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The Enemy (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Enemy" is the 55th episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
of the Federation
Starfleet
starship
USS Enterprise
, Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
is trapped on a life-threatening planet with a Romulan
. The two adversaries must work together if they wish to survive. Meanwhile, on board the Enterprise, Chief of Security Lt. Worf
is faced with a conflict between his duty as a Starfleet officer and his prejudice against Romulans.
Commander
William Riker
, Worf
, and Geordi La Forge
beam
to a planet with such a stormy environment that a locator beacon must be used to recover them. Worf discovers that due to electromagnetic interference
, the communicators
are not functioning and tricorder
s have a range of 5 meters. The three search for something, which La Forge locates using his VISOR. Their target turns out to be a spacecraft
. Worf finds a Romulan
who recovers to grip the Klingon
, but Worf knocks his assailant unconscious. Meanwhile, as La Forge searches, the ground gives way, plunging him into a cavity. When Riker and Worf return to the beam-out location with the Romulan, La Forge is nowhere to be seen.
Aboard the Enterprise, in voice-over
, Captain Jean-Luc Picard
states in his Captain's Log that a distress signal
led them to the ship on Galorndon Core.
La Forge uses his phaser to melt fragments into stakes, which he employs to climb out of the hole.
In sick bay
, Beverly Crusher
attempts to treat the Romulan and discovers that he needs a transplant of ribosome
s.
Returning to the bridge, Picard initiates a discussion for the recovery of La Forge. Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher
suggests sending a neutrino
pulse device to the planet
in a probe; the neutrino beams will be visible to La Forge's VISOR.
Data
picks up a transmission. Romulan Commander Tomalak is responding to the original distress call, telling his fellow Romulans that he is entering the Neutral Zone.
Picard responds. Tomalak expects Picard to rendezvous with him on the Federation edge of the Neutral Zone.
In sick bay, the injured humanoid
is not responding to treatment.
La Forge spots the neutrino beacon. However, he is hit by a second Romulan.
La Forge wakes up to find that he is being menaced by a Romulan disruptor
pistol.
Dr. Crusher summons Worf to inform him that he's the only person on the ship who is a compatible ribosome match for the Romulan. Worf refuses to donate the tissue. Dr. Crusher tries to tell him that without treatment the Romulan will die. Worf replies “then he will die”.
Back on Galorndon Core, the Romulan introduces himself as Bochra. La Forge begins to have problems with the interface of his VISOR, and realizes that the planet has a deleterious effect on their nervous systems.
Picard receives a call from Tomalak, demanding to know why the Enterprise isn't waiting at the edge of the Neutral Zone. Picard explains that he has not been able to recover his away team from the planet.
La Forge's VISOR cuts out, leaving him unable to lead Bochra to the probe.
Tomalak's Warbird has entered Federation space. Picard orders Red Alert
. Worf tells the Romulan that he has biological factors needed by the Romulan to survive, but the Romulan tells him that "he would rather die than be polluted by Klingon filth".
Bochra suggests that La Forge's VISOR and tricorder could be adapted to interface together. La Forge replies that the two instruments aren't designed to speak the same communications protocol
language. La Forge realizes the Romulan's idea has merit; what Bochra suggests would create a "Geiger counter
" for neutrino emissions, giving the bearing to the beacon. La Forge has no chance of completing the work since he can't see, but Bochra volunteers to assist him.
Picard calls Worf to his ready room. Saying that the Romulan officer is worth more to them alive than dead, he begs Worf to volunteer for the transfusion. Worf continues to refuse. Picard calls Dr. Crusher, but she replies that her patient has perished.
Bochra completes the modifications to the VISOR and tricorder, resulting in, as La Forge puts it, "The first Romulan / Federation co-venture".
Tomalak's Warbird arrives and demands the return of his officer. Picard replies that the man is dead. Tomalak prepares for battle. Wesley reports that the beacon has started to modulate. Data adds that there are two life-forms. Picard opens a channel to Tomalak; telling him that the Enterprise has located a second Romulan on the planet. Picard tells Tomalak that he is going to drop his shields to beam the two aboard, and has Miles O'Brien
beam them to the Bridge.
