The High Ground

Apparently when I get bored, I start thinking too much about things that are just too complicated for my poor brain to handle by itself. I know I’ve already ranted once today, but this is totally different, I swear, though perhaps no less boring to some/many/all of you.

 
As most of you know, I am a devoted Trekkie, and I firmly believe that the answers to life, the universe and everything can be found in both the number 42, and in Star Trek episodes. Even though I’ve seen most of them and Mike is buying them on DVD, we still TiVo The Next generation, because we’re geeks like that. A few days ago, the episode “The High Ground” aired, and, as I was bored, I decided to re-watch it, because it’s always been one of my favorites. For some reason, however, it resonated more with me than it had in the past. Or maybe not more, precisely, but at least slightly differently.

 
The long and short of the plot is this: The Enterprise is dropping off medical supplies to a planet engaged in a civil war. The “rebel” faction, the Ansata, are fighting for independence from the rest of the Rutian planet. Pervious tactics apparently failed, and they have become terrorists, doing whatever it takes to get the Rutians to acknowledge their claim. During the delivery of the medical supplies, an Ansata bomb is detonated and Dr. Crusher demands to remain to tend the wounded. While doing this, she is kidnapped by an Ansata member and, pardon the cliché, taken to their leader, Finn. The Ansata had desperate need of a doctor due to their unorthodox means of transport, a nuclear-powered inter-dimensional device. It allows them to transport unnoticed by Rutian sensors, but it slowly destroys their DNA and kills them.

 
During her incarceration, Beverly becomes sympathetic to the Ansata cause. While she deplores their methods, she comes to understand what drives them, especially Finn. They believe they are fighting a just war for their independence, and have resorted to terrorism because it is the only way to make their voices heard.

 
Beverly is eventually rescued and the Enterprise leaves Rutia, but, as was no doubt intended, the show leaves more questions for its audience than answers.
 

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