Evolution (Star Trek: The Next Generation) Evolution (Star Trek: The Next Generation) "Evolution" is the first episode of the of the syndicated American science fiction television series "", the 49th episode overall, first airing on September 25, 1989. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Federation starship "Enterprise". In this episode, escaped nanites threaten the "Enterprise" as well as its critical research mission. The Federation starship "Enterprise", under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), approaches the binary star system to perform astrophysics research under the guidance of Dr. Paul Stubbs (Ken Jenkins), analyzing the decay of
The Outcast (Star Trek: The Next Generation) The Outcast (Star Trek: The Next Generation) "The Outcast" (, E17) is the 117th episode of the American science fiction television series "". The Enterprise is contacted by a humanoid race called the J'naii. They are a race who have no gender. They ask the crew for help in finding a shuttle which has gone missing. It is theorized that the shuttle disappeared into a pocket of null space. This is a pocket of space which drains energy rapidly. In short order, a rescue mission is planned, for which Riker volunteers to pilot a shuttle to retrieve the shuttle crew.