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{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
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<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Projects/Episode data project]] -->
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| aSelf = The Survivors
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|image = Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge.jpg
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| sTitle = The Survivors
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|writer = [[Michael Wagner]]
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| sSeries = TNG
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|director = [[Les Landau]]
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| nSeason = 3
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|date = 43152.4 ([[2366]])
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}}
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| nEpisode = 3
  
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{{ep disambiguation|TAS|The Survivor}}
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|sProductionSerialNumber = 40273-151
  
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| nAirdateYear = 1989
  
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| sAirdateMonth = October
  
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| nAirdateDay = 9
  
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| sImage = Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge.jpg
  
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| wsWrittenBy = [[Michael Wagner]]
  
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| wsTeleplayBy =
 
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| wsStoryBy =
 
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| wsDirectedBy = [[Les Landau]]
  
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| nNthProducedInSeries = 50
  
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| nNthReleasedInSeries = 50
  
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| nNthReleasedInAll = 157
  
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| bFeatureLength = 0
  
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| nSerialAirdate = 19891009
  
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| wsDate = 43152.4 ([[2366]])
  
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| aNextReleasedInAll = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
  
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| aPrevReleasedInAll = The Ensigns of Command (episode)
  
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| aNextReleasedInSeries = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
  
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| aPrevReleasedInSeries = The Ensigns of Command (episode)
  
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| aNextProducedInSeries = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
  
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| aPrevProducedInSeries = Evolution (episode)
  
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|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
  
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|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Ensigns of Command (episode)
  
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}}{{Ep disambiguation|TAS|The Survivor}}
  
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The ''Enterprise'' investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.
  
The ''Enterprise'' investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.
   
 
==Summary==
  
==Summary==
  ⚫
=== Teaser ===
−
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is ''en route'' to a [[Federation]] colony, [[Delta Rana IV]], which sent a [[distress signal]] indicating they were under attack. When the ''Enterprise'' crew arrives, they find the entire [[planet]] devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house containing two elderly [[botanist]]s, [[Kevin Uxbridge|Kevin]] and [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. Still aboard the ''Enterprise'', [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] senses something unusual about the two. However, she soon begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop. The music blocks her [[empath]]ic abilities and eventually begins driving her insane.
 +
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is en route to a [[Federation]] [[colony]], [[Rana IV]], which sent out a [[distress signal]] indicating they were under attack. When the ''Enterprise'' crew arrives, they find the entire [[planet]] completely devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house with two possibly human life forms. [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] orders [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] to lead an [[away team]] to the surface to "''see who's at home.''"
   
  +
=== Act One ===
⚫
The two survivors claim to not know why they were spared. The ''Enterprise'' soon is attacked by a large warship, apparently the one responsible for the devastation. [[Data]] reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the ''Enterprise'' fires a warning shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] returns to the Delta Rana system. Upon returning, he visits the two survivors and offers them a replicator.
 
  +
Still aboard the ''Enterprise'', [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] senses something unusual about the two.
   
  +
Commander Riker heads the landing party to the surface, consisting of [[Beverly Crusher]], [[Data]], [[Geordi La Forge]], and [[Worf]]. After a quick investigation of the house from the outside, revealing two people inside the house and a non-functional weapon, Riker moves to the front door for a knock. La Forge tries to warn Riker about something hidden in his path and concealed beneath the surface but he can't react in time and he gets pulled up in the air by a [[booby trap]]. An old man comes out of the house and points a weapon at Riker telling them this is [[private property]]. He asks what they are doing here and who they are.
⚫
[[File:Music haunts Troi.jpg|thumb|left|''"Stop! Please, '''stop!'''"'']]
  
⚫
Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much more than tearfully beg Dr. [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] to make it stop. She suggests moving her to [[sickbay]], which Troi refuses. Dr. Crusher offers to induce delta-wave sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.
 
   
  +
Riker explains to the man that they are a rescue party and mean no harm. An old woman rushes out of the house and convinces the man of their good intentions. The couple introduce themselves as [[Kevin Uxbridge|Kevin]] and [[Rishon Uxbridge]], [[botanist]]s originally from [[Earth]] who moved to Rana IV [[2361|five years ago]]. They did not know they were the only ones left on the planet, but they haven't heard from the colonists. They did observe a large ship in orbit, taking the world apart, but did not visit the surface, so they don't know who they are.
⚫
Back on the planet, Picard describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They refuse. The ''Enterprise'' goes into [[red alert]] as the unidentified ship returns. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, the attacks are stronger and cause much more damage than previously. As the ''Enterprise'' throws everything she's got at the attacking ship, the ship absorbs all energy and is entirely undamaged. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the ''Enterprise'' escapes the ship's firing range.
  
   
−
[[File:Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home.jpg|thumb|''"Please, leave us alone!"'']]
 +
[[File:Riker urges the Uxbridges to leave.jpg|thumb|"''You're not thinking of taking us with you, are you?''"]]
  +
Riker asks if the landing party can investigate the house to see why they have been spared. Nothing suspicious comes up in the search. Data becomes fascinated by a [[music box]] on Rishon's shelf. Rishon tells Data to examine it and explains that it has been in her family for generations. At that moment, Troi, still on the Enterprise, begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop.
⚫
Picard theorizes that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave. Back in the Delta Rana system, Picard expresses his belief that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it some how protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating and are startled by Picard and Lt. [[Worf]]'s sudden appearance.
 
   
  +
The two survivors refuse to be beamed up to the ''Enterprise'' when Riker offers them safety aboard the ship. They insist, saying they cannot leave their home and that they have each other.
⚫
Picard accuses them of never expecting to see him again for some reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that the ''Enterprise'' will remain in orbit around Rana IV as long as the two are alive.
 
