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|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = Armageddon Game (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = Armageddon Game (episode)
 
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Junior officers speculate on the reasons for recent unusual actions taken by the command crew near the [[Cardassian]] border.
+
Junior officers speculate on the reasons for recent unusual actions taken by the command crew near the Cardassian border.
   
 
== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
 
=== Teaser ===
[[File:TNGTerrace.jpg|thumb|left|Playing in Ten Forward]]
+
[[File:Junior officers playing terrace.jpg|thumb|left|Playing in Ten Forward]]
[[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] and [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] are discussing [[crew evaluation]]s in [[Ten Forward]], much to the dismay of [[Ensign]] [[Sam Lavelle]], who is watching them from across the room with his friends Ensigns [[Sito Jaxa]], [[Taurik]], and [[Nurse]] [[Alyssa Ogawa]]. This concern deepens when another friend of theirs, waiter [[Ben]], tells them that Lavelle and Sito are up for the same position: [[Operations manager|ops]] [[night shift|night duty]] officer.
+
[[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] and [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] are discussing [[crew evaluation]]s in [[Ten Forward]], much to the dismay of [[Ensign]] [[Sam Lavelle]], who is watching them from across the room with his friends Ensigns [[Sito Jaxa]], [[Taurik]], and [[Nurse]] [[Alyssa Ogawa]]. This concern deepens when another friend of theirs, waiter [[Ben]], tells them that Lavelle and Sito are apparently up for the same position: [[Operations manager|ops]] [[night shift|night duty]] officer, as well as the promotion to [[Lieutenant junior grade|Lieutenant]] that comes with it.
   
 
=== Act One ===
 
=== Act One ===
 
[[File:Think promotion Lavelle.jpg|thumb|right|Lavelle wants that promotion badly]]
 
[[File:Think promotion Lavelle.jpg|thumb|right|Lavelle wants that promotion badly]]
The crew performs a [[battle drill]], with Lavelle and Sito on the [[bridge]] at [[Flight controller|conn]] and [[tactical]], respectively, and with Taurik assisting [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] in [[engineering]]. Afterward, Riker offers advice to Sito on improving her performance, but snaps at Lavelle for acknowledging with more than one "aye." [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] then orders a change of course to the [[Argaya system]], near [[Cardassian]] space.
+
The crew performs a [[battle drill]], with Lavelle and Sito on the [[bridge]] at [[Flight controller|conn]] and [[tactical]], respectively, and with Taurik assisting [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge|La Forge]] in [[engineering]]. Afterward, Riker offers advice to Sito on improving her performance, but snaps at Lavelle for acknowledging with more than one "aye." [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] enters the bridge from his [[captain's ready room|ready room]] and orders a change of course to the [[Argaya system]], near [[Cardassian]] space at maximum [[warp drive|warp]].
 
When the [[senior officer]]s are in the [[observation lounge]] discussing the new orders, Sito is asked to fill in at ops. This indicates to Lavelle that his chances for promotion to the position are slim. In Engineering, Taurik enthusiastically shares some new ideas in [[warp field]] configuration with a somewhat annoyed La Forge who is intrigued but still slightly irritated by the [[Vulcan]]'s ideas. In [[sickbay]], [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] tells Ogawa that she is promoting her to [[lieutenant]]. Ogawa shares her fears about her relationship with Lieutenant [[Andrew Powell|Powell]].
 
   
 
When the [[senior officer]]s are in the [[observation lounge]] discussing the new orders, Sito is asked to fill in at ops. This indicates to Lavelle that his chances for promotion to the position are slim but Sito tries to assure him by suggesting Riker might feel she needs more practice than he. In engineering, Taurik enthusiastically shares some new ideas in [[warp field]] configuration with a somewhat annoyed La Forge who is intrigued but still slightly irritated by the [[Vulcan]]'s forthright nature. In [[sickbay]], [[Doctor]] [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] tells Nurse Ogawa that she is promoting her to lieutenant. Ogawa shares her fears about her relationship with Lieutenant [[Andrew Powell|Powell]] but Crusher thinks she's overreacting.
   
 
[[File:Lavelle and Riker at Ten Forward.jpg|thumb|left|Lavelle trying to get on Riker's good side]]
 
[[File:Lavelle and Riker at Ten Forward.jpg|thumb|left|Lavelle trying to get on Riker's good side]]
Later, in Ten Forward, Sito is surprised and encouraged to find out from Lieutenant [[Worf]] that he recommended her for the ops position. Meanwhile, Lavelle laments the fact that, apparently, Riker does not like him. Ben, who is friends with Riker, tells him that Riker is [[Canada|Canadian]] and Lavelle tries to strike up a conversation with the [[first officer]] about this. Unfortunately, Riker is actually from [[Alaska]] and an embarrassed Lavelle jokingly states that they both get a lot of [[snow]].
+
Later in Ten Forward, Sito is surprised and encouraged to find out from Lieutenant [[Worf]] that he recommended her for the ops position. Meanwhile, Lavelle laments the fact that, apparently, Riker does not like him. Ben, who is friends with Riker, tells him that Riker likes [[poker]], [[jazz]] and he is [[Canada|Canadian]]. Lavelle tries to strike up a conversation with the [[first officer]] about this while Riker sits at the bar. Unfortunately, Riker is actually from [[Alaska]] and an embarrassed Lavelle jokingly states that they both get a lot of [[snow]] before making a haste departure.
   
Close to the Cardassian border, the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is searching in vain for an [[escape pod]]. Finally, it is located in Cardassian space, outside of normal [[transporter]] range.
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Close to the Cardassian border, the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is searching in vain for an [[escape pod]]. Finally, it is located in Cardassian space, outside of normal [[transporter]] range.
   
 
=== Act Two ===
 
=== Act Two ===
With some adjustments from La Forge and Taurik, the pod's occupant is beamed to sickbay. Due to the sensitive nature of this person's identity, Crusher orders everyone but senior officers out.
+
With some adjustments from La Forge and Taurik, the pod's occupant is beamed to sickbay. Due to the sensitive nature of this person's identity, Crusher orders Ogawa to leave. Ogawa finds Sito standing outside with orders not to allow anyone other than senior officers to enter. Captain Picard then arrives, and after doing a double-take when he sees who is standing guard, enters.
   
  +
After seeing the mysterious visitor, Picard has Sito join him in his ready room and tells her that he doesn't believe she is ready for the Ops position, reminding her of [[The First Duty (episode)|her record]] with the disgraced [[Nova Squadron]] while at [[Starfleet Academy]] and how she participated in an attempt at a forbidden stunt which resulted in the death of [[Joshua Albert|a fellow cadet]] as well as the cover-up which impeded the ensuing investigation and asks what does that say about the kind of person she is. Sito tells him that she now understands how she was wrong to try and cover up the truth, and since then her record has been spotless. She also details how difficult her time at he Academy had been afterwards, as she didn't have any friends and none of the other cadets were willing to fly with her again. Picard isn't the least bit interested that she didn't enjoy the Academy, and sternly tells Sito that she should have been expelled as far as he's concerned and he doesn't know how she ended up on his ship before curtly dismissing her. Severely chastened, Sito leaves without another word.
After seeing the mysterious visitor, Picard meets with Sito in his [[ready room]]. He gives her a stern dressing down for her part in the cover-up of an incident at [[Starfleet Academy]] that led to the death of a fellow cadet, ({{TNG|The First Duty}}) and tells her he hasn't got a clue how she ended up assigned to his ship. Sito is so caught off guard that she does not defend herself.
 
