This episode is a favorite of mine. Geordi, while distracted on a shuttlecraft heading for Riza, the pleasure planet, is beamed aboard a Romulan ship. The Romulan's purpose is to destroy that relationship between the Klingons and the Federation. Geordi is, for all practical purposes, brainwashed. He is led through simulations where he is to kill his own crew mates, including Chief O'Brien. The joy of the episode has to do with some strange goings on on the ship and the suspicion that the young engineer may be damaged in some way. We never quite understand what the Romulans are capable of. We are led to believe that their goal is intergalactic conquest and they are really good at it. I do have one question. Why do they all wear those outfits that look like quilts with the hangers left in them? Just wondering.
17 Reviews
Geordi Becomes the Manchurian Candidate
Samuel-Shovel14 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
In "The Mind's Eye" Geordi is kidnapped and brainwashed by a Romulan vessel with the intention of having him assassinate a member of the Klingon government in order to start a war between the two allies.
I was really having a good time with this until the weirdly paced ending. It all deescalates so quickly that the tension of those final scenes never reach the fever pitch I'd hope they would. Still a really solid episode, but I would have enjoyed a more climatic ending than just Picard grabbing a hold of Geordi's wrist.
I was really having a good time with this until the weirdly paced ending. It all deescalates so quickly that the tension of those final scenes never reach the fever pitch I'd hope they would. Still a really solid episode, but I would have enjoyed a more climatic ending than just Picard grabbing a hold of Geordi's wrist.
The Romulan Candidate
robert37506 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The episode is an obvious remake of The Manchurian Candidate, with Levar Burton (Geordi) in the Laurence Harvey role, Romulans in the Khigh Dhiegh
(best known as the villainous Wo Fat in Hawaii Five-O) role, and a Klingon in the Angela Lansbury role. Good dramatic tension. My favorite part was Data's brilliant detective work that enables him to figure out what's going on.
La Forge's love life isn't bad enough, now he has to be an unwitting pawn?
Mr-Fusion31 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first half of 'The Mind's Eye' is staged as a political thriller, pleasantly evoking the great ones of the '70s. And even though we've seen this kind of thing plenty often in the past, there's a very nice plot twist buried deeply within this story that's really spices things up. Which is another reason this is a solid episode; it dovetails the stock assassin angle with the ongoing Klingon Empire arc.
But at some point, the mystery heats up, and things really get going The last ten minutes or so are actually pretty tense, with dark implications for a particular conspirator. And in the end, there's Geordi, left to pick up the pieces of his shattered memory. It's a haunting finish.
8/10.
But at some point, the mystery heats up, and things really get going The last ten minutes or so are actually pretty tense, with dark implications for a particular conspirator. And in the end, there's Geordi, left to pick up the pieces of his shattered memory. It's a haunting finish.
8/10.
Geordi is brainwashed by the Romulans
Tweekums12 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As this episode opens Geordi is alone in a shuttle heading for a conference on Risa where he is also looking forward to a few days R&R; unfortunately for him he doesn't get there. His shuttle is intercepted by the Romulans and they set about brainwashing him to carry out an assassination. They find him the ideal candidate as they can send instructions directly to his brain via his visor's connections. They also send an impostor to Risa and implant false memories so when Geordi returns to the Enterprise he has no idea that he did anything other than what he had planned while away.
The Enterprise is undertaking a mission to help negotiate a peace between the Klingons and a breakaway colony; this isn't helped by an allegation that the Federation has been supplying weapons to the colony. When Geordi teleports a crate of weapons to the rebels that only strengthens the Klingons' worries. He however has no memories of what he did and leads the investigation this isn't the Romulans' final plan for Geordi though.
In the opening moments of this episode I feared we were going to be getting a light hearted story set on Risa but thankfully the Romulans turned up and made things far more interesting. While we don't see the unpleasant images that are being projected into Geordi's mine his reaction is such that we don't need to see them; LeVar Burton does a fine job portraying Geordi in these scenes. The later scenes where he is being manipulated are tense even though we know it is bound to work out in the end. The Romulans' plot to drive a wedge between the Federation and the Klingons is interesting and the sort of sneaky thing we'd expect from them.
