Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) Attached (1993) User Reviews

Hidden truths exposed

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 7 September 2015]

The Enterprise is dispatched to the planet Kesprytt III to investigate the possibility of the Kes, one of the planet's two countries, becoming an associate member of the Federation; this would be a unique situation as previously only united planets have been admitted to the Federation. As part of this process Picard and Dr Crusher beam down to the planet. Things go wrong though and their signal is somehow intercepted and they find themselves in a Prytt Prison with implants in their necks. The Kes ambassador explains that the Prytt, the planet's other nation, are a secretive and paranoid race. A Kes agent gives Picard and Crusher the means to escape but as they head to a safe rendezvous point they learn that the implants give them a psychic link that forces them to share their thoughts, it also makes them feel nauseous if they move more than a few yards apart. As time passes this link strengthens and some previously unstated thoughts are fully exposed; notably the feeling they have for each other. Back on the Enterprise the Kes ambassador proves to be just as paranoid as the Prytt; when Picard and Crusher don't turn up at the rendezvous point he suggests that the Federation must be in league with the Prytt!

This was an interesting episode thanks to the character development we get between Picard and Crusher; Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden are on top form here and provide some genuinely touching moments as the feelings they have had for each other are exposed. The story about the Kes and the Prytt primarily serves to put Picard and Crusher in this position but is also rather interesting in its own right; it was fun seeing the paranoia of the Kes ambassador being exposed; starting with his being a bit over-concerned about being overheard leading to his completely bonkers accusations about the Federation allying itself with the Prytt. Overall a good emotional episode with some tense moments too.

Clearing the air

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 22 September 2017]

It took seven years, but 'Attached' is the writers finally addressing that lingering question: Beverly and Jean-Luc. And it's all expressed in a prisoner story as the two are psychically linked. It's a novel way of tackling the issue. A solid episode, too; it moves, offers the cast opportunities to shine (even Frakes, stuck on the ship while the action happens planet-side), and there's depth involved. The only thing holding it back is the ending; a cop-out that offers no real resolution.

7/10

PIcard and Crusher Exposed

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 9 October 2014]

A couple of cultures are at each other's throats. They inhabit the same planet and are filled with distrust and paranoia. One of them is seeking an alliance with the Federation, but they are so suspicious that they trust no one. Picard and Crusher go to the surface to begin negotiations with one of the factions, only to be misdirected to the other group which arrests them as spies. They are able to escape their captors due to inter-mediators, but the escape isn't easy. On the Enterprise, things aren't going well and Worf and Riker have about had it with their "guestss." Meanwhile, Jean-Luc and Beverly, who when imprisoned had some devices planted on them, begin to read each other's thoughts. This makes them uncomfortably realize the affection and love they have for each other. As they move to escape, there are tender scenes between them where they act like teenagers at a school dance. This connection has been obvious for so many episodes and is bound to come to a head. It was delightful to see these venerable characters deal with the truth.

Intimacy.

[thevacinstaller · 8/10 · 12 May 2021]

Well, this has been six long years in the making and boy is the tension delicious when it is revealed. Picard and Crusher really do have excellent chemistry and it comes out in this episode ---- it was interesting to see Dr Crusher in casual mode and Picard attempting to remain in control of his repressed feelings of 'love' towards Beverly. I agree with Picard's sentiments that it is 'bad form' to hit on your dead best friends wife but 20 years is long enough and the ghost of Jack Crusher might even be happy that the two get together. The idea of being able to read another human beings thought sounds interesting in theory but horrible in practice. My own thoughts are not exactly something I would ever want to fully share with anyone and there are some dark caverns in my subconscious.

The Kes and the Prytt storyline is 20-30 years ahead of it's time. With the rise of the internet we now have a megaphone for tinfoil hat wearing nut jobs and that is what these two societies represent to me. My hope is that the ratio of nutjobs has not increased in society but they just seem more prominent because of the internet. This is a serious concern though ---- This type of thinking eventually leads to fanaticism and that mindset leads to all types of horror and barbarism as history has clearly shown.

This is quite a good episode that is elevated by the fascinating discussions between Picard and Crusher.

Working together.

