This seems the weakest episode of TNG so far. The plot is riddled with unnecessary characters and glaring holes:
a) The Enterprise is picking up delegates of two opposing species for a peace parliament. Their presence in the plot does nothing to forward the story, offering a very little comic relief at the end. They are nothing but the fillers.
b) The captain is possessed by the alien entity. The crew recognises it but is shown as helpless due to regulations. The doctor tries to order a medical examination which he refuses. Now Federation regulation clearly states that CMO has the authority to force the captain to take these exams. When the CMO fails to do it, it weakens the character and the whole episode falls.
c) Data's impersonation of Sherlock Holmes is another plot point leading upto nothing.
All in all, the whole episode is made on very flimsy material which doesn't even give the illusion of an episode.
a) The Enterprise is picking up delegates of two opposing species for a peace parliament. Their presence in the plot does nothing to forward the story, offering a very little comic relief at the end. They are nothing but the fillers.
b) The captain is possessed by the alien entity. The crew recognises it but is shown as helpless due to regulations. The doctor tries to order a medical examination which he refuses. Now Federation regulation clearly states that CMO has the authority to force the captain to take these exams. When the CMO fails to do it, it weakens the character and the whole episode falls.
c) Data's impersonation of Sherlock Holmes is another plot point leading upto nothing.
All in all, the whole episode is made on very flimsy material which doesn't even give the illusion of an episode.