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{{disambiguation|the SCE eBook|Identity Crisis (novel){{!}}''Identity Crisis''}}
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{{disambiguation|the SCE eBook|Identity Crisis (eBook){{!}}''Identity Crisis''}}
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La Forge and a former shipmate are the only officers left from an away mission five years ago – the others have transformed into aliens and disappeared.
 +
La Forge and a former shipmate are the only officers left from an away mission five years ago. The others have transformed into aliens and disappeared.
   
 
== Summary ==
  
== Summary ==
 
=== Teaser ===
  
=== Teaser ===
−
In the [[observation lounge]], [[Jean-Luc Picard]], [[William T. Riker|William Riker]], [[Geordi La Forge]], and [[Susanna Leijten]] are viewing a [[sensor]] log from an investigation Leijten and La Forge were part of five years ago, while attached to the {{USS|Victory}}. They were investigating the disappearance of 49 colonists from the [[Tarchannen III]] [[outpost]]. The other members of the ''Victory'' [[away team]], [[Anthony Brevelle|Brevelle]], [[Emilita Mendez|Mendez]], and [[Paul Hickman|Hickman]], have now deserted their posts without any warning. A [[Federation supply ship]] has spotted Hickman's stolen [[shuttle]] and it is heading back to Tarchannen III.
 +
In the [[observation lounge]], [[Jean-Luc Picard]], [[William T. Riker|William Riker]], [[Geordi La Forge]], and [[Susanna Leijten]] are viewing a [[sensor]] log from an investigation Leijten and La Forge were part of [[2362|five years ago]], while attached to the {{USS|Victory}}. They were investigating the disappearance of 49 colonists from the [[Tarchannen III]] [[outpost]]. The other members of the ''Victory'' [[away team]], [[Anthony Brevelle|Brevelle]], [[Emilita Mendez|Mendez]], and [[Paul Hickman|Hickman]], have now deserted their posts without any warning. A [[Federation supply ship]] has spotted Hickman's stolen [[shuttle]] and it is heading back to Tarchannen III. Leijten and La Forge are the only two remaining members of the ''Victory'' away team not to have disappeared.
   
 
=== Act One ===
  
=== Act One ===
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:"''[[Captain's log]], [[stardate]] 44664.5. We've set a course to intercept Lieutenant Hickman's stolen shuttlecraft, and hopefully to discover the whereabouts of the other missing officers.''"
  
:"''[[Captain's log]], [[stardate]] 44664.5. We've set a course to intercept Lieutenant Hickman's stolen shuttlecraft, and hopefully to discover the whereabouts of the other missing officers.''"
   
−
La Forge and Leijten go to [[Ten Forward]] to reminisce about their days on the ''Victory'' and catch up with events. When the ''Enterprise'' finds the shuttle, the [[helmsman]] reports that they have entered the Tarchannen system. [[Worf]] [[hail]]s the shuttle but Hickman doesn't respond. The shuttle approaches the [[planet]] too fast and burns up in the [[atmosphere]]. However, [[sensor]]s detect two more shuttlecraft on the surface, but no [[life sign]]s. So Picard orders an [[away team]] to investigate.
 +
La Forge and Leijten go to [[Ten Forward]] to reminisce about their days on the ''Victory'' and catch up with events, such as Leijten discussing on how she almost [[marriage|married]] [[Paul Bogrow]], a man she could barely stand. [[Helmsman]] {{dis|Graham|Ensign}} reports that they have entered the Tarchannen system, where the crew finds the shuttle. [[Worf]] [[hail]]s the shuttle but Hickman doesn't respond. The shuttle approaches the [[planet]] too fast and burns up in the [[atmosphere]]. [[Sensor]]s detect two more shuttlecraft on the surface, but no [[life sign]]s. Picard orders an [[away team]] to investigate.
   
−
On the surface, the away team discovers the shuttle that Mendez stole from the {{USS|Aries}}. While La Forge checks out the shuttle, Leijten finds strange footprints in the sand, and she moves towards them for a closer look. Worf and Riker are having an uneasy time as if they are being watched, when he reported to Riker. La Forge returns with a chilling piece of evidence. Two torn [[Starfleet]] [[uniform]]s. La Forge notices that Leijten is missing. The other members of the team spread out to look for her. When La Forge follows some footsteps in the sand, he finds her staring blankly into the darkness. She claims she can feel the missing crew's presence. She starts to shake violently, screaming, as La Forge calls up a [[medical emergency]] [[beam]]-out.
 +
On the surface, the away team discovers the shuttle ''{{dis|Cousteau|shuttlepod}}'', which Mendez stole from the {{USS|Aries}}. While La Forge checks out the shuttle, Leijten finds strange footprints in the sand, and she moves toward them for a closer look. Worf tells Riker he has a feeling they are being watched. La Forge returns with chilling evidence: two torn [[Starfleet]] [[uniform]]s.
  +
  +
La Forge notices that Leijten is missing. The other members of the team spread out to look for her. When La Forge follows some footsteps in the sand, he finds her staring blankly into the darkness. She claims she can feel the missing crew's presence. She starts to shake violently, screaming, as La Forge calls up a [[medical emergency]] [[beam]]-out.
   