   
  +
=== Act Two ===
⚫
[[File:Warship fires on planet.jpg|thumb|left|''"It is preparing to fire at the planet."'']]
  
  ⚫
[[File:Music haunts Troi.jpg|thumb|left|"''Stop! Please, '''stop!'''''"]]
⚫
Upon beaming back to the ''Enterprise'', the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the ''Enterprise'' will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the ''Enterprise'' and targets the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are destroyed and the ship is then itself destroyed by a single [[photon torpedo]] from the ''Enterprise''.
  
  +
In the ''Enterprise'' [[observation lounge]], the [[senior staff]] wonder if the two survivors could have provided anything to the assailants of the colony. Troi, however, hears the music during the conversation and can't concentrate, excusing herself. Later, Picard goes to Troi's [[quarters]] to check on her, learning of the music she is hearing. At first, Picard thinks it may be an song that is stuck in a person's mind after they've heard it but Troi tells him it is much deeper than that. She explains that the song plays in perfect clarity from beginning to end and she has never heard it before. Picard asks when this started and Troi tells him it began a few hours before, when the away team beamed down to Rana and met Kevin and Rishon.
   
  ⚫
Despite Worf's thorough search of the system for the invading force with nothing found, the ''Enterprise'' soon is attacked by a large [[Delta Rana warship|warship]], apparently the one responsible for the devastation. Data reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the ''Enterprise'' fires a warning [[phaser]] shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, Captain Picard orders that the ''Enterprise'' cease its pursuit and plot a return course back to the Delta Rana system.
−
The crew are astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, [[Geordi La Forge]] notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house is back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon beamed directly to the bridge and confronts them over what really happened on the planet.
  
   
  +
=== Act Three ===
⚫
[[File:Uxbridge heals Troi.jpg|thumb|''"She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness."'']]
  
  +
Upon returning, Picard visits the two survivors with Worf, offers them a portable [[replicator]], and stays for tea to talk to them. Rishon relates their history, and also the horrors of the colonists' fate. Picard says he can't leave until he finds out what happened, and describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They again refuse, and Picard and Worf return to the ''Enterprise''.
−
Kevin Uxbridge makes a startling confession &ndash; he is in fact a [[Douwd]], an immortal being with vast powers. He met his [[Human]] wife many years before and decided to live as a Human with her. She joined the colonists in fighting the alien [[Husnock]] raiders and was killed. Though a devout [[pacifism|pacifist]], in a moment of anger towards the invaders for taking his wife's life, he annihilated the entire Husnock race.
 
   
  ⚫
Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much of anything beyond tearfully begging [[Dr.]] Crusher to make it stop. She suggests moving her to [[sickbay]], which Troi refuses, insisting on staying in her quarters. Dr. Crusher offers to induce [[delta wave]] sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real, and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.
⚫
Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Delta Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the ''Enterprise'' from finding out the truth. The music in Troi's mind is also his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation is not qualified to be his judge in the matter, and allows him to return to the planet. As the ''Enterprise'' departs, Picard indicates that the Douwd should be "left alone".
  
   
  ⚫
The ''Enterprise'' goes into [[red alert]] as the unidentified ship returns with more firepower. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, its attacks are much stronger. The ''Enterprise'' throws everything they've got at it, but the alien ship's defenses dissipate the ''Enterprise's ''attack harmlessly. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the ''Enterprise'' escapes the ship's firing range. Picard now guesses the survivors are in no danger.
⚫
===Log Entries===
  
⚫
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Distress Call at Delta Rana IV|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
  
   
−
==Memorable Quotes==
 +
=== Act Four ===
  +
[[File:Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home.jpg|thumb|"''Please, leave us alone!''"]]
⚫
"''Sir, may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall.''"<br />
  
  ⚫
In Troi's quarters, Picard theorizes to Dr. Crusher that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave, preventing her from seeing the truth of the matter. Back in the [[Delta Rana star system]], Picard believes that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it somehow protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating by [[dancing]] together and are startled by Picard and Worf's sudden appearance.
  +
  ⚫
Kevin asks Picard and Worf to leave him and his wife alone. Picard tells him that after he leaves, he will never set foot in their home on Rana again, for any reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that&ndash; so long as the two are alive&ndash; the ''Enterprise'' will remain in orbit around Rana IV.
  +
  ⚫
[[File:Warship fires on planet.jpg|thumb|left|"''It is preparing to fire at the planet.''"]]
  ⚫
Upon beaming back to the ''Enterprise'', the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. Commander Riker and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the ''Enterprise'' will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the ''Enterprise,'' targeting the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are utterly obliterated. The ship itself is then blown apart by a single [[photon torpedo]] from the ''Enterprise''.
  +
  +
Picard orders the ''Enterprise'' to stay, and to look out for anything and everything. He leaves the bridge for his [[captain's ready room|ready room]], leaving a bewildered Riker and bridge crew.
  +
  +
=== Act Five ===
  +
The crew is astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, La Forge notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house and land are back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon to be beamed directly to the bridge. Picard tells a surprised Rishon that he wants to end the suffering of one of his crew members and starts confronting Kevin over what really happened. Picard tells Kevin he realized that the house and the ship are his creations. When Picard last left the house he told them the ''Enterprise'' won't leave orbit as long as they would be alive, so Kevin went to satisfy that condition. Speaking to Rishon, Picard notes that all of his senses tell him that she exists, but he has realized that she is not real. Rishon vanishes, leaving only a sad Kevin. Picard tells him he knows he's not Human, he only appears as one. Kevin then teleports to the [[turbolift]]; Picard orders the crew to keep clear and to track him, as he believes Kevin to be a creature of conscience that has some unfinished business before returning to the surface.
  +
  ⚫
[[File:Uxbridge heals Troi.jpg|thumb|"''She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness.''"]]
  +
Dr. Crusher visits Troi's quarters, startled to find Kevin at her bedside: he has removed the music from her mind. The music was his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard enters and demands the truth about what happened to the planet. Kevin makes a startling confession: he is in fact a [[Douwd]], an [[immortal]] being with vast powers. He met his [[Human]] wife many years before, and decided to live as a Human with her. The alien raiders were the [[Husnock]], who he knew as being of "hideous intelligence, knowing only aggression and destruction". As a devout [[pacifism|pacifist]], he was ethically limited to avoid using his vast abilities to harm them. He used his powers to try to trick them instead, which only made them more angry and cruel. Rishon joined the colonists in fighting what Kevin knew to be a hopeless battle against the raiders, and was subsequently killed. Viewing her broken body, he suffered a moment of weakness. Regretting his inaction, in a moment of insane rage at the raiders, and grief at his tragic loss, he instantly [[Genocide|annihilated]] the entire Husnock race &ndash; all fifty billion &ndash; with a single thought.
  +
  ⚫
Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the ''Enterprise'' from finding out the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation (much less Humanity) is not qualified to judge him, or the issue, and allows him to stay on Rana IV and to make Rishon live again.
  +
  +
With Troi returned to full health, the ''Enterprise'' departs for [[Starbase 133]]. Picard notes in his log that the Douwd is a being of both extraordinary power and conscience, and isn't sure if he should be condemned for his crime, or praised for his conscience. What he does know, however, is that "Kevin" should be left alone.
  +
  +
===Log entries===
  ⚫
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Distress Call at Rana IV|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
  +
  +
==Memorable quotes==
  ⚫
"''Sir. may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall.''"<br />
 
