Fabula
S1E22 · Skin of Evil

Tasha Yar's Death Confirmed in Sickbay

In Sickbay, Captain Picard, Dr. Beverly Crusher, Commander Riker, and Data face the heartbreaking reality of Lieutenant Tasha Yar's brutal demise at the hands of Armus. Despite desperate, escalating medical interventions—neural stimulation, norepinephrine injections, and risky reticular activation—Tasha shows no independent brain activity. The crew's mounting hope quickly fades as vital signs flatline, and Beverly solemnly confirms that Tasha is beyond saving. This devastating loss crystallizes the cruel stakes of their encounter with Armus, deepening the crew’s grief and hardening their resolve to confront the malevolent entity threatening their lives.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Picard enters Sickbay as Beverly and the medical team struggle to stabilize Tasha, whose vital signs show critical failure; Picard presses for status and Beverly bluntly reveals that Tasha is dead.

tension to grim acceptance ['Sickbay medical bed area']

Beverly and the Nurse attach a neural stimulator and other devices to Tasha, initiating desperate attempts to revive her as Picard expresses impatient hope, but brain activity remains absent despite escalating stimulation.

hope to mounting desperation ['Sickbay medical bed area']

After incremental attempts to stimulate Tasha's brain fail completely, Beverly solemnly confirms she is gone; Picard, Riker, and Data absorb the finality as life support indicators drop to zero, sealing the sense of irrevocable loss.

desperation to profound grief ['Sickbay medical bed area']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Anxious hope giving way to grim acceptance and sorrow over the loss of a valued crewmember.

Captain Picard enters Sickbay, silently observing the medical team's desperate efforts to revive Tasha. He urges Dr. Crusher to save her, showing anxious impatience and hope, then somber acceptance as the situation becomes hopeless.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the medical team does everything possible to save Tasha Yar.
  • Support and encourage Dr. Beverly Crusher and the medical staff under pressure.
Active beliefs
  • Life is worth fighting for, and medical intervention can succeed even in dire circumstances.
  • The crew must not give up hope prematurely, especially for a promising officer like Tasha.
Character traits
authoritative hopeful impatient compassionate resolute
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Concerned about the medical outcome but maintaining objective composure characteristic of his android nature.

Data observes the medical interventions with analytical detachment, vigilantly monitoring Tasha’s physiological responses displayed on diagnostic screens alongside Picard and Riker. His composed demeanor contrasts with the emotional weight of the situation.

Goals in this moment
  • Gather data on Tasha’s physiological responses during treatment.
  • Support command decisions with precise observations and information.
Active beliefs
  • Objective analysis is critical even in high-stress scenarios.
  • Every possible effort should be made to save a crewmember’s life.
Character traits
logical observant calm supportive
Follow Data's journey

Cautiously hopeful initially, shifting to somber concern and sorrow as Tasha’s condition deteriorates.

Commander Riker stands quietly by, offering moral support to the medical team and acknowledging temporary signs of progress with cautious optimism. As hope fades, his concern deepens, reflecting the mounting gravity of Tasha’s condition.

Goals in this moment
  • Support the medical staff emotionally and practically during the crisis.
  • Maintain morale and composure among the leadership team faced with loss.
Active beliefs
  • Collective resilience can help the crew endure tragedy.
  • Medical interventions may yet succeed, warranting sustained hope.
Character traits
supportive optimistic concerned steadfast
Follow William Riker's journey

Desperate to save Tasha, yet maintaining clinical calm; transitions to grim acceptance upon realizing the futility of efforts.

Dr. Beverly Crusher leads all medical interventions to revive Tasha Yar, operating the neural stimulator, administering norepinephrine injections, and escalating to direct reticular stimulation. Despite her desperate efforts, she remains composed and professional, ultimately confirming Tasha’s death with solemn finality.

Goals in this moment
  • Use all available medical technology and expertise to revive Tasha Yar.
  • Provide clear and honest communication about Tasha’s condition to the senior officers.
Active beliefs
  • Medical science can sometimes restore life even in severe trauma.
  • Honesty about prognosis is essential, even when delivering devastating news.
Character traits
determined calm clinical resolute compassionate
Follow Beverly Crusher's journey

Anxious but composed, focused on executing medical orders rapidly and accurately.

