Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Conspiracy (1988) User Reviews

Great stuff

[ahifi · 9/10 · 26 November 2009]

After reading HNSampat-2's review, I had to respond. Sampat writes that the episode should be disowned, but it's the 39th best rated TNG episode out of 176 on IMDb. It's the highest rated episode out of the first season. And if we consider the people who are taking the effort to rate each episode, it's obvious that it's the fans who think it deserves a 7.9.

So I put it to you Sampat - how is it not Star Trek? That's a load of rubbish. This show made Star Trek what it is today.

And this episode DOES relate to space. In fact, it's a prelude to what should have been a future space adventure episode relating to these beings. Instead they were replaced by the Borg.

The episode is very enjoyable. There's some dodgy direction in the fight scenes, but outside of that it's a joy to see the actors begin to gel with their characters. I could always remember this episode from when I was younger due to the beeping of the beacon sent out - chilling stuff.

Also, watch out for horror specialist Michael Berryman (Pluto in The Hills Have Eyes) making a guest appearance. 9/10

Creepy!

[Mr-Fusion · 8/10 · 6 May 2016]

'Conspiracy' is a refreshingly well-done episode and certainly my favorite of the first season. Right out of the gate, it lays on the paranoia, with Jean-Luc alerted to a plot to take over Starfleet from the inside and it never lets up. Those brain parasites, it's like he writers took the Ceti eel bit from "The Wrath of Khan" and spun it into a conspiracy flick (and threw in some xenomorph action from "Alien" for good measure.

It's deadly serious, though not so much that we can't enjoy seeing an old guy beating the crap out of Riker (and Worf even more quickly). And it shows that Captain Picard will risk his career for a friendship. The plot's twisty, the tone sinister and the ending is surprisingly dark. Great stuff.

8/10

Conspiracy

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 30 May 2012]

"We seek peaceful co-existence."

Unsettling episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, right out of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (a movie that has a formula that just flat, simply works), with an ending I'm sure will not only make your skin crawl but perhaps cause goose pimples all up your body. It has an intensely alarming feel to it, this idea that thanks to an invasion from within, Starfleet and the Federation, at the very top, elite level, is being infiltrated by a race of lifeforms that resemble scorpions and attach to the base of the neck, commanding their host organisms (humans/humanoids) to do their bidding. I sensed that this episode, "Conspiracy", the next to the last episode of the first season, was built for future story lines but the race, from an uncharted galaxy's planet, discovered accidentally by Starfleet officers, is never addressed on the show again. This has some pretty shocking violence where a head explodes and a stomach burns away to reveal a "mother" creature that the creepy crawlies are defendant upon for survival; phasers are put to good use in this episode of The Next Gen. Creepy scenes include the creatures how enter/exit the mouths of host organisms (Starfleet Admirals) and an invaded Admiral (who warned Picard in the past about a "subversion within Starfleet") annihilating Riker, Geordi, and Worf with ease (the creatures have a way of strengthening the power of the human body). The return of Lt. Commander Dexter Remmick (Robert Schenkkan), most notable for his antagonizing treatment of the Enterprise crew during an evaluation of how the ship functions in "Coming of Age", is less of a factor, practically window dressing until his rather haunting fate at the end of this episode. Admiral Quinn (Ward Costello) was also last seen in "Coming of Age", this time completely under the control of one of the parasitic creatures, subdued only thanks to Crusher's phaser set at a high frequency. A trick involving Riker in order to move about the invaded Admirals is quite neat, but the results of stopping them are a bit too easy. The homing beacon conclusion left open a possible return of the parasites but this storyline was abandoned, a mistake, I believe...the use of the sound of the beacon as the show closes raised the hair on my neck, for sure. The debris depicting the destruction of the USS Horatio, commanded by Picard's old friend (Walker had sent Picard a high-priority code, Captain's only, that addressed the importance of them meeting in person to discuss a major development which threatens the fabric of the Federation), has quite a potency, certain to cause a viewing audience to gasp.