"''Didn't fool you, huh?''"<br />
  
"''Didn't fool you, huh?''"<br />
 
"''I admire gall.''"
  
"''I admire gall.''"
Line 69: Line 70:
   
   
−
"''An entire planet obliterated... except for a few acres of trees and grass and ''one'' building?''"
 +
"''An entire planet obliterated&hellip; except for a few acres of trees and grass and ''one'' building?''"
 
: - '''Riker'''
  
: - '''Riker'''
   
   
 
"''Number One, I think you had better see who's at home.''"
  
"''Number One, I think you had better see who's at home.''"
−
: - '''Picard''', after sensors discover a solitary home found in the middle of devastation on Delta Rana IV
 +
: - '''Picard''', after sensors discover a solitary home found in the middle of devastation on Rana IV
   
   
Line 87: Line 88:
   
   
  +
"''I can induce delta sleep. Lock out even your deepest dreams.''"<br />
⚫
"''I saw her broken body... I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock!'"
  
  +
"''It's not a dream. It's real.''"
  +
: - '''Beverly Crusher''' and '''Deanna Troi''', regarding the music stuck in Troi's head
  +
  +
  +
"''There's nothing unusual about [[Uxbridge house|this house]]. Except the fact that it's here.''"
  +
: - '''Riker'''
  +
  +
  +
"''Your colony was attacked by a warship&ndash;''"<br />
  +
"''Belonging to the Husnock. A species of hideous intelligence. Knew only aggression &hellip; destruction.''"<br />
  +
: - '''Picard''' and '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
  +
  +
  ⚫
"''I saw her broken body &hellip; I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief &hellip; I destroyed the Husnock.'"''
 
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
  
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
   
   
−
"''No, no, no, no, you don't understand the scope of my crime. I didn't kill just one [[Husnock]], or a hundred, or a thousand. I killed them ''all''. ''All Husnock'', everywhere.''"
 +
"''No, no, no, no, no. You don't understand the scope of my crime. I didn't kill just one [[Husnock]], or a hundred, or a thousand&hellip;.I killed them ''all''. ''All Husnock''&hellip; everywhere.''"
 
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
  
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
   
   
−
"''Are eleven thousand people worth fifty billion? Is the love of a woman worth the destruction of an entire species?''"
 +
"''Are eleven thousand people worth fifty billion? Is the love of a woman worth the destruction of an entire species? This is the sin I tried so hard to keep you from learning of &ndash; why I wanted to chase you from Rana.''"
 
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
  
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
   
Line 103: Line 118:
   
   
−
"''We leave behind a being of extraordinary power... and conscience. I am not certain if he should be praised or condemned. Only that he should be left alone.''"
 +
"''We leave behind a being of extraordinary power &hellip; and conscience. I am not certain if he should be praised, or condemned, only, that he should be left alone.''"
 
: - '''Picard''', ''[[Captain's log]], [[Stardate]] 43153.7''
  
: - '''Picard''', ''[[Captain's log]], [[Stardate]] 43153.7''
   
 
== Background information ==
  
== Background information ==
−
=== Story and script ===
 +
=== Production history ===
−
* According to the first draft script dated {{d|7|July|1989}}, the working title for this episode was "The Veiled Planet". [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/151.txt] [http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/5/lot/842/]
 +
* First draft script ([[working title|titled]] "The Veiled Planet"): {{d|7|July|1989}} [http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/5/lot/842/]
  +
* Revised final draft script: [[31 July]] 1989 {{Star Trek Minutiae|resources/scripts/151.txt}}
  +
* Storyboards by [[Dan Curry]]: {{d|25|August|1989}}
  +
* More storyboards by Dan Curry: {{d|2|September|1989}}
  ⚫
* Premiere airdate: {{d|9|October|1989}}
  +
* First UK airdate: {{d|23|October|1991}}
   
 
=== Production ===
  
=== Production ===
 
[[File:Frakes fall, The Survivors.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Frakes]] begins the "snare" stunt]]
  
