Fabula
S2E9 · The Measure of a Man
S2E9
· The Measure of a Man

Near Miss, Quiet Reconciliation

Riker, racked by guilt after being forced to prosecute Data, sits alone in the dark and confesses that he came "this close" to winning—an admission that he nearly caused Data's death. Data approaches without accusation and reframes Riker's agony as a moral lesson: sometimes one must deny personal belief to protect another. By acknowledging Riker's sacrifice, thanking him, and returning his touch, Data converts Riker's torment into shared understanding. The scene functions as an emotional repair and quiet turning point, deepening their bond and underscoring Data's growing grasp of human intimacy.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Riker broods in darkness, staring through the windows as stars streak by; Data enters and breaks the silence but Riker refuses to engage, establishing isolation and raw emotional damage.

despair to tentative engagement

Data probes Riker's silence, prompting Riker to confess he 'came this close' to winning and, in doing so, nearly cost Data his life—Riker physically measures the narrow margin with his fingers, making his regret painfully concrete.

resignation to crushing guilt

Data reframes Riker's sacrifice as a lesson learned—one must sometimes deny oneself to save another—then offers gratitude and companionship; Riker and Data clasp hands and shoulders, converting anguish into mutual understanding and emotional repair.

anguish to consolation and reconciliation

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Data
Second Officer
 primary

Composed and reflective; quietly grateful and appreciative, demonstrating empathy while processing the ethical dimensions of what happened.

Enters the lounge calmly, not reproachful; informs Riker of the Holodeck celebration, sits opposite him, reframes Riker's action as morally instructive, thanks him for the sacrifice, accepts Riker's touch and returns the gesture of friendship.

Goals in this moment
  • • To reassure Riker that his painful choice had moral value and was not wasted.
  • • To acknowledge the cost borne by Riker and to preserve their friendship and trust.
  • • To articulate a moral lesson that helps both of them move forward.
Active beliefs
  • • That Riker’s prosecution, while injuring Riker, also functioned to protect Data from a worse institutional outcome.
  • • That the denial of one’s personal preference can sometimes be the morally correct act to protect another.
  • • That human gestures (touch, thanks) contribute to learning and to the social fabric of personhood.
Character traits
calm compassionate analytical grateful curious about human morality
Follow Data's journey
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Crushing remorse and self-recrimination on the surface, seeking absolution and human connection; visibly raw and desperate for forgiveness.

Sits alone in darkness staring out at the stars, refuses to join the Holodeck celebration, admits he nearly 'won' and nearly cost Data his life, physically reaches for Data, takes his hand and engages in a reconciliatory squeeze and handshake.

Goals in this moment
  • • To confess and unburden himself of the guilt over prosecuting Data.
  • • To seek reconciliation and emotional repair with Data, restoring personal trust.
  • • To acknowledge responsibility so that the moral cost of his choice is known.
Active beliefs
  • • That his prosecution nearly resulted in Data's death and that this knowledge must be owned.
  • • That admitting fault and showing vulnerability is the right path to repair their friendship.
  • • That institutional pressure (e.g., Captain Louvois) constrained his choices and produced moral harm.
Character traits
agonized guilt-ridden vulnerable self-sacrificing honest
Follow William Riker's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Holodeck Main Entrance

The Holodeck (referenced via its Entrance) functions indirectly as the off-screen locus of celebration and normal social life—what Riker feels excluded from—providing a counterpoint to the lounge’s quiet and underscoring his self-imposed exile.

Atmosphere Externally festive and noisy (muffled music implied), but physically separated and inaccessible from the lounge's …
Function Implied alternative setting where life continues; a narrative foil that highlights Riker’s isolation and the …
Symbolism Symbolizes communal joy and normalcy that Riker feels barred from because of his moral wound; …
Access Operational and open to crew for celebration; functionally closed to Riker in this moment because …
Muffled music and celebration heard off-screen Heavy duranium doors implied to separate spaces The Holodeck's noise serving as an audible counterpoint to the lounge's silence
Observation Lounge (USS Enterprise-D)

The Observation Lounge is the intimate, dimly lit setting where the private, emotional exchange unfolds. Its enclosed geometry and the view of rushing stars frame Riker’s isolation and provide a quiet refuge for confession and reconciliation.

Atmosphere Somber, intimate, tension-softened by darkness; a hushed space thick with remorse and understated tenderness.
Function Sanctuary for private reflection and emotional repair between two officers; a place removed from formal …
Symbolism Represents moral isolation and the interior fallout of institutional decisions; also becomes the site of …
Access Functionally private at this moment—Riker is alone and the space serves as a personal refuge; …
Darkness with stars rushing past visible through windows Quiet hum of ship systems, absence of other voices A single chair where Riker sits and the nearby seating where Data sits opposite Contrast between distant Holodeck celebration and the lounge's hush

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 3
Emotional Echo

"Riker's act of powering Data down haunts him and directly sets up the intimate reconciliation where Data reframes Riker's sacrifice and they repair their bond."

Turning Off the Witness
S2E9 · The Measure of a Man
Emotional Echo

"Riker's act of powering Data down haunts him and directly sets up the intimate reconciliation where Data reframes Riker's sacrifice and they repair their bond."

The Machine Demonstration — Riker Turns Data Off
S2E9 · The Measure of a Man
Emotional Echo

"Riker's act of powering Data down haunts him and directly sets up the intimate reconciliation where Data reframes Riker's sacrifice and they repair their bond."

The Switch: Riker Powers Data Down
S2E9 · The Measure of a Man

Part of Larger Arcs

William T. Riker's interpersonal crisis: duty-bound prosecution (role assigned by Starfleet/JAG) forces him to act against a close friend (Data), producing moral rupture and eventual remorse/reconciliation.

Key Dialogue

"RIKER: "No, God, no. Data, I came this close to winning.""
"RIKER: "I could have cost you your life!""
"DATA: "That at times one must deny their nature, sacrifice their own personal beliefs to protect another. Is it not true that had you refused to prosecute, Captain Louvois would have ruled summarily against me?""
"DATA: "That action injured you, and saved me. I will not forget.""
"RIKER: "You're a wise man, my friend.""