Angel One (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"Angel One"
Beata, with Ariel and Trent, in "Angel One".
Episode no.	14
Prod. code	115
Airdate	January 25, 1988
Writer(s)	Patrick Barry
Director	Michael Rhodes
Guest star(s)	Karen Montgomery, Sam Hennings, Patricia McPherson
Year	2364
Stardate	41636.9
Episode chronology
Previous	"Datalore"
Next	"11001001"

"Angel One" is a first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, first broadcast January 25, 1988. It is episode #14, production #115, teleplay written by Patrick Barry, and directed by Michael Rhodes.

Overview: The Enterprise visits a world dominated by women to flesh out diplomatic ties and search for survivors of a downed freighter.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

On stardate 41636.9, the Enterprise arrives at Angel One, a reclusive world visited by the Federation 62 years earlier. It is known that the humanoid inhabitants have a constitutional oligarchy dominated by women, where the males are treated as a lesser social class. The discovery of wreckage of the missing freighter Odin has led the Enterprise here to locate possible survivors, since several of the ship's lifeboats were jettisoned. Angel One's leader, Beata, contacts the Enterprise. Since the culture views men as lesser status, Captain Picard has Counselor Troi do the honors of greeting Beata and explaining their presence. Deanna explains the Federation has neglected visiting Angel One, and would like to correct the oversight; however, Beata says their visit is neither expected nor necessary. Deanna then explains there may be survivors from a freighter on their planet, and would like permission to look for them. Beata indicates that she'll tolerate a brief visit and signs off.

An away team, consisting of Deanna, Commander Riker, Commander Data and Lt. Yar, beams down directly to Beata's office. The attractive leader sits behind a desk, dressed in a bright colored robe, and accompanied by her male servant, Trent. Beata hardly takes notice of their arrival. Deanna offers Beata a gift, but she eyes them suspiciously stating her cooperation isn't for sale. Deanna assures they weren't implying that, and gets to the matter of the survivors, but Beata isn't ready to acknowledge their existence. Yet!

She calls a meeting and allows the Federation to petition the council. Beata sits among other councelwomen, one being Ariel, a dark haired woman who quickly shows distrust toward the away team. Beata asks, if survivors are found, what are their intentions? Deanna says they will be removed and returned to their families; however, Beata wonders why the mighty Federation would waste such time on petty castaways. Riker sounds up, explaining no life is petty, which offends Beata, who asks if the male is suggesting she places a lesser value on life than they do. Ariel warns her leader they shouldn't be trusted, but Yar asks what reasons are there to deceive them? Beata isn't forthcoming about the survivors, and says the council will adjourn to announce a decision later. In the meantime, she has her servant see to the away team's comforts. Once alone, Riker asks for assessments. Deanna indicates that she sensed fear from all of them, but since it was focused, it was impossible to know exactly what they were concerned with. Data explains he has no doubts that Odin survivors are present; it would explain why they are so circumspect, but he is at a loss to reason why they would deny their existence.

In space, the Enterprise receives a distress call from a border outpost near the Romulan Neutral Zone. Several Romulan battle cruisers have penetrated the zone, and the Federation would like the Enterprise there in case something happens. Picard walks with Lt. Worf, giving orders to have all departments stand by. As they pass a holodeck, Picard is struck in the chest by a snowball that comes out of nowhere. He turns in annoyance to see young Wesley Crusher exiting the holodeck with a friend. The two boys stop in their tracks, explaining they have returned from skiing lesson in the Alps, and apologize for the horse play. Picard and Worf notice something else: a sweet fragrance in the air. It reminds Worf of Klingon Night-Blooming Throgni, quite stimulating, but Picard is not amused. Wesley says he can't smell anything since he's a little congested.

Back on the planet, Data finds a sweet fragrance of his own when he finds a vial of perfume and sprays some in his face. He in intrigued by the "floral scented, alcohol based synthetic", and wonders what it is used for. Troi explains perfume is used as an aphrodisiac, designed to stimulate or enhance sexual pleasure. But Data is confused, wondering how stimulation of the olfactory nerve affects the enjoyment of sex. Before anyone can tackle the question, Trent arrives and summons the group back to council chambers. The women await them, and Beata begins by asking for their promise to remove the survivors from the planet once they are found. Troi assures them of that. Beata explains that there are four survivors from the Odin, all males. She explains they may be hard to find since they are considered fugitives, and their presence has caused a disruption in the "natural order" of their ways. The sooner they are gone, the better, since they have caused nothing but problems. Data believes he can locate their position, by scanning for the presence of material that may have been aboard the Odin, but not native to Angel One. Such material would show up like a beacon and lead them to their location. Beata concludes the meeting with a warning that the men are dangerous.

