DIRECTED BY
AIRED ON
November 8, 1993
RUNTIME
45 minutes
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193
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2024-09-11 20:32:50
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SUMMARY
Stardate: 47304.2. While on a a diplomatic mission, Dr. Crusher and Picard are captured and imprisoned. As a result, they are linked together via a telepathic device.
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REVIEWS
The end of Stringer
Written by
Pike on 2018-05-19
★
★
★
★
WHISTLING WESTERN
The opening of Omar whistling in a dark alley, facing the bow-tie man was a very visual scene. It felt like a western and at one point, even though we are watching a very realistic series, it feels damn good to have some pulp action, even if no one shoots at the end.
POLITICS
I loved the way that the mayor is trying to desperately find a way to benefit from the initiative from the Major. This was really compelling.
STRINGER
The episode seals the fate of Stringer. The end sequence was really great.
SUMMARY
An excellent episode. I give it 7 out of 10.
___________________________________________
Reluctant character development
Written by
kimmy on 2019-08-22
★
★
★
This is the final season and it looks like the writers decided that it’s time to address remaining open issues and wrap things up. Namely here, the Picard and Crusher relationship. The problem is that the show and the entire episode build up to something and the last scene backs off as if it was still necessary, a few episodes before the finale, to return to the status quo.
Picard and Crusher are captured in a planet with two warring factions. They even get devices that slowly allow them to read each other’s thoughts (for no plot reason), which is either the most romantic idea possible or the most annoying thing possible! While they make their escape, Riker has to deal with the aliens: I absolutely enjoyed the caricatures they made of these aliens, how incredibly paranoid or uncommunicative they were, and naturally the end result is that none of them would be eligible for Federation membership. (Two people marching towards the border in a remote planet with a Cold War situation? I get feels of Ursula Le Guin‘s Left Hand of Darkness!)
This brings Picard to admit that he has had feelings for Crusher, that he purposefully set aside either because of her relationship with Wesley’s father or because his captainship of the Enterprise (in line with the outcome of his last relationship with the astrophysicist in the recent Lessons). It’s unlike The Picard to have lowly basic human needs like companionship, but Picard is not an ideal, he is still human! On the other side, we have seen at various points that it’s rather Beverly who has unstated feelings for Jean-Luc (e.g. all the way back to season 1’s The Arsenal of Freedom, or when they were captured in season 3’s The High Ground). So it’s surprising that at the end of the episode it’s Jean-Luc, not Beverly, that asks for this to go one step further, and it’s Beverly who pulls back, yet everything that came before would have us expecting that it would have been the opposite! At most, they could have both agreed to postpone this further as they seem to have done for years — they start the episode with one of their breakfasts together, which shows that already their relationship is close, comfortable, mature, without the need for it to be anything more. Like an old married couple! There’s buildup and then a return to the status quo as if there was a need to continue the status quo beyond the end of the series. This would have been fine if it was a step in a larger whole, but the end of the series is approaching fast.
What, is this series turning into a soap opera? I am not necessarily expecting romance everywhere, especially in Star Trek, but if it’s nicely written I am not allergic to it. The TNG writers don’t appear to be the best relationship writers (see here, or Second Chances), so I liked it that they kept this in the background throughout the series and still showed us a strong Captain and a strong Doctor. But here it’s an odd decision to spend the most exceptionally relationship-focused episode of the whole series on something that ultimately stalls progress. Either don’t progress and leave it in the background, or feature it and allow it to go forward. Still, the writing and acting is otherwise very good in this episode!
The quote:
Crusher: “I’m not sure whether we should go over this hill or that one. The topography on this map is a little vague.â€
Picard: “Let me see. This way.â€
Crusher: “You don’t really know, do you?â€
Picard: “What?â€
Crusher: “I mean, you’re acting like you know exactly which way to go, but you’re only guessing. Do you do this all the time?â€
Picard: “No, but there are times when it is necessary for a captain to give the appearance of confidence.â€
Alumni-spotting:
Robin Gammell (the paranoid alien) was Mike Atkins, the one who recruited Frank Black to the Group, in Millennium!