[[File:Frakes fall, The Survivors.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Frakes]] begins the "snare" stunt]]
−
[[File:Filming the survivors.jpg|thumb|Location shooting, with [[Dan Koko]], [[Dennis Madalone]], and cinematographer [[Marvin V. Rush]].]]
 +
[[File:Filming the survivors.jpg|thumb|Location shooting, with [[Dan Koko]], [[Dennis Madalone]], and cinematographer [[Marvin V. Rush]]]]
−
* The [[Filming locations|outdoor scenes]] in this episode were shot at a beach house in Malibu, California. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 +
* The [[Filming locations|outdoor scenes]] in this episode were shot at a beach house in Malibu, California. ({{tngc|2|103}})
−
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''We were on location for a day. It made not only the audience but the crew happy. When you're tied to shooting indoors every day, it gets monotonous. We were lucky enough to go out to Malibu and we had a beautiful summer day. I think it was unique story for ''[[Star Trek]]'' and one of my best works to date.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 +
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''We were on location for a day. It made not only the audience but the crew happy. When you're tied to shooting indoors every day, it gets monotonous. We were lucky enough to go out to Malibu and we had a beautiful summer day. I think it was unique story for ''[[Star Trek]]'' and one of my best works to date.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 187)
  +
* [[Dan Koko]] performed the stunt where Riker is caught by the snare set by [[Kevin Uxbridge]]. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 122)
⚫
* First UK airdate: 23rd October 1991
  
   
 
=== Cast and characters ===
  
=== Cast and characters ===
−
* [[John Anderson]] had lost his own wife shortly before appearing in "The Survivors", and said that the subject matter made the role of Kevin Uxbridge one of the most difficult of his career. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 +
* {{dis|John Anderson|actor}} (Kevin Uxbridge) had lost his own wife only a year before appearing in "The Survivors". Due to this, he almost turned down the role. ({{tngc|2|103}})
   
 
=== Sets, props, and costumes ===
  
=== Sets, props, and costumes ===
−
* The large round window in the Uxbridge's living room previously appeared on the surface of [[Ramatis III]] in {{e|Loud As A Whisper}}.
 +
* The large round window in the Uxbridges' living room previously appeared on the surface of [[Ramatis III]] in {{e|Loud As A Whisper}}.
−
* This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she will continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the season six episode [[Chain of Command, Part I (episode)]].
 +
* This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she would continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the [[TNG Season 6|season six]] episode {{e|Chain Of Command, Part I}}.
   
 
=== Continuity ===
  
=== Continuity ===
−
* Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old [[John Anderson]] played 85-year-old [[Kevin Uxbridge]] and 55-year-old [[Anne Haney]] played 82-year-old [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral [[Leonard McCoy]] in {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}, that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old [[Els Renora]] in the episode {{e|Dax}}.)
 +
* Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old John Anderson played 85-year-old Kevin Uxbridge and 55-year-old [[Anne Haney]] played 82-year-old [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral [[Leonard McCoy]] in {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}, that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old [[Els Renora]] in the episode {{e|Dax}}.)
  +
* Riker says in learning of the only surviving area of the devastation on Rana IV, "a few acres of trees and grass," indicating an anachronistic familiarity with the U.S./Imperial system of measurement, rather than the 24th century standard metric system which would use hectares.
   
 
=== Reception ===
  
=== Reception ===
−
* A mission report of this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in ''[[The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine]]'' Vol. 10, pp. 44-47.
 +
* A mission report of this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in {{STNG|10|44-47}}.
   
 
=== Video and DVD releases ===
  
=== Video and DVD releases ===
−
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 26, <!--catalogue number x, -->{{d|21|October|1991}}.
 +
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 26, <!--catalog number x, -->{{d|21|October|1991}}
−
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.1, {{d|28|February|2000}}.
 +
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.1, {{d|28|February|2000}}
−
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection.
 +
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection
−
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection.
 +
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection
   
 
== Links and references ==
  
== Links and references ==
 
=== Starring ===
  
=== Starring ===
−
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Captain|Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 +
* [[Patrick Stewart]] as [[Capt.]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]]
 
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
  
* [[Jonathan Frakes]] as [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|William Riker]]
   
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* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
  
* [[LeVar Burton]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Cmdr.]] [[Geordi La Forge]]
 
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
  
* [[Michael Dorn]] as [[Lieutenant]] [[Worf]]
−
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
 +
* [[Gates McFadden]] as [[Dr.]] [[Beverly Crusher]]
 
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
  
* [[Marina Sirtis]] as [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi]]
 
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
  
* [[Brent Spiner]] as [[Lieutenant Commander|Lt. Commander]] [[Data]]
Line 150: Line 171:
   
 
=== Guest stars ===
  
=== Guest stars ===
−
* [[John Anderson]] as [[Kevin Uxbridge]]
 +
* {{dis|John Anderson|actor}} as [[Kevin Uxbridge]]
−
* [[Anne Haney]] as [[Rishon Uxbridge]]
 +
* [[Anne Haney]] as [[Rishon Uxbridge (recreation)]]
   
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
  
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
  
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
−
* [[Mitchell Danton]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Bridge command crewman (2366)|command division officer]]
 +
* [[Mitchell Danton]] as [[Enterprise-D bridge crewman 001|command division officer]]
−
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Helmsman|command division officer]]
 +
* [[Michele Gerren]] as [[Enterprise-D science officer 009|science division officer]]
  +
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[USS Enterprise-D conn officers command 014|command division officer]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
  
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
−
* [[Yolanda]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science officer (2366)|science division officer]]
  
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
−
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female relief ops ensign (2366)|Female operations ensign]]
 +
** [[USS Enterprise-D ops operations 004|Female operations ensign]]
 
