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Patrick Stewart

Captain Jean-Luc Picard

Jonathan Frakes

Commander William Thomas 'Will' Riker

LeVar Burton

Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge

Michael Dorn

Lieutenant Worf

Gates McFadden

Doctor Beverly Crusher

Marina Sirtis

Counselor Deanna Troi
(credit only)

Brent Spiner

Lieutenant Commander Data

Maryann Plunkett

Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leijten

Patti Yasutake

Nurse Alyssa Ogawa

Amick Byram

Hickman

Dennis Madalone

Transporter Technician

Mona Grudt

Ensign Graham

Majel Barrett

Enterprise Computer
(voice)
(uncredited)

Thomas J. Booth

Enterprise-D Ops Officer
(uncredited)

Michael Braveheart

Crewman Martinez
(uncredited)

Nyra Crenshaw

Ops Ensign
(uncredited)

Denise Deuschle

Science Division Officer
(uncredited)

Jeremy Doyle

Enterprise-D Ensign
(uncredited)

Did you know

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Trivia
It took four make-up artists six hours to apply the full Tarchannen III species make-up to LeVar Burton. According to Michael Westmore, it was the longest make-up ever done on The Next Generation.

Goofs
When Riker, Worf, and Worf's security team enter the holodeck to look for Geordi, Worf orders his people to search the structure while he searches the perimeter. There is a much easier way to find someone missing inside a holodeck. Telling the computer to "end program" will cause everything NOT created by the holodeck to vanish, leaving the room empty, except for the person you are looking for.

Quotes
Doctor Beverly Crusher: You're worried about Geordi, aren't you?
Lt. Commander Data: I am an android. It is not possible for me...
Doctor Beverly Crusher: ...for you to feel anxiety.
Lt. Commander Data: Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why.
[Crusher coughs slightly]
Lt. Commander Data: However, I am...
[Crusher gives him a questioning look]
Lt. Commander Data: ...strongly motivated to solve this mystery.

Connections
Referenced in The Toys That Made Us: Star Trek (2018)

Soundtracks
Star Trek: The Next Generation Main Title
Composed by Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage

An interesting mystery with some flashy makeup and some necessary characterisation for Geordi

Members of Geordi's former assignment on the USS Victory begin disappearing and together with his former colleague Lt. Commander Susanna Leitjen, Geordi's investigations uncover a more terrifying prospect than simple abduction. The secrets lies on a mission conducted years before, where an alien parasite infected those involved - including Geordi and Susanna.

I'm pleased that La Forge was finally getting some back story after seemingly waiting ages for such a luxury. The episode's core mystery is a solid one and while the pace of the investigation feels rather slow, it keeps things tense and interesting. There is some impressive makeup work later on as well while guest star Plunkett is a solid addition to the cast. Overall, this is a solid and satisfying episode.