Dear Doctor

Season 1, Episode 13, Aired
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Episode Summary

The crew discovers a new planet with two races, one in desperate need of medical and scientific assistance. In the course of trying to help, Dr. Phlox recalls his own Denobulan past to address the ethical dilemmas that arise in the present.
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Fan Episode Reviews (12)

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  • Science FAIL

    5.0
    "Mediocre"
    By JKopchak, Feb 09, 2012 Report Abuse
    This episode was talking about the evolution of another species, and whether to get involved with it by healing a dying race. So the religious choice would of course be to help them if you can. But they decide against it at the end because they don't think they should be involved in changing the species' evolution, the supposed enlightened scientific choice. The problem here is that WE ARE PART OF EVOLUTION! Science too would help these people because there is no moral reason not to! It's not like they believe in a God or the superstition of destiny.moreless

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    1 0

  • the prime directive/archer's choice is wrong and hypocritical.

    7.0
    "Good"
    By ChungdehTien, Jul 25, 2011 Report Abuse
    i love this episodes but the prime directive archer's choice is wrong & hypocritical.
    time and time again both earth and enterprise have been save by interference of other aliens in up coming episodes. in a pretext of noninterference it seems selfish, arrogant and evil of archer/starfleet to say no.

    i have no doubt that people who have family that are dieing of some genetic illnesses such as ALS or sickle cell anemia. will have problem with this show.moreless

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    0 0

  • Perfection - If only more was like this

    10
    "Perfect"
    By iamralphiam, Mar 22, 2011 Report Abuse
    When watching this series its been painful to watch certain things be written again and differently, and while this episode doesn't fall under that category (no emotional Vulcans, nor odd-acting Klingons that have made me wish this was not a Star Trek show so i could actually enjoy it) it deals with one of the main Star Trek themes (The Prime Directive). While the Prime Directive doesn't yet exist yet in the story time line the plot rotates around interfering with a doomed species that dominates a currently lesser but evolving species or allowing the species die and allow the dominating species to evolve on their own without the oppression (very mild oppression, but oppression none the less) of the other.

    It also deals with the doctor's loyalty/duty verse his opinions toward the end.

    To anyone who has negative impressions of this episode due to its lack of battle I have but one thing to say, Star Trek has never been about action and battles... rather its about morals and exploration with conflicts added to ensure a diverse show.moreless

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    4 0

  • While the tone and moral dilemma of this episode is classic Trek, I did not care for the resolution. I think they made entirely the wrong decision. The idea that just because a species may not evolve any further that they should not be helped is absurd.moreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By WraithTDK, Mar 22, 2011 Report Abuse
    While the tone and moral dilemma of this episode is classic Star Trek, I did not care for the resolution. I think they made entirely the wrong decision. I understanc not giving weapons or other potentially dangerous technologies to other cultures, particularly pre-warp cultures. I also understand that the sick species were basically at an evolutionary end, and the other species were still developing. However, The idea that just because a species may not evolve any further means that they should not be granted the same help that starfleet would extend to anyone else is absurd. If this had been happening to the Vulcans, they certainly would have done things differently (granted, the Vulcans would no doubt have found the cure long before Starfleet).moreless

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  • Dr. Phlox introduces Captain Archer to the idea that playing God is irresponsible. Allusions to the Prime Directive and the attempt to not play God plague this episode with un-originality.

    6.5
    "Fair"
    By firtyfofeefty, Mar 22, 2011 Report Abuse
    Captain Archer is asked to help cure a plague that is destroying one of the two humanoid species of a planet. Once a cure for the plague is developed Dr. Phlox demands of Captain Archer to not dispense it in the hope that the un-affected humanoid species be allowed to evolve into the Alpha-species.
    Captain Archer joins the other self-riotous Starfleet Captains that play God while attempting not to (Picard, Janeway, etc.). This was a sad episode because it seems out of character for Archer and I lost respect for him. I think Archer should have saved the people on the planet because it is canon-known that early generation Captains used to do whatever they heck they wanted ("cowboys").moreless

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    0 2
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Trivia: The movie being shown is For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943). Based on the Hemingway novel of the same name, it stars Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. Edit

  • Notes

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    • International Airdates United Kingdom: 25 March 2002 on Sky One Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Archer: We could stay and help them. T'Pol: The Vulcans stayed to help Earth 90 years ago. We're still there. Archer: I never thought I'd say this, but... I'm beginning to understand how the Vulcans must have felt. Edit
    • Archer: 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. Edit

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