The Wounded (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
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| Star Trek: TNG episode | |
| "The Wounded" | |
 Picard orders Captain Maxwell to stand down |
|
| 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" was the 86th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the 12th installment of the show's fourth season. 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 12, 2007).[1]
The episode introduces a new species of aliens, the Cardassians, who would become a major element of the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and was also the first installment to feature Colm Meaney's character Miles O'Brien prominently, who would later become one of the lead characters of that series. Gul Macet was played by Marc Alaimo, in his third appearance on The Next Generation. He would go on to play regular character Gul Dukat, on Deep Space Nine.
In this segment of the series, the crew of the Federation Starfleet Starship USS Enterprise-D 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.
[edit] Plot
As the episode begins, the Enterprise is conducting a routine survey mission along the edge of Cardassian space when a Cardassian warship unexpectedly attacks. Reacting quickly, Enterprise Captain Jean-Luc Picard defends his ship and forces the Cardassian vessel to stand down. The Cardassian commander, Gul Macet, tells Picard that he attacked because a Federation starship 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.
Starfleet Admiral Haden confirms the Cardassian claims, telling Picard that the starship USS Phoenix, under the command of Captain Benjamin Maxwell was responsible for the attack, adding that the ship 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 Transporter specialist Chief Miles O’Brien served with 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 rejects.
The Phoenix is located on long range sensors and Picard orders an intercept course. Chief Operations officer Lt. Commander Data reports that Maxwell is pursuing a Cardassian supply ship, but the Enterprise is too far away to intervene. Picard gives the precise location of the Phoenix to a Cardassian warship which is closer; unfortunately the tactically skilled Maxwell destroys both ships, 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 Enterprise First officer Commander William Riker that O’Brien was the best tactical officer he had ever had.
Maxwell explains to Picard that his attack was justified as the Cardassians are rearming, adding that the ‘science station’ was actually a military supply depot in a strategic location. He also claims that the Cardassian supply ships are a sham for transporting arms. Picard condemns Maxwell’s actions and informs him both ships are to return to Federation space at once, generously allowing 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 a pursuit course, but the Enterprise is unable to catch the Phoenix before it intercepts another Cardassian supply ship. As the Enterprise approaches the other two ships Data observes that their sensors are unable to read the status of the supply ship as it is running a high powered subspace field. Maxwell hails Picard and tells him if he will board the Supply ship he will have all the proof he needs. 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 the Phoenix, O’Brien gently convinces Maxwell that Picard is just as determined as Maxwell and will fire on a fellow Starfleet vessel if necessary. They talk about the old days aboard the Rutledge during the Cardassian war, and sing a fellow Rutledge crewmember's favorite song, “The Minstrel Boy,” an ancient Irish war song. Finally accepting that there is no way he can win, Maxwell turns the Phoenix over to his First officer and transports aboard the Enterprise.
In his debriefing with Picard and Gul Macet, O’Brien states that while he realizes what Maxwell did was terribly wrong, he is still proud to have served with him.
After O'Brien is dismissed, Macet tells Picard that O’Brien’s loyalty is admirable, though misplaced. Picard disagrees; saying that Macet’s people have much to learn about humans as such loyalty doesn’t come easily. He adds that although Maxwell’s tribulations affected his judgment, his heroic service won’t be dismissed.
As Macet starts to leave, Picard tells him that he and the Federation know that Maxwell was right, they have realized it is no coincidence that the supposed supply ships were rigged to jam Federation sensors, and adds that the strategically placed ‘research’ station was not in a locale conducive to scientific investigation. Picard states that while his orders were to preserve the treaty, he also personally believes that maintaining the peace is in the best interests of both sides. Macet appears genuinely taken aback by this accusation, and Picard sternly tells him to pass along to his superiors that the Federation will be watching.
