Television Review: Time Squared (Star Trek: The Next Generation, S2X13, 1989)

Time Squared (S02E13)

Airdate: April 3rd 1989

Written by: Michael Hurley
Directed by: Jospeh L. Scanlan

Running Time: 45 minutes

Among the vast canon of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes, there exists a category best described as "functional" – not the most memorable or timeless classics that define the series, but solid, well-executed instalments that fulfil their narrative purpose with competence and intelligence. Season 2's Time Squared, while not reaching the heights of The Inner Light or Darmok, stands as an exemplary member of this category. Based on a time travel concept frequently employed throughout Star Trek's history, this episode presents the familiar trope with an intriguing spin that elevates it beyond mere repetition, delivering a tight, character-driven narrative that showcases the series' strengths while acknowledging its occasional limitations.

The episode commences with the USS Enterprise-D en route to the Endicor system when the ship's sensors detect eemingly abandoned Federation shuttlecraft adrift in space. When Entreprise tractors the vessel into the shuttlebay, the crews discover it bears the identical registry and designation of the Enterprise's own El-Baaz shuttlecraft – a perplexing anomaly in itself. The mystery deepens dramatically when they find the shuttle's sole occupant: a near-comatose duplicate of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Dr. Pulaski's attempts to treat this future version of the captain prove increasingly problematic, as her medical interventions paradoxically worsen his condition rather than improve it. The future Picard remains largely incommunicative, displaying signs of severe psychological trauma that resist conventional treatment. The breakthrough comes when the crew examines the shuttle's log and flight data, revealing the horrifying truth: this alternate Picard has journeyed approximately six hours from the future, where the Enterprise met catastrophic destruction with all hands lost.

The situation deteriorates further when the Enterprise encounters a mysterious energy vortex that threatens to consume the ship. Crucially, the energy outbursts emanating from this phenomenon target only the two Picards, suggesting the vortex is the product of some powerful intelligence specifically interested in the captain rather than the vessel itself. The future Picard's fragmented communications indicate he believes abandoning ship in the shuttlecraft was the correct course of action to save his crew, but present-day Picard remains unconvinced, suspecting that this very action may have precipitated the disaster. The episode masterfully builds tension around this philosophical dilemma: should Picard trust his future self's desperate solution, potentially creating an inescapable time loop, or forge a different path despite the unknown consequences?

The climax delivers one of the series' most shocking moments when the future Picard attempts to board the shuttlecraft, forcing present-day Picard to make an impossible decision. In a stunning display of resolve, Picard shoots his future self, believing this violent act might break the causal loop. Remarkably, it works – both the duplicate shuttlecraft and its occupant vanish, and the Enterprise escapes the vortex unharmed. This resolution, while logically consistent within the episode's internal rules, delivers a powerful emotional punch through its sheer unexpectedness and moral complexity.

It's worth noting that Time Squared employs the time travel mechanics previously established in Star Trek, specifically the "slingshot effect" around a star first utilised in The Original Series episode Tomorrow Is Yesterday and later in Star Trek IV: Voyage Home. However, writer Maurice Hurley deliberately chose to explore time displacement measured in mere hours rather than centuries, a decision that allowed for a more contained narrative with lower production costs. According to behind-the-scenes information, the episode was originally conceived as part of a multi-episode arc involving Q, which likely explains why the nature of the vortex and its motivations remain frustratingly vague – a significant flaw that prevents the episode from achieving true greatness. This lack of proper explanation for the central phenomenon leaves viewers with more questions than answers, undermining the otherwise logical progression of events.

Beyond this structural weakness, Time Squared excels in its simplicity and internal logic. The narrative presents an unusual problem and forces Picard to consider solutions that would be unthinkable under normal circumstances – some disastrous, others surprisingly effective. The episode takes a notably darker turn than many of its contemporaries, depicting the Enterprise's actual destruction (albeit in an alternate timeline), a catastrophic outcome that, like Season 2 episodes Unnatural Selection and Contagion, effectively reminds viewers of the genuine risks inherent in space exploration. Most striking is Picard's ultimate solution – the shocking act of violence where he eliminates his future self. This bold narrative choice cuts through the Gordian knot of temporal indecision with surgical precision, demonstrating the episode's willingness to embrace morally complex resolutions rather than easy answers.

The production benefits significantly from Joseph L. Scanlan's competent direction, which maintains a steady pace throughout while allowing moments of character development to breathe. Scanlan, who previously directed the acclaimed The Big Goodbye (the only Star Trek episode to win a Peabody Award), demonstrates a keen understanding of both the technical and emotional aspects of the story. Most impressive, however, is Patrick Stewart's dual performance as both versions of Captain Picard. Stewart masterfully differentiates the two characters – the present-day Picard's controlled authority versus the future version's haunted vulnerability – without resorting to caricature. His ability to convey profound trauma through minimal dialogue showcases why he remains one of television's most respected actors.

The episode opens with a seemingly incongruous scene where Commander Riker hosts a dinner party in his quarters, attempting (and largely failing) to prepare an omelette using 'Owon eggs acquired at Starbase 73. The scenes creates a deceptively lighthearted atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the darkness that follows. While this sequence appears disconnected from the main plot, it serves an important purpose in character exposition, revealing Riker's childhood experiences (his father apparently "hated cooking," though this contradicts later episodes) and establishing the crew's camaraderie before the crisis begins. This tonal shift from domestic normality to existential threat effectively heightens the episode's dramatic impact.

In the broader context of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Time Squared represents a solid middle-ground episode – neither groundbreaking nor forgettable, but executed with sufficient skill and intelligence to remain engaging decades after its original broadcast. While it suffers from the unresolved nature of its central mystery and lacks the thematic depth of the series' strongest instalments, it compensates with tight plotting, strong performances, and a willingness to explore morally ambiguous territory. For these reasons, it stands as a prime example of what makes Star Trek: The Next Generation work – not every episode needs to redefine the genre; sometimes, functional storytelling executed with competence is more than enough.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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