg (voice)
- Maurice Hurley Borg (voice)
Episode 17Samaritan SnareAired May 15, 1989
Stardate: 42779.1. A race known as the Pakleds kidnap Geordi La Forge. Picard must face surgery when he is left in a near-dead state.
- 46m
- Directed by Les Landau
- Written by Robert McCullough
Guest stars
- Daniel Benzali Surgeon
- Lycia Naff Ensign Sonya Gomez
- Christopher Collins Captain Grebnedlog
- Leslie Morris Commander Reginod
- Tzi Ma Biomolecular Physiologist
Episode 18Up the Long LadderAired May 22, 1989
Stardate: 42823.2. Picard must convince two dying civilizations that they must co-exist on the same planet to survive, however, they have other plans to ensure their survival: in the form of clones of the Enterprise crew.
- 46m
- Directed by Winrich Kolbe
- Written by Melinda M. Snodgrass
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Rosalyn Landor Brenna Odell
- Barrie Ingham Danilo Odell
- Jon DeVries Prime Minister Granger
Episode 19ManhuntAired June 19, 1989
Stardate: 42859.2. While being escorted to a Federation conference by the Enterprise, Lwaxana hunts for a man to satisfy her needs when her sex-drive is quadrupled during a natural mid-life cycle.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Tracy Tormé
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Mick Fleetwood Antedian Dignitary
- Majel Barrett Enterprise Computer (voice) / Lwaxana Troi
- Robert Costanzo Slade Bender
- Carel Struycken Mr. Homn
- Rhonda Aldrich Madeline
- Rod Arrants Rex
- Robert O'Reilly Scarface
Episode 20The EmissaryAired June 29, 1989
Stardate: 42901.3. Worf is re-united with his former lover, K'Ehleyr, while the Enterprise is ordered to intercept a Klingon ship whose crew has been in stasis for a century.
- 46m
- Directed by Cliff Bole
- Written by Richard Manning and Hans Beimler
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien
- Lance LeGault Capt. K'Temoc
- Anne Ramsay Ensign Clancy
- Suzie Plakson K'Ehleyr
- Georgann Johnson Admiral Gromek
- Diedrich Bader Tactical Crewman
Episode 21Peak PerformanceAired July 10, 1989
Stardate: 42923.4. Trouble begins when a Ferengi warship stumbles over a war simulation between Riker and Picard, each on different ships, and begins attacking them.
- 46m
- Directed by Robert Scheerer
- Written by David Kemper
Guest stars
- Roy Brocksmith Sirna Kolrami
- Glenn Morshower Ensign Burke
- Leslie Neale Ensign Nagel
- Armin Shimerman DaiMon Bractor
- David L. Lander Tactician
Episode 22Shades of GrayAired July 17, 1989
Stardate: 42976.1. Riker is infected with an alien organism that takes over his mind. Dr. Pulaski must force Riker's mind back to a state where it can access primitive survival skills.
- 46m
- Directed by Rob Bowman
- Written by Richard Manning, Maurice Hurley and Hans Beimler
Guest stars
- Colm Meaney Miles O'Brien