Changes: The Mind's Eye (episode)

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En route to Risa, Geordi La Forge is taken prisoner on a Romulan ship and mentally conditioned to assassinate a Klingon governor in order to implicate the Federation as enemies of the Empire and unbalance relations between the two governments.

Summary

Teaser

While on his way to Risa for a cybernetics symposium and shore leave, Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge's shuttlecraft is captured by a Romulan warbird.

Act One

"Captain's log, stardate 44891.6. The Enterprise has been ordered to accompany a special emissary from the Klingon High Council to the Kriosian system, where one of their colonies is fighting for independence."

The USS Enterprise-D escorts Klingon Ambassador Kell to the Kriosian system, where a Klingon colony is fighting for its independence. The governor of Krios, Vagh, has accused the Federation of providing aid and weapons to the Kriosian rebels. Kell has been sent to examine the governor's evidence, and Kell personally requested Captain Picard's help.

Aboard the warbird, La Forge is subjected to intense mental conditioning. While an impostor is sent to Risa in his place, La Forge is fed several horrific images directly into his visual cortex, via his VISOR implants. Taibak, the Romulan officer controlling the conditioning explains to his Commander (Sela, whose face is not seen but whose voice is heard from the darkness) that La Forge's pre-existing implants will make their tampering untraceable. He also says they will have LaForge perform several test acts both on the warbird and the Enterprise to make sure the programming is working.

In a holographic simulation, La Forge is told to kill Chief Miles O'Brien. La Forge hesitates at first, and Taibak says another round of conditioning will be required.

Act Two

On Krios, Picard steadfastly denies Governor Vagh's accusations, but Vagh produces a phaser rifle taken from a rebel stronghold that appears to be Federation issue.

When La Forge returns, he has no memory of the Romulan abduction. After his return, however, Data notices that the ship's sensors are detecting sporadic E-band emissions. Data tries to pinpoint the source of the emissions, and also works with La Forge to analyze the weapons seized from the Klingon rebels.

Through a careful examination of the captured phaser rifle, La Forge and Data detect subtle differences between it and a Federation-issue weapon. Upon further inspection, they determine that the weapon had been charged with a power source calibrated in the terahertz range. Data comments that 327 known species use that range, and it will take several hours to make an exact match. La Forge says they can narrow down their search, just by asking themselves who stands to benefit from driving a wedge between the Federation and the Klingons.

In Governor Vagh's office, La Forge presents the rifle as a Romulan decoy; physically, it is a perfect replica, but since they had to charge it with their own energy sources, they left traces behind. Governor Vagh remains skeptical, since Krios holds no strategic interest for the Romulans, but Picard points out that they certainly have an interest in sowing distrust between the Federation and the Klingons. Vagh still wants his own people to verify the findings. While in the office, La Forge's VISOR receives another distinctive E-band transmission.

La Forge goes to 10 Forward, where he encounters a setup very similar to the test setup aboard the warbirds when he was told to kill O'Brien. This time, acting under instructions, he intentionally spills a drink on O'Brien. Apparently this is one of the test acts to make sure the programming is working.

On the bridge, Riker and Data detect the new E-band emission, although this one is much larger than the first indicating that it could not have originated in the same location. Riker observes that if it has changed intensity, than it cannot possibly be a protostar, which they had previously thought to be a possibility. He then asks Data if there is any known instances of the Romulans using E-band for communications. Data is not aware of any. They decide to try to track the signal by reconfiguring the primary sensor array to narrow its focus to E-band emissions to possibly calculate a directional vector should there be any further emissions.

Acting under mind control again, La Forge beams a crate of weapons from the Enterprise to the surface, which is intercepted by the Klingons. Furiously, Vagh contacts Picard and tells him to maintain his orbit until further notice. To back up the threat, a Klingon attack cruiser and two Birds-of-Prey decloak and face off with Enterprise.

Act Three

An investigation ensues, and Data and La Forge determine that an unauthorized transport was sent from cargo bay 4, but the memory chips in the computer were erased to hide the offender's identity and the power was routed through the replicator pathways to attempt to conceal its origin.

Ambassador Kell offers to beam down to Krios to force Vagh to come aboard the Enterprise to witness the ongoing investigation, in an attempt to convince him of the Federation's innocence. However, before Kell leaves, La Forge visits him in his quarters, where it is revealed that Kell is conspiring with the Romulans, and that Kell has been implanting commands within La Forge's mind, including the command to transport the weapons to the Klingon rebels. Kell instructs La Forge to murder Governor Vagh when he arrives from Krios and claim he acted on behalf of Starfleet in support of the colony's independence.

La Forge visits Dr. Crusher in sickbay, explaining that he has not been able to sleep since his visit to Risa. She examines him and detects a slight abnormality in the visual cortex and recommends a complete examination at the next Starbase they visit.

Act Four

Vagh and Kell beam onto the Enterprise. Vagh says he has only come because of Kell's insistence that he review the Federation investigation in person. Kell suggests they begin in Cargo Bay 4. Pickard agrees.

