Dream Not of Today
"Dream Not of Today"
Episode 146: The Chase
Episode 146: The Chase
Captain's Log Stardate 46731.5 (Year 2369)
The Enterprise is in the midst of a 3-week mission for a routine analysis of protostars in various stages of development on the Volterra Nebula when an old archaeological professor visits Picard unexpectedly.
Picard geeks out over a 3rd Dynasty artifact and its complete figurine set. He tells Ryker about the Kurlan civilization, who believe "an individual is a community of individuals, inside us are many voices, each with its own desire, its own styles and its own view of the world". Professor Galen, long-time mentor, gives this rare gift to Jean Luc and insists he graciously accept. His request in return is for Jean Luc to accompany him on a important expedition, a decision which Jean Luc needs to sleep on.
"Dream not of today, Mr. Picard."
During his morning tea with Dr. Crusher, he opens up on his feelings of regret. While Beverly wrongly assumes his regret is regarding not having explored his career as an archaeologist, he explains that the regret is having to turn down Professor Galen for the 2nd time.
The Enterprise completes their mission and is onward to a diplomatic conference on Atalia VII. On the way, the Enterprise receives a distressed call from Galen's shuttle, which is under attack. Worf unintentionally hits the ship and they quickly transport Galen to sickbay. Upon his last breath, Galen apologizes to Picard for being too harsh.
During a crew meeting, Picard speculates that the Yridians that attached Galen's vessel perhaps knew more about his research files, which cannot be de-coded. Picard changes the ship's plans and decide to re-trace Galen's steps to follow the clues in the database. They proceed to Ruah IV, a planet with no known civilization. Picard can't understand why an archeogolist would have interest in being there. He remembers Galen mentioning plans to head to Indri VIII, another uncivilized planet, and Picard tries to piece together the link. He changes course once again to Indri VIII, despite his crew's uncertainty.
While analyzing the data in the lab with Dr. Crusher, they discover the number patterns represent DNA fragments from unique species on 19 different planets. It becomes clear that others are aware of the discovery, making it not only an important discovery, but a dangerous one.
Remembering that Galen picked up the artifact gift in the neighborhood near Kurl, he assumes Galen must have been collecting DNA samples. Picard directs the ship to proceed to the only planet in the Kurlan System capable of supporting life, Loren III. Once in orbit, they have company in the mission and is confronted by two Cardassian ships. Soon after, the Klingons arrive to the scene.
Picard confirms they are all there because of their knowledge of Professor Galen's research and the DNA program. Since they all have missing fragments of the program, but not willing to give up possession, Picard urges they cooperate to bring the missing DNA fragments together to observe the results simultaneously, giving no one the advantage.
They both agree to submit their findings to the database, although there is still one missing piece that needs to be uncovered. The two leaders agree to stay on board during a DNA location distribution analysis. As soon as the three meet and disclose the missing link, the deceptive Cardassian transports off the Enterprise, fires at the enemy ships and takes off. Joined with Klingon Captain Nu'Daq, they take off to Vilmor II, home of the last missing piece.
While searching the ancient seabed, they are confronted by the Cardassians and the Romulans, who who have been shadowing the mission the entire time. While the others argue over who gets the reward, Picard and Crusher sneak off to take samples from the rock, which completes the DNA puzzle and spits out a hologram of an ancient humanoid. The lifeform shares a message that they were an original species and spread their genetic material all over the galaxy, in hopes that through fellowship and companionship, others would learn about them and where they originated from. The Klingons and Cardassians seemed unsatisfied with the end result.
With Galen's mystery solved and his legacy in tact, Captain Picard wishes his old friend could have seen it and that the message didn't fall on such deaf ears. However, it seems as though the Romunlan Commander was touched by the message and realized that maybe they weren't so dissimilar to humans afterall.
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
The Enterprise is in the midst of a 3-week mission for a routine analysis of protostars in various stages of development on the Volterra Nebula when an old archaeological professor visits Picard unexpectedly.
Picard geeks out over a 3rd Dynasty artifact and its complete figurine set. He tells Ryker about the Kurlan civilization, who believe "an individual is a community of individuals, inside us are many voices, each with its own desire, its own styles and its own view of the world". Professor Galen, long-time mentor, gives this rare gift to Jean Luc and insists he graciously accept. His request in return is for Jean Luc to accompany him on a important expedition, a decision which Jean Luc needs to sleep on.
