Season 2
Episode 40 Stigma
Such a powerful episode and well within the realm of Star Trek teaching morality via science fiction allegory. T’Pol ended up contracting Pa'nar Syndrome from the Vulcan douche-bag who forced mind melded with her in the episode Fusion. Phlox tries to get data on how to treat the disease from Vulcan doctors who refuse to supply him with any information because Pa'nar Syndrome can only be contracted by mind melds which are illegal or taboo (unclear) on Vulcan during that time period. Archer wishes to reveal the origin of how T’Pol got infected since it was special circumstances but she refuses because her belief that people shouldn’t be ostracized from treatment because of their beliefs, practices, conditions, etc. She almost loses her job over it but Another Vulcan steps up and defends her and thus Phlox is able to get the limited data in hopes of treating condition.
The depth of this story reverberates on so many levels. The first that comes to mine is how AIDS patients were treated back in the 80s. It shouldn’t matter if T’Pol got Pa'nar Syndrome though consensual contact or via a sci-fi rape allegory. What matters is a person is sick and needs help. Those who refuse to help those in need are wrong.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
