Good morning, everyone.
Be patient.
Someone had a busy night.
Don't worry.
Didn't forget you.
Let's try it without biting my fingers this time.
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.
He's 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 favour.
I had a pen pal once, when I was 12.
From Brisbane, Australia. And 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're 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 dificult week.
I know the rigours of mating season only too well.
It might help to bear in mind that a dose of niaxilin
can be quite efective in separating the two combatants.
It sounds like you've settled in to your new living quarters.
That part of the city has some very lively Kaybin bars along the river.
Up here, doc.
They are 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 dermaline 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 onboard.
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.
Yeah, another time, doctor. I'm due back in the armoury.
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 gastrointestinal 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.
- No, I stay with you, Roberto. - 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.
You won't be disappointed.
The ending's classic.
No, not the film.
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 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.
Remember last night? Our time is now.
You are me now, and I am you.
Now you understand.
Now you're going.
And you're going well and fast and far.
Something in my eye.
Stand up now and go, and we both go.
Stand up, Maria. Remember, you're me too.
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 is the maxillary connected to?
- Posterior auricular? - Very good.
The external jugular.
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?
Now, 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.
They're showing another one next week. Sunset Boulevard.
- Think you might like it. - I'm sure I will.
See you tomorrow? Oh, sorry.
I forgot, Denobulans don't like to be touched.
It's all right.
I'm trying to shed some of my cultural inhibitions.
Well, 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.
It could be unmanned.
Maybe a probe of some kind.
Any bio-signs?
Two. But they're very faint.
Bring it into Launch Bay 2.
And tell Dr Phlox he might have a couple of patients.
We found your ship adrift.
We thought we might be able to help.
I need a little more.
I'm Jonathan Archer.
You're on the starship Enterprise.
Can you understand me?
Who are you?
- What planet? - Earth.
We're 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.
Twelve 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?
The 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 Sickbay
through an act of human compassion.
I said before that my duties entail the occasional emergency.
Emergencies, it seem, 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.
It's a nostril?
I've noticed you and Crewman Cutler spending a lot of time together.
Is there something going on between you two?
In Denobulan, please.
I believe the word you're searching for is "dating."
Well, are you?
There are ways you can tell.
To make physical contact?
Well, she did kiss me on the cheek the other night.
In Denobulan, doctor.
I beg your pardon?
Couple. A cute couple.
It's pretty crowded out there.
A lot of spacecraft and artificial satellites.
Nothing I can't avoid, sir.
Put us into 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'm 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 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'll need all of 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?
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.
Hoshi.
Captain, the UT can't translate his language.
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 humanoid 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, it 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 afection Crewman Cutler is showing
has left me a bit perplexed.
So I've decided to discuss it with the one person onboard
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.
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 analyse some tissue samples.
It'll only take a moment to repair.
Open, please.
Wider.
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?
There it is.
Are you asking out of personal interest
or scientific curiosity?
Both, I suppose.
There's a crewman onboard 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 view 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've just gotten 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 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 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.
He 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.
He wants to know what you're doing.
Have you learned enough Menk to explain a molecular bio-scan?
Doctor...
What'd you say?
Told him the doctor was looking inside of him.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Food.
- Did he just say "food"? - Food.
Have you been teaching him English?
No. He must've picked it up by listening to us.
Perhaps we've found an assistant com officer.
No food?
I haven't seen any crops or livestock. I wonder where they get this.
He says the soil here isn't good for planting.
The Valakians don't let them live where the land is fertile.
The Valakians give them whatever they need.
Food, clothing, medicine.
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 diferently.
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 defence.
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 colour codes correctly.
On the surface, the Menk appear to be a primitive species,
unsophisticated even by human standards.
No ofence. 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 gonna 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've 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've told you.
I'm married.
- You are. - Three times.
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.
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 is 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 wanna 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.
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 travelling just as fast as we are.
Someday may not be soon enough.
If your doctor can't help us...
...we'll 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?
It's 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.
Actually...
...Denobulans require very little rest.
Unless you count our annual hibernation cycle.
Am I gonna 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.
Well, 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.
Thirty-five thousand 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 theory.
Evolution is more than a theory.
It is a fundamental scientific principle. Forgive me for saying so,
but I believe your compassion for these people
is affecting your judgement.
My compassion guides my judgement.
- 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's 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...
...l'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'd had a 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 a new respect for him.
Happiness and health to you, doctor.
Your 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 Sickbay.
Yes. Perhaps you're right.
Good night.
Good night.
Phlox to Crewman Cutler.
Go ahead.
I 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 friend right about now.
Ten minutes?
Thank you.
Sweet dreams.

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