Granting that this is (at least in theory) a family show, and a space opera, this is a rather good examination on the issue of rape. Others might find the tackling of this issue objectionable for their own reasons, but I personally found it very well done. Even the flashback sequences are designed to keep the episode within a PG rating, dream like and psychological, not Hitchcock. Also, having both male and female victims brings in awareness that anyone could be a victim of assault.
22 Reviews
A disturbing episode that won't be suitable for all viewers
Tweekums1 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The Enterprise is transporting a group of three Ullians; a species of telepaths who use their abilities to investigate old memories as historical research. They demonstrate this by helping Keiko recall a cherished childhood memory that she had forgotten. Other crew members are less keen to come forward to be probed. Later that evening, as she is getting ready for bed, Troi suddenly has a vision of Riker, at first it is romantic and enjoyable but then he starts forcing himself on her; we then see him as Jev, one of the Ullians. Troi is found in a coma. Dr Crusher can't find and reason for her condition; the only medical reason she can think of has other symptoms that Troi isn't showing. The possibility of Ullian involvement is considered but there is no concrete evidence and they explain that while it is possible to enter somebody's thoughts uninvited it is such a serious crime that it hasn't been recorded in centuries. The next night Riker has a similar experience; this time reliving an event where a crew member died due to his orders. He too ends up in a coma. As the investigation continues it becomes apparent that there were similar events on planets previously visited by the Ullians. By now Troi has awakened but has no memories of the events; she consents to a telepathic probe from Jev's father but as she relives the memory she sees the father not the son attacking her.
This is possibly the most disturbing episode of any Star Trek series; we have seen plenty of characters die and the crew put in countless dangerous situations but here a crew member is effectively raped. Not only that; because it is telepathic rather than physical she pictures somebody she cares about doing it even though he is entirely innocent. One has to wonder why there are no Federation laws against unauthorised mental probing let alone mental assault given that telepathic species aren't unknown; we are told that the Ullians have severe punishments for the offence but we aren't told what will actually happen to the offender. The story itself is gripping even though there is little doubt about who the attacker was; in fact it was so obvious I initially thought it must be misdirection! The acting was good throughout; Marina Sirtis, in particular, did a fine job looking genuinely disturbed as 'Riker' attacks her. Overall this was a solid episode although the subject matter means it isn't really suitable for younger viewers which is a bit of a problem in a series like this which is usually good entertainment for all the family.
This is possibly the most disturbing episode of any Star Trek series; we have seen plenty of characters die and the crew put in countless dangerous situations but here a crew member is effectively raped. Not only that; because it is telepathic rather than physical she pictures somebody she cares about doing it even though he is entirely innocent. One has to wonder why there are no Federation laws against unauthorised mental probing let alone mental assault given that telepathic species aren't unknown; we are told that the Ullians have severe punishments for the offence but we aren't told what will actually happen to the offender. The story itself is gripping even though there is little doubt about who the attacker was; in fact it was so obvious I initially thought it must be misdirection! The acting was good throughout; Marina Sirtis, in particular, did a fine job looking genuinely disturbed as 'Riker' attacks her. Overall this was a solid episode although the subject matter means it isn't really suitable for younger viewers which is a bit of a problem in a series like this which is usually good entertainment for all the family.
Bad dream.
thevacinstaller5 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Continuing a trend of Season 5 ---- We have a dark and depressing episode.
I'm not one of those knuckleheads who think star trek is supposed to exclusively be McCoy and Nimoy playful insulting one another and Data learning how to paint and train his cat. I have no issues with dark elements played up in TNG. Take a peak at the cerebral 'Drumhead' episode for a little glimpse into the darker side of starfleet.
Rape is a horrendous experience to go through and I feel this episode did a respectful yet horrifying depiction of it. Jev does a good job of playing a dirty creep and there was a nice misdirection in the plot to attempt to throw us off.
They played a bit of lip service to continuing therapy to resolve the fallout of the mind rape. It seemed more like a 'pat on the back' and get back out there to me though. I haven't had any personal experience with it but I have friends who had and it messed them up big time for decades. The camera shots and design of the mind rape scenes was unsettling.
It's alright, but not a good episode for a first date that's for sure.
I'm not one of those knuckleheads who think star trek is supposed to exclusively be McCoy and Nimoy playful insulting one another and Data learning how to paint and train his cat. I have no issues with dark elements played up in TNG. Take a peak at the cerebral 'Drumhead' episode for a little glimpse into the darker side of starfleet.
Rape is a horrendous experience to go through and I feel this episode did a respectful yet horrifying depiction of it. Jev does a good job of playing a dirty creep and there was a nice misdirection in the plot to attempt to throw us off.