   
 
=== Act Three ===
 
=== Act Three ===
In the [[shuttlebay]], Taurik and La Forge are intentionally damaging a [[shuttlecraft]] with [[phaser]]s. Taurik is puzzled but La Forge offers no explanation as to why they are doing this. Ogawa is asked by Crusher to assist her with emergency surgery on the visitor – a Cardassian – and is ordered not to reveal that fact to anyone else.
+
In the [[shuttlebay]], Taurik and La Forge are intentionally damaging the [[Type 6 shuttlecraft]] ''{{dis|Curie|shuttlecraft}}'' with a [[phaser rifle]]. Taurik is puzzled but La Forge offers no credible explanation as to why they are doing this. Taurik, remarking on his pattern of phaser fire, says that it would be consistent if the shuttle were under attack and had engaged evasive maneuvers. La Forge tells him it is an "''amazing coincidence.''" Ogawa is asked by Crusher to assist her with emergency surgery on the visitor and is ordered not to reveal the patient's identity to anyone else. Ogawa is shocked to find the patient is in fact a Cardassian.
   
[[File:Jrofficer-pool-ld.jpg|thumb|right|Playing poker]]
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[[File:Junior officers playing poker.jpg|thumb|right|Playing poker]]
Later, the [[junior officer]]s are playing [[poker]] and speculating on who was in the escape pod. Ogawa is quiet about what she knows. They encourage Sito, after hearing of her encounter with the Captain. Lavelle still laments Riker's seeming dislike for him. And Taurik is also concerned that his suggestions have put off La Forge. Meanwhile, Ben, who is also at the poker table, cleans out his preoccupied Starfleet friends until one by one they decide to turn in.
+
Later, the [[junior officer]]s are playing [[poker]] and speculating on who was in the escape pod. Ogawa is quiet about what she knows. They encourage Sito, after hearing of her encounter with the Captain. Lavelle still laments Riker's seeming dislike for him, but Sito tells him that it doesn't matter if Riker likes him as long as he respects him which he must do. Lavelle feels better, and decides to stop trying so hard. Taurik is also concerned that his suggestions have put off La Forge. Meanwhile, Ben, who is also at the poker table, cleans out his preoccupied Starfleet friends until one by one they decide to turn in.
   
The senior officers are also playing poker. Worf and Riker debate who to promote, Sito or Lavelle. Riker thinks Sito is too inexperienced and Lavelle too eager to please. Troi points out that he and Lavelle are very much alike. Riker decides not to be so hard on him in the future. As the games break up, La Forge invites Taurik to engineering to try out his engine improvements. Moments later, Ben comes by, hoping to press his luck by engaging the remaining senior officers in a few more hands.
+
The senior officers are also playing poker. Crusher notes that she saw Lieutenant Powell with another woman in Ten Forward. Troi tells her Powell should inform Ogawa, saying that it may hurt her initially but will be better for her in the long run. Also, Worf and Riker debate who to promote, Sito or Lavelle. Riker thinks Sito is too inexperienced, but Worf gives her his full confidence. Riker agrees to keep her in consideration, especially as he thinks Lavelle too eager to please. Troi points out that he and Lavelle are very much alike, and reminds him how during his time on the {{USS|Potemkin|Excelsior class}}, he took up poker so he could join in the officers game. Riker decides not to be so hard on the young officer in the future. As the games break up, La Forge invites Taurik to engineering to try out his engine improvements. Moments later, Ben comes by, hoping to press his luck by engaging the remaining senior officers in a few more hands.
   
 
=== Act Four ===
 
=== Act Four ===
After his next ''[[mok'bara]]'' class, Worf singles out Sito and tells her she must pass a ''[[gik'tal]]'' challenge to move into his advanced class. He has her put on a blindfold and spar with him. But after being knocked down several times, she removes the blindfold and refuses to continue with the test. He praises her for standing up to the unfair treatment and hopes she will do so when it happens again. The ''gik'tal'' was, of course, invented by Worf, in order to test (and encourage) Sito's ability to stand up for herself when she is being unfairly attacked.
+
After his next ''[[mok'bara]]'' class, Worf singles out Sito and tells her she must pass a ''[[gik'tal]]'' challenge to move into his advanced class. He has her put on a [[blindfold]] and spar with him. But after being knocked down several times, she removes the blindfold and refuses to continue with the test. He praises her for standing up to the unfair treatment and hopes she will do so when it happens again. The ''gik'tal'' was, of course, invented by Worf, in order to test (and encourage) Sito's ability to stand up for herself when she is being unfairly attacked.
   
Sito takes Worf's advice and confronts Picard about his comments on her academy days. She asks him to judge her on her performance on the ''Enterprise'', not her past mistakes. Picard is pleased. In actuality, he was the one who requested that Sito be assigned to the ''Enterprise'' as he wanted her to have a proper chance to redeem herself. In fact, he had only been testing her mettle for an important and dangerous assignment.
+
Sito takes Worf's advice and confronts Picard about his comments on her academy days. She asks him to judge her on her performance on the ''Enterprise'', not her past mistakes. Picard is pleased. In actuality, he was the one who requested that Sito be assigned to the ''Enterprise'' as he wanted her to have a proper chance to redeem herself. In fact, he had only been testing her mettle for an important and dangerous assignment.
   
In sickbay, Ogawa announces her engagement to Lieutenant Powell to Doctor Crusher.
+
In sickbay, Ogawa announces her engagement to Lieutenant Powell to a relieved Doctor Crusher.
   
Sito joins Picard, Riker, and Worf in the Observation Lounge. With them is [[Joret Dal]], a Cardassian military officer and a [[Federation]] operative. He was the occupant of the escape pod. Now [[Starfleet]] must get him safely back to Cardassian space. His return would be easier if he had a prisoner, allowing him to pose as a [[bounty hunter]]. As a [[Bajoran]], Sito is a perfect candidate but Picard, knowing the extreme danger of the assignment, cannot bring himself to order her to do it. Sito volunteers, fully aware of how Cardassians treat their prisoners. After she leaves, Dal expresses his regret that she is so young. The ''Enterprise'' officers share this regret.
+
Sito joins Picard, Riker, and Worf in the observation lounge. With them is [[Joret Dal]], a Cardassian military officer and a [[Federation]] operative. He was the occupant of the escape pod. Now [[Starfleet]] must get him safely back to Cardassian space. His return would be easier if he had a prisoner, allowing him to pose as a [[bounty hunter]]. As a [[Bajoran]], Sito is a perfect candidate but Picard, knowing the extreme danger of the assignment, cannot bring himself to order her to do it. Sito volunteers, fully aware of how the Cardassians [[Occupation of Bajor|treat]] their prisoners. After she leaves, Dal expresses his regret that she is so young. The ''Enterprise'' officers share this regret.
   
