Original subtitles

Good morning, everyone.

Be patient.

Someone had a busy night.

Don't worry.

I didn't forget you.

Let's try it without biting my fingers this time, hmm?

It's been a long road

Getting from there to here

It's been a long time

But my time is finally near

And I will see my dream come alive at last

I will touch the sky

And they're not gonna hold me down no more

No, they're not gonna change my mind

'Cause I've got faith of the heart

I'm going where the heart will take me

I've got faith to believe

I can do anything

I've got strength of the soul

No one's gonna bend or break me

I can reach any star

I've got faith

I've got faith

Faith of the heart

Captioning by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org

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startrek.cyworld.com myhome.naver.com/witewave

013 [1x13] Dear Doctor

People are getting jealous.

You get more letters from home than anyone on this ship.

What's her name?

It's nothing like that.

They're from Dr. Lucas a colleague from the Interspecies Medical Exchange.

I didn't know there were humans serving on Denobula.

He's the first.

He helped me get settled in when I came to San Francisco.

I'm trying to return the favor.

I had a pen pal once, when I was 12 from Brisbane, Australia.

I loved getting her letters.

It was like this little window into distant places with strange-sounding names.

The curiosity of an explorer, even then.

Are we still on for later?

Oh, yes.

I'm looking forward to it.

If you think you're ready, we can tackle gerunds today.

I can hardly wait.

My dear Dr. Phlox, it's me again, Jeremy.

I hope you are well.

It's been a hell of a week here... wall-to-wall emergencies and three midnight deliveries.

It's mating season, so you know how that goes.

I thought human reproduction was complicated.

You Denobulans make us look like single-cell organisms.

Dear Dr. Lucas sorry to hear about your difficult week.

I know the rigors of mating season only too well.

It might help to bear in mind that a dose of niaxilin can be quite effective in separating the two... combatants.

It sounds like you've settled into your new living quarters.

That part of the city has some very lively Kaybin bars along the river.

Up here, Doc!

They're open all night, if I recall.

Please, don't venture inside them unescorted.

They can be quite disturbing to the uninitiated.

He was trying to reroute a nitrogen valve and the seal blew.

How bad is it?

Oh, it's superficial.

Only first degree burns.

A little dermoline gel should do the trick.

Most of my work is fairly routine... scrapes and bruises, the occasional emergency.

And you'll be pleased to hear that the crew finally seems to be

growing accustomed to an alien doctor on board.

I must admit, I wasn't planning to stay this long

but the opportunity to observe your species on their first deep space venture has proven irresistible.

Lieutenant! I saved a seat for you.

Another time, Doctor.

I'm due back in the Armory.

It's a bit daunting at times trying to socialize with the crew, form friendships

but our profession guarantees that sooner or later, everyone comes to see us.

It makes interaction quite a bit easier.

It's just a little distress.

He hasn't been himself lately.

Well, you've been feeding him cheese again, haven't you?

You've got to learn how to say no, Captain.

No more dairy products, you hear that? Doctor's orders.

I never thought I'd meet a species

that forges such intimate bonds with lesser creatures.

It's surprising, the things you humans choose to invest your emotions in.

Sorry to bother you with this.

No bother. He was one of my more cooperative patients today.

Thanks, Doc.

See all the trouble you cause?

I've noticed how the captain seems to anthropomorphize his pet.

He even talks to the creature although I'm fairly certain it has no idea what he's saying.

Then again, I've been known to speak to my Pyrithian bat on occasion.

We won't be going to America this time

but always, I go with you wherever you go, understand?

You go now, Maria.

No, I'll stay with you...

No, Maria.

What I do now, I do alone. I couldn't do it if you were here.

If you go, then I go, too. Don't you see how it is?

Whichever one there is...

No! No...

We can go, if you're bored.

No, no. I'd like to stay and see what happens.

Shh!

You won't be disappointed.

The ending's classic.

I'm sensing a rising emotional undercurrent in the room.

I'm curious to see if it culminates in some kind of group response.

They don't have movies where you come from, do they?

We had something similar, a few hundred years ago

but they lost their appeal when people discovered

that their real lives were more interesting.

Still, it's nice to take a break from real life every now and then, don't you think?

I suppose it is.

Something in my eye.

It's remarkable, Doctor.

Even fictional characters seem to elicit human compassion.

My shipmates have calmly faced any number of dangers

and yet a simple movie can bring tears to their eyes.