They played a bit of lip service to continuing therapy to resolve the fallout of the mind rape. It seemed more like a 'pat on the back' and get back out there to me though. I haven't had any personal experience with it but I have friends who had and it messed them up big time for decades. The camera shots and design of the mind rape scenes was unsettling.
It's alright, but not a good episode for a first date that's for sure.
A form of rape.
russem3126 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:112 - "Violations" (Stardate: 45429.3) - this is the 12th episode of the 5th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The Enterprise is transporting a delegation of Ullians, a race of telepathic historians, to Kaldra IV. Though the leader, Tarmin, offers to probe the crew's distant and long-forgotten memories to help them remember, most are reluctant to try.
However, Tarmin's son, Jev, violates Counselor Troi's mind and she lapses into a coma. Soon, when they start questioning the cause, Riker falls into a coma too.
Can Picard and crew figure out what's going on? An intriguing episode, in the true essence of Star Trek.
Trivia note: Doug Wert marks his return as Lt. Cmdr. Jack R. Crusher, Dr. Crusher's late husband (she recalls seeing his dead body which Picard - with hair! - showed her) - he was last seen in the fourth season episode "Family". Also Rosalind Chao stars again as Keiko O'Brien. And Troi's love for chocolate is again seen here - this time ordering a hot chocolate drink. She also recalls sharing a romantic meeting with Riker, her "Imzadi", but soon it turns into Jev calling her "Imzadi" forcing himself on her (this is like in Star Trek: Nemesis when she was violated again by The Reman Viceroy).
Furthermore, Rikeris by Troi's side when she is in a coma, recalling how she helped him when he was hurt (this was in the 2nd season closer "Shades Of Gray") and he wants to return the favor.
The Enterprise is transporting a delegation of Ullians, a race of telepathic historians, to Kaldra IV. Though the leader, Tarmin, offers to probe the crew's distant and long-forgotten memories to help them remember, most are reluctant to try.
However, Tarmin's son, Jev, violates Counselor Troi's mind and she lapses into a coma. Soon, when they start questioning the cause, Riker falls into a coma too.
Can Picard and crew figure out what's going on? An intriguing episode, in the true essence of Star Trek.
Trivia note: Doug Wert marks his return as Lt. Cmdr. Jack R. Crusher, Dr. Crusher's late husband (she recalls seeing his dead body which Picard - with hair! - showed her) - he was last seen in the fourth season episode "Family". Also Rosalind Chao stars again as Keiko O'Brien. And Troi's love for chocolate is again seen here - this time ordering a hot chocolate drink. She also recalls sharing a romantic meeting with Riker, her "Imzadi", but soon it turns into Jev calling her "Imzadi" forcing himself on her (this is like in Star Trek: Nemesis when she was violated again by The Reman Viceroy).
Furthermore, Rikeris by Troi's side when she is in a coma, recalling how she helped him when he was hurt (this was in the 2nd season closer "Shades Of Gray") and he wants to return the favor.
Bizarre Episode to Say the Least
Hitchcoc2 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This episode pushes some boundaries. Other than implied sexual encounters done with a wink, this subject is sort of left out of this series. The holodeck presents interesting possibilities but it makes one wonder if there are limits on the programming. Just like Mom checking your computer history. In this episode a trio of aliens comes to probe the minds of Enterprise crew members for historical purposes. A database is being put together by these figures. Keiko is led through a childhood memory, leading to some wonderful experiences. The youngest member of the trio, a leering guy, seems conflicted with his know-it-all father. Shortly after they've finished their session, he walks Troi back to her quarters. After he departs, she begins to experience what seems to be a rape, which culminates in her lapsing into a coma. She sees the face of Riker over her and that transforms into the son, Jev. These comas attack Riker and Crusher after Deanna, each experiencing a scene of intense violence where they seem to be at fault. The captain suspects that their guests have something to do with this, but he must also be diplomatic since there has been no "physical" presence, only in minds of the victims. Because I never understood the real calling of these people, when it ended I was left cold. A somewhat confusing episode.
Dangerous telepaths
bkoganbing21 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Enterprise in this TNG story is hosting some aliens who are telepaths and have taken to retrieving memories from those on other planets with the laudable
ambition of writing a sort of people's history of those worlds.
While on board however Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, and Will Ryker all fall into unexplained comas. The aliens who are called Ulians seem to be real likely candidates.
All I will say is that one of these Ulians is using the powers they have for some more base desires.
An interesting story and one of the better TNG episodes.
While on board however Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, and Will Ryker all fall into unexplained comas. The aliens who are called Ulians seem to be real likely candidates.
All I will say is that one of these Ulians is using the powers they have for some more base desires.
An interesting story and one of the better TNG episodes.
Malevolent and predictable
snoozejonc17 September 2021
Enterprise hosts a telepathic race who can read the memories of others.
This is a disturbing episode that has a strong psychological-horror concept, but is presented in a fairly unimaginative way.
