Synopsis: Riker’s whoring around nearly destroys the Federation, and Wesley saves the day.

Memory Alpha Summary:  Ashley Judd’s first on-screen kiss!  And Marina Sirtis’s first make-out session with a chocolate sundae.

Review:  It’s been a long time since Wesley got to be the only person on the ship smart enough to prevent disaster.  And this time he gets help from Ashley Judd, who like many isolated girls in the 24^th century, fall for dopes.  At least Wesley doesn’t act arrogant this time around.  I do like how Wheaton and Judd work together here so the episode isn’t too unpleasant.  But I’m having a hard time buying that Wes was the only one on board who was ultra suspicious of this game.  Did they tie Picard down and force him to play it?  Or did Beverly seduce him with it?  Hey, look at that—chase scene!

In reflection, several more things annoy me about this episode.  This is neither here nor there, but why are students studying Latin at the Academy?  While it’s not a useless subject, what’s the point with universal translators?  I imagine there has got to be more pressing science-fiction stuff for him to learn.

Second, Lefler’s laws are basically a bunch of lame platitudes.  Granted, she started them as a teenager, but I’m going to go with she’s just simple-minded, because that also explains her falling for Wesley.

Three, the takeover plan using this game is ridiculous.  Even assuming one gets everyone on the Enterprise addicted, having crew members pass them out at Starfleet just seems like a disaster waiting to happen.  Someone’s going to catch on.  The sinister plot is an embarrassing insult to the audience.  If not for the charming romantic subplot and the above average chase scene, this episode would rank in the bottom twenty.