Coward's Death

From Hidden Frontier

Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode
"Coward's Death"
Episode no.	2.08
Season	Season 2
Release Date	2002
Writer(s)	Rob Caves and John Whiting
Story Elements by	John Whiting
Director	Jennifer Cole
Year	2378
Stardate	55832.6
Episode chronology
Previous "Fire In The Heart"
Next "Worst Fears, Part One"

Episode Summary

Synopsis

An Andorian crewmember is the only casualty when a conduit accidentally ruptures on the Excelsior. Radiation causes brain damage that results in a permanent case of clinical depression. While Henglaar looks into medical avenues to help the crewman and Counselor Elbrey does her best to keep him motivated, Captain Knapp also gets involved, lest the depression become too much and he becomes a danger to himself, and others around him.

Adjustments Required

"Captain’s Log, Stardate 55832.6; The Excelsior is finishing up its patrol along the edge of the Briar Patch before heading back to the station. As strange as this seems, I’m looking forward to seeing my daughter again. Guess I’m getting used to this ‘father’ business."

Counselor Elbrey and Captain Knapp discuss the effect that his newly-discovered daughter, Traya, is having on his life.

Counselor Elbrey and Captain Knapp share a drink in her office, discussing the state of the newest relationship in his life - his daughter, Traya. Knapp is little put out by the idea that Traya wants a dog, afraid that he is going to lose control of the way he lives his life. Elbrey reminds him that a relationship is about compromise. She also objects to his choice of a Corvan gilvo as a suitable pet for Traya - not only are they endangered, but their stick-like appearance and fragility defeat the point of a pet.

The friendly, relaxed conversation is suddenly shattered as the ship shudders around them. Knapp quickly contacts the bridge, where Luko informs both him and Commander Shelby of a conduit rupture on Deck 32. A scan reveals one faint life-sign, who Shelby quickly orders to be beamed to sickbay. After reporting this to the Captain, Knapp diverts the turbolift to sickbay to see for himself.

Crewman Thalek lies in sickbay as his physical injuries are treated.

When Knapp arrives, he easily spots the patient, Crewman Thalek, a member of one of Lefler’s damage control teams. Doctor Henglaar delivers a somewhat cryptic answer when Knapp asks the enlisted man’s status. The Tellarite explains that although the physical damage is treatable, the radiation exposure from the blast has caused permanent damage to a section of the brain responsible for hormone regulation, which can have serious effects on the emotions. When Knapp inquires about contact Andor for help, Henglaar becomes vague, then takes Knapp away from the stirring Thalek, to continue the discussion in his office.

Henglaar continues explaining to Knapp that his brief research has revealed a social stigma to the problem of depression among Andorians. , Suicide is regarded with complete contempt, except in regards to death in honourable combat. Knapp is surprised that Thalek’s problem sums up to depression. Henglaar then goes into more detail - the blast means that Thalek will suffer from clinical depression for the rest of his life. This would be a major problem in itself, even without the cultural attitude towards suicide, what Andorians term a "Coward’s Death." Henglaar suspects that a lot of Andorians suffering from depression die "a glorious death" rather than commit suicide. He feels he has no choice but to relieve him of duty to make sure he is not a danger to others.

Knapp worries about helping Thalek. Henglaar is practical about what they can and cannot do for him, even if this dents the Andorian’s sense of pride. He indicates that he can alleviate the worst of Thalek's symptoms with treatment, but there would still be problems. Knapp fails to understand the seriousness of what Thalek will be feeling until Henglaar reminds the Captain of his own feelings after his brother was killed. He explains that Thalek will feel just like that with no obvious reason, all the time, whereas Knapp at least knew he would move on from it, eventually. Thalek does not have that option. If the medications do not help, Thalek will never recover from this.

Sparring

Knapp and Thalek engage in a sparring match, as Knapp tries to help the young crewman deal with his turbulent emotions.

"Captain's Log, Supplemental: I've authorized Thalek to use the holodeck with the understanding that the safeties have been locked on and secured. He's taken up the offer of several crew members to spar with him. I've offered my services as well, in the hope I can better understand the situation."