[russem31 · 2 May 2006]

ST:TNG:160 - "Attached" (Stardate: 47304.2) - this is the 8th episode of the 7th and last season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

In another intelligent and mature episode, when the Enterprise arrives at Kesprytt III to evaluate a request by the Kes, one of two very different societies that have been at war with each other with no contact for a century, for "associate" membership into the Federation. When Picard and Dr. Crusher transport down to the planet, they are kidnapped by the Prytt, ending up in one of their prison cells where they are accused of conspiracy and implanted with devices that make them "attached" to each other (including telepathically).

Soon, Picard and Crusher escape and head for the Kes border, but are slowed down by their new connection, enabling them to read each other's more intimate thoughts - and the link is getting stronger to the point they can't separate without getting nauseous. At the same time, the Enterprise must deal with the Kes and Prytt's paranoia in an attempt to rescue Picard and Crusher.

Trivia note: the Federation never has allowed "associate" membership before - that is, allowing membership for only one of the societies on any one planet (in every instance, membership is allowed only once the planet is unified). We also find out that Crusher has a fear of heights.

Penny for your thoughts....

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 2 December 2014]

The Enterprise is invited to visit some planet that wants to join the Federation. Soon, however, the Captain and Dr. Crusher are kidnapped by their rivals, the Prytt. These rivals are described by the Kes as unreasonable and paranoid--something that you later see is true of both sides. I would also add childish! Through some help from the Kes (who soon come to suspect and hate the Enterprise crew), Picard and Crusher are able to escape their prison and go on a cross-country trek. However, during this time together they realize that the brain implants their captors put on them allow them to read each other's thoughts! At first it's quite embarrassing though eventually the two learn about each other's deepest yearnings and it brings them closer.

This is a very good episode for two reasons. First, it was nice to FINALLY see some sort of discussion of the attraction between Picard and Crusher--something almost every fan wanted. Second, the show had a nice sense of humor when Riker negotiated with the two sides-- and his solution was exactly what the situation needed. All in all, a very satisfying episode.

Make sure you take all this junk with you

[snoozejonc · 7/10 · 24 January 2022]

Enterprise visits a planet looking for entry to the Federation.

This is an enjoyable episode with some memorable character moments.

The long running saga of Picard and Crusher's feelings for each other is addressed in a rather contrived piece of sci-fi plotting, but to be fair to Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden, they both do excellent work with the material they have, and it includes some quite clunky exposition that they make sound good.

There is a pretty humorous sub-plot that involves the childlike leaders of Kesprytt dealing with Riker. If these scenes were intended to be played for laughs they are done well. Jonathan Frakes is great in these scenes and you can't help be amused by his exasperation.

I think your enjoyment of this will depend very much on what you want out of the Picard/Crusher character stories. You also need to find the telepathy jokes funny.

So much wasted potential...

[stevenjlowe82 · 8/10 · 10 February 2024]

Despite my tag line for this review I still rate this episode highly for many reasons.

Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden are both on top form here and their chemistry on screen is undeniable and it's one of STNG's biggest flaws. The fact they never went anywhere with this (until Picard S3 but I have very mixed feelings on that) was incredibly frustrating and very noticeable in this episode. For the first time in many seasons (I think S1 infact) they're has barely been a mention of their shared past and emotional ties. Why write such an interesting back story then do nothing with it. A common theme for many of the main female characters in STNG, again another massive flaw in this show imo.

The ending is very sad as I feel Picard really wanted to explore a romantic relationship with Beverly but out of fear (I think) she rejected this idea. The look on Picards face is genuinely devastating and full props to Patrick for that.

Overall I'm happy that they finally decided to address this massive elephant in the room and the superb performances from both Stewart and McFadden also help excel this episode in my eyes. It feels bittersweet though as it's been left too late in the run to be really as important as it could have been.

The Hispaniola of space

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 8 December 2018]

Watching this particular TNG story I was put in mind of the island of Hispaniola, the island in the Carribean Sea that has two countries, Haiti and the Domican Republic. Over the centuries two nations evolved on that island and on this planet the Enterprise is visiting there are two civilizations. One has applied for Federation admission the other hasn't. And they don't like each other much.

