Data and Riker Unearth a Historical Cure for the Contagion

On the Enterprise bridge, Data and Riker scour the Starfleet archives for clues to the mysterious contagion afflicting the crew. Their breakthrough reveals a striking parallel: a past outbreak aboard the original Constitution-class Enterprise where a water-carbon molecular compound induced alcohol-like intoxication. Captain Picard, recognizing the critical importance, orders Data to immediately transmit this cure formula to Dr. Crusher's medical team. This moment marks a pivotal turning point, transitioning the crew's battle from confusion to hope, even as the contagion's grip tightens and threatens command stability.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

3

Data and Riker sift through Starfleet archives seeking historical records of aberrant behavior aboard previous Enterprises, sparking hope for parallels to the current crisis.

puzzled to intrigued ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Picard arrives as Data and Riker uncover a historical precedent: the original Enterprise crew suffered similar symptoms due to complex water-carbon molecules acting like alcohol on the brain.

curiosity to revelation ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Picard commands Data to download the historical information to medical, signaling a decisive move toward a cure and containment of the contagion.

uncertainty to determination ['Enterprise Main Bridge']

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

6

Focused and alert, withholding judgment but prepared for rapid response.

Worf stands vigilant at the bridge, maintaining alertness as the contagion crisis escalates, ready to assist in tactical or security needs while observing the research and leadership decisions unfolding.

Goals in this moment
  • Support command and bridge operations amid crisis
  • Maintain ship security and readiness
Active beliefs
  • Command decisions are central to ship stability
  • Preparedness mitigates risk in uncertain situations
Character traits
Alert Disciplined Supportive
Follow Worf's journey

Determined and resolute, projecting confidence to steady the crew despite rising threats.

Captain Picard arrives on the bridge, quickly assimilates the data discovered by Data and Riker, and authoritatively orders the immediate transmission of the cure formula to Doctor Crusher, displaying decisive leadership and strategic clarity amid the crisis.

Goals in this moment
  • Ensure the cure reaches medical teams promptly
  • Maintain command stability and crew cohesion
Active beliefs
  • Every moment counts in combating the contagion
  • Strong leadership is essential to navigate the ship through crisis
Character traits
Decisive Authoritative Strategic Calm under pressure
Follow Jean-Luc Picard's journey

Focused concentration with underlying slight physical strain; intellectual engagement tinged with mild discomfort.

Data operates the science station console with rapid precision, inputting commands to search Starfleet archives for historical parallels to the contagion, expressing intellectual curiosity and slight puzzlement, and ultimately downloading the cure formula at Picard's command despite a subtle physical discomfort.

Goals in this moment
  • Identify historical precedents for the contagion afflicting the crew
  • Access and transmit critical cure data to medical teams
Active beliefs
  • Historical data holds the key to solving present crises
  • Relying on logic and precise data retrieval is essential for overcoming the contagion
Character traits
Analytical Curious Diligent Slightly pained perseverance
Follow Data's journey

Thoughtful with cautious optimism, buoyed by the prospect of a solution.

Riker stands behind Data, actively engaging with the research process by recalling relevant Starfleet history and pointing to the viewscreen, articulating the nature of the contagion's past parallels with thoughtful and hopeful demeanor.

Goals in this moment
  • Assist in uncovering the cause and possible cure of the contagion
  • Maintain crew morale by presenting hopeful information
Active beliefs
  • Past Starfleet incidents provide valuable knowledge for present threats
  • Collaborative problem-solving is vital in crisis
Character traits
Insightful Supportive Calm under pressure Hopeful
Follow William Riker's journey

Hopeful yet vigilant, balancing clinical detachment with concern for crew welfare.

Communicating remotely with Captain Picard, Dr. Beverly Crusher listens attentively and receives the cure formula data with cautious optimism, prepared to marshal medical resources to combat the contagion's effects on the crew.

Goals in this moment
  • Obtain and implement the cure formula to treat the crew
  • Provide clear medical updates and collaborate with command
Active beliefs
  • Medical intervention is critical to halting the contagion
  • Trust in command decisions and data integrity
Character traits
Professional Caring Cautiously optimistic Receptive
Follow Beverly Crusher's journey

Quietly apprehensive but dutiful, absorbing the moment’s tension.

