The Survivors (episode)

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For the similarly named TAS episode see "The Survivor".

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

Summary

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 devastated, save for a few acres of land and a house containing two elderly botanists, Kevin and Rishon Uxbridge. Still aboard the ship in orbit, Counselor Troi senses something unusual about the two; however, soon she begins hearing music in her mind, replayed over and over. The music will not stop, blocks her empathic abilities, and eventually begins to drive her insane.

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 Picard returns to the Delta Rana system. Upon returning, he visits the two survivors and offers them a replicator. Meanwhile, Troi is still haunted by the music, which is apparently getting louder. Dr. Beverly Crusher suggests moving her to sickbay. However, Troi does not think it will help. 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 this realization, the Enterprise escapes the ship's firing range. 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.

They survivors appear to be celebrating and are startled by Picard and Lt. Worf's sudden appearance. 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.

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 destroyed and the ship is then itself destroyed by a single photon torpedo from the Enterprise.

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 two 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.

Kevin Uxbridge 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. She joined the colonists in fighting the alien Husnock raiders and was killed; he then recreated her and their house. He used the fake warship as a ruse to try and keep the Enterprise from finding out the truth. Though a devout pacifist, in a moment of anger towards the invaders for taking his wife's life, he annihilated the entire Husnock race.

Picard confesses that the Federation is not qualified to be his judge in the matter, and allows him to return to the planet. While they are leaving, Picard seems to declare the planet off-limits thereafter.

Log Entries

Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), 2366

Memorable Quotes

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

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

- Worf 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

The outdoor scenes in this episode were shot in Malibu, California.
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.
The large round window in the Uxbridge's living room previously appeared on the surface of Ramatis III in "Loud As A Whisper".
This episode marks the first mentioning of Andorians in the 24th century.
Anderson had lost his own wife shortly before appearing in "The Survivors", and later said the subject matter made the role of Kevin Uxbridge one of the most difficult of his career. (TNG Companion)
Wesley Crusher's line regarding the Husnock vessel, "Look at the size of it!", is a reference to Star Wars, when Luke Skywalker first lays eyes on the Death Star.

Video and DVD releases

Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 26, 21 October 1991.
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Volume 3.1, 28 February 2000.
As part of the TNG Season 3 DVD collection.