Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994): Season 3, Episode 5 - The Bonding - full transcript
Beaming down to the ruined planet of the Quaenonians, a race extinguished by self-destruction, an Enterprise landing party loses in an explosion the life of the crew archaeologist Lt. Marla Aster, who leaves behind a teenager son, Jeremy. After Lieutenant Worf, the Klingon orphan raised by humans who commanded his mother's landing party, talked with Jeremy, while Wesley Crusher, the crew member closest in age to the boy, still needs to consider how to share the experience of being orphaned, suddenly a woman appears, who pretends to Jeremy to be his late mother, coming to take him to their new home on the planet, where some activity is observed, which even taps into the ships own energy. When Deanna Troi convinces the boy neither his mother nor a safe home on the planet can be real, she disappears, the ship is attacked, she reappears and an energy form intrudes the Enterprise. Maybe persuasion works better in his interest on Jeremy's would be-substitute mother, who explains the planet's history?.
Commander, away team reporting in.
Lt Worf standing by.
This is Riker. Go ahead, Lieutenant.
The archaeologists
have identified these markings.
This planet was once home
to a race known as the Koinonians.
What do we know, Data?
The Koinonians were a culture
which became embroiled in a war
that lasted generations.
Our evidence indicates
they destroyed themselves.
We have completed our survey
and will proceed to the chamber.
Affirmative. Enterprise out.
Destroyed themselves, Data?
According to records,
this will be the first opportunity...
Captain... Beam them up quickly!
Captain. Emergency beam-up.
Enterprise. Severe injuries.
Transporter room.
Beam them straight to sickbay!
Dr Crusher, incoming wounded!
Away team is on board, Captain.
One dead on arrival.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages
of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,
to explore strange new worlds...
...to seek out new life
and new civilisations...
...to boldly go
where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 43198.7.
The Enterprise remains in orbit
while we investigate the tragedy
which has struck the away team.
Lt Marla Aster,
ship's archaeologist,
has been killed
on a routine mission.
Whatever the explanation,
it will not bring back
a valued officer.
Lieutenant?
We had completed our investigation
of the third tunnel.
Our scans indicated no weapons
or traps of any kind.
Lt Aster
was three meters behind me.
An explosive device went off.
There was no warning.
Lt Aster bore
the full brunt of the detonation.
Lt Aster is survived
by a son, Jeremy.
12 years old.
He's aboard the Enterprise, sir.
- And his father?
- He's also deceased.
His only living relatives
are an aunt and uncle on Earth.
- Where is he now?
- In class. The teacher expects us.
Captain.
I must accompany you.
I commanded the away team.
I appreciate your offer, Lieutenant.
This is my responsibility.
Picard to bridge. La Forge
will lead another away team.
- I want to know what happened.
- Yes, Captain.
I will be with Counselor Troi
and young Jeremy Aster.
I understand. Riker out.
- He had to do this for me.
- Do you know Jeremy well?
But I know what this will be like
for him.
That's part of life in Starfleet.
I know. They prepare us for anything,
but still...
I know.
How do you get used to it?
Telling them.
You hope you never do.
I sense the weight
of this duty on you, Captain.
I really wonder...
Halt.
I've always believed that carrying
children on a starship...
...is a very questionable policy.
Serving on a starship means
accepting certain risks...
...certain dangers.
Did Jeremy Aster make that choice?
Death and loss are an integral part
of life everywhere.
Leaving him on Earth
would not protect him.
But the Earth won't be ordered
to the Neutral Zone.
My command sent
his mother to her death.
She understood
her mission and my duty.
Will he?
In time... and with help.
Wesley Crusher does.
He does.
And so will Jeremy.
Resume.
Jeremy, I have some bad news.
There has been an accident.
Your mother... has died.
How, sir?
An explosive device
at the mission site.
She died instantly.
I understand.
Jeremy, I know your mother
loved you very much.
I am told... that your father
is also dead.
Yes, sir.
He died five years ago
from a Rushton infection.
I'm all alone now, sir.
Jeremy, on the Starship Enterprise,
no one is alone.
No one.
Excuse me, sir. Am I intruding?
No, sit down.
How well did you know
Lt Aster?
We spent some time together.
Not very well.
- How well did you know her?
- Why do you ask?
- Well, you asked me.
- But why ask the question?
Since her death,
I have been asked several times
how well I knew Lt Aster.
And I heard you ask Wesley
how well he knew Jeremy.
Does the question of familiarity
have some bearing on death?
Do you remember when Tasha died?
I do not sense
the same feelings of absence
as with Lt Yar.
