Ep 12. The Pegasus

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7 episode 12, entitled "The Pegasus," Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise are tasked with reuniting with Admiral Pressman, Picard's former commanding officer, to locate a lost starship, the Pegasus. However, as the search continues, tensions rise as it becomes apparent that there are some secrets related to the Pegasus that could have serious consequences for the Federation.

The episode begins with the Enterprise en route to meet Admiral Pressman and assist him in locating the Pegasus, a starship that disappeared 12 years ago during a mission that involved top-secret research. During the journey, Pressman informs Picard of the classified nature of his mission, but Picard remains skeptical of Pressman's motives.

When they arrive at the rendezvous point, Picard and Pressman meet, but their reunion is tense. Pressman is clearly hiding something from the crew of the Enterprise, and Picard becomes suspicious. Meanwhile, Riker seems anxious as he worked on the Pegasus and the mission that resulted in its mysterious disappearance.

As the search for the Pegasus continues, the Enterprise approaches a difficult situation when they come upon a minefield protecting the wreckage of the Pegasus from outsiders. Admiral Pressman decides to take a clandestine approach to the search, leaving Picard and the Enterprise out of the loop. Riker becomes uneasy about the situation, aware that the search for the Pegasus might bring up some uncomfortable memories of his past.

As Picard and the Enterprise crew continue to investigate the minefield, they discover evidence that the Pegasus might have been equipped with illegal cloaking technology. More troublingly, it seems that Admiral Pressman is willing to do whatever it takes, including breaking the law, to retrieve the Pegasus and its secrets.

Riker decides to turn to Picard for help and confesses that he was part of the team that developed the cloaking device. The device was illegal and caused the ship's destruction, leading Riker to have nightmares over the years. With the revelation, Picard is faced with the moral dilemma of whether to assist Pressman and continue with the search or to take action and stop Pressman from endangering the safety of the crew and the Federation.

The episode ultimately deals with themes of morality, duty, and loyalty. It is a gripping story that showcases wonderful character moments, particularly for Riker, as he confronts his past mistakes and moral dilemmas head-on. The relationship between Picard and his former commanding officer is also explored, as well as the rigidity of Starfleet's chain of command and the risks of keeping secrets.

"The Pegasus" is a standout episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, showcasing the show's exceptional writing and performances. The tension remains high throughout, leading to a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion.