Summary
We open in sickbay with Dr. Phlox addressing T'Pol. From
the conversation, it's obvious that she has been
suffering from some affliction, her condition is deteriorating,
and whatever treatment she had been receiving is no longer
sufficient. Phlox wants to discuss T'Pol's disease with
Vulcan doctors, some of the best of which are at a nearby
conference. T'Pol balks at this, claiming it's too great
a risk and that she would be removed from the Enterprise.
Phlox assures her that he can be discreet enough to prevent
the doctors from discovering her condition, but still she
refuses. Phlox insists that he has no choice, as her disease
could be fatal without further treatment.
The Enterprise enters orbit around Dekendi III, both to
take part in an Interspecies Medical Exchange conference
and to receive a new neutron microscope. Dr. Phlox's second
wife, Feezal, comes aboard to help Commander Tucker install
the new microscope. Even though Phlox and Feezal haven't
seen each other for almost four years ("Denobulans
are renowned for their patience."), Feezal is more
interested in installing the microscope than an intimate
reunion with Phlox, and Phlox seems perfectly fine with
this. In fact, Feezal seems to take a certain interest
in Cmdr. Tucker.
At the IME Conference, Phlox attempts to get the latest
research on Pa'nar Syndrome from the Vulcan doctors Oratt,
Strom and Yuris. In an attempt to protect T'Pol's privacy,
he tells them that he needs to information for a colleague
on Denobula. He claims that Pa'nar is very similar to a
Denobulan disease, Thymic Sclerosis, that they've had little
success in treating. The Vulcans are reluctant to even
discuss Pa'nar Syndrome, since it only affects a small "subculture," one
whose behavior is "neither tolerated nor sanctioned." Phlox
continues to press for the research since Thymic Sclerosis
affects all levels of Denobulan society, but the Vulcans
only respond that they'll consider his request and get
back to him.
In sickbay, Feezal is assisting Trip with the installation
of the new microscope. As she does so, she does some overt
flirting with him, constantly smiling at him (and not the
infamous Denobulan "black hole" smile, either),
complimenting him, and taking every opportunity to stand
close to him and rub against him. While Tucker is obviously
interested in Feezal, he's also just as obviously uncomfortable
flirting with Phlox's wife.
Archer and T'Pol are sharing a meal when they are interrupted
by the news that a contingent of Vulcans from the medical
conference are en route. Archer, T'Pol and Phlox meet with
the Vulcans, but it is really just the doctor and T'Pol
that with which they wish to speak. They are curious why
Phlox asked about a Vulcan disease without mentioning that
he had a Vulcan crewmember. The meeting soon turns into
an interrogation of T'Pol, with the doctors first asking
her what she knows about Pa'nar and how it is contracted.
Pa'nar is "an incurable degradation of the synaptic
pathways" which also affects the immune and endocrine
systems. The only way to contract Pa'nar is through a mind
meld.
The doctors continue to ask T'Pol about whether she condones
mind melds, a question she evades. Handing T'Pol a PADD
with several names on it, they ask her if she is familiar
with any of the individuals listed, but she replies that
she is not. When asked whether she knows any "melders," she
admits that she has met some, but does not know them well.
When Dr. Phlox attempts to intervene in the interrogation,
the Vulcans admit that the presence of T'Pol onboard has
made them consider ulterior motives for his research request.
Since the behavior of those that contract Pa'nar is not
acceptable to Vulcan society, it's cure is not a priority
to them. Whatever research exists, they refuse to share.
On returning to the Vulcan ship, the PADD T'Pol was given
is examined by the Vulcan doctors, revealing to them that
she does, in fact, have the syndrome.
Feezal continues to flirt with Tucker as she demonstrates
how to use the new microscope. This despite the fact that
Dr. Phlox is present in sickbay. Phlox and Feezal gossip
about other Denobulan's they know, while Feezal hangs on
Tucker's shoulder. Phlox seems oblivious to their flirting
and just continues to gossip until summoned to Archer's
ready room.
Phlox arrives at the ready room to find T'Pol already
present. The Captain reveals that he's been contacted by
the Vulcan physicians and has been told about Phlox's dishonesty
and T'Pol's affliction. Archer dresses them down for lying
to both the Vulcans and to him. When Archer asks why he
was not informed, Phlox brings up doctor-patient confidentiality.
