Fabula
S1E20 · Heart of Glory

Geordi’s VISOR Transmits Alien Perception, Revealing Danger and Data’s Aura

In the dimly lit, battle-scarred corridor of the Batris, Geordi activates his VISOR’s unique transmitter, sharing his complex, fragmented sensory perspective directly with the Enterprise bridge crew. Captain Picard and the crew grapple with understanding Geordi’s simultaneous overload of sensory data, gaining unprecedented empathy for his experience and noticing a distinctive visual aura surrounding Data, underscoring his android nature. Meanwhile, Riker and the away team navigate the escalating physical dangers of the corridor—damaged bulkheads, toxic deuterium gas, and an imminent hull breach—relying on Data’s resilience to scout ahead. The transmission abruptly fails just as the team approaches Engineering, amplifying the tension. This event deepens the crew’s understanding of Geordi’s perception and Data’s otherness, while simultaneously raising the stakes through the foreboding ship damage and life-sign readings. It functions as both a thematic revelation about perception and a crucial narrative turning point escalating the mission’s peril.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

The away team beams into the dimly lit, battle-damaged corridor of the Batris, scanning the wreckage with tension as Geordi steps aside to initiate a unique visual transmission to the Enterprise bridge.

tense anticipation to cautious engagement ['dimly lit corridor with charred walls …

Geordi activates his VISOR transmitter, streaming his complex visual perspective to the bridge; Picard and crew react with astonishment and newfound empathy as they experience the chaotic, overwhelming sensory input.

curiosity to profound understanding ['Enterprise bridge']

Picard questions the nature of Geordi's perception, probing how he filters chaotic sensory input; Geordi explains through analogy, deepening Picard's appreciation of his experience.

confusion to clarity ['Enterprise bridge']

Picard directs Geordi to look at Data through the VISOR perspective, noting an aura around the android; Geordi confirms the difference, while Data and Riker grow impatient with the extended exchange.

fascination to impatience ['Enterprise bridge', 'Batris corridor (remote view)']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

5

Astonished and empathetic, with a growing respect for Geordi’s experience coupled with concern for the away team’s safety.

Captain Picard commands from the Enterprise bridge, attentively watching Geordi's transmitted sensory data on the Main Viewer. He expresses astonishment and empathy, striving to comprehend Geordi's complex perception, and carefully directs the team with calm authority.

Goals in this moment
  • Understand Geordi’s sensory perspective to better support the away team.
  • Maintain command control and ensure the mission’s success and crew safety.
Active beliefs
  • Understanding crewmates’ unique abilities strengthens team cohesion.
  • Awareness of environmental dangers is critical for mission safety.
Character traits
Authoritative Empathetic Thoughtful Curious
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Composed and resolute, displaying steady focus on environmental assessment and mission objectives.

Data calmly and analytically scans the corridor environment using his tricorder, detecting toxic gas and structural fissures. He volunteers to scout ahead alone through extreme heat and toxic conditions, demonstrating determination and resilience.

Goals in this moment
  • Detect environmental threats to protect the away team.
  • Advance ahead to locate survivors and assess the compromised Engineering section.
Active beliefs
  • His android nature provides resilience to environmental dangers.
  • Detailed sensory data is critical for mission success.
Character traits
Calm Analytical Determined Resilient
Follow Data's journey

Hostile and intimidating, embodying the volatile threat to the away team and mission.

The Klingon Warriors appear as blurred, menacing figures emerging from darkness, blocking the away team’s path and heightening the immediate physical danger and cultural tension within the corridor.

Goals in this moment
  • Assert control over the corridor area.
  • Challenge the Enterprise personnel intruding on Batris.
Active beliefs
  • The corridor is contested Klingon territory.
  • Intruders must be confronted or repelled.
Character traits
Fierce Menacing Unpredictable Aggressive
Follow Worf's journey

Focused and slightly impatient, driven by urgency to complete the mission quickly but mindful of crew safety.

Commander Riker leads the away team through the perilous Batris corridor with a balance of caution and impatience. He communicates briefly with Picard’s bridge, responds to Data’s hazard reports, and pushes the team forward despite escalating risks.

