Star Trek The Next Generation - The Prime Directive by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Symbiosis S01E22

Star Trek: The Next Generation
The Prime Directive by Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Symbiosis S01E22
“A star captain's most solemn oath is that he will give his life, even his entire crew, rather than violate the Prime Directive.”
JAMES T. KIRK
Source: IMDB.com
Symbiosis
Episode aired on Apr 16, 1988
Jonathan Frakes, Merritt Butrick, Kimberley Farr, Richard Lineback, and Judson Scott in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
The Enterprise encounters two neighboring cultures, one suffering from a plague, the other marketing a cure, and learns that nothing is as simple as it seems.
Director
Win Phelps
Writers
Gene Roddenberry
Robert Lewin
Richard Manning
------------------------
Presented by:
Jay Jay Lozano
2023 April 27

[@ultramaximusreviews]

0:07 Tasha Yar waiving goodbye to the camera in the cargo bay as that was her last day & shot on set LOL

[@ChicanoryIsMyName]

"Turbolift hold. Let's just get this whole sexual tension thing over with shall we?"

[@Locust5000]

I always thought it was funny how Lt. Yar is in the cargo bay, but beats Picard and Crusher to the bridge for the finale. I guess she didn't pause her turbolift. 😁

[@grisslebear]

She snuck through a plot hole.

[@JH-mo7xm]

She transported to the bridge using the cargo bay transporter

[@NatashaEstrada]

That main turbolift shaft is much slower than the other 3. Though at least they did show Picard putting the lift on hold so it might explain it slightly.

[@Mastermind8908]

Nice catch.

[@TuskJBC]

Also did she .. wave.. at the camera as the door was closing ?

[@TheLacix]

Denise Crosby"s last wave as prime timeline Tasha Yar at 0:07. (her last scene)

[@adventuresinrhythm1985]

@TheLacix Wow. Interesting! Didn't notice that before.

[@CurrencyTrader1980]

how did I never notice that

[@albertbatfinder5240]

Is this channel about the staging and blocking of the actors? The way they board the turbo lift is practically a ballet. Mostly when I watch this episode I’m waiting for Tasha’s farewell wave, so I miss what they do.

[@pepperVenge]

xD she does wave! Wtf! xD Question though; are you saying this was the actor's last scene that she performed in the show?

[@albertbatfinder5240]

@@pepperVenge it’s one of the greatest hidden Easter eggs of TNG. Skin of Evil (where she was killed) was filmed before Symbiosis, but was aired after, so it’s moot which was her last episode. Denise Crosby was written back in to a couple of epodes in subsequent series of TNG. There is playful debate about who, if anyone, allowed her to break the fourth wall and wave bye bye to the audience.

[@OnlyTwoShoes]

Love that line, "less developed civilization."

[@davidbreen6335]

I love the ending as disciplined as he was, and I’m sure Picard was a bit of a planner as captain moments like this, where he just said F It we’re just awesome.

[@Brian6587]

Love this whole scene! I always loved the first season. It had some great episode and moments!

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

Picard always enforced the Prime Directive well................except when it wasn't in their best interests

[@kevinnewman6035]

00:00:08 Tasha waving goodbye to Picard and Crusher. Was this a outtake that actually made it into the final edit?

[@LordTalax]

Wow never noticed that before.

[@youdesklamp]

"Beverly, the Prime Directive is a philosophy that limits the amount that we fuck around and find out." ------LATER------ "Hey, Geordi, why'd you pick that course?" "I dunno, thought we could go fuck around somewhere and find out." STAR TREK

[@thewewguy8t88]

Lower decks apparently proves picard was right to do this.

[@theblitz9]

They suffered for years but managed to get over it. Lower Decks. Season 3 episode 9.

[@OlaBetiku]

I was so excited about that episode and it didn't disappoint.

[@kchishol1970]

@@OlaBetiku I would love a conversation between Admiral Picard and Capt. Freeman about the ethics of his choice.

[@girlgarde]

I'm surprised that large numbers of the Onarans didn't commit suicide in the process and I'm even more surprised that they didn't seek revenge on their Braxian neighbours for tricking them for 200 years. I'm surprised most of all that the Braxian civilization didn't collapse as they'd committed all their industry and agriculture to growing the drug they used to make their neighbours into drug addicts so without outside help, the Braxians were screwed.

[@spicingdeed8931]

​@@girlgardecheap af

[@davidaston5773]

@Adventures in Rhythm It's interesting I remember watching "Star Trek - The Next Generation" when it was first on BBC 2 in the UK. "Symbiosis" is a bout drug addiction. Many years later I became an addict. As of today? 2 years clean and sober. Our own culture does the same thing to addicts with methadone and opiods. Sadly, Picard's attitude is correct. Sometimes you have to allow people to go it alone and learn the hard way. Great science fiction is able to explore issues in a way normal shows wouldn't. David

[@thewewguy8t88]

It's a message actually which I find is even more relatable today.

[@khankrum1]

I always considered The Next Generation as SOCIAL WORKERS IN SPACE!

[@loughlin14]

I can agree

[@stevenhilbert]

I kind of wish that I were born in a century where we had space travel freely. If we ever make it to that point I hope that I am around I doubt it but I would love to take my last moments viewing some distance star system and exploring freely.

[@LordTalax]

We'll all be dirt by then.

[@TheGreatSeraphim]

The prime directive purpose is to avoid accelerating their natural development to the point it is detrimental. To simply abandon a planet that asks for help just because it is not 'advanced enough' is inhumane.

[@AnvilMAn603]

it changes their development, thats the problem

[@elfinstuff8934]

@@AnvilMAn603So what?

