"Moral Context"
"Moral Context"
Episode 114: Conundrum
Episode 114: Conundrum
Captain's log, Stardate 45494.2 (Year 2368)
The USS Enterprise is investigating a series of subspace signals that may indicate intelligent life in the Epsilon Solar System. Upon arriving an unknown vessel, Picard initially declines to raise shields, on the account of good faith. However, once the vessel increases their scan intensity, possibly threatening their computer system, Picard agrees to lift shields.
Suddenly a ray of green light passes into the ship and the crew looks at each other as if they are confused. Riker and Picard state they don't know who anyone is.
"I don't even remember who I am."
As the crew tries to understand their positions on the bridge, Riker sees the number of rank pins on Picard and assumes he's the leader. However, Worf thinks he could be the leader, as he is decorated with his baldric. Picard is more concerned with figuring out who they are and what they're doing out there. While some feel they may have been engaged in battle and should fire back, Picard doesn't want to be presumptuous and incur further damage. Picard requests a status from the computer, but the interface is wiped out. Worf assumes the Captain's seat on the bridge while Picard and others collect status information from personnel.
Worf has taken survey of their weapons and is prepared for battle. Picard reports to Worf that no injuries or deaths have occurred on the ship, however everyone seems to have also lost their memory. Worf and Picard disagree on next steps. While Worf wants to prepare for combat, Picard recommends accessing the ship's logs to find out who they are and what their purpose might be. When Geordi confirms the ship is operational, Worf states they are now ready for combat. Picard and Riker don't argue, but are worried.
"The question is... for what?"
Picard suggests running a diagnostic on all command systems, but Worf argues that it would make them defenseless, as all systems would have to be offline during the diagnostic. Picard reasons with him that if they are going to trust their lives with these systems, they should ensure they aren't going to fail.
Meanwhile, Geordi successfully gains access to a crew manifest database. The bridge officers are listed, with Picard as commanding officer. Worf hears his title listed as Security Chief Lieutenant Worf and walks away in disappointment. Commander Kiernan MacDuff is listed as the ship's first officer, bumping Riker down to second officer.
Now cleared as Captain, Picard begins to delegate the next steps. He orders MacDuff to gather all officers listed on the database to the bridge and tells Geordi to retrieve any information about the ship's mission, with the assistance of the Operations Officer, Data, who is currently waiting tables at Ten Forward. Worf takes a moment to apologize to Captain Picard for his behavior. Picard accepts his apology, understanding that everyone is doing the best they can and to think nothing more of it.
The crew meets to discuss what they have learned about the ship. They now know that they are running the USS Enterprise and work for an organization called the United Federation of Planets. They are currently at war with the Lysian alliance. According to records, the ship has been ordered to enter Lysian territory to destroy the command center. Troi suggests confirming this mission with the headquarters as a precaution since the computers had been damaged. However, the mission states that they remain radio silent, as to not be detected. Picard decides to go along with the popular opinion and tells MacDuff to set course to the Lysian command center.
Once the ship crosses the Lysian border, they spot a Lysian destroyer and MacDuff prepares to fire. Picard orders to stand by and open a channel to communicate. An impatient MacDuff argues that they can't take the risk, as opening up communication channels could be how they lost their memories to begin with. Troi tries to persuade the Captain to respond to the signal, however once the vessel begins to fire, Picard orders to fire back and they destroy the vessel.
Dr. Crusher proposes a cure to restore the memories of the crew, but needs medical files before starting treatment. However, they still are blocked access to the files after many attempts. The officers feel its worth the risk to attempt Dr. Crusher's treatment without medical records and MacDuff volunteers first. During the process, MacDuff begins faking seizures in an effort to halt Dr. Crusher's efforts.
Picard requests a meeting with MacDuff and shares his great concern for their mission and whether it can be morally justified. Without the ability to verify their mission in addition to the conveniently eliminated files that could help uncover information, he is not content obeying orders. He wants to know what he is doing is right. MacDuff plays along with his concern, yet argues that delaying the mission could risk thousands of lives.
As the ship enters the Lysian system, they are intercepted by four unmanned sentry pods and Picard orders to destroy them. As they approach the Central Command, Data informs the crew that they have no defenses. Riker feels the mission is too easy and that it won't take much more than a photon torpedo to destroy the station. Troi is concerned about the 15,311 people on board the station. MacDuff gets angry with the captain for not firing.
"I do not fire on defenseless people."
Picard asks Worf to open the channel of communications to the Lysians and MacDuff contradicts his order and demands Worf to fire. When Worf refuses, he knocks him down and tries to fire himself. Riker shoots MacDuff with a phaser, revealing his alien lifeform.
The USS Enterprise is now on course to Starbase 301. Dr. Crusher has restored the memories of most of the crew. Picard meets with Riker and shares that the Lysians identified MacDuff as a Satarran, a race which has been at war with the Lysians for decades. Picard relayed his deepest regret to the Federation for the Lysian's lost ship and crew.
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
The USS Enterprise is investigating a series of subspace signals that may indicate intelligent life in the Epsilon Solar System. Upon arriving an unknown vessel, Picard initially declines to raise shields, on the account of good faith. However, once the vessel increases their scan intensity, possibly threatening their computer system, Picard agrees to lift shields.
Suddenly a ray of green light passes into the ship and the crew looks at each other as if they are confused. Riker and Picard state they don't know who anyone is.
"I don't even remember who I am."