- Temporal vein. - Temporal vein.

Internal maxillary.

And what's the maxillary connected to?

Posterior... auricular?

Very good.

The external jugular.

Oh, uh... Superior vena cava.

And that leads to?

Oh, easy, the seat of all joy and sadness.

Physiologically, it is nothing more than a very efficient pump.

What could possibly make you people think it is the source of all emotion?

You may know about our cardiopulmonary system

but you have a lot to learn about the human heart.

This is me.

Good night.

Oh, Doctor... I just wanted to thank you.

- It was fun tonight. - You're welcome.

Uh, they're showing another one next week. Sunset Boulevard.

- I think you might like it. - I'm sure I will.

Um, see you tomorrow?

Sorry, I forgot. Denobulans don't like to be touched.

It's all right.

I'm trying to shed some of my cultural inhibitions.

Oh, in that case...

Good night.

Since we were on the subject of mating

I think crewman Cutler may be romantically interested in me.

I can't be certain, however.

The pheromones of human females aren't as potent as Denobulans'.

Are there any inhabited systems nearby?

There's a Minshara-class planet less than a light-year away.

The ship's not answering our hails, Captain.

It's definitely pre-warp, sir.

Could be unmanned.

Maybe a probe of some kind.

Any bio signs?

Two, but they're very faint.

Bring it into Launch Bay Two and tell Dr. Phlox he might have a couple of patients.

We... found your ship adrift.

We thought we might be able to help.

Trenakadula ta?

Morana dunnat?

I need a little more.

I'm Jonathan Archer.

You're on the starship Enterprise.

Kandala va gonsh.

Yorata vala?

Can you understand me?

Who are you?

What planet?

Earth. We are from Earth.

This is a warp vessel?

Yes.

We left Valakis over a year ago, along with three other ships.

Why?

You must have noticed our condition by now.

I detected the illness.

12 million of us died the year before we left.

I can only imagine how many have died since.

Our doctors can't find a cure but a more advanced people,

people with warp technology like you your medical science must be more effective.

You've encountered other warp-capable species?

M'klexa and the Ferengi. They both visited our world.

Do you know them?

No.

Are you the ship's doctor?

I am.

My people are dying.

Will you allow him to help us?

Any thoughts?

They did come looking for us and considering

they've already met two other warp-capable species...

the risk of contamination seems acceptable.

See what you can do.

Thank you.

If this letter arrives later than usual, Doctor I hope you'll forgive me.

I've been presented with a rather unusual case involving a pair of alien astronauts.

It may not surprise you that they landed in my Sick Bay through an act of human compassion.

I said before that my duties entail the occasional emergency.

Emergencies, it seems, come in all shapes and sizes.

I was once nearly overwhelmed by 50 patients in a refugee camp on Matalas

Captain Archer is now asking me to take responsibility for over 50 million.

How are your patients?

Their condition is grave. But they're resting for now.

I'm sure you'll find a way to help them.

Your syntax is improving. Continue.

Do you like the food?

The sauce is good... but I don't care for this vegetable

Eggplant's not a vegetable. It's a nostril.

It's a nostril?

A fruit.

I've noticed you and crewman Cutler spending a lot of time together.

Is there something going on between you two?

In Denobulan, please.

Are you two... mating?

I believe the word you're searching for is "dating."

Well, are you?

Well. are you?

It's not exactly sure.

There are ways you can tell.

Does she want to spend time with you?

Does she find little excuses to...

...to make physical contact?

Well, she did kiss me on the cheek the other night.

In Denobulan, Doctor.

Do you have any advice?

I think you make a very cute... washboard.

I beg your pardon?

Couple. Cute couple.

It's pretty crowded out there.

A lot of spacecraft and artificial satellites.

Nothing I can't avoid, sir.

Put us in a low orbit, Travis. They're expecting us.

The captain has committed all our resources to helping people

he didn't even know existed two days ago.

Once again, I am struck by your species' desire to help others.

It seems the more aggressively we treat the illness the more resistant it becomes.

What's the current rate of infection?

- One out of three. - It's a full blown-up epidemic.

These are in the most advanced stage.

You're treating them with a synthetic antibody?

It's effective at first but the disease mutates

Once it moves into the respiratory system there's no way of controlling it.

Pulmonary failure usually follows in a few days.

Captain, treatment with priaxate should ease the symptoms in the sickest patients at least temporarily.