 
=== Act Two ===
  
=== Act Two ===
−
Leijten wakes up in a bed in [[sickbay]]. Dr [[Beverly Crusher]] reports that her [[blood chemistry]] is off and that she's had a histamine response to something unknown. Leijten feels compelled to return to the surface but Crusher orders her to stay on the ''Enterprise'' until she can find out what is wrong. Leijten protests, but Picard backs up Crusher's order.
+
Leijten wakes up in a bed in [[sickbay]]. [[Doctor|Dr]]. [[Beverly Crusher]] reports that her [[blood chemistry]] is off and that she's had a histamine response to something she can't identify. Leijten feels compelled to return to the surface but Crusher orders her to stay on the ''Enterprise'' until she can find out what is wrong. Leijten protests, but Picard confirms the order.
   
−
Leijten and La Forge are walking in the [[corridor]] when Leijten's hands start to tremble. She states under fear that whatever is happening to the away team members is happening to her.
 +
Leijten and La Forge are walking in the [[corridor]] when Leijten's hands start to tremble. She expresses the fear that whatever is happening to the away team members is happening to her.
   
−
On the [[bridge]], [[Data]] examines data collected from the survey. He has found some [[alien]] [[cell]]s that don't belong to any known Tarchanen [[lifeform]]. While Data attempts to find a match for the cells and footprints, La Forge and Leijten decide to go through the [[mission log]] to see if there is any commonality they missed that would make the [[crew]] return to Tarchanen III to be abducted.
+
On the [[bridge]], [[Data]] examines evidence collected from the survey. He has found some [[alien]] {{dis|cell|biology}}s that don't belong to any known Tarchanen [[lifeform]]. While Data attempts to find a match for the cells and footprints, La Forge and Leijten decide to go through the [[mission log]] to see if there is any commonality they missed that would make the [[crew]] return to Tarchanen III to be abducted.
   
−
As they examine the logs, Leijten becomes agitated and demands to go back to the surface. As she leaves, she begins to shake uncontrollably and collapses. La Forge notices a strange blue growth pattern on the back of her neck and that her fingers have grown together.
 +
As they examine the logs, Leijten becomes agitated and demands to go back to the surface. As she leaves, she begins to shake uncontrollably and collapses. La Forge notices a strange blue growth pattern on the back of her [[neck]] and that her fingers have grown together.
   
 
=== Act Three ===
  
=== Act Three ===
−
Leijten is in a dark room as she has developed an extreme sensitivity to light. The strange growth patterns now cover most of her body. La Forge comes to visit and comfort her. Crusher discovers that Leijten's cells have now changed to match the alien cells found on the surface. Crusher theorizes that the missing crew were not abducted, but transformed into a different species. Crusher informs La Forge that he will most likely be next and that he should stay in sickbay. He insists that he needs to work on the investigation.
+
Leijten is in a dark room, as she has developed an extreme sensitivity to light. The strange growth patterns now cover most of her body. La Forge comes to visit and comfort her. Crusher discovers that Leijten's cells have now changed to match the alien cells found on the surface. Crusher theorizes that the missing crew were not abducted, but transformed into a different species. Crusher informs La Forge that he will most likely be next and that he should stay in sickbay. He insists that he needs to work on the investigation.
   
−
He returns to [[engineering]] and begins to examine the logs again. He runs several scans on the data. Then he notices a slight shadow on the visual log that he cannot determine the source of. He tells the computer to create a [[holoprogram]] based on the sensor log data. As he goes to the [[holodeck]] he notices that his hand has begun to tremble as well.
 +
He returns to [[engineering]] and begins to thoroughly examine the logs again. He runs several scans on the data. Then he notices a slight shadow on the visual log that he cannot identify. He tells the computer to create a [[holoprogram]] based on the sensor log data. As he goes to the [[holodeck]] he notices that his hand has begun to tremble as well.
   
 
=== Act Four ===
  
=== Act Four ===
−
In the holodeck, La Forge uses the [[computer]] to remove people and their shadows from the simulation until only the strange shadow is left. He then uses [[vector analysis]] to determine the location of the object causing the shadow. He is shocked to discover a human sized invisible shape. As soon as he discovers it, he then slumps down in pain. He then finds the same physical changes that Leijten experienced are starting to happen in his body.
 +
In the holodeck, La Forge uses the [[computer]] to remove people and their shadows from the simulation until only the strange shadow is left. He then uses [[vector analysis]] to determine the location of the object causing the shadow. He is shocked to discover a human-sized invisible shape. He then slumps down in pain. The same physical changes that Leijten experienced are starting to happen in his body.
   
