Believers story
An alien couple comes to Dr. Franklin with their terminally ill son. The child could be cured by a simple operation, but the parents' religion specifically forbids it. Meanwhile Ivanova escorts a damaged starliner through Raider territory. Directed by: Richard Compton. Story by: David Gerrold.
15 total · 6 choice · 6 major · 3 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| contraposed political ideologies | choice | The alien couple’s religious ideology which prohibited medical treatment for their child Shon was contraposed with Franklin’s scientific and medical outlook by which helping Shon trumped religious concerns. |
| coping with a loved one being gravely ill | choice | M'Ola and Tharg's son Shon needed surgery to save his life but it was forbidden under their religion and they would not permit it. |
| doctor vs. next of kin | choice | Franklin wanted to perform a life saving surgery on Shon but his parents forbid it on religious grounds. |
| doctor's opinion vs. patient preference | choice | Franklin wanted to perform a life saving surgery on Shon but his parents forbid it on religious grounds. |
| faith vs. medicine | choice | The story centers a conflict between Franklin and an alien husband and wife who, for religious reasons, forbade Franklin from preforming a life-saving surgery on their dying child. |
| parent's right to make decisions for their child | choice | Should Shon's parents have the right to refuse him a life saving surgery? |
| bureaucracy | major | Shon's parents petitioned various alien diplomats for help but were frustrated with all the bureaucracy and diplomatic indifference. |
| coping with a terminal illness | major | Shon suffered from a life threatening illness that was easily curable with surgery but the surgery was not permitted under his religion. |
| coping with the rigors of command | major | Franklin and Sinclair in different ways |
| father and son | major | Tharg and his ill child Shon. |