The Enterprise is undertaking a mission to help negotiate a peace between the Klingons and a breakaway colony; this isn't helped by an allegation that the Federation has been supplying weapons to the colony. When Geordi teleports a crate of weapons to the rebels that only strengthens the Klingons' worries. He however has no memories of what he did and leads the investigation this isn't the Romulans' final plan for Geordi though.
In the opening moments of this episode I feared we were going to be getting a light hearted story set on Risa but thankfully the Romulans turned up and made things far more interesting. While we don't see the unpleasant images that are being projected into Geordi's mine his reaction is such that we don't need to see them; LeVar Burton does a fine job portraying Geordi in these scenes. The later scenes where he is being manipulated are tense even though we know it is bound to work out in the end. The Romulans' plot to drive a wedge between the Federation and the Klingons is interesting and the sort of sneaky thing we'd expect from them.
What does the Visor see?
russem3124 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
ST:TNG:98 - "The Mind's Eye" (Stardate: 44885.5) - this is the 24th episode of the 4th season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
While en route to Risa for a conference and a few days of vacation before it, Geordi LaForge is kidnapped by the Romulans and conditioned to be an assassin. When he returns to the Enterprise, he now has false memories of a pleasant Risa experience, and unknowingly sets about to to destroy the Federation-Klingon alliance! And who is that mysterious Romulan woman in the shadows (a hint: this episode foreshadows the "Redemption" season closer and fifth season opener).
An episode in the true spirit of Phillip K. Dick.
Trivia note: Picard recalls having been known to offering help to the Klingons in the past ("Sins Of The Father" and "Reunion"), as does the Klingon Ambassador Kell onboard the Enterprise.
While en route to Risa for a conference and a few days of vacation before it, Geordi LaForge is kidnapped by the Romulans and conditioned to be an assassin. When he returns to the Enterprise, he now has false memories of a pleasant Risa experience, and unknowingly sets about to to destroy the Federation-Klingon alliance! And who is that mysterious Romulan woman in the shadows (a hint: this episode foreshadows the "Redemption" season closer and fifth season opener).
An episode in the true spirit of Phillip K. Dick.
Trivia note: Picard recalls having been known to offering help to the Klingons in the past ("Sins Of The Father" and "Reunion"), as does the Klingon Ambassador Kell onboard the Enterprise.
Shades of The Manchurian Candidate
bkoganbing24 April 2019
In this TNG story Geordi LaForge is waylaid and captured by Romulans who subject him to some futuristic brainwashing techniques using his visor to give
him subliminal messages.
The mission the Romulans want him to do is assassinate a Klingon governor who is on the Enterprise for a conference. Said governor is accusing the Federation of aiding rebels against the Klingon Empire.
It's a race against time with Data taking the lead in tracking down what is happening. Kudos to both Brent Spiner and Levar Burton as this is their episode.
The mission the Romulans want him to do is assassinate a Klingon governor who is on the Enterprise for a conference. Said governor is accusing the Federation of aiding rebels against the Klingon Empire.
It's a race against time with Data taking the lead in tracking down what is happening. Kudos to both Brent Spiner and Levar Burton as this is their episode.
Qu'vatlh ghuy'cha' baQa'
snoozejonc27 July 2021
Commander La Forge is kidnapped and brainwashed by the Romulans to be a sleeper agent.
This is a strong episode with some fairly decent suspense and character moments.
The plot, as everyone says, is homage to 'The Manchurian Candidate' and it is applied well to the Star Trek universe using the Romulans as antagonists.
Geordie is the main focus of the episode and his scenes and role within the plot are some of the best for his character in TNG. Other characters such as Captain Picard, Lieutenant Worf and Lieutenant Data also make great contributions.
