The Enterprise must evacuate a colony of 15000 people located on a planet owned by an alien race called the Sheliak who regard humans as a lower lifeform. A treaty was signed between the Sheliak and the Federation, the colonists (living on a planet with atmosphere loaded with a type of radiation that is not supposed to be breathable by humans, somehow immune to its effects) are in violation of it. The Sheliak give Picard three days (an absurd amount of time for such a massive evacuation) to get the colonists off the planet so he will try various methods to persuade them for more time. Meanwhile, Commander Data (not in danger of suffering from the harmful radiation) tries to negotiate with the colonists whose leader, Gosheven (Grainger Hines), is vocal about staying regardless of what the Sheliak might do to them because he believes their ancestors (and them) have fought and died too long for their colony just to up and leave it behind when progress (an aqueduct with drinkable water leading to a mountain and down to the main city) is so close to success. Gosheven's opinion and position are held in high esteem and the colonists are not willing, it seems, to undermine his ruling on their leaving the planet. That said, Data, with help from a colonist, Ard'rian (Eileen Seeley, one of Data's first "love interests"), an expert in robotics, will try to use methods to change their decision to stay. This episode, from the superb third season, is just another fine example of a maturation process developing for the Next Gen show. Strong writing (how the characters examine their dilemmas, seek a resolution in less time than is permitted, and determine a solution that will keep human lives from being slaughtered), a story demanding characters to improvise in the face of incredible odds (how Data must use action to get his point across about the need to evacuate using a phaser; Picard using the treaty to his advantage), and a satisfying, but intelligent, thoughtful conclusion of both alternating subplots (Data is successful in his mission because he had to resort to necessary violence; Picard closes frequencies when the Sheliak colonist vessel argues with him, taking his time when they hail him) assures the viewer that this show was on its way to becoming an iconic series deserved of its popularity with Trek fans. While past seasons have expressed the desire to develop Data, it was episodes like this one that further examine how he reacts to conflict when logic and rationality often aren't enough. Data's violin concert is used effectively to establish his attempts to pursue human arts, and his critique from a pleased Picard further shows that his efforts are not in vain.
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