Episode 149: "The Ensigns of Command" 

The U.S.S. Enterprise receives a message from the Sheliak, who order the crew to remove all humans from the planet Tau Cygna V. According to a Federation treaty, the planet belongs to the alien race, who want to take control of their property and have given the crew four days to evacuate the men and women now living there. If the U.S.S. Enterprise does not complete the task, the Sheliak will kill all of the humans, whom they consider "vermin."
Due to the high level of radiation on Tau Cygna V, which the colonists have adapted to over several generations, Data is the only crew member capable of surviving the mission. After Riker speculates that there should be about a dozen humans there, Picard sends the android down to the planet to commence evacuation procedures. But the matter is complicated by Data's reports that 15,000 colonists are living on Tau Cygna V and Worf's estimate that transporting them off the planet will take several weeks, far longer than the Sheliak ultimatum.

What's worse, Data meets resistance to the evacuation plan from Gosheven, the leader of the colony, who refuses to abandon the planet. While Data tries to change Gosheven's mind, Picard's pleas for additional time from the Sheliak, who stick to every word of their 500,000 word treaty, are flatly refused.

While a stirring speech by Data convinces some colonists to revolt against Gosheven, Picard buys time when he finds a clause in the treaty that allows him to demand third party arbitration of the evacuation dispute. He deliberately chooses a race in hibernation for six months, which forces the Sheliak's hand and they agree to give Picard three weeks to relocate the colonists.

Production: 149
Season: 3 Episode: 2
Air Date: 10.02.1989
Stardate: 43133.3
Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as William Riker
Brent Spiner as Data
LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Worf
Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi
Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Colm Meaney as Miles O'Brien
Eileen Seeley as Ard'rian
Mart McChesney as Sheliak
Richard Allen as Noe
Mark L. Taylor as Haritath
Grainger Hines as Gosheven
Actor Grainger Hines was unhappy with his performance (as Gosheven), so he requested his name be removed from the credits. All of his lines were subsequently overdubbed by another actor.

The shuttle Onizuka, which Data used in this episode, was named in tribute to one of the Space Shuttle "Challenger" astronauts.

 

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format
 

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

"The Ensigns of Command"
#40273-149

Written by
H. B. Savage

Directed by
Cliff Bole

THE WRITING CREDITS MAY NOT BE FINAL AND SHOULD NOT BE USED
FOR PUBLICITY OR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING
WITH THE TELEVISION LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

Copyright 1989 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights
Reserved. This script is not for publication or
reproduction. No one is authorized to dispose of same. If
lost or destroyed, please notify the Script Department.

3RD REVISED FINAL DRAFT

JULY 13, 1989

STAR TREK: "The Ensigns of Command" - REV. 7/14/89 - CAST

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Ensigns of Command"

CAST

PICARD                                  SHELIAK
RIKER                                                   
DATA                                    ARD'RIAN
BEVERLY                          GOSHEVEN
TROI                                     HARITATH
GEORDI                                  KENTOR
WORF                                                 
WESLEY                                              
O'BRIEN                                               

Non-Speaking
ENGINEERS (2)
OTHER LOCALS (26)
YOUNG BOY (age 12)
BOY'S MOTHER
A VULCAN VIOLINIST
A WOMAN VIOLIST
N.D. CREWMEMBERS (12)
SUPERNUMERARIES (CONN & OPS)

Click this link to view the complete script in a TXT format