A junior Enterprise Conn Crewman remains present on the bridge, silently witnessing the unfolding crisis and the critical breakthrough, embodying the operational nerve center’s disciplined yet vulnerable core.

Goals in this moment
  • Support bridge operations as required
  • Stay alert to command instructions
Active beliefs
  • Bridge is the center of ship operations
  • Following orders is paramount during emergencies
Character traits
Silent Observant Composed
Follow Replacement Conn …'s journey

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

2
Enterprise Bridge Main Viewer

The comm device enables Captain Picard's remote, voice-based communication with Doctor Crusher, transmitting the critical cure data and facilitating urgent medical coordination essential to the ship’s response to the contagion outbreak.

Before: Functional and ready for shipwide communications.
After: Maintains active connection between command and medical for …
Before: Functional and ready for shipwide communications.
After: Maintains active connection between command and medical for ongoing updates.
Tsiolkovsky Bridge Corridor Viewscreen

The Tsiolkovsky Bridge Corridor Viewscreen remains on the bridge as a visual reference, displaying related data and allowing the crew to correlate the current contagion with past incidents. It functions as an informational backdrop enriching the investigative atmosphere, though not directly manipulated in this event segment.

Before: Powered on, displaying live or recorded imagery related …
After: Remains active, continuing to provide visual context for …
Before: Powered on, displaying live or recorded imagery related to the Tsiolkovsky crisis.
After: Remains active, continuing to provide visual context for bridge personnel.

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Main Bridge

The Enterprise Main Bridge functions as the nerve center where crisis management, intellectual inquiry, and command decisions converge. It is the stage for Data and Riker’s analytic breakthrough, Picard’s authoritative command, and the transmission of vital cure data to medical. The confined yet technology-saturated environment amplifies the urgency and collective effort to combat the contagion.

Atmosphere Tense and focused with an undercurrent of mounting hope amid crisis.
Function Command center facilitating investigation, leadership, and communication.
Symbolism Represents the heart of Starfleet order and rational problem-solving under pressure.
Access Restricted primarily to senior staff and bridge crew during emergency.
Illuminated science station console with active displays Background hum of ship systems and intermittent communication beeps

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2
Causal

"Data and Riker's discovery of the historical precedent for the contagion provides critical knowledge leading toward a possible cure."

Picard Discovers Historical Cure and Reassures Medical Team
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Data and Riker's discovery of the historical precedent for the contagion provides critical knowledge leading toward a possible cure."

Data’s Quiet Doubt Amid Picard’s Conviction and the Promise of a Cure
S1E3 · The Naked Now
What this causes 4
Causal

"Data and Riker's discovery of the historical precedent for the contagion provides critical knowledge leading toward a possible cure."

Picard Discovers Historical Cure and Reassures Medical Team
S1E3 · The Naked Now
Causal

"Data and Riker's discovery of the historical precedent for the contagion provides critical knowledge leading toward a possible cure."

Data’s Quiet Doubt Amid Picard’s Conviction and the Promise of a Cure
S1E3 · The Naked Now
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"Beverly’s study and frantic efforts to find a broader cure follow the knowledge download of the historical cure, showing the transition from theory to desperate medical action."

Crusher’s Desperate Search for a Cure
S1E3 · The Naked Now
NARRATIVELY_FOLLOWS

"Beverly administers the hypo-spray remedy derived from the historical data, representing the application of the discovered cure."

Crusher’s Breakthrough Cure Revitalizes Command
S1E3 · The Naked Now

Key Dialogue

"DATA: Can you provide more information, sir? Seeking an instance of someone showering with their clothing on is...is..."
"RIKER: I know... like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"PICARD: ... which somehow resulted in complex strings of water molecules which then acquired carbon from the body and acted on the brain like alcohol! Mister Data, download that information immediately to medical."
"PICARD: You can relax, Doctor. The answer to all this is feeding into your medical banks now... including a cure."
"BEVERLY'S COM VOICE: Are you certain, Captain?"
"PICARD: Absolutely!"