−
In sickbay, Crusher begins to understand what is happening and finds a [[parasite]] in Leijten's [[thymus]]. She discovers that her [[skin]] is starting to have a [[mimetic]] response to [[light]] and that the parasite is using her [[immune system]] to transform her body.
 +
In sickbay, Crusher and [[Alyssa Ogawa|Ogawa]] have found a [[parasite]] in Leijten's [[thymus]] which is transforming her body. Her [[skin]] is developing a [[mimetic]] response to [[light]]. They have to act quickly, while there is still DNA intact to help reverse the damage.
   
−
Dr. Crusher operates on Leijten and removes the parasite. She tries to find La Forge, but he has disappeared. The computer reveals the last location of La Forge and Picard sends Worf, Riker and a security detail to the holodeck. When they arrive they see what La Forge saw, and Worf discovers a grisly scene: La Forge's torn uniform and his [[VISOR]]. Riker steps back as he gazes at the eerie image, thinking that this is what the chief engineer has become. In the [[transporter room]] an invisible shape attacks the [[transporter]] operator and beams to the surface.
 +
Dr. Crusher operates on Leijten and removes the parasite in time. She begins to return to normal. She tries to find La Forge, but he has disappeared. The computer reveals the last location of La Forge and Picard sends Worf, Riker and a security detail to the holodeck. When they arrive they see what La Forge saw, and Worf discovers a grisly scene: La Forge's torn uniform and his [[VISOR]]. Riker steps back as he gazes at the eerie image, thinking that this is what the chief engineer has become. In the [[transporter room]] an invisible shape attacks [[Hedrick]], the [[transporter]] operator, and beams to the surface.
   
 
=== Act Five ===
  
=== Act Five ===
−
Data develops a method to detect the invisible aliens using [[ultraviolet light]] from an [[emergency beacon]]. Crusher, the very quickly healed Leijten, Riker, Worf, and Data beam down to the surface. They find the nearly transformed La Forge, along with the fully transformed creatures that were once Brevelle and Mendez. The latter two flee, but Leijten is able to convince La Forge to come to her.
+
Data develops a method to detect the aliens using [[ultraviolet light]] from an [[emergency beacon]]. Crusher, Leijten, Riker, Worf, and Data beam down to the surface. They find the nearly transformed La Forge, along with the fully transformed creatures that were once Brevelle and Mendez. The latter two flee, but Leijten is able to convince La Forge to come to her.
   
−
On the [[starship]], Crusher is able to save La Forge. Based on his own experience, he reports that the creatures are unintelligent: operating entirely on instinct. Crusher informs [[Captain]] Picard that from the scans she was able to take of Brevelle and Mendez, their transformation is irreversible, and Picard decides that Tarchannen III should be isolated. He orders [[warning beacon]]s placed around the planet to warn others of the aliens there.
 +
On the [[starship]], Crusher is able to save La Forge. It is too late to save Brevelle and Mendez, though. Based on his own experience, he reports that the creatures are unintelligent: operating entirely on instinct. They multiply by infecting humanoids with the parasite. Picard decides that Tarchannen III should be isolated. He orders [[warning beacon]]s placed around the planet to warn others of the aliens there. La Forge thanks Leijten for her assistance in helping to find him. He remarks that while he was transformed, he had no idea who Leijten was but somehow he both believed and trusted her. "''Must have been because of all the good advice I used to give you''", she says.
   
−
== Memorable Quotes ==
 +
== Memorable quotes ==
 
"''49 people gone.''"<br />
  
"''49 people gone.''"<br />
 
"''And five years later, the away team that was investigating their disappearances have started to disappear themselves.''"<br />
  
"''And five years later, the away team that was investigating their disappearances have started to disappear themselves.''"<br />
 
"''Geordi and I are the only two left.''"
  
"''Geordi and I are the only two left.''"
−
: - '''Leijten''' and '''Riker''' discussing the mysterious disappearance of former officers from the ''Victory''
 +
: - '''Leijten''' and '''Riker''' discussing the mysterious disappearance of former officers from the ''Victory'' (note this means [[47]] are missing)
   
   
Line 85: Line 87:
   
   
−
"''Well, if anyone's gonna figure this out, it'll be the "Leijten and La Forge Show", right?''"
 +
"''Well, if anyone's gonna figure this out, it'll be the "Leijten and La Forge Show", right? We always were a good team.''"<br />
  +
"(raising his glass) ''A hell of a team.''"
−
: - '''Leijten'''
 +
: - '''Leijten''' and '''La Forge'''
   
   
Line 94: Line 97:
 
"''Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why. However, I am... strongly motivated to solve this mystery.''"
  
"''Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why. However, I am... strongly motivated to solve this mystery.''"
 