A dilemma for Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher when they beam down and land in the wrong country. A big dilemma for Commander Riker as he tries all kinds of ways to get his captain and doctor back.

For Jonathan Frakes he feels like a UN mediator negotiating between Robin Gemmell of one group and Lenore Kasdorf of the other. He has to take some drastic action to get the two in the same room.

As for Patrick Stewart and Gates McFadden some intimate thoughts are exchanged that were never meant to be voiced. Watch the episode to see what an why.

"Well, it seems as if we're stuck with each other."

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 12 April 2024]

Fortunately, the one thing the writers didn't do with Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden) was have them in an up and down romantic relationship throughout the series the way they did with Commander Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis). It always bugged me when Riker and Troi had feelings for each other in one episode, and then had Riker go all gaga over some alien space babe in a subsequent story. The lack of continuity was very frustrating. With this story, it takes some sort of brainstem implant placed on Picard and Crusher that allows them to communicate almost telepathically. It begins right after they've been captured and imprisoned on the planet Kesprytt III straight from a hijacked transporter beam. Their feelings for each other gradually emerge over the course of the story until Crusher finally asks - "Why didn't you ever tell me you were in love with me"?

The planet itself has irreconcilable factions in a virtual cold war with each other, complicating the Kes desire to join the Federation, while the Prytt want no part of any alliances including that with the Kes. Quite honestly, the suspicion and paranoia that both factions held for each other drove Commander Riker to violate the Prime Directive when you come right down to it. He had the Prytt Minister of Security (Lenore Kasdorf) beamed aboard the Enterprise and forced her to deal with Kes Ambassador Mauric (Robin Gammell) to hammer out an understanding and rescue the Captain and Dr. Crusher from the planet.

Once settled back on the Enterprise, the Captain makes an initial attempt at something more meaningful between Dr. Crusher and himself, but she warily dissuades him from a step both might find hard to reconcile if they were to take things further. Perhaps a disappointment to many fans, though a tactful way to keep options open for the future direction of this series and others to follow.

REVIEW 2022

[iamirwar · 7/10 · 6 October 2022]

Kesprytt III wants to join the Federation, but they have taken the unusual route of requesting associate membership. Only half-the-planet wants to join, whilst the other half wants to be left out. Or do they? The Enterprise is on its way to smooth over any red-tape. Jean-Luc is miles away, contemplating this mission with the Kes. Dr Crusher makes a good point. The Kes only represent ¾ of the planet whilst the Prytt simply don't want to have any contact with anyone from the outside. Makes sense to me. There must be many planets where some of the species want something totally different from what other groups want. After all, aren't we all part of one clan or another?

The Australians have been referenced again. I wonder whether they're in the Federation. Oh dear, the captain and the doctor having beamed down to the planets surface, seem to have gone astray.

I have to admit that I have always held a particular attraction to red-heads... or strawberry blondes. I also have to admit that I have long held a respectful crush on Beverly Crusher. She is a very handsome women, no doubt about it. But she is also a doctor and I can never bring myself to think of her as anything else but professional. I have always maintained such an attitude towards other professionals.

The Prytt have interesting wardrobes that remind me of diving suits. So we have a hostage situation, or a prisoner situation, depending how we look at these things. That round wall-hanging certainly gets around.

Interesting... lets see how it plays out. My only concern is that our prisoners still have the transceivers sticking out of the back of their necks. If I was a bad-guy and I wanted to track someone, I would use just such a device. By default, the Captain and the Doctor have an almost telepathic ability at communication with one another, as long as they stay close, very close to one another. I hope we aren't going to descend in the emotional slalom stakes. Bev has developed a fear of heights, yet I still remember her abseiling down into a deep pit in an earlier episode. Chain of Command; Part One.

Thinking about it now, it feels like a shame that Picard and Crusher didn't get it on together. I mean, why not? Unfortunately, the story has now taken a side step to the lost love feelings held between our doctor and the captain. He did kill her husband, but they seem to have got past that point now. Twenty years of yearnings never to know a stolen night of bliss. Yet at the academy he was jack-the-lad. If they lay spoons with the length of their bodies facing the fire they would certainly benefit more from the heat.

