Justice ( episode ) When Wesley Crusher is condemned to die on an idyllic , primitive planet , Captain Picard must face breaking the Prime Directive to save the boy ' s life . Summary . Teaser . Upon his return back from the surface , Commander Riker tells everyone with great enthusiasm about the planet ; he explains that the planet ' s lifeform s are almost identical to Human s and that it is a class M planet , beautiful and stunning . Doctor Crusher suggests shore leave for everyone , stating that nothing is better than fresh air and open spaces . Lieutenant Natasha Yar states that the inhabitants ' laws and customs are pretty straightforward and nothing out of the ordinary . What is special about them , however , says Geordi La Forge , is their great affection for others . The doctor ' s suggestion of shore leave is approved but only for a small group at first . Among them is Wesley Crusher , whom the captain personally designates as the one to evaluate this planet as a place for young people to relax . If their scans and observations support the report from the away team , then shore leave for the entire crew will be approved , says Picard . He just hopes the planet it is not too good to be true . Before they beam down , however , Commander Data continues to receive a faulty reading in the sensors , indicating there is something in orbit , despite the fact that nothing appears on the viewscreen . Act One . Commander Riker , Lieutenant Yar , Lieutenant Worf , Wesley , and Counselor Deanna Troi beam down to the surface where they are passionately greeted and welcomed . Two of the planet ' s inhabitants , Rivan and Liator , introduce themselves by hugging everyone in turn . Worf compliments them on their planet and uncomfortably accepts the hugs and affections . Wesley isn ' t sure how to take them and how to react . Overall , these aliens are warm , empathetic , and seem to have thought of everything . Suiting to their fit and joyous lifestyle , people do not walk anywhere , but run and jog along . They wish everyone health and happiness , even passers - by as they run to the counsel chamber . When they arrive , three children take Wesley to play right away , while the adults enter the chamber to find more of a massage parlor , where people are playing games , dancing , exercising , receiving massages , hugging , and kissing . Meanwhile , aboard the , Data has completed his analysis . None of the internal systems are at fault ; the reading , though mysterious , is accurate . It appears to be some sort of shadow , like something that is " neither in nor out of their dimension " . When the main viewer is not showing anything out there , Data hails the empty space , requesting that it identify itself . Suddenly , a strange object fully appears and the ship enters automatic red alert . Act Two . The sensor readings do not make any sense , and the response to their transmission is difficult to decode . When La Forge looks out of the window with his VISOR , he experiences the same confusion ; it is as if whatever he is seeing is not really there . Data , however , is finally able to make out something , stating that the message they are receiving translates as something like " stand by " . Then , a small , transparent , ball - like object exits the big one , and passes right through the " Enterprise " s hull , moving through corridor s and bulkhead s . The shimmering ball of light makes its way to the bridge , and then rocks the entire ship as it speaks . Captain Picard speaks with it , explaining , between shakes , who he is , and that he is on a mission of peaceful exploration . It then demands to know why they have come to visit . Picard explains that they have sent down an away team to make peaceful contact and that he does not plan on leaving lifeforms there . It asks about the colony they just planted and Picard explains terraform ing , and that they would only do it for uninhabited worlds . After a warning not to interfere with its " children " below , the object then communicates directly with Data , who falls unconscious . Down on the planet , Worf is extremely uncomfortable with the advances of the women , avoiding them as much as he can . He is not much concerned with pleasure , according to himself , as he is a warrior . Plus , he is convinced that these women couldn ' t handle his Klingon mating habits . When Riker fails to contact " Enterprise " , he gets nervous and orders everyone together , including Wesley , just in case . Troi doesn ' t believe it is anything these people have done , since they are much too open and friendly . Yar , who is just fascinated by the Edo , is talking with Rivan and Liator about their laws . They explain to her that there is no crime in their world and that no one breaks the laws . A long time ago , there was much disorder , but no longer . They explain that they have no police or law enforcement but instead have so - called mediator s who select only one area each day for a certain period of time : the punishment zone . It is a completely random selection , no person ever knows when or