By Paul Hernandez Star Trek: TNG’s best thriller episode was released 35 years ago in October 1990, and gave fans one of the best Beverley Crusher episodes for the ages. The season 4 episode, Remember Me, followed Crusher as she gets stuck in a warp that eliminates various people in her life from the memories of others.
A perfect metaphor for aging, the episode was frequently ranked among the best episodes of The Next Generation and of Star Trek in general. What elevates the episode to further heights is its metaphorical storytelling and blend of horror with sci-fi. It is also one of Gates McFadden’s best performances in the show.
Dr. Beverley Crusher’s Heroic Episode Got Actress Gates McFadden’s Approval
The season 4 Star Trek: TNG episode Remember Me sees Dr. Beverley Crusher meet her son, Wesley, at Starbase as the Enterprise undergoes repairs. While she also meets her mentor, Dr. Quaice, she finds that none of the other members of the Enterprise seem to remember his entry into the ship, nor do they acknowledge his existence.
As moments go by, Dr. Crusher begins to lose track of more members of the Enterprise, until the only person left is her and Captain Picard, who also seems to have forgotten the existence of other crew members. After he, too, disappears, Crusher finds out that she has been trapped in a vortex that was accidentally created by Wesley.
The episode is an exemplary display of Gates McFadden as an actress, as she handles the stressful situation with grace and a scientific mind. The actress mentioned that it was a beautiful episode, and she thought it displayed her heroism well (via Looper).
I thought of it as a very strong, heroic episode for Crusher, because she was alone. And rather than going into any panic, she was staying very scientific about it. And it never really got talked about, but I thought there was a connection almost happening between she and Wesley, that there’s two minds. These minds that had been forged, growing together when they were young, that wasn’t really dealt with.
She also acknowledged how Picard’s response to what he thinks is a manic reaction from Crusher was handled with kindness and patience. The episode will celebrate its 35th anniversary in October 2025 and marks a great tradition of incredible horror stories in the Star Trek franchise.
Episodes Like Remember Me Show How Well Star Trek Has Cracked Horror
The episodic structure of the Star Trek franchise has made it an avenue to explore various genres and interesting thought experiments. While the show’s primary genre is sci-fi, it has blended several sub-genres within itself, making it a complete experience. However, the show thrives when it goes into a horror/thriller genre.
The Star Trek: TNG episode, Remember Me, is just one example of a horror episode done right. From the original series to its latest, Strange New Worlds, plenty of stories have explored fear as a primary emotion. The TOS episode, Galileo’s Seven, showed us that all enemies may not be visible, while Miri gave us nightmares of a possible future.
The Strange New Worlds episode, All Those Who Wander, goes the body horror route, putting the Enterprise crew in an Alien-like situation, in an abandoned ship plagued by a Gorn attacker. The TNG episode, Remember Me, goes more into the psychological zone and becomes an allegory for aging in the context of the episode.
What do you think is the best horror-themed episode in Star Trek? Comment below.
Star Trek: TNG is available to stream on Paramount+.
