There could have been another way they approached this to make it a better episode, rather than using "random alien telepaths with really annoying voices", but still the ending of the episode is great. It's a very emotional episode and one that I'm sure anyone who has been through something similar could relate to. The first 15 minutes of the episode gives this a lower rating, but the end makes it much better. I'm also not sure why this situation was going to cause her to die, I guess something to do with Betazoid physiology, but instead of spending time on the aliens they could have instead investigated this part of the story more.
26 Reviews
A tragedy in the past of Lwaxana Troi
Tweekums5 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This episode sees a group of telepathic aliens, called the Cairn, visit the Enterprise. They are accompanied by Counselor Troi's mother Lwaxana who has been teaching them how to communicate verbally and acting as a translator when they can't think of the necessary words. Deanna notes that her mother isn't her usual effervescent self; it appears that all the telepathic communication has been exhausting her. Then things take a turn for the worse; Lwaxana collapses into a coma just as one of the Cairn children jumps into the water in the ship's arboretum. Maques, the leader of the Cairns, says that he sensed a darkness in Lwaxana's psyche; this is explained as privacy, something the Cairn don't understand. It turns out to be something far more serious; she appears to be suffering from a mental trauma. To try to discover what that is Deanna, with the help of Maques, enters her mother's psyche and encounters many mental blocks before discovering a shocking truth that Lwaxana has been hiding since Deanna was a baby.
This episode suffers somewhat from the fact that it is the second in a row which has key scenes taking place within a character's mind and after the weirdness of Data's nightmares the goings on in Lwaxana's mind are relatively mundane. The Cairn are typical 'almost human' aliens; this time ones with ugly bulges on sides of their heads; there is some mystery as we wonder whether they are directly responsible for Lwaxana's condition; it is of interest that Hedril, a Cairn child, is played by a young Kirsten Dunst, before she became famous. When we learn the real cause of Lwaxana's condition it is more tragic than expected and thankfully it is handled well. Overall this is a decent enough episode that would have benefited from being broadcast a bit later when 'Phantasms' wasn't fresh in the viewers' mind and it was nice to see Majel Barrett return as Lwaxana even if the character wasn't quite as extrovert as usual.
This episode suffers somewhat from the fact that it is the second in a row which has key scenes taking place within a character's mind and after the weirdness of Data's nightmares the goings on in Lwaxana's mind are relatively mundane. The Cairn are typical 'almost human' aliens; this time ones with ugly bulges on sides of their heads; there is some mystery as we wonder whether they are directly responsible for Lwaxana's condition; it is of interest that Hedril, a Cairn child, is played by a young Kirsten Dunst, before she became famous. When we learn the real cause of Lwaxana's condition it is more tragic than expected and thankfully it is handled well. Overall this is a decent enough episode that would have benefited from being broadcast a bit later when 'Phantasms' wasn't fresh in the viewers' mind and it was nice to see Majel Barrett return as Lwaxana even if the character wasn't quite as extrovert as usual.
Daring idea but not good enough execution
romkevdv1720 October 2021
Sad thing is that this is a very bold idea to try and explore, although Star Trek is not foreign to exploring darker aspects of life and mourning. However, the execution was really sub-par and I don't think this kind of story deserved that. Lwaxana Troi is seen by many as a very annoying character, so to have her lead this story about trauma wasn't exactly the best idea. I wish I could say better things about this episode but it really didn't work for me or many people. Still, a highlight is Deanna getting emotional at the end, probably one of her better performances in the series. Would've also worked if Deanna was a better written character overall. It also seems that many episode about this kind of family stuff: e.g. Beverly's grandmother and La Forge's mom, even Data's brother or Worf's son, doesn't really work usually. The exception would be Picard's brother and his family, probably one of the best episodes regarding family in Star Trek TNG (worf's parents were also good). Anyways, most of the episode doesn't even tie into the reveal at the end, like what does this have to do with the Cairn at all?
A page from Lwaxana's past.
russem311 May 2006
ST:TNG:159 - "Dark Page" (Stardate: 47254.1) - this is the 7th episode of the 7th and last season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
This episode deals Lwaxana Troi coming onboard the Enterprise to act as interpretor to a new telepathic species, the Cairn, who has no concept of a spoken language. However, one of the delegate's little girl, Hedril (played by a very young Kirsten Dunst) makes Lwaxana very sad. Soon, she falls unconscious, having retreated into her mind. Troi tries to go into her mother's mind to find out what's happening - it has to do with her past and it all has everything to do with Hedril.