where a zone will be and so no one risks death . The Edo explain to Worf and Yar , who are both very disturbed by this news , that there is only one punishment for any crime : death . While it sounds drastic , the Edo consider it very wise and a basis for their lasting peace . After all , since no one would want to risk execution , no one breaks the rules . Hearing this , the away team is immediately alarmed and heads off to find Wesley quickly , who they know is running around with the other kids , not knowing anything about these rules . Act Three . Unfortunately , they are too late . While Wesley was playing ball , he jumped for it in midair , crashing into the greenhouse , past a short white bar , destroying the plants . And what ' s worse , the mediators picked that moment to show up . Everyone attempts to cover for him , pleading that he is only a visitor and did not know , but the mediators are adamant and insist on applying the law equally to everyone to avoid chaos , crime , and disobedience . It pains them deeply what they have to do , but given the circumstances and existing canon of laws , they have no other choice . As one of them raises a syringe to inject Wesley , Worf and Yar draw their phaser s and Riker knocks him down to the ground . The mediators are taken aback by this , not knowing why they are not allowed to simply execute the boy . They are disappointed in the " Enterprise " crew , stating that they thought they came as friends . Riker tries to contact the " Enterprise " but there is still no response . On the ship , the bubble finishes its information exchange with Data and disappears , leaving him unconscious . At the same time , communication is restored . When informed about the situation , Captain Picard immediately beams down to the planet . Act Four . Everyone seems as kind as ever when he arrives in the counsel chamber , and the dialogue begins . They regret that their system of justice is troubling him . Liator explains that Wesley is being held , pending the execution of his sentence at sundown , and they stand by their system of justice . They explain that the tranquility in their lives has been made possible by their laws , for they are a people of law . Picard makes the argument that when Earth executed criminals , they thought for the longest time that it was necessary to do so until they learned to detect the seeds of criminal behavior ; capital punishment is , therefore , no longer considered a justifiable deterrent . The Edo ' s reaction is a little confusing to comprehend , but they do seem to feel that Picard is suggesting some kind of a superiority . Since they apparently are not as advanced as they are , Liator suggests that they just use their superior powers to rescue the boy , stating that they would just record him as a convicted criminal out of their reach , an advanced person who luckily escaped the barbarism of their " backward little world " . But Picard tells them that he wants to honor and respect the Edo ' s rules and law , referencing the Prime Directive . He takes the time , since the Edo guarantee Wesley will not be harmed , to ask about the vessel in orbit . The Edo recognize it as their god , who is said to be somewhere " up there " ; a protector who is far above them , both here and in another place , with great powers . Doctor Crusher calls in , and says Data wishes to speak with him urgently . Not wanting to involve all of the Edo , and not sure if he accepts their description of god , he beams himself , Counselor Troi , and Rivan up to the " Enterprise " . On the way to a room with a window , Rivan is amazed at " the city " in the sky , and is surprised that with all this power , they do not just take Wesley . When she sees the object in orbit , she kneels and bows down before it immediately , confirming that yes , it is god . Rivan is seems to be extremely frightened by the object . Deanna coaxes her to explain that she can identify it because it has appeared before . Suddenly , it then thunders for Picard to " return its child , " and begins moving closer . Hurriedly , Picard attaches his combadge to Rivan and has her beamed back to the planet ' s surface , and the object moves off again . Picard then talks to Data about his experience . He explains that it was a large two - way communication in which he was given some information and they copied everything he knew . Data tells him there is more than one entity in question . They are aware they are being worshiped , but consider it harmless due to the Edo ' s present state of evolution . The complex , multi - dimensional object is not actually a vessel as they understand it . The entities consider the entire star cluster as theirs , meaning that in his opinion , the colony should be removed . They are not sure yet what to make of the presence of the " Enterprise " , and they are observing it for curiosity . Dr . Crusher is worried more and more about her son waiting to be executed , requesting that something be done finally . When Data cautions that Picard should not violate the Prime Directive because it would make