The shuttle that La Forge and Taurik damaged with phasers will carry the two to Cardassian space, where, after passing through the border patrols, Dal will return Sito to the Federation in an escape pod. Sito says goodbye to Worf as she boards, with fake bruises provided by Crusher.
+
The shuttle ''Curie'', that La Forge and Taurik damaged with phasers, will carry the two to Cardassian space, where, after passing through the border patrols, Dal will return Sito to the Federation in an escape pod. Sito says goodbye to Worf as she boards, with fake bruises provided by Crusher.
   
 
=== Act Five ===
 
=== Act Five ===
 
[[File:Sito jaxa, final mission.jpg|thumb|left|Sito gets ready for her final mission]]
 
[[File:Sito jaxa, final mission.jpg|thumb|left|Sito gets ready for her final mission]]
Sito wonders why Dal does what he does for Starfleet and he tells her that he is sick of the pointless fighting his people engage in. He believes what he does is worth it if it brings peace to Cardassia. Sito is surprised to hear such a sentiment from a Cardassian. Their sensors alert them that a Cardassian border patrol has spotted them.
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Sito wonders why Dal does what he does for Starfleet and he tells her that he is sick of the pointless fighting his people engage in, brought about by ambitious [[Gul]]s trying to make a name for themselves in combat. He believes what he does is worth it if it will bring peace to Cardassia. Sito is surprised to hear such a sentiment from a Cardassian. Their sensors alert them that a Cardassian border patrol has spotted them.
   
On the ''Enterprise'', Lavelle is worried about his friend Sito's absence. He realizes Taurik and Ogawa know something, and is upset when they won't speak of it. Taurik reminds him that they are Starfleet officers, and Ogawa says that she isn't allowed to talk about it. Lavelle then drops it.
+
On the ''Enterprise'', Lavelle is worried about his friend Sito's absence. He realizes Taurik and Ogawa know something, and is upset when they won't speak of it. Taurik reminds him that they are Starfleet officers, and Ogawa says that she isn't allowed to talk about it. Lavelle then drops it.
   
Later, on duty on the bridge, Lavelle has just finished a long-range scan, and does not find any escape pod. Riker tells them to narrow the scan field. Lavelle says that it would help if he knew what kind of [[life sign]]s to look for. He is told to scan for a Bajoran life sign. Lavelle wanted to know if he was looking for his friend. Riker senses his distress. Only after launching a probe do they detect something: debris just inside Cardassian space.
+
Later, on duty on the bridge, Lavelle has just finished a long-range scan, and does not find any escape pod. Riker tells them to narrow the scan field. Lavelle says that it would help if he knew what kind of [[life sign]]s to look for. He is told to scan for a Bajoran life sign. Lavelle wanted to know if he was looking for his friend. Riker senses his distress. Picard decides to launch only after launching a probe do they detect something: debris just inside Cardassian space consistent with that of a Starfleet escape pod.
   
Picard makes a note in his log that they have intercepted a Cardassian communication indicating that a Bajoran prisoner was killed in her pod while trying to escape. And he announces to the crew that they have lost an officer of courage and character.
+
Picard makes a note in his log that they have intercepted a Cardassian communication indicating that a Bajoran prisoner was killed in her pod while trying to escape. He then makes a ship wide announcement where he confirms Sito has been lost in the line of duty, describing her as an outstanding Starfleet officer who showed great courage, as well as strength of character and noting that he knows that her death will be deeply felt by everyone who knew her (with Picard himself saddened by her loss). Sito's friends are seen reacting to the news with shock and upset.
   
Afterward, Ogawa and Taurik are sitting with Lavelle in Ten Forward, where Lavelle is regarding the [[rank]] pin for the promotion he has just received to [[lieutenant junior grade]]. He feels guilty about the promotion, wondering if he received it because Sito was killed. Ogawa and Taurik tell him that the best way to honor her memory is to excel in his new position.
+
Afterward, Ogawa and Taurik are sitting with Lavelle in Ten Forward, where Lavelle is regarding the [[rank]] pin for the promotion he has just received to [[lieutenant junior grade]]. He feels guilty about the promotion, wondering if he received it because Sito was killed. Ogawa and Taurik tell him that the best way to honor her memory is to excel in his new position. Ogawa attaches the pin to Lavelle's collar.
   
At the same time, Worf is also in Ten Forward. Ben sees him sitting alone, and encourages him to join the other group in remembering Sito, which he does.
+
At the same time, Worf is also in Ten Forward remembering Sito. Ben sees him sitting alone, and encourages him to join the other group. Worf doesn't think it is appropriate as he was her commanding officer while the others were her friends. Ben tells Worf that Sito considered him a friend, and Worf decides to join the junior officers as they remember her.
   
 
== Memorable quotes ==
 
== Memorable quotes ==
  +
"''It's a time honored strategy, Taurik.''"<br />
  +
"''The vedeks of the Janalan Order maintain a round-the-clock chant for the benefit of the Bajoran people.''"<br />
  +
"''Considering the history of [[Bajor|your planet]], that doesn't exactly validate what he's doing.''"
  +
: - '''Ogawa''', on Lavelle repeating his hopes for a promotion over and over, while '''Sito''' and a skeptical '''Taurik''' weigh in
  +
  +
 
"''You sure about dessert?''"<br />
 
"''You sure about dessert?''"<br />
 
"''Yes, don't tempt me.''"
 
"''Yes, don't tempt me.''"
 
:- '''Ben''' and '''Troi''', in Ten Forward
 
:- '''Ben''' and '''Troi''', in Ten Forward
  +
  +
  +
"''Lavelle.''"<br />
  +
"''Sir?''"<br />
  +
"''Resume previous course and speed.''"<br />
  +
"''Aye, aye sir.''"<br />
  +
"''One "aye" is sufficient acknowledgment, ensign.''"
  +
: - '''Riker''' being tough on '''Lavelle'''
  +
  +
  +
"''How would you like to be a spider under ''that'' table?''"<br />
  +
"''What?''"<br />
  +
"''A spider under the table.''"<br />
  +
"''Is that like a fly on the wall?''"<br />
  +
"''I guess so.''"
  +
: - '''Sito''' and '''Lavelle''' speculate on what the senior staff of the ''Enterprise'' are discussing in the observation lounge
   
   
Line 101: Line 122:
 
"''Defend yourself!''"
 
"''Defend yourself!''"
 