I can easily show the Valakians how to synthesize as much as they need.

Go ahead.

I need all lab work you have and case histories of patients in every stage of the disease.

Certainly.

Excuse me.

We're the ones that brought him here. Can you tell me how he's doing?

Dak mul ahna.

I'm sorry. Could you say that again?

We should assign some crewmen to watch Dr. Phlox and his equipment.

I don't think these people are about to steal anything.

Your experience with lesser civilizations is limited, Captain.

You might be surprised what a temptation our technology can be.

Dak mul ahna. Kal ah ku dah.

Dak mul ahna. Kal ah ku dah.

Hoshi?

Captain, the U.T. can't translate his language.

Dukat ah pra kee, Larr.

He doesn't speak the same language as you?

No, he's Menk.

They're not as evolved as Valakians but they're very hard workers.

They're indigenous to this planet?

Is that so strange?

On most of the planets we've encountered only one species of humanoids survived the evolutionary process.

You two are not from the same planet?

No.

We may look alike but the similarity ends there.

I don't see any Menk patients here. Where are they being treated?

They haven't contracted the disease.

Have you looked into their immunity?

It was one of the first things we pursued

but Menk and Valakian are physiologically incompatible.

Still, could be significant.

I'd like to see your data on the Menk as well.

Of course.

I had meant to transmit this letter by now

but the Valakian epidemic has been taking up most of my time.

Working with the physicians here has been quite fulfilling.

I suppose it's the reason we joined the Interspecies Medical Exchange

but I worry about falsely raising their hopes.

Despite Captain Archer's confidence in me

I'm afraid the scale of the disaster may outweigh our best intentions.

I've decided to enlist crewman Cutler's help in my task.

So what are the Menk like?

You'll have the chance to see for yourself.

You're a trained exobiologist.

I'd find your assistance in the field invaluable.

Thank you, Doctor.

On a personal note the affection crewman Cutler is showing has left me a bit perplexed

so I've decided to discuss it with the one person on board

who might understand the complexities of the situation.

That's impossible.

It's nothing to be ashamed of.

My teeth were sealed with a tri-fluorinate compound 23 years ago.

Well, normal wear and tear has allowed some decay to sneak in.

See for yourself, hmm?

There, on your anterior tricuspid.

I'm sure you have more pressing concerns. I'll come back later.

I'm waiting for the computer to analyze some tissue samples.

It'll only take a moment to repair.

Open, please.

Wider.

Um... You've lived among humans for quite some time now, Sub-commander.

I'm curious, have you ever known them to mate outside their species?

Ah! There it is.

Are you asking out of personal interest or scientific curiosity?

Both, I suppose.

There's a crewman on board I've become close with. I think she's attracted to me.

In my experience humans lack the emotional maturity for interspecies relationships.

They tend to be easily infatuated with things they find new.

This crewman may simply be satisfying her curiosity at your expense.

Open.

Sub-commander T'Pol has a very pragmatic feel of the universe.

I admire her logic although she lacks the instinctiveness that a more emotional response can provide.

Somehow, I find this unsettling.

There. That wasn't so bad.

Thanks for your insights.

Be careful.

Come in.

You asked to see me, Captain?

I just got a call from the director of the clinic.

He's eager to hear if you've made any progress.

Doctor?

I've developed a medication to ease the symptoms of the disease.

But...

But?

This epidemic isn't being caused by a virus or bacteria.

The proteins that bind to their chromosomes are deteriorating.

Their illness is genetic.

It's been going on for thousands of years

but the rate of mutation has accelerated over the last few generations.

Based on my projections, the Valakians will be extinct in less than two centuries.

I wish I had better news.

What about a cure?

Genetic abnormalities on this level are very difficult to reverse.

But not impossible.

No. I still believe the Menk immunity could be the key to a cure.

I plan to study them in more detail.

Take all the time you need.

When I began to practice medicine

I had no idea it would take me on journeys to other worlds.

Every species I encounter allows me to explore a new physiology.

At the moment, I find myself in the enviable position

of studying two humanoids from the same planet.

It's a rare and exciting opportunity.

Tell them we'd like to run some tests take samples of their blood.

It will be completely painless.

Kuhl toh-bah.

Kuhl pra toh-bah aren so l'tee.

Y'lyn parum ta see etta'j.

He's says they'd be happy to help.

As fascinating as the two species are from a biological standpoint

it's their ability to coexist that intrigues me the most.

