Shades of Gray (Episode)
| Series | Star Trek: The Next Generation |
| Season | 2 |
| Episode | 22 |
| Production Number | 148 |
| Release Date | 17 Jul 1989 |
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Stardate 42976.1: An alien organism infects Riker's brain
A painful thorn in the leg snagged during a planetary survey turns deadly for Riker when it is found to carry an organism that attacks his central nervous system. When Riker falls into a coma and his vital signs plummet, Dr. Pulaski realizes that the invading microbe cannot be separated from the nerves it has wound itself around. The Chief Medical Officer is finally able to stabilize its spread, but not until it has actually reached Riker's brain. In a desperate move, she uses a tearful Troi's help in electrically stimulating his brain to help fight off the growth.
When Troi senses that Riker's romantic dreams promote the microbe's growth, she and Pulaski begin trying to stimulate his negative memories, including recalling Tasha Yar's death, to slow the organism. Pulaski finally decides to risk the potentially fatal induction of his most primitive emotions; after his body is racked with convulsions, the organism is eradicated.
Director
Rob Bowman
Story
Maurice Hurley
Teleplay
Maurice Hurley & Richard Manning & Hans Beimler
Starring
Patrick Stewart … Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Jonathan Frakes … Commander Will Riker
Brent Spiner … Lieutenant Commander Data
Marina Sirtis … Counselor Deanna Troi
LeVar Burton … Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
Michael Dorn … Lieutenant Worf
Wil Wheaton … Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher
Guest Starring
Diana Muldaur … Dr. Kate Pulaski
Colm Meaney … O'Brien
