Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series)

Who Watches the Watchers (1989)

James Greene: Dr. Barron

Quotes 

• Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Dr. Barron, I cannot, I *will not* impose a set of commandments on these people. To do so violates the very essence of the Prime Directive!

  Dr. Barron : Like it or not, we have rekindled the Mintakans' belief in the Overseer.

  Commander William T. Riker : And are you saying that this belief will eventually become a religion?

  Dr. Barron : It's inevitable. And without guidance, that religion could degenerate into inquisitions, holy wars, chaos.

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : Horrifying. Dr. Barron, your report describes how rational these people are. Millennia ago, they abandoned their belief in the supernatural. Now you are asking me to sabotage that achievement, to send them back into the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear? NO!

• Dr. Barron : Picard, I must protest. You're endangering Palmer with this delay!

  Captain Jean-Luc Picard : I am aware of that. But each of us, including Dr. Palmer, took an oath that we would uphold the Prime Directive - if necessary, with our lives.