Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994): Season 4, Episode 15 - First Contact - full transcript

Dr. Nesser,
please contact Station 12.

Dr. Nesser, contact...

Code Blue here.
Call Dr. Berel.

Watch the door.
All right.

Careful, he may have
sustained cranial damage.

Move him to the diagnostic pad.

Right.

Slowly.

- I got it.
- Here we go.

Slowly.
That's good.

Need him here stat.



All right, all right, careful.

Readings?

Uh, they're fluctuating, sir.

He took a severe blow.

Possible trauma
to the telencephalon.

Start 15 octares of quadroline.

We'll need a complete
del-scan series.

I can't find his cardial organ.

What do you mean?

I'm reading
a steady circulation.

There it is.
Up here.

In his digestive tract?

You ever seen
anything like this?

He's missing
three costal struts on one side.



And four on the other.

You think that's something,
look at this.

He has digits on his terminus.

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.

What are you?

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 civilizations

to boldly go
where no one has gone before.

Yes, Doctor.
Right away.

What happened?

You are in the Crisis Room

at the Sikla Medical Facility.

You've had a severe injury

but you're going
to be all right.

I was caught in the riots
when the police moved in.

That's the last thing
I remember.

Can you tell us your name?

Rivas.

Rivas Jakara.

Rivas Jakara.

Where do you live?

In the Marta community,
on the Southern continent.

You're a long way from home.

Do you have any members
of your family we should notify?

No. I have no family.

I can't stay here.
I have to get...

You are in no condition
to leave...

yet.

There are several unusual things
about your case, Mr. Jakara.

Your cranial lobes,
for instance.

They seem to be
surgical implants.

I had cosmetic surgery

to correct a genetic
birth defect.

And these?

Another birth defect?

Yes. Isn't that something?

My father's were the same way.

You want us to believe
that all your abnormalities

are inherited genetic traits?

I understand your confusion.

My personal physician
is much more familiar

with these
genetic irregularities.

To be honest

I would feel much better
back home under her care.

Why don't I talk
to her about that?

What's her name?

Crusher.

Actually...

I'm not sure
you'll be able to reach her.

Why not?

She's taking a sabbatical.

Well, we'll do
the best we can for you.

Oh, there was one other thing.

We found this
curious-looking device

in your clothes.

What is it?

It's just a toy.

I was taking it home,
as a present.

I thought you didn't have
any family.

It's for a neighbor's child.

Was there anything else found?

I had one piece of jewelry...

a metal pin.

No. I'm sorry.

This was all we found.

Genetic irregularities?

That thing isn't even
the same species as we are.

Keep your voice down.

The last thing we need
is a panic in here

over some...

It's all the space flights.

They have attracted
creatures from outer space.

That's exactly the kind of thing

I don't want to hear.

What are you going to do?

Of all the medical facilities
available...

why did he have to end up here?

I think we ought to call
Central Security.

Well, I'm not calling
anybody yet.

Not till we've done a lot more.

A lot more.

I want his story checked out.

Run a complete search
through the medical library.

Be absolutely certain there's
never been anything like him.

What if there's
more of them, hmm?

They could be everywhere.

Cordon off the wing.

I want security on his door
29 hours a day

and I want this kept quiet.

Code Three drill in B Wing.

All instructors
report immediately.

Code Three drill in B Wing.

All instructors report...

At 12.4 after launch

the warp field generator
will be activated.

That's when it would
break the light barrier?

Yes, Chancellor.

If we're successful, the craft
will leave our star system

and in a matter of minutes

will be on its way
to the Garth system.

And then what?

And then, Krola,
we'll see what's there.

How long, Mirasta?

We have the prototype design
for the warp engine.

It would simply be a matter

of building the actual
production units.

If I get your approval today

ten months.

Maybe less.

Chancellor, I'll admit
Mirasta's enthusiasm

for her work is seductive

but perhaps we're
moving too fast.

