

(written from a Production point of view Real World article

On Romulus, Picard and Data meet with Spock, who claims to be trying to reunite the Romulans and Vulcans. While Spock works to achieve his goal, powers within the Romulan government seek to pervert his mission into an invasion of the Federation.

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Summary

Teaser

Spock asks Captain Picard why he is on Romulus, and Picard tells him he is there to ask him the same question on behalf of Starfleet. Spock refuses to answer, telling Picard that his mission is a personal one of peace and will inform Starfleet when it is neccessary. Picard reminds Spock that he is in a position to heavily compromise Federation security; Spock asks Picard to leave and Picard refuses, saying that despite all that he has achieved on behalf of the Federation, Spock's sort of "cowboy diplomacy" is not easily tolerated.

"If you wish to undertake a mission with obvious repercussions for the Federation, then you should discuss it with the Federation. I'm here as their representative."

Picard also has the unhappy task of informing Spock that his father is dead. Taking a moment to take in the news, Spock then asks Picard to walk with him.

Spock reveals that he is aware of the mind meld that Picard and his father shared to allow Sarek to complete his final mission at Legara IV. Picard tells Spock it was an honor, and Spock agrees that Sarek was a great representative for the Vulcan people and for the Federation. Picard then tells Spock of Sarek's pride in him, but Spock brushes this off as part of the emotional onslaught Sarek suffered due to his illness but Picard disputes this… those feelings came from the heart. Spock is uncomfortable with this, and starts to tell Picard why he is on Romulus: some time earlier he became aware of an underground movement learning Vulcan philosophy that have been declared enemies of the Romulan government. However some members are sympathetic to the cause like Senator Pardek, who was the one who asked Spock to come and take the first step towards the reunification of Vulcan and Romulus. Picard is very surprised: it has been centuries since the Romulan society split from the Vulcan people and have developed several fundamental differences and Spock admits that reunification may be unlikely. However, if it succeeds, the benefits brought would be immense. The 'first step' that Pardek spoke of concerns a young and idealistic proconsul in the Romulan Senate who is promising reform: they may be able to convert him to their movement. When Picard asks Spock why he hasn't mentioned this either to the Federation or to the Vulcans, Spock says that it was a personal decision based on what happened with his small role in the early overtures to peace with the Klingons.

"It was I who committed Captain Kirk to that peace mission, and I who had to bear the responsibility for the consequences to him and to his crew."

Spock states that he is unwilling to risk anyone's life but his own in this venture and once again asks Picard to leave. Picard states that he almost suspects Spock's judgment is being influenced by his emotions. Spock states that Picard speaks almost as Sarek would if he were there. Picard replies that he speaks only as a Starfleet officer and cannot ignore the risks to Spock. Spock then remarks that Picard is, in his own way, as stubborn as another captain of the USS Enterprise that he once knew.

Picard takes that as a compliment, remarking that he is in good company.

Act One

Data, having returned to the cloaked Klingon Bird-of-Prey in orbit of Romulus, obtains the assistance of Captain K'Vada to access the Romulan Central Information Net, and to send a transmission to the Enterprise, piggybacking it on Romulan transmissions. In exchange, he promises to give the Klingons access to any Romulan information he uncovers.

Back on Romulus, a Romulan civilian comes to Picard and Spock's table bearing a flower – a signal that Pardek will shortly arrive. Picard and Spock discuss the underground movement, with Spock noting that it has members in four provinces and is a serious concern to the Romulan leadership, while Picard expresses skepticism regarding its chances of success, which Spock urges him to reconsider. A Romulan boy, D'Tan, arrives with an antique Vulcan book telling the history of the separation. Pardek arrives, rebukes the boy gently for bringing the book into the open, and they leave. Pardek tells Picard and Spock that Spock's presence has greatly inspired the movement, and informs them that the proconsul will meet with Spock.

Act Two

"First officer's log, stardate 45245.8. The Enterprise remains at Qualor II while we continue to investigate the theft of a surplus Vulcan ship. The trail has led us to the former wife of a deceased smuggler."

