| "The Last Outpost" | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:ST-TNG_The_Last_Outpost.jpg) The design of the Ferengi was created by Andrew Probert, with modifications by Michael Westmore and Mike Okuda. | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 5 |
| Directed by | Richard A. Colla |
| Story by | Richard Krzemien |
| Teleplay by | Herbert Wright |
| Cinematography by | Edward R. Brown |
| Production code | 107 |
| Original air date | October 19, 1987 |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Last Outpost" is the fifth episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, originally aired within the United States on October 19, 1987. The episode was written by Herbert Wright, based on a story by Richard Krzemien, and directed by Richard Colla. The guest cast included Armin Shimerman, Jake Dengel and Tracey Walter. Although this was Shimerman's first appearance as a Ferengi, he had previously filmed his first appearance in an uncredited role in "Haven", but that was broadcast after "The Last Outpost". He would later gain the role of the Ferengi Quark in the main cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, the Enterprise pursue a Ferengi starship to the planet Gamma Tauri IV, where both ships are disabled by an unknown power drain. Away teams from each vessel beam down to the planet where they find an automated system left behind by the Tkon Empire.
This episode marked the first on-screen appearance of the Ferengi, who had been mentioned earlier in the series. They were intended to replace the antagonist roles that Klingons and Romulans played in Star Trek: The Original Series in the new series, but this idea was dropped after their first couple of appearances. Their look was created by Andrew Probert with modifications by Michael Westmore. The tattoo design was created by Mike Okuda, while Probert was also responsible for the design of their starship.