Your opponents will see this
as another example

of your determination
to pull us further

from our traditional ways.

My opponents look back,
as I look forward.

I cannot believe that my people
would choose to retreat

after all we've done.

I agree.

The people were willing
to accept your social reforms

because they believe
in you, Chancellor.

But there are many who say
we have gone far enough.

All these new ideas,
new technology

and now space travel?

It confuses them,
frightens them.

I will not allow them
to remain in the Dark Ages.

The warp program will proceed
as you have outlined, Mirasta.

And then we will slow down,
Krola

to let everyone
catch their breath

including you.

Mirasta Yale.

Yes?

Please, don't be alarmed
at our appearance.

My name is Jean-Luc Picard.

This is my associate,
Deanna Troi.

What are you?

We've come with some very
important information.

About what?

About space.

About the universe
you are preparing to enter.

We come from
a federation of planets.

Captain Picard
is from a planet called "Earth"

which is over 2,000
light-years from here.

I'm from another planet
called "Betazed."

We've been monitoring
your progress

toward warp drive capability.

When a society reaches
your level of technology

and is clearly
about to initiate warp travel

we feel the time is right
for first contact.

We prefer meeting like this

rather than a random
confrontation in deep space.

We've come to you first

because you're a leader
in the scientific community.

Scientists generally
accept our arrival

more easily than others.

We almost always encounter
shock and fear

on this sort of mission.

We hope that you will help us
to facilitate

our introduction.

Is this a joke?

Did Lupo
and the others from the lab

put you up to this?

Oh, it's certainly no joke.

As you can see,
we are physically

quite different from Malcorians.

And, with your permission,
I'm prepared to prove it to you.

I would like that.

Picard to Enterprise.

Three to beam up.

It's everything
I ever dreamed of.

When I was a child

my parents would take me
to the planetarium.

And we would sit in the dark

and it was
as if I was on a spaceship

on my way to another world

to meet people on other planets.

Part of me keeps waiting
for the lights to come up

and the program to end.

How did you know about me?

We learn as much as possible
about a planet

before we make first contact.

One of the things we monitor
are your broadcast signals...

your journalism,
your music, your humor.

Try to understand
you better as a people.

I hate to think
how you would judge us

based on our popular music
and entertainment.

Indeed.

We do get an incomplete picture

which is why we also do...

surface reconnaissance.

You've had people on our planet?

For several years.

These are specialists.

Highly-trained
observation teams...

superficially identical
to yourselves...

and, therefore, able to blend
naturally into your society.

You see, we have discovered
that the most hazardous aspect

of these missions

is the lack
of sufficient information.

You don't have to explain.

I understand.

Although not everybody
on my planet would.

They would think you were trying
to infiltrate our society.

Well, there is
a difficulty here.

One that has forced us

to accelerate
this entire process.

One of our people is missing...

my First Officer,
Commander William Riker.

He was down on the
planet's surface coordinating

with the observation team
the final details of contact.

He disappeared.

My people have made inquiries

but they have not been able
to locate him.

If there is anything
you can do to help...

Oh, of course.

Where was Riker's
last known location?

The capital city.

He was under the name
"Rivas Jakara"...

a tourist
from the Marta community.

Well, we must find him

before someone realizes
what he really is.

If this gets out prematurely

it could seriously
complicate matters.

Our ideology
is based on the assumption

that the Malcorian
is a supreme life-form

and our world
is the center of the universe.

Your arrival will change

our entire understanding
of life.

And some will not want it
to change.

What about Durken?

Durken...

he will be open-minded

but cautious.

I strongly suggest
that you do not discuss

your surveillance teams with
him, at least not right away.

But with the disappearance
of Commander Riker

wouldn't it be prudent...?

Captain Picard

I must ask you
to trust me on this.

If you tell the Chancellor
about Commander Riker

you will undermine everything

that you hope
to accomplish here.

Durken will assign Krola...

our Minister of Security...
to find him

and Krola has
his own political agenda.

