Star Trek The Next Generation
Object

Worf's Quarters Entry Chime

A palm‑sized, recessed electronic chime set flush into the bulkhead outside Worf's private quarters: matte brushed‑alloy face with a narrow grille and a faint indicator LED. It emits a brief, crystalline two‑note tone that slices through domestic noise and immediately collapses private activity into attention. The sound physically startles Worf—his hands clench, a model ship snaps, and a drawer slams—forcing an abrupt shift from personal ritual to confrontational duty as Riker's interruption lands.
7 appearances

Purpose

To audibly signal an arrival or priority entry at the threshold of Worf's quarters, converting private moments into immediate awareness so occupants can acknowledge or respond to visitors or communications.

Significance

Functions as an inciting prop and scene catalyst: the chime's abrupt tone ruptures Worf's sanctuary, precipitates physical damage (the broken model), and raises emotional stakes that drive Worf from private pride to public commitment—turning a domestic blowup into a pivotal decision point.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

7 moments
S2E21 · Peak Performance
Honor and Guile: Worf's Choice

The entry chime emits a brief, crystalline tone that slices through the private atmosphere and immediately forces Worf from ritual concentration into command posture. It triggers the physical breakage of the model and initiates the arrival-of-duty dynamic between Worf and Riker.

Before: Silent and idle, flush in the bulkhead outside the quarters.
After: Has sounded; its brief tone has already produced the startled reaction and subsequent interaction.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
Guile and Honor: Worf Commits to the Hathaway

The entry chime sounds as Riker arrives; its crystalline two-note tone yanks Worf from private focus and catalyzes the entire exchange. The sound triggers Worf's visible agitation and the breaking of the model—turning private ritual into a moment of contact.

Before: Mounted and silent outside Worf's doorway, ready to signal visitors.
After: Has sounded and served its function; remains installed and active outside the quarters.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
Pulaski Forces Data to Confront His Crisis of Confidence

A recessed bulkhead chime sounds to announce entry; the brief crystalline tone breaks the quarters' quiet and cues the exchange. It functions narratively as the inciting audible signal that transitions Data from private diagnostics into a face-to-face confrontation with Pulaski.

Before: Silent and idle, recessed in the bulkhead outside the quarters, awaiting an access event.
After: Has emitted its two-note access tone and remains installed in the bulkhead; no change in physical condition beyond having been used.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
Data's Diagnostic Denial

A brief CHIME sounds to announce Troi's entrance; functionally it punctuates the private moment, breaks Data's analytic trance, and signals the transition from solitary analysis to interpersonal confrontation.

Before: Idle, flush with bulkhead before Troi's arrival.
After: Recently sounded; awaits next activation. No physical change beyond triggering Troi's entrance.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
When an Android Admits Doubt

A brief, crystalline chime signals Troi's arrival. Functionally it punctuates private ritual, collapsing Data's solitary diagnostics into a social interaction and initiating the counseling beat.

Before: Idle, integrated into the bulkhead as a ready signaling device.
After: Silent after being sounded; remains installed in the quarters' entryway.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
Duty Over Doubt — Picard Reinstates Data

A sharp two-note chime announces Picard's arrival, collapsing Data's private focus into immediate presence. The sound functions as the inciting sensory beat that shifts the scene from introspective work to authoritative confrontation.

Before: Mounted in the quarters' bulkhead, idle until triggered; the quarters are quiet save for Data's work.
After: Silent again after Picard's entrance; remains installed and intact.
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S2E21 · Peak Performance
Picard Forces Data Back Into Duty — The Lesson of Fallibility

A palm-sized entry chime sounds at the start of the scene, interrupting Data's private work and announcing Picard's arrival. The chime functions as a narrative trigger that collapses Data's solitude into a formal duty encounter and signals a shift from private doubt to public responsibility.

Before: Installed in the quarters bulkhead and silent, ambient in the living space.
After: Has sounded to signal Picard's entry; remains in place and silent after the exchange ends.
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