: - '''Worf''', to Sito Jaxa
 
: - '''Worf''', to Sito Jaxa
  +
  +
  +
"''I'm Bajoran. No one knows better than I do what Cardassians ''do'' to their prisoners.''"
  +
: - '''Sito Jaxa'''
   
   
Line 154: Line 179:
 
: - '''Jean-Luc Picard''', to the crew (on intercom)
 
: - '''Jean-Luc Picard''', to the crew (on intercom)
   
== Background Information ==
+
== Background information ==
 
=== Story and production ===
 
=== Story and production ===
  +
[[File:Lower Decks cast.jpg|thumb|250px|The prominent guest cast]]
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', the story was partially inspired by the classic television series, {{wt|Upstairs, Downstairs}}. Freelancers [[Ron Wilkerson]] and [[Jean Louise Matthias]] took the unusual step of presenting the premise in the form of detailed character notes.
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', the story was partially inspired by the classic television series, {{wt|Upstairs, Downstairs}}. Freelancers [[Ron Wilkerson]] and [[Jean Louise Matthias]] took the unusual step of presenting the premise in the form of detailed character notes.
 
* [[Jeri Taylor]] commented, "''The episode was a wonderful premise from Ron Wilkerson and Jean Matthias, who have given us other wonderful premises and a beautiful script with {{e|Lessons}}. Unfortunately, we were in a time bind. I had to have a staff member do it, so [[René Echevarria|René]] took it over and wrote a wildly off-concept show, but that's what made it work. It was: How does the ''Enterprise'' look to those little junior officers who don't get to go into the observation lounge and who don't know what's going on? It was just a really fresh, original idea and, I think as it turned out, one of the best episodes of the season.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* [[Jeri Taylor]] commented, "''The episode was a wonderful premise from Ron Wilkerson and Jean Matthias, who have given us other wonderful premises and a beautiful script with {{e|Lessons}}. Unfortunately, we were in a time bind. I had to have a staff member do it, so [[René Echevarria|René]] took it over and wrote a wildly off-concept show, but that's what made it work. It was: How does the ''Enterprise'' look to those little junior officers who don't get to go into the observation lounge and who don't know what's going on? It was just a really fresh, original idea and, I think as it turned out, one of the best episodes of the season.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* Ron Wilkerson remarked, "''Again, like our {{e|Lessons}}, what was important was not the mission but the relationships of the people. What it is like to work for Riker, to work for Worf, to wonder what goes on in secret briefings in the observation lounge?''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* Ron Wilkerson remarked, "''Again, like our {{e|Lessons}}, what was important was not the mission but the relationships of the people. What it is like to work for Riker, to work for Worf, to wonder what goes on in secret briefings in the observation lounge?''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] noted that there was some initial discussion on how far to take the premise. "''There was a debate early on about how much it was going to be their show and how much it was going to be our show. Ultimately, [[Michael Piller|Michael]] said this is their show, which I thought was a good decision &ndash; especially since he usually says it has to be about our characters &ndash; which is what made the show so good.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* [[Ronald D. Moore]] noted that there was some initial discussion on how far to take the premise. "''There was a debate early on about how much it was going to be their show and how much it was going to be our show. Ultimately, [[Michael Piller|Michael]] said this is their show, which I thought was a good decision &ndash; especially since he usually says it has to be about our characters &ndash; which is what made the show so good.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
  +
[[File:Filming Lower Decks.jpg|thumb|250px|Filming the episode]]
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', [[Reginald Barclay|Barclay]] was briefly considered as one of the characters featured, but was dropped for being "too well-known". Echevarria then added the civilian waiter [[Ben]] so as to have a character "''who hitches aboard the ship for fun, who's unconcerned about rank, and who passes along stupid rumors!''"
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', [[Reginald Barclay|Barclay]] was briefly considered as one of the characters featured, but was dropped for being "too well-known". Echevarria then added the civilian waiter [[Ben]] so as to have a character "''who hitches aboard the ship for fun, who's unconcerned about rank, and who passes along stupid rumors!''"
 
* [[Taurik]] was originally named "Sorik", but was changed to reflect the new practice of giving Vulcan males names starting with "T", as with [[Tuvok]] on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''. Had the series continued, the production staff would have considered making Taurik a recurring character. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* [[Taurik]] was originally named "Sorik", but was changed to reflect the new practice of giving Vulcan males names starting with "T", as with [[Tuvok]] on ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''. Had the series continued, the production staff would have considered making Taurik a recurring character. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
Line 165: Line 192:
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', [[Nils Diaz]] was named for the Cuban nuclear engineer of the same name, who is Echevarria's godfather and a propulsion-system researcher.
 
* According to the ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'', [[Nils Diaz]] was named for the Cuban nuclear engineer of the same name, who is Echevarria's godfather and a propulsion-system researcher.
 
* In early drafts of the script, [[Sito Jaxa]]'s death was somewhat more ambiguous. Taylor explained, "''When I mentioned that to Michael, he said, 'Absolutely not, she's dead. She stays dead. That would undermine the whole episode.' So I said 'Fine.' The morning after Michael saw the episode, he came in and said, 'We can't let her stay dead. We've got to bring her back. She was wonderful.' He was really bowled over by the episode.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* In early drafts of the script, [[Sito Jaxa]]'s death was somewhat more ambiguous. Taylor explained, "''When I mentioned that to Michael, he said, 'Absolutely not, she's dead. She stays dead. That would undermine the whole episode.' So I said 'Fine.' The morning after Michael saw the episode, he came in and said, 'We can't let her stay dead. We've got to bring her back. She was wonderful.' He was really bowled over by the episode.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
* Indeed, a script written for ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' would have centered around the discovery that Sito Jaxa had not died after the events of the episode but had ended up as an inmate in a [[Cardassian]] prison. The story itself was never produced but did come to form the basic premise for the episode {{e|Hard Time}}. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
+
* A script written for ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' would have centered around the discovery that Sito Jaxa had not died after the events of the episode but had ended up as an inmate in a [[Cardassian]] prison. The story itself was never produced but did come to form the basic premise for the episode {{e|Hard Time}}. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'')
  +
*Piller commented "''We were very impressed and very happy with the reaction we had to Ensign Sito who was lost along the Cardassian border and presumed dead. We have a plan to find her in captivity and to deal with what happens when somebody comes back from a long time in captivity, and the psychological impact of that sort of experience''". (''[[The Deep Space Log Book: A Second Season Companion]], p 51)
 
* First UK airdate: 17 April 1996
 
* First UK airdate: 17 April 1996
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
* Sito's presence on the ''Enterprise''-D &ndash; and indeed in Starfleet as an [[ensign]] &ndash; is another clue that the seasons of the series do not exactly correspond to the passage of time. Sito states that the events of {{e|The First Duty}} happened "three years ago" &ndash; presumably to account for her graduation from [[Starfleet Academy]] while having to repeat a year there as a result of her misconduct. Other clues include Molly O'Brien's age and the fourth anniversary of Wolf 359 in {{e|Second Sight}}.
+
* Sito's presence on the ''Enterprise''-D &ndash; and indeed in Starfleet as an [[ensign]] &ndash; is another clue that the seasons of the series do not exactly correspond to the passage of time. Sito states that the events of {{e|The First Duty}} happened "three years ago" &ndash; presumably to account for her graduation from [[Starfleet Academy]] while having to repeat a year there as a result of her misconduct. Other clues include [[Molly O'Brien]]'s age and the fourth anniversary of the [[Battle of Wolf 359]] in {{e|Second Sight}}.
 
