Plot summary
While Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is away at an emergency Federation conference, the Enterprise crew discovers an ancient space capsule from Earth. Inside they find three humans in cryonic chambers. Lt. Cdr. Data (Brent Spiner) asks to move the chambers to the Enterprise and Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) agrees. Picard returns and orders the Enterprise to the Neutral Zone, as several Federation outposts near the edges of the zone have not responded to communications. He explains that the conference was about the potential threat of the Romulans, who have not been seen for decades. As Data and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) work to thaw the cryonically preserved humans, Picard admonishes Data for bringing them aboard during a crucial time, and puts Riker in charge of looking after them.
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 have 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, the financier Ralph Offenhouse is the most vocal regarding his dissatisfaction with the 24th century's lack of amenities. He unfavorably compares the Enterprise to the Queen Elizabeth 2, remarking that even on a 20th-century ocean liner, he could "get a drink and a newspaper" and receive better service than what Picard's crew provides.
L. Q. "Sonny" Clemmons also contributes several pop culture references, primarily focused on his desire for entertainment. He repeatedly asks to watch "the boob tube" (television), leading to a historical explanation from Data that the medium went out of style in the mid-21st century. Additionally, Clemmons inquires about the fate of the Atlanta Braves, expressing a desire to see a "box score" and learn how the team is performing in the future.
Credits
Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The Neutral Zone (Star Trek: The Next Generation). Paragraphs and formatting adjusted; illustrations, reference markers, block quotations and non-story material omitted.