History Recap / StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E24TheMindsEye

* KarmaHoudini: Subcommander Taibak gets away with torturing and brainwashing Geordi and almost sparking a war between the Federation and the Klingons. [[spoiler: Then again, he was working for Commander Sela.]]

* FakeShemp: In order to prevent Sela's identity being spoiled, she is played by an uncredited double who stands in the shadows, with Denise Crosby's voice being dubbed on in post-production. An unintended side-effect of the HD remaster of the episode is that Sela's face is now just about visible, making it very obvious that the stand-in looks ''nothing'' like Crosby.

* EarlyBirdCameo: This is the first appearance of Sela, [[spoiler:Tasha Yar's half-Romulan daughter]], but since she is only seen very briefly and with her face [[SinisterSilhouettes obscured by shadows]], the proper [[TheReveal reveal]] of her identity won't happen until two episodes later.

Geordi is traveling to Risa to attend a cybernetics symposium and for shore leave. While distracted by a trivia game with the computer, Geordi belatedly notices a Romulan warbird decloak dead ahead. Geordi tries to send a distress signal, but nothing works. The shuttlecraft is locked in a tractor beam, and he's immediately transported off.

Aboard the warbird, Geordi is dragged into a room and strapped into a chair, where Romulan Subcommander Taibak "warmly" greets Geordi. After an impersonator is sent to Risa in Geordi's place, Taibak has Geordi's VISOR removed, and connects a device directly to Geordi's neural implants. This device sends various images, primarily horrifying, directly to Geordi's visual cortex, making him unable to ignore them. A shadowy figure [[{{Foreshadowing}} with a familiar voice]] asks if there'll be any trace of their conditioning. Taibak assures her that because of Geordi's preexisting implants, any conditioning would be impossible to detect. He changes to another disturbing image as we zoom in to see Geordi screaming in agony.

We return to the ''Enterprise'', where Ambassador Kell probes Worf's loyalty to Picard. Worf stands by Picard and insists that he will do everything he promised to the Klingon Empire. Before Worf leaves, Kell tells Worf that he did the Klingon Empire a favor in killing Duras. Although Worf retorts that [[ItsPersonal he had his own reasons]] for doing so, Kell insists that he behaved as a proper Klingon. Worf acknowledges the unexpected compliment.

We cut to Ten Forward, or rather, a holographic recreation, where Geordi, Taibak, and his Romulan subordinates are standing. Taibak orders Geordi to shoot and kill the holographic Chief O'Brien with a phaser, but while walking over, Geordi hesitates. After a little coercion, Geordi shoots and kills "O'Brien." Unsatisifed with Geodi's hesitation, Taibak sends Geordi back for another conditioning session. Once Geordi is ready, Taibak plans to have the man's conditioning tested by sending him on a few benign errands before his main mission.

Geordi returns to the ''Enterprise'' completelt at ease and with no memory of his abduction and brainwashing. He shares stories of Risa, including a romantic interlude. Even Troi is fooled. Shortly afterwards, Data starts to find sporadic E-band emissions.

On Krios, Picard vehemently denies the Federation's involvement until Vagh presents a confiscated phaser rifle taken from a rebel stronghold. It seems to be of Federation make. Vagh allows Picard to take one for analysis, saying that he's confiscated hundreds more. Data and Geordi analyze the phaser rifle and determine that it is a Romulan knock-off. Picard presents that evidence to Vagh. The governor is skeptical, but he agrees to have his own people verify the claim.

The next morning, Vagh arrives to witness the investigation at Kell's insistence. Kell suggests visiting Cargo Bay 4. Picard agrees. Investigating a trail of clues, Data finds that the E-band transmissions would be compatible with Geordi's VISOR. He then goes to the shuttlebay and determines that the memory chips in Geordi's shuttlecraft have been replicated by Romulans, and that the hull has been subjected to stresses consistent with a tractor beam. He tries calling Geordi, but he doesn't respond. Then, Data calls Worf, ordering him to take Geordi into custody immediately.

