Symbiosis (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"Symbiosis" is the 22nd episode of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
tries to mediate a trade dispute between two neighboring planets.
The Enterprise crew learn that the four are from two planets in the same star system which the Federation has not explored in nearly two centuries; T'Jon and Romas are from Ornara, while Sobi and Langor are from Brekka. Captain Picard offers any help the Enterprise can provide, including returning the aliens to Ornara and replicating other parts for the two other aging Ornara freighters. The ownership of the cargo barrel is brought up, and he learns it contains "Felicium", medicine for a lethal plague that all Ornarans carry that can only be manufactured from a plant on Brekka. Prior to The Sanction, the two groups were completing a deal for the barrel, but with the other trade components lost, the Brekkans consider the deal null and void. Picard sends the four to the Sick Bay, under isolation. Dr. Crusher finds no source for the worsening health of T'Jon and Romas, who state that everyone on their homeworld is suffering from similar effects. Sobi and Langor offer two free doses of Felicium for the Ornarans immediate needs.
As Langor prepares the Felicium, she explains how their planet's technology resources is dedicated to producing the medicine, and thus have established trade with the Ornarans who provide them with all the other materials and technology they need. When T'Jon and Romas take the medicine, Dr. Crusher monitors their response and believes the medicine is a narcotic. She comes to surmise that Felicium has long since served to end the plague, but due to its addictive nature, have caused Ornara to continue to demand supplies from Brekka. Similarly, Brekka's economy has been built around helping Ornara, leading to a symbiotic relationship between the two races. Because this has occurred for so long, Picard warns that the Federation cannot intervene. Later, Picard and Dr. Crusher meets with Sobi and Langor alone, probing them if they knew about Felicium's addictive nature. Picard suspects that the Brekkans, well aware of its nature, have focused their entire technology development to increase the potency of the drug and maintain their relationship. Though a devious practice, Picard reiterates they cannot become involved.
By the time they arrive at Ornara, Sobi and Langor have agreed to provide the Felicium on debt to the Ornarans. However, as the four prepare to beam down with the Felicium and the parts for the freighters, Picard announces that just as he cannot get involved to prevent the Brekkans from taking advantage of the Ornarans, he cannot offer aid to the Ornarans, and prevents them from taking the freighter parts. Picard is aware that this may make it impossible for the two worlds to trade for considerable time with their freighters in disrepair. T'Jon and Romas are furious at Picard's decision, but are forced to accept it. When the four are transported off the Enterprise, he confides to Dr. Crusher that while the Ornanas may suffer from withdrawal symptoms, this will be an opportunity for both races to advance in their own ways.
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
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...
tries to mediate a trade dispute between two neighboring planets.
Plot
The Enterprise attempts to effect rescue of a battered freighter, The Sanction, trapped in a star's magnetic field. The crew makes contact with the freighter's captain and offer to transport them from the doomed ship. They agree, but the crew is surprised to find that the freighter crew have first sent over a cargo barrel. The Enterprise crew attempts to lock onto the remaining crew, but is only successful in recovering four of the six members. Two, T'Jon and Romas, are scruffy and unshaven, while the other two, Sobi and Langor, are groomed and well dressed. All four are relieved to hear that the cargo barrel made it safely first, showing little remorse for the loss of the ship or the other two crewmen. When both pairs attempt to claim ownership of the barrel, their arguments turn physical, and both T'Jon and Sobi are seen attacking each other with electrical discharges. The four are escorted to the observation lounge under guard.The Enterprise crew learn that the four are from two planets in the same star system which the Federation has not explored in nearly two centuries; T'Jon and Romas are from Ornara, while Sobi and Langor are from Brekka. Captain Picard offers any help the Enterprise can provide, including returning the aliens to Ornara and replicating other parts for the two other aging Ornara freighters. The ownership of the cargo barrel is brought up, and he learns it contains "Felicium", medicine for a lethal plague that all Ornarans carry that can only be manufactured from a plant on Brekka. Prior to The Sanction, the two groups were completing a deal for the barrel, but with the other trade components lost, the Brekkans consider the deal null and void. Picard sends the four to the Sick Bay, under isolation. Dr. Crusher finds no source for the worsening health of T'Jon and Romas, who state that everyone on their homeworld is suffering from similar effects. Sobi and Langor offer two free doses of Felicium for the Ornarans immediate needs.
As Langor prepares the Felicium, she explains how their planet's technology resources is dedicated to producing the medicine, and thus have established trade with the Ornarans who provide them with all the other materials and technology they need. When T'Jon and Romas take the medicine, Dr. Crusher monitors their response and believes the medicine is a narcotic. She comes to surmise that Felicium has long since served to end the plague, but due to its addictive nature, have caused Ornara to continue to demand supplies from Brekka. Similarly, Brekka's economy has been built around helping Ornara, leading to a symbiotic relationship between the two races. Because this has occurred for so long, Picard warns that the Federation cannot intervene. Later, Picard and Dr. Crusher meets with Sobi and Langor alone, probing them if they knew about Felicium's addictive nature. Picard suspects that the Brekkans, well aware of its nature, have focused their entire technology development to increase the potency of the drug and maintain their relationship. Though a devious practice, Picard reiterates they cannot become involved.
By the time they arrive at Ornara, Sobi and Langor have agreed to provide the Felicium on debt to the Ornarans. However, as the four prepare to beam down with the Felicium and the parts for the freighters, Picard announces that just as he cannot get involved to prevent the Brekkans from taking advantage of the Ornarans, he cannot offer aid to the Ornarans, and prevents them from taking the freighter parts. Picard is aware that this may make it impossible for the two worlds to trade for considerable time with their freighters in disrepair. T'Jon and Romas are furious at Picard's decision, but are forced to accept it. When the four are transported off the Enterprise, he confides to Dr. Crusher that while the Ornanas may suffer from withdrawal symptoms, this will be an opportunity for both races to advance in their own ways.
External links
- Symbiosis rewatch by Keith R.A. DeCandido