Old Wound
From Hidden Frontier
| Star Trek: Hidden Frontier episode | |
| "Old Wound" | |
| |
| Episode no. | 2.03 |
|---|---|
| Season | Season 2 |
| Release Date | 2002 |
| Writer(s) | Dan Crout |
| Story Elements by | Scott Harber and Dan Crout |
| Director | Risha Denney |
| Year | 2378 |
| Stardate | 55294.3 |
| Episode chronology | |
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Contents |
Episode Summary
Synopsis
Relationships with the Dominion come under threat when Captain Knapp is accused of killing a Founder serving as an ambassador to the Federation, while on a mission to help learn more about the Grey. Commander Shelby is put in the uncomfortable position of acting as the prosecutor in the informal investigative hearing held aboard Deep Space 12.
Murder, Most Foul?
The Excelsior is cruising through the Briar Patch. Onboard, the ship is on security alert. Lieutenant Martinez and another security officer order the computer to override the lock to a room. Inside, they find an empty container with an alien device lying next to it on the ground. Above it is Captain Knapp, holding a similar device in one hand and a phaser in the other.
Inquisition, Round 1
Later, onboard Deep Space 12, a hearing has convened, comprised of Admiral Nechayev, Commodore Cole and an unnamed Andorian Rear Admiral. Commander Shelby objects to being placed in the position of prosecuting Captain Knapp for his actions. She is cut off by Nechayev, who reminds her that the informal hearing is an attempt to clarify what occurred onboard the Excelsior prior to their contacting the Dominion, which would create a diplomatic incident. As such, the Judge Advocate General's office would not be involved - it would transfer the incident to the Federaion's diplomatic corps which would surely lead to the finding of a scapegoat, regardless of any actual guilt.
When Cole suggests that Shelby wants to protect Knapp, Nechayev interjects, stating that there will be no protecting of anyone. They are present to establish the facts with no biased conclusions. Shelby then questions how she is expected to serve with someone after prosecuting them for murder. Nechayev notes that if he is found guilty, that wouldn't be a problem. Cole then suggests that if he is exonerated, Knapp would likely understand that she was simply doing her duty. She also reminds them that the hearing was not a witch hunt, simply a search for the truth. Shelby is then instructed to call her first witness.
Shelby calls Lieutenant Martinez to the stand. She asks him to describe the events leading up to the incident. The Excelsior was ordered to assist in the testing of a new weapons system - the Dominion had offered assistance to Starfleet in defending against the Grey. On the bridge, a Founder fits Counselor Elbrey with the device seen earlier. The Founder explains that because of her Betazoid physiology, the device is intended to assist her interact with the Ethereal plane. Knapp finishes the explanation - the device is intended to control the Grey's ships and soldiers. The Founder notes that he has another device should the one Elbrey is outfitted with prove "unsatisfactory." He then notes that the patrol area was selected for its level of Grey activity, wondering aloud why they had yet to appear.
Almost immediately, Martinez reports that a Grey battleship has folded within 7,000 kilometers of the Excelsior. Knapp takes the ship to red alert. Elbrey indicates that "she has them". Knapp orders Ensign McFarland to get the Excelsior out of the area, questioning what the Founder was "doing to her".
At this point, Nechayev questions Martinez about whether Knapp was expressing hostility towards the Founder from the beginning. Martinez indicated that he only saw the Founder on the bridge and suggested that Knapp was merely expressing concern over a member of his crew. With Nechayev about to ask about a further altercation, Cole interjects, demanding that the inquiry not be "sidetracked." Martinez continues with his story.
Back on Excelsior, Martinez reports that the Grey ship was moving off at impulse. Elbrey appears to be somewhat weakened by her experience. The Founder seems pleased, not being sure how the device would perform under field conditions. He noted that she seemed "minimally harmed" and that the Dominion's "research" on her people seemed to have borne fruit. Knapp then angrily asked the Founder whether he was done.
Nechayev characterizes this last exchange as Knapp antagonizing the Founder. Martinez noted that the entire crew reacted to what the Founder had said. Cole concurred, suggesting that Knapp was actually restrained in his interactions and that she would have had a difficult time exercising similar restraint. Nechayev forcefully reminded Cole that she was not found over the body with a phaser. Shelby then presses for more information, but Martinez gives none - he was called to the tribunal prior to his investigation having been completed. Nechayev noted that they had the security recording and phaser from the Founder's quarters, suggesting that this would be enough to complete the medical inquiry. Martinez noted that Dr. Henglaar had barely gotten the evidence prior to his being called to the hearing.
Shelby then reminds Martinez that the surveillance recording is available, as she has seen it. The DNA evidence is also available. She demands that Martinez offer his testimony and allow the tribunal to draw its own conclusions. She then asks him to produce the security recording, which he grudgingly does. Shelby then plays the tape for those assembled. It shows Knapp entering the Founder's quarters. The recording has a degree of static, an effect of the Dominion's devices, Martinez notes, suggesting that this renders the evidence suspect. Shelby then asks him to describe what is being seen in the recording. Knapp is seen putting the second device on his head - the first appears to be in the container with the founder, off-screen. Shortly thereafter, Knapp pulls out his phaser and fires. The recording ends.
