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{{realworld}}
 
{{realworld}}
{{sidebar episode|
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{{sidebar episode
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|<!-- See [[Memory Alpha:Episode data project]] -->
 
| aSelf = The Survivors
 
| aSelf = The Survivors
 
| sTitle = The Survivors
 
| sTitle = The Survivors
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|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
 
|aNextInUniverseTimeline = Who Watches The Watchers (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Ensigns of Command (episode)
 
|aPrevInUniverseTimeline = The Ensigns of Command (episode)
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}}
}}{{Ep disambiguation|TAS|The Survivor}}
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{{ep disambiguation|TAS|The Survivor}}
 
 
The ''Enterprise'' investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.
 
The ''Enterprise'' investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.
   
 
==Summary==
 
==Summary==
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is ''en route'' to a [[Federation]] colony, [[Delta Rana IV]], which sent a [[distress signal]] indicating they were under attack. When the ''Enterprise'' crew arrives, they find the entire [[planet]] devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house containing two elderly [[botanist]]s, [[Kevin Uxbridge|Kevin]] and [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. Still aboard the ''Enterprise'', [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] senses something unusual about the two. However, she soon begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop. The music blocks her [[empath]]ic abilities and eventually begins driving her insane.
 
   
  +
{{Pna-episode}}
The two survivors claim to not know why they were spared. The ''Enterprise'' soon is attacked by a large warship, apparently the one responsible for the devastation. [[Data]] reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the ''Enterprise'' fires a warning shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] returns to the Delta Rana system. Upon returning, he visits the two survivors and offers them a replicator.
 
 
The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} is ''en route'' to a [[Federation]] colony, [[Delta Rana IV]], which sent a [[distress signal]] indicating they were under attack. When the ''Enterprise'' crew arrives, they find the entire [[planet]] completely devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house containing two elderly [[botanist]]s, [[Kevin Uxbridge|Kevin]] and [[Rishon Uxbridge]] originally from [[Earth]]. Still aboard the ''Enterprise'', [[Counselor]] [[Deanna Troi|Troi]] senses something unusual about the two. However, she soon begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop. The music blocks her [[empath]]ic abilities and eventually begins driving her insane.
   
 
The two survivors claim to not know why they were spared and both refuse to be beamed up to the ''Enterprise'' when [[William T. Riker|Riker]] offers them safety aboard. The ''Enterprise'' soon is attacked by a large [[Delta Rana warship|warship]], apparently the one responsible for the devastation. [[Data]] reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the ''Enterprise'' fires a warning [[phaser]] shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] returns to the Delta Rana system. Upon returning, he visits the two survivors with [[Worf]] and offers them a portable replicator.
[[File:Music haunts Troi.jpg|thumb|left|''"Stop! Please, '''stop!'''"'']]
 
Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much more than tearfully beg Dr. [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] to make it stop. She suggests moving her to [[sickbay]], which Troi refuses. Dr. Crusher offers to induce delta-wave sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.
 
   
 
[[File:Music haunts Troi.jpg|thumb|left|"''Stop! Please, '''stop!'''''"]]
Back on the planet, Picard describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They refuse. The ''Enterprise'' goes into [[red alert]] as the unidentified ship returns. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, the attacks are stronger and cause much more damage than previously. As the ''Enterprise'' throws everything she's got at the attacking ship, the ship absorbs all energy and is entirely undamaged. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the ''Enterprise'' escapes the ship's firing range.
 
 
Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much more than tearfully beg Dr. [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] to make it stop. She suggests moving her to [[sickbay]], which Troi refuses. Dr. [[Beverly Crusher|Crusher]] offers to induce delta-wave sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.
   
 
Back on the planet, Picard describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They again refuse. The ''Enterprise'' goes into [[red alert]] as the unidentified ship returns. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, the attacks are stronger and cause much more damage than they had previously. As the ''Enterprise'' throws everything she's got at the attacking ship, the ship absorbs all energy from its weapons and is entirely undamaged. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the ''Enterprise'' escapes the ship's firing range.
[[File:Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home.jpg|thumb|''"Please, leave us alone!"'']]
 
