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Devil's Due (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"Devil's Due" is an episode of the science fiction
television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
) under which she promised to solve all the world's problems. In return, the planet would become hers after a thousand years.
scientific delegation on Ventax II, where the population is in a state of panic because they are convinced that their world will soon end. After the Enterprise arrives, they rescue Dr. Clarke who brings them up to date: a thousand years ago, according to Ventaxian history, the population entered a Faustian deal with Ardra, their mythology's devil
. In exchange for ending their ongoing wars and restoring the ecological balance, and in general improving their heavily polluted planet, the population would deliver themselves into the personal slavery of Ardra. As the millennium is about to come to a close, the planet has recently begun experiencing mild earthquakes as well as seeing images of Ardra in the skies. These things were said to precede Ardra's arrival, and therefore fueled the fears of the Ventaxian people.
As Captain Picard
and Data
discuss the matter with the Ventaxian leader, a sultry brunette appears in the chamber, announcing herself as Ardra. She proves her identity by seemingly starting an earthquake at will, and changing her form into that of both the Christian and then the Klingon
devil. Ardra states that the thousand years are over and that she has come to claim the planet. Picard is instantly suspicious and orders Data to closely examine the contract that supposedly was signed by Ardra and the leaders of the planet a thousand years ago. Picard returns to the Enterprise shortly afterwards, and Ardra appears on the bridge sitting in the Captain's chair. Worf tries to remove Ardra without success, and she flirts with the Captain rather openly. Data returns just then and confirms the language of the contract as well as Ardra's claim to the planet, including anything in orbit—that is, including the Enterprise.
Later, in a meeting with the senior staff, Picard expresses his belief that they are dealing with a con artist and points out that all of Ardra's "powers" can be recreated with holographic effects and transporter technology, just delivered with flair. After the meeting, Picard is discussing the issue with Data and then goes to bed for the evening.
As Picard sleeps, Ardra appears dressed in sultry clothing and tries to seduce Picard; he rejects her, saying that she is obvious and vulgar. She makes him vanish and appear on the planet dressed in pajamas, much to his embarrassment. Data comes to collect Picard by shuttle after Worf is unable to transport him back the normal way. When Picard and Data attempt to return to the Enterprise to contemplate this development, the Enterprise disappears before their eyes. Not knowing what to do, they return to the science team's lab on the planet.
Citing old legal precedent, Picard calls for a Ventaxian arbitration
hearing, which Ardra agrees to as long as Data acts as the arbitrator, due to his ability to be completely impartial despite his Starfleet position. Picard agrees to the choice of Data, knowing that he also cannot feel pressed by Ardra. During the course of the hearing, Geordi and Dr. Clarke discover that Ardra has a cloaked ship hiding nearby, that she is indeed using technology to simulate magic, and that she is a criminal with a long career. To prove a point, Picard has an away team led by Commander Riker take control of Ardra's ship. This gives Picard control of Ardra's powers, which he uses to demonstrate the fraud. Ardra is swiftly taken into custody by local authorities. Picard tells the leader of the planet that the people improved their planet gradually through hard work and dedication.
: "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." The leader of the science team on the planet is named "Dr. Clarke".
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
The crew of the Enterprise confront an individual claiming to be Ardra, a devil-woman on the planet Ventax II. According to the history of Ventax II, one thousand years earlier, the people of the planet had signed a contract with Ardra (played by Marta DuBoisMarta DuBois
Marta DuBois is a Panamanian-American actress. She has appeared in various film and television roles, most recently on the Hallmark Channel series McBride.- Selected filmography :* McBride...
) under which she promised to solve all the world's problems. In return, the planet would become hers after a thousand years.
Plot
The USS Enterprise receives a distress call from Dr. Clarke, the leader of a FederationUnited 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...
scientific delegation on Ventax II, where the population is in a state of panic because they are convinced that their world will soon end. After the Enterprise arrives, they rescue Dr. Clarke who brings them up to date: a thousand years ago, according to Ventaxian history, the population entered a Faustian deal with Ardra, their mythology's devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
. In exchange for ending their ongoing wars and restoring the ecological balance, and in general improving their heavily polluted planet, the population would deliver themselves into the personal slavery of Ardra. As the millennium is about to come to a close, the planet has recently begun experiencing mild earthquakes as well as seeing images of Ardra in the skies. These things were said to precede Ardra's arrival, and therefore fueled the fears of the Ventaxian people.
As Captain 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...
and 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...
discuss the matter with the Ventaxian leader, a sultry brunette appears in the chamber, announcing herself as Ardra. She proves her identity by seemingly starting an earthquake at will, and changing her form into that of both the Christian and then 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...
devil. Ardra states that the thousand years are over and that she has come to claim the planet. Picard is instantly suspicious and orders Data to closely examine the contract that supposedly was signed by Ardra and the leaders of the planet a thousand years ago. Picard returns to the Enterprise shortly afterwards, and Ardra appears on the bridge sitting in the Captain's chair. Worf tries to remove Ardra without success, and she flirts with the Captain rather openly. Data returns just then and confirms the language of the contract as well as Ardra's claim to the planet, including anything in orbit—that is, including the Enterprise.
Later, in a meeting with the senior staff, Picard expresses his belief that they are dealing with a con artist and points out that all of Ardra's "powers" can be recreated with holographic effects and transporter technology, just delivered with flair. After the meeting, Picard is discussing the issue with Data and then goes to bed for the evening.
As Picard sleeps, Ardra appears dressed in sultry clothing and tries to seduce Picard; he rejects her, saying that she is obvious and vulgar. She makes him vanish and appear on the planet dressed in pajamas, much to his embarrassment. Data comes to collect Picard by shuttle after Worf is unable to transport him back the normal way. When Picard and Data attempt to return to the Enterprise to contemplate this development, the Enterprise disappears before their eyes. Not knowing what to do, they return to the science team's lab on the planet.
Citing old legal precedent, Picard calls for a Ventaxian arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
hearing, which Ardra agrees to as long as Data acts as the arbitrator, due to his ability to be completely impartial despite his Starfleet position. Picard agrees to the choice of Data, knowing that he also cannot feel pressed by Ardra. During the course of the hearing, Geordi and Dr. Clarke discover that Ardra has a cloaked ship hiding nearby, that she is indeed using technology to simulate magic, and that she is a criminal with a long career. To prove a point, Picard has an away team led by Commander Riker take control of Ardra's ship. This gives Picard control of Ardra's powers, which he uses to demonstrate the fraud. Ardra is swiftly taken into custody by local authorities. Picard tells the leader of the planet that the people improved their planet gradually through hard work and dedication.
Clarke's Laws
This episode illustrates Arthur C. Clarke's Third LawClarke's three laws
Clarke's Three Laws are three "laws" of prediction formulated by the British writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke. They are:# When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right...
: "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." The leader of the science team on the planet is named "Dr. Clarke".