Geordi arrives at Cargo Bay 4 armed with a phaser. Worf spots him and rushes towards him, but he's restrained by Vagh's guards, erroneously mistaking Worf's actions as hostile. Worf yells out a warning to Picard, who stops Geordi. Vagh is now quite convinced of a Federation plot against him, leaving Picard at a loss until Data arrives, revealing that Geordi 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 Geordi's brain through his VISOR. The signals would have to have been transmitted in close proximity to Geordi by a Romulan agent. As to who that agent is, Data reveals that only two people were close to Geordi at all three of the times a signal was recorded: Picard and Kell. With the fact that Picard just saved Vagh's life, everyone, including Vagh himself, stares at Kell.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: Vagh agrees that the crew of the''Enterprise'' can't conduct a search of Kell, but he is going to. Kell asks Picard to grant him asylum, which Picard agrees to, after he has been absolved of any crime. Since Kell is obviously guilty this is a polite way of Picard saying that he's not granting him asylum.

* ButtMonkey: O'Brien, well before [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine DS9]] makes him the designated punching bag. Brainwashed!Geordi shoots a holographic version of him, and then spills a drink on the real O'Brien's shoulder.

** The look on [=Holo!O'Brien's=] face when Geordi walks up to him with a phaser.

Geordi is traveling to Risa to attend a cybernetics symposium and for shore leave. While distracted by a trivia game with the computer, Geordi belatedly noticed a Romulan warbird decloaks dead ahead. Geordi tries to send a distress signal, but nothing works as the shuttlecraft is locked in a tractor beam and he's immediately transported off.

* AssholeVictim: Kell tells Worf that he did a service in [[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E7Reunion killing Duras]], saying that some High Council members were apprehensive about him getting named Chancellor.

* NotHimself: The method they used to brainwash Geordi left an unintentional imprint on his post-brainwashing behavior, leaving his mind unconsciously focused on O'Brien. This led to Geordi taking actions he couldn't explain, such as pouring a drink on the poor guy. Well, at least he didn't ''shoot'' him...

* RealityEnsues: Worf tries to save Vagh from Geordi's assassination attempt, but since he has been disgraced Vagh's bodyguards won't let Worf get near him. Luckily Picard is able to stop Geordi.

* ArtisticLicenseGunSafety: Geordi and Data test the phaser rifle in Engineering, rather than a cargo bay or a holodeck. [[http://tng.trekcore.com/hd/albums/season-4/4x24/the-minds-eye-hd-166.jpg At least they weren't shooting in the direction of the warp core]].

A shuttlecraft flies in space as we hear Geordi give a personal log entry. He's traveling to Risa to attend a cybernetics symposium and for shore leave. With three hours to go, Geordi has become bored, so he asks the computer for a science trivia game. While playing, a Romulan warbird decloaks ahead, so Geordi stops the game and tries to send a distress signal, but nothing works, as the shuttlecraft is locked in a tractor beam and he's immediately transported off.

Aboard the warbird, Geordi is dragged into a room and strapped into a chair, where Romulan Subcommander Taibak "warmly" greets Geordi. After an impersonator is sent to Risa in Geordi's place, Taibak has Geordi's VISOR removed, and connects a device directly to Geordi's neural implants. This device sends various images, primarily horrifying, directly to Geordi's visual cortex, making him unable to ignore them. A shadowy figure [[{{Foreshadowing}} with a familiar voice]] asks if there'll be any trace of their conditioning. Taibak assures her that because of Geordi's preexisting implants, any conditioning would be impossible to detect. He changes to another disturbing image, as we zoom in to see Geordi screaming in agony.

We return to the ''Enterprise'', where Ambassador Kell speaks with Worf. Kell tells Worf that he did the Klingon Empire a favor in killing Duras, though Worf retorts that [[ItsPersonal he had his own reasons]] for doing so.