Interesting episode

[russem31 · 13 April 2006]

ST:TNG:25 - "Conspiracy" (Stardate: 41775.5) - the second to last episode to air for the first season of The Next Generation, this was a continuation of an episode a few episodes back called "Coming of Age" - both starred Ward Costello as Admiral Gregory Quinn and Robert Schenkkan as the hated Lt. Cmdr. Dexter Remmick as the "conspiracy" proposed in that episode is brought to full force here. The conspiracy turns out to be real and Picard decides to take the Enterprise back to Earth (the first time to see Earth in TNG) to confront the very heart of the matter. Won't give away the details but the "conspiracy" was meant to be a new threat to the Federation but didn't pan out (you don't see the conspirators in future episodes of TNG, DS9, VOY or ENT). And this is probably one of the gorier of Star Trek episodes. See it to believe it.

Even though it's not exactly original, it is the best episode of season one.

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 11 November 2014]

The plot for "Conspiracy" is pretty much taken from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", so it's hardly original. However, it's such a HUGE departure from the usually overly cerebral episodes of season one that it's a welcome breath of fresh air!

A few episodes back, an admiral and his henchman, a commander, were introduced ("Coming of Age") and at the time, why they were in the first episode seemed a bit unclear. Here, the final portion of that story is about to play out in "Conspiracy".

It seems that Starfleet has been behaving oddly and several other Federation captains have called Picard to a secret meeting to discuss this. They are not sure what is happening--but SOMETHING is afoot. They warn Picard to be on his guard. This paranoia seems well founded when shortly after the meeting adjourns, one of the captains' ships explodes! Obviously SOMETHING is happening. What? See the show.

This is good old senseless paranoia and violence--things that made the original "Star Trek" series so much fun. And this episode is indeed fun--something the series occasionally forgot to include and a welcome relief here. This is the one to see during the first season.

The genesis of the Borg?

[newsjunkie356-1 · 8/10 · 17 March 2009]

This has long been one of my favorite episodes.

And I've long wondered if this episode didn't have some influence on the Borg plot-lines. After all, both alien species' M.O. is basically the same: instead of political conquest, "conquer" the enemy at the individual level. To reverse a cliché, "If you can't beat 'em, make 'em join you." Of course, the very last episode of S1, foreshadows "Q Who?" et al, tho' we're given no information as to who destroys the Federation and Romulan bases and the thrust of that episode, of course, is the "return" of the Romulans after decades of isolation.

Back on point: Making "Conspiracy" a two-parter might have worked, but I'm not sure exactly how. More cloak-and-dagger? Battles between starships controlled by the alien creatures and the Enterprise-D? Discovering compromised members of the "Enterprise"'s crew (Wesley, perhaps? Been funny to have seen HIM throw Worf around like "ragdoll.") As it is, I'm sure that the "Mother Alien" creature and its death are probably the most expensive single effect shot in the whole seven year series.

I do agree that the preceding shot, where the, ah, "soldier" aliens are crawling up Remmick's legs is clumsy, certainly by later series standards. But we should always keep in mind that, as with The Original Series, NexGen was done on a relatively low budget--though larger than TOS which was had the lowest budget of any drama during its 1966-69 run.

Also, computer animation was in its infancy, Pixar's legendary short, "Luxo" had only been created around this time--and the cost was astronomical. it would be the late 90s before computer animation would be advanced enough to realistically replace entire ships, people, aliens, etc.

To comment on ewf58's commentary: I've never seen the "edited" version of this episode. I believe it was originally broadcast in "unedited" form, at least that's my memory. But it's been 22 years...

The "full" version is on the DVD (S1 D7). And every time I've seen it on syndication, it's been the unedited one.

And it is pretty gory. I'm surprised that Roddenberry would have gone that far over 20 yrs ago. Today, such things are seen all the time on TV. "Battlestar Galactica"'s had some pretty hard core moments. Think of Starbuck stabbing Leoben through the neck on New Caprica; or Caprica Six's murder of the baby in the mini...

(Lastly, guess the aliens were sexist, notice that they all refer to each other as "brother" and never "sister"...)

Not for kids!!