* When Riker comments that he should just promote every crewman on the ship, Riker and Troi jokingly refer to each other as "commander" and "captain" respectively. Troi is promoted to commander in the very next episode, {{e|Thine Own Self}}.
 
* When Riker comments that he should just promote every crewman on the ship, Riker and Troi jokingly refer to each other as "commander" and "captain" respectively. Troi is promoted to commander in the very next episode, {{e|Thine Own Self}}.
   
Line 206: Line 234:
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
 
* [[David Keith Anderson]] as [[Armstrong]]
 
* [[David Keith Anderson]] as [[Armstrong]]
* [[Lena Banks]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female Engineer Ensign|operations division ensign]]
+
* [[Lena Banks]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female Engineer Ensign|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
 
* [[Carl David Burks]] as [[Russell]]
 
* [[Carl David Burks]] as [[Russell]]
Line 212: Line 240:
 
* [[Tracee Lee Cocco]] as [[Jae]]
 
* [[Tracee Lee Cocco]] as [[Jae]]
 
* [[John Copage]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Elderly science / command division officer|science division officer]]
 
* [[John Copage]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Elderly science / command division officer|science division officer]]
* [[Elliot Durant III]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Operations division Ensign|operations division ensign]]
+
* [[Elliot Durant III]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Operations division Ensign|operations division ensign]]
* [[Gunnel Eriksson]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female science division officer (2368-2371)|science division officer]]
+
* [[Gunnel Eriksson]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science division officer (2368-2371)|science division officer]]
* [[Holiday Freeman]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female command division officer|command division officer]]
+
* [[Holiday Freeman]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female command division officer|command division officer]]
 
* [[Keith Gearhart]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Operations/ Science division crewman|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[Keith Gearhart]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Operations/ Science division crewman|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[Linda Harcharic]] as [[Sousa]]
 
* [[Linda Harcharic]] as [[Sousa]]
* [[Rad Milo]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Relief ops ensign (2369)|operations division ensign]]
+
* [[Gary Hunter]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Male science division officer|science division officer]]
* [[Michael Moorehead]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Bridge science ensign|science division ensign]]
+
* [[Rad Milo]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Command / Operations division ensign (2367-2370)|operations division ensign]]
* [[Ted Parker]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Ten Forward waiter (2370)|Ten Forward waiter]]
+
* [[Michael Moorehead]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Bridge science ensign|science division ensign]]
  +
* [[Ted Parker]] as [[Ten Forward personnel#Ten Forward waiter (2370)|Ten Forward waiter]]
 
* [[Joyce Robinson]] as [[Gates]]
 
* [[Joyce Robinson]] as [[Gates]]
 
* [[John Tampoya]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Operations/ Command Ensign|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[John Tampoya]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Operations/ Command Ensign|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Ten Forward waiter (2370)|Ten Forward waiter (voice)]]
+
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female ensign (2370)|Female command division ensign]]
  +
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female command division officer (2370)|Female command division officer]]
  +
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Relief ops officer (2369)|Operations division officer]]
  +
** [[Ten Forward personnel#Ten Forward waiter (2370)|Ten Forward waiter (voice)]]
 
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Transporter officer (2370)|Transporter officer (voice)]]
 
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Transporter officer (2370)|Transporter officer (voice)]]
   
Line 239: Line 271:
   
 
=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[Alaska]]; [[alpha shift]]; [[ambassador]]; [[Argaya system]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajoran]]; [[beta shift]]; [[blackjack]]; [[bounty hunter]]; [[cadet]]; [[Canada]]; [[Cardassia]]; [[Cardassian]]; [[Cardassian border]]; [[Cardassian escape pod]]; [[Cardassian military]]; [[Cardassian patrol ship]]; [[Carstairs (engineer)|Carstairs]]; [[USS Clement|''Clement'', USS]]; [[confinement beam]]; [[crew evaluation]]; [[evaluation report#Crew assessments|crew evaluation report]]; [[coffee]]; ''[[Curie (shuttlecraft)|Curie]]''; [[debris]]; [[deflector dish]]; [[Nils Diaz|Diaz, Nils]]; [[evaluation report#Drill assessments|drill evaluation report]]; [[escape pod]]; [[evacuation pod]]; [[evasive maneuvers]]; [[Federation]]; [[Fletcher (Ensign)|Fletcher]]; [[flight instructor]]; [[flight test]]; [[fly]]; [[gamma shift]]; ''[[gik'tal]]''; [[gul]]; [[helm]]; [[hull resiliency]]; [[inorganic matter]]; [[internal sensors]]; [[jazz]]; [[junior officer]]; [[Klingon]]; [[life support system]]; [[lip reading]]; [[long range scan]]; [[marriage]]; ''[[mok'bara]]''; [[nacelle]]; [[navigation grid]]; [[night shift]]; [[observation lounge]]; [[phaser]]; [[phaser rifle]]; [[plasma]]; [[poker]]; [[USS Potemkin (NCC-18253)|''Potemkin'', USS]]; [[Andrew Powell|Powell, Andrew]]; [[probe]]; [[propulsion system]]s; [[puppy]]; [[Riley]]; [[senior officer]]; [[sensor sweep]]; [[shackles]]; [[shuttlecraft]]; [[snow]]; [[soccer|soccer ball]]; [[spider]]; [[Spock]]; [[Starfleet]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[subdural hematoma]]; [[Tanaline propulsion laboratory]]; [[Ten Forward]]; ''[[Terrace]]''; [[three-dimensional chess]]; [[Trakian ale]]; [[turbolift]]; [[vedek]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[warp field]]
+
[[Alaska]]; [[alpha shift]]; [[ambassador]]; [[Argaya system]]; [[Bajor]]; [[Bajoran]]; [[beta shift]]; [[blackjack]]; [[blindfold]]; [[bounty hunter]]; [[cadet]]; [[Canada]]; [[Cardassia]]; [[Cardassian]]; [[Cardassian border]]; [[Cardassian escape pod]]; [[Cardassian military]]; [[Cardassian patrol ship]]; [[Carstairs (engineer)|Carstairs]]; [[USS Clement|''Clement'', USS]]; [[confinement beam]]; [[crew evaluation]]; [[evaluation report#Crew assessments|crew evaluation report]]; [[coffee]]; ''[[Curie (shuttlecraft)|Curie]]''; [[debris]]; [[deflector dish]]; [[Nils Diaz|Diaz, Nils]]; [[evaluation report#Drill assessments|drill evaluation report]]; [[escape pod]]; [[evacuation pod]]; [[evasive maneuvers]]; [[Federation]]; [[Fletcher (Ensign)|Fletcher]]; [[flight instructor]]; [[flight test]]; [[fly]]; [[gamma shift]]; ''[[gik'tal]]''; [[gul]]; [[helm]]; [[hull resiliency]]; [[inorganic matter]]; [[internal sensor]]s; [[jazz]]; [[junior officer]]; [[Klingon]]; [[life support system]]; [[lip reading]]; [[long range scan]]; [[marriage]]; ''[[mok'bara]]''; [[nacelle]]; [[navigation grid]]; [[night shift]]; [[observation lounge]]; [[phaser]]; [[phaser rifle]]; [[plasma]]; [[poker]]; [[USS Potemkin (Excelsior class)|''Potemkin'', USS]]; [[Andrew Powell|Powell, Andrew]]; [[probe]]; [[propulsion system]]s; [[puppy]]; [[Reilly]]; [[senior officer]]; [[sensor sweep]]; [[shackles]]; [[shuttlecraft]]; [[snow]]; [[soccer|soccer ball]]; [[spider]]; [[Spock]]; [[Starfleet]]; [[Starfleet Academy]]; [[subdural hematoma]]; [[Tanaline Propulsion Laboratory]]; [[Ten Forward]]; ''[[Terrace]]''; [[three-dimensional chess]]; [[Trakian ale]]; [[turbolift]]; [[vedek]]; [[Vulcan]]; [[warp field]]
   