The plot contains the solid and very sinister idea of mind rape, but the story tells it in quite mundane way (if that's possible). The trauma each character experiences is fairly compelling. Likewise is the mindset of the creep who perpetrates it, but when you know what's happening from the start and it ends exactly as you imagine, it pretty much fails as a mysterious narrative (if that was ever the intention).
Picard and Riker have some strong moments dealing with the problem along with Data and Geordie. All actors are on good form, especially Patrick Stewart, playing Picard as very careful in his response to an unproven attack on his crew members.
Counsellor Troi has the most difficult scenes to endure and Marina Sirtis performs well. Gates McFadden is also good.
Visually it works, particularly the memory invasion scenes that have the desired effect.
For me it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is a disturbing episode that has a strong psychological-horror concept, but is presented in a fairly unimaginative way.
The plot contains the solid and very sinister idea of mind rape, but the story tells it in quite mundane way (if that's possible). The trauma each character experiences is fairly compelling. Likewise is the mindset of the creep who perpetrates it, but when you know what's happening from the start and it ends exactly as you imagine, it pretty much fails as a mysterious narrative (if that was ever the intention).
Picard and Riker have some strong moments dealing with the problem along with Data and Geordie. All actors are on good form, especially Patrick Stewart, playing Picard as very careful in his response to an unproven attack on his crew members.
Counsellor Troi has the most difficult scenes to endure and Marina Sirtis performs well. Gates McFadden is also good.
Visually it works, particularly the memory invasion scenes that have the desired effect.
For me it's a 6.5/10 but I round upwards.
Such A Missed Opportunity
emperordalek10 August 2016
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
"Violations" is just what it says on the tin: a series of psychic violations against the crew of the Enterprise, but more importantly a more systematic set of violations against the rules of good drama.
I watched this episode when it first aired, and a reviewer whom I admired at the time (but whose name I have since forgotten) said it best: "There's no suspense here, only rape." That sticks with me because, having re-watched the episode recently, I can see exactly what he was talking about. From the very beginning - from the very end of the teaser, in fact - we already have a sense that the villain of the piece will be Jev (played with an almost mustache- twirling abandon by Ben Lemon). The last shot of the teaser focuses on him, and the trademarked "danger" music swells up. You'd have to be a fool not to guess that something is going to be wrong with this guy.
The episode does itself no favors by then featuring Jev in each of the violations that he commits - against Troi, then Riker, then Beverly - and in the least subtle of ways. He takes the place of a particular character in that person's memory, though it's only in Troi's memory that he's actually forcing himself upon the victim in a rapey way. (I'm not trying to be facetious, by the way - the mental violations that Jev commits are clearly meant to be considered a form of rape, though only in Troi's case does that metaphor become all too literal. Twice, even.) There's no build-up of suspense, no possibility given that it COULD be Jev's father Tarmin, as Jev tries to make everyone believe later in the episode. Before he gets all rapey again and gives himself away, of course.
And that's really the problem with the entire episode: there's no sense of control for the purpose of dramatic effect. Just like Jev, the episode's writers can't help themselves - this episode is going to be about RAPE, dammit, and forget telling a good story. Instead of subtlety, let's just knock the audience over their collective head with the message, or else it won't get through.
Consider how much more interesting and suspenseful this episode could have been had the writers and director gone a different route: having Troi, Riker, and Crusher NOT see Jev's face in their visions, so that we know it's got to be one of the Ulians (which would also have allowed the woman Inad to be one of the suspects, if it had been handled right) but we don't know which one. Only at the end is it revealed that it's Jev - probably because he couldn't control himself, and Troi really IS that damned lovely.
But that doesn't excuse his final act of self-revelation, nor the reasons why the producers of this episode didn't handle the story much more carefully. Not giving away the attacker's identity would have done nothing to cheapen the anti-rape subtext - if anything, it would have returned it to the level OF subtext rather than making it so obvious that the episode should carry a trigger warning for those who care about such things. And on top of it all, we'd get a creepy and mysterious story with a strong payoff at the end, rather than a story that's just...creepy.
"Violations" is just what it says on the tin: a series of psychic violations against the crew of the Enterprise, but more importantly a more systematic set of violations against the rules of good drama.
I watched this episode when it first aired, and a reviewer whom I admired at the time (but whose name I have since forgotten) said it best: "There's no suspense here, only rape." That sticks with me because, having re-watched the episode recently, I can see exactly what he was talking about. From the very beginning - from the very end of the teaser, in fact - we already have a sense that the villain of the piece will be Jev (played with an almost mustache- twirling abandon by Ben Lemon). The last shot of the teaser focuses on him, and the trademarked "danger" music swells up. You'd have to be a fool not to guess that something is going to be wrong with this guy.