He will perceive you
as the greatest threat

that our people have ever known.

And he will not hesitate
to use Riker

to prove that he is correct.

...from another planet.

Hundreds of them.

I saw them.

It doesn't make sense
that he's the only one.

Think about it.

It's true.
I'm sure they have a whole...

I thought I said this was
to be kept a secret.

You know Nilrem.

Well, it's getting
out of control.

I don't know what else he is

but he is still a patient
in this medical facility.

And we have a responsibility
for his care and recovery.

Remind them of that, will you?

You're not going to be able
to contain this much longer.

I know.

If people get scared enough,
anything could happen.

Mr. Jakara, we have been unable
to confirm anything you told us.

No physician named Crusher is
on file... not on this planet.

Your address in Marta is
an eating establishment.

The cook has never
heard of Rivas Jakara.

Well, obviously, there's been
some misunderstanding.

There's a growing
number of people

on the other side of that door

who believe that you are
not one of us, Mr. Jakara.

Not one of you?

That you are
from another planet.

Are you, Mr. Jakara?

Do you realize
what you're saying?

I know how it sounds.

I'm not anxious
to make a fool of myself.

This new era of space flight...

it fires the imagination.

People see unidentified vessels
in the sky.

They turn out to be
weather balloons.

Well, it's far more likely
that I am a weather balloon

than an alien.

Our medical journals
have documented

several cases of genetic
mutation in recent history.

Some unusual physical
disfigurations have occurred.

I'm just another case
for your medical journals, then.

Perhaps

but you, Mr. Jakara,
are hiding something.

And unless you tell me
the truth about yourself

this rumor will persist and grow

and could even become dangerous

most especially to you.

Chancellor, Minister Yale
of the Space Bureau

would like to introduce you
to someone.

Call her back.

See if the Vice-Chancellor
will do.

They're out here
waiting to see you, sir.

All right, send them in.

Always time to meet
your friends, Mirasta.

Chancellor, I think
you might want to clear

your afternoon schedule
for this.

And this...

is the Bridge.

Chancellor.

Here we have environment
and engineering stations

mission operations

and the two principal
science stations.

Data, allow me to introduce
Chancellor Avel Durken

and Space Administrator
Mirasta Yale.

Chancellor. Minister.

Commander Data
is my Second Officer.

He's an android, Chancellor...

a constructed being.

A machine?

In a manner of speaking.

The term "artificial life-form"
would be more accurate.

Captain Picard,
is there some place

we might speak together

without distraction?

Certainly.

Chancellor, with your permission

I would like to "beam"
to the surface.

I have several matters
to attend to.

Not a word to anyone
about this, Mirasta.

Of course.

Mr. Data, will you escort
the Minister

to the Transporter Room?

Chancellor.

Has there still been
no communication

from Commander Riker, Data?

No, Minister.

He has not returned

to our designated
transport coordinates.

We have continued to scan the
capital city without success.

I've been saving this
for a special occasion.

My brother on Earth produces
a fruit known as "grapes"

which he turns into wine.

He's really quite good at it.

Chancellor, we have a tradition
called a "toast."

It is a drink
to salute one's friends

and good fortune.

And I would like
to propose a toast

to our new friendship.

We have something
very much like this

on Malcor III.

I think we shall find
we have much in common.

And much that is not in common.

An opportunity
to learn from one another.

You speak the language
of diplomacy very well, Captain.

It's a language
I appreciate and understand

but I have learned
to not always trust it.

Trust requires time

and experience.

My world's history has recorded
that conquerors often arrived

with the words,
"We are your friends."

We are not here
as conquerors, Chancellor.

What do you want?

A beginning.

But how we proceed
is entirely up to you.

And if my wishes
should conflict with yours?

There will be no conflict.

And if I should tell you
to leave

and never return to my world?

We will leave and never return.

Chancellor, we are here only

to help guide you
into a new era.

