.gif)
The Wounded (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"The Wounded" is the 85th episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
Starship
USS Enterprise
cooperates with the Cardassians to track down another Starfleet vessel, the Nebula-class
USS Phoenix, after it appears to have gone rogue, attacking and destroying a Cardassian space station
that was said to be unarmed.
defends his ship and forces the Cardassian vessel to stand down. The Cardassian commander, Gul Macet, tells Picard that he attacked because a Federation starship destroyed a Cardassian science station without provocation two days earlier. Picard asks for an hour's truce so that he can confirm this with Starfleet.
Starfleet Admiral Haden confirms the Cardassian claims, telling Picard that the starship USS Phoenix, under the command of Captain Benjamin Maxwell, was responsible for the attack, adding that the ship is no longer answering communications. The Enterprise is ordered after Maxwell, and Picard is instructed to preserve the peace no matter what the cost. As a show of good faith, he takes Macet and two other Cardassian officers along as observers.
Since transporter
chief
Miles O'Brien
served with Maxwell on the USS Rutledge
, Picard invites him to attend a meeting with the Cardassians in the briefing room. O'Brien finds that he still harbors some resentment toward the Cardassians. Picard asks O'Brien if it is true that Maxwell's family were killed by Cardassians while O'Brien served with Maxwell; Macet immediately jumps to the conclusion that Maxwell must be acting out of vengeance, which O'Brien rejects.
The Enterprise locates the Phoenix on long-range sensors and Picard orders an intercept course. Chief Operations Officer Data
reports that Maxwell is pursuing a Cardassian supply ship, but the Enterprise is too far away to intercede. Picard provides the precise location of the Phoenix to a Cardassian warship which is closer, but the tactically skilled Maxwell destroys the warship as well as the supply ship, killing over 650 Cardassians.
When the Enterprise and the Phoenix finally rendezvous, Maxwell beams aboard. Seeing O'Brien, he greets his former officer warmly. Maxwell tells Enterprise first officer
Commander
William Riker
that O'Brien was the best tactical officer he had ever had.
Maxwell explains to Picard that his attack was justified because the Cardassians are rearming, adding that the "science station" was actually a military supply depot in a strategic location. He also claims that the Cardassian supply ships are a sham for transporting arms. Picard condemns Maxwell's actions and informs him that both ships are to return to Federation space at once, generously allowing Maxwell the dignity of retaining command during the return voyage. Maxwell returns to his ship.
In close formation, the two ships begin their journey, but the Phoenix quickly alters course and accelerates away. Picard orders a pursuit course, but the Enterprise is unable to catch the Phoenix before it intercepts another Cardassian supply ship. As the Enterprise approaches the scene, Data observes that his sensor
s are unable to read the contents of the supply ship, as it is running a high-powered subspace field. Maxwell hails Picard and tells him that if he will board the supply ship, he will have all the proof he needs. Picard refuses and Maxwell threatens to destroy it. O'Brien then asks Picard if he may transport over to the Phoenix, explaining that Maxwell may listen to him. (O'Brien, being an expert in transporter systems, knows a trick that can allow him to beam through a "gap" in the Phoenix's shields).
Once aboard the Phoenix, O'Brien gently convinces Maxwell that Picard is just as determined as Maxwell and will fire on a fellow Starfleet vessel if necessary. They talk about the old days aboard the Rutledge during the Cardassian war, and sing a fellow Rutledge crewmember's favorite song, "The Minstrel Boy
", an ancient Irish war song. Finally accepting that there is no way he can win, Maxwell turns the Phoenix over to his first officer and transports aboard the Enterprise.
In his debriefing with Picard and Gul Macet, O'Brien states that while he realizes what Maxwell did was terribly wrong, he is still proud to have served with him.
After O'Brien is dismissed, Macet tells Picard that O'Brien's loyalty is admirable, though misplaced
. Picard disagrees, saying that Macet's people have much to learn about humans, as such loyalty doesn't come easily. He adds that although Maxwell's tribulations affected his judgment, his heroic service won't be dismissed.
As Macet turns to leave, Picard tells him that he and the Federation know that Maxwell was right—it is no coincidence that the putative supply ships were rigged to jam Federation sensors—and adds that the strategically placed "research" station was not in a locale conducive to scientific investigation. Picard states that while his orders were to preserve the treaty, he also personally believes that maintaining the peace is in the best interests of both sides. Macet appears genuinely taken aback by this accusation, and Picard sternly tells him to pass along to his superiors that the Federation will be watching.
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 crew of the Federation StarfleetStarfleet
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...
cooperates with the Cardassians to track down another Starfleet vessel, the Nebula-class
Nebula class starship (Star Trek)
The Nebula-class starship appears in the Star Trek fictional universe. It was first seen in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and was designed by Ed Miarecki, Rick Sternbach, and Michael Okuda.-History:...
USS Phoenix, after it appears to have gone rogue, attacking and destroying a Cardassian space station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
that was said to be unarmed.