T'Pol only replies that the disease is not contagious and
there was nothing Archer could have done anyway. As for
why lying to the Vulcans was necessary, T'Pol answers that
Pa'nar caries a stigma on Vulcan and she would be lose
her commission if the Vulcan High Command were to find
out.
Archer can't believe that she'd be treated that way just
for having a disease, but she insists that the issue isn't
the disease itself, but the people that are capable of
transmitting it. Only a small percentage of Vulcans can
perform mind melds, the ship of Vulcans that were experimenting
with emotions (from "Fusion") are a part of that
minority. They left Vulcan to escape prejudice, as most
Vulcans consider their behavior "unnatural." T'Pol
is not a member of the minority that can initiate a mind
meld, but any Vulcan can receive a meld. T'Pol then reveals
that a meld was forced on her when she was attacked by
a member of that outcast crew. She refuses to tell the
Vulcan High Command about the attack even though it might
save her career. Archer resolves to help Phlox get whatever
research is available.
Archer arranges a meeting with the Vulcan doctors. He
apologizes for Dr. Phlox's duplicity, but asks why the
research is being withheld. Dr. Oratt responds that Pa'nar
only affects an undesirable portion of their population.
Because emotions, as well as thoughts and memories, are
exchanged during a mind meld, this form of intimacy is
seen as defying everything that Vulcan society stands for. "We
take great pride in our ability to contain emotions. Sharing
them is offensive." Archer doesn't understand
why that precludes the minority from medical care, or why
it precludes T'Pol, since they know she isn't a part
of the minority that can initiate mind melds. Dr. Oratt
simply replies that there's only one way to contract Pa'nar
and excuses himself, giving no reassurances that he will
not inform the Vulcan High Command about T'Pol's illness.
As the doctors exit, Dr. Yuris lingers for just a second
before joining his colleagues.
Back on the Enterprise, Archer apologizes for not being
successful at persuading the Vulcans to change their minds,
and informs T'Pol that they're not likely to keep her condition
quiet. She reveals that she's received a message from Dr.
Yuris, requesting that she come alone to meet him in a
remote area of the city. Arriving at the rendezvous, Dr.
Yuris gives T'Pol a package with the latest research on
Pa'nar. When T'Pol asks why he would take such a risk to
help someone he despises, he reveals that he is a part
of the minority. He knows that she is not, but the very
act of choosing to participate in a mind meld is enough
to bring scorn. T'Pol admits to him that she did not so
choose, and he advises her to tell the other physicians
that she was coerced, before they can contact the Vulcan
High Command. Before Yuris leaves, he tells her that he
can not publicly condone her mind meld, as it would compromise
his own position.
In the galley, Tucker tries to persuade Hoshi to stay
onboard for movie night. Hoshi notes that the movies are
horror movies and declines, deciding instead to go planetside.
When Feezal enters, Tucker convinces Hoshi to at least
put off leaving for her shuttle for a little desert. Feezal
joins them and Hoshi gets an opportunity to show off her
skills at speaking Denobulan. While Hoshi and Feezal talk,
Feezal runs her foot up Tucker's leg. Hoshi finally excuses
herself, leaving Tucker and Feezal alone. Tucker admits
that he's flattered by the attention, but asks, "aren't
you a married woman?" Her reply is that she's a woman
and that's all that's really important. At that, Trip quickly
excuses himself and tries to dissuade Feezal from joining
him for movie night. He goes to the recreation room and
joins Lieutenant Reed on the exercise bikes, complaining
that Feezal is "at it again." Reed finds this
funny and says that he finds Feezal attractive. Tucker
is worried about Phlox's reaction and thinks he should
talk to the doctor about the whole thing. Reed disagrees,
saying Phlox isn't someone you'd want to make angry.
In sickbay, Phlox analyzes the research and is disappointed
at how little progress has been made with Pa'nar. In fact
he's sure that he can eventually do better himself. What
Dr. Yuris has given them is definitely not a cure, but
will still slow the progression of her disease. Archer
asks why Yuris gave T'Pol the research, but she says she
does not know. He gives her the news that Dr. Oratt has
decided to recall her. As a ranking member of the Council
of Physicians, he has the authority to do so, but he will
wait until arriving at Vulcan to inform the Vulcan High
Command. Archer and Phlox both ask her to tell the Vulcans
about her attack, but again she refuses. To use the attack
as an excuse would, in her opinion, condone their prejudices
and indict every member of the minority.
