The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"The Mind's Eye"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
Geordi undergoes brainwashing treatments.
Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 24
Directed by	David Livingston
Teleplay by	René Echevarria
Story by	René Echevarria Ken Schaefer
Featured music	Dennis McCarthy
Production code	198
Original air date	May 27, 1991 (1991-05-27)
Guest stars
Larry Dobkin - Kell John Fleck - Taibak Colm Meaney - Miles O'Brien Edward Wiley as Vagh Majel Barrett - Computer Voice
Episode chronology
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List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes

"The Mind's Eye" is the 98th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Plot

While flying a shuttle on his way to a vacation on Risa, Geordi La Forge is playing games with the ship's computer to pass the time and a Romulan Warbird suddenly decloaks and transports Geordi aboard. Taibak, one of his captors, explains that Geordi will be helping the Romulans whether or not he wants to. The Romulans send someone who is altered to look like Geordi to take his place on Risa. The Romulans use a device to tap directly into La Forge's visual cortex, and sends increasingly disturbing images into his brain in order to influence his psyche as a limited form of mind control. After some time, Taibak is able to force La Forge to murder a virtual simulation of his friend, Chief O'Brien, proving his subject ready. La Forge is placed back in the shuttle on course for the Enterprise, believing he is returning from Risa. Geordi returns to the Enterprise with no knowledge of being programmed and even describes events of the trip to Counselor Troi.

The Enterprise is presently assisting the Klingon Ambassador Kell with a situation on Krios, an outlying Klingon colony dealing with rebels that are seeking independence from the Empire. The Govenor claims that the Federation has been secretly aiding the rebellion. As such, the Enterprise is summoned to examine evidence of the claim. At a meeting with Vagh, Vagh shows Picard, Riker, Worf, and Kell medical supplies and a Federation phaser rifle found in the rebel base. Worf clashes with Vagh, believing the Governor has a vendetta against the Federation, while Picard promises a full investigation. While scanning the planet, Data discovers E-band radiation, a rare phenomenon, and attempts to determine its source. During their examination of the weapon, Geordi and Data discover that the phaser is a perfect copy of a Starfleet issued hardware except that it was charged with Romulan power sources and as such Romulans are responsible.

Later, under the influence of Romulan control, La Forge beams down a cache of Federation weapons from a cargo bay to the rebels, erasing the computer records. Vagh discovers the transport and informs Picard that the transport was intercepted and just as quickly two Klingon ships appear from the surface and Picard is ordered to hold position or the ships will open fire. Kel is able to convince Vagh not to fire on the ship, pending an investigation. Data, and La Forge can confirm someone beamed down the weapons from the Enterprise, but discover the missing memory logs, and assert only themselves and two others could have modified them.

Ambassador Kel is having a meal in his quarters when the door chime rings. Kel knows already, that it is Geordi LaForge and tells him to enter. Kel instructs Geordi that he will have Vagh with him when he returns and tells Geordi to kill Vagh with a phaser and to proclaim that he acting on Federation orders in support of rebel independence. Vagh, losing patience with the Enterprise, is invited aboard to observe the cargo bay and the crew's investigation along with Picard and Kell. Data, meanwhile, discovers more E-band radiation, and continuing his investigation, discovers that La Forge's shuttle showed signs of being captured by a tractor beam. Additionally, Data finds signs that the Romulans replicated the shuttle's computer chips and replaced them. Data suspects Romulans are attempting to subvert the situation and investigates deeper.

As Vagh, Kell, and Picard join La Forge, Worf, and other crewmembers in the cargo bay, Data comes to the conclusion that La Forge never made it to Risa, and relays his concerns to Worf to restrain La Forge. As Worf moves on La Forge, Vagh believes Worf is about to attack him, and has his guards restrain Worf, leaving La Forge to have a clear shot on Vagh. Picard is able to deflect La Forge's shot as Data arrives and explains the situation and the E-band radiation. Data has determined that someone is controlling La Forge's actions from a close distance, and by process of elimination could only be either Picard or Kell. Kell immediately refuses to be searched. To Kell's relief, Vagh voices his support. His relief is short-lived, however, when Vagh tells Picard that Kell will be taken into Klingon custody to be searched. Realizing that the discovery of his treachery would be a death sentence in Klingon hands, Kell attempts to plead for asylum on the Enterprise. Picard tells Kell his petition will be certainly approved but only after he has been exonerated of wrongdoing.

La Forge is adamant regarding the certainty of his memories during a session with Counselor Troi. He recalls mundane facts of his vacation. Troi asks La Forge about his activities aboard the shuttle and then asks him what actions he took upon seeing the Romulan vessel. La Forge is about to respond but stops short - he now realizes something happened on the way to Risa. Troi tells La Forge that his memory will be reconstructed but that it will take time. La Forge sits in stunned silence, unsure of anything.

Notes

• "The Mind's Eye" was a first for David Livingston in the role of a Director.^[1]

• This is the first episode to feature the return of Denise Crosby as Sela, although she is heard but not explicitly seen, foreshadowing the character's appearance in the forthcoming "Redemption" episodes.

References

1. ^ Interview with David Livingston, Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4 DVD Extras 'Departmental Briefing - Year Four: Production'

• Star Trek The Next Generation DVD set, volume 4, disk 6, selection 4.

External links

• The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation) at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation)" at TV.com
• The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation) at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
• The Mind's Eye (Star Trek: The Next Generation) at StarTrek.com