 
{{TNG nav|season=7|last={{e|Sub Rosa}}|next={{e|Thine Own Self}}}}
 
{{TNG nav|season=7|last={{e|Sub Rosa}}|next={{e|Thine Own Self}}}}
  +
   
 
[[de:Beförderung (Episode)]]
 
[[de:Beförderung (Episode)]]
 
[[es:Lower Decks]]
 
[[es:Lower Decks]]
[[fr:Lower Decks]]
+
[[fr:Lower Decks (épisode)]]
[[ja:TNG:若き勇者達]]
+
[[ja:若き勇者達(エピソード)]]
 
[[nl:Lower Decks]]
 
[[nl:Lower Decks]]
 
 
[[Category:TNG episodes]]
 
[[Category:TNG episodes]]

Revision as of 01:48, 21 October 2015

Template:Realworld

Junior officers speculate on the reasons for recent unusual actions taken by the command crew near the Cardassian border.

Summary

Teaser

Junior officers playing terrace

Playing in Ten Forward

Counselor Troi and Commander Riker are discussing crew evaluations in Ten Forward, much to the dismay of Ensign Sam Lavelle, who is watching them from across the room with his friends Ensigns Sito Jaxa, Taurik, and Nurse Alyssa Ogawa. This concern deepens when another friend of theirs, waiter Ben, tells them that Lavelle and Sito are apparently up for the same position: ops night duty officer, as well as the promotion to Lieutenant that comes with it.

Act One

Think promotion Lavelle

Lavelle wants that promotion badly

The crew performs a battle drill, with Lavelle and Sito on the bridge at conn and tactical, respectively, and with Taurik assisting Lieutenant Commander La Forge in engineering. Afterward, Riker offers advice to Sito on improving her performance, but snaps at Lavelle for acknowledging with more than one "aye." Captain Picard enters the bridge from his ready room and orders a change of course to the Argaya system, near Cardassian space at maximum warp.

When the senior officers are in the observation lounge discussing the new orders, Sito is asked to fill in at ops. This indicates to Lavelle that his chances for promotion to the position are slim but Sito tries to assure him by suggesting Riker might feel she needs more practice than he. In engineering, Taurik enthusiastically shares some new ideas in warp field configuration with a somewhat annoyed La Forge who is intrigued but still slightly irritated by the Vulcan's forthright nature. In sickbay, Doctor Crusher tells Nurse Ogawa that she is promoting her to lieutenant. Ogawa shares her fears about her relationship with Lieutenant Powell but Crusher thinks she's overreacting.

Lavelle and Riker at Ten Forward

Lavelle trying to get on Riker's good side

Later in Ten Forward, Sito is surprised and encouraged to find out from Lieutenant Worf that he recommended her for the ops position. Meanwhile, Lavelle laments the fact that, apparently, Riker does not like him. Ben, who is friends with Riker, tells him that Riker likes poker, jazz and he is Canadian. Lavelle tries to strike up a conversation with the first officer about this while Riker sits at the bar. Unfortunately, Riker is actually from Alaska and an embarrassed Lavelle jokingly states that they both get a lot of snow before making a haste departure.

Close to the Cardassian border, the USS Enterprise-D is searching in vain for an escape pod. Finally, it is located in Cardassian space, outside of normal transporter range.

Act Two

With some adjustments from La Forge and Taurik, the pod's occupant is beamed to sickbay. Due to the sensitive nature of this person's identity, Crusher orders Ogawa to leave. Ogawa finds Sito standing outside with orders not to allow anyone other than senior officers to enter. Captain Picard then arrives, and after doing a double-take when he sees who is standing guard, enters.

After seeing the mysterious visitor, Picard has Sito join him in his ready room and tells her that he doesn't believe she is ready for the Ops position, reminding her of her record with the disgraced Nova Squadron while at Starfleet Academy and how she participated in an attempt at a forbidden stunt which resulted in the death of a fellow cadet as well as the cover-up which impeded the ensuing investigation and asks what does that say about the kind of person she is. Sito tells him that she now understands how she was wrong to try and cover up the truth, and since then her record has been spotless. She also details how difficult her time at he Academy had been afterwards, as she didn't have any friends and none of the other cadets were willing to fly with her again. Picard isn't the least bit interested that she didn't enjoy the Academy, and sternly tells Sito that she should have been expelled as far as he's concerned and he doesn't know how she ended up on his ship before curtly dismissing her. Severely chastened, Sito leaves without another word.

Act Three

In the shuttlebay, Taurik and La Forge are intentionally damaging the Type 6 shuttlecraft Curie with a phaser rifle. Taurik is puzzled but La Forge offers no credible explanation as to why they are doing this. Taurik, remarking on his pattern of phaser fire, says that it would be consistent if the shuttle were under attack and had engaged evasive maneuvers. La Forge tells him it is an "amazing coincidence." Ogawa is asked by Crusher to assist her with emergency surgery on the visitor and is ordered not to reveal the patient's identity to anyone else. Ogawa is shocked to find the patient is in fact a Cardassian.

