Episode Report Card Keckler: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Crazy Like A Phlox
By Keckler | Season 2 | Episode 21 | Aired on 04.22.2003
Ante Sick Bay. Phlox explains that the Denobulans and the Antarans have a long history of Shepherdsons-Grangerfords-ing each other, and though they have shed no yellow blood in three hundred years, the bile still exists between the peoples. Quantum thinks that if the guy knew he wouldn't survive without Phlox's help, he might overlook the eons of hurt feelings and hair-pulling. Okay, was he not in Sick Bay when the guy actually said, "I would rather die than have him treat me"? Because I could've sworn he was standing right there. Phlox points out the obvious. Quantum suggests sedating the guy in order to treat him, but Phlox thinks, "I have to respect his wishes." "Even if he wishes to die?" Quantum wonders. When they got rid of all that stuff on Earth that Quantum and Trip told T'Pol they got rid of, did they get rid of Dr. Kevorkian as well? "The will of the patient is the cornerstone of Denobulan Medical Ethics," Phlox states. Quantum asks, "Don't you believe that if you can help someone you are ethically bound to do so?" Phlox points out that Hippocrates and his serpent staff wasn't exactly a Denobulan. And where, may I ask, was Quantum's Hippocratic Oathing in "Dear Doctor"? He seemed to struggle free of those ethical bindings pretty easily.
Quantum blusters that Phlox is serving on an Earth vessel, and he won't allow someone to die in his Sick Bay if it can be prevented. "Without his consent, there is nothing I can do," Phlox says, struggling a bit with the words. Quantum takes a few steps forward and fixes Phlox in the eye. "I'm giving you an order," he furrows. Dink. Phlox doesn't say anything, so, thinking the matter is closed, Quantum starts to turn away. "I'm sorry, Captain," Phlox says in a strong voice, "but I'm afraid I can't follow it." Man, he just ROCKS! Showing Quantum he can't just fling his own set of ethics around expecting to hit something and being all good at it -- God, they need more of him on this show!
Bryce Canyon during a blackout. May-Komisubi takes a breather and watches the other two come down. He cautions Trip to watch his footing, which the engineer says he will, but doesn't, because he hits some loose rock and smacks his body against the rock face. "Travis!" Reed calls out. May-Komisubi orders them to stay calm. The two men dangle a bit, and May-Komisubi asks if Trip is okay. "Jes' testin' the rope," Trip responds. Test this, monkey boy. They reach a ledge, and May-Komisubi tells them to catch their breath while he continues scouting out the depths. May-Komisubi's gotta be loving this being-better-than-them thing. Reed looks down on him and shakes his head in wonder. May-Komisubi bounces down a bit and then shines a light around. The cavern looks as though it goes on forever. May-Komisubi keeps going. Trip and Reed chug some water and spy a plastic box stowed in a hole in the scenery. Having read some of Phlox's medical books a few times, Trip recognizes it as Denobulan. "Yeah, he was just looking at the nekkid pictures in those books," Mathra crows. Before Trip opens it, Reed wonders, "You don't suppose Denobulans carry out everything they bring in." If they actually do "carry it out," why would they be leaving it behind? Maybe they planned to do a courtesy flush on their way out. Yes, that explains it. Clearly. The box is filled with nothing more oozy than some rock samples. Of course, Denobulans have physiological differences, so it could still be...but I won't go there. At least, not more than I already have. Reed thinks they must be on the right track, and prepares to rappel some more.