S1E21

Data Destroys Riker’s Lucinium Prison, Renewing Hope

Data, having deduced the precise method to break Riker's seemingly impenetrable lucinium encasement, carefully calibrates his phaser and fires a targeted shot that disintegrates the crystalline prison in a cascade of light. As Riker collapses, fragile but alive, Data immediately scans him, confirming the restoration of vital signs. Tasha Yar’s return and visible relief underscore the critical nature of this breakthrough, marking a pivotal reversal in the away team’s fortunes. This moment shifts the trajectory from despair to renewed determination, enabling the team to press onward against Minos’s lethal defenses.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

Data discovers the method to break Riker's lucinium encasement, fires his phaser strategically, and shatters the casing, freeing Riker who collapses exhausted.

tension to relief ["planet Minos surface, near Riker's trapped …

Riker stirs as Data scans his vital signs, confirming his recovery; Tasha expresses relief and readiness to proceed with extraction.

relief to cautious optimism ["immediate area near Riker's freed position …

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

Tasha Yar

Lieutenant (Chief of Security)

primary

Relieved and cautiously optimistic

Tasha Yar returns to the scene, methodically searching for other team members before witnessing Data’s successful freeing of Riker. Her verbal and visible relief underscores the critical nature of the moment and her concern for the team’s welfare.

Goals in this moment

• Locate other missing team members
• Facilitate safe extraction of the team

Active beliefs

• Team safety is paramount
• Geordi will coordinate the extraction successfully

Character traits

alert pragmatic concerned relieved

Follow Tasha Yar's journey

Data

Second Officer

primary

Calm and focused with underlying relief upon successful rescue

Data carefully adjusts and calibrates his phaser, then fires a precise shot that disintegrates the lucinium encasement imprisoning Riker. He immediately follows this by scanning Riker’s vital signs with a tricorder, confirming his recovery. Throughout, Data exhibits calm precision and technical mastery.

Goals in this moment

• Free Riker from the lucinium prison promptly
• Ensure Riker’s vital signs are stable after extraction

Active beliefs

• Riker’s survival is critical to the away team’s success
• Precision and technical expertise are necessary to overcome technological threats

Character traits

focused methodical calm under pressure decisive

Follow Data's journey

William Riker

Commander

primary

Weak and exhausted but cautiously hopeful

Riker, previously incapacitated and trapped within the lucinium crystalline prison, collapses weakly as it disintegrates but begins to stir, signaling hope and partial recovery. His simple call of 'Data' reflects trust and dependence on his crewmates.

Goals in this moment

• Regain full consciousness and strength
• Rely on his team for extraction and safety

Active beliefs

• His survival depends on the skills of his team
• Trust in Data and the away team is paramount

Character traits

resilient trusting vulnerable

Follow William Riker's journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

Phaser Blast Explosion

The phaser is expertly calibrated and utilized by Data to deliver a precise energy blast that causes the lucinium crystalline prison to disintegrate. It represents the technological tool that overcomes a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, enabling Riker’s rescue.

Before: Phaser held by Data, calibrated but not yet …

After: Phaser discharged, energy spent in the disintegration shot, …

Before: Phaser held by Data, calibrated but not yet fired, ready for precise engagement

After: Phaser discharged, energy spent in the disintegration shot, retained by Data

Data's Tricorder

Data uses a tricorder immediately following Riker’s release to scan and verify the restoration of vital signs, providing crucial medical diagnostics that inform the team of Riker’s condition.

Before: In possession of Data, ready for medical scanning

After: In use actively scanning Riker’s vitals, then held …

Before: In possession of Data, ready for medical scanning

After: In use actively scanning Riker’s vitals, then held post-scan

Lucinium Containment Trap Cube

The lucinium crystalline prison functions as the physical and symbolic obstacle imprisoning Riker. Its disintegration marks a pivotal moment of liberation from lethal technological entrapment on Minos.

Before: Intact and fully enclosing Riker, shimmering with a …

After: Disintegrated into a shower of light and fragmented …

Before: Intact and fully enclosing Riker, shimmering with a translucent crystalline sheen

After: Disintegrated into a shower of light and fragmented particles, no longer confining Riker

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 6

Causal

"Riker's entrapment in the cube directly leads to Data's strategic actions to free him, maintaining the away team's ability to continue the mission."

Away Team Encounters Deceptive Surveillance and Traps on Minos