4.23 The Host

Rating: 3

Beverly Crusher’s new love interest, Ambassador Odan, hides a secret inside. He is a Trill, and within his shell of a body lives a symbiant organism. When the symbiant’s body is damaged in a shuttle crash while en route to lead negotiations between two worlds about to go to war, Riker volunteers to become the host.

Comments

This episode is the first appearance of the Trill race. Later, on DS9, a trill (Jadzia Dax) would become a regular member of the crew.

Riker makes believe that he becomes a host to stop war from erupting, but we all know he saw it as his best opportunity to get it on with Beverly. J

Nits

When Beverly emerges from the turbolift at the beginning of the episode, her lipstick appears to have been touched up after her liplock earlier.

I was appalled that Odan had to tell – indeed, insist – to Beverly that she remove him from Riker’s body, rather than kill Riker. Isn’t this a decision that Beverly (a doctor) should have made first?

Memorable Moments

•    Riker and Crusher’s daytime soap opera staring moment in ten forward (memorable but in a bad way)

•    When the female Odan kisses Crusher’s wrist, Beverly kind of looks at her as she leaves, looks at her wrist, looks at her…as if considering, "Hmmm, maybe I should be bi."

Quotable Quotes

"Put a cold cloth on your…forehead, ambassador. I’ll do my best to be with you shortly."
- Crusher’s innuendo to Odan

Data: I hope Dr Crusher was able to help you with your headache.
Odan: Thank you. She was.

Troi: Beverly, you’re in love!
Crusher: Sometimes I wish you weren’t so…empathic.

Crusher: What is that?
Odan: Beverly, that…is me. This body is just a host. I am that parasite. That…is what must survive.

Picard: The risk is too great, Will.
Riker: Weigh it against the prospect of war.
(Riker, volunteering to be a host body)

Riker/Odan: Beverly, I want you. If you’re going to leave, you’d better go right now.
Crusher: I’m not leaving.