Episode 237: "Chain of Command, Part II" 

In an attempt to obtain information from their hostage, the Cardassians inject Picard with a serum that forces him to answer all questions truthfully. He soon reveals the exact nature of the Federation's mission to destroy metagenic weapons on Celtris III. However, his Cardassian captor, Gul Lemec, reveals that the situation on Celtris III was simply a trap, invented to lure him into Cardassian space. The Cardassians have captured them in order to learn strategy the Federation will use in case of a Cardassian attack. When Picard indicates that he knows nothing of such a strategy, Gul Madred begins to torture him in violation of the law.
Back on the Enterprise, Gul Lemec informs Captain Jellico, Riker and Troi that Picard is being held hostage. Jellico prepares to rendezvous with Worf and Beverly, but refuses Riker's request to attempt a rescue mission for Picard, stating that his former captain is probably already dead. Later, Gul Lemec tells Riker and Jellico that if Jellico admits Picard's mission was authorized by the Federation, his life can be spared. When Jellico refuses, Riker loses his temper, and is promptly relieved of his post.

Surprisingly, Jellico chooses Data as Riker's replacement and with Geordi's help, they deduce that the Cardassians faked the metagenic weapon situation to lure Picard. As the discussion continues, they also realize that Picard is probably being tortured to reveal information he doesn't even have, and that their actions could indicate that the Cardassians are planning an attack.

Jellico directs the Enterprise to Minos Korva, where he believes they can intercept the Cardassians and launch a first strike. The rest of the senior staff warns him that he is flirting with disaster by initiating a Cardassian battle in their territory, pointing out that they have no proof the Cardassians are preparing for war and that thousands of innocent lives may be lost. Still, Jellico holds firm. At the same time, a starving, exhausted Picard manages to hold firm against Gul Madred, winning some small victories in their battle of wills.

Jellico prepares to begin his mission and travel into Cardassian space in a shuttlecraft. However, when Geordi informs him that Riker is the best pilot on the ship, the captain swallows his pride and asks Riker to lead the excursion. Riker agrees, and he and Geordi are successful in their effort to lay mines throughout the sector per Jellico's instructions. Before long, a furious Lemec contacts Jellico, who agrees not to detonate the mines If the Cardassians withdraw and Picard is returned. Lemec agrees and a weak disoriented Picard soon arrives on the Enterprise relieving Jellico before his overjoyed crew.

Production: 237
Season: 6 Episode: 11
Air Date: 12.21.1992
Stardate: 46360.8

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
Ronny Cox as Captain Jellico
John Durbin as Gul Lemec
Heather Lauren Olson as Jil Orra
David Warner as Gul Madred
Along with other humorous readouts, the table in Engineering has an item labeled "Infinite Improbability Generator" in a reference to the propulsion system aboard the Heart of Gold in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

Worf's prosthetic forehead changed in season 2 because the original was stolen.

The Borg were originally written as insectoids, but were changed to cyborgs due to budget constraints.

 

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

                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                              
                  "Chain of Command, Part II" 
                          #40276-237 
                              
                          Written by 
                       Frank Abatemarco 
                              
                          Directed by 
                          Les Landau 
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 1992 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.
                         FINAL DRAFT
                       OCTOBER 15, 1992
   STAR TREK: "Chain of Command, Part II" - 10/15/92 - CAST 
                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                  "Chain of Command, Part II" 
                             CAST                               
                              
                PICARD                 JELLICO
                RIKER                  JIL ORRA
                DATA                   GUL LEMEC
                BEVERLY                GUL MADRED
                TROI               
                WORF               
                GEORDI             
                COMPUTER VOICE     
                Non-Speaking           Non-Speaking
                  TWO N.D. NURSES        GLIN CORAK
                  N.D. SECURITY OFFICER  GLIN TAJOR
                                         TWO CARDASSIANS GUARDS
   STAR TREK: "Chain of Command, Part II" - 10/15/92 - SETS 
                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                  "Chain of Command, Part II"
                             SETS 
            INTERIORS                  EXTERIORS
          
            USS ENTERPRISE             USS ENTERPRISE
              MAIN BRIDGE              SHUTTLECRAFT
              CORRIDOR                 CARDASSIAN SHIP
              OBS. LOUNGE
              RIKER'S QUARTERS
              READY ROOM
              SHUTTLECRAFT
              SHUTTLEBAY
              SICKBAY
          
              INTERROGATION ROOM
     STAR TREK: "Chain of Command, Part, II" - 10/15/92 - 
                         PRONUNCIATION GUIDE                           
                              
                STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION 
                     "Chain of Command, Part II"                       
                              
                      PRONUNCIATION GUIDE                       
                     LAKAT         lah-KAHT
                     CELTRIS       SELL-tris
                     LA BARRE      la BAR
                     MADRED        muh-DRED
                     NECHAYEV      NEH-che-yev
                     LEMEC         leh-MEK
                     GESSARD       gues-ARRD
                     MINOS KORVA   mee-nos KOR-va
                     HEBITIAN      heb-EE-shin
                     LYSHAN        LYE-shin

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