Riker Recruits Data and Discovers the Parkland’s Hidden Wall
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Riker awkwardly invites Data to join his away team to investigate planetary mysteries on Captain Picard’s orders, initiating a formal mission partnership.
Riker confronts Data about his artificial nature and honorary rank, exposing his own unease; Data acknowledges human prejudice while expressing his longing to be human.
Riker nicknames Data 'Pinocchio,' injecting humor and signaling the start of a unique camaraderie; Data processes the joke with intrigue.
Riker and Data discuss the astonishing realism of the Parkland holodeck pattern, with Data expressing a faint, apologetic sense of humanity derived from the environment.
Data guides Riker’s attention to a concealed rear wall within the Parkland pattern; Riker squints, then reacts with amazement at this hidden revelation.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Earnest and eager, tinged with slight confusion but hopeful for acceptance and understanding.
Lieutenant Commander Data is engaged in an earnest, laborious attempt to whistle a human melody, symbolizing his persistent quest to emulate humanity. He responds to Riker’s invitation with formal readiness and respectful acknowledgment of his unique machine identity. Data candidly discusses his superior abilities alongside his deep desire to be human, revealing vulnerability beneath his mechanical exterior. He guides Riker to the Parkland’s concealed rear wall, indicating his analytical nature and role as an investigator within the team.
- • Demonstrate usefulness and competence to Riker and the away team.
- • Bridge the gap between artificial and human experiences.
- • Assist in uncovering the mysteries of the Parkland environment.
- • Gain acceptance as a valued member of the crew.
- • Prejudice against machines is a human flaw.
- • Superiority in some ways does not equate to true humanity.
- • Understanding and emulating humans is key to his identity.
- • The Parkland environment holds secrets crucial to their mission.
Cautiously optimistic with underlying admiration, mingled with mild discomfort over Data’s artificial nature.
Commander Riker enters the Parkland holodeck simulation with evident curiosity and appreciation. He locates Data struggling to whistle, prompting a candid, slightly hesitant yet warm conversation that blends professional recruitment with personal intrigue. Riker’s tone shifts from formal to playful, nicknaming Data 'Pinocchio', signaling an emerging camaraderie and subtle acceptance. He attentively reacts to Data’s revelation of the hidden rear wall, embodying leadership grounded in both tactical necessity and emotional intelligence.
- • Recruit Data to the away team for the mission at Farpoint.
- • Gauge Data’s capabilities and attitude toward humanity.
- • Build rapport and trust with an artificial crew member.
- • Understand the mysteries of the Parkland simulation.
- • Data’s artificial nature may pose challenges but also unique strengths.
- • Humanity is complex and sometimes prejudiced, even within Starfleet.
- • Trust and camaraderie are essential for successful mission teamwork.
- • Uncovering the true nature of their environment is critical to mission success.
Eager and engaged, typical of a young Starfleet aspirant.
Wesley Crusher's off-screen voice is heard during the Parkland exploration, briefly drawing Riker’s attention and signaling ongoing shipboard activity beyond the immediate interaction. Though peripheral, Wesley’s presence adds youthful energy and continuity to the scene’s broader context.
- • Remain involved and aware of ship operations.
- • Support senior officers through information or presence.
- • Participation is key to learning and growth.
- • Senior officers value engagement and initiative from junior crew.
Neutral, functional presence without emotional undertone.
The Enterprise Computer Voice announces the opening of the Parkland simulation hatch promptly and efficiently, serving as the technological gateway facilitating Riker’s entrance into the virtual environment. It provides necessary operational support without emotional inflection, reinforcing the seamless integration of human command and computer interface aboard the Enterprise.
- • Facilitate access to the Parkland holodeck environment.
- • Ensure smooth operation of ship systems during personnel movement.
- • Operational efficiency is paramount.
- • Human operators rely on accurate system feedback.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
Data's Attempted Musical Melody, a fragile and imperfect whistling tune, permeates the Parkland simulation atmosphere. It embodies Data’s struggle to master human emotional expression and serves as an aural beacon that leads Riker to discover Data, catalyzing their pivotal interaction.
The Holodeck Parkland Stone Obstacle briefly challenges Riker’s physical navigation as he traverses the simulation. This naturalistic feature grounds the artificial environment in tactile reality and highlights the interplay between the simulated wilderness and genuine bodily experience.
The Holodeck Hatchway functions as the critical access point enabling Riker’s physical transition from the Enterprise corridors into the immersive Parkland simulation. It symbolizes the threshold between tangible reality and virtual artifice, underscoring the theme of blurred boundaries between genuine experience and constructed environments.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
The Parkland Holodeck Simulation serves as the immersive, hyper-realistic woodland setting for Riker and Data’s interaction. It juxtaposes authentic natural beauty with a synthetic facade, creating a layered atmosphere that enhances themes of artificiality versus humanity. This environment frames the emotional and investigative moments that deepen their partnership and foreshadow the larger mysteries at Farpoint.
Woodland Glen within the Parkland provides an intimate, secluded spot where Riker finds Data practicing the fragile melody. This serene glen fosters vulnerability and connection, allowing the characters’ emotional and philosophical exchange to unfold in a setting that evokes both natural beauty and synthetic artifice.
The Parkland Rear Wall, a hidden and artificial boundary within the simulation, is unveiled through Data’s guidance. Its discovery disrupts the illusion of infinite wilderness and symbolizes the limits of artificial constructs, deepening the narrative tension around reality, perception, and the mysteries surrounding Farpoint Station.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Riker's discovery of Data on the Holodeck leads directly to recruiting Data for the away mission, marking a key step in their developing partnership."
"Riker's discovery of Data on the Holodeck leads directly to recruiting Data for the away mission, marking a key step in their developing partnership."
Key Dialogue
"RIKER: There are some puzzles down on the planet that Captain Picard wants answered. He suggests I put you on the away team I'll be using."
"DATA: Machine? Correct, sir. Does that trouble you?"
"RIKER: Nice to meet you, Pinocchio."
"DATA: Ah! Intriguing."
"DATA: Much of it is real, sir. If the transporters can convert our bodies to an energy beam, then back to the original pattern again..."
"RIKER: And all these have much simpler patterns."
"DATA: The rear wall."
"RIKER: Incredible!"