Episode 155: "The Enemy" 

While investigating a distress signal on the Federation planet Galorndon Core, Riker, Worf and La Forge discover the wreckage of a crashed Romulan vessel and a dying Romulan officer, Patahk. Due to the fierce electrical storms on the surface, beaming up and down to Galorndon is restricted by brief "windows," or breaks in the storm, which occur sporadically throughout the day. Unfortunately, Geordi loses contact with the Away Team and is trapped in a pit, from which he is unable to contact Riker and Worf before they are forced to beam back to the U.S.S. Enterprise with Patahk.
Dr. Crusher's examination of Patahk soon reveals neural degeneration caused by exposure to the planet's magnetic fields, which increases the crew's concern for Geordi. Tensions rise when the U.S.S. Enterprise learns that a Romulan warship intends to cross the Neutral Zone and enter restricted Federation territory to rescue any crash survivors. When Picard informs the Romulan captain, Tomalak, that Patahk is aboard his ship, Tomalak insists that the two ships rendezvous and that Patahk be returned.

Meanwhile, the crew launches a signal probe to locate Geordi. As he frees himself from the pit and makes his way toward the beacon, Geordi is ambushed and taken prisoner by Bochra, a second survivor of the Romulan crash. Before long, however, the electrical storms on Galorndon wreak havoc on Bochra's nervous system and render Geordi's visor inoperable, temporarily blinding him. Geordi is able to convince the critically ill Romulan that their only hope for survival is to beam aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, and the two enemies join forces to locate the beacon.

Back on the starship, Dr. Crusher informs Worf that a transfusion of his ribosome's is the only hope for Patahk's survival. But the Klingon officer refuses to help because his parents were killed by Romulans years earlier. Although Picard explains the drastic political implications of a Romulan dying in Federation hands, Worf stands firm. When Patahk dies, Tomalak prepares to retaliate by attacking the U.S.S. Enterprise. Tomalak's actions force Picard to raise his ship's shields, preventing transporting activity, just as a window in the storm appears.

With time running out, Picard informs Tomalak that the U.S.S. Enterprise is lowering its shields to beam Geordi and a Romulan officer aboard. Knowing that an aggressive response could lead to an all-out war between the Federation and Romulans, Tomalak allows Picard to proceed. Geordi and Bochra return to the U.S.S. Enterprise, where they regain their neural functions and bid each other farewell.

Production: 155
Season: 3 Episode: 7
Air Date: 11.06.1989
Stardate: 43349.2
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
Andreas Katsulas as Tomalak
John Snyder as Bochra
Steven Rankin as Patahk
LeVar Burton Trivia

Daughter, Michaela born [1995]

Graduated University of Southern California School of Theatre

1 son, 1980, decided by the courts after paternity suit. He won joint custody.

LeVar Burton's father, Levardis Robert Burton Senior, was a career Army NCO from 1954 to 1976. Levardis Burton retired in the rank of Sergeant First Class, just as his son's acting career was beginning to gain notoriety.

As of November 2003 holds the record for the most number of Star Trek episodes directed by a Star Trek actor. He has directed more than two-dozen episodes for every one of the four "modern era" Trek series.

While co-starring in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), was also continuing his role as host of "Reading Rainbow" (1983).

His character Geordi La Forge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) was named after George La Forge, a Star Trek fan who died from muscular dystrophy.

Is a strong supporter of literacy in children.

On "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), his character's parents were played by two of his "Roots" (1977) (mini) co-stars: Ben Vereen played his father on "Star Trek TNG" and his grandson in "Roots" (1977) (mini) and Madge Sinclair played his character's wife in "Roots" (1977) (mini) and his mother on "Star Trek TNG".

At age 13, entered a Catholic seminary to study for the priesthood.

In the original Next Generation script, Burton's character, Geordi LaForge, was going to be gay.

Author of a science fiction novel, Aftermath.

 

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

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

"The Enemy"
(f.k.a. "The Mettle of Man")
#40273-155

Written by
Michael Piller

Directed by
David Carson

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.

FINAL DRAFT

SEPTEMBER 11, 1989

STAR TREK: "The Enemy" - 9/11/89 - CAST

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"The Enemy"

CAST

PICARD                                    PATAHK
RIKER                                    TOMALAK
DATA                                       BOCHRA
BEVERLY
TROI
GEORDI
WORF
WESLEY
O'BRIEN

Non-Speaking
MEDICAL SUPERNUMERARIES
SECURITY GUARDS
TWO CREWMEMBERS

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