This is another strong Romulan episode which continues their development into a solid villain capable of doing damage. The stakes are fairly plausible and this helps create suspense. It's not the lives of the main characters in jeopardy, but the Klingon/Federation alliance.
Visually it is one of the best episodes so far in the series, with some great cinematography, editing and art design. I particularly enjoyed the shots of Geordie walking through the Enterprise corridors like an assassin on a mission. Scenes like this and others generate the required creepiness for the story.
LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Patrick Stewart and Michael Dorn are all on great form.
This is a strong episode with some fairly decent suspense and character moments.
The plot, as everyone says, is homage to 'The Manchurian Candidate' and it is applied well to the Star Trek universe using the Romulans as antagonists.
Geordie is the main focus of the episode and his scenes and role within the plot are some of the best for his character in TNG. Other characters such as Captain Picard, Lieutenant Worf and Lieutenant Data also make great contributions.
This is another strong Romulan episode which continues their development into a solid villain capable of doing damage. The stakes are fairly plausible and this helps create suspense. It's not the lives of the main characters in jeopardy, but the Klingon/Federation alliance.
Visually it is one of the best episodes so far in the series, with some great cinematography, editing and art design. I particularly enjoyed the shots of Geordie walking through the Enterprise corridors like an assassin on a mission. Scenes like this and others generate the required creepiness for the story.
LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Patrick Stewart and Michael Dorn are all on great form.
A clockwork Geordi.
thevacinstaller29 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The continuing establishment of the Romulan's as nefarious schemers.
I always enjoy when the Romulan's are presented as clever strategists who use covert operations to achieve galaxy changing effects. It's far more interesting to me then vanilla action without substance.
I always think about the CIA/FBI's adventures in mind control in the mid 20th century and how far they actually went with it.
The Romulans are a real threat because they don't attack directly ---- they find ways to use other's as proxies to bend to their will.
We even get a rare moment of TNG discussing this experience as having long term effects on Geordi ---- instead of a slap on the back by Picard and a coy, "Back to work engineer, you've had your vacation!..."
This is a solid episode but DS9 is the King of weaving intriguing subterfuge arcs into it's show. I needed a bit more in this episode for it to be a classic. Perhaps more with the Klingon co-conspirator or a tantalizing morsel of Romulus's big picture plan for the federation.
Still good but not genuinely great.
I always enjoy when the Romulan's are presented as clever strategists who use covert operations to achieve galaxy changing effects. It's far more interesting to me then vanilla action without substance.
I always think about the CIA/FBI's adventures in mind control in the mid 20th century and how far they actually went with it.
The Romulans are a real threat because they don't attack directly ---- they find ways to use other's as proxies to bend to their will.
We even get a rare moment of TNG discussing this experience as having long term effects on Geordi ---- instead of a slap on the back by Picard and a coy, "Back to work engineer, you've had your vacation!..."
This is a solid episode but DS9 is the King of weaving intriguing subterfuge arcs into it's show. I needed a bit more in this episode for it to be a classic. Perhaps more with the Klingon co-conspirator or a tantalizing morsel of Romulus's big picture plan for the federation.
Still good but not genuinely great.
What comes around, goes around....
planktonrules20 November 2014
When the episode begins, Geordi is aboard a shuttle craft--bound for some R&R on Raisa and then a conference. However, en route, his shuttle is taken by the Romulans. For some time, he undergoes brainwashing techniques to turn him into an unwilling and unknowing assassin. All this coincides with some sensitive negotiations with the Klingons. It seems some of their people are blaming the Federation for interfering with one of their colonies--claiming they are providing rebels with weapons. Who LaForge will kill and what's next is something you'll need to see for yourself.
All in all, this is a rather exciting episode--as just about all the Klingon episodes are exciting. Additionally, the ending is sweet and makes the show well worth seeing.
All in all, this is a rather exciting episode--as just about all the Klingon episodes are exciting. Additionally, the ending is sweet and makes the show well worth seeing.
