The Wounded
- Episode aired Jan 26, 1991
- TV-PG
- 46m
After being fired upon by a Cardassian vessel, Picard races against time to find out the facts behind the Cardassian commander's claim that the Federation attacked one of their outposts.After being fired upon by a Cardassian vessel, Picard races against time to find out the facts behind the Cardassian commander's claim that the Federation attacked one of their outposts.After being fired upon by a Cardassian vessel, Picard races against time to find out the facts behind the Cardassian commander's claim that the Federation attacked one of their outposts.
- Doctor Beverly Crusher
- (credit only)
- Enterprise Computer
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
- Ensign Jae
- (uncredited)
- Science Division Officer
- (uncredited)
- Operations Division Ensign
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first of five TNG episodes that served to set up the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) central storyline. The next episode is Ensign Ro (1991), followed by a reference in Unification I (1991), and finally Chain of Command, Part I (1992) & Chain of Command, Part II (1992).
- GoofsWhen O'Brien volunteers to beam to the Phoenix even though its shields are up, he explains that the Phoenix uses a high energy sensor system that cycles every 5.5 minutes, with a window of a fiftieth of a second between cycles. He thus disclosed highly sensitive information regarding a vulnerability in the shields of the Phoenix's class of starship in the presence of a Cardassian officer. Given that O'Brien earlier showed his mistrust of Cardassians, he would have been less specific in his explanation in order to avoid disclosing such information to the Cardassian.
- Quotes
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: When one has been angry for a very long time, one gets used to it. And it becomes comfortable, like... like old leather. And finally... becomes so familiar that one can't ever remember feeling any other way.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Emissary (1993)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
This is a strong episode with a good concept played out by some great characters.
The story involves a concept that always fascinates me: the rogue captain. Sending Captain Picard to deal with Captain Maxwell is entirely plausible as he lives and breaths the values of the Federation. There is an element of suspension of disbelief required in one aspect of the plot when Picard first meets Maxwell, but for me it does not effect my enjoyment of the episode as (unlike some other reviewers) I do not take fictional stories too seriously. There are some great themes relating to anger, hatred and warfare that underpin everything.
There is a good focus on Chief O'Brien, who makes a huge contribution to the main plot and has some decent early marital exchanges with Keiko.
The Cardassians are introduced and the foundations are laid for some excellent future episodes of TNG and also Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In this episode the hatred of them is not just a plot driver but the basis of a strong arc for O'Brien and similarly Maxwell.
One tactical decision by the writers aside, Picard, as always embodies great leadership and mediation. His confrontation with Maxwell for me is a good scene and he handles the scrutiny of the Cardassians perfectly.
Visually it tells the story well. Some of the highlights are the early concept makeup effects for the Cardassians and the scene where the Enterprise bridge crew watch a fight between the Phoenix and Cardassian ships on a scanner.
Patrick Stewart stands out as always and has great support from Colm Meaney, Marc Alaimo and Bob Gunton.
For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
- snoozejonc
- Jul 12, 2021
Details
- Runtime46 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1