Preemptive Strike (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Preemptive Strike (Star Trek: The Next Generation) "Preemptive Strike" is the 176th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series "". It is the 24th episode of the , and penultimate episode of the series overall, directed by cast member Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard). Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Federation starship USS "Enterprise"-D. In this episode, the recurring character Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes), a court-martialed Starfleet officer who first appeared in the episode "", finds her loyalties divided between Starfleet and a group of resistance fighters who oppose
Descent (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Descent (Star Trek: The Next Generation) "Descent" is the 26th episode of the and the first episode of the of the American science fiction television series "", the 152nd and 153rd episodes overall. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Federation starship "Enterprise". The episode features a guest appearance by Stephen Hawking, making it the only episode to feature a guest star appearing as themselves on any "Trek" series. On the holodeck, Lt. Commander Data plays a game of poker with holographic representations of Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking.