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.
This episode made such a terrible impression upon me when I first saw it that I'm not sure that I ever watched it again before now. I remember musing as to how the make up department could possibly have got away with THAT particular forehead of the week, especially for a character met by Riker on the pleasure planet of Risa. Can the producers really have been that unfamiliar with female human anatomy that they failed to notice any similarity?
Now that virtually everyone on the planet is glued to their screens 24/7, the hazards of addictive gaming are seen less as a terrible menace to our vulnerable teens and more as an inevitable contribution towards the global economy. The moralising message of the episode has been somewhat diluted and it can therefore be viewed as a serviceable, mind-control conspiracy story.
Ashley Judd before she became famous and Will Wheaton before he grew chubby-faced both give confident and likeable performances. They make a convincing young couple and, although Wheaton seldom returned to Star Trek after this point, there may have been plans to feature them together again. Fortunately actress Catherine Moffatt, who played the alien character of Etana Jol, subsequently had some of her professional embarrassment expunged when she was given a half way decent role in the Deep Space Nine episode Necessary Evil.
