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Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 23: Symbiosis [VHS]

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This often overlooked and underrated gem is one of my favorite episodes from Season 1 of the Next Generation. In most episodes the Prime Directive is used as a stumbling block. Here we see how important the Prime Directive really is. Look for guest spots by Star Trek II's Merritt Butrick (Kirk's son David) and Judson Scott (One of Khan's followers). Also this is the last episode filmed with Denise Crosby (Skin of Evil was actually filmed before this episode). Look for her wave at the end as Picard and Crusher exit the Cargo Bay. A really interesting and cleverly written episode.

"Symbiosis" is another rather routine Star Trek: The Next Generation episode from the series' uneven first season. The only interesting aspect of this outing is the welcome presence of familiar Trek faces Judson Scott and Merritt Butrick.

The Enterprise-D comes to the aid of a disabled freighter. Onboard the crippled ship are individuals from the world of Ornara and Brekka, as well as a valuable cargo of Felicium. The crew is told that Felicium is a drug needed by the Ornarans to combat a plague that is ravaging their planet. However, Doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) soon discovers that the alleged cure is actually a narcotic that keeps its users in a state of chemical dependence. Restricted by the Federation's Prime Directive, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) must find a creative solution to ending the Brekkian's exploitation of the Ornarans.

"Symbiosis" has a rather amusing moment where Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) is held at "handpoint" by T'Jon (Butrick). And that is about it for amusing moments from this episode. The rest of the time is devoted to an awkward examination of how bureaucratic restrictions can hinder the resolution of an immediate crisis. In other words, make sure you are sitting on a comfortable couch while watching "Symbiosis" in case you decide you can make better use of your time by catching up on your sleep. Be sure to start paying attention once more toward the end of the episode though. You do not want to miss Denise Crosby's goodbye wave to the fans as the Enterprise-D's cargo bay doors close.

Throughout the history of Earth, when advanced cultures encounter others with a lower level of technology, there is rarely a merging of the cultures to create a new one. The advanced culture generally annihilates the lower one, or at the very least renders it a fraction of what it was. Even today, localized Amazonian cultures are being destroyed as their land is taken over by developers. Therefore, one of the greatest ideas put forward in the original Star Trek series was the principle of the Prime Directive, where Star Fleet personnel are sworn to avoid interference in any culture they may encounter. However, after it was initially put forward, many of the subsequent episodes in the original series tended to ignore it. Therefore, one of the most positive features of the next generation was the change where the Prime Directive was once again taken seriously.
In this episode, the Enterprise is on a routine scientific mission when they receive a distress signal from an ancient freighter. After rushing to their aid, the Enterprise crew finds the freighter crew behaving strangely, more worried about rescuing their cargo than themselves. It turns out that the system contains two planets, Ornara and Brekke, where there is a centuries long plague on Ornara, held in check by a product produced by Brekke. The only industry on Brekke is the production of the "cure" and Ornara is their only customer. After observing the reaction when the victims are treated, Dr. Crusher realizes that the cure is in fact a drug, and the plague was cured centuries ago, something that the Brekkians have understood for centuries, but they have never informed the Ornarians of that fact.
Dr. Crusher vehemently argues with Captain Picard that he must do something to alter this situation, but he refuses, citing the Prime Directive as the justification for his inaction. In order to maintain their market, the Brekkians finally agree to let the Ornarians have the drug on credit, but Picard manages to find a way to alter the situation without violating the principles of the Prime Directive.
It was pleasing to see that, despite strong pressures to the contrary, Picard sticks to the principles of the Prime Directive. He clearly understands that what may appear to be the proper action in the short term can often be a long-term disaster. The short conversation that he has with Dr. Crusher in the turbo lift is one of the classic scenes in the series, where he is speaking as a person rather than as the captain.
The ending is also a classic one, where even though Picard understands that he had no choice, he still dislikes it. I have said many times that Start Trek is at its best when the Enterprise crew is interacting with new cultures. In this case, the interaction is a troubling one, where one planet is held in a state of chemical slavery by another one. Nevertheless, Picard is able to find a solution, although it is not one that leaves a residue of good feeling.

Symbiosis......or ....How much for that shipment of Felicium?

In this episode of Next Generation; Picard deals with a dependent culture on drugs. The Ornarans and the Bekkians. The Ornarans are the dependents and the Bekkians produce the "cure" for a disease that has left the Ornaran planet long ago. The only dramatic sequence was when Merritt Butrick's character, "T'Jon" threatens to zap Riker with the electrical powers he possesses. If he doesn't get his dose of the Felicium it's over for our favorite first officer. Other than that there is a struggle between both worlds who depend on the other for survival.

It's one of those episodes that you can live without unless you want to see Merrrit Butrick in a role other than Kirk's son. Judson Scott, from the Wrath of Khan makes and appearance here as the Bekkian leader.