Definitely the saddest of the Lwaxana episodes, where she is usually very comedic, but it's nice to see this side of Lwaxana.
Trivia note: Worf mentions he does not like telepaths. We see the arboretum again too. We see Troi's father too. Data also refers to his dream analysis (from "Birthright" and "Phantasms"). Mr. Homn is also mentioned (though doesn't appear in this episode).
This episode deals Lwaxana Troi coming onboard the Enterprise to act as interpretor to a new telepathic species, the Cairn, who has no concept of a spoken language. However, one of the delegate's little girl, Hedril (played by a very young Kirsten Dunst) makes Lwaxana very sad. Soon, she falls unconscious, having retreated into her mind. Troi tries to go into her mother's mind to find out what's happening - it has to do with her past and it all has everything to do with Hedril.
Definitely the saddest of the Lwaxana episodes, where she is usually very comedic, but it's nice to see this side of Lwaxana.
Trivia note: Worf mentions he does not like telepaths. We see the arboretum again too. We see Troi's father too. Data also refers to his dream analysis (from "Birthright" and "Phantasms"). Mr. Homn is also mentioned (though doesn't appear in this episode).
The performances save it
snoozejonc21 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Lwaxana Troi visits Enterprise and appears to be suffering mental health problems.
This episode has a good concept and is full of heartfelt intentions but the execution is messy.
Doing an episode about the trauma associated with child loss is not easy and I think Majel Barrett does a great job conveying both the repression, the cracks appearing and the eventual outpouring of emotion.
Marina Sirtis leads the episode well and makes the best of material which once more for her character is not particularly well written. She can't find her way through the situation without Picard's help, which feels a bit forced into the story to give him something to do.
As much as it is a sci-fi show, I think the need to tick the sci-fi box impedes the story. The scenes with Maques distract from the central mystery and are not particularly interesting. Also the dreamlike telepathic sequences do not work on the same level as those done only a week (in airtime) earlier with Data.
Visually some of it is quite flat and repetitive, particularly in the bridging telepathy moments.
This episode has a good concept and is full of heartfelt intentions but the execution is messy.
Doing an episode about the trauma associated with child loss is not easy and I think Majel Barrett does a great job conveying both the repression, the cracks appearing and the eventual outpouring of emotion.
Marina Sirtis leads the episode well and makes the best of material which once more for her character is not particularly well written. She can't find her way through the situation without Picard's help, which feels a bit forced into the story to give him something to do.
As much as it is a sci-fi show, I think the need to tick the sci-fi box impedes the story. The scenes with Maques distract from the central mystery and are not particularly interesting. Also the dreamlike telepathic sequences do not work on the same level as those done only a week (in airtime) earlier with Data.
Visually some of it is quite flat and repetitive, particularly in the bridging telepathy moments.
Trauma from the ast
bkoganbing16 May 2020
The Enterprise is on a mission to welcome some new members and these alins
are telepathic exclusively so. So helping them with learning verbal skills is
Lxwanna Troi.
But Majel Barrett falls ill and then goes into a coma like state. Something about young Kirsten Dunst is dredging up some trauma from the past.
It's up to her telepathic daughter Marina Sirtis to establish a psychic connection with her mother. When she does we learn a lot about the Troi family history.
This episode belongs to Majel Barrett. Grand bit of acting from her.
But Majel Barrett falls ill and then goes into a coma like state. Something about young Kirsten Dunst is dredging up some trauma from the past.
It's up to her telepathic daughter Marina Sirtis to establish a psychic connection with her mother. When she does we learn a lot about the Troi family history.
This episode belongs to Majel Barrett. Grand bit of acting from her.
REVIEW 2022
iamirwar5 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A delegation of the Cairn have come aboard but they are not used to spoken language. Lwaxana Troi is onboard too so telepathy is the order of the day. I have always regarded the presence of Lwaxana as a guarantee of a bad episode but her more recent appearances have been an improvement, it has to be said. We're not even at the intro yet and already we are talking marriage for Deanna who is looking especially lovely, now she's out of uniform again. Is that Kirsten Dunst?
