Back in 2013, we featured several exclusive cuts of deleted footage from episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation – TrekCore’s features even inspired the research team at CBS to include high definition restorations of lost footage on the last several TNG Blu-ray releases – and now we’re back with a brand-new look into “Devil’s Due” from Season 4!
Like the other VHS recordings in this series, this recording of “Devil’s Due” contains an early, unfinished copy of the episode, with missing visual effects, music, and voice-over audio.
In addition to missing all of the final effects footage, this “Cut 6” also includes two additional scenes cut from the broadcast version of the episode!
We’ve been provided a copy of the original VHS transfer, and we’re happy to share an exclusive cut-down package highlighting the six most prominent deleted scenes – in proper context with the finished episode – along with a scene-by-scene breakdown!
1. ACT ONE, SCENE 13
Our take: The Enterprise’s chat with the Ventaxian leadership gets extended in this workprint copy.
“I tried to explain to them that there is no evidence, no proof, that this mythic creature ever existed — let alone was about to return to enslave them!”
Doctor Clark’s vehement denial of Ardra’s return was obvious in the final version of the episode, and in this longer cut, we learn that he’s tried to dissuade the fears of Acost Jared, the leader of Ventax II. Not a big addition, likely removed for time.
2. ACT THREE, SCENE 26
Our take: Data and Picard discuss finding any kind of loophole, some kind of strategy to break Ardra’s contract with the Ventaxian people. Their conversation drifts to Data’s performance of “A Christmas Carol,” seen earlier in the episode.
In this deleted sequence, Data points out that while Ardra’s powers might end up being fictional, the ghosts in Ebeneezer Scrooge’s story “turned out to be quite real” — a possible flaw in Picard’s line of reasoning.
Picard’s response? After a long moment of contemplation: “Bah, humbug!”
* * *
Obviously, there’s not a lot of new material in this workprint, but the lack of deleted scenes is more than made up for by Patrick Stewart’s marvelous Dickensian outburst!
We’re eager to hear your feedback about this newly-recovered footage cut from “Devil’s Due”, so tell us your thoughts in the comments below!