 Powers and Baron pitched a story based on a reptilian race following a code of honor similar to the bushido code of the Samurai. This was developed into the final story, which was described as having a "1940s tribal Africa" theme by staff writer Tracy Tormé. The episode wasn 't well received amongst the cast and crew, but Maurice Hurley thought that the basic premise held promise. The episode was received negatively by reviewers after the series ending, including being described by one as "quite possibly the worst piece of Star Trek ever made".