REWVIEW 2022
iamirwar10 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Look out behind you.
Are the Federation aiding the rebels on Krios?
Klingon's are still reluctant to work with Worf due to his dishonour and the mistaken belief that his father gave away secrets to the Romulans. (See the season two episode, A Matter of Honor) There are some on Qo'nos who have changed their opinions of Worf thanks to the fact that he killed Duras (season four episode: Reunion). It is interesting to note that Ambassador Kell is the second character to question Worf's loyalty to the Klingon Empire. Sabin Genestra did something similar in 'The Drumhead.' But this aspect of today's episode is just laying the groundwork for future tails in TNG and DS9. Today's episode featured a Geordi main storyline.
Geordi helps the Romulans after going through a mind-warp. We are programmed to deceive.
After so many weaker episodes recently, it is about time we got a good one and this is a very good one.
Finally Geordi kills O'Brien, Picard swears well in Klingon and there are attempts to sow dissention and distrust. Is Geordi chasing his own tail or is it Day of the Jackal perhaps?
This Episodes Clue: 60Ghz to 90Ghz.
Are the Federation aiding the rebels on Krios?
Klingon's are still reluctant to work with Worf due to his dishonour and the mistaken belief that his father gave away secrets to the Romulans. (See the season two episode, A Matter of Honor) There are some on Qo'nos who have changed their opinions of Worf thanks to the fact that he killed Duras (season four episode: Reunion). It is interesting to note that Ambassador Kell is the second character to question Worf's loyalty to the Klingon Empire. Sabin Genestra did something similar in 'The Drumhead.' But this aspect of today's episode is just laying the groundwork for future tails in TNG and DS9. Today's episode featured a Geordi main storyline.
Geordi helps the Romulans after going through a mind-warp. We are programmed to deceive.
After so many weaker episodes recently, it is about time we got a good one and this is a very good one.
Finally Geordi kills O'Brien, Picard swears well in Klingon and there are attempts to sow dissention and distrust. Is Geordi chasing his own tail or is it Day of the Jackal perhaps?
This Episodes Clue: 60Ghz to 90Ghz.
Top notch LaForge focused episode
stevenjlowe823 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This really was an excellent episode that showed TNG at its best. It was a thrilling high stakes political espionage that kept me on my seat, well until the lackluster finale. It wouldn't have killed them to come up with a bit more of an action filled finish or something. The ending just felt a bit rushed after such an excellent build up.
The high stakes political drama at the centre of this episode were brilliant with our first (albeit uncredited) appearance of Selar, the late Tasha Yars daughter. I remember when I first saw this episode when it aired and was so intrigued by the shadowy Romulan figure in the beginning whilst Geordie was on board the Romulan ship. When nothing was mentioned at the end I was like wtf only for it to be revealed further down the line. This showed the potential for TNG to run with arcs that could span several episodes/seasons and the show really did benefit from it.
Also I loved the closing scene between Geordie and Troi. Lever really played that scene beautifully and I could feel his frustration and sense of trauma after what he had just experienced. Marina also gave a very delicate and sincere performance as well. It was such a missed opportunity not to continue this storyline of Geordies recovery after such a harrowing experience.
The high stakes political drama at the centre of this episode were brilliant with our first (albeit uncredited) appearance of Selar, the late Tasha Yars daughter. I remember when I first saw this episode when it aired and was so intrigued by the shadowy Romulan figure in the beginning whilst Geordie was on board the Romulan ship. When nothing was mentioned at the end I was like wtf only for it to be revealed further down the line. This showed the potential for TNG to run with arcs that could span several episodes/seasons and the show really did benefit from it.
Also I loved the closing scene between Geordie and Troi. Lever really played that scene beautifully and I could feel his frustration and sense of trauma after what he had just experienced. Marina also gave a very delicate and sincere performance as well. It was such a missed opportunity not to continue this storyline of Geordies recovery after such a harrowing experience.
