TheStar Trekfranchise has a straightforward mandate when it comes to making individual episodes. The writers select a science fiction idea with varying levels of grounded realism. Each concept walks a line between needless complexity and fanciful silliness. The writers and directors generally accomplish that feat, delivering fun episodes of TV that leave audiences thinking without making them laugh inappropriately. “Cause and Effect” is a stellar example of a now well-worn trope that blew fans' minds in the 90s.
Thetime loop or temporal loopis a literary plot device that originated over 100 years ago. Russian novelist P. D. Ouspensky used the concept in his 1915 book,Strange Life of Ivan Osokin,to discuss the mechanical nature of human thought. Richard A. Lupoff’s 1973 short story “12:01 P.M.” cemented the concept and its most common format. The most popular example remains Harold Ramis’sGroundhog Day. The concept appears throughout pop culture today, sometimes including groundbreaking innovations like Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s “Through the Flash.” “Cause and Effect” isStar Trek’s first foray into the concept.
Air Date
June 16, 2025
“Cause and Effect” opens with a gripping teaser in which the Enterprise-D suffers a cataclysmic collision, spins out of control, and explodes, killing everyone aboard. The episode resumes unabated, depicting a tense poker game between the Enterprise-D crew members.Beverly Crusher calls Riker’sbluff, winning the hand with unusual prescience. As she treats Geordi La Forge for his unexplained vertigo symptoms, Crusher experiences déjà vu. Worf discovers a localized fluctuation in the space-time continuum, through which a Federation ship suddenly emerges. The vessel rockets inexorably toward the Enterprise-D. Picard requests suggestions from the senior staff. Riker recommends igniting an explosive decompression reaction to push the Enterprise to the side. Data pitches using a tractor beam to shove the oncoming vessel away.Picard follows Data’s advice, but the ships collide and explode, just as they did in the teaser.
The Enterprise-D crew experiences the time loop again. They play cards, but Riker experiences déjà vu and folds before Crusher can call his bluff. Details shift through each subsequent loop. Now La Forge feels the familiarity Crusher expressed. Crusher and other crew members hear whispers in the night. Déjà vu spreads throughout the crew. The Enterprise hits the mystery ship and explodes again. Crusher records the mysterious voices on her third trip through the loop. La Forgediscovers the temporal loop, prompting Data to examine the recordings and pick out thousands of copies of Picard, Worf, and Data’s voices. With the knowledge of what will happen next, it’s up to the senior staff to find a way out before they’re doomed to endless violent deaths.
Why is “Cause and Effect” significant?
“Cause and Effect” earned excellent ratings when it premiered. It also prompted hundreds of calls to local affiliate stations from confused viewers. TheTNGseason 5 Blu-ray special features mention widespread complaints from fans. Accordingto writer Brannon Braga, audiences of the early 90s were less understanding of non-conventional story structures. Those calling in believed that the episode footage was repeating unintentionally between commercial breaks. This likely primedStar Trekfans for unusual future episodes. Braga also stated that “Cause and Effect” was his most popular episode. The outing appears to this day on various top ten lists and compilations.
How does “Cause and Effect” end?
Data discovers a way to create a resonance in his positronic brain, essentially leaving a message for himself on the next loop. As the day starts anew,Data gradually noticesthe number three appearing in various places. Data deals only threes in the poker game, followed by several players simultaneously drawing three of a kind. The statistical anomaly draws attention. Data runs diagnostics, receiving a string of threes. He reports his findings, prompting a discussion about the number’s potential meaning. As the ship emerges again, Data realizes that the three represents the command pips on Riker’s uniform. Data withdraws his tractor beam idea andsupports Riker’s proposition, which allows the Enterprise to evade the oncoming vessel. The time loop ends, revealing that the crew spent 17 days in the fluctuation. They welcome the crew of the USSBozeman, who has been trapped for more than 90 years.
“Cause and Effect” is a compelling episode ofStar Trek: The Next Generation. It enjoyed the benefit of a trope only one year before Bill Murray would make it iconic. Though contemporary audiences struggled to understand the unique premise, modern viewers love the episode. It’s funnythat Jonathan Frakeswould direct an episode in which the solution to an otherwise unsolvable problem is to listen to his character. “Cause and Effect” is worth a rewatch, for anyone looking to relive the past a few times.
