YMMV / Star Trek The Next Generation S 6 E 3 Man Of The People

• Alternate Character Interpretation: Picard is arguably being a massive Hypocrite here, since his statement to Alkar could be considered just as applicable every time somebody cites the Prime Directive to justify allowing people, and even entire civilizations, to die just because "interference" is "always wrong" in the long-term.
  Picard: You cannot explain away a wantonly immoral act because you think that it is connected to some higher purpose!
  • On the other hand, there is a difference; Alkar's subjects are only in danger because he's decided that he has the right to basically kill others for his own benefit, whereas the Prime Directive is intended to allow nature to take its course and let primitive cultures rise or fall on their own merits. As a major function of the Prime Directive is to prevent colonialism, Alkar deliberately choosing to exploit victims knowing full well it harms them is exactly what the Prime Directive was meant to stop.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: Troi has a counselling session with an Ensign Janeway. ^note It's never been established if Ensign Janeway was a relative of Captain Janeway.

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