Although I cannot say
precisely why.
- Just human nature.
- Human nature, sir?
We feel a loss more intensely
when it's a friend.
But should not the feelings
run as deep,
regardless of who has died?
Maybe they should.
Maybe if we felt any loss as keenly
as for one close to us,
human history would be less bloody.
- La Forge to Riker.
- You're back.
Yes, sir.
We've brought back a souvenir.
There are five more, all identical
to the one that killed Lt Aster.
They employ
a subspace proximity detonator.
A tricorder would never detect it.
How long would they have been there?
It comes from the time
of the Koinonian Wars, sir.
- Did you find them all, Geordi?
- Yeah, but...
Well, it seemed like
they were left to be found.
Left by whom?
There are no indications of life.
I don't know, Captain.
But they were recently pulled
out of the ground and defused.
I have made my report.
I'm more interested
in how you feel about what happened.
I sense great anger.
I cannot seek revenge
against an enemy
who's turned to dust centuries ago.
Her death was senseless!
The last victim of a forgotten war!
Go on.
There's nothing more to be said.
A person died under your command.
It may happen again.
If you can't learn to release
the anger and guilt, to talk...
A leader must stand alone.
- As Capt Picard does.
- Capt Picard talks to me.
Then...
may I seek counsel on my plan
to make R'uustai with the boy?
- The Bonding?
- It is my right.
It's very generous, Worf,
but... he's not a Klingon child.
He has different sensibilities.
He is an orphan. I am an orphan.
He will understand.
Right now
there isn't much he can understand.
He is holding
all his feelings inside.
Children often feel they must be true
to the memory of a lost parent.
If you offer affection too soon,
they can feel guilty
returning that affection,
as if they're betraying
the love of the parent.
I only wish to honor his mother.
I know and I understand
this means a great deal to you.
But you must be prepared.
He's very angry, too,
but his anger is deep inside him.
When he touches it, it will strike
out in many directions,
including yours.
Be with him.
Talk to him,
but don't rush this.
When he's ready, we'll know.
Capt Patches, an alien ship!
What shall we do?
Oh, no! We've been hit!
We're going down.
That was great! Get a shot of Mom.
What are you doing?
I'll turn your lens to shards!
Go away! Go away! Over there!
Patches!
Capt Patches is landing on the sofa!
Oh, no! He's gonna crash!
Jeremy Aster?
I'm Lt Worf. May I enter?
You were in command.
Yes. I was with Lt Aster...
...your mother, when she died.
- You're a Klingon, aren't you?
- Yes.
We studied about Klingons in school.
- What did they teach you?
- You used to be our enemies.
Did they teach you that we hope
to die in the line of duty?
In my tradition, we do not grieve
the loss of the body.
We celebrate the releasing
of the spirit.
I understand death.
They teach us all about it.
Jeremy Aster,
we both understand. But we must bring
meaning into your mother's death.
Perhaps we can do it together.
Come.
Counselor, how's the boy?
- He's being very brave.
- Good.
No, he has to get past brave.
He's very angry
and he has to express that anger
before he can say goodbye
to his mother.
How can we help?
Well, I've asked Beverly
to get Wesley
to talk to Jeremy
about his father's death.
The one unusual element is Worf.
In many ways, he is suffering
as badly as the boy.
He wishes to involve Jeremy
in a Klingon ceremony
called R'uustai, the Bonding.
I know of that.
Perhaps it would help them.
I don't think Jeremy's ready
for Worf now. Perhaps later.
It will have to be handled
delicately.
As you always do.
I break the unpleasant news
and there my responsibility ends.
But you...
You have to stay with them
through the grieving process.
We deal with our pain
in many different ways.
Over the years,
I've discovered it's in joy
that the uniqueness
of each individual is revealed.
If I can help a person
back to joy...
...well, my role has its rewards.
Captain, we're picking up
energy on the planet's surface.
Location?
Two kilometers north
of the away team's beam-down point.
Full scan.
- Inconclusive, Captain.
- Sir,
I'm sensing a presence on the planet.
- Very vague.
- Life form?
I can't be sure. The emotions
of the crew are so strong now,
it's difficult to filter them out.
Data, scan analysis on main viewer.
Hi.
Hi.
Troi stopped by.
She was wondering if you'd talk
to Jeremy Aster.
Me?
- What for?
- About your dad.
What will I tell him?
It would help to talk
to someone who's been through this.
We had each other. He doesn't
have anyone right now.
He might be more comfortable with
someone who's not so much older.
OK, I'll think about it.
OK.
- Do you think about him, Mom?
