10 Actors Who Appeared On Star Trek In Unusual Ways

Conspiracy is the first season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that is either terrifyingly paranoia-inducing or ludicrously over the top, depending on who you ask.

The plot revolves around little insectoids infiltrating the highest reaches of Starfleet Command, attaching themselves parasite-like to the base of the victim's brains. And, if the guest star's agent was a good enough negotiator, the stun setting on a phaser would be enough to knock them out. Commander Remmick was not so lucky.

This character, played by Robert Schenkkan in all but one scene, was host to the queen of these parasites. It had hollowed out his chest and set up shop, working him like a marionette. Picard and Riker chase the creatures down and discover him sending a message into the far reaches of space. As his throat swells, he hisses that they only seek peaceful coexistence. The two officers doubt him, aim their phasers, and fire.

In the moment that shocked audiences when it was aired, Remmick's head has the skin blasted away before it explodes. Hilariously, this is the moment where Schenkkan relinquishes the role... to Paul Newman! The dummy prop that was used for the scene was in fact a mould of The Sting actor's face, filled with raw meat. This was then blown up, creating the effect seen in the episode.