** [[Hoy]]
  
** [[Hoy]]
−
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Medical com officer (2366)|Medical officer (voice)]]
 +
** [[Enterprise-D science medical officer 003|Medical officer (voice)]]
−
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Nurse (early 2366)|Nurse]]
 +
** [[Enterprise-D science nurse 002|Nurse]]
   
 
=== Stunt double ===
  
=== Stunt double ===
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=== Stand-ins ===
  
=== Stand-ins ===
−
* [[James G. Becker]] - [[stand-in]] for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
 +
* [[James G. Becker]] &ndash; [[stand-in]] for [[Jonathan Frakes]]
−
* [[Dexter Clay]] - stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
 +
* [[Dexter Clay]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Michael Dorn]]
−
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] - stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
 +
* [[Jeffrey Deacon]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Patrick Stewart]]
−
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] - stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
 +
* [[Nora Leonhardt]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Marina Sirtis]]
−
* [[Tim McCormack]] - stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
 +
* [[Tim McCormack]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Brent Spiner]]
−
* [[Lorine Mendell]] - stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
 +
* [[Lorine Mendell]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Gates McFadden]]
−
* [[Guy Vardaman]] - stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
 +
* [[Guy Vardaman]] &ndash; stand-in for [[Wil Wheaton]]
   
 
=== References ===
  
=== References ===
  +
[[2284]]; [[2313]]; [[2361]]; [[2366]]; [[2371]]; "[[Idiom|a little]]"; "[[Idiom|a lot]]": [[abetted]]; [[acceleration curve]]; [[accusation]]; [[acre]]; [[afternoon tea]]; [[age]]; [[aggression]]; "[[Idiom|all over again]]"; "[[Idiom|all right]]"; "[[Idiom|alright]]": [[Andorian unk renegades|Andorian renegades]]; [[Andorian renegade ship]]; [[Andorian]]s; [[answer]]; [[antiproton]]s; [[aquarium]]; [[aquatic city]]; [[area]]; [[armament]]; [[artificial structure]]; [[assailant]]; [[assumption]]; "[[Idiom|at bay]]"; "[[Idiom|at first]]"; "[[Idiom|at least]]"; "[[Idiom|at sea]]": [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[attack]]; [[away team]]; [[battle]]; [[bed]]; [[belief]]; [[billion]]; [[body]]; [[body of water]]; [[botanist]]; [[building]]; "[[Idiom|by all means]]"; [[calculation]]; [[call sign]]; [[casualty]]; [[city]]; [[clean water]]; [[clothing]]; [[coincidence]]; [[collaborator]]; [[colonist]]; [[Colony Operations]]; [[colony register]]; [[color]]; [[coma]]; [[composer]]; [[confrontation]]; [[conscience]]; [[creature]]; [[crime]]; [[cup]]; [[damage]]; [[dance]]; [[danger]]; [[day]]; [[death]]; {{dis|degree|angle}}; [[Delta Rana star system]] (aka [[Rana system]]/[[Ranian system]]); [[Delta Rana warship]]; [[delta sleep]]; [[design]]; [[destruction]]; [[disguise]]; [[distress call]]; [[door]]; [[Douwd]]; [[dream]]; [[dwelling]]; [[Earth]]; [[east]]; [[emission]]; [[emotion]]; [[enemy]]; [[energy]]; [[equatorial orbit]]; {{dis|error|concept}}; [[evasive action]]; [[existence]]; [[expert]]; [[eye]]; [[face]]; [[fact]]; "[[Idiom|fall in love]]": [[family]]; [[death|fatality]]; [[fatigue]]; [[fear]]; [[Federation]]; [[feeling]]; [[fire]]; {{dis|firepower|concept}}; [[firing range]]; [[fish]]; [[food]]; "[[Idiom|for the record]]"; "[[Idiom|for what it's worth]]"; [[friend]]; [[front room]]; [[frontal assault]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[garden]]; [[generation]]; [[gift]]; [[gigawatt]]; "[[Idiom|go ahead]]"; "[[Idiom|go back]]"; "[[Idiom|good afternoon]]"; "[[Idiom|good luck]]"; [[grass]]; [[grief]]; [[ground]]; [[guilt]]; [[hailing frequency]]; [[harm]]; [[hate|hatred]]; [[health]]; {{dis|hearing|sense}}; [[high orbit]]; "[[Idiom|hold it]]"; [[home]]; {{dis|hope|emotion}}; [[hostage]]; [[hour]]; [[house]]; [[hull]]; [[Human]]; {{dis|hundred|number}}: [[husband]]; [[Husnock]]; [[Husnock warship]]; [[identification]]; [[identity]]; [[illusion]]; [[imagination]]; [[immortality]]; "[[Idiom|in the event]]"; "[[Idiom|in the meantime]]": [[individual]]; [[information]]; [[inhabitant]]; [[insanity]]; [[intelligence]]; [[intention]]; [[intimidation]]; [[judge]]; [[kilometer]]; [[knocking]]; [[Lagrange point]]; [[land]]; [[law]]; [[lifeform]]; [[longitude]]; [[love]]; [[low orbit]]; [[magnification]]; [[main viewer]]; [[marriage]]; [[mass]]; [[matter]]; [[medical assistance]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[megawatt]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[mind]]; [[mission]]; [[missus]]; [[mister]]; [[moon]]; [[morning]]; ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]''; [[music]]; [[music box]]; "[[Idiom|my God]]"; [[name]]; [[neocortex]]; [[New Martim Vaz]]; [[north]]; [[nuclear holocaust]]; [[number]]; [[number one]]; "[[Idiom|on board]]"; "[[Idiom|on schedule]]"; "[[Idiom|on the way]]"; "[[Idiom|over and over again]]"; [[order]]; [[pain]]; [[particle energy]]; [[patience]]; [[perfume]]; [[permission]]; [[person]]; [[phaser]]; [[philosophy]]; [[photon torpedo]]; "[[Idiom|piece by piece]]"; [[pitched battle]]; [[place]]; [[plant]]; [[plot (unit)]]; [[positron]]s; [[pride]]; [[private property]]; [[physical examination]]; {{dis|power|physics}}; [[quarters]]; [[Idiom|raise our voices]]"; [[Rana IV]]; [[Rana IV colony]]; [[Rana IV moons 001|Rana IV moons]]; [[range]]; [[reason]]; [[red alert]]; [[renegade]]; [[repair crew]]; [[replicator]]; [[reputation]]; [[rescue]]; [[rescue party]]; [[resident]]; [[result]]; [[return course]]; [[right]]; [[Rishon's family 001|Rishon Uxbridge's family]]; {{dis|sanctuary|location}}; [[search]]; [[second]]; [[selfishness]]; [[sensitivity]]; [[sensor]]; [[shield]]; [[ship]]; [[shoe]]; [[sin]]; [[size]]; [[sky]]; [[sleep]]; [[song]]; [[south]]; [[specialist]]; [[speed]]; [[starbase]]; [[Starbase 133]]; [[Starfleet unk admiral 001|Starfleet admiral]]; [[story]]; {{dis|stress|biology}}; [[student]]; [[suffering]]; [[suit]]; [[surface]]; [[surprise]]; [[surveillance]]; {{dis|survival|concept}}; [[survivor]]; [[survivor guilt]]; [[symbiotic plant life]]; [[symptom]]; [[Tao-classical music]]; [[target]]; [[tea]]; [[telepathy]]; [[theory]]; [[thing]]; [[thinking]]; [[thought]]; [[thousand]]; [[thunder]]; "[[Idiom|time and time again]]": [[touch]]; [[transmission]]; [[transporter room]]; [[tree]]; [[trespassing]]; [[Triangulum system]]; [[trick]]; [[truth]]; [[turbolift]]; {{revname|Rishon|Uxbridge}}; [[Uxbridge house]]; [[vehicle classification index]]; [[vegetation]]; [[velocity]]; "[[Idiom|very well]]": [[voice]]; [[waltz]]; [[war]]; "[[Idiom|warning shot]]"; [[water table]]; [[weapon]]; [[weapon system]]; [[weapon systems control]]; [[wife]]; [[year]]
−
[[2284]]; [[2313]]; [[2361]]; [[2366]]; [[admiral]]; [[Unnamed Andorians (24th century)#Renegades|Andorian renegades]]; [[Andorian]]s; [[antiproton]]s; [[aquarium]]; [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[botanist]]; [[collaborator]]; [[Colony Operations]]; [[colony register]]; [[coma]]; [[Delta Rana IV colony]]; [[dance]]; [[Delta Rana IV]]; [[Delta Rana system]]; [[Delta Rana warship]]; [[delta sleep]]; [[Douwd]]; [[Earth]]; [[Federation]]; [[fish]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[gigawatt]]; [[Husnock]]; [[Husnock warship]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Lagrange point]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[megawatt]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[moon]]; ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]''; [[music box]]; [[neocortex]]; [[New Martim Vaz]]; [[nuclear holocaust]]; [[orbit|high equatorial orbit]]; [[perfume]]; [[phaser]]; [[philosophy]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[positron]]s; [[red alert]]; [[replicator]]; [[ship]]; [[Starbase 133]]; [[symbiosis]]; [[Tao-classical music]]; [[tea]]; [[tree]]; [[Triangulum system]]; [[vehicle classification index]]; [[waltz]]
  