The episode does itself no favors by then featuring Jev in each of the violations that he commits - against Troi, then Riker, then Beverly - and in the least subtle of ways. He takes the place of a particular character in that person's memory, though it's only in Troi's memory that he's actually forcing himself upon the victim in a rapey way. (I'm not trying to be facetious, by the way - the mental violations that Jev commits are clearly meant to be considered a form of rape, though only in Troi's case does that metaphor become all too literal. Twice, even.) There's no build-up of suspense, no possibility given that it COULD be Jev's father Tarmin, as Jev tries to make everyone believe later in the episode. Before he gets all rapey again and gives himself away, of course.
And that's really the problem with the entire episode: there's no sense of control for the purpose of dramatic effect. Just like Jev, the episode's writers can't help themselves - this episode is going to be about RAPE, dammit, and forget telling a good story. Instead of subtlety, let's just knock the audience over their collective head with the message, or else it won't get through.
Consider how much more interesting and suspenseful this episode could have been had the writers and director gone a different route: having Troi, Riker, and Crusher NOT see Jev's face in their visions, so that we know it's got to be one of the Ulians (which would also have allowed the woman Inad to be one of the suspects, if it had been handled right) but we don't know which one. Only at the end is it revealed that it's Jev - probably because he couldn't control himself, and Troi really IS that damned lovely.
But that doesn't excuse his final act of self-revelation, nor the reasons why the producers of this episode didn't handle the story much more carefully. Not giving away the attacker's identity would have done nothing to cheapen the anti-rape subtext - if anything, it would have returned it to the level OF subtext rather than making it so obvious that the episode should carry a trigger warning for those who care about such things. And on top of it all, we'd get a creepy and mysterious story with a strong payoff at the end, rather than a story that's just...creepy.
Utopia's Fatal Seed of Evil
miltrobinreynolds3 September 2020
Finally, a disturbingly honest story of how "centuries of human evolution" fail to eliminate our persistent problem of moral evil, whether from a snide remark, road rage or sexual assault.
The "entertaining" stories of the early seasons of TNG lack the depth and honesty that this one episode contains. This episode is disturbing...as it should be.
The "entertaining" stories of the early seasons of TNG lack the depth and honesty that this one episode contains. This episode is disturbing...as it should be.
"Memory invasion is simply not a crime."
classicsoncall20 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
That comment in my summary line by Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was uttered BEFORE the investigation into the comas of Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis), Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) was completed. Afterward, it became apparent that memory invasion was a criminal act. You almost have to ask why Data (Brent Spiner) didn't assume his Sherlock Holmes persona to solve this one with Commander LaForge (LeVar Burton). Upon looking into the reason for Troi's disturbing recollection of past memories, it was discovered that the Ullian Jev (Ben Lemon) was the assailant invading all their dream memories, just as he had on other planets his family had visited to record an 'archaeology of the mind' for a massive new facility to house the records of multiple civilizations. Had Data and LaForge not confirmed Jev's presence on other planets when similar 'mind rapes' took place, the perpetrator might never have been found out. As I sit here and think about the episode, I have to wonder if Jev's assaults actually did physically occur on board the Enterprise, only to be masked by the induced coma with the attendant nightmare memories. His subsequent more obvious attack against Troi to confirm suspicion that he was the offender cleared his father Tarmin (David Sage) of wrongdoing, who was also under suspicion for the mysterious coma-induced phenomenon. With this episode, Next Generation took a rather bold step with its treatment of rape, and might have been served better with a mature audiences warning.
I hold Star Trek to a much higher standard than this
A_Jami19 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I grew up on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Recently I decided to sit down and watch the entire series from start to finish. For years I have used IMDb as my go to source for ratings and questions about shows and movies. But it wasn't until I watched TNG's episode "Violations," that I felt it was time I made an account to rate a show.
SPOILERS BELOW This episode falls far short of Star Trek standards. It's down there with Nemesis, and for the same reason. As a woman, I don't enjoy sitting down to watch, what should be, a fun, entertaining sci-fi show, only to get to watch a female character get raped. Not only do we get to watch Riker of all people force himself on Troi, (in a very drawn out sequence of visions), but we get to see her disturbed reaction to the visions in between the flashes she's having of this "memory." The whole episode centers around a species that comes on the ship that have the ability to bring up old memories with the people they interact with. But one member of this species goes well beyond that, essentially mind raping Troi. That's right, her character has this crime committed against her not once, but twice(Nemesis). It's very tacky and distasteful, and it's made worse by the fact that when the crew begins investigating, they are all stricken down and end up in comas. It left me feeling rather irritated and uncomfortable, especially when it was revealed that the offending alien, would be sent to his home world for punishment.
