| CONTRIBUTE |
DEAR DOCTOR
“… We didn’t come out here to play God.” – Jonathan
Archer
Episode: 1.13 Original Airdate: 01/23/2002
Mission Date: Unknown
“… We didn’t come out here to play God.” – Jonathan
Archer
Episode: 1.13 Original Airdate: 01/23/2002
Mission Date: Unknown
| SEASON 1 |
SYNOPSIS
After responding to a medical distress call, the crew visits a planet where evolution has produced two distinct
humanoid species. Unfortunately, one of the races is dying from an unknown illness. But when Phlox discovers
that the disease is a move toward evolutionary extinction, he and Archer must make the difficult decision whether
or not to become involved with curing the afflicted species.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Ferengi, Menk (Valakian subspecies), M’klexa, Valakian
Stellar Phenomenon: Planet Matalus, Planet Valakis
Technology Encountered: Valakian Shuttle
Historical Facts:
In the prologue we see Phlox feeding many of his numerous pets. We have a plant filled cage with a squeaking
creature, a tank full of a dark green liquid with something splashing about, an unusually clawed sand creature
that produces what looks to be a grey egg, and a chirping fluttering creature that may or may not be his Pyrithian
Bat. But whatever is in that murky box it likes to eat big green caterpillars, a snack also enjoyed by his owner. I
am beginning to think Denobulans will eat just about anything.
This episode reveals that the Interspecies Medical Exchange includes humans, more specifically Phlox’s friend
Dr. Jeremy Lucas. We learn that Dr. Lucas is the only human to serve on Denobula and helped Phlox acclimate
to life on Earth when he first arrived. Even though we don’t actually get to meet Dr. Lucas until the fourth season,
we do hear him speak in this episode. I think he may have had a bit of a cold when he made his recording since
he sounds different in person.
“Dear Doctor” also features our first indications how Denobulan society works. For example, their family structure
consists of three wives and they each have three husbands. Denobulans also have a mating season with a
reproductive cycle that, according to Dr. Lucas, is very complicated and includes some combat. Denobulans do
not like to be touched and have rather potent pheromones. They also do not require a lot of rest and hibernate for
six days once a year. We are also left to wonder what a Denobulan Kaybin Bar might be, why Phlox would
recommend it to Dr. Lucas, and if it plays any part in the mating season.
Hoshi had a pen pale from Brisbane, Australia when she was twelve and she is attempting to learn the
Denobulan language from the doctor.
Vulcan’s seal their teeth with a tri-fluorinate compound to prevent tooth decay, though normal wear and tear will
allow decay to sneak in.
Phlox also mentions the drug niaxilin is a calming agent, uses dermaline gel for first degree burns, and
prescribes priaxate to alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress.
We also have another mention of Porthos and his love of cheese. This time the Doctor recommends that the
captain learn to say “no” to any future indulgences.
Phlox makes another mention of his pet bat and we find out he is married.
We also have out first reference to the Ferengi which, in keeping with canon, is only briefly mentioned by the
Velakian astronauts.
This episode gives us out first introduction to the not yet existing "Prime Directive", though it is a rather
gregarious one.
We also get to actually see the crew partaking in Movie Night. The movie being shown is “For Whom the Bell
Tolls”. It is based on the Hemingway novel and starred Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman.
It is interesting to note that Dr. Phlox and Archer both express fascination at the idea of two separate sentient
species evolving together on the same planet. According to Archer such an occurrence is very rare in the
evolutionary process of most inhabited planetary systems. This is a helpful tidbit for all our exobiologists out
there.
And speaking of exobiologists, this is the second appearance of Kellie Waymire as Elizabeth Cutler.
Production Facts:
The Valakian medical facility is surprisingly equipped with many components we would see in our own hospitals
today. The patient beds and monitoring equipment look very familiar.
The Menk village is a redress of the Akaali village seen in "Civilization”.
Chris Rydell, who guests as the alien astronaut in this episode, is the son of Joanne Linville who played the
sultry Romulan Commander in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Enterprise Incident”. Ironically
her character never had a name either.
After responding to a medical distress call, the crew visits a planet where evolution has produced two distinct
humanoid species. Unfortunately, one of the races is dying from an unknown illness. But when Phlox discovers
that the disease is a move toward evolutionary extinction, he and Archer must make the difficult decision whether
or not to become involved with curing the afflicted species.
