From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc
AI/LLM Reviews of Star Trek The Next Generation - The Game
google Gemini
Plot Synopsis
Riker returns to the Enterprise from Risa with a new game, an interactive puzzle that provides a powerful euphoric response when solved. The crew, led by Riker, becomes quickly addicted to the game, spending all their free time trying to advance to new levels. Data, unable to experience the same pleasure, finds himself resistant to the game's allure. Wesley Crusher, returning to the ship on leave from Starfleet Academy, notices the crew's odd behavior and begins to investigate.
It's soon revealed that the game is a device from a race called the Ktarians, designed to take control of the Enterprise crew. The Ktarians have a plan to use the crew as a means to stage a coup. Data and Wesley must work together to find a way to disable the game and free the crew from its hypnotic effects, all while trying to avoid detection from their increasingly hostile and paranoid former friends.
Strengths
A Creepy and Unsettling Premise: The slow-burn progression of the crew's addiction is genuinely unsettling. The idea of something so innocuous taking over the crew's minds is a great sci-fi horror trope, and it's executed well here.
Wesley and Data as a Team: The episode smartly pairs Data, who is immune to the game, and Wesley, who has been away from the ship and is able to see the situation with fresh eyes. Their dynamic works well and provides a strong foundation for the plot.
Suspense and Action: "The Game" is a fast-paced and suspenseful episode. The race against time to stop the Ktarians, combined with the paranoia and tension of Data and Wesley being hunted by the very people they're trying to save, makes for an exciting watch.
Weaknesses
The Ktarians: The villains themselves are not particularly compelling. Their motivation and overall plan are a bit simplistic, and they feel like a plot device rather than a truly menacing threat.
Overall Impression
"The Game" is a very solid episode. It's an entertaining and well-paced thriller with a classic sci-fi premise. The character dynamics, especially between Data and Wesley, are excellent, and the central conflict is both clever and suspenseful. While the villains could have been more developed, the episode's strengths more than make up for it. It's a perfect example of a self-contained story that showcases the intelligence of the crew, and the insidious nature of certain technologies.
Rating: 8/10
ChatGPt
HererCOs my review of **rCLStar Trek: The Next Generation rCo *The Game***rCY (Season 5, Episode 6), based on the transcript, critical and fan commentary, with a rating out of 10:
---
## Episode Overview
After returning from Risa, Riker brings aboard a new augmented-reality game (administered via a kind of headgear visor) which quickly becomes an addictive fad among the crew. Initially seen as harmless fun, the game turns out to be a tool for control: players are weakened in their reasoning and eventually become puppets to an alien plot. Wesley Crusher (on leave from the Academy) becomes one of the few who sees through the danger and, with help (including from Ensign Robin Lefler), works to save the ship. Data is disabled (something that has to happen in many episodes), and Wesley takes center stage in stopping the threat.
---
## What Works
1. **Timely Social Commentary**
The episoderCOs theme of game addiction / digital distraction feels more prophetic now than it even was then. The notion that a simple rCLpleasure devicerCY could subtly warp rationality and priority resonates. Critics note that rCLThe GamerCY works as a warning about how entertainment/habit-forming tech can become insidious. ([Late to the Game Blog][1])
2. **Strong Supporting Characters**
Ensign Robin Lefler is given a chance to shine; her chemistry with Wesley is more than just teenage flirtationrCoit helps anchor the emotional stakes. Wesley is more proactive and intelligent here than in some earlier episodes. ([Late to the Game Blog][1])
3. **Escalation of Suspense**
The buildup from harmless game to full-crew threat is handled well. Scenes of those under the gamerCOs influence juxtaposed with Wesley trying to figure things out give a decent tension. Particularly the moment when Data's incapacitatedrCoremoving a key safety net. ([Reactor][2])
4. **Fun & Familiar rCLBody SnatchersrCY Feel**
It leans into classic sci-fi tropes (alien control, key character immune, saving the day) but does so with enough Trek flavor to be enjoyable. The rCLmind control via entertainment devicerCY is campy but serviceable. ([Reactor][2])
---
## Weaknesses
1. **Suspension of Disbelief Issues**
Many critics and fans point out plot holes: how so many senior officers are fooled; how physical or mental control works; why the shiprCOs security or protocols fail; and why Data is so easily disabled. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])
2. **Overreliance on Wesley Saving the Day**
The trope of Wesley being the one unaffected and the one who figures things out is repeated here. Some find it formulaic or forcedrCothat the rest of the crew must look incompetent to let it happen. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])
3. **Tone & Logic Flaws**
The visuals / gameplay device is cheesyrCospecial effects are dated. Some of the behavior of characters under the game's influence is inconsistent: they seem to obey rCLordersrCY but often act normally when not playing. The alien plotrCOs motivations are lightly drawn. ([Late to the Game Blog][1])
---
## Fan & Critical Reception
* **IMDb / Viewer Reviews**: Many enjoy the episode for its fun factor, nostalgic feel, and as a lighter rCLthrillerrCY episode. ([IMDb][4])
* **Retro-TV Review**: Notes how the addictive game theme resonates especially in modern times. ([Late to the Game Blog][1])
* **ReactorMag**: Appreciates it rCLeven if Riker comes across as a pathetic dupe.rCY Still calls it fun. ([Reactor][2])
* **JammerrCOs Reviews**: Criticizes logic and that many characters are too easily manipulated. ([Jammer's Reviews][3])
---
## Final Rating: **6.5 / 10**
**Verdict:** *The Game* is not one of TNGrCOs deepest or most polished episodes, but it works well as a lighter sci-fi thriller with some creeping dread and a socially relevant theme. ItrCOs fun, occasionally tense, with decent character work (especially Wesley + Robin). It stumbles when the plot requires lots of disbelief and when the idea of turning the entire crew into willing puppets strains TrekrCOs internal consistency.
If you want, I can place it in your Season 5 rCLbest-to-worstrCY list so you can see how it stacks up versus the others.
[1]:
https://latetothegame.blog/2020/02/22/retro-tv-review-star-trek-tng-ssn-5-episode-six-the-game-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Retro TV Review: Star Trek TNG SSN 5 Episode Six: The Game"
[2]:
https://reactormag.com/star-trek-the-next-generation-qthe-gameq/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch: \"The Game\" - Reactor"
[3]:
https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-tng/s5/game.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"The Game\" | Star Trek: TNG - Jammer's Reviews"
[4]:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708798/reviews/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The Next Generation\" The Game (TV Episode 1991) - User reviews"
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