This probably should be watched in a two-part double header with "Conspiracy". It seems like the conspiracy storyline involving high ranking members of Starfleet, "controlled" by a "parasitic evil from within" should have produced an over-arching influence on future seasons, but it all ends towards the end of the first season with the aforementioned, "Conspiracy". Mysteriously, Admiral Quinn (Ward Costello), an old friend of Picard's, comes on board the Enterprise with an investigative officer, Lt. Commander Dexter Remmick (Robert Schenkkan) hiding his reasons under a cloak of secrecy. What are Quinn and Dexter after—it seems to be Picard! Through a confrontational, antagonistic, bluntly authoritative manner that polarizes all those he interviews intensely, Remmick makes enemies with all of Picard's main crew, as he pursues any strange "discrepancies" or questionable decisions and behavior that would offer proof of "something wrong". Quinn later explains that this investigation is about making sure Picard was on "the up and up" so he could have the Captain promoted to Admiral and head over Starfleet Academy! Obviously Picard wasn't ready to leave the Enterprise so this will be turned down, but this will not be the last time Quinn and Remmick will be seen: fascinating enough, these two, dedicated in trying to prove the Federation was being invaded from within the most powerful positions, fall prey to the very "corrupting influence" they were after. Meanwhile, the other portion of the episode shows Wesley Crusher on a planet taking a series of difficult tests against a few hopefuls to enter Starfleet Academy. A distressed officer on board the Enterprise (Wesley beat out to win the coveted spot to take the tests on the planet) steals a shuttlecraft, with plans to meet a freighter, losing power, heading for the planet's atmosphere, certain to burn up unless Picard (Remmick watching, with plenty of questions towards his curious methods) can save him out of harm's way. Mordock, a Benzite, is one of the Starfleet hopefuls who befriends Wesley (Wesley even helps him win a test, almost breaking a record, sacrificing his own results), as a female Vulcan and a cute human girl (who calls Wesley cute with him gushing) also participate in the round of tests. Wesley's score just falls short and in disappointment doesn't think he deserves to join the Enterprise crew in the Admiral's farewell dinner, Picard admitting he himself failed the first time! It is a nice bonding moment for Picard and Wesley. The interviews between Rimmick and Picard's crew (Troi, LaForge, Data, Riker, Worf, and Crusher) are among the best scenes in the episode, strongly defending their Captain and his abilities in the position over the Enterprise. When Rimmick proclaims he would like to serve on the Enterprise when his current duties are over, it is a testament to the way Picard operates as leader and Captain.
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