As Sci-Fi viewers, we readily accept that a "virus" can completely reprogram our DNA such that we become an alien species in a few hours and that it can be quickly reversed, but, writers, please make the story as logical and plausible as possible.
This story doesn't make much sense. The end of the show claims that this is how the aliens reproduce. To do that they must attract other species to their planet but the first disappearances weren't from an away team, it was an outpost. No mention of why the outpost was there but clearly there were not a lot of people coming and going to the outpost, or the planet, otherwise there would have been far more disappearances. Surely there were staffing changes in the 5 years that it takes for the people on the outpost to start transforming. Would have made far more sense for a survey team to disappear. Then the team that tries to find them start disappearing. No reason for them to be all at once.
A reproduction cycle that has a 5 year dormancy period doesn't make any sense. They needed this delay so that Geordie could disappear, but why do we need a current member of the crew to disappear? How about introducing an old friend of Picard's who was responsible for the outpost and on the investigation team. Then they can talk about how tragic it was and we can see Picard concerned for his old friend. Wouldn't that create more depth to the episode? It would be even more compelling when he tells Picard about feeling this inexplicable drive to go back down to the planet and Picard tries to talk him down but can't. But then need to dream up a way for him to outwit Picard and beam to the surface.
The infected people only get that strong desire to leave when they start transforming and they transform quite quickly. Geordie is still able to operate the transporter after transformation, so he retains knowledge but starts to lose it very quickly. The other victims had to get there in slow shuttles from who knows where, at least days away, so they need to retain knowledge much longer. Far better to have consistency.
It would have made more sense if the desire drove them to the planet but they only had minor transformations until arrival at the planet, which would require something to kick it off the remaining transformation, such as a food that they feel compelled to eat, a chemical in the air, or a special radiation.
Why have the scene with the Enterprise helpless to stop a shuttle exploding as it hits the atmosphere of the planet? Very unusual. Typically, ships burn for a while as the atmosphere gets thicker and thicker while the crew tries to escape. This scene almost portrayed the ionosphere as a wall. Wouldn't it be more interesting for them to track where the shuttle lands and then beam down to find evidence of some sort of settlement, or a creatures living in an area, but unable to see or detect the creatures. If they returned to the outpost then there would be evidence of creatures living there.
The mode of infection is never explained but the away teams beam down twice without any protective gear, so it would be safe to assume that they caught it too and should be scanned once the doctor knew what she was looking for.
If the doctor could do scans to detect smaller things, why didn't she do that earlier as part of the investigation when she knows that there's clearly some infection agent that is controlling people to return home?
Why is Geordie working alone? Wouldn't a scene of him evading his chaperone and leaving be more interesting than him disappearing? (Especially after the computer was told to monitor him and announce if he disappears, but doesn't, possibly because Geordie can override it, which is why he need a physical chaperone. Plus, the lady collapsed very quickly and Geordie could too.
Once the doctor found the problem, why didn't she immediately summon Geordie to sick bay so that he can be monitored while she treats the lady? (obviously to allow him to escape with a boring disappearance.)
On the surface, why are the aliens (or changed crew members) depicted as silent scared animals? They can't be brave enough to confront the crew but they don't need to be portrayed as so weak.
How does Leitgen's partial transformation give her the understanding that this is their method of reproduction? That came out of the blue. Same with the doctor knowing that they're not communicable, how much more time they have to reverse the transformation and that the prior crew is unrestorable. A number of statements come out of thin air.
Picard's decision to post a beacon warning visitors goes against the Prime Directive! This species will no longer be able to reproduce and will die out. That's genocide.
Why does Leitgen believe that only she can reach Geordie? She's almost completely returned to being human. It would have made more sense if she only had a partial recovery so that Geordie, who is initially scared of the away team (despite that he knows them well), would see that her skin was the same as his new skin and therefore not be scared, would not run away and that would give her time to talk. Could even have her tell the away team to hide, that she must approach him alone. (then she needs the light)
As others said, I thought it strange that Geordie's implants disappeared. That would have been the best way for the crew to clearly identify him.
Once again, a Star Trek crew of exploration finds an incredible new species and doesn't even mention wanting to learn more about them.
Like with many episodes, this could have been written with much more interesting content that is coherent.
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