And it’s impossible not to mention this: this episode was written by Nick Sagan, yes, the son of The Amazing Carl Sagan!
TRANSCRIPT
Captain's log, stardate 47304.2. The Enterprise has arrived at Kesprytt Three in order to evaluate an unusual request on the part of the Kes for associate membership in the Federation.
[Picard's quarters]
(breakfast)
CRUSHER: This morning she was fifteen minutes late. That's the third time this week. Jean-Luc, you don't have the slightest idea what I'm talking about, do you.
PICARD: No. I'm really sorry. I don't.
CRUSHER: I've been telling you about Nurse Ogawa and Ensign Markson for the last fifteen minutes.
PICARD: You have? I'm really sorry.
CRUSHER: Are you worried about this mission with the Kes?
PICARD: Not worried exactly. This notion of admitting half of their planet to the Federation while leaving the other half out.
CRUSHER: First of all, the Kes are not half the planet, they're nearly three quarters of it. And the Prytt are not being left out. They themselves simply don't want to have contact with anyone from the outside. not the Federation or anyone else.
PICARD: Every member of the Federation entered as a unified world, and that unity said something about them. That they had resolved certain social and political differences and they were now ready to become part of a larger community.
CRUSHER: By all indications, the Kes are a very unified, very progressive people.
PICARD: But the Prytt are not. They are reclusive to the point of xenophobia.
CRUSHER: Well, think about Earth. What if one of the old nation states, say Australia, had decided not to join the World Government in twenty one fifty? Would that have disqualified us as a Federation member?
PICARD: That analogy is not exactly
RIKER [CO]: Riker to Captain.
PICARD: Go ahead, Number One.
[Bridge]
RIKER: We've received word from Ambassador Mauric. He's ready to see you and Doctor Crusher.
[Picard's quarters]
PICARD: Inform him we're on our way. Thank you for breakfast.
CRUSHER: Wait until tomorrow. I have something very special planned. It's a Vulcan dish. That's all I'll say.
[Transporter room]
WORF: Captain. Doctor. I have the coordinates of Ambassador Mauric's chambers.
PICARD: Let's not keep them waiting, Mister Worf.
WORF: Enterprise to Kes Security Relay Station One. We're ready to commence transport.
KES [OC]: Acknowledged, Enterprise. We have lowered our defense shield.
WORF: Confirmed.
PICARD: Energise.
(Picard and Crusher are beamed away, and Worf starts to leave)
KES [OC]: This is Security Relay Station One. We are ready to receive your Captain and Medical Officer.
WORF: This is the Enterprise. We have completed the transport sequence. You should have them.
KES [OC]: Negative, Enterprise. They are not here.
[Cell]
(Picard wakes up on a hard floor)
PICARD: Beverly. Beverly.
CRUSHER: What happened?
PICARD: I don't know.
CRUSHER: The last thing I remember we were beginning to transport.
PICARD: I would assume we must be on Kesprytt. We're in some kind of prison cell. The question is, why? I can't imagine that Ambassador Mauric would have any reason to detain us.
CRUSHER: Jean-Luc.
PICARD: What is it?
CRUSHER: Let me see.
PICARD: What?
(there's something sticking out of the back of his neck)
CRUSHER: It looks like an implant. It seems to be connected directly to the brainstem.
(She's got one under her hair as well)
PICARD: Some kind of coercive device?
CRUSHER: Whatever it is I doubt it's designed for our health.
(the doors open and security in dark one-piece suits with hoods enter)
PICARD: What is going on here?
CRUSHER: If you tell us why you've taken us hostage, we might be able to
LORIN: (female) You are not hostages. You are prisoners.
PICARD: Prisoners on whose authority?
LORIN: You are being held under the authority of the Prytt Security Ministry. The charges are conspiring with the enemy.
PICARD: Enemy? You mean the Kes.
LORIN: We're not fools. We are aware of the Federation attempt to establish a military alliance with the Kes. It will not be tolerated.
PICARD: Your information is incorrect. We have no plans to enter into any
LORIN: There is no point in trying to mislead us, Captain. The devices which have been implanted in your cerebral cortexes will soon be calibrated to your psi-wave pattern. At that time, we will be able to get all the information we need.
