La Forge:
Captain, we are being hailed.
Picard:
On screen.
[
He realizes that the screen has been destroyed, along with the entire front wall of the bridge]
Picard:
...Open a channel.
Commander William T. Riker:
Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse.
[
when several Romulan ships are decloaking in front of the Enterprise]
Data:
[
as B-4] Move, puny human animal!
Picard:
[
lowly] A bit less florid, Data...
[
crying to her husband, who has just returned to the Enterprise's bridge]
Commander Deanna Troi:
It's Data.
Picard:
Duty. A starship captain's life is filled with solemn duty. I have commanded men in battle. I have negotiated peace treaties between implacable enemies. I have represented the Federation in first contact with twenty-seven alien species. But none of this compares with my solemn duty today... as best man. Now, I know, on an occasion such as this, it is expected that I be gracious and fulsome in my praise on the wonders of this blessed union, but have the two of you considered what you were doing to me? Of course you're happy, but what about *my* needs? This is all a damned inconvenience. While you're happily settling in on the Titan, I will be training my new first officer. You all know him. He's a tyrannical martinet who will never, *ever*, allow me to go on away missions.
Praetor Shinzon:
The only thing the Romulan guards hated more than the Remans... was me.
Picard:
What is all this about?
Praetor Shinzon:
It's about destiny, Picard. It's about a Reman outcast.
Picard:
You're not Reman!
Praetor Shinzon:
And I'm not quite Human! So what am I? My life is meaningless as long as you're still alive. What am I while you exist? A shadow? An echo?
Praetor Shinzon:
You don't trust me.
Picard:
I have no reason to.
Praetor Shinzon:
You have every reason. If you had lived my life, and experienced the suffering of my people, you'd be standing where I am.
Picard:
And if you had lived my life, you would understand my responsibility to the Federation.
Commander Suran:
I don't understand the reason for the delay!
Praetor Shinzon:
You don't have to understand.
Commander Suran:
And bringing the Enterprise here? What possible purpose could that serve?
Praetor Shinzon:
I have a purpose.
Commander Suran:
Then perhaps you can enlighten us?
Praetor Shinzon:
[
barks] Silence, Romulan!
[
calmly]
Praetor Shinzon:
You must learn patience, Commander. Spend eighteen hours every day under the lash of a Romulan guard's whip and you'll soon understand patience.
Praetor Shinzon:
[
speaking to Picard via a holographic transmission] I'll show you my true nature - *our* nature. And as Earth dies, remember, I will always, forever, be Shinzon of Remus. And my voice shall echo through time long after yours has faded to a dim memory!
Picard:
If your issues are with me, then deal with me. This has nothing to do with my ship, nothing to do with the Federation!
Praetor Shinzon:
Oh, but it does. We will no longer bow before anyone as slaves. Not the Romulans and not your mighty Federation. We are a race bred for war... and conquest.
Praetor Shinzon:
It amazes me how little you know yourself.
Picard:
I'm incapable of such an act!
Praetor Shinzon:
You *are* me! The same noble Picard blood runs through our veins. Had you lived my life, you'd be doing *exactly* as I am. So look in the mirror. See yourself. Consider that, Captain. I can think of no greater torment for you.
Picard:
Shinzon? I'm a mirror for you as well.
Praetor Shinzon:
Not for long, Captain. I'm afraid you won't survive to witness the victory of the echo over the voice.
[
Worf picks up B-4's arm]
Data:
It appears to be a robotic arm.
Worf:
Very astute.
[
speaking of his first officer]
Picard:
He's a tyrannical martinet who will never, ever allow me to go on away missions.
Data:
That is the regulation, sir. Starfleet code section 12, paragraph 4...
Picard:
Mr. Data...
Data:
Sir?
Picard:
Shut up.
Data:
Yes, sir.
Picard:
[
to the wedding guests] 15 years I've been waiting to say that.
[
In the attempt to find an alternative exit, Picard intends to blast with a shuttle through the inner shuttle bay doors and fly through the Scimitar]
Data:
Do you think this is a wise course of action, sir?
Picard:
We're about to find out, Data.
Data:
I will always be puzzled by the human predilection for piloting vehicles at unsafe velocities.
[
Picard, Data and Worf are attacked and pursued by Kolaran natives]
Picard:
I think it's time to try some unsafe velocities.
Worf:
[
feeling groggy] Romulan ale should be illegal.
La Forge:
It is.
[
Data is singing 'Blue Skies' at the wedding]
Worf:
[
nauseous] Irving Berlin...
[
his head slumps back on the table]
[
Picard is raising a toast to Riker and Troi]
Picard:
Will Riker, you have been my trusted right arm for fifteen years. You have kept my course true and steady. Deanna Troi, you've been my guide... and my conscience. You have helped me recognize the better parts of myself.