Picard theorizes that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave. Back in the Delta Rana system, Picard expresses his belief that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it some how protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating and are startled by Picard and Lt. [[Worf]]'s sudden appearance.
 
   
 
[[File:Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home.jpg|thumb|"''Please, leave us alone!''"]]
Picard accuses them of never expecting to see him again for some reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that the ''Enterprise'' will remain in orbit around Rana IV as long as the two are alive.
 
 
Picard theorizes that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave. Back in the Delta Rana system, Picard expresses his belief that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it some how protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating and are startled by Picard and Worf's sudden appearance.
   
 
Kevin asks Picard and Worf to leave him and his wife alone. Picard tells him that after he leaves, he will never set foot in their home on Rana again for some reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that the ''Enterprise'' will remain in orbit around Rana IV as long as the two are alive.
[[File:Warship fires on planet.jpg|thumb|left|''"It is preparing to fire at the planet."'']]
 
Upon beaming back to the ''Enterprise'', the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. [[Commander]] [[William T. Riker|Riker]] and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the ''Enterprise'' will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the ''Enterprise'' and targets the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are destroyed and the ship is then itself destroyed by a single [[photon torpedo]] from the ''Enterprise''.
 
   
 
[[File:Warship fires on planet.jpg|thumb|left|"''It is preparing to fire at the planet.''"]]
The crew are astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, [[Geordi La Forge]] notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house is back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon beamed directly to the bridge and confronts them over what really happened on the planet.
 
 
Upon beaming back to the ''Enterprise'', the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. [[Commander]] Riker and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the ''Enterprise'' will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the ''Enterprise'' and targets the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are totally destroyed and the ship is then itself blown apart by a single [[photon torpedo]] from the ''Enterprise''.
   
 
Picard calmly orders the ship to keep watch over the plot of land. The crew are astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, [[Geordi La Forge]] notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house and land are back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon to be beamed directly to the bridge and confronts them over what really happened on the planet. Speaking to Rishon, Picard notes that all of his senses tell him that she exists, but he has realized that she is not real. Rishon then vanishes, leaving only a sad Kevin. Picard tells him he knows he's not Human. Kevin then teleports to the [[turbolift]]; Picard orders the crew to keep clear and to track him, as he believes Kevin to be a creature of conscience that has some unfinished business aboard before returning to the surface.
[[File:Uxbridge heals Troi.jpg|thumb|''"She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness."'']]
 
Kevin Uxbridge makes a startling confession &ndash; he is in fact a [[Douwd]], an immortal being with vast powers. He met his [[Human]] wife many years before and decided to live as a Human with her. She joined the colonists in fighting the alien [[Husnock]] raiders and was killed. Though a devout [[pacifism|pacifist]], in a moment of anger towards the invaders for taking his wife's life, he annihilated the entire Husnock race.
 
   
 
[[File:Uxbridge heals Troi.jpg|thumb|"''She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness.''"]]
Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Delta Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the ''Enterprise'' from finding out the truth. The music in Troi's mind is also his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation is not qualified to be his judge in the matter, and allows him to return to the planet. As the ''Enterprise'' departs, Picard indicates that the Douwd should be "left alone".
 
  +
Dr. Crusher visits Troi's quarters, startled to find Kevin at her bedside: he has removed the music from her mind. The music was his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard enters and demands the truth about what happened to the planet. Kevin makes a startling confession: he is in fact a [[Douwd]], an [[immortal]] being with vast powers. He met his [[Human]] wife many years before and decided to live as a Human with her. The alien raiders were the [[Husnock]], who he knew as being of hideous intelligence, knowing only aggression and destruction. A devout [[pacifism|pacifist]] he could have, but did not, destroy them. He used his powers to try to trick them instead, but it only made them more angry and cruel. Rishon joined the colonists in fighting what Kevin knew to be a hopeless battle against the raiders and was killed. Viewing her broken body, in an instant of insane rage and grief towards the invaders, he [[Genocide|annihilated]] the entire Husnock race -- around fifty billion lives.
   