- Your father?
Sure I do.
Sometimes...
...I can't even remember what his face
looks like. It scares me.
It happens to all of us, Wes.
Sometimes...
...I can't get his face
out of my mind.
Today...
Today it's like
I can see it all
as if it were yesterday.
I can remember the way Dad looked
when he hugged me goodbye,
Capt Picard's eyes
when he came to tell us...
Data, run comparison
of known phenomena.
The pattern has no match
in Federation records.
- Is it alive?
- A possibility.
Captain.
I'm getting an unusual
magnetic-flux reading from the pods.
My God...
Wait a minute.
You've got ten seconds more, Mom.
No peeking.
Come on, Patches, in here.
OK, Mom, we're ready!
Jeremy? I'm getting closer!
Jeremy? I'm gonna find you!
You must be in here somewhere.
Mom?!
All systems
are functioning normally.
Still, there's this fluctuation
in the containment field.
- Can't account for it.
- Is this related to the planet?
There is a beam of particles
emanating from it.
But I cannot pinpoint the location.
Captain,
there's a presence on the Enterprise.
- An alien presence?
- No intruder on the sensors.
There is a presence.
Security, all decks yellow alert.
Possible intruder.
- They said you were dead.
- There was a mistake.
It's OK.
But there was an explosion.
You were hurt.
I'm fine.
You mustn't think any more
about this.
The important thing is
I'll never leave you again.
I think somebody needs a hug.
We have to go now.
- Where?
- To the planet.
- That's where we're going to live.
- Not on the Enterprise?
No.
We're gonna live in a home,
just like on Earth.
You'll see. I promise.
Lt Worf!
It was a mistake. She didn't die.
She's alive!
- Jeremy, come here!
- Lt Worf.
It's alright. I'm here for the boy.
- Lt Worf to Capt Picard.
- Go ahead.
Lt Aster is in her quarters.
- Repeat, Worf.
- Lt Aster is here.
In her quarters with the boy.
Do not provoke her or interfere
in any way. Picard out.
Number One,
have Security move in that way
but tell them to keep their distance.
You have the bridge.
Counselor.
Don't worry. I'm going to take care
of Jeremy, make him happy.
- It's time to go.
- Where are you taking the child?
- To the planet.
- Come, Jeremy.
Worf to Picard.
They're leaving their quarters.
Captain, we're headed
for transporter room three.
We're on our way.
Chief O'Brien, Jeremy and I
are going to the surface.
- Who are you?
- I'm Marla Aster.
- It's my mother. She's alive.
- What do you want?
- To take my child to the planet.
- I cannot permit that.
I'm here to care for him.
He needs me. Why do you resist?
Because I don't know
who or what you are.
Can't you see, Captain?
She appears to be your mother
but she is not.
- What?
- You're confusing him.
Hey! Wait! Stop! No!
No! Stop! Mom!
Mom? Wait a minute. Let go of me.
She was right there.
- What did you do to her?
- That was not your mother.
You saw her. She was here.
Your mother's dead.
But I touched her. She was real.
Why would your real mother take you
to a planet of dust and rocks?
It's my house.
It's my house on Earth.
Exactly the way it was.
Remember, Jeremy?
- How did you do it?
- Does it matter?
Yes, it matters.
I am trying to understand
your resistance.
You spoke of rocks and dust
on the planet.
I decided to show you
what awaits us.
Why would you create this fantasy?
It's his home.
It makes you happy, doesn't it?
But it's not real.
Isn't it?
Jeremy,
isn't that really Patches?
He knows me. It's him.
- It's real. It's all real.
- No, it's not.
Could your real mother
just make this appear?
You must not stay here. Come with me.
I can't.
Is the boy in danger?
I don't think so.
She seems to want to help him.
By easing his pain.
She's very confused
by our resistance, Captain.
Troi, would it be wise
to remove Jeremy from his cabin?
He doesn't want to leave.
I would not recommend using force.
She offers him everything.
All we offer is his mother's death.
What would you choose?
If somebody offered to give you back
your mother, father, husband,
would any of us say no so easily?
Counselor, stay with them
in Jeremy's quarters.
We'll try to end this from here.
Understood.
Data, can you determine
that the energy source
is powering this creation?
The beam from the planet
is tapping into us.
I'd say they're running her
off our energy.
So there are limits to her power.
She needs the transporter
to get him back.
How do we cut the puppet's strings?
Match the shield's harmonics
to our containment fields.
That should sever the beam.
- Proceed.
- Deanna, stand by.
Standing by.
Jeremy,
it's time for this to end.
