5.06 The Game

Rating: 3

Riker returns from a pleasure trip to Raisa with a game, a device that hooks over the ears and presents an interactive movie that provides pleasure when the game is played correctly. Unknown to him, it is also brainwashing the user into performing other functions. Riker spreads it throughout the crew, until only the visiting Wesley Crusher and his new good friend Robin Lefler are aware of the conspiracy.

Comments

Wesley returns to once again save the Enterprise. It must be said that it is believable that he would be the last to try the device.

It is unfortunate that Lefler is initially portrayed as very clever, yet as the episode goes on, it is Wesley who makes all the important decisions, who discovers all the clues and plans the strategies, while Lefler eventually caves.

That’s Ashley Judd returning as Lefler. And it’s worth mentioning that Nurse Ogawa (Patty Yatsutake) does a great approximation of an orgasm when she is playing the game in the turbolift.

Nits

Crusher contacts Data via communicator and asks him to come to sick bay. LaForge is there with Data. Crusher then knocks Data out and purposefully severs links to his positronic brain. In the next scene, LaForge and others are looking at Data in sick bay and Crusher says that Data came in complaining of a malfunctioning servo. Why doesn’t LaForge get suspicious about this? Data said nothing to LaForge about any problem he was having.

Memorable Moments

•    Picard’s subtle acting. He just varies his character ever so slightly to portray someone who is in on the conspiracy but can hide it.

Quotable Quotes

"Would you like me to leave you two alone?"
- Riker to Troi and her chocolate sundae