Plot Synopsis: Wesley Crusher visits the Enterprise only to see everyone behaving strangely on account of an addictive, mind-controlling game.
Plot A and B Analysis: The teaser consists mostly of Riker being a horn dog in a way we haven’t seen for a couple of seasons. His girl lets him try a game, which practically gets him off. Plot A is about the game and Wesley, there is no plot B. Things plod along: the Enterprise mapping the Phoenix Cluster (who cares), ensign Leffler is back and has more lines, Deanna Troi has a sexual experience with chocolate, while Riker is trying to get everyone he meets to play his game. Wesley arrives and his presence is the highlight of the episode. It’s good to see him again, then things go sideways when Beverly deactivates Data. Oh no! Wes and his new girlfriend find out the game is addictive but it’s too late, and the episode culminates in a chase through the ship before one of the lamest endings ever.
Favorite Scenes: Most of the good scenes in this episode involve Wesley interacting with the crew members: the surprise party, walking in the corridor with Data, having tea with Picard, etc. Not much else.
Use of Cast/Characters: None of the regular cast members have much of anything to do. Picard, Riker, Data, Geordi, Troi and Beverly are mostly placeholders. Troi does get some character development with chocolate and there are a few references to past episodes (notably Boothby, who we’ll meet later this season), but not much else. Wil Wheaton returns as Wes and–for me at least–it was a joy to see him again. We learn he’s capable of practical jokes, and get to catch up a bit about his time at the Academy. Ashley Judd returns for her second and final appearance in this episode and she’s ok, injecting some personality into her character.
Blu Ray Version: The resolution is good enough that you can see the sideways goat-pupils of Etana the Ktarian. The graphics for the game could have been updated, but they chose not to in order to remain faithful to the original episode. I’m fine with that. The staff couldn’t locate some original footage from the original flybys of the Enterprise, so they replaced it with new footage of a CG model. This has happened on a semi-regular basis.
Nitpicks: So, how does the game work with Geordi? Can’t imagine his VISOR wouldn’t filter out the mind-control stuff (especially given he was so recently mind-controlled), and otherwise the dude is blind! Also, I have always found it hard to believe that Picard would be playing it, I don’t care who was encouraging him. Wes says he wants to know more about a video game before trying it? If a guy brings over a video game and you can play right there, then you play it!
Overall Impression: I have two different impressions of this episode. The tone of much of this episode is that of a beloved son returning home, which I like. I was always a fan of Wes. One thing I will say for this episode, it is outright prescient; video game addiction is a thing now, not so much in 1991. The actual plot of the episode is what’s hard to swallow, with the audience being force-fed a lukewarm storyline. The ending is arguably the worst of all: Data saves everyone with a strobe light? Even as a 16-yr old I found that to be lame. I rate this episode 2 out of 5 stars.
Behind the Scenes/Trivia: Wil Wheaton has said that Ashley Judd being on the show was made into a big deal because she was a sister to The Judds. He proudly reports that he was her first on-screen kiss: “I spoiled her for everybody else…it’s true.” You may have heard that Ashley Judd has denied being on TNG. This is actually not true if you watch the interviews. For those who can’t get enough of Lefler, she’s a regular on the Star Trek: New Frontier series of novels. Marina Sirtis tells the story of her and the chocolate. She says she could never eat as much chocolate as Troi eats and still fit in her ‘space suit.’ “I only like dark chocolate. I told the props guy to get me milk chocolate. I would put it in my mouth, and at the end of the scene–this is so glamorous–I had a bucket, and I would spit it out.”
Riker’s suite on Risa is exactly the same as Picard’s on Captain’s Holiday. This is the second time we see a cadet uniform, the first being back in Allegiance. The Ktarian ship may look familiar, it was the Zalkonian ship back in Transfigurations, and the Tarellian ship from way back in Haven. For those interested in what Picard and Wes say to each other: “How’s your Latin?” “It’s better than before.” “Very Good.” Evidently in the scene where Data falls on the bio-bed, Brent fell so hard he cut open his chin and had to go to the ER. Right after he got back the director made him do it again!
Missable/Unmissable? Missable, though if you’re a Wesley fan there is so much sentiment here you’ll probably enjoy it, despite the weak plot. I certainly do. The next episode is a step up.