I can assure you,
we will not interfere

in the natural development
of your planet.

That is, in fact,
our Prime Directive.

I can infer from that directive

that you do not intend
to share

all this exceptional technology
with us.

That is not the whole meaning,
but it is part of it.

Is this your way
of maintaining superiority?

Chancellor,
to instantly transform

a society with technology
would be harmful

and it would be destructive.

You're right, of course.

I'm...

I'm quite overwhelmed.

I go home each night
to a loving wife

two beautiful daughters.

We eat the evening meal
together as a family.

I think that's important.

And they always ask me
if I've had a good day.

And how will you answer them
tonight, Chancellor?

I will have to say

"This morning, I was the leader
of the universe as I knew it.

"This afternoon,
I'm only a voice in a chorus.

But I think it was a good day."

There are guards out there.

You'll never escape that way.

I'm not afraid of you.

Good.

Because there's nothing
to be afraid of.

We shouldn't fear the unknown.

We should embrace it.

Can you help me
get out of here?

Are you really an alien?

It's all right to tell me.

No.

I'm not an alien.

I don't believe you.

You are an alien.

I really have to leave.

I could divert
the guard's attention.

You might stand a chance
if you took the service exit

down the hallway to the right.

To the right?

Fine. Let's do it.

Why should I?

Well...

you know why.

I don't belong here.

I have to get back on my ship...

in space.

I believe you.

Now, will you help me?

If you make love to me.

What?

I've always wanted to make love
with an alien.

Listen, Miss...?

Lanel.

Lanel...
I really have to get going.

All the other... aliens
are waiting for me.

Oh, it's not so much to ask.

And then I'll help you escape.

It's not that easy.

There are differences

in the way
that my people make love.

I can't wait to learn.

But it's...

It's your only way
out of here...

my alien.

Something's happened to him.

I think he's dead.

Go on, get some help.

Okay.

No!

That way.

Thanks.

Hmm.

Will I ever see you again?

I'll call you the next time
I pass through your star system.

Dermatome analyzer
to third level Trauma Care.

Dermatome analyzer to
third level Trauma Care.

Stop him!

Somebody stop him!

All right, hold it!

He's escaping!

There he goes!

The alien's escaping!

Grab him!

Get him!

Get him!

Stop it, all of you!

Stop it now!

Have you all lost your minds?

Oh! They've aggravated
the injury

to his renal organ.

He's bleeding internally.

Get him into a surgical cubicle

and call Central Security.

This has gone too far.

Their leader, Picard,
has made it clear

that how we proceed is
entirely our own decision.

You cannot possibly
be suggesting

surrender, Chancellor?

They are not hostile.

Mirasta, you
are incredibly naive.

Can you be so enraptured

with the notion
of space travelers

that you are blind
to the threat they represent?

I have seen their vessel, Krola.

If they chose to be hostile

I do not think
we would be standing here now.

Why should they use force

when we are ready
to lay down in fear?

I do not lay down in fear.

To them or to you, Krola.

Chancellor,
I mean no disrespect

but I have repeatedly warned you

about your policies,
taking us too quickly

where we had no business
going in the first place.

New philosophies, new economics,
new technologies.

And there are still many people

who value
our traditional way of life

and l, for one, am willing
to die to defend it.

Open your eyes, Krola.

We are part
of a greater community.

We cannot ignore it.

You would ignore them...

as they infiltrate
and spy on us.

What are you saying, Krola?

We have captured
one of their spies.

Chancellor

he is Captain Picard's
First Officer...

Commander Riker.

You knew about this, Mirasta?

He has been missing
for two days.

I told Captain Picard
not to discuss this

because I was afraid this
is exactly what would happen.

What else do you know, Mirasta?

Everything!

They have been on our planet

observing, for several years.

Years?

Imagine what they have done...

influenced our young,
stirred up dissent.

They were collecting
information.

Where is this Commander Riker
now?

He's in
the Sikla Medical Facility.

