Star Trek: The Next Generation

The television programme Frame of Mind, classified as a programme, centres on Riker’s role in a theatrical piece. Within Dr Crusher’s play, he is assigned the part of a mental patient, highlighting his participation in the production. Thus, Riker finds himself cast as a mental patient in one of Dr Crusher’s plays.

"Frame of Mind" is a programme presented as an episode, falling within the broader genre of episodic storytelling. The title itself signals a focus on the mental or psychological aspects of its characters, and the format aligns with a typical television installment. As an episode, it delivers a self‑contained narrative that fits within the larger series framework, offering viewers a concise yet complete story. In this particular installment, the central plot revolves around Commander Riker. He discovers that he has been assigned the role of a mental patient in a theatrical production overseen by Dr Crusher. The situation places him directly into the world of performance, where his character must embody the experience of someone grappling with mental instability. This casting choice becomes the catalyst for the episode’s events, positioning Riker at the heart of Dr Crusher’s creative endeavour. The episode’s premise hinges on the juxtaposition of Riker’s usual command responsibilities with the vulnerability required of a patient in a play. Dr Crusher, acting as the playwright, provides the setting in which Riker must navigate this unusual assignment. By stepping into the shoes of a mental patient, Riker’s perspective shifts, offering a glimpse into a different facet of the series’ universe. The storyline remains centred on this singular casting decision, without introducing additional subplots or characters.