In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider the episode The Alternative Factor, which aired on March 23, 1967, with a Star Date of 3087.6.
As the Enterprise maps a planet with an iron-silicon surface and oxygen-hydrogen atmosphere and begins heading towards Starbase 200, the ship is twice subjected to massive disturbances. Spock reports that the magnetic field of the surrounding space “blinked,” and the planet’s gravity momentarily reached zero. Spock then finds a human life form on the planet’s surface, and Spock, Kirk, and a security detail of 3 beams down to investigate.
They find a spaceship and a bearded man who yells something about having time to stop still “him” and then jumps or falls off a cliff. Kirk discovers that the blinking phenomenon drained the Enterprise’s dilithium crystals, leaving only 10 hours before the orbit decays. Starfleet command reports that every galaxy quadrant has been subjected to magnetic, gravimetric, and electric disruption, and Kirk and Starfleet fear it may be a prelude to an invasion.
Kirk interviews the fallen man, who claims he is chasing a murderer who destroyed his entire civilization. He was saved because he was inspecting magnetic communication satellites. He attempts to enlist Kirk in his fanatic pursuit. It turns out that the strange phenomena are caused by the man, whose name is Lazarus.
Commentary
The plot involves the Enterprise encountering a mysterious energy disturbance tied to the enigmatic character Lazarus and his antimatter counterpart. Through the narrative, Fox discusses key ethical lessons for compliance professionals, including understanding the unintended consequences of innovation, balancing individual needs with the greater good, ensuring transparency in research, promoting ethical decision-making, and cultivating intellectual humility. The episode underscores the importance of thoughtful and adaptive approaches to innovation and ethics in business practices.
Key Highlights
- Episode Overview: The Alternative Factor
- Plot Summary: The Mysterious Lazarus
- The Antimatter Universe Revelation
- Behind the Scenes: Casting Chaos
- Ethics Lessons from The Alternative Factor
- Business Leadership and Ethics Lessons
Resources
Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein
