THE WOUNDED (STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION)

(Redirected from The Wounded (TNG episode))

'"The Wounded"' was the 86th episode of the science fiction television series '' and the 12th episode of the show's fourth season. It was first broadcast on January 28, 1991. The episode has an average rating of 4.5/5 on the official Star Trek website (as of June 12th, 2007).[1]
The episode introduces a new species of aliens, the Cardassians, who would become a major element of ''. It is also the first episode to feature Colm Meaney's character Miles O'Brien prominently, who would become one of the lead characters on ''Deep Space Nine''. Gul Macet was played by Marc Alaimo, who was making his third appearance on ''The Next Generation''. He would later play regular character Gul Dukat, on ''Deep Space Nine''.
In this episode, the crew of the Federation Starship USS ''Enterprise'' cooperates with the Cardassians to track down another Starfleet vessel, the ''Nebula''-class USS ''Phoenix'', after it appears to have gone rogue, attacking and destroying an unarmed Cardassian space station.

Contents

Plot

Trivia

External links

Plot

The ''Enterprise'' is on a mission along the edge of Cardassian space. A peace treaty between the Federation and the Cardassians was signed almost a year earlier. A Cardassian warship appears and unexpectedly attacks. The commander of the Cardassian ship, Gul Macet, hails the ''Enterprise'' and tells Picard that he attacked because a Federation starship had destroyed a Cardassian science station without provocation two days earlier. Picard asks for an hour's truce so that he can confirm this with Starfleet.
Upon contacting Starfleet, Starfleet Admiral Haden confirms the Cardassian's claims. The ''Nebula''-class starship ''Phoenix'' was responsible for the attack, under the command of Captain Benjamin Maxwell. The Phoenix has gone on silent running and won’t answer communiqués. The ''Enterprise'' is ordered after Maxwell and is instructed to preserve the peace no matter what the cost. Picard takes along a delegation of Cardassian observers as a show of good faith.
Since Chief O’Brien had served under Maxwell on the USS ''Rutledge'', Picard invites him to sit in on a meeting with the Cardassians in the Briefing room. O’Brien finds that he still harbors some resentment toward the Cardassians. Picard asks O’Brien if it is true that Maxwell’s family were killed by Cardassians while O’Brien served with Maxwell. Macet immediately jumps to the conclusion that Maxwell must be acting out of vengeance, which O’Brien denies.
The ''Enterprise'' locates the ''Phoenix'' on long range sensors and Picard orders an intercept course with it. Data reports that it is in pursuit of a Cardassian supply ship, but the ''Enterprise'' is too far away to intercede. Picard gives the precise location of the ''Phoenix'' and its coded transponder frequency to a Cardassian warship, which is closer. However, the ''Phoenix'' outmaneuvers the Cardassian warship, destroying both it and the supply ship, killing over 650 Cardassians.
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 he had ever had.
Maxwell tells Picard that he has justification for what he has done as the Cardassians are arming again. He asserts that the "science station" was actually a military supply depot, and the Cuellar system is a perfect jumping-off point into three Federation sectors. He also claims that the supply ships are not for scientific research. Picard admonishes Maxwell and informs him 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. Maxwell returns to his ship.
In close formation, the two ships begin their journey, but soon the ''Phoenix'' alters course and accelerates away. Picard orders the ''Enterprise'' to pursue but the Enterprise is unable to catch the ''Phoenix'' before it intercepts another Cardassian supply ship. Maxwell hails Picard and tells him the ship has all the proof he needs if he will board it. Picard refuses and Maxwell threatens to destroy it. O’Brien then asks if he can transport over to the ''Phoenix'', saying that Maxwell may listen to him.
Once aboard, 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 sing a fellow ''Rutledge'' crewmember's favourite song, “The Minstrel Boy,” an ancient Irish war song. Finally Maxwell accepts that there is no way he can win. Maxwell turns the ''Phoenix'' over to his first officer and transports aboard the ''Enterprise''.
O’Brien meets with Picard and Gul Macet. 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.
After O'Brien is dismissed, as Macet starts to leave, Picard tells him that he and the Federation know that Maxwell was right. The supply ships were not carrying scientific equipment. The ships were running with high energy subspace fields in order to jam sensors. Picard states that 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.

Trivia

Gul Macet never appeared onscreen again, although Gul Dukat bore a strong resemblance to him. (No surprise, since Marc Alaimo played both roles.) In later DS9 novels, it is said that Macet and Dukat are cousins.

External links

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