them appear deceitful , she angrily walks out . Act Five . Picard sends for Data to ask more questions , as he attempts to try and put together what he knows into some sort of decision . He is torn between the letter of the law , and the knowledge that the Prime Directive never intended to cover a circumstance like this . Data states simply that it is the object he should be worrying about . They know of the Prime Directive , but how it will be viewed is the question . How would they react to taking Wesley , especially with regard to that warning ? Data believes that they did exist earlier in our dimension , but now are taking advantage of their present abilities . Perhaps they did share a value system like that of the Federation . He theorizes that the Edo are a child race they have chosen to protect just as the Federation puts down colonies and protects them . When Dr . Crusher arrives , Picard lets her beam down with him , and announces his decision : he will not allow the Edo to execute Wesley , regardless of the cost . Picard simply states that he will ensure Wesley will not be executed , but in a way everyone will agree upon . The mediators do not like it , saying he cannot understand what they were like before . Picard knows what they went through and their laws were in the spirit of justice for them , which does not mean being executed for such a minor offense . Risking the wrath of God – and the Federation when he returns – he gives the order to beam up . Nothing happens . When the Edo are vindicated , Picard then shouts to the ceiling that such laws as these – without degrees of punishment , and with such severe consequences – cannot be just . He argues that rules should also have exceptions , and that rules with no exceptions can never be just . The transporter works . When they return to the ship , Picard hails the object to inform them they are leaving , and that the colony will be removed at its signal . It dematerializes , which is enough for Picard . With Wesley ' s life saved , the " Enterprise " departs . Memorable quotes . " " Nice planet . " " " " Let ' s hope it is not too good to be true . " " " " They make love at the drop of a hat . " " " Any " hat . " " " " Rivan , perhaps they can ' t run . " " " Can ' t " run ? ! Of course , we can run , right commander ? " " " " They certainly are . . . fit . " " " " They certainly are . " " " " When in Rome , eh ? " " " " When in where , sir ? " " " " DO NOT INTERFERE WITH MY CHILDREN BELOW . " " " " This may be nothing , but let ' s move all our people together . " " " " Including Wesley , the boy ? " " " RETURN MY CHILD . " " " We ' d better find Wesley . " " " " Sharing an orbit with God is no small experience . " " " " I want to do something too ! With you . " " " " Uh . . . what ? " " " " Something you can teach me . Will you ? " " " " Well , actually , there are some games I . . . uh , don ' t quite know yet . . . " " " " It ' s playing ball . Will you teach me ? " " " " Are you prepared for punishment ? " " " " It was probably unwise of us to attempt to place a Human colony in this area . Of course , there are three thousand four other planets in this star cluster in which we could have colonized . The largest – and closest – " " " " Data ! Don ' t babble . " " " " Babble , sir ? I ' m not aware that I ever " babble " , sir . It may be that from time to time I have considerable information to communicate , and you may question the way in which I organize it – " " " " Please – organize it into " brief " answers to my questions . We have very little time . Do they . . . " accept " our presence at their planet ? " " " " Undecided , sir . " " " " . . . " " " " Data . . . please . . . feel free to " volunteer " any important information . " " " " The Edo want to execute my son . I will not allow that to happen , Jean - Luc . " " " " Most interesting , sir . The emotion of motherhood is , compared to all others felt by Hu . . " " " " SHUT UP ! " " " " You were right , sir . I do tend to babble . " " " " I ' m with Starfleet ; we don ' t lie . " " " " You ' re not involved in this decision , boy ! " " " " There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute . Even life itself is an exercise in exceptions . " " " " When has justice ever been as simple as a rulebook ? " " " " Seems the Edo Lord agrees with you , Number one . " " Links and references . References . arithmetic ; away team ; away team report ; ball ; bridge ; ; captain ' s log ; class M ; dance ; death penalty ; desktop monitor ; Earth ; Edo ; Edo God ; Emergency Manual Override station ; ensign ; fence ; fountain ; garden ; guitar ; harp ; ignorance ; kiss ; massage ; mediator ; medical tricorder ; Milky Way Galaxy ; music ; necklace ; nudity ; number one ; orbit ; painting ; planet ; Prime Directive ; probe ; punishment zone ; ready room ; red alert ; Rhea ; Rome ; Rubicun III ; Rubicun system ; Saturn ; scanning device ; sickbay ; stardate ; statue ; stellar cluster ; Strnad colony ; Strnad system ; syringe ; tricorder ; turbolift ; type I phaser ; unnamed plants ; viewscreen ; VISOR ; window