The Wounded (TNG episode)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"The Wounded"
Picard orders Captain Maxwell to cease fire in “The Wounded.”
Episode no.	86
Prod. code	186
Airdate	January 28, 1991
Writer(s)	Jeri Taylor Stuart Charno Sara Charno Cy Chermak
Director	Chip Chalmers
Guest star(s)	Colm Meaney Rosalind Chao Marc Alaimo Marco Rodríguez Bob Gunton Time Winters John Hancock
Year	2367
Stardate	44429.6
Episode chronology
Previous	"Data’s Day"
Next	"Devil’s Due"

The Wounded is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It was originally shown on January 28, 1991. The episode introduces a new species of aliens, the Cardassians, who would become to be a major antagonist for later Star Trek.

It is Next Generation episode #86, production #186, written by Jeri Taylor, Stuart Charno, Sara Charno, and Cy Chermak, and directed by Chip Chalmers. Guest stars for this episode were Colm Meaney, Rosalind Chao, Marc Alaimo, Marco Rodriguez, Bob Gunton, Time Winters, and John Hancock.

1 Synopsis
2 Plot
3 Trivia
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

The crew of the USS Enterprise works with the Cardassians to track down another Starfleet vessel, the USS Phoenix, after the vessel appears to have gone rogue, attacking and destroying an unarmed Cardassian station.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Plot

The USS Enterprise-D is on a mapping survey mission near the Cardassian sector. After a long conflict, a peace treaty between the Federation and the Cardassians was signed almost a year earlier. The bridge crew is somewhat on edge, since it is a well known fact that the Cardassians are very skittish about protecting their borders.

Suddenly, a Cardassian warship appears and unexpectedly attacks. Quickly putting up their shields the Bridge crew avert any major damage, but, worryingly, the Cardassians refuse to respond to hails. The Cardassian ship continues to fire, which only rocks the Federation’s flagship, now safe behind its full shields. Finally, Picard returns fire, targeting only the other ship’s engines and shields. A few phaser shots convince the Cardassians to listen to reason.

The Captain of the Cardassian ship, Gul Macet, tells Picard that he attacked because a Federation starship had attacked and destroyed a Cardassian science station without provocation two days earlier, in the Cuellar system. Dumbfounded, Picard asks for an hour's truce so that he can confirm this with Starfleet, with the alternative that the two ships can continue to fight with the Cardassians at a disadvantage. Not surprisingly, Macet agrees.

Upon contacting Starfleet, Picard finds that the Cardassian claims are true. The Nebula-class starship Phoenix was responsible for the attack, under the command of one of Starfleet's most capable captains, Benjamin Maxwell. Starfleet Admiral Haden tells Picard that the Phoenix has gone on silent running and won’t answer communiqués. Not wanting war, and especially since the Federation is in no condition for another sustained conflict, Starfleet has decided to send the Enterprise in after Maxwell, and the Cardassians have granted safe passage. Starfleet has agreed Picard will take along a delegation of observers as a show of good faith. Picard is instructed to preserve the peace no matter what the cost.

On the Bridge, Picard asks Data to check if anyone aboard had served under Maxwell's command. Data reports that Chief O’Brien had done so on the USS Rutledge.

The Enterprise gets underway with the Cardassians on board and Picard invites O’Brien to sit in on a meeting with the Cardassians in the Briefing room. O’Brien finds that, just like Maxwell, he is struggling to put his past wartime experiences with the Cardassians into perspective. Picard asks O’Brien if it is true that Maxwell’s family were killed in raids on Setlik III by Cardassians during the period that O’Brien served with Maxwell. Macet immediately jumps to the conclusion that Maxwell must be currently acting out of vengeance. O’Brien hotly denies this. Macet is also not sanguine about the intention of Picard and the Federation for the expedition and expresses doubts, which Picard tries to assuage by going to great lengths to assure Macet that he and Starfleet are doing everything in their power to locate the Phoenix. Picard tries to demonstrate his good faith and trustworthiness by pointing out that the Gul and his men are present and included in all events and hearing all reports and information even as Picard does. Suddenly, Worf interrupts to announce that the Phoenix has been located on long range sensors.

Once back on the bridge, Picard orders an interception course set with the Phoenix. Data reports that the Phoenix is in pursuit of a Cardassian supply ship. Realizing that the Enterprise is too far away to intercede, Picard reluctantly agrees with Macet’s suggestion to give the precise location of the Phoenix and its coded transponder frequency to a Cardassian warship which is closer to the Phoenix. The codes will allow the warship to take down the Phoenix’s shields, giving Maxwell and his crew no chance. The warship never gets the opportunity to use the codes, however, as Maxwell uses his superior tactical skills to outmaneuver it, destroying both it and the supply ship and killing over 650 Cardassians. Picard gives the order to increase speed to warp nine.