:- '''Dr. Crusher''' and '''Data''' - {{audio|file=Data motivated - TNG - Identity Crisis.ogg}}
  
:- '''Dr. Crusher''' and '''Data''' - {{audio|file=Data motivated - TNG - Identity Crisis.ogg}}
  +
  +
  +
"''Computer, delete La Forge.''"
  +
: - '''La Forge''', while in the holodeck
   
   
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: - '''La Forge''' after being returned to normal talks to '''Leijten'''
  
: - '''La Forge''' after being returned to normal talks to '''Leijten'''
   
−
== Background Information ==
 +
== Background information ==
 
[[File:LeVar Burton makeup, Identity Crisis.jpg|thumb|LeVar Burton in full makeup]]
  
[[File:LeVar Burton makeup, Identity Crisis.jpg|thumb|LeVar Burton in full makeup]]
 
=== Story and script ===
  
=== Story and script ===
 
* The original spec script submitted by [[Timothy DeHaas]] involved two non-regular crew members undergoing the transformation. [[Michael Piller]] recalled, "''It was a very tough script to solve...It was very heavy on point of view and stylistic devices we didn't want to do.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 218)
  
* The original spec script submitted by [[Timothy DeHaas]] involved two non-regular crew members undergoing the transformation. [[Michael Piller]] recalled, "''It was a very tough script to solve...It was very heavy on point of view and stylistic devices we didn't want to do.''" (''[[Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages]]'', p. 218)
−
* According to [[Brannon Braga]], early versions of the script had a romantic relationship between Geordi and Susanna, but it was felt that the engineer deserved "a break" from failed romances after {{e|Booby Trap}} and {{e|Galaxy's Child}}. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 159)
 +
* According to [[Brannon Braga]], early versions of the script had a romantic relationship between Geordi and Susanna, but it was felt that the engineer deserved "a break" from failed romances after {{e|Booby Trap}} and {{e|Galaxy's Child}}. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 159)
 
* Braga's first draft was much more horrific, with many more aliens on the surface. In this version, La Forge was not transformed. However, to make the show work, Braga felt it was necessary to include La Forge in the change and reduce the terror to a "restrained and psychoanalytical" level. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 159)
  
* Braga's first draft was much more horrific, with many more aliens on the surface. In this version, La Forge was not transformed. However, to make the show work, Braga felt it was necessary to include La Forge in the change and reduce the terror to a "restrained and psychoanalytical" level. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion]]'' 2nd ed., p. 159)
   
Line 126: Line 133:
 
* Although the past scenes are set in 2362, the stardate given starts with "40", which would imply 2363.
  
* Although the past scenes are set in 2362, the stardate given starts with "40", which would imply 2363.
 
*The command of the {{USS|Aries}} was previously offered to Riker upon the retirement of her captain, as seen in {{e|The Icarus Factor}}.
  
*The command of the {{USS|Aries}} was previously offered to Riker upon the retirement of her captain, as seen in {{e|The Icarus Factor}}.
−
*When Crusher is ready to operate Leijten, one of the medical staff is seen to place a [[neural stimulator]] over her head, like the one prominently used on Riker in {{e|Shades of Gray}}.
 +
*When Crusher is ready to operate on Leijten, [[Martinez]] is seen to place a [[neural stimulator]] over her head, like the one prominently used on Riker in {{e|Shades of Gray}}.
 
* Other species that propagate by infusing other species with their [[DNA]] and transforming them include the [[Taresian]]s, [[Kobali]] and [[Loque'eque]].
  
* Other species that propagate by infusing other species with their [[DNA]] and transforming them include the [[Taresian]]s, [[Kobali]] and [[Loque'eque]].
   
Line 132: Line 139:
 
[[File:Mark and Brian interview.jpg|thumb|Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps interviewing Jonathan Frakes on set.]]
  
[[File:Mark and Brian interview.jpg|thumb|Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps interviewing Jonathan Frakes on set.]]
 
* [[Marina Sirtis]] ([[Deanna Troi]]) [[Main character non-appearances#Star Trek: The Next Generation|does not appear]] in this episode.
  
