Lal (Vian)

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference

For the android of the same name, please see Lal.

Lal was a Vian scientist who, along with another Vian named Thann, conducted a bizarre experiment to determine if a planet in the Minara system that was threatened with destruction from a supernova should be saved. They would base their decision on whether the inhabitants of the planet, who were empaths, would show compassion and self-sacrifice toward other beings. The experiment involved one of the planet's inhabitants named Gem and members of the crew of the USS Enterprise. After Captain James T. Kirk and Doctor Leonard McCoy are tortured by the Vians, Gem saves then both, and her world is deemed worthy of saving. (TOS: "The Empath")

Lal was played by Alan Bergmann.