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Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5 Episode 6

The Game

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AIRED: 10/28/91

Stardate: 45208.2

An addictive game is distributed among the crew of the Enterprise, however, it appears that this game interferes with a person's logic and reason, which leaves the crew open to manipulation. Only a young Ensign and a vacationing Wesley Crusher are able to think for themselves, and must find a way to reverse the damage before the ship falls into the wrong hands.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (11)

Time to Play the Game

8.0

By Celedorian, Mar 15, 2012

This Wesley episode, inspired by "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," pairs Wil Wheaton with Ashley Judd and has a lot of fun building up the paranoia as the story speeds towards its conclusion. The idea of Wesley visiting the ship, only to find everyone "out to get him" is even more effective than having a new character in the same position (such as Danar in third season's "The Hunted") and practically let's the episode almost write itself. (Although it helps that Wheaton and the writers have a firm idea of how to handle the Wesley character at this point.) I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the "graphics" of the game were hopelessly outdated by 1995 and today would cause a child to literally roll around on the floor laughing out loud.moreless
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Wil Wheaton finally gets his due with a great action episode.

8.5

By pharoahsdance, Apr 27, 2011

Unlike Denise Crosby, who got multiple 2nd chances on TNG and each time convinced us that canning her character was a good idea, Wil Wheaton was a victim of poor writing. Cast as an annoying teenager who ended up saving the day far too often, he simply didn't get the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful manner. (Compare that to the character of Jake Sisko, who was used more sparingly but in a more satisfying manner.)

Once Wheaton became an occasional guest star, the writers suddenly focused on writing good stories for him. (I think the departure of Gene Roddenberry, who was a well-meaning but harmful influence on the character's development, made a difference.)

This isn't a "heavy" episode - there are no big themes (aside from a nod to drug abuse), no heavy character development. Nothing more than a tight, well-written action episode. There's also some great humor here - particularly Wesley's interaction with Data near the beginning. But the episode, clearly echoing "Invasion of the Body Snatches", builds and builds to a fever pitch. Even after you've seen it once, the chase sequence near the end keeps you on the edge of your seat. And Ashley Judd... enough said.

This episode is clearly topped by "The First Duty", but is highly recommended.moreless
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This is a decent episode, but I found the premise difficult to believe.

7.0

By cindeecalton, Jun 05, 2010

In the episode, everyone plays a game that is addictive and exhibits some sort of mind control. Although the episode was interesting, I found the premise hard to believe. In my opinion, it simply did not fit with Picard's or Worf's character to be talked into playing a frivolous game. It also makes no sense that La Forge would be able to play the game, given the fact that it requires an optical interface. Character problems aside, the ending was full of action and very interested. For an episode with that annoying boy Wesley in it, it wasn't all that bad.moreless
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A Very Special Episode

10

By Cromionic, Jun 05, 2010

I loved "The Game" i especially liked how the crew slowly became strange. It was pretty fun to see Wes;ey get chased around by everyone. I also wished they would've did more with data in this episode like if they reprogrammed him or something. I wonder why Wesley never tried to escape on a shuttle. Or he could have tried to keep up the ruse that he was one of them by wearing the fake device he had made. I wonder how the girl he was with got caught? But all around this was a excellent episode. The ending left more to the imagination though.moreless
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Wesley comes back to save the day.

7.5

By adarascarlet, Apr 20, 2010

This was a really great idea, but did it have to be Wesley saving the crew? And how is it that he and Robin were the only ones who noticed anything strange about the game? When 75% of the crew is playing it, you'd think some of the other 25% would start to get a little creeped out. Still, all in all I think this episode was good in spite of the gaping plot holes, and it was very well acted by everyone... it would have been nice to see Wesley once in a non-savior role before having him come back and save the ship. Also, his goodbye to Robin was not so smooth. If a guy told me nothing can keep "good friends" apart and then kissed me on the cheek, I'd feel rejected.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Michael Dorn	Lt./Lt. Cmdr. Worf
LeVar Burton	Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge
Jonathan Frakes	Cmdr. William T. Riker
Marina Sirtis	Counsellor/Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Troi
Gates McFadden	Dr. Beverly Crusher
Brent Spiner	Lt. Cmdr. Data

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Wil Wheaton	Wesley Crusher	Guest Star
Ashley Judd	Ensign Robin Lefler	Guest Star
Katherine Moffat	Etana Jol	Guest Star
Colm Meaney	Miles O'Brien	Recurring Role
Patti Yasutake	Alyssa Ogawa	Recurring Role

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TRIVIA (3)
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- Watch closely in the background of the Observation Lounge surprise party scene, and you will see Jonathan Frakes uncontrollably laughing at his other cast members' reactions, and Michael Dorn is trying to settle him down by giving him harsh looks.
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- The game works through the eyes. How can Geordi play the game? It can't use his eyes and I cannot believe it can work with his vizors, because it works with heat and chemical/electronical sight.
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- As Wesley is forced to watch the mind controlling game, he tries to prevent its effects by closing his eyes, but Riker and Worf force them open by pulling his eyelids apart. As they are doing this, Wesley blinks. Surely if you can blink, you can close your eyes.
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QUOTES (5)
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- Troi: First, you spoon the fudge around the rim, leaving only ice cream in the middle. (eats a bite) Then, gently spoon the ice cream around the sides like you're sculpting it. (eats another bite) Relish every bite. Make every one an event. And on the last bite, close your eyes.
  (She closes her eyes and has a spoonful.)
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- Troi: I never met a chocolate I didn't like.
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- Wesley: What was your first year like ?
  Data: Although I did extremely well scholastically, my lack of human understanding often created social obstacles.
  Wesley: Like what?
  Data: I particularly remember the phenomenon of practical jokes, several which I fell victim to.
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- Riker: Chocolate ice-cream, chocolate fudge and chocolate chips. You aren't depressed, are you?
  Troi: I'm fine, Commander.
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- Data: A conflict has arisen between the planetary evolution team and the stellar physicists. Each wishes to be the first to use the thermal imaging array.
  Geordi: Well, tell them to flip a coin. We got to work together on this mission or otherwise we'll never get it done.
  Data: A coin. Very well, I will replicate one immediately.
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NOTES (3)
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- This is the final appearance on Next Generation by "Kiss the Girls" and "Double Jeopardy" star, Ashley Judd.
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- The phaser Wesley puts on auto fire to shoot the force field was eventualy pulled off the show because it can barely be seen.
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- This was the first episode to air after the death of Gene Roddenberry.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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