I was sorry that this episode didn't end with Picard, Crusher and Riker entering the observation lounge and finding Lorin and Mauric, the two ambassadors locked in a loving embrace. Sadly, the Picard vs Crusher love-tug stole the centre stage. Not bad but the syrup tended to spoil what could have been a much better story.

This Episodes Clue: Spencer Garvie

(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)

Too silly to be enjoyable. Could easily be more plausible and engaging.

[wwcanoer-tech · 5/10 · 18 February 2022]

The Prytt are so technologically advanced that they can detect and intercept an alien transport beam, implant devices to read thoughts, and erect a shield around their territory... but they can't track two prisoners who left a jacket on their path and made a bonfire in the open at night. Implausible.

The Kes claim to have had no diplomatic contact with the Prytt for a century yet they quickly reveal that they have a secret operative in the Prytt prison and later that they control an entire town. Yet they have grand tales of wildly inaccurate conspiracy. This is incongruent. If they had those spies in place, they would know the truth without need of conspiracy theories.

So, why did the writers decide to have spies at all? Picard & Beverly are resourceful enough to escape on their own and find their own way to the border. Then everything would flow much better and make more sense.

The tricorder added nothing to their journey. It could have been done without but takes a little more creativity because they needed to find something to guide them, or, in the opening scene of breakfast with Beverly, they could have Picard say "Look at this map/globe. The Prytt occupy this small area, divided from the Kes by this mountain range. Then Picard could see the mountains and know which direction they must head. They would find various plausible obstacles instead of gas recorded on a tricorder. They could also act like fugitives.

As a Sci-Fi viewer, I readily accept brain implants but not non-sensical self-contradictory plots.

How about this ending? Picard and Beverly find a gap in the field where two trees had grown or fallen into the forcefield in such a way that there was a small gap between the trunks. Beverly squeezes though but the security forces hit the tree with a phaser, knocking it down and thus removing the gap, stranding Picard. The Enterprise, who has been scanning the border, detects Beverly and immediately beams her up, having her arrive on the transporter platform, immediately collapse, writhing in pain, Warf says that he will beam her to sick bay when she screams "No, send me back!" (Or, Enterprise beams down an away party and one of them moves beside Beverly and immediately orders beam up, when Beverly and Picard shout "No!" They either cancel the beam up or beam her up and then back down again.)

Then they can have their state mate meeting with the two leaders to release Picard and remove the implants from both. This should include an offer of negotiations to get the two sides talking, because that is the high road that the Federation should take.

The writers attempted to inject humor with the ever-increasing security equipment that the Kes leader brought onboard but fell flat because it made no sense and was based on an easily recognizable toy. They could have constructed a Faraday cage to prevent any communication or they could have created a forcefield around the room that they turn on for any conversation. Something plausible but could still be made ridiculous. How about a nod to Get Smart with a "cone of silence". I bet that more of the audience would get a laugh out of that, at least the ones who are old enough to know Get Smart. :)

A Senior Trekker writes....................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 8 March 2022]

The final season of Star Trek, the Next Generation gave us some splendid episodes and also a fair share of stinkers. Everyone knew by this stage that they would not be renewed and attempts were made to wrap up various story lines before they said their final goodbyes. There is still a great deal to be enjoyed.

Now here's one that richly deserves it's share of lower scores. Personally, I gave up caring about the Picard/Crusher romance about four seasons back. Actually, it may be even longer, the last time the two exhibited any real chemistry was in Season 1 episode, The Big Goodbye. Whoever though that having them able to listen to each other's intimate thoughts was a good idea was clearly looking down the back of the sofa for ideas by this stage.

The rest of the episode is pretty standard Trek fare with:

(a) two races of interesting looking aliens in conflict with one-another

(b) some welcome outdoor scenes (even if the landscape does look rather Californian)

(c) good use of the fibreglass rock formations in sound stage B

If the silver haired alien with the line down his forehead looks familiar it is because Canadian born actor Robin Gammell had already played parts in just about every long-running TV show of the day. Alas, he only made the one appearance in Star Trek but, on the other hand, Lenore Kasdorf, who played his opposite number, may be recognisable to viewers of Babylon 5.

Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.