Archer goes to see Dr. Oratt on the planet's surface and
barges into his office. He argues with Oratt over removing
T'Pol from the Enterprise. Archer rails against the idea
of not bothering to help people simply because you don't
approve of them, to which the doctor only replies that
he's sorry Archer doesn't understand the "complexities" of
Vulcan culture. He still plans to leave for Vulcan with
T'Pol in thirty-six hours. Archer has one last card to
play. He's found a passage in the Protocols of the
Council of Physicians that grants anyone accused of ethical
misconduct a hearing in the province where the accusation
was first made. Oratt grudgingly agrees to the trial, but
refuses to postpone his departure.
Mayweather is in sickbay getting his ribs examined by
Phlox. He's gotten injured playing a Dekendi sport that
involves fargans (cow-like animals with humps), melons
(which fargans love) and sticks with metal baskets on the
end. Tucker interrupts and asks to see Phlox alone. He
explains that Feezal has been coming on to him. Rather
than get upset, Phlox seems happy for Tucker, advising
him that, "any man would be a fool to ignore the romantic
overtures of a healthy Denobulan woman." The fact
that Feezal and Phlox are married is irrelevant to Phlox,
and Tucker is too concerned with "human morality." Tucker
is relieved that Phlox isn't angry, but still says he can't
get past the idea of getting involved with another man's
wife.
Archer tells T'Pol about his meeting with Oratt and the
trial. At first, she refuses, saying she's not interested
in challenging their decision, but Archer suggests that
if she won't defend herself, she should at least stand
up for the minority. T'Pol agrees to the trial, but again
refuses to reveal the circumstances surrounding her mind
meld. Archer accepts her terms, but refuses to give her
up without a fight.
At trial, Archer and the physicians debate the reasons
for T'Pol's recall. He argues that it has nothing to do
with the disease, but with how she got infected, a single
incident a year ago. Oratt responds that when it happened
is irrelevant. Vulcans that participate in mind melds have
elected to participate in shunned behavior. Archer argues
that they haven't "elected" anything, as they
are born with this ability. Dr. Strom retorts that they
are genetic aberrations that prey on people willing to "experiment
with abhorrent behavior." Archer gives the Vulcans
a speech on how they have always maintained that humans
are too narrow minded and irrational, but here the Vulcans
are the ones being narrow minded. Humans put bigotry behind
them long ago and now embrace the differences within their
culture.
The doctors are unmoved by Archers words, replying that
their culture is governed by rules which they will not
ignore. T'Pol chimes in that there are no rules requiring
the oppression of minorities. Her response prompts Dr.
Oratt to state that this attitude -- that the minority
should be allowed to spread their infection -- is why she
is being recalled. T'Pol argues that she's being recalled
because of fear of anything that doesn't conform to their
idea of acceptable behavior. The reply is that she doesn't
know what she's talking about and the inquiry is over,
but Dr. Yuris then speaks up and says that T'Pol knows
exactly what she's talking about and there is nothing wrong
with the way "we" lead "our" lives.
He states that mind melds are only a different form of
intimacy and those that practice them should not be subject
to persecution for it. His revelation does nothing to change
the others' minds, and they will both now be brought before
the High Command. At this, Yuris gives up T'Pol's secret,
that she was forced, but she refuses to verify his claim.
In sickbay, Tucker and Phlox are discussing the new microscope
when Feezal comes in to say her good-byes. She tells Phlox
she hopes it's less than four years before their next visit
and reminds him that his other wives would like to see
him too. She takes one last chance to flirt with Tucker
and it embarrasses him into excusing himself. Phlox and
Feezal have a good laugh at the silly humans.
In her quarters, T'Pol is packing when Archer comes to
see her. He reports that Dr. Yuris has been suspended and
refused a trial. He's also going to lose his position with
the Medical Exchange on return to Vulcan. On the bright
side, the physicians believed Yuris when he said T'Pol
had been forced, and she is no longer going to be recalled.
T'Pol asks permission to contact the High Command on Yuris's
behalf and Archer agrees. Both hope this incident will
encourage others to speak out.
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