episode #22: Symbiosis
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episode #22: Symbiosis
SYMBIOSIS - episode #22, first season / Air Date: 4/18/88
written by Robert Lewin, Richard Manning, Hans Beimler; Directed by Win Phelps
Here was drug addiction and drug dealing in the 24th century. In the future, there is an entire planet of drug addicts, while another planet is composed of the drug dealers. This symbiotic relationship (as Picard terms it) began a couple of centuries ago, when one planet provided the cure to a plague on the other one; the plague is long gone but the supply of the drug continues since the victims are addicted to it. There are extenuating circumstances: the dealers know that there is no longer a plague; they just found a way to export a single product to meet all their needs. The addicts, I guess, are too addled to know this.. which is convenient.
This is a complex topic having to do with the human condition and there are again the constraints of the TV format to present it. The addicts are presented as somewhat 'out of it' - unable to do simple repairs and distracted - and the sanitized explanation of drug addiction that Yar gives to Wesley seems geared towards 10-year-olds. Even so, Wesley says he doesn't get it. The conflict becomes one about the Prime Directive - Picard will not interfere while Dr. Crusher demands otherwise due to the exploitation and suffering she sees.
TNG Trivia: This episode was a reunion for two veterans of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). The drug dealer is played by Judson Scott, who played Khan's right-hand man Joachim in the film, while the addict is played by Merritt Butrick, who played Kirk's son David in the film. BoG's score: 5 out of 10.
Last edited by BoG on Thu Feb 05, 2015 8:31 pm; edited 3 times in total
the drug of Symbiosis
Alan Sims was one of the property masters whose job it was to create various props
for TNG, starting back in 1987. He came up with the drug dispenser in this episode...
for TNG, starting back in 1987. He came up with the drug dispenser in this episode...
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