Fabula
S1E13 · The Big Goodbye

Riker Assumes Command Amid Holodeck Crisis

As the Enterprise faces a dire emergency with Captain Picard and his party trapped inside a malfunctioning Holodeck simulation, Commander Riker steps decisively into command. He records a formal ship's log entry to document the escalating crisis, acknowledging the unknown breakdown and the captain's disappearance. Recognizing the urgent need for focused leadership, Riker delegates control of the bridge to Lieutenant Tasha Yar, signaling both trust and the gravity of the situation. Despite Wesley Crusher's eager offer to assist in Holodeck repairs, Riker insists on maintaining operational stability on the bridge, underscoring the balance between technical urgency and command discipline. This moment marks a critical leadership transition, underscoring Riker's rising responsibility and the ship's fracturing command structure under pressure.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Riker records a supplemental ship's log reporting the Holodeck breakdown and the failure to locate Picard and his party, raising alarm over their disappearance.

professional concern to rising urgency ['Enterprise main bridge']

Riker orders Tasha to take command of the bridge as he decides to personally investigate the Holodeck malfunction.

delegation to determined action ['Enterprise main bridge']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Serious and focused, aware of the gravity of the situation and her new command role.

Lieutenant Natasha Yar assumes command of the bridge with serious composure as Riker exits to Holodeck Three, taking over his station and responsibilities without hesitation.

Goals in this moment
  • Maintain operational stability on the bridge
  • Support command structure during crisis
  • Prepare to respond to any emergent threats or developments
Active beliefs
  • Riker trusts her ability to command the bridge
  • The situation demands alertness and quick response
  • The crew depends on strong leadership amid uncertainty
Character traits
steadfast professional responsible alert
Follow Tasha Yar's journey

Determined and focused, managing internal pressure with controlled urgency while balancing empathy with command necessity.

Commander William Riker assumes decisive command amid crisis, recording a formal ship's log that acknowledges the unknown Holodeck malfunction and missing captain. He delegates bridge control to Lieutenant Yar and firmly but diplomatically dismisses Wesley's offer to assist, preparing to personally investigate Holodeck Three.

Goals in this moment
  • Establish stable leadership on the bridge
  • Document the crisis officially via ship's log
  • Ensure crew members are effectively assigned according to skill
  • Personally assess and address the Holodeck malfunction
Active beliefs
  • The captain's disappearance signals a serious, unknown threat
  • Maintaining disciplined chain of command is vital under crisis
  • Geordi La Forge is best equipped to handle technical repair
  • Operational focus on the bridge cannot be compromised
Character traits
decisive authoritative pragmatic calm under pressure responsible
Follow William Riker's journey

Eager yet composed, willing to help but accepting command guidance without resistance.

Wesley Crusher, positioned at Ops, eagerly offers his technical expertise to aid with Holodeck repairs. After Riker defers to Geordi's experience and insists Wesley remain on the bridge, Wesley accepts the directive respectfully.

Goals in this moment
  • Contribute technical assistance for Holodeck repair
  • Support the crew effectively within his capacity
  • Follow orders to maintain bridge operations
Active beliefs
  • His technical knowledge could be useful in the crisis
  • Maintaining bridge stability is critical
  • Respecting chain of command is essential
Character traits
enthusiastic eager respectful dedicated
Follow Beverly Crusher's journey

Concerned and gentle, quietly conveying the human cost beneath military precision.

Counselor Deanna Troi quietly reminds Riker of the personal stakes involved by mentioning that the captain's mother is also trapped inside the Holodeck, adding emotional depth to the unfolding crisis.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure leadership acknowledges emotional dimensions of the crisis
  • Support crew morale through subtle emotional insight
Active beliefs
  • The situation holds deep personal implications
  • Emotional awareness is critical even amid crisis command
Character traits
empathetic perceptive calm compassionate
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Implied competent and focused through Riker's confidence, though not directly shown.

Although not physically present in the scene, Geordi La Forge is referenced by Riker as the most capable engineer to handle the Holodeck malfunction, emphasizing his key technical role.

Goals in this moment
  • Address and repair the Holodeck malfunction (implied)
  • Support crew safety via technical expertise (implied)
Active beliefs
  • He is the best equipped for the technical challenge
  • Technical expertise is crucial to resolving the crisis
Character traits
trusted technically skilled reliable
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Commander William Riker's First Officer Log (Spiral Search Failure)

Commander Riker uses the personal and ship's log device to formally record a supplemental entry, documenting the Holodeck breakdown and the captain's disappearance. This recording serves as an official account and a narrative framing device emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

Before: Operational and in Riker's possession on the bridge, …
After: Used to record the formal log entry during …
Before: Operational and in Riker's possession on the bridge, ready for use.
After: Used to record the formal log entry during the crisis; remains in Riker's possession.
Holodeck Holographic Recreations — Manua, Apgar, and Riker

The Holodeck, specifically its malfunctioning Dixon Hill program simulation, constitutes the central crisis location trapping the captain and others. Its unknown breakdown triggers the urgent chain of command changes and technical responses.

Before: Normal operational state for immersive simulation; unexpectedly malfunctioned.
After: Malfunction persists, creating a hazardous entrapment scenario requiring …
Before: Normal operational state for immersive simulation; unexpectedly malfunctioned.
After: Malfunction persists, creating a hazardous entrapment scenario requiring urgent repair.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Main Bridge

The Main Bridge is the nerve center where the crew coordinates the unfolding Holodeck crisis. It is the stage for Riker's assumption of command, delegation to Yar, and critical operational decisions, reflecting the tension and pressure of command during an unknown emergency.

Atmosphere Tense, focused, charged with urgency and a controlled sense of impending crisis.
Function Command center directing crisis response and maintaining ship operations.
Symbolism Represents institutional authority and the fragile leadership structure under duress.
Access Restricted to senior staff and essential crew during the emergency.
Dimmed but alert console lights Quiet hum of bridge systems under strain Presence of key personnel at stations Riker preparing to exit bridge
Holodeck Three — Recreated Space Station Laboratory

Holodeck Three is the critical site of the malfunction and entrapment. Riker's decision to personally enter it underscores its danger and urgency. It transforms from a recreational simulation chamber into a hazardous battleground for survival.

Atmosphere Unseen in this scene but implied as ominous and dangerous due to malfunction and entrapment.
Function Site of crisis, the virtual environment where key characters are trapped.
Symbolism Embodies the fragile boundary between safety and threat within technology.
Access Access limited due to malfunction and risk; entry requires expert intervention.
High-tech holographic interface Dangerous simulation environment Locked or inaccessible state due to malfunction

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 (V.O.): Ship's log, supplemental. First officer reporting. Due to an unknown breakdown in the Holodeck, we are unable to locate the captain and his party..."
"RIKER: Tasha, take over. I'm going to Holdeck Three."
"WESLEY: Commander?... I've studied all the technical manuals on the Holodeck. I think I could be of some help down there."
"RIKER: Geordi's well equipped to deal with the situation, Wes. Right now, your duties are on the bridge."
"TROI (softly): His mother's in there too, sir."
"RIKER: Come on, Wesley."
"WESLEY: Thank you sir."