The week-long national syndication window opens for the 81st episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Andreas Katsulas (Babylon 5) guest stars. 
Stardate 44286.5: While investigating suspicious energy readings on Alpha Onias III – a planet that would be ideal for a secret Romulan base – Riker, Geordi and Worf are overcome by toxic gases. Geordi and Worf, however, are rescued via transporter, while the Enterprise loses all trace of Riker. Riker awakens in the sick bay of the Enterprise, told by an older Dr. Crusher that sixteen years have passed since that event, and that a virus he contracted on the mission to Alpha Onias III recently became active, causing him to lose all memory back to that event. He is now the ship’s Captain, Data is First Officer, and Picard – now an Admiral – is completing the final arrangements for the signing of a peace treaty between the Romulans and the Federation, and Riker has a teenage son as well. But glaring mistakes soon point out to Riker that this scenario is not, in fact, happening, and that it’s all a nearly perfect simulation. But the question remains – who’s behind it, the Romulans…or someone else?
written by J. Larry Carroll & David Bennett Carren
directed by Les Landau
music by Dennis McCarthyCast: Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Riker), LeVar Burton (Lt. Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Lt. Worf), Gates McFadden (Dr. Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data), Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher), Andreas Katsulas (Commander Tomalok), Chris Demetral (“Jean-Luc Riker”/”Ethan”), Carolyn McCormick (Minuet), Patti Yasutake (Nurse), Todd Merrill (Gleason), April Grace (Transporter Chief Hubbell), George O’ Hanlon, Jr. (Transporter Chief), Dana Tjowander (Barash)
LogBook entry by Earl Green