   
 
=== External links ===
  
=== External links ===
−
* {{NCwiki|The Survivors}}
 +
* {{mbeta-quote|The Survivors}}
−
* {{wikipedia|The Survivors (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Survivors}}
 +
* {{wikipedia-quote|The Survivors (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Survivors}}
−
* {{Startrek.com|survivors-the|The Survivors}}
 +
* {{startrek.com|database_article/survivors-the|The Survivors|external}}
  +
* {{ml|the-survivors|"The Survivors"|external}}
  +
* {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/151.txt|"The Survivors" script|external}}
   
 
{{TNG nav|season=3|last={{e|The Ensigns of Command}}|next={{e|Who Watches The Watchers}}}}
  
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[[es:The Survivors]]
  
[[es:The Survivors]]
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[[fr:The Survivors]]
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[[fr:The Survivors (épisode)]]
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[[pl:The Survivors]]

Latest revision as of 09:33, 5 February 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

For the TAS episode with a similar title, please see "The Survivor".

The Enterprise investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.

Summary

Teaser

The USS Enterprise-D is en route to a Federation colony, Rana IV, which sent out a distress signal indicating they were under attack. When the Enterprise crew arrives, they find the entire planet completely devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house with two possibly human life forms. Captain Picard orders Commander Riker to lead an away team to the surface to "see who's at home."

Act One

Still aboard the Enterprise, Counselor Troi senses something unusual about the two.

Commander Riker heads the landing party to the surface, consisting of Beverly Crusher, Data, Geordi La Forge, and Worf. After a quick investigation of the house from the outside, revealing two people inside the house and a non-functional weapon, Riker moves to the front door for a knock. La Forge tries to warn Riker about something hidden in his path and concealed beneath the surface but he can't react in time and he gets pulled up in the air by a booby trap. An old man comes out of the house and points a weapon at Riker telling them this is private property. He asks what they are doing here and who they are.

Riker explains to the man that they are a rescue party and mean no harm. An old woman rushes out of the house and convinces the man of their good intentions. The couple introduce themselves as Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge, botanists originally from Earth who moved to Rana IV five years ago. They did not know they were the only ones left on the planet, but they haven't heard from the colonists. They did observe a large ship in orbit, taking the world apart, but did not visit the surface, so they don't know who they are.

