“Chain of Command, Part II” is episode eleven of season six of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
In the previous episode, “Chain of Command, Part I”, Captain Picard was captured by the Cardassians. He’s now being questioned whilst under the influence of a serum on his mission, those on it and the Federation defence plans for Minos Korva. The captain says he knows nothing about the latter and the amount of serum is increased.
On the Enterprise, Jellico, Troi and Riker are meeting with Gul Lemec and his aids. Lemec claims a Federation team made an unprovoked assault on Celtris III and that 55 men, women and children were killed. Jellico asks what evidence they have. Lemec says they have Captain Picard. Cardassia has yet to decide how they will respond to this latest provocation. But they will respond.
Once the Cardassians leave, Riker asks if there’s any truth to what Lemec said. Jellico tells him about Picard’s mission. He may have been captured. The team was to meet the Enterprise at a rendezvous point in 8 hours. They can’t leave, so Riker needs to take a shuttle and head there.
Picard is brought before his Cardassian interrogator again. He demands a neutral representative and the Cardassian – Gul Madred, but his name is never spoken – says that one is being dispatched. He removes Picard’s restraints after the guards have left and talks about archaeology, specifically Cardassian, and how treasures were stolen or sold to pay for the war efforts. Picard thinks they’re foolish to risk another war. He wants to be returned to his ship.
Madred tells Picard he is a criminal and at the very least he will stand trial and be punished. But the experience could be civilised. The price is cooperation. What are the Federation defence plans for Minos Korva? Picard is sure Madred knows he’s already answered truthfully under drugs. Madred says that the Enterprise will be the command ship for the sector encompassing Minos Korva. Picard says Madred knows more than him. Madred summons the guards back and takes a knife from a drawer. He cuts Picard’s clothing from him and has him hung from the ceiling overnight. He has no privileges of rank or person, no identity other than ‘human.’
Riker has returned from the rendezvous and Jellico is told what happened. Riker wants to launch a rescue operation but Jellico tells him no. Captain Jellico does have a point.
Madred enters the room where Picard was left, and the captain is taken down. Madred turns on four lights over his desk – if you’ve never known where ‘THERE. ARE. FOUR. LIGHTS.’ came from, it’s this episode – and asks the captain how many there are. He corrects his answer. There are five. Madred explains a device was implanted in the captain that allows Madred to produce pain to any part of his body. He doesn’t enjoy this bit, but a demonstration will make everything clear. The captain states he knows nothing about Minos Korva. Madred believes him. That’s not what he asked. How many lights does he see? When Picard answers four, Madred says he doesn’t understand how he can be so mistaken. Activating the device.
Gul Lemec is showing a video of Picard’s drug interrogation on the Enterprise. Unless the Federation acknowledges Captain Picard was on an official mission, he will be treated as a terrorist. Jellico states that isn’t his concern. Lemec wants the Federation to agree to a complete withdrawal from this sector. Then the Cardassian Union will be disposed to release Captain Picard and forget about the incident. Once Lemec leaves, Jellico wants Admiral Nechayev contacting. He’s going to recommend rejecting the offer and deploying more starships. Riker wants Jellico to admit Captain Picard was on an official mission. Jellico refuses. Again, he has a point, but Riker argues the matter until Jellico relieves him.
Jellico then meets with Geordi and Data in his ready room. Data thinks Captain Picard may have been deliberately lured to Celtris III. There are only three captains with the experience in the type of radiation used, and two are no longer with Starfleet. Jellico thinks the Cardassians may have discovered the Enterprise‘s role in Federation defence plans. He wants Gul Lemec’s ship discretely scanning for clues as to where an attack might come from.
Much of the episode is on Captain Picard’s torture. Needless to say, it isn’t pleasant.