Shelby then asks Martinez about the preliminary report regarding the phaser. He reports that it was set to level three - heavy stun. Shelby seems surprised at this, suggesting that the phaser blast killed the Founder. Martinez disagreed - had the phaser been set any higher, it would have killed the Founder and destroyed the container he was in. Martinez again told her that the investigation was still incomplete. Shelby approaches him, asking how long it would take to finish the investigation and suggesting that he is attempting to obstruct their investigation. Commodore Cole suggests all parties back off and that Lieutenant Martinez be given two hours to complete his investigation. The rest of the panel concurs.
It's Not That Simple
Later, in Ten Forward, McFarland and Martinez are trying to relax, but Martinez is anxious. They then debate the evidence seen thus far, with Martinez continuing to assert that there was no way Knapp could have killed the Founder despite his entering the ambassador's quarters with a weapon. McFarland later notes that she's simply trying to play "devil's advocate."
At another table, Knapp muses why his can't be a simple job, describing his ideal as getting up in the morning, doing his job, and going home at the end of the day. Elbrey notes that he doesn't follow his own advice - he doesn't just go to work, he takes three years of baggage along with him. Knapp defends himself, saying that this has nothing to do with the death of his brother. Elbrey asks who he's trying to convince. Knapp fires back, telling Elbrey that he told Cole that he was the wrong man for this job. Suddenly, Shelby appears at the table; Elbrey ducks out to get refills.
Shelby says that she wants apologize to Knapp. While he sits there stonily, she apologizes for not being able to get out of the assignment as his prosecutor. Knapp then brusquely asks what she wants. She continues to apologize - for putting more stock in her duties than he might find fashionable, for an following Nechayev's orders, for needing to push her out of his "inner circle", for his attitude with Nechayev coming back to haunt him, for Cole's attempts to allow him to "skate" making him look more guilty. Knapp angrily demands that she ask the question she wants to ask. He stands, almost yelling and bringing conversations around them to a halt, wondering if she wants to know if he killed the Founder in cold blood. Elbrey returns and calms him down. Shelby then turns to depart, reminding Martinez that his two hours were now up.
Inquisition, Round 2
Back in the hearing room, Shelby announces that Lieutenant Martinez has requested additional time for "integral test results". In the interim, Shelby wants to explore the first meeting between the Founder and Captain Knapp, calling Commodore Cole to the witness stand. Cole objects - as a member of tribunal, she shouldn't be called. Shelby disagrees, noting that Cole assigned Knapp to the mission and that she was a witness to the first meeting and familiar with Knapp's history during the Dominion War. Cole objects again, noting that the tribunal is only concerned with the events surrounding the security recording. When Nechayev questions whether something in Knapp's past could show a pattern of bias, Cole fires back that Nechayev has been "searching for a pattern all day," suggesting that it would be irrelevant. The Andorian Admiral concurs - any evidence regarding prior misdeeds would be prejudicial and inadmissible. However, he also rules that the first meeting between Knapp and the Founder would be directly relevant and, thus, Cole takes the stand.
Shelby asks Cole to characterize Knapp's response to his assignment. Knapp's response was "You want me to do what?", which Cole characterized as his being "intrigued." She also testified that Knapp wanted "more information" and asked to speak privately with her. When asked whether Knapp wanted to refuse the assignment, which he clearly wanted to, Cole characterized this as Knapp suggesting that he was "not...the right person for the job" and that he did not give a reason for this. When Shelby asks if Cole is aware of a reason that Knapp would not need to articulate, Cole objects, suggesting that the question is beyond Shelby's scope of inquiry - that she was "fishing". The Andorian Admiral concurs and asks if Shelby has any further questions - she does not. When Cole is asked whether she has anything further to add, she reminds those present about Captain Knapp's outstanding service to the Federation during the Dominion War, noting that he was single-handedly responsible for the destruction of a major ketracel-white production facility. Shelby then requests the right to rebut Cole's testimony, noting that the Captain's past had been brought into the hearing as a character reference - she should now have the right to impeach. The remainder of the tribunal agreed and, noting that Cole had "opened the door" to the line of questioning, permits Shelby to proceed. She then questions Cole regarding Knapp's leave of absence after the incident that resulted in the death of his brother.
Inquisition, Round 3
In Engineering, Martinez talks to Lieutenant Witczak about his analysis of the Founder's device. Martinez feels that the devices are the key to proving the Captain's guilt or innocence. Witczak noted that the device Knapp used was useless, as it burns out after two uses. He's also having problems figuring out the one remaining functional device. McFarland then calls from the bridge - the tribunal is requesting Martinez return.