Back on the Enterprise, Wesley's congestion has worsened. He lies in sickbay with a loud cough and fever. His mother, Dr. Crusher, looks over him. She guesses he picked something up from his class field trip to Quazulu VIII, but Wesley assumes the transporter bio-filters should have screened any infections. Beverly mentions that if the virus is unknown, the filters wouldn't have screened it out. She also surmises the cold environment on the holodeck may have triggered the infection. In the meantime, she notifies Picard to have all the students who were on the field trip, placed in isolation, and the crew refrain from cold-weather simulations on the holodeck until further notice. Picard himself, feels a stiff neck coming on, but doesn't realize it's about to get worse.

Back on the planet, Data begins his investigation in locating material not native to the planet. He asks Beata for access to their library computer, but Beata says the library is too complex for a male to understand. Data indicates he may appear to be a male, but as an android, is more capable than a human man. Beata is amused, and allows Data to conduct his research. Data discovers that the element platinum is not naturally occurring here, and that the Odin survivors may have some of the material in their possession. Data requests the Enterprise conduct a scan for it. At the same time, Picard is now in sickbay, feeling miserable. Dr. Crusher orders him to bed rest. Although he objects, he obeys the Doctor's orders, and puts Geordi La Forge in charge of the ship. On the bridge, Worf locates a trace of platinum on the planet, during which he makes a horrendous Klingon sneeze. He too is coming down with the virus. La Forge relays the coordinates to the away team.

Riker asks for Beata's permission to conduct the search. Ariel once again warns Beata of her suspicions, but Beata ignores her. She allows the away team to go, but requests Riker remain behind. It is obvious she is becoming interested with the First Officer. Riker is confident that his people can handle it without him, and indulges in Beata's company. The other three beam away to arrive near a secluded encampment. They walk up to a man sitting calmly in a chair. He seems hardly excited about being rescued. He rises and bids them welcome, saying that he has been "expecting" them. The man identifies himself as Ramsey, the "ad hoc" leader of the village. He wonders how they tracked him down, and Data explains about the platinum. Ramsey looks to a pin on his vestment, his "wings", saying he kept them for sentimental value. Troi states the urgency that the Odin survivors come to the Enterprise immediately. Ramsey appreciates the offer, but says he and his men won't be leaving. They have been on Angel One for seven years, and during that time have taken wives and started families. He claims Angel One is their home now.

Back in Beata's quarters, Riker has dressed in the thin revealing tunic, typical of the males of the world. The lights are dimmed to a romantic level, and Beata sits provocatively on a couch. Riker asks her why she was so hesitant about divulging the existence of the survivors. She explains Ramsey and his men are anarchists; obsessed with spreading lies, and encouraging dissent among her people. Ramsey believes men should enjoy life, while the women struggle with the drudgery of it. Riker explains that Ramsey's behavior is caused by the fact he is from a society where men and women share equally in all that life has to offer. Beata doesn't imply men are inferior to women, but it is a man's natural place to scheme dissent. Riker states they have given up those distinctions centuries ago, but Beata is certain that Riker realizes there are other differences. He replies, they not only realize the differences, they delight in them. The two are then interrupted by Trent who enters carrying the gift box the away team brought with them. Riker shows Beata the gift; a beautiful Albeni meditation crystal. He strikes the crystal with a wand and it resonates with a colorful glow.

Meanwhile at the hideout, Ramsey explains his resentment of how men have no rights and the women treat them as property. Despite those issues, his men found Angel One a haven and decided to stay. Troi explains Beata's desire for them to leave, but Ramsey becomes angry, exclaiming her wishes are not his commands, and neither are they the Federation's. Data explains he is afraid that Ramsey is correct. Since the Odin's crew are private citizens, their presence is not considered a violation of the Prime Directive, and the Federation cannot force them to leave.

Back in space, the virus continues to run rampant through the ship. A third of the crew are down. Geordi is nervous about the situation, stating they will be in bad shape if the Enterprise is called to battle with the Romulans. Yar contacts the Enterprise, requesting her group beam back to Riker's location. Geordi presses them to hurry their mission, informing them of the critical situation aboard the ship. Before heading off, Troi asks Ramsey how he knew to "expect" their finding him. He simply says he cannot explain. The three beam away, and once the coast is clear, a woman emerges from the shadows. It is Ariel, and she quickly embraces Ramsey. Back in Beata's quarters, Beata says she is impressed to be with a man who knows what he wants, rather than having a woman tell him. Another chime interrupts their conversation. The rest of the team enters, and Troi explains Ramsey has refused to leave. Beata becomes furious, stating they had promised to get rid of them, but Riker is sorry there is nothing he can do. Beata announces she is sorry too, and says she has no choice but to sentence Ramsey and his men to death.