It's not real, and it's over now.
Jeremy, I'm not going
to leave you ever again.
I won't trick you or lie.
We'll be happy together...
No...
Antimatter pods reading nominal.
The shield has severed the beam,
sir.
Captain.
The energy field...
Mr Crusher, take us out.
Alien intruder, transporter room
three! Security alert!
- Security to transporter room three!
- Cmdr La Forge, Mr Worf, with me.
Number One, you have the bridge.
Come, Jeremy.
We will not let them
separate us again.
We're going home.
Captain, she's trying
to take Jeremy off the ship.
Acknowledged.
Engineering, La Forge.
Shut down power to transporters.
- I'm on my way.
- Aye-aye, sir.
Lt Worf, to transporter room three.
Bridge, seal off deck eight,
corridors A and B.
Engaging force fields, Captain.
Transporters down.
Energy force has left transporter
room three. Security alert!
La Forge, it may try
to reinstate transporters.
Understood.
Bridge,
release security force field 8B.
Hello, Jeremy.
How are you? Are you frightened?
No.
- Well, a little, sir.
- Of course.
These are frightening things
that are happening.
But we won't let anyone harm you.
Counselor,
take the boy to my quarters.
No!
It's looking over everything,
Commander, going to school.
Let's hope it doesn't blow us up
while figuring out how to blow us up.
Power's back
in transporter room three.
Bypassing the manual override,
shutting it down.
Transporter is down again.
- Keep it down.
- Understood, Commander.
It is only a matter of time before
we can power the transporters.
We? For whom else do you speak?
The accident on the surface
was caused
by a remnant
of an ancient and tragic era.
Two species once shared this world.
One of energy and one of matter.
The physical beings
you call Koinonians
destroyed themselves
in unending, bitter wars.
The surviving life forms
will not tolerate
any further suffering
as a result
of that dishonorable past.
So... they have made this possible.
They have made me possible.
I appreciate your motives.
But... his mother is dead.
- He must live with that.
- I will be every bit his mother!
But not his mother!
- Picard to Lt Worf.
- Go ahead, Captain.
Will you escort Ensign Crusher
to the Aster quarters?
- Yes, sir.
- Picard out.
Your philosophy is curious, Captain.
What is so noble about sorrow?
I can provide him an existence
where he will feel no anguish.
It is at the heart of our nature
to feel pain... and joy.
It is an essential part
of what makes us what we are.
He is alone now in your world.
A child!
Alone.
How can you know
he won't be happier with me?
For a brief moment in time,
he surely would be.
Any of us in his place would be.
What would Jeremy do for friends?
He will have friends.
And will you provide
for his education, his health,
his growth,
a career, a wife?
Yes, it's quite an undertaking
you're proposing, isn't it?
It is our duty to make him happy.
Do you honestly believe
he would be happy in...
...this total fiction
which you wish to create?
What reason would he have to live?
What you offer him is a memory,
something to cherish, not to live in.
It is part of our life cycle that we
accept the death of those we love.
Jeremy must come to terms
with his grief, not cover it.
You see, we are mortal.
Our time in this universe is finite.
That is one of the truths
that all humans must learn.
Acting Ensign Crusher,
reporting as ordered.
Come in, Wesley.
Please stay, Lieutenant.
Wesley's father died
on a Starfleet mission...
...when he was younger than you are.
Wes, your mother told me
you were finding it difficult
to talk to Jeremy. Why is that?
I don't know.
I don't want to think about it.
All this has reminded me so much
of that day.
The day I told you your father
had been killed. As I recall,
you took it very well.
My parents had told me
about Starfleet missions.
- I knew what could happen.
- You were prepared?
No. I wasn't prepared at all.
How can anyone be prepared to hear
that a parent is never coming home?
I tried to be
what everyone expected of me.
Brave and mature.
Wesley, are you saying
that you didn't want anybody
to see what you were feeling?
What were you feeling?
Like...
somebody had kicked me in the head.
Somebody?
Go on. You've wanted to tell him
for a long time.
I was angry... at you!
Why were you angry at me, Wesley?
Were you angry because I told you
your father was dead?
- No.
- Then why?
Because you led the mission.
You came home and my father didn't.
- How long were you angry, Wes?
- For a long time.
But not any more, sir.
Not even a little.
So, Jeremy, you must be very angry
at Lieutenant Worf.
He was in charge of your mother's
mission just like Capt Picard,
when Wesley's father was killed.
Isn't that right?
Worf came back. Your mother didn't.
Why? Why weren't you the one who
died? Why did it have to be her?
He can't answer that. None of us can.