Lwaxana doesn't seem to be very well. Something is clearly bothering her. Shades of Fantastic Voyage about this one. There's not a great deal going on but we do have another mystery to unravel. This one revolves around Lwaxana Troi. I suppose we should be more forgiving and accept that it was right to develop the Lwaxana and Deanna background story as this would be the last time these two would feature within the Star Trek universe together. Let us not forget how far Majel Barret travelled across so many of the Star Trek series and of course, she was married to the Star Trek creator.
Unfortunately, the way Maques stares at Deanna each time he wants to communicate telepathically with her, does suggest that he is having some form of bowel movement at the same time. I'm also finding the distorted voices very annoying.
We have to admit, for a counsellor, Deanna is very slow on the uptake.
This Episodes Clue: Mary Jane Watson
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
I have always maintained an attitude that TV shows such as Star Trek shouldn't be taken too seriously. I remember back in the 60s when we had the original series as well as shows such as The Time Tunnel, Dr. Who, Lost In Space etc. These shows came with a kind of unwritten understanding that due to budget restraints, viewers would have to allow for a degree of suspended belief in the laws of what's obvious.
However, reading some of the other reviews of this episode I notice I large divergence of opinions, ranging from the wonderful to the really awful. Which brings me back to my opening comment here.
IMHO, this was not a brilliant episode, or at least, the makers of TNG have already proven that they can write better: Conspiracy, The Inner Light, Reunion, Family to name but a few. Not all of these featured flashing lights, or space ships chasing one another and yet they are lauded for the imaginative way in which they told their story.
I have no issue with comic book type sci-fi shows trying to do something serious. DS9 did a wide number of 'serious' shows that were among some of the best Sc-Fi ever created.
There have previously been a few weaker stories such as Angel One, The Dauphin and Qpid which tended to open on a boring premise and go down hill from there.
IMHO, this episode: Dark Page falls into the latter category. If we consider for a moment, the sentimental crux of the show, we realise that the subject matter has been covered in many different TV shows and with varying success. I suppose we have to accept that the writers of TNG have to keep in mind their target audience, and for that reason, they cannot be as explicit in some of their images as they would have otherwise have liked; but lets take Lwaxana... she is supposed to be a Betazoid who can communicate telepathically with others who share a similar ability.
Lets be honest, for this episode (Dark Page), the Cairn inclusion was only necessary so that they could facilitate the window into Lwaxana's mind. But by her very ability, Lwaxana would never have encountered the 'tragedy' that she did. Her child of 4 years seemed to have stumbled and fall into a shallow pond all in the space of a few seconds, without any attempt to splash or kick or do anything to help herself. For a child who would also supposedly have the ability at telepathic communication at the time of her greatest peril, and with her mother and father who are supposedly only a few yards away, it just doesn't make sense. I mean, Deanna can actually feel the presence of lifeforms on a planets surface long before the Enterprise has even entered the star system containing that planet.
I would also question the suggestion that Lwaxana has always shown an overbearing control over her daughter, Deanna. If anything, Lwaxana has tried to encourage her daughter to throw off the straight-jacket of rules that seem to define her role as ships counsellor. Indeed, in a previous Lwaxana outing wasn't she the one who was encouraging Alexander (The Cost Of Living) to break the rules and go swim and paddle in the mud-bath?
If people seriously believe that anyone who has really lost a child in tragic circumstances are going to feel heartened by Deanna and Lwaxana's interaction at the end, then I can only suggest that such people are truly living in a world of fantasy.
Lwaxana doesn't seem to be very well. Something is clearly bothering her. Shades of Fantastic Voyage about this one. There's not a great deal going on but we do have another mystery to unravel. This one revolves around Lwaxana Troi. I suppose we should be more forgiving and accept that it was right to develop the Lwaxana and Deanna background story as this would be the last time these two would feature within the Star Trek universe together. Let us not forget how far Majel Barret travelled across so many of the Star Trek series and of course, she was married to the Star Trek creator.
Unfortunately, the way Maques stares at Deanna each time he wants to communicate telepathically with her, does suggest that he is having some form of bowel movement at the same time. I'm also finding the distorted voices very annoying.
We have to admit, for a counsellor, Deanna is very slow on the uptake.
This Episodes Clue: Mary Jane Watson
(Answer's to all episode clues will appear in the reviews of season seven, episode 25: All Good Things, Part One.)
