Chain of Command, Part II 

While the humorless Captain Jellico leads the effort to prevent a Cardassian invasion, Picard is captured and tortured by a ruthless interrogator in an attempt to break him.

Director:

Les Landau

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (created by), Frank Abatemarco

Stars:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patrick Stewart	...	Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Cmdr. William Riker
LeVar Burton	...	Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn	...	Lt. Worf
Gates McFadden	...	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis	...	Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner	...	Lt. Cmdr. Data
Ronny Cox	...	Capt. Edward Jellico
John Durbin	...	Gul Lemec
David Warner	...	Gul Madred
Heather Lauren Olson	...	Jil Orra
Majel Barrett	...	Enterprise Computer (voice)

Storyline

Picard's team has been lured to the Cardassian planet Celtris III's fake biological weapon-installation where he is captured and interrogated at the threat of death and truth-drugged. The Enterprise's present Captain Edward Jellico believes the negotiations with the Cardassians are heading for war, especially now Picard's failed intrusion is reported by the scandalized Cardassians. Picard is stripped naked and suspended by the wrists for a thirsty night before torture by a pain-inducing implant made with a jevonite knife. The Cardassians prove to Jellico that Picard is captured but deny the agent POW status, so he will suffer a terrorist's fate unless the Federation admits starting a war or retreats from the sector. After scanning the Cardassian ship for indications where they were, Jellico, Data and Geordi guess right - Picard was tricked to betray the Federation defense plans for Minos Kordas and get permission to make a bold countermove, requiring best pilot Riker, who openly ...

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Plot Keywords:

cardassian | continued from previous episode | edward jellico character | torture | prisoner | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Patrick Stewart was ecstatic to work with Ronny Cox. Cox's first lead role had been in Deliverance (1972), directed by John Boorman. Stewart's first lead role had been in Boorman's subsequent film, Excalibur (1981).

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Goofs

When Madred tells Picard "the Enterprise is burning in space", he probably uses a figure of speech rather than the literal meaning of "burning".

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Quotes

Gul Madred: [after waking Picard] Where were you?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: At home... Sunday dinner... We would all sing afterwards.

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Connections

Featured in Star Trek: Generations Review (2008)

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Soundtracks

Star Trek: The Next Generation End Credits
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

User Reviews

4 Words 4 Lights

"There are 4 lights."

A 4 second performance. The last time Captain Picard / Patrick Stewart pronounces the words has to be one of the greatest acting performances ever. He must have spoken to a P.O.W. before he did this bit to know what it's like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1npL-TNFOAQ

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1992 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1