5.14 Conundrum

Rating: 3

The Enterprise encounters a small, seemingly harmless and unarmed ship that emits an energy wave that pentrates the shields. Moments later, everyone is still there (including a new bridge officer), but they no longer know who they are and why they are there. Even Data’s memory banks have been wiped clean. Yet all personnel still possess the skills to perform their jobs. After the computer is partially restored, the chain of command is put back into place and their new mission is revealed: to destroy an alien base. Unwittingly, they have become involved in fighting another alien’s war.

Comments

An intriguing mystery, and it’s equally as intriguing wondering how/if the crew is going to realize something is amiss.

Nits

Troi can beat Data at chess? I don’t think so, although it is conceivably possible that Data, remembering his early sexual encounter with Yar, throws the game as his way of making a pass at Troi. ;)

Not really a nit, but only the Enterprise crew could come to with no memory of who they are and why they are on a Starship, and still remain calm and in character.

After having their memories wiped, someone suggests that the first priority should be choosing a leader. Picard disagrees, saying that choosing a leader is not all that important. Not only is this not true, since there is a good chance that someone will have to make the big decisions, but it doesn’t sound like the comment of a man who is a career Starfleet officer and obviously agrees with – and revels in – the chain of command.

Since the Satarran’s mind-blanking weapon worked so effectively through the advanced shields of the Enterprise, why didn’t they just use it against the Lysians? Picard and Riker did discuss this issue, but I didn’t understand their explanation.

After the memory wipe, Picard attempts to give voice commands to the computer with no response. Riker says there is no voice interface. Geordi adds, "No interface – period!" He then continues to press buttons on his working computer screen and brings up some information. Aren’t these buttons an interface?

Here’s a big nit from Phil Farrand: After the memory wipe, MacDuff (a Satarran) appears in human form and forges the computer records so he is the first officer. Later, he runs into resistance from Picard. So why didn’t MacDuff simply place himself in the computer records as captain?

Memorable Moments

•    Riker, walking into ten-forward to face Ro Laren and Troi sitting together at the same table.

Quotable Quotes

Riker: You remember me?
Troi: Not exactly. But – there’s something about you…
(maybe it’s his hair gel? J)

Riker: What if I snore when I sleep?
Ro: What makes you think you’re going to get any sleep?