 
Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Delta Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the ''Enterprise'' from finding out the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation is not qualified to be his judge in the matter, and allows him to return to the planet.
===Log Entries===
 
  +
  +
With Troi returned to full health, the ''Enterprise'' departs for [[Starbase 133]]. Picard notes in his log that the Douwd is a being of extraordinary power, and isn't sure if he should be condemned for his crime or praised for his conscience. What he does know, however, is that "Kevin" should be left alone.
  +
 
===Log entries===
 
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Distress Call at Delta Rana IV|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
 
* [[Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366#Distress Call at Delta Rana IV|Captain's log, USS ''Enterprise'' (NCC-1701-D), 2366]]
   
==Memorable Quotes==
+
==Memorable quotes==
 
"''Sir, may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall.''"<br />
 
"''Sir, may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall.''"<br />
 
"''Didn't fool you, huh?''"<br />
 
"''Didn't fool you, huh?''"<br />
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  +
"''Your colony was attacked by a warship-''"<br />
"''I saw her broken body... I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock!'"
 
  +
"''Belonging to the Husnock. A species of hideous intelligence. Knew only aggression... destruction.''"<br />
  +
: - '''Picard''' and '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
  +
  +
 
"''I saw her broken body... I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock!'"''
 
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
 
: - '''Kevin Uxbridge'''
   
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== Background information ==
 
== Background information ==
 
=== Story and script ===
 
=== Story and script ===
* According to the first draft script dated {{d|7|July|1989}}, the working title for this episode was "The Veiled Planet". [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/151.txt] [http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/5/lot/842/]
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* According to the first draft script dated {{d|7|July|1989}}, the working title for this episode was "The Veiled Planet". {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/151.txt}} [http://www.julienslive.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/5/lot/842/]
   
 
=== Production ===
 
=== Production ===
 
[[File:Frakes fall, The Survivors.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Frakes]] begins the "snare" stunt]]
 
[[File:Frakes fall, The Survivors.jpg|thumb|[[Jonathan Frakes]] begins the "snare" stunt]]
[[File:Filming the survivors.jpg|thumb|Location shooting, with [[Dan Koko]], [[Dennis Madalone]], and cinematographer [[Marvin V. Rush]].]]
+
[[File:Filming the survivors.jpg|thumb|Location shooting, with [[Dan Koko]], [[Dennis Madalone]], and cinematographer [[Marvin V. Rush]]]]
 
* The [[Filming locations|outdoor scenes]] in this episode were shot at a beach house in Malibu, California. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* The [[Filming locations|outdoor scenes]] in this episode were shot at a beach house in Malibu, California. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'')
 
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''We were on location for a day. It made not only the audience but the crew happy. When you're tied to shooting indoors every day, it gets monotonous. We were lucky enough to go out to Malibu and we had a beautiful summer day. I think it was unique story for ''[[Star Trek]]'' and one of my best works to date.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
 
* Director [[Les Landau]] recalled, "''We were on location for a day. It made not only the audience but the crew happy. When you're tied to shooting indoors every day, it gets monotonous. We were lucky enough to go out to Malibu and we had a beautiful summer day. I think it was unique story for ''[[Star Trek]]'' and one of my best works to date.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'')
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=== Sets, props, and costumes ===
 
=== Sets, props, and costumes ===
 
* The large round window in the Uxbridge's living room previously appeared on the surface of [[Ramatis III]] in {{e|Loud As A Whisper}}.
 
