<P> The survivors--Claire Raymond (Gracie Harrison), a housewife; Ralph Offenhouse (Peter Mark Richman), a financier; and L.Q. "Sonny" Clemmons (Leon Rippy), a musician--are from the late 20th Century . All died of incurable illnesses at the time and were placed in cryonic suspension after their deaths in the hope that cures might be found in the future . Dr. Crusher, in reviving them, easily cures them of their illnesses . They are having to cope with the culture shock of awakening in a distant future with the realization that everything they knew and had are now gone . Of the three, Clemmons seems to fare the best at adapting to life in the future and befriends Data . Claire is distraught at the thought of losing everyone she ever knew, particularly her children, so Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis) suggests searching for Claire's descendants . Offenhouse is irritated by the lack of access to news or other information, and uses the comm unit to disturb Picard on the bridge . Picard comes down to assure everyone that all questions will be answered, but that the ship's mission requires Picard's full attention . </P> <P> The Enterprise reaches the Neutral Zone and confirms that the outposts have been destroyed . They are soon met by a Romulan Warbird and Commander Tebok (Marc Alaimo) questions why the Enterprise has approached the zone . As Picard tries to explain his actions, Offenhouse arrives on the bridge and threatens to disrupt the tense situation, though he correctly ascertains that the Romulans are also seeking answers . Picard and the Romulans agree to pool their resources to discover the culprit . Picard later comments that while the encounter went favorably, the Romulans may be a significant threat in future engagements . Picard arranges to transport the 20th - Century humans to Earth . Troi locates one of Claire's descendants on Earth, and while Claire is unsure of her place in her new reality, Troi suggests that family is a good starting point . Clemmons expresses enthusiasm for the future, and Picard sets Offenhouse the challenge of improving himself . </P> <P> Due to the impending Writers Guild of America strike, writer and co-executive producer Maurice Hurley developed the teleplay in a day and a half from fan fiction written by Deborah McIntyre and Mona Clee . Due to the strike, certain story ideas were removed from the plot including the planned first appearance of the Borg which was subsequently delayed until the second season episode "Q Who". This was because "The Neutral Zone" was originally intended to be the first of a two - part episode, but due to the strike there wasn't enough time to write the second part and so the story was shortened . The second episode would have seen the Enterprise and the Romulans team up against the Borg . The script that was shot was a first draft, and due to the writer's strike in place, no amendments were subsequently made . Director James L. Conway later explained, "If there hadn't been a strike, I think it would have been a better script ." It was the second episode of The Next Generation directed by Conway, the first being "Justice" earlier in the first season . He didn't direct another episode until "Frame of Mind" during season six . </P> <P> In the writers and directors' guide for the series, written by the show's creator Gene Roddenberry prior to the first season, Romulans were covered by one of the main writing rules which stated "No stories about warfare with Klingons and Romulans and no stories with Vulcans . We are determined not to copy ourselves and believe there must be other interesting aliens in a galaxy filled with billions of stars and planets ." Following the perceived failure of the Ferengi as the main villains of TNG by the production staff, the Romulans became the main villains during the early years of the series . This was in addition to the Borg, who were originally developed as an insectoid race for this episode but became a race of cyborgs by the time they first appeared in "Q Who". While the Romulans made their first TNG appearance in this episode, they were previously mentioned in "Angel One" and "Heart of Glory". The episode was the final one of season one to be completed, with production wrapping ten months after it began on "Encounter at Farpoint". </P>

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