We cut to Ten Forward, or rather, a holographic recreation where Geordi, Taibak, and his Romulan subordinates are sitting. Taibak orders Geordi to shoot and kill the holographic Chief O'Brien with a phaser, but while walking over, Geordi hesitates. After a little coercion, Geordi shoots and kills "O'Brien." Taibak tells his officers that Geordi needs another conditioning session.

Geordi returns to the ''Enterprise'' with no memory of his abduction and brainwashing, sharing stories of Risa. Shortly afterwards, Data starts to find sporadic E-band emissions.

On Krios, Picard vehemently denies the Federation's involvement until Vagh presents a confiscated phaser rifle taken from a rebel stronghold. It seems to be of Federation make. Picard asks if he may take it to analyze, to which Vagh is welcome. He's confiscated plenty.

Data works with Geordi in determining the legitimacy of the phaser rifle. Through careful examination, Geordi and Data find that the rifle has been charged with a power source in the terahertz range. Data notes that at least 327 species use this range, but Geordi narrows it down by asking who would benefit by driving a wedge between the Federation and the Klingons.

Geordi and Data join Picard in another meeting with Governor Vagh, concluding that the weapon is a Romulan decoy: a physically perfect duplicate, but since it was charged with Romulan energy sources, traces were left behind. Vagh is skeptical, since Krios holds no strategic value to the Romulans, so he still wants his own people to verify the findings. While in the office, La Forge's VISOR receives another distinctive E-band transmission.

In Ten Forward, we see Geordi in a setup similar to the Romulan holorecreation. However, this time, Geordi simply spills his drink on O'Brien.

Data finds that 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 speak to Vagh, urging him to come to the ''Enterprise'' to witness the investigation. Before leaving, however, Geordi meets with him in his quarters, where it's revealed that [[TheMole Kell has been conspiring with the Romulans]], being the one transmitting the E-band emissions. Kell tells Geordi that when Vagh arrives, Geordi is to assassinate him, claiming he is acting on behalf of the Federation in support of the rebels.

That night, Geordi has difficulty sleeping, first contacting Chief O'Brien to see if he's okay, then going to sickbay to have his VISOR checked by Dr. Crusher.

The next morning, Vagh arrives to witness the investigation, only at Kell's insistence. Kell suggests visiting Cargo Bay 4. Picard agrees. Following a mounting trail of evidence, Data finds that the E-band transmissions would be compatible with Geordi's VISOR. He then goes to the shuttlebay and determines that the memory chips in Geordi's shuttlecraft have been replicated by Romulans, and that the hull has been subjected to stresses consistent with a tractor beam. He tries calling Geordi, but he doesn't respond. Then, Data calls Worf, ordering him to take Geordi into custody immediately.

Meanwhile, Geordi has arrived in Cargo Bay 4, armed with a small phaser as per Kell's instructions. Seeing Geordi, Worf immediately rushes towards him, but is restrained by Vagh's guards, erroneously mistaking Worf's actions as hostile. Worf yells out a warning to Picard, who stops Geordi. Vagh is now quite convinced of a Federation plot against him, leaving Picard at a loss until Data arrives, revealing that Geordi 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 Geordi'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 Geordi by a Romulan agent. As to who that agent is, Data reveals that only two people were close to Geordi at all three of the times a signal was recorded: Picard and Kell. With the fact that Picard just saved Vagh's life, everyone, including Vagh himself, stares at Kell.

** When Data gives the names most likely to be the one controlling a brainwashed Geordi (notably Picard and Kell), ''everyone'', including Vagh himself, gives one to Kell. Vagh doesn't even look at Picard, as after all, Picard was the one who saved his life not a minute ago.

* RealityEnsues: Worf tries to get save Vagh from Geordi's assassination attempt, but since he has been disgraced Vagh's bodyguards won't let Worf get near him. Luckily Picard is able to stop Geordi.

