Data's Failed Comedic Experiment
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Data joins the group beaming, announces triumph in his long quest to find the perfect joke, and reports his exhaustive bibliographic search—turning a light social moment into a showcase of his obsession.
All eyes pivot to Data as he prepares to deliver the anecdote; he throws back his head and emits his peculiar, stilted laugh — which cuts off too abruptly, a mechanical interruption that moves the room from eager to uneasy.
Data delivers the punchline about the birds, expecting uproarious laughter; instead the table stays stone-faced, Geordi emits a small groan, and the joke collapses into silence, exposing a social disconnect.
Guinan pronounces the joke bone-chilling, Geordi pats a perplexed Data and exits the bar, and Data registers surprise and confusion as the group recoils—leaving him isolated and highlighting his persistent difficulty with human humor.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Amused exasperation masking deeper concern
Delivers the killing blow to Data's joke with theatrical shivering, her critique wrapped in affectionate bluntness.
- • Prevent future social disasters through direct feedback
- • Maintain Ten-Forward's convivial atmosphere
- • Authenticity trumps artificial politeness
- • Failures teach better than successes
Visibly uncomfortable collective hesitation
Silent witnesses amplifying the awkwardness through exchanged glances and frozen expressions, serving as audience-surrogates.
- • Navigate social discomfort without offense
- • Support group dynamics through nonverbal cues
- • Silence is safest in awkward moments
- • Hierarchy discourages honest feedback
Initial euphoric confidence collapsing into bewildered vulnerability
Eagerly delivers a meticulously analyzed joke with mechanical precision, radiating confidence that shatters into visible confusion when met with silence.
- • Achieve social validation through humor
- • Demonstrate mastery of human interaction
- • Humor can be perfectly optimized through data analysis
- • Humans will logically appreciate statistically superior jokes
Conflicted between empathy and visceral discomfort
Transitions from savoring Thurasian rainwater to frozen politeness during Data's joke, her empathic senses overwhelmed by social awkwardness.
- • Model appropriate social engagement
- • Mitigate Data's social misstep
- • Emotional intelligence can't be replicated mechanically
- • Compassion requires gentle honesty
Amused tolerance shifting to acute discomfort
Politely engages with Data's joke attempt before making a strategic exit, his shoulder pat conveying pity more than comfort.
- • Maintain social harmony
- • Avoid embarrassing Data further
- • Direct criticism would damage Data's confidence
- • Some social nuances can't be taught
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Geordi's empty glass mirrors his emotional withdrawal—a prop surrendered when social lubrication fails, its condensation evaporating as the atmosphere turns awkward.
Troi's now-empty glass stands as a stark contrast—its former contents having delivered legitimate euphoria while Data's joke produces only discomfort, visually representing the gap between authentic and artificial pleasure.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Ten-Forward's convivial atmosphere curdles into frozen discomfort during Data's misfired joke, the panoramic stars outside underscoring the vastness of what he fails to comprehend.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Data's persistent social awkwardness and mechanical interruptions in Ten-Forward (early marker of altered affect) connects to Troi's later finding of two personalities—showing the continuity from small behavioral oddities to a full psychological diagnosis."
"Data's persistent social awkwardness and mechanical interruptions in Ten-Forward (early marker of altered affect) connects to Troi's later finding of two personalities—showing the continuity from small behavioral oddities to a full psychological diagnosis."
"Data's persistent social awkwardness and mechanical interruptions in Ten-Forward (early marker of altered affect) connects to Troi's later finding of two personalities—showing the continuity from small behavioral oddities to a full psychological diagnosis."
Key Dialogue
"GUINAN: Data honey, I don't think it would've helped. That joke chilled my blood."
"DATA: You did not find it wildly hilarious?"
"GEORDI: What do you think?"