PICARD: And then you'll discover that we're telling the truth.
LORIN: We shall see.
[Transporter room]
DATA: There is nothing wrong with the transporter. I have run a complete diagnostic of all the targeting components.
RIKER: Then what happened to the Captain and Doctor Crusher?
WORF: Commander. The Transporter sensor log shows an unusual concentration of antigraviton particles in the emitter coil.
DATA: A concentration of antigraviton particles suggests a tractor beam. It might have deflected the transporter beam to a different set of coordinates.
RIKER: Is there a way to locate those coordinates?
DATA: The tractor beam originated somewhere in the Prytt Alliance.
WORF: Why does the Prytt want Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher?
RIKER: I don't know. And it's not going to be easy to find out. The Prytt have consistently refused all outside contact. We're going to have to work through the Kes. Contact Ambassador Mauric. Tell him I want a meeting right now.
WORF: Aye, sir.
[Cell]
(Picard is testing the bars on the window very carefully)
PICARD: What?
CRUSHER: What?
PICARD: You're staring at me.
CRUSHER: I was just thinking about how to get out of here.
PICARD: There may be a structural flaw that would allow us to escape.
CRUSHER: Right.
PICARD: Beverly, the important thing during any confinement is to think positively and not give up hope. There is a way out of every box, there is a solution to every puzzle. It's just a matter of finding it.
(the guard puts a covered plate on the floor and backs out. Picard fails to stop the door closing again)
PICARD: Damn.
CRUSHER: Well, at least this means we won't starve to death.
PICARD: It means they plan on keeping us here for a while.
CRUSHER: I'm beginning to think negatively, Jean-Luc.
(she takes the cover off the plate)
CRUSHER: My tricorder!
PICARD: Does it work?
CRUSHER: Yes. Except something's been added to the main directory.
PICARD: It's a map.
CRUSHER: An escape route. That guard must be working for the Kes.
PICARD: Possibly. Or it could be part of a very carefully laid trap.
CRUSHER: If you ask me, I'd like to take my chances out there.
PICARD: Agreed. Is there a way to open the cell door?
CRUSHER: Yes, the code's been entered.
(the door opens, there's no one around, and off they go)
[Observation lounge]
MAURIC: Commander, on behalf of my government, I would like to take this opportunity to present my profound apologies regarding this unfortunate incident.
RIKER: That's very kind, Ambassador. But I don't think anyone here holds you or the Kes government responsible for what's happened.
TROI: Our primary concern is not to assign blame, but to recover our missing officers.
MAURIC: I agree. We are prepared to insert a hostage rescue team into the Prytt capital city on three hours notice.
RIKER: Ambassador, we have not even attempted a diplomatic effort yet. I would rather not use force until we've exhausted all other options.
MAURIC: I don't believe there is any diplomatic option, Commander. We have no formal relations with the Prytt. No ambassadors. There's simply no way to contact them.
TROI: Surely you must have some means of communication in case of a planetary emergency.
MAURIC: We have never had need of such a system.
WORF: We can determine their communications frequencies and establish a link.
MAURIC: Allow me to be blunt. The Prytt are a fanatical, xenophobic people, with little regard for civilised discourse. Even if you do establish communications link with them, it will be a complete waste of time.
TROI: How long has it been since your last diplomatic contact?
MAURIC: Almost a century.
TROI: Then it's possible they may have changed over the years.
MAURIC: We have had other less formal contacts with the Prytt. Contacts we cannot discuss. But I can assure you, they have changed very little.
RIKER: With all due respect, Ambassador, I think I should try to communicate with the Prytt before I sanction the use of force.
MAURIC: Of course, Commander. In the meantime, I will continue making preparations for a rescue attempt.
RIKER: Agreed.
MAURIC: I do have one request. We believe that the Prytt obtained their information about the transport of your captain and doctor through a breach in our communications network. If I could set up a base of operations here on the Enterprise, I'd feel much more secure.
RIKER: Mister Worf will help you.
MAURIC: Thank you, Lieutenant.