Junior officers playing poker

Playing poker

Later, the junior officers are playing poker and speculating on who was in the escape pod. Ogawa is quiet about what she knows. They encourage Sito, after hearing of her encounter with the Captain. Lavelle still laments Riker's seeming dislike for him, but Sito tells him that it doesn't matter if Riker likes him as long as he respects him which he must do. Lavelle feels better, and decides to stop trying so hard. Taurik is also concerned that his suggestions have put off La Forge. Meanwhile, Ben, who is also at the poker table, cleans out his preoccupied Starfleet friends until one by one they decide to turn in.

The senior officers are also playing poker. Crusher notes that she saw Lieutenant Powell with another woman in Ten Forward. Troi tells her Powell should inform Ogawa, saying that it may hurt her initially but will be better for her in the long run. Also, Worf and Riker debate who to promote, Sito or Lavelle. Riker thinks Sito is too inexperienced, but Worf gives her his full confidence. Riker agrees to keep her in consideration, especially as he thinks Lavelle too eager to please. Troi points out that he and Lavelle are very much alike, and reminds him how during his time on the USS Potemkin, he took up poker so he could join in the officers game. Riker decides not to be so hard on the young officer in the future. As the games break up, La Forge invites Taurik to engineering to try out his engine improvements. Moments later, Ben comes by, hoping to press his luck by engaging the remaining senior officers in a few more hands.

Act Four

After his next mok'bara class, Worf singles out Sito and tells her she must pass a gik'tal challenge to move into his advanced class. He has her put on a blindfold and spar with him. But after being knocked down several times, she removes the blindfold and refuses to continue with the test. He praises her for standing up to the unfair treatment and hopes she will do so when it happens again. The gik'tal was, of course, invented by Worf, in order to test (and encourage) Sito's ability to stand up for herself when she is being unfairly attacked.

Sito takes Worf's advice and confronts Picard about his comments on her academy days. She asks him to judge her on her performance on the Enterprise, not her past mistakes. Picard is pleased. In actuality, he was the one who requested that Sito be assigned to the Enterprise as he wanted her to have a proper chance to redeem herself. In fact, he had only been testing her mettle for an important and dangerous assignment.

In sickbay, Ogawa announces her engagement to Lieutenant Powell to a relieved Doctor Crusher.

Sito joins Picard, Riker, and Worf in the observation lounge. With them is Joret Dal, a Cardassian military officer and a Federation operative. He was the occupant of the escape pod. Now Starfleet must get him safely back to Cardassian space. His return would be easier if he had a prisoner, allowing him to pose as a bounty hunter. As a Bajoran, Sito is a perfect candidate but Picard, knowing the extreme danger of the assignment, cannot bring himself to order her to do it. Sito volunteers, fully aware of how the Cardassians treat their prisoners. After she leaves, Dal expresses his regret that she is so young. The Enterprise officers share this regret.

The shuttle Curie, that La Forge and Taurik damaged with phasers, will carry the two to Cardassian space, where, after passing through the border patrols, Dal will return Sito to the Federation in an escape pod. Sito says goodbye to Worf as she boards, with fake bruises provided by Crusher.

Act Five

Sito jaxa, final mission

Sito gets ready for her final mission

Sito wonders why Dal does what he does for Starfleet and he tells her that he is sick of the pointless fighting his people engage in, brought about by ambitious Guls trying to make a name for themselves in combat. He believes what he does is worth it if it will bring peace to Cardassia. Sito is surprised to hear such a sentiment from a Cardassian. Their sensors alert them that a Cardassian border patrol has spotted them.

On the Enterprise, Lavelle is worried about his friend Sito's absence. He realizes Taurik and Ogawa know something, and is upset when they won't speak of it. Taurik reminds him that they are Starfleet officers, and Ogawa says that she isn't allowed to talk about it. Lavelle then drops it.

Later, on duty on the bridge, Lavelle has just finished a long-range scan, and does not find any escape pod. Riker tells them to narrow the scan field. Lavelle says that it would help if he knew what kind of life signs to look for. He is told to scan for a Bajoran life sign. Lavelle wanted to know if he was looking for his friend. Riker senses his distress. Picard decides to launch only after launching a probe do they detect something: debris just inside Cardassian space consistent with that of a Starfleet escape pod.

Picard makes a note in his log that they have intercepted a Cardassian communication indicating that a Bajoran prisoner was killed in her pod while trying to escape. He then makes a ship wide announcement where he confirms Sito has been lost in the line of duty, describing her as an outstanding Starfleet officer who showed great courage, as well as strength of character and noting that he knows that her death will be deeply felt by everyone who knew her (with Picard himself saddened by her loss). Sito's friends are seen reacting to the news with shock and upset.

Afterward, Ogawa and Taurik are sitting with Lavelle in Ten Forward, where Lavelle is regarding the rank pin for the promotion he has just received to lieutenant junior grade. He feels guilty about the promotion, wondering if he received it because Sito was killed. Ogawa and Taurik tell him that the best way to honor her memory is to excel in his new position. Ogawa attaches the pin to Lavelle's collar.

At the same time, Worf is also in Ten Forward remembering Sito. Ben sees him sitting alone, and encourages him to join the other group. Worf doesn't think it is appropriate as he was her commanding officer while the others were her friends. Ben tells Worf that Sito considered him a friend, and Worf decides to join the junior officers as they remember her.

Memorable quotes

"It's a time honored strategy, Taurik."
"The vedeks of the Janalan Order maintain a round-the-clock chant for the benefit of the Bajoran people."
"Considering the history of your planet, that doesn't exactly validate what he's doing."

- Ogawa, on Lavelle repeating his hopes for a promotion over and over, while Sito and a skeptical Taurik weigh in


"You sure about dessert?"
"Yes, don't tempt me."

- Ben and Troi, in Ten Forward


"Lavelle."
"Sir?"
"Resume previous course and speed."
"Aye, aye sir."
"One "aye" is sufficient acknowledgment, ensign."

- Riker being tough on Lavelle


"How would you like to be a spider under that table?"
"What?"
"A spider under the table."
"Is that like a fly on the wall?"
"I guess so."

- Sito and Lavelle speculate on what the senior staff of the Enterprise are discussing in the observation lounge


"What could they be talking about?"
"Have you ever considered learning to lipread?"

- Sam Lavelle and Taurik


"Defend yourself!"

- Worf, to Sito Jaxa


"I'm Bajoran. No one knows better than I do what Cardassians do to their prisoners."

- Sito Jaxa


"All my life I've served in the military. Once, it was an institution dedicated to the security of Cardassia. Now it's little more than a platform for ambitious guls hoping to make their reputations in battle. I'm sick of war... my people need peace."

- Joret Dal, explaining to Sito Jaxa why he was doing what he was doing, when they were in the shuttle


"Why? Did you crash the ship into something?"

- Ben, to Sam Lavelle in Ten Forward after Sam stated Riker didn't like him


"He likes poker, jazz... he's Canadian."
"Yeah? My grandfather was from Canada."

- Ben and Sam Lavelle, on Commander Riker


"Sir... I'm a little puzzled. Why are we intentionally damaging the shuttlecraft?"

