Fabula
S1E3 · The Naked Now

Picard's Urgent Response to Yar’s Inaccessibility Amid Rising Chaos

As the psychological contagion spreads throughout the Enterprise, Captain Picard is confronted with escalating signs of breakdown across the ship, including bizarre orders and nonsensical behavior. When security reports Lieutenant Yar unreachable and evasive in her quarters, Picard’s alarm deepens, fearing compromised command at the highest level. His immediate orders to summon senior security supervisors and dispatch Data to escort Yar to Sickbay underscore the crisis’s gravity, marking a pivotal moment where the contagion directly threatens the chain of command and intensifies the internal struggle to regain control of the ship.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Picard demands the status of his security chief and orders Lieutenant Yar to report immediately, signaling rising concern over security breakdowns.

commanding to anxious ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Lieutenant Yar responds from her quarters with evasive, distracted tones, hinting at her compromised state and escalating tension.

concern to unease ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Picard steadies himself and commands Data to bring Yar to Sickbay, preparing to address the contagion’s medical effects directly.

unease to resolute ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6

Deeply concerned and alarmed, striving to maintain command focus despite the creeping chaos and signs of deteriorating discipline.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard commands the Enterprise bridge with a mix of alarm and resolute authority. He issues rapid-fire orders to remove Wesley Crusher from Engineering, summons senior security supervisors, and directs Data to retrieve Lieutenant Yar from her quarters, attempting to reassert control amid a fracturing command structure.

Goals in this moment
  • Restore order and discipline aboard the Enterprise.
  • Ensure key security personnel are accounted for and responsive.
  • Contain the spreading contagion's impact on command and crew.
Active beliefs
  • The contagion is undermining the crew's mental stability and command structure.
  • Maintaining a clear chain of command is critical to survival.
Character traits
authoritative decisive concerned strategic
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Calm and focused, operating with detached logic amid the chaotic circumstances.

Data, stationed at the Conn, detects and reports the bizarre limerick broadcast from the shuttlecraft bay, expressing logical puzzlement. He accepts Picard's order to locate and escort Lieutenant Yar to Sickbay, functioning as an objective and attentive executor of command directives.

Goals in this moment
  • Confirm and convey anomalous shipwide communications.
  • Locate Lieutenant Yar and escort her to medical evaluation.
Active beliefs
  • Unusual broadcasts indicate a systemic problem aboard the ship.
  • Following orders precisely is critical to mission success.
Character traits
logical attentive compliant
Follow Data's journey

Concerned and confused, struggling to interpret the illogical behavior spreading aboard the ship.

Worf reports unusual and irrational orders spreading across all decks, including shipwide training commands and nonsensical behaviors, conveying concern and confusion as he monitors the unraveling discipline in real time.

Goals in this moment
  • Inform Captain Picard of irregular shipwide behavior.
  • Maintain security readiness despite confusing orders.
Active beliefs
  • The contagion is disrupting normal operations and command protocols.
  • Timely reporting to command is critical for response coordination.
Character traits
vigilant concerned methodical
Follow Worf's journey

Serious and focused, committed to executing Picard's directives swiftly to prevent further chaos.

Commander William Riker responds promptly to Picard's commands, preparing to depart the bridge with MacDougal to implement orders to regain control in Engineering, showing serious resolve in the face of escalating disorder.

Goals in this moment
  • Assist in removing Wesley Crusher from Engineering control.
  • Support Picard's efforts to stabilize ship operations.
Active beliefs
  • Chain of command must be re-established.
  • The contagion's influence must be countered through decisive action.
Character traits
responsive loyal pragmatic
Follow William Riker's journey

Concentrated and dutiful, committed to fulfilling orders despite stress and confusion aboard the ship.

Sarah MacDougal is summoned urgently by Picard to assist in removing Wesley Crusher from Engineering. She exhibits dutiful focus, responding to the crisis with technical resolve as part of the effort to regain critical ship systems.