Plot
As the episode begins, the Enterprise is conducting a routine survey mission along the edge of Cardassian space when a Cardassian warship unexpectedly attacks. Reacting quickly, Captain PicardJean-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...
defends his ship and forces the Cardassian vessel to stand down. The Cardassian commander, Gul Macet, tells Picard that he attacked because a Federation starship destroyed a Cardassian science station without provocation two days earlier. Picard asks for an hour's truce so that he can confirm this with Starfleet.
Starfleet Admiral Haden confirms the Cardassian claims, telling Picard that the starship USS Phoenix, under the command of Captain Benjamin Maxwell, was responsible for the attack, adding that the ship is no longer answering communications. The Enterprise is ordered after Maxwell, and Picard is instructed to preserve the peace no matter what the cost. As a show of good faith, he takes Macet and two other Cardassian officers along as observers.
Since transporter
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...
chief
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
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...
served with Maxwell on the USS Rutledge
New Orleans class starship (Star Trek)
The New Orleans class is a class of Starfleet starship which appeared in a single episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Design:...
, Picard invites him to attend a meeting with the Cardassians in the briefing room. O'Brien finds that he still harbors some resentment toward the Cardassians. Picard asks O'Brien if it is true that Maxwell's family were killed by Cardassians while O'Brien served with Maxwell; Macet immediately jumps to the conclusion that Maxwell must be acting out of vengeance, which O'Brien rejects.
The Enterprise locates the Phoenix on long-range sensors and Picard orders an intercept course. Chief Operations Officer 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...
reports that Maxwell is pursuing a Cardassian supply ship, but the Enterprise is too far away to intercede. Picard provides the precise location of the Phoenix to a Cardassian warship which is closer, but the tactically skilled Maxwell destroys the warship as well as the supply ship, killing over 650 Cardassians.
When the Enterprise and the Phoenix finally rendezvous, Maxwell beams aboard. Seeing O'Brien, he greets his former officer warmly. Maxwell tells Enterprise first officer
Executive 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...
that O'Brien was the best tactical officer he had ever had.
Maxwell explains to Picard that his attack was justified because the Cardassians are rearming, adding that the "science station" was actually a military supply depot in a strategic location. He also claims that the Cardassian supply ships are a sham for transporting arms. Picard condemns Maxwell's actions and informs him that both ships are to return to Federation space at once, generously allowing Maxwell the dignity of retaining command during the return voyage. Maxwell returns to his ship.
In close formation, the two ships begin their journey, but the Phoenix quickly alters course and accelerates away. Picard orders a pursuit course, but the Enterprise is unable to catch the Phoenix before it intercepts another Cardassian supply ship. As the Enterprise approaches the scene, Data observes that his sensor
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
s are unable to read the contents of the supply ship, as it is running a high-powered subspace field. Maxwell hails Picard and tells him that if he will board the supply ship, he will have all the proof he needs. Picard refuses and Maxwell threatens to destroy it. O'Brien then asks Picard if he may transport over to the Phoenix, explaining that Maxwell may listen to him. (O'Brien, being an expert in transporter systems, knows a trick that can allow him to beam through a "gap" in the Phoenix's shields).
Once aboard the Phoenix, O'Brien gently convinces Maxwell that Picard is just as determined as Maxwell and will fire on a fellow Starfleet vessel if necessary. They talk about the old days aboard the Rutledge during the Cardassian war, and sing a fellow Rutledge crewmember's favorite song, "The Minstrel Boy
The Minstrel Boy
"The Minstrel Boy" is an Irish patriotic song written by Thomas Moore who set it to the melody of The Moreen, an old Irish air. It is widely believed that Moore composed the song in remembrance of a number of his friends, whom he met while studying at Trinity College, Dublin and who had...
", an ancient Irish war song. Finally accepting that there is no way he can win, Maxwell turns the Phoenix over to his first officer and transports aboard the Enterprise.
In his debriefing with Picard and Gul Macet, O'Brien states that while he realizes what Maxwell did was terribly wrong, he is still proud to have served with him.
After O'Brien is dismissed, Macet tells Picard that O'Brien's loyalty is admirable, though misplaced
Misplaced loyalty
Misplaced loyalty is loyalty placed in other persons or organisations where that loyalty is not acknowledged or respected; is betrayed or taken advantage of...
. Picard disagrees, saying that Macet's people have much to learn about humans, as such loyalty doesn't come easily. He adds that although Maxwell's tribulations affected his judgment, his heroic service won't be dismissed.
As Macet turns to leave, Picard tells him that he and the Federation know that Maxwell was right—it is no coincidence that the putative supply ships were rigged to jam Federation sensors—and adds that the strategically placed "research" station was not in a locale conducive to scientific investigation. Picard states that while his orders were to preserve the treaty, he also personally believes that maintaining the peace is in the best interests of both sides. Macet appears genuinely taken aback by this accusation, and Picard sternly tells him to pass along to his superiors that the Federation will be watching.