I have always maintained an attitude that TV shows such as Star Trek shouldn't be taken too seriously. I remember back in the 60s when we had the original series as well as shows such as The Time Tunnel, Dr. Who, Lost In Space etc. These shows came with a kind of unwritten understanding that due to budget restraints, viewers would have to allow for a degree of suspended belief in the laws of what's obvious.
However, reading some of the other reviews of this episode I notice I large divergence of opinions, ranging from the wonderful to the really awful. Which brings me back to my opening comment here.
IMHO, this was not a brilliant episode, or at least, the makers of TNG have already proven that they can write better: Conspiracy, The Inner Light, Reunion, Family to name but a few. Not all of these featured flashing lights, or space ships chasing one another and yet they are lauded for the imaginative way in which they told their story.
I have no issue with comic book type sci-fi shows trying to do something serious. DS9 did a wide number of 'serious' shows that were among some of the best Sc-Fi ever created.
There have previously been a few weaker stories such as Angel One, The Dauphin and Qpid which tended to open on a boring premise and go down hill from there.
IMHO, this episode: Dark Page falls into the latter category. If we consider for a moment, the sentimental crux of the show, we realise that the subject matter has been covered in many different TV shows and with varying success. I suppose we have to accept that the writers of TNG have to keep in mind their target audience, and for that reason, they cannot be as explicit in some of their images as they would have otherwise have liked; but lets take Lwaxana... she is supposed to be a Betazoid who can communicate telepathically with others who share a similar ability.
Lets be honest, for this episode (Dark Page), the Cairn inclusion was only necessary so that they could facilitate the window into Lwaxana's mind. But by her very ability, Lwaxana would never have encountered the 'tragedy' that she did. Her child of 4 years seemed to have stumbled and fall into a shallow pond all in the space of a few seconds, without any attempt to splash or kick or do anything to help herself. For a child who would also supposedly have the ability at telepathic communication at the time of her greatest peril, and with her mother and father who are supposedly only a few yards away, it just doesn't make sense. I mean, Deanna can actually feel the presence of lifeforms on a planets surface long before the Enterprise has even entered the star system containing that planet.
I would also question the suggestion that Lwaxana has always shown an overbearing control over her daughter, Deanna. If anything, Lwaxana has tried to encourage her daughter to throw off the straight-jacket of rules that seem to define her role as ships counsellor. Indeed, in a previous Lwaxana outing wasn't she the one who was encouraging Alexander (The Cost Of Living) to break the rules and go swim and paddle in the mud-bath?
If people seriously believe that anyone who has really lost a child in tragic circumstances are going to feel heartened by Deanna and Lwaxana's interaction at the end, then I can only suggest that such people are truly living in a world of fantasy.
Just a bad episode.
Bronco4628 May 2011
One of the worst episodes for Star Trek the Next Generation. This episode set a new low for bad makeup effects for aliens. The obviously plastic brain like bulges over each ear of the aliens looked ridiculous. I'm guessing they must have used up most of their seasons budget on previous episodes. The shows budget limitations forced all or most of the aliens to a bi-pedal humanoid form; and that left them with a limited number of things they could do to try to make for different species. Add that to this over wrought cheesy story and that's what brought me to the lowest review I've given to a Star Trek TNG episode. I'm not clear on why the Lwaxana Troi is such a popular character. Majel Barrett always over acted this already over written characters. All the Star Trek fans just fall in line because of her ties to Rodenberry and the original show. All the episodes involving her and man Homm seemed silly and tediously boring.
The low rating for this one confuses me.
M_Exchange14 August 2018
The low rating for this one is confusing. It's the best Lwaxana Troi episode by far-- most of the shows that feature her are insufferably annoying. Story-wise, it was a great way for Majel Barrett to close out this character on this show (she reappeared in "Deep Space Nine"), and she is at her best-acting wise as well. It's also much better than almost all of the GOOFY and tedious episodes that I've seen in this season so far.
It has great depth, and it shows the bond between Troi and her mother-- a bond that we will never witness again in Trek history. RIP, Majel Barrett.
It has great depth, and it shows the bond between Troi and her mother-- a bond that we will never witness again in Trek history. RIP, Majel Barrett.
