Three Revived Twentieth‑Century Humans (20th‑century guests)

polarizing communal referential rhetorically-invoked anachronistic silent/passive idealized resilient bewildered dependent collective historical normative curious/striving vulnerable anonymous

A small group of three civilian humans from the twentieth century who are revived in the episode. They function both as vulnerable beneficiaries whose care, acclimation, and safe transport drive the Enterprise crew's humanitarian and tactical choices, and as a rhetorical referent invoked by characters (e.g., Riker's dismissal, Data's clinical curiosity). Anonymous and non‑agentic in the narrative, their presence reframes priorities and intensifies ethical tension over how to treat displaced individuals from an earlier era.

9 appearances

Species-level cultural referent

Also known as: men, ancient men, Terrans, the guests, newly revived guests, Earthlings, guests, revived humans, them, the three revived 20th-century humans, 20th-century guests, three revived 20th-century humans

Three Revived …'s Journey

A timeline through the narrative

9 moments

S2E14 · The Icarus Factor

Troi's Diagnosis: The Duel as a Father–Son Script

Framed as self‑satisfied and morally superior in Pulaski's invocation, though this is rhetorical rather than a personified emotion.

The category 'Humans' functions as a rhetorical presence invoked by Pulaski to contrast alleged human progress against Klingon barbarism, supplying moral authority to her dismissal of ritual practices.

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S2E14 · The Icarus Factor

Flirting at the Edge of a Duel

Not an emotional actor but rhetorically presented as a reassuring, advanced cultural identity that characters lean on to make ethical distinctions.

Referenced as the comparative cultural baseline Pulaski appeals to when she praises human progress over ritual violence; invoked to justify disdain for the Klingon ceremony and to frame expectations for …

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S3E2 · The Ensigns of Command

Sheliak Ultimatum — Picard Orders Investigation

Implied terror and helplessness—endangered civilians whose fate hinges on Starfleet action.

The humans of Tau Cygna Five are not present on the bridge but are functionally the subject of the transmission; their survival is made immediately precarious by the Sheliak ultimatum …

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S3E2 · The Ensigns of Command

Sheliak Ultimatum — Ritual Severance

Unseen anxiety and existential peril (represented externally by Picard’s alarm and negotiating urgency).

The human colonists are not present on the bridge but are the explicit subjects of the ultimatum—described as a thriving colony that must be removed—becoming the immediate, endangered focus of …

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S3E2 · The Ensigns of Command

Sheliak Ultimatum — Ritual Refusal and the Hang-Up

Not present to display emotions; collectively inferable as threatened and dependent on Starfleet intervention.

Human colonists are spoken of rather than present; they function as the named subject of the Sheliak demand and the moral imperative driving Picard’s appeals and Troi’s counsel.

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S3E13 · Deja Q

Mortal Mockery — Data's Quiet Confession

Ascribed qualities include hopeful curiosity and emotional complexity; the species itself is treated as earnest and searching, contrasted with Q's dismissal.

Referred to and debated by Q and Data; presented as the object of Q's scorn and Data's measured defense — the species' curiosity and emotional life are central to the …

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S3E13 · Deja Q

Continuum's Verdict — Q Restored

Concerned and resolute; their determination to rescue or protect Q is framed as a sympathetic, even quixotic human trait that Q2 finds baffling and mildly contemptible.

Absent from the shuttle but centrally implicated: described as trying to beam Q back and as protecting him despite his cruelty; their protective actions are interrupted by Q2, leaving them …

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S3E13 · Deja Q

Continuum Intervention — Powers Restored, Reckoning Deferred

Concerned and committed to preserving life, now temporarily prevented from intervening directly by Q2's intervention.

Referenced indirectly: Starfleet humans attempted to beam Q back and were put on hold by Q2; they are the human stake-holders whose concern motivated Q's selfless action and whose safety …

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S3E13 · Deja Q

Omnipotence Restored, Oversight Reasserted

Concerned and determined (as described by Q2), motivated by empathy and duty toward one of their own, even when that 'one' is an alien trickster.

Mentioned by Q2 as having attempted to beam Q back and as intent on keeping him safe; their protective actions and loyalty are the narrative lever that complicates Q's exile …

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