In an effort to better understand and somehow help Thalek, Knapp agrees to a sparring session with the Andorian crewman in the holodeck. Using kendo-like staffs, the two battle, while discussing Thalek’s state of mind. Although the engineer is responding to treatments devised by Henglaar, Thalek still battles his own emotions daily, which is interfering with his concentration and making him spend more time asleep then is normal for him. He likens his condition to being on the edge of a black hole, waiting to be pulled in by its immense gravity. This is a feeling with which Knapp identifies, after his brother’s death. Thalek does not need Knapp’s sympathy, as it only reminds him that the Captain recovered. Thalek knows he will not, as he overheard everything Knapp and Henglaar discussed in private. Their sparring becomes more intense as Thalek admits he knows he will never recover. Knapp argues he should not give up, but take it day by day, minute by minute if necessary. Knapp is suddenly disarmed by Thalek, who knocks his staff away, placing his own staff at the hollow of Knapp’s throat. He explains that “There is no dishonor is surrender when you’ve been overmatched. On the battlefield, it is a kindness to put a foe, or even a friend, out of their misery.” He questions why his circumstances are different, before pulling his staff away, and bowing, leaving Knapp calling after him as he exits the holodeck.

With Thalek gone from her quarters, Elbrey can no longer contain her own conflicting emotions.

During a counseling session with Elbrey, Thalek tries to distract himself from his thoughts, playing with a snow globe, before discussing some of the reading he has been doing while not on duty, including Shakespeare. He is surprised to find a human sharing the Andorian view of suicide. Elbrey points out times have changed and that the writer had no idea what depression was like. When Thalek questions her, she admits she has never suffered depression, although she can feel what he himself feels because of it. He admits he has to actively decide to live, and it is a decision he must continue to make all the time, despite the overriding temptation to be done with the decisions. Elbrey confides she finds him strong enough to bear the temptation and that he is brave to continue to resist. “Bravery has no place where it can avail nothing,” he responds. Elbrey refuses to be drawn into swapping quotes with someone who has spent the whole day in the library. She dismisses Thalek with the news that he is to return to active duty tomorrow. She also notes that he can also return to his quarters, instead of sickbay, as he would sleep better there and Dr. Henglaar "needs the bed for patients who are really sick." But when Thalek leaves, Elbrey's façade cracks, as she contemplates what she has felt from him, letting out a large sigh, before requesting the captain’s location. She then calls and asks to see him.

In his ready room, Knapp listens to what Myra has to say, happy to be a shoulder for the counsellor to cry on for once. But Myra is not happy - she has been in touch with Andorian medical authorities to try and help Thalek, but all it has done has made her angry. One official recommended that they let Thalek simply kill himself, even going so far as to suggest that Henglaar should lie on the death certificate to spare Thalek's clan the shame of his death. Knapp’s reminder that Andorians aren't noted for their compassion only angers the Betazoid further, since she cannot believe doctors would be so cold and imply nature should take its course. She likens it to “asking a Ferengi to make a donation.” She then reminds Knapp that Thalek’s condition is not his fault.

Knapp then plays devil’s advocate and asks her if she would allow a suicide in a case of a terminally ill patient. Elbrey dismisses the argument, since Thalek can live a normal lifespan and is not impaired or in physical pain. Knapp jumps on her wording, reminding her that she had admitted Thalek’s mental anguish, and that he is impaired mentally, not concentrating and having memory problems. Elbrey is shocked that Knapp is advocating Thalek just give up, but he points out he is voicing the other argument, although he does not share it. He simply wonders why they are making these decision for him. The counselor then states that because of his judgement being impaired, Thalek cannot make life and death decision. This leads the Captain to question why the Andorian is back on duty, which implies he is capable of those decisions, just like every other member of the crew. When he questions why they have placed him back on active duty, Elbrey angrily explains that Thalek is on temporary duty and that she will recommend he be considered for medical retirement, since, in her opinion, he will be unable to face the long-term stresses a life in Starfleet can bring. Knapp points out that being forced from Starfleet would shame him as much as the suicide would. Elbrey sees no other option. She is afraid that one day, if he stays, Thalek will succumb to his depression and take his own life, possibly in a fashion that takes some of the crew with him in the act. She is not willing to take that risk. Voice strained and eyes brimming with tears, she explains to Knapp that, “I have to balance Thalek’s life and sanity alongside the crew’s. Guess who loses?” Knapp, seeing how distraught the matter is affecting his friend, apologizes, not having realised that she must wrestle with some of the same kind of decisions he himself has had to make regarding the safety of the crew.

Thalek struggles in dealing with his emotions as the mental pain he is suffering begins to take a toll.

Released from sickbay, Thalek enjoys being back in his quarters. The first thing he does is go to a cabinet, where he takes out a ceremonial dagger and a sharpening stone. He carefully and methodically runs the blade over the stone. As he carries out the seemingly mundane task, he starts to remember some of the things he overheard Henglaar saying - how he will never recover from the depression, that he will always be a danger to himself. As he contemplates these words, he occasionally stops his busywork, and runs his fingers over the blade. At one point he takes it fully into his grip fully for a moment, before he quashes the sudden urge, quickly covers the dagger and throws it onto the table. That momentary lapse hits home, and he places his head in his hands, his emotions again in turmoil.

