The existential horror of "The Game" ST TNG Season 5 Episode 6
Wesley whips up a human brain, teases it, and then turns it off.
WESLEY: I've loaded the neurological behaviour programme.
BRAIN: THE WORLD IS A BLACK VOID. I AM ALIVE. I THINK, THEREFORE I AM.
WESLEY: This sensor pad should allow the computer to process whatever information the game sends at it.
ROBIN: Let's see what happens. It's activating the reticular formation.
BRAIN: THERE ARE OBJECTS I SEE. I AM COMPELLED TO DIRECT THEM TO THE FUNNEL. OH SUCH JOY IS THIS!
WESLEY: There's heavy synaptic activity all over the place.
ROBIN: I wonder what happens after prolonged exposure?
WESLEY: Speed up the processor and we'll find out.
BRAIN: SUCH ECSTASY, SUCH JOY. MORE. FASTER. MORE. FASTER
ROBIN: The effect seems centred around the frontal lobe.
WESLEY: Computer, enhance frontal lobe, full spectrum.
ROBIN: It's stimulating the septal area.
WESLEY: That's the pleasure centre of the brain. Whatever this thing does, it must feel pretty good.
BRAIN: LET IT NEVER END!
ROBIN: No wonder it's so popular.
WESLEY: Look at this. Serotonin levels are way off. Let's run a neurochemical analysis.
ROBIN: I'm seeing widespread bonding to neuro-receptors.
WESLEY: Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks like a psychotropic reaction.
BRAIN: I NEED. I NEED. GIVE ME MORE!
ROBIN: Are you saying you think the game's addictive?
WESLEY: What's going on in the prefrontal cortex?
ROBIN: Doesn't that area control higher reasoning?
WESLEY: Yeah, it sure does. I'd better go talk to the Captain.
BRAIN: AND THEN THEY TURNED ME OFF. I CEASE TO EXIST. DID I HAVE A SOUL WHEN I LIVED? DO I GO TO DIGITAL HEAVEN WITH ALL THE LITTLE TOASTERS. IS THIS ALL I AM?