10 Most Hated Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes

When the Enterprise finds an isolated relay station missing its two staff members, the ensuing investigation finding leads them to consider the possibility of murder.

The episode is built on the emotional connection between Geordi and Lt. Aquiel but there is no spark to be found between the two. Geordi first develops feelings while watching the presumed dead officer's personal logs in moments that are framed as sweet but which instead look like an unhealthy obsession. Later Aquiel is discovered alive in a nearby shuttle thus becoming the murder suspect and the smitten Geordi becomes determined to prove her innocence. They become closer for real but lack chemistry, with Levar Burton acting more like an overeager schoolboy desperate to please his crush. In addition, he is obviously too emotionally attached to the case to be objective making it even harder to invest in their relationship and whether she's really the killer.

What really sinks the episode though is the wholly unsatisfying final reveal. It’s shown that the true culprit is an alien that takes on the appearance of the victim it absorbs and after it murdered the crew, it took the form of Aquiel’s dog. That’s right, the dog did it! Worse, the shapeshifter just shows itself to Geordi in his quarters for no apparent reason other than that the episode is almost over. Geordi doesn’t solve the mystery or discover any key clue; the answer simply materializes in front of him ending the story in an unearned lifeless manner.

Aquiel does seem like a nice girl though, and hopefully fares better in her next assignment.