I have never particularly liked this episode even though it is similar to alternate reality stories which I generally dig. Many fans go for it because the episode reveals a lot of background information about the characters. Okay, but it is laid out there as exposition. It is not like meeting family members or friends from the past or even meaningful flashbacks as other, better episodes have done. What is more, the plot of wiping memories in order to utilize characters for some task has subsequently been done better in--wait for it--the VOY two part episode ’Workforce.” You will not read much praise for VOY here, so savor it when you can.
The Enterprise is scanned by a mysterious ship. The memories of their identities are wiped clean, but they retain the ability to perform their duties. A new crewmember named MacDuff has replaced Riker as first officer. He subtly guides the confused crew into their mission, which is to destroy a Lysian command center under direct orders from Starfleet. Conveniently, they are to maintain radio silence for the duration
As the Enterprise encounters Lysian resistance, it becomes apparent the Federation could not be at war with such a technologically inferior race. with the jig up, they learn their memories were wiped by an en enemy of the Lysians who wanted the Federation to do their dirty work for them. Interestingly enough, there are no lasting consequences of the Enterprise having killed a number of Lysians before discovering the truth.
Some character moments in “Conundrum” are just too awkward to be appreciated. Worf’s bruised ego at not being in charge diminishes the character because, in normal circumstances, he has not done much prove he can run a lemonade stand, much less a starship. Does he truly believe he can? Data as a bartender is not so bad, but Riker and Ro, two characters who hate each other, having sex is an awful idea. There is a thin line between love and hate and without the baggage of memories, there are no barriers to such things if you d not wish them to be, but what was the point other than tantalize the fourteen year old boys with Michelle Forbes nearly naked and the play up the more lecherous aspects of Riker?
Riker’s romantic inclinations have been a problem for quite awhile now. From eying Vash up and down like a sexual predator in “Qpid” to being duped into bringing that brainwashing game on board by a alien woman with a butt on her head in “The Game“, Riker has done most of his thinking with his little first officer for the better part of a season and a half. Recall he urged Data to indulge his romantic urges for a vulnerable woman on the rebound in “In Theory.“ I am not convinced he was not upset about losing a young woman in “Silicon Avatar” because she was attractive. Now this tryst with Ro.
Riker wins some redemption with “The Outcast” a few episodes don the line, but there has been a long stretch of low points getting here.
“Conundrum’ might have been better if we were not in on the truth from the beginning. What we are doing is watching the crew flounder about aimlessly, getting into situations like having sex with people they do not really know, played for laughs amid drama that has no consequence. If the Lysians are not going to press the issue of their ships being destroyed, are they really going to push the federation for their command center biting the dust? We do not care about a war between two races we have never heard of before, so what is the tension for us/ Not much, nearas I can tell.
Rating; ** (out of 5)
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