I think of all the characters aboard the Enterprise, the least interesting, to me, is Geordi LaForge. There doesn't seem to be a depth to his character. He is a repository of technological knowledge. He frequently pulls stuff out of the blue that is so advanced it bears a bit of skepticism. That doesn't mean I dislike him but he isn't very interesting. They play on his inability to form relationships, but he never gets out of his head. He is dull. This episode, which involves the death of his mother, has him going off half cocked and not recognizing clues that his experiences should have taught him. When his mother shows up, he should have had some suspicions about who she was. He ignore the advice of the crew. Granted he has lost his mother, but her appearance is in the oddest circumstance. I just couldn't get into this one.
15 Reviews
A weaker than average episode
Tweekums31 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As this episode opens Geordi is testing a new device; it is an interface that allows him to control a probe remotely and experience what the probe detects as though he were there himself. Inevitably it isn't long before this new interface has to be used on a real mission; a Star Fleet ship has become stranding in the atmosphere of a gas giant a probe is launched to search of survivors. In an unfortunate coincidence another ship has gone missing and is presumed lost; one captained by Geordi's mother. As Geordi pilots the probe through the ship he discovers that its crew are dead, he continues to investigate until he is badly burnt; it turns out that under certain conditions dangerous feedback can harm the person using the interface. Wanting to retrieve any data the ship's crew discovered Geordi uses the interface again; this time something strange happens
he meets his mother! She explains that her ship is lower in the atmosphere and that what he is seeing is a projection; if she and her crew are to be saved Geordi will have to take the damaged ship lower. The rest of the Enterprise crew are convinced that he is seeing what he wants to see but he is certain that it is his mother and is determined to help even when ordered to stop using the device.
This episode was a little disappointing; almost as soon as we see an experimental new device it is being used in an emergency situation. The way the device is depicted is rather strange too; as Geordi steers the probe we see him rather than the probe this might make it easier for us to observe his emotional response to things but it makes no logical sense. When we finally learn how he is seeing his 'mother' even though she was last seen hundreds of light-years away it isn't exactly a surprise; the series has featured so many previously undiscovered lifeforms that another comes as a bit of a cliché. While I like the character of Georgi I think he isn't a good choice to carry an episode as he is the closest the show has to an ordinary bloke; likable but not exactly extrovert every episode where he takes the lead seems to feature a way of forcing him to act somewhat out of character. Overall this was entertaining enough but not as good as one would expect from this series.
This episode was a little disappointing; almost as soon as we see an experimental new device it is being used in an emergency situation. The way the device is depicted is rather strange too; as Geordi steers the probe we see him rather than the probe this might make it easier for us to observe his emotional response to things but it makes no logical sense. When we finally learn how he is seeing his 'mother' even though she was last seen hundreds of light-years away it isn't exactly a surprise; the series has featured so many previously undiscovered lifeforms that another comes as a bit of a cliché. While I like the character of Georgi I think he isn't a good choice to carry an episode as he is the closest the show has to an ordinary bloke; likable but not exactly extrovert every episode where he takes the lead seems to feature a way of forcing him to act somewhat out of character. Overall this was entertaining enough but not as good as one would expect from this series.
Meet the LaForges
bkoganbing24 November 2017
This was one of the strangest TNG episodes ever done and it is one where we meet LeVar Burton's kinda sorta. We learn both are ranking members of StarFleet, Ben Vereen an admiral and Madge Sinclair captain of a science vessel that has gone missing.
This is at the same time that the Enterprise is conducting a rescue mission of a StarFleet vessel is trapped in the gaseous atmosphere of a giant planet. They are trying an experimental technique with LeVar Burton using the implants he has for his visor to project a kind of holograph of him to go into places that humans can't tolerate. The thing has its limits especially on the user's nervous system.
While Geordi is down there he sees visions of his mother, but is it all real or is someone messing with his mind. The answer is for you the viewer to watch.
I think the writers here kind of got lost with all science fiction gobbledygook that they had to write to make the story believable. Besides I would think that Data would have been far more suitable for a mission like this.
Just one man's opinion.
This is at the same time that the Enterprise is conducting a rescue mission of a StarFleet vessel is trapped in the gaseous atmosphere of a giant planet. They are trying an experimental technique with LeVar Burton using the implants he has for his visor to project a kind of holograph of him to go into places that humans can't tolerate. The thing has its limits especially on the user's nervous system.
While Geordi is down there he sees visions of his mother, but is it all real or is someone messing with his mind. The answer is for you the viewer to watch.