* [[Marina Sirtis]] ([[Deanna Troi]]) [[Main character non-appearances#Star Trek: The Next Generation|does not appear]] in this episode.
−
* This episode features some rather unusual guest stars, with former Miss Universe [[Mona Grudt]] as [[Ensign]] [[Graham (Ensign)|Graham]] and LA disc jockeys [[Brian Phelps]] and [[Mark Thompson]] as two of the [[Tarchannen III species|Tarchannen III aliens]]. Phelps and Thompson filmed their scenes on Wednesday {{d|23|January|1991}} on [[Paramount Stage 16]] and interviewed cast members [[Jonathan Frakes]], [[Gates McFadden]], [[Marina Sirtis]], and [[Michael Dorn]] for their radio talk show ''{{w|The Mark & Brian Show}}''. The call sheet features the scheduled times for the interviews.
 +
* This episode features some rather unusual guest stars, with former Miss Universe [[Mona Grudt]] as [[Ensign]] [[Graham (Ensign)|Graham]] and LA disc jockeys [[Brian Phelps]] and [[Mark Thompson]] as two of the [[Tarchannen III species|Tarchannen III aliens]]. Phelps and Thompson filmed their scenes on Wednesday {{d|23|January|1991}} on [[Paramount Stage 16]] and interviewed cast members [[Jonathan Frakes]], [[Gates McFadden]], [[Marina Sirtis]], and [[Michael Dorn]] for their radio talk show {{wt|The Mark & Brian Show}}. The call sheet features the scheduled times for the interviews.
   
 
=== Reception ===
  
=== Reception ===
Line 169: Line 176:
   
 
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
  
=== Uncredited co-stars ===
−
* [[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as [[Nelson (Starfleet)|Nelson]]
 +
* [[Rachen Assapiomonwait]] as {{dis|Nelson|Starfleet}}
 
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
  
* [[Majel Barrett]] as {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} [[computer voice]]
 
* [[Karen Baxter]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female operations ensign (2366)|operations division ensign]]
  
* [[Karen Baxter]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female operations ensign (2366)|operations division ensign]]
 
* [[Thomas J. Booth]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Male operations division officer|operations division officer]]
  
* [[Thomas J. Booth]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Male operations division officer|operations division officer]]
 
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
  
* [[Michael Braveheart]] as [[Martinez]]
  +
* [[Nyra Crenshaw]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) operations division personnel#Female ops ensign|operations division officer]]
 
* [[Denise Deuschle]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Bridge science division officer (2367-2368)|science division officer]]
  
* [[Denise Deuschle]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) sciences division personnel#Bridge science division officer (2367-2368)|science division officer]]
 
* [[Di Santis]] as [[Emilita Mendez]]
  
* [[Di Santis]] as [[Emilita Mendez]]
Line 188: Line 196:
 
* [[Mark Thompson]] as [[Tarchannen III species|Tarchannen III alien]]
  
* [[Mark Thompson]] as [[Tarchannen III species|Tarchannen III alien]]
 
* [[Paul Tompkins]] as [[Anthony Brevelle]]
  
* [[Paul Tompkins]] as [[Anthony Brevelle]]
  +
* [[Uchizono]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) command division personnel#Female command division officer (2366-2367)|civilian]]
 
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
  
* [[Guy Vardaman]] as [[Darien Wallace]]
 
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
  
* [[Natalie Wood]] as [[Bailey]]
  +
* [[Unknown actress]] as [[Unnamed USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) personnel#Female Ten Forward patrons (2367)|civilian woman]]
   
 
=== Stunt double ===
  
=== Stunt double ===
Line 208: Line 218:
   
 
===References===
  
===References===
−
[[USS Aries|''Aries'', USS]]; [[bioscan]]; [[Paul Bogrow|Bogrow, Paul]]; [[cc]]; [[cell wall integrity]]; [[chameleon]]; ''[[Cousteau (shuttlepod)|Cousteau]]''; [[day watch]]; [[DNA]]; [[emergency beacon]]; [[emitter module]]; [[Federation]]; [[Federation supply ship]]; [[gene]]; [[EM scan]]; [[histamine]]; [[infrared sensor]]; [[interferometric frequency]]; [[ionizing radiation]]; [[ionosphere]]; [[kayolane]]; [[Malaya IV]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[NCC-70367]]; [[NCC-70367 shuttlecraft]]; [[palm beacon]]; [[parasite]]; [[proximity detector]]; [[sandstorm]]; [[security lockout]]; [[sedative]]; [[sensor array]]; [[spectrographic analysis]]; [[Starbase 112]]; [[subspace]]; [[T-cell stimulator]]; [[Tarchannen]]; [[Tarchannen III]]; [[Tarchannen III species]]; [[Tarchannen system]]; [[thermosphere]]; [[time index]]; [[thymus]]; [[tricorder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[Type 7 shuttlecraft]]; [[Type 15 shuttlepod]]; [[ultraviolet radiation]]; [[vector analysis]]; [[USS Victory|''Victory'', USS]]; [[viral crèche]]; [[VISOR]]; [[visual recording device]]; [[warning beacon]]s; [[Z-particle]]
 +
[[advisor]]; {{SSU|Aries}}; [[bioscan]]; [[blanket]]; [[Paul Bogrow|Bogrow, Paul]]; [[cc]]; [[cell wall integrity]]; [[chameleon]]; ''{{dis|Cousteau|shuttlepod}}''; [[day watch]]; [[DNA]]; [[emergency beacon]]; [[emitter module]]; [[Federation]]; [[Federation supply ship]]; [[gene]]; [[genetic analysis]]; [[EM scan]]; [[histamine]]; [[infrared sensor]]; [[interferometric frequency]]; [[ionizing radiation]]; [[ionosphere]]; [[kayolane]]; [[Malaya IV]]; [[medical tricorder]]; [[mucus membrane]]; [[NCC-70367]]; [[NCC-70367 shuttlecraft]]; [[number one]]; [[palm beacon]]; [[parasite]]; [[photosensitivity]]; [[proximity detector]]; [[sandstorm]]; [[security lockout]]; [[sedative]]; [[sensor array]]; [[spectrographic analysis]]; [[Starbase 112]]; [[subspace]]; [[T-cell stimulator]]; [[Tarchannen]]; [[Tarchannen III]]; [[Tarchannen III species]]; [[Tarchannen system]]; [[thermosphere]]; [[time index]]; [[thymus]]; [[tricorder]]; [[turbolift]]; [[type 7 shuttlecraft]]; [[type 15 shuttlepod]]; [[ultraviolet radiation]]; [[vector analysis]]; {{SSU|Victory}}; [[viral crèche]]; [[VISOR]]; [[visual recording device]]; [[warning beacon]]s; [[Z-particle]]
   