[gritfrombray-1 · 10/10 · 13 August 2009]

The Enterprise is en route to Pacifica, a world I would very much like to have seen! Picard is in his quarters resting and he receives a private transmission on code 47, Captain's eyes only. A first for the series, never to be used again. After communicating and then meeting with an old friend, Walker Keel and meeting several other Captains, all Starfleet's finest including Tryla Scott who made Captain faster than anyone else in Starfleet history, and never seen in a subsequent episode, an oversight. Picard beams back. Pacifica is put on hold, they leave orbit. Shortly later it is discovered Walker's ship has been destroyed. There is a conspiracy at work! Arriving at Earth, at Data's suggestion Admiral Quinn beams on board whilst Picard handles the planet side problem whilst the Enterprise are left to deal with 'Quinn' who is later discovered to be controlled by an organism. Riker beams to Earth and eventually destroys the mother creature with Picard which was within Dexter Remmick in an unnecessarily bloody scene. It is later discovered that Remmick sent a signal into space near the end. The episode was never followed up. Only complaint. I really enjoyed this as there had been some bad episodes in the first season...

The Best Season One Has to Offer

[Samuel-Shovel · 9/10 · 3 July 2019]

In "Conspiracy" Captain Picard is contacted by an old friend, Captain Walker Keel, who asks him to drop everything and meet him and a few other starship captains on an uninhabited planet for a discussion. Once there, he reveals his belief that there is something strange going on with Star Fleet's top brass. There have been a few accidental death, a reshuffling of assignments, once an entire starbase was evacuated for no reason. He thinks they're acting strangely and making zero sense. Picard is skeptical but remembers what Quinn told him previously. He leaves thinking things over but is convinced when Keel's ship is found mysteriously destroyed. He tasks Data with tracking Star Fleet's recent orders. Data confirms the irregularities so the Enterprise drops everything and heads to Earth to confront them.

Everyone there is under the control of some parasite that's imbedded in the necks of the higher up. All the old men have incredible strength. They're able to subdue Quinn and Riker goes undercover as a parasite carrier. They are able to ambush the Admirals and kill Remmick who has distinguished himself as the leader. Without the parasitic queen, the rest of the parasites die and everyone is back to normal.

This is the highlight of Season 1. It's a great call back to an earlier episode and really delivers a punch. The parasitic coup plot is great and we get a few fun action scenes (with hilariously obvious stunt doubles). The effects are super cool and some old school sci-fi, down to the shot of Remmick's head exploding. I also think it's a great episode for Riker stepping up to the challenge as Star Fleet captain and unafraid to risk his career for a belief he has.

Great 80s horror from Star Trek

[snoozejonc · 9/10 · 26 May 2021]

Captain Picard is contacted by three other Starfleet captains who give him some disturbing information.

This is an intriguing and gripping episode with number of memorable scenes and character moments.

The plot for me is reminiscent of the original series episode 'Operation Annihilate', only better as it presents the possibility of Starfleet's command structure being compromised by an alien organism.

What works well is that right from the moment Picard is woken from his slumber there is an established sense of dread that remains until the end credits. It all stems from some quite atmospheric early scenes that set the tone for the rest of the episode. For what feels like the first time in the series we are faced with a credible threat.

Several characters make a strong contribution to the plot. It centres around Picard who leads from the front, placing himself in peril in the line of duty. Riker, Data and Dr Crusher all support him well and display the strengths unique to their characters.

The visuals are a mixed bag in terms of quality, but they entertain nonetheless. The scenes on Dytallix B are well designed, filmed and set the tone well. The creature effects are easily identified as clay animation but if you keep in mind this is 80s sci-fi you should appreciate the effort gone into making them as cinematic as possible. At one point it feels like a horror movie due to the comparatively graphic nature of the models.

All performances are strong with Patrick Stewart carrying the story superbly well. Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden are all solid. Ward Costello and Robert Schenkkan return with memorable performances.

The only real problem with this episode is that the story is never followed up at any point later in the show. However, judged on its merit it is for me the strongest of the first season.

For me it is an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.

Do All Old Starfleet Guys Look the Same?

