| Star Trek: The Next Generation | |
|---|---|
| Season 6 | |
 Region A/1 Blu-ray cover art | |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Broadcast syndication |
| Original release | September 21, 1992 – June 21, 1993 |
| Season chronology | |
The sixth season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation commenced airing in broadcast syndication in the United States on September 21, 1992, and concluded on June 21, 1993, after airing 26 episodes. Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet starship Enterprise-D.
The season begins with the successful rescue of Data from the nineteenth century, and we learn just how long Guinan has actually known Picard. ("Time's Arrow")
Picard is temporarily assigned away from the Enterprise for a dangerous espionage mission against the Cardassians, but is captured and subjected to torture, nearly succumbing before being released ("Chain of Command"). Deanna Troi engaged in a similarly risky mission of espionage against the Romulans ("Face of the Enemy").
Picard also underwent significant personal development during this season. He formed an intense and troubled romantic relationship with the Enterprise's head of stellar cartography, Nella Daren ("Lessons"). After his artificial heart is nearly destroyed, Q helps Picard experience a vision of the unremarkable life he could have led, giving him a better understanding of his mortality and his reasons for living ("Tapestry").
Riker also experiences a deeply personal conflict, making a gripping personal battle with his own sanity ("Frame of Mind"), and later discovers an accidental transporter-copy of himself that had been abandoned on a desolate planet for nearly a decade ("Second Chances").
Several well-known recurring characters make appearances this season, the most famous among them being Montgomery Scott. The Enterprise engineer from the Original Series is discovered alive, and after an awkward period adjusting to the twenty-fourth century, sets out to explore the galaxy on his own ("Relics"). The sentient hologram Professor Moriarty returns, holding the ship captive in a complex game that he hopes will grant him freedom to live outside the holodeck ("Ship in a Bottle"). Reginald Barclay continues to develop, overcoming his fear of transporters ("Realm of Fear"). Q, in addition to his appearance in Picard's counterfactual vision, returns earlier in the season ("True Q").
We are left with the rediscovery of Lore, leading a group of rogue Borg, who with the influence of an emotional stimulant for androids, successfully seduced Data to become a willing participant in his violent plans in the cliffhanger that ends the season ("Descent").