Troi basically had to take their word that he would be punished, and the overall crime was kind of glossed over because there was no guarantee that the offender's government wouldn't simply let him go when he reached their home world. But what made it even worse, was that in a future where there are telepathic races, the Federation hasn't developed any kind of laws to protect non-telepathic species of aliens from mental invasions. So essentially, what happened to Troi wasn't even viewed as a crime in the Federation's eyes, even if everyone on board knew that it was.
And I haven't even touched on the fact that it sullies the relationship between Troi and Riker a bit. Even if the entire attack portion was the offending alien altering her memory, it looks as if it's Riker, and it's just an insult against the characters and Star Trek in general. There are too many worlds, too many aliens, and too many systems to explore. There was no reason to center an entire episode around a woman getting assaulted by an assailant she was powerless to stop. There are plenty of other shows that air episodes like that. I watch Star Trek for the futuristic possibility it portrays, not the dark problems that plague society today.
I think that there's a reason I don't ever recall seeing this episode on TV. The episode is awful, it gives you no real sense of justice, it portrays Star Trek terribly, and it's one of those episodes that are best buried and forgotten.
SPOILERS BELOW This episode falls far short of Star Trek standards. It's down there with Nemesis, and for the same reason. As a woman, I don't enjoy sitting down to watch, what should be, a fun, entertaining sci-fi show, only to get to watch a female character get raped. Not only do we get to watch Riker of all people force himself on Troi, (in a very drawn out sequence of visions), but we get to see her disturbed reaction to the visions in between the flashes she's having of this "memory." The whole episode centers around a species that comes on the ship that have the ability to bring up old memories with the people they interact with. But one member of this species goes well beyond that, essentially mind raping Troi. That's right, her character has this crime committed against her not once, but twice(Nemesis). It's very tacky and distasteful, and it's made worse by the fact that when the crew begins investigating, they are all stricken down and end up in comas. It left me feeling rather irritated and uncomfortable, especially when it was revealed that the offending alien, would be sent to his home world for punishment.
Troi basically had to take their word that he would be punished, and the overall crime was kind of glossed over because there was no guarantee that the offender's government wouldn't simply let him go when he reached their home world. But what made it even worse, was that in a future where there are telepathic races, the Federation hasn't developed any kind of laws to protect non-telepathic species of aliens from mental invasions. So essentially, what happened to Troi wasn't even viewed as a crime in the Federation's eyes, even if everyone on board knew that it was.
And I haven't even touched on the fact that it sullies the relationship between Troi and Riker a bit. Even if the entire attack portion was the offending alien altering her memory, it looks as if it's Riker, and it's just an insult against the characters and Star Trek in general. There are too many worlds, too many aliens, and too many systems to explore. There was no reason to center an entire episode around a woman getting assaulted by an assailant she was powerless to stop. There are plenty of other shows that air episodes like that. I watch Star Trek for the futuristic possibility it portrays, not the dark problems that plague society today.
I think that there's a reason I don't ever recall seeing this episode on TV. The episode is awful, it gives you no real sense of justice, it portrays Star Trek terribly, and it's one of those episodes that are best buried and forgotten.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar15 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Transporting three Ullian archaeologists of the mind, the Enterprise crew seem reluctant to be put to the test of having their thoughts read. But the three travellers seem pleasant enough.
Ullian's are not supposed to probe people's minds without their permission. We're dealing with memories, some long forgotten, that can be uncovered with the help of the Ullian's. It also looks like someone's taken a scissors to the Ullian's white coats.
Betazoids cannot read Ullian's with seems to be the case whenever Deanna comes up against anyone else with telepathic abilities. Although she does look lovely in pink. Flash-backs, intimacy, do we want to remember. Freaky dream state. Keller's still in there. Serial mind-warp.
A well thought-out, interesting story and certainly one that holds the attention. It is the Star Trek equivalent of a serial criminal who uses his talents to commit personal assaults on other persons... and as with serial criminals, his crimes escalate each time he commits them, almost to the point where he would have to kill to silence someone. I certainly believe its one of the strongest of the current season but coming after two episodes that involved children, maybe I am just grateful that we have a much more potent story than recent tales.
This Episodes Clue: Letters. Somewhere Tomorrow, Night Train to Kathmandu.
Ullian's are not supposed to probe people's minds without their permission. We're dealing with memories, some long forgotten, that can be uncovered with the help of the Ullian's. It also looks like someone's taken a scissors to the Ullian's white coats.
Betazoids cannot read Ullian's with seems to be the case whenever Deanna comes up against anyone else with telepathic abilities. Although she does look lovely in pink. Flash-backs, intimacy, do we want to remember. Freaky dream state. Keller's still in there. Serial mind-warp.
A well thought-out, interesting story and certainly one that holds the attention. It is the Star Trek equivalent of a serial criminal who uses his talents to commit personal assaults on other persons... and as with serial criminals, his crimes escalate each time he commits them, almost to the point where he would have to kill to silence someone. I certainly believe its one of the strongest of the current season but coming after two episodes that involved children, maybe I am just grateful that we have a much more potent story than recent tales.
