“The Game” is episode six of season five of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Commander Riker is on Risa, looking for a woman, Etana, who has taken his combadge. Which she throws out the window. Etana puts a headset on him; it’s a game. Everyone is playing it. A board is projected into Riker’s eyes. You have to put a disc in a cup. When Riker does, he gets hit with a jolt of pleasure. His reward for clearing the first level.
The Enterprise is heading for the uncharted Phoenix Cluster. On the bridge, Captain Picard tells the commander they now only have two weeks for the survey, not five. Also, Wesley is on vacation and will be joining them.
In engineering, Riker talks to Geordi about the sensors; there are many science teams, all of whom want time. Geordi reintroduces Riker to Ensign Robin Lefler, who is sorting things. Riker tells Geordi he’s brought something back from Risa Geordi has to try.
The commander then heads to Ten Forward, where Troi has a huge chocolate confection in front of her. He asks if she’s depressed. And if he should leave the two of them alone. Troi describes how to eat it; chocolate is a serious thing. Riker tells her he’s brought something back from Risa that’s better than chocolate. A game.
Chief O’Brien beams Wesley aboard and, when Wesley asks, says everyone is in a meeting of the senior staff. Wesley is supposed to go to his mother’s quarters. Wesley wants to know if it’s okay if he dropped by and said ‘Hi.’ O’Brien checks with Worf, who says that it is. The observation lounge is dark, because everyone is waiting there to surprise Wesley. Worf has baked a cake. Data quizzes Wesley on the enjoyment from being deceived and surprised and Riker says they could use Wesley’s help in the survey. Dr Crusher asks Troi what this game is she’s talking about.
Leaving the observation lounge, Wesley and Data talk about their mutual experiences at the Academy. The practical jokes and the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Wesley can’t dance. Data says Wesley’s mother is quite the expert; she taught Data. Wesley doesn’t have the knack but Data offers to teach him.
In engineering, Wesley is struggling with one of the computers when Ensign Lefler tells him what to do. Rule 17. If all else fails, do it yourself. Wesley introduces himself. She knows who he is.
Data is speaking to Geordi on the bridge when Dr Crusher asks for his help in sickbay. She says she wants him to reprogram a tricorder. Instead, the doctor turns him off. That got ominous rather quickly. Troi and Riker come in and the doctor does something inside Data’s head. Suddenly, this game is not looking so great.
Wesley is having tea with the captain; he followed the captain’s advice and spoke to Boothby. Who didn’t remember Captain Picard. At first. But he did when Wesley showed him an old yearbook photo. Wesley asks what the initials ‘AF’ stand for. Apparently, Boothby caught the captain carving them into his prized elm tree. Captain Picard tells Wesley that if ever meets anyone whose initials he’d like to carve into a tree, don’t let it interfere with his studies. He failed organic chemistry because of AF. Then the doctor contacts the captain; he’s needed in sickbay.
The doctor says Data just collapsed. Geordi and Riker are there, too. They’re going to check Data’s diagnostic logs. Nothing is found and Riker suggests Geordi needs to unwind a little. He’s got just the thing.
Wesley is talking to Robin Lefler in engineering, about her personal laws. She also knows quite a bit about him; she has a few friends at the Academy. Wesley asks if she’ll join him in Ten Forward for coffee. No. But she will join him for dinner.
Wesley and Robin, perhaps because of an interest in each other, haven’t tried the game yet and decide to figure out how it works. Meanwhile, more and more of the crew are wandering around wearing the game constantly, looking as if they’re stoned out of their minds.