ST:TNG:113 - "The Masterpiece Society" (Stardate: 45470.1) - this is the 13th episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
This is an interesting episode dealing with a genetically engineered society who have sequestered themselves into a biosphere - so no one can get out. This is partially a commentary on the Biosphere 2 project which was began in 1991 (this episode aired in February 1992), about whether life can be self-sustaining inside an enclosed structure.
The Enterprise warns them that a stellar core fragment will pass by their colony on Moab IV, thereby destroying them, but because they are in a biosphere, they are unwilling to leave. The situation becomes more difficult when the leader of the biosphere, Conor, and Troi, become romantically involved, and several of the colonists eventually also want to leave (because now they see more than their biosphere world because of the Enterprise)!
A true example where Star Trek and contemporary reality interact.
Trivia note: it's noted by Picard that lower band frequencies were commonly used in the last century (200 years before). And, a "ship in a bottle" is mentioned here - this is an ongoing motif in the TNG series.
This is an interesting episode dealing with a genetically engineered society who have sequestered themselves into a biosphere - so no one can get out. This is partially a commentary on the Biosphere 2 project which was began in 1991 (this episode aired in February 1992), about whether life can be self-sustaining inside an enclosed structure.
The Enterprise warns them that a stellar core fragment will pass by their colony on Moab IV, thereby destroying them, but because they are in a biosphere, they are unwilling to leave. The situation becomes more difficult when the leader of the biosphere, Conor, and Troi, become romantically involved, and several of the colonists eventually also want to leave (because now they see more than their biosphere world because of the Enterprise)!
A true example where Star Trek and contemporary reality interact.
Trivia note: it's noted by Picard that lower band frequencies were commonly used in the last century (200 years before). And, a "ship in a bottle" is mentioned here - this is an ongoing motif in the TNG series.