dear doctor dear doctor thirteenth episode season american science fiction television series star trek enterprise originally aired january upn episode written maria directed set 22nd century series follows adventures starfleet starship enterprise registration episode doctor faces dilemma dying race begs help crew enterprise culture consists related races genetically advanced race stricken planet wide plague upn requested ending episode changed like members cast crew approved final episode subject matter ending seen controversial episode fans dear doctor received audience share previous episode drop viewers million viewers broadcast plot doctor receives letter counterpart doctor serving term begins compose letter describing experiences crew ways humans different bridge crew discussing pre warp vessel encountered alien speak begs assist medical emergency species facing sub commander reveals unaware species agrees captain archer help continues letter describing challenges treating disease million lives stake enterprise arrives met director clinic orderly archer ensign tour medical facility discovers second lesser evolved unaffected race live alongside makes startling discovery slowly dying easily medical condition genetic disease experiencing accelerated rate believes answer cure lie archer debating provide warp drive ultimately deciding investigation learns suffer illness gene pool reached dead end undergoing awakening process finds found cure believe ethical administer archer considers primary directive helpful provides medicine diminish symptoms decade anticipating natural evolution new levels understanding production upn requested modified ending episode original version archer archer wanted save race wanted evolution course played doctor enterprise didn agree changed version saying ending initially created fairly comfortable head studio suggested revisions ending wasn happy revisions sort adjust bit contradiction terms character supposed enjoyed romantic subplot concerned working schedule wouldn allow return easily wasn anticipating romance followed future episodes previously appeared episode strange new world pleased character involved saying interested romantic plot brought writers future episode final appearance days nights death november medical condition guest stars episode better known voice work simpsons reception home media dear doctor aired upn january episode watched million viewers received percent share means seen percent year olds percent year olds watching television time broadcast share previous episode silent enemy drop number actual viewers overall whilst writing described dear doctor truly great episode enterprise compared pen star trek generation star trek voyager way ethical dilemma presented enjoyed seamlessly interwoven moving character development pace episode wanted society races writing review season ign described dear doctor solid episodes website reviews said miles best episode far calls real story actual issue praises performance episode received warmly members enterprise cast crew said prior end series absolutely loved dear doctor thought fantastic end series named episode favourites time felt character dimensional executive producer subsequently called episode classic writer said dear doctor great example classic star trek science fiction scenario raised interesting complex social issues home media release episode vhs august released united_states dvd having released season box set blu ray release enterprise announced early released united_states march release following april controversy immediately airing dear doctor received criticism fans disagreed conclusion episode said interview feeling probably upset didn pay attention response fans internet said online criticism wasn aware fact subsequently mentioned article ethics star trek written faith ethics reporter toronto star compared actions archer end episode response international community genocide
Dear Doctor