 Powers and Baron pitched a story based on a reptilian race following a code of honor similar to the bushido code of the Samurai . This was developed into the final story , which was described as having a " 1940s tribal Africa " theme by staff writer Tracy Tormé . The episode wasn 't well received amongst the cast and crew , but Maurice Hurley thought that the basic premise held promise . The episode was received negatively by reviewers after the series ending , including being described by one as " quite possibly the worst piece of Star Trek ever made " . 