Lt Worf also lost his parents.
They were killed when I was six.
When I was alone, humans helped me.
Let me help you.
The Marla Aster I knew and honored
is not in this room.
Nor does she await you on the planet.
She now only lives here...
...and here.
Join me in the R'uustai, the Bonding.
You will become part of my family
for all time.
We will be brothers.
What does that mean?
It honors the memory
of our mothers.
We have bonded
and our families are stronger.
Lt Worf standing by.
This is Riker. Go ahead, Lieutenant.
The archaeologists
have identified these markings.
This planet was once home
to a race known as the Koinonians.
What do we know, Data?
The Koinonians were a culture
which became embroiled in a war
that lasted generations.
Our evidence indicates
they destroyed themselves.
We have completed our survey
and will proceed to the chamber.
Affirmative. Enterprise out.
Destroyed themselves, Data?
According to records,
this will be the first opportunity...
Captain... Beam them up quickly!
Captain. Emergency beam-up.
Enterprise. Severe injuries.
Transporter room.
Beam them straight to sickbay!
Dr Crusher, incoming wounded!
Away team is on board, Captain.
One dead on arrival.
Space, the final frontier.
These are the voyages
of the Starship Enterprise.
Its continuing mission,
to explore strange new worlds...
...to seek out new life
and new civilisations...
...to boldly go
where no one has gone before.
Captain's log, stardate 43198.7.
The Enterprise remains in orbit
while we investigate the tragedy
which has struck the away team.
Lt Marla Aster,
ship's archaeologist,
has been killed
on a routine mission.
Whatever the explanation,
it will not bring back
a valued officer.
Lieutenant?
We had completed our investigation
of the third tunnel.
Our scans indicated no weapons
or traps of any kind.
Lt Aster
was three meters behind me.
An explosive device went off.
There was no warning.
Lt Aster bore
the full brunt of the detonation.
Lt Aster is survived
by a son, Jeremy.
12 years old.
He's aboard the Enterprise, sir.
- And his father?
- He's also deceased.
His only living relatives
are an aunt and uncle on Earth.
- Where is he now?
- In class. The teacher expects us.
Captain.
I must accompany you.
I commanded the away team.
I appreciate your offer, Lieutenant.
This is my responsibility.
Picard to bridge. La Forge
will lead another away team.
- I want to know what happened.
- Yes, Captain.
I will be with Counselor Troi
and young Jeremy Aster.
I understand. Riker out.
- He had to do this for me.
- Do you know Jeremy well?
But I know what this will be like
for him.
That's part of life in Starfleet.
I know. They prepare us for anything,
but still...
I know.
How do you get used to it?
Telling them.
You hope you never do.
I sense the weight
of this duty on you, Captain.
I really wonder...
Halt.
I've always believed that carrying
children on a starship...
...is a very questionable policy.
Serving on a starship means
accepting certain risks...
...certain dangers.
Did Jeremy Aster make that choice?
Death and loss are an integral part
of life everywhere.
Leaving him on Earth
would not protect him.
But the Earth won't be ordered
to the Neutral Zone.
My command sent
his mother to her death.
She understood
her mission and my duty.
Will he?
In time... and with help.
Wesley Crusher does.
He does.
And so will Jeremy.
Resume.
Jeremy, I have some bad news.
There has been an accident.
Your mother... has died.
How, sir?
An explosive device
at the mission site.
She died instantly.
I understand.
Jeremy, I know your mother
loved you very much.
I am told... that your father
is also dead.
Yes, sir.
He died five years ago
from a Rushton infection.
I'm all alone now, sir.
Jeremy, on the Starship Enterprise,
no one is alone.
No one.
Excuse me, sir. Am I intruding?
No, sit down.
How well did you know
Lt Aster?
We spent some time together.
Not very well.
- How well did you know her?
- Why do you ask?
- Well, you asked me.
- But why ask the question?
Since her death,
I have been asked several times
how well I knew Lt Aster.
And I heard you ask Wesley
how well he knew Jeremy.
Does the question of familiarity
have some bearing on death?
Do you remember when Tasha died?
I do not sense
the same feelings of absence
as with Lt Yar.
Although I cannot say
precisely why.
- Just human nature.
- Human nature, sir?
We feel a loss more intensely
when it's a friend.
But should not the feelings
run as deep,
regardless of who has died?
Maybe they should.
Maybe if we felt any loss as keenly
as for one close to us,
human history would be less bloody.
- La Forge to Riker.
- You're back.
Yes, sir.
We've brought back a souvenir.
There are five more, all identical
to the one that killed Lt Aster.
