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Symbiosis (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"Symbiosis"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 22
Directed by Win Phelps
Story by Robert Lewin
Teleplay by
Featured music Dennis McCarthy
Cinematography by Edward R. Brown
Production code 123
Original air date April 18, 1988 (1988-04-18)
Guest appearance(s)
Episode chronology
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List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes

"Symbiosis" is the 22nd episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. It first aired on April 18, 1988, in broadcast syndication. The teleplay was written by Robert Lewin, Richard Manning, and Hans Beimler, based on a story by Lewin, and the episode was directed by Win Phelps.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) tries to mediate a trade dispute between two co-dependent neighbouring planets regarding medical supplies which turn out to be narcotic drugs.

The episode was written after executive producer Maurice Hurley worked on Miami Vice, which he credited for resulting in a narcotic theme in the episode. The guest cast included Judson Scott and Merritt Butrick who had both appeared in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). The episode received mixed reviews with criticism directed at the subject matter and the unsubtle nature of the presentation.

The Enterprise attempts to rescue the freighter Sanction, which is trapped in a star's magnetic field. An agreement is reached to transport over the crew of the freighter, but they surprisingly send over a cargo barrel first. The Enterprise crew attempts to transport the freighter's crew, but is only successful in recovering four of them before their ship is destroyed. Two, T'Jon (Merritt Butrick) and Romas (Richard Lineback), are scruffy and unshaven, while the other two, Sobi (Judson Scott) and Langor (Kimberly Farr), are groomed and well dressed. They all show relief that the barrel made it over, and little remorse for the lost ship and crewmen. Both groups start to fight over the ownership of the barrel, and are escorted to the observation lounge under guard.


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