“The Dauphin” is episode ten of season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is entering orbit around Klavdia III where they are going to collect Salia, the future leader of Daled IV. Geordi contacts the bridge; now they are out of warp he wants to do some routine adjustments on the deuterium control conduit, as they’re overdue. They’ll take a couple of hours. With the go-ahead given, Geordi asks Wesley to get something from stores.
The planet isn’t inviting and Troi thinks they would have sent their leader somewhere more hospitable. Worf comments that for some security is more important. Troi understands, but 16 years is a long time. The planet is hailed but the signal needs cleaning up. Once communication is established, Captain Picard tells Anya, the woman who answered, that they have come for Salia. She wants to know what species they are and instructs them to bring her and her ward aboard.
The captain, Worf and Riker go to meet them in the transporter room. Salia wants to look at the controls and Riker offers her a tour of the ship. Salia would like that but Anya vetoes the idea. She just wants to go to their quarters. Wesley bumps into them as they pass and is stunned by Salia, who comes over to speak to him. After Salia leaves, Wesley asks Riker who she is. No, not the governess, the girl about Wesley’s age.
Wesley is in his quarters when Data comes to see him. Wesley wants to know about Salia. Data explains that her parents were on opposite sides in the civil war and died shortly after she was born. The Federation brought Salia to Klavdia III and now she’s returning home to unite the factions. Then Geordi contacts Wesley; he’s still waiting for that part he asked for.
The Enterprise is on impulse until Geordi is finished. Captain Picard asks if the quarters met with Anya’s approval. Worf doubt anything meets with her approval. Troi is concerned; Salia and Anya’s emotions do not fit who they are and what they are doing. It’s as if they are not what they say they are; they are hiding something. Picard contacts Salia’s quarters to check on her; she asks about Wesley. Troi says what she sensed hasn’t changed. Data asks how Salia is supposed to bring peace, as the factions have been fighting for recorded history. The difference is between night and day – Data means that literally. One side is always night, the other day.
Salia is being told she will be a leader by another girl about her age. Who has never been seen before. Salia is told that it’s her duty; their last and only chance. Then the other girl changes into a different creature.
Wesley is working, badly, in engineering. He has his mind on Salia. It’s clear he can’t concentrate and Geordi says it was bound to happen, as it usually does at his age. Geordi tells Wesley he’s no use in this state. Go and talk to her. Geordi doesn’t have time to discuss what to say; he should ask someone else.
According to Worf, Klingon women roar and hurl heavy objects. The man reads love poetry. And ducks a lot. Wesley would prefer something less dangerous. Data says they appear to be biological compatible. Wesley wants to meet her, not dissect her. As Wesley leaves the bridge, the captain arrives. He contacts Salia and mentions the tour. Salia wants to go. The other being shifts into Anya and forbids it. Only Anya will go on the tour.
Wesley is now asking Riker for advice in Ten Forward. He uses Guinan to demonstrate some chat up lines. They get a little too involved in it, to the point where Guinan tells Wesley to shut up when he interjects it’s not his style.
Anya is in engineering and is concerned about the work Geordi is doing. Wesley has arrived at Anya’s quarters and she invites him in, wanting to know how to use the food dispenser. He explains and orders her something sweet. She mentions that she’s never been anywhere and Wesley says they can change that. Anya is now in sick bay and she slightly overreacts to the patient Dr Pulaski is working on. Anya says the disease poses a threat to Salia, however miniscule, and wants them destroyed immediately. Then transforms into something to do it herself.
Picard is less than happy they have a dangerous shapeshifter onboard. Though oddly no-one seems to wonder if Salia is the same. Most of the plot is about Wesley and Salia.