They employ
a subspace proximity detonator.
A tricorder would never detect it.
How long would they have been there?
It comes from the time
of the Koinonian Wars, sir.
- Did you find them all, Geordi?
- Yeah, but...
Well, it seemed like
they were left to be found.
Left by whom?
There are no indications of life.
I don't know, Captain.
But they were recently pulled
out of the ground and defused.
I have made my report.
I'm more interested
in how you feel about what happened.
I sense great anger.
I cannot seek revenge
against an enemy
who's turned to dust centuries ago.
Her death was senseless!
The last victim of a forgotten war!
Go on.
There's nothing more to be said.
A person died under your command.
It may happen again.
If you can't learn to release
the anger and guilt, to talk...
A leader must stand alone.
- As Capt Picard does.
- Capt Picard talks to me.
Then...
may I seek counsel on my plan
to make R'uustai with the boy?
- The Bonding?
- It is my right.
It's very generous, Worf,
but... he's not a Klingon child.
He has different sensibilities.
He is an orphan. I am an orphan.
He will understand.
Right now
there isn't much he can understand.
He is holding
all his feelings inside.
Children often feel they must be true
to the memory of a lost parent.
If you offer affection too soon,
they can feel guilty
returning that affection,
as if they're betraying
the love of the parent.
I only wish to honor his mother.
I know and I understand
this means a great deal to you.
But you must be prepared.
He's very angry, too,
but his anger is deep inside him.
When he touches it, it will strike
out in many directions,
including yours.
Be with him.
Talk to him,
but don't rush this.
When he's ready, we'll know.
Capt Patches, an alien ship!
What shall we do?
Oh, no! We've been hit!
We're going down.
That was great! Get a shot of Mom.
What are you doing?
I'll turn your lens to shards!
Go away! Go away! Over there!
Patches!
Capt Patches is landing on the sofa!
Oh, no! He's gonna crash!
Jeremy Aster?
I'm Lt Worf. May I enter?
You were in command.
Yes. I was with Lt Aster...
...your mother, when she died.
- You're a Klingon, aren't you?
- Yes.
We studied about Klingons in school.
- What did they teach you?
- You used to be our enemies.
Did they teach you that we hope
to die in the line of duty?
In my tradition, we do not grieve
the loss of the body.
We celebrate the releasing
of the spirit.
I understand death.
They teach us all about it.
Jeremy Aster,
we both understand. But we must bring
meaning into your mother's death.
Perhaps we can do it together.
Come.
Counselor, how's the boy?
- He's being very brave.
- Good.
No, he has to get past brave.
He's very angry
and he has to express that anger
before he can say goodbye
to his mother.
How can we help?
Well, I've asked Beverly
to get Wesley
to talk to Jeremy
about his father's death.
The one unusual element is Worf.
In many ways, he is suffering
as badly as the boy.
He wishes to involve Jeremy
in a Klingon ceremony
called R'uustai, the Bonding.
I know of that.
Perhaps it would help them.
I don't think Jeremy's ready
for Worf now. Perhaps later.
It will have to be handled
delicately.
As you always do.
I break the unpleasant news
and there my responsibility ends.
But you...
You have to stay with them
through the grieving process.
We deal with our pain
in many different ways.
Over the years,
I've discovered it's in joy
that the uniqueness
of each individual is revealed.
If I can help a person
back to joy...
...well, my role has its rewards.
Captain, we're picking up
energy on the planet's surface.
Location?
Two kilometers north
of the away team's beam-down point.
Full scan.
- Inconclusive, Captain.
- Sir,
I'm sensing a presence on the planet.
- Very vague.
- Life form?
I can't be sure. The emotions
of the crew are so strong now,
it's difficult to filter them out.
Data, scan analysis on main viewer.
Hi.
Hi.
Troi stopped by.
She was wondering if you'd talk
to Jeremy Aster.
Me?
- What for?
- About your dad.
What will I tell him?
It would help to talk
to someone who's been through this.
We had each other. He doesn't
have anyone right now.
He might be more comfortable with
someone who's not so much older.
OK, I'll think about it.
OK.
- Do you think about him, Mom?
- Your father?
Sure I do.
Sometimes...
...I can't even remember what his face
looks like. It scares me.
It happens to all of us, Wes.
Sometimes...
...I can't get his face
out of my mind.
Today...
Today it's like
I can see it all
as if it were yesterday.
I can remember the way Dad looked
when he hugged me goodbye,
Capt Picard's eyes
when he came to tell us...
Data, run comparison
of known phenomena.
