2.10 The Dauphin

Rating: 3

The Enterprise escorts a young woman named Salia to a planet where she will become the ruler. The mutual attraction between Salia and Wesley reveals that she is not completely happy with her fate in life – and she also has other secrets.

Comments

An attractive blonde woman, Ensign Gibson, is on the bridge during this episode, at the station usually manned by Geordi.

Madchen Amick (who later starred in Twin Peaks and many films) is one of the more appealing forms that Anya takes while speaking to Salia in their quarters.

Wesley has his first on-screen kiss.

Nits

Is there a small chance of contagion or no chance of contagion from the sick patient’s disease? Pulaski keeps going back and forth and can’t make up her mind. In addition, she says that the air filtration system will stop the disease from spreading. How will the air filtration system stop the disease from spreading to the people in the same room as the patient?

Worf screams on the bridge, and the crewmember in the background does not even turn his head to look – now that’s concentration!

How does Picard get to sick bay so quickly? He arrives at the same time as the security detail. In fact, the security detail arrives in about three seconds. Picard and the security team must have all been having a chat right outside the doors of sick bay when the fight broke out.

On the holodeck, Salia’s left arm is around Wesley’s waist. The shot changes, and now her left hand is holding Wesley’s right arm. The shot changes again, and now her right hand is holding his right arm.

The costumes worn when the alassomorphs shape-shift into furry beasts are very poorly made. I think even the Mugato (from TOS) might have been better. I liked it much more when Anya morphed into Madchen Amick.

Memorable Moments

•    Riker and Guinan’s scene is classic. Worf and Anya’s mutual admiration society moment is nice – Worf can be such a politician at times.

Quotable Quotes

Picard: Mr. Worf, have our passenger’s accommodations met with their approval?
Worf: I doubt if anything ever meets with that woman’s approval…sir.

"Glands erupting with hormones – happens to all of us."
– Geordi

Wesley: Are you telling me to go yell at Salia?
Worf: No! Men do not roar. Women roar! Then they hurl heavy objects and claw at you.
Wesley: What does the man do?
Worf: He reads love poetry. He ducks a lot.

"I dream of a galaxy where your eyes are the stars and the universe worships the night."
– Riker to Guinan (demonstrating to Wesley how to romance a woman)

Worf: Captain, what if Anya transforms?
Picard: Improvise.