Goals in this moment
  • Support command in regaining control over Engineering.
  • Counteract sabotage or unauthorized control of ship systems.
Active beliefs
  • Engineering integrity is vital to the ship's survival.
  • Following Starfleet orders is essential even under duress.
Character traits
dedicated focused obedient
Follow Sarah MacDougal's journey

Indifferent and sluggish, possibly symptomatic of contagion-induced apathy.

The Enterprise Security Com Voice responds lazily and with disinterest to Picard's urgent calls, reflecting a breakdown in security responsiveness and discipline as the contagion spreads their lethargy among crew communications.

Goals in this moment
  • Minimize personal exertion in responding to command.
  • Delay or avoid escalating engagement with the captain's orders.
Active beliefs
  • The situation may not warrant urgent action.
  • Personal comfort takes priority over command urgency.
Character traits
lazy disinterested apathetic
Follow Enterprise Security …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
USS Enterprise-D — Captain's Ready Room Turbolift Doors

The USS Enterprise-D Forward Turbolift serves as a critical conduit for personnel movement as Riker and MacDougal prepare to leave the bridge, illustrating the urgency and rapid deployment of command decisions to Engineering amid the crisis.

Before: Idle and available on the main bridge, ready …
After: Activated to transport Riker and MacDougal towards Engineering …
Before: Idle and available on the main bridge, ready for crew transport.
After: Activated to transport Riker and MacDougal towards Engineering for immediate intervention.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Main Bridge

The Enterprise Main Bridge is the stage for Picard's command efforts to diagnose and counteract the contagion's disruptive effects, hosting critical communications and strategic decisions as the ship's leadership struggles to maintain order.

Atmosphere Tense and urgent, filled with the pressure of escalating crisis and uncertain command.
Function Command center and coordination hub for managing the internal contagion crisis.
Symbolism Embodies institutional power and the fragility of command under duress.
Access Restricted to command staff and essential security personnel.
Lieutenant Yar's Quarters on Ligon

Lieutenant Yar's Quarters on Ligon functions as the locus of her evasive response, symbolizing both her psychological retreat and the fracturing of command loyalty and communication during the contagion's spread aboard the Enterprise.

Atmosphere Isolated, tense, and emotionally charged with undertones of defiance and withdrawal.
Function Sanctuary for Lieutenant Yar's withdrawal and focal point for Picard's concerns about command integrity.
Symbolism Represents the psychological and hierarchical breach threatening the chain of command.
Access Effectively restricted to Yar during this event by her refusal to engage.
Quiet and confined personal quarters. Absence of direct communication despite urgent orders.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Picard Orders Removal of Contagion-Compromised Wesley
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Bridge Command Grapples with Shipwide Madness and Security Breakdown
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Picard Reasserts Command as Chaos Unfolds
S1E3 · The Naked Now
What this causes 5
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Picard Orders Removal of Contagion-Compromised Wesley
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Bridge Command Grapples with Shipwide Madness and Security Breakdown
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Picard orders MacDougal to expel Wesley from Engineering, directly responding to Wesley's unauthorized seizure of ship systems under contagion influence."

Picard Reasserts Command as Chaos Unfolds
S1E3 · The Naked Now
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS medium

"MacDougal leaves Engineering to obey Picard's order, leaving Shimoda vulnerable to infection and enabling Wesley's control over critical ship systems."

Star Collapse Imminent and Engineering Shift Amid Crisis
S1E3 · The Naked Now
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS medium

"MacDougal leaves Engineering to obey Picard's order, leaving Shimoda vulnerable to infection and enabling Wesley's control over critical ship systems."

Shimoda Left Alone as MacDougal Summoned, Wesley Offers Aid
S1E3 · The Naked Now

Key Dialogue

"PICARD: Number One, MacDougal -- get that boy out of Engineering."
"WORF: Sir, I'm getting very strange reports from all decks --"
"PICARD: Where's my security chief?! Get me Lieutenant Yar."
"TASHA'S COM VOICE: I'm in my quarters and pretty busy right at this moment, Jean-Luc."
"PICARD: All right, Lieutenant, just stay right there."
"PICARD: Data, please go to Lieutenant Yar and get her down to Sickbay."
"PICARD: Security, I want all your senior supervisors to report to the bridge immediately."