Back on the ship, Beverly enters Picard's quarters to check on him. He lies in his bed in a feverish daze. She gives him a warm drink, stating it will taste terrible, but will make him feel a lot better. Beverly gets a whiff of sweet fragrance in the air and wonders if he is wearing cologne. She can't place the smell, but compares it to Klingon flower. Picard states he smelled something similar when he ran into her son. Beverly's eyes widen. That's it! That's how the virus travels: "An airborne microbe whose sweet scent inspires deep inhalation. Once inside the body, it becomes this damned virus!" She rushes out of the room with work to do before Picard can mumble, "You are excused, Doctor."

Back on the planet, the away team prepares to depart. Troi wonders what will become of Ramsey and his men. Riker thinks nothing will change since Ramsey seems to be pretty good at avoiding capture, it will be like it was when they arrived. Beata unexpectantly summons them. They return to the council chambers where she explains she is no longer amused by their presence, but before they leave, she has something to show them. They turn as guards lead Ramsey and his men into the room. Among them is Ariel. Ramsey is furious, believing the away team has turned them in, but Beata tells Ramsey, he and his traitorous partner, Ariel, have only themselves to blame. She knew Ariel had been sneaking off to meet with her fugitive husband. Tomorrow they will die, together. The prisoners are taken back to a holding cell.

Riker protests, asking Beata how she could resort to execution in order to suppress those who don't share her views. He asks her that if he can convince Ramsey and his people to leave, would she stay the execution? She agrees, allowing Riker one more chance to change Ramsey's mind, but will carry out the sentence if they choose otherwise. He tries once again to convince Ramsey to leave, but he remains adamant on staying, even if he is executed for it. Riker has heard enough and decides to take Ramsey and his people to the ship against their will if he has to, but Data interjects, stating it would be a clear violation of the Prime Directive. Riker states he'd rather face a court martial than watch innocent people die. He contacts the Enterprise ready to have everyone beam up, but is surprised when Dr. Crusher answers the call. Apparently, she is now running the ship while Geordi and all the other staff are bed ridden. She refuses to take the risk of anyone beaming aboard, since the virus is out of control. Even though Riker cannot help the fugitives, he realizes time is running out, and the Enterprise must proceed to the Neutral Zone. He orders Data, who won't be affected by the virus, to return to the ship alone, and get to the Neutral Zone before it’s too late. Data returns to the ship, while the rest of the team have a sleepless night stranded on the planet.

The team awakens the next morning to Trent's invite from Mistress Beata, to witness the "reaffirmation of Angel One's moral imperative"; to Riker, it's a fancy way of saying "murder". Riker declines the offer, but then Data calls for him. Riker is angry, wondering why Data hasn't left yet, but Data indicates the order stated "get there before it’s too late". Data calculated a 48 minute window to reach the outpost before the Romulans do. Troi thinks it's 48 minutes that they can use to save Ramsey. They head to the council chamber where the leaders are assembled and the prisoners are ready to face death. Beata demonstrates their manner of execution, a disintegration platform. Trent operates the controls, and disintegrates a large vase, which simply phases out of existence. Beata affirms it is quick and painless, and has Ramsey placed in the booth to die first. Riker tries to sway Beata's decision. He explains that Ramsey and his followers are symbols of change, pointing out that killing them will only make them martyrs. It will accelerate, rather than stop, the coming movement of equality between the sexes of Angel One. Trent readies to activate the disintegrator, ready to throw the switch at Beata's command. She hesitates, then Ariel shouts for mercy. Beata tells Trent to stand down.

Back on the ship, Data is ready to leave when Dr. Crusher calls delighted to announce she found an inoculant for the virus. Data sees they still have a 17 minute window and calls down to Riker who instructs Data to beam everyone from the holding cell in 10 minutes. In the meantime, the council reconvenes, and Beata announces that Ramsey and his followers will not be executed. Instead, they will be exiled to a remote location on Angel One, to promote their heresy as they wish. Anyone who wants to go with them will be allowed. This solution won't stop the inevitable decay of Angel One's cherished system, but at least it will retard it long enough so that Beata won't have to be around to see the damage. With the matter resolved, Riker signals for three to beam up. Returning to the ship, Riker takes command and heads to the Neutral Zone.