Introduction

“The Wounded” is the 86th episode of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the 12th episode of the fourth season.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. In this episode, Picard is shocked when a highly respected starship captain apparently turns renegade and begins destroying Cardassian vessels. Captain Maxwell claims that the Cardassians, who recently signed a treaty with the Federation, are secretly rearming for war but he has no proof. Picard demands that Maxwell – Transporter Chief O’Brien’s former commanding officer – surrender his ship, but Maxwell refuses. Reluctant to fire on a fellow officer, Picard asks O’Brien to convince his old comrade to surrender peacefully.

Outline

While patrolling near Cardassian space, the starship Enterprise is suddenly attacked by a Cardassian vessel. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) is able to convince its commander, Gul Macet (Marc Alaimo), to stand down, and learns that Macet’s attack was in retaliation for a Federation ship attacking a Cardassian science station two days prior. Picard confirms this with Starfleet, and is told that the starship Phoenix, commanded by Captain Benjamin Maxwell (Bob Gunton), was responsible, and ordered to locate the vessel. Picard invites Gul Macet and two of his officers to come aboard as observers to maintain the fragile peace between the Federation and Cardassia.

As the Enterprise looks for signs of the Phoenix, Picard discovers that transporter chief Miles O’Brien (Colm Meaney) was a former crewmember under Maxwell on the Rutledge during the Cardassian war, and invites him to join a briefing with Gul Macet. There, O’Brien reveals he still harbours some resentment for the Cardassians, revealing that Maxwell’s family was killed by Cardassians. Gul Macet infers that Maxwell must be out for revenge, but O’Brien denies this.

The Enterprise locates the Phoenix on an intercept course for a Cardassian freighter, but they will not be able to reach it in time. Picard lets Gul Macet relay the position of the Phoenix to a closer Cardassian cruiser, but Maxwell outmanoeuvres and destroys both the warship and the freighter, killing over 650 Cardassians.

Shortly thereafter, the Enterprise rendezvouses with the Phoenix, and Maxwell transports aboard, greeting O’Brien as an old friend. Alone, Maxwell asserts to Picard that the Cardassians are re-arming themselves; the science station was a cover for a military base, and the freighters are carrying weapons. Picard admonishes Maxwell for his behaviour unbecoming a Starfleet captain, and gains his assurance that he will pilot the Phoenix directly back to Federation space. However, en route, the Phoenix breaks course towards another freighter. Maxwell is poised to destroy the freighter, demanding that the Federation officers be allowed aboard to see proof of the Cardassians’ deception.

The Enterprise crew notes that the freighter is equipped with a field that blocks their scans. Picard prepares to fire on the Phoenix to maintain the peace, but O’Brien requests permission to beam over to the Phoenix, using a transporter trick to sneak past its shield, and talk to Maxwell. Aboard the Phoenix, O’Brien and Maxwell reminisce about their time aboard the Rutledge and sing a song from their past. O’Brien is able to convince Maxwell to stand down. Maxwell transfers his command to his first officer and the Phoenix starts its return to Federation space, while Maxwell returns to the Enterprise with O’Brien, to be held there pending return to Starfleet.

As the Cardassian observers are returned to their ship, Picard cautions them that while Maxwell’s actions may have been improper, his suspicions are not without merit; the so-called “science station” is located in a strategic military position with little scientific value, and the shields on the freighters were specifically designed to block Federation scanning. He cautions Gul Macet that the Federation will be watching the Cardassians very closely in the future.

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Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Chip Chalmers.
• Writer(s): Stuart Charno, Sara Charno, and Cy Chermak.
• Release Date: 28 January 1991.
• Running Time: 45 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.