"You swear well, Captain. You must have Klingon blood in your veins."
classicsoncall6 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The scriptwriters weaved a good story here of the Romulans in league with a member of the Klingon High Council in order to disrupt the Federation/Klingon alliance. Quite cleverly, the Romulans kidnapped Commander LaForge (LeVar Burton) enroute via shuttlecraft to the planet Risa for a little R&R. He never made it, but a Romulan implant made him think he did to the point of discussing his great vacation with Counselor Troi (Marina Sirtis). High Council Ambassador Kell (Lawrence Dobkin) poses as the voice of reason in attempting to thwart Governor Vagh's assertion that the Federation is aiding a band of Klingon rebels to take over a Kriosian colony, which would give the Federation a margin of safety from potential Klingon attack in the future should the alliance fall apart. The intrigue builds as Commander Data (Brent Spiner) investigates what laid behind the transport of a crate of weapons to the Kriosians, the evidence having been erased from the Enterprise's logs. The entire episode is cleverly constructed to minimize the chance of getting to the bottom of the intrigue, but Data is relentless in pursuit of the missing links on the way to solving the mystery. With Ambassador Kell exposed in a tense moment, Governor Vagh apprehends the High Council member and takes him back to the planet to search him for the e-band transmitter that was sending instructions to Geordi's VISOR implants. Unfortunately, closure for Geordi wasn't entirely achieved by the end of the story, as the chief engineer was left to ponder his experience and restore his memory prior to the incident that caught him up in the Romulan plot.
A Senior Trekker writes.....................
celineduchain4 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Season 4 contains the 80th episode of The Next Generation, at which point it surpassed the output of the Original Series. A number of extended themes played out during this season delving into both the political backdrop and the personal lives of the crew. These continuing storylines proved extremely popular, however they did not detract from the use of Science Fiction to tell interesting stories. Senior Trekker continues to score every episode with a 5.
The Next Generation does the Manchurian Candidate - but that is not necessarily such a bad thing as this episode is both taut and menacing. LeVar Burton is as reliable as ever in this story of a Romulan plot to assassinate a Klingon leader while he is a guest on the Enterprise.
A shadowy female figure appears to be controlling events as Geordi is subjected to the evil, mind-control machine and we will soon come to know who she is but, also appearing on Star Trek for the first time is a lesser known theatrical actor named John Fleck.
Mr Fleck will continue to appear in many supporting roles through the subsequent Star Trek series but has not become so well known for the association as fan favourites Jeffrey Combes and Vaughn Armstrong. His deep voice and lean, sinuous physique lends itself to alien roles as does his obvious ability to tolerate long hours in the make up chair.
In this episode he makes a splendidly cruel Romulan operative but, although he never gives less than 100%, he has always made it plain in interviews that working on Star Trek is just a means for him to pursue his career in experimental theatre. The latter has been somewhat controversial over the years but the Star Trek fraternity admits all types and Senior Trekker thanks Mr Fleck for giving her a rare online opportunity to use a word like scatological in alluding to his work.
Of course, the story has to be resolved in the last few minutes of the episode and somehow: the conspiracy is unmasked, the ambassador saved and war averted. However, there is a sense of mounting tension left in the air and we are becoming more aware of unsettling events building up for the future.
The Next Generation does the Manchurian Candidate - but that is not necessarily such a bad thing as this episode is both taut and menacing. LeVar Burton is as reliable as ever in this story of a Romulan plot to assassinate a Klingon leader while he is a guest on the Enterprise.
A shadowy female figure appears to be controlling events as Geordi is subjected to the evil, mind-control machine and we will soon come to know who she is but, also appearing on Star Trek for the first time is a lesser known theatrical actor named John Fleck.
Mr Fleck will continue to appear in many supporting roles through the subsequent Star Trek series but has not become so well known for the association as fan favourites Jeffrey Combes and Vaughn Armstrong. His deep voice and lean, sinuous physique lends itself to alien roles as does his obvious ability to tolerate long hours in the make up chair.