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 2 August 2014]

This carries on the conspiracy theme where suspicions arise about a coup taking place behind the scenes. A friend arrives on the Enterprise and Jean-Luc comes to realize that he is not acting as he should. The good captain finds himself meeting with what may or may not be friends of the federation. They are a surly lot and see destruction ahead. On board a series of events take place, finally sending Riker into a state of shock. He becomes catatonic. Captain Savar fights with Worf and nearly dismantles him. He has powers beyond human capability and enjoys his superior strength to no end. Meanwhile, Picard beams to the meeting room for a discussion of the future of Star Fleet. From there, things get really dicey as we realize that there are things at work here that are alien in nature. It seems the deck is badly stacked and subterfuge is going to be necessary. There are wonderful twists and turns, analytical subtleties, and excellent premises to tie together. For some reason, there are those who are incredibly disappointed in this effort, that somehow there are a set of rules that episodes are supposed to follow. I have seen this episode several times and still enjoy it.

Star Fleet pod people

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 4 February 2019]

This TNG story reminds me so much of the fabled classic The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. As it turns out some real important Star Fleet personnel are having said bodies snatched.

Patrick Stewart and the Enterprise are summoned by the captain of the Horatio about a vital matter which is a plot to internally subvert the Federation. Then the Horatio is destroyed with an explosion. Which sends the Enterprise back to earth to investigate.

There is indeed a plot and all I can say is you have to see who's doing the plotting.

A version of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers.

Undoubtedly the best episode from season one

[M_Exchange · 9/10 · 18 December 2016]

It's undoubtedly the best episode from season one and possibly the best episode of Next Generation. From the jump, it had the perfect amount of tension and believability and a great story. The only season one episodes that compare to its quality are "Datalore" and "Heart of Glory." The Federation's rules and benevolent nature are under assault by a mysterious force that might have originated from within the core leadership of its organization. Only a handful of its trustworthy senior officers seem to be aware of the problem, which is alarming in itself.

This episode's only flaws: its special effects are very dated and almost laughable by today's standards, and it relies on Jonathon Frakes's acting (groan) a bit too much.

A Unique Story But With Messy Telling

[watchbotmc · 7/10 · 30 September 2021]

The overall story of Conspiracy is quite interesting, and certainly unique, at least to The Next Generation. We are left in the dark for precisely the right moments, and only in the end do we really understand what has been going on this entire episode, which in my eyes in quintessentially trek storytelling.

The special effects and practical effects, while only seen in greater detail in the latter half of the episode, are a bit rudimentary compared to todays standards, however considering that this was created in the late 80's, and for a television show no less, it meets expectations. Even incorporating tricky stop-motion to capture certain movements which would not be easy to do otherwise.

Where this episode is lacking however is in the way it is told. The story is great, but the whole episode feels like it's trying to fill the time with long drawn out scenes, and whole minutes of the episode feel like they should've been left on the cutting room floor, and instead been filled with more interesting exposition or a more dramatic rising action.

All in all the episode is one of the better ones from season 1, and definitely is worth a watch, although as many reviewers pointed out, it does contain some light gore elements, so very young children should probably sit this one out.

Bad Star Trek

[cfefnir · 5/10 · 9 May 2020]

This episode starts very high, with a suspense inducing plot about a conspiracy so secretly stablished, only some very loyal and skilled captains, including a Picard's personal old friend know about it. This is something huge, very menacing and unusual.

Then slowly transforms into a mindless B-class horror movie with everything and mind controlling parasites protruding of the neck, worm-eating, people being melted and an intelligent newly discovered life form being phased to oblivion. All of this, not only breaking all the things that make Star Trek, but also wasting what could have been a wonderful plot.

I don't know why it's rated as the best in the season

Wish that there had been a sequel

[garrard · 15 April 2006]

"Conspiracy" ranks as one of the most disgusting installments in episode television history. The story line involves an infiltration of Star Fleet by "intelligences" bent on the destruction of the Federation. A longtime friend of Beverly Crusher visits the Enterprise and brings with him a sinister secret, revealed in a stunning confrontation with Worf.

As the conspiracy widens, Capt. Picard and Ryker return to Earth and come face-to-face with the "mother" of the conspiracy, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic and jaw-dropping scenes in Trek history.

'It's too bad that the producers didn't decide to continue with a follow-up episode that would tie up some of the loose ends from this memorable show.