Riker urges the Uxbridges to leave

"You're not thinking of taking us with you, are you?"

Riker asks if the landing party can investigate the house to see why they have been spared. Nothing suspicious comes up in the search. Data becomes fascinated by a music box on Rishon's shelf. Rishon tells Data to examine it and explains that it has been in her family for generations. At that moment, Troi, still on the Enterprise, begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop.

The two survivors refuse to be beamed up to the Enterprise when Riker offers them safety aboard the ship. They insist, saying they cannot leave their home and that they have each other.

Act Two

Music haunts Troi

"Stop! Please, stop!"

In the Enterprise observation lounge, the senior staff wonder if the two survivors could have provided anything to the assailants of the colony. Troi, however, hears the music during the conversation and can't concentrate, excusing herself. Later, Picard goes to Troi's quarters to check on her, learning of the music she is hearing. At first, Picard thinks it may be an song that is stuck in a person's mind after they've heard it but Troi tells him it is much deeper than that. She explains that the song plays in perfect clarity from beginning to end and she has never heard it before. Picard asks when this started and Troi tells him it began a few hours before, when the away team beamed down to Rana and met Kevin and Rishon.

Despite Worf's thorough search of the system for the invading force with nothing found, the Enterprise soon is attacked by a large warship, apparently the one responsible for the devastation. Data reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the Enterprise fires a warning phaser shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, Captain Picard orders that the Enterprise cease its pursuit and plot a return course back to the Delta Rana system.

Act Three

Upon returning, Picard visits the two survivors with Worf, offers them a portable replicator, and stays for tea to talk to them. Rishon relates their history, and also the horrors of the colonists' fate. Picard says he can't leave until he finds out what happened, and describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They again refuse, and Picard and Worf return to the Enterprise.

Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much of anything beyond tearfully begging Dr. Crusher to make it stop. She suggests moving her to sickbay, which Troi refuses, insisting on staying in her quarters. Dr. Crusher offers to induce delta wave sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real, and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.

The Enterprise goes into red alert as the unidentified ship returns with more firepower. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, its attacks are much stronger. The Enterprise throws everything they've got at it, but the alien ship's defenses dissipate the Enterprise's attack harmlessly. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the Enterprise escapes the ship's firing range. Picard now guesses the survivors are in no danger.

Act Four

Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home

"Please, leave us alone!"

In Troi's quarters, Picard theorizes to Dr. Crusher that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave, preventing her from seeing the truth of the matter. Back in the Delta Rana star system, Picard believes that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it somehow protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating by dancing together and are startled by Picard and Worf's sudden appearance.

Kevin asks Picard and Worf to leave him and his wife alone. Picard tells him that after he leaves, he will never set foot in their home on Rana again, for any reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that– so long as the two are alive– the Enterprise will remain in orbit around Rana IV.

Warship fires on planet

"It is preparing to fire at the planet."

Upon beaming back to the Enterprise, the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. Commander Riker and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the Enterprise will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the Enterprise, targeting the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are utterly obliterated. The ship itself is then blown apart by a single photon torpedo from the Enterprise.

Picard orders the Enterprise to stay, and to look out for anything and everything. He leaves the bridge for his ready room, leaving a bewildered Riker and bridge crew.

Act Five

The crew is astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, La Forge notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house and land are back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon to be beamed directly to the bridge. Picard tells a surprised Rishon that he wants to end the suffering of one of his crew members and starts confronting Kevin over what really happened. Picard tells Kevin he realized that the house and the ship are his creations. When Picard last left the house he told them the Enterprise won't leave orbit as long as they would be alive, so Kevin went to satisfy that condition. Speaking to Rishon, Picard notes that all of his senses tell him that she exists, but he has realized that she is not real. Rishon vanishes, leaving only a sad Kevin. Picard tells him he knows he's not Human, he only appears as one. Kevin then teleports to the turbolift; Picard orders the crew to keep clear and to track him, as he believes Kevin to be a creature of conscience that has some unfinished business before returning to the surface.

Uxbridge heals Troi

"She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness."

Dr. Crusher visits Troi's quarters, startled to find Kevin at her bedside: he has removed the music from her mind. The music was his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard enters and demands the truth about what happened to the planet. Kevin makes a startling confession: he is in fact a Douwd, an immortal being with vast powers. He met his Human wife many years before, and decided to live as a Human with her. The alien raiders were the Husnock, who he knew as being of "hideous intelligence, knowing only aggression and destruction". As a devout pacifist, he was ethically limited to avoid using his vast abilities to harm them. He used his powers to try to trick them instead, which only made them more angry and cruel. Rishon joined the colonists in fighting what Kevin knew to be a hopeless battle against the raiders, and was subsequently killed. Viewing her broken body, he suffered a moment of weakness. Regretting his inaction, in a moment of insane rage at the raiders, and grief at his tragic loss, he instantly annihilated the entire Husnock race – all fifty billion – with a single thought.

Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the Enterprise from finding out the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation (much less Humanity) is not qualified to judge him, or the issue, and allows him to stay on Rana IV and to make Rishon live again.

With Troi returned to full health, the Enterprise departs for Starbase 133. Picard notes in his log that the Douwd is a being of both extraordinary power and conscience, and isn't sure if he should be condemned for his crime, or praised for his conscience. What he does know, however, is that "Kevin" should be left alone.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"Sir. may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall."
"Didn't fool you, huh?"
"I admire gall."

- Worf and Kevin Uxbridge


"An entire planet obliterated… except for a few acres of trees and grass and one building?"

- Riker


"Number One, I think you had better see who's at home."

- Picard, after sensors discover a solitary home found in the middle of devastation on Rana IV


(Worf drinks his tea and makes a face).
"Well, what do you think, Mr. Worf?"
"Good tea. (looks around) Nice house."

