From Newsgroup: rec.arts.startrek.misc

AI/LLM Reviews of Star Trek The Next Generation - Conundrum

Google Gemini

Plot Synopsis
After being hit by a mysterious energy wave, the entire crew of the Enterprise loses their memories. They have no idea who they are, what their relationships are, or even what their mission is. The only things that remain are their technical skills and a new, unfamiliar man on the bridge who the computer identifies as their new First Officer, Commander Kieran MacDuff.

As they slowly piece together their identities and their purpose, they discover that the Federation is apparently at war with a species called the Lysians, and their mission is to destroy the Lysian command center. Doubts begin to creep in, particularly from Counselor Troi, who feels something is not right. Worf, in a humorous twist, assumes command as he believes his Klingon warrior instincts make him the natural leader.

The crew's core personalities shine through despite their amnesia, and they ultimately question the validity of their mission. They uncover MacDuff's deception and realize he is a member of a species at war with the Lysians, who used the amnesia technology to take over the Enterprise for his own purposes.

Strengths
Character Exploration: The amnesia plot device is a fantastic way to explore the core nature of each character without the baggage of their past experiences. We see who they are at their most basic level.

Humor: The episode has some genuinely funny moments, from Worf's brief stint as captain to Riker's spontaneous flirtation with Ensign Ro Laren, which is particularly entertaining given their usual antagonism.

Classic Mystery: The episode is structured as a compelling mystery, with the crew (and the audience) trying to figure out what's going on and who MacDuff really is.

Weaknesses
Plot Holes: The episode's central premise requires a significant suspension of disbelief. The idea that an alien species could selectively wipe the memories of multiple species while leaving their technical skills intact is a bit of a stretch.

Convenient Resolution: The resolution is a little too clean. The crew regains their memories without any lasting consequences, which diminishes the stakes of the initial conflict.

Overall Impression
"Conundrum" is a very entertaining episode that's more focused on character moments and a fun mystery than it is on profound ethical questions. While the plot has its logical gaps, the strong performances and engaging premise make it a memorable and enjoyable watch.

Rating: 7.5/10

You can find a fan's reaction and review to this episode, including commentary on the plot and its humorous elements, in this YouTube video: Riker & Ro Smash! | TNG Conundrum Reaction & Review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ic1NVvkSjo

ChatGPT

HererCOs a review of *Star Trek: TNG rCo rCLConundrumrCY* (Season 5, Episode 14), based on the transcript plus what critics and fans have said, and a rating out of 10.

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## What Happens in *Conundrum*

* The Enterprise is scanned by an alien ship; a green energy beam from the scan causes selective amnesia in the crew. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])
* Computer records are wiped so the crew donrCOt recognize each other (or themselves), and a new Commander, **Kieran MacDuff**, appears in their midst, acting like part of the crew with apparently legitimate status. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])
* MacDuff claims the Enterprise has been drafted into a war with the Lysians by the Satarrans (MacDuffrCOs people), and that they must carry out orders. Tensions and ambiguity buildrCosome crew members feel uneasy about MacDuffrCOs orders. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])
* Eventually, Picard, Riker, and others puzzle out that something is off. MacDuff tries to push forward an attack. Worf objects. The conjuncture of character values, vague memories, and moral intuitions lead them to resist. MacDuff is stopped, and the crewrCOs memories are restored. The false war orders are exposed. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])

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## What Works

1. **Unique & Fun Premise**
The memory-wipe twist offers a strong hook: seeing familiar characters stripped of personal context, yet still acting in recognizable ways (their training, instincts, and personalities shining through) is interesting. The viewer gets to see rCLwhat if the crew didnrCOt know themselvesrCY and how much of who they are would still matter. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])

2. **Character Moments & Humor**
There are amusing bitsrCoWorf assuming command, awkward flirtations (Ro & Troi with Riker), PicardrCOs calm under disorientation, DatarCOs role even when confused. These moments humanize (and de-humanize) in ways that reveal character under pressure. ([Jammer's Reviews][2])

3. **Moral Intuition vs Blind Obedience**
Without full memories or all the facts, several crew members still sense something is wrongrCoethical dilemmas arise. Do you obey orders when you suspect deception? This tension creates some depth, especially since the rCLwarrCY feels unjustified to them. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])

4. **Entertainment Value**
As a rCLwhat is realityrCY / rCLtwist mysteryrCY episode, it does its job: itrCOs engaging, a little light, but fun. It doesnrCOt try to be deeply philosophical in all parts, but it balances mystery, character, and conflict in a way thatrCOs pretty satisfying for a standalone episode. ([Jammer's Reviews][2])

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## What DoesnrCOt Work / Weaknesses

1. **Plot Implausibilities / Logic Stretch**
Many reviews call out the implausibility of selective memory erasure plus computer data erasure yet still needing the Enterprise crew to function. Why MacDuff doesnrCOt simply make himself captain, or why the plot requires so many convenient coincidences, are often criticized. ([Jammer's Reviews][2])

2. **Emotional Stakes Not Deep Enough**
Because large parts of the charactersrCO backgrounds are wiped, many emotional connections are lost until laterrCoso early on, the audience doesnrCOt always care deeply. Some moments feel rCLjust weirdrCY rather than deeply moving until the resolution. ([ex-astris-scientia.org][1])

3. **Dependence on Familiarity & Suspension of Disbelief**
The episode works best if you already know and care about the charactersrCoif you didnrCOt, the twist lands less well. Also you have to accept a lot of sci-fi contrivance: what are the limits of the alien tech, how much is wiped, what remains, etc. Some viewers find that these gaps pull them out of the story. ([Jammer's Reviews][2])

4. **Resolution & Aftermath Feel Light**
Once the twist is revealed, things wrap up quickly. The moral fallout is not deeply probedrCowho feels guilty, how relationships pick up, how the crew process that they almost followed orders to do something wrong. The epilogue is relatively simple. ([Jammer's Reviews][2])

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## Overall Rating: **7 / 10**

**Verdict:**
*Conundrum* is a solid episode with a clever premise. ItrCOs not among the very best of TNG, but itrCOs enjoyable, thought-provoking in a lighter way, and gives nice moments of character insight. If you enjoy episodes that mess with identity, memory, or moral uncertainty, this one delivers. There are plot holes and some convenience in the writing, but itrCOs entertained enough to earn a positive score.

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[1]: https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/episodes/tng5g.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ex Astris Scientia - The Next Generation (TNG) Season 5 Guest Reviews"
[2]: https://www.jammersreviews.com/st-tng/s5/conundrum.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "\"Conundrum\" | Star Trek: TNG | Jammer's Reviews"
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