Star Trek: The Next Generation
(1987–1994)
Dr. Crusher falls for someone who's not at all what she expects him to be.
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Title: The Host (11 May 1991)
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| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Capt. Jean-Luc Picard | |
| Jonathan Frakes | ... | Cmdr. William Riker | |
| LeVar Burton | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge | |
| Michael Dorn | ... | Lt. Worf | |
| Gates McFadden | ... | Dr. Beverly Crusher | |
| Marina Sirtis | ... | Counselor Deanna Troi | |
| Brent Spiner | ... | Lt. Cmdr. Data | |
| Barbara Tarbuck | ... | Governor Leka Trion | |
 |
Nicole Orth-Pallavicini | ... | Kareel Odan |
| William Newman | ... | Kalin Trose | |
| Patti Yasutake | ... | Nurse Alyssa Ogawa | |
| Franc Luz | ... | Odan | |
Doctor Beverly Crusher is secretly in love with Federation ambassador Odan, who is on his way to the Alpha Moon which is rebelling against the planet they were colonized from and causes potentially fatal environmental damage to the Beta Moon. Crusher ignores the fact that her humanoid lover's body has an alien symbiont in his entrails, but Counselor Deanna Troi empathically senses emotional swings which set her on the trail. An unrequested escort vessel from the Beta Moon then approaches and attacks the Enterprise shuttle which Commander Will Riker was piloting to take the ambassador to his destination. When Riker brings Odan back to the Enterprise badly wounded, Crusher's diagnosis reveals the 'parasite' and she learns his true identity. Odan urgently needs another humanoid host to perform his peace mission, for which task Riker volunteers. Written by KGF Vissers
When Star Trek fans see this episode today, the mystery isn't so mysterious. After all, one of the cast of "Star Trek: Deep Space 9" was supposed to be of the Trill--so the notion of having a body as a host and a sentient separate being inside isn't surprising. Back when "The Host" debuted, however, this was all new and probably surprised more than a few of the fans. That's because Dr. Crusher has fallen in love with Ambassador Odan and doesn't realize that as a Trill he also has one of these beings living inside. Now this isn't a case of "Invasion of the Body Snatcher"--the relationship is voluntary and both sides benefit from this relationship. However, Dr. Crusher isn't prepared for this and only learns about this bonding when Odan is injured and his host body dies! In a pinch, to keep him alive, the thing known as 'Odan' temporarily is hosted by Riker--an awkward situation for the Doctor, to say the least! How does all this play out---well, see the show to find out for yourself.
This was a great introduction to the Trill and made for a very interesting episode. It also offers some interesting bisexual subtext--something which might surprise some viewers. Well done overall.