Back in the hearing room, Elbrey testifies that Knapp is neither crazed, nor overcome with rage, having made peace with and moved on from his brother's death. Shelby then asks whether Knapp was more than just protective of her during the weapons test. Elbrey retorts that she was unaware of Shelby's telepathic gifts. Shelby responds that body language and tone of voice can be just as telling. Elbrey refuses to concede her point, reiterating her professional opinion that Captain Knapp felt justified in his actions and that his value system is not skewed, nor is he deluded. He feels he made the right decision and is willing to accept the consequences of his actions.
Back in Engineering, Witczak puts on the device. He then sees Lefler appear in a black dress and approach him romantically. He removes the device from the head - Lefler disappears. He rushes to the hearing room, interrupting Martinez's assertion that they may never know exactly what happened in the ambassador's quarters. After Witczak talks to Martinez and Shelby, she dismisses Martinez from the witness stand and calls Lieutenant Witczak.
"Death By Misadventure"
Lieutenant Witczak takes the stand. Witczak testifies that the device was designed for Betazoids but until now, they were unable to determine why. He notes that most humanoids have latent telepathic abilities. Betazoids have more pronounced telepathic abilities, along with the ability to separate their conscious and unconscious desires - effectively being able to tell the difference between the reality of thoughts and they way they would wish them to be. When wearing the device, humans are unable to make that difference - they see what they want to see. Shelby dismisse Witczak and calls Captain Knapp to the witness stand.
Shelby asks Knapp to describe the events of the incident in question. Knapp noted that he was upset with the way Elbrey had been treated during the test. He entered the ambassador's quarters to "lay down some ground rules." He saw one of the devices in the Founder's container, with the Founder. He felt that the Founder was attempting to contact the Grey, potentially betraying the Federation. He placed the other device on his head to determine what was going on. Knapp witnesses the Founder talking to the Ethereals about "crushing the Federation and her allies". Knapp then fires his phaser.
Shelby notes that his phaser was set to stun, but Knapp testified that he wanted the Founder dead for what he was about to do. Shelby then notes that in Ethereal space, there are no private thoughts; the Founder would have known Knapp's intent. The Andorian Admiral interjects, suggesting that the Founder, knowing Knapp's intent, thought he was going to hill him and thus thought himself dead when Knapp fired his phaser, regardless of its setting. When Nechayev asks what the Dominion should be told about the incident, the Admiral tells her that it should be classified as "death by misadventure" as opposed to a suicide by the Dominion's own device. The Founder died because he thought he was dead. The tribunal is dissolved and Shelby breathes a sigh of relief.
Later, Shelby enters Knapp's ready room. Knapp is looking over one of the devices. Shelby notes that it doesn't give up its secrets any easier there than on DS12. She then apologizes - she didn't prosecute him because it was her job, nor because she thought he was guilty. Knapp asks her if she's trying to come clean or express concerns about her career, being associated with a murderer and all. He then states that his misperceptions, biases, preconceived notions and bigotry led to the death of a sentient being. He feels the need to reexamine what he believes and what he does in the name of those beliefs - he can hardly hold Shelby's actions against her. He then notes the irony of the device being designed to reveal the Grey, but it instead did more to reveal its human users, which was an unpleasant revelation.
Background Information
- This was Larry LaVerne's second guest appearence, this time as a Founder serving as Dominion Ambassador.
Memorable Quotes
- McFarland: "So... when did they swap Ten-Forward with the Morgue?"
Production Notes
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This section of the article may require cleanup to meet Hidden Frontier Production's quality standards. Discuss. Please improve this article using the edit function if you can. Reason: Need production notes. |
Cast
Regular Cast
| Actor | Role |
| David W. Dial | Captain Ian Quincy Knapp |
| Risha Denney | Commander Elizabeth Shelby |
| Barbara Clifford | Counselor Myra Elbrey |
| John Whiting | Doctor Henglaar |
| Joanne Busch | Lieutenant Commander Robin Lefler |
| Terence Schoshinski | Lieutenant Luko |
| Arthur Bosserman | Ensign Ro Nevin |
| Tristan Clark | Ensign Brad Rawlins |
| Adrianne Lange | Ensign Jenna McFarland |
Regular Cast (Uncredited)
| Actor | Role |
| Anthony Diaz | Lieutenant William Martinez |
Guest Stars
| Actor | Role |
| Reneé Huberstock | Admiral Alynna Nechayev |
| Jennifer Cole | Commodore Jennifer Cole |
| Phillip Brickey | "Andorian Admiral" |
| Larry LaVerne | "Dominion Founder" |
| Matt Kruer | Lieutenant Toby Witczak "Tsen Kethi Ambassador" |
| Brian DelMastro | "Security Officer" |
| Betty Bainton | Nurse Hanley |
| Suzy Kaplan | "Alien Ambassador" |
| Rob Caves | Ensign Mark Abney |
| Jonathan Foertsch | Ensign Capell |
| Reneé Huberstock | Admiral Alynna Nechayev |
| Dave Mason | Lieutenant Commander Dave Mason |
