Star Trek The Next Generation
S1E19
· Coming of Age

Remmick’s Interrogation in Picard’s Ready Room Erodes Trust

In the claustrophobic confines of Captain Picard’s ready room, Lieutenant Commander Remmick aggressively interrogates Commander Riker, insinuating discrepancies in Picard’s logs and implying a possible cover-up, thereby undermining the chain of command. Riker’s principled refusal to speculate without direct evidence reveals his loyalty and protective stance toward Picard. The tension escalates as Remmick then turns to Counselor Troi, probing the captain’s emotional and psychological fitness by dredging up past incidents like the Stargazer mind-control episode. Troi’s calm, reasoned defense contrasts with Remmick’s relentless insinuations, highlighting the clash between trust in leadership and institutional suspicion. This encounter marks a key turning point, destabilizing the Enterprise’s leadership at a moment of crisis and exposing undercurrents of paranoia within Starfleet’s investigative apparatus.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

2

Remmick confronts Riker with accusations of discrepancies in Captain Picard's logs, pressing him for answers and implying a cover-up, while Riker defends Picard and demands direct questioning of the captain.

calm to mounting tension ["Captain's Ready Room"]

Remmick escalates his interrogation by questioning Troi about Picard's emotional and psychological fitness for command, dredging up past incidents to cast doubt on Picard's stability.

neutral to suspicion ["Captain's Ready Room"]

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

3
William Riker
Commander
 primary

Caught off guard but resolutely loyal and cautious, maintaining integrity under pressure.

Riker responds with principled restraint and surprise, refusing to speculate without Picard present, embodying loyalty and protective defense of his captain amidst Remmick's accusatory inquiries.

Goals in this moment
  • • Protect Captain Picard’s reputation and command integrity.
  • • Avoid providing unsubstantiated answers without direct evidence or Picard's presence.
Active beliefs
  • • Picard deserves direct confrontation, not speculation.
  • • Protecting the chain of command is paramount.
Character traits
principled loyal surprised steadfast
Follow William Riker's journey
Deanna Troi
Counselor
 primary

Composed and confident, subtly resistant to Remmick’s insinuations.

Troi stands firm and calm, offering a reasoned defense of Picard’s emotional and psychological health, specifically contextualizing the Stargazer incident as an external manipulation rather than a lapse.

Goals in this moment
  • • Defend Captain Picard’s psychological fitness and reputation.
  • • Counteract Remmick’s insinuations with factual, empathetic context.
Active beliefs
  • • Picard’s mental fitness is intact despite past incidents.
  • • External factors, not Picard’s failings, explain past anomalies.
Character traits
calm reasoned loyal supportive
Follow Deanna Troi's journey
Dexter Remmick
Lieutenant Commander
 primary

Coldly interrogative with an undercurrent of suspicion and determination to expose potential wrongdoing.

Remmick dominates the interrogation, seated authoritatively at Picard's desk, aggressively questioning Riker about supposed discrepancies in Picard's logs and pressing Troi on the captain's psychological fitness, his tone accusatory and unyielding.

Goals in this moment
  • • Uncover evidence of falsification or cover-up in Picard's logs.
  • • Undermine confidence in Picard's command by probing his psychological fitness.
Active beliefs
  • • Captain Picard may be concealing important information.
  • • Institutional oversight must expose and correct leadership flaws.
Character traits
relentless accusatory authoritative suspicious
Follow Dexter Remmick's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Mind-Altering Machine

The mind-altering machine is referenced by Troi as a crucial exculpatory factor explaining the Stargazer incident, serving as a narrative device to defend Picard's mental fitness and rebut Remmick’s insinuations of instability.

Before: Unseen, referenced as part of past events impacting …
After: Remains an unseen but pivotal element invoked to …
Before: Unseen, referenced as part of past events impacting Picard.
After: Remains an unseen but pivotal element invoked to refute accusations.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Captain's Ready Room

The Captain's Ready Room serves as a claustrophobic and charged setting for this interrogation, its dim lighting and official furnishings amplifying the tension and underscoring the isolation of Picard’s leadership under siege.

Atmosphere Tense, claustrophobic, with an oppressive undercurrent of institutional suspicion and personal loyalty in conflict.
Function Private yet confrontational meeting place where trust and authority are tested.
Symbolism Embodies the fragile sanctity of command and the battleground of internal power struggles.
Access Restricted to senior officers and authorized personnel only.
Dim lighting casting shadows that heighten tension Sparse, formal furnishings reinforcing official authority Close quarters intensifying interpersonal conflict

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

No narrative connections mapped yet

This event is currently isolated in the narrative graph

Key Dialogue

"REMMICK: There are several seeming discrepancies in the captain's log. Let's go over them, one by one, shall we?"
"RIKER: If you want to discuss anything about Captain Picard, bring him in here and ask him face to face."
"REMMICK: Do you believe the captain is emotionally and psychologically fit for command of this starship? There is nothing in his history or his personality that might suggest... mental lapses?"
"TROI: He was being controlled by a mind-altering machine, Commander. Without his knowledge."
"REMMICK: I would say that was a mental lapse."