[@Justicar2503]

@@elfinstuff8934 Theres a episode on Enterprise where Archer and Phlox have a argument about using a vaccine the doctor created to help a world which doenst even have warp capabilities. Most, myself included, believe that to be the first instance of the prime directive there and the whole idea is simple by Phlox, what if this disease is to be? What if the race ends up stronger because of it? Why should we rob this specie chance of evolution for our concept of "mercy"? The point of "not interfering" is not just because we are better and they are not but rather we(they) cant access what is to happen and what is not so changing it with help from a far better tecnological race is cheating their normal evolution and progress. Imagine if someone came to Earth and give us everything we ever need, sooner or later problems because of that will start pop up because we didnt learn how to make such things, how to use it, the sacrifices that took us to "improve" ourselfs but rather someone better gave it to us and messed with the order of things.

[@breadtoast1036]

disasters and tragedies are apart of societal development and growth, perhaps the type of society that goes to the stars peacefully and with strong enough infrastructure was the one that suffered unaided with a terrible event @@elfinstuff8934

[@TheSpicyLeg]

@@elfinstuff8934Because we can’t know what any interaction in a system from outside the system will cause. “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Having a highly advanced, indistinguishable from magic civilization solve a problem teaches the lesson that solving one’s own problems is a waste of time. Simply wait for the magic peoples to solve it. In this episode, the addicted people may have been robbed of a philosophy borne out of dealing with withdrawal from the drug. Or perhaps a medicine. Maybe their law and governance is changed by the addiction to better deal with social ills.

[@tomboard1]

Warp 3? What is this a cruise ship? We've got places to go, Lt. Warp 7 and Lt? Report to engineering. You're not allowed to steer anymore.😁

[@Mastermind8908]

Did the person in the back of the cargo bay just wave to the camera as the lift doors closed?

[@Deliciousfoodofficer]

Yes thats Tasha Yar as Good Bye

[@dazzlernator]

Yes, it was Denise Crosby's last regular performance as Tasha Yar. 'Skin of Evil' was filmed prior to 'Symbiosis' .

[@jmd1743]

I would have love to see Captain Archer from Star Trek Enterprise debate Captain Picard on those ethics in that turbo lift. The Prime Directive is a pretty intellectually lazy method for those who fear making a mistake. Right before our eyes we're witnessing animal rights protection grow in China which is known for individuals skinning animals alive, but for some reason Picard is afraid of repeating mistakes that took place over 500 years ago, it's as if he didn't want to try and risk being known as somebody who created a tragedy out of good intentions.

[@Skyblade12]

The Prime Directive is just Starfleet’s way of avoiding the great responsibility that comes with great power. It’s the ultimate excuse to never have to help anyone. They never have to try, because they always just say “well, what if it causes a problem later?” It’s the ultimate cop out by a morally bankrupt society and allows them to assuage their own guilt.

[@ff3player]

The Federation doesn't play Fuck Around and Find Out Here is a clear example of why The Prime Directive exists even though it is a different show kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHu8dJ2XrrFrn7s

[@AbAb-th5qe]

I've found when working in devops that small, simple interventions work best. Especially when you take enough time to evaluate the consequences of that one change in isolation. Web site analytics seems similar observing as an outsider to that field. A/B tests for example

[@johnwoidyla3422]

What is Yar doing just as the cargo bay doors are closing?

[@DrownedInExile]

The Onarans wouldn't have believed any warnings that their precious cure was a drug. It would have changed nothing in the short-term. Long term? Given the tribalistic nature of people, the Onarans and Breccians would inevitably blame the Federation for whatever strife that followed. Such a grudge could fester for generations, and could even impact the interests of the Federation in the future. Picard was right not to get involved.

[@user-ov4wd8qz6l]

😮😊🎉❤😮.

[@aarongreenfield9038]

Stopping the turbo lift with someone in in is false imprisonment.

[@LCTesla]

Beverly, the Prime Directive is not just a set of rules. It is a dogma and a very incorrect one.

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

How so?

[@Archedgar]

@@user-ug2hk3go6i He pwn'd you.

[@LordTalax]

Course 970? Geordi there are only 360 degrees in a circle.

[@a22024]

'Let them die'

[@Sexynes]

I imagine whole planetary destruction may be a sufficient reason to intervene with a civilization since the species are unlikely to evolve or adapt to such a cataclysm and it's unlikely they were the cause of it. Another reason could be a civilization interfering with another in a detrimental way and could be address through diplomatic means.

[@TentaclePentacle]

You stop one planet from destroying itself which inevitable affect the development of neighboring planets.

[@LordTalax]

Stay out of it.

[@boyer89joe]

Can't they just beam all over the ship instead of the turbolift

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

Perhaps excessive energy use?

[@fubaralakbar6800]

Picard is right. You can't save everyone. Sometimes you have to let nature take its course, because telling God He doesn't know what He's doing always makes things worse in the long run.

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

Assumes there is a God, perhaps we are on our own. And while we cannot save everyone, the goal of trying to do so is worthwhile.

[@DrownedInExile]

Besides the Onarans would never have believed him, that their precious miracle cure was a drug.

[@Xerock]

It’s insane to me that Beverly Crusher ever made Captain when she has always chosen her indiscriminate mindless compassion over the regulations of the federation and the orders of her superiors and expected Jean Luc to come to her rescue.

[@teegees]

This reminds me of how our governments handled the C19 pandemic, intervening with extensive, prolonged lockdowns, mandating experimental vaccines, and hiking up prices. An awesome intervention that was huh? We’re better off now than ever! Gene Roddenberry knew humanity so well...