 
===External link===
  
===External link===
−
*{{Wikipedia|Identity Crisis (Star Trek: The Next Generation)}}
 +
*{{Wikipedia-quote|Identity Crisis (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Identity Crisis}}
   
 
{{TNG nav|season=4|last={{e|Night Terrors}}|next={{e|The Nth Degree}}}}
  
{{TNG nav|season=4|last={{e|Night Terrors}}|next={{e|The Nth Degree}}}}
  +
   
 
[[de:Der unbekannte Schatten]]
  
[[de:Der unbekannte Schatten]]
 
[[es:Identity Crisis]]
  
[[es:Identity Crisis]]
−
[[fr:Identity Crisis]]
 +
[[fr:Identity Crisis (épisode)]]
−
[[ja:TNG:アイデンティティー・クライシス]]
 +
[[ja:アイデンティティー・クライシス（エピソード）]]
 
[[nl:Identity Crisis]]
  
[[nl:Identity Crisis]]
 
[[pl:Identity Crisis]]
  
[[pl:Identity Crisis]]

Revision as of 05:37, 4 April 2016

Template:Realworld

For the SCE eBook, please see Identity Crisis.

La Forge and a former shipmate are the only officers left from an away mission five years ago. The others have transformed into aliens and disappeared.

Summary

Teaser

In the observation lounge, Jean-Luc Picard, William Riker, Geordi La Forge, and Susanna Leijten are viewing a sensor log from an investigation Leijten and La Forge were part of five years ago, while attached to the USS Victory. They were investigating the disappearance of 49 colonists from the Tarchannen III outpost. The other members of the Victory away team, Brevelle, Mendez, and Hickman, have now deserted their posts without any warning. A Federation supply ship has spotted Hickman's stolen shuttle and it is heading back to Tarchannen III. Leijten and La Forge are the only two remaining members of the Victory away team not to have disappeared.

Act One

"Captain's log, stardate 44664.5. We've set a course to intercept Lieutenant Hickman's stolen shuttlecraft, and hopefully to discover the whereabouts of the other missing officers."

La Forge and Leijten go to Ten Forward to reminisce about their days on the Victory and catch up with events, such as Leijten discussing on how she almost married Paul Bogrow, a man she could barely stand. Helmsman Graham reports that they have entered the Tarchannen system, where the crew finds the shuttle. Worf hails the shuttle but Hickman doesn't respond. The shuttle approaches the planet too fast and burns up in the atmosphere. Sensors detect two more shuttlecraft on the surface, but no life signs. Picard orders an away team to investigate.

On the surface, the away team discovers the shuttle Cousteau, which Mendez stole from the USS Aries. While La Forge checks out the shuttle, Leijten finds strange footprints in the sand, and she moves toward them for a closer look. Worf tells Riker he has a feeling they are being watched. La Forge returns with chilling evidence: two torn Starfleet uniforms.

La Forge notices that Leijten is missing. The other members of the team spread out to look for her. When La Forge follows some footsteps in the sand, he finds her staring blankly into the darkness. She claims she can feel the missing crew's presence. She starts to shake violently, screaming, as La Forge calls up a medical emergency beam-out.

Act Two

Leijten wakes up in a bed in sickbay. Dr. Beverly Crusher reports that her blood chemistry is off and that she's had a histamine response to something she can't identify. Leijten feels compelled to return to the surface but Crusher orders her to stay on the Enterprise until she can find out what is wrong. Leijten protests, but Picard confirms the order.

Leijten and La Forge are walking in the corridor when Leijten's hands start to tremble. She expresses the fear that whatever is happening to the away team members is happening to her.

