Devil's Due (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Devil's Due (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"Devil's Due" is the 13th episode of the fourth season of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and was originally aired on February 4, 1991 in broadcast syndication. The script was adapted from the cancelled Star Trek: Phase II 1978 television series, where it was written by William Douglas Lansford. The script was adapted by Philip Lazebnik and directed by Tom Benko.

The series follows the adventures of the crew of the Starfleet starship Enterprise. The crew of the Enterprise confront an individual claiming to be Ardra (Marta DuBois), the devil of the planet Ventax II. Due to an agreement signed a thousand years earlier, the planet was owed to Ardra in a contract, which includes the Enterprise as it is in orbit of the planet. Together, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew reveal Ardra to be a con-artist after a hearing and she is arrested by the Ventaxian authorities.

There were numerous changes from the original Phase II, with only the general theme of the episode remaining. It was originally pitched for use during season three, and following those changes it was added to season four. The reception of the episode from critics has been mixed, with it generally being thought to be very reminiscent of the original series.