Dear Doctor story

ent1x13 · 2002-01-23

Doctor Phlox and Captain Archer must decide the fate of two species suffering from an evolutionary pandemic. Directed by: James A. Contner. Story by: Andre Jaquemetton & Maria Jaquemetton.

16 total · 3 choice · 7 major · 6 minor

Theme	Level	Motivation
natural pandemic	choice	The Valakian were desperate to find a cure for a pandemic caused by their genetics, and that Phlox estimated would render them extinct within two centuries.
playing God with nature	choice	Phlox didn't want to cure the pandemic afflicting the Valakians on the ground that it would be interfering with the natural unfolding of nature, and with it the rise to prominence of the Menk hominids.
the ethics of interfering in less advanced societies	choice	Archer had to decide whether they intervene to save one intelligent species on the planet at the possible future expense of another intelligent species.
extraterrestrial civilization	major	Crew find alien civilization with two different hominid species coexisting.
foreign point of view	major	Denobulans, Vulcans, and Humans were all compared, especially with regard to mating rituals and bodily contact throughout the Phlox and Elizabeth Cutler storyline.
helping a stranger in need	major	Archer makes efforts to help the Valakians in their search for a cure for the pandemic afflicting them.
hominid evolution	major	It was remarked how on Earth only one species of hominid survived the evolutionary process, while on the alien world two had survived.
human vs. contagious disease	major	The Valakian were desperate to find a cure for a pandemic caused by their genetics. The Enterprise offered to aid in searching for a cure.
infatuation	major	Phlox thought Elizabeth Cutler was romantically interested in him, and she was, but she had to clear up that she wasn't interested in becoming his fourth wife in a polygamous marriage.
multi-species civilization	major	Crew find alien civilization with two different hominid species coexisting.