[Corridor]
(Worf opens the doors of the chosen quarters for the Kes, and the Ambassador peers in cautiously)
MAURIC: You first.
[Kes quarters]
(the ambassador's aide uses a tricorder device)
WORF: Is there a problem, Ambassador?
MAURIC: Probably not. Simply securing the area.
WORF: I can assure you there is no need.
MAURIC: I'm sure you're right. (checks the scan results) Yes, this will do very nicely.
WORF: As Security Chief of the Enterprise, I would be glad to assist you in any way possible.
MAURIC: There's no need. We'll take care of everything. Thank you, Lieutenant.
[Cave]
(a secret door opens, and Beverly and Picard come though)
PICARD: There must be a lava flow or a underground hot spring somewhere near here.
CRUSHER: It's a lava flow. It's about thirty metres below us. It says we should go this way. I smell gas.
(a plume of flame comes up from the floor, then another and another)
CRUSHER: This whole chamber is filled with pockets of a methanogenic compound.
PICARD: Can we get through it?
CRUSHER: I think so.
PICARD: What did you say?
CRUSHER: I didn't say anything. There might be a fairly regular pattern to these eruptions. We should be able to navigate out way through them if we're careful.
PICARD: Say when.
CRUSHER: Now.
(they run)
(further on)
PICARD: The eruptions have stopped.
CRUSHER: The gas is building up!
(a big fireball explodes behind them)
[Bridge]
(at the science station)
DATA: I have scanned the entire Prytt communications system. This appears to be the primary access module for the central government.
RIKER: Can you determine which of the comm. links is connected to the Prime Minister's office?
DATA: I believe so, sir. However, the Prytt have no link designed for extraterritorial communication. Our hail may come as a quite surprise to them.
RIKER: Well, they're going to have to adjust. Open a channel.
PRYTT [OC]: This is Prime Minister Horath's headquarters. How can I be of service?
RIKER: This is Commander William T. Riker, Federation starship Enterprise. I know this may seem an unusual way
PRYTT [OC]: The Enterprise? You mean the ship in orbit?
RIKER: That's right.
PRYTT [OC]: Why are you on this comm. link?
RIKER: We're having trouble contacting your government directly. We had to start somewhere. If you would let me talk to your
PRYTT [OC]: Did you get authorisation for this communication from the Security Ministry?
RIKER: As I said, we're having trouble contacting you
PRYTT [OC]: I cannot participate in an unauthorised communication. This transmission is terminated.
RIKER: Not very friendly, are they?
DATA: No, sir.
WORF: Sir, we are being hailed. It is the Prytt Security Council.
RIKER: Well, it looks like we got someone's attention. On screen.
LORIN [on monitor]: Enterprise, this is Security Minister Lorin. You will immediately cease all attempts at communication with our people.
RIKER: Minister, we've been attempting to contact someone in your government. It appears that you have detained two of our officers. We would like to discuss the situation.
LORIN [on monitor]: There is nothing to discuss. If you do not terminate these transmissions, we will be forced to take aggressive action against your ship.
(transmission ends, Mauric enters)
WORF: Their weapon systems pose no threat to the Enterprise.
RIKER: Just the same, let's keep the shields up for the time being.
WORF: Aye, sir.
MAURIC: Is there a problem, Commander?
RIKER: Our efforts with the Prytt just ran into a wall.
MAURIC: I'm sorry. But perhaps this will brighten your spirits. We have freed your Captain and doctor.
RIKER: What?
MAURIC: They were being held in prison just outside the Prytt capital. One of our operatives was able to arrange their escape.
WORF: Where are they now?
MAURIC: Well, they should be en route to the Kes border. Our operative provided them with a detailed map and instructions on where to go.
RIKER: How will you get them across the border?
MAURIC: At the moment, that information is confidential, but trust us, we do have a plan.
RIKER: Ambassador, I'm afraid I must insist that you provide us with more information.
MAURIC: I understand your concern, of course, but I would feel more comfortable discussing these operational details in a less public environment.
RIKER: Certainly. We can step into the Ready room.
