The First Line: Riker's Live Demonstration
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Wesley panics about what to say, and Riker swiftly enlists Guinan and steers them to a nearby table to stage a live demonstration.
Riker teaches that first words matter, turns to Guinan with "You're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy," then backpedals; Guinan coolly affirms it would work, igniting playful chemistry.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Amused and curious; slightly guarded but openly responsive—she balances play with a probing honesty that exposes motives.
Watches from behind the bar, agrees to the request, walks to and sits at the nearby table, and engages Riker with teasing, invitational banter that both tests and welcomes his sincerity.
- • Help Wesley by participating in a realistic demonstration.
- • Elicit truthful emotion from Riker to see if his words are sincere.
- • Maintain control of the interaction while allowing vulnerability to surface.
- • That people often hide behind lines and need coaxing to reveal truth.
- • That invitation is distinct from guarantee; a friendly response does not equal surrender.
- • That dreams and romantic idealism carry both power and danger.
Nervous and uncertain on the surface, hopeful and thirsty for a template beneath; embarrassed by the contrived demonstration but eager to learn.
Sits with Riker at the bar, nervously asks how to approach a romantic encounter, stands off to the side to watch Riker's live demonstration, and lightly taps Guinan when the performance feels uncomfortably theatrical.
- • Learn a reliable way to start a romantic conversation.
- • Gain confidence and social guidance from an experienced mentor.
- • Avoid public humiliation while trying to improve.
- • That social skills can be taught through example.
- • That a rehearsed line might solve interpersonal uncertainty.
- • That Riker's experience is trustworthy and actionable.
Playful and instructive outwardly; underneath, exposed and guarded—using performance to test his own sincerity and fear of emotional risk.
Recruits Guinan for a staged date, physically sits beside her to demonstrate an opening line, alternates between theatrical bravado and sincere confession, and smiles with relief when Guinan responds positively.
- • Teach Wesley an effective opening line and social stance.
- • Model genuine vulnerability so Wesley can learn authenticity.
- • Gauge Guinan's reaction to determine if sincerity is received as such.
- • That a well-chosen line can open emotional doors.
- • That demonstrating courage will help Wesley internalize it.
- • That vulnerability, while risky, can lead to real connection.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The Ten‑Forward bar functions as the staging ground and prop for the coaching exercise: Riker leans on the counter earlier, gestures from the bar to an empty nearby table, and uses the physical movement around the bar to transition the scene into a mock date that clarifies social posture and proximity.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Ten‑Forward operates as an intimate social laboratory where mentorship and flirtation play out. The flashback uses the lounge's warm informality to allow a public private lesson: a senior officer coaches a junior one within an environment that encourages candid emotional display without formal consequences.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Guinan’s ‘dreams can be dangerous’ warns that pleasurable dreams will worsen the infection."
Key Dialogue
"RIKER: "You're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy.""
"GUINAN: "There's nothing wrong with a line. It's like a knock on the door.""
"RIKER: "If you only knew how much I wanted to tell you that.""