I think the writers here kind of got lost with all science fiction gobbledygook that they had to write to make the story believable. Besides I would think that Data would have been far more suitable for a mission like this.
Just one man's opinion.
Geordi's family finally revealed.
russem311 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:155 - "Interface" (Stardate: 47215.5) - this is the 3rd episode of the 7th and last season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
In this episode, we get to finally see Geordi's often mentioned Starfleet parents who are serving on separate ships. When Picard assigns Geordi to use an experimental interface unit to rescue a science vessel that's trapped inside the atmosphere of a gas giant, Geordi learns that the starship Hera commanded by his mother, Silva La Forge (played by Madge Sinclair) has disappeared and is presumed that all is dead.
However, when he goes back into the science ship with his interface, he comes face to face with his mother, who is alive.
Also guest starring Ben Vereen as Geordi's father, Commander Edward M. LaForge, M.D.
Trivia note: the Excelsior is mentioned as one of the rescue ships. Madge Sinclair also played the Saratoga captain in Star Trek IV (the first female starship captain shown in Star Trek). We see Geordi get angry for one of the very few times in the series.
In this episode, we get to finally see Geordi's often mentioned Starfleet parents who are serving on separate ships. When Picard assigns Geordi to use an experimental interface unit to rescue a science vessel that's trapped inside the atmosphere of a gas giant, Geordi learns that the starship Hera commanded by his mother, Silva La Forge (played by Madge Sinclair) has disappeared and is presumed that all is dead.
However, when he goes back into the science ship with his interface, he comes face to face with his mother, who is alive.
Also guest starring Ben Vereen as Geordi's father, Commander Edward M. LaForge, M.D.
Trivia note: the Excelsior is mentioned as one of the rescue ships. Madge Sinclair also played the Saratoga captain in Star Trek IV (the first female starship captain shown in Star Trek). We see Geordi get angry for one of the very few times in the series.
Geordi proves once again that he gets along better with people when they aren't real.
planktonrules2 December 2014
When the show begins, Geordi is trying out an interesting virtual reality device. While wearing a body suit, he's able to send a probe into dangerous places and see and interact as if he's there. So, if there is an engineering emergency, using the suit he can make repairs and see what the problem is. This naturally comes in handy when a Federation ship is in distress. Coincidence #2--the captain of this ship is Geordi's mother! When Geordi enters the ship with this virtual suit, he finds everyone dead-- but no every member of the crew is there. Geordi's mother, for one, isn't there. However, on a later expedition, he actually sees her--and she looks just fine despite everyone else being dead. How can this be? And, what is Geordi to do?
This is just an okay episode. It's neither very good nor bad...just another example of Geordi getting along much better with women who are not real! Kinda sad when you think about it this way.
This is just an okay episode. It's neither very good nor bad...just another example of Geordi getting along much better with women who are not real! Kinda sad when you think about it this way.
"I would ask you to consider the possibility that what you see is not real."
classicsoncall5 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I have to say, the science and logic behind this episode is kind of sketchy and I had a bit of trouble following the plot. When the Enterprise crew gets a distress call from a science vessel called the Raman, Commander LaForge (LeVar Burton) hooks up to a mess of wires that allows him to interface with a probe that in turn enables him to be and work in an unsafe environment as if he was really there. Does that sound like it makes any sense? The whole premise kept me off stride the entire show. However, this ability came into play when a missing Federation vessel captained by Geordi's own mother was just about given up for lost and Captain Silva LaForge (Madge Sinclair) presumed dead. With the usual concerns apparent about the dangers involved in pushing the limits of a still experimental technology, Geordi insisted on using the interface probe to rescue his mother after her thought transmissions actually materialized her presence on the distressed vessel Raman. Cutting to the chase, there was no there, there, and neither was Geordi's mom. A swing and a miss for the writers here, who came up with too much gobbledy-gook for their own good.
Picard's not happy
snoozejonc7 January 2022
When Geordie tests a virtual reality suit he experiences visions of his mother.
This is an okay episode with a good sci-fi concept but it did not strongly engage me.
Considering where we are now in relation to the technology it is an interesting episode that predicted the use of VR systems in hostile environments. However, the level of technobabble that key plot points hinge on does kill any potential excitement. Not that you ever think for one second Geordie will die, regardless of how much danger they keep saying he is in.
From a character perspective it is a good one for Geordie as he has rarely been used outside of engineering and those failed attempts at romance. Seeing that he actually has a family background makes him feel a more like real person such as was done for other main characters.
Riker's speech about his mother goes on for a bit and, although fairly interesting character background, it sucks yet more of the momentum out of the story.
LeVar Burton and Brent Spiner both give strong performances, particularly Burton.
