The Child is the first episode of the second season of the American
science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the
27th episode overall. It was originally released on November 21, 1988,
in broadcast syndication. The story was originally written by Jaron
Summers and Jon Povill for the cancelled late 1970s series Star Trek:
Phase II. Due to the tight deadlines caused by the 1988 Writers Guild
of America Strike, the producers of The Next Generation searched the
records of that earlier television project, resulting in the script
being amended by show runner Maurice Hurley.Set in the 24th century,
the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the
Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, ship's Counselor
Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) becomes pregnant by an alien entity and
gives birth to a mysterious child. This causes problems for the
Enterprise, which is transporting dangerous plague strains. The
child's presence on the ship begins to endanger the crew due to
effects on a virus sample being transported by the ship. It sacrifices
its physical body, turning back into an energy being, telling Troi why
it visited before departing.Being the first episode of the second
season, "The Child" was the first episode to feature Diana Muldaur as
Doctor Katherine Pulaski and Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan. Director Rob
Bowman was allowed to use additional camera equipment to improve the
style of filming, resulting in a change to the opening shot of the
episode. It was watched by 10.9 million viewers, but critics held a
negative opinion of the episode saying that there was no ongoing
effect to Troi. Further criticism also compared the means of the
character's pregnancy to rape, and stated that the reactions of the
other crew members were irrational. The Child (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter