Star Trek: Conundrum

Episode: "Conundrum"

Series: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 5, Episode 14

Original Air Date: February 17, 1992

via Memory Alpha

The entire crew is hit simultaneously with total amnesia: no idea who they are or what they're doing together on a space ship.  They certainly don't remember enough to be suspicious of the interloper in their midst, Kieran MacDuff - no one even catches the Macbeth reference!  The computer says the Federation is at war with the Lysians and the Enterprise has orders to attack their central command.  

This one's fun and I don't always go for the high-concept episodes.  It's interesting watching our heroes piece together their true reality.  Plus, Riker and Ro get it on, completely unaware of their usual antagonism.  The idea holds well almost all the way through.  The final scene, Riker, Ro and Troi in Ten Forward, doesn't quite work.  As it's portrayed, it appears Wil is thoroughly confused over what the two women know that he doesn't.  If the memory treatment works as indicated, Wil should remember everything - and feel appropriately sheepish.

Food Notes

"Conundrum" introduces the mixological highlight of the franchise: the Samarian Sunset.  Presentation is everything for this one: watch here.  I have seen several real world recipes - some making an effort at the visual magic, some skipping it.  I have yet to try any of them.  Sadly, there are no in-story clues as to the ingredients.

Acting Notes

via Memory Alpha

Erich Anderson (MacDuff) was born in 1957.  His big screen gigs include Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Bat*21 and Unfaithful.  Other television guest appearances include thirtysomething, Felicity and Melrose Place.  Anderson is married to Saxton Trainor.