Goals in this moment
  • Lead the away team safely through the hazardous corridor.
  • Locate and secure the trapped survivors beyond Engineering.
Active beliefs
  • Time is critical due to worsening ship damage.
  • Caution is necessary to avoid triggering environmental hazards.
Character traits
Decisive Cautious Impatient Protective
Follow William Riker's journey

Concentrated and composed, with moments of mild amusement reflecting comfort with his unique perception and willingness to educate others.

Geordi La Forge activates his VISOR's Visual Acuity Transmitter, streaming his sensory data to the Enterprise bridge. He maintains focus, managing the overwhelming influx of data with a slight amused detachment, explaining his sensory filtering to Picard. He also leads forward with caution in the corridor alongside Riker and Data.

Goals in this moment
  • Provide accurate sensory data to the bridge crew to enhance situational awareness.
  • Safely navigate the hazardous Batris corridor alongside the away team.
Active beliefs
  • His VISOR perception is both a gift and a challenge requiring learned control.
  • Sharing his unique sensory experience will foster greater empathy and understanding among his crewmates.
Character traits
Focused Technically adept Patient Slightly amused
Follow Geordi La …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

5
Small Belt-Mounted Phaser

The hand phasers worn by Riker, Data, Geordi, and Worf are ready and set to stun, symbolizing the team’s preparedness for hostile encounters. During this event, their cautious non-lethal readiness is emphasized, especially when phaser use is discouraged due to the risk of igniting the deuterium gas buildup.

Before: Equipped and clipped to belts of away team …
After: Still equipped and ready, phasers remain holstered as …
Before: Equipped and clipped to belts of away team members, powered on and set to stun mode.
After: Still equipped and ready, phasers remain holstered as the team advances cautiously.
Enterprise Bridge Main Viewer

The Enterprise Bridge Main Viewer displays Geordi’s VISOR sensory transmission, allowing Picard and the bridge crew to witness the chaotic and layered sensory input, including the visual aura around Data. It acts as the focal point for bridge reactions and commands during this event.

Before: Idle or showing standard bridge displays.
After: Displaying Geordi’s sensory transmission until signal loss interrupts …
Before: Idle or showing standard bridge displays.
After: Displaying Geordi’s sensory transmission until signal loss interrupts the feed.
Data's Tricorder

Data’s tricorder is used throughout the corridor to scan for environmental hazards such as toxic deuterium gas and to locate life signs. It provides crucial information that shapes the away team’s navigation decisions and risk assessment within the damaged Batris.

Before: Carried and actively used by Data to scan …
After: Remains in Data’s possession, actively monitoring conditions as …
Before: Carried and actively used by Data to scan the corridor environment.
After: Remains in Data’s possession, actively monitoring conditions as the team advances.
Jammed Door to Auxiliary Control Room

The jammed door to the Auxiliary Control Room presents a physical obstacle at the far end of the corridor. Its damaged, debris-blocked state forces the away team to attempt manual clearance, intensifying the mission's urgency and immediate threat as trapped survivors wait beyond.

Before: Blocked by torn bulkhead pieces and jammed shut.
After: Partially cleared by Data and the team, door …
Before: Blocked by torn bulkhead pieces and jammed shut.
After: Partially cleared by Data and the team, door is wedged open to access survivors.
Geordi La Forge's VISOR with Visual Acuity Transmitter

Geordi’s VISOR with the experimental Visual Acuity Transmitter is activated to stream his complex sensory perception directly to the Enterprise bridge, providing a fragmented, multi-layered visual data feed that reveals both environmental hazards and the unique aura surrounding Data. This device enables a moment of profound empathy and insight for the bridge crew but ultimately suffers signal overload, causing the transmission to abruptly fail.

Before: Activated and worn by Geordi, transmitting data to …
After: Signal overload causes transmission failure; still worn by …
Before: Activated and worn by Geordi, transmitting data to the Enterprise bridge.
After: Signal overload causes transmission failure; still worn by Geordi in the corridor.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

2
Batris Engineering Compartment / Batris Corridor / Engineering Section of Batris

The Engineering Section of the Batris is the critical objective area emitting strong life signs and intense heat. It is the next perilous zone the away team must cross, marked by escalating environmental hazards and the looming risk of hull rupture.