* The large round window in the Uxbridge's living room previously appeared on the surface of [[Ramatis III]] in {{e|Loud As A Whisper}}.
* This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she will continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the season six episode [[Chain of Command, Part I (episode)]].
+
* This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she will continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the season six episode {{e|Chain of Command, Part I}}.
   
 
=== Continuity ===
 
=== Continuity ===
* Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old [[John Anderson]] played 85-year-old [[Kevin Uxbridge]] and 55-year-old [[Anne Haney]] played 82-year-old [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral [[Leonard McCoy]] in {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}, that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old [[Els Renora]] in the episode {{e|Dax}}.)
+
* Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old [[John Anderson]] played 85-year-old [[Kevin Uxbridge]] and 55-year-old [[Anne Haney]] played 82-year-old [[Rishon Uxbridge]]. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral [[Leonard McCoy]] in {{e|Encounter at Farpoint}}, that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old [[Els Renora]] in the episode {{e|Dax}}.)
  +
* Riker says in learning of the only surviving area of the devastation on Delta Rana IV, "a few acres of trees and grass," indicating an anachronistic familiarity with the U.S./Imperial system of measurement, rather than the 24th century standard metric system which would use hectares.
   
 
=== Reception ===
 
=== Reception ===
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=== Video and DVD releases ===
 
=== Video and DVD releases ===
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 26, <!--catalogue number x, -->{{d|21|October|1991}}.
+
* Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, [[CIC Video]]): Volume 26, <!--catalog number x, -->{{d|21|October|1991}}
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.1, {{d|28|February|2000}}.
+
* UK re-release (three-episode tapes, [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]): Volume 3.1, {{d|28|February|2000}}
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection.
+
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 DVD]] collection
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection.
+
* As part of the [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]] collection
   
 
== Links and references ==
 
== Links and references ==
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* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
 
* [[Mitchell Danton]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Bridge command crewman (2366)|command division officer]]
 
* [[Mitchell Danton]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Bridge command crewman (2366)|command division officer]]
 
* [[Michele Gerren]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science officer (2366-2368)|science division officer]]
 
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Helmsman|command division officer]]
 
* [[Richard Sarstedt]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Helmsman|command division officer]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
* [[Yolanda]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Female science officer (2366)|science division officer]]
 
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
* [[Unknown performers]] as
 
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female relief ops ensign (2366)|Female operations ensign]]
 
** [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female relief ops ensign (2366)|Female operations ensign]]
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=== References ===
 
=== References ===
[[2284]]; [[2313]]; [[2361]]; [[2366]]; [[admiral]]; [[Unnamed Andorians (24th century)#Renegades|Andorian renegades]]; [[Andorian]]s; [[antiproton]]s; [[aquarium]]; [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[botanist]]; [[collaborator]]; [[Colony Operations]]; [[colony register]]; [[coma]]; [[Delta Rana IV colony]]; [[dance]]; [[Delta Rana IV]]; [[Delta Rana system]]; [[Delta Rana warship]]; [[delta sleep]]; [[Douwd]]; [[Earth]]; [[Federation]]; [[fish]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[gigawatt]]; [[Husnock]]; [[Husnock warship]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Lagrange point]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[megawatt]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[moon]]; ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]''; [[music box]]; [[neocortex]]; [[New Martim Vaz]]; [[nuclear holocaust]]; [[orbit|high equatorial orbit]]; [[perfume]]; [[phaser]]; [[philosophy]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[positron]]s; [[red alert]]; [[replicator]]; [[ship]]; [[Starbase 133]]; [[symbiosis]]; [[Tao-classical music]]; [[tea]]; [[tree]]; [[Triangulum system]]; [[vehicle classification index]]; [[waltz]]
+
[[2284]]; [[2313]]; [[2361]]; [[2366]]; [[acre]]; [[admiral]]; [[Andorian 24th century renegades|Andorian renegades]]; [[Andorian]]s; [[antiproton]]s; [[aquarium]]; [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[botanist]]; [[collaborator]]; [[Colony Operations]]; [[colony register]]; [[coma]]; [[Delta Rana IV colony]]; [[dance]]; [[Delta Rana IV]]; [[Delta Rana system]]; [[Delta Rana warship]]; [[delta sleep]]; [[Douwd]]; [[Earth]]; [[evasive action]]; [[Federation]]; [[fish]]; [[fusion reactor]]; [[gigawatt]]; [[Husnock]]; [[Husnock warship]]; [[immortality]]; [[kilometer]]; [[Lagrange point]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[megawatt]]; [[Milky Way Galaxy]]; [[moon]]; ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]''; [[music box]]; [[neocortex]]; [[New Martim Vaz]]; [[nuclear holocaust]]; [[number one]]; [[orbit|high equatorial orbit]]; [[perfume]]; [[phaser]]; [[philosophy]]; [[photon torpedo]]; [[positron]]s; [[red alert]]; [[replicator]]; [[ship]]; [[Starbase 133]]; [[symbiosis]]; [[Tao-classical music]]; [[tea]]; [[tree]]; [[Triangulum system]]; [[vehicle classification index]]; [[waltz]]
   
