Devil's Due (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
"Devil's Due" | |
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Star Trek: The Next Generation episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 13 |
Directed by | Tom Benko |
Story by |
|
Teleplay by | Philip Lazebnik |
Featured music | Ron Jones[1] |
Cinematography by | Marvin Rush |
Production code | 187 |
Original air date | February 4, 1991 |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Devil's Due" is the 13th episode of the
Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the
Numerous changes were made from the original Phase II script, with only the general theme of the episode remaining. Originally pitched for use during season three, following changes made, it was added to season four. Critical reception of the episode has been mixed, with it generally being thought to be very reminiscent of Star Trek: The Original Series.
Plot
The USS Enterprise receives a distress call from Dr. Howard Clarke (Paul Lambert), the leader of a Federation scientific delegation on Ventax II, where the population is in a state of panic, because they are convinced that their world will soon end. After the Enterprise arrives, they rescue Dr. Clarke who brings them up to date: A thousand years ago, according to Ventaxian history, the population entered a Faustian deal with Ardra, their mythology's devil. In exchange for ending wars and restoring the ecological balance, and improving their heavily polluted planet, the population would become the personal slaves of Ardra a thousand years later. As the millennium is about to come to a close, the planet has recently begun experiencing mild earthquakes, as well as seeing images of Ardra in the skies. These were said to be signs of her arrival.
As Captain Picard and Commander Data (Brent Spiner) discuss the matter with the Ventaxian leader, Accost Jared (Marcelo Tubert), a woman appears in the chamber, announcing herself as Ardra. She demonstrates her identity by starting an earthquake at will, and transforming into the Klingon devil Fek'lhr of Gre'Thor. Ardra states that she has come to claim the planet. Picard is instantly suspicious and orders Data to examine the contract that supposedly was signed by Ardra and the leaders of the planet a thousand years earlier. Picard returns to the Enterprise afterwards, and Ardra appears on the bridge, sitting in the Captain's chair. Security Chief Worf (Michael Dorn) is unable to remove her. Data returns just then and confirms the language of the contract as well as Ardra's claim to the planet and anything in its orbit, including the Enterprise.
Later, in a meeting with the senior staff, after speculating if she is
Citing old legal precedent, Picard calls for a Ventaxian
This episode illustrates Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law: "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."[2]
Production
The episode was originally developed from a premise for the cancelled Star Trek: Phase II,[3] although it underwent significant changes.[4] It first appeared in a memo dated August 16, 1977, as part of a status update for the cancelled series.[5] The only other episode of Phase II to be redeveloped for The Next Generation was "The Child" from season two.[3]
In the original version, the
The story was once again brought up during a story pitch for the season three of The Next Generation, and it was modified by several staff writers. Michael Piller made several changes, including making the devil character female.[5] Marta DuBois was cast as Ardra, after Stella Stevens and Adrienne Barbeau were also considered.[9] Paul Lambert had previously appeared in the episode "When the Bough Breaks" as a member of the Aldean race.[5]
Release
The episode was originally aired on February 4, 1991, in broadcast syndication in the United States. It was first released on VHS cassette on May 21, 1996.[10] The episode was later included on the Star Trek: The Next Generation season four DVD box set, released in the United States on September 3, 2002.[11] The first Blu-ray release was in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2013,[12] followed by the United States on July 30.[13]
On May 25, 1996, episodes "Devils Due" and "Clues" were released on
CBS announced on September 28, 2011, in celebration of the series' twenty-fifth anniversary, that Star Trek: The Next Generation would be completely re-mastered in 1080p high definition from the original
Reception
Several reviewers re-watched Star Trek: The Next Generation after the end of the series.
Robert Blackman was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Series for his work in this episode.[21] It was instead awarded to Bill Hargate for his work on the Murphy Brown episode "Eldin Imitates Life".[22] Blackman would go on to win the award for the following two years for the episodes "Cost of Living" and "Time's Arrow, Part II".[21]
See also
- "Barge of the Dead" (Star Trek: Voyager)- further explores Klingon afterlife including Gre'thor
References
- ^ a b Nemecek (1995): p. 153
- ^ Van Hise (1995): p. 103
- ^ a b Reeves-Stevens (1998): p. 143
- ^ a b Reeves-Stevens (1997): p. 280
- ^ a b c Nemecek (1995): p. 154
- ^ Reeves-Stevens (1997): p. 281
- ^ Reeves-Stevens (1997): p. 282
- ^ Reeves-Stevens (1997): p. 283
- ^ "The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine". The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine. No. 19. April 1992. p. 10.
- ^ "Star Trek - The Next Generation, Episode 87: Devil's Due (VHS)". Tower Video. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ Ordway, Holly E. (September 9, 2002). "Star Trek the Next Generation - Season 4". DVD Talk. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ Simpson, Michael (July 29, 2013). "Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4 Blu-Ray Review". Sci-Fi Now. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Miller III, Randy (July 28, 2013). "Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Four (Blu-ray)". DVD Talk. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c "LaserDisc Database - Star Trek Next Generation #087/88: Devil's Due/Clues [LV 40270-187]". www.lddb.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "Star Trek: The Next Generation: Blu-Ray Release". July 10, 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
- ^ "Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season 4 Blu-ray Review | High Def Digest". bluray.highdefdigest.com. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ Miller III, Randy (July 28, 2013). "Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Four (Blu-ray)". DVD Talk. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ Simpson, Michael (July 29, 2013). "Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4 Blu-Ray Review". Sci-Fi Now. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Keith, DeCandido (April 3, 2012). "Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: "Devil's Due"". Tor.com. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Handlen, Zack (December 23, 2010). ""The Wounded"/"Devil's Due"". A.V. Club. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Nemecek (1995): p. 170
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Award Database". Emmys.com. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
Bibliography
- Nemecek, Larry (2003). Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed.). New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 0-7434-5798-6.
- Reeves-Stevens, Judith; Reeves-Stevens, Garfield (1997). Star Trek: Phase II: The Lost Series (2nd ed.). New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0671568399.
- Reeves-Stevens, Judith; Reeves-Stevens, Garfield (1998). Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Continuing Mission (2nd ed.). New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0671025595.
- Van Hise, James (1995). The Unauthorized Trek: The Complete Next Generation. Pioneer Books. ISBN 978-1-55698-377-1.
External links
- "Devil's Due" at IMDb
- "Devil's Due" rewatch by Keith R. A. DeCandido
- "Devil's Due" at Memory Alpha