11001001
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "11001001".

"11001001" is a first-season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast February 1, 1988. It is episode #15, production #116, teleplay written by Maurice Hurley and Robert Lewin, and directed by Paul Lynch. The episode's title is a combination of the four appearing Bynars' names: One-one, Zero-zero, One-Zero, and Zero-One.

Overview: Curious little aliens, the Bynars, retrofit the Enterprise computer in a space dock.

Plot

The plot summary in this article or section is too long or detailed compared to the rest of the article. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. (December 2007)

On stardate 41365.9, the Enterprise arrives at Starbase 74, in orbit above Tarsus III, for a routine maintenance check. Captain Picard and Commander Riker greet Starbase Commander Quinteros and a pair of small humanoid aliens known as Bynars whose species have become so interconnected with their computer technology that their language and thought patterns have become as near to that of a computer's as a biological lifeform's can. Quinteros introduces the two Bynars as One Zero & Zero One, explaining they are neither male nor female, but a unified pair that are always together. Picard informs Quinteros that they have only 48 hours to conduct the repairs, since they have urgent business on Pelleus V. This draws concern from the aliens who thought they would have more time.

Picard and Riker remain aboard as the crew disembarks for shore leave. Riker is invited by the Bynars to a demonstration of system enhancements to the ship's Holodeck systems. The Bynars create a simulation of a 20th Century music lounge that appeals to his taste in music, and a holographic companion - an earth woman named Minuet - that also appeals specifically to his tastes. Captain Picard interrupts the demonstration but is also taken in by the attention to detail and the richness of the simulation, particularly when Minuet begins to converse with him in his native French.

Wesley, Geordi and Data investigate trouble in engineering where the ship's main computer indicates a catastrophic failure in less than five minutes, resulting in an immediate abandon ship procedure. The Enterprise is forced out of the station where it is expected it will explode in open space. The crew assembles on the station to find two puzzles; Riker and Picard are absent, and the ship does not explode, but instead warps away.

Completely unaware of what is going on outside the holodeck, Riker and Picard are lost in conversation with Minuet. Picard has enjoyed Minuet's company but says he has duties to return to; Minuet appears saddened, attempting to hold Picard's interest as he repeatedly excuses himself to leave. Minuet becomes distressed, suddenly pleading with him to remain. Picard realizes that she is stalling him on purpose and calls for the holodeck exit. The doors open to a corridor of flashing red lights.

He attempts to contact the bridge, but there is no response. He then asks the computer to explain the red alert which reports that the antimatter field collapsed and the ship was abandoned. The computer explains the field has been restored and is now at warp on a course for the planet Bynaus. Picard turns to Minuet for answers and she quickly admits her part in the deception. The Bynars created her in order to keep them in the holodeck, but she cannot explain why. Riker and Picard rush out to regain control of the ship.

Back on the station, the others try to make sense of what is going on. They have tracked the ship's course to Bynaus and realized the aliens are missing. On the Enterprise, Riker & Picard arm themselves at a weapons locker and head to engineering. Picard explains they are dealing with an unknown force which has commandeered the ship and initiates the auto-destruct sequence with Riker's help to prevent the ship from falling into enemy hands. The system is set for a 5 minute countdown.

Before they proceed to the bridge, Riker notices a computer terminal displaying a cascade of alien symbols. An incredible amount of data is being uploaded and archived to the Enterprise's main computer. The two head out but find access to the lifts and doors has been locked out. Picard suggests beaming to the bridge, but Riker modifies the plan and suggests they beam there in two separate locations to take the aggressors by surprise.

Picard and Riker assume a defensive formation and beam in, but find no resistance. Instead, they discover four Bynars unconscious and huddled together on the floor. Two Bynars opens their eyes and Picard squats beside them to demand an explanation of the theft of his ship. The aliens only whisper, "Please, ... help us." Picard cancels auto-destruct as Riker notices that they are in orbit of Bynaus. The Bynaus central computer is down and the planet shows no activity. Riker postulates that all Bynars might be in a similar state of near-death. He checks the computer to find every free bit of space taken up by alien data and guesses that the Bynars made a core dump. However, he cannot access the information since it is protected by a password and wishes the Bynars had left a "note". Picard thinks that perhaps they did - Minuet.

The two run to the holodeck where the program is still running. Minuet explains that a star in their system had gone supernova and the resulting electromagnetic pulse would have wiped out their central computer. They had miscalculated when the event would take place and as a result had no choice but to find a mobile computer large enough to back up their data. She explains they must upload the data back to the Bynaus computer. Riker says that they still need a password, but Minuet doesn't know what it is.

Picard calls Starbase 74 to speak with Data and explains the situation. He asks Data's assessment on the question of the password where he recommends using binary numbers, ones & zeros, in groups of eight or sixteen. Riker runs a series of binary codes finding that the binary numeral 11001001 unlocks the file. The code seems right, however nothing happens. Picard decides to join him at another terminal noting that the Bynars always work in pairs. The two simultaneously enter the code. Picard appears to have extensive experience with information systems and considerable experience in computer science as he was able to analyze and understand the fundamentals of the Bynar programming data on the screen. Then he remarks with wonder and confidence, "the sophistication of the Bynar's program is amazing."

At that, the Enterprise begins to transmit data back to the Bynaus computer. The aliens on the floor stir back to life, expressing the gratitude of their people and humbly request to be returned to the Starbase to answer for their crimes. When Picard asks the Bynars why they didn't simply ask for help, the aliens reply, "You might have said no." The need was too great to risk rejection. Riker suggests that this polar analysis might be an outcome of the race's binary way of thinking. Picard takes the conn and sets a course back to the Starbase.

Upon arrival, Riker returns to the holodeck, seeing a brunette sitting again at the bar, but realizes that it is not Minuet. Later, he reports to Picard that despite trying various iterations within the program, Minuet is gone. Picard suggests that perhaps she was a part of the Bynars' programming and was removed when the data was sent back to Bynaus. Riker muses about the transient nature of love, and is saddened.

External links

• 11001001 article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
• 11001001 at StarTrek.com