Good writing, bad acting
sigelm5 April 2022
From my point of view, this episode had a strong script and the usual very good acting of the regular cast as well of the guests who played telepaths. However, Majel Barrett, who was supposed to carry this episode, this time underperformed: Her tears didn't seem real, her emotions seemed fake, the whole of her acting made me uncomfortable and suffocated almost any feeling the good story evoked in me.
Cheesy and boring
crazydrummer12 January 2020
A truly terrible episode that plays out like an episode of a cheesy soap opera. Nothing believable in the characters or the story. Bad writing, sub-par acting and zero entertainment value. The producers must have been desperate to pad the series out to the required number of episodes to green light this one. I can't understand the high marks from some other reviewers.
One episode that touched my heart.
diegobenitez-9120625 March 2018
Well, I´m reviewing TNG, now that I´m 38 years old, first seen at the age of 14.
So far, this was the only episode that deeply touched my heart, and I´ve ended up crying, tears don´t come out easily to me.
I´ve always found Lwaxana as a bit of annoying character, but not on this episode.
Star Trek was never about FX, Space Exploration nor Alien races... it was always about human complexity, and this episode explores one of the darkest fears.
I´d probably fallen asleep with this episode when I was 14 years old... but not now.
"I just found out I had a sister I never knew."
classicsoncall11 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Starting out, this episode looks like another attempt on the part of Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) to play matchmaker for her daughter Deanna (Marina Sirtis). This time it involved Maques (Norman Large), a telepath from the Cairn species that up till now had only been able to communicate via telepathic images, but since they sought entry into the Federation, a delegation was on board the Enterprise learning how to speak. It was sometimes difficult for Maques to put his thought images to words, and he had to find the right way to apologize to Counselor Troi for assuming that she was looking for a husband. Once that issue was settled however, the story took on a somewhat more somber tone when the Counselor's mother collapsed and went into a coma. When it's deduced that her psyche collapsed in on itself (sounded kind of sketchy to me), Maques offered to establish a telepathic bridge between Deanna and her mom to find out why seven years' worth of Lwaxana's memories were deleted from her journals corresponding to the first seven years of Deanna's life. The revelation that occurred proved both sad and tragic, as Deanna learned that she had an older sister when she was a baby, who drowned in a moment when her parents lost sight of her. The trauma and guilt of her older daughter's death were the reasons for Lwaxana's collapse into the dark place Maques saw when he communicated with her telepathically. For Next Generation fans, the unsettling revelation of Deanna not being an only child was probably as much a surprise as it was for the Counselor.
Boring
darkdementress19 May 2020
A Senior Trekker writes.............................
celineduchain8 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The final season of Star Trek, the Next Generation gave us some splendid episodes and also a fair share of stinkers. Everyone knew by this stage that they would not be renewed and attempts were made to wrap up various story lines before they said their final goodbyes. There is still a great deal to be enjoyed.
I don't know whether this episode is so unpopular because of its extremely difficult subject matter or because a lot of viewers believed that something like this just doesn't belong in Star Trek. Myself, I think it is a brave and sincere attempt to deal with one of life's most horrific human possibilities; the loss of a child and, if that could ever be made even worse, the loss of a child caused by a parent's momentary inattention. It is the nightmare that never ends and exploring the idea that someone might suppress this memory rather than ever face up to the pain is entirely plausible. It's painful to watch but no less true to Star Trek for all that.
Judging by the number of positive remarks made by those who actually take the trouble to write reviews, most of the negativity must have come from the "clickers"; those who could also be described as the 90% of reviewers who simply don't have the courage of their convictions.
Majel Barrett as the bereaved mother tormented by her emerging memories, really opens the box and lets rip. Her performance in this episode may just be the best of her career and veteran Star Trek director Les Landau deserves our thanks for having the courage to "light the blue touch-paper and stand back" as we say in the UK.
An 11 year old Kirstan Dunst is instantly recognisable as the telepathic alien child Hedril. This multi-award winning actress is now married to fellow Oscar Nominee Jesse Plemons and the latter is known (amongst various other rather unsettling roles) for his portrayal of Captain Daly of the USS Callister. This episode of Black Mirror is one of the very best Star Trek tributes out there. You owe it to yourself to seek it out and watch it.