In paranoid Delusions "For Those Who Believe"

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 28 July 2012]

This episode starts out as usual-The Enterprise is en-route to "Pacifica"-Some kind of Pleasure Planet, Troi loosely describes it. Maybe it was one of Gideon Sietek's terraformed worlds (See Deep Space Nine, S2, "Second Skin").

But this pleasurable interlude is interrupted by a Code 47 transmission from one of Picard's old Friends, Walker Keel (Jonathan Farwell) who has them divert instead to the "Worthless Chunk of Rock" Mining Planet Ditalyx B-Where Picard has a tryst with Walker Keel, Tryla Scott (Ursaline Bryant) and the first Bolean we ever see, Captain Ryxx (The Hills Have Eyes' Michael Berryman).

Walker has no proof, but he thinks there is a conspiracy in Starfleet Command. But Picard is not going to commit himself yet, although he does agree to keep his eyes open and his back watched.

So, The Enterprise D continues on towards Pacifica... Until Worf scans a disturbance in the next sector over, which was of course Keel's ship "The Horatio" being blown into tiny chunks.

That being too much of a coincidence, Picard lets Riker and the rest of the Bridge Crew in on it, and they all agree to go to Earth. Upon Arrival Starfleet Command immediately contacts them, and one of the Admirals is Picards friend Admiral Quinn (Ward Costello) who had a similar concern about a Conspiracy in an earlier episode. With him is Commander Remick (Robert Schenkkan) who was with Quinn, the Enterprise Crew does not have fond memories of Remick.

Quinn asks Picard to be beamed up, but when he gets to the ship, Picard sees right away it's not Quinn: So Picard leaves Riker on the ship and beams down into who knows what.

The other two Admirals tell Picard that Keel's Ship imploded. At this time, they ask Picard what he knows about Conspiracies: The Vulcan Admiral plays their existence down, saying "Conspiracies Only Exist in Paranoid Delusions: 'For Those Who Believe'"- I had originally thought , is this was a jab at the X-Files, but the X-Files were not even being made at the time. Maybe this episode of Trek gave Chris Carter the idea.

On the Ship, Quinn tries to Assimilate (He used that word after he had gotten beamed up) Riker with an Alien Parasite. Quinn, an older man, beats the crap out of Riker, Geordi and Worf, only to be stopped by Crusher with a Phaser on "Kill"- And when they get Quinn to sickbay, they see the parasite on his brain-stem.

As Crusher is looking in on Quinn, Riker's hand grabs Crusher: We don't know at that point if Riker had been Assimilated. But at Starfleet, Picard goes to Dinner with the Admirals, who are eating some kind of Mealworms. In walks Tryla Scott, and then we know that the Admirals knew Picard's intentions. Picard tries to leave but it stopped by Riker, who seems to have been taken over.

But it was a ruse by Riker to get his phaser down to Star Fleet headquarters, he blasts the admirals, and the Parasites leave their bodies... They chase one of the little buggers into a room, and Remick is sending a Signal somewhere. The Parasite runs right into Remick's mouth and he swallows it!

In nearly perfect parody of Picard, Remick, while his NECK bulges in and out, says "We mean you no Harm-We wish a Peaceful Coexistence"-At that moment WE KNOW, they intend the exact opposite of what Remick has said. So Riker and Picard vaporize the guy and the Alien Queen which rises up out of his headless body.

This story was to be linked to The Borg threat, but that idea was dropped due to cost. I think of it as simply a loose End, which will come up to bite Trek on the Arse in some future series which deals with events after the 24th century: Too bad it was never continued, maybe in some way it will be: Comic Book, Novel, or New Series.

As it was, this episode refers to Alien, The Puppet Masters, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Invasion, and even the Deep Space Nine S1 episode "The Passenger" - It is a subject that has been treated by many Hugo-Award winning Science Fiction writers like Heinlein, Pohl and Silverberg.

I'm making this review NOW because I have just watched the Blu-Ray version of this episode, and the visuals are done so well, especially when the Queen rises up from Remick's remains. VERY WELL DONE. I watched this episode in HORROR when it was on Television. It made me jump, a very fine episode.

