Star Trek The Next Generation
S1E8
· Lonely Among Us

Picard Beams Away Amidst Crewman's Revival

In the transporter room, Captain Picard discovers an unconscious crewman who begins to stir, offering a fleeting moment of hope amid the escalating crisis. Without hesitation, Picard configures the transporter controls and swiftly beams himself away from the Enterprise. This decisive, abrupt departure marks a critical turning point, signaling Picard’s deepening transformation and physical withdrawal from the ship as the crew grapples with an unfathomable threat taking hold of their captain.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

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Picard notices a crewman lying unconscious and feels relief as the crewman begins to stir; he sets the transporter panel and swiftly ascends to the platform, triggering the transporter sequence that beams him away from the Enterprise.

relief to determined action ['Transporter Room']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

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Jean-Luc Picard
Captain
 primary

Relieved at the crewman’s stirring but overshadowed by urgency and a growing sense of isolation; internally conflicted yet resolute in action.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard enters the Transporter Room and discovers a crewman lying unconscious but beginning to stir. Feeling a measure of relief, he immediately sets the transporter panel controls and steps onto the platform, initiating his own transport away from the Enterprise, signaling a decisive withdrawal.

Goals in this moment
  • • Ensure the crewman’s survival or recovery
  • • Remove himself swiftly from the current crisis aboard the Enterprise
Active beliefs
  • • The situation aboard the Enterprise has become untenable for him
  • • His departure is necessary either for survival or to confront the unfolding threat
Character traits
decisive relieved pragmatic authoritative
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

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USS Enterprise Transporter Platform

The transporter panel serves as the critical control interface through which Picard sets the parameters for his transport away from the Enterprise. This interaction is swift and purposeful, enabling the activation of the transporter platform and the ensuing beam-out effect.

Before: At default or prior setting, awaiting user input.
After: Configured specifically for Picard’s transport, initiating his beam-out.
Before: At default or prior setting, awaiting user input.
After: Configured specifically for Picard’s transport, initiating his beam-out.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

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USS Enterprise Transporter Room 4

USS Enterprise Transporter Room 4 acts as the critical stage for this event, hosting the unfolding drama of a crewman’s stirring and Picard’s sudden departure. The room’s charged but contained environment amplifies the tension between hope and urgency, symbolizing the fragile threshold between safety and the unknown as Picard physically withdraws from his command.

Atmosphere Tense and charged with quiet urgency, underscored by the ominous hum and sudden activation of …
Function Operational gateway facilitating rapid personnel transport, here serving as the site of Picard’s decisive exit.
Symbolism Represents the liminal space between crisis management and personal escape, embodying Picard’s growing detachment.
Access Restricted to authorized personnel during transporter operation; controlled environment.
Low ambient lighting punctuated by glowing transporter panel The distinctive, resonant transporter sound signaling active transport The shimmering visual transporter effect enveloping Picard

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

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