Dear Doctor (Enterprise episode)
Encyclopedia
"Dear Doctor" is the twelfth episode (production #113) of the television series
Star Trek: Enterprise
. Wherein Dr. Phlox faces a serious dilemma as a dying race begs for help from Enterprise.
The Enterprise comes across a Valakian shuttlecraft, drifting in space. In Sickbay, Phlox revives the Valakian astronaut, who explains that he is searching for someone who can cure a devastating illness on his planet. When they arrive at the planet, they are met by Esaak, the Valakian director of a clinic, and Larr, a Menk orderly. Whilst Phlox is explaining a method to slow down the symptoms, Hoshi discovers that the Menk are a lesser-evolved species than the Valakians and haven't caught the disease.
Phlox discovers that the Valakian illness is genetic, and they will be extinct in less than two centuries. He also believes that the answer to a cure may lie in the Menk. Upon further investigation, he finds that the Valakians have been stifling the Menk and underestimating their abilities. Archer, meanwhile, is debating whether to provide the Valakians with Warp technology, ultimately deciding against it.
Phlox figures out that the illness is because the Valakian's gene pool has reached a "dead end" and that the Menk are undergoing an 'awakening process'. He has found a cure, but does not believe it would be ethical to administer. Archer ruminates on how a directive
would be helpful, and provides the Valakians with medicine that will diminish the symptoms for a decade.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise
Star Trek: Enterprise is a science fiction television series. It follows the adventures of humanity's first warp 5 starship, the Enterprise, ten years before the United Federation of Planets shown in previous Star Trek series was formed.Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001...
. Wherein Dr. Phlox faces a serious dilemma as a dying race begs for help from Enterprise.
Plot
An episode centred around Dr. Phlox, told in the form of a letter to Dr. Loukas, his partner on the Interspecies Medical Exchange. The subplots explore Phlox's interactions with the crew, especially Ensign Cutler, who has a romantic interest in him.The Enterprise comes across a Valakian shuttlecraft, drifting in space. In Sickbay, Phlox revives the Valakian astronaut, who explains that he is searching for someone who can cure a devastating illness on his planet. When they arrive at the planet, they are met by Esaak, the Valakian director of a clinic, and Larr, a Menk orderly. Whilst Phlox is explaining a method to slow down the symptoms, Hoshi discovers that the Menk are a lesser-evolved species than the Valakians and haven't caught the disease.
Phlox discovers that the Valakian illness is genetic, and they will be extinct in less than two centuries. He also believes that the answer to a cure may lie in the Menk. Upon further investigation, he finds that the Valakians have been stifling the Menk and underestimating their abilities. Archer, meanwhile, is debating whether to provide the Valakians with Warp technology, ultimately deciding against it.
Phlox figures out that the illness is because the Valakian's gene pool has reached a "dead end" and that the Menk are undergoing an 'awakening process'. He has found a cure, but does not believe it would be ethical to administer. Archer ruminates on how a directive
Prime Directive
In the universe of Star Trek, the Prime Directive, Starfleet's General Order #1, is the most prominent guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets...
would be helpful, and provides the Valakians with medicine that will diminish the symptoms for a decade.