The Game
- Episode aired Oct 26, 1991
- TV-PG
- 45m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Wesley Crusher returns to the Enterprise on vacation from the Academy only to discover a mysterious alien game infiltrating and controlling the crew.Wesley Crusher returns to the Enterprise on vacation from the Academy only to discover a mysterious alien game infiltrating and controlling the crew.Wesley Crusher returns to the Enterprise on vacation from the Academy only to discover a mysterious alien game infiltrating and controlling the crew.
Diane Hurley
- Woman
- (as Diane M. Hurley)
Rachen Assapiomonwait
- Crewman Nelosn
- (uncredited)
Joe Baumann
- Crewman Garvey
- (uncredited)
Michael Braveheart
- Crewman Martinez
- (uncredited)
Victoria Cameron
- Ten Forward Waitress
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was the first episode to air after Gene Roddenberry's death on October 24, 1991.
- GoofsSince the game uses a visual interface, and works through the eye, and optic nerve, Geordi should have been immune to its affects, since his eyes and optic nerves don't work, and the game could not have been altered to work through his VISOR. However, the game is sending information to the brain, via the optic nerve. The VISOR 'sees' the same visible portion of the spectrum as others' eyes and sends the information to his brain. There is therefore no reason why the device shouldn't affect him too.
- Quotes
[Wesley has asked Picard about the initials 'AF' carved into an elm tree]
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Wesley, if you meet someone, whose initials you might want to carve into that elm tree, don't let it interfere with your studies. I failed organic chemistry because of AF.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Fictional Video Games in TV (2015)
- SoundtracksStar Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage
Featured review
In principle it is an accurate future prediction
Riker brings an augmented reality gaming headset back from shore leave and members of the crew start to become addicted to using it.
This is an entertaining episode that gives a decent commentary on excessive gaming and is a nice homage to 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'.
The story has the formula of a possession thriller with a nice bit of irony showing adults as the game obsessed victims, whilst the teenage characters do not indulge. It maintains an effective level creepiness throughout, but the suspense is minimal when you know everything will soon be back to normal. It holds up well on contemporary viewing given the prevalence of screen time in today's world.
Wesley Crusher and Robin Lefler are the main protagonists. They have reasonably good chemistry, and this is mainly down to Ashley Judd's incredibly striking screen presence and charming persona. To be fair to Will Wheaton, he is better than he's ever been at delivering the poorly written Wesley dialogue.
Many other characters play 'possessed' versions of their usual characters. It's always creepier when they keep the normal personality with some sinister traits thrown in.
Visually it is quite effective, with some cinematography giving certain scenes an air of dread or a feeling that characters are not quite right. Some of the sexualised behaviour of the people playing the game is a bit OTT but keeps it all fun.
The gaming effects are a bit weird. They look good as an AR style game that would have been quite futuristic when the episode was made, but for me it looks like a game designed by people who know nothing about gaming.
All the cast give solid performances.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I like to round upwards.
This is an entertaining episode that gives a decent commentary on excessive gaming and is a nice homage to 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'.
The story has the formula of a possession thriller with a nice bit of irony showing adults as the game obsessed victims, whilst the teenage characters do not indulge. It maintains an effective level creepiness throughout, but the suspense is minimal when you know everything will soon be back to normal. It holds up well on contemporary viewing given the prevalence of screen time in today's world.
Wesley Crusher and Robin Lefler are the main protagonists. They have reasonably good chemistry, and this is mainly down to Ashley Judd's incredibly striking screen presence and charming persona. To be fair to Will Wheaton, he is better than he's ever been at delivering the poorly written Wesley dialogue.
Many other characters play 'possessed' versions of their usual characters. It's always creepier when they keep the normal personality with some sinister traits thrown in.
Visually it is quite effective, with some cinematography giving certain scenes an air of dread or a feeling that characters are not quite right. Some of the sexualised behaviour of the people playing the game is a bit OTT but keeps it all fun.
The gaming effects are a bit weird. They look good as an AR style game that would have been quite futuristic when the episode was made, but for me it looks like a game designed by people who know nothing about gaming.
All the cast give solid performances.
For me it's a 7.5/10 but I like to round upwards.
helpful•70
- snoozejonc
- Aug 6, 2021
Details
- Runtime45 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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