The Valakians are highly evolved technologically advanced

while the Menk are relatively primitive by comparison.

To my surprise, the two seem to be living side-by-side, peacefully.

Pra du matta.

Pra ducat matta ku mam-pah.

Koh u'tah?

He wants to know what you're doing.

Have you learned enough Menk to explain a molecular bio scan?

Doctor...

e'satta prah ku... ku Valakii.

What'd you say?

I told him the doctor was looking inside of him.

Thank you.

Tik-tik.

Nan dah.

You're welcome.

Neek. Ra'sata... food.

Did he just say food?

Ra'sata. Food.

Have you been teaching him English?

No, he must have picked it up by listening to us.

Hmm, perhaps we found an assistant comm officer.

No food.

- Tik-tik. - Tik-tik.

I haven't seen any crops or livestock. I wonder where they get this.

Larr, ku ra'sata gol dach?

Pah ku mano. N'da tom-ah.

He says the soil here isn't good for planting.

Gol dach puu kani Valakii.

H'rat ah tyba si ohno.

The Valakians don't let them live where the land is fertile.

Valakii fora t'let ra'sata kee, akem, pinj erana.

The Valakians give them whatever they need: food, clothing, medicine.

Menk a'kata y' Valakii.

He says the Valakians are good to them.

They protect them.

Despite the Menk's insistence that they're treated well

my human crewmates seem to see things differently.

Tik-tik.

Well, that's the last one.

They think the Menk are being exploited by the Valakians

so their first instinct is to rise to their defense

despite the fact that the Menk don't appear to need or want a defender.

Wait a moment.

Impressive.

What'd he do?

He's grouped the samples together by family.

Cross-referenced by bloodlines and marriage if I'm interpreting the color codes correctly.

Tik-tik.

On the surface the Menk appear to be a primitive species unsophisticated,

even by human standards... no offense.

But their abilities appear to have been underestimated even by myself.

It seems like a vacation if I didn't keep remembering why we were here.

I'm going to help Larr finish packing up.

He's back on duty at the hospital in an hour.

This really doesn't bother you.

What?

The way the Valakians treat them.

Why should it?

On most worlds with two humanoid species one would have driven the other to extinction.

Here, they've developed a symbiotic relationship

that seems to work quite well.

They force the Menk to live in compounds.

They treat them almost like pets.

Their culture is different.

It's... their way.

Doesn't make it right.

Are you married, crewman?

Of course not.

I would have told you.

I'm married.

You are?

Three times.

So, you have two ex-wives?

I have three current wives and they each have two husbands not counting myself.

Is that considered normal for Denobulans?

Quite.

Why are you telling me this?

I've been getting certain signals from you that suggest

you may be interested in a romantic relationship with me.

Oh...

Unless I misinterpreted those signals.

You didn't.

But I still don't know why you're telling me this.

You need to know that my culture is different.

- That doesn't matter. - It doesn't?

This culture's different that seems to matter to you a great deal.

Phlox... as far as your extended family goes

I'm not interested in becoming wife number four.

I just want to be your friend.

What do you mean by "friend"?

Let's just see where it goes.

Captain... I'm glad you could come.

It was no problem.

How are you feeling?

The medication you gave us helps with the pain.

But my... prognosis hasn't changed.

We're trying to do something about that.

I have a lot of faith in Dr. Phlox.

I wanted to thank you for getting me home before it was too late.

It took us a year to get out to where you found us; you brought us home in a day.

We started out in ships very similar to yours.

Someday you'll be traveling just as fast as we are.

Someday may not be soon enough.

If your doctor can't help us we need to keep searching for others that can.

We need warp drive.

A million more of us will die before our next ship even leaves this system.

With warp engines we won't have to wait for people to find us.

We can seek help on our own.

You may not find that everyone you meet wants to help you.

Still, we have to try.

Archer.

It's Phlox, Captain.

We've collected all the samples.

I'll meet you at the shuttlepod. Archer out.

Anything to report?

We've received 29 hails in the past two hours.

From whom?

Apparently, word of our arrival has spread quickly.

Other clinics are requesting help.

Two orbital spacecraft approached us while you were on the planet.

They mistakenly believed that we already had a cure.

We had to turn them away.

Do you have a minute?

The Valakians want our warp technology.

What did you tell them?

That I'd think about it.

And?

Safe to say I know where you stand on the subject.