Riker enters a bar near the Qualor II surplus depot and encounters Amarie, a four-armed pianist and the former wife of the smuggler who died when he and the Enterprise traded phaser fire over the stolen deuterium tanks from the depot. While killing her ex was a good start for bargaining, she agrees to provide the commander information on his business partners, in exchange for jazz lessons. In between notes, she informs him that Omag, "a fat Ferengi", will be in the bar at some point and will have the information Riker seeks.

On Romulus, Pardek and Spock meet with Proconsul Neral. He expresses enthusiasm for their movement, even greeting Spock with "Live long and prosper", and saying he may be able to obtain the support of the Romulan Senate and is prepared to publicly endorse reunification. When Spock expresses surprise at Neral's views on unification, Neral replies that the "old guard" and "old school" leaders have lost the respect of the people. The average Romulan is tired of the wars with the Klingon Empire and the border incidents with the United Federation of Planets. But after Spock leaves, Sela enters the room – she has heard the whole conversation, and Neral has tricked the underground.

In the caves, Spock shares the good news, despite Picard's skepticism. In private, Spock and Picard argue, with Picard accusing Spock of being swayed by Romulan emotions, and Spock insinuating that Picard is over-influenced by Sarek, possibly even by the results of his mind meld with the ambassador. Picard remarks that this is the second such accusation, and then states that, while the mind meld was a profound experience and that Sarek's essence will always be a part of him, his judgment was still his own. In the end, Spock agrees that there is, most likely, a larger plan being played out by the Romulans and that, in order to find out what is going on, Spock will play along.

Act Three

Back aboard K'Vada's ship, Data is attempting to access the information net; Spock provides the last necessary cipher in order to access it. Picard leaves to remove his Romulan ears and Spock notes that the captain has an almost Vulcan-like quality, which Data is surprised by given that Picard has been his role model in his quest to become more Human. Spock is fascinated by this telling Data that his "efficient intellect, superior physical skills and no emotional impediments" gives him what many Vulcans strive for their entire lives… and yet he wishes to be Human. Data then notes that Spock is half-Human, yet chose to live a Vulcan way of life thereby abandoning what the android has always aimed for. Data then asks Spock if, as he looks back on his life, he ever misses his Humanity. Spock replies that he has no regrets. Data points out that 'no regrets' is a Human expression. Spock considers this, then simply responds with "fascinating."

In the bar on Qualor II, Worf requests a theme from Aktuh and Maylota, in which Amarie joins with gusto. Soon, Omag enters the bar loudly complaining about the Klingon opera and Worf informs Riker on the Enterprise of his arrival. Riker arrives shortly much to the chagrin of Omag, and mocks the commander's request for information on the Vulcan ship much to the laughter of his two female partners. Riker turns to Worf and then throws the tray of food all over Omag and his partners and lifts up and intimidates the arrogant Ferengi into revealing that he delivered the Vulcan ship to a Barolian freighter near Galorndon Core under threat of losing his right of passage in the sector, and making Riker very unhappy. Satisfied with his information, he throws Omag back on his chair and wipes his mouth with a napkin and tucks it into Omag's shirt, and politely tells him to enjoy his dinner.

Act Four

Riker is communicating with Picard over the piggybacked subspace signal, who brings him up to date about the negotiations with Proconsul Neral. The use of a stolen Vulcan ship by the Romulans makes no sense to the goal of unification but Picard believes it's worth looking into. The Enterprise then proceeds to Galorndon Core at warp eight.

On K'Vada's ship, Data has accessed Romulan communications logs and finds a transmission to a Barolian ship near Galorndon Core. K'Vada points out that the Barolians often run that trade route and the transmission was probably routine, but Data counters that the signal includes the code prefix of Romulan Intelligence. The signal is a mere four digits: 1 4 0 0.