Visually it's a good one. I love the VR suit and the effects in general work well.
This is an okay episode with a good sci-fi concept but it did not strongly engage me.
Considering where we are now in relation to the technology it is an interesting episode that predicted the use of VR systems in hostile environments. However, the level of technobabble that key plot points hinge on does kill any potential excitement. Not that you ever think for one second Geordie will die, regardless of how much danger they keep saying he is in.
From a character perspective it is a good one for Geordie as he has rarely been used outside of engineering and those failed attempts at romance. Seeing that he actually has a family background makes him feel a more like real person such as was done for other main characters.
Riker's speech about his mother goes on for a bit and, although fairly interesting character background, it sucks yet more of the momentum out of the story.
LeVar Burton and Brent Spiner both give strong performances, particularly Burton.
Visually it's a good one. I love the VR suit and the effects in general work well.
Oh the rolling barrel
pokoyo6926 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I found this episode to be one of the better episodes revolving around Geordie but what lets it down is the sloppy direction and blatant goof at around 13 minutes when Geordie ( as the probe) walk into the room of dead crew and seems to kick a barrel over to one of the "dead crew" for her to lay on... this should have been spotted and a retake done before release but sloppy directing means a sloppy end product.. shame
Family drama lies adrift
Mr-Fusion25 September 2017
An unusually mediocre episode, 'Interface' is kind of a grind to get through. And that's the disappointment because it's the rare Levar Burton episode; that, and they've brought in some major players as Geordi's parents (Madge Sinclair and Ben Vereen). It's the actual Interface that muddles the story, and that virtual reality component brings with it all sorts of tedious technical jargon.
It's not bad per se, but it left me wishing Geordi's parents had a better story.
5/10
It's not bad per se, but it left me wishing Geordi's parents had a better story.
5/10
A very solid ep After Many great ones
nicofreezer20 January 2022
Once again I have to step in and defend Geordie Laforge against all the reviews, i guess you guys are racist because if this episode was the same but about Picard or data it would be a 8/10 but because its Laforge you like to hate on him. I dont understand how and why you would like Geordie less than another member of the crew. Geordie is a great person with a good behavior, loyal to his Friends, alors a great Starfleet officer, one of the smartest officer ever.
One needs Cliffnotes to follow this story.
kfo949415 December 2014
In this episode that needs to come with operating instructions, Geordi has been hooked up to some machine that is known as Interface. It seems that Geordi, due to his hyper-sensitive viewing operation, can see things in the machine that other are unable to see. Geordi can actually visualize things, in real time, all while hooked up to this machine located on the Enterprise.
After Geordi is told that his mother, a Captain on another star ship, is missing, he hooks up to the interface and now can communicate with his MIA mother. And so we have the plot of the story as Geordi will try to communicate with his mother to find out the location of her missing ship.
The story was even made more confusing as when Geordi is hooked up to the interface machine, you have Dr Cusher advising about every four minutes that Gerodi needs to be removed from the interface due to some medical complication. Add the big words and the confusing dialog between Crusher, Data and even Picard all while trying their best to make this dismal story interesting.
This episode became weak very early in production. Only in the first few minutes of the show did it stir any excitement. But after those minutes went past, it became obvious that this was going to be a long confusing story. The episode was more baffling than entertaining.
After Geordi is told that his mother, a Captain on another star ship, is missing, he hooks up to the interface and now can communicate with his MIA mother. And so we have the plot of the story as Geordi will try to communicate with his mother to find out the location of her missing ship.
The story was even made more confusing as when Geordi is hooked up to the interface machine, you have Dr Cusher advising about every four minutes that Gerodi needs to be removed from the interface due to some medical complication. Add the big words and the confusing dialog between Crusher, Data and even Picard all while trying their best to make this dismal story interesting.
This episode became weak very early in production. Only in the first few minutes of the show did it stir any excitement. But after those minutes went past, it became obvious that this was going to be a long confusing story. The episode was more baffling than entertaining.
Watchable but implausible.
Blueghost19 May 2023
George tries to save his mother, but there's a tragic secret about the episode that'll be revealed later on.
The thing about this episode isn't what others stated about Geordi not being interesting or something related, but I just found it very implausible that a suit designed to mimic or transmit the actions of a user would be able to harm that user as he or she wore it. It just seemed like story hokum, or a plot point that was just made up on the fly with no real thought put into it as to whether that would actually happen or not.
And that's my only real criticism of this specific episode. The rest of my criticisms apply; i.e. The soft presentation of both visuals and music, as well as the use of plot as a background device to let the character interaction take prominence; i.e. The thing that fans of the show stated made this version of Star Trek "more intellectual" than the Kirk and Spock era of Trek that I at one time loved so much.
