Fabula
S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Outrageous Okona
S2E4
· Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Outrageous Okona

Okona's Existential Banter with Data

While being escorted by Data through the Enterprise corridors, the rogue Captain Okona engages the android in a probing conversation about human experiences like humor and intoxication. His witty yet existential questions—delivered with playful charm—highlight Data's literal processing and earnest attempts to understand emotional concepts. The exchange culminates in Okona abruptly abandoning Data mid-conversation to rendezvous with crewmember B.G. Robinson, leaving Data visibly perplexed at both the joke's failure and human spontaneity. This moment serves as a catalyst for Data's later humor exploration with Guinan while subtly showcasing Okona's strategic use of charm to navigate the ship.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Walking together, Okona quizzes Data about sensations (cold, warm, drunk, love); Data runs diagnostics and concedes surprising adaptability (possible intoxication), exposing the android's literal-mindedness and Okona's patient, teasing attempt to map human experience onto an artificial intelligence.

curiosity to clinical revelation ['corridor (Data slightly in lead)']

Okona attempts a joke and finds Data unable to grasp humor; after a brief lexical exchange about 'joke' versus 'funny', Okona slips into B.G. Robinson's ready doorway, leaving Data bewildered and underlining Okona's effect on others and Data's ongoing quest to understand humanity.

playful instruction to puzzled isolation ["C-929 (B.G. Robinson's quarters)"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
B.G. Robinson
Transporter Chief
 primary

Sensuous and welcoming

Welcomes Okona at the designated rendezvous point, smiling sensually as the door slides shut behind him.

Goals in this moment
  • • Meet with Okona as planned
  • • Maintain discretion
Active beliefs
  • • Personal desires can coexist with professional duties
  • • Okona's charm is worth the risk
Character traits
Sensual Welcoming Expectant
Follow B.G. Robinson's journey
Thadiun Okona
Captain
 primary

Playfully provocative with underlying melancholy

Engages Data in a philosophical discussion about human experiences, culminating in a failed joke attempt before abruptly leaving for his rendezvous with B.G. Robinson.

Goals in this moment
  • • Test Data's understanding of human experiences
  • • Navigate the Enterprise to reach his rendezvous with B.G. Robinson
Active beliefs
  • • Human experiences like humor and intoxication hold deeper meaning
  • • His charm can navigate any situation
Character traits
Charismatic Philosophical Playful Strategic
Follow Thadiun Okona's journey
Data
Second Officer
 primary

Confused but eager to understand

Attempts to comprehend Okona's questions about human experiences and fails to understand his joke, left perplexed at Okona's abrupt departure.

Goals in this moment
  • • Accurately answer Okona's questions
  • • Understand human humor
Active beliefs
  • • Human experiences can be rationally explained
  • • Proper definitions should match lived experiences
Character traits
Logical Literal Earnest Perplexed
Follow Data's journey

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Corridor Outside Sickbay

The sterile, precise environment of the Enterprise corridor serves as the backdrop for Okona and Data's philosophical discussion, its clinical atmosphere contrasting with the emotional and existential nature of their conversation.

Atmosphere Clinical and orderly, with an undercurrent of tension from the unconventional conversation
Function Transition space for conversation and character development
Symbolism Represents the structured world of Starfleet that Okona's philosophy challenges
Access Open to crewmembers and escorted guests
Polished walls reflecting Starfleet precision Overhead lighting strips casting clinical brightness
C Deck

The neutral space of C Deck provides just enough privacy for Okona's rendezvous with B.G. Robinson, away from the scrutiny of command centers or public areas.

Atmosphere Discreet with an air of anticipation
Function Covert meeting point
Symbolism Represents the boundary between Starfleet discipline and personal desires
Access Accessible to crewmembers and escorted guests
Soft illumination panels Echoing footsteps in the corridor

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What this causes 4
Causal

"Okona's failed joke with Data sharpens Data's awareness of his deficiency, prompting Guinan to confront Data about his inability to laugh."

Guinan Confronts Data's Emotional Blindspot
S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Emotional Echo

"The early beat of Data's confusion about jokes echoes forward into the resolution where Data, having pursued understanding, finally provokes laughter—completing his mini-arc."

A Fond Farewell to the Rogue
S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Emotional Echo

"The early beat of Data's confusion about jokes echoes forward into the resolution where Data, having pursued understanding, finally provokes laughter—completing his mini-arc."

A Rogue's Fond Farewell - With A Punchline
S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …
Emotional Echo

"The early beat of Data's confusion about jokes echoes forward into the resolution where Data, having pursued understanding, finally provokes laughter—completing his mini-arc."

Data's Unintentionally Perfect Punchline
S2E4 · Star Trek: The Next Generation …

Key Dialogue

"OKONA: Life is like loading twice your cargo weight on your spacecraft... if it's canaries and you can keep half of them flying all the time, you're all right."
"DATA: I still do not understand."
"OKONA: You don't know what a joke is? DATA: A joke is an antic, a caper, mischief, prank, trick, quip, witticism. OKONA: That's the dictionary meaning. I'm talking about humor, fun. Do you know what 'funny' is?"