“Angel One” is episode fourteen of season one of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise has discovered the seven years overdue Federation freighter Odin, disabled after collision with an asteroid. There were no lifesigns on board but three escape pods were missing. The ship is now in orbit around Angel One, which the pods could have reached. According to Data, it is Class M, sparsely populated by intelligent life and with a similar technology to 20th century Earth. Riker says it would have taken 5 months for the pods to have reached the planet; Data states rather precisely how long. Although down to the second seems improbable.
The planet contacts them, audio only. According to Captain Picard, Starfleet wants to maintain good relations with the planet, so asks Data if there’s anything else. The planet is a matriarchy governed by six elected Mistresses, with the lead female called the Elected One. Troi thinks it sounds like her home. Worf states that Klingons appreciate strong women. The planet was last visited 62 years ago and Picard suggests Troi makes contact.
The person contacting them is Beata, the Elected One. Troi says it is too long since they last spoke. Beata does not feel neglected and a diplomatic courtesy call is neither needed nor expected. Troi then breaches the possible survivors of the Odin. A brief visit will be permitted.
In the transporter room, Riker, Troi, Tasha and Data are preparing to beam down. Captain Picard states that the strategic importance of Angel One may become vital, and it is hoped it will become part of the Federation. The females are as aggressively dominant as males were hundreds of years ago on Earth, and are larger and stronger than males.
On the planet, Beata asks Troi if the wish to petition. They do; they seek to learn if there are any survivors of the Odin. That’s thought to be a petty task for a mighty vessel. Riker states they don’t consider one life petty. He would perhaps have been better off staying quiet. Beata is told that the discovery of the Odin was unexpected and they had a duty to investigate. They will take the survivors home. One of the Mistresses, Ariel, doesn’t trust them. When Riker asks about survivors, Beata is not prepared to answer. They are shown to quarters, which Tasha scans to make sure they are secure. Troi sensed much fear, but not focused. They were not concerned for the same reason. There are definitely survivors.
On the Enterprise, Picard is telling Worf that they need to go to the Neutral Zone after this, because Romulan battlecruisers have been seen near a border post. Their assistance has been requested. As they pass a holodeck. Picard gets hit by a snowball thrown by Wesley. Picard and Worf also smell something; Wes doesn’t, as he has a cold.
Data is playing with a perfume sprayer, and the use of perfume is then explained to him. Beata calls for them and wants to know if they intend to remove the survivors. They do. Riker gives his solemn word. There are four survivors, all male, led by Ramsey. They can’t deliver the survivors, as they are in hiding. They are fugitives. They went against the natural order and are dangerous.
Wesley and his friend are in sickbay. Dr Crusher contacts Picard; they have some sort of respiratory ailment. She doesn’t yet know if it’s contagious. You just know the captain will be infected.
Data requests access to the Angel One library, to look for anomalies that will allow them to find the missing crew. Beata is told it is far too sophisticated for a man. Data replies he’s an android, not a man. With it being discovered that platinum is not found on Angel One, a search pattern is done by the Enterprise.
The captain is, of course, starting to come down with the ailment, and the doctor decides he isn’t physically able to effectively command. He is to go to bed. Yes, that is an order. A possible location for Ramsey is found and the away team beam there. He was expecting them. There are, of course, problems. The survivors of the Odin don’t want to leave. They also don’t look dangerous, though it can be guessed why they are considered to be. In addition, the virus is laying waste to the Enterprise‘s crew.