"Dream not of today, Mr. Picard."
During his morning tea with Dr. Crusher, he opens up on his feelings of regret. While Beverly wrongly assumes his regret is regarding not having explored his career as an archaeologist, he explains that the regret is having to turn down Professor Galen for the 2nd time.
The Enterprise completes their mission and is onward to a diplomatic conference on Atalia VII. On the way, the Enterprise receives a distressed call from Galen's shuttle, which is under attack. Worf unintentionally hits the ship and they quickly transport Galen to sickbay. Upon his last breath, Galen apologizes to Picard for being too harsh.
During a crew meeting, Picard speculates that the Yridians that attached Galen's vessel perhaps knew more about his research files, which cannot be de-coded. Picard changes the ship's plans and decide to re-trace Galen's steps to follow the clues in the database. They proceed to Ruah IV, a planet with no known civilization. Picard can't understand why an archeogolist would have interest in being there. He remembers Galen mentioning plans to head to Indri VIII, another uncivilized planet, and Picard tries to piece together the link. He changes course once again to Indri VIII, despite his crew's uncertainty.
While analyzing the data in the lab with Dr. Crusher, they discover the number patterns represent DNA fragments from unique species on 19 different planets. It becomes clear that others are aware of the discovery, making it not only an important discovery, but a dangerous one.
Remembering that Galen picked up the artifact gift in the neighborhood near Kurl, he assumes Galen must have been collecting DNA samples. Picard directs the ship to proceed to the only planet in the Kurlan System capable of supporting life, Loren III. Once in orbit, they have company in the mission and is confronted by two Cardassian ships. Soon after, the Klingons arrive to the scene.
Picard confirms they are all there because of their knowledge of Professor Galen's research and the DNA program. Since they all have missing fragments of the program, but not willing to give up possession, Picard urges they cooperate to bring the missing DNA fragments together to observe the results simultaneously, giving no one the advantage.
They both agree to submit their findings to the database, although there is still one missing piece that needs to be uncovered. The two leaders agree to stay on board during a DNA location distribution analysis. As soon as the three meet and disclose the missing link, the deceptive Cardassian transports off the Enterprise, fires at the enemy ships and takes off. Joined with Klingon Captain Nu'Daq, they take off to Vilmor II, home of the last missing piece.
While searching the ancient seabed, they are confronted by the Cardassians and the Romulans, who who have been shadowing the mission the entire time. While the others argue over who gets the reward, Picard and Crusher sneak off to take samples from the rock, which completes the DNA puzzle and spits out a hologram of an ancient humanoid. The lifeform shares a message that they were an original species and spread their genetic material all over the galaxy, in hopes that through fellowship and companionship, others would learn about them and where they originated from. The Klingons and Cardassians seemed unsatisfied with the end result.
With Galen's mystery solved and his legacy in tact, Captain Picard wishes his old friend could have seen it and that the message didn't fall on such deaf ears. However, it seems as though the Romunlan Commander was touched by the message and realized that maybe they weren't so dissimilar to humans afterall.
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
- Picard, like most leaders, have a mentor. A mentor is typically a teacher, manager or professor that has a meaningful influence. He gives his guest a warm greeting, "no one could be more welcome on the Enterprise". He describes his relationship as father/son-like, indicating a closeness in Picard's younger years.
- Picard has an attachment to the past and uses the past as reminders for today. In the Kurlan artifact, he is reminded that we are made up of many voices, desires, styles and views of the world. He also seems moved by the message from the ancient humanoid who hopes for a future of companionship and fellowship.
- Picard has regrets, but not for choosing his career as Captain of a Spacecraft. Although he shows a great deal of passion for archaeology, it's clear he wouldn't trade in his Captain's seat.
- Picard is not afraid to adjust plans on a whim. While his crew and Troi worried about the intentions behind the mission, Picard is determined to find the missing links to his mentor's dying work. He takes full responsibility for inconveniencing those "squabbling delegates" for a few days in order to conclude his findings.
- Picard was successful in getting the Klingons and Cassidians to work together by convincing the others that there is no discovery without cooperation by all three. The ability to influence teamwork by individuals with selfish motives is not an easy feat.
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