EPISODE DATA ANALYSIS
Alien Species: Ferengi, Menk (Valakian subspecies), M’klexa, Valakian
Stellar Phenomenon: Planet Matalus, Planet Valakis
Technology Encountered: Valakian Shuttle
Historical Facts:
In the prologue we see Phlox feeding many of his numerous pets. We have a plant filled cage with a squeaking
creature, a tank full of a dark green liquid with something splashing about, an unusually clawed sand creature
that produces what looks to be a grey egg, and a chirping fluttering creature that may or may not be his Pyrithian
Bat. But whatever is in that murky box it likes to eat big green caterpillars, a snack also enjoyed by his owner. I
am beginning to think Denobulans will eat just about anything.
This episode reveals that the Interspecies Medical Exchange includes humans, more specifically Phlox’s friend
Dr. Jeremy Lucas. We learn that Dr. Lucas is the only human to serve on Denobula and helped Phlox acclimate
to life on Earth when he first arrived. Even though we don’t actually get to meet Dr. Lucas until the fourth season,
we do hear him speak in this episode. I think he may have had a bit of a cold when he made his recording since
he sounds different in person.
“Dear Doctor” also features our first indications how Denobulan society works. For example, their family structure
consists of three wives and they each have three husbands. Denobulans also have a mating season with a
reproductive cycle that, according to Dr. Lucas, is very complicated and includes some combat. Denobulans do
not like to be touched and have rather potent pheromones. They also do not require a lot of rest and hibernate for
six days once a year. We are also left to wonder what a Denobulan Kaybin Bar might be, why Phlox would
recommend it to Dr. Lucas, and if it plays any part in the mating season.
Hoshi had a pen pale from Brisbane, Australia when she was twelve and she is attempting to learn the
Denobulan language from the doctor.
Vulcan’s seal their teeth with a tri-fluorinate compound to prevent tooth decay, though normal wear and tear will
allow decay to sneak in.
Phlox also mentions the drug niaxilin is a calming agent, uses dermaline gel for first degree burns, and
prescribes priaxate to alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress.
We also have another mention of Porthos and his love of cheese. This time the Doctor recommends that the
captain learn to say “no” to any future indulgences.
Phlox makes another mention of his pet bat and we find out he is married.
We also have out first reference to the Ferengi which, in keeping with canon, is only briefly mentioned by the
Velakian astronauts.
This episode gives us out first introduction to the not yet existing "Prime Directive", though it is a rather
gregarious one.
We also get to actually see the crew partaking in Movie Night. The movie being shown is “For Whom the Bell
Tolls”. It is based on the Hemingway novel and starred Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman.
It is interesting to note that Dr. Phlox and Archer both express fascination at the idea of two separate sentient
species evolving together on the same planet. According to Archer such an occurrence is very rare in the
evolutionary process of most inhabited planetary systems. This is a helpful tidbit for all our exobiologists out
there.
And speaking of exobiologists, this is the second appearance of Kellie Waymire as Elizabeth Cutler.
Production Facts:
The Valakian medical facility is surprisingly equipped with many components we would see in our own hospitals
today. The patient beds and monitoring equipment look very familiar.
The Menk village is a redress of the Akaali village seen in "Civilization”.
Chris Rydell, who guests as the alien astronaut in this episode, is the son of Joanne Linville who played the
sultry Romulan Commander in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Enterprise Incident”. Ironically
her character never had a name either.
Written By: Maria Jacquemetton & Andre Jacquemetton
Directed By: James A. Contner
GUEST CAST
David A. Kimball as Esaak
Alex Nevil as Menk Man
Chris Rydell as Alien Astronaut
Kellie Waymire as Elizabeth Cutler
Karl Wiedergott as Larr
Directed By: James A. Contner
GUEST CAST
David A. Kimball as Esaak
Alex Nevil as Menk Man
Chris Rydell as Alien Astronaut
Kellie Waymire as Elizabeth Cutler
Karl Wiedergott as Larr
| MAIN PAGE |
| SEASON 1 |
| APPENDIX |
| SEASON 2 |
| SEASON 3 |
| SEASON 4 |