MAURIC: I would prefer the quarters you provided me. They're safer.
RIKER: All right.
[Tunnel]
PICARD: There's no way out of here.
CRUSHER: Maybe we took a wrong turn.
(they retrace their steps)
CRUSHER: So am I.
PICARD: What?
CRUSHER: I'm thirsty too.
PICARD: I didn't say anything about being thirsty.
CRUSHER: I heard you. You said, I'm very thirsty.
PICARD: I was thinking about it, but I didn't say anything.
CRUSHER: You were thinking it?
PICARD: The transceivers. Lorin said that they would align themselves to our psi-wave patterns.
CRUSHER: The implants must be transmitting our thoughts. What am I thinking?
PICARD: I don't know.
CRUSHER: I can't hear your thoughts, either. Maybe it was a fluke.
PICARD: Well, right now we have more immediate concerns. Does your map show us a way out of here?
CRUSHER: Yes, we need to go up.
[Cavern]
CRUSHER: There's a ledge about thirty metres up. That should lead to another tunnel that connects up to the surface.
PICARD: Right.
(Picard starts up the rock face)
PICARD: I heard that. They were not words exactly. A sudden sense of fear. A sense of fear of heights.
CRUSHER: So much for that being a fluke.
PICARD: It was a strange sensation. Suddenly having these thoughts appear in my mind.
CRUSHER: If you sensed a fear of heights, you sensed pretty accurately.
PICARD: Come on, you've done this before. It's just like on a holodeck. One step at a time, just climbing steadily and slowly.
CRUSHER: Right.
[Kes quarters]
(the Kes have brought in some hardware of their own. Riker is scanned by the assistant when he enters)
RIKER: I see you've done some redecorating.
MAURIC: Just a few pieces of equipment necessary for security reasons. You understand?
RIKER: Certainly.
AIDE: He is all right.
RIKER: How do you plan to get our people out of Prytt territory?
MAURIC: You must realise that everything I'm about to say cannot leave this room. For some time, we have had certain friends among the Prytt. Citizens who realise that the long struggle between our two peoples can only end when the Prytt government is made to see reason.
RIKER: You've recruited a few Prytt spies.
MAURIC: That's a crude, but accurate term. These friends will be waiting for your Captain and Doctor when they reach the village of Ohn Kor near the Kes border. The map we provided your officers will take them to a tavern there.
RIKER: Forgive me, Ambassador, but is it wise to send two human fugitives in Starfleet uniforms into a Prytt village?
MAURIC: The danger is minimal. Our operatives control almost the whole village. Once contact has been made with Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher, our friends will escort them across the border into Kes.
RIKER: I would still feel better if they could rendezvous with your operatives in a less public place.
MAURIC: Commander, I assure you we know what we're doing. We've had a great deal of experience dealing with the Prytt. We'd hardly risk the safety of your people. After all, we still hope you will recommend our entrance into the Federation.
[Planet surface]
(Picard and Crusher walk out of a large cave entrance into a lightly wooded countryside and walk down a slope)
PICARD: One of us is hungry.
CRUSHER: That would be me.
PICARD: Do you mind thinking of something else. You're making me hungry.
CRUSHER: What do you want me to think about?
PICARD: Something other than a large bowl of vegetable soup.
CRUSHER: My grandmother used to make it, with peas, carrots and
PICARD: Beverly!
CRUSHER: I'm sorry.
PICARD: I am not being unreasonable.
CRUSHER: I didn't say that you were. I may have thought it, but there's a difference.
PICARD: You're right. We can't react to every random thought that crosses the other person's mind. Isn't astonishing, though, how much clutter there is in a consciousness. Odd memories coming to the surface. Bits of half-remembered songs.
CRUSHER: Stray day dreams, scattered minutiae. I wonder how true telepaths sift through it all. How can they really get to what someone's thinking if the minds keeps churning all this flotsam to the surface? That is not funny.
PICARD: I just wanted to see if you were still listening.
CRUSHER: I think our link is getting stronger.
PICARD: Maybe if we put some distance between us, that might weaken it. Not that I'm growing tired of hearing your most intimate thoughts.
