Parallels is an instant classic. Borrowing heavily from the concepts of Future Imperfect and Yesterday’s Enterprise, Parallels is an episode that gives a glimpse of what the TNG universe might be like, had the stories unfolded along radically different sequences of events. What makes the episode strong is not only its “cool” factor, but also its characterizations. One criticism, however, is that the theory and the explanations behind the theory are a bit esoteric.

The story follows Worf, who is returning home from shore leave. Shortly after he returns, strange things begin happening — starting with his surprise birthday party. Incidentally, why is returning from shore leave becoming a trigger for “time travel” type episodes — Timescape anyone?

As the episode unfolds, the events grow from merely amusing (the changing of birthday cake from chocolate to vanilla) to downright deadly (Worf’s sudden inability to raise the shields — which costs LaForge his life). Each time the story shifts, Worf finds himself in a new reality, surrounded by crew who want to believe him, but find his proclamations to be very difficult to believe. As he says to Riker, who asks him why he doesn’t remember the past three years: “I do remember. I just remember differently.”

The pacing of the episode, along with the easter eggs — such as the return of the futuristic insignia first seen in Future Imperfect, Data’s suddenly blue eyes, a more militant bridge, Worf wearing a red uniform as Riker’s First Officer, and the cameo of Lieutenant Wesley Crusher — really helps the story build and maintain momentum. But there is one surprise that, on the surface sounds almost revolting but is, in fact, handled particularly well: In an alternate reality Worf is married to … Deanna Troi.

Worf’s performance throughout the entire episode is very strong. But surprisingly, Troi’s performance is equal to the task. Her interactions with Worf are not only plausible, but carried out in a notably compelling manner. As a result, it isn’t that difficult to believe that, perhaps, Worf and Troi could have fallen in love.

Eventually, with Troi’s support (and Wesley’s typical ingenuity — a welcome return), the crew of the Enterprise figure out what has been happening to Worf and why. It’s a technobabble solution about quantum physics that uses LaForge’s VISOR as a trigger for Worf’s shifts through alternate realities.

In the end, Wesley figures out how Worf can be returned to his reality. After an attack from a Bajoran ship (another easter egg), reality begins to fracture and space is suddenly filled with hundreds of Enterprises. It’s a fascinating scene, both visually and conceptually.

Following a heartfelt conversation with his “wife,” Worf tells Troi that, in his time, he would not have been opposed to a relationship with her. Worf then embarks on a shuttle and heads off to repair the space-time continuum. One of the Enterprises, from a reality dominated by the Borg, attempts to stop Worf, but he succeeds and all is returned to normal.

Back on the Enterprise, Worf unexpectedly asks Troi to dinner — and he serves champagne.

Parallels is a classic episode because it not only provided a great deal of fodder for TNG fans, but it also constructed a compelling, swift moving story. The obscure technobabble premise certainly limits its universal appeal. Nonetheless, Parallels remains one of the best episodes of Season 7, and a true classic.

Filed under: TNG Reviews