The U.S.S. Enterprise heads to Deneb IV to investigate the Farpoint Station mystery, but is intercepted by Q, who places them on trial for the crimes of humanity.

Patrick Stewart (Capt. Jean-Luc Picard)
Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. William Riker)
LeVar Burton (Lt. [j.g.] Geordi La Forge)
Denise Crosby (Lt. Tasha Yar)
Michael Dorn (Lieutenant [j.g.] Worf)
Gates McFadden (Dr. [Cmdr.] Beverly Crusher)
Marina Sirtis (Counselor [Lt. Cmdr.] Deanna Troi)
Brent Spiner (Lt. Commander Data)
Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher)

DeForest Kelley (Starfleet Admiral [Leonard McCoy])

John De Lancie ("Q")
Michael Bell (Groppler Zorn)

Colm Meaney (Battle Bridge Conn [Miles O'Brien])
Cary-Hiroyuki (Mandarin Bailiff)
Timothy Dang (Main Bridge Security)
David Erskine (Bandi Shopkeeper)
Evelyn Guerrero (Young Female Ensign)
Chuck Hicks (Military Officer)
Jimmy Ortega (Lt. Torres)

• Two-hour series pilot. Separated into Part I and Part II for rerun.
  
• The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D is the 5th starship to bear the name "Enterprise."
  
• Cmdr. Riker, Lt. La Forge, Dr. Crusher, and Wesley await the Enterprise at Farpoint Station. Riker is transferred to Farpoint Station by the U.S.S. Hood NCC-42296.
  
• Deanna calls Will "imzadi", which is Betazoid for "beloved" and uses telepathy to send thoughts to him. (This is the only time she does this with anyone who is not a Betazoid.)
  
• Colm Meaney plays the unnamed Battle Bridge conn officer. He becomes a recurring character and is later named O'Brien.
  
• When the saucer separates from the star drive section, Lt. Worf takes command of the saucer module. During re-joining, Picard orders Riker to perform a manual docking of the saucer module.
  
• Admiral McCoy is 137 years old. He is actually not named as Dr. McCoy to keep the cameo a secret until the episode premiered.
  
• In this pilot episode, the Conn and Ops stations on the bridge are reversed.
  
• Troi is referred to by her rank ("[Lieutanant] Commander") and not "Counselor" in this episode. (Riker does mess up once and call her "Lieutenant." Lieutenant commanders are referred to as "Commander").