CRUSHER: Certainly not.
(they separate, then start to stagger)
CRUSHER: Jean-Luc.
PICARD: What happened?
CRUSHER: I was suddenly overcome with a wave of nausea.
PICARD: Me, too.
CRUSHER: There's nothing wrong with either of us. Maybe the air is toxic.
(she moves away again, then back quickly)
PICARD: The same thing. But when you moved back toward me it got better. Well, it seems as if we're stuck with each other. (some way further on)
PICARD: What is it?
CRUSHER: I'm not sure whether we should go over this hill or that one. The topography on this map is a little vague.
PICARD: Let me see. This way.
CRUSHER: You don't really know, do you?
PICARD: What?
CRUSHER: I mean, you're acting like you know exactly which way to go, but you're only guessing. Do you do this all the time?
PICARD: No, but there are times when it is necessary for a captain to give the appearance of confidence.
(they walk on a little way then he looks at her)
CRUSHER: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist.
PICARD: I'm beginning to realise that you seem to always have some acerbic remark on the tip of your tongue.
CRUSHER: Well at least I've trained myself not to say it anymore. When I was a little girl, my mouth was always landing me in trouble with my parents, my teachers.
PICARD: Your friends. There was someone called Tom Norris?
CRUSHER: That's right. I had one date with him which I brought to an abrupt halt with the words, is that a beard or
BOTH: Is your face dirty?
PICARD: There's something more. You're laughing, but actually you're embarrassed by that incident.
CRUSHER: Yes. I thought I was being cute but I really hurt him. That was a long time ago. I learned a valuable lesson.
PICARD: This sharing of thoughts and feelings is quite compelling.
CRUSHER: Very. We'd better get going.
(they slither down a loose rock slope then duck behind cover when they see a Prytt soldier on the next ridge)
CRUSHER: I don't think so, either. Maybe we can find another way to reach the village.
PICARD: No. It's several kilometres to find another way around that ridge. The border is just two kilometres east of here. There's a forcefield protecting it, but we can find some way to deal with that when we get there. Come on.
[Kes quarters]
(once again Riker is scanned as he enters with Worf)
AIDE: All right.
RIKER: Is something wrong?
MAURIC: Have a seat. Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher didn't show up at the designated rendezvous point.
RIKER: Do you know what happened to them?
MAURIC: No. We have no idea what happened to them. We find it strange that your officers should follow the escape plan so precisely and then fail to make the crucial rendezvous with our operatives.
WORF: It is possible they have been recaptured.
MAURIC: Our sources would have informed us instantly if that had happened. Of course, if they weren't captured, if they simply made a different rendezvous, we might not ever know about it.
RIKER: A different rendezvous? I'm not sure I know what you mean.
MAURIC: Of course not. How could you know if your Captain and Doctor were meeting secretly with the Prytt? Meeting in order to set up a military alliance with the Federation.
RIKER: What?
MAURIC: It was a clever scheme. First, you pretend to lose your officers during transport, then you ask us for help and get us to expose several of our undercover operatives in the process. But what you didn't expect was for us to get your people out of prison so quickly. They needed more time. They needed more time to plot the destruction of the Kes with their new Prytt friends.
RIKER: This is ridiculous. You're beginning to see conspiracies everywhere. We were invited here by the Kes. Why would we ally ourselves with the Prytt?
MAURIC: Indeed, why?
RIKER: You can believe what you like. We're going to find our people with or without your help.
MAURIC: Then I believe it's time for us to be leaving the Enterprise.
RIKER: Fine. Make sure you take all this junk with you.
[Camp]
(surrounded by night and trees, they've got a fire lit)
PICARD: No luck?
CRUSHER: I'm beginning to think there's not a single thing on this planet we can eat.
PICARD: Well, by this time tomorrow we could be back on the Enterprise and you can plant yourself in front of a replicator with a knife and fork.
CRUSHER: Remember that Vulcan dish I promised you for breakfast? I was just. You hate having breakfast with me.
PICARD: That's not true.
CRUSHER: Yes, it is. When I said breakfast, I heard you say, I hate that.
