TNG 18x15 - “THE STRUGGLE WITHIN”
Enterprise is sent to negotiate with the Talarian Republic (TNG “Suddenly Human”), in the hopes they will join the Khitomer Accords. Picard’s opposite number is Jono, the human boy who was adopted by Talarians. Meanwhile the Talarians have their own problems – their strict gender roles have led a group of women to fight the government. At a political event, the women attack and kidnap Crusher. As Picard and Jono fight the urge to use violence in response, Crusher realises that the women don’t want to take over – they just want the men to respect their contributions and stop interfering in women’s business. She realises that a Tzenkethi agent manipulated the Talarian women into kidnapping her, knowing it would emotionally compromise Picard and lead him to interfere in Talarian society, ensuring they never ally with the Federation. The violence is avoided and Crusher is rescued, but the Tzenkethi’s plan works and the Talarians reject joining the Khitomer Accords...
TTN 2x15 - “SEIZE THE FIRE”
During the Borg Invasion, a Gorn warrior-caste breeding world was destroyed. A radiation-crazed survivor, Gog’resssh, stole a warship and went rogue. Months later in the Beta Quadrant, Titan gets news about the Typhon Pact, the Federation’s newest rival – which includes the Gorn Hegemony. Titan is surveying several worlds that seem artificial. The crew theorise that an advanced terraforming tech is responsible; such tech could be very useful for creating new colony worlds. However, a Gorn science fleet already discovered it, and Captain Krassrr intends to use this “ecosculptor” to create a new breeding world – by redesigning an already inhabited planet, Hranrar. When Titan arrives, Krassrr points out that Riker has no authority to stop them – Titan is outside the Federation, heavily outnumbered, and he doesn’t want to start a war with the Typhon Pact. As Titan’s crew watches powerless, Krassrr powers up the weapon to fire on Hranrar...
VOY 11x15 - “THE SUBTLE KNIFE”
Locking himself away with only his wife’s ghost for company, Cmdr O’Donnell has come up with a gift to bargain for Demeter’s freedom – a plant hybrid that can survive in the Children’s toxic atmosphere. Lt Cmdr Fife’s more aggressive plan would kill hundreds of the aliens. O’Donnell forbids it, but Fife builds support behind his back. On Voyager, Chakotay struggles with Eden’s choice to communicate with the captured Children rather than rush to Demeter’s rescue. As O’Donnell leaves Demeter to inject his creation directly into the Children’s energy spheres, Fife orders the crew to attack and escape, leaving O’Donnell behind. The crew refuse to support him, but Fife is able to fire phasers before they can stop him. Luckily Voyager arrives to block the attack. Lasren’s telepathy and O’Donnell’s gift convince the Children this was all a tragic mistake – Starfleet are not the Borg. The conflict is over...