The Dauphin (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"The Dauphin" is the tenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 36th episode overall. It was originally released on February 20, 1989 in broadcast syndication.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Federation starship Enterprise. In this episode, the Enterprise must transport a young head of state to the planet she is to lead.

Plot

The Federation starship Enterprise, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, 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 young Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher, who becomes smitten with her. Crusher receives courtship advice from the crew members (including from Worf, who explains that with Klingons it consists of "the male grunting and growling, followed by the female throwing dishes and other household items to the male, and the male reading poetry back"), and the two form a bond. He 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. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pulaski refuses and insists the disease is contained, but Anya transforms into a large monstrous form, easily matching Lt. Worf's strength when he tries to intervene. When Captain Picard arrives, Anya reverts to her petite humanoid form and defiantly explains her actions. Dr. Pulaski identifies Anya as an allasomorph, a shapeshifter, who could present a danger for the crew. Picard orders Anya to be confined to quarters, and Worf, as head of security, promises Anya he will watch over Salia. Picard, aware of Crusher's attraction to Salia, asks him to stay away from Salia, to which he agrees. At night however, as Anya is sleeping, Salia slips out of their quarters and visits Crusher. Anya soon discovers Salia's disappearance, and bursts into his quarters, transforming into the same giant beast as before. To Crusher's surprise, Salia also transforms into a similar beast, holding Anya at bay. Both revert to their human forms as security arrives. Later, Salia attempts to apologize to Wesley for her deception, but Wesley, appalled by seeing Salia's appearance was not the real her, is too upset and 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 likely be unable 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 Crusher arrives to say his goodbyes, bringing her one last taste of chocolate mousse. Salia thanks him, and transforms into her natural form, a luminous figure of energy, 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
• "The Dauphin" rewatch by Den of Geek
• "The Dauphin" rewatch by Zack Handlen of the A.V. Club