Symbiosis

Next Generation Episode #22

Written by Robert Lewin,  Richard Manning and Hans Beimler. Story by Robert Lewin. Directed by Win Phelps.

Stardate: Unknown First aired: 18 April 1988

The Enterprise is investigating solar magnetic field activity in the Delos system when it receives a distress signal from an Ornaran ship, the captain of which, T'Jon, seems confused and not competent to perform his duty. As their ship plummets in a planet's atmosphere, its crew prefer to beam a barrel over before saving themselves, and only four of the six survive - two from Ornara, two from neighbouring Brekka. The barrel contain felicium, a 'medicine' that both groups claim as their own. As the Ornarans get increasingly agitated, Beverly realises that the substance is a narcotic. The entire economy of Brekka is set up to export felicium to Ornara, a planet that's helpless - the Sanction was the last ship capable of making the journey. Both planets are equally dependant on the trade. Picard can't intervene in this arrangement because the Prime Directive prevents it, but equally he decides it means he can't repair their ships - the two races will have to abandon their arrangement.

Guest Cast

Merritt Butrick as "T'Jon", Kimberly Farr as "Langor", Richard Lineback as "Romas", Judson Scott as "Sobi", Kenneth Tigar as "Margan - uncredited".

Trivia

• The production order of the first season wasn't the same as the broadcast order, and this was the last story Denise Crosby filmed. In the last scene she shot, in the cargo bay, she's waving goodbye in the background.

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