Even if you give them our reactor schematics

they don't have the technical expertise to build a warp engine.

They have no experience working with antimatter.

I doubt they even realize how dangerous it is.

They're not ready.

Then your decision shouldn't be difficult.

We could stay and help them.

The Vulcans stayed to help Earth 90 years ago.

We're still there.

I never thought I'd say this, but...

I'm beginning to understand how the Vulcans must have felt.

Trouble sleeping, captain?

Looks like I'm not the only one.

Naturally, Denobulans require very little rest. Unless you count our annual hibernation cycle.

Am I going to be without my doctor this winter?

Only for six days.

Maybe I'll join you.

Any progress?

The research has been challenging to say the least.

A cure, Doctor... have you found a cure?

Even if I could find one I'm not sure it would be ethical.

Ethical?

We'd be interfering with an evolutionary process that has been going on for thousands of years.

Every time you treat an illness you're interfering. That's what doctors do.

You're forgetting about the Menk.

What about the Menk?

I've been studying their genome as well and I've seen evidence of increasing intelligence.

Motor skills, linguistic abilities...

Unlike the Valakians they appear to be in the process of an evolutionary awakening.

It may take millennia.

But the Menk have the potential to become the dominant species on this planet.

And that won't happen as long as the Valakians are around.

If the Menk are to flourish they need an opportunity to survive on their own.

Now what are you suggesting?

We choose one species over the other?

All I'm saying is that we let nature make the choice.

The hell with nature.

You're a doctor.

You have a moral obligation to help people who are suffering.

I'm also a scientist and I'm obligated to consider the larger issues.

35,000 years ago, your species coexisted with other humanoids, isn't that correct?

Go ahead.

What if an alien race had interfered and given the Neanderthals an evolutionary advantage?

Fortunately for you, they didn't.

I appreciate your perspective on all of this.

But we're talking about something that might happen...

might happen... thousands of years from now.

They've asked for our help.

I am not prepared to walk away based on a theory.

Evolution is more than a theory.

It is a fundamenl scientific principle. Forgive me for saying so...

but I believe your compassion for these people is affecting your judgment.

My compassion guides my judgment.

Captain...

Can you find a cure?

Doctor?

I already have.

Two days ago when we first discovered the alien shuttle

I had no idea that I'd be facing a dilemma of this magnitude.

For the first time I find myself in conflict with my captain.

But he is my captain and he's placed a great deal of trust in me.

I believe I owe him the same.

I only hope that he is willing to look beyond his sympathy for these poor people.

Doctor.

Captain.

I'm... going down to the Valakian hospital.

Sir... it would go against all my principles if I didn't ask you to reconsider...

I have reconsidered.

I spent the whole night reconsidering.

And what I've decided goes against all my principles.

Someday my people are going to come up with some sort of a doctrine

something that tells us what we can and can't do out here, should and shouldn't do.

But until somebody tells me that they've drafted that directive

I'm going to have to remind myself every day

that we didn't come out here to play God.

I'd like to think, Dr. Lucas that if I had the chance to talk to you face-to-face

you'd have never let me even consider withholding my findings from the Captain.

But I'm ashamed to say, I almost did just that.

Phlox tells me this medicine will help ease the symptoms...

for a decade... maybe more.

A lot can happen in that time.

I wouldn't be surprised if you developed a cure on your own.

And if we don't?

With a warp-capable starship our chances would be greatly improved.

I'm sorry.

This will give you detailed instructions on how to synthesize more of the medicine.

We appreciate everything you've done.

If I hadn't trusted him to make the right choice

I'd have been no better than the Vulcan diplomats

who held your species back because they felt you couldn't make proper decisions on your own.

I came very close to misjudging Jonathan Archer.

But this incident has helped me gain new respect for him.

Happiness and health to you, Doctor.

You're a dedicated colleague.

Phlox.

You wanted to see me?

Please.

For Dr. Lucas.

It'll go out first thing in the morning.

Everything all right?

Fine. Fine.

The past few days have been... taxing.

Want my advice?

Get out of Sick Bay.

Yes.

Perhaps you're right.

Good night.

Good night.

Phlox to crewman Cutler.

Go ahead.

I, uh, know it's short notice, but...

I was wondering if you might like to join me for a little snack in the Mess Hall.

I could use a, uh, a friend right about now.

Ten minutes?

Thank you.

Sweet dreams.