Personally this was more watchable than the "let's discuss our feelings" episodes that comprise the supermajority of this show. It's more plot driven but still has the character interaction as the important aspect of the show and this episode, though the action does kick in about halfway through the episode.
But, like I say, if you were to design a suit to give input into a duplicate of yourself in some other location, would you really let the feedback from that suit deliver pain and a possible lethal dose of pain to the wearer? I really doubt it. It's just nonsense, but that's the tension of the story.
I watched most of it when it first aired and shrugged my shoulders at it. It had more action, energy and dynamic story telling to it, but again the suit had plausibility issues. Still, unlike the supermajority of this show, I was able to watch this episode.
The thing about this episode isn't what others stated about Geordi not being interesting or something related, but I just found it very implausible that a suit designed to mimic or transmit the actions of a user would be able to harm that user as he or she wore it. It just seemed like story hokum, or a plot point that was just made up on the fly with no real thought put into it as to whether that would actually happen or not.
And that's my only real criticism of this specific episode. The rest of my criticisms apply; i.e. The soft presentation of both visuals and music, as well as the use of plot as a background device to let the character interaction take prominence; i.e. The thing that fans of the show stated made this version of Star Trek "more intellectual" than the Kirk and Spock era of Trek that I at one time loved so much.
Personally this was more watchable than the "let's discuss our feelings" episodes that comprise the supermajority of this show. It's more plot driven but still has the character interaction as the important aspect of the show and this episode, though the action does kick in about halfway through the episode.
But, like I say, if you were to design a suit to give input into a duplicate of yourself in some other location, would you really let the feedback from that suit deliver pain and a possible lethal dose of pain to the wearer? I really doubt it. It's just nonsense, but that's the tension of the story.
I watched most of it when it first aired and shrugged my shoulders at it. It had more action, energy and dynamic story telling to it, but again the suit had plausibility issues. Still, unlike the supermajority of this show, I was able to watch this episode.
Writers room is running out of gas.
thevacinstaller8 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I suppose if you dig extremely deep there is an actual message to get out of this snoozer. Love of family conquers logic? Is that it?
This has to be saddest first contact episode in TNG history. Geordi's mom accidently trapped a group of 'sub space creatures' in the atmosphere and died a terrifying death as the subspace creature attempted to communicate with them. Geordi is able to communicate with these creatures thanks to the power of space magic and the creatures use an image of Geordi's mom to make contact with him and attempt to convince Geordi to take them out of the atmosphere.
This episode is just missing too many elements to be enjoyable and the pacing is glacial. I read on another site that this episodes concept initially involved Riker's dad being the one killed on the planet ---- That would have had at least some type of impact since we actually know the character.
Geordi's a trusting guy. These sub space creatures did try to take over his body and then 'suggested' that the destruction of the ship was an accident.
This episodes was a mess and couldn't even be saved by Levar Burtons charisma.
This has to be saddest first contact episode in TNG history. Geordi's mom accidently trapped a group of 'sub space creatures' in the atmosphere and died a terrifying death as the subspace creature attempted to communicate with them. Geordi is able to communicate with these creatures thanks to the power of space magic and the creatures use an image of Geordi's mom to make contact with him and attempt to convince Geordi to take them out of the atmosphere.
This episode is just missing too many elements to be enjoyable and the pacing is glacial. I read on another site that this episodes concept initially involved Riker's dad being the one killed on the planet ---- That would have had at least some type of impact since we actually know the character.
Geordi's a trusting guy. These sub space creatures did try to take over his body and then 'suggested' that the destruction of the ship was an accident.
This episodes was a mess and couldn't even be saved by Levar Burtons charisma.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar3 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Loud hissing, but Geordi hasn't found it yet. The ammonia, chlorine, and potassium chloride fumes are beginning to get to him. Geordi can certainly feel the heat. Fortunately, he's found the fire and he's put it out. The inter-face unit is working fine. But this is all a sensory experience.
Now, we're responding to a distress call from the science-vessel Raman, which is apparently trapped inside the turbulent atmosphere of an unusual gas giant planet. It looks like Geordi may be able to use the interface probe down to the stranded ship and effect a rescue. I think they should make an episode about Deep Space Three, where nothing much seems to happen, EVER.
Getting a chance to put the interface through its paces proves to be truly beneficial. Despite the fact that the Raman is beyond saving, but there may be some things on board worth saving. The only problem is that it will take a couple of hours to cut-through the bulkhead of the auxiliary control room may take hours, which means that Geordi has a few hours to spare... which means that he can concentrate on the fact that his mother has gone missing.