Kell's E-band transmission to La Forge is detected by the Enterprise's sensors. Following a mounting trail of evidence, Data finds that the E-band transmissions would be compatible with LaForge's visor. He then goes to the shuttlebay and determines that the memory chips in La Forge's shuttlecraft have been replicated by Romulans, and that the hull has been subjected to stresses consistent with a tractor beam. He orders Lt. Worf to take La Forge into custody immediately. Meanwhile LaForge makes his way to Cargo Bay 4 per Kell's previous instructions.

Seeing La Forge approaching Picard and Vagh in the cargo bay, Worf jumps down, an action taken as threatening by Vagh's bodyguards. They seize him, and Worf struggles to get free, while the commotion draws everyone's attention away from La Forge. Worf shouts a warning, Picard spins around and grabs La Forge's hand just as he fires a hand phaser at Vagh.

Vagh accuses the Federation of a murder plot. Picard is temporarily at a loss, at which point Data arrives and reveals that La Forge has been acting under Romulan control, explaining the E-band transmissions that have preceded each suspicious act aboard the Enterprise, which were transmitted directly to La Forge's brain through his VISOR. Kell, anxious to divert suspicion away from himself, asks whether a cloaked Romulan ship could be the source of the signals. Data says no, the signals would have to have been transmitted in close proximity to La Forge by a Romulan agent. As to who that agent is, Data reveals that only two people were close to La Forge at all three times when a signal was recorded: Picard and Kell.

All eyes turn to Kell (Vagh doesn't even glance at Picard), as Data continues ominously that the Romulan agent must be hiding an E-band transmitter on his person. He suggests both Pickard and Kell consent to a search. Kell blusters that, as a representative of the High Council, he will not consent to be body-searched, but Vagh has his bodyguards place the ambassador under arrest, saying they will take him back to the planet and search him there. Kell formally requests asylum aboard the Enterprise. Picard coolly rejoins that he will be happy to grant asylum – after Kell is absolved of any crime. Vagh signals the planet, and the Klingons are beamed away.

La Forge later undergoes counseling with ship's counselor Deanna Troi, where he begins to realize that his memories of his trip to Risa are false. Troi promises to work with him to restore his memory, and she begins by asking La Forge what happened after he saw the Romulan ship – a question that leaves La Forge stumped, and worried as the full horror of the violation against him begins to sink in.

Memorable Quotes

"List the resonances of the sub-quantum states associated with transitional relativity..."
"That's easy!"
"... in alphabetical order."

- The shuttlecraft computer and La Forge, while playing word games to pass the time

"Sequence 0-1-0. Maximum power to the shields. Kill the music."

- La Forge, upon seeing the Romulan Warbird

"You are preparing to grant them independence?"
"Well, perhaps. Conquer them again later, if we wish."

- Captain Picard and Ambassador Kell

"Your modesty is very Human, captain. I will excuse it."

- Ambassador Kell

"Welcome, Mr. La Forge. We've waited a long time to meet you."
"I can tell you've gone to a lot of trouble!"

- Taibak and La Forge (strapped to a chair)

"Who is that man sitting over there?"
"That's Chief O'Brien."
"How long has he served with you?"
"Almost four years."
"I want you to kill him."
"OK."

- Taibak and a brainwashed Geordi La Forge

"Governor, you speak as if we were enemies, not allies."
"And you speak the lies of a tah-keck!"
"Vagh guy'cha b'aka!"
"Gentlemen!"
"You swear well, Picard. You must have Klingon blood in your veins."

- Picard, Governor Vagh, and Kell

"One could speculate that the E-band was being used as some form of covert communication."
"We need more than speculation, Mr. Data. We need to know who what where when and why. Or we may be going to war."

- Data and Riker - Listen to this quote^file info

"I will certainly grant you asylum...when you have been absolved of this crime."

- Picard

"Data to Lt. Worf. Priority one."
"Go ahead."
"Take Commander La Forge into custody immediately."
"Sir?'"
"That is an order."

- Data and Worf

"I saw no evidence of Romulans! We just witnessed him acting very much alone!"
"No, sir. You did not."

- Kell and Data

"I have surmised that Commander La Forge was conditioned by Romulans. A process referred to historically – and somewhat inaccurately – as 'brainwashing'."

- Data

"But to what end? Why would the Romulans want to kill me?"
"The Romulans have always wanted to destroy the alliance between the Federation and the Klingons. If Mr. La Forge killed you, governor, I think you would agree, they might have succeeded."