Picard:
[
to both] You are my family. And in best maritime tradition, I wish you both clear horizons. My good friends - make it so. The bride and groom!
All:
The bride and groom.
[
Toasting Riker and Troi]
Picard:
Will Riker, you have been my trusted right arm for fifteen years. You have helped keep my course true and steady. Deanna Troi, you have been my conscience and guide. You have helped me to recognize the best parts of myself.
[
to both]
Picard:
You are my family. And in maritime tradition, I wish you clear horizons... my friends, make it so.
Picard:
You have the bridge... Mr. Troi.
[
Shinzon tells Picard about suffering from Shalaft's syndrome]
Praetor Shinzon:
Eventually I was treated, and now I can hear as well as you can, Captain. I can see as well as you can. I can feel everything you feel. In fact... I feel *exactly* what you feel. Don't I, Jean-Luc?
Picard:
[
after being transported to the Scimitar] Why am I here? Why have you done this?
Praetor Shinzon:
I was lonely.
Shinzon:
[
to Picard] You're too slow, old man.
B-4:
[
to Picard] Why do you have a shiny head?
Data:
I must deactivate you.
B-4:
For how long?
Data:
Indefinitely.
B-4:
How long is tha...
Data:
A long time, brother.
Picard:
If I had lived his life, is it possible that I would have rejected my humanity?
Data:
The B-4 is physically identical to me, although his neural pathways are not as advanced. But even if they were, he would not be me.
Picard:
How can you be sure?
Data:
I aspire, sir, to be better than I am. B-4 does not. Nor does Shinzon.
Picard:
Captain's personal log, supplemental. We're heading toward Federation space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I've come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a thousand other battlefields, I wait for the dawn.
Commander Deanna Troi:
What's he doing?
Picard:
He wants to look me in the eye...
[
last lines]
B-4:
[
singing brokenly to himself] Never saw the sun... never saw the sun... never saw... the sun...
Picard:
[
helping along] Shining so bright.
B-4:
[
singing brokenly to himself] Shining so bright... never saw things...
[
hums the rest of the line]
Picard:
[
helping along] Going so right...
B-4:
[
singing to himself] Going so right...
[
Picard leaves his office, with a wistful yet hopeful smile on his face]
Janeway:
The Son'a, the Borg, the Romulans - you seem to get all the easy assignments.
Picard:
Just lucky, Admiral.
La Forge:
You ever think about getting married again?
Guinan:
No. Twenty-three was my limit.
Praetor Shinzon:
[
to Donatra] And Commander - if you ever touch me again... I'll kill you.
Picard:
[
on seeing the Scimitar for the first time] She's a predator...
Data:
Ladies and gentlemen, and invited transgendered species...
Janeway:
Jean-Luc. How'd you like a trip to Romulus?
Picard:
With or without the rest of the fleet?
[
first lines]
Senator:
Senators, consider the opportunities for the Empire. At last, the destinies of the planets Romulus and Remus will be united. Shinzon of Remus is offering us a chance to make ourselves stronger than ever before. It would be madness to reject it. I beg you not to let prejudice or politics interfere with this Alliance. By joining Shinzon's forces with ours, not even the Federation will be able to stand in our way.
Praetor Hiren:
That's enough!
Commander Deanna Troi:
You needn't worry. I'm going to brief your new counselor on everything she needs to know.
Picard:
Oh, like hell you are. You already know too much about me.
Reman Viceroy Vkruk:
[
in a telepathic connection with Troi] I'm with you, Imzadi. I'll always be with you now!
Praetor Shinzon:
You may go.
B-4:
Where?
Praetor Shinzon:
Out of my sight.
B-4:
Why does the tall man have a furry face?
Commander Deanna Troi:
[
pleading] It's tradition, Worf! You of all people should appreciate that.
Worf:
[
angry and a little embarrassed] I will not do it!
Picard:
[
entering the bridge] Won't do what, Mr. Worf?
Worf:
Captain, I do not think it is appropriate for a Starfleet officer to appear... naked.
Picard:
Oh, come now. A big, handsome, strapping fellow like you? What can you be afraid of?
Commander William T. Riker:
[
referring to the two de-cloaking Romulan warbirds] Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse.
Worf:
We are being hailed.
Picard:
On screen.
Commander Donatra:
Captain Picard. Commander Donatra of the Warbird Valdore. Might we be of assistance?
Picard:
Assistance?
Commander Donatra:
The Empire considers this a matter of internal security. We regret you've become involved.
Picard:
[
relieved] Commander, when this is over, I owe you a drink.
[
the Valdore is attacked]
Commander Donatra:
Romulan ale, Captain. Let's get to work.
Picard:
You heard the lady. Let's go to work!
Picard:
[
in view of the nude wedding ceremony on Betazed] Now, if you'll excuse me - I'll be in the gym.
Related Links
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