The Sickbay Nurse assists Dr. Crusher with attaching medical devices, administering the norepinephrine injection, and monitoring Tasha’s reactions. The nurse’s anxious yet professional presence underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation.

Goals in this moment
  • Provide timely and precise medical assistance to Dr. Crusher.
  • Ensure all devices and injections are correctly administered during critical intervention.
Active beliefs
  • Medical procedures must be precise under pressure to maximize chances of success.
  • Teamwork is essential in emergency medical situations.
Character traits
anxious efficient supportive experienced
Follow Sickbay Nurse's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

3
Floating Medical Gurney

The Advanced Operating Table supports Tasha Yar’s body during the critical medical interventions, providing a stable, clinical surface for attaching life-support devices and monitoring equipment during the resuscitation attempts.

Before: Set up in Sickbay, ready with attached medical …
After: Continues to hold Tasha’s lifeless form after the …
Before: Set up in Sickbay, ready with attached medical devices prepared for emergency use.
After: Continues to hold Tasha’s lifeless form after the cessation of all life functions.
Neural Stimulator Device

The Neural Stimulator Device is promptly attached over Tasha’s head to deliver escalating electrical impulses aimed at restoring brain activity. Despite initial hopeful signs, the device ultimately fails to revive independent neural function.

Before: Inactive, stored in Sickbay medical equipment.
After: Deactivated and removed after failed revival attempts.
Before: Inactive, stored in Sickbay medical equipment.
After: Deactivated and removed after failed revival attempts.
Norepinephrine Injection

The Norepinephrine Injection is administered as a desperate medical intervention to stimulate Tasha’s failing synaptic network. Despite its timely delivery, it proves ineffective in reversing the extensive neurological damage.

Before: Contained within medical kit, unused.
After: Used and empty syringe after injection administration.
Before: Contained within medical kit, unused.
After: Used and empty syringe after injection administration.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Enterprise Sickbay

Enterprise Sickbay serves as the clinical arena where the life-and-death struggle for Lieutenant Tasha Yar unfolds. Its stark sterility and advanced technology juxtapose the raw human grief and desperation, amplifying the emotional gravity of the moment.

Atmosphere Tense, clinical, heavy with grief and quiet urgency as the crew fights against inevitable loss.
Function Sanctuary for medical aid and the final battleground for Tasha’s survival.
Symbolism Represents the fragile boundary between life and death, and the limits of human (and technological) …
Access Restricted to senior medical staff and command officers during crisis interventions.
Bright cold lighting emphasizing sterility and clinical detachment. Monitors beeping and diagnostic screens illuminating the room with fluctuating vital signs.
Sickbay (USS Enterprise)

Enterprise Sickbay serves as the clinical arena where the life-and-death struggle for Lieutenant Tasha Yar unfolds. Its stark sterility and advanced technology juxtapose the raw human grief and desperation, amplifying the emotional gravity of the moment.

Atmosphere Tense, clinical, heavy with grief and quiet urgency as the crew fights against inevitable loss.
Function Sanctuary for medical aid and the final battleground for Tasha’s survival.
Symbolism Represents the fragile boundary between life and death, and the limits of human (and technological) …
Access Restricted to senior medical staff and command officers during crisis interventions.
Bright cold lighting emphasizing sterility and clinical detachment. Monitors beeping and diagnostic screens illuminating the room with fluctuating vital signs.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"PICARD: Status, Doctor?"
"BEVERLY: She's dead."
"PICARD: Bring her back."
"BEVERLY: I'm trying."
"NURSE: She's not responding, Doctor. Her synaptic network is breaking down."
"BEVERLY: No! Inject norep."
"PICARD: What does that mean?"
"BEVERLY: Doesn't matter! Do it!"
"PICARD: She moved!"
"BEVERLY: She's gone."
"PICARD: Gone?"
"BEVERLY: There's too much synaptic damage. That thing just sucked all the life out of her. There's nothing I can do..."