The Drumhead

An explosion in the Enterprise's dilithium chamber, at a time when Klingon exchange officer J'Dan is suspected of spying for the Romulans, brings retired Rear Admiral Norah Satie aboard to investigate. J'Dan admits smuggling secrets using altered hyposprays but denies any sabotage. Satie, helped by her Betazoid aide Sabin Genestra, turns her attention to young medical crewman Simon Tarses, who is found to have hidden that his grandfather was Romulan, not Vulcan. Even after La Forge and Data prove the explosion was caused by simple metal fatigue, Satie presses on, holding hearings in front of an audience. When Picard objects, she summons him too, raising his time as a captive of the Borg. Picard responds by quoting her own revered father on how freedoms are lost. Her furious outburst exposes her, Admiral Henry walks out, and the inquiry collapses. Picard later tells Worf that vigilance against such zealots must never end.