Star Trek The Next Generation
S3E8
· The Price

Wesley Seeks Counsel; Troi's Fatigue Shows

Wesley intercepts a visibly exhausted Deanna Troi in a corridor and, despite her attempt to mask fatigue, pours out a small but urgent domestic crisis: his mother forbids him from staying overnight at a Holodeck Four party. Troi listens in her professional role, but her weariness — a residue of earlier, emotionally draining encounters — makes her responses quieter and more fragile than usual. The exchange functions as a quiet setup: it humanizes Troi, exposes the strain on her objectivity, and contrasts petty adolescent trouble with the larger diplomatic tensions building aboard the Enterprise.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

Wesley notices the exhausted Troi and approaches her in the corridor, initiating a conversation about his problem.

neutral to concern ['corridor']

Troi masks her fatigue and turns to address Wesley, showing her professional demeanor despite her tired state.

concern to professional attentiveness ['corridor']

Wesley reveals his conflict with his mother regarding an overnight party on Holodeck Four, seeking Troi's counsel.

professional attentiveness to concern for Wesley's situation

Troi listens patiently as Wesley elaborates on his issue, demonstrating her role as a counselor.

concern to patient attentiveness

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

2
Wesley Crusher
Acting Ensign
 primary

Anxious and upset with a streak of indignation; eager for an adult ally and validation that his mother's prohibition is unreasonable.

Wesley sees Troi, moves through the corridor to intercept her, speaks urgently and emotionally about his mother's refusal to allow an overnight at Holodeck Four, seeking sympathy, validation, and possibly intervention.

Goals in this moment
  • • Persuade Troi to listen, sympathize, and possibly support or intervene on his behalf.
  • • Relieve his immediate emotional frustration by gaining adult approval and understanding.
Active beliefs
  • • His mother's decision is unfair and should be challenged or mediated.
  • • An empathetic, trusted adult like Troi can influence or at least validate his position.
Character traits
earnest frustrated youthful seeking-approval vulnerable
Follow Wesley Crusher's journey
Deanna Troi
Counselor
 primary

Professionally attentive but emotionally drained; her weariness makes her responses quieter and more fragile than usual while she keeps clinical composure.

Troi walks the corridor visibly tired, deliberately removes the mark of fatigue, stops, turns to Wesley, listens patiently and responds in subdued, restrained tones while managing personal depletion.

Goals in this moment
  • • Provide a calm, professional hearing and counsel to Wesley despite personal fatigue.
  • • Maintain appropriate boundaries so her exhaustion doesn't compromise judgment or over-involve her in adolescent family disputes.
Active beliefs
  • • Even seemingly petty personal problems are meaningful and deserve empathetic listening.
  • • She must not let her own emotional depletion influence her advice or professional role.
Character traits
professional patient guarded weary empathic restraint
Follow Deanna Troi's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Holodeck Four

Holodeck Four is cited by Wesley as the site of the party and the focal point of his conflict; its status as a recreational space where kids gather overnight is the narrative source of the dispute and contrasts with the corridor's solitude where the conversation happens.

Atmosphere Recreational and lively in memory/expectation (the party), contrasted with the corridor's quiet and private tone …
Function Referenced location and cause of conflict — the contested venue whose overnight use prompts Wesley's …
Symbolism Represents adolescent freedom and communal intimacy that clashes with parental rules; symbolically contrasts the private …
Selectable synthetic scenery and a muted hum of ship systems during parties. Associated distant music and conversation when in use, implying warmth and communal atmosphere Wesley wishes to join.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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Key Dialogue

"WESLEY: "Counselor Troi... ?""
"TROI: "Yes, Wesley...""
"WESLEY: "Can I talk to you a minute... I have a real problem with my mother.""
"WESLEY (O.S.): "She's being completely unreasonable... see there's a party on Holodeck Four tonight... and all the other kids are staying overnight... well, most of them and...""