Fifth Season - Episode 116

ETHICS

Stardate: 45587.3
Rating: 10 Humour: - Action: - Tension: + Romance: +

Alternate Titles: German: "DIE OPERATION"

Teleplay By: Moore, Ronald D.
Story By: Charno, Sara
Charno, Stuart
Director: Chalmers, Chip
Executive: Berman, Rick
Piller, Michael
Roddenberry, Gene
Supervisor: Taylor, Jeri
Producer: Livingston, David
Wright, Herbert
Co-Producer: Lauritson, Peter
Menosky, Joe
Moore, Ronald D.

Cast

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Patrick Stewart
Cmd. William T. Riker: Jonathan Frakes
Lt.Cmd. Geordi LaForge: LeVar Burton
Lt. Worf: Michael Dorn
Doctor Beverly Crusher: Cheryl Gates McFadden
Counselor Deanna Troi: Marina Sirtis
Lt.Cmd. Data: Brent Spiner
Dr. Russell: Caroline Kava
Alexander: Brian Bonsall
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa: Patti Yasutake

Plot

This aptly named episode begins with Worf becoming seriously injured by a falling cannister in a cargo hold - seven of his vertebrae are broken. Even in Dr. Crusher's time, this is one injury that cannot be easily mended and Worf must face the ethical choice between an experimental procedure proposed by Dr. Russell, a Klingon ritual suicide or living life as a cripple. Worf asks Riker for his assistance in committing suicide, a ritual per- formed by an honorable Klingon who is irreparably injured. Riker must face his own ethical decision - help a friend to die by suicide, or help a friend to live. Meanwhile, Dr. Crusher must find a way to deal with a doctor whose medical judgement and practice is highly unethical. Dr. Russell is a doctor that is willing to test highly experimental, untested treatments on live patients, with or without their consent, regardless of the possible results and often without attempting more traditional treatments. One of Dr. Russell's expe- rimental treatments kills a patient, even though a more standard treatment may have saved the patient's life. On the other hand, Dr. Russell's experi- mental procedure for scanning and re-creating body parts, may be the only thing that can save Worf.

Goofs

When the barrel falls on Worf, a second barrel also falls, and it's lid pops off. However, when Geordi runs over to Worf, the lid is back on the barrel.

Quotes

Riker:	"You look pretty good for someone who's been eating sick-bay-food for 3 days.."
Worf:	"Please commander, sit down.."

Beverly:

"You gambled, he won..."