 
=== External links ===
 
=== External links ===
* {{NCwiki|The Survivors}}
+
* {{mbeta-quote|The Survivors}}
* {{wikipedia|The Survivors (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Survivors}}
+
* {{wikipedia-quote|The Survivors (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|The Survivors}}
 
* {{Startrek.com|survivors-the|The Survivors}}
 
* {{Startrek.com|survivors-the|The Survivors}}
   
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[[de:Die Überlebenden auf Rana-Vier]]
 
[[de:Die Überlebenden auf Rana-Vier]]
 
[[es:The Survivors]]
 
[[es:The Survivors]]
[[fr:The Survivors]]
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[[fr:The Survivors (épisode)]]
[[ja:TNG:愛しき人の為に]]
+
[[ja:愛しき人の為に(エピソード)]]
 
[[nl:The Survivors]]
 
[[nl:The Survivors]]
 
[[pl:The Survivors]]
 
[[pl:The Survivors]]

Revision as of 17:12, 21 April 2016

Template:Realworld

For the TAS episode with a similar title, please see "The Survivor".

The Enterprise investigates two survivors living on the only undamaged patch of land on a devastated planet.

Summary

This episode or film summary is incompleteThis episode summary has been identified as lacking essential detail, and as such needs attention. Feel free to edit this page to assist with this expansion.
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The USS Enterprise-D is en route to a Federation colony, Delta Rana IV, which sent a distress signal indicating they were under attack. When the Enterprise crew arrives, they find the entire planet completely devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house containing two elderly botanists, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge originally from Earth. Still aboard the Enterprise, Counselor Troi senses something unusual about the two. However, she soon begins hearing music in her mind, replayed in an endless loop. The music blocks her empathic abilities and eventually begins driving her insane.

The two survivors claim to not know why they were spared and both refuse to be beamed up to the Enterprise when Riker offers them safety aboard. The Enterprise soon is attacked by a large warship, apparently the one responsible for the devastation. Data reveals that there is no record of the ship in the vehicle identification index. The ship flees after the Enterprise fires a warning phaser shot. After being unable to catch up with the unidentified ship, Captain Picard returns to the Delta Rana system. Upon returning, he visits the two survivors with Worf and offers them a portable replicator.

Music haunts Troi

"Stop! Please, stop!"

Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is becoming louder, soon rendering her hysterical and incapable of doing much more than tearfully beg Dr. Crusher to make it stop. She suggests moving her to sickbay, which Troi refuses. Dr. Crusher offers to induce delta-wave sleep, but Troi is convinced the music is real and that not even deep sleep will spare her from it.