PICARD: That's not quite what I meant.
CRUSHER: Well, then what did you mean?
PICARD: It's just that I don't like
CRUSHER: What I've been choosing for breakfast recently.
PICARD: You see, I think that breakfast should be a simple meal and recently you've been ordering these elaborate things.
CRUSHER: Coffee and croissants, that's all you really want, isn't it? Coffee and croissants. Well why didn't you just say so?
PICARD: I didn't think it was important. You don't like those elaborate meals either.
CRUSHER: No, I usually prefer something simple myself but I thought you might enjoy more variety. Well, I guess it's Coffee and croissants for both of us from now on.
BOTH: I love firelight.
PICARD: There's something about the flame, the smell of the smoke. It's always seemed to me to be intoxicating, somehow.
CRUSHER: I remember when Jack and I took Wesley on his first camping trip to Balfour Lake. Wesley kept throwing manta leaves in the fire, watching them pop. Jack kept telling him. What? Jean-Luc, I heard you. Don't push it away. When I said Jack and I, I felt this sudden wave of something. I didn't know you felt that way.
PICARD: Didn't you?
CRUSHER: I guess I always knew that there was an attraction between us right from the start, but I never knew how strongly you felt. Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me?
PICARD: You were married to my best friend. At first I thought it was harmless infatuation. Something hormonal rather than emotional.
CRUSHER: Then when the months went by and the three of us began spending more time together.
PICARD: I realised that it was something else, and it wasn't right. But although I would never act on it, I couldn't help the way I felt.
CRUSHER: And when Jack died you felt guilty.
PICARD: I felt guilty before he died> Having feelings like that for my best friend's wife. And then later, after the accident, I promised myself that I would never tell you know how I felt. It would be like betraying my friend
CRUSHER: That's why you didn't want me on the Enterprise seven years ago.
PICARD: I didn't know how I would react. And then, little by little, I realised that I didn't have those feelings any more. Twenty years is, after all, a long time.
CRUSHER: And now we're friends.
PICARD: Yes, friends.
CRUSHER: Well, we still have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. We should get some sleep.
PICARD: Right.
(Beverly lies down near the fire, then Picard lies next to her)
[Bridge]
RIKER: Ambassador, thank you for coming.
MAURIC: Commander.
RIKER: We're going to clear up this misunderstanding once and for all. Hail Minister Lorin, please.
WORF: Aye, sir.
LORIN [on viewscreen]: Enterprise, I have warned you about these unauthorised communications.
RIKER: Yes, I know, but I think it's about time we all sat down together and tried to work this out. I have Ambassador Mauric here
LORIN [on viewscreen]: That is your misfortune. We have nothing to say to either of you.
(transmission ends)
MAURIC: Commander, you're working with the Prytt. Putting on this little show for my benefit does neither of us any good.
RIKER: We'll see. Mister Worf.
(Worf works his panel)
RIKER: I believe there's someone waiting for us in the Observation Lounge.
[Observation lounge]
LORIN: I should have known that anyone willing to deal with the Kes would be capable of such an outrage.
RIKER: I'm sorry to resort to such drastic measures, Minister, but you left me little choice.
MAURIC: Don't pretend the two of you are enemies. It's too late for charades.
LORIN: If that is an attempt to hide your military alliance with the Federation, you needn't bother. I already know far more than you can imagine.
RIKER: Let's all just sit down and try to talk about what's happened to Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher.
LORIN: I will not sit at a table with him.
MAURIC: No more than I would sit with her.
RIKER: All right then, we'll stand. The important thing is that we start talking.
LORIN: I am not authorised to talk with a Kes official.
RIKER: All right then, you talk to me. Where are my officers?
MAURIC: As if you don't already know.
[Hillside]
(they are running from two soldiers)
CRUSHER: Let's go.
(a soldier fires at them and catches Picard who rolls down the slope)
PICARD: I'm all right.
(they run)
[Observation lounge]
LORIN: We are already aware of your plan to use Federation technology to build new attack satellites. You will find that we are prepared for them.
MAURIC: That is an interesting but pointless lie. I'd rather discuss your own plans to use Federation aid to stage a takeover of Kolrod Island.