The pattern has no match
in Federation records.
- Is it alive?
- A possibility.
Captain.
I'm getting an unusual
magnetic-flux reading from the pods.
My God...
Wait a minute.
You've got ten seconds more, Mom.
No peeking.
Come on, Patches, in here.
OK, Mom, we're ready!
Jeremy? I'm getting closer!
Jeremy? I'm gonna find you!
You must be in here somewhere.
Mom?!
All systems
are functioning normally.
Still, there's this fluctuation
in the containment field.
- Can't account for it.
- Is this related to the planet?
There is a beam of particles
emanating from it.
But I cannot pinpoint the location.
Captain,
there's a presence on the Enterprise.
- An alien presence?
- No intruder on the sensors.
There is a presence.
Security, all decks yellow alert.
Possible intruder.
- They said you were dead.
- There was a mistake.
It's OK.
But there was an explosion.
You were hurt.
I'm fine.
You mustn't think any more
about this.
The important thing is
I'll never leave you again.
I think somebody needs a hug.
We have to go now.
- Where?
- To the planet.
- That's where we're going to live.
- Not on the Enterprise?
No.
We're gonna live in a home,
just like on Earth.
You'll see. I promise.
Lt Worf!
It was a mistake. She didn't die.
She's alive!
- Jeremy, come here!
- Lt Worf.
It's alright. I'm here for the boy.
- Lt Worf to Capt Picard.
- Go ahead.
Lt Aster is in her quarters.
- Repeat, Worf.
- Lt Aster is here.
In her quarters with the boy.
Do not provoke her or interfere
in any way. Picard out.
Number One,
have Security move in that way
but tell them to keep their distance.
You have the bridge.
Counselor.
Don't worry. I'm going to take care
of Jeremy, make him happy.
- It's time to go.
- Where are you taking the child?
- To the planet.
- Come, Jeremy.
Worf to Picard.
They're leaving their quarters.
Captain, we're headed
for transporter room three.
We're on our way.
Chief O'Brien, Jeremy and I
are going to the surface.
- Who are you?
- I'm Marla Aster.
- It's my mother. She's alive.
- What do you want?
- To take my child to the planet.
- I cannot permit that.
I'm here to care for him.
He needs me. Why do you resist?
Because I don't know
who or what you are.
Can't you see, Captain?
She appears to be your mother
but she is not.
- What?
- You're confusing him.
Hey! Wait! Stop! No!
No! Stop! Mom!
Mom? Wait a minute. Let go of me.
She was right there.
- What did you do to her?
- That was not your mother.
You saw her. She was here.
Your mother's dead.
But I touched her. She was real.
Why would your real mother take you
to a planet of dust and rocks?
It's my house.
It's my house on Earth.
Exactly the way it was.
Remember, Jeremy?
- How did you do it?
- Does it matter?
Yes, it matters.
I am trying to understand
your resistance.
You spoke of rocks and dust
on the planet.
I decided to show you
what awaits us.
Why would you create this fantasy?
It's his home.
It makes you happy, doesn't it?
But it's not real.
Isn't it?
Jeremy,
isn't that really Patches?
He knows me. It's him.
- It's real. It's all real.
- No, it's not.
Could your real mother
just make this appear?
You must not stay here. Come with me.
I can't.
Is the boy in danger?
I don't think so.
She seems to want to help him.
By easing his pain.
She's very confused
by our resistance, Captain.
Troi, would it be wise
to remove Jeremy from his cabin?
He doesn't want to leave.
I would not recommend using force.
She offers him everything.
All we offer is his mother's death.
What would you choose?
If somebody offered to give you back
your mother, father, husband,
would any of us say no so easily?
Counselor, stay with them
in Jeremy's quarters.
We'll try to end this from here.
Understood.
Data, can you determine
that the energy source
is powering this creation?
The beam from the planet
is tapping into us.
I'd say they're running her
off our energy.
So there are limits to her power.
She needs the transporter
to get him back.
How do we cut the puppet's strings?
Match the shield's harmonics
to our containment fields.
That should sever the beam.
- Proceed.
- Deanna, stand by.
Standing by.
Jeremy,
it's time for this to end.
It's not real, and it's over now.
Jeremy, I'm not going
to leave you ever again.
I won't trick you or lie.
We'll be happy together...
No...
Antimatter pods reading nominal.
The shield has severed the beam,
sir.
Captain.
The energy field...
Mr Crusher, take us out.
Alien intruder, transporter room
three! Security alert!
- Security to transporter room three!
- Cmdr La Forge, Mr Worf, with me.
Number One, you have the bridge.
