Synopsis: Riker gets cockblocked by the crystalline entity, while the Enterprise takes on board another mad Federation scientist to combat it.

Memory Alpha Summary:  O Christmas Tree, your leaves slaughter millions

Review: The Federation seriously needs to hold more ethics conferences or something, as their best scientists are the most dangerous.  And prejudiced, as Data gets it again (although this time for being Lore’s brother, not because he’s android).

That aside, it’s a pretty humdrum episode.  Picard statement making the entity’s massacres analogous to a sperm whale devouring cuttlefish is prescient.  Otherwise, there’s little tension and I didn’t find Dr. Marr’s interactions with Data particularly moving.  Also, why is it so easy for non-crew members to take the computer hostage?  Weak writing, I say.