On the bridge, Data examines evidence collected from the survey. He has found some alien cells that don't belong to any known Tarchanen lifeform. While Data attempts to find a match for the cells and footprints, La Forge and Leijten decide to go through the mission log to see if there is any commonality they missed that would make the crew return to Tarchanen III to be abducted.

As they examine the logs, Leijten becomes agitated and demands to go back to the surface. As she leaves, she begins to shake uncontrollably and collapses. La Forge notices a strange blue growth pattern on the back of her neck and that her fingers have grown together.

Act Three

Leijten is in a dark room, as she has developed an extreme sensitivity to light. The strange growth patterns now cover most of her body. La Forge comes to visit and comfort her. Crusher discovers that Leijten's cells have now changed to match the alien cells found on the surface. Crusher theorizes that the missing crew were not abducted, but transformed into a different species. Crusher informs La Forge that he will most likely be next and that he should stay in sickbay. He insists that he needs to work on the investigation.

He returns to engineering and begins to thoroughly examine the logs again. He runs several scans on the data. Then he notices a slight shadow on the visual log that he cannot identify. He tells the computer to create a holoprogram based on the sensor log data. As he goes to the holodeck he notices that his hand has begun to tremble as well.

Act Four

In the holodeck, La Forge uses the computer to remove people and their shadows from the simulation until only the strange shadow is left. He then uses vector analysis to determine the location of the object causing the shadow. He is shocked to discover a human-sized invisible shape. He then slumps down in pain. The same physical changes that Leijten experienced are starting to happen in his body.

In sickbay, Crusher and Ogawa have found a parasite in Leijten's thymus which is transforming her body. Her skin is developing a mimetic response to light. They have to act quickly, while there is still DNA intact to help reverse the damage.

Dr. Crusher operates on Leijten and removes the parasite in time. She begins to return to normal. She tries to find La Forge, but he has disappeared. The computer reveals the last location of La Forge and Picard sends Worf, Riker and a security detail to the holodeck. When they arrive they see what La Forge saw, and Worf discovers a grisly scene: La Forge's torn uniform and his VISOR. Riker steps back as he gazes at the eerie image, thinking that this is what the chief engineer has become. In the transporter room an invisible shape attacks Hedrick, the transporter operator, and beams to the surface.

Act Five

Data develops a method to detect the aliens using ultraviolet light from an emergency beacon. Crusher, Leijten, Riker, Worf, and Data beam down to the surface. They find the nearly transformed La Forge, along with the fully transformed creatures that were once Brevelle and Mendez. The latter two flee, but Leijten is able to convince La Forge to come to her.

On the starship, Crusher is able to save La Forge. It is too late to save Brevelle and Mendez, though. Based on his own experience, he reports that the creatures are unintelligent: operating entirely on instinct. They multiply by infecting humanoids with the parasite. Picard decides that Tarchannen III should be isolated. He orders warning beacons placed around the planet to warn others of the aliens there. La Forge thanks Leijten for her assistance in helping to find him. He remarks that while he was transformed, he had no idea who Leijten was but somehow he both believed and trusted her. "Must have been because of all the good advice I used to give you", she says.

Memorable quotes

"49 people gone."
"And five years later, the away team that was investigating their disappearances have started to disappear themselves."
"Geordi and I are the only two left."

- Leijten and Riker discussing the mysterious disappearance of former officers from the Victory (note this means 47 are missing)


"Well, Suz... what do you think?"
"I don't know, but I'm not ashamed to tell you... I'm a little scared, you know?"
"Yeah."

- La Forge and Leijten on their former crewmates disappearances


"Well, if anyone's gonna figure this out, it'll be the "Leijten and La Forge Show", right? We always were a good team."
"(raising his glass) A hell of a team."

- Leijten and La Forge


"You're worried about Geordi aren't you?"
"I am an android; it is not possible for–"
(Crusher interrupts) "... you to feel anxiety."
"Starfleet personnel have vanished. Others may be at risk. We must do the best we can to find out why. However, I am... strongly motivated to solve this mystery."

- Dr. Crusher and Data - Listen file info


"Computer, delete La Forge."

- La Forge, while in the holodeck


"I've come back, Geordi. Let me take you back too."

- Leijten tries to persuade a completely transformed La Forge to return to the Enterprise


"You know, down there, I... I didn't know who you were and yet... somehow, I believed you. I trusted you."
"Must have been because of all the good advice I used to give you."