He's recovering from surgery.

He suffered head injuries
in an escape attempt.

He will recover consciousness
in a few hours.

Will he survive?

I didn't think he would
have survived the injuries.

I have to interrogate him
before he dies.

Well, at least give him time
to regain some strength.

Come back tomorrow.

It cannot wait until tomorrow.

Krola,
we can get help from his ship.

With their medical technology,
he might recover.

We're not giving him back.

He's the one advantage
we have now.

Use your drugs to revive him.

Those drugs increase

cardial rate
and vascular pressure.

That's the last thing
we need to do to him right now.

It will probably be
enough to kill him.

You can't do it.

Revive him.

I'm just a physician, Minister.

I don't know much
about affairs of state.

But he is a living,
intelligent being.

I don't care if the Chancellor,
himself, calls down here.

I have sworn an oath
to do no harm

and I will not.

Then I'll find someone
to replace you.

Chancellor.

You're punctual, Captain.

I know how busy you are.

Do you?

I think you know a great deal
more about me

than I know about you.

In what respect?

You speak of trust and peace

and working together
to enter a new era

and at the same time,
you conduct

secret surveillance
posing as Malcorians.

- Commander Riker.
- Commander Riker.

Mirasta said it would be
a mistake to discuss...

Yes.

She has already tried
to accept the responsibility.

It was my error, not hers.

Chancellor,
there is no starship mission

more dangerous
than that of first contact.

We never know what we will face

when we open the door
on a new world...

how we will be greeted

what exactly the dangers
will be.

Centuries ago,
disastrous contact

with the Klingon Empire
led to decades of war.

And it was decided then

we would do surveillance
before making contact.

It... it was
a controversial decision.

I believe it prevented
more problems than it created.

I can appreciate the logic
of your position, Captain

but it would seem that full
disclosure after contact

would have been in order.

In time, there would have been
full disclosure.

I can only ask you
to believe that.

On other worlds,
it would not be an issue

but here, everything
our observers reported

indicated that the people
of this world

would almost certainly
react negatively to our arrival.

We could see
that even surveillance

might be interpreted
as an act of aggression.

I hoped that we would have found
Commander Riker before you did

so that this matter

would not complicate
our introduction.

It was a mistake.

Yes.

A mistake I might have made
in your place.

I rather like it, actually.

Like it?

That you make mistakes,
like any man.

Chancellor, I have made
some fine ones in my time.

Now, I must ask you.

Will you release my officer?

We'll talk again later, Captain.

Enterprise, one to beam up.

Yes, I understand.

I have been relieved
of my duties

as I'm sure you already know.

You are Acting Director
of the facility, Nilrem.

Revive him.

Leave us.

I am Minister Krola
of Internal Security.

You are Riker

an alien.

Yes, we know.

Please bring my people here.

In time...

in time...

But first, I need
to ask you some questions.

Thank you for seeing me.

If I did not depend so much

on your expertise
in space matters

I would have asked
for your resignation.

I felt I was acting
in the best interests

of our people, Chancellor.

When you are selected
to occupy this office

then you will have the privilege

of deciding the best interests
of our people.

Picard I can excuse,
but you, Mirasta.

You should have trusted me.

Chancellor, we must
release Riker to Picard.

Any hope for a relationship
with these people depends on it.

I can't afford to be
the idealist you are, Mirasta.

But Riker...

I am prepared to release Riker

after we have interrogated him.

Are you prepared
for him to die, Chancellor?

His injuries are
extremely serious.

A mob at the medical facility
almost killed him.

Krola has ordered drugs
to be used

to revive him for questioning...

drugs that, in his condition,
would be dangerous for him.

Without medical aid
from his ship

I believe that Riker
will not survive the day.

You must tell Picard
where he is.

You have lied
since the moment of your capture

and I believe
you are lying now, Commander.

No, we're here
on a mission of peace.

Such noble creatures.