Later, Worf brings one of the Cardassian aides up to the Bridge, telling Picard that he was caught on a lower deck attempting to access Federation information. The aide denies this, saying he was just examining the terminal interface, he saw only the files, no information. Macet restricts the man to quarters for the remainder of the expedition and asks Picard if they can speak in private. In Picard’s ready room, Macet tells Picard he deeply regrets what his aide has done and that the man will be punished later. Picard replies that as far as he is concerned the matter is closed. Macet tells Picard that he is not sure he could be so generous in Picard’s place. Picard replies that no one man must undermine the efforts of the two sides to maintain a lasting peace. Macet responds that many of his people, including himself, do not crave war, and that the lasting peace will begin there between he and Picard.

When the Enterprise and the Phoenix finally rendezvous, Maxwell beams aboard. Seeing O’Brien, the two men have a warm reunion. Maxwell tells Riker that O’Brien was the best tactical officer that he had ever had. Maxwell cuts the visit short, realizing that under the gravity of the situation, Picard will be anxious to speak with him.

Maxwell is escorted into Picard’s ready room by Riker. Maxwell tells Picard that he knows Picard must think he’s gone crazy, but that he has justification for what he has done in the fact that the Cardassians are arming again. He asserts that the “so-called” science station was actually a military supply port, and while it makes no sense to have a science station in the Cuellar system, it is a great spot for a military transport station, a perfect “jumping-off point” into three Federation sectors. He also claims that the supply ships that the Cardassians are running back and forth are not for scientific research. Picard is not having any of this, and admonishes Maxwell for deciding to take it upon himself to dispose of the treaty and bring the Federation to the brink of war. Picard tells Maxwell that Starfleet has ordered that both ships are to return to Federation space at once, and that he will permit Maxwell the dignity of retaining command during the return voyage, but the alternative is to put Maxwell in the brig and tow his ship home in disgrace. Maxwell returns to his ship.

In close formation, the two ships begin their journey, but soon the Phoenix alters course and accelerates away at warp nine. Picard orders the Enterprise to pursue at warp nine was well, but the Enterprise will be unable to catch the Phoenix before it intercepts its obvious target, another Cardassian supply ship. Riker asks Data if the weapons system of the Cardassian ship are activated, to which Data replies that sensors are unable to determine the status of the weapons since the supply ship is running a high powered subspace field. At this revelation, Picard and Riker say nothing, but exchange a meaningful look.

When the Enterprise catches up with the Phoenix, they find that the supply ship is undamaged. Maxwell hails Picard and tells him he has all the proof he needs if he will board the supply ship. Picard refuses to board the Cardassian ship. Maxwell then threatens to destroy the supply ship unless Picard boards it, to which Picard replies that he will use whatever force is necessary to prevent this.

O’Brien then asks if he can transport over to the Phoenix, saying that Maxwell may listen to him because after what they went through together, he understands how Maxwell feels. Perhaps he can convince Maxwell to stand down. Using his detailed knowledge and experience with Starfleet transporter technology, he is sure he can get through even though the Phoenix has its shields up. Picard agrees.

Once aboard the Phoenix, O’Brien tells Maxwell he hopes the two of them can figure a way out of the situation. O’Brien gently convinces Maxwell that Picard is just as determined as Maxwell is and will fire on the Phoenix if necessary. They talk about the old days during their time aboard the Rutledge and during the Cardassian war, and end up singing “The Minstrel Boy,” an ancient Irish war song, together that Maxwell used to like back in those days. Finally Maxwell accepts that there is no way he is going to win.

Maxwell turns the Phoenix over to his first officer and transports aboard the Enterprise, where Picard has him confined to quarters for the return voyage.

Back aboard the Enterprise, O’Brien meets with Picard and Gul Macet in the observation lounge. While realizing what Maxwell did was terribly wrong, he states that Maxwell was a good man and he is still proud to have served with him. Picard thanks him, tells him well done, and dismisses him. Macet says that while O’Brien’s loyalty is admirable, it is misplaced. Picard angrily replies that the loyalty Macet dismisses so easily does not come easily to humans, and that Macet’s people have much to learn about us. He adds that Maxwell earned the loyalty of those who served with him, was twice in time of war decorated for valor, and while he may be pitied, he shall not be dismissed. Macet replies that while Picard is entitled to his opinion, he himself is glad that Maxwell is under lock and key.

As Macet starts to leave, Picard stops him and tells him that he and the Federation know that Maxwell was right. The supply ships were not carrying scientific equipment. There is no scientific need for a research station within easy reach of three Federation sectors. Cargo ships running with high energy subspace fields which jam sensors are not consistent with scientifc research. Picard states that while he was charged to preserve the peace in the current situation, he is still aware these things are no coincidence. However, he still believes that maintaining the peace is in the best interests of both sides. Macet seems taken aback by this accusation, and Picard sternly tells him to pass along to his superiors that the Federation will be watching. Then he pointedly turns his back on Macet to wordlessly glare at the stars passing outside the viewport. Macet leaves him there, and alone now Picard continues to stare out the port as the scene slowly fades to black.

[edit] Trivia

Marc Alaimo, who plays Gul Macet, would later play Gul Dukat on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the novels of the Deep Space Nine relaunch, Macet returns and plays an important role; it is also said that Macet and Dukat are cousins.