* CatapultNightmare: Geordi has one post-brainwashing, we don't get to see what it was about, but it's pretty easy to guess.

* NotHimself: The method they used to brainwash Geordi left an unintentional imprint on his post-brainwashing behavior, leaving his mind unconsciously focused on O'Brien. This led to Geordi taking actions he couldn't explain, such as pouring a drink on the poor guy. Well, at least he didn't ''shoot'' him...

* FauxAffablyEvil: Taibak while beginning the brainwashing process.

'''Picard:''' ''[DeathGlare; slowly walks forward and gets into Vagh's face]'' Vagh ''[=ghay’cha’ baQa’=]''!\\

** When Data gives the names most likely to be the one controlling a brainwashed Geordi (notably Picard and Kell), ''everyone'', including Vagh himself, gives one to Kell. Vagh doesn't even look at Picard, after all, Picard was the one who saved his life.

A shuttlecraft flies in space as we hear Geordi give a personal log entry. He's traveling to Risa to attend a cybernetics symposium and for shore leave. With three hours to go, Geordi has become bored, so he asks the computer for a science trivia game. While playing, he notices a Romulan warbird has decloaked ahead, so Geordi stops the game and tries to send a distress signal, but nothing works, as the shuttlecraft is locked in a tractor beam and he's immediately transported off.

** Kell, when Vagh announces they're going to be searching him themselves. And then when Picard coolly shoots down his request for asylum. The look on his face as he's beamed away shows he knows he's in for a slow and painful death.

* StockFootage: The footage of the three Klingon warships was re-used footage from "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS4E7Reunion Reunion]]".

* BaitAndSwitchComment: When Kell insists Picard's people have no right to search him, Vagh agrees... then adds that he'll have his men do it on the surface.

* ExactWords: Kell tries to weasel out of getting searched and revealed, telling Picard, "I will not be submit to being searched by you or anyone else on this ship." Vagh agrees--''he'' will have Kell searched down on Krios, instead. And when Kell requests asylum from Captain Picard, Picard readily agrees to his request, provided that Kell is absolved of all suspicion in the assassination attempt.

** Kell informs Worf that he did a service in killing Duras, whose family has been suspected with collaborating with the Klingons. At the end of the episode, Kell is revealed to be working with the Romulans himself.

* ChekhovsGun: The E-band blips turn out to be Kell's method of giving Geordi instructions.

** When Data gives the names most likely to be the one controlling a brainwashed Geordi, ''everyone'', including Vagh himself, gives one to Kell. Vagh doesn't even look at Picard, after all, Picard was the one who saved his life.

* ExactWords: Kell tries to weasel out of getting searched and revealed, telling Picard, "I will not be submit to being searched by you or anyone else on this ship." Vagh agrees--''he'' will have Kell searched down on Krios, instead.

* KarmaHoudini: Subcommander Taibak gets away with torturing and brainwashing Geordi and almost sparking a war between the Federation and the Klingons.

* {{Irony}}: The first thing we see Geordi ordered to do to test his brainwashing, is to kill a holographic O'Brien. Yet as noted under SpannerInTheWorks, O'Brien is the one who unwittingly ensures that the plan fails at the last second.

Later, Geordi is talking to 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 Geordi what happened after he saw the Romulan ship--a question that leaves Geordi stumped, and worried as the full horror of the violation against him begins to sink in.

* OhCrap: As Geordi partakes in a trivia game with the shuttle computer:
-->'''Computer:''' List the resonances of the sub-quantum states associated with transitional relativity...
-->'''Geordi:''' That's easy!
-->'''Computer:''' ... in alphabetical order.
-->''Geordi stops smiling.''

** Kell, when Vagh announces they're going to be searching him themselves. And then when Picard cooly shoots down his request for asylum. The look on his face as he's beamed away shows he knows he's in for a slow and painful death.