- Taurik, to Geordi La Forge


"My grandfather was Canadian, you know."
"Really?"
"Aren't you one, too?"
"A grandfather?"
"No. Canadian, sir. Canadian."
"No, I grew up in Alaska."
"Oh. Well... they both... get a lot of snow."
"Yeah."
"It was good talking to you, sir."
"Yeah."

- Sam Lavelle and William Riker


"I only filled in for ops for half hour but I had to degauss the main deflector dish, recalibrate the navigation grid and use internal sensors to find a lost puppy."

- Sito Jaxa, to Worf


"Do you think Worf is chewing her out?"
"No, he always looks like that."

- Sam Lavelle and Ben


"Sir, is there really such a thing as a gik'tal challenge?"
"No, there is not. But perhaps next time you are judged unfairly, it will not take so many bruises for you to protest."

- Sito Jaxa and Worf


"It's not your place to punish me for what I did at the Academy. I've worked hard here. My record is exemplary. If you're going to judge me, judge me for what I am now."

- Sito Jaxa, to Picard, echoing his own words towards Q from "Encounter at Farpoint"


"To all Starfleet personnel: this is the captain. It is my sad duty to inform you that a member of the crew, Ensign Sito Jaxa has been lost in the line of duty. She was the finest example of a Starfleet officer and a young woman of remarkable courage and strength of character. Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Picard out."

- Jean-Luc Picard, to the crew (on intercom)

Background information

Story and production

Lower Decks cast

The prominent guest cast

  • According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, the story was partially inspired by the classic television series, Upstairs, Downstairs. Freelancers Ron Wilkerson and Jean Louise Matthias took the unusual step of presenting the premise in the form of detailed character notes.
  • Jeri Taylor commented, "The episode was a wonderful premise from Ron Wilkerson and Jean Matthias, who have given us other wonderful premises and a beautiful script with "Lessons". Unfortunately, we were in a time bind. I had to have a staff member do it, so René took it over and wrote a wildly off-concept show, but that's what made it work. It was: How does the Enterprise look to those little junior officers who don't get to go into the observation lounge and who don't know what's going on? It was just a really fresh, original idea and, I think as it turned out, one of the best episodes of the season." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
  • Ron Wilkerson remarked, "Again, like our "Lessons", what was important was not the mission but the relationships of the people. What it is like to work for Riker, to work for Worf, to wonder what goes on in secret briefings in the observation lounge?" (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
  • Ronald D. Moore noted that there was some initial discussion on how far to take the premise. "There was a debate early on about how much it was going to be their show and how much it was going to be our show. Ultimately, Michael said this is their show, which I thought was a good decision – especially since he usually says it has to be about our characters – which is what made the show so good." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
Filming Lower Decks

Filming the episode

  • According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, Barclay was briefly considered as one of the characters featured, but was dropped for being "too well-known". Echevarria then added the civilian waiter Ben so as to have a character "who hitches aboard the ship for fun, who's unconcerned about rank, and who passes along stupid rumors!"
  • Taurik was originally named "Sorik", but was changed to reflect the new practice of giving Vulcan males names starting with "T", as with Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager. Had the series continued, the production staff would have considered making Taurik a recurring character. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
  • Sam Lavelle was named after Wilkerson's Canadian Labrador Samwell and a close friend of Echevarria. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion)
  • According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion, Nils Diaz was named for the Cuban nuclear engineer of the same name, who is Echevarria's godfather and a propulsion-system researcher.
  • In early drafts of the script, Sito Jaxa's death was somewhat more ambiguous. Taylor explained, "When I mentioned that to Michael, he said, 'Absolutely not, she's dead. She stays dead. That would undermine the whole episode.' So I said 'Fine.' The morning after Michael saw the episode, he came in and said, 'We can't let her stay dead. We've got to bring her back. She was wonderful.' He was really bowled over by the episode." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
  • A script written for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would have centered around the discovery that Sito Jaxa had not died after the events of the episode but had ended up as an inmate in a Cardassian prison. The story itself was never produced but did come to form the basic premise for the episode "Hard Time". (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)
  • Piller commented "We were very impressed and very happy with the reaction we had to Ensign Sito who was lost along the Cardassian border and presumed dead. We have a plan to find her in captivity and to deal with what happens when somebody comes back from a long time in captivity, and the psychological impact of that sort of experience". (The Deep Space Log Book: A Second Season Companion, p 51)
  • First UK airdate: 17 April 1996

Continuity

  • Sito's presence on the Enterprise-D – and indeed in Starfleet as an ensign – is another clue that the seasons of the series do not exactly correspond to the passage of time. Sito states that the events of "The First Duty" happened "three years ago" – presumably to account for her graduation from Starfleet Academy while having to repeat a year there as a result of her misconduct. Other clues include Molly O'Brien's age and the fourth anniversary of the Battle of Wolf 359 in "Second Sight".
  • When Riker comments that he should just promote every crewman on the ship, Riker and Troi jokingly refer to each other as "commander" and "captain" respectively. Troi is promoted to commander in the very next episode, "Thine Own Self".

Cast and characters

Reception

  • After the show aired, rumors emerged that the characters of the episode were being introduced to become characters on Star Trek: Voyager. Taylor remarked, "It was just a rampant rumor that would not die. I am just mystified was to why people thought that three middle-aged people – Rick, Michael and myself – would ever create a series that had nothing but a bunch of young 90210 people on it. It was just absolutely out of the question." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
  • This episode became the Trope Namer for the "Lower Decks Episode" trope at TVTropes.org.

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins

References

Alaska; alpha shift; ambassador; Argaya system; Bajor; Bajoran; beta shift; blackjack; blindfold; bounty hunter; cadet; Canada; Cardassia; Cardassian; Cardassian border; Cardassian escape pod; Cardassian military; Cardassian patrol ship; Carstairs; Clement, USS; confinement beam; crew evaluation; crew evaluation report; coffee; Curie; debris; deflector dish; Diaz, Nils; drill evaluation report; escape pod; evacuation pod; evasive maneuvers; Federation; Fletcher; flight instructor; flight test; fly; gamma shift; gik'tal; gul; helm; hull resiliency; inorganic matter; internal sensors; jazz; junior officer; Klingon; life support system; lip reading; long range scan; marriage; mok'bara; nacelle; navigation grid; night shift; observation lounge; phaser; phaser rifle; plasma; poker; Potemkin, USS; Powell, Andrew; probe; propulsion systems; puppy; Reilly; senior officer; sensor sweep; shackles; shuttlecraft; snow; soccer ball; spider; Spock; Starfleet; Starfleet Academy; subdural hematoma; Tanaline Propulsion Laboratory; Ten Forward; Terrace; three-dimensional chess; Trakian ale; turbolift; vedek; Vulcan; warp field

Previous episode:
"Sub Rosa"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 7
Next episode:
"Thine Own Self"