Steven Spielberg’s influence can be seen in one of the most challenging episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, S05E18 “Cause and Effect”. The episode features the Enterprise crew reliving a catastrophic collision with another ship until they realize what’s happening.
Director Jonathan Frakes found it difficult to make, as it risked becoming repetitive. However, techniques borrowed from Spielberg helped change the visual language, keeping the episode fluid and exciting.
Frakes used a technique similar to Spielberg’s, which involves “push-ins and close-ups” to create tension and emphasize the characters’ internal feelings. This technique involves the camera moving closer to the subject’s face before ending on a close-up.
These push-ins were used to show the characters figuring out the time loop. For example, the camera pushes in on Picard as he realizes he’s read a section of a book before. The episode’s use of visual metaphors helped to create a sense of tension and excitement.
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“Cause and Effect” is now one of the most highly regarded episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, with IMDb listing it as the 11th best episode. However, it wasn’t always well-received. When it originally aired, the episode was met with confusion and skepticism.
Gene Roddenberry wasn’t interested in time travel stories at the time, so writer Brannon Braga opted for a loop-focused story inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s “Rashomon”. The cast and viewers were initially confused by the episode’s non-linear storyline.
Braga recalled that the reactions to the script were similar to the audience’s reactions, with many people thinking it was a mistake. The affiliates broadcasting the show received phone calls during the broadcast, with viewers complaining that something was wrong with the transmission.
The episode’s reputation has grown over time, and it is now widely regarded as one of the best episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.