And so we can expect the rest of this story to shift focus onto Geordi's search for mommy.
As is typical of Star Trek and particularly Data, we are going to examine the feelings associated with one not knowing where their mother may be presently located. Clearly, Geordi's interaction with Data is not going to be the only time where leading crew members lend a shoulder to cry on. Lets stay with the probe and interface, that's a much more interesting story.
This story may have worked better had it not involved Geordi searching for his mother. We already know that it isn't really his mother. The fact that she is asking him to go down to the surface of the gas giant being a dead give away. It's not a bad story but it may have worked better had it involved an alternative inducement.
This Episodes Clue: Bell Reynolds, The Saratoga Captain
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
Now, we're responding to a distress call from the science-vessel Raman, which is apparently trapped inside the turbulent atmosphere of an unusual gas giant planet. It looks like Geordi may be able to use the interface probe down to the stranded ship and effect a rescue. I think they should make an episode about Deep Space Three, where nothing much seems to happen, EVER.
Getting a chance to put the interface through its paces proves to be truly beneficial. Despite the fact that the Raman is beyond saving, but there may be some things on board worth saving. The only problem is that it will take a couple of hours to cut-through the bulkhead of the auxiliary control room may take hours, which means that Geordi has a few hours to spare... which means that he can concentrate on the fact that his mother has gone missing.
And so we can expect the rest of this story to shift focus onto Geordi's search for mommy.
As is typical of Star Trek and particularly Data, we are going to examine the feelings associated with one not knowing where their mother may be presently located. Clearly, Geordi's interaction with Data is not going to be the only time where leading crew members lend a shoulder to cry on. Lets stay with the probe and interface, that's a much more interesting story.
This story may have worked better had it not involved Geordi searching for his mother. We already know that it isn't really his mother. The fact that she is asking him to go down to the surface of the gas giant being a dead give away. It's not a bad story but it may have worked better had it involved an alternative inducement.
This Episodes Clue: Bell Reynolds, The Saratoga Captain
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
A Senior Trekker writes.................
celineduchain6 March 2022
The final season of Star Trek, the Next Generation gave us some splendid episodes and also a fair share of stinkers. Everyone knew by this stage that they would not be renewed and attempts were made to wrap up various story lines before they said their final goodbyes. There is still a great deal to be enjoyed.
Well, poor Geordi!
LeVar Burton has to wear an uncomfortable looking Borg-style outfit and heavy, all-white contact lenses throughout much of this episode but, apparently, not to much avail. Despite the unfailing professionalism of all concerned and what should have been a landmark appearance by guest actor Madge Sinclair, it fairly reeked of franchise fatigue.
The seventh season of the Next Generation is well known for bringing aboard never-seen-before family members (and in this case, killing them off just as quickly) but some of the storylines are better than others and unfortunately, this is one of the least interesting. For an actor who had given us such an unfailing commitment over the years with all those background shots and all that technobabble, this must have been quite a disappointment. Fortunately Mr Burton's second career as a director had just begun to take off and he remains a loyal Trekker to this day.
It was also particularly galling for him to see respected older actress and friend, Madge Sinclair, who had shared the screen with him in the seminal television series Roots, given such a lack-lustre part. A dignified trailblazer in the representation of black women on the screen, she deserved so much better from Star Trek.
There is no need to be concerned about "spoilers" in this review; my concentration wandered long before anything much actually happened.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
Well, poor Geordi!
LeVar Burton has to wear an uncomfortable looking Borg-style outfit and heavy, all-white contact lenses throughout much of this episode but, apparently, not to much avail. Despite the unfailing professionalism of all concerned and what should have been a landmark appearance by guest actor Madge Sinclair, it fairly reeked of franchise fatigue.
The seventh season of the Next Generation is well known for bringing aboard never-seen-before family members (and in this case, killing them off just as quickly) but some of the storylines are better than others and unfortunately, this is one of the least interesting. For an actor who had given us such an unfailing commitment over the years with all those background shots and all that technobabble, this must have been quite a disappointment. Fortunately Mr Burton's second career as a director had just begun to take off and he remains a loyal Trekker to this day.
It was also particularly galling for him to see respected older actress and friend, Madge Sinclair, who had shared the screen with him in the seminal television series Roots, given such a lack-lustre part. A dignified trailblazer in the representation of black women on the screen, she deserved so much better from Star Trek.
There is no need to be concerned about "spoilers" in this review; my concentration wandered long before anything much actually happened.
Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.
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