This Episodes Clue: Letters. Somewhere Tomorrow, Night Train to Kathmandu.
I could see this episode upsetting a lot of folks...
planktonrules22 November 2014
In this episode, a race of strange people who can read people's thoughts and memories come aboard the ship. Oddly, during their time on the ship, various crew members fall into comas--and they undergo extremely vivid and traumatic brain probings. In one of these, Troi is 'mind raped'. Can the crew figure out exactly what's happening?
This episode is one I would caution people about watching. If you've been a victim of sexual assault, seeing the rape sequence could easily be very traumatic--perhaps too traumatic. And, even if you were never a victim, the show is supposed to be entertaining-- and what the heck is entertaining about this?! Because of this, it all seems a bit exploitative and unsavory. Plus, as some have pointed out, there doesn't seem to be any definite resolution. Rather unsatisfying and one I urge you to think about twice before watching.
This episode is one I would caution people about watching. If you've been a victim of sexual assault, seeing the rape sequence could easily be very traumatic--perhaps too traumatic. And, even if you were never a victim, the show is supposed to be entertaining-- and what the heck is entertaining about this?! Because of this, it all seems a bit exploitative and unsavory. Plus, as some have pointed out, there doesn't seem to be any definite resolution. Rather unsatisfying and one I urge you to think about twice before watching.
The Episode is Bloody Awful!
monk-chanan8 June 2013
Agreeing with the previous reviewer who gave this episode 1 out of 10, "Violations" was a violation of all that Star Trek stands for. Perhaps the writers thought they could compete with Hitchcock (they can't), but with no dramatic resolutions to the story, the episode even "violates" the basic genre of English writing. There is no sense of what happens to the mind rapist after he has been found out. Then there is the pathetic description in this script of a weak and enabling Captain Picard who can't even make a basic decision to do anything at all about the obvious. No accountability is described, no dramatic resolution, no responsibility,and not even some basic skill among the crew as this psychopath marauder goes about his "rapes." Succinctly put, the episode is sick and the writers incompetent.
No means no!
Mr-Fusion10 May 2017
'Violations' sure is an apt title for an episode involving a telepath who's forcibly manipulating the crew's memories (obvious rape metaphor). The one thing I kept thinking about was that scene in "The Undiscovered Country"; Spock violently mind-melds with Valeris. Except that was torture for information when the stakes were high; there was a clear purpose.
Here, it's just something an alien does for kicks. It's needlessly edgy, especially with the manic visions and dramatic camera-work. Why prey on women's fears if you're going to wrap everything up nice and neat in the end and it's all status quo again?
This is a bizarre episode, to say the least.
5/10
Here, it's just something an alien does for kicks. It's needlessly edgy, especially with the manic visions and dramatic camera-work. Why prey on women's fears if you're going to wrap everything up nice and neat in the end and it's all status quo again?
This is a bizarre episode, to say the least.
5/10
As an addition
hyphenpointhyphen23 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I recently re watched the series and I've never noticed any major flaws in TNG from a scientific point of view but at the beginning of this episode, Data asks Geordi why humans are incoherent in recollecting their memory and goes on delivering an explanation on how the human brain stores information. He mentions storing memories as RNA, which is so far from reality, it makes one question the scientific motivation of the writers. This explanation is just so wrong, and it so strongly contrasts with Data's abilities as an impeccable android that it made this episode below average.
Tricky Topic to Discuss...
Samuel-Shovel13 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In "Violations" the Enterprise is transporting a team of telepathic historians that use people's memories to piece together the past. Whilst these Uliians are aboard, members of the crew begin to fall into unexplained comas.
I will say that the dramatic representation of Troi's sexual assault was horrific to watch. It was effective in that regard. That being said, do we need these types of storylines in TNG? We're supposed to be living in a utopian society centuries in the future. These despicable acts don't really fit the atmosphere created by this show. When something like this does come up, the lack of preparedness by the viewer only makes these scenes that much more jarring.
There is a place and a time for this type of story where woman can be heard about the toxic masculinity that leads to these kinds of actions, I just wonder if TNG is the best place for it? I thought the episode was handled with pretty good care on an extremely thin ice premise... I'm just skeptical of having this episode take place at all?
I will say that the dramatic representation of Troi's sexual assault was horrific to watch. It was effective in that regard. That being said, do we need these types of storylines in TNG? We're supposed to be living in a utopian society centuries in the future. These despicable acts don't really fit the atmosphere created by this show. When something like this does come up, the lack of preparedness by the viewer only makes these scenes that much more jarring.
There is a place and a time for this type of story where woman can be heard about the toxic masculinity that leads to these kinds of actions, I just wonder if TNG is the best place for it? I thought the episode was handled with pretty good care on an extremely thin ice premise... I'm just skeptical of having this episode take place at all?