I don't know whether this episode is so unpopular because of its extremely difficult subject matter or because a lot of viewers believed that something like this just doesn't belong in Star Trek. Myself, I think it is a brave and sincere attempt to deal with one of life's most horrific human possibilities; the loss of a child and, if that could ever be made even worse, the loss of a child caused by a parent's momentary inattention. It is the nightmare that never ends and exploring the idea that someone might suppress this memory rather than ever face up to the pain is entirely plausible. It's painful to watch but no less true to Star Trek for all that.
Judging by the number of positive remarks made by those who actually take the trouble to write reviews, most of the negativity must have come from the "clickers"; those who could also be described as the 90% of reviewers who simply don't have the courage of their convictions.
Majel Barrett as the bereaved mother tormented by her emerging memories, really opens the box and lets rip. Her performance in this episode may just be the best of her career and veteran Star Trek director Les Landau deserves our thanks for having the courage to "light the blue touch-paper and stand back" as we say in the UK.
An 11 year old Kirstan Dunst is instantly recognisable as the telepathic alien child Hedril. This multi-award winning actress is now married to fellow Oscar Nominee Jesse Plemons and the latter is known (amongst various other rather unsettling roles) for his portrayal of Captain Daly of the USS Callister. This episode of Black Mirror is one of the very best Star Trek tributes out there. You owe it to yourself to seek it out and watch it.
Uninteresting and Tedious
zombiemockingbird17 April 2023
As soon as Lxwanna Troi shows up, I know it is going to be a bad episode. I honestly loathe the Lxwanna character. I do not understand why anyone would write a character who is completely overbearing, arrogant, self-centered, aggressive, pushy, nosey, will not respect other people's boundaries, and is just enormously annoying. I also do not think Majel Barrett is a very good actress and am perplexed that people seem to like this character. I am sorry to say Deanna is one of my least favorite characters of the main cast (she might be tied with Dr Crusher for that position) so any Troi family centric episode has three strikes from the start.
I know this was supposed to be touching and poignant because of this traumatic experience but the way it was portrayed was ridiculous and ruined any feelings of sympathy or compassion I might have had. It was so poorly done that it became boring and tiresome.
I know this was supposed to be touching and poignant because of this traumatic experience but the way it was portrayed was ridiculous and ruined any feelings of sympathy or compassion I might have had. It was so poorly done that it became boring and tiresome.
Another Sad Episode
fshepinc28 May 2012
Season 7 was certainly the most introspective season of this series, with several visits to the subconscious of the major characters. Dark Page explores the consequences of psychic trauma - in this case, for Lwaxana Troi. In Majel Barrett's final appearance on Next Generation, she gave what was probably the finest performance of her career. It's a shame this new depth of character never had a chance to be built on in later episodes. Lwaxana's crisis was clearly a turning point in her relationship with Deanna, and might have led to some interesting future episodes. It's interesting that I watch the episode and wonder why Majel Barrett wasn't nominated for an Emmy Award, and another review thought she was terrible. To each his own, I guess...
It only improves near the end...and then it really pulls at your heart.
planktonrules2 December 2014
"Dark Page" is a very odd episode. I really cared very little for it but by the end, I found myself being sucked into the show in its very moving finale.
The Enterprise has some unusual visitors aboard. The Cairn are a race of folks who can read minds and aren't used to spoken language. Because of her ability as an empath, Lwaxana Troi has been selected to act as intermediaries with the Cairn. However, the more she works with them, the more emotionally taxing it all becomes. Eventually, she falls into a near-death coma. How does the Cairn's visit relate to all this?!
I guess the bottom line is that although the episode is pretty slow, the solution to Lwaxana's problems is unusual and satisfying--though a bit draining as well. Plus, it does give you a chance to see a young Kirsten Dunst before she achieved stardom in "Interview With a Vampire" and other film projects.
The Enterprise has some unusual visitors aboard. The Cairn are a race of folks who can read minds and aren't used to spoken language. Because of her ability as an empath, Lwaxana Troi has been selected to act as intermediaries with the Cairn. However, the more she works with them, the more emotionally taxing it all becomes. Eventually, she falls into a near-death coma. How does the Cairn's visit relate to all this?!
I guess the bottom line is that although the episode is pretty slow, the solution to Lwaxana's problems is unusual and satisfying--though a bit draining as well. Plus, it does give you a chance to see a young Kirsten Dunst before she achieved stardom in "Interview With a Vampire" and other film projects.