On Romulus, D'Tan catches up with Spock and shows him small carved stones, which Spock describes as the syllabic nucleus of the Vulcan language. D'Tan reveals that his parents taught him Vulcan when he was small, to prepare for the Romulans' inevitable reunification with their Vulcan cousins. Summoned by Picard and Data, Spock returns to the cave. They share the message with him, and Spock immediately realizes that the proconsul has deceived him and that the Vulcan ships are involved, as the time set for Spock's announcement regarding reunification was 1400 hours the following day. Suddenly, Romulan troops led by Commander Sela burst in and capture Spock, Picard, and Data; Spock realizes that Pardek has betrayed him. Sela tells Spock that his dream of reunification will still happen, but simply taking a different form… the Romulan conquest of Vulcan. She and her Romulan troops take Spock, Picard and Data out of the caves by disruptor.

Act Five

"First officer's log, supplemental. The Enterprise has reached Galorndon Core near the border of the Neutral Zone."

In orbit of Galorndon Core, the Enterprise receives a message, ostensibly from Picard, advising them that the initiative is successful and ordering to hold their position. Although the proper coded sequence was used, Riker seems to have reservations.

On Romulus, Spock, Data, and Picard are brought into Sela's office. She informs them that Spock will read a speech encouraging the Vulcans to welcome the "peace envoy". Picard realizes the Romulans will be using the stolen Vulcan ship, and Sela reveals there's actually three stolen ships full of troops and she has sent fake orders to the Enterprise in Picard's name ordering them to remain in their present position and when the Vulcan ships cross the Neutral Zone the ship will be too busy to stop them. Picard points out that Starfleet will not just sit idly by while the Romulans attempt to conquer one of the Federation's founding members, but Sela states that by the time Starfleet get to Vulcan, the Romulans will be so firmly entrenched on the planet there'll be no getting rid of them and thus reunification will be a fact of life. When Spock refuses to read Sela's statement or any other, she threatens him with death, but he logically deduces that she would execute him and his companions in any event. Sela then reveals a programmable holographic version of him that will read the speech. She then leaves to order the ships on their way, locking the three in her office. Data and Spock immediately set about to access the Romulan computer system.

Back in orbit of Galorndon Core, the Enterprise detects the oncoming Vulcan ships and moves to intercept.

Sela returns to her office to find her three prisoners gone, and is immediately confronted by Riker and two security officers. She shoots at them, but the beam passes through them – holograms. While they are distracted, Spock and Picard emerge from the wall – also a hologram – and incapacitate Sela's guards (Spock with a Vulcan neck pinch, Picard with a right hook to the jaw), and get the drop on her. But she blusters that her forces will be on Vulcan before they can alert anyone.

Dr. Crusher arrives on the bridge saying she's received an urgent distress signal from Dulisian IV calling for emergency evacuation. The only vessel in range is a Rutian archaeological vessel, which is ill-equipped to handle the crisis. Just before they divert to assist, they receive a message from Romulan space: at first it appears to be Sela's holographic simulacrum of Spock, but midway through the script changes and Spock – the real Spock – warns them the ships are carrying a Romulan invasion force, and must be stopped at all costs. The Romulans hastily cut off the transmission, but Riker has heard enough, and tells Dr. Crusher to verify the signal from Dulisian IV, as it is probably fake.

Data confirms that the message was sent before the Romulans were able to cut it off. Sela, now truly stymied, blusters that they will never leave the Senate building. Data rejoins that he has already prepared their escape route, and neck pinches Sela, and the three make good their escape from the senate building.

The Vulcan ships begin to retreat to the Neutral Zone, with the Enterprise in pursuit. Suddenly, a D'deridex-class warbird uncloaks and readies its disruptors; Riker calls red alert and prepares for a fight, but the warbird opens fire, destroying the three Vulcan ships, then re-cloaks as quickly as it appeared. La Forge and Troi note with shock that there were over 2,000 Romulan troops aboard the Vulcan ships, but the Romulans destroyed their own invasion force rather than let them be captured.