Back on the planet, Picard describes his encounter with the unknown ship to the two survivors who, again, claim not to know why they were spared. Picard says that there must be something different about them from the other colonists, and insists on taking the survivors back to the ship. They again refuse. The Enterprise goes into red alert as the unidentified ship returns. Picard attempts to open a hailing frequency before being attacked again. This time, the attacks are stronger and cause much more damage than they had previously. As the Enterprise throws everything she's got at the attacking ship, the ship absorbs all energy from its weapons and is entirely undamaged. After taking severe damage and incurring casualties, the Enterprise escapes the ship's firing range.

Worf and Picard visit Uxbridge home

"Please, leave us alone!"

Picard theorizes that Troi's music stems from Rishon and Kevin's unwillingness to leave. Back in the Delta Rana system, Picard expresses his belief that the unknown ship is no longer in the vicinity, and that it some how protects Kevin and Rishon, directly or indirectly. He then returns to the planet to talk to the survivors. The survivors appear to be celebrating and are startled by Picard and Worf's sudden appearance.

Kevin asks Picard and Worf to leave him and his wife alone. Picard tells him that after he leaves, he will never set foot in their home on Rana again for some reason. He explains to the survivors his recent encounters with the ship, however Kevin refuses to believe him, calling his stories methods of intimidation. Right before leaving, Picard sternly explains that the Enterprise will remain in orbit around Rana IV as long as the two are alive.

Warship fires on planet

"It is preparing to fire at the planet."

Upon beaming back to the Enterprise, the unidentified ship reappears, much to the evident dismay of Worf. Commander Riker and Worf begin preparations for a fight, but Picard calmly informs them that the Enterprise will take no action. The alien ship veers away from the Enterprise and targets the house of Kevin and Rishon. The house and plot of land are totally destroyed and the ship is then itself blown apart by a single photon torpedo from the Enterprise.

Picard calmly orders the ship to keep watch over the plot of land. The crew are astounded by this turn of events, and even more puzzled as to why they remain in orbit over a dead planet. After approximately three hours, Geordi La Forge notices a change in sensor readings and informs the captain that the house and land are back. Picard orders Kevin and Rishon to be beamed directly to the bridge and confronts them over what really happened on the planet. Speaking to Rishon, Picard notes that all of his senses tell him that she exists, but he has realized that she is not real. Rishon then vanishes, leaving only a sad Kevin. Picard tells him he knows he's not Human. Kevin then teleports to the turbolift; Picard orders the crew to keep clear and to track him, as he believes Kevin to be a creature of conscience that has some unfinished business aboard before returning to the surface.

Uxbridge heals Troi

"She has suffered because of my pride and selfishness."

Dr. Crusher visits Troi's quarters, startled to find Kevin at her bedside: he has removed the music from her mind. The music was his creation; her empathic powers were also threatening to reveal the truth. Picard enters and demands the truth about what happened to the planet. Kevin makes a startling confession: he is in fact a Douwd, an immortal being with vast powers. He met his Human wife many years before and decided to live as a Human with her. The alien raiders were the Husnock, who he knew as being of hideous intelligence, knowing only aggression and destruction. A devout pacifist he could have, but did not, destroy them. He used his powers to try to trick them instead, but it only made them more angry and cruel. Rishon joined the colonists in fighting what Kevin knew to be a hopeless battle against the raiders and was killed. Viewing her broken body, in an instant of insane rage and grief towards the invaders, he annihilated the entire Husnock race -- around fifty billion lives.

Stunned at his "sin", Kevin recreated Rishon and their house, and sentenced himself to exile on the ruined Delta Rana IV. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the Enterprise from finding out the truth. Picard confesses that the Federation is not qualified to be his judge in the matter, and allows him to return to the planet.

With Troi returned to full health, the Enterprise departs for Starbase 133. Picard notes in his log that the Douwd is a being of extraordinary power, and isn't sure if he should be condemned for his crime or praised for his conscience. What he does know, however, is that "Kevin" should be left alone.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"Sir, may I say your attempt to hold the away team at bay, with a non-functioning weapon, was an act of unmitigated gall."
"Didn't fool you, huh?"
"I admire gall."