A Sad Poignant Episode
Hitchcoc9 October 2014
The final season of this series seems beset with the implications of telepathy and personal angst. The characters begin to reveal their inner selves more than at any other time. In this one Lwaxana Troi comes on board with representatives of a race, the Cairn, who communicate only through telepathy. Using technology, they are learning to speak, but it is a hard road to travel. From the beginning Mrs. Troi seems ill. She does her usual annoying judgmental stuff with Deanna (not being married and not getting any younger). She is subject to mood swings and anger. On board is a little Cairn girl played by Kirsten Dunst. She is a free spirit and embraced by the crew. One day, they are in a garden when this little girl falls into a pond. She jumps right out but Lwaxana collapses and the rest of the episode has to do with getting into her comatose subconscious. There is something there that is being repressed. The Cairn leader, who is attracted to Deanna and the father of the little girl, is used to send Deanna into Lwaxana's deep dream world. There is some sort of secret that must be rooted out. This is a really provocative episode, well acted and satisfying in its scope.
To quote the kids ---- This one subverted my expectations.
thevacinstaller11 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Well, it's not a 'fun' episode to watch but it's a heartfelt dive into trauma and repression and the emotional repercussions of burying these events.
This was a fascinating episode to watch that cut to the core of the Luxanna character and explains quite a bit about her larger than life persona and why she is such a helicopter mom to Deanna.
This one hurts a bit to watch. My cousin (a beauty of a human being and without a doubt great mom material) lost her baby during pregnancy and this episode makes me ponder the living hell of emotions she must have gone (and continue to) through when it happened.
You could also get something out of this episode even if your trauma wasn't related to losing a child. Trauma is a universal punch to the throat that we all must endure at some point and attempting to erase it from existence through repression is the solution a great many of us choose to implement. It doesn't tend to work out well later in life and such is the case with Luxanna's guilt bubbling to surface after her telepathic encounters in this episode.
I enjoyed the character of Maques ---- he was well performed and seemed like a genuinely good guy who was legitimately concerned for Troi's well being. You have a place in my federation.
This was a fascinating episode to watch that cut to the core of the Luxanna character and explains quite a bit about her larger than life persona and why she is such a helicopter mom to Deanna.
This one hurts a bit to watch. My cousin (a beauty of a human being and without a doubt great mom material) lost her baby during pregnancy and this episode makes me ponder the living hell of emotions she must have gone (and continue to) through when it happened.
You could also get something out of this episode even if your trauma wasn't related to losing a child. Trauma is a universal punch to the throat that we all must endure at some point and attempting to erase it from existence through repression is the solution a great many of us choose to implement. It doesn't tend to work out well later in life and such is the case with Luxanna's guilt bubbling to surface after her telepathic encounters in this episode.
I enjoyed the character of Maques ---- he was well performed and seemed like a genuinely good guy who was legitimately concerned for Troi's well being. You have a place in my federation.
Emotional...
IfyOgwude25 February 2022
This was a truly beautiful episode about pain and how people try to bury it.
The acting in this episode was one of the finest I'd seen in a while on Star trek TNG. Majel Barret's performance broke my heart. I had no idea she was capable of such phenomenal dramatic acting. Truly one of her best performances on star trek TNG. This episode definitely deserves a much higher rating.
The acting in this episode was one of the finest I'd seen in a while on Star trek TNG. Majel Barret's performance broke my heart. I had no idea she was capable of such phenomenal dramatic acting. Truly one of her best performances on star trek TNG. This episode definitely deserves a much higher rating.
A different Lwaxana Troi
countrymusicgirl28929 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
To be honest, the Lwaxana Troi episodes are the only episodes of TNG and DS9 that I've watched in their entirety, except for one. (Of course, that could change.) I know some people don't care for Lwaxana, but I actually like her. She's quite funny, and while she annoys Deanna, is actually a good mother and sensitive person despite her flirtatious exterior. Out of the 9 episodes featuring Lwaxana, this one is probably my absolute favorite in TNG series next to DS9's The Forsaken and The Muse (honestly, I totally skip over Jake's story line in that episode...) In this episode, we see a completely different Lwaxana than the show previously featured, except for some choice moments in Half a Life. While she starts out driving Picard crazy as usual, her character instantaneously does a complete turnaround when looking at a very young Kirsten Dunst's character, Hedril, reminds her of something from her past. It's well done, as all around her can see something is clearly wrong, despite her assertions that she's fine. Although Lwaxana insists that it's just her ambassadorial duties of helping Hedril's race tiring her out, Deanna can tell it's more than that bothering her mother. A fact that she discloses to Will just before Lwaxana goes off on him and warns him to stay away from Deanna. Before you know it, Lwaxana is in a coma, and the only way to find out what's wrong is for Deanna to get into her mother's mind with a little help from Hedril's father. All in all, there are only a scant few humorous moments, as the episode is a poignant look at how the mind handles grief. Majel Barrett (who is great as Lwaxana anyway) was amazing at portraying an emotionally tumultuous Lwaxana. I would've liked to have seen more from her in both TNG and DS9.