- Rishon Uxbridge and Worf


"If they are the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust, they can't be in very good shape."

- Beverly Crusher


"I can induce delta sleep. Lock out even your deepest dreams."
"It's not a dream. It's real."

- Beverly Crusher and Deanna Troi, regarding the music stuck in Troi's head


"There's nothing unusual about this house. Except the fact that it's here."

- Riker


"Your colony was attacked by a warship–"
"Belonging to the Husnock. A species of hideous intelligence. Knew only aggression … destruction."

- Picard and Kevin Uxbridge


"I saw her broken body … I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief … I destroyed the Husnock.'"

- Kevin Uxbridge


"No, no, no, no, no. You don't understand the scope of my crime. I didn't kill just one Husnock, or a hundred, or a thousand….I killed them all. All Husnock… everywhere."

- Kevin Uxbridge


"Are eleven thousand people worth fifty billion? Is the love of a woman worth the destruction of an entire species? This is the sin I tried so hard to keep you from learning of – why I wanted to chase you from Rana."

- Kevin Uxbridge


"We are not qualified to be your judges. We have no law to fit your crime. You're free to return to the planet, and to make Rishon live again."

- Picard


"We leave behind a being of extraordinary power … and conscience. I am not certain if he should be praised, or condemned, only, that he should be left alone."

- Picard, Captain's log, Stardate 43153.7

Background information

Production history

Production

Frakes fall, The Survivors

Jonathan Frakes begins the "snare" stunt

Filming the survivors

Location shooting, with Dan Koko, Dennis Madalone, and cinematographer Marvin V. Rush

Cast and characters

Sets, props, and costumes

  • The large round window in the Uxbridges' living room previously appeared on the surface of Ramatis III in "Loud As A Whisper".
  • This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she would continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the season six episode "Chain Of Command, Part I".

Continuity

  • Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old John Anderson played 85-year-old Kevin Uxbridge and 55-year-old Anne Haney played 82-year-old Rishon Uxbridge. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral Leonard McCoy in "Encounter at Farpoint", that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old Els Renora in the episode "Dax".)
  • Riker says in learning of the only surviving area of the devastation on Rana IV, "a few acres of trees and grass," indicating an anachronistic familiarity with the U.S./Imperial system of measurement, rather than the 24th century standard metric system which would use hectares.

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins

References

2284; 2313; 2361; 2366; 2371; "a little"; "a lot": abetted; acceleration curve; accusation; acre; afternoon tea; age; aggression; "all over again"; "all right"; "alright": Andorian renegades; Andorian renegade ship; Andorians; answer; antiprotons; aquarium; aquatic city; area; armament; artificial structure; assailant; assumption; "at bay"; "at first"; "at least"; "at sea": Atlantic Ocean; attack; away team; battle; bed; belief; billion; body; body of water; botanist; building; "by all means"; calculation; call sign; casualty; city; clean water; clothing; coincidence; collaborator; colonist; Colony Operations; colony register; color; coma; composer; confrontation; conscience; creature; crime; cup; damage; dance; danger; day; death; degree; Delta Rana star system (aka Rana system/Ranian system); Delta Rana warship; delta sleep; design; destruction; disguise; distress call; door; Douwd; dream; dwelling; Earth; east; emission; emotion; enemy; energy; equatorial orbit; error; evasive action; existence; expert; eye; face; fact; "fall in love": family; fatality; fatigue; fear; Federation; feeling; fire; firepower; firing range; fish; food; "for the record"; "for what it's worth"; friend; front room; frontal assault; fusion reactor; garden; generation; gift; gigawatt; "go ahead"; "go back"; "good afternoon"; "good luck"; grass; grief; ground; guilt; hailing frequency; harm; hatred; health; hearing; high orbit; "hold it"; home; hope; hostage; hour; house; hull; Human; hundred: husband; Husnock; Husnock warship; identification; identity; illusion; imagination; immortality; "in the event"; "in the meantime": individual; information; inhabitant; insanity; intelligence; intention; intimidation; judge; kilometer; knocking; Lagrange point; land; law; lifeform; longitude; love; low orbit; magnification; main viewer; marriage; mass; matter; medical assistance; medical tricorder; megawatt; Milky Way Galaxy; mind; mission; missus; mister; moon; morning; Much Ado About Nothing; music; music box; "my God"; name; neocortex; New Martim Vaz; north; nuclear holocaust; number; number one; "on board"; "on schedule"; "on the way"; "over and over again"; order; pain; particle energy; patience; perfume; permission; person; phaser; philosophy; photon torpedo; "piece by piece"; pitched battle; place; plant; plot (unit); positrons; pride; private property; physical examination; power; quarters; raise our voices"; Rana IV; Rana IV colony; Rana IV moons; range; reason; red alert; renegade; repair crew; replicator; reputation; rescue; rescue party; resident; result; return course; right; Rishon Uxbridge's family; sanctuary; search; second; selfishness; sensitivity; sensor; shield; ship; shoe; sin; size; sky; sleep; song; south; specialist; speed; starbase; Starbase 133; Starfleet admiral; story; stress; student; suffering; suit; surface; surprise; surveillance; survival; survivor; survivor guilt; symbiotic plant life; symptom; Tao-classical music; target; tea; telepathy; theory; thing; thinking; thought; thousand; thunder; "time and time again": touch; transmission; transporter room; tree; trespassing; Triangulum system; trick; truth; turbolift; Uxbridge, Rishon; Uxbridge house; vehicle classification index; vegetation; velocity; "very well": voice; waltz; war; "warning shot"; water table; weapon; weapon system; weapon systems control; wife; year

External links

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"The Ensigns of Command" 		Star Trek: The Next Generation
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"Who Watches The Watchers"
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