Picard's bit of brinkmanship
is successful and Tomalak powers down his weaponry. Picard returns Bochra to his people and provides the Romulan ship with an escort back to the Neutral Zone.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
.
Overview
In this episode, the Chief EngineerChief Engineer
In marine transportation, the chief engineer is a licensed mariner in charge of the engineering department on a merchant vessel. "Chief engineer" is the official title of someone qualified to oversee the entire engine department; the qualification is colloquially called a "chief's...
of the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)
The USS Enterprise is a 24th century starship in the Star Trek fictional universe and the principal setting of the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series...
, Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Geordi La Forge
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is a regular character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its feature films, played by LeVar Burton...
is trapped on a life-threatening planet with a Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
. The two adversaries must work together if they wish to survive. Meanwhile, on board the Enterprise, Chief of Security Lt. Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
is faced with a conflict between his duty as a Starfleet officer and his prejudice against Romulans.
Plot
First OfficerExecutive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
William Riker
William Riker
William Thomas Riker, played by Jonathan Frakes, is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe primarily appearing as a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
, Worf
Worf
Worf, played by Michael Dorn, is a main character in Star Trek: The Next Generation and in seasons four to seven of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appears in the films based on The Next Generation. Worf is the first Klingon main character to appear in Star Trek, and has appeared in more Star...
, and Geordi La Forge
Geordi La Forge
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge is a regular character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its feature films, played by LeVar Burton...
beam
Transporter (Star Trek)
A transporter is a fictional teleportation machine used in the Star Trek universe. Transporters convert a person or object into an energy pattern , then "beam" it to a target, where it is reconverted into matter...
to a planet with such a stormy environment that a locator beacon must be used to recover them. Worf discovers that due to electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference
Electromagnetic interference is disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to either electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or limit the effective performance of the circuit...
, the communicators
Communicator (Star Trek)
Communicators are devices used for voice communication in the fictional universe of Star Trek. They allow direct contact between individuals or via a ship's communication system....
are not functioning and tricorder
Tricorder
In the fictional Star Trek universe, a tricorder is a multifunction handheld device used for sensor scanning, data analysis, and recording data.Three primary variants of the tricorder are issued in Star Trek's Starfleet...
s have a range of 5 meters. The three search for something, which La Forge locates using his VISOR. Their target turns out to be a spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
. Worf finds a Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
who recovers to grip the Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
, but Worf knocks his assailant unconscious. Meanwhile, as La Forge searches, the ground gives way, plunging him into a cavity. When Riker and Worf return to the beam-out location with the Romulan, La Forge is nowhere to be seen.
Aboard the Enterprise, in voice-over
Voice-over
Voice-over is a production technique where a voice which is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations...
, Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jean-Luc Picard
Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a Star Trek character portrayed by Patrick Stewart. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek Nemesis...
states in his Captain's Log that a distress signal
Distress signal
A distress signal is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals take the form of or are commonly made by using radio signals, displaying a visually detected item or illumination, or making an audible sound, from a distance....
led them to the ship on Galorndon Core.
La Forge uses his phaser to melt fragments into stakes, which he employs to climb out of the hole.
In sick bay
Sick bay
A sick bay is a compartment in a ship used for medical purposes — the ship's hospital.The sick bay will contain the ship's medicine chest which may be divided into separate cabinets such as a refrigerator for medicines which require cold storage and a locked cabinet for controlled substances...
, Beverly Crusher
Beverly Crusher
Commander Beverly Crusher, M.D. , played by actress Gates McFadden, is a fictional character on the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent spinoff films...
attempts to treat the Romulan and discovers that he needs a transplant of ribosome
Ribosome
A ribosome is a component of cells that assembles the twenty specific amino acid molecules to form the particular protein molecule determined by the nucleotide sequence of an RNA molecule....
s.
Returning to the bridge, Picard initiates a discussion for the recovery of La Forge. Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher
Wesley Crusher
Wesley Crusher is a character in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. He is Beverly Crusher's son and is portrayed by actor Wil Wheaton, the character was a regular for the first four seasons. Afterwards, the character appeared sporadically. The character also appeared briefly in...
suggests sending a neutrino
Neutrino
A neutrino is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with a half-integer spin, chirality and a disputed but small non-zero mass. It is able to pass through ordinary matter almost unaffected...
pulse device to the planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
in a probe; the neutrino beams will be visible to La Forge's VISOR.
Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
picks up a transmission. Romulan Commander Tomalak is responding to the original distress call, telling his fellow Romulans that he is entering the Neutral Zone.
Picard responds. Tomalak expects Picard to rendezvous with him on the Federation edge of the Neutral Zone.
In sick bay, the injured humanoid
Humanoid
A humanoid is something that has an appearance resembling a human being. The term first appeared in 1912 to refer to fossils which were morphologically similar to, but not identical with, those of the human skeleton. Although this usage was common in the sciences for much of the 20th century, it...
is not responding to treatment.
La Forge spots the neutrino beacon. However, he is hit by a second Romulan.
La Forge wakes up to find that he is being menaced by a Romulan disruptor
Weapons of Star Trek
The Star Trek fictional universe contains a very large number of weapons. As with most science fiction franchises, the series focuses primarily on energy weapons...
pistol.
Dr. Crusher summons Worf to inform him that he's the only person on the ship who is a compatible ribosome match for the Romulan. Worf refuses to donate the tissue. Dr. Crusher tries to tell him that without treatment the Romulan will die. Worf replies “then he will die”.
Back on Galorndon Core, the Romulan introduces himself as Bochra. La Forge begins to have problems with the interface of his VISOR, and realizes that the planet has a deleterious effect on their nervous systems.
Picard receives a call from Tomalak, demanding to know why the Enterprise isn't waiting at the edge of the Neutral Zone. Picard explains that he has not been able to recover his away team from the planet.
La Forge's VISOR cuts out, leaving him unable to lead Bochra to the probe.
Tomalak's Warbird has entered Federation space. Picard orders Red Alert
Red Alert (Star Trek)
Red alert is a Starfleet alert state in the Star Trek fictional universe. It is the highest state of alert for a Starfleet vessel or installation, indicating an extremely dangerous situation such as entering combat....
. Worf tells the Romulan that he has biological factors needed by the Romulan to survive, but the Romulan tells him that "he would rather die than be polluted by Klingon filth".
Bochra suggests that La Forge's VISOR and tricorder could be adapted to interface together. La Forge replies that the two instruments aren't designed to speak the same communications protocol
Communications protocol
A communications protocol is a system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications...
language. La Forge realizes the Romulan's idea has merit; what Bochra suggests would create a "Geiger counter
Geiger counter
A Geiger counter, also called a Geiger–Müller counter, is a type of particle detector that measures ionizing radiation. They detect the emission of nuclear radiation: alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays. A Geiger counter detects radiation by ionization produced in a low-pressure gas in a...
" for neutrino emissions, giving the bearing to the beacon. La Forge has no chance of completing the work since he can't see, but Bochra volunteers to assist him.
Picard calls Worf to his ready room. Saying that the Romulan officer is worth more to them alive than dead, he begs Worf to volunteer for the transfusion. Worf continues to refuse. Picard calls Dr. Crusher, but she replies that her patient has perished.
Bochra completes the modifications to the VISOR and tricorder, resulting in, as La Forge puts it, "The first Romulan / Federation co-venture".
Tomalak's Warbird arrives and demands the return of his officer. Picard replies that the man is dead. Tomalak prepares for battle. Wesley reports that the beacon has started to modulate. Data adds that there are two life-forms. Picard opens a channel to Tomalak; telling him that the Enterprise has located a second Romulan on the planet. Picard tells Tomalak that he is going to drop his shields to beam the two aboard, and has Miles O'Brien
Miles O'Brien (Star Trek)
Miles Edward O'Brien, played by Colm Meaney, is Chief of Operations in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Before DS9, he appeared as a recurring transporter chief in Star Trek: The Next Generation...
beam them to the Bridge.
Picard's bit of brinkmanship
Brinkmanship
Brinkmanship is the practice of pushing dangerous events to the verge of disaster in order to achieve the most advantageous outcome...
is successful and Tomalak powers down his weaponry. Picard returns Bochra to his people and provides the Romulan ship with an escort back to the Neutral Zone.