In caves that Pardek never knew about, the remaining underground movement resolves to continue working for change in Romulan society. Picard promises that the Federation will welcome the day when they don't have to be enemies with the Romulans. Picard and Data prepare to beam up to K'Vada's ship, but Spock chooses to remain behind, saying his work has never been more important. He now understands that true reunification will not happen through diplomacy or politics, but through changing society from within, even if it takes years or centuries. As Picard and Spock discuss their gently adversarial relationship, Spock comments that Picard may know Sarek "better than his own son did. My father and I never chose to meld." On hearing this, Picard says, "I offer you the chance to touch what he [Sarek] shared with me." As Data watches, Spock places his hand on Picard's face and makes contact with the essence of Sarek that remains in Picard's mind, and Picard thus fulfills the request that Sarek made: Spock's face is suffused with emotion as he realizes the depth of his father's love for him.

Log entries

Memorable quotes

"I have to ask you about your husband."

"Well, it was nice while it lasted… which husband?"

"The dead one, I'm afraid."

- Riker and Amarie



"Well, you did kill my ex-husband, and that's not a bad start."

- Amarie



"Move over."

"Oh, just what I needed: another pair of hands."

- Riker and Amarie



"What is that dreadful noise?! It sounds like a Bardakian pronghorn moose!"

- Omag, in response to Worf's and Amarie's singing in Klingon



"Where's the waiter?! Is there no waiter in this sorry place?!"

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes, I need more napkins."

"Use your sleeve."

"What did you say?"

"Use one of their sleeves, I don't care."

- Omag, with female companions, mistakes Riker for a waiter



"Let me explain what will happen to you if you don't tell me about the Vulcan ship. Your right of passage through this sector will be revoked, and more than that, I will be very unhappy."

- Riker, threatening Omag



"I think I'll take this opportunity to remove my ears."

- Picard



"Do not be distressed. Your dream of reunification is not dead. It will simply take on a different form: the Romulan conquest of Vulcan."

- Sela, to Ambassador Spock



"Excuse me, I'm just finishing up a speech–for you, Mr. Spock. I rather enjoy writing. I don't get to do it very often in this job."

"Perhaps you would be happier in another job."

- Sela and Data



"I've tried to make it sound Vulcan. A lot of unnecessarily long words."

- Sela, regarding the speech she wrote for Spock to read



"I hate Vulcans. I hate the logic, I hate the arrogance. Very well."

- Sela, in response to Spock's uncooperativeness.



"I'm afraid I don't know too much about Romulan disruptor settings."

- Spock, holding Sela at gunpoint



""Cowboy diplomacy?""

- Spock



"As you examine your life, do you find you have missed your Humanity?"

"I have no regrets."

"'No regrets.' That is a Human expression."

"Yes. Fascinating."

- Data and Spock



"In your own way, you are as stubborn as another captain of the Enterprise I once knew."

"Then I am in good company, sir."

- Spock and Picard



"This is Ambassador Spock of Vulcan. By now, Federation sensors are tracking three Vulcan ships crossing the Neutral Zone. These ships carry a Romulan invasion force and must be stopped. I repeat, these ships carry a Romula—"

- Spock



"Not bad."

- Spock, noting Data's mastery of the Vulcan neck pinch



"I was with him before coming here. He expressed his pride in you… His love."



- Picard, to Spock



"Curious, that I should hear him so clearly now that he is dead."



- Spock, about Sarek



"An inexorable evolution toward a Vulcan philosophy has already begun. Like the first Vulcans, these people are struggling to a new enlightenment and it may take decades or even centuries for them to reach it but they will reach it… and I must help."

- Spock explaining to Picard his reasons for remaining on Romulus



"Is it so important that you win one last argument with him?"

"No, it is not, but it is true that I will miss the arguments; they were, finally, all that we had."



- Picard and Spock, about Sarek



"Ironically, you may know Sarek better than his own son does. My father and I never chose to meld."

"I offer you the chance to touch what he shared with me."

- Spock mind melds with Picard and discovers how deeply Sarek cared for him (last lines)

Background information

Story and script

Production

Cast and characters

Continuity

Sets and props

Reception

Awards

This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Art Direction for a Series.

Video and DVD releases

Production history

Starring

Also starring

Special guest star

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And

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Uncredited co-stars

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References

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Unused production references

Memphis