Why do peaceful people
develop such lethal weapons?

Or do you still insist
it's just a toy?

An interesting toy, to be sure.

It is only used for defense.

Perhaps, like many conquerors

you believe your goals
to be benevolent.

I cannot.

For however you would describe
your intentions

you still represent
the end to my way of life.

I cannot permit that to occur.

Eventually, Durken would choose
to welcome your people

with arms open and eyes closed.

I must force him
down another path.

When they find us,
I will be dead...

killed by your weapon.

The lines will be drawn.

A peaceful accord
will no longer be an option.

No...

For my people.

What happened?

He shot him.

The alien shot Krola.

Get me three octares
of adrulmine.

High-frequency
EM charge unit now.

I have a circulation pattern.

It's very weak.

We have to get him
on vital buffers

right now.

I'm a physician.

Don't be frightened.

I need to know what happened.

Are you doctors?

Yes. He shot him.

With that thing.

Crusher to Picard.

Go ahead, Doctor.

Commander Riker is near death

but there's still
some brain activity.

I need to get him
back to the ship.

Acknowledged.

And there's a Malcorian male

with a phaser wound
in his upper chest.

I need to get him back, as well.

We'll meet you
on the Enterprise.

Picard out.

They're both going to be okay.

We were able to stabilize Will.

If we had been any later...

Krola?

He was never in any real danger.

The phaser was on stun.

"Stun"?

It's a defensive weapon.

Have you been able to ascertain
what happened?

Based on the angle of impact,
it suggests

that Krola's left hand was on
the phaser when it went off.

They were struggling
for the weapon.

Commander Riker
was in no position

to offer any kind of struggle,
Chancellor.

Krola was trying to be a martyr?

Where is this?

You're aboard the starship,
my foolish old friend.

No, Chancellor.

You must not...

You must not pursue relations
with them.

Must not!

I know.

I know.

But, Chancellor...

Mirasta, it goes against
every instinct of my being.

But my people are not ready
to accept what you represent.

Everything that happened
in the hospital proves that.

And Krola
is the best evidence of all.

We must slow down

and allow those who are like him
to join us in the present

before we can move
into the future.

But when we
encounter other beings in space

our people must be ready.

The warp program
will have to be delayed.

We will divert more resources

to education
and social development

to prepare for the day
when we are ready.

But, Chancellor,
I strongly disagree.

I know.

Captain...

you once said
if I asked you to leave

you would do so
without hesitation.

I'm afraid I must ask you
to do just that.

Well...

it's your decision, Chancellor.

But I must say

I regret that I won't have
the opportunity

of knowing your people better.

We're a good people, Captain...

a society with much potential.

Once we cross
the threshold of space

we shall have to give up
this self-importance...

this conceit...

that we are the center
of the universe.

But this is not
the time for that.

For now, we will have to enjoy
that sweet innocence.

How will you keep us secret

when so many have seen
and heard so much?

The stories will be told
for many years

I have no doubt...

about the ship that made contact

of the alien
who was held prisoner

in the medical facility.

There will be charges
of a government conspiracy.

Some of the witnesses
will tell their tales

and most of the people
will laugh at them

and go back and watch
the more interesting fiction

of the daily broadcasts.

It will pass.

I'm sorry to say
he's probably right.

Captain Picard,
I have one last request.

Take me with you.

She will be unhappy
with the restrictions

I must place upon her
at home, Captain.

We may not be back here
in your lifetime.

And... I have to believe

that you cannot be
fully prepared

for the realities
of space travel.

I have been prepared for
the realities of space travel

since I was nine years old
and sitting in a planetarium.

Mr. Worf, to my ready room.

Escort Chancellor Durken

to the transporter room,
Lieutenant

and... assign quarters
to Minister Yale.

She will be remaining on board.

Aye, sir.

Until we return, then.

With luck,
we will both be around

to renew our friendship,
Captain.

Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
Public shouldn't leave reviews for lawyers.