- Vagh and Picard

Background information

Story and production

"The Mind's Eye" was based upon the classic film, The Manchurian Candidate. First time director David Livingston, a fan of the film and its director John Frankenheimer, unsuccessfully attempted to get an actor from the film to appear as an extra on this episode. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion) Instead, Livingston introduced an homage shot in the scene where a brain-washed La Forge kills a holodeck version of O'Brien. (Trek: The Unauthorized Behind-The-Scenes Story of The Next Generation) He also filmed the corridor scene with La Forge with wide angles and 17 mm lenses. ("Departmental Briefing Year Four - Production", TNG Season 4 DVD special feature)
Livingston recalled, "I couldn't ask for a better episode to do as my first directorial assignment, since it didn't have scenes with eleven people in the observation lounge talking for ten minutes. Every scene had something going on, some action. They were all short scenes and I could do some weird stuff and was thrilled." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)
"The Mind's Eye" was filmed between Wednesday 20 March 1991 and Thursday 28 March 1991 on Paramount Stage 8, 9, and 16. An additional scene between LeVar Burton and Gates McFadden in sickbay was filmed on Tuesday 9 April 1991 on Paramount Stage 9. Second unit and insert shots were filmed on Thursday 18 April 1991 on Paramount Stage 8 and 9.
The final call sheet of the episode informed the cast and crew about company holiday on Friday 29 March 1991.
First UK airdate: 30 November 1994.

Cast and characters

Larry Dobkin, who plays Klingon Ambassador Kell, directed The Original Series episode "Charlie X".
The female Romulan commander obscured by shadows during La Forge's "conditioning" is portrayed by Debra Dilley, a photo double for Denise Crosby who only provided the voice, and went uncredited. This is the first appearance of Sela though her actual identity is obscured in this episode.
John Fleck appeared as another Romulan, Koval, in the Deep Space Nine episode "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges". In addition, Fleck would later appear as Silik in Star Trek: Enterprise.
This is the first episode of The Next Generation in which Majel Barrett received credit for voicing the computer.
Stunt doubles John Nowak and Eric Chambers filmed a fight sequence between Captain Picard and La Forge on Tuesday 26 March 1991. This scene was not part of the aired episode.
According to the call sheet for Wednesday 27 March 1991, Majel Barrett had a photo shooting for Star Trek on Paramount Stage 8.

Continuity

This is the first appearance of Sela, although she remains in the shadows. Denise Crosby preformed the voice over uncredited to help set up the character without giving away the surprise, and a body double was used on set.
Although remaining unseen here, Kriosians appear in the Season Five episode "The Perfect Mate" and the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Precious Cargo".
Ambassador Kell wears the same sash that the Klingon ambassador wore in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
The Romulan and Klingon transporter effects of the 24th century are seen for the first time in this episode.
This is the second appearance of the tactical laboratory after "The Emissary", though it looks completely different here.
Krios in this episode looks different from Krios as seen in "The Perfect Mate". Here, Krios is blue; in the latter episode it is green. A reference to Krios Prime was included in "Precious Cargo" for the purpose of suggesting that the blue and green "Krios"es were two different planets.
The map of the region surrounding Krios that Worf and Kell look at in the tactical lab was later slightly modified and re-used as a map of the Typhon Expanse.
The matte painting used for the surface of Krios is a re-use of the painting originally created for "Angel One". The painting was extensively "Klingonified" for this appearance.
The footage of the three Klingon warships was re-used footage from the Season 4 episode "Reunion".
The large shuttlebay set doubles as shuttlebay 2 and cargo bay 4 in this episode, both filmed on Paramount Stage 9.
The master systems display in main engineering is seen in several close-ups. All inside gags (the hamster wheel, the duck, Nomad, a Porsche) were removed, however.

Reception

A mission report by John Sayers for this episode was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine Vol. 17, pp. 43-46.

Video and DVD releases

Original UK VHS release (two-episode tapes, CIC Video): Volume 49, 8 June 1992
As part of the UK VHS collection Star Trek: The Next Generation - 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition, under the "La Forge" section, 29 September 1997
UK re-release (three-episode tapes, Paramount Home Entertainment): Volume 4.8, 1 October 2001
As part of the TNG Season 4 DVD collection

Links and references

Starring

Patrick Stewart as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes as Cmdr. William Riker

Also starring

LeVar Burton as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn as Lieutenant Worf
Gates McFadden as Dr. Beverly Crusher
Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
Brent Spiner as Lt. Commander Data

Guest stars

Previous episode:
"The Host"

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 4

Next episode:
"In Theory"

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 Ambassador Kell offers to [[beam]] down to Krios to force Vagh to come aboard the ''Enterprise'' to witness the ongoing investigation, in an attempt to convince him of the Federation's innocence. However, before Kell leaves, La Forge visits him in his [[crew quarters|quarters]], where it is revealed that Kell is conspiring with the Romulans, and that Kell has been implanting commands within La Forge's mind, including the command to transport the weapons to the Klingon rebels. Kell instructs La Forge to [[murder]] Governor Vagh when he arrives from Krios and claim he acted on behalf of Starfleet in support of the colony's independence.
-La Forge visits Dr. Crusher in sickbay, explaining that he has not been able to sleep since his visit to Rysa. She examines him and detects a slight abnormality in the visual cortex and recommends a complete examination at the next Starbase they visit.
+La Forge visits Dr. Crusher in sickbay, explaining that he has not been able to sleep since his visit to Risa. She examines him and detects a slight abnormality in the visual cortex and recommends a complete examination at the next Starbase they visit.
 ===Act Four===