Ethics (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

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Star Trek: TNG episode
"Ethics"

Worf becomes seriously injured in "Ethics".
Episode no. 116
Prod. code 216
Airdate March 2, 1992
Writer(s) Sara Charno
Stuart Charno
Ronald D. Moore
Director Chip Chalmers
Guest star(s) Patti Yasutake
Brian Bonsall
Caroline Kava
Year 2368
Stardate 45587.3
Episode chronology
Previous "Power Play"
Next "The Outcast"

"Ethics" is a fifth season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode has an average rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website (as of October 24, 2007).[1]

[edit] Plot

In a storage bay, Worf is hit by a barrel that falls from the storey above. His spine is damaged, resulting in paraplegia. Dr. Crusher consults a specialist, Dr. Russell, who suggests a risky, possibly life-threatening, experimental procedure, that may allow Worf to regain all of his mobility; essentially, they clone his spine, extract the original and replace it with the new one. However Dr. Crusher does not think the risk is worth it.

Dr. Crusher recommends implants that transmit neural signals, which would allow him to regain about 60% of his mobility. But Worf does not like the idea of being an injured warrior so he considers his life to be over.

Dr. Crusher asks Dr. Russell to assist in treating injured colonists. Crusher finds that she has used an experimental drug on a patient that died, and strongly reprimands her on not using proven methods first.

Worf asks Commander Riker to assist him in performing a ritual suicide, but Riker does not wish to help kill a friend. Riker points out that it is his son, Alexander, that the ritual states should assist. Unable to ask his son, Worf decides to risk undergoing the risky procedure, against Dr. Crusher's advice.

The operation proceeds as planned until Worf loses synaptic function and Crusher records the time of death. Troi informs Alexander but minutes later they are surprised as Worf revives due to the redundancies built into his body that back up even his neural functions. Later Dr Russell stops by Crusher's office but Dr. Crusher tells her that while she is delighted that Worf will recover, she does not like Russell's methods; putting her own interest in collecting research data above patient's interests. Unable to make a comeback, Russell wordlessly leaves the room. Back in his quarters, Worf relearns to walk, and accepts help from Alexander in mastering the use of his legs once again.

[edit] External links