Conspiracy (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"Conspiracy"
Star Trek: The Next Generation episode
Dexter Remmick's host body and queen parasite are destroyed by Picard and Riker. Such scenes made the broadcast of the episode controversial.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 25
Directed by	Cliff Bole
Story by	Robert Sabaroff
Teleplay by	Tracy Tormé
Featured music	Dennis McCarthy
Cinematography by	Edward R. Brown
Production code	125
Original air date	May 9, 1988 (1988-05-09)
Guest appearances
Henry Darrow – Admiral Savar Ward Costello – Admiral Gregory Quinn Robert Schenkkan – Lt. Cdr. Dexter Remmick Ray Reinhardt – Admiral Aaron Jonathan Farwell – Captain Walker Keel Michael Berryman – Captain Rixx Ursaline Bryant – Captain Tryla Scott
Episode chronology
← Previous "We'll Always Have Paris" Next → "The Neutral Zone"
Star Trek: The Next Generation season 1
List of episodes

"Conspiracy" is the twenty-fifth and penultimate episode of the first season of the syndicated American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, originally aired on May 9, 1988, in the United States. The premise was conceived by the show's creator Gene Roddenberry in a single sentence overview titled "The Assassins", being expanded into a thirty-page story by Robert Sabaroff. From this, the teleplay was produced by Tracy Tormé and the episode directed by Cliff Bole.

Set in the 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet crew of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. Following a meeting with a fellow captain, the strange behavior of high-ranking officers leads Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the Enterprise to uncover a conspiracy of senior Starfleet officers possessed by parasitic aliens who are preparing to invade the United Federation of Planets.

Numerous make-up effects were created by make-up supervisor Michael Westmore, including an exploding head using raw meat. There were concerns by producers that some of the effects were too graphic, but after a viewing by a staff member's son, they decided to broadcast it uncut. The episode has subsequently been included in some best episode lists of the series, and won one of three Primetime Emmy Awards for The Next Generation's first season. Controversial when originally broadcast, the more graphic elements were cut or banned from broadcast in the United Kingdom, and required a warning before airing in Canada.