Come, Jeremy.
We will not let them
separate us again.
We're going home.
Captain, she's trying
to take Jeremy off the ship.
Acknowledged.
Engineering, La Forge.
Shut down power to transporters.
- I'm on my way.
- Aye-aye, sir.
Lt Worf, to transporter room three.
Bridge, seal off deck eight,
corridors A and B.
Engaging force fields, Captain.
Transporters down.
Energy force has left transporter
room three. Security alert!
La Forge, it may try
to reinstate transporters.
Understood.
Bridge,
release security force field 8B.
Hello, Jeremy.
How are you? Are you frightened?
No.
- Well, a little, sir.
- Of course.
These are frightening things
that are happening.
But we won't let anyone harm you.
Counselor,
take the boy to my quarters.
No!
It's looking over everything,
Commander, going to school.
Let's hope it doesn't blow us up
while figuring out how to blow us up.
Power's back
in transporter room three.
Bypassing the manual override,
shutting it down.
Transporter is down again.
- Keep it down.
- Understood, Commander.
It is only a matter of time before
we can power the transporters.
We? For whom else do you speak?
The accident on the surface
was caused
by a remnant
of an ancient and tragic era.
Two species once shared this world.
One of energy and one of matter.
The physical beings
you call Koinonians
destroyed themselves
in unending, bitter wars.
The surviving life forms
will not tolerate
any further suffering
as a result
of that dishonorable past.
So... they have made this possible.
They have made me possible.
I appreciate your motives.
But... his mother is dead.
- He must live with that.
- I will be every bit his mother!
But not his mother!
- Picard to Lt Worf.
- Go ahead, Captain.
Will you escort Ensign Crusher
to the Aster quarters?
- Yes, sir.
- Picard out.
Your philosophy is curious, Captain.
What is so noble about sorrow?
I can provide him an existence
where he will feel no anguish.
It is at the heart of our nature
to feel pain... and joy.
It is an essential part
of what makes us what we are.
He is alone now in your world.
A child!
Alone.
How can you know
he won't be happier with me?
For a brief moment in time,
he surely would be.
Any of us in his place would be.
What would Jeremy do for friends?
He will have friends.
And will you provide
for his education, his health,
his growth,
a career, a wife?
Yes, it's quite an undertaking
you're proposing, isn't it?
It is our duty to make him happy.
Do you honestly believe
he would be happy in...
...this total fiction
which you wish to create?
What reason would he have to live?
What you offer him is a memory,
something to cherish, not to live in.
It is part of our life cycle that we
accept the death of those we love.
Jeremy must come to terms
with his grief, not cover it.
You see, we are mortal.
Our time in this universe is finite.
That is one of the truths
that all humans must learn.
Acting Ensign Crusher,
reporting as ordered.
Come in, Wesley.
Please stay, Lieutenant.
Wesley's father died
on a Starfleet mission...
...when he was younger than you are.
Wes, your mother told me
you were finding it difficult
to talk to Jeremy. Why is that?
I don't know.
I don't want to think about it.
All this has reminded me so much
of that day.
The day I told you your father
had been killed. As I recall,
you took it very well.
My parents had told me
about Starfleet missions.
- I knew what could happen.
- You were prepared?
No. I wasn't prepared at all.
How can anyone be prepared to hear
that a parent is never coming home?
I tried to be
what everyone expected of me.
Brave and mature.
Wesley, are you saying
that you didn't want anybody
to see what you were feeling?
What were you feeling?
Like...
somebody had kicked me in the head.
Somebody?
Go on. You've wanted to tell him
for a long time.
I was angry... at you!
Why were you angry at me, Wesley?
Were you angry because I told you
your father was dead?
- No.
- Then why?
Because you led the mission.
You came home and my father didn't.
- How long were you angry, Wes?
- For a long time.
But not any more, sir.
Not even a little.
So, Jeremy, you must be very angry
at Lieutenant Worf.
He was in charge of your mother's
mission just like Capt Picard,
when Wesley's father was killed.
Isn't that right?
Worf came back. Your mother didn't.
Why? Why weren't you the one who
died? Why did it have to be her?
He can't answer that. None of us can.
Lt Worf also lost his parents.
They were killed when I was six.
When I was alone, humans helped me.
Let me help you.
The Marla Aster I knew and honored
is not in this room.
Nor does she await you on the planet.
She now only lives here...
...and here.
Join me in the R'uustai, the Bonding.
You will become part of my family
for all time.
We will be brothers.
What does that mean?
It honors the memory
of our mothers.
We have bonded
and our families are stronger.