Ep 17. Masks

In Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7 episode 17 titled "Masks," the Enterprise crew come across an ancient alien artifact which begins to mimic and influence the behavior of Lieutenant Commander Data. As the crew try to understand the reason behind the object's influence on Data, they discover the artifact's true purpose and its connection to an ancient civilization.

The episode begins with the Enterprise investigating an unusual anomaly in space, which turns out to be a comet heading towards an unknown planet. Captain Picard orders the ship to intercept the comet, and upon reaching the planet, they beam down to investigate. Upon exploring the planet's surface, they come across an ancient temple full of ornate artifacts which are seemingly very old. As they begin to explore the temple, they notice that the artifacts begin to mysteriously react to Data, who starts to behave oddly.

As the crew continue to investigate, they soon realize that the ancient civilization that built the temple was not only advanced but had a unique and elaborate culture that revolved around masks. The temple is richly adorned with various masks that enhance the different facets of the civilization's personality, and the crew begins to realize that the masks are influencing Data's behavior in strange ways. Data begins to develop unique personality traits and take on the persona of different characters from the civilization, leaving the crew puzzled and worried.

As the episode progresses, the crew slowly uncovers the true purpose of the temple and the masks. They learn that the masks were part of an intricate game that the ancient civilization played, and the temple acted as a competition ground. The competition was a test of intelligence, skill, and problem-solving ability. The crew soon learns that the temple is programmed to test the intelligence of any alien life-form that enters it, and Data was being tested by the masks.

Throughout the episode, the crew is faced with various challenges that must be overcome to understand and stop the temple's influence. The episode showcases a host of different characters and costumes as Data shifts between various personas. It is a complex and entertaining episode, which is sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

"Masks" is a thought-provoking episode that explores identity, culture, and the power of ancient knowledge. The episode offers a glimpse into a unique civilization that had the ability to transform their personality with the aid of masks. The crew must use their collective intelligence and teamwork to stop the temple's influence and save Data from being consumed by the masks' power.

Overall, "Masks" is a fascinating episode that takes viewers on a journey of discovery, culture, and ancient knowledge. The unique look and feel of this episode make it stand out from others in the series, and the underlying themes are sure to resonate with audiences. Filled with suspense, drama, and brilliant storytelling, "Masks" is a must-watch for any Star Trek fan looking to explore ancient civilizations and their unique cultures.