A Senior Trekker writes........................
celineduchain8 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Fifth Season of TNG contains some remarkably strong episodes while continuing to push the boundaries of what could be achieved within an episodic television format. It is notable for the tragic loss of its creator, Gene Roddenberry, who died on 24th October 1991 at the age of 70. His influence upon the positive depiction of humanity and diversity in Science Fiction endures to this day. Senior Trekker continues to score all episodes with a 5.
Please, please, please don't make me watch this episode again.
My mercifully fading recollection suggest that Troi was mind-raped by one of a weird family of aliens who sported carbuncles on their temples and cream-coloured devoré felt robes. It turned out that he was a deviant behaving abnormally, as if that somehow made it all right.
The good folks at Memory Alpha have helped me to review the episode without actually having to re-view it, if you see what I mean. Except for the fact that this race was called the Ullians and that Riker and Crusher also got their minds "violated", I seem to have got my summary more or less right. My own mind must have edited out the recovered memory scene featuring Captain Picard with a full head of hair as something just too horrific to retain.
Although they gave her quite a few much better roles in episodes to come, the writers carried on doing this sort of thing to Counsellor Troi right up until the film Nemesis in 2002. We are very lucky she didn't quit in disgust.
Please, please, please don't make me watch this episode again.
My mercifully fading recollection suggest that Troi was mind-raped by one of a weird family of aliens who sported carbuncles on their temples and cream-coloured devoré felt robes. It turned out that he was a deviant behaving abnormally, as if that somehow made it all right.
The good folks at Memory Alpha have helped me to review the episode without actually having to re-view it, if you see what I mean. Except for the fact that this race was called the Ullians and that Riker and Crusher also got their minds "violated", I seem to have got my summary more or less right. My own mind must have edited out the recovered memory scene featuring Captain Picard with a full head of hair as something just too horrific to retain.
Although they gave her quite a few much better roles in episodes to come, the writers carried on doing this sort of thing to Counsellor Troi right up until the film Nemesis in 2002. We are very lucky she didn't quit in disgust.
This exemplifies what's wrong with the series...
zitacarno14 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I have been keeping up with the Star Trek series as a whole, and I have found "Next Generation" to be the weakest, the least satisfying, of the lot. This episode exemplifies, and perfectly too, just what's wrong with it. The idea of a telepathic alien species on the Enterprise was done much better in the original series; here the writers saw fit to turn what might have been a good mystery thriller into an overblown "rape fantasy turned real"---what the blazes was the matter with them? And the worst of it was that all through the episode, indeed through the entire "Next Generation" series, we never saw a Vulcan---except for a couple of guest shots, such as in the fine story "Sarek"---and what was desperately needed here was a good solid Vulcan troubleshooter who could have resolved the whole situation. The only things I liked were not to be found here---Worf's problems with his kid and Data's cat. And so, I will retire to a quiet corner and do one of Spock's Vulcan meditations to clear my head. Spoilers? Yes---and not the good ones.
Should not have shown sexual rape. Simple mental violation is more than enough to drive the story.
wwcanoer-tech28 January 2022
The concept of a telepath invading a person's mind and being equivalent to rape is a good one. It should not have been actual images of rape or even sex.
I could have gone something like this: The villain has a good one-on-one conversation with Troi, but when it gets too personal, Troi is uncomfortable and leaves. It needs to be specific, such as describing a memorable date with Riker, but stopping when they enter the bedroom. We then see the villain talking to his father about his intriguing conversation with Troi, perhaps remarking that human dating rituals are very peculiar. Later, Troi then has a dream about that event but it continues into the bedroom. It should not be rape, but something should feel "off". For example, when she runs her hand through Riker's hair, it is long blonde hair, which freaks her out and she passes out. Both the villain and his father have the same long blonde hair (or maybe they both have ridges on their hands and that freaks out Troi when she clasps Riker's hands), so we don't know, which one invaded her thoughts.
We then see both the villain and his father have a conversation with Beverly about something that intrigues both of them, but Beverly gets uncomfortable and ends the conversation. Again, Beverly has a dream that replays the end of that scene and continues beyond where Beverly wanted to stop. Something clues us in to the fact that the other character is one of the aliens but it is again we can't tell which one.
Picard and Riker then talk to the aliens. The villain can see that Riker is very agitated, asking tough questions but is tempered by Picard, who says "Ok, we will discuss this." We see Picard meet with Riker and agree with his plan to contact their alien home world (or something). The villain is concerned and wants to know what was said, so he invades Riker's mind to learn what was said in the meeting, but we see the villain's father take the place of Picard and argue against Riker's plan, but before Riker collapses, we see the alien mother or father walk in on the villain and disrupt the session, so Riker is confused and groggy but doesn't pass out. He remembers seeing the father's face, so he comes on even stronger to accuse the father, who tries do defend himself, but is placed in the brig. The audience knows that he is wrongly accused but how will they prove it?
