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S1E2 · Encounter at Farpoint: Part Two

Riker Confirms Data’s Commitment to Away Team Amid Picard’s Quiet Appraisal of Wesley

In the holodeck corridor, Riker reports to Captain Picard that Data has consented to join the away team, signaling a critical step in assembling a capable crew to confront the Farpoint mystery. Picard’s approving yet measured response underscores his leadership style—focused on efficiency but attentive to discipline—as his glance shifts to a soaked Wesley, whose unintended wet footprint creates a subtle moment of tension. Wesley’s immediate offer to clean the water reflects his awareness and desire to meet Picard’s expectations, positioning this moment as a quiet but telling intersection of duty, mentorship, and team readiness before the mission escalates.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Riker announces Data's agreement to join his away team to Captain Picard, signaling teamwork and upcoming mission readiness.

neutral to purposeful ['starship deck near hatchway']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Cool and approving externally, with subtle attentiveness and expectation for protocol adherence.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard pauses his walk with a Senior Officer to receive Riker’s report, observing with measured approval. His keen eye shifts to Wesley’s wet footprint, a minor breach of discipline that he addresses coolly with brief acknowledgment before departing, balancing command authority with quiet mentorship.

Goals in this moment
  • Assess readiness of the away team
  • Maintain discipline aboard the Enterprise
  • Encourage responsibility and order in junior crew members
Active beliefs
  • Effective leadership requires balancing firmness with understanding
  • Small breaches of protocol must be noted and corrected quietly
  • Team cohesion depends on each member’s accountability
Character traits
authoritative measured disciplined mentor-like
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Emotionally neutral, focused on duty and cooperation.

Data accompanies Riker and Wesley, maintaining his usual composed and neutral demeanor, silently affirming his commitment to the away team without overt emotion. His presence adds analytical strength and reliability to the group.

Goals in this moment
  • Join the away team as agreed
  • Support the team with his android capabilities
  • Operate under Starfleet command structure effectively
Active beliefs
  • Joining the away team is a logical step aligned with Starfleet objectives
  • Following orders and maintaining discipline are paramount
  • His capabilities are instrumental to mission success
Character traits
neutral composed logical committed
Follow Data's journey

Calm assurance underscored by professional responsibility and readiness for the impending mission.

Commander Riker approaches Captain Picard with confident composure, delivering the critical update that Data has consented to join the away team. He physically leads Data and Wesley through the holodeck hatchway toward Picard, embodying steady leadership and tactical readiness.

Goals in this moment
  • Inform Captain Picard about Data’s commitment to the away team
  • Demonstrate leadership by escorting the team efficiently
  • Reinforce team unity before departure
Active beliefs
  • Data’s involvement is vital for mission success
  • Clear communication with Picard ensures effective command
  • Maintaining professionalism is critical despite minor disruptions
Character traits
confident decisive tactically focused responsible
Follow William Riker's journey

Nervous self-consciousness mixed with earnest intent to correct his mistake and align with command expectations.

Wesley Crusher trails behind, noticeably soaked and aware that his dripping water creates a puddle on the deck. His nervousness and self-consciousness surface as he anticipates Picard’s reaction and proactively offers to clean the spill, demonstrating his desire to meet the high standards expected aboard the Enterprise.

Goals in this moment
  • Avoid reprimand or disapproval from Captain Picard
  • Demonstrate responsibility by offering to clean the water
  • Maintain good standing and prove maturity
Active beliefs
  • Captain Picard expects discipline and order
  • Mistakes must be addressed promptly and respectfully
  • Earning trust requires attentiveness to detail and protocol
Character traits
eager self-aware dutiful nervous
Follow Beverly Crusher's journey

Composed and deferential with a sense of duty.

The Senior Officer initially accompanies Captain Picard but obediently follows Picard’s silent gesture to continue alone, demonstrating disciplined compliance and trust in Picard’s command decisions.

Goals in this moment
  • Follow Captain Picard’s lead without interruption
  • Maintain operational readiness
  • Support command structure unobtrusively
Active beliefs
  • Respecting chain of command is essential
  • Captain Picard’s judgment should be trusted
  • Discretion is valued in command situations
Character traits
professional respectful obedient discreet
Follow Senior Officer's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Holodeck Arch / Holographic Computer Arch

The Holodeck Hatchway functions as the transitional portal that Riker, Data, and Wesley traverse to move from the Parkland simulation back into the Enterprise’s corridor. It frames the passage from immersive virtual space to real-world duty, underscoring the shift from exploration to mission readiness.

Before: Open, allowing passage from Parkland Holodeck Simulation to …
After: Closing behind Riker, Data, and Wesley as the …
Before: Open, allowing passage from Parkland Holodeck Simulation to Holodeck Corridor.
After: Closing behind Riker, Data, and Wesley as the bulkhead begins to seal.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Tsiolkovsky Main Corridor

The Holodeck Corridor serves as the neutral, technology-laden setting where key interactions occur between senior officers and junior crew. It acts as the connective corridor linking the artificial Parkland simulation to the broader Enterprise environment, hosting moments of command exchange and subtle tension.

Atmosphere Tense yet controlled, underscored by subtle undercurrents of discipline and readiness.
Function A staging ground for crew coordination and leadership communication prior to mission deployment.
Symbolism Represents the threshold between simulation and reality, highlighting the transition from learning and exploration to …
Access Restricted to Starfleet personnel, open to senior and select junior officers with clearance.
Soft hum of ship systems Visible water puddle on deck Sliding hatchway mechanism

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph


Key Dialogue

"RIKER: Mister Data has agreed to join my away team, Captain."
"PICARD: (with another glance toward Wes's puddle) Very good."
"WES: Sir, maybe I should get something to wipe this water up."
"PICARD: (coolly) Good idea."