An interesting Idea

[jtventola · 9/10 · 11 April 2021]

The writers introduce an intriguing plot with a ending that leaves much room for interpretation. Had this been season 3 on or a DS9 episode they surely would have had a follow up episode. The idea that an alien race could infiltrate star fleet this degree, could they do the same to the Klingons, the romulans? I wish there was a part 2 to this episode. 9/10 one of the better season 1 episodes.

The Hidden Parasites

[Johnny_West · 10/10 · 9 March 2023]

There was a great Sci-Fi horror movie back in the 1987 called The Hidden (and Hidden II), about a parasite that takes over humans and makes them stronger. This episode is almost a sequel to those two movies about aliens that wanted to invade earth.

Of course, there are the great classics like The Thing from Another World (1951), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), and The Puppet Masters (1994, with Donald Sutherland, who was also in the 1978 remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers).

Unlike a lot of the ST:NG episodes that were all about the high-minded Federation and its Prime Directive, this one is just straight up classic Sci-Fi horror. Nasty parasitic bugs are getting into the top leadership of the Federation, and their goal is to control all of the starship commanders and all of the Federation admirals.

They seek to become the Bug-Lords of the universe, and they are getting access to Federation leaders thanks to Dexter Remick, the nasty guy that was trying to get Picard court-martialed back in episode 18 (Coming of Age). Apparently his creepy persona was also spreading around space parasites. Picard dodged a bullet the first time, but Remmick and his crew of parasite-infected admirals is out to get him now.

Thanks to Worf, Riker, Geordi, Dr. Crusher, the good guys eventually figure out what's going on. The parasites at the end of this episode look like a bag of Party City scary critters was being pulled by strings. That was a bit disappointing, but the master slug parasite inside Remmick was pretty gross.

Overall, this is a fun episode that I enjoy watching many times, unlike some of the episodes about Federation dogma and philosophical questions regarding the Prime Directive that gets violated more often than all the Kardashians at an NBA basketball camp.

Very Creative.

[PromiserOfDeath2 · 10/10 · 2 August 2020]

First i liked the Conspiracy part where 4 Captains meet on a so called Neutral World which was Clever. I liked how the Conspiracy thickened as Picard's fellow Captains acted extremely cautious around Picard to the point of killing him if they had to until the questions were asked by his long-time friend and possibly a Blood Brother. I have to remember that CGI was still was newish in 1988 and that I was born the following year. I also liked that they created an Alternate Timeline when Dr. Crusher contacts Picard to let him know if the room was clear and they could talk privately and she spills her guts without taking more precautions. She could have been talking to someone else and not Picard. In that Alt Time-line the Enterprise is Destroyed. I liked how they tested Picard's Loyalty at Supper. "Yummy, yummy, yummy, i got worms in my tummy" They made the Phaser as realistic as possible for the very highest setting(Level 16) on the Phaser which can vaporize a rock, very brutal if used on Organic flesh. Poor guy.

One word: FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!

[kagyman · 10/10 · 17 May 2020]

I want to complain that this could have been a long drawn out plot over several episodes. But lets be real, its the first season of a remake of a show that failed. These guys were up against costs and no one knew that this the show might actually succeed and not only be great, but also help launch so many other great Star Trek iterations. Its so perfectly Star Trek that they slammed amd crammed all of it into 45 min.

Love that they used a guy we already hated for the mother bug. LOVE Pichard ducks a phaser and then makes a face of disgust at the alien. Jean Luc Pichard might be an idealistic explorer who values life--but hes got a little bug stompin Kirk deep down. Only critique--Worf went down like a punk. He HAD to know that the old man got the jump on Riker! And Will aint no push over. Get your head in the game, Worf!

Great episode! Too bad it was never expanded upon

[rcyoung-02426 · 8/10 · 29 April 2023]

Star Trek meets The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers!

Picard is covertly summoned to a secret location by an old friend who has some concerns about what is going on at Starfleet, so he scraps the Enterprise's visit to a paradise planet for R and R. In favor of investigating this issue. As it turns out nothing is as it seems.