Soon after, Geordie provides the evidence that the other events could only have been caused by the son. So now we have a dilemma. Could both the father and son be doing this? The son on the other worlds and the father on Enterprise? Is it possible for the aliens to implant thoughts, a false image? When they acknowledge that yes, they can implant thoughts, their entire body of work is questioned. The villain, as much as he is frustrated by his father, does not want to see all of his father's work ruined, so he confesses. Can we believe the confession or is he protecting his father? They then look at the times that these events happened and prove that it could only be the son.
So, it is possible to show the mental violation without showing sexual rape or having the audience wonder if Riker actually raped Troi, or whether that was only the villain. And the audience doesn't need to know too early who the true villain is.
Another possibility is to have a series of more subtle, minor invasions that the characters can talk about "I had dreamt about x but it felt weird, different, but I can't explain how." this builds to them passing out.
I could have gone something like this: The villain has a good one-on-one conversation with Troi, but when it gets too personal, Troi is uncomfortable and leaves. It needs to be specific, such as describing a memorable date with Riker, but stopping when they enter the bedroom. We then see the villain talking to his father about his intriguing conversation with Troi, perhaps remarking that human dating rituals are very peculiar. Later, Troi then has a dream about that event but it continues into the bedroom. It should not be rape, but something should feel "off". For example, when she runs her hand through Riker's hair, it is long blonde hair, which freaks her out and she passes out. Both the villain and his father have the same long blonde hair (or maybe they both have ridges on their hands and that freaks out Troi when she clasps Riker's hands), so we don't know, which one invaded her thoughts.
We then see both the villain and his father have a conversation with Beverly about something that intrigues both of them, but Beverly gets uncomfortable and ends the conversation. Again, Beverly has a dream that replays the end of that scene and continues beyond where Beverly wanted to stop. Something clues us in to the fact that the other character is one of the aliens but it is again we can't tell which one.
Picard and Riker then talk to the aliens. The villain can see that Riker is very agitated, asking tough questions but is tempered by Picard, who says "Ok, we will discuss this." We see Picard meet with Riker and agree with his plan to contact their alien home world (or something). The villain is concerned and wants to know what was said, so he invades Riker's mind to learn what was said in the meeting, but we see the villain's father take the place of Picard and argue against Riker's plan, but before Riker collapses, we see the alien mother or father walk in on the villain and disrupt the session, so Riker is confused and groggy but doesn't pass out. He remembers seeing the father's face, so he comes on even stronger to accuse the father, who tries do defend himself, but is placed in the brig. The audience knows that he is wrongly accused but how will they prove it?
Soon after, Geordie provides the evidence that the other events could only have been caused by the son. So now we have a dilemma. Could both the father and son be doing this? The son on the other worlds and the father on Enterprise? Is it possible for the aliens to implant thoughts, a false image? When they acknowledge that yes, they can implant thoughts, their entire body of work is questioned. The villain, as much as he is frustrated by his father, does not want to see all of his father's work ruined, so he confesses. Can we believe the confession or is he protecting his father? They then look at the times that these events happened and prove that it could only be the son.
So, it is possible to show the mental violation without showing sexual rape or having the audience wonder if Riker actually raped Troi, or whether that was only the villain. And the audience doesn't need to know too early who the true villain is.
Another possibility is to have a series of more subtle, minor invasions that the characters can talk about "I had dreamt about x but it felt weird, different, but I can't explain how." this builds to them passing out.
I don't like this episode
yangcaiqiliu21 December 2017
This episode makes Riker look bad.
It is disturbing because they show Riker forcefully force Troi.
They did not make it clear whether it is a "memory" or a implanted "memory".
Also is disturbing that the alien' trial was not shown.
Very Disturbing
burdickhj22 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm surprised that more hasn't been said about this episode. It is by far the most disturbing Star Trek episode I have ever seen! There are so many trigger warnings, especially for people who may have been victims of sexual assault in the past. I also felt very dirty and icky inside after watching this episode. I never want to see it again!
This episode is not only unwatchable, but also very unnecessary to the TV show. If the purpose of "Violations" was to raise awareness to sexual assault, it failed miserably. All it succeeded in was making the viewing of this episode a very uncomfortable watching experience.
Don't waste your time on this one. There are far better Star Trek episodes to be watching.
This episode is not only unwatchable, but also very unnecessary to the TV show. If the purpose of "Violations" was to raise awareness to sexual assault, it failed miserably. All it succeeded in was making the viewing of this episode a very uncomfortable watching experience.
Don't waste your time on this one. There are far better Star Trek episodes to be watching.
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