This aptly named episode begins with Worf becoming seriously injured by a falling cannister in a cargo hold - seven of his vertebrae are broken. Even in Dr. Crusher's time, this is one injury that cannot be easily mended and Worf must face the ethical choice between an experimental procedure proposed by Dr. Russell, a Klingon ritual suicide or living life as a cripple. Worf asks Riker for his assistance in committing suicide, a ritual performed by an honorable Klingon who is irreparably injured. Riker must face his own ethical decision - help a friend to die by suicide, or help a friend to live. Meanwhile, Dr. Crusher must find a way to deal with a doctor whose medical judgement and practice is highly unethical. Dr. Russell is a doctor that is willing to test highly experimental, untested treatments on live patients, with or without their consent, regardless of the possible results and often without attempting more traditional treatments. One of Dr. Russell's experimental treatments kills a patient, even though a more standard treatment may have saved the patient's life. On the other hand, Dr. Russell's experimental procedure for scanning and re-creating body parts, may be the only thing that can save Worf.

Producers: David Livingston, Herbert J. Wright
Teleplay: Ronald J. Moore
Story: Sara Charno, Stuart Charno
Director: Chip Chalmers

Guest Cast:

Caroline Kava (Dr. Russell)
Brian Bonsall (Alexander)
Patti Yasutake (Nurse Ogawa)