Narrative Web
S2E7
· Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unnatural Selection

DNA Desperation Breaks Riker's Discipline

Commander Riker's typically unflappable professionalism shatters as he and Data confirm their worst fear—Dr. Pulaski's medical records containing her original DNA have been transferred to Starfleet Headquarters, leaving no genetic blueprint for the life-saving transporter procedure. Riker's violent fist slam against the console (a rare lapse in Starfleet decorum) reveals the emotional toll of their impossible dilemma. The moment crystallizes their desperation—they're not just searching medical files, but racing against time to save a colleague from degeneration. Data's clinical delivery of the bad news heightens the contrast with Riker's raw reaction. Their shared glance before bolting from sickbay marks a pivot from fruitless searching to frantic action, setting up their next gambit.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

1

Stupefaction snaps into fury as Riker slams his fist and rails that a single cell should exist — his anger crystallizes the stakes and the absurdity of their situation.

stupefaction to angry desperation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Data
Second Officer
 primary

Clinically concerned with urgent subroutine prioritization

Delivers devastating news with android precision before locking eyes with Riker in rare wordless communication, immediately pivoting toward shared action.

Goals in this moment
  • • Exhaust all archival search protocols before conclusion
  • • Initiate contingency planning with Riker
Active beliefs
  • • Emotional displays hinder crisis resolution
  • • Alternative solutions exist outside conventional parameters
Character traits
Analytically detached Operationally adaptive Nonverbally collaborative
Follow Data's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Desperation boiling over into barely-contained rage

Frantically searches medical interfaces before erupting into physical frustration, fist slamming against the console mid-sentence as bureaucratic impossibility truly registers.

Goals in this moment
  • • Secure Pulaski's original DNA sequence for transporter synthesis
  • • Circumvent Starfleet's logistical delays through sheer force of will
Active beliefs
  • • Starfleet's bureaucracy is actively endangering lives
  • • Extraordinary circumstances demand discarding protocol
Character traits
Emotionally volatile Protective of colleagues Defiant of institutional inefficiency
Follow William Riker's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Darwin Laboratory Genetic Analysis Console

The medical console becomes both Riker's opponent and unwilling confessional—its sleek surface bears witness to his fist slam's violence before displaying damning confirmation of their search failure.

Before: Active display running medical search queries
After: Physically impacted with residual emotional charge
Before: Active display running medical search queries
After: Physically impacted with residual emotional charge
Pulaski's Medical Records and DNA Samples

The records transform from potential salvation to maddening absence—their digital interfaces glow under Riker's fingers as search after search yields nothing, their bureaucratic transfer rendering them infuriatingly intangible despite Federation technological prowess.

Before: Digitally archived but physically absent from Enterprise systems
After: Confirmed stranded en route to Starfleet HQ
Before: Digitally archived but physically absent from Enterprise systems
After: Confirmed stranded en route to Starfleet HQ

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Enterprise Sickbay

Sickbay's sterile environment heightens the rawness of Riker's outburst—the contrast between clinical decorum and primal frustration marking this as extraordinary circumstances even for seasoned officers.

Atmosphere Crackling with suppressed panic beneath professional protocols
Function Stage for institutional failure realization
Symbolism Hollow promise of Starfleet medical capability
Access Medical staff clearance required
Harsh bioscanner lighting highlighting Riker's strained features The echoing report of fist against metal console

Narrative Connections

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Key Dialogue

"RIKER: A blood test or tissue specimen -- anything that would provide a sample of Pulaski's original DNA."
"DATA: Afraid not, sir. Her records were shipped by way of Starfleet headquarters. They haven't caught up with us yet."
"RIKER: This is ridiculous. A single cell! A single --"