LORIN: We have been over this before. Kolrod clearly belongs to the Prytt who originally
RIKER: That's it! I can see that diplomacy is not going to get us anywhere today, and I do not have time for to negotiate. So let's put all of our cards on the table. You're concerned the Kes are going to be admitted to the Federation.
LORIN: Correct.
RIKER: As First Officer of the Enterprise I think I can promise you that's not going to happen. The Kes will be denied membership.
MAURIC: You have no authority to make that decision. Despite whatever games you played with the Prytt when you arrived, we still plan to take our petition directly to the Federation Council. They'll listen
RIKER: They will also listen to the reports of the Captain of the Enterprise and his First Officer. And I can tell you right now the First Officer's report will go something like this. Kesprytt, a deeply troubled world with social, political, and military problems they have yet to resolve. The Kes, while a friendly and democratic people, are driven by suspicion, deviousness, and paranoia. It is the opinion of this officer they are not ready for membership. Now, the matter of our missing officers.
LORIN: They are still charged with spying, Commander. I have heard nothing here which would alter that.
RIKER: Then maybe you should consider this. If anything happens to them, Starfleet is going to want a full investigation, which means more starships will be coming to Kesprytt and those ships are going to want answers which puts your country under a very large and very uncomfortable microscope. Remember how unhappy you were when we contacted just one of your people without authorisation? Well, just think of what it'll be like. Ten starships asking questions, contacting hundreds of your people. Massive sensor sweeps. They may even start sending down away teams. All because you wouldn't help me find my missing officers.
[Border]
CRUSHER: I think I can use the tricorder to set up a multiphase pulse. That should weaken the field enough to let us through.
PICARD: No, no. The modulation frequency is in the upper harmonic range.
CRUSHER: Right.
PICARD: They're coming.
CRUSHER: I'm working as fast as I can.
(a hole appears and Beverly pushes Picard through, then it closes and the soldiers arrive)
TROOPER: Minister, we have the human female. The male is standing in Kes territory.
[Observation lounge]
LORIN: Very well. Transmit their coordinates to the Enterprise transporter room.
TROOPER [OC]: Understood.
RIKER: Thank you, Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me.
[Corridor]
RIKER: Mauric is determined to take his protest to the Federation Council, but I don't think he'll get very far.
PICARD: I tend to agree, Number One.
(Picard and Crusher glance at each other then laugh)
RIKER: Did I miss something?
PICARD: Of course. Of course. You're absolutely right.
[Picard's quarters]
(after dinner)
CRUSHER: That was wonderful.
PICARD: My pleasure.
CRUSHER: Don't get me wrong, Jean-Luc, but I'm glad we're not joined at the hip anymore.
PICARD: So, were you getting tired of my company?
CRUSHER: Just tired of bumping into you every thirty seconds. I was beginning to feel as if you were part of my uniform.
PICARD: (a toast) To freedom.
CRUSHER: Freedom. Penny for your thoughts?
PICARD: I was just thinking that as distracting as it was, I was beginning to get used to hearing your thoughts and I find that I miss it.
CRUSHER: So do I. It was very intimate. You know, last night I couldn't sleep.
PICARD: Oh?
CRUSHER: I was awake for several hours. And thanks to the implants, I got to hear some very interesting dreams of yours.
PICARD: A man can't be held responsible for what his mind does while he's asleep.
CRUSHER: What about when he's awake?
PICARD: So now that we've had this unique experience, what do we do?
CRUSHER: What do you mean?
PICARD: You know exactly what I mean.
CRUSHER: No, I don't. The implant's been removed, remember?
PICARD: Now that we know how each of us feels, perhaps we should not be afraid to explore those feelings.
(she kisses his cheek)
CRUSHER: Or perhaps we should be afraid. I think I should be going now.
(Picard opens the door for her)
CRUSHER: Goodnight.
PICARD: Goodnight.
(in the corridor, Beverly waits for a few moments before walking off. Picard also waits for a few moments before blowing out the candles)
2024-09-11 20:32:50 -
Pike:
Added the transcript.