- Worf and Kevin Uxbridge


"An entire planet obliterated... except for a few acres of trees and grass and one building?"

- Riker


"Number One, I think you had better see who's at home."

- Picard, after sensors discover a solitary home found in the middle of devastation on Delta Rana IV


(Worf drinks his tea and makes a face).
"Well, what do you think, Mr. Worf?"
"Good tea. (looks around) Nice house."

- Rishon Uxbridge and Worf


"If they are the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust, they can't be in very good shape."

- Beverly Crusher


"Your colony was attacked by a warship-"
"Belonging to the Husnock. A species of hideous intelligence. Knew only aggression... destruction."

- Picard and Kevin Uxbridge


"I saw her broken body... I went insane. My hatred exploded. And in an instant of grief... I destroyed the Husnock!'"

- Kevin Uxbridge


"No, no, no, no, you don't understand the scope of my crime. I didn't kill just one Husnock, or a hundred, or a thousand. I killed them all. All Husnock, everywhere."

- Kevin Uxbridge


"Are eleven thousand people worth fifty billion? Is the love of a woman worth the destruction of an entire species?"

- Kevin Uxbridge


"We are not qualified to be your judges. We have no law to fit your crime. You're free to return to the planet, and to make Rishon live again."

- Picard


"We leave behind a being of extraordinary power... and conscience. I am not certain if he should be praised or condemned. Only that he should be left alone."

- Picard, Captain's log, Stardate 43153.7

Background information

Story and script

  • According to the first draft script dated 7 July 1989, the working title for this episode was "The Veiled Planet". [1] [2]

Production

Frakes fall, The Survivors

Jonathan Frakes begins the "snare" stunt

Filming the survivors

Location shooting, with Dan Koko, Dennis Madalone, and cinematographer Marvin V. Rush

Cast and characters

Sets, props, and costumes

  • The large round window in the Uxbridge's living room previously appeared on the surface of Ramatis III in "Loud As A Whisper".
  • This is the first episode that Deanna Troi wears her new turquoise uniform, which she will continue to wear on a rotating basis with her maroon and dark gray unitard until the season six episode "Chain of Command, Part I".

Continuity

  • Both guest stars play characters that are much older than they were in real life at the time of shooting. 67-year-old John Anderson played 85-year-old Kevin Uxbridge and 55-year-old Anne Haney played 82-year-old Rishon Uxbridge. This seems to indicate, as with the 137-year-old Admiral Leonard McCoy in "Encounter at Farpoint", that the average Human lifespan is much longer in the 24th century. (Haney would subsequently play an even older character, the hundred-year old Els Renora in the episode "Dax".)
  • Riker says in learning of the only surviving area of the devastation on Delta Rana IV, "a few acres of trees and grass," indicating an anachronistic familiarity with the U.S./Imperial system of measurement, rather than the 24th century standard metric system which would use hectares.

Reception

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins

References

2284; 2313; 2361; 2366; acre; admiral; Andorian renegades; Andorians; antiprotons; aquarium; Atlantic Ocean; botanist; collaborator; Colony Operations; colony register; coma; Delta Rana IV colony; dance; Delta Rana IV; Delta Rana system; Delta Rana warship; delta sleep; Douwd; Earth; evasive action; Federation; fish; fusion reactor; gigawatt; Husnock; Husnock warship; immortality; kilometer; Lagrange point; medical tricorder; megawatt; Milky Way Galaxy; moon; Much Ado About Nothing; music box; neocortex; New Martim Vaz; nuclear holocaust; number one; high equatorial orbit; perfume; phaser; philosophy; photon torpedo; positrons; red alert; replicator; ship; Starbase 133; symbiosis; Tao-classical music; tea; tree; Triangulum system; vehicle classification index; waltz

External links

Previous episode:
"The Ensigns of Command"
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3
Next episode:
"Who Watches The Watchers"