Chain of Command (TNG episode)
Encyclopedia
"Chain of Command" is an episode of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
that aired in two parts.
), who exhibits a vastly different style of command and decorum to the Enterprise crew, particularly to Commander Riker. Under Jellico's command, the Enterprise patrols the border near Minos Korva, a tactically-significant Federation planet, and holds negotiations as to the fate of the planet with Cardassian representatives.
After training in the holodeck, Picard, Worf, and Crusher discreetly arrive on Celtris III and infiltrate the installation. They find no signs of biological weapons, and soon discover their information was a Cardassian trap. Worf and Crusher escape, but Picard is captured and taken to an interrogator, Gul Madred (David Warner
).
, sensory bombardment, forced nakedness, stress positions
, dehydration, starvation, physical pain, and cultural humiliation to try to gain knowledge of the Federation's plans for Minos Korva. Picard refuses to acknowledge Madred's demand for information. Madred attempts another tactic to break Picard's will: he shows his captive four bright lights, and demands that Picard answer that there are five, inflicting intense pain on Picard if he does not answer in that fashion.
Meanwhile, the Cardassians inform the Enterprise crew that Picard has been captured. Jellico refuses to acknowledge that Picard was on a Starfleet mission, an admission necessary for Picard to receive the rights of a prisoner of war
rather than being subjected to torture as a terrorist
; this leads to a heated argument between Jellico and Riker upon which Jellico relieves Riker of duty. The crew observes signs of residue from a nearby nebula
, and Jellico suspects a Cardassian fleet may attempt to use the cover of the nebula to launch an attack on Minos Korva. Jellico determines their best course of action is to mine the nebula using a shuttlecraft, but would require the skilled piloting controls that only Riker possesses. Riker candidly discusses Jellico's command style with the officer, and only accepts the assignment once Jellico personally asks him to pilot the shuttle instead of commanding it, a contrast to Jellico's style. Riker successfully lays the minefield, and Jellico uses the threat of the minefield to force the Cardassians to disarm and retreat, also demanding Picard's return.
With word of the failure of the Cardassians to secure Minos Korva, Madred attempts one last ploy to break Picard, to claim that Cardassia has taken the planet and the Enterprise was destroyed in the battle. He offers Picard a choice: to remain in captivity for the rest of his life, or live in relative comfort on Cardassia by admitting he sees five lights. As Picard momentarily considers the offer, a Cardassian officer interrupts the process and informs Madred that Picard must be returned now. As Picard is freed from his bonds and taken away, he turns back to Madred and defiantly shouts "there are four lights!" Picard is returned to the Federation and reinstated as Captain of the Enterprise. Picard admits privately to Counselor Troi that while he was willing to tell Madred anything, he was more concerned that, for a moment, he thought he really did see five lights.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
that aired in two parts.
Overview
Captain Picard is taken from command of the Enterprise for a covert mission, and his replacement is assigned to deal with the Cardassians openly.Part I
Captain Picard, Lt. Worf, and Dr. Crusher are assigned by Starfleet on an undercover mission to destroy a Cardassian biological weapons installation on Celtris III, a Cardassian border world. In Picard's place, Starfleet assigns Captain Edward Jellico (played by Ronny CoxRonny Cox
Daniel Ronald "Ronny" Cox is an American character actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Personal life:Cox, the third of five children, was born in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, the son of Lounette and Bob P. Cox, a carpenter who also worked at a dairy. He grew up in Portales, New Mexico...
), who exhibits a vastly different style of command and decorum to the Enterprise crew, particularly to Commander Riker. Under Jellico's command, the Enterprise patrols the border near Minos Korva, a tactically-significant Federation planet, and holds negotiations as to the fate of the planet with Cardassian representatives.
After training in the holodeck, Picard, Worf, and Crusher discreetly arrive on Celtris III and infiltrate the installation. They find no signs of biological weapons, and soon discover their information was a Cardassian trap. Worf and Crusher escape, but Picard is captured and taken to an interrogator, Gul Madred (David Warner
David Warner (actor)
David Warner is an English actor who is known for playing both romantic leads and sinister or villainous characters, both in film and animation...
).
Part II
Madred uses a number of torture methods, including sensory deprivationSensory deprivation
Sensory deprivation or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing respectively, while more complex devices can also cut off the sense of smell, touch,...
, sensory bombardment, forced nakedness, stress positions
Stress positions
A stress position, also known as a submission position, places the human body in such a way that a great amount of weight is placed on just one or two muscles. For example, a subject may be forced to stand on the balls of his feet, then squat so that his thighs are parallel to the ground...
, dehydration, starvation, physical pain, and cultural humiliation to try to gain knowledge of the Federation's plans for Minos Korva. Picard refuses to acknowledge Madred's demand for information. Madred attempts another tactic to break Picard's will: he shows his captive four bright lights, and demands that Picard answer that there are five, inflicting intense pain on Picard if he does not answer in that fashion.
Meanwhile, the Cardassians inform the Enterprise crew that Picard has been captured. Jellico refuses to acknowledge that Picard was on a Starfleet mission, an admission necessary for Picard to receive the rights of a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
rather than being subjected to torture as a terrorist
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
; this leads to a heated argument between Jellico and Riker upon which Jellico relieves Riker of duty. The crew observes signs of residue from a nearby nebula
Nebula
A nebula is an interstellar cloud of dust, hydrogen gas, helium gas and other ionized gases...
, and Jellico suspects a Cardassian fleet may attempt to use the cover of the nebula to launch an attack on Minos Korva. Jellico determines their best course of action is to mine the nebula using a shuttlecraft, but would require the skilled piloting controls that only Riker possesses. Riker candidly discusses Jellico's command style with the officer, and only accepts the assignment once Jellico personally asks him to pilot the shuttle instead of commanding it, a contrast to Jellico's style. Riker successfully lays the minefield, and Jellico uses the threat of the minefield to force the Cardassians to disarm and retreat, also demanding Picard's return.
With word of the failure of the Cardassians to secure Minos Korva, Madred attempts one last ploy to break Picard, to claim that Cardassia has taken the planet and the Enterprise was destroyed in the battle. He offers Picard a choice: to remain in captivity for the rest of his life, or live in relative comfort on Cardassia by admitting he sees five lights. As Picard momentarily considers the offer, a Cardassian officer interrupts the process and informs Madred that Picard must be returned now. As Picard is freed from his bonds and taken away, he turns back to Madred and defiantly shouts "there are four lights!" Picard is returned to the Federation and reinstated as Captain of the Enterprise. Picard admits privately to Counselor Troi that while he was willing to tell Madred anything, he was more concerned that, for a moment, he thought he really did see five lights.