Stardate: 41294.5
Original Air Date: November 28, 1987
Writers: Tracy Tormé & Lan O’Kun
Director: Richard Compton
“They must not be permitted to destroy us or the planet.”
The Enterprise is preparing for some rest and relaxation on a Class-M Beta Cassius planet known only as “Haven,” a place so renowned for its serenity and beauty that some believe it has mystical healing powers. Legends say Haven can mend souls and heal broken hearts.
As the episode begins, Riker is pulled away from a pair of female harpists who are entertaining him to witness a strange rectangular chest that has been beamed aboard the Enterprise from Haven. Suddenly, a face in the object begins speaking to Deanna Troi, announcing that her mother Lwaxana Troi and the honoroble Miller family will arrive soon –“The momentous day is close at hand, rejoice!” We learn that Counselor Troi is expected to undergo an arranged marriage in traditional Betazoid fashion (in spite of her existing Imzadi relationship with Riker). The talking chest then emits a collection of jewels, or “bonding gifts,” for the wedding. Counselor Troi explains that Steven Miller (of the honorable Miller family) was her father’s closest friend and that the Miller’s son, Wyatt Miller, is destined to be her husband (Wyatt is a medical doctor). However, when they first meet in the transporter room, Wyatt seems surprised, even disappointed, in meeting Counselor Troi for the first time. As it turns out, he has been plagued by dreams of a striking blonde woman whom he has been painting from memory.
Next, Troi’s “eccentric” mother, Lwaxana, arrives with a mute companion named Mr. Houmn. She is “Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Rixx, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed.” She annoys her daughter and behaves in an insufferable manner toward Captain Picard. Lwaxana also appears to be obsessed with other people’s private thoughts, whether or not they find her sexually attractive.
Suddenly, a message is received by the Enterprise from Valeda Innis, the first Electorine of Haven. An incoming vessel has apparently bypassed Haven’s Stargate in violation of the law and the vessel has resisted any communication. She fears the ship is hostile. And as it turns out, the mystery vessel turns out to be a Tarellian ship –the Tarellians were a race thought to be extinct after a horrid infection wiped out their species. The planet Tarellia was classified as Class-M, much like Earth and with similar humanoid life forms, but there internal hostilities broke out which led to biological warfare (at that point, Tarellia had achieved earth’s 21st century level of knowledge). As a result of the biological warfare, the Tarellians developed a highly lethal and contagious infection. Until now, it was believed that the last Tarellian ship was destroyed eight years ago by the Alcyones.
Wyatt and Dr. Crusher discuss beaming medical supplies over to the Tarellians, and in order to prevent the Tarellian ship from arriving at Haven, the Enterprise extends a tractor beacon to grab ahold of the ship and prevent it from arriving at Haven, but then the Tarellians appear onscreen. One of them is a blonde woman named Ariana –she is the very same woman from Wyatt’s dreams and artwork. Only eight Tarellians have survived on this ship, they hope to dwell on Haven in a remote section (an island if need be) in order to heal or die on the planet.
However, Wyatt suddenly decides to leave the ship to be with his dream girl, Ariana. He takes medical supplies and transports himself over to the Tarellian ship after saying goodbye to Deanna Troi (strangely with a kiss) and he bids farewell to his parents. Upon arrival, he spots the artwork of many people adorning the Tarellian ship including himself. Wyatt promises to continue his work to heal the Tarellians. Since he has been exposed to the Tarellian infection, he can never return to his normal life in the Federation. The Tarellians then redirect course away from Haven now that they have Wyatt aboard. And Picard eagerly puts this strange mission behind him (Wyatt’s parents leaving behind the talking chest from the beginning of the episode).
My Thoughts on “Haven”
“Haven” is another quirky episode with a strange romantic sub-plot in TNG. The A-plot concerns Deanna Troi’s arranged marriage, while the B-plot concerns a potential cataclysm as a surprise-Tarellian ship speeds toward Haven. However, this episode is a bit too goofy and awkward to be taken too seriously. The naked Betazed wedding tradition has all the suspicious hallmarks of a Gene Roddenberry idea, and Lwaxana’s obsessive narcissism –seemingly reading everyone’s thoughts as if they are having perverted thoughts about her– is just odd. With that in mind, this episode’s twist ending is still a bit unpredictable as Wyatt abandons his life in order to risk infection with the Tarellians (and his dream girl). At least “Haven” is not among the worst episodes of season one –there are some funny remarks from Data, and Picard carrying Lwaxana’s luggage is good for a few chuckles. One underlying bit of social commentary in this episode is the idea that 20th century bio-weapons could exterminate the human race in ways we cannot fathom, as in the case of the lethal infection plaguing the Tarellians.
Writer/Director
This episode was initially drafted by Lan O’Kun (it was varyingly entitled “Love Beyond Time and Space” and “Eye of the Beholder”). Tracy Tormé then significantly revised the script.
Director Richard Compton had previously appeared as Lieutenant Washburn in the TOS episode “The Doomsday Machine” (interestingly enough “Haven” began filming twenty years to the day after Compton filmed his scenes for “The Doomsday Machine”).
Star Trek Trivia:
- “Haven” marks the first appearance of Majel Barrett as Lwaxana Troi (of course, Majel Barrett famously played Number One in “The Cage” and then Nurse Chapel throughout TOS).
- Lwaxana Troi’s valet Mr. Houmn lis somewhat similar to the alien featured in the classic Twilight Zone episode “To Serve Man.” Homn is played by Carel Struycken, who reappears from time to time as the character in TNG (he also played Lurch in The Addams Family movies).
- In future episodes, there is a discrepancy as to whether or not Deanna was served by Mr. Xelo or Mr. Houmn when she was younger.
- We learn that Betazoids have the ability to read thoughts which allows them to grow much faster than ordinary human beings.
- Counselor Troi notes that the thing Riker wants most of all is to become captain of a starship, and this hinders their future relationship.
- Traditional Betazed weddings are apparently held in the nude.
- Imzadi is referenced again in this episode, meaning “beloved” (between Riker and Troi).
- This episode marks the final time Deanna Troi refers to Riker as “Bill.”
- Robert Knepper plays Wyatt in this episode. He will later return in Star Trek Voyager.
- This was actually the third episode produced for TNG.
The more seriously things can be taken in Star Trek, even regarding humour, would be thankfully more effective in some of Lwaxana’s future episodes. Thank you for your review and trivia.