Code of Honor (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
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| Star Trek: TNG episode | |
| "Code of Honor" | |
| Episode no. | 3 |
|---|---|
| Prod. code | 104 |
| Airdate | October 12, 1987 |
| Writer(s) | Katharyn Powers Michael Baron |
| Director | Russ Mayberry |
| Guest star(s) | Jessie Lawrence Ferguson, Karole Selmon, James Louis Watkins, Michael Rider |
| Year | 2363 |
| Stardate | 41235.25 |
| Episode chronology | |
| Previous | "The Naked Now" |
| Next | "The Last Outpost" |
"Code of Honor" is a first-season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is episode #3, production #104, first broadcast October 12, 1987. It was written by Katharyn Powers and Michael Baron, and directed by Russ Mayberry.
Overview: Lt. Yar is abducted by the leader of a people who abide by a strict code of honor.
[edit] Plot
On stardate 41235.25, the Enterprise arrives at the planet Ligon II to acquire a vaccine needed to combat an outbreak of Anchilles fever on Styris IV. The Federation understands the Ligonian culture is reminiscent of the native tribes of Africa, who follow strict customs of status and honor, but know little else of them.
Upon arrival, the Ligonians insist on beaming themselves up to the ship with their own transporter and materialize in a cargo hold. They offer Captain Picard a sample of the vaccine, but as a precautionary measure, Yar intercepts the transaction to which Lutan's bodyguards, especially Hagon, take offense and quickly ready weapons. Lutan shows admiring curiosity toward Yar and is intrigued that the woman holds a position in security. Lutan apologizes stating that on his world the women own the land while the men rule over it. Picard offers a tour of the Enterprise, where Lutan insists that Yar lead the way. Visiting the holodeck, Lutan gets a demonstration of Yar's fighting abilities when she spars with a holographic opponent and is most impressed with her performance.
As the Ligonians prepare to leave, Lutan approaches Yar to personally thank her for the tour, but he fakes a friendly embrace and grabs her arm. Activating a transport beam, Lutan disappears along with his men and the Lieutenant. Ordering Red Alert Picard calls down to the planet stating that the kidnapping of a Starfleet officer is an act of war. He then calls for a spread of photon torpedoes to detonate in the atmosphere as a show of force, but receives no response.
In the meantime, Picard has Counselor Troi and Mr. Data surmise the reasoning behind Tasha's abduction where Data believes Lutan is "counting coup" by taking something of value from the enemy and fleeing — an act that some ancient tribes considered extremely heroic. Troi senses that Lutan has an abnormally high level of achievement, risking everything for honor and Tasha, being chief of security, represented the riskiest prize.
Lutan finally establishes contact where Picard "asks nicely" for the return of Yar. Lutan indicates he will return her at a banquet in his honor. Picard accepts the invitation and beams down with Troi who believes Lutan, having achieved the courtesy and recognition he desired, will be willing to return Yar. At the banquet however, Lutan announces that he will take Yar as his "first one" which leaves shocked expressions on all, especially Yareena, a woman who is already supposed to be Lutan's first one. Angered, Yareena challenges Yar to a duel to the death to keep her husband. Picard objects to the combat stating that Yar has no desire to marry Lutan, but arrogantly, Lutan threatens that if she does not fight, there will be no deal for the vaccine. Knowing the vaccine cannot be synthesized and the infection rate on Styris IV is rising, Picard sees no alternative short of violating the Prime Directive. For the procurement of the vaccine, Yar accepts the challenge.
Yar prepares for battle with confidence that her combat training is far superior to whatever training Yareena has been given. To ensure Yar's safety, Picard has Geordi and Data inspect the various weapons used for the duels which are coated in a poison that causes death within seconds. Picard makes preparations for Yar to be beamed to the ship if she is injured.
Soon, the duel begins, and Tasha and Yareena face off in an arena surrounded by energy beams that severely burn whatever passes through them. Melee ensues with Tasha countering Yareena's attacks as Hagon cheers her on. In one round, Yareena loses her footing, glancing a blow off the light beams which sends her gauntlet into a crowd and instantly kills a man. When the fight resumes, Yareena charges Tasha who leaps to the side and gets a lucky hit against her opponent, and Yareena falls to the ground. Tasha then lies on top of her. Suddenly, both combatants are transported to the Enterprise to the angry outbursts of the spectators. Lutan rises quickly, enraged at Picard's interference.
On the Enterprise, as soon as Yareena materializes, she collapses to the floor and Dr. Crusher rushes to administer an antitoxin. It appears too late however.
Back on the planet, Lutan and Hagon demand to know if Yareena has died and Picard transports them to the Enterprise to see for themselves. There the two are astonished to see Yareena alive and well. Furious, Lutan claims the combat is forfeit since Yar did not kill her, but Crusher interjects stating that "on the record", Yareena was dead, but she was able to bring her back.
Yareena reminds Lutan by law, at the instant of death, a mating agreement is dissolved. She rips his status medallion from him indicating that only through his marriage to her was he able to keep his rule. She then offers the medallion to Hagon who she claims as her new "first one" knowing he supported her more than Lutan had. Stripped of his status, Lutan is put into position of "second one" and Yareena fulfills the agreement to offer the vaccine supplies to Picard.