Atmosphere Harsh, heated, and dangerous with intense light and toxic gases.
Function Dangerous objective site that the away team must traverse to reach survivors.
Symbolism Embodies the fragility of the ship’s structural integrity and the urgency of rescue.
Access Challenging passage due to heat, toxic gas, and damaged infrastructure.
Intense glowing light from damaged ship systems. Toxic deuterium gas and rising heat levels. Fissures and damaged bulkheads signaling imminent hull breach.
Auxiliary Control Room

The Auxiliary Control Room lies sealed behind a jammed, debris-blocked door within the corridor. It conceals trapped survivors and hostile Klingons, turning it into a locus of tension and potential confrontation as the away team struggles to gain entry.

Atmosphere Oppressive, tense, and claustrophobic with flickering console lights and a stale, hazard-filled atmosphere.
Function Rescue target location harboring survivors and enemies alike.
Symbolism Represents the boundary between hope and danger, safety and violence.
Access Blocked and jammed, requiring physical clearance.
Jammed and warped door obstructed by torn bulkhead fragments. Flickering console lights within a dim, confined space. Strong life-sign readings emanating from behind the door.

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 4
Character Continuity

"Data's effort to open the jammed door and reveal Klingon survivors sets the foundation for the central conflict revolving around Worf's dual identity and the renegades."

Fractured Vision and the Looming Hull Breach
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
Character Continuity

"Data's effort to open the jammed door and reveal Klingon survivors sets the foundation for the central conflict revolving around Worf's dual identity and the renegades."

Data's Solo Traverse Reveals Hidden Klingon Survivors
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The explanation and activation of Geordi's VISOR transmitter lead directly to its usage and the bridge crew's empathetic experience."

Geordi Activates VISOR Visual Transmitter to Bridge
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"The explanation and activation of Geordi's VISOR transmitter lead directly to its usage and the bridge crew's empathetic experience."

Riker Leads Away Team into Batris with VISOR Transmitter
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
What this causes 4
Character Continuity

"Data's effort to open the jammed door and reveal Klingon survivors sets the foundation for the central conflict revolving around Worf's dual identity and the renegades."

Fractured Vision and the Looming Hull Breach
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
Character Continuity

"Data's effort to open the jammed door and reveal Klingon survivors sets the foundation for the central conflict revolving around Worf's dual identity and the renegades."

Data's Solo Traverse Reveals Hidden Klingon Survivors
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
Foreshadowing medium

"Geordi's unique VISOR perspective foreshadows the deeper exploration of perception and understanding that underpins Worf's internal conflict with Klingon identity."

Enterprise Investigates Mysterious Neutral Zone Battle
S1E20 · Heart of Glory
Foreshadowing medium

"Geordi's unique VISOR perspective foreshadows the deeper exploration of perception and understanding that underpins Worf's internal conflict with Klingon identity."

Discovery of the Damaged Batris and Away Team Assembly
S1E20 · Heart of Glory

Key Dialogue

"PICARD: "Extraordinary.""
"PICARD: "To me it's just an undefined upright form, standing in a wild visual frenzy. Can you filter out the extraneous information?""
"GEORDI: "I select what I want to see and disregard the rest.""
"PICARD: "How is that possible?""
"GEORDI: "How, in a noisy room, can you pick out one specific voice or sound?""
"PICARD: "Yes. Look over at Data.""
"PICARD: "There's an aura around Data.""
"GEORDI: "Yes, of course. He's an android.""
"RIKER: "Captain - I don't mean to break this up, but...""
"DATA: "I am detecting high levels of Deuterium gas. Probably coming from the leakage in the drive system.""
"RIKER: "Toxic?""
"DATA: "Not as yet.""
"GEORDI: "Commander, a fissure is developing in the bulkhead. The skin of the ship is losing its integrity.""
"RIKER: "How long before the hull ruptures?""
"GEORDI: "Impossible to be exact. Five minutes -- probably less.""
"PICARD: "I've lost the transmission.""
"GEORDI: "Signal overload. I'm surprised it lasted this long.""
"DATA: "I found them. The door to their compartment is jammed.""
"RIKER: "This is Commander Riker of the USS Enterprise. Can you hear me?""
"DATA: "I advise against the use of phasers. The gas buildup is too great, Commander.""
"GEORDI: "Yes. A phaser discharge now could blow us all out of here.""
"RIKER: "Klingons.""
"PICARD: "Klingons.""