If you don't like this episode....
tonycarr11 May 2020
Then you clearly have no idea what Star Trek is, and has always been, about.
I've never been a fan of Lwaxana and have always found her pointless and irritating but in this episode we have a deep and involving story that was well written. This is the episode that lets Majel show her acting talent and boy does she deliver. An incredible performance, both powerful and nuanced. If only she had more stories like that, instead of saving it till the last.
Those who think it's like a soap opera clearly haven't understood that Trek is essentially a soap opera in space. No matter, the are lots od prorammes with nothing but whizzy lights, lasers and space battles
I've never been a fan of Lwaxana and have always found her pointless and irritating but in this episode we have a deep and involving story that was well written. This is the episode that lets Majel show her acting talent and boy does she deliver. An incredible performance, both powerful and nuanced. If only she had more stories like that, instead of saving it till the last.
Those who think it's like a soap opera clearly haven't understood that Trek is essentially a soap opera in space. No matter, the are lots od prorammes with nothing but whizzy lights, lasers and space battles
A heartfelt episode bringing more depth to the Trois
enyaman-12 March 2020
I find the negative reviews to this episode don't go to explain their reasoning to any depth. This is a fantastic episode that brings another dimension to Lwaxana's character as well as deepening Deanna's closeness to her mother. One of the few TNG episodes to bring a tear to my eye (and yes I'm a man XD).
A mediocre episode but Majel Barret shines
jfriesen17017 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
It's a classic "entering the mind" type of sci-fi episode. I'm never a big fan of these types of stories because the psychology is usually terrible. This episode is no different, made up psychology mumbo jumbo is most of it. The idea of the telepathic race was interesting. I like how the Cairn really have no concept of many human ideas because they don't have verbal language.
That said this episode was a 6/10, maybe a 7, for most of it. I always like Lwaxana stories as she's a complete wild card but in this one I found myself disinterested in her. But they do mention that in the episode, how subdued she is even in the clothes she's wearing.
Then the final five to ten minutes of this episode skyrocketed it to an 8 for me. If the rest of the episode had been a bit more original this could easily be a 9. Majel Barret's performance in the final scenes is absolutely heartbreaking. It reminds me of her scene sobbing in the transporter room in Half a Life. Majel Barret is a fantastic actress with a lot of range and I always love when an episode gives her a chance to showcase more of her talents. Her performance in the final scenes made me start sobbing. I really did feel like Barret had lost her own child or something. And the addition of Kestra into Lwaxana's past makes her relationship with Deanna very interesting in retrospect. She is always very protective and hounding around her and insisting she start a family. Makes sense now that Lwaxana wants Deanna to be safe and continue the family since she lost Kestra.
That said this episode was a 6/10, maybe a 7, for most of it. I always like Lwaxana stories as she's a complete wild card but in this one I found myself disinterested in her. But they do mention that in the episode, how subdued she is even in the clothes she's wearing.
Then the final five to ten minutes of this episode skyrocketed it to an 8 for me. If the rest of the episode had been a bit more original this could easily be a 9. Majel Barret's performance in the final scenes is absolutely heartbreaking. It reminds me of her scene sobbing in the transporter room in Half a Life. Majel Barret is a fantastic actress with a lot of range and I always love when an episode gives her a chance to showcase more of her talents. Her performance in the final scenes made me start sobbing. I really did feel like Barret had lost her own child or something. And the addition of Kestra into Lwaxana's past makes her relationship with Deanna very interesting in retrospect. She is always very protective and hounding around her and insisting she start a family. Makes sense now that Lwaxana wants Deanna to be safe and continue the family since she lost Kestra.
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