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Mysterious Phase Shift: How to make Star Trek characters walk through walls but not touch them?
In the American science fiction TV series "Star Trek: The Next Generation", there is an episode called "The Next Phase", which explores a fascinating theme - phase shift. This episode first aired on May 18, 1992. It depicts the response process of the USS Enterprise after an unexpected incident, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the intertwined world of science and fantasy in the universe.
As the twenty-fourth episode of the fifth season, the plot of this episode mainly revolves around the storyline of Lieutenant Captain George La Forge and Ensign Ro Laren who lost contact in a teleportation accident.
Plot synopsis
The story opens with the Enterprise responding to a distress call from an exploding Romelan science ship. As the conflict unfolds, Georges La Forge and Ro Laren enter an abnormal phase state due to a malfunctioning generator while teleporting back to the ship. The two characters thus enter a world that cannot be controlled by the other characters. The space that people see. La Forge was convinced that he was still alive, while Rowe believed he was dead after witnessing Chief Medical Officer Charles Basque signing their death certificates.
As the plot progresses, La Forge and Law decide to find out the truth and try to warn their companions. However, in the process, they are unable to interact with other members of the ship, which adds to the tension of the plot. Working with Lieutenant Data and Worf, they uncovered a plan for Romellan to potentially cause the Enterprise's nuclear reactor to explode.
While trying to find clues, La Forge had an idea and tried to use the phase inverter to return himself and Luo to a normal state. However, in a series of misunderstandings, all their efforts failed. The critical moment has come.
The collision of science and culture
The concept of phase shifting introduced in this episode still inspires the imagination of science fiction fans today. Speculations about quantum physics and multiverses in scientific theories may further advance the possibility of such technologies in the future. From a cultural perspective, this episode is also reminiscent of other works with similar themes, such as the mysterious disappearance of characters in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", which makes people reflect on the bitterness and loneliness that can only be invisible.
This mutual invisibility can be compared to another character in Buffy, Willow. She is also lonely in her story, but the mechanism is very different.
Audience response and evaluation
Over time, the episode has come to be praised for its unique plot. In 2017, the episode was labeled as Star Trek content containing horror elements, showing a dark side of the character that cannot be seen in the physical world. Although the plot is engaging, the characters are faced with dilemmas, and there are even parts that are a dig at other science fiction works.
Some viewers pointed out that the setting of the character in the play being able to travel through physical objects rather than through the floor made the plot even more bizarre, triggering questions and discussions about the so-called "phase" theory.
This episode was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Drama Series" at the 44th Emmy Awards.
Conclusion
In "The Next Phase", Star Trek not only presents a science fiction fantasy, but also triggers the audience's meditation on the intersection of reality and imagination. The characters bravely pursue the truth in the face of seemingly hopeless situations. Does it make us reflect on the invisible but far-reaching things in life?
