THE PRIME DIRECTIVE

MAIN DISCUSSION

UNJUST IMPRISONMENT

The Prime Directive, whose principles seem to uphold the rule of law, are subject to interpretation, at least unofficially. In [Enterprise: Judgement], although Archer is pronounced only technically guilty by the Klingon tribunal while his services to the Klingon Empire are lauded, he is nevertheless sentenced to life imprisonment on Rura Penthe. His crew have no faith in diplomatic solutions done through official channels and plan, and later conduct, a successful rescue attempt. In [#45 The Chute], Paris and Kim find themselves in a prison hellhole, having been falsely convicted by the Akritiri for a terrorist bombing. Janeway tries to get the Akritirian authorities, through Ambassador Liria, to investigate and eventually she produces evidence of the pair's innocence. When Liria ignores her, she mounts a rescue. It is fortunate that she has the firepower and a swift getaway starship. Although she acts justly, she does act outside the Akritirian law (which justifies never re-examining a case on the grounds that it acts as a deterrent, an argument indicating an absoluteness such as is used in Edo law in [TNG: Justice]). Janeway follows her own moral principles, for judiciary systems differ throughout civilisations, let alone between different species (law often does not equal justice, of course).

Liria refuses to listen; Janeway rescues Paris and Kim

In [TNG: Justice], Picard violates the Prime Directive to rescue Wesley Crusher from execution. Execution is the Edo's only punishment for all crimes small or large committed within a randomly shifting punishment zone, and the Edo attribute their civilisation's long period of peace to their justice system. Picard appeals to the Edo's "god" to support his rescue of Wesley, arguing that justice is not absolute; the Edo "god" agrees in Wesley's case. But the Edo taunt the Enterprise crew about their shifting principles, having been told by Riker about the Prime Directive.

Picard and the Edo discuss the implications of the Prime Directive

The impression given to the galactic community as a whole as well as to television viewers, is that maverick actions by starship captains to save members of their crew equates to "do as I say, not as I do", and that inconsistent application devalues the Prime Directive.