3.07 The Enemy

Rating: 3.5

The Enterprise intercepts a Romulan distress call and finds a small ship which has crash-landed and been sabotaged on Galorndon Core, a planet on the Federation side of the neutral zone. On this inhospitable planet where the atmosphere only allows infrequent windows of opportunity through which to transport, Riker and Worf find an injured Romulan and take him back to the ship. Meanwhile, Geordi falls in a hole and has to be left behind. He is captured by an injured Romulan. When both are faced with death, Geordi convinces the Romulan that they must work together to save each other’s lives. Meanwhile, back on the Enterprise, while Worf refuses to provide the needed blood transfusion to the fatally injured Romulan (because the Romulans killed his parents), Picard is forced to play a dangerous game against Romulan Commander Tomalok and a fully armed Romulan warbird.

Comments

Andreas Katsulas plays Romulan Commander Tomalok. He also played the Narn G’Kar on the series Babylon 5.

This well-paced episode successfully runs the parallel dramas of the Enterprise versus the warbird, and Geordi versus the sole Romulan on the planet’s surface.

Nits

None, although it is worthwhile to note that Geordi states, "I was born that way" when the Romulan asks him how he became blind. Years later, in the movie Star Trek: Insurrection, he tells Picard, "I can’t remember when I’ve seen a sunrise like this." This indicates that there was a time when he was able to see.

Memorable Moments

•    Picard not ordering Worf to make the necessary transfusion. All of television drama history pointed to Worf eventually giving in and saving the Romulan’s life, but he never does.

Quotable Quotes

"The Romulan craft is a total loss. There’s nothing there to salvage unless you want to use tweezers."
- Riker to Picard

Dr. Crusher: This Romulan did not murder your parents. And you’re the only one who can save his life.
Worf: Then he will die.

"Commander, I am singularly impressed by your concern for a life. Do not risk any more lives by leaving the Neutral Zone! Picard out."
- Picard to Romulan Commander Tomalok

"Commander Tomalok, it appears our away team has located a second man from your one-man ship…"
- Picard