It's a little hard to assess this episode within the pantheon of this very inconsistent first season of The Next Generation. On one hand, the tone of the episode really doesn't fit in with the others, and the lack of payoff from this episode in later seasons, makes me categorize this into one of The Next Generations weird experiments.

On the other hand, when you consider it as a standalone, it is perhaps the best episode of the 1st season. While not the best written, it is one of the very few times that this show managed to truly creep me out, which is no easy feat if you know me.

In many ways, I wish this were the finale of the first season, because if this was a thread that they were thinking about pursuing, I would have liked to see what they would have done with it. Unfortunately, this plot was never revisited. But as a standalone, I liked this episode quite a bit.

The trill's evil cousins.

[thevacinstaller · 6/10 · 6 March 2021]

We get a nice diversion into horror/thriller territory with this episode. Trek's secret sauce is it's versatility in what type of stories it can tell.

For season one this is a good episode but I wouldn't call it a great one. I can't help but be a bit of a backseat driver and ponder why they would not have had one of the bridge crew become a host for this alien creature? That is fertile ground for drama.

This episode is successful in creating a uneasy feeling throughout the narrative dump portion early on. This is the first time we see Starfleet itself becoming compromised and it was scary when I was 9 years old in 1989.

Picard has a great line in this one, "Friendship must dare to risk otherwise it is not friendship..." and Worf's protest of shore leave with "Swimming is too much like bathing..."

It's clear the alien creature was meant to continuing in later seasons but clearly got side lined for the Borg. I think they made the right call. With re-working this alien parasite creature could be an interesting ---- perhaps it has all the memories and is more adept at maintaining it's hosts identity? I cannot see this creature holding my interest like the borg based on what we have to work with here.

High marks for Riker for using his brain and infiltrating the dinner and Beverly Crusher for being smart enough to carry a phaser after a SOS message from Riker.

This is one of those episodes that loses it's impact power once you have watched it and know the mystery of the episode and that makes this an average episode for me.

My favorite so far

[zombiemockingbird · 8/10 · 26 March 2023]

This definitely had the feel of TOS. This was the first time in this series that I laughed. The story was amusing and fun. Most of the TNG episodes take themselves way too seriously. Other reviewers are complaining about it being too graphic and horror movie like which I also find laughable. Meal worms are no big deal; no, I wouldn't really want to eat one, but they're not the stuff horror movies are made of. I thought the little body invading creatures were cute. As for Remmick's exploding head and melting body, I've seen worse stuff watching Sponge Bob, and it lasted a whole minute or so? From the reviews I was expecting long involved scenes of graphic horror. I enjoyed this episode, and it was great seeing Henry Darrow; haven't seen him since High Chapparral.

Great episode but..

[jimmyb-03299 · 6/10 · 4 March 2022]

So when picard meets up secretly with 3 other captains he says captain Scott made captain faster than anyone in starfleet history. When the newer trek movies are released (granted they didnt know about these movie plots in the late 80's' the Chris Pine movie has him basically going from cadiate,to first officer, to captain by the end of the first movie. Also picard menttions that they are "starfleets finest".. well why are 2 of them commanding freighters?? Some major plot holes here.. Pure Gene is rolling in his grave..

worst episode of the season

[nagyistvanandor · 3/10 · 6 November 2021]

I remember I seen this as a kid and was traumatized by it. A show which is famous for imagining a better future for humanity. A show that suppose to be safe fun for the entire family should never sink to the level of a b category horror film. I don't mind the plot, and ideas as much as the execution and graphic nature and grossness of the hole deal. From the moment they started eating worms, and the tail wiggled from the neck it went down heal. The "lets just kill it" mentality came out of the blue. There where creatures who stole children and everybody staid diplomatic. This thing wanted to communicate, sure it did bad things, but no body even tried to reason with it. Just "kill it!" And the gross, graphic nature the melt of the skin, and blow open the chest is just not star trek. Even Alien did not do such graphic garbage till Alien 4 and by than the best days of the franchise was behind it.

There where no moral dilemma, no thought provoking argument. Its a shame how many praise this episode, its not experimental, its cheap. And if You claim to be a family program maybe stay true to that.