Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

The Ensigns of Command (1989)

Patrick Stewart: Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Photos 

Quotes 

• [Picard has trapped the Sheliak in their own contract] 

  Commander William T. Riker : You enjoyed that.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : You're damned right.

• Commander William T. Riker : Gentlemen, we're giving you an assignment. The one thing we don't want to hear is that it's impossible.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I need the transporters to function, despite the hyperonic radiation.

  Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge : Yeah, but that's imp... Yes, sir.

• [last lines] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : [about Data's recent violin concert]  Your playing is quite beautiful.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Strictly speaking, sir, it is not my playing. It is a precise imitation of the techniques of Jascha Heifetz and Trenka Bron-Ken.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Is there nothing of Data in what I'm hearing? You see, you chose the violinist. Heifetz and Bron-Ken have radically different styles, different techniques, and yet... you combined them, successfully.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : I suppose I have learned to be... creative, sir - when necessary.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Mr. Data, I look forward to your next concert.

• Counselor Deanna Troi : We are stranded on a planet. We have no language in common, but I want to teach you mine.

  [she holds up her tea glass] 

  Counselor Deanna Troi : S'smarith. What did I just say?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Cup... Glass.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Are you sure? I may have meant liquid. Clear. Brown. Hot. We conceptualize the universe in relatively the same way.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Point taken.

• Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge : Captain - we can do it. We can modify the transporters.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Excellent.

  Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge : It'll take fifteen years and a research team of a hundred...

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Mr. La Forge... I believe we will postpone.

• Counselor Deanna Troi : Captain, when the treaty was first negotiated, the Federation sent 372 legal experts. What do we have?

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Thee and me.

• Lt. Cmdr. Data : [Data enters Ten Forward carrying a violin and notices Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher sitting at a table facing the stage]  Captain. Doctor. I am honored by your presence but... may I suggest you attend the second concert.

  Dr. Beverly Crusher : Why Data?

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Ensign Ortiz will perform the violin part. My rendition will be less enjoyable.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Oh?

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Although I am technically proficient, according to my fellow performers I lack

  [gestures by shaking his fist near his chest] 

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : soul.

  Dr. Beverly Crusher : Data, telling us why you're going to fail before you make the attempt is never wise.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : But, is not honesty always the preferred choice?

  [Beverly looks amusingly at Captain Picard] 

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Excessive honesty can be disastrous - particularly in a commander.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : [looking somewhat intrigued]  Indeed.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Knowing your own limitations is one thing. Advertising them to a crew can damage your credibility as a leader.

  Lt. Cmdr. Data : Because you will lose their confidence.

  Dr. Beverly Crusher : And, you may begin to believe in those limitations yourself.

• Counselor Deanna Troi : In our dealings with other non-humanoid races, there's always been some point of reference. Not so with the Shelliac.

  Capt. Picard : But, we must have something in common. We communicate.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Barely. They have learned several Federation languages, but theirs continues to elude us.

  Capt. Picard : Telepaths?

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Attempted and failed. Actually, the fact that any alien race communicates with another is quite remarkable.

  [Troi picks up Picard's cup of tea] 

  Counselor Deanna Troi : We are stranded on a planet. We have no language in common, but I want to teach you mine.

  [She holds out the cup] 

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Zasmareth. What did I just say?

  Capt. Picard : Cup.

  [pause] 

  Capt. Picard : Glass?

  Counselor Deanna Troi : Are you sure? I may have meant liquid, clear, brown, hot.

  [sets tea down] 

  Counselor Deanna Troi : We conceptualize a universe in relatively the same way.

  Capt. Picard : Point taken.

  Counselor Deanna Troi : In your talks, you must be extremely accurate.