As the crew tries to understand their positions on the bridge, Riker sees the number of rank pins on Picard and assumes he's the leader. However, Worf thinks he could be the leader, as he is decorated with his baldric. Picard is more concerned with figuring out who they are and what they're doing out there. While some feel they may have been engaged in battle and should fire back, Picard doesn't want to be presumptuous and incur further damage. Picard requests a status from the computer, but the interface is wiped out. Worf assumes the Captain's seat on the bridge while Picard and others collect status information from personnel.
Worf has taken survey of their weapons and is prepared for battle. Picard reports to Worf that no injuries or deaths have occurred on the ship, however everyone seems to have also lost their memory. Worf and Picard disagree on next steps. While Worf wants to prepare for combat, Picard recommends accessing the ship's logs to find out who they are and what their purpose might be. When Geordi confirms the ship is operational, Worf states they are now ready for combat. Picard and Riker don't argue, but are worried.
"The question is... for what?"
Picard suggests running a diagnostic on all command systems, but Worf argues that it would make them defenseless, as all systems would have to be offline during the diagnostic. Picard reasons with him that if they are going to trust their lives with these systems, they should ensure they aren't going to fail.
Meanwhile, Geordi successfully gains access to a crew manifest database. The bridge officers are listed, with Picard as commanding officer. Worf hears his title listed as Security Chief Lieutenant Worf and walks away in disappointment. Commander Kiernan MacDuff is listed as the ship's first officer, bumping Riker down to second officer.
Now cleared as Captain, Picard begins to delegate the next steps. He orders MacDuff to gather all officers listed on the database to the bridge and tells Geordi to retrieve any information about the ship's mission, with the assistance of the Operations Officer, Data, who is currently waiting tables at Ten Forward. Worf takes a moment to apologize to Captain Picard for his behavior. Picard accepts his apology, understanding that everyone is doing the best they can and to think nothing more of it.
The crew meets to discuss what they have learned about the ship. They now know that they are running the USS Enterprise and work for an organization called the United Federation of Planets. They are currently at war with the Lysian alliance. According to records, the ship has been ordered to enter Lysian territory to destroy the command center. Troi suggests confirming this mission with the headquarters as a precaution since the computers had been damaged. However, the mission states that they remain radio silent, as to not be detected. Picard decides to go along with the popular opinion and tells MacDuff to set course to the Lysian command center.
Once the ship crosses the Lysian border, they spot a Lysian destroyer and MacDuff prepares to fire. Picard orders to stand by and open a channel to communicate. An impatient MacDuff argues that they can't take the risk, as opening up communication channels could be how they lost their memories to begin with. Troi tries to persuade the Captain to respond to the signal, however once the vessel begins to fire, Picard orders to fire back and they destroy the vessel.
Dr. Crusher proposes a cure to restore the memories of the crew, but needs medical files before starting treatment. However, they still are blocked access to the files after many attempts. The officers feel its worth the risk to attempt Dr. Crusher's treatment without medical records and MacDuff volunteers first. During the process, MacDuff begins faking seizures in an effort to halt Dr. Crusher's efforts.
Picard requests a meeting with MacDuff and shares his great concern for their mission and whether it can be morally justified. Without the ability to verify their mission in addition to the conveniently eliminated files that could help uncover information, he is not content obeying orders. He wants to know what he is doing is right. MacDuff plays along with his concern, yet argues that delaying the mission could risk thousands of lives.
As the ship enters the Lysian system, they are intercepted by four unmanned sentry pods and Picard orders to destroy them. As they approach the Central Command, Data informs the crew that they have no defenses. Riker feels the mission is too easy and that it won't take much more than a photon torpedo to destroy the station. Troi is concerned about the 15,311 people on board the station. MacDuff gets angry with the captain for not firing.
"I do not fire on defenseless people."
Picard asks Worf to open the channel of communications to the Lysians and MacDuff contradicts his order and demands Worf to fire. When Worf refuses, he knocks him down and tries to fire himself. Riker shoots MacDuff with a phaser, revealing his alien lifeform.
The USS Enterprise is now on course to Starbase 301. Dr. Crusher has restored the memories of most of the crew. Picard meets with Riker and shares that the Lysians identified MacDuff as a Satarran, a race which has been at war with the Lysians for decades. Picard relayed his deepest regret to the Federation for the Lysian's lost ship and crew.
What did I learn about Picard's leadership?
- Picard offers to show good faith when approaching an unknown vessel, a decision that reveals he doesn't jump to conclusions and chooses to deal fairly with others.
- Picard remains calm when his memory is first lost. He has no idea what is going on, yet stays open-minded and gets to work on finding answers. He is calm when sharing his counter opinions with a hard-headed acting-Captain Worf.
- Picard cooperates with others. He gets to work with Geordi on the personnel survey and cooperates with Worf as acting captain. He listens to everyone's opinions and goes along with the most popular opinion.
- While Picard believes his rank is Captain, he doesn't argue with Worf. Without knowing all the facts, he allows Worf to assume position as Captain and respects his authority, even if he does try to reason with him when in disagreement.
- Picard is a problem-solver. Before taking action, he needs answers to the who, what, where, and whys. He needs answers before making important decisions. He problem-solves by asking the questions, gathering as much available information and listening to everyone's opinions. In this episode, he is forced to make important decisions before time allows the problems to be solved which ultimately results in poor performance.
- Picard is forgiving. When Worf behaved under an assumption of authority and later apologized, Picard did not hold it against him. He even told him not to think of it again.
- Picard leads with his morals. In this episode, he needed a moral justification to destroy an inferior enemy. He is willing to disobey an order on the grounds that it is not morally just. Ultimately, his morals persuade him not to fire on defenseless people.
- Picard takes accountability for actions made during the hijacking and apologizes to the Federation.
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