Conundrum

TNG Season 5 Episode 14
Air Date: February 17th, 1992

The Enterprise gets probed by a small ship causing everyone on the ship including Lt. Cmdr. Data to have their memories wiped. This memory wipe is only memories relating to who they are, but they retain their skills. They work together to discover their identities and rank and eventually their mission. Only their mission isn't one of peace, but rather they are at war with the Lysians.

When confronted by a Lysian ship that the Enterprise easily outguns Captain Picard reluctantly destroys it, but once he ends up at the Lysian star base, the first officer Cmdr. McDuff is very insistent that they kill the 15 thousand people on that star base. At this point Captain Picard and the rest of the bridge crew can't believe that they are here to destroy the Lysians and in trying to stop the impostor Cmdr. McDuff they end up killing him.

Doctor Crusher is able to repair their memories at this point and they realize what it is they have done.

There is an amusing part to the episode where they are trying to figure out who is in charge. Riker notices that Picard has the most number of pips on his uniform but Picard says he doesn't think leadership is the important thing but rather figuring out what is going on is. On the other hand, Worf mentions that he is decorated as well with his Baldric. Until they discover their actual rank, Worf immediately takes a leadership role and starts issuing orders.

Quotes

"For all we know, you and I could be married." - Ensign Ro
"For all we know, you and I could hate each other." - Cmdr. Riker

"I just didn't like the way my quarters were decorated." - Ensign Ro
"Maybe we should switch quarters." - Cmdr. Riker
"Maybe we should stay right here and see what happens." - Ensign Ro
"What if I snore in my sleep?" - Cmdr. Riker
"What makes you think you're gonna get any sleep?" - Ensign Ro

"I feel as though I've been handed a weapon, sent into a room, and told to shoot a stranger. Well, I need some moral context to justify that action. And I don't have it. I'm not content simply to obey orders. I need to know that what I'm doing is right." - Captain Picard
"So do I. I'd feel a lot better if all the questions were answered. And if you want to abandon our mission until our memories return, that's your choice, but I must ask you, is it right to risk prolonging this war? To allow the needless deaths of thousands on both sides, solely on the basis of our moral discomfort?" - Cmdr. McDuff

"The Counselor tells me that at times like that, we might do the things that we've always wanted to do." - Ensign Ro
"She said that?" - Cmdr. Riker
"It's psychologically valid." - Counselor Troi
"Commander, don't worry about it. As far as I'm concerned, you and I have shared something that we will treasure forever." - Ensign Ro
"Well, I'm a little confused." - Cmdr. Riker
"Well, if you're still confused tomorrow, you know where my office is." - Counselor Troi