The Dauphin

"The Dauphin" is a second-season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Overview

The Enterprise must transport a young head of state to the planet she is to lead.

Plot

The Enterprise is assigned to transport Salia, the future ruler and dauphin of Daled IV, and her governess Anya from a planet where she voluntarily exiled herself. Her parents, rulers of two opposing factions on Daled IV, recently died, and Salia represents a chance to bring unification to the two factions. As such, Anya is overly protective of her. On board, Salia meets Wesley Crusher, who becomes smitten with her. Wesley receives courtship advice from the crew members, and the two form a bond. Wesley introduces her to Thalian chocolate mousse, and takes her to the holodeck to show her several other worlds after Salia expresses an interest in exploring the galaxy.

When Anya, touring the ship, discovers a crew member with a virulent disease being in a containment field in sickbay, she demands the crew member be killed to protect Salia. When Dr. Pulaski refuses and insists the disease is contained, Anya transforms into a monstrous form, easily throwing Lt. Worf aside when he tries to intervene. When Captain Picard arrives, Anya reverts to her humanoid form and defiantly explains her actions. Dr. Pulaski identifies Anya as an allasomorph, a shapeshifter, and could present a danger for the crew. Picard orders Anya to be confined to quarters, and Worf, as head of security, promises to Anya to watch over Salia. Picard, aware of Wesley's crush on Salia, asks Wesley to stay away from Salia, to which he agrees. One night, as Anya is sleeping, Salia slips out of their quarters and visits Wesley. Anya soon discovers Salia's disappearance, and bursts into Wesley's quarters, transforming into the same giant beast as before. To Wesley's surprise, Salia also transforms into a similar beast, holding Anya at bay. Both revert to their human forms as security arrives. Salia attempts to apologize to Wesley for her deception, but Wesley refuses to listen.

The Enterprise arrives at Daled IV with no further incidents. As Salia prepares to depart, Anya reveals she will not be going with her, instead returning to her home on an orbiting moon. Anya also warns her that she will unlikely be able to leave the planet once she has taken the leadership role. Salia thanks Anya for her upbringing before Anya departs. Just before Salia is to be beamed down to the planet, Wesley arrives to say his goodbyes, bringing her one last taste of chocolate mousse. Salia thanks Wesley, and then transforms into her natural form before she is beamed down to the planet.

References

• Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 2, disc 3, selection 2.

External links

• The Dauphin at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Dauphin" at TV.com
• The Dauphin at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• The Dauphin at StarTrek.com
• The Dauphin rewatch by Keith R.A. DeCandido