In this episode he makes a splendidly cruel Romulan operative but, although he never gives less than 100%, he has always made it plain in interviews that working on Star Trek is just a means for him to pursue his career in experimental theatre. The latter has been somewhat controversial over the years but the Star Trek fraternity admits all types and Senior Trekker thanks Mr Fleck for giving her a rare online opportunity to use a word like scatological in alluding to his work.
Of course, the story has to be resolved in the last few minutes of the episode and somehow: the conspiracy is unmasked, the ambassador saved and war averted. However, there is a sense of mounting tension left in the air and we are becoming more aware of unsettling events building up for the future.
If only CSI was still around...
llewellynf197418 April 2021
Blatantly unoriginal plot balanced by interesting developments to the Klingon story arc
Carl-1723 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER!!!
It is impossible to talk about this episode without spoiling it. You have been warned.
SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER!!!
You have been warned twice . . . !
It's impossible to talk about this episode without spoiling it. That's because if you've seen ANY iteration of "The Manchurian Candidate" or read the original novel, then you already know the entire story. Coming so soon after "The Drumhead," which itself blatantly refers back to the era that produced "The Manchurian Candidate" in the first place (Sen. McCarthy => Sen. Iselin in the original "TMC" => Admiral Whatshername in "Drumhead"), you have to wonder if the well had run dry in the ST:TNG writer's room after the glories of the first half of season 4. Whatever the case, I'm amazed that Richard Condon was not listed as a co-author of this episode, or at least got a "based on a story by" credit. The only saving grace is the tweaks to "Candidate" that they made to fit it into the Star Trek universe, as those adjustments set the stage for much Klingon drama to come. The fact that the actors are settled into their characters by this point also helps as the performances are pretty good throughout. Disappointing on its own, but it has an important place in one of the TNG story arcs.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: I've read elsewhere now that the writers intended this episode to be a homage to "The Manchurian Candidate" and even tried to get at least one of the actors from the original movie to do a cameo. I suppose I could forgive the lack of originality since this makes it clear the writers deliberately sought to use "Candidate" here. However, watching this episode cold as I did 20 years ago, and rewatching it again the other day before I discovered this little tidbit, all that strikes me is that while the adaptations to the Star Trek universe may have been clever, to me they still don't speak well about whatever creative juices were flowing or not at the time. However, your mileage may vary. :-)
It is impossible to talk about this episode without spoiling it. You have been warned.
SPOILER, SPOILER, SPOILER!!!
You have been warned twice . . . !
It's impossible to talk about this episode without spoiling it. That's because if you've seen ANY iteration of "The Manchurian Candidate" or read the original novel, then you already know the entire story. Coming so soon after "The Drumhead," which itself blatantly refers back to the era that produced "The Manchurian Candidate" in the first place (Sen. McCarthy => Sen. Iselin in the original "TMC" => Admiral Whatshername in "Drumhead"), you have to wonder if the well had run dry in the ST:TNG writer's room after the glories of the first half of season 4. Whatever the case, I'm amazed that Richard Condon was not listed as a co-author of this episode, or at least got a "based on a story by" credit. The only saving grace is the tweaks to "Candidate" that they made to fit it into the Star Trek universe, as those adjustments set the stage for much Klingon drama to come. The fact that the actors are settled into their characters by this point also helps as the performances are pretty good throughout. Disappointing on its own, but it has an important place in one of the TNG story arcs.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: I've read elsewhere now that the writers intended this episode to be a homage to "The Manchurian Candidate" and even tried to get at least one of the actors from the original movie to do a cameo. I suppose I could forgive the lack of originality since this makes it clear the writers deliberately sought to use "Candidate" here. However, watching this episode cold as I did 20 years ago, and rewatching it again the other day before I discovered this little tidbit, all that strikes me is that while the adaptations to the Star Trek universe may have been clever, to me they still don't speak well about whatever creative juices were flowing or not at the time. However, your mileage may vary. :-)
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