- La Forge after being returned to normal talks to Leijten

Background information

LeVar Burton makeup, Identity Crisis

LeVar Burton in full makeup

Story and script

Production

Tarchannen III outpost drawing

A concept sketch of the outpost, by Rick Sternbach

Computer screen trek frame

The anomalous computer screen

  • "Identity Crisis" was filmed between Wednesday 16 January 1991 and Friday 25 January 1991 on Paramount Stage 8, 9, and 16.
  • For a single frame (at approximately 17:08 on a Region 1 DVD and 16:27 on Region 2 DVD), a graphic displaying the Star Trek: The Next Generation logo can be seen on a computer readout in engineering.
  • Regarding the use of ultraviolet effects in the episode David Livingston recalled, "We were talking about how we're going to make these guys glow and Peter Lauritson says to me, 'Why don't we try ultraviolet?' I said because we had done a test the year before. I almost dismissed it, but then pulled out the tape and looked at it and said this stuff is great. [I] went to Michael Westmore and Bob Blackman and said we want to do this, and they designed these suits and we painted them with u/v and put these contact lenses into this woman's eyes that glowed. It was fabulous and we got Mark and Brian to walk around in these suits. LeVar looked fabulous.
"We used heavy blue light for the set lighting, and it's different lighting than you see elsewhere, because all of the source coming from behind the camera is blue light. That's a decision we made and it should look harsh, and unrealistic and not well lit because it's not lit from one single blue source. It's basically a beacon shining out. It looked different than anything else and that was intentional. What I was surprised at was how powerful the u/v reflected back, and MTV is using it a lot now. I liked our use because it was integrated into the story. We used it to make it work dramatically rather than doing it as an effect. To me, that was a major accomplishment. We didn't do it to just be glitzy, we did it because it tied in dramatically with the story." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 218)
  • It took four make-up artists six hours to apply the full Tarchannen III species make-up to LeVar Burton. According to Michael Westmore, it was the longest make-up ever done on The Next Generation. ("Departmental Briefing, Year Four: Make Up", TNG Season 4 DVD special feature)
  • First UK airdate: 19 October 1994

Continuity

La Forge old visor

Older version of La Forge's VISOR

  • In the scenes set in the year 2362, crewmembers of the USS Victory are correctly seen wearing the old Season 1 and 2 Starfleet uniforms (La Forge wearing command red again) and using the early "dustbuster" type 2 phaser. La Forge additionally wears an older version of his VISOR.
  • Although the past scenes are set in 2362, the stardate given starts with "40", which would imply 2363.
  • The command of the USS Aries was previously offered to Riker upon the retirement of her captain, as seen in "The Icarus Factor".
  • When Crusher is ready to operate on Leijten, Martinez is seen to place a neural stimulator over her head, like the one prominently used on Riker in "Shades of Gray".
  • Other species that propagate by infusing other species with their DNA and transforming them include the Taresians, Kobali and Loque'eque.

Cast and characters

Mark and Brian interview

Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps interviewing Jonathan Frakes on set.

Reception

Kolbe and Spiner, Identity Crisis

Winrich Kolbe and Brent Spiner on set

  • Michael Piller remarked, "It was a very complicated, complex production that the director did a terrific job on. It had scenes within scenes and I was very happy with the show. It may not have been one of the best scripts we wrote, but it's a great example of how those guys in production can really turn out a helluva product." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 218)
  • Winrich Kolbe recalled, "That was an interesting show and a lot of [work]. First of all, LeVar Burton is a hell of an actor and it's a lot of fun working with him, even though I'm sure there was a lot of pain and agony on his part going into that suit. Technically speaking we didn't make things any easier for him because we had to light everything with black light. So we're kind of restricted camerawise to do what we wanted to do because of all of those tremendous black light units. It was a hell of a set, but a technical nightmare. But everybody seems to be happy about it." (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages, p. 218)
  • A mission report for this episode by Patrick Daniel O'Neill was published in The Official Star Trek: The Next Generation Magazine Vol. 16, pp. 54-56.

Awards

  • This episode was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series.

Video and DVD releases

Links and references

Starring

Also starring

Guest stars

Co-stars

Uncredited co-stars

Stunt double

Stand-ins and photo doubles

References

advisor; Template:SSU; bioscan; blanket; Bogrow, Paul; cc; cell wall integrity; chameleon; Cousteau; day watch; DNA; emergency beacon; emitter module; Federation; Federation supply ship; gene; genetic analysis; EM scan; histamine; infrared sensor; interferometric frequency; ionizing radiation; ionosphere; kayolane; Malaya IV; medical tricorder; mucus membrane; NCC-70367; NCC-70367 shuttlecraft; number one; palm beacon; parasite; photosensitivity; proximity detector; sandstorm; security lockout; sedative; sensor array; spectrographic analysis; Starbase 112; subspace; T-cell stimulator; Tarchannen; Tarchannen III; Tarchannen III species; Tarchannen system; thermosphere; time index; thymus; tricorder; turbolift; type 7 shuttlecraft; type 15 shuttlepod; ultraviolet radiation; vector analysis; Template:SSU; viral crèche; VISOR; visual recording device; warning beacons; Z-particle

External link

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