The Defector
- FIRST SHOWN (US)
- 1 January 1990
- ON
- First-run syndication
- STARDATE
- 43462.5
- DIRECTED BY
- Robert Scheerer
- PRODUCTION NO.
- 158
WRITTEN BYWritten by Ronald D. Moore
A Romulan officer flees across the Neutral Zone with a warning of a secret military build-up, and Picard must decide whether to trust him and risk war.
Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS
As Picard coaches Data through a scene from Henry V on the holodeck, the Enterprise picks up a small Romulan scout ship fleeing a warbird. Its pilot, calling himself Sub-Lt Setal, asks for asylum and warns that the Romulans are building a secret base on Nelvana III, inside the Neutral Zone. Picard is suspicious, especially when Setal offers no proof. Setal finally reveals that he is really Admiral Alidar Jarok, a senior commander who has defected to prevent a war that would destroy his family's future. Picard takes the Enterprise into the Neutral Zone, only to find nothing at Nelvana III. Two warbirds under Tomalak decloak: Jarok was fed false information to lure a Federation ship into a trap. But Picard has prepared for this, and three Klingon birds-of-prey decloak beside him, forcing Tomalak to withdraw. Jarok, his sacrifice wasted, takes his own life, leaving a letter for his family that Picard hopes may one day be delivered.
- 01The teaser was first planned as a Sherlock Holmes scene, but rights problems with the Conan Doyle estate led to Henry V instead, at Patrick Stewart's suggestion.
- 02Patrick Stewart also plays Michael Williams, a common soldier in the Henry V scene, under heavy make-up and with a Black Country accent.
- 03The script earned Ronald D. Moore a permanent place on the writing staff. He later co-wrote two TNG feature films.