Two Weeks Later...

The Excelsior opens fire on an attacking Grey warship.

Knapp orders red alert after Shelby calls him to the bridge - a Grey warship is approaching from behind, already sending out its standard audio distraction. Knapp voices his surprise that they still do that, before making sure Ensign Barrett keeps the channel closed. A weapons barrage weakens the shields; Knapp comments that the Grey are packing quite a punch. Shelby suggests that both sides have improved their weapons since their last encounter. The Excelsior returns fire, but only manages to inflict minor damage on the Grey ship’s shields. Knapp orders McFarland to set a course away from the Briar Patch, hoping it will weaken the Grey’s defenses. Another barrage from the Grey inflicts some hull damage, as their weapons managed to pierce their shield frequency momentarily. This damaged the dorsal torpedo launchers. Repair crews are quickly dispatched as the Knapp orders the shields set to a random modulation.

Sealing himself in a malfunctioning torpedo bay, Thalek takes desperate action to save the ship.

Thalek’s damage control team arrives at the torpedo bay, where they find the tube shielding is offline. Firing the torpedoes would kill anyone in the bay. When his two teammates remove an injured crewmember from the bay, Thalek locks the door behind them. He then begins a manual override sequence on the launchers, despite their protests. Luko’s console reports the activity, but he cannot override Thalek’s actions - Thalek has locked out the bridge controls. As he prepares to fire the torpedoes, knowing full well that the backwash will kill him, Thalek finds himself distracted, as various things he has read float into the forefront of his mind, as well as things Elbrey and Henglaar have said. He manages to shrug his doubts aside and taps in the final sequence before ducking down behind the console as the room superheats.

The torpedoes strike the Grey vessel. Weakened by its distance from the Patch, the hits inflict severe damage. Luko reports that they Grey are retreating As scans show no other Grey vessels in the vicinity, Knapp orders McFarland to set course for Deep Space 12.

A Thousand Fights...

Having survived, Thalek begins to realize what he must do to continue to function normally.

As the Excelsior approaches home, Thalek awakes in sickbay, finding Dr. Henglaar looking directly at him and Counselor Elbrey at his side. He sports some nasty burns as he slowly comes to. Henglaar explains he will be fine, but it may only be temporary. Woozy, Thalek has trouble taking in his surroundings and some news that Elbrey delivers. She explains that his teammates are angry about him locking them out and nearly barbecuing himself. The Captain is considering awarding him a commendation for quick thinking and bravery. Chief Engineer Lefler hasn’t decided how she feels - although the shots were effective, the fire-suppressing foam he filled them with to prevent being killed melted down the tubes completely. This will require a month's worth of repair work, which Thalek will be contributing to, as he's responsible for the damage.

Instead of responding to Thalek’s question of what she thinks of his action, Elbrey asks some questions of her own. Thalek admits he locked the door because he did not want his teammates to die. He did not plan on using the foam at first. When asked what changed his mind, Thalek confesses to some of the things that crossed his mind while in the torpedo bay, as well as what he heard Henglaar wonder about Andorian heroes dying in glorious battle to hide an inner cowardice. He also explains that Elbrey’s comment on his own bravery made him realise that living is the greatest test his courage can face. Henglaar comments that it is a brave person who summons courage to face death just once. How much braver must a person be to face death every day, for the rest of their life? Thalek realizes though, that he is no hero, that his courage may not last forever, but if it were to fail, he will have won many fights before then which is something to be truly proud of.

Background Information

• This was an episode that dealt with the stigma that comes to people who suffer from clinical depression, highlighted by Andorian society's attitude towards sufferers.

Memorable Quotes

• Elbrey: (regarding Thalek): "Are you willing to bet the lives of your crew that he doesn't find a death that takes some of them along for the ride? I'm not. I've got to balance Thalek's life and sanity against the crew. Guess who loses."
• Knapp: "I'm sorry, Myra. Sometimes I forget that starship captains aren't the only ones forced to play God now and then."

Production Information

• Beau Christian Williams, who also portrays Artim Ibanya, played Crewman Thalek.
• Wayne Webb, who would later take on the role of Matt McCabe, guest-starred in this episode as a member of Thalek's damage control team, as Bre'elian Chief Okul (which is Luko spelled backwards).
• Tyler Bosserman only appears in a brief scene as Andrew Barrett, which may be why he is uncredited in this episode. Tristan Clark is also absent, even though his character of Brad Rawlins is credited.

Cast

Regular Cast

Guest Stars

References